Roxy's Doxies

10/08/2026

I'm one of the lucky ones and have never lost a pet as a child. When we left Alaska, mom said that she had sold our dogs along with my horse for gas money. My dogs that I lost in the house file were gone in a heartbeat. Mad Max and Lile Mae were my first two "replacement" dogs. Never liked that term, replacement, nonetheless, that is how mom referred to them.

Over the last 2 years, on 3 separate occasions, Lila Mae has cried out loud for extended length of time, last night was the third occasion. I held her most of last night, we had a wonderful talk and then she fell asleep. This morning she is up, walking on all four and acting as if nothing happened last night. Next month, Lila Mae turns 10. She came with health concerns and that is what continues to haunt her.

Last week, I bought her a doggie carrying bag (wraps around me) and now she goes on neighborhood walks with me. Lila will be my first dog that I help cross that "rainbow" bridge, probably soon. None of us know the future except that we'll have more neighborhood walks, better conversations and a few more doggie treats together ... vanilla ice cream has become one of her favorites.

This is all part of life and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have Lila Mae such an important part of Roxy's Doxies. Thank you for listening and love you more ...

10/05/2026

Not one of mine .... https://www.facebook.com/reel/1109858535262413

10/02/2026

Rehoming Friday is tomorrow ... there will be another announcement ... catching my breath first.

Send a message to learn more

09/26/2026

Harvest Time: What I’ve Harvested in 2026
This year reminded me of why pausing matters. When I finally stopped long enough to look around, I realized just how much I’ve harvested in 2026.
My garden thrived, even when Mother Nature didn’t. I joined a hospital Advocate Committee, which is close to my heart, plus right alongside my work with the Renton Arts Commission and King County Master Gardeners. I secured two cover‑story opportunities for KCMG demonstration gardens, complete with photos for future use. I published my first Plant Clinic session with photos and an article. And truly, I’m only getting started.
Next year, I’m aiming for three cover stories, stronger event coverage, and expanded regional storytelling that highlights local artisans, their art, their music, and whatever grows from their creativity.
When my creativity stalls, I go outside. I pull weeds, drag the hose, breathe, and let gratitude reset me. The dirt under my nails is my grounding. And for you, what grounds you?
I’m closing a 20+ year chapter of raising miniature dachshunds and opening a new chapter centered on writing, community, and purpose. Somehow, this path has led to 10k followers across three platforms and 650k monthly readers. That still amazes me.
I often think of Sister Michalene, who once told me I was special and would someday do something special. Maybe she said it to every child, but it planted a seed of possibilities in me. We all have someone who gave us hope before we knew we needed it.

09/21/2026

PERSIMMONS what are they good for?

So many things 1) beauty - the branches are bowing to the harvest yet to come 2) mental wellbeing - it makes me smile, I think of my mother who wanted me to plant it 3) the artistry of how long it took me to prune it in a creative manor. I love it and I look forward to sharing my harvest with others.

09/21/2026

CELEBRATING FALL IN RENTON

Morning fog is settling over Renton, and fall is officially peeking around the corner. It’s the perfect time to pull out your seasonal décor and add a few fresh pumpkins to welcome the season.

I stopped by McLendon Hardware in Renton this week, and their pumpkin selection is already fantastic — classic orange beauties, quirky shapes, and everything in between. Whether you’re sprucing up your porch, planning a fall centerpiece, or just love the look of a single pumpkin by the door, McLendon has great options.

Shop early, shop local, and let autumn roll gently into your home.

09/18/2026

Renton friends… as we move into this beautiful seasonal dance of falling leaves and cooler mornings, I wanted to share a small update.

After more than 30 years in Renton, I’m stepping more fully into community storytelling through the Renton Arts Commission and my work as a WSU Master Gardener. This fall, I’ll be starting a monthly feature called The Art of Living in Renton — short stories about our gardens, makers, heritage homes, creative corners, and the everyday artistry that makes our city feel like home.

If you live in Renton and have a garden you love, a hobby that brings you joy, an art project in progress, or a story about life in our city, I’d love to hear from you. This series is meant to highlight the people who make Renton vibrant.

I’ll also be sharing ways to support local makers and shop early for the holiday season — keeping our creative community strong.

Looking forward to telling these stories together.

09/17/2026

Sorry for my delay ... someone temporarily knocked me off FB. I'm back and ready to go with updates.

1) Sadie Mae and Maddie Mae have found an incredible home to live out together with a few new friends. My heart is happy.

2) Our gorgeous baby boy went to another incredible Doxie family. He joins his adult "cousins" for a wonderful life.

3) I had the terrifying opportunity to deliver our sweet piebald baby girl to her new home via I5 during rush hour! Best news ever is that she found her incredibly perfect home.

So much good news to share with everyone however it will take me a day or so to catch up on all the emails. Back soon & Love you all more.

08/29/2026

Rehoming Friday - Sadie Mae is looking to retire early, find that comfortable lap she's been looking for and just be spoiled rotten forever and ever. DOB 06/16/2021 Sadie Mae is always the first one out the door and the last one in. She is the best care-take to all and also the head groomer for the other ladies. Please PM for additional information

08/24/2026

After the Giants Fall, Communities Choose the Next Leaders
Industries rise, fall, and reinvent themselves — that’s just the American cycle.

A big company files Chapter 11, the headlines explode, and everyone waits to see who steps into the empty space. The market always resets. A new giant always shows up.

But our communities don’t get to wait for the next “big thing.”

When the big players stumble, the ones who steady the ground aren’t corporations.

They’re our neighbors, the small shops, the nurseries, the makers, the growers. The people who show up every single day without bailouts, without national coverage, and without a safety net.

Local businesses don’t get restructuring teams.
They survive because we choose them.

And right now, with everything shifting, we get to decide who we want to lift.

We get to shape who becomes stronger, who becomes visible, and who becomes the next leader in our own backyard.

This year, maybe the most meaningful gifts won’t come from the places dominating the news.

Maybe they’ll come from Northwest makers, local nurseries, small shops, and artisans whose work reflects heritage, resilience, and story.

Gifts with roots.
Gifts with identity.
Gifts that strengthen the community instead of just filling a cart.

And with AI now part of everyday life, we can make these choices with more intention than ever, researching local shops, discovering regional artists, comparing products ethically, and planning ahead without the overwhelm of national retail chaos.

Industries will adjust.
New leaders will rise.
But communities endure because we choose them.

And as Father Time and Mother Nature like to remind me …
if we don’t make intentional choices early, the seasons will make them for us. Mother is never been subtle, and she’s usually right.