Today, I’m joining in the Pet Blogger’s Challenge, hosted by Go Pet Friendly and Will My Dog Hate Me.
1. When did you begin your blog?
This blog began at the end of August, last summer. It was my first foray into the blogging world, a place I’d previously known little-to-nothing about.
2. What was your original purpose for starting a blog?
From the start, I had a combination of reasons for the blog; a way to work on my writing skills, but combined with my love of animals to share information about them.
3. Is your current purpose the same?
If not, what’s different?
If so, how do you feel you’ve met your goals?
It has grown to become what is for me an important vehicle to strengthen the knowledge of, and help for, pets. Past experience in animal rescue, concerns over homeless pets, and the desire to do what I can to promote adoption and good care of all pets has led me into the Blog for Change movement (a natural for me!). The purpose is now more defined, more focused on what people can do to make lives better for their pets and homeless pets alike.
4. Do you blog on a schedule or as the spirit moves you?
If the former, how often — and what techniques do you use to stick to it?
If the latter, do you worry about… well, whatever you might worry about (e.g. losing traffic, losing momentum)?
I have a schedule of daily posts, I’ve set a mandate to myself to post at least once a day; I allow myself room for the time it’s published. I try to prepare them ahead of time, and also write up additional posts when I come across, or think of, something I’d like to write about. Still, most of the days I’m sitting down to do that day’s post.
5. Are you generating income from your blog?
If so, how (e.g. sponsor ads, affiliate relationships, spokesperson opportunities)?
If not currently, do you hope to in the future — and how?
Not currently generating any income; affiliated with Google, but that doesn’t bring anything in. I would actually consider something in the future; a blog can be a means for so many different businesses and organizations to spread their visibility, and the income sure would be great for the pets here – or even as a terrific opportunity for funds needed by rescue groups. The way I look at it, the more things you can accomplish with a single swipe, the better!
6. What do you like most about blogging in general and your blog in particular (bragging is good!)?
Right off the bat, the blogging community comes out on top. The people involved in the pet blogging community have got to be the most wonderful out there! The warm, friendly, uplifting and supportive environment of this world is fantastic and not to be underestimated. I like the opportunity to write about something I love, to explore and get creative at times, and have a blast when CindyLu is talking (what a great excuse to get sassy! BOL).
7. What do you like least?
Sigh…editing. It takes me forever, I’m constantly finding yet another mistake I made, or an omission, or whatever. Don’t mind doing it, it’s just time-consuming. Oh, and the feeling that I’ve missed some really great blogs to read!
8. How do you see your blog changing/growing in 2011?
My New Year’s resolution (and from someone who normally doesn’t do them!) was to begin practicing the 365 idea, pointing to one organization or person who is doing wonderful things for animals – each day. That’s just a part of of utilizing the blog to spread the word about important news for pets, the need for more action involving homeless pets, and of course idolization of our wonderful furry buddies.
Looks like we started blogging about the same time. Editing is a bear. I hate rereading my published blog and finding at least 2-3 errors. My mom is my sometime editor. She’ll call me and tell me about all my typos. Oh Joy! It helps when my 12 year old finds them too. He reads the blog when he’s at school in Computer lab. LOL
I really enjoy reading you. Cindy Lu is such a sweet pup.
Your Pal,
Opie’s Mom
Hi – gee, I didn’t see those other questions at all. But I tell you, my main joy in blogging is meeting new people and pets.
Love Noodles and her Mommy #2
Cool answers. We’ve enjoyed getting to know you!
Elyse and Riley
I really like that you have a clear mission in mind with your blog. Good for you! Since I’ve begun reading, I think that you’re doing a wonderful job.
Sam and MargeDog
Hi there…enjoyed your answers for the Pet Blogger Challenge. It’s fun to get to know more about how/why blogs were started. We think of you and adorable Cindy Lu every time we look at our Gus ornament!
Enjoyed reading your answers!
Fun reading your answers and learning a little more about you 🙂
Thanks so much for participating in the challenge. I love your 365 idea – what a great way to spread positive, inspiring stories in the pet world. We hear so much of the negative, it would be great to read about the good things people are doing.
@lillij – thanks for helping me to not feel so alone on that one! Yikes, kid and mom correcting – I’d get a complex! lol
Thanks, everyone, for the great support!
I am so glad so many great bloggers have participated!
Editing is a pain. I don’t hate doing it but I hate how I consistently miss things. Often I am finding mistakes I made in a post weeks later and I can’t help but go back and change it. I wish I didn’t care so much.
Good on you for accomplishing so much in such a short time!
OOh, that 365 idea is a good one! I haven’t heard of that before. Good luck with it me dear!
“Community”- such a theme! I agree!
There can be a lot to keep up with, but blogging is certainly a fun way to spend an evening 🙂
Hey, finally making my way through the blogs that took part in the challenge. Thanks so much for participating.
Yikes — am I the only one who likes editing?
@accordingtogus – Sooo glad you won that ornament! CindyLu’s happy you think of her BOL
@rescuedinsanity – thank you, thank you, thank you …lol…exactly my issue, too!
@Edie – I’ve got an idea: we’ll all send you our drafts – for editing! lol
What a great idea that 365 idea project.
Thanks for the comment on my blog, I somehow missed yours when walking through the linky list and I would have missed out!
I love the 365 idea too! I look forward to reading about the people and organizations you choose to write about! And like Kenzo, thanks for stopping by my blog! I too had not yet visited yours on the linky list and would have missed out!
First of all, thanks for stopping by and commenting on my blog.
I agree with you, the community is really great and I’ve seen so many people try to support causes that help animals… I’m glad you’re doing it too and I’d also like to start, but first I need to get more information.
Will come by and visit again, I enjoy your posts.
Thanks for commenting on my blog, Dogs Rule Cats Drool and for following them on twitter at Dogs Rule Cats. Love your idea of identifying those that help animals. Wishing you much success.
OMD! Cindy Lu is so CUTE! Please don’t tell Winnie Cooper I said that!
Thanks for stopping by The Other Winnie Cooper and commenting. I am finally starting to see what other were saying about the pet blogging community and the support. Wow!
Can’t wait to read more and learn more about Cindy Lu. PS I am participating in Blog the Change for Animals…see you there?
I appreciate your reasons for wanting to blog, as I do a bit of that myself. Thanks for being part of the challenge. Looking forward to seeing more of your posts about helping homeless pets.
Glad to have found your blog through the Pet Blogger Challenge! I enjoyed your Q&A and love and support the 365 effort – keep up the great work and I look forward to reading your blog this year!
-Chandra at Daley’s Dog Years
hi there,
sorry i’m checking in so late. i feel like the mad hatter!
first of all, can i just say i love the name of your dog cindylu hoo? and oh, are you a littledog? 🙂
i’m so impressed that you do DAILY posts and have taken up the 365 thingy. i tried that myself for about 3 days then deleted the blog. i see you’ve made 2 more posts already since this one. you are a champion! editing is THE PITS. i do it sometimes even AFTER i’ve published. how annoying is that?!
since i’m on this mad read-as-many-posts- as-i-can challenge at the moment, i shall have to come back another day to see what cats are doing on your dogblog!
until then, thanks for dropping by and for being the only person to read my cat post :p
@Alison – I think we have something in common! lol They could be siblings!!
@georgia little pea – would you believe, I was just finishing visiting everyone on the list when you commented? I loved your cat post!!
Thank you, everyone, for stopping by and all the wonderful comments! It’s an impressive list of blogs we have!
CindyLu, your photo is adorable! Thanks for stopping by our blog and I enjoyed reading your answers! Look forward to reading more!
Diane and Cosmo
I’m so late in commenting on all these wonderful posts from the Pet Blogger Challenge. But it gave me a great excuse to look over all the cool things you’ve posted in the past week.
I’m adding you to my reader today. I don’t want to miss another post.
And thank you for stopping by to visit Something Wagging This Way Comes. It’s always a pleasure to see what you have to say.