Riley, the storm protector

Last night, we had storms. You know, the ones that shake the house. This was happening about 2 a.m.

I went to mom's side of the bed, just to see if she was OK. Then I went to dad's side of the bed, and then to mom's, and then back to dad's. Mom was doing OK. I'm not even sure she knew there was a storm going on. Dad, on the other hand wasn't doing OK. Dad just wasn't snuggled into bed like he normally does. I think my dad was scared of the storm. I waited by dad's side of the bed, and dad just didn't go back to sleep. This is very unusual for him.

I had a little chat with dad. "Dad, go back to sleep, you'll be OK" that didn't work. I just couldn't go back to sleep, because dad wasn't sleeping.

Finally, I'm not sure whose idea it was first, Dad and I thought it would be better for dad if I slept on the bed close to him. Once I was on the bed, dad settled right down, and then so did I.

Six months and 12 days into my forever home, and I was sleeping on the bed. I was sleeping on Dad's bed. I guess there isn't a secret about me on the bed anymore. Go me!

Now my problem is, mom doesn't believe that I got to sleep on the bed last night.

I have a new cousin. I'm really excited. *

*Except for she is a girl. It really would be better to have a boy cousin :)

Anyway, since my cousin is only a couple of weeks old, I thought I would give her some good doggy advice. I've got 8+ years under my collar, so I'll help you figure out the ropes. Just stick by me kid!

By the way, my new cousin belongs to my uncle Kurt, Aunt Sharon and cousin Joe. She is a Basenji.

First - train your people that you'll do ANYTHING for treats. Treats are a good thing.

Second - tell your people to sign you up for obedience classes. (Obedience classes = treats).

Third - cute, sad-looking eyes will give you anything you want. (Your dad will most likely be the sucker in your family.)

Fourth - keep your family on their toes. They won't even mind if you wake them up at 2:34 in the morning to go outside for business, because anything that keeps the house clean is a good thing!

Fifth - keep your family OFF your toes. Face it, that just hurts.

Sixth - about your yodeling. Make sure you yodel at night when Joe is trying to go to sleep. Your mom and dad will be so concerned about getting the boy-child to sleep, that, well let's just say, you'll have free run of the house until the boy-child settles down and goes to sleep.

Seventh - Tell your family you like toys. Lots of toys. Even more toys than that! As the new spoiled one in your home, you should (politely) demand more toys than the boy-child has.

Eighth - Don't be afraid to cry. When I want something really bad I cry. Nobody likes a crying dog.

Ninth - Rules are made to be broken. When I landed at this house I was told "no dogs in the office". That was Sunday - by Tuesday it was one of my favorite hang-out spots. If you don't like the rules you can break them when they are not home. Unfortunately don't leave evidence. I found out the hard way - white hair on dark blue furniture is a dead give away to where I liked to sleep during the day.

Tenth - Remember your just an animal [don't let them on to how smart you are]. If I decide I need space I just let a little fart out [silent but deadly]. I'll tell you - my sister never moves very fast except when I pull that little trick.

Welcome to the family Cooper! They are (as is mine) a little crazy, I think it is because your dad and my dad are brothers.

Doctor Riley, at your service

Mom still isn't feeling good. I sent her to the people vet. She came home with a sinus infection. I don't know exactly what that is, but I know it is bad. I didn't even let her go to work on Friday. She came home, and took a bunch of pills. Then she went upstairs, and relaxed up on the bed, watching TV. I of course, needed to be up there with her. Just in case she needed to pet me. I didn't want her to work to hard to find me. I don't like when mom isn't feeling good.

Riley the Guard Dog

Dad went AWOL again to South Dakota. Mom isn't feeling good, neither is Sis. I was enjoying some quiet time up on Mom's bed, just hanging out with the girls. Protecting them. Getting my belly rubbed. Just enjoying the moment, that I didn't hear the intruder. The intruder all of a sudden said "woof"

I flew off the bed so fast, and added a WOOF of my own. Note - this is woof 5.

Guess what - Dad's back home!

(p.s. - please don't tell dad that I go up on the bed when he isn't home.)