#523 Riley


Status: Adopted
Age: 5 yo - dob 09/11/2014
Size: Medium
Color: Black & Tan
Sex: Female
Activity level: Medium
Good with other dogs: Yes
Good with cats: Unknown
Foster parents: Carol & Mark Y
Sponsor Buddies:
Yard Fencing: Required

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Password: Riley
Photos by: Loueen LaVallee

Riley has a sweet disposition and loves being with her foster parents.  She has adapted well to staying in her crate when they both are at work, but she gets very excited to see her foster Mom at lunchtime.  She races around the fenced yard and will chase after a Frisbee or toy but then rushes back without really playing with the toy or bringing it with her.  When it’s time for her foster Mom to go back to work, Riley goes into the crate on her own with no fuss.  At night, she sleeps on her dog bed in the bedroom and is quiet through the night.

When Riley was 11 months old, she was purchased as a service dog by a family who has a son on the Autism spectrum.  All went well for years, but then the boy would have episodes when he would hit or kick Riley and could not be controlled. The family decided to find her a home where she would know only kindness.  Part of her special training was to bark whenever the door to the outside was opened, so she is gradually learning that she no longer needs to do that.

Riley loves to go for her daily walks, twice a day, and is excellent on leash.  She has been great with all introductions to other dogs and has had play dates with one in particular.  She is quiet and shy when first meeting people and then warms up.  When meeting people on the walks, there is usually a dog with the person, and that makes her less shy.  When meeting visitors in the home, she will bark at first and sometimes tries to hide behind her foster Mom.  If the visitor stands calmly, Riley will then go over and take a treat and becomes more comfortable.

Her foster parents hope that she will find an adopter who is home more than they are on week days.  She already has had some training and knows sit, down, stay, come, heel, wait and leave it….and probably more words than those.  She loves to please and enjoys learning and is ready to continue with both in her forever home.