Way back when I wrote my very first post, I had big ideas: weekly series, recurring features, guest bloggers, and so on. But my main goal was to chronicle life with Emmett and Lucas.
We had recently moved from DC to Indiana. We were dealing with Lucas’ reactivity and finding outlets for Emmett’s energy. We traveled with them and vacationed with them and trained with them, and I knew that I could write about them and their issues to fill a blog.
To be completely honest, it never once occurred to me to think about what would happen to this space when they died.
This was their space. Or, it was my space to tell their stories.
When I purchased the URL and a hosting package, installed WordPress, wrote that first post, it never once crossed my mind that this website would outlive them both.
It never crossed my mind, either, that this website would change the direction of my career, that it would become one “asset” in my freelance work, that it would lead to BlogPaws and friendships and bylines and interviews.
It never once occurred to me when I posted that very first post that I would be here, in this space, with a career dedicated to writing about animals… without the animals who started it all.
And, yet, here I am. At least, I’m partly here.
It’s been really hard to write this year. You may have noticed that the number of posts dropped off exponentially. The number of stories went down, the number of giveaways plummeted, the number of sponsored posts dwindled.
{{TBH, some of the sponsored posts fell back-to-back because they were commitments I had made that I, of course, had to honor–running a website is expensive, y’all–and it’s very clear that, with so few stories this year, rather than the occasional “commercial break” to keep the OMD lights on, it felt like lotsa branded content. For that, I’m sorry.}}
When I wrote my very first post in 2009, the blogging world was pretty different, too, as was my role. I wrote what I felt like writing. I told their stories. I tried and failed at a few recurring features and always ended up back where I started: telling their stories. Then blogging changed, and I had to learn about search engine optimization and how to take better photos (still failing there) and how to size them to be Pinterest-friendly and purchase a mobile-responsive design and best practices content marketing on social channels and then I got hacked and on and on and on. Not to mention learning all the FTC guidelines for working with sponsors and brands, which differ from Google’s requirements for working with sponsors and brands, which differ from Facebook’s requirements for working with sponsors and brands…
And then Lukey died. And then Emmett died.
And then I lost my motivation to come to this space, to write our story, because I lost the thread.
It’s not like there’s a shortage of things to cover! Cooper could make up an entire book with all his quirks. Then there’s Newt. And Ripley. And Violet. And how they’re all getting along. What’s working. What isn’t. Our hopes for adding a second dog. And so much more.
Yet, I avoid coming here because it’s a reminder that Emmett and Lucas aren’t here. Not anymore.
So, where does that leave me?
I’m still thinking on that… I have one big idea that sort of overwhelms me but feels like I’m headed in the right direction. We only have a week and a half left in the year with two 3-day weekends crammed in, and that sort of feels like the perfect time to focus on the creative. Just brainstorm and dream instead of plan and project. TBD. The Pet Blogger Challenge hosted each year by GoPetFriendly.com is coming, and that always gives me the chance to reflect, too.
All that said–if you’re still with me–I want to wish you the happiest of holidays! Enjoy the time to celebrate with friends and family, furry or otherwise! I wish you nothing but peace, love, and joy in the year to come!
We’ll be back in 2018 with a new plan and a renewed energy!
Happy holidays, all!
This sounds so much like me. The motivation part anyway and yet reading that you are left holding the leash without your drive for blogging is so real. I only started this to document my journey with Monty because it is all I know and it is my obsession and he is so much work but what will I do when he is no longer in my world? I really don’t know either so I look to you for direction and simply put I hope to someday have my blog to fall back on when I am in my darkest hour. I have very few followers but have only just begun and I am learning constantly what is expected of me in this new world. Any help or hints would be greatly appreciated!
Merry Christmas and can’t wait to see you in 2018!!!
Shannon and Monty!!
I can relate to losing the “ummpf” to blog with the loss of Lucas and Emmett. I have a tough time of it myself since Callie left us. But I never had the desire to deal with sponsors and whatnot. I just wanted – pretty much – an online journal of my life with my Golden Girls, and later Ducky. And that’s the way I’ve kept it all these years.
Looking forward to whatever it is you have in store for us! Happy Holidays to you and yours as well!!
We are still with you, and appreciate all that you write, whenever you write. You have helped guide our journey with Habi and Obi, and we have been privileged to share your journey with Emmett, Lukey, Cooper, Newt and Violet so far. We hope you find a way to continue on your own terms and on your own schedule. But if you decide to pause for awhile, we’ll understand that too.
Health and happiness to you all over the holidays and on through 2018!
I am not sure I would continue if Blueberry wasn’t around. I started the blog specifically to document our life together. You’re right that blogging is so different now. I miss many of the bloggers that have left and avoid the posts that just seem like obligatory commercials. Don’t get me wrong, some of those “commercials” opened my eyes to a few new things. But it seems like everyone has jumped on that bandwagon and it’s just not always the light-hearted fun stories of life with companion animals that it used to be. I keep up with Blueberry’s blog so I have some fun memories to look back on when she’s gone. I definitely have never been in it for a source of income.
I hope you can find a way to continue. I enjoy your writing style and your stories. But remember, you have to do what is right for you, not necessarily us. 🙂 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas Maggie and family! I’ve been following along since 2009. I agree, blogging has changed so much since then and I can relate to much of what you’re saying. It’s hard to know what direction to take for me too sometimes. This time if year is great for reflection, like you said. I know you’ll do lots of great work in 2018!
Oh, I understand exactly how you’re feeling Maggie. When I look back at when I first started my blog….we had four dogs and two cats – so much to write about! – and now we have two dogs and one cat, and so many that are sorely missed.
I’ve been able to carry on with the blog through each loss (for me, the writing and carrying on is what I need to do), but things are constantly changing, and that makes it HARD. And with two of our three crew aging quickly and fighting health issues, it’s difficult to know what might be coming as well. Plus I’m dealing with being unemployed and trying to figure out where I’m going as far as that goes.
Luckily we’ve filled our lives with some new things – as have you! – life goes on…..but still, it’s all different, and that brings introspection. I hope you figure it all out, I know you will….you have a lot to be proud of in how far you’ve come.
PS…..Merry Christmas to your whole beautiful family! ?
Call me crazy!!! but I love your blog. Okay so blogging has changed, doesn’t everything? And well losing 2 of your 3 dogs is a heartbreaker, but your experience when chronicled helps so many other pet owners such as myself that are pet novices. I trust your experience and learn a lot from you. I also loved seeing the new kitten and how you introduced it to Newt. Your give aways and raffles are great!!! Yours is the first blog I actually won something on. When you share your life with all of us, well it’s really really good! So lighten up on yourself. After the losses you suffered, and the new additions your hands are full. So keep writing about you and the pack, we are all still here, and believe me not judging. Thanks for a wonderful blog, Now go enjoy the holiday, There is an old saying “cream always rises to the top”, I am sure whatever you do on this site will be great. Happy New Year to you and all of yours!!!
Lots of bloggers will relate to this post. I started my blog to chronicle life with Honey but featured my recently-lost dog Shadow on the header. And continued for many years.
May you find the mojo to do what you want most for your blog. I know 2018 will bring you many good things.
I can relate to this in so many ways. When I started my blog, I didn’t think about when Charlie would be gone, but after reading through the losses you’ve faced… it really got me thinking about that. I know I’ll always have a dog in my life, but it’s different when your blog was inspired by that first dog. I have all the same thoughts you do but you write them so much more beautifully. Honestly, it’s a relief to see that others have the same struggles. Life moves on and you do the best you can. Sometimes you need a break and sometimes you find inspiration to move in a new direction. As long as you are happy and doing what you love, that is all the matters… even if there are less blog posts! Hope you have a great year!
Please keep on going!