It’s once again time for the Pet Blogger Challenge hosted by Go Pet Friendly! I want to thank Amy for giving us the chance to take a look back at last year and to see where we’re at for the new year with the blog. As always, I put some cute pet photos in here too for those non-bloggers who might not be as interested in our introspection!
As I seem to do every year, I hadn’t planned on doing this challenge. Then when reading posts from other blogs, I felt more inspired to do so! It’s always good to look back and forward; though maybe sometimes I feel like the blog is stagnant and that’s why I don’t want to look too closely at things.
Here are the questions, and I hope I feel better about where I’m at when I’m done answering them!
When did you start your blog and, for anyone who is just seeing it for the first time, please provide a description of your site. Would you say your blog focuses more on sharing stories with your readers, or providing a resource for your audience? I started the blog in August of 2012. I’ve always said it’s “all things pet related” but it’s really mostly about my life with my own pets. We focus on training, health & wellness, and just the everyday cute, and sometimes frustrating, things they do! I definitely focus more on sharing stories, but I also try to provide resources for health and wellness topics that have affected our lives.
What was your proudest blogging moment of 2016? It actually is more than one moment….the times that readers reached out to me to share the stories of their own dogs’ struggle with the same condition that Luke has – luxating patellas. That’s why I write about health issues – in the hopes of helping others or at least to give them someone to relate to or talk to about what they’re going through with their own pet.
Which of your blog posts was your favorite this year and why? “Summer of Sheba”. Everything I’ve written about our golden retriever Sheba and her battle with cancer has been important; but what I love about that post is that it helped me more to focus on what was important with her – enjoying each day we have left and creating more memories that will last forever.
Year after year, one goal that we all seem to share is that we want to reach more people. What one tool did you use or action did you take this year that had the most impact on increasing traffic to your blog? I tried to make more use of SEO at times, but honestly, I’m not sure how much it helped. My numbers have not increased significantly this year.
Which of your blog posts got the most traffic this year? Have you noticed any themes across your most popular posts? “Luxating Patellas – What I’ve Learned (Part 2)” (from 2015). Yes, posts about health definitely get more traffic; or posts about interesting pet facts, such as my post “Barking About – Canine Paws & Toes”.
What blog do you find most inspirational and how has it influenced your blog? This is tough because there are so many that I read and love, and many inspire me. One of my newer favorites is Romping and Rolling in the Rockies. There are breathtaking photos of KB’s two gorgeous Labs, wildlife, and the scenery of the Colorado mountains they live in. KB rides a mountain bike – even in the winter – and also does nose work with her dogs. She was where I first heard about the courses available online at Fenzi Dog Academy. She inspires me to get outside and do more with my dogs, which leads to more things to write about on the blog!
What is one thing your readers don’t know about you or your pets that would surprise them? I have one story I’ve never told about a past pet; even though I’ve touched on the subject. The full story is something I’d like to write but it’s so deeply personal that I’m not sure I ever will.
What is something you’ve learned this year that could help other bloggers? It’s something I learned from two other bloggers that really worked for me. I post 5 days a week because I want to, but I felt like I never had a free moment. Two blogs I love, My GBGV Life and Barking from the Bayou, also post 5 days, but they went to a Monday – Friday schedule of posting. I decided to try it and it’s really worked out for me! Taking those two days off in a row really help me feel like I’m getting a break. I still do promotional things, writing, and photography on those days, but I feel a bit less obligated on Friday nights and Saturdays than I used to; and it’s been great. If things aren’t working for you and/or you’re feeling overwhelmed, try switching up your schedule in some way and it might help!
What would you like to accomplish on your blog in 2017? I’d like to find a pet food company to work with that I really believe in. We’re on a quest here at our house to get away from a strictly dry kibble diet, so we’re trying some new things. I want to land on something we really feel good about and hopefully work with one or more companies to inspire others to feed their dogs better as well.
Now it’s your turn! You have the attention of the pet blogging community – is there a question you’d like answered, or an aspect of your blog that you’d like input on? I’ve considered changing my tag line “For the Love of Pets” to something that fits a bit more with what we do now, something more specific to do with health and wellness perhaps. It would mean a lot of changes (new headers which cost money too), and I wonder if it’s worth it.
Yes, I feel better after writing this! I also wanted to mention that I sometimes forget how much this process helps me. Looking back, last year my main goal for 2016 was to write another series similar to my 2015 series on vaccinations. I wrote not one but four different series this year, so getting focused on goals does seem to be good for me!
I can relate with your uncertainty about changing your tagline. I recently took more of a wellness slant and re-branded the whole blog. You can try a new tagline and see what response you get from it. You can always change it back. 😉 Good luck to you in 2017!
Thank you! I am definitely going to take the plunge with the tagline, and now that I’ve decided I’m very excited about it. Now I just have to decide what it’s going to be….and BTW, I LOVE yours!
Happy New Year!!!
Your openness about your experience with Sheba and canine cancer has really helped me. Cancer is something that I’ve always been afraid of with regard to my dogs and what you resists, persists. Because of those posts, instead of fearing cancer, I began to look at ways that I could change my dogs’ diet to make them stronger. When my friend’s dog was diagnosed with cancer, it was a bummer, but we immediately jumped into research mode and things are turning out great for him (her dog) and I think it’s partly due to the positive energy we’re throwing at the news.
Thank you.
Thank YOU for your kind and supportive words! Knowing that I’ve helped someone in any way by sharing our story is what makes it worthwhile. Our past experiences (before Sheba) with cancer were not good at all. I expected the worst after Sheba’s diagnosis but having her fight so hard and hang in there this long will make it a bit easier in the future. I think going into research mode and doing as many positive things as we can makes it so much easier. We don’t feel so helpless in the face of such a scary diagnosis; and as you said – positive energy can really make a difference.
Happy New Year to you too!
I love reading about your three – and I’m so happy to read about your adventures with Sheba – living with aging dogs is really hard and takes an emotional toll. It’s very hard to write about but I think folks benefit from reading posts about how we feel and the layers of emotions that go with these precious relationships. I also have a special place in my heart for Cricket as my Beagle mix Sherm is my soul dog. What about Darwins? They deliver to your door and I’ve been feeding raw to my three for years – they may be a good food co. to approach? I’d love to introduce you? I’m thinking about taking a Fenzi class – are you still doing those?
I am SO interested in raw, but just not quite ready to take the plunge, if that makes any sense! I appreciate your offer to introduce me to Darwins though, and just might take you up on it at some point.
Beagles! I am hooked on the breed. We thought Luke might have beagle in him and were so excited about that (his DNA test said otherwise). I know you didn’t know us when we had our beagle Kobi either – he was such a special guy, though totally the opposite of Cricket!
You know, the truth is that I’m a person that normally keeps totally to myself; the more personal the less I open up. Having the blog to express and share the emotions through these difficult times is probably very good for me. Knowing that others can relate and that it could help them is a bonus.
Yes, I’m still doing the Fenzi classes! I haven’t decided what will be next though – Nose Works II or a reactive dog class. I want to do tracking as well, but I think I will hold that one off until spring and better weather. What are you thinking of next?
If you ever have interest in Darwins just ping me – and I love that you and I have our love of Beagles in common. 🙂 I cannot imagine life without Sherm… Fenzi has reactive classes? What?! I’m headed over there now…
I just signed up for the Management for Reactive Dogs at Fenzi! I’m excited to get started. It will be mostly for Luke and me, but Cricket has her own issues too, she’s just not as extreme as Luke. But I think sometimes he feeds off her reactivity, if you know what I mean (like barking when people come to the door). It will be good to work with both of them anyway.
Thanks so much for joining the Challenge again, Jan! Sharing your experiences with your dog’s health issues is such a wonderful mission. So many people struggle to understand their pet’s condition and how to best help them. Knowing that someone else has been there can help a lot.
If you can have it done without too much investment, I recommend changing your tagline to better match your focus. I did a redesign of my blog this year, and it gave me a big boost of energy and a new joy at being on my blog. You may find the same is true for you.
I hope that 2107 bring you many happy days with Sheba. Cancer is a terrible thief, but our dogs aren’t sad – they just keep living in the moment. They’re such wonderful teachers.
Thank you for all the encouragement, Amy!
That tagline change has been on my mind for a while, off and on, and I’m glad this challenge brought it back up again. I think it’s definitely time, and that it could have exactly the effect you suggested.
Yes, Sheba has been an amazing teacher through this cancer battle. She just keeps plugging along, without letting any of it get to her!
Very cute photos!! Thank you for sharing. Keep up the great posts! 🙂
Take care,
Bailey
Cricket is missing two shoes! 🙂
We enjoyed reading more about you, and now our interest is piqued in regards to your personal story. I just finished reading, “My Life In Dog Years” by Gary Paulsen it’s a super fast read but it’s all true stories about his life growing up and all of the different dogs in it/how they taught him different things. I bet you’d like it! *And maybe it would inspire you to share your own.*
Cricket won’t be happy with you if you encourage me to put her other two boots on as well! LOL
I will definitely check that book out, thank you! It would probably be cathartic for me to get that story out there, but I’m not sure I’m brave enough!
You know I’ve loved all your posts from the time I first read one. How long ago? This old girl is lucky she remembers anything she doesn’t write down so I couldn’t tell you. While I love Cricket and Luke dearly, there’s something special about Sheba. ???????? I wonder what that is? Hehe. I know you know.
I say do whatever you want to with the header and tag line. It’s your blog.
I think I’m going to go for it with the new tagline! I’m working on it now, but haven’t refined it quite yet. 🙂
I always try to remember when and how we “found each other”. I know it was when you wrote something about your mother, and I was so pleased to find another golden retriever lover! But I can’t remember which one of us found the other first either – LOL.
I’m glad you wrote it also I enjoyed it!
P.S.: about the story you mentioned that may be too personal to post. I took a risk and published a very personal post this past year. I was really nervous about it and almost deleted it once it was live, but now looking back, I’m glad I did it.
That is so good to know! Would you send me the link to that post? It’s possible I read it but I’ve only started following your blog closely within the last few months as well, so I may not have seen it yet. Thank you!
I am so impressed that you post five days a week! I can only manage 3 at best and often it is less than that. So, good for you! I loved Summer of Sheba! That’s when I first started following your blog and found your perspective on appreciating and enjoying all the everyday moments so inspiring!
I’m so proud of you (and my other fellow bloggers) that can post 5 days a week. That’s an amazing commitment and I’m not sure I’ll ever get to that point.
I absolutely love your health-related posts! They’re so well researched and I’ve learned so much from them. I’m glad you enjoy sharing them just as much since they’re such a valuable resource. One day, I hope you’ll decide to share that very personal post if you feel comfortable. Maybe 2017 is the year to do it?????
The fact that I only work outside the home part time helps (a lot) with keeping up that schedule. There’s no way I could if I worked 5 days per week/40 hours. I’m lucky my hubby supports me in doing this.
I’m so glad you enjoy the health-related posts. I enjoy doing research, and I always want to learn more; especially when I’m dealing with issues with my own pets.
At the least, I should probably at least get that post written – other than in my head – and that would at least get me one step closer to sharing it. Maybe this year? I think I’ll probably know when the time is right – so could be!
No matter how often you post – I am always smiling after reading your stories. Happy 2017!
Making people smile is definitely one of the reasons I want to keep doing this. Thank you, Cathy! Happy New Year!
We always enjoy visiting here. We only post 4 days a week…Sun-M-W-F and special occasions…and that works out well for us.
Staying open to special occasions…I think that’s important too. I want to stick to my schedule as much as possible, but if something comes up I also want to be flexible. One thing I don’t like about sticking to M-F is that I miss some of the Sunday hops I liked to do like the selfies; so I want to be open to doing that once in a while too, and maybe take a different day off. I don’t think it hurts. For example, I read your blog regularly, but I couldn’t have told you what your post schedule was! So no one is probably going to notice if we switch it up on occasion. 🙂
I like you’re goal from last year on writing a series post. I wrote one 2 part series last year and it ended up being 2 of my most popular posts from 2016. Regarding changing your tagline and headings I think you should move forward and make the change if the focus of your blog has changed. Here’s to a great 2017!
Thank you! Series are fun….often I’ll set out to write just one post on a subject and then find out I have so much more to say that I have to make it into a series!
I think I definitely will do that new tagline…I’m feeling inspired now, and thanks for the encouragement!
That sure was interesting and we always enjoy your posts and photos!
Nice to learn more about you. I like your blog as it is so I don’t see a need to make big changes.
Thank you, Ellen, I really appreciate your support!
Your crew definitely is well practiced at the ‘cute’ part! And we’re loving all your posts. Kudos.
Thank you so much!
You’re our second challenge to read as mom still hasn’t decided on whether or not to do the challenge. She could really use some advice on getting motivated. Seeing your blog and a few others cut back on the number of days they post makes her feel better as she can’t understand how bloggers can post things everyday and still have a life. Which she’s chosen more lately then our blog. We love the title of your blog it’s very original and stands out. But you are right about it not really describing what it’s about so its a tough decision to rebrand. Good luck! Love Dolly
I think doing the challenge could be a good exercise for your Mom to help her with getting motivated (or is at least worth a try!). We definitely can’t let our blogs take over our lives so much that we neglect other things; though I definitely consider the blog a big part of my life.
I think I have some ideas to just redo my tag line and headers that will make the title tie in better with what we do and describe it better. But why does it seem everything I want to do costs money? If only I were a graphic artist on top of everything else! LOL
I loved learning more about your blog. I think my favorite posts have been Sheba’s life lessons … she’s a beautiful girl in many, many ways. I love Cricket’s enthusiasm and Luke’s cunning too. Maybe they have lessons to share too?
That’s a good idea…Cricket and Luke definitely look at things a bit differently than Sheba! I kind of lost steam with Sheba’s because, honestly, I didn’t think she’d still be with us now. I do have a couple more in the works though. 🙂
So interesting getting to know your story
Lily & Edward
You have some great health tips here. You have such a variety of issues with your pack, and you research things to thoroughly. That’s one thing I like about your blog.
I love shyxlas and R’s posts too… to see the real wildlife and to wander with them through the rockies is 87 times better than any nature of discovery channel…
Those sunset photos of Shyla on the rock yesterday were amazing, weren’t they?! You won’t see that on TV.
I loved reading this. I don’t think I have had my blog up long enough to do a review like this now, but I look forward to getting to do this next year.
From the marketing pro in me – I think you are on the right path with changing your tagline from “For the Love of Pets” to a more specific one. There are a few sites out there dedicated: for the love of pets/animals/dogs/cats, so it’s not a particularly memorable one. I read your posts and your site frequently, but I would have had no idea what your tagline was if someone asked me.
You could make a simple change – for the health of pets, or go a whole different path, in which case I have not had enough coffee yet with which to give good suggestions.
I love the title of your site – maybe you could play off that?
Thank you for all your wonderful posts this year, I have enjoyed reading as many of them as I have had a chance to! 🙂
Thank you so much for your kind words, Molly, and your suggestions! I think I recently saw another place that used “for love of pets” and that’s what got me thinking I wanted something different!
Your suggestion to play off my title definitely has my wheels turning; I think that makes a lot of sense and I have some ideas that might work if I can narrow them down just a bit. Thank you!
We always feel a connection to your blog and you and your dogs. It’s amazing how just posting 5 days a week makes such a difference. Maybe don’t worry so much about the numbers, and focus on doing what you want to do and love to do and the numbers will follow. Unless you really are trying to grow into something big, we have found it makes the whole blog/social media thing a lot more fun.
We feel that same connection too! I guess it’s in my nature to always think I can do better, but honestly, I’m pretty happy with where I’m at. I try not to look at the numbers too much, but just can’t help myself sometimes (the truth is when I did look they were a little better than I thought). I think you are right and enjoying what we’re doing and having fun is much more important.