At some point during Emmett’s road trip, someone asked me in a totally offhanded way why I write a dog blog.
My response was something like: …… um….. it’s fun?
But, laying it all out, that isn’t entirely true.
Don’t get me wrong. Some days are super fun.
But then there are those days when I’m drawing a blank and can’t think of what to write and I don’t have a camera so I can’t just post a beautiful pic and do I have time to walk all the dogs and switch around the cats and oh my I need to do some job work to pay the bills and I’m fairly sure the dog fur is forming a giant dog fur monster in some un-swept corner of the house that will soon take over and devour us all if I don’t finally make the time to clean. And then there are the mean comments and critical emails and the spam attacks and the weird break-in attempts from IP addresses in the Ukraine and have I updated all my social accounts today?
I guess what I’m trying to say is that the out-of-the-blue question wasn’t something I ever actually considered. I just keep plugging away here, but never thought about why. Why do I do what I do?
Well, there’s this:
And this:
And miracles like this:
Lest I leave out these two:
And, yes, they’re cute and funny and do silly things. They have behavioral and health issues that have given me enough stories that I can probably keep this blog running for another 10 years on that alone.
But the biggest thing – and I’m fairly confident that this is my why – is that none of them have a voice. And it’s my job to give them a voice.
I had shaken off that why question, but with all the crap from the beginning of the week, combined with near-total-burn-out this week from work and general life overwhelm, the question kept resurfacing. And I’m grateful that it did because it reminded me of my why.
What’s your why?
Phyllis
I wrote to you in the past comparing our lives; 5 dogs, 5cats, not seeking them out, but them seeking me out, working from home, deadlines etc., etc., ding, ding, ding. Remember your post on feeding the new kitty, ding! Well today another similarity. I get such strange looks and questions as to why so many. Well, I would never choose so many, but I obviously have been chosen. And when I ask myself why I live this life. The answer is because, THEY HAVE NO VOICE.
Lara Elizabeth
Pet blogging is a tough job…but somebody has to do it to keep refreshing and reminding new bloggers like me to pick it up and stick with it!
I started blogging to chronicle my experience with Ruby’s reactivity and hopefully become a resource and comfort to others with challenging dogs, but it has become so much more than that.
It’s a celebration of the two sweet dog souls I’m privileged to share a life with, a platform for rescue and adoption advocacy, most recently the plight of street dogs in foreign countries.
It’s a way to connect with other similar-minded people or maybe even change a few minds to consider adoption, or consider changing their shopping habits or using a different training tool.
It’s a way for me to personally curate all the photos and moments that make up this crazy dog life.
Marie Lisewski
Pet blogging is fun. I write a healthy living blog for one website and a business blog for another website. I write my pet blog for sheer enjoyment. All the pets that have shared my life have had very distinct personalities. One of our current dog’s personality was “diva” from the very first.
Writing about various topics from a Diva dog’s point of view is just plain fun.
Pack Leader
Exactly. That’s exactly my reason! I’m having a very similar day – completely frustrated and irritated and wondering why I even bother… I’m glad I’m not alone in having an off day and I’m glad we both do it regardless of the hassle…
Heather Burt
That is a really great way to look at it! I sometimes wonder why I do this too… long hours doing all the things you mentioned – and for FREE! But bloggers who stick around long enough and continue to have meaningful posts do it because they WANT to, not because they’re being paid to. No matter what your blog is about, there is something deeply meaningful driving you and that is what brings readers back. Thanks for making me pause and think about the why. 🙂
Amber Keeler
I just started blogging – yesterday in fact. I’ve been sitting on ideas for a while because I didn’t want to start a blog only to post one blog and that be the end of it. Then today I go to post my first blog and Bek has already provided me with something new. I think it’ll be an interesting ride. Thanks for this post.
Leslie
I needed to read this today. Thanks for finding my why. 😉
More seriously, I have been struggling with the why blog question for some time. I don’t care to do reviews, I’m never going to be rich and famous and my dog is such an oddity that I can’t even share relevant informational content.
But I have always said I just want to tell Bella’s story. Which is, I guess, pretty darn close to giving her a voice. My messed up little stinker who would otherwise be overlooked, misunderstood or deemed unworthy deserves to have her story, her voice, shared.
Thanks for that reminder, Maggie. Hope your weekend makes up for your week.
Mary
My why has changed from when I started writing the blog. I think now, the dogs are such a big part of what we do, and the fun part of it all. I love sharing their stories, and photos. I prefer to think of myself as a lifestyle blog with fabulous dogs, rather than a dog blog. And it’s fun!
Jan K
It can get overwhelming at times, and I’ve certainly asked myself many times why I continue. The reasons I started and the reasons I continue are pretty different. I’m a better pet parent because of the blog and that’s one big reason why I continue. The blog motivates me to do more and to be a better Mom to them. I’ve always wanted to write and now I can really think of myself as a writer. Plus the friends I’ve made out here are amazing and supportive.
Great photos of your cuties, by the way, and giving them a voice is a wonderful reason to do this.
Rebekah
Those are absolutely fabulous reasons why. You’re awesome.
Ms. Smith
Pet blogging really is not an easy job. It takes a lot of time, effort, power, strength and affection. But there are things that are worth the hardwork like whenever we see our pets cuddling us, it inspires us to do our jobs, to share what they want to say (like what you said that they are not capable of speaking). I admire your passion in writing! Thank you very much for reminding me this. 🙂
Pup Fan
Love. This. Post.
You’re the best.