Reilly "Trail Sniffer" Lane

Reilly Lane

Today is the 3rd anniversary of losing Reilly. The hole in our heart has not healed and right now we aren't ready to get another one. The bond that we had with Reilly was unique...and today Laurie and I wish to remember that bond and the love we shared with Reilly. He was one of a kind.

On Sunday evening, May 5th 2013, we lost our Reilly. What follows is a beautiful tribute by his loving mommy and my wife Laurie.

Epistle to a Friend

Epistle is accurate…for I am sharing a written image of love. A 'Friend' is also accurate but encompasses so much more. I lost my Kindred Spirit and constant companion Sunday and while my tears flow, there is no loving white blonde face looking at me to ease my sadness, no bronze eyes to feel my pain and to want to make it better. You have seen Reilly's photos and felt his playful spirit in these postings. I have tried to capture every nuance of his mischievous but free spirit and succeeded in creating a beautiful and lasting photographic record of my bonded friend. For our bond was ever present. I could think and Reilly would react. He knew what I was thinking and sensed my every move. This kind of bond only comes from time spent in observation and love. We felt each others' moods and thoughts and I don't know of another dog who would hear my voice and respond as he did, knowing full well what I was saying, not in tone, but in words. I would say, 'Reilly, there's a dog in your yard.' in a calm voice, but he jumped up, ran to the window, starting his territorial bark. And he had many kinds of barks. One was 'pay attention to me NOW', one was 'this is my home, I am in charge', one was 'this is my mom and I will kill you as soon as look at you if you harm her'.

We protected each other. I watched him closely all day, observing his traits and his quirks. He did the same for me. I could get him to do what he should with only a word. He would only grunt once to have me bring whatever he wanted...and he got it. Our language existed and strengthened the bond we shared.

As you may know, Reilly injured his leg as he jumped on our bed on November 19. Our vet said that it would heal in time and prescribed prednisone. It helped greatly and it took two months but he did heal, but the leg remained weak. He still chased cats, but it hurt. Then in February he jumped on his couch to sleep and his other leg was injured. He was then immobile for a while but the prednisone was slowly allowing him to walk and he made great efforts with sheer determination to return to normal, many instances of which I posted. While we don't know if his injuries were ACL tears, a herniated disc, hip dysplasia or just arthritis, our vet said treatment was the same, and it did allow him to walk and enjoy his main role - protector and defender of his territory and security detail at Lanebrook Coastal. He took his role very seriously, and he barked to protect us even hours before he left us.

He began throwing up at 3am Sunday morning and I knew that was a bad sign, because he rarely did this. He wouldn't take any food, treats, even turning down a Krystal burger his daddy brought him. I thought his kidneys were failing because of his age and the prednisone. I called an emergency vet but because we weren't established clients no one returned my call. I then called our vet in Evans and he told me to take him in the next morning. As the day progressed, Reilly worsened, his breathing became labored and I found an emergency vet on the island who did return my call. I then called our vet once more and he told me for my peace of mind to take him in. At this point we didn't know how critical he was. We took him in and he was starting to throw up reddish brown bile, so I knew...I knew. Once on the table the vet took blood and surprisingly his kidneys were functioning well. However, he could not hear his heart because of the heavy breathing. As we stroked him and spoke gently to Reilly he breathed his final breath and I knew he was gone.

While tests aren't conclusive, the vet believes he had acute pancreatitis with possible stomach ulcers brought on by the prednisone, or even lung issues, because of his breathing. He also could've had congestive heart failure. While I know it doesn't matter what, what matters is we lost him.

I have never second guessed my wonderful vet, nor this emergency vet, so I am at peace with his passing. He had lately had such difficulty walking, being very out of breath, so it was a daily struggle for our precious child...but he gave his all for us in every way. He had a full and enriched life and in turn gave us a full and enriched life. I will always love my precious boy and deeply miss our strong bond. I am thankful that we both were with him when he passed and I take comfort in the fact that NO mommy could've been a better mommy to Reilly. Nor did he have a better daddy. He always wanted us to be together and he wouldn't let me stay in the living room reading when daddy went to bed...we had to all go.

Sleep well, my precious child...our love will never die and you will always live in our hearts. 

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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.