Sunday Musings or (what a week!)

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

It seemed like the wait was a long one and you were all there with me while I posted a myriad of questions, chipped in with comments when I couldn't keep quiet, stressed about size of crates,brushes, combs, potty and clicker training...the list was endless and in fact is only starting.

The story of my epic journey to bring Riley home is well known by now and is paling into the distant past already.  Riley has been part of our family for four whole days now!  My house looks like a bomb hit it and the wet weather and very frequent potty breaks mean the once pale wooden floors are now resembling a pop festival in inclement conditions.  My feet are black as I walk around barefoot ready to don my flip flops in order to make the garden run in time for success.  This is repeated at 40 minute intervals.  We have been on three car trips with no bother at all.  His seat harness belt took me about an hour to work out (I'm dreadful with gadgets) but works a treat and riley sits strapped in quite happy.  Phew that's one thing I wanted to tick off my list, a bad traveller is something you can't know beforehand but a really difficult one to cure.  We visited family and went to a castle nearby ( we took turns carrying him in our arms)  I told the staff at the outdoor cafe where a big sign says NO DOGS ALLOWED, EXCEPT GUIDE DOGS  that Riley was a Therapy dog in training and they let us have him on our knee.  Riley is very gentle and friendly appearing not to be afraid of anybody but just goes to say hello, calm, is how I would describe him.  His favorite place is under my computer chair with his head leaning over one of the tripod legs.  This makes him snore at times and all I can think of is OMG now I will have two guys snoring lol.  Clicker training is going very well, he is sitting, down and also touching his nose to my two fingers wherever I place them.  This will be useful though I can't remember quite why!!!  He also knows to leave and waits when I put his food down until I say ok.  He was due worming and is on the last day of the three day dose and his appetite seems to have diminished.  He is generally very healthy so I am not concerned for now.  First vet visit will be on Tuesday for his second shot and check over.  

Last night was the most peaceful, a few little cries before sleep at 11pm and a potty break at 3am and up at 6.30 for more garden work, quick paw clean and onto our bed for a lie in until 8.30.

 

It's very early days and I'm sure there will be many challenges to come as we navigate puppy- hood together, for now, my partner ( big macho man)  is in love ( I saw him lifting Riley, when he thought I wasn't in ear shot and saying 'I love you' to him last night)

[Adrianne Matzkin]

it sounds like a perfect 4 days!!!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Awww....you sound so happy.  He was clearly worth the wait.

[Coco Chanel and Cheryl]

Aww! That is so sweet! Just remember whatever you do with him now, he will expect the same when he is big! I learned my lesson! When Coco was little I would carry her to her crate and put her in it! When she became 30 pounds, she still wanted me to do that even though she was too big for it! I broke her of it but it took so long, she was 45 pounds when she was broken of the habit!! Still at 50 pounds she loves to be picked up!!

[BG and Gavin]

Wonderful!  Thanks for the update.  I love men who love dogs! :)