Some of you may remember my earlier post about Riot.

At the time, Riot had gone back to Heidi. I genuinely believed I had made the right decision for him. I believed he was going back to someone who loved him endlessly, and that he would be safe and settled there.

That felt like the right ending to his story.

Last week I received a phone call from council kennels after Riot was picked up as a stray. My number was still attached to his microchip, which is why they contacted me.

To be clear about the timeline:

• Riot had already left my home 3 months ago.
• He had returned to live with Heidi.
• I was contacted only after he was later found and collected as a stray.

Riot is not a dog who simply runs off. Anyone who knows him knows that. Hearing he had been found wandering and taken into kennels was a shock I’m still trying to process.

I have tried calling and messaging Heidi to understand what happened, but so far I haven’t received a response.

Right now Riot remains in council kennels while the legal stray hold runs its course. I have told them that if he becomes available, I will reclaim him.

I am heartbroken. More than anything, I am worried about him.

When Riot lived here, Louis used to try and snuggle up to him in exactly the same way he used to with Kai. Riot would tolerate it for a moment or two before giving the same grumbly protest at the annoying little Cocker attempting a stealth cuddle while he was trying to sleep.

It was one of those small, ordinary moments that makes a dog feel like part of the pack.

I truly believed I had made the right decision for him.

But whatever happens next, there is one thing I know for certain.

Riot will always have a home here.

For now, all I can do is wait and hope he finds his way back.

I’ll update when I know more.