RIP Riley - Semper Fidelis

We had to say goodbye to Riley in Feb 2022. He spent most of 2020 and the first half of 2021 focusing on recruiting and training. The long hours took a toll on him, and he was too tired to blog. He also worried that, after putting together his dream team, his blog might reveal too much information around some secret missions. It's unclear whether that worry was justified, but since he focused more on training and less on blogging, no small dogs in the neighborhood were killed during their watch. In fact, the team had several encounters with and stared down many coyotes on numerous occasions in 2020 and 2021.

Riley's final 9 months were difficult for him. His hearing was gone, and his mobility and sight were limited. He still had a strong will to live, a healthy appetite, and a need to continue working to protect America. It was a service he dedicated his life to, and by late 2021, with his team in place, he was finally ready to retire.

In early Feb, 2022, the team got together for a party. True to his nature, he continued to test his team and make sure they were staying sharp.

A week after that party, he informed us that he was ready to move on. We took him to the lake one last time and watched him chase away ducks. Even in his final moments, he put the protection of other first.

Riley Bartz - April(ish) 2005 to Feb 17, 2022. Thank you for your service.