IN LOVING MEMORY

YOU ARE SADLY MISSED BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN

Riley was a 6 year old purbred Shetland Sheep Dog or Sheltie.

He came to me as a rescued adult through a breeder.  She had found him living with a family who kept quite a few dogs and Riley ended up being left in a shed in the back yard and they frequently forgot to feed him.   She acquired him and virtually nursed him back to health.  After 6 months she felt he was ready to find a new forever family. 

Riley came to be part of my family in March of 05.  He seemed to know that he was mine and I was his.  He followed me from room to room and we took frequent walks together every day.

On June 24, 06 Riley was enjoying the summer sun in the comfort of his own back yard when 2 pitbull type dogs happened down the alleyway.  Of course, Riley barked at them and they charged under the fence and attacked him.  On July 2nd Riley was just to tired to continue and we had to make the decision to let him go to Rainbow Bridge.

WHERE THE BOOK CAME FROM

About 5 years ago my daughter had a high school art project to illustrate a children's book.  She chose to do a story about a pet that goes to Rainbow Bridge.   After the book was handed in and graded she set it on the shelf and forgot about it.   When this horrendous thing happened to Riley we decided that we should do a fund raiser in his honour. 

This book is not just about paying Riley's vet bill (which came in just under $7,ooo.)   It is about pet awareness and responsibility.  When the pitbull bylaw came into affect I believed that it didn't have an impact on me because I didn't own a pitbull.  Now I realize that bylaws affect everyone;  that is why we have them.  That attack could have been a child playing in their own yard or someone doing yard. 

This book came to life because so many people cared enough to come forward and help me with medical expenses for Riley.

I wanted him to stay but I loved him enough to let him go.

A portion of the sale of every book will be donated to Windsor, Essex Humane Society, and for spaying and neutering of ferral cats in our neighbourhoods.