For the last seven years, Amy, at Go Pet Friendly has been hosting an annual Pet Blogger Challenge Blog Hop. It works like this: Amy posts a set of questions, and participants answer them and add their posts to the link. It’s a wonderful community building event, and the best part is, you have the ear of the best of the blogosphere to help with any issues or questions you might have.
Photo courtesy of Go Pet Friendly.
We have been participating for 6 of the 7 years, I like it because it gives me an opportunity to reflect on the previous year, what worked and what didn’t.
So let’s get to it, shall we?
Question 1) For those who may be visiting your blog for the first time, how long have you been blogging and what is your main topic?
My first post was December 1, 2010. At that point, I had no direction with the blog, I was just writing to garner an ‘online presence.’ Within the first six months, I had begun writing about the dogs. The blog has evolved over time to what it is today. A humorous look at life with dogs, with side focuses on health, training and animal welfare.
Question 2) What was your proudest blogging moment of 2017?
While I really love inserting humor into my posts, I think the posts I wrote about UTI’s, Cushing’s Disease and Endothelial Decompensation turned out pretty well. I felt almost like a real writer.
Question 3) Which of your blog posts was your favorite this year and why? (Please include a link.)
My Dog Has Morning Wood, What Your Male Dog’s Erection Might Mean. I love writing humorous posts, and if I can share some knowledge in the process, that’s a BONERus for me.
Question 4) In terms of your blog, how do you measure success?
This is really where I personally struggle. I compare myself to others, and for me, that’s a very bad thing. In my opinion, I’m never good enough, and I see others having success and that reinforces my failures in my mind.
Question 5) In what ways has your blog changed during 2017?
The biggest change has probably been my lack of blogging. Although thanks to Jodi Chick from Kol’s Notes, I think I have pinpointed the direction I WANT my blog to go in. Now I just need to find the motivation to make it happen.
Question 6) What was the biggest blogging challenge you overcame in 2017, and what did you learn that could help other bloggers?
My biggest challenge has been to keep blogging, and I’ve only done that by forcing myself to post at least once per week. Some weeks it’s way harder than others.
Question 7) When things get hard, what keeps you blogging? (Question submitted by Pamela Douglas Webster of Something Wagging This Way Comes)
It’s Jan, from The Poodle (and Dog) blog God-damn it. She says I cannot quit without getting her permission and I’m too afraid to ask.
Question 8: Looking forward to 2018, what are you hoping to accomplish on your blog this year?
I really want to try and dig myself out of this hopeless feeling I have, and start writing again, and start visiting blogs again. I’m in a pretty lonely place right now, and you all helped me with that when I first started blogging. I need to feel that community again.
Question 9) In addition to what you’d like to accomplish, is there one specific skill you’d like to improve or master this year? (Question submitted by Jodi Chick of Kol’s Notes)
I’d like to learn how to make Text/Images. Like this one.
Question 10) 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? Share it here, and we’ll answer you in the comments!
I’m sort of torn right now. As I said, I’ve tackled some of the health issues that the dogs have had this past year, and I think they were well written, and fairly well received, but I also like writing the humorous posts too, (although sometimes I think a lot of people don’t ‘get’ my humor). So my question is, can I do both? Is there a way to hit that happy medium on the blog? What types of posts do you like to see here? Do you like the humor, the serious or a combination?
Many thanks to Amy for hosting this blog hop!
I like a combo of both sirius and humourous. I really missed your posts when you didn’t post as much. You know what? When i first found your blog it was the humour that brought me in. Do things that make you happy.
You may not blog that much these days, but when you put out a post, they are almost always winners. I get ideas and stuff from other blogs I read, but your blog has now changed my life twice! First with nose work, which I can’t imagine living without, and this year with that wet spot post. Thanks to you, I realized Bailie was not the only dog with an odd issue. She started her medication in July and takes a pill a week for life. Not one drop of urine in bed since that vet visit. Not only have you helped me out, you are also funny, and not shy about anything. I respect that in you and your blog. Please find the drive and motivation to keep on blogging!
Well, you would need permission from me too. And that would be hard to get. I like your humorous posts, but I generally tend to skip health related posts unless one of my dogs is experiencing the same thing. We can motivate each other to stay on track.
I love reading your blog! I think you have a terrific way of inserting humor into your serious posts as well as your regular posts. I wouldn’t worry about the people that don’t get your humor; it is their loss.
You are hilarious, genuine, honest, and kindhearted. We need more of that in the world.
Oh Jodi, like Mary said, you would need my permission too – and it would be just as hard to get. The girls and I love you and we’re always here for you! ❤️❤️❤️
Don’t even think about quitting your blog. It requires a 6000 word essay detailing your reasons before I would consider rendering a verdict, and the answer would be “No.”
I love this answer!
Thank goodness the other Jan is keeping you in line!! I miss your more frequent posts and can’t imagine how much I’d miss it if you were gone completely. 🙁
I love your combination of humorous and helpful posts. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. Goodness knows my posts are all over the place (from dogs to cats to chickens….), and I don’t care how many people say you need a “niche”, I’m going to do what makes me happy. And that’s exactly what you should do too (as long as it’s not quitting that makes you happy – LOL).
I don’t think many people get my sense of humor either, so don’t let that bother you. If I write a post that I think is funny, and even one person seems to get it, I’m relieved.
I definitely think you can do both! I love your sense of humor and I love the health related posts as well. Even in the serious posts, I think your sense of humor comes through and keeps them from getting too heavy and dark and it’s so important to me to have that reminder that we can find humor even when the going gets tough. Last year (I think–maybe the year before?), I read about Canva.com for creating graphics during the pet blogger challenge, and it’s super easy to use. I got lazy with actually creating them, but the handful of times I did create graphics, it wasn’t hard at all! I have faith that you can create more awesome graphics 🙂
Jodi, so sad to have visited today and to see that you’ve been feeling so down about yourself. I always thought you had a fantastic blog, and I was amazed at how you could find the humor in most situations!! I have to admit, blogging seemed to suck out all my creative energy, and as much as I loved visiting all of the other blogs, I rarely do anymore, just because of time constraints. I mean, I would love to keep up to date on everyone and everything, but sometimes you just can’t. Don’t beat yourself up, and if you need some support, you know where to find me. Any time too! We can even talk the old fashioned way, over the phone!!
I love your blog because of the information, the humor and how genuine YOU come across in all your writing. I’m one who believes you don’t need a niche and should write about you want to write about. Listen to what your heart and gut tell you… unless they tell you to stop blogging. In that case they’re all wrong! I wish I had motivational words of wisdom to share…
I just read through and loved your “morning wood” post! Thinking about prostate exams and blood dripping from Sampson’s penis made me cringe. I’d be interested to see what types of keyword phrases your ranking for with that post. I like the combination posts. I usually try to infuse a few odd things into my posts like movie quotes and my dry humor and if one person gets it I’m ecstatic! If you ever want to chat about blogging please don’t hesitate to email or call me. All the best to you in 2018!
Hey Colby, thanks for the offer, you’re always so kind an supportive to me. I have no idea how to figure out keyword phrases for any post. 😀 You know, that technical stuff just flies right over my head.
Lets get on the phone sometime and chat about our dogs and blogging. I’m sure you’re like me and can talk about those two subjects all day 🙂
Jan is pretty scary. I wouldn’t cross her. 🙂
We both think of our blogs as blogs. But in reality, your posts are being seen more by strangers searching for things and coming to Heart Like A Dog. So the “useful” posts are interesting to all of us and will generate hits for years to come. And the humorous posts are a gift to your regular community who has loved you all these years.
Of course, if you work on the SEO for your funny posts, they’ll get sticky too. You just have to be careful. I’m still getting grody searchings about dog sex thanks to my quirky sense of humor.
i enjoy your sense of humor.
how open you are about your thoughts and feelings and sharing them with us. you say exactly what you think..feel. love that!
plus no one else shares the trials of dealing with dumb ass dog owners. you treat the issue with seriouness an keep a sense of humor.
i like your postings of what your dogs do that make you smile.
the health posts are informative and helpful.
i like reading about your dogs and the photos you include.
i only read a handful of blogs and yours is included because of the above reasons and for the feelings of community amongst you and us, your readers.
write what your comfortable with. if you want to write more about your life then just the pups or whatever else take the leap of faith and do so.
we are here to stay. you are not a lone.
and STOP comparing yourself/your blog to others. such a waste of time that could be spent in much better ways…got it..thank you.
if you stop blogging i will most likely gain weight from eating too much ice cream to console myself. i do not need to gain weight so help me out and keep on blogging.
plus you and the pups would be much’ed missed. many hugs to you.
I always love a combination of serious and funny – then you have a little something for everyone. I’m not sure people get my humor either so I definitely understand your concern. Sometimes I think a post is super funny …but no one else seems to be laughing. Oh well.
I am sorry you are in a lonely place right now. I hope you will start blogging again and I for one will come back and cheer you on! The blogging community has certainly helped me when I have been in a bad place and I hope the same for you!
Finally, the whole comparing ourselves to others is pretty destructive. I do that too sometimes – both in blogging as well as in life. It is important to remember that we all have our own unique path in life – separate from everyone else.
I am off to read your boner post. LOL
So, I just read your post, but wasn’t able to comment. Thanking my lucky stars that I have a female dog (and female cats). I am not sure I would have been able to handle applying the ointment and would have probably tried to make my husband do it (and I’m certain he would have refused). This post was hysterical, but also very informative – perfect balance on a delicate subject!
God bless Jan! Seriously…we love your blog and always look forward to a post from you so I hope she never gives you permission to stop. Your posts always provide useful info and the cherry on top for us is your humor. Here’s to a pawsome 2018.
You always crack me up! Thank goodness you’re afraid of Jan, because it would be a shame if you quit blogging. My advice, which you’ve already received here, is to write the way you enjoy. Those posts about health issues will probably generate traffic via Google search, and once people find you your humorous posts will keep people coming back. It’s a perfect combination!
Wishing you all the best in 2018, and looking forward to seeing how your blog evolves. Thanks so much for taking the Challenge!
I hope you will keep writing exactly what you are moved to write. You are interesting, funny, and have a great voice. If it helps to know, my favorite posts on my own blog are almost never the ones that are popular. That’s OK. Hopefully, the more popular ones will lead some folks to the quirky ones.
Sorry you’ve been having a hard time. Let me join in as another one saying, “Keep going! We need you in the dog blog world!”
I’m new here and came accross blog. I found it very interesting and learned a lot. I’ve seen that you wrote a lot of great blog posts. Good luck and keep blogging!
Best of luck with finding your motivation! 🙂
As for the photos, I’m a Photoshop user myself but i’ve heard nothing but good things about this website: https://www.fotor.com/