Play & Book Excerpts
From Underdog to Winning Bitch
(Aurora Corialis Publishing)
© Virginia Weida
It was just a typical Monday in April 2023. I came home from a dog training class with my youngest pup to the usual clamor for attention from my other three dogs. Except I only saw two. Where in the world was Heidi? As the dominant dog in our four-dog household, she was always first in line for food, treats, and love. Peeking outside to our sunporch off of our kitchen (everyone’s favorite room in the house), I saw Heidi just sitting in the middle of the floor. I called her, but she didn’t budge. Oh no! As I got closer, I noticed her eyes were wide, the size of dinner plates, and she wasn’t up wiggling her butt and wagging her tail. I suspected right away what was wrong—a spinal disc injury, which dachshunds and other long-backed dogs can be prone to. My heart pounding, I scooped her up and took her out to the backyard to see if she had any movement in the grass. Nothing. She just sat there. So, I gently got her back into my arms, grabbed a towel to swaddle her for the ride, and immediately left for the emergency vet office. Time is of the essence with suspected disc and spinal cord injuries.
After a multi-hour wait (which is typical at the pet ER), while barely holding it together, we finally got to see the intake crew. My worst fears were realized—Heidi was indeed paralyzed in her back legs. They kept her overnight for observation, and she would see a neurologist in the morning for further examination. That drive home without her was awful. Would she need surgery? Would she ever walk again? Would she even survive? A few days earlier, she was running some of her fastest times in agility and having the time of her life. Just like that, her career, and possibly even her life, was over.
The neurologist confirmed that Heidi had a disc injury, and with surgery, she could gain up to ninety percent of her mobility back. After undergoing an MRI to confirm the diagnosis, they immediately took her into surgery to remove not one, but two blown discs in her lower spine. She would come home with a bag full of medications and require strict crate rest for eight weeks.
How could I possibly carry on in my work and life while this weighed on my mind? I began opening up to my clients and friends, and sharing social media posts about her situation. The outpouring of support in return was incredible! As Heidi recovered, I realized that I needed to stop building walls between my hobbies and my work. The clarity of realizing how disconnected I had become, ignoring all the gifts that Heidi had taught me, was the seed of this project. While she was recovering physically, I began laying the groundwork for sharing our story with others.
After a multi-hour wait (which is typical at the pet ER), while barely holding it together, we finally got to see the intake crew. My worst fears were realized—Heidi was indeed paralyzed in her back legs. They kept her overnight for observation, and she would see a neurologist in the morning for further examination. That drive home without her was awful. Would she need surgery? Would she ever walk again? Would she even survive? A few days earlier, she was running some of her fastest times in agility and having the time of her life. Just like that, her career, and possibly even her life, was over.
The neurologist confirmed that Heidi had a disc injury, and with surgery, she could gain up to ninety percent of her mobility back. After undergoing an MRI to confirm the diagnosis, they immediately took her into surgery to remove not one, but two blown discs in her lower spine. She would come home with a bag full of medications and require strict crate rest for eight weeks.
How could I possibly carry on in my work and life while this weighed on my mind? I began opening up to my clients and friends, and sharing social media posts about her situation. The outpouring of support in return was incredible! As Heidi recovered, I realized that I needed to stop building walls between my hobbies and my work. The clarity of realizing how disconnected I had become, ignoring all the gifts that Heidi had taught me, was the seed of this project. While she was recovering physically, I began laying the groundwork for sharing our story with others.
During the pandemic, when things got quiet, along with some significant health challenges that Heidi faced, I came to realize the incredible impact she and canine sports have had on my professional career: understanding and learning resilience, adaptability, leadership, teamwork, advocacy, overcoming the fear of failure…the list goes on and on. Because of my relationship and experiences with her, I have had greater career success than I ever thought possible!
After years of working in a male-dominated industry, I am driven to support women and help them become the best version of themselves, and I can’t wait to share the lessons I have learned for success.
Do you feel like you are constantly being underestimated? Are you considering making a change in your life, and need a boost of confidence? Are you yearning for greater recognition? Are you starting a new venture and feeling a little lost? Are you ready to learn how to transform from underdog to winning bitch?
Then this book is for you. And of course, if you love animals, specifically dogs, then this book is definitely for you!
This book will not teach anyone how to do dog agility (I am by no means an expert!), but you will definitely learn about the sport along the way. It uses dog stories and personal experiences as examples to demonstrate and inspire readers to seek greater success in their work and life. A quick note about the title: a “winning bitch” does not need to be a spiteful, overbearing woman, as society has defined this phrase. Nor am I referring to the use of the term to imply someone as a submissive follower. Remember, in the dog world, bitch simply means the female of the dog species.
Competing with Heidi taught me that being a winning bitch means confidently overcoming challenges, communicating effectively, and building meaningful connections, primarily through greater authenticity. As you read this book, I hope you become more “am-bitch-ous” and develop the desire to be a winning bitch!
This book is part memoir and completely motivational. Through storytelling and analogy, I try to help you understand and develop confidence, become empowered, and seek greater opportunity and recognition through the unlikeliest of teachers: Heidi, the fourteen-pound, long-haired miniature dachshund.
After years of working in a male-dominated industry, I am driven to support women and help them become the best version of themselves, and I can’t wait to share the lessons I have learned for success.
Do you feel like you are constantly being underestimated? Are you considering making a change in your life, and need a boost of confidence? Are you yearning for greater recognition? Are you starting a new venture and feeling a little lost? Are you ready to learn how to transform from underdog to winning bitch?
Then this book is for you. And of course, if you love animals, specifically dogs, then this book is definitely for you!
This book will not teach anyone how to do dog agility (I am by no means an expert!), but you will definitely learn about the sport along the way. It uses dog stories and personal experiences as examples to demonstrate and inspire readers to seek greater success in their work and life. A quick note about the title: a “winning bitch” does not need to be a spiteful, overbearing woman, as society has defined this phrase. Nor am I referring to the use of the term to imply someone as a submissive follower. Remember, in the dog world, bitch simply means the female of the dog species.
Competing with Heidi taught me that being a winning bitch means confidently overcoming challenges, communicating effectively, and building meaningful connections, primarily through greater authenticity. As you read this book, I hope you become more “am-bitch-ous” and develop the desire to be a winning bitch!
This book is part memoir and completely motivational. Through storytelling and analogy, I try to help you understand and develop confidence, become empowered, and seek greater opportunity and recognition through the unlikeliest of teachers: Heidi, the fourteen-pound, long-haired miniature dachshund.
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Virginia Weida is an acclaimed interior designer and CEO & Founder of Virginia Weida Designs, with over thirty years of experience. As a workplace design expert, Virginia delivers creative, budget-conscious solutions that enhance property value, ensuring spaces support occupant health, safety and success.
A respected CRE industry leader, Virginia is dedicated to service and social impact. She has maintained her lifelong commitment to making a social impact by volunteering with national and local organizations, supporting her industry, community and small businesses, and uplifting women. Her honors include ASID Fellow, ASID 50 Awardee, 2024 ASID Advocate of the Year, and 2024 ALM|GlobeSt. Woman of Influence. She is also a published author in the Amazon bestseller anthology Steps to Success: One Aha Moment at a Time and a frequent speaker on design and personal empowerment. Virginia resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband and dachshunds. She is passionate about spending time with her family and two grown daughters. Virginia is an avid competitor in canine sports and enjoys traveling, wine tasting, reading, music, and the arts. |
Photo Credit: Buzzy Photography
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