Tuesday, February 10, 2009

My Valentine...Riley


This is my second daughter...I say that in all seriousness! I once said this around a young mother who got upset that I compared my love to this dog as a Mother's love to a child!
But, while I do love my children so very much and they me...this dog loves me unconditionally and has given me so much joy!
She was born on Valentine's Day 2002 and My Hubby gave her to me as a early Mother's Day gift... she has always been a sweet and loving dog!
We now have a Chocolate Labrador, as well, who is a lot of work but not our Riley, she is just a joy!
When my youngest, our last at home left home...I struggled with empty nest...missing them so badly...I didn't think I could bear it! Riley saved me!
I took her to the vet today because My Hubby discovered a mass or tumor on her back while bathing her...we both delayed taking her as I guess we didn't want to face the possibility of losing her.
She will have surgery on Thursday. They will send a section of the tumor to the pathologist and we will know in about three to five days whether it is malignant or not!







Our niece took these pictures of Riley and I like them a lot...I think Riley is very photogenic!
I know not everyone understands how I feel about Riley Valentine Baer...but she is a member of our family!


Riley turns 7 years old on February 14th and if she feels okay...we are taking her to the park for the day!









Happy Wednesday!
For more Wordful Wednesdays visit Angie!

23 comments:

Kelly said...

She's a good looking Valentine! Sweet girl!

Unknown said...

Awww...my Chopper was there for me when my other love puppy passed away...and then when my grandmother passed...I love my dogs the same way...AND MY birthday is also on VDay!!

Diane said...

She is GORGEOUS!!!! My fingers are crossed that everything will be fine. Let us know!

Anonymous said...

Riley is beautiful! I think of my furbabies as my children too. As far as I'm concerned, I have 4 boys...and some babies that are now in Heaven. I pray that everything turns out ok with Riley and that you have many more happy years with your Riley Valentine.

And you know I love her name too! ;)

Anonymous said...

Ronda.... I truly am hoping for the best. I lost my sweetie, Max last July to bone cancer. Totally understand your feelings for this dog... totally. Dogs are just furry children. They may be a completely different species than we humans, but we love them as though they were our children, since, like children, they depend on us for everything in their lives.

Thinking of you and hoping all goes well for Riley.

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

A New Yorker said...

Love is love. Screw that mother who wishes to be offended rather than love. Your dog is extremely photogenic. I love that first photo! I hope she is well.

Rhonda said...

Oh, I love her!!!! And those are great pictures! There is just something about the unconditional love of a dog. Except of course when he pukes unconditional love all over the carpet, and when he weighs 190 pounds and wants to spoon at five in the morning. Then I'd rather have a cat. lol

Coachdad said...

I hope everything is Ok...what a beautiful dog!

Brenda said...

I am praying that everything goes well on Thursday. I know just how much a pet become part of the family. My parents have given me many 4-legged siblings over the years!

Scary Mommy said...

Oh, she is just beautiful!!! Hoping everything comes back ok for your girl!!

Anonymous said...

I hope everything turns out ok with Riley!

Unknown said...

poor riley :( this is just too sad. we're praying for her and for a good report from the doctors. we love you riley!!

Teri said...

Riley is so beautiful. I totally understand your love for her. Years ago I had the sweetest dog in the world, Angelina. She smiled all the time just like Riley.

Waiting to hear that good news.

Unknown said...

awwwww Riley valentine how sweet...I understand Ronda ...I would be lost without my ginger...talk about unconditional love
;-)

Allison said...

What a beautiful dog! Sorry to hear of her medical woes! She will be in my prayers for her surgery! I hope all turns out well and Happy Birthday/Valentine's Day to Riley!

Michelle said...

Those are great dog-ter pictures. I hope her tumor turns out to be just a normal doggie tumor.

Our first dog ended up with a half a softball sized tumor on her side. We never had it removed because the Vet thought it was just a normal tumor that dogs get.

She lived to be nearly 14 years old and died of old age (she was a big dog).

Karyn said...

Great pictures, Riley really is a gorgeous hound! So sorry to hear about her tumor, I am sure everything shall be fine.
xoxo

Brenda said...

So sorry to hear about your sick dog! She is a beauty!

Unknown said...

She is a beauty. I just love golden retrievers personalities. They are so sweet. What a lovely post.

Claremont First Ward said...

Fingers crossed and prayers said that the pathology report finds the tumor benign!~ She's beautiful.

debi9kids said...

What a beautiful pup.
I will say some prayers that your sweet girl's tests come back negative for cancer.

Jenni said...

What a BEAUTIFUL dog! I hope her surgery goes well and that she is cancer-free!

Jennifer said...

She is a beautiful dog! I will be crossing my fingers that everything is ok. Just so you know--when my dog, Monte, was getting older I felt a couple of lumpy things on him and took him to the vet--turns out they were these benign "lipomas" and no big deal--I will be hoping it's the same for Riley!