Riley was just a year older than Eko and she was one of his first friends. Riley quickly became one of Penny’s favorite romping pals too
A sweet pup, gone too soon
The bad news continued this week when we learned another good dog-buddy, Cash, had to be put down because of an inoperable hemangiosarcoma.
Both Cash and Riley were familiar faces in our Bed and Breakfast
Cash, an affectionate rescue, was just seven years old
In past posts on loss I’ve written about grief, recovery, love and perspective. But today I’m drawn to think not about who dogs are when they’re with us, but what they become when they leave us.
And what they become is legendary. Each dog a heroic champion of their time. In the complicated mythology of our lives, every dog is an iconic character we use an anchor for our own identity.
We remember our dogs to remember ourselves. Their names tell our stories.
I remember Indy, a spotted and wild Dalmatian for my freckled and wild youth. Two speckled creatures flying through the snow together.
I remember Blitzen, a mercurial terrier for stubborn teenager. Two troublemakers bound at the hip.
I remember Dutch and Riley and Cash. Three more legends whose stories help me remember my own.
When we can no longer hold our dogs in our arms, we hold them in our hearts. Legends live on.