On 3/9/2025 I lost my best friend.. my soul dog. I would like to share her story.. She deserves her story to be shared. Rio was rescued in 2019 at the humane society. I never knew what her life was like prior. She came with some scars on her back and a previously broken leg which showed me she probably had a rough life. I adopted Rio after losing a past dog. Rio brought the life back into me.
Rio was not just a dog. She was my best friend, my family. Rios personality lit up a whole room. She was mischievous and loved to break into the gates to attempt to steal anything she could find. She would go for garbage, food, any thing that was in her reach. She barked to beg for food, to greet you, and when she heard me pulling up outside she barked. She also barked when someone was at the door which let me know!
Rio was a huge licker. She licked the floor, the couches, and anyone who would get close to her nonstop. She would just keep going and going. She had the cutest block spots on her tongue from being mixed with a sharpai.
She was my friend when I was depressed. When I lost everything, I had her. I always knew that I could tell her everything and talk to her about anything.. and I swear she listened. Rio was my shoulder to cry on. She rescued me just as much as I rescued her and I struggle with the thought of having to live in a world without her. It’s a gloomy world without my beautiful girl.
Rio is survived by some other pups. She has a brother Hudson and Rambo as well as a sister, Reese. She is also survived by her kitty brother, Onyx. Rio enjoyed playing with Hudson and Reese (when she was in the mood for it). Rio was less into playing as she started to get older. Rambo was always on the couch sleeping with her and would give her kisses. Rio was typically one to bark at you to get away from her when she didn’t want bothered. She did this a lot with them! Her and Onyx did develop a sweet bond where they would both snuggle against each other and she would give him kisses. It was the cutest thing.
Last year, Rio got to welcome my first baby, Greyson into our world. She was always so great around him. I never expected any less. I trusted Rio with my entire life. While I was pregnant, Rio was diagnosed with cushings disease and started medication for it. This helped her for some time and eventually symptoms became significantly worse. Rio put up a strong fight. A decision that no one ever wants to make was in my mind of what to do. I had that decision in my mind for months. I couldn’t make it.. until finally I did. I decided that it was the best for Rio to no longer be suffering. My final act of love to her was to let her go in peace. She deserved this.
On Rios final day, we spent it together. I put her in the car and we went to Dunkin and she enjoyed a pup cup and a wake up wrap. After that, we rode to her grandmas house where she came out to the car and said her final goodbyes to her. She gave her kisses! Then we arrived home and she had a visitor come over ( her old best friend, Abbey ) and she brought her Wendy’s chicken nuggets! She then was accompanied in the rest of her day by her pap and I. Rio was shown nothing but love. Her final food was a Reese’s peanut butter cup donut.
Rio will be missed beyond any words that I can put into this writing. I wish that love would have been enough to save her. I know that she is free now and no longer in pain. It was her time to go to the lord.. she saved me and I saved her. I will forever think and dream of her. I will struggle with this loss until I take my last breath. I love you Rio
I will continue to work in the field of animals and do what I can to save them in honor of YOU.
Until we meet again, at the rainbow bridge.
Rest in peace My sweet angel.