Amy Burkert of Go Pet Friendly and Edie Jarolim of Will My Dog Hate Me are once again hosting the awesome Pet Blogger Challenge, and I’ve chosen to take the challenge again this year. Thank you, Amy and Edie, for this great opportunity to reflect and reassess!
I participated in the Challenge last year and enjoyed it, but found it even more interesting to read what other bloggers had to say! This year’s questions (and responses):
CHALLENGE QUESTIONS #2: FOR THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED LAST YEAR:
1. Provide a link to your post from last year’s Pet Blogger Challenge so we can refresh our memories.
Oh, good – an easy question. Last Year’s Post
2. What do you consider the most important goals you set out in last year’s post?
Spreading awareness – of the needs of animals (especially pets without a home), the good work of those who make life better for them, and ways that people can do something themselves to get involved.
3. Have you made progress toward those goals, or have your goals changed over the past year?
I’ve covered quite a few issues involving pets on the blog, as well as highlighting people and organizations that are making a difference for them. So, in one word, yes – but there is so much more yet!
4. Has your opinion of blogging on a schedule or as the spirit moves you changed? Which are you doing now? Do you still worry about lost traffic, momentum, etc?
Last year I’d barely begun to blog, I was still absorbing all that it involves. Being fairly new, traffic and momentum weren’t much of an issue, there just wasn’t much of it. Now, though, I’m more conscious of traffic and the need to retain it. And my head hurts from all the different stats we’re supposed to keep on top of!
A year ago I was blogging every day. I look back at that blogger and am impressed! These days I’ve been woefully haphazard in frequency. I began the year following the 365 plan, but did not continue throughout with it. I’ve found that once you lose your momentum, it’s very challenging to get it back.
One of my goals this year is to determine a workable schedule, and get back to blogging at least five days a week. For that, I need to learn how to balance various priorities, organize and utilize my time better, and probably learn not to sweat so much over whether I’ve made a mistake or not worded something in the best way possible.
5. Are you generating income from your blog? Has this changed since last year? If you are generating income, how (e.g. sponsor ads, affiliate relationships, spokesperson opportunities?)
Ha! Oh, the woes of bloggers when it comes to generating income. I’ve earned enough from Google Adsense to buy a few Bully Sticks for the dogs, and dabbled in a couple of other affiliate programs with no success to date. Compared to last year, I have a better understanding of what is involved with monetization, and that is on the list of goals for this year. The dogs have spoken. They want more.
6. Have your likes and dislikes about blogging changed since last year?
I was quite surprised to look back at last year’s post – I feel the same still. The best about blogging is fellow bloggers, pet loving readers, and of course taking action on my interests through writing. And the least favorite still stands; I drive myself crazy with editing (is there a Writers Anonymous helpline for this?) and hate that I don’t visit all my favorite blogs more often.
7. Overall, are you pleased with the progress you made in 2011?
Yes, I am. I could list a million things that I wish I had done/not done, pursued, covered, read…but in reality, I accomplished more this past year than I could have imagined. It was because of blogging that I became involved in some very important, worthy animal welfare and pet projects. That alone made 2011 stand out as a great year for me. The blog itself continues to grow and evolve, in spite of my spells of neglecting it.
8. How do you see your blog changing/growing in 2012?
I already have a list of to-do’s, to improve the blog and what it offers. I don’t doubt that list will grow exponentially as time goes on. It is going to become more professional, by website standards, and will offer more to the reader. That means getting a domain and site host, learning WordPress, uncrossing my eyes over coding issues…
I’d like to see it become a resource for both information and inspiration in the pet world. I love working with other bloggers, it would be great to include more collaborative efforts, as well. And by golly, I’m going to figure out this camera of mine once and for all or get a new one. CindyLu wants in more on the image action!
Here’s to a fabulous year ahead!
The best thing about blogging is definitely the connections we make! I’ve enjoyed reading your blog this year and appreciate the fucus on making life better for pets in need. You’ve got a great network of blogging friends to get you though the changes you have planned for 2012 – don’t be afraid to lean on us if you need to! Here’s to another great year.
wasn’t this where we met last year, cindylu’s muse? i still love your name!
i think your blog is very successful in spreading the word about pet issues and welfare. although i’m not here that often, i do get a sense of that because i can see what you’re writing on my GR.
when you find [or start] a Writers Anon for anal editing, please contact me. you know where to find me, right? 🙂
If you find a workable schedule you will have to let me know:) That is one of the hardest things for me to do right now!
I look forward to seeing where your blog takes you this year, good luck:)))
Stopping from the blog hop to say hi. What a cute pup! Keep up the great work.
I really enjoyed stopping by your blog for a visit. I love your focus. Here’s to a great 2012!
Keep on wagging,
Toosie
I’m there with you in the Editor’s Anonymous group but of course contend that the writing is oh so much better because of it — at least in *your* case!
You haven’t mentioned your tech expertise, but you’ve been a huge help in sharing it with other more technophobe bloggers like me and other members of Animal Cafe — so my public thanks for that too!
You achieved so much in such a short time, and worry about not getting an (edited) post out EVERY day 🙂 You make a tornado look pale!
I concur! I think you have done amazing things in the last year. You have been so busy helping others and spreading awareness, I had a tough time keeping up. I certainly don’t think you can be too hard on yourself.
When it comes to editing, I have the opposite problem. I barely read through a post before I am hitting publish. Perhaps one of my goals for this year should have been to be more thoughtful about what I put out there. But I don’t mind if people call me on my typos. Sometimes I fix them later. And sometimes I don’t.
I can’t wait to see what you come up with in the future!
I agree that the best thing about blogging is the people you meet – fellow bloggers and pet lovers – and you are one of those people. The blog is great and so is the person behind it!
I’m with you on the move to self-hosted WordPress… we totally need a support group! 🙂
I think you do an amazing job of highlighting animal causes – I’m always very inspired when I stop by your blog, and I think you’re a fantastic writer.
Greetings,
Yes, tis I, Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet star! Once again, I have taken over my human’s keyboard to supply you with one of my thought-pawvoking comments! 🙂
Myself and that human I so kindly allow to live with me, are big admirers of all the work you do to bring further awareness of us loving and non-judgemental animals.
We see continued and even more success for your wonderful and thoughtful blog. It is our privilege to interact with you in what we consider the true and caring spirit within the great blogging community.
Here’s to you and the adorable CindyLu, (one of my biggest starstruck fans) finding much positivity and inspiration over the coming year.
Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses, your way, Penny xx
I agree that the best part of the challenge is reading what other bloggers post. It is so great to get a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse at some of my favorite blogs and find some new ones.
Damn, girl! You kicked some serious booty this year! My only complaint? Not enough swearing. You know I love the potty mouths. Heheheh. Oh right. That’s our behind-the-scenes secret.
But really, you’ve worked so hard to create this amazing space. I’ve loved watching you grow it into an infomative, educational and fun corner of the Internet. (Did I mention that it makes me feel like a winner?)
Best to you in 2012, my friend! I love being in this together.
You know that I didn’t even notice that your blog is hosted thru blogger! Wow, I’d make a super detective :0
I have just the opposite problem when it comes to editing. I usually give my articles the casual once over and then hit the publish button. There have been more than a few times when I have edited an already published article because I feel that I can say something better.
The best thing about blogging is all the new friends that I have made, you included 😀
Wow it is so cool to read the history of your blog… I like that you are concerned with spreading awareness about the needs of animals… there is nothing more noble than that! Covering various animal issues and highlighting organizations that deserve the press is so helpful to them and helps bring awareness for the bloggers who are interested (like me!) 🙂
LizAnn
All4UrPet Representative
http://all4urpet.com/ 

Check out the App store for Android and iPhone to download our mobile application! Simply search All4UrPet.
I love the way you noted on #7 how much you’ve really accomplished when you look back at the year. There’s actually research that shows that once we take things off our to do list we forget about them.
All we can think about is what we have coming up next.
It’s great to have a chance to look back and remember all we’ve done. And you did a great job highlighting all your activities.
You are one of the people on my “I really want to get to know her better this year” list. I’m not sure if it’s because of irreverent and slightly smutty sense of humor you show on FB or your passion and commitment to animal issues.
I suspect it’s probably the killer combination. 🙂
We feel the same way – we hate it that we don’t get to all the blogs to read & enjoy & catch up with friends! [OBVIOUSLY Mommy needs to quit her job so she can serve US better *hmpf*]
We sure did like this Blog Challenge – it helped us get to know everyone better!!
I love your blog Cindy Lu! And that your Mama is so involved in pet rescue! Yay.
Like someone already commented before, the best thing about blogging is the connections we make. I really enjoyed your Q & A fest here. I found what you said about the blogs generating income stuff too true. And from what I see on your fine, well written blog, you do a damn good job in inspiring people to become more involved in keeping animals safe and protected.
Keep up the worthy work!
“my head hurts from all the different stats we’re supposed to keep on top of!” – I know, right! What stats have you decided to follow (and which have you disregarded)?
All the best for 2012.
Glad to have found you and sorry to have missed the Challenge! In any case keep up the good work. And don’t worry about stats!
So agree about the best part of blogging being the friends. I value those above all else.
I didn’t realize you had been blogging more before. I admire you for it. I’ve been doing that too, but now I am leaning towards the 5 day a week plan myself. I think blogging 7 days a week when I have a job and 3 dogs is just becoming too much.
I think you have accomplished your goals and thensome on the animal welfare front! You have become a huge voice for animal welfare. It’s a good place to be. You have a wealth of knowledge and experience in that area. I especially liked your kitty mill piece. So many people forget that their are cats and kitties suffering under the same conditions. I am so glad you educated the public on that.
I am also considering hosting my own site, but unlike you, I am not as technologically saavy as you are so I think most of my decision will rest on how comfortable I am with that side of things.
I look forward to what 2012 brings with you and your blog Kim!
Finally getting around to the Blogger Challenge posts. I’m so glad so many participated in it. It’s been great to learn about everyone, get their story and their thoughts on this whole experience. And us newbies can learn so much from you guys who have been around just a little longer.
You have an amazing blog and have done so much to raise awareness, I’m in awe of your efforts and persistence. Thanks for all do to help animals. You’re amazing.