I'm sorry to say that Riley passed Dec 22nd.

I've been wanting to write about how his journey ended but I haven't been able to emotionally handle it.

As many of you know following his journey Riley was diagnosed in early March with bone cancer. He had his right front leg amputated and did the ELIAS treatment plan.

He did very well with the plan and was getting better and better everyday.

We had an x-ray scan of his whole body in late Sept and the vet said he didn't see any signs of cancer returning. We were all so happy as if we might be the exception to the rule and he might live to see his next birthday in March.

Then, unexpectedly in early Oct, he started to get sick with odd symptoms. He was throwing up, panting, and having episodes of not being able to control his back leg (it was like he would look at it, but it didn't respond the way he wanted).

His blood work all looked good. He had an x-ray of his chest which was clear to make sure the cancer wasn't back.

They gave him some steroid shots and meds and he seemed to bounce back. Then, after a week of getting better, it came back again and then went away again. It was like the flu or something.

Then, he got some type of staph infection on his foot that started to eat away his paw. It was horrifying and scary. Luckily, we found out what it was and started him on the right meds. After a month of wrapping his foot twice a day and helping him in and out of the house, lots of shots and meds, the foot was healing and the vet was so happy he could start walking without a wrap.

Then, in early December we noticed his breathing was a little more labored than usual. I figured it was because he was tired from having the infection, etc. After a few days, his breathing didn't sound better so I called the vet to make an appt the next day. That evening, he wasn't doing too well and we couldn't figure out why. Then, he went outside and there was blood in his urine. I knew it was a UTI.

Took him to the vet and got him some meds for the UTI and he was tired but moving around ok.

Then, 2 days later, he didn't seem like he was getting better at all and all of a sudden his back leg was acting weird. It was staying straight out like he had no control over what it was doing.

I took him back to the vet and they were confused about what was going on. Then, he suggested we do another chest x-ray because even though he didn't think it was cancer he just wanted to make sure. It had only been 5 weeks since his last x-ray.

Unfortunately, he came back and brought me back to the x-ray area. He started showing me that Riley had tumors everywhere inside his chest cavity. The cancer came back and was super aggressive. There was nothing we could do. The vet, me, my son, and the vet tech all cried and hugged Riley. His journey was ending. Their office had become close to him with all his visits.

The vet said he advised we euthanize him within a few days as he might not be able to breathe if the cancer grows more. We didn't want him to suffer. The vet offered to come to our home so Riley could be around family and in his bed.

We had one day before he passed and we tried to give him his favorite foods but he would only take a bite or two. We hugged him all day long and told him how loved he was.

On Dec 22nd the vet came in the early evening and with Riley surrounded by me, my wife and my son we held him while he passed. It was one of the hardest days of my life. I know deep down that I prevented him from suffering in the end, but I felt awful for having him put down. The vet told me it was the last gift I could give him. A peaceful transition.

I still keep catching myself setting food aside for him off my plate or thinking that I need to take him out. He was the sweetest dog that anyone could have ever asked for and I count myself lucky he was in my life.

Hindsight is always 20/20 and I knew the ELIAS program was a big swing. It cost a very large amount of money and was difficult to do, but it allowed him almost 9 months of laying out in the sun, eating his favorite foods, car rides, hugs, and kisses.

I do feel better knowing that I did all I could to help him.

I miss him so much it hurts and I will miss him the rest of my life.

I appreciate all the wonderful people who've been so helpful during this last year and I'm sorry for anyone who has to face what we did with their furbaby.

Thanks you

Bill (Riley's Dad)