Reily...(R.I.P)

I had to put my baby to sleep yesterday...He just ran out of steam...Today is the 1st day coming home without him running out to greet me and its killing me as I type. He was such a gentle little guy. Always. He wouldn't hurt a flee. He had a long and good life and I'm thankful I got to spend the last few months with him. I will refine this post gradually as I'm able but for now this is it. I plan to add our videos here too.....I miss you bug....

ps..the pic of him in the chair with the bag was during Halloween...This was a bag full of candy and he helped me give it out....

our vids
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http://www.vimeo.com/8008561
http://www.vimeo.com/7743947
http://www.vimeo.com/7479928
http://www.vimeo.com/7230076
http://www.vimeo.com/6875480

Since we loved this song...here it is again.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qz3VcLv2kQ&feature=channel

Reily came into my life in March of 1996. I was away on an adventure and Amy decided to get some company for Miss Maggie. When I got home he was still small enough to walk under her belly. I had been layed off from a job and had some time on my hands so I used to take the 2 of them into the woods for hikes. They were both slow enough running that I never put a leash on because I could chase them down. We got into a routine of waiting about 50 feet from the road and I'd pick them up. All I'd have to say is, 'pick em up' and they'd stop and wait. He kept that habit until his last days. At 1st I thought having 2 dogs would be tough but he learned so quickly and I think Maggie was a big part of that. She was always the bully and he the chicken little. He never did catch on to the bully thing. As time went on they might as well have been one dog they were so easy to live with. Maggie passed in May of 2004 but as luck would have it somebody had given Amy another Maltese and although she is no Maggie she was still company for my little dude. Another shock for the both of us was when I moved back to Maryland in the same year. He lost his big sister and his daddy but as more luck would have it he had a wonderful granddaddy in Albert. Albert loved him much as we did. When I'd come visit he still seemed to know me but so much time had passed it was different as time went on. Skip forward to summer of 2009. He had started to fail somewhat at this point. He'd lost a lot of his vision and being around a kid and other dogs was causing him panic attacks. Amy called and asked what I thought so on August 27, 2009 (Albert's Birthday) she and Big Al brought him to me an although I know it hurt her deeply to let him go she also knew she had no choice. I figured he could stay with me and see how it went. We had a shaky start but he seemed to figure out my house. He put on some weight and seemed to be happy. I knew he didn't have long and was surprised that he lived as long as he did. Long enough for us to get reacquainted and that to me makes all of this grieving worth it. If you don't grieve a loss how can you appreciate what you have....? The newsroom is still quiet tonight but I have those good memories and I know Amy and Albert do too. 1 last thing. I think dogs know something about when their time is near. Maggie waited(I'll use waited as that is what they seem to do) until both Amy and I were away and she died in her sleep next to Albert. She snuggled up and passed away and I think she knew that neither one of us could handle it. I also think Reily found just enough energy to live long enough for us to reacquaint. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.