In memory of Riley

My best friend unfortunately passed last night, he was gently placed to rest, and we buried him in his favourite spot next to our vegetable plot.  I buried him with his favourite things, hairbands, string, a picture of us, a note from me. It came round so quickly and unexpectedly. I’m still in shock and disbelief, but I am trying my best to stay calm, knowing he is in a better place and he has been placed to rest peacefully. Riley was my companion, my best friend and I felt my soulmate. We adopted him around 10 years ago and he has lived a great life. Riley was very popular in our town, he would walk around, following the school kids to school,sit in peoples houses, cuddle people in their homes. Everyone loved him. I’m so glad he had such a happy life. I can still feel him and sometimes I think I can hear him. Unfortunately my baby was diagnosed with kidney failure/cancer and a lump in his stomach as we took him to the vets, two nights ago, I stood in the vets office, crying my eyes out, begging for one more night and that’s what I was given. I took the day off and me and my baby had a perfect day, I lit the fire which was his favourite spot, I let him rest, I gave him all his favourite food. I hugged him so much. We had lunch together. This pain is unbearable and is still taking a while to form into a scab :losing a pet is so horrible, I feel so much grief, guilt, sadness and overwhelm. I’m so glad I made his last day comfortable and happy as it could ever be. I’m visiting him every day and speaking to him, I lay next to the grass above where he was buried and talk to him about my day, I light candles, say prayers, and I even stuck cross and a picture of him above the ground where he rests. I love my baby more than anything always, and forever.

by Ella Pillinger