Shelley's Blog

2009-07-11T23:12:00.001-07:00

Hey, folks! Today we are headed to Lake Oswego, Oregon. Yes! I get to spend some quality time with my family up there and roll in the cool green grass. I've been dreaming of Oregon often lately, especially since the dog days of 100* weather is here in Arizona. Whew, what a barn burner it has been. My paws don't touch the pavement from 10 am - 8 pm daily. Who wants to sizzle your you know what off? Let's hope the car ride isn't atrociously long! My old hips are mighty stiff and I can get stuck without a little push. Oh, getting old is tough, but I get another summer in my old stomping ground and Kathleen and Branden will have a new little baby for me to get acquainted with. What a lucky guy I am. That is for sure. Until then.....Adios!

I'm Back!!!

2008-11-11T19:30:00.000-08:00

Hi Folks,
Riley here. I was really, really sick last month. Whoa! It was a close call. I can't tell you how awful I felt. I couldn't hear the birds and didn't care about the coyotes roaming in the back yard. No barks out of me. I just laid there. Oh yeah, I could get up to do my business, but that was about it. Shelley fed me by hand a bit and even though, I didn't feel like eating I saw the concern in her eyes and wanted to please her. The vet put an IV in me and told Shelley something that made her cry. She stayed with me and that made me feel better. They did a lot of tests on me......like putting me on my back with my legs straight up in the air in a dark room. Weird is all I can say!!! Shelley took me home and Steve was there. Oh, how I felt bad. Steve rubbed my belly a lot and loved me a lot. I was soooo tired. Well, I am here to say that I was not ready to kick the bucket and luckily my masters had a lot of hope for me to get well and.......I did!!!!! Hope saved me this time. Here I am feeling my oats again and loving the perfect winter weather of Paradise Valley, Arizona. I love my life and am glad I have more tummy rubs from my friends and family to look forward to.

Happy Thanksgiving to each and everyone of you!!!

Today!!!

2008-10-18T12:12:00.001-07:00

Happy Is Today

Without a care and without a worry
I smile at the simple pleasure
Of laying in the cool green grass and watching
the butterflies frolicking in the breeze

All is well in my world right now
I can see the sun shining on the water
And I can smell the fragrance of the rose petals
And I can hear the birds singing a lullaby

These are the days I will remember best
When love surrounded me everywhere I went
A pat on the head and a rub on the belly
Life doesn't get any better than this!

Smartest Golden Retriever in World!!!

2007-09-26T16:18:00.001-07:00

Riley Goes To The Wells Fargo Bank

Once a week I get an allowance and I take it to the bank. I believe in saving money for a rainy day. The only problem I have with this is I moved to Arizona and there rarely is a rainy day! So I am sitting pretty..... as far as my little nest egg is concerned. The other day when I was waiting for Steve to hand over my allowance, he looked at me and muttered..."Money doesn't grow on trees, Riley". Well! He must of said this because he hasn't yet realized just how smart I am. I can tell you that in my yard and all the other yards I have been to, lemons, oranges, grapefruit, olives, apples and limes grow on trees.

Steve is a hoot! He always says funny things to me. I usually just wag my tail and smile so he doesn't get his feelings hurt. Sometimes, though, when I am at the end of my leash, I lay down and put my paws over my ears. I am always up for a good joke, but I don't like corn and some of his jokes are what Shelley calls "CORNY". And then there are the times he sings. Now that is Ruff! Since he has these little things in his ear I figure he doesn't want to hear his voice either.

So, off I go to make a deposit. See ya later.

Looking South

2007-06-12T21:59:00.000-07:00

Not all Golden Retrievers have had the life of "Riley", and one reason is that their name is not "Riley".

So any old way, my stories continue. As you must remember from my last post I am a twelve year old Golden Retriever named Riley. I have had just about the best life any guy in my position could possibly have. Again, I am still living in the glitzy city of Scottsdale, AZ. and I absolutely love my backyard. When I am not swimming laps in my swimming pool I am laying on the pool steps watching the cottontail bunnies try to dare me to come after them. The thing is that I am no fool!!!! I know when life is good and when I decide to chase after dear Peter, it will be because I am good and ready and it will be on my watch.

The picture you see on this post is one of me and my bro Doug. He and I have always, always thought alike. We even have very similar mannerisms. When Doug comes to visit me, we always have the best time just hanging out. Here we are just laying on the grass chatting about life in general. Doug also has a good life. Too bad he lives in California because we could share more moments like this. But, I understand that he needs to get an education. Well, actually I don't understand that. In my mind just about everything you need to know to get along in the world comes from walking down the alley next to my house. Hmmmm......that is another story for another day.

So back to the picture of me and Doug. We are laying here telling jokes and laughing a lot...dog am I happy!!!! This day we talked as we watched a Mockingbird fly North and then fly South. We just keep laughing as we turn our head back and forth. What a lazy afternoon. What a fabulous afternoon. I actually will never forget this day with Doug. Gosh, I even think our profiles are alike. All is well and I love my Dog....oops my Doug!!!!!

Cruising in AZ

2007-05-28T09:41:00.000-07:00

First of all I should let you know that I am a twelve year old Golden Retriever named Riley. There have been people who have accused me of "living the life of Riley", but, I don't really give a damn. This is my life and my name IS Riley. So anyway I have decided to share my life with you on this blog. So here it goes:

I was cruising down Scottsdale Road in Arizona in my BMW when I looked out the window and saw an angel. I couldn't help but stare at this amazingly hot long haired beauty. She had a coat of pure gold that glittered in the sun. Rays of light spinned and circled all around her. She had a fushia dog collar with Swarowski crystals. It didn't matter to me that she rode in a purple Prius. All I could think of was how could I meet her? She turned to look at me and suddenly the air conditioner needed turning up. We came to a stoplight and that is when we shared a moment in time. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with this glorious straight haired poodle. Her paw reached up to the window and she smiled at me. I have never seen such perfect white canines. My heart palpitated. Then with a screech of the wheels at the light turning green she took off. And I sat in the left turn lane. All I could do was watch as this amazing lady who touched my soul for eternity sped off into the sunset. My life will never be the same. Maybe our paths will cross again.....while I hike Camelback Mountain. But I don't think I will see her again. This beautiful angel.......

Riley The Good Dog

2006-02-11T10:17:00.000-08:00

I am a dog, but I don't know it. I live the life of
Riley. My interests are walking, hiking in the Arizona desert, swimming in the backyard pool, sunbathing, eating and sleeping. I don't run as fast as I use to, so catching squirrels is no longer on the top of my list. (Not that I wouldn't like to catch one!) I have brothers who I don't see much anymore. They went away to college....It is OK though. Now I am the one who gets all the attention. My masters talk to me and sing to me quite often. I especially like the "Good Morning" song. It makes me smile.

I don't do email, but I like to have my picture taken, so from time to time you can return to this blog and see my many profiles. I am a handsome fellow...no doubt about that!

The Big Fat Diet

2006-02-08T21:46:00.000-08:00

So did you hear today that eating a low fat diet or a high fat diet does not make a difference? Either way a woman will still have the same chances of getting cancer or heart disease.

This sure gives a lot of physicians and other people who are in the "know" pause to what many of us believed to be the truth. It just made sense...didn't it?

What else out there do we believe to be true.....is not? Maybe we would be shocked. Maybe we will be shocked.

I think that it is just a matter of time.

Just food for thought.

Going, Going, and Gone!

2006-01-21T18:19:00.000-08:00

This must sound like a strange title. Gosh, it could mean so many things. Am I on the phone trying to say goodbye? Or, better yet, am I trying to say I will meet you as fast as I can?

Is it someone I love that is driving away in a car as I watch from the driveway?

Is it my cell phone flickering out?

Or is it falling asleep as I recount the day?

Could if be someone dying?

Or could it be an IN-and-OUT burger?

What if it was my dog's dinner?

Maybe someone's vision.

What if it was a flush of the toilet?

Or even yet, the last swig of beer?

I could go on and on, but why don't you give this a try. I would like to see what you come up with!

My candle is .......

My Three Sons

2005-12-28T16:52:00.000-08:00

When I was a young girl I watched just a couple T.V. shows and one of my favorites was "My Three Sons". There was always turmoil in that house! Their family life was so different than mine that I believe that is why the show entranced me. Little did I know that I would grow up and be the mother of three sons! I don't know if you can tell by the Christmas picture that Danny posted but, my boys are all grown up. I haven't been able to get to the other pictures on the digital camera....there must be a better picture, but now that I have taken another look at the one on this site....I think I will keep it. Maybe this picture says a lot about our family dynamics. Hmmm...I could really dig deep into that one!

So I plan to continue this story tomorrow. Please stay tuned.

Christmas Eve

2005-12-24T23:10:00.000-08:00

Everybody went to the Ringside tonight for Christmas Eve dinner. When we got back, attempts were made to take a family portrait, but this was the best that we could muster.

First Post!

2005-12-24T22:31:00.000-08:00

Hi Mom,

This is your new blog. From now on, you'll be the one posting here.

Merry Xmas,

Danny