Riley Update 2/17/09

Oh, Mr. Riley :) Adrian and I found out this past Friday that Riley has severe heartworms. Adrian thankfully, has a great relationship with his vet, so we're thankful. From start to finish, the bills are probably going to run $1500, which just a week after having him, we've both fallen in love. Of course, the first thing I asked was, "Are we going to fall in love with him and he's not going to make it??" The vet said there's a 2% chance that he won't survive, so I think we're in the clear.

The heartworm treatment started on Friday. He's got plugs in his ears for both earaches. His eyes are a ton better, and the bad news is that while he's on the heartworm treatment, he's not allowed to go out :( No walks, no dog park, no trails. We need to keep him as calm as possible. Adrian felt awful when the vet told him this, because the day before he had taken the three boys to the park and made him run. He didn't know, but with the way the treatment goes, the more active and riled up he gets, the more of a chance he has of the dead worms filtering into his lungs, and this could be fatal. So, as much as it breaks our hearts, he's had to stay home while the other boys do their daily walk. It's just a month, and we're almost a week into it.

He's adorable and we love him so much already. Adrian gave him his first haircut. Yes, a mohawk. Will post those pics later :) Oh, and at the vet, he weighed in at a whopping 104! Holy moly. We can't wait to get him active. He's only 4, and not the assumed 7-8, so he's got lots of puppy to go. Maybe he can be my trail dog :) The Pomeranian can keep up with fast dad, and I can take the big boys since I'm slower. Finally, a benefit to being the slower athlete in the family!!

Riley

We've given him the name Riley. He just looks like a Riley. We thought we found him a home, but it fell through. The more time Adrian spends with him, the more he wants to keep him. Adrian just keeps telling me, "He's just such a cool dog!"

Adrian's going to take him to the vet and get a final workup on him. He's got really bad allergies, and we need to get all of his tests, shots, and whatever else done. Adrian took him on his walk at BullCreek last night without a leash and he's really coming into his own. He comes when you call, and I do feel bad that we don't know his name. So we're going to have to get him used to his new one :) He played with dogs at the park, enjoys dinner time with his brothers, and sleeps right on the side of the bed on his doggie bed. He's adorable. He snores just like Abare, so not only do I have TWO snoring men in my bed, I now have three, sheesh! I can sleep through anything, so no worries for me.

Adrian's going to make the final decision about adopting him out or keeping him forever today.

I'd like to preempt it and say, "Welcome home, Riley!!"