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Riley (was Dale) Updated photo and status as of dec 2010
Just wanted to say hi! All is well here…Riley is a meaty 94 pounds, still sleeping in the bed with us (and his cats), and loving all his extra walks during this chilly weather. Its also great when its too cold for the golfers, as he gets to chase tennis balls all over the Beau Chene fairways!
Living the life of Riley!
Cheers, LeAnne
Riley is Mr. Air Conditioning Just wanted you to see the oh-so stressful life of Mr Air
Riley with his human brothers- all getting clean!!!
Riley and his buddy guarding the lakefront.
riley is very close with his kitten
Update on Riley on April 10, 2009: Riley is now up to 100 pounds and is solid muscle, no chub. Asked the vet if he needed to get cut back on food, and she looked at me like I was crazy…asked, do you see how tall and long this boy is? He needs to be one hundred pounds. Um, so why did y’all not tell me a year ago that he was half Golden, half Shetland pony? He sleeps with his kitten and his cat every night, all snugged up sweet. However, they do this in OUR bed, so my husband and I have an extra hundred and thirty pounds in there with us. Now I know how Noah felt! Cole’s language and interaction with Riley continue to get better and better. If we leave for the day to go visit grandparents, he will ask for his “puppy” by the end of the day. While Jack is the one who loves to throw tennis balls for Riley, Cole is the snuggle bunny with him. For a child with autism, it is wonderful to see the compassion he feels for his dog – he thinks Riley will be lonely if we are at the grandparent’s for several hours, and THAT’S why we need to go home. Very sweet! Thanks for an amazing pony, dog! -LeAnne
Name:Dale Update from his new momma: Riley (was Dale)went to his forever home in April 2008 and will be living in LA with his momma, LeAnne. Where do I sign and on what dotted line? Big time huge happy, here! We're headed out of town tomorrow, but I need to get you your kennel, leash (chewed up), and collar. Also need to do our paperwork and give you our check. Can I have him chipped at the vet's office without the formal paperwork?
Dale/Riley has improved considerably on the leash walking, sitting, kenneling, and cat-astrophic behavior since he came home 72 hours ago. In fact, Malay, you'd be amazed at how beautifully he kenneled for me today! Yesterday, I backed him in like we do with the cats. Today, he walked right in!
Jack and I took Dale/Riley to Abcantra today to get an evaluation by Don Abney, a search and rescue dog guy, trainer, former deputy sheriff. He uses pinch collars in training which does not thrill me, however, I put the thing on my bare leg and pulled on it myself. No, that Catholic-splinter group with the self flagellation rituals has not converted me, but I needed to feel comfortable about using this thing…am still on the fence. And that just hurts my butt, not the leg…
Anyway, with just the nice flat collar, Riley did great – even with the guy's cats. I did chuck that can full of pennies towards him once last night, and he stopped barking at the cat.
Now, have you ever heard of the bull whip test? Some dogs get trained by pros to be guard dogs, and often, a bull whip is used. So, to double check that some numbskull hasn't tried to teach your used-dog aggression, Mr. Abney cracks the whip near the area where you are standing with your dog on the lead (wearing the flat collar). Riley looked at him like he was nuts (me too), but didn't flinch…just snuggled up to me. After several repeated cracks and pauses, the guy had the whip lying on the ground a few feet from Riley's front paws. He walked over to sniff it.
We repeated this several times, and the guy said this dog is phenomenal. Great temperament, wants to please me, willing to submit to authority in the cat situation just using that nice flat collar. Walked beautifully. Says those scars look like old cat scratches, so he's never had anybody correct him about going after them.
We are going to do obedience classes, not sure with who…maybe this guy…but when we are done, I'm going to do tracking lessons with him, using both kids. The boys and dog will find it fun, and we can practice it like hide & seek for Cole at home. Those lessons are 400 (gulp), but I do want to track.
All for now…sorry for details, but you two have been so interested in Cole's well being, I thought you'd be interested.
With much affection and complete appreciation, LeAnne (and Riley!!!!!!!)
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