The Branding of Dogs

Credit: Snoopy and the Gang

Hello everyone! In case you didn't already know, I'm currently in a course called the Branding of Me, and Dogs of Chapel Hill is a major part of that. In my first blog post called I'm a Dog Person, I discussed why I love dogs and what mine have meant to me throughout my life. Dogs are inspirational in their loyalty, compassion, companionship, and unrelenting awareness of your well-being. These characteristics give us an example of what kind of people we should strive to be. If only we all greeted each other as our dogs greet us... if only we showed compassion for every person who looked like they were having a bad day... if only we could relinquish our pride and love people unconditionally no matter what hurtful things they said when they were angry. You realize that dogs are EXCEPTIONAL creatures when you step back and look at it all in "people terms".

This fall, I participated in interviews for my first full-time career job - a pretty overwhelming and exciting experience to take part in. I enjoyed hearing about the companies, their missions, and the groundbreaking methods they're using to change the world. As I sat in an auditorium seat at the MetLife Women in Technology event, the speaker began to explain why the Peanuts characters, and particularly Snoopy, are icons for the company. Snoopy, a dog, represents loyalty. For customers, employees, and any person who may question the integrity of the company and the people who run things.

"Since 1985 Snoopy has served as an ambassador for MetLife, enhancing the warm, approachable quality that is important to the MetLife brand. Our logo and Snoopy work together to unify the many communications provided by various entities of our company." - MetLife, Snoopy as Brand Icon

This branding strategy stuck with me and I found myself in the final round interview room answering a question from the HR director about "why Snoopy?". I certainly will not forget "Why Snoopy?" and thankfully I didn't on that day. In November, I accepted an offer as a Business Systems Analyst in Regional Application Development at MetLife, where I start my career in July. I am thrilled to take on this role and quite honestly humbled to be represented by a dog.

Until next time,
Lily

Pax: A Heart of Gold

Pax

Happy Hump Day friends! This little fella I'm holding is Pax. He's another one of Chapel Hill's newest K9 residents and he's loving it already. Popular on the quad and all around town, this 10-week-old F2 golden doodle (dood+dood) is stealing hearts left and right. He has a pretty golden body and curly red ears, making him a beautiful combination of his puppy mom and dad. This friendly little pup is always trying to meet new people and sure looks happy doing it. His tail wags a mile a minute. As we stood at the Old Well on campus trying to get a picture, he craned his neck trying to get a good look at the girls passing by... a heartbreaker already.

Pax comes from Atlantic Beach and is destined to be a beach dog. In the future, his mom Sarah plans to teach him to paddle board and enjoy the water, while also learning not to eat the sand. Been there, done that in his few short weeks of life. What else can you expect from a baby? Not to worry Pax, we've all been there. Pax's family has a beach house so he'll have plenty of time to learn what to do. On his first trip, the water was a little cold, so it wasn't the best time to test the water. The waves were a little scary, but with a few more months under his belt and the warm summer sun on the horizon, the beach will be in perfect condition for this pup to learn to love it like the big dogs do.

I enjoy asking dog owners about the bad habits of their dogs, although this is probably not a very nice question to ask I suppose. It does bring pretty amusing answers and makes for a good laugh though. Pax has a bit of expensive taste... he enjoys UGG boots, the furry $100+ winter boots. Whether they're moving or sitting still, on your feet or off, it doesn't matter. His mom explained the obsession to me and it seems that he may think they are little puppies like him. Soft and furry. He'll chase them, bite them, and is overall entranced by their presence. Hide your boots folks.

Despite his one boot-loving flaw, Pax is otherwise an exceptional puppy. He's already learned to sit, lie down, and paw (high five). He is the brother of 13 other male doods and was the favorite of the owner. She cried as he left, as he had already crept his way into her heart over their short time together. Sarah has been taking good care of him since then in Chapel Hill, and knows how lucky she is to have this sweet and calm little puppy. Her mom got Pax's brother, so he will have someone to play with at the beach and for a long time to come.

Hope you all are having a great day and will have the chance to spot Pax around town sometime soon. Thank you for reading!! I loved meeting you little Pax and hope I'll see you again before long.

Until next time,
Lily

                                                 

[Big] heart, little Tar Heel

Mr. Big

Hello everyone! It's me here, ready to tell you about the fun I had meeting the newest little Tar Heel on campus, Mr. Big! This sweet 11-week-old golden doodle puppy got his name from Carrie Bradshaw's beau on Sex & the City, as you may have guessed. His mom, Olivia (livfashionably), loves the show and knows he'll grow into his name before long!

Mr. Big is an "F1B" golden doodle, meaning his parents were a standard poodle and a golden doodle. I'm still catching on to all of this breeder lingo, so this is the only info I've got for you on that. Anyway, this little Mr. Big is a realllll beauty. His curly red coat and white "tuxedo" chest make for the perfect golden doodle puppy. Everyone around us on campus was just "awwing" away at him yesterday after our interview. His parents look at him in much that same way, with nothing but admiration and love for their newest little companion.

To pick up Big from his K9 family, this lucky little pup's mom took a road trip all the way to Dunville, Kentucky, to the home of Blessed Hope Kennels. So far, he is really liking North Carolina and especially Chapel Hill. What's not to love, right? Big's brother, Mr. Banks, also got to come along, and is settling in quite well in eastern NC.

As time goes on and graduation comes, Mr. Big and his mom hope to go to NYC to join @samsonthedood, @hudsonthegoldendoodle, and @neptunethedoodle in the Big Apple. Like these seasoned doods, he's already enjoying his monthly BarkBox full of treats and toys. Wish I got something like that every month haha. When he gets older, Big hopes to achieve the Emotional Sport Animal Certification so that he can help humans who need him, as well as fly on airplanes in the cabin and be given fair treatment when looking for a new apartment in the City. Go Big! This talkative, squirmy, sweet, and cuddly little puppy is already full of personality at 11 weeks old, and I know he has a bright future ahead of him. He already responds to commands like "sit", "handshake", "wait" and "come". What more could you ask for after 4 weeks of training at home? Truly impressive.

It was great to meet you little Big and I hope to see you again as you grow into the long-legged intelligent dood you're bound to be! To all of you readers, thank you for all of your support and for reading today.

Until next time,
Lily

Dogs of Instagram

Hudson the Goldendoodle (@hudsonthegoldendoodle)

Something funny I've noticed over the past year or so is that my personal Instagram feed has slowly transformed into almost all dogs and food accounts. As I scroll through the Dogs of Chapel Hill account now and expand my following to new pups and people, I find an endless supply of accounts. Does every dog have an Instagram now? I wonder how that impacts Instagram's analytics, but this pup lover is not complaining. I've included pictures of my personal favorite accounts so you can see who I'm loving to follow these days. @samsonthedood, @hudsonthegoldendoodle, @neptunethedoodle and @fenwaytheblacklab are just a few. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing pictures of my friends in beautiful places eating amazing-looking food as much as the next millennial, but I can't help but spend most of my Insta time awwing over little puppies rolling down stairs, crawling over each other, looking all chunky etc...... you get the point. I've always loved dogs (Read I'm a Dog Person for more on that), and one day I'll have one. He/she will probably have an Instagram, let's be honest here, and maybe a blog too. We'll see about that. On Instagram there are dogs having brunch, dogs dancing, dogs wearing all sorts of clothes, and dogs eating with human hands (I laugh so hard at those). There's a pup for everyone out there.

Sure, I may be a bit biased toward labs, golden retrievers, and golden doodles, but it doesn't matter to me which breeds you like, I'm really just here to promote all dog-loving. And in case you missed it yesterday, here's a little recap of this year's Animal Planet Puppy Bowl.

Until next time,
Lily

Puppy Bowl XII (2016)

Fenway the Black Lab (@fenwaytheblacklab)

Neptune the Goldendoodle (@neptunethedoodle)

Samson the Goldendoodle (@samsonthedood)

Ellipsis...

Ellipsis

Hi everyone! It's Lily here, and this is one of our finest Dogs of Chapel Hill. Named for the three spots down her back, this cute little Beagle is Ellipsis (...) She's the puppy daughter of my friend Nicole and I've known her since our freshman year of high school. Over her 7 years, Ellipsis has seen a lot. A few years back she had 7 Beagle/Lab/Pit puppies, all of whom were given happy new homes to kind owners right away. These days, she's just a regular college kid. She lives in Chapel Hill, goes to He's Not, retrieves beer pong balls, eats cheese sticks and yogurt, and of course has a friendship bracelet with her best friend. Friendship Collar is a really cool company I just learned about that makes matching dog collars and human bracelets. Pretty cute huh? They're for guys and girls; check them out and go get one for you and your pup! Wish they were paying me to say that... I just think it's a sweet idea.

This ole girl loves to play soccer and always has. Unlike most of the dogs I know, she does not try to eat the ball. She'll push it down the field with her nose and impress everyone in Air Bud fashion. In addition to soccer, Ellipsis loves to go on runs with her mom and chase squirrels... who doesn't right? After exerting all that energy, she gets in her bed (mom's bed) and sleeps UNDER the covers, facing her mom to make sure she's safe. Ellipsis does the same thing in the car. She'll ride in the same seat as Nicole, right up next to her. Talk about protection.

A few things this pup does NOT like:

• Peanut Butter - Surprising!! I thought all dogs were obsessed with PB.
• Water - "The drinking kind is alright, but nooooo way to swimming."
• Being left alone - "Pleaaaaase don't leave me mom!"
• When Dad comes and steals her side of the bed - "Guess I'll take the middle!"
• Squeaky Toys - "Humans' toys are better."
• All of her clothes - A Halloween tutu, birthday crown, argyle golf sweaters, and even a doggie snow jacket - "Please don't make me wear them!!!"

Ellipsis is a funny, super sweet dog who laid out over my lap during our interview and greeted me at the door with the warmest hello. All she wants to do is love and protect the ones she cares about...can't argue with that! A huge thank you to Nicole and Ellipsis for having me and to all of you who are reading! The dogs and humans of Chapel Hill are pretty great.

Until next time,

Lily

Ellipsis and Nicole (mom)

Ready for her close-up