Life with Riley

A romp through wine country!

Another fun outing in the car!

The rain has ended and the sun is out… so we all piled into the car with friends Ed and Gaby to head upstate! We stop in Millbrook, NY, which has a very quaint downtown area (which Riley strolled as a gentleman)… and it’s apparent from all of the tweed and suede that we’re definitely in horse country. (So many more compliments on Riley… and inquiries about the breeder).

After a GREAT lunch at the Millbrook Café (Belgian chocolate fondue for everyone!! Well, except for Riley…) we head to Millbrook Vineyards for a portfolio tasting that also features the wines of William Saylem from CA. Delish!

Best part: the fuzz face got to sprint at the vineyard (though another highlight was the sweet and delicious grass) – the summer of 2010 being a very fine vintage!

Final shots! One more week and we can start really socializing him with other dogs… Riley has gained almost 3 pounds in as many weeks… and is a vision of perfect health!

This evening, we enjoyed Riley’s first official “Yappy Hour” with Dana and Harvey, her toy fox terrier… and we discovered that water bottles make EXCELLENT noisy toys! Auntie Dana also brought a present : his new favorite toy – a long fuzzy monkey, which resembles the duck that Riley hoarded at last week’s puppy class. Didn’t take long to figure out that this one squeaks, too… (sigh!)

Almost too many toys in the crate – almost not enough room for Riley!

So many toys, so little time... but monkeeeeeee RULES!

It’s the sequel!

The weather is decidedly less nice today… heavy rain and it’s cold. But, by now, Riley is an old hand at riding in the car. Get in. Sleep. Stop and get out for a walk/run. Rub a dub with a towel… then back on the road again! He’s a real trooper and aced the “I’m leaving you in the car for 30 minutes” test. Another nap time!!

Personally, the highlight of the trip to western Connecticut destinations: the waterfall in Kent! Riley explored the covered bridge and the water’s edge while the ladies huddled under umbrellas… but such a happy boy!

riley at the falls in kent, ct

Riley the Road Warrior

On the first day of a two-day expedition to small towns across the tri-state area with Shandana, who is writing a book about day-trips from NYC, we started with Clinton, NJ.

The causeway next to the mill at Clinton, NJ

While Shandana spoke with staff at the local museum, Riley and I decided to explore the grounds a bit… including the pond and spillway (where the waterwheel is located). I noticed  a considerable geese colony on the water… who started to come slowly towards us (I suspect that, despite the heavily posted area, visitors have been feeding them). It wasn’t until the flock got about 20-25 feet away that Riley noticed and stopped looking for leaves, sticks and acorns to chew…  OMG! Who knew birds could be bigger than the pigeons we’re used to??

fresh air, leaves blowing, water's edge... wait. what are those big floating things???

Growling, barking and a bit of shaking… and, of course, the geese didn’t care. Not. One. Bit. So frustrating!

So back to the car, some lunch, and a nap… what a life!

Riley has decided that canister vacuum cleaners are bad joo joo… the super brought his bright green model in to clean up after a project – and Riley barked at it (even when it wasn’t plugged in or running!) So I’m wondering what his experience has been like when our housekeeper has come…?

Hey! The floor - and all edibles upon it - are MY domain!!!

In other big news, Riley’s NYC dog license arrived today! So he’s now a legal resident of the greatest city on earth!

Mommy had to drive out to Woodbury for the day, so today was the first time Riley stayed at the kennel for the day (at the vet). Daddy picked him up after work and brought him home after a fun day with the staff and other puppies…!

The good news: Riley shows that he’s overcome his fear of stairs… as long as it means going up… and only at other places other than in our apartment!

While grandpa slept in (and daddy probably wished that he had too) grandma came with us to puppy obedience class #2… where he aced the “sit” and “stay” tests, despite a very distracting environment!

He had some challenges with Daisy, his best buddy from class #1, who kept coming over to say hello, and there were a few new furry faces in the class. So we’ll work on that… but the incredible news; Riley demonstrated his aptitude for agility challenges: during full-on puppy play, the class instructor pulled out a hoop when she saw Riley leaping over some of the other puppies – and he not only made a beeline for it, he leapt through it perfectly.. without any treat enticement! (It’s looking more and more like mommy and daddy have a very smart little boy on their hands!)

Then it was a brisk walk through the farmer’s market where we picked up some fabulous amaryllis bulbs for $6… then home to meet grandpa for brunch!

It’s Daddy’s birthday!

Grandma and Grandpa Tryba come to visit – and Grandma brings a new chew toy… which quickly becomes Riley’s favorite! He runs around the house, shaking his head every which way… it’s a miracle that he doesn’t walk into the walls!

Riley shows everyone his mastery of “sit” and other commands… he’s getting better every day!

Think they'll like me?

Mommy was (very!) late getting home due to job interviews. But Riley waited until almost 2pm for mommy to get home – almost 6 hours! – and did not have an accident!

Very, very good boy… though the disruption to the daily schedule ended up making for one rowdy, toothy little boy!

Went for a VEEEEEEEEERY long walk today and sat in a little sunny patch of grass in Riverside Park near 72^nd Street, near the dog walk and at a crossroads of the bike and walking paths.

Riley was completely content to sit in mommy’s lap and watch people, pets and local critters run by… he didn’t even try to eat (too much) grass and leaves! Even the tempting tuft of squirrel tails (who crept ever tantalizingly close, before they realized that Riley wasn’t part of me…!) wasn’t enough of a draw, compared the rest of the park activity.

A little sun, fresh air, and engagement is always good… then it was home for lunch and a nap (for both of us!)

Nice long day... followed by a nice long nap.