Q&A with Olympian Billy Demong and Canine Companion Cami
1. Can you tell us about the moment you met Cami and decided to make her a part of your life?
Cami was posted on our local animal rescue organization, Nuzzles & Co’s, Facebook page at the end of February 2020. As the world locked down for COVID, we took the opportunity to go meet her in the parking lot as they were loading animals up to take them to their ranch and we just fell in love with her!
2. How does Cami fit into your active lifestyle as a former Winter Olympian? Does she join you for outdoor adventures?
Cami is the most incredible training companion. For 20-30 miles, for hours on end she joins me on foot, on bikes and especially (her favorite) on snow. And I almost never even think about where she is as she stays within a small radius of me wherever I go.
3. How has Cami’s personality evolved over the past 5 years? Are there any traits or behaviors that remind you of your experiences as a Nordic combined skier?
Mostly that she is always up for any adventure! But she also has grown into the big girl spot as Scout grew older. Cami is the protector of the kids, the house and her new little sister, Scruffy!
4. Tell us about a moment when Cami unleashed her inner comedian or hero. What’s a quirky or unforgettable story that captures her one-of-a-kind spirit?
We recently lost Scout, our original furry family member. Toward the end of Scout’s life, she was losing her vision and hearing and so sometimes when we needed to find Scout we would ask Cami to, “go get your sister!” and she would run to Scout and bark in her face and then turn and lead her to us!
5. If Cami had her own secret hideout in your home or backyard, what would it look like, and what kind of treasures or toys would she stash there?
Oh, she does! We live right on a nature preserve and the good news for Cami is that her dislike of water makes it nice for us to not have to worry that she is going to get in any trouble with the waterfowl, instead preferring to stay on our property in the tall grass and content with gnawing on a stash of bones that we don’t often give her.
6. What inspired you to support Leap Years? How did you first learn about it, and what changes have you noticed in Cami’s health or vitality?
Scout was the original reason we tried Leap Years, and it really helped her regain strength and vitality like nothing we’ve ever experienced! It gave us nearly an extra year with Scout, who at 14 was really struggling, and helped her enjoy her life much more than before. Cami has been a Leap Years fan from an early age of 4 and we are really looking forward to following how she ages since she is getting such an early start. She can really do anything, no matter how long or hard and get up the next day and go again!
