The Morning After The Night Before

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

And so it came to pass that on the sixth night we went out for the first time and had a ball!

 Yesterday was eventful enough and started out with a cut paw which left Doodle blood traces around the kitchen and on my couch.   Following some DIY nursing care and lots of advice from my friends here we settled down and continued the day as planned.  Slight change of plan as I had intended to take Riley to the football pitch but of course hadn't reckoned on it actually being in use by football teams ( how inconsiderate of them to use it on a Saturday afternoon!)   So I drove to my daughters and we went to the park nearby that has an enclosed dog park.  What a nerve wracking experience that was, having interviewed the four owners about their dogs who were playing around I decided it was safe enough to let Riley join in the fun.  A Male Husky, a Cocker Spaniel, A  Black Labrador Cross and a Rescue Greyhound welcomed Riley.  The Black dog proceeded to dominate him, leaping at him and pining him to the ground and Riley just turned over on his back but got up to chase after Black dog repeatedly so I'm guessing from that that they were just working it out.  I stood on the side lines absolutely terrified and imagining what I would do should something go horribly wrong.   My nerves were shot to bits as I saw him a couple of times with his tail between his legs but he recovered himself enough to wear himself out playing chase with the spaniel.    

 When we arrived home at  which is a half hour drive we went straight to the shower where half the parks mud was lifted from his coat and his paws and body were examined for wear and tear.  I put cream on his pad, fed him and by this time it was 6pm.  Time to get the glad rags on while Cave Man says he doesn't want Riley going to the Dog Park again as he thinks some dog could injure him or give him some disease and I agree that this was a once off,  too many things that can go wrong I think.

 

The Party was great, though I did have to be careful not to bore people about our Riley baby who was home alone for the first time.  Several times I had to prevent my hand reaching for the photo's on my phone.   The party was my cousins 50th and a big family occasion.  Bar men in tuxedo's, champagne flowing, great food and a stunning interior designed period house with garden to match filled with beautiful people,  some boring some interesting  and all gathered for the occasion. At 12.30 Cave Man and I gave each other the signal that it was time to go from across the room where he was surrounded by some beautiful women and I was surrounded by some not so beautiful men

We arrived home at 1am to quiet, the radio we had left on had timed out.  Riley was awake but perfectly quiet, his toys in a heap,  wagging his tail like mad, so out for a potty break and a big cuddle.  We stayed up for an hour and so at 2am we all went to bed.  It's 8am now and I have been up and fed Riley and have checked the paw which looks fine   At the moment he  is pottering round the garden looking for a spot to do some business.  We will both go back to our bed for a morning cuddle and long lie in.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am so glad this worked out well for all. I don't like dog parks myself for all the same reasons.