Once again, the time has come to engage in a little bit of omphaloskepsis. I’m still firmly in the anti-belly button camp, but I’ll try to gaze at my metaphorical navel without getting too grossed out.
Anyway, that’s a long-winded way of saying I’m participating in the annual Pet Blogger Challenge hosted by our friends at GoPetFriendly.com. Every year, the Pet Blogger Challenge gives us an opportunity to reflect on the past year and look forward – it’s a chance to deliver our own little State of the Blog address.
Before we get started, here’s a link to last year’s lint-covered entry, in case you’re curious. (Why is whatever the hell is inside a belly button called lint anyway? Who came up with that weirdness. Seriously… gross.)
Can we briefly discuss how a search for “bellybutton” GIFs resulted in a lot of Benedict Cumberbatches? (“Belly button,” in contrast, does not.) What up with that?
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Anyway… this year, I thought I’d abandon my usual rambling narrative and actually answer the questions posted in the order they appear. (It’s a radical approach, I know.) So, let’s get to it…
- How long have you been blogging? Give us a quick description of what your blog is about. I’ve been blogging since… hold on, I need to go look it up… April 2010. (Where has the time gone?) As for the blog description, this excerpt from my bio page sums it up: “I Still Want More Puppies is a blog about pup culture, pop culture, and anything else that strikes my fancy. I strive for humor with a healthy dose of heart – stop by for a smile, a laugh, or a big virtual hug. There’s no law against having fun while trying to help animals, and this blog is a place to do both.” Or, to simplify – I make a lot of weird connections between seemingly unrelated things. (Thanks, Pamela.)
- Tell us one thing that you accomplished on your blog during 2014 that made you proud. That’s a tough one, honestly. Last year was not exactly one of this blog’s finest. I said goodbye to my dear Bella and kind of lost my blogging groove. So, I guess at this point, I’m most proud (so to speak) of the fact that the blog is still here at all. It’s been touch and go.
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- What lessons have you learned this year – from other blogs or through your own experience – that could help us all with our own blogs? Again, I’m not sure I’m the best person to offer advice this time around. However, I did learn that sometimes you just need to take a break when can’t find the words and your heart’s not in it. It’s okay. Be kind to yourself. The blog will still be there if and when you want to return to it.
- What have you found to be the most successful way to bring traffic to your blog, other than by writing great content? At this point, I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about how to generate traffic. Sometimes, unexpected posts will garner a lot of interest, while ones I think are great seem to fly under the radar. At the end of the day, it seems to be punny pet names that keep this particular blog from completely fading into oblivion.
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- What was your most popular blog post this year? Did it surprise you that it was your most popular? Well, the posts that got the most views were those aforementioned roundups of punny pet names. Of my 2014 posts, however, this one about being a crazy dog lady was the most popular. By a long shot. (I credit this to the fact that it got a mention on the hugely popular GoPetFriendly.com Facebook page. It’s the pet blogging equivalent of the Colbert bump.)
- What was your favorite blog post to write this year? I’m not quite sure. Probably one of these two: Walking in a Neutered Wonderland or How much is that doggie falling out of the car window?
- Has your policy on product reviews and/or giveaways changed this year? Nope – still don’t really do them. If you don’t do reviews, is this something you’d like to do more of? Nope.
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- What’s your best piece of advice for other bloggers? Um… people like puns? No, seriously… I’m not feeling very wise this year. So, I guess I just hope that you have fun with it. Figure out what brings you joy, and just do your thing.
- What goals do you have for your blog in 2015? Well, since my blogging routine got seriously derailed, I didn’t really accomplish my 2014 goals: (1) giving the blog a facelift; and (2) incorporate more of my drawings as I finally (?) get that webcomic out of my head and onto the Interwebz. So, I’ll stick with those, and add a third: share more Tavish stories. He’s my favorite little dude, after all.
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- If you could ask the pet blogging community for help with one challenge you’re having with your blog, what would it be? Given the loss of momentum in 2014, any tips on how to get my groove back would be greatly appreciated. What types of posts have you enjoyed and what would you like to see more of? I’m hoping that I can find a focus and set some mini-goals for getting myself back into the blogging thing.
Well, those are the questions. It’s all over but the crying (by me, about the grossness of belly buttons).
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If you want to gaze into some other (likely more interesting) belly buttons, check out the other bloggers participating in the challenge this year!
How fascinating is I Still Want More Puppies? Fascinating enough that my husband went directly to your post after reading mine. And he was laughing in the very first paragraph. And he’s laughing again at “Canine help you?”
Thank you for amusing my husband. Now don’t ever do it again. 😉
I love me the Punmaster General. But my fave posts make “weird connections between seemingly unrelated things.” But I know you can’t plan those out. They just happen. Like thunderstorms. And unicorn farts.
Pamela recently posted..Pet Blogger Super Heroes – Pet Blogger’s Challenge 2015
Um, I don’t know if you could give me a better compliment than telling me I made Mike laugh. Mike’s the best. 🙂
Hey, glad I found you through the navel gazing. We seemed to have similar advice to others, my OH LOVES puns, I’ll have to do some reading of your blog and amaze him with some.
Dee recently posted..Pet Blogger Challenge
Welcome, fellow pun lover! I can’t promise they’re all good, but I can promise that they are plentiful. 😉
It’s hard to blog after the loss of a beloved furry family member. I don’t really have advice about how to get the mojo back, but I think it just kinda comes as you write posts and people have a positive reaction to them. (Like saying that you made their hubs crack up!) Anyway, I hope you’ll start to blog more as I always find your posts entertaining. You are the master of finding the perfect gif. I would LOVE to see your drawings, so I hope you’ll incorporate those! I also love the random things you comment on… Like, really, what IS the B.C. / bellybutton connection?? (Oh, it’s an umbilical cord. Get it? Bellybutton connection?????) 🙂
Jackie Bouchard recently posted..Pooch Smooches Takes the Pet Blogger Challenge
The Bellybutton Connection… the sequel to The Rainbow Connection? We may have a hit on our hands. Or on our abdomens. 🙂
I love the fact that I can always come here and get a smile, or even a great laugh. As long as you can do that, everything will be great. That’s your voice, and that’s why we all come here.
Mary recently posted..Pet blogger challenge 2015
Thanks, honey. 🙂
How entertaining! Glad I stopping by. Well, back to my navel gazing before hopping over to the next blog on the tour.
Val Silver recently posted..Pet Blogger Challenge 2105
Please take a minute to read my story, i really need some help to save my sweet puppy Angel. I really hope some of you can help me out by donating a little or share my story.Thank you so much!
indiegogo.com/projects/save-my-sweet-angel
I always enjoy reading your blog, and I’m so glad to see you carry on even after losing Bella. I think the best way to get your mojo back is to simply jump in and do it. If you write it, they will come… so to speak. Blog when you feel inspired, knowing those who enjoy your posts will be there to read.
Christina Berry recently posted..Pet Blogger Challenge 2015
Great post!! I too want more puppies!! LOL I love your puns and I think they are so funny!
Lauren Miller recently posted..Pet Blogger Challenge 2015
I always enjoy a laugh with you. Today was certainly no different! BOL!!!
M. K. Clinton recently posted..10 Bad Excuses Vs. 10 Good Reasons For Walking Your Dog
Losing Bella was so hard. 🙁 It’s good to see you laugh and make others laugh. Pamela is the best inspiration, isn’t she? And she’s right, having Mike as a fan is the *best!*
one person’s view recently posted..The Pet Blogger Challenge, 2015 Edition
She really is. We’re all enriched by having Pamela in our lives! 🙂
You are my ray of sunshine. I’m so excited you linked to Mark’s post. I’ve read a dozen times already! I can’t wait to hear more Tavish stories and see this webcomic I keep hearing about!
That post is seriously awesome.
I understand falling out of the groove. I fell out of blogging a couple of times when things happening in life were just too much. 2014 was spotty for me too because of school. I don’t have any advice about getting your groove back because I am still trying myself but….maybe the answer is hiding in your bellybutton 🙂
Ew… I hope that’s not where it is! 🙂
I think taking a break is okay, especially after the year you had, but please more of Tavish, he’s so adorable.
And your puniness amazes me. 🙂
Jodi recently posted..You Make Me Laugh – January 11, 2015
I’ll see what I can do… I think Tavish is ready for his time to shine!
How do I love thee? Let me count the way:
1) You are one of the smartest, funniest women I know.
2) You’re blog is (at times) falling down funny. Never discount the value of a good pun.
3)More than once, you have given my blog the Pupfan bump (selfish, I know).
4) You have enough guts to say your heart when is in it. And take it from someone who lost (and refound) her groove – I know how hard that is.
5) You make me smile and that amounts to more than a hill of beans in this crazy world. Someday you’ll understand that.
I’m blushing over here. Thank you for such a kind comment!
Oh my goodness … losing Bella this year was one of the hardest things that happened in the pet blogging world. That you needed time away to morn her is completely understandable. And the fact that you’ve come back says a lot. Clearly this is a creative outlet that you enjoy. And it’s a place of connection, where you bring happiness to other people – that’s something to be very proud of!
My advice for getting your groove back is to blog about exactly what you want, when you want. Let the blog be what it is – somewhere you enjoy hanging out – where you can laugh, be goofy, and connect all the seemingly unrelated things. My suggestion would be that in 2015 you don’t set any goals, other than to have as much fun as you can. In fact, that might be the secret sauce for all of us! Of course, a Colbert Bump wouldn’t hurt, either! 😉
Amy@GoPetFriendly recently posted..Lessons Learned From The 2015 Pet Blogger Challenge
Thank you, Amy… and thank you for hosting this challenge every year. I really enjoy the chance to reflect, and I find it extremely helpful as well. 🙂
I’m working on getting back my groove starting with this years Pet Blogger Challenge. If you’re looking for something to blog about I always like seeing more puppies 🙂 We’ll probably get another puppy sometime in the first half of this year. That should provide fodder for the blog for a while. Good luck getting your groove back this year!
Colby recently posted..Pet Blogger Challenge 2015
You can’t go wrong with puppies, I suppose!
Webcomic! Webcomic! Webcomic!! Also, you are far, far wiser than you give yourself credit for, my dear. This post is FULL of wisdom. Stepping away when your heart’s not in it is such a valuable piece of advice!!
Maggie recently posted..This could be trouble
Aw, thanks! <3
Nice to learn so much about you! I began blogging right around late winter/Spring 2010 too–in fact, it sounds like you and I have gone through a similar blogging arc. I know how hard it is to keep going sometimes–Bella was your muse and inspiration. I am glad you came back though, and hope you find it healing to continue.
I would love to see your drawings, but hope you’ll just continue in the same wacky vein we’ve all grown to know and love.
Thanks, honey!
I love your gif accompaniment. I cannot believe the bellybutton vs. belly button thing. Bizarre!
I also lost my mojo. Coming back was hard. I agree you have to take a break. I know I needed one. Heck, this week all I have posted are pictures again!
I know losing Bella took the fun out of blogging. She was a special girl. I still miss her in your blog. How could I not. It’s how I got to know you.
I would love to see Mr. Tavish more here and more tales of his silliness and antics. Maybe that would help to bring back the mojo? Miss Bella might approve. 🙂
melf recently posted..Wordless Wednesday #223 – Sunset at Whitetail Woods Regional Park