After our snow and ice storm, I’m glad to be out on Stillwater Cove in 60-degree weather, visiting the home of Susan, and Howard Shapiro and their dog Riley. As I go to the door, I am greeted by a rolling, soft murmur from inside. As the door opens, the murmur soon crescendos into loud and continuous barking of alarm. After all, I’m coming to the home of a beautiful sable and white collie about eight years old.  As I enter, Riley is reluctant to approach me until his owners come over and ask for a “Sit.” I’m thankful I remembered to bring a dog treat, and that changed his thoughts of me from an intruder to maybe a friend. Howard is my Frontline Insurance agent, and it is delightful to have my agent just down the street from me and in Kelly Plantation.

Susan and Howard bought their home in 2013, and the view over Joe’s Bayou and to the Bay is stunning. Susan told me she has had collies since she was five years old. Collie number one was Scraps, who appeared in the yard after fleeing an abusive situation. Susan’s father, George, was a deputy sheriff in the area and knew what was going on, so Scraps remained with them.  

 Moving on through the years and many collies, Logan was the ninth collie for the Shapiros, and after he became sick and passed away, Susan said, “Okay, that’s if for me, no more dogs.  In 2013, the family decided that the Shapiros needed another dog, so as Thanksgiving rolled around to Tallahassee, the kids decided to secretly remedy this situation. When the family began to arrive, and Susan opened the door, and in came a white-tipped tail of a collie! Howard fell into line quickly, but Susan reiterated, “You know I don’t want a dog!  Howard, if you want him, he is all yours: all the walking, grooming, and training, all of it.” Howard accepted the parameters and named the dog Cooper, who was named for an outstanding receiver on the University of Florida football team, Riley Cooper. Collie number 10!

Wade, the oldest son of the Shapiros, was the main instigator in getting his parents another dog. He had driven to Orlando to pick up this collie, and he was quite the handsome one. Wade had an adult collie at this time named Marty. When the families got together, Marty and Cooper became best buddies. Marty eventually passed away, and Wade heard about a collie that needed to be rehomed, so he adopted him and named him Riley. You remember that Florida football receiver, right?

 In 2022, Cooper, the Shapiros' dog, passed away, and Susan and Howard said, together this time, “No more dogs!” Sometimes, life does not let you go along your chosen path. Unfortunately, this time, son Wade became seriously ill and passed away on December 11, 2023. Susan and Howard quickly agreed that Riley's ONLY place was home with them in Destin. Collie number 11!

Susan tells me, “The moral of this story is never say never, but really, Riley is our last one!”