Bath Time

Riley's hair was getting a little shaggy, so he got a quick trim followed by a bath. He was very cooperative during the bath and drying. But for a cute dog, he looks mighty pathetic when wet.

He wasn't happy about it as you can see:


He tried bribing Daddy Michael to help him escape, but to no avail:

He seems to be plotting revenge:
OK, I give up:

I am Seven Months Old Now

And really growing into my face... my coat is coming out and it's super wavy/curly just like my Mommy's was.

7 months

Riley is 7 months old today. That also means he came to live with us 5 months ago. He is now twice the size of Phoebe and Chandler. However, Chandler remains his best buddy and favorite pillow.

He still engages Chandler in play daily, which is great for both of them. We're having work done on the house now and Riley is not at all fazed by the noise. If anything, he is intrigued and we have to stop him from going into the work zone. The plastic sheeting doesn't pose much of an impediment to him. Because of the work, the back yard is not as accessible, so we go on walks every day. Riley loves exploring the neighborhood. He runs up to greet everyone he sees. Everyone who meets him comments on how beautiful he is. We of course are biased on that one, but face it, he is a cutie. We now need to get him used to other dogs. Now that the weather is getting better, it may be time to hit a dog park for some socialization.

The Half Birthday Boy

By means of comparison to see how much Riley has grown, here he is again with Chandler. Look at the photo on the right side of the page. Riley was half the size of Chandler. Now look at him. They have switched and Riley is twice the size of Chandler, but Chandler can still take him down. Riley is the best thing that has happened to Chandler in a long time. Thanks to Riley, Chandler is acting like a dog half his age. Well some of the time. And despite the size difference, Riley still loves to sleep along side his big little brother and best friend.

RILEY IS 6 MONTHS OLD TODAY!!!

He's huge! Gorgeous, growing, healthy, happy... this is one of the better decisions of our life :-)

He had a Ball of a Time

Yes. Riley is nut-less. He came through the neutering like a champ. Only a few sutures ("stitches"). One suture on each gum where they pulled the baby teeth that didn't fall out and which were crowding the adult ones coming in behind them. And he's microchiped and registered to us.

He's still kinda out of it. All loopy and sleeping. But he's home and safe and well. The worst of it is over.

*Phew!*

Tomorrow is THE DAY

So it's finally come... tomorrow, February 12, 2009, Riley (A.K.A."Coosa Creek's Sir Riley, Lord of Essex") is going to have his balls cut off. We know this is the right thing to do. We know that this will add years of quality to his life. We know it's the healthy and socially responsible thing to do. And we know that it's in his adoption contract that he is not to be bred. And still, it's sad. He's also going to have his eye-teeth taken out, as the adult "canines" are coming in behind the baby ones which haven't fallen out. I suspect that will be more uncomfortable than the testiculectomy. (Nicer made-up word for castration.)

We still love you, Sir Riley. Don't hold this against us!!!