Thursday, January 10, 2013

Third Annual Pet Blogger Challenge



1. When did you begin your blog? December 2010

2. What was your original purpose for starting a blog? We originally started the blog in hopes of finding Mr. Pauley James a home.
Our Pauley James
3. Is your current purpose the same? No.

Current Adoptable Jenny
Current Adoptable Sherry
If not, what’s different? Since WE adopted Pauley,  we decided to use the blog to highlight our other foster dogs.  Also the blog entries used to be silly fun things that we hoped would convince someone to go out & foster or adopt, but it has morphed into a history of our fostering experience.




4. How often do you post? Usually once or twice a week.

5. Do you blog on a schedule or as the spirit moves you? I blog whenever I can find a few minutes to spare & when a computer is available.
If you don’t publish on a schedule, why? How do you think your decision affects your audience? How do you know when a topic is “post-worthy?” We were without a computer at home for most of 2012. Most of the time, the blog was updated from work on my  lunch. Sometimes I have other things that I have to get done & can’t squeeze it in. I think we have lost readers due to the fact that it is not updated consistently. I post about whatever is happening at the time.

6. How much time do you spend writing your blog per week? How much time visiting other blogs? Share your  tips for staying on top of it all. I spend a lot of time reading other blogs & feel like I can’t keep caught up. In real life, we do not really have many “animal loving” friends & it is nice to see that contrary to popular belief, we are not crazy for loving our pets!

7. How do you measure the success of a post and of your blog in general (comments, shares, traffic)?

I measure it by the amount of comments.  I love comments, but we really do not get many. I think I need to look into a comment system that lets you reply to comments/questions.



8. If you could ask the pet blogging community for help with one issue you’re having with your blog, what would it be? I need help in engaging readers.

9. What goals do you have for your blog in 2013? To get back to doing fun entries that make me laugh :)

A huge thank you to our readers & the host of the Third Annual Pet Blogger Challenge,  GoPetFriendly.com
Also thank you to Bren from  Pibbles & Me for letting us know about it!

16 comments:

Debbie D. said...

Nice to meet you! Fostering dogs is such a wonderful thing and how great that you adopted Pauley James, yourself. May you have much success with your blog.

Anonymous said...

I've been reading your blog since you started but get it in my feed reader. Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy it.

Unknown said...

Great to meet you and your site. This is my first visit. I think its great about helping dogs find forever homes. Looking forward to reading more.

Two Pitties in the City said...

I'm like you, and we didn't have many dog friends like us and that's why we found this online dog community to be so important. And we love reading..hearing about the different pups, and of course, the outfits!

Leslie said...

We love your blog. And I'm sorry if I haven't been commenting as much lately - like everyone else, I've been overwhelmed. I do read every post though - I'll have to make a point of saying hello when I do drop by - I know how important it is.

There are a couple of blogs that I've wondered why they're not getting the attention I think they deserve and yours is one of them. Pauley is so handsome and photogenic, the work you do is both so important and so inspiring and your stories are engaging and entertaining. I wish I had some answers for you but I can tell you this - this hop brought my blog a LOT of attention last year so I was very glad to see you in this year.

PS - I'm not sure the commenting system makes that much of a difference. In fact, I get complaints about mine, for what it's worth.

Leslie said...

Oh, I just thought of something - have you joined BlogPaws? http://www.blogpaws.com/

If you have, hit me up! And if you haven't, consider it. It's a community of other pet bloggers and there are discussion boards and events you can join to ask other bloggers for advice or information. It's a great learning tool as well as a community of like-minded individuals.

Greyhounds Aren't Grey said...

Greetings! I'm happy to run across another person new to the blog challenge. I've come across so many (myself included) who are trying to figure out how to engage more readers. Hopefully someone had an answer to that secret!

Anonymous said...

Hi Heather, Pauley, and babes! So glad you decided to do the challenge! I have been reading all day (at work...shhhh) and am finding lots of goodies and pibbles lovers as well! Did you link up on the blog? I didn't see your link? Oh my with 85 or so links I might have missed it. Glad you're already in my reader! Keep up the good work and smooches to the babes! Titan sends high fives!

Maggie said...

"In real life, we do not really have many “animal loving” friends & it is nice to see that contrary to popular belief, we are not crazy for loving our pets!" YES!!! I feel the exact same way, and it's one of the reasons that I truly love the pet blogging community. It's amazing to connect with likeminded people. As far as engagement, that's something I struggle with, too. I'll let you know if I come up with anything... Btw, your foster Jenny is gorgeous!!!

Jan said...

We are regular readers. We know what you mean about not having real life friends not as into dogs as bloggers are. Great to have each other.

What Remains Now said...

I had to giggle over why you started your blog. Hurray, Pauley James! I sure do enjoy your blog. You can feel your heart for Pauley James and the fosters, and when you let Pauley take over...hilarious.

Coralee said...

Nice site... I love the pics - just amazing!
Glad I had the chance to find you through the Challenge!
Best of luck meeting your 2013 goals!

Tegan said...

Oh, another blog on fostering experiences. Cool! I've added you to my google reader to read your new posts as they come. Best of luck for blogging in 2013.

Amy said...

Thanks so much for joining the challenge and congratulations on adding Pauley James to your family. I'd say you met your objective in finding him a good home - YOURS! - and now he's helping other dogs find their forever homes, which is fantastic! I'm adding you to my Google Reader and I'm looking forward to seeing what 2013 brings you. Also, I'll remind you that the Blog the Change blog hop hosted by BeTheChangeForAnimals.com is coming up tomorrow. It would be a great way to bring some more attention to these beautiful adoptables!

Lauren @ Life With Desmond said...

I will never stop loving the fact that you failed miserably at your first attempt to foster a dog. :-)

Here's hoping 2013 brings forth many more loving forever homes for your puppers!

Colby said...

That's awesome you started the blog to find Mr Pauley James a home. We used to foster a while back before we started raising and training guide dogs.

I usually try to engage my readers at the end of each blog post by asking a question. Some will answers many will not.

Good luck with your goals in 2013!