Happy Tails: Riddles
Victoria first spotted Riddles on our Instagram, and because she has always had a soft spot for dogs with disabilities, Riddles stuck right out to her. Riddles has a clubbed front foot and had a wound healing on his head—and Victoria immediately fell for him.
In their initial interaction, Victoria was able to take Riddles for a short walk at a Muddy Paws adoption event. Although as Victoria remembers, "he couldn't have cared less” about her, she somehow knew they were meant to be and took him home right away. As soon as Riddles walked through the door, he was as happy and playful as could be!
Riddles and Victoria soaking up the sun!
With Victoria’s busy work schedule of five days a week and long hours, Riddles began to show signs of separation anxiety. Victoria spent months training him—opening and closing the door, leaving for short intervals and coming back. She recalls how much patience and time the training necessitated. But looking back, Victoria cannot believe how far they’ve come! Eventually (after a lot of cheese and hot dogs), Riddles did calm down, and even grew to love Victoria’s best friend Jesse who lives across the hall and walks Riddles every day.
Riddles and Jesse.
From working through Riddles's separation anxiety, Victoria now says that she has changed her perspective on work: "I am a pastry chef and I am used to working 12 hour days. But having this guy to take care of and knowing he is home missing me, I have started to learn to put my foot down and fight for the right to work LESS hours and be home more for him. I have never known I could care about something even more than my career. He is (literally) the reason I wake up earlier in the morning, the reason I work harder to get home sooner, and the reason I look forward to getting into bed. He SPOONS. All night, any part of your body, anyone sleeping in the bed. He is a SERIOUS cuddler and makes relaxing, napping and sleep-time even better."
Thank you Victoria for being such a patient and dedicated dog parent to Riddles and part of our #MuddyPawsPack!
