A Day in the Life of Riley

Hi, my name is Riley and I am enjoying my new home with my parents and the resident cat. I'd never actually seen a cat before, and I was terrified of her when we first met, but now I know she won't hurt me. She reminds me of a giant stuffed chew toy and sometimes I can't help myself and I bite her tail. That makes her grouchy. Most of the time, I chase her around the house, but she doesn't play fair and always jumps up on places I can't reach.

Anyway, some of my favorite things to do include ...

1) Fetching trash out of the trash can. I prefer cotton balls and rolled up tissues.
2) Watching the cat drink from the toilet. I think I'm supposed to do that, but I can't reach.
3) Chasing the cat around the house in circles until she decides she doesn't "feel like it anymore."
4) Taking my leash in my mouth and walk myself down the hall.
5) Fetching leaves and other random items on the sidewalk.
6) Cuddling with my parents on the couch. They try to say no, but I just give them "the face" ... you know the one.
7) Using my manners so I get treats. I know how to sit, lay down, and stay, but I'm not sure about this "play dead" thing. Whatever.
8) Rolling on patches of clean grass.
9) Digging holes and laying in them.
10) Eating the cat's food ... you snooze, you loose!
11) Playing with dogs and people at the dog park (even though a little girl called me a baby kangaroo when she saw me)

I'm not perfect, but I'm learning everyday how to be a nice dog.

~ Riley

Riley

The story of how our little Riley joined our family ...

Eric and I love dogs and have been waiting for the day when we live in a house or even an apartment with a small yard so we can adopt. Well, we're not very patient and that day came a little sooner than expected ... and we haven't left our 3rd story apartment in the heart of Pasadena.

We were only supposed to look. Yes, we actually thought we could go to the humane society and look at all the pairs of big, pleading eyes begging you to take them home and leave empty-handed. At first, we did look. There were small dogs, big dogs, old dogs, and young dogs. I longingly looked at the big dogs, but knew we had to get a little one to accomodate our living space. "No chihuahas." That was my one rule. "No yippers." Oh ya, there was a second. "No jumpers." Okay, I had three. I've never been a little dog fan, so I wasn't sure this would work. There was only one small dog breed I knew I liked for sure: Welsh Corgis. I had once seen one tied up outside the grocery store and I almost snatched him. He was the cutest thing I had ever seen. So anyway ...

We're walking ... walking ... and there he was. A little red puppy with big brown eyes and the hugest ears you've ever seen. I looked at the sign: Chihuaha/Corgi mix ~ 5 months. How ironic. Half an hour later, he was officially ours.

Not a LOT of thought went into this adoption and it wasn't an easy ride for me. Potty training a dog in an apartment where one must walk down several halls, ride an elevator, and walk down one more hall before even reaching the lobby to go outside is not an easy task. But we managed. And yes, he is now potty trained (knock on wood). We've also lost a number of items to his chewing little teeth ... socks, underwear, computer cords, sandals ... and yet, seeing a tiny dog with an entire roll of toilet paper in his mouth as he trots through the house is rather endearing. If it weren't for my extremely patient and calm husband, I might have put Riley in a box on the side of the road with a "free" sign a few times, but as of late, he is becoming quite the nice little dog. He sits, lays down, stays, and fetches. He also loves to play with Steve (our cat) and cuddle up with us on the couch. He's a keeper; quirks and all!

Stay tuned for more Riley stories and hopefully some pictures ...

~ Heidi

New & Improved

... this blog has been remodeled and is now the go-to for everything Racusin. We've had some big changes happen in the last couple months including my graduation from APU with my Master's in Education and the addition of a new four-legged pal. Anyway, the hubby and I are looking forward to enjoying this outlet from our busy lives! Enjoy!

From the Mouths of Babes

Here are a few quotes from my wonderful (and wonderfully honest) students:

"My dad is a policeman! He's been fibbing to me. All these years I thought he was a mailman."

(About classwork) "Mrs. R, I just don't see the point."

"My shoes just don't want to stay on my feet."

(Upon running past home plate in kickball) "Touchdown!"

(During a game of sharks & minnows in P.E.) "Can I be a dolphin instead? A swimmy dolphin?"

(During a discussion of drugs during Drug Free Week) "Smoking is for old mans and old girls."

"I'm proud to live in our country, California!"

"I think the Indians and Christopher Columbus were best friends!"

"Mrs. R, your face is shimmering." (Hooray for good vocabulary!)