Pia Kilburn and Dixie
Sports star Pia Kilburn has what it takes to represent Australia in Gaelic Football. But she couldn’t do that without her loudest supporter, Staffordshire-Terrier Dixie, on the sidelines.
We met exclusively with Dixie to find out what life with a sports star is really like…
How did you come to own Pia as your precious person? Pia and her partner had just moved in together, and they needed a number three. They didn’t want a two-legged one, so they found me instead. A wise choice, I say!
I bet you do! So what do you think of Gaelic Football?
Well, as a spectator it’s great; it’s fast, there’s heaps of action and because it’s non-contact, I don’t have to worry too much about Pia hurting herself! I make lots of supportive noise on the sidelines. I have to control myself though; there’s only so much watching a ball fly around a dog can take without chasing it, so I have to be disciplined.
Do you help with Pia’s training?
Really I am Pia’s personal trainer. I’m her motivator. If it wasn’t for me nuzzling her and slobbering, she probably wouldn’t even get out of bed in the morning. Trust me, Pia is not a morning person! So with considerable coaxing on my part, we run every morning, lots of the time at Leighton Beach. Running on sand provides great resistance training.
Do you go to team trainings?
No, Pia has this crazy idea that I might pop the ball! I mean, as if I would! Not on purpose anyway. Plus it’s next to a road, so Pia said she would have to tie me up, and that is so not happening!
Who do you hang out with besides Pia?
My best mate would have to be Jake. He’s a Blue Heeler who lives with Pia’s parents, he’s a real blast. I’m both a dog’s dog, and a dog of the people, you know? We live next to a park, so Pia can just open the gate for me, and there is always a good crew there to play with.
What’s the best thing about life with Pia?
Well, would you believe, as well as being a sports star, Pia was a vet nurse for ten years and is now the area manager for a pet and vet wholesaling company? I mean, did I hit the jackpot or what! No Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever for me and I couldn’t even tell you what a flea looks like!
What about food? Care to share any diet secrets for athletic prowess?
You can’t go past an old favourite and I swear by porridge. I prefer it to dog food because of its high fibre content. Both Pia and I need a good carbohydrate hit in the morning, but it has to provide slow release energy. I always go for low GI foods, there’s nothing worse than food that’s over-processed and leaves you feeling sluggish.
In saying that, everyone needs an energy hit sometimes, and my guilty pleasure is a pawful of Maltesers!
Any other bad habits?
Pia would probably call digging up her garden a bad habit, but I beg to differ. You just never know what I might find in there! I mean, imagine if there was ancient treasure, or the fountain of youth, or better still, a bone?! You wouldn’t want to just miss it! I suppose grabbing onto bigger dogs’ collars and getting dragged along could be classed as a bad habit too. But it’s fun! It’s a bit like my own version of football!
Dixie, thanks so much for your time. We think you could have a promising career ahead of you as a sports motivator and personal trainer. Best of luck to you and to Pia!
Go Back
.jpg)
