Life with Riley

Riley’s first official bath!  Dropped him off at Canine Styles (Bway btw 79/80… home of the cat, who still didn’t give Riley the time of day)…

Great service and they’re so nice there… even when “someone” piddled when he got too excited when Mommy arrived to pick him up!

It’s amazing what a little soap, water and blown air will do for a little guy – he’s so white and fluffy! (And it makes me realize how incredibly disgusting these streets must be… and I’m more resolved to keep him out of the park and away from other dogs until he gets his last round of shots on 11/5!)

I'm clean; great. Canwe go home now?? You have no idea what the did to me in there... ever hear of rectal glands??

Rather than wait for Mommy to squeak and toss, Riley learned how to walk around the house and squeak his favorite “Moo” squeaky toy all by himself:  Squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a, squeak-a… you get the picture.

(Sigh!) At least I know where he is at all times!

Who knew Riley was such a renaissance man? Woke up (very early) today to the dulcet tones of his first jazz riff… Ah-Woooo-Wooooo-Woo-Woooo-Wooo!

Guess the impresario was trying a new tactic (and full scale range) to get Mommy to wake up and feed him… instead, Mommy giggled into her pillow until he was finished his scat, counted to five, and then came out. As delightful (and hysterical) the solo might have been – we definitely don’t want to wake up to it every day!

I am paying attention. I learn real good!

First day of puppy obedience at Biscuits & Bath… and Riley out “cute-d” the others with his playful romp with the other puppies. And, while he’s also the youngest in the bunch (3 mos; next closest is 6 mos) he’s also much smarter (well, according to Mommy and Daddy!): he’s already housebroken, and knows how to “sit” and listen attentively to the teacher! (But it was still fun to let loose at the end of class and just RUN!)

This is fun... but just WAIT until I get off this dang-nabbit leash!

When Daddy couldn’t hear the doorbell (Mommy forgot her keys, so we got locked out), we went to the basement to get let in. The downstairs is a whole new world for Riley… the stairs being the big continental divide. We made it up about half way… and then a little smelly treat from the AK cousins helped make the 2^nd half of the stairway a snap!

Note: Going UP is a breeze… it’s the DOWN that remains the challenge!

With his newfound self-awareness, Riley (or is it Mommy??) finds it a challenge in walking the less-residential streets – there’s a puppy staring back from each glass storefront!

Today, Riley achieved self-awareness – wanting to play with his reflection in the floor-to-ceiling mirrors on the walls of the dry cleaners. How zen… NOT!

Small sticks? Leaves blown by the wind? Seed pods?

ALL DELICIOUS!!! What an afternoon delight!

Who said cats and dogs don’t mix?  For Riley, this couldn’t be further from the truth – he wanted nothing more than to play and jump after meeting his first cat today – a big golden tabby at Canine Styles on Broadway btw 79/80. BTW, the cat could not have been less impressed… but he did come up and touch noses with the wiggly pup. Riley tried everything to entice him to frolic, but kitty could not be persuaded. Ah well!

But we did have the chance to try on a winter sweater – which he took to like a champ! Didn’t even try to eat it! And we also took a look at their grooming facility; I think it’s a keeper!

Today, Riley reveals that he’s a true New Yorker:  he likes nothing more than to sit on the front steps and people-watch after a walk in the park!