Champion of My HeartA dog blog, where everything is a work in progress, by Roxanne Hawn

Yesterday, I spent a chunk of my day hiking and talking blog strategy and content with Amy and Rod from GoPetFriendly.com. They’ve arrived in advance of BlogPaws West (a pet blogger conference in Denver this week). They were nice enough to drive their RV up to the open space park just 2 miles from Chez Champion of My Heart. And, the three of us — plus their German shepherd (Buster) — went for a hike.

Alas, because Buster isn’t keen on other dogs while on leash, Miss Lilly stayed home. Their sharpei (Ty) also stayed behind in the RV because he is no fan or strangers, other dogs, or exercise, or so I’m told.

Debbie from FearfulDogs.com would be SO proud of me. I didn’t pay any attention to Ty at all. I ignored him, and he was perfectly fine with me sitting right there in the RV chatting mere inches from him, after our hike. See her recent post The Gift is in the Giving.

I cannot, however, take credit for this photo because in a series of blunders that lasted from sunrise to sundown I forgot my camera. This is one they sent me back when we guest blogged for each other.

Those blunders include:

Not being able to find the day pack that I normally carry for such hikes, and having to make-do with another one I like MUCH less

Forgetting my camera

Having my legs covered in unsightly red bumps after a beauty related injury … so I looked like a combination of a rough-and-tumble mountain girl and a leper (let’s hope the rash clears up before the conference because I planned to wear cute city shorts and skirts)

And, are you ready for the final thing?

After slamming a quick sandwich and racing down the mountain to see my mom and run errands before dinner (which included not only homemade noodles, but homemade meatballs and red sauce, … yet to be made) I realized that my shirt had been inside-out all day.

Howz that for making a good impression when you first meet online friends in person?

My mom thought the whole thing was hilarious. Other than the rash on my legs, which she told me again and again to put Benadryl cream on.

One Other Dog

Even though it was a holiday weekend, the trails were pretty empty, and we only saw one other dog toward the end of our hike. Rod and I stood just off trail, splitting the distance between Buster and the other dog. Amy and Buster made a b-line up the hill to get him the distance he needs. He did bark a little, but otherwise it was a mild response.

Afterward, Buster seemed amped up, even though he shook off the stress, so:

• I asked him to sit.
• I took off my sunglasses so that he could see my eyes.
• I took deep breaths.
• And, I used soft blinky eyes to help him get soft blinky eyes and relax for a second.

I’d never tried to “blink down” any dog but Lilly, but Buster blinked right back and me and got a nice soft face again. (I hope they didn’t mind me trying to help.)

He is a real doll. I’m madly in love with Buster. Then, again I love me some herding dog.

And, for the record, Ty is just a tiny guy. I think of sharpei as being bigger, but he is about Lilly’s size or smaller.

Gotta run!

Things are crazy busy, with normal work, the blog, and Never Shock a Puppy, so even though it’s a “day off” for many … it is NOT for me. I’d best get moving.

Hope everyone had a great weekend.

I … am … exhausted. Therefore, just a few words and a couple photos of our beautiful, smart canine heroine.

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Last week, I mentioned a Be the Change petition effort by GoPetFriendly.com to get hotels to ditch their weight-limits on dogs. Today, you can read my guest post on the Go Pet Friendly blog about the many dog-friendly spots in our “hometown” of Golden, Colorado:

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Charlie, a 9-year-old, female, border collie from Highlands Ranch, Colorado, needs a new home. Her family asked me for help. So, I’m asking all of you for help. Please spread the word in any way you can. Below you’ll find photos, a video, and a detailed Q&A about her.

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Here, at last, the story of Lilly’s recent snakebite. While unraveling what must have transpired before that Thursday morning when Lilly woke up with a swollen cheek, our best guess is that a snake got her sometime Tuesday or Wednesday of that week. The fact that she suffered a bite a couple years ago may explain the delayed, less-severe response this time — almost like the first bite “vaccinated” her to the venom (at least a little).

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Saturday, we stepped away from real life for just a bit to take our first hike of the season. Lilly isn’t quite as good as KB’s labs at posing for photos upon chosen peaks or rock outcroppings, but she tries.

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Other than a brief stint in Arizona around age 5, right before my parents divorced, I’ve lived in Colorado. The cold? I’m used to it (mostly). And, yet, this winter loomed particularly chilly and simply will not quit. So, seriously, Spring? You coming any time soon?

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It’s time once again to add another talent to Lilly’s long list of natural abilities. First, she became a larva rancher. And, now? It seems she is a clever coon dog as well.

Fair warning … if you are at all squeamish do NOT click through and read about Lilly’s larva adventures … and if you are at all sensitive to wildlife in distress, you may want to skip this post because it’s kind of sad.

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Last week, we got about 5 feet of total snow from three different storms, spaced 2-3 days apart. Tom plowed some pretty big snowbanks after the third blast, so Lilly and I used them as poor-girl’s dog agility A-frames. This slow-motion, snow-motion video shows just how athletic my lithe, sensitive girl truly is.

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During the long, cold, snowy winters, it’s hard to find a good time for a real deep-soaking, heavy-sudsing bath. So, we sometimes resort to the famous “snowbath.” Observe.

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