Good-bye, Riley.

© Mary K. Robison

Good-bye, Riley.

Uploaded: September 21, 2013

Description

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We learned Thursday morning that lab tests done on Tuesday showed Riley was suffering from kidney failure. We had no choice but to let the vet put him to sleep.
Our only comfort right now is the collection of videos we made of him over the past 12 years. If you haven't yet filmed the animals you love, please DO IT NOW! Someday you will be very glad you did.

Exif: F Number: 3, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 10/280 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 400, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 17.00 mm, Model: FinePix S7000

Comments

Tiia Vissak September 21, 2013

sad... but a great portrait! #1545306

Colette M. Metcalf September 21, 2013

I am so sorry for your loss, Mary. This is a beautiful capture of Riley. #10849956

Barbara Waldoch September 21, 2013

I feel for you, Mary, so sad to have to part with our animals. #10849976

Jeff Robinson level-deluxe September 21, 2013

So sorry to hear this Mary - A wonderful portrait and advise.. #10849985

Gord MacEachern September 21, 2013

So Sorry Mary! This is a great image of Riley! #10850048

Tammy M. Anderson level-deluxe September 21, 2013

So sorry to hear this. Beautiful capture of Riley. #10850056

frank w. degenhardt September 21, 2013

Am so sorry to hear about Riley. I know how difficult that is. We are not losing a pet, we are losing a friend that brought us so much joy, who knew when we were down and stayed with us. I am so glad you have the videos to watch and beautiful pictures like this of him. My heart goes out to you dear friend. #10850097

Mary K. Robison September 21, 2013

Thank you for your comments and condolences, Tiia, Colette, Barbara, Jeff, Gord, Tammy, and Frank. I'm very grateful for them. #10850113

Shelly A. Van Camp level-classic September 21, 2013

Awww, so sorry, Mary...Animals are such a part of our lives. I try to help with animal rescue here in Louisiana. I have a friend who rescues cats and they built a huge cat house for them with all kinds of houses in it and toys. I am sorry for your loss. He was a beautiful cat. #10850165

Mary K. Robison September 21, 2013

Thank you for commenting, Shelly. I appreciate it. It must give you and your friend great satisfaction to save animals who might otherwise be lost. #10850193

Robert R. Goodman September 21, 2013

Hi Mary,So sorry for your lost my friend.Great image of Riley!!!!! #10850285

Mary K. Robison September 22, 2013

Thank you, Bobby. #10850745

Nadia Paul September 22, 2013

I'm so sorry Mary - our pets become such an integral part of our families that it is almost like losing a child. This is a gorgeous portrait of Riley. #10850775

Mary K. Robison September 22, 2013

I appreciate your thoughtful comments, Nadia. Thank you. #10850827

Kirsten Kiki Kjaer September 22, 2013

Oh, I am SO sorry to read this, Mary.

My first choice in your gallery.
And my first thought was: What a darling face and expression.
Beautiful portrait.
And those gorgeous and beautiful eyes are saying so much if you know the language of kitties.

Then I read underneath the image and it makes me so sad for you.
It's heartbreaking, my friend.

We never get over the loss of loved pets but of course it's a little comfort to look at films.
I wish I had that of my dog, kitties and horses of the past. #10851080

Thomas E. Hinds September 22, 2013

I am sorry for your loss, Mary! This is a beautiful portrait of your cat, Riley! Animals are precious gifts for us to treasure. Then we can remember them fondly. Do take care. #10851406

Avril Young September 22, 2013

Oh I am so sorry Mary, I certainly feel for you..warm hugs going your way.. #10851517

Ujjwal Mukherjee September 23, 2013

I am so sorry, Mary! I have gone through it twice and can only imagine how you feel now.... my thoughts are with you.
This is a beautiful image of Riley, he will be always with you in this image.... #10851614

Mary K. Robison September 23, 2013

Thank you for your kind words and condolences, Kiki, Thomas, Avril, and Ujjwal. I'm very grateful for them. #10851769

JO ANN CLEVELAND September 25, 2013

Love, love, love this beautiful cat Mary!

jo ann c. #10853281

Mary K. Robison September 26, 2013

Thanks for stopping by with your friendly comments, Jo Ann. We loved him, too, and miss him so much. #10853710

Laura E. Swan level-classic September 27, 2013

Oh, Mary. Now I sit here with tears and a loss for words. I'm so very sorry.

(Tissue Break)

I know how much you loved your Riley. Yes! Thanks goodness for videos and photos and of course thousands of wonderful memories that will get sweeter and sweeter as the terrible hurt lessens a little.

Our "Lucky Boy" Tuxedo Cat had Kidney Failure, too, because of pain meds we had him on for another problem he had. He was 18 and skeletal when we finally put him down. I think we waited too long. I am sad to read little Riley was only 12...but you know the VET says at age 12 they are seniors and after that each day is an added gift. I wish Riley had lived to be ancient like Lucky but Lucky was likely really suffering in his last months and that was unfair of us. May you have a little peace and please keep remembering what a great home you gave him. He had the best life a kitty every could have because of you. I know he loved you very much. Because all of us do. You are so easy to love. Thank you for sharing and don't forget that we are all here for you.

BIG HUGS from your Little Sister In CANADA.

-Laura xoxoxoxo #10854404

Chris Ebben September 27, 2013

So sorry to hear this very sad news about Riley. I know how very hard it is to make the awful decision, but as you say, sometimes there is no other choice. We have a big painting of Kody in our bedroom & a smaller version in the caravan, so we see her all the time. Remember all the good times & keep smiling=^..^= #10854664

Mary K. Robison September 28, 2013

Laura and Chris, as cat lovers who've been through this experience, you truly understand Scott's and my current state of mind. This is the first time since we moved into our house (15 years ago) that there is no cat jumping in our laps, meowing for food, and/or making himself the Master, with us his willing slaves.

Someday soon, another furball will probably be getting spoiled rotten by us. I'm beginning to open my mind and heart to that idea. With Scott, it's "the sooner, the better". Stay tuned for further developments. And thank you both for your thoughtful words and condolences. #10855285

Chris Ebben September 29, 2013

I can answer for Laura, (Dale, Tony) & myself, we know exactly how you are feeling. We were to leave on a 2 weeks holiday with my cousins the day we lost Kody, we still went or I think we'd have never gone away in the caravan again. We were so lonely & said, this is awful, no more cats. We met a Dalmation, a Siamese & 2 Devon Rex cats in the caravan park, this got Tony into looking on the Internet at cats & saw a ginger Rex & the rest is history, we lasted 3 long weeks before we got Rango. She will never take Kody's place, but certainly gives us someone to look out for & care about. At this very minute I can hear Tony telling Rango not to eat the prawns he is peeling. Keep smiling=^..^= #10855361

Mary K. Robison September 29, 2013

Well, Chris, now it appears I have little choice in the matter of adopting a new kitty. I remember sweet Kody, and the pain his passing caused you. But I'm so glad you and Tony adopted little Rango, and that you are such a happy family now. P.S. I love the prawn story.
#10855411

Cindy Bendush level-classic October 10, 2013

What a pretty baby Riley was! I'm so sorry for your loss Mary - we just lost our sweet Bonnie to kidney failure as well 3 weeks ago. In mid-August we lost our Blue-Point Birman, Bailey to restrictive cardiomyopathy. He was only 4. We are still heartbroken. Bailey was one of my Birman models - you will recognize him in my gallery. He left his brother, Taz behind and my heart goes out to him. Taz lay by both Bailey and Bonnie during their euthansias. I think he knew exactly what was happening as he doesn't search or call for them. We still have 3 and I'm sure we will get 1 or 2 more when the time is right. God Bless. #10868086

Mary K. Robison October 11, 2013

Cindy, you know I understand your sorrow right now. I am amazed at how strong you must be to get through the loss of not just one, but two beloved pets in a single summer...So hard to let go when your heart is linked to theirs.
And poor little Taz, losing a brother and another friend. I'm glad that you have two other cats to help keep Taz company until you introduce them to a new member of your family.
Take care, and may God guide you to the perfect cat(s) when the time is right for you. #10868434

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