I wonder about you a lot. Not only do I wonder what Riley was like as a puppy, and what you got to experience with him as he grew up that we never will...I also wonder what you were like with him. Did you spoil him as much as we do? Did you ever figure out just how much he loves apple slices? Did you love him like we love him? I bet you did.
I wonder if you lived alone, if your family visited often. We have a theory that you were alone much of the time - Riley doesn't seem very socialized when it comes to people and animals. I wonder if he ever growled at your grandkids. I wonder if you ever noticed how his paws smell like Fritos, or how he makes eye contact for weirdly long periods of time when he's tired. I wonder if you took good care of him...actually, I don't have to wonder - I know you did.
I wonder if you had thought about what would happen to him after you were gone. Did you have a plan? Your children took him into their home, changed his name, and tried to care for him...I wonder if you ever suspected he might end up in the shelter. When they surrendered him, they said they couldn't afford two dogs. That could be true. But I always wonder if Riley had been aggressive to the other dog and that was the reason. It doesn't matter...what matters is that we found him. Shivering and quietly whimpering in the back of his cage, his fur a comical mop, we found him.
I wonder if he thinks about you. He has to, right? He remembers his old name - if we say "Kasey" in conversation, Riley whips his head around like he has just seen a ghost. I wonder if, in a way, he has. Selfishly, I wonder if he loved you more than he loves us - silly, I know. (In the late hours of the night, I even wonder if he will look for you at the Rainbow Bridge instead of waiting for us. I can't bear to wonder that for too long.) I know you are gone, and there's no use...but I still wonder.
Thank you for taking care of him all those years. We'll take it from here :)
I'm joining two blog hops today: The Barks & Bytes hop hosted by Heart Like a Dog and the #JoyfulMoments hop hosted by Dogthusiast. Click the links to check out some great blogs!
That is such a lovely letter. Riley, i could kiss you on that gorgeous button nose.
ReplyDeleteLoves and licky kisses
Princess Leah xxx
That is a beautiful letter. Recently I had a friend who passed away and to my mind she was not old (in her 40's). She had a dog who was her baby lap dog and two cats. She never thought her pets would outlive her. 40's is young these days and her illness came on quickly. Her family knew they could not keep her pets and a bunch of us put the word out on FB that her pets needed homes. As it turns out her cousin was able to find homes for all the pets before their owner passed. Hopefully they are forever homes. I am sure Riley's owner is smiling down at you.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for joining the Barks and Bytes hop!
Thank you! It's so sad when pets outlive people - you just know they are confused and wondering where their mom or dad went. :( Thank you for reading! <3
DeleteHi Y'all!
ReplyDeleteOh what a sweet letter. My Humans have made arrangements for me if I should outlive them, but you never know what will happen if that should happen...It's scary to think about.
Y'all come on by,
Hawk aka BrownDog
It is terrifying to think about! Jared and I have never really discussed it, but it's definitely something we'll have to talk about one day.
DeleteSuch a lovely letter. And such an adorable pup!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! We think he's pretty cute ;)
DeleteBrought tears to my eyes. What a lovely letter. Thank you for adding it to the blog hop.
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you. I tend to write pretty lighthearted stuff; it was definitely a change to write something a bit more serious. Thanks for reading!
DeleteReally sweet! I sometimes miss my previous owners, too *whimper*
ReplyDeleteAw :( I'm sure your previous owners miss you, too...but what a wonderful home you have now! :)
DeleteWhat a nice letter
ReplyDeleteWags
Oreo
Thanks for reading, Oreo! <3
DeleteSo amazing - it's amazing to know that our dogs have such varied histories. We may never know what their upbringing was like, or if we compare to their former owners... It's all just speculation, but I suspect all of us with adopted dogs do it. This letter is so heartfelt - I'm sure Riley's previous owner would be thrilled that he ended up in such a great home.
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you for your kind words, Jen! :) That's one of the perks (at least, I see it as a perk) of adopting a shelter pet - they come with a story. I don't think I've read your adoption story about Laika yet - I'll have to search your blog to find it :)
DeleteAbsolutely beautiful Riley's Mom! I gots a lump in my throght whens I wead it tu my Mom and she cryed tu! We are so very happy dat Riley has founded a furever home wiffs yu and her Dad tu!
ReplyDelete