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August 2, 2011

Many thanks to Living Large in Our Little House for tagging Champion of My Heart in this Best of Blogging 7 Links thing that’s sweeping the web. It began with mostly travel bloggers, but it’s reached our shores. Here are links to our 7 Best blog posts:

1. Most Beautiful Post: Glamorous Like Grover

best dog blog, champion of my heart, 7 links, family photo

Not your typical isn’t-it-pretty post, Glamorous Like Grover shows community and family in action.

2. Most Popular Post: Relaxation Protocol Mp3 Files

We’re talking tens of thousands of page views and still counting, our FREE Dog Relaxation Protocol audio files remain a top attraction for visitors to Champion of My Heart. These MP3 files make doing critical baseline training with fearful dogs MUCH easier. We made the files for own use, then realized others might find them helpful too.

3. Most Controversial Post: Announcement of Never Shock a Puppy Campaign Plans

best dog blog, champion of my heart, never shock a puppy badgeI’m not sure this exactly qualifies, but I was indeed surprised that even longtime, loyal readers and friends were NOT keen on our plans to launch a “Be the Change” campaign around our opposition to the use of shock collars in dog training.

As soon as I can shake out some time, we’ll be planning this year’s Never Shock a Puppy Campaign.

4. Most Helpful Post: What Dogs Can Teach Us — Leave It!

best dog blog, champion of my heart, 7 links, angry man photo

The thing about facing multiple family medical dramas for several years straight is that it brings out the WORST in some people. This post offers insights gleaned from dog training on how NOT to take the bait when someone unfairly makes you into a villain.

Many people I know now whisper “Leave it” to themselves in tough situations.

5. Post Whose Success Surprised Me: Two Stolen Dogs, Ukiah, California

stolen dogs Ukiah California June 28, 2011 wal-mart parking lot

We jumped into action in response to the news of two malamutes had been stolen from a Wal-Mart parking lot. They live with a neighbor’s nephew, and because … well, I’m me (the neighborhood “crazy dog lady”) … they asked for help.

In just a few days, more than 70,000 people visited this blog post and shared links, including updated sightings, via social media. It took several hours a day to provide help and support to the family, but the results are what matter most. The stolen dogs were recovered uninjured.

6. Post That Didn’t Get the Attention it Deserved: Adopt Charlie Social Media Blitz

best dog blog, champion of my heart, 7 links, photo of border collie

This is a tough one, but I picked this post about a border collie who needs a new home because she lives in pretty much constant fear … I tried a couple of times to help … and FAILED.

7. Post I’m Most Proud Of: 5 Ways Fearful Dogs Improve Your Life

best dog blog, champion of my heart, photo of Lilly (a border collie) in flowering meadow

While Champion of My Heart is indeed a real-time memoir of our lives, canine and otherwise, I occasionally stop to recap key lessons. If we have a manifesto, this post on the MANY ways a fearful dog makes you a better person is it.

Passing the Best-Of Baton

I found it MUCH harder than expected to find bloggers willing to take on this 7 Links challenge … partly because some of the people I hoped to nominate had already been nominated, partly because everyone is crazy-busy and could not take on one more obligation. Here, however, are the brave souls who said, “Yes,” when I asked. And, yes, there are 6 not 5 because after a slew of rejections, I put the plea out wider and scored a few more yeses.

Hands On Home Buyer

Happy Simple Living

Kenzo, The Hovawart

Pet Healthcare Gazette

To Dog With Love

Travelin’ Chucks

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. Thanks for recognizing Hands on Home Buyer, Roxanne.

    Will be back soon to read some of your links I missed the first time around.

    And can I assume, based on the site that passed the link baton to you that you and I share an interest in simple living? Or is living the simple life just an occupational hazard of being a writer? 🙂

  2. Nice selection! I read all of these posts the first time around, but it’s always nice to go back and read through them again – my memory isn’t what it used to be. Also, there are a few blogs that are new to me on your list of nominees. I’ll be checking them out!

  3. Nice post. I find that a lot of the posts that I put a considerable amount of time in to writing don’t get a lot of attention, while the ones that I draft quickly do. Don’t know what that says about my blogging style!

  4. Glad to link to you, Roxanne! I remember some of these posts. The one with the dog who needs a home is a heartbreaker. I loved your post about doggy laughter, too, because until that time, we didn’t know that’s what our Molly was doing! 🙂

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