Today is not technically our blogiversary, but I couldn’t let this one go by without acknowledging it! The blog went live on August 21st, 2012 with a “Welcome”, but my first real post wasn’t until September 1st . Tomorrow is someone’s birthday, so I wanted to do this post today so I could focus on Miss Cricket on her special day.
Today is our 615th post! I started out with 2-3 posts per week, but after about three months upped it to four (now we do 5-6). I hit it hard my second month in by writing a series on puppy mills, which had 6 parts in about a month. I think that burnt me out on the more serious animal welfare posts, I was sad by the end of that series though I had intended to go further. At that point I shifted gears to mostly fun and personal posts and that’s where I’ve stayed. I do still like to do some animal welfare posts, but I learned that just wasn’t my strong suit, and also that that might not be what my readers were looking for (all the time). Most people don’t want to be overwhelmed with sad topics, even though we do need to make people aware. My thought is that for the most part, if you’re writing a pet blog, you’re preaching to the choir anyway.
Now we focus more on fun, fitness, product reviews, and health. Since Luke came along we do a lot more training and that’s become a common topic for us too. I think we’ve found where we want to be.
I waffle back and forth as to whether I feel I’m successful at this, but that’s my personality and I don’t want to focus on that today. Other than the times I feel overwhelmed with the social media and marketing aspects of it all, I am still enjoying this and I think I’ve found a pretty good balance of how blogging fits into my life. I won’t go on and on about that….my blog is “for the love of pets” and I prefer to focus on them, not me.
When I started the blog we had four dogs and two cats. Now, just three years later, we are down to three dogs and one cat, and we added one dog in that time. It seems like a lot to have lost three pets in just three years, not an average I want to continue. In the beginning Moses, Kobi, and Conrad were big parts of the blog and each one is sorely missed. But the current “crew” (seen in the upper right sidebar) keeps us busy and happy!
In spite of Luke’s “issues” (reactivity) he has added a lot to our family, and one thing I love about having the blog is that what he’s added shines through here. In reality, Luke is fearful of strangers; but the most loving, smart, and wonderful dog with us. You couldn’t come to our house and have him accept you immediately, but through the blog I can show you his loving side. That is such a plus for me! The most difficult thing I find about having a reactive dog is that everyone in my life doesn’t see the wonderful dog he is – they only see a barking, fearful dog. We continue to work on his issues and hope to report big improvements someday.
This year was the first year that I attended the BlogPaws pet blogging conference and I definitely feel like that has helped me immensely, and was a great experience. It made me feel like I’ve become far more serious about this. Plus it was just so much fun to meet many people (and pets) that I only knew online (though I still have a lot more to meet yet!). My hubby was fond in the past of telling me that online friends weren’t “real” but he hasn’t said that since I went to the conference!
Photos weren’t the highlight of my blog when I started, but I’ve tried to improve my photography and part of the reason I re-did my blog this last year was to highlight photos better. So for my third blogiversary, I have bought myself a gift: a new DSLR camera! With help of friends in the Pet Blogger Support Group on Facebook and my brother-in-law (a part time professional photographer), I have a Nikon D5500 on its way and hope to have it this week! My regular readers have seen me lamenting my camera and photography, especially when we do the #52Snapshots of Life photo challenge. I just hope my problems turn out to be the equipment and not the operator!
The camera is also a gift to the dogs and Sam who are probably tired of me trying to get them to sit still while my old, slower than death DSLR tries to focus or flash, and listening to the common curse “stupid piece of junk camera!” (I G-rated that for the blog) while using it; and while sitting at the computer and being disappointed with the photos that appear in front of me (why do they look good on the camera or phone, but so crappy on the computer?). Luke has this sweet way of coming running over to kiss me when I’m at my computer swearing, whether it’s photos or just computer stuff irritating me. Again, his very sweet side.
OK, I’ve rambled on enough! This has been my way of saying “Happy 3rd Blogiversary” to the crew, and I hope we have many more! Most importantly, I want to thank everyone who has followed us from the very beginning (mostly family and close friends) and those who have become our friends along the way….we couldn’t do it without you!
Rainbow Photo credit: Infomastern / Foter / CC BY-SA
Happy Blogiversary. You can’t tell by how I seem to be always behind, but I do enjoy your blog a lot. I think your mix of topics is great. If I am being honest, I get bored to death of the general topic blogs. How many times can your read the 10 ways to blah, blah, blah? I know they generate traffic but for me it is zzzzzz. I like the personal mixed in with the informative. I cannot wait to see the pics you take with your new camera. I have always enjoyed them. 🙂
Thank you so much, Linda. I know what it’s like to be behind, since I often am myself (most of the time, actually). I am glad that you enjoy my blog topics, and I think you have achieved that same balance on your blog as well….which is also my preference for reading.
I’ve been playing with the new camera a bit, but there’s a lot to learn, so it might be a while before my photos actually get better…LOL.
Happy 3rd bloganniversary. You are doing a fabulous job and I love hanging out on your blog. I hope you have many more years of success.
Congratulations Jan (and the crew)! You’ve done an amazing job. Three years is quite an accomplishment and I’m so happy to have been along for part of the ride.
I’m also glad you found what it is that you want to write about, that is half the battle, once you have that down, there is nothing to stop you!!
I’m so thrilled to meet people in person (and their pups too) and it was delightful meeting you in Nashville.
Likewise, Jodi! I appreciate your support and am so glad to have you for a friend!
Congratulations Auntie Jan, we’ve had fun seeing ourselves in your blog sometimes. Love, Trixie and Susie
Maybe I can be in there someday, mom likes to take my picture.
Love, Jack
Congratulations sis, I love you!
Thanks, girls, and Jack! I did try getting a couple of pictures of Jack when we were up there….but he didn’t really want to hold still long enough! LOL
Congratulations on this huge milestone. Your three year tract and ours are so similar with the number of days we have posts to the photography and the way our blog has changed during the three years. We and Mom wish you many more happy years of blogging with less pet loss. XOCK, Lilly Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Thank you so much! That is cool that we’ve been on the same tract! It seems I know of at least a handful of us that started around the same time. Maybe we should join together and do a big blog hop/giveaway for our 5th year!
Happy blogiversary! A new camera sounds very exciting–the end of my car payments is finally in sight, so I’m hoping that’s something I’m able to invest in within the next year or so, too 🙂
Congrats my friend..what a great post..yes it is unfair when we seem to lose many pets in a short time..we went through this with 2 sheep and 2 cats in short succession and it was horrid…i agree you do preach to the converted..animal welfare is paramount but the same readers who feel the same way really do all do what they can and it can be terribly soul destroying..Luke may have challenges but we have had the same with Forrest..he has for 12 years been a one dog boy..and that is it..no matter what we try..he loves Doc..loves humans…loves our cats but goes troppo at the sight of another dog..a long long story but like you i can show what a sweet dog he is and he can have fun with other dogs virtually even if he cannot cope with them in real life..and as for the camera yay! my little sister just got this model and is learning to love it..i look forward to the shots you take…and keep on blogging 🙂 hugs and loves Bev xxx
Thank you so much, Bev, especially for your understanding about Luke. It helps a lot knowing others have dogs with similar issues.
Your wonderful photos are one thing that always inspire me to do more and better with my photography.
xxoo
What a sweet thing to say 🙂 and yes i totally get Luke..i have in fact a soft spot for the pooches that have issues..and my vet once said..’You know what some dogs just do not like other dogs’ and i have to say i do not always care for others of my species either 🙂 hugs Bev xx
Happy Blogversary! We aren’t even sure if we would have found you if it wasn’t for you commenting on my blog regularly which we are so grateful for. I like that you have realized what is your strong suit, it is so important to stay true to your voice (advice I get regularly). We started following you after Luke’s arrival and we just love him and believe it or not it’s so hard for readers to go through with you losing your beloved pets. Our blogversary is just a few weeks away too can’t believe it will be 3 years for us, how fun that we started at almost the same time. Love Dolly
I love that we started around the same time too, and I’m so glad that I found you and your Lady! Some blog friends have come and gone over the three years but the ones that have stuck around, and been there for the tough times, are the best. xxoo
Happy Blogiversary! Wow, how time flies! Blogging is a lot of work! Congratulations on your new camera too! I bet that you will love it!
Happy Blogoversary! Here’s to many more years of blogging. 🙂
congrats on 3 years keep it up 🙂
Happy blogoversary!!! Gosh, I hear you on Luke and his reactivity when he’s afraid. Rita is the same. Such a good, sweet girl with us but reactive to strangers. It’s nice to share her sweet side via the blog, just like you share Luke’s.
And happy early bday to Crickett!!
Happy Blogiversary!!!! Here’s to many more!!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Happy blogiversary. We love to read you and hope you continue to have enthusiasm for writing. I get sad when I see how many bloggers i have enjoyed who have dropped by the wayside or gone to the dark side (Facebook) exclusively.
I agree, jan, as I was perusing some old posts I saw a few comments by bloggers that are now gone, and it is sad. Now you were one of my first commenters and I really appreciate that you have stuck with me all this time! I also think that your blog was one of the first dog blogs I found too.
Happy third blogiversary! Doesn’t the time just fly by when you’re having a great time? I look forward to many more years of fun!
Happy Blogiverarsary! 3 Years is quite a landmark.
I disagree with your husband that online friends aren’t “real.” Meeting some of my dog blogger friends at BlogPaws only confirmed what I already knew about them.
And it’s also fun to become friends with people through our common love of animals without caring about differences in politics, religion, education etc. It’s opened my world to become friends with people who are very different from me (except in our shared love of dogs).
I also love “meeting” reactive dogs like Luke through the blog. I adore him so much that if I ever found myself passing you on a walk, I’d move aside to give him space. And be happy that I got to know him from where he feels the best–at home with the ones he loves.
Thank you, Pamela, for all of your support these three years. You were one of my first blog friends, and your Gift Exchange went a long way towards helping me really get things going, and making even more online friends (who are definitely real!).
Other than some close family and friends, I don’t have many other dog loving friends close by, and a lot of people I know don’t “get it” (my bosses at work for one).
I especially appreciate your kind words about Luke, and how much you understand him!
Happy, Happy Blogiversary!! Glad your hubby has stopped saying “online friends aren’t real”!! If Sam ever said that to me, we’d probably be divorced! I treasure my online friends, you included! We all understand each other’s devotion to our furry, feathered, or otherwise non-human family members. And we surround each other with love when our “babies” are sick or go to the Rainbow Bridge.
Thank you, Sue, and I totally agree about online friends. There is no better support group out there for our sad times. One of my sisters always comments on how great all my blog friends are when we’ve had a loss or an illness. I’m so glad we can be here for each other, and to feel each other’s pain, and share in joys as well. I hope you’ll be back to having more joyful times soon.
Horray…Those are great milestones. Congrats. And as long as it’s fun, keep at it!!
Happy Blogaversary! That’s an accomplishment
Lily & Edward
Happy Happy Blogoversary :o) and it’s great that you bought such a fabulous gift, that means we will see a lot of photos of the wag’n woof crew :O) I sometimes can’t believe how much things happened during the last 3 years (I started 2012 too) when I search for a picture what I used “some weeks ago” then I’m totally surprised when I find it in a folder from 2013 :o)
Oh, I didn’t know you started around the same time as us…cool! Oh, I know, I’m constantly looking for a photo I swore I “just saw” and find out it was from years ago. Or when I was looking for Cricket’s puppy photos, I found out I had already used most of them on the blog already, on her last birthdays!
Congratulations on reaching an awesome milestone! And on that new camera. My dogs hate it when I curse and come running to comfort me (and it almost always happens when I’m on the computer – lol)
I do most of cursing when I’m on the computer too. I guess I have very little patience, since I’m always complaining about everything being slow…LOL!
Happy blogiversary! I went in the opposite direction from you as to the number of posts I can put up – I started with daily posts, moved to 2-3 times a week, and now I’m lucky if I can find time for one a week! Our whole purpose in blogging about Daisy was to create a journal of her life and her silliness so we would have a record with images forever. But it’s turned into so much more with all the online friends we’ve met who have had such a positive impact on us all. It’s really a great community. 🙂
It is an awesome community, isn’t it? I had no idea when I started that I would make so many great online friends!
Aww great story. Your pictures look good too.
Happy Blogiversary! Thanks for sharing your pets, experience and life with us!
We love YOU, your blog and are thrilled with your accomplishments!
A new camera YESSSSS!! (I still use my trusty iPhone6…ugh!!)
Wishing you many, many more years of blogging fun!!! Happy Happy Blogoversary!
xoxo
DakotasDen
Thank you SO much, Caren!!! You have been with us for a long time, very close to the beginning, and I consider you one of my first and best blog friends. (now we just need to meet in person someday, I was bummed when you didn’t make it to BlogPaws this year). Thank you for all your support!! xxoo
Happy 3rd Blogiversary to you & your crew! I hear you as far as pictures are concerned ~ I just hit the 1 year blogging mark and am still using my iPhone. A new, “real” camera is currently not in the budget, but will be some day.
I’ve been wanting the new camera for quite a while now, and held off because of the money. They’re expensive! I imagine your iphone takes pretty good photos compared to my Android, and you’ll know when the time is right to take the plunge and go for it!
Congratulations! I guess we have been following you for much of the three years as we remember a lot of the things you mention. Congrats on the new camera too, you will love it! We are looking forward to upgrading to a 5000 or 7000 series Nikon in the fall. We love our 3100, but it is time to upgrade. Can’t wait to see your photos!
Thank you, Emma! You are definitely one of our long time followers and we appreciate your support and help so much.
I’m looking forward to getting my hands on that new camera, but I imagine it will take me a while to learn everything. I told my hubby I’d keep the old Pentax close by just in case, for a little while anyway!
Happy Blogaversary no matter WHEN it is!!! We love your blog and your friendship and hope both go on and on and on and – – – well you get the idea! Blogging is a continual work in progress – finding what works, what feels right, what is important and it’s unique for all of us. ROCK ON!
Hugs, Pam (and Sam)
Thank you, Pam and Sam! It is friends like you that keep us going on and on! xxoo