Guestbook for Irish
Posted By Pam Becker on Oct 08 2010
What a red head Irish was! Such a happy and loving girl. My dogs would roll their eyes when she came in the door - she's back! She would clumber around the house with a ball in her mouth just wanting to play and give love. My heart is breaking righ now for Kathy and Clair. The tears flow. The saddness overwhelms me. We want them to live with us forever. Sleep well sweet Irish and find my Abby and your Remi.
Posted By Sharon Bennett on Oct 19 2010
Irish was such a magnificently lovable creature -- not really a dog, y'know. She can probably best be described as the family's most important member. Certainly the one with the most consistently amiable demeanor. She will be sorely missed by more than the Riley clan.
Posted By Jen Riley on Oct 19 2010
My 4 legged "Sissy". I'm going to miss her greatly. She was such a sweet girl. Funny when she was young, she didn't think she was a big dog and always tried to sit under my coffee table, which was too small for her to fit under. Always ready with a ball - to keep away from you! Such a loving girl. I'm gonna miss you 'Rish!
Posted By Heather Gilbert on Oct 19 2010
When I first met Irish, she was so full of energy and always eager to share her goopy tennis ball with me. I think I spent more time trying to avoid that ball than anything else. But as we both mellowed, we became much better friends, sharing the floor (and the toys) with much more warmth. I will miss Irish, as I know all the Riley's do. But not the balls!
Posted By Laura Ellerby on Oct 20 2010
I'm chuckling here as I read your memories of Irish with her yellow tennis ball in her mouth. That's not all she had in her mouth as I recall. Always the obedient, well-behaved "good girl"--as opposed to the much younger and far naughtier Adobe--Irish showed her tendency to travel over to the "dark side" during one of Kathy's famously fun cocktail parties. That's when Irish sidled up to a low table where Kathy had placed some hors d'oeurves and gingerly chomped onto an entire cheese log. She swallowed it faster than a drunk downs a shot of whiskey. This is when I knew that Irish was secretly a clown. A lovable clown. She was also an exceedingly noble dog who adapted to her loss of a leg like a trooper. It didn't prevent her from chasing balls, playing with Adobe or snarfing human food. In spite of her terrible diagnosis of cancer, Irish prevailed and thrived far longer than the experts predicted she would. She may have been "only a dog," but I assure you that she was nothing short of a remarkable role model for the humans who knew her. She handled her fate with joy and dignity. Irish embodied the concept that "dog is God spelled backwards."
Posted By heidi on Oct 20 2010
So, the way I remember Irish is as the "young one". When mom and I came to visit back in 2007 she was giving remi all she could handle (which remi took in such stride) I remember how those two dogs could not wait to go nosing around the yet largely undevelped subdivision with clair (who would take them on tours of all the houses that were being built in the neighborhood!). I thought, "man I have to get me a dog like this".. But what I remember the most is how we almost had to make an emergency vet visit when Irish became plagued with a tick..to this day you have no idea what an act of courage it took me to help you remove that thing..I wanted to puke, but Irish just sat there and let the three of us do what we had to. It is never easy to lose our best friends, but our lives are better because of them, and you have to always remember that HER life was better because of YOU!
Posted By Kathy/Mom on Oct 21 2010
We picked up Irish, a beautiful RED Golden Retriever, on Valentine's Day 2001, a fitting day because she stole our hearts . She was 7 months old & gangly as can be. The only "accident" Irish ever had in the house was soon after her arrival when Clair was out of town & I broke my ankle playing ball w/her at dusk. My friend Chris took me to the hospital & we were gone 5 hours. Her "sister" Remi, Jen's Golden from the same San Diego Golden Rescue home, came to live w/us & the Girls favorite things were walks, ball catching for Irish, & BIG biscuits from neighbor George. When Irish was 4 years old, we moved our CA pack to Santa Fe. We had to stay in a hotel room for 2 weeks in Dec., thus began the Girls sleeping w/us. Irish slept smack between Clair & me ! She somehow knew when my back hurt & would press her back against mine to help me. Irish was such a cuddler. At night some, but especially in the mornings. She'd wiggle her muzzle under our arms & cuddle w/one of us, then roll over to share her love w/the other. Adobe, her new little sister after dear Remi passed on, would mess w/Irish to a certain point, when Irish would remind her who was really in charge. Irish loved rolling in our neighbors, the Lafoons, grass, (not a lot of that in NM.) But even more this California Girl LOVED rolling in the snow ! Irish is the sweetest being I have ever encountered. She is just a big bundle of love; - love for life & for everyone she met. She gave so much love to me & took so much love from me. My heart & spirit miss Irish every minute. But our shared love lives on. ~ There is a tennis ball outside the window by my computer. I want it to just stay there. ~ With all my love, Mom.
Posted By Chris Covault on Oct 23 2010
I was an animal lover all my life and when I met Kathy she had no pets so I was happy when she and Clair got Irish. When I met Irish I was even happier because she was such a beautiful, friendly, loving being and a great addition to the family. Late one night I got a phone call from Kathy. She said Clair was out of town, she thought she broke her ankle and could I please come drive her to the hospital. As Kathy crawled to the driveway to get in my car I learned she broke it playing ball with Irish!!! That says it all. Irish was dedicated to playing ball and Kathy was dedicated to throwing it! Irish did a great job in training her! Memories are a gift from God to remember those we love. Irish was truly a gift on earth as she is in heaven!
Posted By George Prescott on Nov 01 2010
Irish would have been my best next door neighbor ever, if it weren't for her friends the Rileys. I sorely miss, but will always remember giving bisquits to my two red headed girlfriends.