Roxy's Doxies

23/06/2025

The Dirt Diaries: Why Growing (Up) Isn’t What You Think

Continued from yesterday ...

They say growth is beautiful. But let me tell you—it’s also muddy, unpredictable, and usually arrives wearing yesterday’s clothes. I used to think “growing up” meant having all the answers, a clean house, and a five-year plan. Turns out, it’s more like learning to dance in the garden while the compost is still warm. Welcome to The Dirt Diaries—a collection of messy truths, small victories, and unexpected blooms from a life rooted in resilience.

2. Lesson Two: Seed What You Want, Not What You’re Told Most of my life has been a caretaker. First of my brothers, then my husband and son. Then it was my aging mother over a 30-year period. Now it’s my turn to grow into my own caretaker. It’s challenging to stay on this journey based upon many more years taking care of others. Habits, it’s time to create new habits and do my best to continue that journey.

While in college I took an art class where a drawing of a handsome young man without his clothes was a requirement. This memory continues to bring a smile to my face. That was probably my first challenge as an adult investing in me. And then there was that one young man in my life, I wished he had been the one to pose.

Later in life came the WSU Extension Master Gardener program which continues to give me ongoing education opportunities as well as a problem solver for anyone gardener with a question. For the first time, I’m living with purpose and I’m happier for it. My garden has vignettes—small, intentional spaces, each with its own rhythm, beauty, and (sometimes) weeds. I’ve worked hard to earn this opportunity and I’m not letting this one slip away. How does your garden grow? What changes are you planning for your future?

To Be Continued ...

23/06/2025

Persimmon Tree Fruiting

In 2019, Mom asked me for a persimmon tree, so I planted a two-year-old facing east—morning and afternoon sun just like she requested. What I didn’t know at the time was that it can take 6 to 9 years to bear fruit.

Mom passed on December 4, 2022.

Today, I’m sending her a little message from Earth: “Hey Mom, look! Your persimmon tree is finally fruiting. Fingers crossed that this cool spring gives us a bountiful harvest. I’ll be on the hunt for that persimmon jam recipe you always wanted.”

Love you more. Always.

22/06/2025

The Dirt Diaries: Why Growing (Up) Isn’t What You Think

Welcome to The Dirt Diaries—a collection of messy truths, small victories, and unexpected blooms from a life rooted in resilience. They say growth is beautiful. But let me tell you—it’s also muddy, unpredictable, and usually arrives wearing yesterday’s clothes. They say growth is beautiful. But truth be told—it’s muddy, unpredictable, and usually shows up wearing yesterday’s clothes. I used to think “growing up” meant having all the answers and a five-year plan. It turns out, it’s more like learning to dance in the garden while the compost is still warm.

1. Lesson One: Start with the Compost There have been times when my life was nothing more than compost! I’m someone who enjoys structure. A clean house, bed made, and dishes put away! Neat freak I am not, but I’ve come to love a home that’s both lived in and loved — dogs, dirt, leaf-gifts and all. My home is filled with love and laughter. I'm okay when my dogs pull their blankies out to lay upon and I can deal with the dirt occasionally brought inside or the leaf one of them gifted me. Yes – I love a clean home, and my home is both loved and lived in.

Growing up, my childhood was always cleaning. As the only girl with three brothers, I was raised in the generation where the boys took care of outside chores and girls took care of the house. Having said that, I’m an outside girl all day and every day the sun comes up. Guessing that means I’m a tom-boy! There, I’ve said it. My love of horses that could trout me away from my challenges was a favorite. Spending time in the garden with my father was a close second. It turns out, it’s more like learning to dance in the garden while the compost is still warm.

To Be Continued ...

19/06/2025

“The Garden” by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Many things the garden shows,
And pleased I stray
From tree to tree

Watching the white pear-bloom,
Bee-infested quince or plum.
I could walk days, years, away
Till the slow ripening, secular tree
Had reached its fruiting-time,
Nor think it long.

Solar insect on the wing
In the garden murmuring,
Soothing with thy summer horn
Swains by winter pinched and worn.

Lots of help from the Roxy's Doxies team in trying anything that fell to the ground. Lots of funny faces that I'll treasure a lifetime.

Fall 2024 I gave my fruit trees a hard pruning and the results are abundant. Strawberries are still coming in strong and blueberries in a few weeks. Freezer is looking good! What's in your garden this year?

17/06/2025

What are you harvesting today?

For me, it's strawberries and cherries, with a careful eye on the blueberries—that are almost ready. In the garden, I create lists: what I'm growing, what tasks need to be done along the way, and the expected harvest date.

In marketing, the process is similar:

1. Creative Concept—planting the idea
2. Defining Roles & Tasks—who's involved, what they do, and their deadlines
3. Completion—just like harvesting, it could mean a launch date, an installation, or an air date for a campaign.

I start simple, then layer in specifics—ship dates, publishing schedules, airtimes. Always start simple, then let the details build.

So, what are you harvesting this week? A new client? A campaign breakthrough? Growth often begins by asking, what does my client really need? For me, the question is, what organic vegetables will complement my perennial garden? The same principle applies when you’re expanding an existing foundation while opening new possibilities.

Tasks get more complex when more hands are involved, but keeping an open mind ensures fresh ideas take root. What season of growth are you in right now? I'd love to hear what you're harvesting this week!

12/06/2025

Lesson #22: Gardening with Purpose—Honoring Tradition, Embracing Change

Gardening has always been deeply personal for me – a connection to my father, a reflection of tradition. But this year, I’m challenging myself to take a more scientific approach, tracking results, studying my soil and adapting in real time. I’m a lifelong learner and am passionate about learning better ways to garden.

Brie Arthur’s The Foodscape Revolution book opened my eyes to the idea of integrating food crops with landscape plants, maximizing both beauty and function in the garden. The idea of creating a truly interconnected ecosystem sparked a shift in how I approach planting, making my garden feel more alive than ever. I fell in love with the thought of increasing my garden size while working as one.

Yet at times, I find myself struggling with garden memories while moving evolving into a better gardening. By working with nature instead of against it, I’ve seen my garden flourish in unexpected ways. Catching rainwater, amending soil, and letting Mother Nature take the lead in pest control—these practices keep teaching me something new. Native plants have become a key part of that lesson. They support local pollinators, strengthen ecosystems, and, surprisingly, some even make their way into my salads! I love this new direction I’m cultivating. I’ve learned that when I work with nature, versus against with harsh chemicals. I’m watching my garden flourish in unexpected ways which encourages ongoing learning opportunities.

What new habits are you introducing into your garden this year? Dogs’n Dirt is where I explore resilience, growth and lessons – both in the garden and in life. This is just one of many insights I’ll be sharing. If you’re on a similar journey, let’s learn together!

04/06/2025

Well, I’ve done it again!

As someone who values my weekends and refuses to spend them tangled in a lawnmower battle, I’ve taken my yard to the next level—raised garden beds and a whole lot of mulch!

"What is mulch?" Glad you asked. At its core, mulch is anything spread over soil. Ideally, it’s organic—like shredded bark, straw, grass clippings, or compost—but it can also be inorganic, such as gravel. The main job of mulch? Protecting and nourishing your soil.

But here’s the real question: Why mulch?

Beyond just tidying up a yard, mulch pulls its weight in ways you might not expect:

Moisture retention – Keeps the soil hydrated by reducing evaporation
W**d suppression – Blocks sunlight to keep unwanted plants in check
Soil improvement – Breaks down over time, enriching the earth with nutrients
Temperature regulation – Insulates roots against extreme weather shifts
Erosion prevention – Shields soil from washing away in heavy rains

Speaking of mulch, my latest Dogs’n Dirt adventure involves a dump truck of wood chips, courtesy of ChipDrop—one of the best ways to repurpose arborist leftovers for garden gold. But here’s the catch: this isn’t a quick fix. It’s a 150-wheelbarrow mission that guarantees sore muscles, solid sleep, and a landscape transformed.

Mulch isn’t just about soil health—it’s about resourcefulness, sustainability, and resilience. It’s about working smarter, not harder, and making sure every shovel of effort builds something lasting.

So, if you're looking for a simple yet powerful way to elevate your garden (and get a workout in the process), here’s my advice: more mulch, please!

04/06/2025

Why I use hand signals -

I was lucky enough to be raised with dachshunds within a family that loves their pets. I also ha an uncle who trained German Shepards for the LA Caine Patrol. And although some of their training I've always thought to be to challenging for our beloved doxies, there is clinic support that hand signals are best in training dogs. This is a video that I've watched countless times that may help reinforce your home training. And please remember, dachshunds are known for barking when fleas fart ONLY because fleas are loud farters!

https://k9ti.org/mc/?d=MjAyNS02LTQ=&ver=vis_ver-0_0-sub_ver-0_0-cust_ver-0_0&subid=1761694&misc=&src=tpst

How your dog too can become as obedient as a service dog.

02/06/2025

My pets, my son's cat and my mother's pets all have gone to Benson Animal Clinic. Collectively we have 30+ years with Dr. Lee taking good care of our pets. Dr. Lee took care of puppy shots until the pandemic however, he continued spaying my females when I rehomed them. Pricing started at $79 and in today's call, it was $480 for a 15-minute procedure. My comment isn't on the length of time for their surgery, it's the pricing. After reaching out and making a few phone calls, I found this link and I'm thrilled and wanted to share it with my clients. I know that each of you loves your pets and wants them to be in good health. Pricing as low as $120 for our smaller dachshunds. Thank you for listening my friends.

We currently offer language translations on our site primarily through Google Translate. This helps visitors find and use information in the languages they speak, but the tool is not perfect. Automated translation may be inaccurate or errors may display on translated pages.

02/06/2025

What’s the one thing you can’t live without?

For me, the answer is easy—Eric, my son. But wait… isn’t it time to let him fly, as they say? Okay, that’s an acceptable answer.

Then again, I find myself torn between Dogs’n Dirt—my miniature dachshunds—and my garden. But wait, I have a breeding program, and I find good homes for the puppies. And my garden? I donate flowers to others, offering a bit of beauty and mental well-being.

So, do I dare say, “It’s the air that I breathe?”

After pausing, I realize there’s more than one thing I can’t live without, and this post isn’t long enough to list them all!

Instead, how about the things I’m grateful for?

My faith, my health, my family, and my friends
The opportunities that continue to come into my life
Prime Video and my beloved UK murder mysteries

Okay, maybe not the last one (but I do love a good whodunit)! I’m in a good place and enjoying life. Are you? If not, what’s your plan to turn things around?

Hoping that little child in you continues to smile throughout your life!

31/05/2025

Always Seeking Skilled Pollinators -

Position: Pollination Specialist Department: Essential Ecosystem Services Location: Sasha’s Urban Garden (preferred, but open to all flowering landscapes) Salary: Nectar-based compensation with pollen bonuses

Job Responsibilities
Efficiently pollinate fruit trees, berries, and flowers with precision and dedication.
Work independently in cozy nesting tubes—no hive required.
Maintain high productivity while staying completely non-aggressive (because being kind is the buzz).
Adapt to various environmental conditions with resilience and minimal supervision.

Qualifications
Must have wings and a strong work ethic.
Excellent flight navigation skills.
Previous experience in pollination preferred, but instinct-driven candidates welcome.
Ability to thrive in urban gardens and natural habitats alike.

Perks & Benefits
Exclusive access to premium blossoms.
Contribution to global food security and biodiversity.
No stings, no drama—just dedication to nature’s balance.

PM Ask for Mason and I'll walk the garden looking for him. This morning he's been busy with my Peonies!

30/05/2025

Daisy Mae has been Roxy's Doxies Director of Yard Security & Environmental Protection

With an unwavering commitment to environmental integrity, our Director of Yard Security & Environmental Protection ensures total compliance within her jurisdiction. Tireless in her mission, she conducts rigorous patrols to protect natural resources, maintain territorial integrity, and—most critically—enforce strict regulations against unauthorized squirrel activity.

Key Responsibilities:
Conduct dawn-to-dusk surveillance operations to detect and deter environmental disturbances (i.e., varmint trespassing).
Implement rapid-response intervention protocols for unauthorized digging, burrowing, or nesting attempts.
Oversee hazardous waste containment (because somebody always leaves surprises on the lawn).
Maintain quality control by monitoring wind velocity for proper ear-flapping conditions.
Protect perimeter integrity through strategic barking alerts and high-speed chase techniques.

Qualifications:
Exceptional tracking skills, with a specialty in squirrel reconnaissance.
Proven expertise in territorial enforcement and immediate corrective action.
Strong commitment to environmental cleanliness, demonstrated through extensive sniff-analysis.
Ability to provide swift and enthusiastic support upon the opening of any food-related packaging.

Daisy Mae joined us April 2023 as a blue based red smooth coat with high hopes of joining the other Mothers however, this did not work out for her. Similar to Lexi, no DUI or Parking Violations on her record. Both have perfect attendance, and I will highly recommend Daisy Mae fitting nicely into a family with a yard that needs protection.