My dog Dad, Theo, still has it!!!

Hey pals,

As many of you know, my family takes part in the show ring.

We've done very well, getting both Canadian and American Championships.

My Dad, Theo, was a show dog. He never much liked it, but went along with it . . . likely to please his sweet Mom.

Well, this weekend, Theo went back into the ring.

It was the Canadian National Pointer Specialty Championship and Theo decided he had at least one last show in him. The hope was he'd do well in the Veterans class.

Well, Theo, proved that he still has it. Not only did he win the Veterans class, but he also won Best of Opposite Sex in the overall Pointer ring and Best Canadian Bred.

We are so very proud of him. Last Thursday I sent him a special message via Facebook and I like to think that my message was that little extra push that helped him in the ring.

Dad, you still got it!!!!

4-Time Champion

Hey pals,

Some of you may remember that every year we go to a Pointer Picnic hosted by one of the Pointer breeders.

It's official.

I am the greatest musical hula-hoop champion of all-time!!!

Four straight championships. The pressure was really on this year. Those young pups were gunning for me. In fine fashion I took them on and defeated them all. In the finals, the female pointer that was challenging me, tried to take a bite out of me . . . but I was unfazed. The game continued and I won.

After the pawtying stopped, I announced my retirement. I don't have anything left to prove and I want to go out on top.

The Caileigh girl didn't join us this year, it was just me and Dad. The day before the event we were all out running in the fields and Caileigh hurt her paw. No worries, she's fine. Her and Mom stayed home.

Luckily I had my niece, Gretchen, and great niece, Gemma, there to cheer me on.

The training begins . . . it's time to pass my skills onto Caileigh so we can keep the winning in the family.

Animal Communicator

Hey pals,

On Tuesday night, Dad took me and Caileigh to the barn where we met up with Mom.

That night a very special lady was there to communicate with all of the horses. She also communicates with dogs.

I was a little chatter box.

The very first thing I told her as soon as she met me really floored Dad.

The communicator turned to Mom and said, "You used to have another dog. Riley wants you to know that she comes to visit."

Dad nearly fell to the ground. The one thing he wanted to know, was answered right away. The communicator doesn't know anything about Mom or Dad, not even their names. No one at the barn knows that we have ever had any other dogs.

The second thing I told her was why I'm not a show dog. I told her that I was too tall and that my face is twisted. I've looked at photos and I've seen myself and it's true, my face is twisted. Dad has even told me, in not so many words, that my face is different.

Dad felt so bad when the lady told him that was how I felt. You see, my markings are off-centre and it creates the impression that my face is twisted.

Dad gave me a big kiss and wanted me to know that my face isn't twisted and that I'm very handsome.

The lady was amazed at how much I had to say. Dad was amazed, too.

I told the lady about my trails and big fields and wooded areas.

Caileigh told the lady that she wanted Mom and Dad to know that she is a good girl and that she can be left out of her crate when they aren't home. Mom and Dad had just started testing her and having her loose with me.

Caileigh also told her that she likes it when an all brown dog comes to visit us. She was talking about our cousin, Bailey, from Michigan. He visited us at Christmas and a couple of times before that.

Caileigh also told the lady that she wants to go camping again, just like we did last year. She just wanted Mom to know that she needs to make sure that she packs everything. You see, the camp site we went to last year is just around the corner from our house. Mom had to keep going home because she forgot to pack a bunch of stuff, including our food.

I told the lady that we were in the newspaper. Back in April, while at the Easter Egg Hunt, a newspaper photographer took our picture.

One thing that both Caileigh and I were wondering was why we haven't seen the neighbours for so long. The lady asked Dad why that was. Dad told the lady to tell me and Caileigh that the neighbours had moved to Dubai and that the house was vacant. It's been vacant sine January.

Dad also laughed at one thing. The lady told him that I had told her that Dad asked me to make sure that I did a lot of talking and told the lady everything. It's true, Dad told me that just before we got there.

I also told the lady that I was jealous that Caileigh got to go to school and I never did.

It was a lot of fun talking to this lady. She really liked me and thought I was just the funniest guy.

Maybe we'll see her again one day. I'll have to save up all things I want to say until then.

Guide Dog Walk

Hey pals,

I hope all of my American pup pals are enjoying their Memorial Day long weekend.

Yesterday, Dad loaded me and Caileigh into my Bachelor Pad and we headed out on a road trip. We drove to Elmira for a Guide Dog walk.

When we got there we saw Drake's Mom, Deb. After registering, Caileigh and I headed out onto the trail with Dad and not after long we came across our friend, Mollie and her Mom. We all continued on the trail together.

When the walk was over, we headed to Deb's house. Drake was there getting the backyard ready for the big pawty.

Pals, let me tell you, Drake has a great backyard.Instead of real grass, he has artificial turf. It was so soft on the paws. Right away I had to have a roll and test this stuff out. It was awesome!!!

We had a great time running around. Drake sure has a lot of energy. Mollie and I are the two older dogs and we wanted to rest, but watching Drake made me even more tired.

Dad played a big game of ball with Drake. He could play that all day. He's really good at catching the ball in mid-air and doing flips and everything.

Caileigh was on constant bird patrol.

Dad got to see Spikey's urn. After our visit last year, Spike made his journey to the Bridge. Don't you worry, pal, Drake is doing a great job taking care of Mom and filling her days with lots of love.

It was a great day and Caileigh and I had lots of fun visiting. Can't wait until next year.

Guide Dog Walk

Hey pals,

I hope all of my American pup pals are enjoying their Memorial Day long weekend.

Yesterday, Dad loaded me and Caileigh into my Bachelor Pad and we headed out on a road trip. We drove to Elmira for a Guide Dog walk.

When we got there we saw Drake's Mom, Deb. After registering, Caileigh and I headed out onto the trail with Dad and not after long we came across our friend, Mollie and her Mom. We all continued on the trail together.

When the walk was over, we headed to Deb's house. Drake was there getting the backyard ready for the big pawty.

Pals, let me tell you, Drake has a great backyard.Instead of real grass, he has artificial turf. It was so soft on the paws. Right away I had to have a roll and test this stuff out. It was awesome!!!

We had a great time running around. Drake sure has a lot of energy. Mollie and I are the two older dogs and we wanted to rest, but watching Drake made me even more tired.

Dad played a big game of ball with Drake. He could play that all day. He's really good at catching the ball in mid-air and doing flips and everything.

Caileigh was on constant bird patrol.

Dad got to see Spikey's urn. After our visit last year, Spike made his journey to the Bridge. Don't you worry, pal, Drake is doing a great job taking care of Mom and filling her days with lots of love.

It was a great day and Caileigh and I had lots of fun visiting. Can't wait until next year.

A Birthday Legendary

Hey pals,

Yesterday was my 6th birthday.

Dad and I set out for a GUYS ONLY Legendary. For those of you that don't know what a Legendary is, it's what Dad and I call our long, long walks through the trails of our neighbourhood and into the big fields of the Provincial Park that we live next to.

It's Legendary because we go for 3 to 4 1/2 hours.

Yesterday we went for 3 hours. Caileigh and Mom had to stay home--this Legendary was for us guys only.

I do have to admit, I missed the Caileigh Girl. Dad noticed it as well. I didn't run around the big fields as much as I do with her. I also kept looking back towards the main entrance hoping to see her and Mom joining us.

Dad and I still had a great time. It was so nice outside as well. For dinner, both Caileigh and I got chicken--our favourite!!!

I want to thank all my pals so much for sending me messages and rosettes. Dad and I looked at all of them and Dad read me the messages. I want to thank Redford and pack for my birthday graphic. I sure am a handsome pup--no grey in my muzzle . . . yet.

I'm a lucky pup, pals. You all are great friends.

Thanks for thinking of me. Your friend, Riley

Valentine's Day

Hey Ladies!!!

I want to wish all of you a very happy Valentine's Day!!

You all are hold a special place in my heart.

Big kisses

Happy Belated New Year!!!

Hey pals!!!

My family and I would like to wish every pup and family a happy new year.

This holiday season has been a busy one. Caileigh and I have received so many wonderful Christmas cards and gifts.

Our Secret Santa sent us lots of toys (Caileigh hasn't stopped playing with them), treats and even a book for Dad.

We also received huge bully sticks from Ty, Dylan and Jia. Dad put them away after we opened the package. He wanted us to save them for Christmas. Caileigh, always the smart girl, watched where Dad put them. The next morning she sat next to the cupboard and used her powers on Mom. Needless to say those bully sticks were polished off in no time.

Ty, Dylan and Jia's family also sent us beautiful ornaments. Each has a photo of me and Caileigh. They're so cool.

I can't forget that Dad also received a special package. His pal, Magoo, sent him tasty treats from Louisiana. Can you believe that Dad didn't share any of those treats with us?

Well, yesterday, Dad brought home a package that also came from Magoo and his family. This time, the treats were just for me and Caileigh . . . and we didn't share with Dad, although he did give them a good sniff.

Thanks pals for all of the wonderful cards and gifts. We love this time of year so much. Normally Dad never checks the mail, but over the last few weeks the two of us hurry out to the mail box to see what we've received.

I told Dad that we need to set up a photo of me and Caileigh with our cards, so we'll try and do that.

We wish every pup and family the very best in 2012!!!

Lots of love from me, Caileigh and Dad.

Love

The night before last, we were all watching Marley and Me. Near the end, when Marley is ready to make his journey to the Bridge, the voice-over in the film nicely captures the interplay of love that takes place between a dog and his or her human.

"A dog doesn't care if you're rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his."

Today, a dear friend made his journey to the Bridge. Bootsie Bear had gone through a rough patch in his life and as a result carried with him emotional scars. His capacity to love was tested, but despite the hardships he never wavered.

With his new family, Bootsie learned to trust again. It was through his love for his family that he found peace and happiness where he once didn't have any.

Boots is living proof that love is as simple as the line from the movie. So simple yet so powerful, so enduring.

Give him your heart and he will give you his.

My Friend Dozer

Friendship is a lasting union.

No distance can change true friendship.

When I first joined Dogster, one of my first friends was a white GSD. His name is Dozer. Since that time, we've been friends.

Dozer is from Illionis, near Chicago. That's a long way away from me, but no distance can change true friendship.

Last night, Dozer made his journey to the Bridge. He joined his Mom Dog, Cheyanne, brother, Bob and best kitty pal, Lucy Kitty.

To find you, my friend, I only need to look within. My heart connects us, bounds us.

The Bridge is a long way away, but no distance can change true friendship.