Riley Weiner

2006 - 2021

I adopted Riley, the shih tzu, on May 1, 2006 when he was approx. 1-2 years old — making him somewhere between 16 1/2 to 17 1/2 at the time of his passing on October 19, 2021, and putting us at 15 1/2 years together — more than a third of my life.

Riley was my first dog and the perfect match. I often say he rescued me. I made it my mission to give him the best life after being abused by his prior owners. He had the purest soul with the softest demeanor. He lived the fullest life, sitting happily at outdoor restaurants, enjoying vacations at hotels, traveling on airplanes for family trips, and receiving endless car rides, belly rubs, walks, and snacks. He loved other dogs, people, and children. He enjoyed the sounds of nature, and especially finally having his own backyard at our new house. To know him was to love him. People gravitated towards him because of his sweet, loving nature, and gentle spirit. They were often amazed by his soft disposition and they always complimented his beautiful coloring. He was always by my side while I worked and reminded me to take breaks. I documented his adventures on Instagram (@riley.w.shihtzu) because he was so special.

Riley gave every ounce of love and companionship until the moment he stopped breathing on October 19, 2021 around 4PM. He died peacefully surrounded by my husband and I, along with my parents (who were his very devoted grandparents), as well as our long-time vet, Dr. Haggadorn at Southport Animal Hospital.

To learn more about Riley, please visit my Instagram page: @thewritingguru.