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.

Dogs on Drugs

“She’s lucky to have you.”

People often tell me that Lilly is lucky to have me. They believe that the average dog owner would have given up on her after just a few panic attacks. They also believe (dare I say,
know) that experienced handlers would have rehomed or retired her and began again with another dog. And, at least, one handler teased me this week that perhaps I’m the one in need of drugs (as in,
you crazy lady for still trying to get this nutty dog back to performance status). Maybe they’re all right. …

Read More “She’s lucky to have you.”
Dog Photo

Hey, buddy, are you LOOKING at me?

I often find myself at my desk, working away, until a commotion outside gets my attention. It usually starts with catching a black streak out the window in my peripheral vision. Then,
the noise hits me. Oh, is there barking? Indeed there is. So, I stop what I’m doing and go see what exactly has Lilly’s attention this time. Last week, it was cows. …

Read More Hey, buddy, are you LOOKING at me?
Brag for a Friend

Agility pups in the making (with photos)

I mentioned a few weeks ago the birth of a litter of sheltie pups. They’re being raised by my friend and trainer Joy Bishop, who bred her boy Keen to a sweetie named Dash. I promised
photos, so here they are. All of them already have families, with handlers anxiously awaiting their arrival home. If you are one of them and want to tell us about your pack and your plans for baby,
please feel free to post a comment. …

Read More Agility pups in the making (with photos)
Dogs on Drugs

Week Four: Anti-depressant update

I’m trying to keep my hopes up that the meds will help. I’m testing Lilly in different settings to see if she seems any different. Here’s what happened this week.
…

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Back Story

Second session with animal communicator (long)

In early 2007, we began having problems again with Lilly wandering the neighborhood. The snow drifts were taller than our fences, so it was easy for her to get out. This is also around
the same time as the snarking began at our rally obedience classes, which we were doing to try and build ring confidence for agility. Can you say backfire? So, I asked the communicator to find out
what was up. Here are the results. …

Read More Second session with animal communicator (long)
Back Story

First session with animal communicator (long)

In July 2006, about 6 months into Lilly’s agility meltdown, I sought help from an animal communicator. Essentially, I asked her to find out what’s causing Lilly concern at agility
classes and what she needed me to do to help. I did not give the communicator any details on what the problems looked like. I simply gave her a list of pretty vague questions and a photo of Lilly.
She did not meet Lilly, nor did she know much about agility as a sport. Here are the results of their first communication session together.

…

Read More First session with animal communicator (long)
Entirely Off Topic

RIP – Alex, the famous parrot

I had a good long cry on Sunday when I read in TIME magazine about the death of the famous parrot Alex who wowed researchers for so many years in their studies of learning and language. Alex was 31.

Read More RIP – Alex, the famous parrot
Back Story

Or … I’ll huff and I’ll puff and blow that door down

So, I’m in the shower this morning, and someone crashes into the bathroom door. I assume Tom is rough-housing with the pups and just laugh. But, when I open the door, I find Lilly
cowering outside. …

Read More Or … I’ll huff and I’ll puff and blow that door down
Dogs on Drugs

Week Three: Anti-depressant update

This was not a particularly good week. I’m sorry to say. Then, again, maybe it’s a focus thing. Just like in the I need three hands entry earlier this week, maybe all the things I
reward fade in my memory, but all the things that go wrong, I remember. …

Read More Week Three: Anti-depressant update
Info-Share

Where, oh where, did daddy go?

Lilly likes to play hide-and-seek. But, she’s a total cheater. She often breaks her stay before she’s released, or she sneaks a peek when we slink off to hide. To prevent this, Tom
often hides while she’s outside. Then, I let her in and say “Where’s daddy?” Lilly loves this game. Perhaps her calling is in tracking.
…

Read More Where, oh where, did daddy go?

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