Hello everyone, Riley here. I wanted to use all my renewed post-picnic energy to send a tremendous thank you to RAGOM and all the wonderful volunteers that put on such a spectacular event yesterday!!!!!

I can honestly say it was the best day I've had in a long time, maybe even ever! I met so many wonderful people and dogs, and even some families that were interested in meeting ME! Best of all, my plan worked -- I'm going to stay with my foster Mom and fur bro Mason until I find my forever home. Even though I heard the foster lady in South Dakota was super nice and had a great pack of playmates and even their very own lake (hmm, pretty tempting for a guy like me), and even though I met the nice transport ladies and I love to ride in the car, I decided I'm pretty happy where I am. All this bouncing around to new homes can take a toll on even a resilient young guy like me (not that I'm admitting it has... afterall, I'm a pretty adaptable happy-go-lucky kind of guy)... but nonetheless, I've decided that my next move will be my LAST one... yes I, Riley-boo, am ready to settle down and find my very own forever family (and the sooner the better, since foster mom is killing my macho image, and even has me calling myself her silly, cheesy pet names)!

So, that said, I want to give you the full scoop on me, my history, and what I'm looking for in my forever home. As you know, I was found in the woods by a good Samaritan family. I was just lying there all sad and sick, and I don't even remember how I got there... so the first 6+ months of my life is a mystery. This nice family helped me to get better and fed me a lot (thank goodness because I was pretty darn skinny!) and then they brought me to RAGOM in August.

I was adopted last week by a nice family with 2 young kids, and although I really like kids, I guess my manners need some work, and I might have been too much of a handful for them. I'm not gonna deny it, now that I'm healthy and happy and living the Golden life with RAGOM, I know that I deserve to have a family who accepts me for the wonderful big puppy that I am today, but is also willing to work with me to become an even better dog!

I do have a LOT of energy. Those of you who met me at the picnic yesterday didn't see my sporty, active side (unless you saw me down by the water, that is). I'll admit it, foster mom was actually successful in tiring me out after 2 days of long walks and play sessions with my foster brother, and then the fantastic picnic. But, even though I did crash hard last night and napped for most of this morning, I'm pretty much ready for a new adventure now. I think mom under-estimated me when she was emptying the dishwasher this afternoon and we were in the backyard on the patio, and when she looked away for a minute, I decided to surprise her by digging a couple of holes...I think the yard looks a lot better now. Hey, who can blame a guy for making himself useful?

OK, I seem to have a lot to say today (I'm normally not this vocal and hardly ever bark), but I better get down to telling you what I want in a family before you fall asleep -- or maybe that is the ultimate test for my new family...those that read through all of my rambling and take it all in, are the ones with the energy and stamina I'm looking for! Yeah, that's it.

So, a family with a big fenced in yard would be great. I don't think I'd be too happy on a tie-out since I like to move. My family will likely have a young, active fur sister or brother for me because, let's face it, unless you're a marathon runner, I guarantee I like to exercise more than you do. And I guess I could learn a thing or two about manners from having a fur sibling, too. So far I haven't met a dog I didn't like, so I hope you'll take me to the dog park a lot. I'm in heaven when I get to run, fetch, wrestle, chase, and romp!

I like to chew, but I'm really good about only chewing dog toys. I did accidentally unstuff a toy the other day, but I was just having so much fun with the squeaker and all of a sudden I was covered in white fluff and my toy was silent :(

I am proud to say I haven't had a single accident in the house and last night I was given free reign with my foster brother while mom went out. Smart of her to try that when I was super tired because I was a really good boy and didn't move the whole time she was gone! I think she's going to try it again this week when she goes to work, so hopefully I'll be able to control myself and be a good boy, just knowing that something fun will happen as soon as she gets home.

I think I know the last question you have...how am I with young kids? and I think it depends...you see, I really like kids and try to have fun with them, and I'm not the least bit aggressive and I don't guard anything (those are the real deal-breakers if you ask me)...but I do have a couple of bad habits that I know I will overcome with all the direction, training and unconditional love you are going to give me...for now, I do jump when I'm excited, which can be a lot of the time, and I also "mouth" or "play bite", but I do it really softly so it never hurts anyone. Still, I know my forever family won't put up with that behavior so I'm ready and willing to learn to stop. Foster mom tells me I'm a quick learner and she can tell I'm trying my hardest to be a good boy.

So, there's my story. I'm not a perfect dog, but I am young and healthy and trainable and so, so loving, and also stunningly handsome, if I do say so myself! If you think you could be my perfect forever family, please email placementragom [dot] org and ask to meet me. I have a feeling I'm going to find you very, very soon!!!

-- your future Riley-boo.

Mason (left) and me (Riley!)