In 2017, a dog owner did a very responsible thing: she acknowledged she was unable to provide the specific health care her English Setter needed, and she reached out to a friend of hers who was a long time SWESR volunteer for help. This call wasn’t as obvious as it sounds. You see, her dog came from a breeder of bench (show) Setters. Most responsible breeders, this one included, have buyers sign a contract ensuring a dog will be returned to the breeder if the owner is unable to keep them. This dog owner was honest with the breeder that she had contacted SWESR for help with her dog. Several other English Setter owners also contacted the breeder to vouch for SWESR as a reputable and responsible rescue organization that would absolutely ensure the best outcome for this dog. The breeder was persuaded, allowing almost two-year old Riley to come into rescue.

When Riley was first rescued she had terrible allergies caused by the fierce and often unrelenting winds of the Southern California desert. At her original home, she had indoor privileges during the daytime, but at night she slept outside in a kennel run, and the environmental conditions wreaked havoc with her skin and coat. She had red, blotchy hives on her belly and her fur was thin and in bad shape. Getting her medicated, indoors, and out of the heat helped her almost immediately.

Karen, a former SWESR adopter, was the first person considered for Riley, and she was happy to have Riley join the family. From the start, Riley was a sweet and calm girl, traits that continue to today. She is a very contented and self-possessed dog. She will loop around her yard to check out new smells, but then finds a spot to park herself on the grass and look at the world go by. She is neither hard-headed nor neurotic. Riley loves being admired by people and dogs on her outings. She will sleep on the bed with her mom, but she’s also just as happy on a nearby dog bed or sofa.

Karen is a skilled photographer, and Riley is a willing and photogenic subject. Anyone in possession of SWESR calendars in the past many years will find Riley as the star of one of the monthly pages. Riley is incredibly fortunate in that her mom provides her with different, stimulating outdoor experiences. It is not unusual for Riley to trot along a dog-friendly beach, explore mountain paths, run through the snow, or surveil her world from the front of a paddle board on a lake. Karen calls that experience “Driving Miss Riley” as she does all the work and Riley lays on her non-skid pad—always wearing her doggie life vest—and looks for ducks. Things have the potential to get a bit off balance when Riley sees them, as she stands, initially wagging her tail but then setting these water birds, her excitement palpable at locating them. She is a quiet girl and really only barks if she sees a bear in the woods. Squirrels are also tremendously exciting.

Riley celebrated her 10th birthday this summer and although she’s well into middle age she still gets the zoomies on her off leash walks at the beach or in the mountains. She remains a very sweet girl, except, perhaps, at 5:05pm, if her dinner has not yet been offered to her. She will then stamp her feet and remind her mom that Food. Is. Delayed! and that this behavior is unacceptable.

Whether traveling from the coast to lakes to mountain trails or simply staying at home with her mom, posing for pictures or relaxing, secure with all her physical and emotional needs met, this SWESR dog is absolutely living the life of Riley.