I’d have to say that our BlogPaws 2015 conference road trip was a complete success! We had a safe trip getting there, and a safe trip home. Everything in between was a blast!
My friend Sheryl traveled with me and our second day of sight seeing was a trip to the Hermitage, the final home of President Andrew Jackson. History has always been one of my favorite subjects, and I even learned a lot that I didn’t know. The first things I didn’t know were that he had a scandalous and somewhat tragic marriage, and a home within 15 minutes of Nashville! We had a walk around the beautiful grounds, a tour of the mansion, and then a horse drawn carriage ride around the slave plantation. If you love history and are in that area, I highly recommend a visit there.
Once sight seeing was over and the conference began, it was a whirlwind of activity for me (while Sheryl, who is a pet lover, relaxed by the pool, read, went shopping, and of course met lots of pets!). From highly entertaining keynote speeches by the hilarious Peter Shankman (author, speaker, customer service and P/R consultant), to educational classes where I learned so much, to delicious meals, to learning more about many familiar and new brands and products, there was never a dull moment. I learned more about writing, Facebook, Pinterest, and time management (who doesn’t need to be better at that?). The best part, however, was meeting blog friends I only knew online, human and furry, not to mention a whole lot of new friends that I didn’t know at all, until now.
Clockwise from top left: Sandra from Dolly the Doxie, Joy from MyGBGVLife, and me; Vivian Mayer, Julie Buzby DVM, me; me and Sandra with Dolly, then me with Kevin and Rachel, Harley and Charlie from My Dog Likes (I spent a lot of time petting those two golden retrievers!).
It was all I expected it to be and more. Did I mention that BlogPaws is not just about dogs and cats? Here’s just a sampling of some of the animals we saw there!
Above left: Ducklings at the Jones Natural Chews booth. Top to bottom: Luna from Beagles and Bargains; Winnie the hamster from Emmy the Petsitter; a Ragdoll kitty in the Cat Style Lounge; and some pigs whose names I did not get!
The weekend was topped off with a lovely dinner and the BlogPaws Nose-to-Nose blogging awards ceremony, where I got to see some friends, old and new, win well deserved awards (though not all that I wanted to won, but I guess that’s how awards go). Before we knew it, we were back on the road home. The drive home was long and rainy, but the important thing was that it was safe and there were some pretty happy dogs here when I got home (Luke especially showered me with more kisses than you can imagine). They were also pretty impressed with all the “swag” I brought home for them. There were so many generous companies at the conference. I need to go through everything we got and see what we’ll keep, what I’ll give away to family and friends, and the rest will go to our local shelter or be given away here on the blog. We’ll be sharing about some of those products with you over the next few weeks too.
Now it’s time to take a deep breath and try to get caught up on everything. I look forward to getting back to visit my blog friends online, especially those that I didn’t get to meet at the conference…I’ve missed them!
Now, if you didn’t know that June is Multiple Pets Mania month, then you need to read all about it by clicking here. We are co-hosting with our friends the Cascadian Nomads and MyGBGVLife. There are reviews, giveaways, and a photo contest. You can enter the first giveaway for a $50 gift certificate to a fun online pet gift store, just click here (first giveaway is open through next Monday). Also be sure to fill out our Multiple Pets Survey.
We also have another fun unrelated announcement on Friday, don’t miss it!
Thank you to BlogPaws for a special linky party blog hop for conference posts….it runs all month. If you didn’t attend the conference you can still write a post about why you blog and how BlogPaws can help you grow. Please visit other blogs through the links below to see more conference fun!
It was good to meet you IRL and I’m glad you had a safe trip home. I stayed until Monday morning and Sunday we went and visited Bell Meade a civil war mansion. It was very interesting, but I think I would have liked Andrew Jackson’s home more as at least I have an idea of who he is. The history/title of Bell Meade was very complicated. 🙂
I had a good welcome home but then after about the first hour, it was business as usual. LOL
It’s like we never left….right back to reality, right? 🙂
It was great to meet you too, Jodi! We actually almost went to Bell Meade, we were trying to decide between that and Hermitage and ended up picking Hermitage because it was a bit closer (we’d had enough of driving by that point…ha ha).
What great photos! From what we’ve seen this was one of the bestest Blogpaws conferences EVER. So happy you had fun and got to meet so many blog buddies. I’ve seen that the swag bag had some AMAZING and nommy things in it!
Hugs, Sammy
Blog paws looked so fun! I hope I can go sometime!
You definitely have to experience it, Lauren, hope you can one day too!
This sounds as fantastic as I was hoping for you, more actually, so happy for you! And glad Sheryl had some fun and some well deserved relaxing time as well! So much, but one thing I need to hear more about are those “Ragdoll” kitties?? So cute! Also have to comment that the pic of Sheryl with the fluffie dog-he/she looks like a cross between Bear and Shadow, what do you think?!
Oh yes, you would love the fluffy dogs, Lynn, believe it or not they are quite a bit bigger than Bear was though (I thought he was a big guy)!
I’m hoping to write a post about the Ragdoll kitties….they are such an interesting breed.
Jan, it was so nice to meet you and Sheryl! Harley and Charlie really appreciated all the attention and extra lovin’ that you provided!
We need to plan some sort of fun collaboration soon!!
I just couldn’t get enough of those two sweeties! 🙂
We definitely need to come up with something to collaborate on…I love that idea!
Ducklings, how cute! I hope to see you at my fist BlogPaws next year in Phoenix!
Looks like a great time! (I went along with the hubs years ago when he went to a conference in Nashville, and I very much enjoyed the tour I took by myself of the Hermitage. Very interesting!)
Fun! I’d love to go sometime. What a wide assortment of animals!
I am glad that you had a safe trip and a wonderful time.
So fun! Lucky you getting to meet everyone. 🙂 I watched Pawject Runway and the awards live stream and it was fun seeing everyone.
JanK so glad you had a wonderful time. Love all the photo’s too! Get some rest, I know you’re exhausted.
Thanks for sharing all those pix, from both your visit to Andy Jackson’s final home AND BlogPaws!!
I, too, love history! If you have time, get a copy of “The American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House”. He was quite a character! I think you’d enjoy it.
I’ll add that to my reading list….I’d love to learn more about him now.
Whirlwind is the best way to put it! I was so tired when I got in. Looking at all of the photos after an event is always so fun.
Thanks for sharing your pictures from BlogPaws. It looks like a wonderful event and hopefully I’ll get to meet you at next year’s conference.
It is a whirlwind isn’t it? So much anticipation and then boom, it’s over. Hope you had a great time and it was worthwhile for you. We are already planning for Phoenix!
It was definitely worthwhile for me, and I’m so happy I went!
Thanks for sharing your experiences since we couldn’t move Nashville closer to California.
Thanks for sharing your pictures for all of us that couldn’t make it there this year. It looks like everyone had a fantastic weekend!
I am realizing all of the pictures that I didn’t get taken and one with you is top on the list! How did I let that happen?
I know, I meant to do that too! I also missed saying goodbye Saturday night…I was so tired I don’t think I was thinking straight! 🙂 Please thank Skip again for me for the Photoshop tutorial…I put that right to use…I was able to figure out, because of the few things he taught me, how to fix Cricket’s eyes in the photo in this post…there were huge yellow reflections in her eyes before! He should consider teaching a class next year! 🙂
what a totally pawesome recap!!!!! I am beyond bummed that I had to cancel and didn’t get to meet you! I bought Peter’s book and can’t wait to take it with me when I head to New England next week!
Thanks, Caren, I’m glad you enjoyed the recap. I am also so bummed you didn’t make it (and that you didn’t win your award). You are headed to New England? That’s my neck of the woods you know (but I doubt you’re coming far enough North for me 🙂
you are most welcome! Thanks much about the award…it’s all good! We didn’t expect to win but are quite honored that we were one of the finalists.
Yep, I am coming to Provincetown (Truro Island)…June 11 thru the 14th….”Girl’s cousins weekend” for those of us over 50 lol…husbands are all staying home! Thank goodness!
It was a blast! Thanks for inviting me on the trip! 🙂
Thank you so much for coming with me and for all the driving!!
Looks like you had a great time! Glad you shared your photos with us. So many cute furry friends. I bet it was really interesting meeting people that you’ve only previously spoken to online! It’s hard to put a face to people you don’t really know. Thanks for sharing!
I am so glad that your trip there and back was safe and it looks like you had a spectacular time. I loved Peter Shankman and was so glad that I was able to hear him speak. I look forward to going to the conference longer next year so that I can spend more time getting to know everybody!
There is definitely not enough time for everything…there’s so much going on!
The mom was thrilled to be able to meet you at BlogPaws. She’s glad you enjoyed your first one…they only get better, she says!
I was so happy to meet your Mom too. I think it’s difficult being a “newbie” and not knowing exactly what to expect. I think that it will definitely be easier in future years.
Wow, it looks like you guys had so much fun!!! Thanks for sharing your trip with us 🙂
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Looks like you had a blast. It’s always a good time.
thanks for a wonderful post about your adventure… and for all the photos, it’s great to see the people behind the blogs :o) … and I totally love the piggies :o)
What a great stop along your way beautiful pictures. Glad you had a great time. Glad also you got your winnings from my giveaway. You are so very welcome. Loosing a animal is always hard so I’m glad you could find some comfort in my candle. The flowers you pick and plant for Conrad will be beautiful in your memory garden.
Oh, and the jar too!! I didn’t even see the “Wag n Woof” on it at first! Thank you so much for that personal touch…it’s going to look so good on the kitchen counter, I love it. The dogs love those blueberry muffin treats too!
I’m glad you had a good time. I’d love to be able to go and meet some of my blogging pals!