"Life of Reilly"

Beginning today a page has been added to keep you updated on the travel's of my buddy. He is quite a character and is a big part of who we are as a family. I think you will enjoy his adventure. 

In the 1940's there was a radio situation comedy that also became a hit in the early days of television. The name of the show, "Living the Life of Riley" brought about a saying which suggested someone that was "living the life of Riley" was living the ideal life. When you heard someone say the phrase, immediately you would think the person spoken of lives off another persons money, housing or food. Not as a freeloader but as someone kept.

In my home lives a ten year old Golden/Lab mix whose name is Reilly. I continually tell everyone he has the "life of Reilly" not because he is a freeloader for truly he is not. Nor is he kept, because, truth be known it is he who has kept my wife and I. And you may think it to be that he lives off our money since he is supplied a roof over his head and at least three squares a day.

He has "the life of Reilly" mainly because it is what he wants, that is Reilly is perfectly content in his life. His happiness is due to fulfilling his desire to protect his pack (Laurie and myself) and he is extremely effective in doing this. If another dog comes around trying to make friends with his mommie and daddy then Reilly will head them off at the pass, thus preventing any relations from coming about. Reilly feels it to be his duty to keep us safe and he takes it seriously. When the doorbell rings, he is quick to let us know someone is there (as if we could not hear the bell) but again it is the security he is good at. We all know doggies love being petted and made to do over, we'll not Reilly. You may get in a belly rub or head pat early in the morning or late at night if you are lucky because when he is at work providing security he does not want any distractions.

Over the years we have rewarded Reilly for the great job he has performed. Well maybe the rewards have been a little more than he should have been given because the boy has grown a fairly big belly.  As the protector of his pack, Reilly has felt it is his duty to eat whatever is given to him and not be choosy. From a piece of filet steak his mama has left over to a slice of apple, Reilly will sacrifice his own bowl of chow just to show us he is ready and very able to do his duty. What a good protector.

 As each day progress' Laurie and I are comfortable in knowing Reilly is looking out for us. He is our protector without fear (as long as we are with him). The life of this Reilly is well spent doing his duty while finding much joy in being known in the neighborhood as the "holy "terror". A title he relishes with pride and plans to keep in all his travels.