Comments on: What happened to Riley-in a matter of only 9 days.

By: Kimberly Sarantakes

Kimberly Sarantakes — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 01:15:01 +0000

Hi Pam,
I sent you an e-mail earlier today about coming across an old e-mail exchange with you, which led me to your website, then here. I was scrolling through, looking at your beautiful work, and was gripped by this post. I lost my sweet Australian Shepherd on December 2 (just over a month ago), so I have a good idea of what you went through with Riley. Gypsy had a terrible lung infection/disease, for which we never could get an accurate diagnosis. She died at home with me and my two boys surrounding her in our kitchen. I still cry sometimes, I miss her so much. Even with our two other wonderful dogs, it’s just not the same without her.
Although Riley went to the Great Dog Park in the Sky a couple of years ago, I know you still miss him a lot. What a wonderful tribute you wrote to him. Thank you for sharing your treasured images of him and also for your witty, humorous and eloquent words about his last day with you.
Kim

By: adorable aussies

adorable aussies — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 08:30:55 +0000

Incredibly sad story. Sorry to hear about your loss. Just found this post searching for “australian shepherd”.. guess it’s due to one of the comments. Anyway, my heart goes out to you. We all know how sad it is to lose a loved one.

By: Susan Blackshere

Susan Blackshere — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:06:18 +0000

I am so sorry for your loss of Riley, what a beautiful boy that I know took your heart with him. I also lost my Riley in April of this year, he was my heart and soul, I still cry to this day. He was a rescue boy that I had adopted 9 years ago. My heart is with you during this dreadful time of your life.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:21:04 +0000

I followed the link to your blog from your flickr site, and found your link to this post on one of your more recent entries about Karma. I’m now so choked up that I can barely type. Riley was truly a wonderful dog, and I’m so sorry you lost him.

By: Linda K

Linda K — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 06:25:01 +0000

Pam, I too am sitting here with tears streaming down my face, what a beautiful dog, and how good was he to do that for you, and be strong enough so that you could get there and comfort him at his last moments. I will never understand how people can mistreat such gentle souls that never ask for anything but love back. I know he wll always have a special place in your heart, as do all furbabies, and you are right, I could also never imagine life without a cat or dog by my side (currently I have the newest addition, our 16 yo stray, by my side as I am typing this)

By: You Had Me At Woof | Pam Biasotti Photography Blog

You Had Me At Woof | Pam Biasotti Photography Blog — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:27:13 +0000

[...] I found this portrait I took of Riley several years ago when I was playing with studio lighting in my living room. Riley was forever my patient subject as my sons run the other way when they see a camera in my hand. This is probably still one of my favorite captures of him. He isn’t gray yet and still looks young, vibrant and beautiful. See the area rug in the backround? That’s the INFAMOUS rug he ruined the day he passed away. I was completely at peace with him ruining it. You can read about my feelings of that rug here. [...]

By: CGC Comic Books

CGC Comic Books — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:14:03 +0000

I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.

By: Kathryn

Kathryn — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:50:52 +0000

Pam – as I finished reading I was bawling like a baby. I am so sorry to hear about your loss, but am so glad you were able to spend those last precious minutes with Riley. My standard Australian Shepherd has liver cancer, and we do not know how much longer she has, but we are, as you did, just making the most of the time we have left.

By: Chung Nguyen

Chung Nguyen — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:29:35 +0000

I really sympathize (honestly, I keep thinking about my 10-year-old dog who I’ve had only 4 months with and I yet I can’t imagine being without her….). I’m so sorry for your loss, but thank you for sharing your story.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:00:13 +0000

I am so so sorry for your loss. I just cried reading your beautiful words. I hope you don’t mind, but I thought I’d share a poem I found this past January when we lost our Maggie dog (a yellow lab). It was a comfort to me, as I hope it might be to you.

Your Pets in Heaven
by Ken D. Conover

To have loved and then said farewell, is better than to have never loved at all.
For all of the times that you have stooped and touched my head, fed me my favorite treat and returned the love that I so unconditionally gave to you.
For the care that you gave to me so unselfishly.
For all of these things I am grateful and thankful.

I ask that you not grieve for the loss, but rejoice in the fact that we lived, loved and touched each others lives. My life was fuller because you were there, not as a master/owner, but as my FRIEND.

Today I am as I was in my youth. The grass is always green, butterflies flit among the flowers and the Sun shines gently down upon all of God’s creatures.
I can run, jump, play and do all of the things that I did in my youth. There is no sickness, no aching joints and no regrets and no aging.

We await the arrival of our lifelong companions and know that togetherness is forever.
You live in our hearts as we do in yours. Companions such as you are so rare and unique.
Don’t hold the love that you have within yourself. Give it to another like me and then I will live forever. For love never really dies, and you are loved and missed as surely as we are.

Your Pets In Heaven