In this interview, we speak with Diann Floyd Boehm, an author of children’s books from Austin, about her beloved dog, Remi. As a lifelong dog lover, Diann was inspired to adopt a furry friend when she returned home after living overseas. She shares with us Remi’s endearing personality, including her love for sleeping after long walks, her outdoor inspections from the back deck, and her amusing snoring.
HELLO DIANN FLOYD BOEHM, WELCOME TO DOGOPPO! WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A DOG PARENT?
I grew up with dogs, so to me, they complete a family; however, when we lived overseas, we did not have one, and I always told my husband, “When we are back home, I am going to the animal shelter and find us a dog that needs a home.”
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR DOG AND HER PERSONALITY?
Remi is a blue healer and the sweetest dog ever. Remi is an older dog who enjoys sleeping after long walks. She loves the outdoors and will walk the length of the top back deck and inspect the yard as if looking over her castle. It is humorous to watch. Sometimes in the evening, she stops and starts sniffing the air. She can tell when there is movement in the woods. Generally, the deer are moving about getting ready to bed for the night.
Remi can snore; oh, my stars, can she snore! Sometimes my husband and I laugh because her snoring can be so loud, she could wake the dead.
HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR DOG’S NAME?
She was already named when she joined the family. I tried to nickname her Sugar because she always covers you with hugs and kisses, but she would only respond to Remi.
WHAT’S THE MOST MISCHIEVOUS THING YOUR DOG HAS EVER DONE?
Hmmm, that is a good one; not sure I would call this mischievous, but she is afraid of lightning and rainstorms. She will come to my husband’s side of the bed and put her paws on the bed, trying to find him, and if she cannot reach him, she goes to my side; and begins looking for me with her paws. We wake and pet her and let her know it is ok. We move her bed to my side so she cannot see the lightning. If it is thundering, you need to get up and hold her because she sakes until she can finally sleep knowing she is safe.
WHAT’S REMI’S FAVORITE TREAT?
Oh, my stars, Remi loves all kinds of treats. I could improve about spoiling here. She hears the pantry door open and quickly enters the kitchen, ready and waiting. Now her favorite treats are “Soup Bones.” She likes the different flavors inside the bones.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT A SPECIAL MOMENT YOU’VE SHARED WITH YOUR DOG?
A special moment would be taking her Easter picture in the field of bluebonnets. It is a family tradition to take pictures in the Bluebonnets after church on Easter Sunday, in your Sunday best. In Austin, there are fields of bluebonnets, and Remi could sense this was something special.
We watched her walk the Bluebonnet field, and after observing my husband and me sitting and taking pictures, somehow, she found her spot, and we took several pictures. She is so happy.
WHAT’S YOUR DOG’S FAVORITE TOY? WHAT’S THE MOST CHALLENGING THING ABOUT BEING A DOG PARENT?
Remi never really plays with her toys, but the minute she is with one of my children’s dogs, especially Thunk, Remi always wants to play with the toy Thunk wants. It is like watching two kids fight over a toy.
The most challenging thing about dog parenting is ensuring Remi stays happy and healthy. Remi is a rescue dog; we could tell she needed lots of extra love. She had surgery at one point, and we were so worried. Remi is on a special diet for her urinary tract, so hopefully, the stones never return. She goes to the groomer for her bath and comes home with a new scarf. She feels very pretty! We spoil Remi as she has four beds, one upstairs, one downstairs in the family room, and one on each deck. It is essential to my husband and me that Remi know she is at her “forever home” and receives the love she deserves. She loves to be tucked in bed and get a kiss goodnight, and her eyes say it all, I love you.
