It was actually a surprise to me, when looking back through old posts with the thought of doing a “Wayback Wordless Wednesday” photo to realize that today is our 7th Blogiversary! I wrote my “Welcome” post on August 21, 2012 but didn’t write my first real post of substance until that September 1st.
We’ve come a long way since then. My first post was more political, about animal testing and shopping cruelty free. I rarely write on political topics anymore, the blog slowly evolved into something far more personal about our lives than I originally intended, which turned out to be my passion. I also enjoy sharing informative posts on topics that are important to me, or that I feel I know enough about to write intelligently on (I enjoy doing research to gain that education too).
I had high hopes of making money at blogging, but the truth is, I’ve kind of given up on that at this point. Especially since BlogPaws and the connections they provided are gone, I don’t get a lot of paid opportunities like that anymore. I’m fine with that. I use the blog to promote my own products and store, though the success of that is still pending! I enjoy doing product reviews and giveaways when we can, and that’s good enough for me right now.
We are on our second logo and tagline, and have gone from a pet family with four dogs and two cats, to a small farm with one dog and a whole lot of birds – chickens and guinea hens. I’m beyond pleased that so many readers have followed along and stuck with us through all these changes.
We’ve made many friends, other bloggers and readers, mostly virtual, along the way. Many have come and gone, sadly. But each brought something to our lives for the time they were here, often providing inspiration and support. We have seen way too many losses of pets, our own and those close to us through the joys of the internet. Those losses are not a joy of blogging, but it is a part of having pets in our lives. The support received when one of those losses happens is amazing.
However, I can’t tell you how many times over these seven years I’ve thought of giving it up. Mostly that was driven by feeling a lack of success, especially financially. More recently, it’s maybe been a lack of inspiration (probably due to a lack of pets), or mostly time. Occasionally it’s the technical difficulties that frustrate as well!
In the end, I usually find my inspiration, give myself a break if I’m lacking time, and find myself unable to give up. I enjoy writing, and I enjoy sharing our lives. I’m an introvert, so talking to people about myself is simply not something I do a lot. I don’t always find people “in real life” who I feel I relate well too (other than family and close friends), or who I feel like understand me or find my simple life interesting. But I can sit down and write about it, and then I discover there are people out there who are interested!
Mostly it’s those friendships made along the way that keep me going. But it’s also that this blog is a diary of my life with pets, and since things have changed, so much, over these years, having all these photos and stories of my past pets is very important to me. It would never be given up lightly, so I have a feeling I’ll be at it for many more years to come, even though it sometimes seems as if the blogging world is changing a lot. I’m not sure there are a lot of us left who are more storytellers rather than places to go simply for information.
I’ve always thought blogging would be a great hobby for when I someday retire. I wonder what life will be like then? I hope you’ll still be here to find out. ♥
*Speaking of giveaways, we have one going on right now! Be sure to click here to learn more and enter to win!
Happy Blogging to you! I didn’t really “get” blogging when I began in 2006
I just basically entertained myself- for quite some time- there are times where
family stuff will take precedence-so when I can blog I do- when it’s too busy I don’t.
It’s fun reading other’s blogs for sure! Cheers!
I think you have the right idea to keep blogging enjoyable! It sure has changed a lot since 2006 though, hasn’t it?
I’ve been blogging since January 2012 and I still wonder about the bloggers that I liked so much that just simply stopped one day, no explanation. It makes me sad. I also see the blogosphere as a way to connect as an introvert. I know how to talk to people, but it is so much easier to write – where I choose my words more carefully. Keep up the good work!
I am 100% with you on the introvert thing. I also feel sad when bloggers just disappear. If I ever go, I would definitely give an explanation and at least say goodbye.
Wow seven years already. I love what your blog has become. I love the birds!! Glad you stuck it out!
I’m so glad you enjoy our birds!! I am so happy you are still going as well! ♥
Wow! Seven years flew by, didn’t it? I love how your blog has grown and it is such fun learning how you manage your little farm. I’ve thought of stopping because we are so busy these days but I know I’d miss it and all of my friends. It’d be nice to make more money at it though.
It sure did! Thank you, and I’m so glad you enjoy our farm stories. I’m glad you still find time for yours as well, though it would be easier to justify our time if we could make more money at it! I suppose that’s one of the reasons I’ve considered stopping too – feeling like I should spend more time on more productive pursuits!
Happy 7th Blogiversary!!! It is a wonderful blog, always has been. It gives you some purpose, and an outlet for your dream of writing and if that weren’t enough, it gives other people pleasure and has made both sides friends to share the joys and hardships of life with any kind of animals or birds. Congrats and hugs!
Thank you, Lynn, to one of my original fans and followers! Love you!
Congrats on your 7th Blogoversary! We have really enjoyed watching life on your farm!
Thank you! We’re so glad to count you amongst our blog friends!! ♥
Happy 7th Blogiversary! I always enjoy your posts. Here’s to many more years! XO
Thank you, Ellen! I sure hope we can get to meet in person someday. I just need things to settle down so I can plan a trip down that way!
Happy Blogiversary! It’s amazing how time flies.
I can second the value of my online friendships. I’ve been fortunate to have met a number of my blogging friends IRL. And I have yet to discover anyone who wasn’t even more interesting and wonderful in reality than they were online.
I hope you’ll continue to write as the spirit moves you.
I am so happy that we got to meet, Pamela. It really is special to have those in-person meetings, especially with someone who has been along for almost the whole ride. ♥
Happy Blogoversary to you! We’ve enjoying visiting and reading your blog these past 7 years. Here’s to 7 more…and even more!!
We are so happy that you are some of our long-time friends, that we got to meet in person, and that you are still going strong as well!
Happy Blogoversary indeed ! And many more !
Thank you so much, Mary, for being one of our best followers!!
Happy Blogoversary from all of us, we always look forward to your blog posts are really enjoy your farm life stories!
We are so glad to count you and your family among our best friends, followers, and supporters. Plus it was so awesome to get to meet your Dad at BlogPaws too!
Happy 7th Blogiversary
Thank you, Crystal, and especially for following us!!
♪♪Happy Blogiversary to you,♪♪
♪♪Happy Blogiversary to you,♪♪
♪♪Happy Blogiversary Dear Wag ‘n Wolf Pets,♪♪
♪♪Happy Blogiversary to you.♪♪
Have a fabulous 7th Blogiversary. Scritches to Luke. ♥
Thank you from both of us!! ♥♥♥
Happy Happy 7th Blogoversary!!! I think when you changed the direction of your blog to focusing on life on your farm with your babies, that is when you REALLY found your niche and when the blog REALLY came into it’s own. I think the farm slant was brilliant and perfect because it is something you are extremely knowledgeable about and you have a passion for.
Don’t feel bad about not making much money on the blog, I have NEVER made a lot…but I have to say that 2018 and 2019 were my WORST years ever with paid opportunities. I didn’t always do the BlogPaws paid campaigns, but what IS hitting ALL OF US is that brands that used to work with bloggers are now all on Chewy.com and they no longer need us. Instagram seems to be the way to go for paid opportunities and I just don’t have the time/patience to work on Instagram like that.
We are approaching our 10th blogoversary (for Cody, Dakota is more like 9 years or 8 years)……..and with both pets getting older and with Dakota having issues, now I just blog when the mood hits. I enjoy doing it that way because it is completely without pressure/obligation.
I am thrilled that you entered our lives, along with a number of other bloggers……..it is people like you who make it worthwhile.
I LOVE your blog and think you are doing an amazing job!
Happy Blogoversary!!!
Thank you SO much for your kind words, Caren. You are one of our longtime friends and have given us so much support along the way. You have helped us to keep going.
I’m glad you have found something that works for you so that you are still going too. ♥
Happy Blogoversary! So happy to have come across your ‘wagnificent’ blog. You’ve inspired me and given me lots to ponder in this platform. Like you, there have been disappointments when it comes to financial rewards, but the kindness pet bloggers offer daily inspires us to continue. Looking forward to many more years of happy dog and bird posts from you! 🤗
Thank you! I’m so glad we found each other along the way!
Happy Blogaversary!!!
Thank you, Edie!
Happy Blogiversary! I am so glad you didn’t give up. I read your stories everday and enjoy them. Thank you for writiing them.
It is readers like you and your kind comments that encourage me to keep going! Thank you so much. ♥
Happy Blogiversary my Friend!!!! I’m so glad you’ve never given up – and I hope you never do! (I haven’t really given up myself. I just don’t have much time on my hands these days.) I don’t know what I’d do without my online friend, my personal dog-cookie chef, my “sister from a different mister”! And, as Madison says, I enjoy coming to your blog to see what’s happening at the farm! Our current only dogs are so similar in many ways – it’s fun giving them voices to say hello to each other in our text messages
Even though you are not blogging as much right now, I’m glad we can still find other ways to keep in touch! ♥♥♥
Happy Blogiversary! It seems like your blog is evolving with you, and that’s awesome! BlogPaws was an amazing group of people, pets, and provided a lot of resources and sponsorship opportunities.
It is sad they are gone, but I’m glad we can keep going without them. ♥
happy Blogoversary!!! and what things have we seen and heard all together in 7 years… it’s a little bittersweet feeling because the first thought is for those who are no longer with us… but we are glad that you shared a part of your life with us…
It is sad, so many we’ve lost along the way, but we are so glad we found each other and that you are still going strong as well! ♥
Congratulations on a lucky 7 years. Emma started our blog as a hobby, then we found BlogPaws and made money, did lots of paid posts, but now we are back to the hobby thing too. Hopefully you will continue to find inspiration and keep on blogging. We enjoy coming to your blog to see what is up on the farm.
You are one of the long-time, wonderful friends who we are glad is still going too!! We’re kind of in the same boat, I think, and I’m glad we can keep the traditional pet blogging going! We love following all of your training and accomplishments.
Happy 7th Blogiversary! We LOVE your blog!
Thank you so much!! ♥
Happy Blogoversary! Congrats!!
Thank you!!