The South Dakota Cowgirl

Life on the Ranch Through My Lens

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It’s A Dog’s Life

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I don’t give my dog(s) enough love on this blog. As I typed that, the cowboy says, “Whatever!”

I do love my little, now-one-eyed, Papillon named Higgins.

And I’m pretty sure, that furry little bugger loves me too!

Let’s don’t talk about how many times I had to back up to get these shots. He just wouldn’t stay put. He was certain I should rub him.

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You’re so cute and furry. It’s one of the reasons I love you!

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You’re also a dirty,cockleburr-infested, little ranch dog who happens to have the cutest feet!

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Yes. The cutest, furriest feet!

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About ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

Jenn Zeller is the creative mind and boss lady behind The South Dakota Cowgirl. She is an aspiring horsewoman, photographer, brilliant social media strategist and lover of all things western.

After a brief career in the investment world to support her horse habit (and satisfy her mother, who told her she had to have a “real” job after graduating college), she finally took the leap and stepped away from a regular income; trading the business suit once and for all for cowgirl boots, a hat, and jeans. She has not looked back.

When Jenn first moved to The DX Ranch on the South Dakota plains, she never imagined she’d find herself behind a camera lens capturing an authentic perspective of ranching, and sharing it with others. Jenn has always been called to artistry, and uses music, writing, images, home improvement, and her first true love of horses to express her ranching passion.

Horses are the constant thread and much of her work centers around using her unique style of writing to share her horsemanship journey with others in publications such as CavvySavvy, the AQHA Ranching Blog, the West River Eagle, the family ranch website, and her own website.

Using photography to illustrate her stories has created other opportunities -- Jenn’s brand “The South Dakota Cowgirl” has grown to the level of social media “Influencer”. This notoriety has led to work with Duluth Trading Company, Budweiser, Wyoming Tourism, Vice, Circle Z Ranch and Art of the Cowgirl, to name a few. She also serves as a brand ambassador for Woodchuck USA, Arenus Equine Health, Triple Crown Feed and Just Strong fitness apparel. Her photography has been featured by Instagram, Apple, TIME Magazine, The Huffington Post, and Oprah Magazine. Jenn’s work has been published internationally, has been seen in several books and has graced the covers of several magazines.

Jenn became a social media influencer by accident when she started to explore Instagram as a way to share her life on the ranch with folks that don’t get to experience it. It’s grown into an incredible platform that she uses to empower women, create an environment for self improvement and share life on the ranch.

When she’s not working, she loves to drink coffee, play with her naughty border collie named Copper, start ranch colts, and run about the country chasing cans. Her mother still thinks she doesn’t have a “real” job.

Give your horse or dog, or cat the gift of mobility.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. The Mayor says

    Could you use 4 more hands on the ranch, 120 lbs and a tail. Talking about my beast of a Bouvier. I’m having a hard time finding a home to lease in Austin that will accept allow a big dog.

    I can you see you have quite a cutie there, I love his coloring.

    Reply

    • ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~ says

      The only way I am allowed to have another dog, according to the Cowboy is if I shoot one of our two dogs. His daughter’s dog is, of course, off limits. That being said, does your dog do well with children and other dogs?

      Reply

  2. Sharon says

    He is adorable and needs some rubbin’ lovin’. His ‘Who’ paws (like the people in WhoVille) are fantastic.

    Reply

  5. Amy (Tatum's Mommy) says

    Higgy has come along way since his manicured/well groomed days of being a Flower Mound pup. (Not that I think he minds!) He’s for sure his happiest just to be where you are. Poor boogie with only one eye 🙁

    Give him a hug and belly rub for me and, if the cowboy doesn’t mind, sing a song with him too!

    Reply

    • ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~ says

      He is convinced that being a ranch dog is his calling in life! Sometimes he doesn’t even ask to come inside! I loved when I was back in TX for the winter, because I was able to keep him clean and he would snuggle with me in bed every night. I wouldn’t let him near the bed here. Plus, I have a cowboy that isn’t down with dogs in the bed.

      Reply

  6. shirley says

    Papillon is the breed of dog we have and the same color as your’s we just love her she is so smart
    Can I ask what happened to your little one’s eye.
    her name is Patsy

    Reply

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