Riley is my puppy, and she has a lot to say about the world and our society. “Conversations with Riley” is a series of posts that chronicle a small snippet of the deep philosophical conversations that we share. Please be sure to click the name of each post to view the entire story.
Me: [reading a book, I catch movement in the corner of my eye]
Riley: [laying on my bed, rolls over onto her back]
Me (internal monologue): How cute, she’s just adorable.
Riley: [continues to roll off her back and falls off the bed]
Me: Hmph, that’s different.
Me: {puts on sweats, followed by jeans, then one pair of socks and another; next came the T-shirt, a hoodie, and a coat, followed by shoes. a stocking cap, and pulling the hood up, then finally two sets of gloves}
Also me: Ok let’s go outside so you can pee…
Riley: Why so much fur?
Me: {stares in Texan}
Me: Aw that poor puppy has to walk
Riley: And we are riding! In the car!
Me: To the vet
Riley: Sonova…
<Silence>
Me: It’s really quiet tonight
<Silence>
Me: Riley?
<Ghostly sounds>
Me: You’re making echoes in the bathroom again, aren’t you?
Riley: Maybe
Me: <stretch> I’m going to get some water
–30 seconds later–
Riley: Hi
Me: You took my spot
Riley: I heard a thing and I got scared and it’s getting cold outside and you’re spot is warm and I knew you’d give me hugs and kisses and do I have to move I like it here and I love you so much can I have a hug and kiss?
Me: Yes.
Me: Ooof! It feels good to get my shoes and socks off!
Riley: Did you say… socks?!
Me: Yes, um… why?
Riley: <dive bombs my socks face first, then proceeds push her face against the floor using my socks as a cushion> They smell good! They smell like you!
Me: Ah! It feels good to sit down and take my shoes off!
Riley: <sits at attention, looking me in the eye> Hello sir
Me: Hmm… very formal
<Riley rests a paw on my knee>
Riley: Sir it’s been a long and quiet day and even though I’ve been bored I was a good girl and didn’t get into anything I shouldn’t or even eat one of those tasty morsels I love so well.
Me: And by tasty morself you mean… a book, don’t you?
Riley: Mmmmmmm book…
Me: Riley, did you eat a book?
Riley: I love you
<Siren in the distance>
Riley: Did you hear that?
Me: Yes, hope everyone is alright
<Siren passing on our street>
Riley: Rwwwwwoooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrr!
<Siren fades>
Riley: Be well, my friends
Me: <singing> I wake up in the morning and raise my weary head
Riley: <Grin!!!! Jump!!!!>
Me: <singing> Had an old coat for a pillow and the earth was last night’s bed
<Guitar strum>
Me: ?
Riley: I always wanted to play for Snoopy and Woodstock’s All Pet Revue
<Tag wail, guitar strum>
Me: <singing> I don’t know where I”m goin’, only God knows where I’ve been…
Me: Hey – since it’s such a lazy day I’m going to take a nap.
Riley: Ok! I like naps!
<I fall asleep and wake up an hour later>
Me: Um Riley…? Why am I buried in your toys?
Rile: You were growling – I thought they’d make you happy.
the dingo was here 