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December 30, 2011

best dog blog, champion of my heart, top 5 dog blog news stories graphicsDoesn’t every media outlet release a list of some sort this time of year? We’re joining the fray with our top 5 news items for 2011.

The year didn’t go at all as we’d planned, which is disappointing in many ways, but you can only do what you can do when distractions and demands leave zero time for pursuing your bigger goals.

I suppose the biggest feelings at the end of 2011 are relief and gratitude that we survived relatively unscathed. C’mon 2012, we’re counting on you.

1. Herding

Lilly learned to herd goats (not sheep, because goats are safer for green dogs and green handlers). We only had time for a few lessons before things got to busy with work and family things. We’re not very good, but we try hard.

2. Award

Lilly won the first-ever Humane Society of Boulder Valley Community Engagement Award  … mostly in recognition for Never Shock a Puppy efforts that raised money for the group’s No-Choke Challenge.

3. New Book / Anthology

Champion of My Heart posts were included in a new book called 15 Great Pet Blogs, including this one … 5 Ways a Fearful Dog Improves Your Life.

4. Spider Bite

Lilly survived a badly infected spider bite to the neck, which happened essentially on our every-6-month medical drama schedule. The previous adventure? Paintball poisoning in a dog.

5. Biopsy

Lilly had a surgical biopsy for what turned out to be weird lesion, not a tumor. We are ever so grateful for that news.

We remain, as always, grateful to all of you for your readership, loyalty, and support. Happy New Year!

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. Let’s remember the good things about 2011 (herding, awards, Lilly’s amazing advances in socializing w/ others) and try not to dwell on the spider bits of life, as they may be. Here’s to a happy 2012!

  2. We had a new experience with our dog this year–he was skunked. I can’t imagine having to deal with the spider bite. Here’s to a happy, healthy 2012.

  3. I can’t remember if it was 2011 (but I think it was) but I love the post with the video of Lilly picking up her toys! Very cute!

  4. I missed some of these, so thanks for the round-up. Love the one about Lilly learning to herd goats. And I need to get cracking on my best family movies of 2011 post!

  5. I love reading about Lily. My boy is getting a bit old and it’s hard to watch him being old. Poor guy is starting to limp. It’s hard to love so much. I want to limp for him, so he doesn’t have to.

  6. Boy! I had forgotten about the paintball incident and insect bite. It has been a tough year for all of you. Wishing you a better 2012 Roxanne, Tom, Ginko and Lilly!

  7. Well, you’ve had quite a year. Here’s hoping 2012 brings some peace and tranquility. LOVE your post about learning from living with a fearful dog. We sometimes forget how very much we can apply our relationships with our dogs to everyday life and the people in our lives.

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