I had written this and saved it for Riley's birthday(on the 24th), but I think it fits in this thread
I am a firm believer there are no coincidences that all things happen for a reason.
Early last year, I started my search for a collie puppy. After going through countless breeders (over many many months), and trying to find ‘the right one’ I was just about to give up, until I saw Riley. I first saw his picture on a breeders website, she was helping another breeder find him a home(they co-owned a few dogs). There was something about Riley’s expression that made me interested in him. Out of curiosity, I inquired further about him.
After discussing further with his breeder, I was told everything about him, his personality, his quirks, everything, and he sounded absolutely perfect. At first I wondered if he was too good to be true, but the day he finally arrived home…I knew he wasn’t.
Ever since that very first day I met Riley, I knew there was something special about him. I knew he had the ability to help make someone’s life just that little bit easier.
I never realized whose life he would help first, until April 21st, 2008. At 4:30 that afternoon my life forever changed. I was diagnosed with Insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetes, and that very night I received my first insulin shots. The next week was difficult, as I endured multiple days of 8 hour classes just so I could learn how to survive the rest of my life. By the end of each day, I was drained, mentally and physically. What kept my hopes up was Riley. Every day, I would come home to his wagging tail, big smile, and goofy personality.
There were a few times in the first few weeks of diagnoses, when I found it difficult to give myself a shot(heck, I still have moments from time to time), as each time, was a reminder that life as I had known it, would never be quite the same. It was almost like when I was feeling my lowest, Riley could sense that. I will never forget one night, I was giving myself a long-acting shot, and my emotions were up. As I laid out my insulin pen, and pen needle I heard his footsteps enter the room. I turned to look at him, as he stopped a few feet away, sat down, and just stared at me. His presence made the whole situation seem noticeably better. He waited until I was done, and when I called him over he did his usual…full body wag, ‘smile’, and a quick lick on my hand.
I didn’t realize it then, but Riley was my quiet strength that night. Having him around has been a true blessing to my life. I think I now know what a heart dog is, what I have seen so many members talk about.
