First of all, I want to thank you guys so much for your kind words. Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is never easy, but having the support of my family, friends, readers and fellow bloggers has been incredibly helpful. I can’t thank you enough for your kindness. Reilly, my 13-year-old Black Labrador Retriever, was the best dog I could ever dream of having, and I’m so grateful that she was mine for so long.
Please excuse me while I take a trip down memory lane.
That (school) night, my parents barged into my room (at 11:30 p.m., mind you), shook me awake, and plopped a puppy–completely covered in poop–on my bed. (She’d had a few accidents on the carride home.) I, of course, started screaming–partly out of disgust (I mean, she was quite the smelly mess), partly out of shock, and partly out of complete and utter joy. I couldn’t believe it. My parents tended to really think out their decisions, and they weren’t ones to do something like that on a whim. “I had to have her,” Mom explained. Dad just stood there, laughing. And then everyone hugged. And bathed. And did the laundry.
It really was one of the best days of my childhood.
The family quickly fell in love with Reilly. (Dad included.) How could we not? First of all, she was absolutely hysterical as a puppy. Every time she did something “bad,” it was clear that she did it just so that we’d chase her around the house. She couldn’t get enough of that, haha. She ate my birth certificate and grabbed the turkey off the table at Thanksgiving. She stole countless socks and shredded nearly every magazine my mother brought home. She actually failed out of puppy training school at PetSmart. (Sounds a bit like Marley and Me, huh?) Oh–and I loved this: She was all about doing laps around the inside of the house, but really didn’t like going on walks or runs outside. She would lay down on her belly on the sidewalk (or sometimes in the middle of the street), legs sprawled. Sometimes my mother would have to carry her back to the house.
As Reilly grew up, she maintained a lot of that spunky personality, but we also discovered just how incredibly loveable and kindhearted she was. I never once heard her growl, and she almost never barked. When she wanted to come in from the backyard, she would bark once–and only once–at the window. If no one came, she would simply sit there and patiently wait for us (sometimes for a long time). While she could be quite the beggar, she would lick food out of your hand so as not to hurt you when you’d finally relent. If ever someone was upset, she’d do whatever was necessary in order to lick his or her face. (So sweet, right?) She loved being hugged around the neck, and would happily let you use her as a pillow while watching television. Oh–and she adored belly rubs. She totally knew which people gave the best belly rubs, too. (Grammie and our neighbor, Mrs. Behounek, were her absolute favorites. She would immediately roll on her back upon seeing them.) She was also great with children. We had a lot of them in our neighborhood when we first got her, and every time one would grab her, get a little rough with her, or accidentally hurt her, Reilly would simply wag her tail. Because of her amazing demeanor, my mom eventually got her trained to be a therapy dog, and Reilly frequently visited a local long-term care facility and home for people with developmental, emotional, behavioral, and neurological disorders. She was also the veterinary staff’s favorite visitor. ;)
Reilly loved me unconditionally, and reminded me time and time again of what is most important in life: love. I guess that’s part of the reason it’s so hard to lose her. Throughout the ups and downs of life, she was there waiting for me when I got home–whether it was every day from high school, on breaks from college, or whenever I could get home from New York City as an adult–offering licks, wags of the tail, and hugs. (Anyone else’s dog lean against knees to hug?! So cute.) She was a constant.
I know that Reilly was a dog, but she was truly part of our family. So for now, I’m going to cry. But I’m also going to remember what my mom–and so many of you–reminded me of today: that soon, the sadness will fade, and while we’ll still miss her, we’ll mostly be left with wonderfully happy memories. I love you so much, Rei. Good puppy.
“She ate my birth certificate and grabbed the turkey off the table at Thanksgiving.” –This made me laugh! Haha. Its only goodbye for now, but the memories will be there forever. xo
So sorry! I just lost our family lab last year, they truly are the greatest dogs! My thoughts are with you!
http://www.thepdxprepster.blogspot.com/
Your post made me cry
I’m so sorry about your dog! It is so hard losing a pet and I completely know how you feel. I’m here for you :)
Hunter
Prep on a Budget
Awww…. crying with you. It’s so hard to lose our beloved furry family members. They pave the way for us… in ALL things!
So sorry for your loss :-(
Reilly was such a cutie – love the ears flailing in the air in the snow pic!
-Michele
The Salty Hanger
I love that she failed out of puppy training school :)
I’m so sorry she’s gone. I know how hard it is to lose a pet but soon the crying will stop and there will be many great memories to laugh and smile about.
Kelly this is so sweet, I’m so sorry for your loss, and Reilly seems like the sweetest dog ever. I know that she brought so much love into your live and is now looking down on you with just as much love. – Margaret
I am so sorry for your loss. I have a black lab and golden retriever laying by my feet right now and can’t imagine my life without them. While they are dogs they are also such important parts of our families and lives. Sending love and extra doggy kisses your way.
XO Holly @ createbakecelebrate.com
Thank you for sharing these memories with us Kelly. My heart breaks for you, losing a pet is the worst feeling in the world. She sounds like such a wonderful pup. Thinking of you today.
-Alex
http://www.monstermisa.blogspot.com/
I’m very sorry for your loss, Kelly. Reilly was so lucky to have such a caring and loving family. Your memories are incredibly special, and I can feel your love for her through your words. … Now I shall try to stop crying!
I read this after being linked here from your Noodle post, and I seriously almost started crying. I felt the exact same way when my family got our second Golden- our first we had to put down before her 4th birthday due to kidney failure (she was given a 5 year life span at 1 when we found out she was born with undeveloped kidneys). I was devastated from losing Addie, and still sometimes tear up thinking about the amazing dog she was. But I am incredibly thankful that Sadie came into my life and now know that I had nothing to be worried about with getting another dog. It warms my heart to see all that Noodle is doing for you and I thoroughly enjoy each and every post about her!
Lauren,
Thank you so much for this kind note, and I’m so sorry to hear about your Addie! Isn’t it amazing what a special impact a dog can have on your life? I’m astounded by the love I had for Reilly–she really was part of our family–and the love that continues to grow every day for our little Noodle. So glad that Sadie is doing great… You’ll have to send me a photo! :) Thanks again, girl. This was so sweet!