The Riley Factor #31

The Riley Factor
(All the news that's fit to print, along with some unfit to print rumors, prognostications and bloviations.)

Fort Plain, NY, January 14 -- Riley slept-in until 8:30 this morning with Chris, and then bounded down the stairs, including a face-plant emanating from the final three steps.  Then it was outside into the pleasant 25 degree temps for his morning constitutional.  After a breakfast of kibble, Riley joined Susan, Chris and Gabby on a long walk through the trails up to the top of the property and back.  It is good to see that Gabby has recovered from last night's bout with the Dog Flu -- H1K9.  Reminiscent of Jack, Riley stopped every 20-30 feet and looked back to see that he had not been abandoned, that the human guides had not mysteriously vanished from his proximity.  On the entire hour long stroll, Jack and Gabby stayed within 100 feet of the human pack leaders, and mostly were within 20 feet or so.  On the trails, there is a good mix of firm packed snow and eight to 15 inch fluffy drifts and areas, which make for good dog snooping, sniffing and lying about.  With no flowing water to be seen, the dogs were forced to eat snow for their fluid intake.  Near the end of the walk, Riley and Gabby engaged in some serious rough-house play, accompanied with much growling, rolling in the snow and even a few minor barks.  Neither canine seemed very worried about the other, but Gabby is currently clearly the dominant alpha dog.  Riley's strength lies in provoking, at which he excels.  Both Riley and Gabby fell into deep naps upon their returns to the warmth of the hearth.  Riley eagerly awaits tonight's visit from CJ, commenting, "It will be good to see CJ again.  I have fond memories of him rescuing me from that Bay State pet jail in which I was so unjustly confined after my trip east from South Dakota.  Free the man, errr, the dog!  QA.  Woof."