Ryker's Page
Ryker's Page
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This used to be my site, where I shared my about's. But as I'm now with Andy's mom, Hosea, Steve, Jake and Joy on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge, this site tells the story of my life. If you are a friend I knew thanks for thinking of me and sharingmy life with you, and if you are a new friend I'm sorry we had not the chance to meet. Ryker 
Ryker Herkules vom Blumenmeer (means See of flowers in German) was born on October 12 - 1998 in Brittnau Aargau, Switzerland According to the breeder Mrs. Greub, he was the wildest of the pups there. She did not recommend him for a first time Dog-owner as he already chewed up game-console cable of her kids (As you know Ryker became a totally Computer/Tech-savvy dog, never ever was a cable in danger with him from that point on). But when we came to visit, he was the calmest, cute sitting in the back puppy that waited until all the other pups hyped out and then greeted us. So he choose us and came into our Family 15 weeks old. My Mom fell in love with him on day one, although she was skeptical as she used to have a dog, 40 years ago and was so sad when he passed. She wanted to prevent us from suffering through that. She loved him so much that one of her last words were in the hospital, that she was sad she could not see Ryker anymore before she passed away just minutes later. as dogs are not allowed in hospitals. But he was waiting in the Car right behind the Window of Mom's room. I knew she was waiting for him to welcome him on Monday evening June 28th 2010. Ryker was named after William T Riker, First Officer of Star Ship Enterprise NCC-1701D and he was joining me every day to work. When I was still with Worldspan (Computer System of Northwest Airlines, Delta Airlines and TWA) he slept most of the time under the Table of my "right hand" my substitute Country Manager Andrea. For Ryker Andrea was "P�ppelfrau" he tried always to lay on her feet, so he would know when she moved and he would not miss that. He could play with her long hair for hours. Later "P�ppelfrau", became "P�ppelmom" as her own "P�ppel" was born: Shirna her Daughter. Ryker even followed us to our largest account SSR Travel where we spent many nights and hours setting up Systems in their Server room. BUT they also had a huge party Room next to it. Ryker would entertain himself or present staff by chasing PET-Bottles through the hallways. Rolf our Helpdesk Specialist, and the calmest guy ever, that no rough Support Cal could ever get out of balance ha the wildest highspeed chases with Ryker through the office and hallways... so much fun. Ryker was always kind to other dogs (as long as they were Kids, Ladies or neutered Guys ;-) )  2000 Ryker with his soon to be much bigger Pal than him: Aladdin in the front. This was also how Ryker became a TV Star, as he got to play my Ex-Boyfriends "Partner" on TV, as Aladin was too young. watch the video with Ryker and Jan here Ryker grew up almost at the same time as Andrin one of Michael's Nephews. Andrin could play with Ryker in any way. From tail pulling to hanging on Rykers neck and sleeping on top of Ryker. And when Little Andrin gave Ryker a Treat he made sure that it was secured, by pulling Rykers Tongue out, placing the treat on it and pushing it all the way back. Only after Andrin took his little hand out of Rykers mouth would Ryker start to chew. He was always sho gentle to Kids. The three Nephews Andrin, Laurin and Damian lived in the country side, a perfect retreat for Ryker when he stayed so often there for vacation.   Water was always a pleasure for Ryker as long as he did not had to swim (too much work) so our many fountains in Switzerland were visited by him often. His favorite was as here in June 2000 our Church Fountain  He did not have only a Passport to travel, but also a ID.    by Hosea.jpg) Ryker had the ability to approach anyone (unless he was drunk, drugged or evil) and take the fear. Here with our Friend Hosea on the River near Wettingen. Although Hosea never was dog person, Ryker totally got his heart, too. Who couldn't look into those eyes and fall in love with Ryker. The 3rd picture (on the right) Hosea took himself Hosea passed away shortly after and for sure now Ryker will visit him, too. Birthday October 12th 2002 yes Whipped Cream (vegetable based, low fat), the last he ate last evening, too!  2003 Ryker gave Mick from Minneapolis more puppy-love than he expected!  2003 Ryker with our Friend Andr� at home in Zurich   Here at my Birthday Party with Nadja's beautiful black Lady Lab  in October 2003 Ryker was attacked by another dog and had to be hospitalized for weeks (same hospital as this time, as you can see they take good care!)  February 2004 as usual Ryker loved the snow, here in the little park next to our house While Ryker loved the snow in sunny days, but hated the salt between his toes he was always happy in sunny Florida   Ryker was a World Traveler, as you know between Zurich and Fort Lauderdale and flew mostly Sky Team, in the Beginning exclusively Northwest Airlines Priority Pet Service, later Delta Air Lines. At the Merriweather resort in Fort lauderdale Beach he found his first big love: Lilly - A chubby adorable Rottweiler Lady. He was so in love, that he sneaked out from the Hotel Room and walked 3 floors down to open the Office there where Lilly was guarding her owner Mary-Jo! Co Worker Missy at the Merriweather had much later a cute Flat Retriever, that Ryker loved to play to only stop when exhausted. He plaid with him the last time this Winter!  Here in 2005 in Fort Lauderdale where he was home and also vacationed with Dan&Steve and his pal black Lab Jake. Ryker followed Steve that left us much to early in June and Jake just 4 days later. I'm sure those three will reunite now as well.   Christmas 2005 @ The Waverly in Fort Lauderdale     There were times (2007) times dogs were not allowed at Cheesecake in Fort Lauderdale and had to wait on the other side of the fence. But so many People knew Ryker at Cheesecake. He always got a apple or two by the waiters, and they knew his name. They did not know me by name, I was just the dad of Ryker, but when Barbara (The Treat Lady), Roman, Ashley or other people would walk with Ryker to Cheesecake, they would be recognized and asked, is that not Ryker? Ryker had always a great time in Fort Lauderdale also Rocco & Richard took so much care about him, and we will never forget how he barked at that strange dog (reflecting) in the Silver Ball in Richard&Rocco's pool... and that for hours...  Ryker was simply the coolest dog on the planet (July 2007) And then Summer 2008: Ryker was ready to become Godfather. Lucy came into his live and he protected her dearly:    he showed her to her first swim, and even shared his beloved Chew-Eze imported from Fort Lauderdale with Lucy!   The cutest and smartest dog around!    Later that summer Ryker introduced Lucy to more water... the secret of fountains    The Summer had more ready for the two: On board the world's steepest cogwheel railway that winds up through lush meadows carpeted with Alpine flowers, past sparkling mountain streams and fascinating rock faces.  And in October 2009 Ryker got that close in Fort Lauderdale to the largest Cruise-Ship in the World: Oasis of the Seas (although he would have preferred Solstice because of the Lawn!) Christmas 2009 and New Year we spent with Ryker as always. Following leaving Ryker the longest ever behind in Fort Lauderdale while we were in Asia. But he had the best Dog Sitters:  Ashley and Roman treated Ryker like Royalty, and he loved them in return, here Picture from Ashley&Roman February 2010. Ryker also had his personal hair dresser, Leighann from Pet Smart in the Oakwood Plaza! Only once in his whole life he had someone else doing his looks, and regretted it deeply, so he had to go in for recovery with Leighann immediately! Leighann's talent made look Ryker every time at no matter what age, look like a Puppy again. After my delayed return due to the Volcanic Ash Cloud to Fort Lauderdale in April 2010 Ryker had his first symptoms, and we visited the Vets at "Gentle Care". They could not find anything as his blood count was pretty well. I decided to let Ryker fly Non-Stop with Swiss Airlines home, and just days after that he collapsed as most of you know on May 1st. That is when we got the devastating verdict of the vets at Z�rich University Hospital. They gave us 2-3 Month at max. As we know today, it was not even 2 month.  Rykers Nurse Miss Laurent (left) and his Emergency Doctor B�ckert that saved him (right) Ryker got treated with the best medicine available during the last 2 month from traditionally chemo therapy to alternative Iscador-Therapy and ancient Indian Secrets (Flor Essence, thanks to Benno) and many healthy extras from www.Bogar.ch through their Chief Chemist Christian! Thanks to that Ryker (and we) had 2 very intensive months, where Ryker acted like a young puppy again, jumping around, pulling cords and growling and barking at the fox that walked through our yard night by night:   Ryker always loved stuffed animals, but since his last return to Switzerland he dragged this Dinosaur all over the place, that should have been a gift for Shirina. Instead Ryker adopted Dino. If you watch close, you can debate if Dino caught him or the other way around.   Ryker showing pride at Christopher Street Day in Zurich beginning of June 2010, in one of his favorite spots... a Zurich fountain.   Also his goddaughter Lucy visited him regularly in those two months, where they shared also Dinner   There was lots of cuddling and sleeping   There is no place like home and having his head on one of his dads or watching out over the city. As Ryker was totally fit and happy up to the last 24 hours, he got to fully enjoy many friends on that Week End. We had the best weather and Ryker got so many treats during my Birthday Party by all the guests. Not even the Treat Lady (Barbara) in Fort Lauderdale could have spoiled him more!  A great way to say good bye to our best dog in the world. Thank you for bringing so much light, joy and love to our life. We will see eachother again on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge Missing and loving you always, Ryker |
