05/29/2026
Celebrating the Life of Reilly
NEELY’S RED ROCKET O’REILLY WC THDA CGN MH
January 26, 2014 – May 29, 2026
Today we celebrate the life of a truly remarkable dog.
Reilly came into our lives on January 26, 2014, and from the very beginning she was special. Over the past twelve years she became so much more than a family pet. She was a hunting partner, a therapy dog, a travel companion, a friend, and a cherished member of our family.
Reilly was a unicorn, anyone who has spent time around retrievers knows that most dogs excel in one area. Some are exceptional hunting dogs. Some are wonderful family companions. Some have the temperament to do therapy work. It is incredibly rare to find a dog that can do all of those things at the highest level.
Reilly was that dog.
She earned her Working Certificate (WC), Therapy Dog Advanced (THDA), Canine Good Neighbour (CGN), and Master Hunter (MH) titles through the Canadian Kennel Club, but those titles only tell part of her story.
In the field, Reilly was everything I could have ever asked for in a retriever. She traveled across Canada and into the United States hunting, guiding, competing in hunt tests, and running field trials alongside me. Together, we shared countless sunrises in duck blinds, long road trips, and unforgettable adventures.
Reilly played a huge role in both my career and the memories I’ve made along the way. Over her lifetime, she retrieved thousands of birds and earned the respect of everyone who had the opportunity to watch her work. Her style, determination, intelligence, and unwavering desire to retrieve left a lasting impression on countless hunters, handlers, judges, and friends.
Whether in a hunt test, a field trial, or a duck blind, Reilly always gave everything she had. Watching her work was something special, and it is a privilege I will never forget.
What made Reilly truly unique, however, was what she did when she wasn’t hunting.
While she was an exceptional hunting retriever, she was equally gifted when it came to helping people.
From June 17, 2017, until April 21, 2026, Reilly worked alongside my mother as a St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog. Over nearly nine years of service, she dedicated an incredible 2,514 hours to therapy work and touched the lives of 14,640 people.
Her visits took her throughout Western New Brunswick to countless locations and events, including Carleton Manor, Hospital, NBCC, Woodstock high school, vaccination clinics, Special Olympics events, community organizations, and many other programs and facilities. No matter where she went, Reilly had a remarkable ability to make people smile. She offered comfort during difficult times, companionship to those who felt alone, and joy to everyone fortunate enough to meet her.
She genuinely loved her work. Whether she was visiting residents, greeting students, comforting patients, or attending community events, her tail was always wagging and she approached every visit with the same enthusiasm and kindness that made her so special.
In recognition of her extraordinary contribution, Reilly received the Pet Therapy Award at the 2019 International Planetree Conference in Florida, after being nominated by Carleton Manor. It was a fitting honour for a dog whose impact extended far beyond her own family.
While many people knew Reilly as an outstanding hunting dog, thousands knew her simply as a friend who brightened their day. The difference she made in the lives of so many people will be felt for years to come.
Beyond the titles, awards, and accomplishments, what we will remember most is who she was.
She was steady. She was kind. She was loyal. She was the dog everyone loved being around.
She was there for family gatherings, hunting trips, celebrations, quiet evenings at home, and all the moments in between. She gave us twelve incredible years of unconditional love and asked for very little in return.
The hole she leaves behind is impossible to fill, but we are grateful beyond words for the time we were given with her.
Thank you, Reilly, for every retrieve, every adventure, every visit, every tail wag, and every memory.
You were one of a kind.
You were deeply loved.
And you will never be forgotten.
