Summer of Riley

Ellis calms down a little and admits that he wishes he could go the rest of his life without seeing a dog. William struggles to sympathize with this wish; he is still angry with Ellis for starting the petition against Riley. Ellis points out a scar on his face and tells William that a small dog attacked him when he was three years old. The dog bit his face and would not let go. Ellis’s story makes William uncomfortable. He tries to argue that not all dogs are like that, but Ellis reminds William about the dogs that killed his cat. He admits that he saw the dogs coming and could have done something to save his cat but was too terrified to move. William does not know what to say. He tells Ellis that he can “learn not to be afraid” (155), but this only angers Ellis. Grace interrupts their conversation, and Ellis warns them not to tell anyone about what he told William. William insists that getting rid of Riley is not going to help Ellis get over his fear of dogs. He hopes that Ellis’s inability to help his cat will haunt him forever and that Riley’s death will haunt Ellis, too.

Grace and William have no idea why Ellis admitted to being afraid of dogs. Later, Dorothy suggests that Ellis might have been trying to let out all the shame and fear that he has built up over the years. She believes that Ellis was trying to explain himself and his actions to William.

The next day, William attends church with both of his parents and says a prayer for Riley. After church, Douglas stays for lunch. He tells William that his friend, Phoebe, has a cat that just had kittens, and he wonders if William would like to adopt one. William is angry that his father is trying to give him a substitute for Riley, but he reluctantly agrees to think about it. When Douglas leaves, he tells William to be strong the next day when he hears the decision about Riley. He promises to call. William hugs his father and realizes that while things are different, his father is still part of his life. The rest of the day drags on. William researches dog rescues that might agree to take Riley but finds nothing promising.

The next day, they get the call: Riley will be euthanized the following day. William is distraught and runs to his room, crying. He hears his mother making and answering phone calls all morning. Grace asks to come over, but William does not want to see anyone. He tries to think of what else he can do. He tries to call the governor, but the secretary says he is on holiday and will not pass on a message, which makes William very angry. Dorothy passes on Stephen’s sympathies.

Later, William goes to Peachie’s house to water her flowers. Through the window, he sees a painting of the Sultan above her couch. Peachie and the Sultan will eventually return, but Riley will be gone for good. William goes home and once again tries searching for dog rescues on the internet. Finally, he finds something that catches his eye. William calls the number of a dog rescue in Texas. It is run by a man named Rudi Corona. William explains the situation to Rudi and begs him to take Riley. Rudi is sympathetic but usually only takes Border Collies. William insists that Riley is part collie and says that “Running is his favorite thing” (173). Rudi talks to Dorothy. When they hang up, Dorothy explains that Rudi is going to contact the commissioners. She tries to tell William not to get his hopes up. William does not want to think about what might happen if this does not work out.

Everything is arranged: Riley will be going to Texas to work for Rudi as an airport dog. He will work with other dogs to scare birds away from the airfield so they do not get sucked into airplane engines. William will pay for Riley to fly from Oregon to Texas, where Rudi will train Riley for his new job. William and Dorothy go to the airport to say goodbye to Riley, and William is overjoyed to see Riley again. He tells him to be good for Rudi and to listen to what he teaches him. He gives Riley his old tennis ball and says goodbye. As Dorothy and Stephen fill out forms for the airport, William’s father arrives. He drove a long way to be there for William. When all the paperwork is done, everyone says goodbye to Riley one last time. William stays silent; his goodbyes are complete.

William gets a call from Rudi assuring him that Riley arrived safely in Texas. He promises to keep in touch. A week later, William gets an email from him. Rudi says that Riley is a fast learner and gets along well with the other dogs. William has succeeded in saving Riley’s life. He is glad, but he is also sad that he will never see Riley again. 

William and Dorothy plan a Labor Day party. William decides that it is time to fill in the pond; his grandfather is not coming back. He knows that by completing the pond, he is not forgetting his grandfather—he is simply accepting that he is gone. He and Stephen fill in the hole, and William understands that Stephen will be part of his life going forward though he will not replace his father. The party is a hit, but Peachie is still out of town. William knows that when she and the Sultan return, things will be different between them. He vows to work to repair their relationship. Riley is gone, but William still has his memories of him. He and Dorothy read tea leaves again, and William sees a dog running joyfully. He knows that Riley is free and happy. He does not care if his mother thinks that tea leaves are wishful thinking. He believes that the leaves are telling him that Riley is happy.