KellyandKris216 Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 Today I managed to visit River's greyhound-data page a little more than a month after losing him. There I discovered that an incredibly kind person had added a note about how he had passed and how much we loved him. It brought tears to my eyes to remember the joy and happiness he brought us, which now mostly overwrites the terrible pain of losing him. To whomever added the note, thank you so much for your kindness. And to those who helped us in the dark hours of his crisis, thank you for your words of advice and support. It has all meant so much to us. I wish to share with the world how much we loved him. Though he was shy at first, River never met a person he didn't like. "Sweet" truly was the best word to describe him; he was quiet and gentle, and had such soulful eyes that reflected the depth of his love. He had mastered the adorable bitey-face and was quick to employ it when he wanted attention. Rawr rawr rawr said he! Out in the yard he thought he was a horse, trying to pass between our legs but getting stuck because he was so exceptionally tall. His ears were amazing to watch; perked up and bouncing like a coyote on walks, or half cocked when listening to you. But they were best when he was asleep; he'd be out cold, but one ear would be straight in the air like an antenna, listening to what was going on. He loved to have them rubbed and tugged and itched, and would put his ears in your hand if you dared start petting somewhere else. He loved scritches and brushings, leaning so heavily into them we thought we might fall over ourselves. And the grunting! That's how you knew you'd found the right spot. River adored chasing squirrels. Fortunately he was so inept at it that we knew he’d never catch them, so we let him have his fun because it brought him so much joy. He’d go bouncing across the yard like the squirrels were there to play, and I’m pretty sure they knew he was no threat as well. He would have been an excellent Drama student. We hear he’s infamous for coming off the hauler and crawling under a picnic table to collapse until he could be coaxed out with water and a little food. He also excelled at going kersplat in the cool sand after a good run at playgroup, worrying everyone for a moment until he’d pop back up and want to go again. Our lovey, overdramatic dork. River’s favorite pastime was laying in the grass under the sun. He would bask in its glow when it was cool, or in the shade when it was warm. He got so excited any time it snowed and would romp through it like the puppy he was. This year’s big snowstorm was a late Christmas present for him; he forged his own trails through the snow, alternately pushing like a ship and bouncing like a bunny to make the trail he wanted. But the most beautiful part of River was his soul. He had a quiet way of expressing his love, be it sitting with you when you were sad, or giving you a big toothy smile when you got home from work. It was the look in his eyes that said over and over, "I love you. I love you." On his last evening we took River for a beautiful walk through the grass at sunset, amongst the flowering cherry and pear trees to enjoy a breath of the wide wide world. We followed his slow pace wherever he wanted, his ears perking up at a skittering leaf or his nose catching the scent of someone who had been there before. He was at peace with the world. We spread out his bed for him inside and he lay down with a big sigh that said, "Thank you. I'm done." We lay with him for awhile, and sang him nonsensical songs about how much we loved him as he passed. Thank you for everything you gave us, sweet boy. Our hearts are in pieces missing you, though you've sent reminders that you'll never be truly gone. Run free through the grass until we meet again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
o_rooly Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 My Aston was undoubtedly there to greet him at the Bridge. Aston loved to hang out with other goofy boys. I'm so very sorry for your loss. Heartbreak doesn't begin to cover it to begin with, but he was so very young. There are no words. Quote every day a tiny adventure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Time4ANap Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 (edited) I'm so sorry for your loss. There is nothing like a big goofy boy to leave you with lots of happy memories. He was one of Rocket's brothers from another mother, who left way too soon. Run free, River. Edited May 5, 2016 by Time4ANap Quote Camp Broodie. The current home of Mark Kay Mark Jack and Gracie Kiowa Safe Joan. Always missing my boy Rocket Hi Noon Rocket, Allie Phoenix Dynamite, Kate Miss Kate, Starz Under Da Starz, Petunia MW Neptunia, Diva Astar Dashindiva, and LaVida I've Got Life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busderpuddle Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 I am so sorry. Quote Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRoooooers Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 Your River will always be flowing in your What a grand boy. I am just so incredibly sorry for your loss. He was much too young. Quote Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. Thank you, campers. Current enrollees: Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M Angels: Pal . Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie . (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4. Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlies_Dad Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 A beautiful tribute to a beautiful boy. Quote Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge. Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 Hugs to you in your loss. Rest well, good boy. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinw Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 I'm so very sorry Quote Xavi the galgo and Peter the cat. Missing Iker the galgo ?-Feb.9/19, Treasure (USS Treasure) April 12/01-May 6/13, Phoenix (Hallo Top Son) Dec.14/99-June 4/11 and Loca (Reko Swahili) Oct.9/95 - June 1/09, Allen the boss cat, died late November, 2021, age 19. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatterseaBrindl Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 So very sorry for the loss of your handsome River. Remember all those good times and smile..... Quote Nancy...Mom to Sid (Peteles Tiger), Kibo (112 Carlota Galgos) and Joshi. Missing Casey, Gomer, Mona, Penelope, BillieJean, Bandit, Nixon (Starz Sammie), Ruby (Watch Me Dash) Nigel (Nigel), and especially little Mario, waiting at the Bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 He was much much too young. I read your roller coaster ride in H&M and was so saddened when he didn't make it. What a beautiful soul he was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesiRayMom Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 Beautiful tribute for your special man. The love shines through. I'm so sorry he's gone, but what a blessing to you he was while he was here. Quote Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racindog Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramonaghan Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 Beautiful boy. I'm so very sorry. Quote Rachel with littermates Doolin and Willa, boss cat Tootie, and feline squatters Crumpet and Fezziwig. Missing gentlemen kitties Mud, Henry, and Richard and our beautiful, feisty, silly Sweep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabrina Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 For your River we are sorry you left your folks & made your journey across the bridge Quote Caroline, Mom to Daphne (49B-50215) and Penny (41D-55779)Remembering Bridge Angels Margo and Sabrina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocsDoctor Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 I am very sorry for your loss He was a lovely boy, and that was a lovely tribute you wrote for him. How sad to lose him at such a young age! Reading your words it is clear just how much he loved his life with you, and how he lived each and every day to the full. Run free, brave River! Quote Clare with Tiger (Snapper Gar, b. 18/05/2015), and remembering Ken (Boomtown Ken, 01/05/2011-21/02/2020) and Doc (Barefoot Doctor, 20/08/2001-15/04/2015)."It is also to be noted of every species, that the handsomest of each move best ... and beasts of the most elegant form, always excel in speed; of this, the horse and greyhound are beautiful examples."----Wiliam Hogarth, The Analysis of Beauty, 1753. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndtime Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 So young. I am so sad and sorry to read this. River was a very handsome boy. Quote Irene Ullmann w/Flying Odin and Mama Mia in Lower Delaware Angels Brandy, John E, American Idol, Paul, Fuzzy and Shine Handcrafted Greyhound and Custom Clocks http://www.houndtime.com Zoom Doggies-Racing Coats for Racing Greyhounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachbum1 Posted May 6, 2016 Share Posted May 6, 2016 So very sorry for the loss of your sweet boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queenwinniesmom Posted May 6, 2016 Share Posted May 6, 2016 How you loved him! Your tribute was so eloquent, expressing perfectly how unique and special he was. And those eyes..... I'm so sorry you lost your precious River. Quote Nancy, Mom to Evangelina and Kiva Missing Lacey, Patsy, Buster, my heart dog Nick, Winnie, Pollyanna, Tess, my precious Lydia, Calvin Lee, my angel butterfly Laila, and kitties Lily, Sam and Simon My Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Catsburgandhoundtown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracey Posted May 6, 2016 Share Posted May 6, 2016 Far too young I am so sorry for your loss. Quote ...............Chase (FTH Smooth Talker), Morgan (Cata), Reggie (Gable Caney), Rufus (Reward RJ). Fosters check in, but they don't check out. Forever loved -- Cosmo (System Br Mynoel), March 11, 2002 - October 8, 2009.Miss Cosmo was a lady. And a lady always knows when to leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greydawg Posted May 7, 2016 Share Posted May 7, 2016 What a sweetheart. I am so sorry. Quote Cheryl - "Mom" to RUNNER (Gunnah, born 6/15/2012) and FARGO (Ridin Shotgun, born 8/21/2015). Missing my Grey-Angels HEISMAN (RX Heisman) (3/29/2005-2/1/2016) and ALEX (Bevenly) (4/15/2005-6/7/2018). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyPoopon Posted May 8, 2016 Share Posted May 8, 2016 I'm so incredibly sorry. He was so very young--he should have been with you for far longer. Your tribute to him is wonderful. Godspeed River. Quote Standard Poodle Daisy (12/13) Missing Cora (RL Nevada 5/99-10/09), Piper (Cee Bar Easy 2/99-1/10), Tally (Thunder La La 9/99-3/10), Edie (Daring Reva 9/99-10/12), Dixie (Kiowa Secret Sue 11/01-1/13), Jessie (P's Real Time 11/98-3/13), token boy Graham (Zydeco Dancer 9/00-5/13), Cal (Back Already 12/99-11/13), Betsy (Back Kick Beth 11/98-12/13), Standard Poodles Minnie (1/99-1/14) + Perry (9/98-2/14), Annie (Do Marcia 9/03-10/14), Pink (Miss Pinky Baker 1/02-6/15), Poppy (Cmon Err Not 8/05-1/16), Kat (Jax Candy 5/05-5/17), Ivy (Jax Isis 10/07-7/21), Hildy (Braska Hildy 7/10-12/22), Opal (Jax Opal 7/08-4/23). Toodles (BL Toodles 7/09-4/24) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schultzlc Posted May 8, 2016 Share Posted May 8, 2016 I am very sorry for your loss. Your tribute for River is so touching, it is clear he is so very loved. Quote Laura, mom to Luna (Boc's Duchess) and Nova (Atascocita Venus).Forever in my heart, Phantom (Tequila Nights) and Zippy (Iruska Monte). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted May 9, 2016 Share Posted May 9, 2016 I am so very sorry. Godspeed, River. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jessicaksu125 Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 I love that part about how you talk about how he expressed love. My Lizzie did that same thing, the look in her eyes always said everything. Hugs and sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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