Golden fur, gentle eyes, goofy paws and a sweet soul. If these features sound familiar, you’ve probably met Riley the dog, whose evening walks around campus are a daily highlight for many. After over a decade of service to the Furman community, what better way to remember Riley’s joyful legacy than with a statue?
Going away to college is difficult, and many students miss their pets . Dave and Kathy Knox, Riley’s owners, know this and want to bring students joy and a sense of hope.
“Sometimes they just feel sad and anxious over a test they have taken, and sometimes they just miss their dog and family back home. Petting Riley helps with all of those problems,” said Dave Knox.
The Knoxes know how important therapy dogs can be. According to a Furman News article by Clinton Colmenaires, the Knoxes’ son, who graduated from Furman in 2001, was in a tragic car accident in 2007 that left him in a coma. When a therapy dog, Cassie, was brought to visit him, he moved to pet her — the first time he had moved in months. This experience inspired the Knoxes to get a therapy dog to bring others the same sense of hope and comfort Cassie had brought them.
“I guess the main reason why I bring Riley every day is to pay forward the happiness that therapy dog gave me when he helped wake up our son and to help students feel that same feeling,” said Dave Knox.
Riley has been coming to Furman for “therapy walks” for many years and is beloved by generations of students.
“We have met many Furman alumni while walking Riley downtown who remember her, even after graduating 10 years ago,” said Knox.
Just as Riley has been a gift to the Furman community, Furman has been a gift to Riley too.
“We strongly believe getting loved by all the students every day is the reason Riley has lived for 17 years,” said Dave Knox. “It absolutely makes her day when students stop and pet her.”
Over the years, Riley has become Furman’s unofficial mascot, a symbol of community and hope. Everyone whose day has been brightened by Riley and her family can understand the impact a dog can have in helping us through good and bad days, bringing students hope that life isn’t as lonely or hard as it sometimes seems.
“We get a lot of satisfaction when we see a student who is so upset with something that they are crying and after petting Riley, they leave with a smile on their face,” said Dave Knox.
Riley’s life has had an immeasurable impact on students which should be commemorated. Hundreds of students remember Riley fondly, and it would be amazing if, when we return to visit Furman someday, we could see a statue memorializing the dog who left a wonderful impression on our lives.
