by Cherie Brooks
I will always remember the day I found Riley at the animal control shelter. He was scheduled to be euthanized at the end of the day. I asked the officer about him, he only knew that the Aussie had been running loose in a neighborhood where no one claimed him. I couldn't resist those eyes, each were half brown and half blue. It only took me a minute to decide that he was the one for me, he was alone and so was I.. The perfect match.. Instantly we were inseparable. I decided to visit my dad in Texas (I am in Florida), I packed up my car and off we went. Even though some of the trip was rough and hot he never once complained. We shared hotel rooms together, watching tv late into the night (he would not sleep until I did).
When we returned we did everything together, go for rides, play ball, watch TV, and curl up at night together to sleep. The next year once again we made our trip to Texas, but this time I decided to stop in Arkansas to visit some friends. We were there for three weeks, he loved to run on the 5 arces they had. Every day at exactly 3pm he and my friends little doggie would go out to run and play.. At 3:30 we would go out to call them in to go for our daily ride in my little car. One week before we were to leave to go on to Texas my world changed forever, it was a Sunday afternoon. I let you out at 3, and stayed out to play with you for about 10 minutes. At 3:30 I opened the door to go for our ride and "Little Doggie" came in, but you were not there.. Thinking you were still running I began to call for you, but no cheerful bark greeted me.. Nothing but silence... That day and night we searched and searched for you, I couldn't eat, and only got one hour of sleep... When 7am came, my world crashed around me.. My friend came in crying and could not look me in the eyes.. It was then I knew that you were gone.. She told me that she had seen you as she was pulling out of the driveway to go to work, you were lying in the ditch by the road.. I ran as fast as my feet could carry me, falling into that ditch, I couldn't even feel the rain falling on me. My friend brought your favorite blanket to me, I laid it on the ground and sobbed as I lifted you into its warmth.. Gently I wrapped you begging for you to wake up.. But that would never be, you were gone.. Some evil, cruel human being had picked you up, shot you, and while I slept dumped you in the ditch for me to find..
Riley boy, I am so sorry that I wasn't there for you, my heart aches every day that you are not here with me.. Please forgive me for that 20 minutes that you were out there alone, please forgive me for not being there to keep you from the cruel person who did this.. The person who took my best friend in the whole world. I don't know what you went through in those minutes or hours, but I would take your place if I could. I would take all of the pain away..
I know that one day we will be together again, please wait for me at Rainbows Bridge, I will come for you when God decides it is my time But just know that I miss and think of you every day my friend.. Forever and Always, I love you my Riley Boy......