Riley & Me

I just finished reading John Grogan's "Marley & Me" and have already told Mike that we WILL go see the movie in the theaters. (I am secretly wishing that they will have a showing where dog lovers can bring their dogs to watch the movie together. I'm 100% positive that my Riley and Catie Mae will love it!)

I can't remember the last time I laughed out loud while reading a book, and at the same time, cried so much while reading a book. And when I say cry, I don't mean a few tears in the corners of my eyes, but tears streaming down my face, and actually crying. (I know - how sad is that?)

I know this book has been out for awhile, but I just never had a huge interest in it. That is, until Mike and I got our Riley boy, our beautiful black lab. After having our Griffey pup after just one week, and now having Riley for 9 months, I'm a lover of labs. I grew up with Goldens and thought that was the only way to go, but Mike grew up with Labs. We already had my baby, Catie Mae, so Mike got to choose our next dog.

Now that we've had Riley, I'm so glad we got a lab. He's my "Boogie" (Mike's "Buddy") my pillow, my cuddle puppy. He loves to cuddle up next to me on our bed. He HAS to be touching either Mike or I some way or another at night. If not, he's not content. He HAS to have his "kitty" to be happy. Right now, Kitty is actually in the wash, and I've never seen Riley pace so much in our house as is he is right now.

When I reached the part of the book where Marley's 13 years came to an end, and the tears were streaming down my face, I saw a black nose appear under my book, and soon Riley's entire head had pushed its way in front of the book and he was giving me tons of kisses. Riley has always sensed when I needed some puppy loving. :-)

Marley's death made me remember my parents and I having to put our Golden, Alex, to sleep. Alex was my dog - my best friend. I wanted to bring both he and Catie Mae with me when I moved to Indy, but my dad wasn't too fond of that idea. When my parents told me that Alex was getting sick, I went home that weekend to spend with him (I know - it sounds silly, but I'm a big dog lover.) My last night home with him, Alex was too weak to get on the bed with me at my parents house, so I curled up on the floor next to him. I'll never forget that. As I said good bye to him the next morning, the tears were streaming down my face, and as weak as Alex was, he still gave me tons of kisses. I cried so hard driving back to Indy. The next morning, after talking to my mom, I had to be in FTW with my parents as they put Alex to sleep. It was the best thing for him.

My parents and I took Alex to the vet and we all held him as Dr. Funnel gave him the injection. I've only seen my dad cry like that a few other times. I'll never forget that day. We had gone to the vet's office with Alex, and left with only his collar. I immediatly took his name tag off his collar and put it on my keychain to serve as a constant reminder of my boy, just like John Grogan kept Marley's choker collar in his drawer after Marley's death. I actually still have his name tag on my keychain today.

There are some similarities between Riley and Marley,but there are some strong differences too. Riley has NEVER been a destructive pup. When we got him, I had numerous friends warn me that labs are known for their chewing and destructive behavior, so I braced myself. (Hey, when Catie Mae was a puppy, she managed to ruin the entire trim around the door in my parents laundry room. I figured that if Catie Mae was destructive, who only knew what Riley could do!)

Just like Marley, Riley LOVES to play submarine with his nose in his water bowl. He always leaves a trail of water behind him after taking a drink. He loves to put his head in the shower and catch the water on his tounge. He loves to hop up on the counter in the bathroom and drink water from the faucet. (One morning, I had turned the faucet on very low for Frankie Bob, and when I turned around, both Riley and Frankie Bob were drinking from the faucet.)

Riley is full of energy (especially when new friends come to visit HIM. Forget visiting Mike and I. Riley is convinced they come for him.) But after his initial excitement wears off, my cuddle puppy appears.

I know that when the day comes that Mike & I have kids, Riley will be their protector. He's my protector right now. The section in the book where Marley proves to John that he is a watch dog reminded me of a night about a month or so ago with Riley. Mike had gone over to Matt & Sarah's house to play Guitar Hero with Matt. About 2:00am when Mike came home, I was asleep in our bedroom and RIley was on the bed with me. Riley heard the garage door go up and was instantly in guard dog mode. Riley wouldn't let Mike in the house until we turned on the lights. Riley's fur was standing straight up on his back, he tail pointed and his fangs showing. A constant "GRRRRRR" was coming from him. He wasn't about to let ANYONE near his mommy - not even Mike.

If you haven't read "Marley & Me" - go get the book (or let me know... you know Christmas is just around the corner...) Be prepared to laugh out loud, but also have a box of kleenex close by. I can't wait to see if Santa brings me John Grogan's next book, "The Longest Trip Home."