Riley entered my life in 2008. I still remember that day. I found her on Craigslist, paid a $60 “rehoming fee”, and she sat on my lap as I drove home with my new puppy. I was young and broke, living alone, and could barely afford my bills. It was an irresponsible decision to get a dog at that point in life, but I’m so glad that I was able to make it work.

She was a mix of two retrievers: Her mother was a chocolate lab and her father was a golden retriever. Somehow all of their puppies were black.

I had some experience with dogs before her, but I did not know about the amount of affection that retrievers are capable of. As I was getting to know her, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that she loved hugs so much, she even initiated them! Literally the sweetest dog I’ve ever met.

She was very smart. I was able to teach her most of her tricks in like ~10 mins each, while heating up frozen pizzas or whatever cheap garbage I ate back then.

She was the most consistent part of my bumpy path in life. She has been with me through tough breakups, my parents’ deaths, career changes, and many other ups and downs that come with adulthood.

She’s also the oldest retriever I’ve ever met. She would have been 17 years old next week.

We were together until her last breath. With my hand on her chest, I felt her final heartbeat.

And I will remember her until mine.

Riley was such a good girl.

  • Maeve@kbin.earth
    12·
    6 months ago

    That’s a long time. I know it’s raw and too real. I’m sorry for your loss.

  • CallMeButtLove@lemmy.worldEnglish
    9·
    6 months ago

    100% of posts like this never fail to break my heart. It takes me back to the day I lost my girl. I’m so sorry for your loss. There’s no feeling quite like this. I may not know you, but you aren’t a stranger. They say grief is just love with nowhere to go. What helped me was remembering how lucky I was for all those years.

    • percent@infosec.pubOPEnglish
      6·
      6 months ago

      Thank you. I think about that a lot too. She lived so much longer than I could have expected, and I’m grateful for those extra “bonus years” 🖤

      I’m sorry for your loss too.

  • Lanske@lemmy.worldEnglish
    9·
    6 months ago

    I am so sorry for your loss. I know unfortunately how it is to lose your best furry friend…

  • Edce@lemmy.caEnglish
    2·
    6 months ago

    I love reading these stories but I cry every fucking time. My two dogs passed away two years ago (black lab 13) and last year (blue nose pit 12.5). Both the goodest of boys in their own ways. I remeber their last heart beat too and will forever love them.

    Glad Riley was with you for so long. Dogs are the fucking best and we don’t deserve them.

    • percent@infosec.pubOPEnglish
      2·
      6 months ago

      I wish dogs could live longer. Humans have domesticated such an amazing animal, but nature’s like “Okay fine, but you only get to keep them for a small portion of your life. Also it’s really gonna hurt you when they leave.”

      I’m sorry for your loss. I’m sure they were both fun, happy boys in their own different ways.

  • Townlately@feddit.nlEnglish
    6·
    6 months ago

    So sorry for your loss, OP. Riley is very beautiful and sounds like a lovely dog. I lost a cat recently and I feel your pain.

  • TheTurner@lemmy.zipEnglish
    6·
    6 months ago

    Sorry for your loss. Losing a dear dog is the hardest. I hope you remember all of the good you brought each other. Made me cry.

    • percent@infosec.pubOPEnglish
      11·
      6 months ago

      Thank you 🖤 Yeah I’ve been scrolling through photos since I posted this, and many of them made me smile.

      Here’s a random one of her being a goofball.

  • Mossheart@lemmy.caEnglish
    10·
    6 months ago

    I’m so sorry for your loss. She sounds like she was the sweetest.

    Thinking of Riley tonight.

  • rocci@lemmy.mlEnglish
    4·
    6 months ago

    I’m really sorry for your loss, she looks like a good doggo