We discovered that he loves to run

Posted on February 14, 2009 by David Couillard

Sorry we have not been in touch for a while. A lot has happened in the last few months including moving back in June. Just thought we were overdue for a Riley update. The ‘beast’ as we like to call him, is doing well. He has not been crated since the month after we got him in April. He has adjusted well to the family, our new home and the other pets. Even the cats eventually warmed up to him and can now oftern be found cuddled up together for nap time.
We went up to the cottage this summer for vacataion and Riley loved it. He was off leash quite often and listened well. Came when you called….maybe not right away ....but he came eventually!!! We discovered that he loves to run. All good, except that he loves to run at you!!! With a full head of steam behind him, he is no longer a big dog but a huge galloping horse with no brakes!!! He has taken me out on more then one occassion! Any and all helpful hints on how to fix his brakes are welcome!!
Also discovered that he cannot swim…at least not yet. He must have thought he was Jesus and could walk on water or….he never saw a lake before! He walked to the end of the dock and kept on going! I swear he even hovered for a second! Down he went eventually and then back up where he attempted his best doggy paddle but his back end just does not float! My daughter Kasey says he has too much junk in his trunk! I eventually jumped in the lake and pulled him in to shore. He never walked on water again but spent the rest of the vacation close to the shoreline chasing guppies for hours on end!
We also now get the whole ‘mountain dog’ thing. We climbed our favorite mountain and Riley had at it like nobodies business. He went up and down and around and I was way back there somewhere huffing and puffing! No ‘mountain’ anything in my description! All off leash of course or I would have been dragged along!!!
All that to say he is well and we love him to bits. Some mornings at around 5:30 when I am out walking him and Gizmo before I go to work, I do often think to myself; ‘what have I done!’. Then Riley gives me that look or sits on my feet and falls over for a belly rub and I know exactly what I have done! No one loves me like Riley. I am one lucky girl.
Hope you and your crew are well. Keep doing what you do Helen. You are all angels in disguise. If it wasn’t for you, Riley would not be on this earth. God bless ya!
Here are a few pictures of the ‘beast’! Enjoy!

Members Comments

- Jennifer
- posted on March 11, 2009
Loved this story.What in inspiration to adopt .... Thanks.
- Jennifer Latour
- posted on March 11, 2009
an*

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