Riggin

The best dog I have ever had or will ever have has gone from my life as of yesterday. Wow,
I did not expect the incredible sadness that I am experiencing. I have been trying to prepare myself and I thought I had. I expected a couple of months ago to come home any day and find him gone, but it didn't happen. But I knew if he got sick again, it would probably be the end. He got sick and it was the end for him.
Riggin was 15 years old. That is much older than most dogs of his breed live. I am thankful that he lived to see Ryan again. And he was here for Ryan for a while. But he was getting so old and he hurt. He couldn't run as much as he would have liked. He was going blind and he was getting deaf. As much as I hated to see those things happen, he still acted happy to be alive. He liked to jump around even though he fell half of the time. He loved going out to feed with me.
Every day, almost, of those 15 years I took care of Riggin. I saw him every day that I was home. We took him with us a couple of times. The last time was the first Christmas that Ryan was gone on his mission. We went to Kristi's and took him with us. I am happy for that memory. But every day he was part of my life. Every time I walked in the door he was there to greet me. That is what has left a big hole in my life and in my heart.
I started a journal today just to write my memories of him and of his life. I hope that helps me. I know I will be okay, but the pain is awful. I MISS him so much.