I really have no idea if I gave useful answers during our interview last Friday. But, here’s what I remembered 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.
So, while I’d like to think some of what I said was helpful, the entire adventure was really about Lilly. And, I’d be thrilled if they use any of the footage they got of my sweet girl, who was SO BRAVE in such a weird setting.
That is funny. Trust me, when Lori has you running, it sometimes feels inhumane. ;o)
Too funny! I have the opposite typo story, from a list geared towards helping people recover indoor-only cats that have gotten outside and been scared into deep cover mode. Someone posted about using humane traps to recover these cats, only they left the last “e” off. It was funny to read about asking your neighbors for permission before setting human traps on their property.
This whole interview thing is very neat. I sure hope they use some of Lilly’s footage.
On a side note, your mention of the Human Agility classes reminds me of something funny. Once on an agility email list, someone referred to a Human Agility Training DVD. Only, they misspelled it by putting an “e” on the end of Human. Someone brand new to the sport of agility posted a reply, cautiously asking what’s so inhumane about agility training. She was very relieved to find out it was just a typo. 🙂
Congrats to both of you for handling such a challenging situation. It sounds exhausting but also rewarding, esp. if they us your footage.
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Jackie