Back Home

Riley and I are back from Florida. As most of you know I drove down to Florida with Riley at the end of January. Riley was a great passenger on the trip, though I will have to teach him to drive so he can help out a little before we go again..

I got to spend 3 weeks with my Dad while he was in the hospital and then in hospice before he passed away on 2/21/10. During that time and the few weeks since, Riley has worked overtime as a therapy dog, a companion and and a comforter. Riley had to be left alone more than usual while my Mom and I were at the hospital etc. He just kind of rolled with the punches and was happy to see us when we returned. I think he really knew things were not right in the house and did everything he could to be a good boy and sit with us when we needed it most. I was able to bring Riley to see my Dad while he was in hospice. My Dad loved Riley so much and was very glad to see him when I brought him. Riley gave him big wet sloppy kisses all over his face, which my Dad just loved.

Riley was such a comfort to me and my family while we were in Florida. My Mom loves him as much as if he were her own dog and Riley feels the same about my Mom. Every morning Riley would wake up at the crack of dawn, run out and go find my Mom. It was so cute to see.

My Mom drive back with me and Riley and spent a week here before returning to Florida last week. Even here at home, Riley would wake up very early, run out of my room and downstairs, and look all around until he could find my Mom. He did it for 2 days after she left and was clearly sad that she was not here. So Thank You Riley for bringing comfort to me and our whole family, when we most needed it. You spent the last 7 weeks doing God's work.

This morning, I had to take Riley back down to see Dr. Glass at Red Bank Hospital. Some of Riley's symptoms have been getting worse over the past few weeks. Dr. Glass gave him a full exam and said he though he looked pretty well. While in Florida Riley shed almost his entire coat but Dr. Glass did not think it was something to worry about. He thinks it is coming back in nicely and said just to keep an eye on it. He said that he still felt Riley was a good candidate for surgery. I told him that I was not going to go that route and he said not to rule it out, but I don't think that I could or would ever entertain that option. Dr. Glass increased Riley's prednisone, which I am not thrilled about and wants to see him in 1 month. Hopefully there will be a huge change in his symptoms and the prednisone will do the trick. All in all Riley is doing quite well so far. He definitely has good days and bad days ( don't we all ) and I am pretty attuned to how he is feeling. I try to take advantage of every good day he has with a nice walk, lots of hugs and some play. Now that the weather is getting nicer I hope to be out walking more too.

We did a pet therapy visit last week at the Crossroads school in Westfield and we are starting back at Greystone tomorrow. I am looking forward to doing more pet therapy visits in the coming weeks and months. Alot depends on how Riley is doing.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers during the very difficult time.