What I tried to say …

When they asked about emotional support, I gave them a version of this story about how Lilly senses shifts in my mood or my energy and tries to help. Basically I told them that Lilly knows more about me than I will ever know about her and that there’s something affirming about a dog who makes a career of watching and listening to you.

I also told them about that lady we met in a store over the holidays who was so moved by Lilly’s sweet attention. I don’t think I quoted her right on video, but I got the basic idea across.

When the asked about the physical benefits, I told them about our regular 3-mile walks up to mountain and back, and I told them about taking Lori Hansen’s Human Agility Classes so that I could learn to run faster, including the point about Joy hollering, “What? Can’t you run any faster?”

When they asked about agility and training, I made sure to say that many people mistakenly believe that training is about dominance and control. I explained that it’s really about communication and building trust and building a relationship with your dog. Then I told them a short version of this story, about Lilly’s first training class, where she went from scared to scholar and won her first trophy.

I talked to them about the bond we’ve formed and about how we continue to take regular classes because of the amazing people and dogs we’ve met (like all of you). And, I explained why I had to give Lilly a honorary championship title (champion of my heart) since we’ll probably not get the other kind.

I had meant to say more gushing things about her, but I really didn’t want to get misty. So, I hope I didn’t come across too blah in my attempt not to cry. I did not want to be some nutty girl who gets weepy telling stories about her dog.

I talked a bit about Lilly being shy and what challenges we’ve faced and how much I’ve learned from her and because of her. But, I didn’t really get into WHY I keep trying with her (as Cedarfield asked here) because the answer to that is very complicated and probably not at all what they’re looking for in this campaign. It will, however, remain an undertone to all I do here on the blog … and it’s a question I hope to answer in full when/if we get a book deal.