What's this all about anyway?
Not one to back down from a challenge, I heard the call from fellow pet bloggers Edie of Will My Dog Hate Me? and Amy of Go Pet Friendly to step from behind the computer screen and share a little of myself today.
Essentially this post and challenge is to get us to stop and consider our navels for a moment. Why are we blogging? What do we want from this? I find the challenge here to be more the stopping part than the thoughtful introspection.
You might consider me a doer. Ask me for help, give me a task or outline a problem and I'm perfect for grabbing and running towards the finish line.
But enough about me, let's look at Grouchy Puppy together. Since I love to make lists myself, it was easiest to take the questions that Edie sent out and share my answers in this form below.
If after reading this post, you have any questions at all, please ask. I'm really an open book, sort of like Cleo's pleasing mug up there...
1. When did you begin your blog? I first started Cleo’s Day in January 2009 and then this blog, Dog Days in March 2010.
2. What was your original purpose for starting a blog? Grouchy Puppy began as the persona of Cleo. She is a large German Shepherd-Husky dog who is a great ambassador for pet adoption, especially adult dogs. Living in San Francisco meant we had a beautiful backdrop to her daily exploits. Her endearing yet bossy personality and urban exploits prompted the name and the blog. We wanted to educate people about the joys of pet adoption and about looking past the surface when it came to a big dog like Cleo, to stop focusing on stereotypes.
3. Is your current purpose the same? On Cleo’s Day, yes her blog is all about her life and hopefully since she only paws at the keyboard, what I type is truly in her voice and from her perspective. She really does win people over to senior dog adoptions when she meets strangers on her walks. After the first Blog Paws pet conference in April, I created the blog Dog Days so that I too could have a voice and share a human perspective with readers.
If so, how do you feel you’ve met your goals? Every day that someone comments on Cleo’s blog or her Facebook page out of joy in sharing Cleo’s life with us, or if we hear of successful pet adoption stories or senior dog stories because they know Cleo is both – we feel great. With the Dog Days blog, our new goals are within reach. June 1, 2010 we launched our weekly Influence Positively Interview Series. Its popularity and success has only encouraged me to dream bigger and find more creative ways to extend the reach of the Grouchy Puppy keystones - Give Fearlessly and Influence Positively.
4. Do you blog on a schedule or as the spirit moves you? I try to blog on schedule and a few months ago, I created a new editorial calendar using Google Docs to keep both blogs on schedule.
Using an editorial calendar not only allows me to plan weeks or months ahead, but I am better at creating themes around posts. For example, with the Gwyneth Paltrow movie Country Strong came out, I used a week for a Country Western theme to Cleo’s posts to follow the popularity of the movie and Cleo’s country background.
5. Are you generating income from your blog? Only through the retail value of the products we keep because Cleo chewed them or ate them during the product review process. At this time, we are more concerned with creative control and the quality of who and what is associated with Grouchy Puppy.
If not currently, do you hope to in the future — and how? Advertising, spokesperson, brand ambassador opportunities and traditional publishing outlets are ideas we will consider at some future date.
6. What do you like most about blogging in general and your blog in particular (bragging is good!)? I love writing. I love creating this Grouchy Puppy community of folks who want to educate themselves and others about pet adoption, senior dogs and other basic dog-related issues. I love meeting all the various people in the industry, finding out what makes them tick and highlighting a little of their individuality in a blog post. I love photography. I love dogs. It is such a joy and affirmation of my life when my dog inspires me to be better.
7. What do you like least? When Cleo does something unique or amazing and I either miss the photo or video opportunity due to user/human error. I don’t like seeing any sad story about an animal - ever. Being reminded of the cruel side to humans isn’t something I need to see or read to know it exists. My response to these images or stories is to think violent thoughts about the perpetrator and that doesn’t help anyone.
8. How do you see your blog changing/growing in 2011? I would love to include more guest bloggers, use both blogs to help fundraise for more pet-related causes and highlight an even wider variety of folks in the Influence Positively interviews – and of course I hope our readership grows even greater in 2011.
Good job with this! As a "pet blogger" myself, I share your aspirations for #8. Here's to 2011!
Posted by: Canidae Pet Blog Editor | January 10, 2011 at 10:06 AM
You do such a great job with your blog - both Cleo's channel and your own! I agree with you re: sad or abuse stories. While I think it's important to spread awareness, I find myself wondering sometimes if, as pet bloggers, we're preaching to the choir...
Posted by: Maggie | January 10, 2011 at 11:20 AM
Fantastic! It bothers me as well when I miss a great photo/video opportunity. I feel like I've let people - as well as myself - down.
I love Grouchy Puppy, it's one of my favourite sites to visit and I am glad you have many more wonderful plans for the upcoming year.
Posted by: Kristine | January 10, 2011 at 11:41 AM
Great post! I enjoyed reading your answers (just as I always enjoy reading your blog). :)
Posted by: Pup Fan | January 10, 2011 at 11:48 AM
Thanks so much for participating in the challenge! I think it's great you're going to expand the Influence Positively interviews. I can't wait to meet all those great folks - if only electronically.
Posted by: Amy@GoPetFriendly | January 10, 2011 at 11:57 AM
You guys are so generous with your comments and feedback. Thank you!
Posted by: Sharon/Cleo | January 10, 2011 at 12:52 PM
Ha! I know the feeling. Too much introspection and not doing makes me impatient too. Realy like your "influence.." series!
Posted by: Kenzo_HW | January 10, 2011 at 01:14 PM
Interesting blog. From #8 if you want guest bloggers look me up. My animals always love to explore other blogs.
Posted by: rebecca | January 10, 2011 at 01:36 PM
Hello grouchy puppy. It's lovely to meet another bossy dog (I'm speaking on behalf if Mr Thumper of course.)
Did my typist read right? You plan weeks and MONTHS ahead? Wow oh wow oh wow.
We shall be back to read more. Thanks for dropping my and saying we're clever. (I'm sure you mean me here.)
Have great day! xox Georgia
Posted by: georgia little pea | January 10, 2011 at 04:37 PM
I love Cleo! I always look forward to reading about her daily adventures... I admit I see your tweets, then go to your posts, but still, I so enjoy your writing style and goals.
Posted by: Hilary | January 10, 2011 at 04:37 PM
great answers Sharon! we love your blogs, and of course, we both love Grouchy Puppy! xoxo BJC/vsc
Posted by: Bunny Jean Cook | January 10, 2011 at 09:38 PM
I agree with you on #7. I hate reading cruelty stories since I ; A- can't do anything about it and B- have my feelings reinforced about humanity going to hell in a handbasket. It all gets rather depressing :( I would rather try to focus on the happier side of animals.
Posted by: Karen Friesecke | January 11, 2011 at 12:04 AM
Hey Sharon,
It's great to see your wonderful "Influence Positively" series flourishing! The concept is just beautiful and positive and light. I too cannot read or write about the perpetual violence against animals. I'm not saying I never will, but to read so much of it is difficult. Thank you for providing an alternative, one that highlights people who are making a difference.
Posted by: Kim Clune | January 11, 2011 at 12:43 PM
I enjoyed this- great to read more about the "behind the scenes" aspect of your blogging :)
Thanks for the editorial calendar idea :)
Posted by: Shauna (Fido & Wino) | January 11, 2011 at 04:28 PM
I really enjoyed reading your answers. I am particularly camera and video recorder challenged, but I'm working on it. Someday I will be there at just the right moment :)
Nice to meet you.
Posted by: Vicky | January 11, 2011 at 09:22 PM
I'm new to your blog and found you through the Pet Blogger Challenge! What a gem! Thank you!
Posted by: Erica Kahunanui | January 12, 2011 at 11:09 AM
You guys are great to have around. I really enjoy every interaction and I'm glad to have given you a peek behind the curtain.
And yes, the door is open for anyone interested in guest posts. Just drop me an email.
Posted by: Sharon | January 12, 2011 at 12:30 PM
Been a fan of Cleo's for some time now and really enjoy your photos.
Just wanted to reply to Maggie's comment about "preaching to the choir."
1) Being in the presence of other people committed to providing good lives for animals strengthens our resolve and commitment to do more.
2) Many people don't just stay on their blog--they use Facebook and Twitter and information about animal rescue and other important topics leaks out to the great world.
See, preaching to the choir as a good purpose.
Glad you joined the challenge. It was fun learning more about the blogger behind the Grouchy Puppy.
Posted by: Pamela | January 14, 2011 at 03:51 AM
I am new also to your blog and i am really glad to know it because of the good posts about dogs..
Posted by: dog urns | January 23, 2011 at 08:53 AM