Life of Riley Dog Rescue

05/30/2026

❤️ AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION ❤️ Ellie is a beautiful 1-year-old Siberian Husky who will absolutely melt your heart the second you meet her. She is incredibly affectionate, loves giving kisses, and wants nothing more than to be near her people. She thrives on companionship and loves being part of whatever her people are doing, whether that’s lounging at your feet, following you around the house, or cuddling up beside you at bedtime.

Ellie gets along wonderfully with other dogs and especially enjoys playing with her foster family’s husky. She loves stuffed toys, daily walks, and outdoor playtime, so she’d love to find an active home that will include her in adventures and family activities. She is great with kids, but has not been tested with cats.

Ellie walks nicely on leash with a manageable husky pull and is learning basic manners, including not jumping up to greet people when she’s excited. She comes when called in a secure yard, but like any true husky, she’ll happily take advantage of an open gate or door to go on her own adventure. Her forever home will need to have a secure, fenced yard.

Ellie would thrive with a family who wants a loyal companion, hiking buddy, cuddle partner, and best friend. She is an absolute GEM. Her foster family says she’s the kind of dog you could easily fall in love with, and we think you’ll feel the same way!

Ellie is up-to-date on all vaccinations, spayed and microchipped! She is living in a foster home in Camas, WA.

05/22/2026

This handsome shepherd is the total package - sweet, gentle and loyal. I had the honor of running into him today while he was with a volunteer on his doggie day out and he was incredibly calm and well-behaved. He’s available for adoption through I Paw'd It Forward in Battle Ground, WA!

04/14/2026

Happy heavenly birthday, Riley.

He would’ve been 19 today. When I adopted Riley from the Arizona Humane Society, I was so confident I knew what I was doing. But I was just a kid, starting college. And he was the cutest 6-month-old, energetic, mischievous, blue-eyed husky. I didn’t quite realize what I was getting into. We figured out life together over 14 incredible years and made the most of every moment. Riley shaped so much of who I am today. He was the center of my world during a time in my life where I grew the most. My first soul dog.

Honoring him meant making him the name and face of my rescue. I wanted to find others like me. The ones who absolutely love dogs and are willing to put them first, no matter what. Because if I could do that at 19, I knew I wasn’t the only one.

Life of Riley was built not just to help dogs in need, but to find those people, the ones who persevere when things get tough. The ones willing to be uncomfortable for a little while. The ones who keep trying, learning, and growing, all to give a deserving dog a chance.

So if you feel that pull, foster. Adopt. Donate. Volunteer. A dog can change your life. I’m lucky enough to have found so many wonderful fosters and adopters over the years. You know who you are.

Every year for Riley’s birthday, we’d go on a hike. So, off I go. ❤️

02/10/2026

What happens in rescue when you have animals that you know are going to require someone to go well above and beyond to care for them if they adopt from you?

This lovely boy is Sargent. He has been here several months now after having been trapped out in Clatskanie. No one came looking for him. Locals posted everyone, notified everyone, and "crickets".

When Sargent came in, he was thin and acted like he was starving. Initially, we thought he was starving because he had been on his own for so long. Well, that may be part of it, but there was more to the story.

We never know what an animal's history is when we work toward trapping these pups.

Sarge is such a good boy. We struggled getting weight on him so off to the vet for ALL the tests. After exhausting the testing, it turns out he has:

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)
It is a condition where the pancreas does not produce enough enzymes (lipase, amylase, protease) to properly digest food, leading to severe nutrient malabsorption. Key symptoms include fatty, foul-smelling stools (steatorrhea), abdominal pain, bloating, and unintentional weight loss. It is managed with Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy (PERT).

What this meant, he was eating everything and starving to death at the same time.

He is now on digestive enzymes that must go in every meal. It has to sit on his food for 20+ min before he can eat it to attach to the food proteins so he can digest the food. He also takes cobalequin. He is on a low fat prescription food.

Cost of care monthly for him for his food and supplements ~$1000+

So, what do we do? We find an adopter that can afford this care. This will be one special adopter that can 1)afford the care and 2)is up for making sure this care gets veterinary follow ups to ensure he is thriving.

These are the things we think about, are faced with, and worry about. Finding an adopter like this is like finding a needle in a haystack or a 4 leaf clover.

Our adoption fees are already well below the cost of care for any animal adopted from us. We do our best to put our best foot forward, and provide the absolute best care we can, within our means.

Dogs like this end up in rescues long term, and his issues are only medical. Add some behavior issues and man..... Do we start thinking long term/forever fosters? That isn't really our model either. We already have a pup in forever foster who requires a ton of medical and special meds/foods/etc. We were SOOOO fortunate to have a beautiful friend that was up for the challenge a dog like that requires.

All that said, Sargent would love to find a forever. 💓

If you are that forever, please reach out. If you aren't, please share. Maybe you know someone that knows someone who is looking for the love of their life

07/25/2025

❤️ ADOPTED ❤️ Zara is a beautiful, curious, and bouncy young pup with a heart as big as her energy! She is approximately 1.5 years old and is a mix of silly and shy. She’s affectionate and hilarious with those she trusts - she’ll roll over for belly rubs, bury her head in pillows, and flash her goofy grin with her tongue out. She loves being close by with her people, soaking in the love.

Zara is ball-obsessed! She’ll play for hours if you let her and loves taking her beloved tennis ball to the water bowl for breaks. She loves treats and enjoys puzzle toys and lick mats with peanut butter.

She’s very active and thrives on daily walks, structured play, and mental stimulation. She walks beautifully on a leash, knows sit, down, heel, “go to bed,” and is working on “here.” She’s crate trained, housebroken, and responds well to routine.

Zara takes time to warm up to new people and dogs, so slow introductions are key. She’s non-reactive on walks, but if someone approaches too quickly, she may bark. With patience, treats, and encouragement, she builds trust. She’s also shown calm curiosity around cats.

Zara’s Ideal Home:
- An active household that enjoys walks and hikes
- A fenced yard for ball throwing and outdoor playtime
- A patient, confident adopter committed to continued training and helping her build confidence
- Someone who sees her potential as a loyal adventure buddy

Zara is up-to-date on all vaccinations, spayed and microchipped! She is currently being fostered in Newberg, OR.

06/11/2025

This is the hardest post I’ve ever had to write. Over the years, many people have asked about Rico. They’ve rooted for him, loved him from afar, and held onto hope for his happy ending.

Rico joined us in the fall of 2022, and from the start, it was clear just how special he was. He was smart, protective, goofy, and deeply sensitive. He made incredible strides over time - learning, growing, and slowly letting his guard down with those he trusted. He went on countless meet & greets. But none of them truly captured who he was at his core. The real Rico, the one who felt safe in quiet places, who was silly and loyal, who melted into the safety of Ashley’s love - was often hidden behind layers of fear. But Ashley always saw him.

Ashley was more than a foster. She was his safe place. She poured nearly 3 years of her life into helping him feel secure, showing him that the world wasn’t always so scary. Rico adored her with every ounce of his being. Their bond was unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed. And while we hoped he’d find a forever home one day, the truth is, he already had. Ashley was his forever home.

Though he made so much progress, he carried invisible wounds, ones that left him mentally exhausted and emotionally overwhelmed. And while we often talk about physical pain as a reason to say goodbye, mental suffering can be just as heavy. For dogs like Rico, this world can be too much. And when the hard days start to outweigh the good, we have to put their peace ahead of our own heartbreak.

Rico passed last week, surrounded by love. He left this world in the arms of the person he loved most - his mom - finally free from the weight he carried for so long.

Rico was a huge part of my rescue, and I loved him so much. And to all of you who followed his journey, thank you. He felt love. Deep, unconditional love. And he gave it back in his own, beautiful way.

Rest easy, sweet boy. You were always home.

To honor Rico’s memory, we’d be so grateful if you considered donating toward Grizz - Ashley’s beloved pup who is bravely fighting lymphoma. Link to donate is in our bio. Supporting Grizz is a meaningful way to give back to the person who gave Rico everything. ❤️

https://gofund.me/80585f39

05/23/2025

Ranger is battling recurring pneumonia, and his vet bills are growing faster than his parents can manage. Every little bit helps give him the care he desperately needs. If you're able to donate or share, his parents would be incredibly grateful. 💛

NOTE: Ranger is NOT from our rescue. He was adopted from the Denver Animal Shelter.

Hi everyone! We feel a little odd doing this, but we’re also at a loss for w… Melanie Bryant needs your support for Aid Ranger's Battle with Recurring Illness

01/08/2025

❤️ ADOPTED ❤️ Meet Conan, a one-year-old handsome brindle boy bursting with charm and endless love to give! This sweetheart loves people and is always ready for playtime. He’s all about spreading happiness and will have you smiling in no time.

Conan is not only affectionate but also incredibly smart and eager to learn. He’d thrive with someone who enjoys training and building a strong bond with their pup.

He’s a social butterfly who would love having a playful canine companion, but would also do well as a solo pet. Running, chasing, and wrestling are his favorite things to do, followed by a cozy nap to recharge. Conan is always ready for an adventure and would make a fantastic addition to an active family.

While he’s great with people, very small kids might not be the best match since his big energy could accidentally knock them over. Conan is ready to bring endless love and fun to his forever home!

Conan is up-to-date on all vaccinations, neutered and microchipped. He is in a foster home in Eugene, OR

12/24/2024

❤️ ADOPTED ❤️ Meet Mochi! At just 5 months old, he’s looking for his forever home, and if you’re lucky enough to meet him, you’ll see why he’s so special. He is quite honestly, the PERFECT GSD puppy. Mochi’s extremely friendly, loving, and a total sweetheart who’s great with everyone, from kids to adults. He is a quiet, very well-mannered puppy!

Mochi’s top love language is cuddling. He’s all about being close to his humans (and his doggie foster sibling too). He’ll lean on you for pets, shower you with kisses, and is the perfect lap dog. Whether you’re chilling on the couch or just walking around the house, he’ll be right there beside you, soaking up all the affection.

Mochi is a social butterfly when it comes to other dogs. He’s been around tons of dogs and plays well with all of them - he’s submissive to bigger dogs and respectful of boundaries. He’s got a playful streak and can run, wrestle, and chase with the best of them.

If you’re looking for a pup who walks like a champ on a leash, Mochi is your guy. He also knows several basic commands: sit, come, break (command to eat his food), off (from the counter), and is learning “down”, “stay” and “leave-it”. He’s food motivated and eager to please, so training has been a breeze. True to his breed, he’s a smart boy, so with patience and consistency, he’ll continue to blossom into the perfect companion.

Mochi is still a puppy, which means he has energy and needs plenty of exercise. He’s playful, active, and loves going on walks and adventures, but also has a chill side. When it’s time to settle down, he’s the sweetest little snuggler. Mochi’s very smart, affectionate, and just the right balance of goofy and calm. He’s a loyal companion and will follow you around the house just to be near you.

He is up-to-date on all vaccinations, neutered and microchipped! He is in a foster home in Troutdale, OR.

11/28/2024

❤️ ADOPTED ❤️ Get ready to hear all about the ultimate cuddle bug...Levi! Levi is a 2-year old pit bull with a heart of gold and a personality that’s impossible not to love. Whether you’re familiar or a stranger, Levi’s excitement knows no bounds - he’ll greet you with a wagging tail and a big, goofy grin. It’s impossible not to smile when he’s around - his personality is magnetic. He’s been incredibly sweet and friendly with everyone he’s met so far, and although we haven’t tested him with kids, we think he’d do great with children, especially once he gets a little more training to control his jumping (he’s just so happy to see you!). He might be a bit much for very young kids or elderly folks, as he’s a strong boy who sometimes forgets his size when he’s excited.

Levi currently lives with two strong-willed female dogs and does great with them. He loves playing with his cattle dog housemate, and he’s always excited to meet new dogs and eager to make new friends. He hasn’t been tested with cats, so we’re not sure how he’d react, but he’s been great with other dogs so far.

He loves his walks but does need a bit of leash training, especially when he spots another dog or critter he wants to say hi to. He’s a little mouthy when he’s excited and loves to play by mouthing arms and clothes, but he’s learning to dial it back.

Levi has a lot of love to give, and he’s got a lot of energy to burn! He enjoys running, playing, and wrestling with other dogs, but he’s equally happy to flop down for a nap or snuggle up for some one-on-one time. His energy is balanced with plenty of moments of sweetness, and he loves to be close to his people. He’ll curl right up on your lap or snuggle in bed with you if you let him - he’s all about that affection!

Levi’s ideal home is a loving family or individual who can provide him with the training and structure he needs. He’d do well with another dog to play with, and as long as you’re patient with his training (and strong enough to handle his enthusiasm), Levi will be an amazing, loyal companion.

Levi is up-to-date on vaccinations, neutered and microchipped. He is currently being fostered in Portland, OR.