By Velia Tarnoff Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published Dec 12, 2007 at 4:06 PM

Riley is an 11-month-old purebred golden retriever. Aside from being incredibly handsome, Riley is also quite smart ... so smart that he would do best with an experienced guardian who will use positive reinforcement to fulfill Riley's need to learn and to explore.

Riley would do best in a home without small children. He hasn't had much training and is so energetic that he likes to greet everyone with a big hug and kiss. He's silly, fun-loving and would adore guardians who can help channel his energy toward rewarding activities and challenging adventures. And he'll eagerly stop a bout of play for a good tummy rub.

My contact at the Humane Society said she took Riley out for an extra walk today and he loved the snow. Tunneled through it like a rocket, in fact.

As if all that weren't enough, Riley has a luxurious, soft coat that looks like spun gold.

If you're looking for a wintertime friend who'll romp in the snow one minute and then cuddle in the great indoors the next, stop in and meet Riley.

Velia Tarnoff Special to OnMilwaukee.com

Velia Tarnoff counts among the loves of her life her daughter, her husband, her friends, writing, developing theories, dancing, live music, Southern California, black coffee and red wine. She's happiest when she can put as many of those together as possible. WWith more than 20 years of experience as a radio reporter and public relations professional, Velia is a natural communicator who loves to hear stories, to share stories and to tell it like it is.

Velia earned her B.A. from the UW School of Journalism and is thankful for every moment she spent on that wonderfully wacky campus.

And, in the interest of full disclosure, Velia is the wife of OnMilwaukee.com Publisher Andy Tarnoff.