Alright, y’all. Happy 2017!
A new year can only mean one thing…
It’s time for the annual Pet Blogger Challenge hosted by our friends at GoPetFriendly.com.
For all you non-pet-bloggers, this is a chance for us to step back and evaluate our site and goals. Plus, the best part of the challenge is the linkup so that pet bloggers can support one another through sharing experience and advice!
I’ve participated in this almost every year and always look forward to the chance to think objectively about what I’m doing and to learn from others. In case you want a look back, here are previous entries: 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016. (What the heck happened in 2012, I wonder? Oh, right. Stupid cancer. Drat.)
Now, it’s time for 2017! Let’s dive in, shall we?
- When did you start your blog and, for anyone who is just seeing it for 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 in summer 2009. My site’s tagline–obsessed with dogs–pretty much sums it up. I wanted to tell stories, started sprinkling in some resource-style posts, and now I strive to do both-in-one: useful posts told from the context of these guys. Sometimes the usefulness is just a laugh; sometimes the usefulness is, like, actually practical. Sometimes. - What was your proudest blogging moment of 2016?
Interviewing Big Boi from Outkast! OK, maybe not my proudest moment, but definitely the most fun.
Being a million percent candid, though, 2016 was a hard year for us for a whole lot of reasons, some of which I’ve shared here with you guys. I hate to say this because it feels like such a cop out, but just getting to the other side of 2016 while keeping my head… I’m proud of that. - Which of your blog posts was your favorite this year and why? (Please include a link.)
Without a doubt, my recap of day one at Best Friends Animal Society. It was one of those posts that just flowed. I hammered it out on the flight home, actually. Plus, that place… it’s in my veins… and that post reminds me why and spurs me on to figure out my next visit. - 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?
Um. OK. So, I didn’t. I didn’t increase traffic, reach more people, or grow. At all. I’m lucky I stayed stable since I only posted 59 times the entire year. That seems like a pace of about once/week, which would be alright, but it wasn’t. It was fits and spurts. The aforementioned “hard year” is to blame, but it is what it is. I’m glad I stayed steady, so there’s that. At least 2017 can only go up, right? 🙂 - Which of your blog posts got the most traffic this year? (Please include a link.) Have you noticed any themes across your most popular posts?
My most-trafficked post is still the idiopathic head tremors post from 2013. I’ve updated it and written more about IHT since, but that one just gets the most traffic week over week. Of new content in 2016, far and away the most traffic goes to DIY bitter apple spray. - What blog do you find most inspirational and how has it influenced your blog? (Please include a link.)
I said it last year, and it still holds true: oh melvin (and yo jake) (hey doug). Her posts are full of heart and warmth, and I just love that blog to bits. Also, Rubicon Days. She inspires me so much with her wit, wisdom, and authenticity.That said, I’m a huge blog devotee generally. As of this writing, my Feedly account has 205 unread posts. (I know what I’m doing this weekend!) There are so many good ones out there. I only regret not having more time to read them all. In truth, I read a ton on my phone, usually while standing in line somewhere or waiting for a late appointment or whatever. That means I’m a voracious blog reader but an appalling blog commenter. I’ll work on that last bit because I love and value comments here so much… I need to get better about leaving comments for others. (WOW, this answer got super off track!) - What is one thing your readers don’t know about you or your pets that would surprise them?
Emmett dislikes snuggling. Seriously. People always say, “Oh, I just want to hug him!” or “I’d love to cuddle up with Emmett!” Well, I’m sorry to say, he’d leave. He tolerates a smidge of a snuggle, then he gets up and goes away. Cooper is the exact opposite. He cannot snuggle close enough. In fact, he prefers to be on top of you. Also, Newt eats oatmeal. - What is something you’ve learned this year that could help other bloggers?
Be patient and kind with yourself. Trust yourself. No one can do it all (at least not do it all well), and some days/weeks/months/even years will be better than others. Such is life. Go with it because, in the end, it’ll be OK. - What would you like to accomplish on your blog in 2017?
Tell more stories. Get back to writing for the sake of writing. The posts I love the most are the ones that get the least traffic. I think I let that get me down coming out of a difficult 2015. I believe that was a big part of my lethargy last year. Like, I just felt after being clobbered by Lukey’s story in 2015, I just didn’t have the writing chops last year. I was completely drained and running on empty already, and a tough year made it that much harder. So, coming out of the fog with a lot more motivation, I have a project in the works that’ll help achieve that in a hopefully unexpected way. More to come on that front as soon as I tie up a few loose ends. - 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 really want to infuse Newt into the blog more. She makes the occasional cameo right now, and I started a separate category in the top nav to file her stories, but I think multi-species-household stories are much needed on the interwebs… that said, the inspiration and purpose for this space was always dogs, dogs, dogs. Would anyone like to hear more stories about their multi-species shenanigans (see below)? Or would more cat-related content be a turn-off?
I’m sorry that you had such a tough Maggie and I’m glad you made it through to 2017! The year started off good for us but took a nose dive in month 10!
I’ve been following Oh Melvin since you mentioned them last year and I love that blog. I don;t ever comment but I’m a loyal reader now thanks to you!
I love what you said about telling more stories. 2015 was a wake up call for me with that, I told less stories and it made me not want to blog as much. In 2016 I went back to more story-telling and had the best blogging year yet. That’s how I connect with people and that’s my goal!
I think it would be great to do more stories on multi-specie household shenanigans because I bet that there’s a lot of funny stories in there!
Thanks so much for participating in the Challenge again, Maggie! I know that 2016 sucked in a lot of ways, and being aware that it’s time to set some things down and take care of yourself shows your wisdom and bravery. You needed to heal after Lucas passed, and giving yourself the space to do that will allow you to come back stronger. Things are looking up for 2017, an I can’t wait to see what you have in the works! Also, I would absolutely love to see you write more about Newt. She’s a ninja kitten living in that house with two dogs – her stories must be hilarious! All the best to you!
I’m always excited when I see a new post of yours pop up in my readers. I’m so glad to know I’m not the only one trying to catch up with all my reading, the amount that gets published everyday in the dog blog world alone is astounding. But it’s really refreshing to read them because I either end up learning something new, thinking about an issue in a different way or laughing my butt off. It’s a win win.
Emmett doesn’t like to cuddle? I’m glad I’m not the only one with that issue. Laika will cuddle in the winter, but as soon as it starts to get warm out she has a tendency to refuse my cuddle requests…
Multi-species all the way for me! My sheepdogs are friends with the sheep, that’s how mad I am! Haha! I hope 2017 goes better for you. All the best. 🙂
First, I’ll tell you something that I hope you already know, which is that I love you! I’m so glad that you have acknowledged that having life happen in such a way that impacted your blog, is okay because it is. I’m confident that this year will be absolutely amazing. I can’t wait to see all that’s in store for you!!
I’m only about 8 entries or so it, but it seems a lot of us (myself included) struggled this year. I think it’s wise to take the time when you need it, (although, sometimes when I try to force a story, THAT is when I get the most engagement. Go figure!) Self-care is incredibly important, as I know you know.
I loved that Best Friend’s post SO much. It made me want to get on a plane right then and there and go! I haven’t been reading nearly as much as I once did, I think I have to get better at using my phone for those things. I never really thought to do that.
I can’t wait to find out what 2017 brings you!
I love multi-species so I say more Newt please!
Can’t wait to see what your project is! 2016 just seemed like such a heavy year that I think a lot of people are ready for the promise that 2017 holds.
I definitely think you should include Newt on the blog more. I’ve tried to bring Rosie (our cat) on my blog more and cat people and bloggers have been really supportive. I agree that the multi-species thing needs more play on the internet. We also have a rabbit, Lulu, but she has only appeared once or twice.
So glad we connected this year! Sorry to hear Emmett does not like snuggling. I admit my first instinct is to snuggle dogs, but I usually hold myself back as I know many dogs don’t like it.
Wow, your interview with Big Boi must have been exciting! I’m sorry it hasn’t been the best year for you but I love what you said about being kind to yourself and trusting yourself. We bloggers always feel like we’re behind the eight ball with a blogging todo list that seems a mile long. Sometimes it feels good to just take it easy on yourself and be comfortable doing that.
I’m with you in hoping 2017 is a much better year and I look forward to seeing more of Newt soon!
I can’t speak for others but I am very strictly dog-oriented. So for myself, I prefer not to get distracted by cat stuff, particularly since I barely have enough time to follow what’s happening with dogs. But that’s just me.
We enjoyed reading your answers. Being cats, we would love to see more of Newt. All of them together would be great as well. We really agree with being patient and kind to yourself.
Your blog is difficult for me to read because the font is so small. I really need to get new glasses. I pop in here and there to see what you’re up to and I’ve always loved the feel that you blog just for fun, not for anything else, and it’s refreshing. You’re candid and share a lot of great information.
Thanks!
I really enjoy your blog and have used a lot of your tips and information. I did not know that you had posted 59 times last year, but I follow your blog faithfully and am excited when there is a new post. Thank you for an informative and fun blog. I also like the give a ways. And yes some cat stuff would not be bad, loved newt’s fist pump!
YOU POSTED 59 TIMES AND YOU FEEL GUILTY? What the shit, Maggie? Don’t come to Kol’s Notes and read how many times I posted because if you’re feeling bad for 59, I should probably curl into a ball of shame, lol. 59 is a TON. There is great joy in taking time to live outside these electronic walls. Don’t beat yourself up for it.
ALSO? YOU TAKE THAT BACK. Emmett loves me and he wants to snuggle, I KNOW IT.
I have to say I am jealous that you got to meet and interview Big Boi! I have been a huge Outkast fan since middle school!
I think you have a good attitude about the past year and moving forward on your blog. I’m pretty sure we have all had some serious ebbs and flows in our blogging – sometimes you are just not feeling it and that’s OK. I think 59 posts is nothing to be ashamed of either! Your content is always touching and heartfelt. I will have to check out your post about Best Friends Animal Society! We visited after BlogPaws last year and it was definitely a highlight of our trip. What a beautiful and inspiring place!
I think it would be fine to incorporate more of Newt into your blog. The multi-species interactions are always adorable and I think its a great way to change some peoples opinions on the classic cat-dog relationship.
I would love to read more about a multi-species household for sure! You know, I always wanted to live with cats AND dogs. My husband is allergic which sucks. I think the mix of the species is actually really fascinating and I would love to read more about the dynamic. I love your stories – and I’m with you – I want to do more “story telling” and less of the other stuff…
I’m a lot like you in that I also try to write useful posts told from the context of Chester and Gretel’s adventures. Your blogs post have way more character in them than mine do though and I admire that. It’s my technical writing background coming back to “haunt” (it’s useful sometimes) me. I hope your 2017 is a good one.
I’d love to read more about Newt and how she relates with the dogs. The tunnel thing is so funny! I hope 2017 will be much better to you. ?
I’ve started reading Oh Melvin as well, since last time you mentioned it I think, and I love it. What a beautiful and heartfelt writer she is.
I have to say 2016 was a challenging year here, as well. So glad you made it through a difficult time. I like your comment about writing for the sake of writing. I am guilty of overthinking and often this leaves me staring at my computer screen when really it IS as simple as just letting it all flow. I enjoyed your answers and am glad I reconnected with your blog! Good luck to you in 2017!
Maggie, I love your blog! I love you, John, Em, Cooper, and Newt! BTW, I love that name for a kitty! I haven’t blogged much this past year either. Mostly because my school work kept me so busy. And will continue to keep me busy for a while. I read my favorites as soon as I can, but don’t always have time to comment, either. Here’s to a better year!!
I love reading your blog because it sounds just like you! You are so authentic when you write that I can almost hear your voice in my head.
I hope you’ll incorporate Newt in some more too, she’s part of the family.
I love reading your blog posts as it feels like we are chatting. We have our fingers and paws crossed here for a better 2017 for you all!