My Life of Riley - A Photo Blog

Where does one begin? How do I tell her story in a way that captures all that she was? What if I get it wrong, mess up along the way? What if I never get the words out?

Riley died. The hardest day of my life - beautiful, sad, heart warming, heart breaking. The day I knew would always come. The day I owed it to her to be strong, to hear her message, to know it was time, to give her the one gift that would say it all.

In these seven weeks, I’ve tried to write her story. This is as far as it goes for now. It’s just not time. My grief does not allow it. I know in my heart writing her story will help me heal.

For now I hope you’ll be content in sharing what my partner Hugh wrote days after she left this world for another. Or you can simply witness a little of her story in a few of my favourite photos.

They say a picture paints a thousand words. Yet neither words nor photos can truly express my life with Riley. From the moment she appeared to the moment we said goodbye, she offered a love and loyalty like no other.

Her purpose was clear… to show me how to love, how to be loved and above all that I was worthy of such love. Her gifts were plentiful and may you get just a glimpse of the great adventures we shared over our 10 years together.

I miss you every day my beautiful girl. I feel your presence and your love all around me.
I am forever grateful we found each other and you so willingly went along with the idea - I rescued you.

Riley left this world September 24, 2025 for one where she can forever run free, swim with abandon and play free of pain. It was my final gift to her, to listen… to know it was time to let her go.

The slide show will take 3.5 minutes to view in it’s entirety.