You've come a long way puppy. What hasn't changed in a year? Cleo, our dog, is still my muse. Maybe I should have called this post, "Why we try to give fearlessly."
Cleo's presence is as strong as ever in our life, but something has changed. She has moved into her golden years. I can't pretend or make up reasons why her back legs are gimpy, or pretend to tease her about getting tired after walking a block. We are experiencing the cruel, and gentle, sides of the aging process for a dog. It's my first time, and it isn't easy.
It is tough emotionally on me, but with Cleo, I owe it to her not to pretend, but to live in the moment with her, and learn as much as I can. My goals are to learn about myself, about the aging process, and about not being afraid to love someone I already know I will outlive. I had these goals last year when I did the first Pet Blogger Challenge - my post from last year’s Pet Blogger Challenge - but this year, these goals are front and center, coloring everything I write, and the blogs, articles and books I'm reading.
What do you consider the most important goals you set out in last year’s post? 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. With the addition of the Grouchy Puppy blog, my other goal was to add my own voice and to speak from my experiences as a dog lover and pet parent.
Have you made progress toward those goals, or have your goals changed over the past year? Writing both blogs, growing my audience across many social media channels has been a wonderful challenge. These blogs have been a great place to discuss topics such as adoption and senior dogs. It has been exciting to see the numbers of people increase who enjoy Grouchy Puppy content. Yes, progress has been made in both content and followers. Another goal has been to become more involved locally. San Francisco has great groups that help me achieve this goal. Muttville Senior Dog Rescue is one, as is the San Francisco SPCA. As an introvert, with a beloved, aging dog, it is easy to stick close to home.
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? I still use a calendar as much as possible. This helps me stay organized and not miss out on a fun campaign, timely giveaway or cute holiday like "Walk Your Pet Month."
"Work smarter not harder" still rings true for blogging. I try and harness social media widgets and feeds so that I'm not worrying about things like traffic and momentum.
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)? If not currently, do you hope to in the future — and how? 2012 is the year we will finally start to generate income from advertising on Grouchy Puppy. Last year the income we received was related to writing sponsored posts. Don't discount karmic currency. I am very proud of the positive influence I had toward nonprofits that benefited from donations such as St. Louis Senior Dog Project getting $1000 from Pedigree and PAWS receiving an important inventory scanner from GREENIES.
Have your likes and dislikes about blogging changed since last year? Not really. I still dislike sad stories. And I like stories and campaigns that motivate you. Encouragement is necessary, as are the tools to make a difference in the lives of animals. A local group run by Kelly Gorman Dunbar that understands this is Open Paw. This nonprofit is dedicated to giving people & pets the tools they need to form a lasting relationship with one another & with their communities.
Overall, are you pleased with the progress you made in 2011? Yes, I'm pleased. I may focus more energy on writing for LIFE+DOG magazine, but my main goal is the same.
How do you see your blog changing/growing in 2012? My blogging hopefully will include more partnerships with local nonprofits and businesses that seek to make a difference in the lives of animals. I hope to include more guest posts from interesting folks with interesting perspectives and backgrounds. Going with 2012 with my first old dog, I expect you will see even more content focused on this experience as well.
Congratulations on your blogging accomplishments in 2011! It sounds like things are going quite well in that respect. We are also facing a dog moving toward his elder years and it definitely isn't easy. I hope we both find a way to make this transition as gracefully as our dogs undoubted will.
Posted by: Amy@GoPetFriendly | January 09, 2012 at 09:51 PM
Thanks Amy! I'm mostly happy and really only have "down" days when I worry over handling Cleo's new challenges, with the grace you mention. She deserves the best of everything, because that is what I feel she has given me.
Posted by: Sharon/Cleo | January 09, 2012 at 10:08 PM
I love your thinking about "karmic currency" - it is the best kind, after all, isn't it?! Wishing you your best year ever, both with your writing projects and your time with Cleo:)
Posted by: CindylusMuse | January 09, 2012 at 11:47 PM
What a wonderful post, I loved reading about your 2011 achievements and how you plan to work smarter not harder. It seems Traffic / SEO and keeping the love for true Blogging are always a balance. It is so nice to see someone taking the road that will lead to long term commitment and continued success.
Posted by: Lisa | January 10, 2012 at 02:18 AM
It's tough watching them get older. My oldest dog will turn 11 this year and then I just adopted 2 senior cats this year so I think about it more often. I appreciate being able to share their lives more and more everyday. Looking forward to reading your blog in 2012!
Posted by: dawn | January 10, 2012 at 02:30 AM
It is hard to deal with an aging fourlegged loved one. We have a lab that struggles and it breaks our hearts! Every day she still want to play ball, but we will no longer throw it long distances as it is just to hard for her to retrieve it. Hang in there!
Posted by: Patrice & Higgins | January 10, 2012 at 04:58 AM
I loved reading your story. And it is so hard to watch dogs grow old. My experience was tough. Lots of love and patience is my best advice.
Posted by: Mary, Roxy and Torrey | January 10, 2012 at 07:38 AM
Thanks so much for the comments and good wishes. If there are any topics or questions you'd like me to cover in future posts, please email me.
I'm trying to live in the moment with Cleo, and not get distracted by my fears over her current senior status. It feels as if she has a lot to share with me that will help with how I handle my elderly parents passing in the future, as well as hers.
The learning is up to me. Cleo will love me whether I learn from her or not, that I know, which is why I try so hard. I'm a teacher's pet.
Posted by: Sharon | January 10, 2012 at 08:52 AM
Great post. It's definitely tough seeing our dogs enter the golden years, but there's beauty in it too. My dogs all acquired a sense of peace and serenity that was quite lacking in their younger (read: hyper) years. And the good news is that, though Cleo may be slowing down, she still has plenty of time and love ahead. It's difficult for any pet parent to see, but it's a good reminder to not take our time with them for granted.
Posted by: Sonia Singh, big dog blogger | January 10, 2012 at 10:21 AM
Congratulations on all your successes in 2011! Great interview. My furbrother has entered his golden years, too.
Always keep on wagging,
Tootsie
Posted by: Tootsie | January 10, 2012 at 12:10 PM
Thanks for participating again, Sharon -- and thanks for writing such a thoughtful post. I am feeling the same way about Frankie, now almost 13 years old, and find myself in the new bittersweet and painful phase that you describe.
Best of luck in achieving your goals for next year!
Posted by: Edie | January 10, 2012 at 05:10 PM
Thanks Edie, Tootsie & Sonia for your well wishes. As long as I can type, my 2012 goals include sharing all the lessons I learn with Cleo..easy and difficult.
Posted by: Sharon | January 10, 2012 at 06:08 PM
Fantastic post. I love your blog - it's got such a positive vibe and you inspire me to be better in my blogging and in my life. We're very lucky to have your voice in the pet blogging world.
I've been faced with the realities of aging lately too - Bella has started to hit those years, and it can definitely weigh on your mind. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your POV, I suppose), I've been through this before. It almost sounds silly, but sometimes I think of that Garth Brooks song "The Dance, especially the part where it says "I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance." The love makes it worth it.
Posted by: Pup Fan | January 11, 2012 at 05:45 AM
It was poignant to read your thoughts on facing old age with Cleo and your first time facing these issues with a dog. You're always so upbeat but these reflections touched me very deeply.
Posted by: Pamela | January 11, 2012 at 05:24 PM
Thanks Pamela. It isn't easy facing this unknown territory but knowing I'm doing with and because of Cleo, that seems to make it a little better and definitely worth it. She rocks my world every day, and now in a bittersweet way.
-Sharon
Posted by: Sharon | January 11, 2012 at 06:32 PM
I love your perspective on raising a senior dog. I recently realized that my Felix is aging and I do not handle that well. I need to focus on being in the moment and focusing on squeezing every moment of love and enjoyment right out of him. Thank you for sharing that. It was exactly what I needed to hear today.
Posted by: Kolchak & Jodi (and Felix too) | January 11, 2012 at 09:31 PM
Fun to learn more about your blogs! Cleo is just beautiful.
Posted by: Yay Pets | January 12, 2012 at 02:13 PM
I'm sorry to hear that Cleo is showing signs of her age, but I hope you have many more 'golden years' left with her.
I have an older dog in foster care at the moment, who is close to perfect in every way in terms of temperament and personality, but that has received no enquiries. I can't help but think that her 9 years of age is putting people off, which is very saddening.
I'm glad to hear that you're standing up for rescues, especially the seniors, and I agree with your - I like encouraging and uplifting stories, too!
Posted by: Tegan | January 12, 2012 at 04:46 PM
Yay Pets! Thanks for commenting. Keep up the good work. Vets can be amazing and positive influences to many.
Hi Tegan - Cleo is simply the best. As an old girl, she is teaching me about aging gracefully, not being of death and more. With older parents, I am grateful to her lessons. Senior dogs have so much to share.
Posted by: Sharon | January 12, 2012 at 06:15 PM
I hope you have many golden years with Cleo. We rescued my first puppy, Linus from the shelter over 7 years ago. He's a medium sized Australian Shepherd mix and still acts like a puppy. However, I know the time will come when he starts to slow down so I do my best to enjoy every moment with him. Thanks for sharing your 2011 accomplishments and goals for 2012.
Posted by: Colby | January 12, 2012 at 09:14 PM