For the Love of Riley - Double Merle Advocacy

08/15/2026

Okay friends… I’ve had a little idea floating around in my head and I need to know if anyone else would love this as much as I would. 🥹🐾

We’ve talked about creating a little For the Love of Riley children’s book series — stories inspired by Riley and his adventures, while also teaching kids that being a little different doesn’t make you any less wonderful. 🤍

And because Riley wouldn’t be Riley without his double merle story, I’d love for a percentage of every book sold to go directly toward double merle rescues and dogs with special needs.

BUT THEN… my brain kept going. 😂

If I could find the right place to have them made, how stinking cute would Riley stuffed animals be?! 🥹 A little fluffy double merle Aussie with his Riley markings — maybe even accompanied by one of his books.

This is very much still in the “would anybody besides me be obsessed with this?” stage, so I’m curious…

Would y’all have any interest in Riley children’s books or a little Riley stuffed animal? 🐾📚🧸

Because I fear I would buy my own merchandise. 😂

And the thought of Riley’s goofy little face helping raise money for other double merles who haven’t found their people yet makes my heart ridiculously happy. 🤍

08/11/2026

🚨 OFFICIAL CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT 🇺🇸🐾

After careful consideration, several treats, and absolutely no consultation with his mother, Riley has decided to enter the race for Claiborne County Mayor.

His qualifications speak for themselves:

🐾 Proven leadership — successfully trained an entire pack
💋 Free kisses for all
🦴 A treat in every home
♿ Accessibility for every ability
🛋️ A couch for every shelter dog
🎾 More parks. More play.
😴 Mandatory afternoon naps
🚗 More car rides for working families
🚫 Zero tolerance for empty food bowls

Riley may have limited vision, but he has UNLIMITED VISION FOR CLAIBORNE COUNTY. 🇺🇸

He may not hear every constituent… but rest assured, he hears the treat bag.

RILEY 2026 🐾🇺🇸
A good boy for a better county.

Oreo, respectfully… the race is on. 😂

07/04/2026

🇺🇸 Red. White. Blue. 🇺🇸

This photo is more than patriotic colors.

❤️ Tucker, our red merle.
🤍 Juni, our lethal white.
💙 Riley, our blue merle and the heart behind For the Love of Riley.

Different coats. Different abilities. Same loyal hearts.

Freedom, acceptance, and a whole lot of fluff. Happy Fourth of July! ❤️🤍💙

06/16/2026

06/16/2026

I stumbled across this post and it’s just a little too fitting… if you’re near Kansas and have room in your heart for a DM, they’ve got 7 needing homes ❤️❤️

06/15/2026

Today I got my big fluffy boy back.

The box is beautiful. His nose print is perfect. His paw print is slightly imperfect because apparently he still wasn’t interested in anyone touching his feet—and honestly, that sounds exactly like Iceman.

Somehow a dog who took up half my couch, half my heart, and left fur on absolutely everything now fits inside a wooden box.

That part doesn’t make sense yet.

What does make sense is how loved he was.

Iceman was never the loudest dog in the room. He didn’t demand attention. He didn’t insist on being the center of everything. He simply existed beside the people he loved—quietly, patiently, always waiting to be spoken to, always happy just to be included.

He was the kind of dog who taught you that love doesn’t always have to be loud.

When he first came here, he wasn’t supposed to stay. But somewhere along the way, this gentle, fluffy soul worked his way into our hearts and became family. He became part of our routines, our home, and our lives in a way that felt so natural it became impossible to imagine him anywhere else.

He was too trusting. Too forgiving. Too good for this world.

The house feels different without him. Quieter. Emptier.

But if love could have saved him, he would have lived forever.

Today, as I brought him home, I found myself laughing through tears when I heard he wasn’t cooperative for his paw print. Even then, he was still himself.

And maybe that’s what I’m most grateful for.

He never had to be anything other than Iceman.

I also want to thank Bailey's Blessings Pet Crematory for the kindness and compassion they showed us during one of the hardest days of our lives. They worked with me so I could bring Iceman in late, treated him with the dignity and care he deserved, and were wonderful from start to finish.

Today I brought home not only his ashes, but a beautiful nose print, his paw print, and a clipping of his fur—treasures I will cherish forever. In a time filled with heartbreak, their compassion brought comfort, and for that I will always be grateful.

Thank you to everyone who followed his journey, cheered him on, shared his photos, and loved him alongside us.

Thank you for loving my big fluffy boy with me.

Until we meet again, sweet boy. ❤️

06/07/2026

🚨🐾 FENCE FUND FLASH SALE! 🐾🚨

Well… the dogs got their fence this week, and I may have slightly overestimated how many desserts and strawberries I needed. 😂🍓

So for the rest of today:

🎉 BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE ON EVERYTHING LEFT! 🎉

Mix and match is welcome!

🍓 Strawberry Cups
🍫 Brownie Bowls
🍌 Banana Pudding
🥜 Peanut Butter Banana Pudding
🍑 Peach Cobbler
🟨 Chess Bars
🍫 Brownies
🍰 Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Cake

Help me turn desserts into dog fence money and avoid bringing home enough strawberries to start my own produce stand. 🤣❤️

📍 Petsense Middlesboro
⏰ Here until 5 PM

🏡 Can’t make it to Middlesboro? I’ll be heading back toward New Tazewell this evening and can meet up with anyone wanting desserts!

Tell a friend to tell a friend and come see us! 🐾❤️

🍓 With plenty of fresh strawberries still available, now is the time to stock up! 😅

06/07/2026

🐾 It’s Pet Appreciation Week! 🐾

Hi friends, Riley here.

This week is all about celebrating the pets who leave paw prints on our hearts. The ones who make us laugh, comfort us on hard days, greet us at the door, and remind us what unconditional love looks like.

I may not see the world the same way as other dogs, but I’ve learned that being different doesn’t make you any less worthy of love. Every pet has something special to offer—whether they’re young or old, playful or quiet, perfectly healthy or have a few extra challenges like me.

This Pet Appreciation Week, give your pets an extra treat, an extra cuddle, or an extra walk. And if you’re able, consider supporting your local shelter, fostering, volunteering, or sharing a shelter pet who needs a family.

Some of us are still waiting for our person. ❤️

I’d love to see your pets! Share a photo below and tell me one thing you appreciate most about them.

Love,

Riley 🐾