I worry about Riley.

She has really become the greatest companion I’ve ever had. She’s totally sweet, very loyal, and so incredibly smart. She and I have really bonded in so many ways, and it’s amazing that the puppy that once drove me bonkers has grown up to be such an amazing part of my life.

When my mom and I adopted Lulu, I thought she would help keep Riley company while I was away at school and my parents were at work, that they could play all day and really be a great team.

In a lot of ways, that’s happened..the two of them are inseparable, sometimes sleeping together in a tight bundle.

Lately though, Riley's become rather subdued and when Lulu is playing with her, jumping on top of her, biting her neck, Riley often looks up at me with doe-eyes, almost saying, “Dude, why did you have to disrupt our family unit by adding her to the mix?”

When I put Lulu into her crate and Riley and I have time alone to lay down on the couch and watch TV, I could tell that she relishes that. She’ll come up to me and snuggle alongside my chest, and occasionally lick my face. And it’s times like those that make me miss when it was just the two of us.

I don’t really regret that we adopted Lulu. She’s a sweetheart, even though she still pees inside the house, but the dynamic isn’t the same anymore.

One day when she gets older and calms down, I think our family unit is going to be great, but for right now, I really worry about Riley. I really really do.