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July 16, 2010

I know. I know. The headline ONLY works if I’m actually updating you every week on our dog training progress. But, I’ve already reported this week on a couple breakthroughs with the scary kitchen window and the thing about NOT coming inside only in the summer, only at night. So, today … just a quick note about Lilly’s first trip to the Farmer’s Market this summer.

Not a Second to Spare

Most weekends this summer we’ve literally had NOT a second to spare, so even though the Golden Farmer’s Market begins in early June, we hadn’t had time to go.

Noisy Market

Longtime readers may recall that the noise (compressors rumbling everywhere, live music) as well as the crowds of people and dogs at the market pose challenges for my sound-sensitive, fearful girl.

But, Lilly did remarkably well after a year-long hiatus. She walked the aisles. She focused on me. She POKED (hand targeted) the peeps at our favorite local dog treat vendor — Four Legger Cookie Factory.

Heck, she even posed for a photo they wanted to post on their Facebook page. (I snagged this online, but it’s a tiny file so the image gets blurry if I make it bigger.)

When I shared this on Facebook (my personal page, we don’t have one yet for the blog), a friend and editor commented on how calm and happy Lilly seems.

I know otherwise, though. She is smiling, and she is looking at the camera, but her head is “tight” and her ears are back, which means she isn’t thrilled. There were at least 5 dogs in the general vicinity, so all in all, not a bad effort on her part.

Relieving the Pressure

So, as soon as we were done with our photo shoot and after she got some loving from a few people we know, we headed out to the nearby creek-side trail so that Lilly could get some space and decompress.

My happy girl even cooled her toes in the cold water. Notice the shape of her head and the placement of her ears. This is what a relaxed Lilly looks like.

One Rude Comment

I had to laugh and/or be insulted by one woman at the market, however. Lilly and I were standing back waiting for the crowd of dogs in the dog treat booth to clear out.

A little boy hollered at his mom who was in the booth. “Look, Mom,” he said, “another border collie.”

His mom, who had two tri-color, rough coat border collies with her in the booth looked up at us and replied. “That’s not a border collie.”

The little boy seemed confused, so I said to him, loud enough for him to hear, but not his mom, “You’re right. Lilly is a border collie.”

He smiled and said, “I thought so.”

If you haven’t seen this post about Lilly and WHAT exactly she is, I recommend reading her bio.

About the Author Roxanne Hawn

Trained as a traditional journalist and based in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA, I'm a full-time freelance writer for magazines, websites, and private clients. My areas of specialty include everything in the lifestyles arena, including health and home, personal finance and other consumer interests, relationships and trends, people and business profiles ... and, of course, all things pet related.

I don't just love dogs. I need them in my life. Seriously.

  1. When I first saw the photo of Lilly at the Farmer’s Market, I thought Lilly looked like one of those people who force a smile, but aren’t really too thrilled! She really looks “cool” in the creek. You go, Lilly!

  2. Yeah Lilly and Roxanne! Farmer’s markets are intense places–Sadie and I know only to well. I’m thrilled you and Lilly enjoyed yourselves. And,she looks lovely chilling in the creek. She’s a beautiful girl.

  3. The Farmer’s market is a crazy busy place so I’m thrilled to hear that Lilly did pretty well there! The creek must have felt wonderful on her paws.

  4. Not a Border Collie? Ha! Some people think BCs only have one look! Thanks for the update; Lilly’s doing so well!

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