Sunday, January 10, 2016

Pet Blogger Challenge




Today I am taking the Pet Blogger Challenge. Thanks to the folks at http://www.gopetfriendlyblog.com for hosting it.
1. How long have you been blogging? And, for anyone who is visiting for the first time, please give a quick description of the subject of your blog.
I have been blogging since September of 2010. My blog started to help me cope with the overwhelming feels I had with getting a lot of dog in Hailey. It is now the lives of   my two dogs, Hailey and Zaphod and sometimes a little bit about our lives/travels. 
2. What is the one thing that you accomplished during 2015, either on your blog or because of it, that made you most proud?
I am proud that I had 336 posts last year. Blogging regularly (and I only miss several consecutive days when traveling) is my goal, so achieving this makes me happy. 
3. Which of your blog posts was your favorite this year and why? (Please include a link.)
Hmmmm, this is very hard. Looking back, I think the posts that featured Cinder were my favourite. I didn't start 2015 knowing for sure it would be the last year for awhile (if not ever) I would have a cat. The last post I wrote as a tribute to him can be found HERE.  I was also really thrilled with the participation at my Festival of Lights that raised money for Wounded Warriors PTSD service dog program. It can be found HERE. Using my blog to help others is beyond my expectations.
4. A common theme from last year’s challenge was that many of us wanted to increase the size of our audiences. Whether or not we intend to monetize our blogs, it seems we’d all like to reach more people. It feels good to know that we’re connecting with others, sharing a laugh or supporting a cause, and it’s motivating to see those numbers grow! What is one thing you’ve done in the past year that has brought more traffic to your blog?
I think by regularly reading more blogs and participating in Blogville events has helped. I blog because I love to write and I am a little obsessed with my dogs and it is nice to share them. I see it completely as my hobby. I am still thrilled every day that people, who are not my parents, sister or husband, care to stop by my blog. 
5. Which of your blog posts got the most traffic this year? Why do you think it was so popular? (Please include a link.)
This is where I fail as a blogger. I have no idea how to check this. I can figure out month or all time, but not 2015. I honestly rarely look at the stats, I am more interested in what people are saying. 
6. What is one blog that you read religiously – other than your own – and what makes you such a devoted reader? (Please include a link.)
Wow, this is a really hard question. I have about 100 pet blogs I try and visit as regularly as possible. I love them all for different reasons. If I was going to pick one to share with others, I would pick The Dog Who Doesn't Fetch.  It is also a Canadian blog. The pictures are beautiful. I love the "voices" of the dogs. Ojo and my Hailey have a lot in common. (We have decided they are "cousins"). 
7. What resources do you rely on to enhance your technical, writing, photography, social media, or other skills that improve your blog?
Any improvements in these are inspired by other bloggers. 
8. What is the best piece of advice you can offer other bloggers?
Write it for yourself first and foremost. This will keep you grounded and honest and will attract other people. All my favourite blogs are honest if nothing else! 
9. What is your vision for your blog in 2016? Do you have specific goals?
I think it is about time for a blog make over. The graphic design is outside my wheel-house and interest really. I will have to figure that out. I always want to improve my photography, so that is something I may tackle. 
An even bigger goal is to meet some fellow bloggers at the Blogville Awesome Retreat. The idea of it is exciting and scary at the same time!
10. You have the attention of the pet blogging community – is there one blogging challenge you’d like help with, or one aspect of your blog that you’d like input on?
I think the  "design" areas are where I am lacking - for example - creating headers, badges, changing the look, and fun photo editing. If there are idiot proof resources for that, I would love to have them. 

23 comments:

  1. those are some wonderful goals you have set - we hope you get to do them during the year

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great answers, and I so agree with you about being more interested in what people say than worrying too much about blog stats.
    Cheers and happy blogging!
    Gail

    ReplyDelete
  3. I hope you can visit the blogger retreat event, that would be so great to meet the people and pets of the blogs we love :o) I bet your posts about visiting the wild vikings got a lot of traffic, it was awesome to read about this wild and beautiful land :o)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love reading your answers! You and I have some of the same struggles with our blogging I see :) I would love to be able to visit the retreat too! It depends on finances and how Bree is doing in her adapting to living outside of a puppymill. It would be great to meet our fellow bloggers.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ohhh we loved reading this post. Hailey being challenging got you to start your blog so we MUST SAY A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to Hailey Girl!!
    hugs madi your bfff

    ReplyDelete
  6. I agree, the design of my page rarely changes, as I just don't have a lot of skill in that area. I wish there was a "go to" for how to make changes...

    ReplyDelete
  7. What great answers to the challenge! I think I may have "Jakey" do an "How to make a header" post, but in the meantime, if you google, "How to make a header for Blogger" you should come up with a couple of tutorials :-).

    Can't wait to meet you at BAR!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Nice to learn more about you. I have problems with all the technical blogging stuff too.

    ReplyDelete
  9. WELL DONE!! BRAVO !! your answers were GRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat.
    WE try to post daily.... butt during that MOVE we just went through... it was TOUGH GOING... THEN we had Intermutts troubles... UGH... butt DAILY is Fabulous, isn't it?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Enjoyed your answers I too wish I was more creative in the design of my blog.

    Aroo to you,
    Sully

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for giving us a peek into your blogging world! I really enjoyed reading it. Design & photography are areas I could use some help in too.
    Love & biscuits,
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for giving us a peek into your blogging world! I really enjoyed reading it. Design & photography are areas I could use some help in too.
    Love & biscuits,
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

    ReplyDelete
  13. Very interesting. We are glad you are looking forward to the BAR! We rarely look at our stats but we do have a thingie that collects all the data.

    Keep Calm & Bark On!

    Murphy & Stanley

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow, 336 posts last year, that's inspirational! One of my favorite things about the Pet Blogger's Challenge is meeting so many wonderful bloggers for the first time. I'm anxious to come back and check out more of your posts soon. Good luck in 2016!

    ReplyDelete
  15. you do a fine job! My favorite "idiot" site for photo editing is www.ribbet.com it is so easy it is unreal. Others love picmonkey, fotor and a few others! I also heard of a site called "Fiver" where you can hire someone starting at $5 to do various things for your blog.......there is also Ann Adamus from Zoolatry who does banners and all :)
    DakotasDen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooh Caren that's a great tip about Ann Adamus! I wonder if ribbet.com plays well with Safari…picmonkey doesn't anymore :(

      Delete
  16. I loved your answers to 5 and 8. I am just like you - I ignore the stats and pay attention to what people say. And I think that writing it for yourself makes it authentic. It's probably why I like your blog so much!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Dear Handsome Phod and Ojo's Cousin Lee,

    We do NOT snuggle! I would NEVER get into a bed with Ojo! This must have been photoshopped. I plead ignorance. Hrph.

    Licks,
    Cobi

    Pee Ess Your Festival of Lights post was indeed pawesome!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I really like your answer to question #8.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am so happy that I found your blog and I enjoy it so much! I wish that we could make the Blogville BAR next summer. It'd be great to meet all of my friends in person.

    ReplyDelete
  20. When I started my first blog, my daughter the web design genius did the whole design for me from header to favicon. Then when I changed the name and focus to Terra Toby I decided to learn it for myself. Here's the thing - you can find directions and tutorials easily. But it takes a lot of time. Like, eons of time. Which is why the only thing I've changed in two years is the background :). Here's a tip if you give it a whirl : Back up your current template before you make any changes. That way if it all goes haywire you can get back to square one and start over. Best wishes!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for reading and leaving us a comment. We love your comments!