Influence Positively Questionnaire - Roxanne Hawn
A professional journalist, Roxanne Hawn doesn’t just love dogs. She deep-down requires them in life. Roxanne blogs about her fearful border collie, Lilly. Called Champion of My Heart, it’s a real-time memoir about life with a brilliant, sensitive dog always at her side. In September 2010, Roxanne and Lilly won the first-ever DogTime Media Best Dog Blog Award. Roxanne also writes Dog Food Dish, a blog for K9Cuisine.com.
Since she started freelancing full time in 1999, many top dog magazines have published her work, including The Bark, Healthypet, Modern Dog, AKC Family Dog, AKC Gazette, and Clean Run (a dog agility magazine). She also writes for many pet industry trade magazines, including some in the veterinary profession. Roxanne’s other work in the lifestyles niche spans The New York Times and Reader’s Digest to Bankrate.com and WebMD. She recently launched her first Be the Change effort, called Never Shock a Puppy, with a coalition of other pet bloggers.
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Well, you would not believe the avalanche of sadness and worry and stress I’ve had in the last 15 months or so, with several deaths and several ongoing illnesses in the family. So, my answer is probably different than it would be years ago or years to come. For me, right now, perfect happiness is being free from worry or grief. Other than that, I’m happiest on days that are just warm enough, just sunny enough, just quiet enough, so that I can be fully present in the love and abundance of life with the people and dogs I adore. Our society focuses on action, and I’m a very task-oriented person, but I think true happiness comes more from being than from always doing, doing, doing. When I make wishes, they are usually for a prosperity of peace and ease.
If you could come back as a dog or a cat, which one would it be and why? I’ve only lived with dogs, so I have to say I’d want to come back as a dog because I think they are better people than we ever will be. They show more compassion and forgiveness. They live fully present in the moment. They embody genuine happiness and love. And, they seem to sleep much better. What I wouldn’t give for some decent sleep.
What is your pet’s most treasured possession? There is one, and only one, kind of ball that Lilly will fetch. We got the recommendation from someone we know with a very fearful cattledog, so there must be something about this particular ball and sensitive canine girls.
Your proudest achievement so far? Whenever something “good” happens, like our recent Best Dog Blog Award, I ask my husband, “Are you proud of me?” And, he always answers, “I’m always proud of you.” I think we need to recognize the little achievements everyday. That’s where the big ones take root.
Who are your heroes in real life? I admire people who live their values in everyday life and who do the hard work required to improve the lives of others. I honor those with an inclusive spirit, who mentor and support others with information, encouragement, and enthusiasm. I recognize people who live with gratitude and grace, even in the face of great challenge.