I barely had my “Taking a Break” post published before I had my answer to my quandary of where to go with the blog. Even by the time I posted that, I had a good idea of what direction I would be heading. However, I still thought it would be prudent to take some time off to see how I really felt.
I couldn’t break away from blogging completely….I was still visiting other blogs (though quietly, not really commenting too much), replying to comments on my last post, listing topic ideas, and checking social media. Luke and I would be out on walks, and I’d be taking the camera out to get him to pose for photos; then I’d remember that I was not writing so didn’t need photos!
I did better my second week off since I was busy with a lot of other things; but I was still working on my drafts a bit. I’ve enjoyed the time with not having to worry about when I got things done though!
I already knew deep down that I wanted to keep blogging, but I also knew deep down that it was time to let Wag ‘n Woof Pets go. Things have simply changed too much, and most of the original blog doesn’t fit with where I plan to go from here.
I knew I somehow wanted to keep something going for the farm though, and when my blog friend Joy suggested writing a blog as part of a website for my shop, I knew that was the last piece of the puzzle I needed to tie it all together. I hadn’t started a website for the shop yet since I don’t plan to sell online at this time, and because I didn’t want the added expense. However, I think it’s still a good idea to have a place where local people can get information on the shop, and if I can just switch to a new website address there will be little added expense there.
I was able to fix what was broken on my blog, even though some things unintentionally got changed in the process. Those are things that won’t go with the new website anyway, so that’s OK. In that process I learned some new things, and my hope is that I can make most of the changes I want myself. The big one, of moving all the old content to a new URL “AFarmGirlsFinds.com”, I may need to hire help for, but I hope I can handle all the design changes myself. One thing that is important to me is to not lose all the old Wag ‘n Woof content, but to be able to have it archived on the new site.
The website will be home for my shop and for Barking Dog Organic Farm as well, and I will be blogging about the farm on the website and that will include Luke of course. He is the official “barking dog” after all, and he takes that job seriously!
It will be a process that will take some time, so after one or two more posts, I’ll probably be off again for a while. All Wag ‘n Woof Pets social media will change….I may lose my content on Facebook, but I hope to merge that page with Barking Dog Organic Farm and at least retain my followers (if Facebook will let me). Truthfully, I didn’t have much original content on our FB page anyway, I mostly just shared my blog post links on there. Our Instagram page will change over to the Farm (I already have separate FB and Instagram for my shop and those will remain the same), as well as Pinterest.
I don’t do a lot with Twitter either, but I enjoy following things on there. There are tons of dogs out there with their own Twitter pages, so I decided that if I can, I will hand my Twitter page over to Luke and he will oversee that! I will most likely rename it “Farm Dog Luke” or something fun like that.
It’s been fun working all this out, mostly in my head so far, with scribbled notes on a pad. I appreciate everyone’s support and knowing that you will still be interested in reading about our farm life. There are still some details to iron out, and hopefully I can do everything the way I want to.
I am happy with my decision and look forward to writing for the new website as soon as I can! I have one last post to write for Wag ‘n Woof Pets that I’ve been saving for 8 years, and then we’ll probably say a little goodbye to the old crew.
I appreciate those who are sticking with us through all this! I am thankful for everyone who gave me encouragement to keep going, albeit differently. ♥
Thank you to our friends at Brian’s Home for hosting the Thankful Thursday blog hop. Please visit them and other blogs through the links below.
Love the stories on your blog. We have a small ranch and our dogs are part of the pack…they think they’re helping most of the time. They certainly make life interesting. 🙂
I love your plan! I’ve been off the charts busy so I failed to notice this post. I love it!
Thank you! Now fingers crossed it works! 🙂
That sounds like a great idea. Hoping all the transitions to the new blog go smoothly 🙂
xoxo,
Jenny @ Bell Fur Zoo
Thank you so much, Jenny!
xo
We look forward to getting a notice when you change your blog URL or whatever you end up doing. We wish you all the best, and we hope to see all the fun things going ion at your farm and store, esp Luke and all the other creatures!
I’m already saving up some stories to share! 🙂
Congratulations on finding your new focus. I hope the transition goes smoothly and I’ll be looking forward to seeing Luke more on Twitter.
Thank you! Twitter should be fun, and something different for us. Just hope I can keep up – some of those pets on Twitter post A LOT! 🙂
I love that you’ve worked out a plan and have a direction, and have all the fun creative thoughts to go along with the vision you have, I know it’ll be wonderful, and just know I’m cheering you on! ❤️!
Thank you, Kim!! ♥
Glad that you continue blogging!
Thank you!!
I am glad you came up with a way to still blog. 🙂
Thank you, Ellen!
I think it’s a great plan you have! But I do hope you’ll keep us updated on Luke and the chickens and things around the farm too.
I definitely will!!
It’s a great idea! I keep hoping for some more photos and updates on your shop, so this is a perfect solution! Make sure you give us all a heads-up, for me if you could do a post on The Cat Blogosphere, that is something I rarely miss, if not shoot me an email when you do your first post: catmom@catscue.com. Good luck and have fun!
OK, will do, and thank you!!
We’ll follow you no matter what you call yourselves. 😊 Good luck with the transitioning. Sending good thoughts your way that the process is simple, easy and your original content remains in perpetuity. 🤞🏼
I’m definitely going to need lots of luck, that’s for sure, so thank you!!!
we are glad that you are back and we love your farm stories… specially about the guinea hens ;o) Luke that is a mighty fine picture for twitter, that’s super fabulous to ponder what you were thinking that moment as your mom took the photo ;O)
I never know what he’s thinking! LOL (well, I do know when he’s thinking “I want a treat…” but that’s too easy because it’s all the time!!)
We’ll have some more guinea hen stories for sure, they have been keeping us on our toes!
It does sound like fun! I love reading your stories about the farm and farm life. I’m glad you decided to keep writing a blog.
Thank you, Theresa!!
That all sounds very exciting and we’re happy you decided on the purrfect direction for what is next! Thanks for joining our Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
You’re welcome, of course! ♥
You’re very busy. Good for you. Blogging can take up a lot of time. I know only to well.
I do like getting my Luke fix though and keep taking pictures of Luke. I know how precious all our shots of Little Bit are. It’s wonderful remembrances of fun times we had together.
Have a fabulous day. Smooches to Luke. ♥
There will definitely be photos of Luke, and I’ll be sharing them! Thank you!
I’m so glad you have your direction figured out. That is a huge stress relief for you, I’m sure. I know I get frustrated when a store or business doesn’t have a website. Even a simple one with hours and basic info is all I am looking for much of the time. Your new site will work well for you, I just know it. We will miss this site but blogging has changed and we have to adapt. Good luck on your new website adventure.
Thank you, and thank you so much for your help through my thinking process!
It’s so nice to have a plan and a direction and we are so happy for you! We don’t tweet so we do hope that we get to see Luke now and again.
You definitely will!!
Hey, that’s great! I’m glad you’ve figured out what you want to do about the blog, etc. And I’ll be here watching from the sidelines and cheering you on. Yes, life does change things around on us, and Wag n Woof Pets needs to “retire”. (Just like my own “My Golden Life”.) I’m not a Twitter fan – I rarely use my account for anything other than sharing posts from my favorite blogs – but once Luke’s page is set up, I’ll be sure to follow it.
Thank you, Sue! Don’t worry, Luke has no interest in politics, so his page will be a-political. LOL
👍❤️