We haven’t sunk the boat. Honey is fit and happy. And I haven’t forgotten how to write.
What better reason to update my much-neglected blog than to join the 7th Annual Pet Blogger Challenge?
I’m Not Sexy Enough For My Blog
Been struggling to get back to blogging.
Had a down period over the summer. By the time I felt good enough to write again, I felt ashamed and embarrassed about neglecting my community.
Oh, and then I broke two fingers trying to push a 13,000 pound boat off a fuel dock on a windy day. Stupid. But another blog post.
But I haven’t missed a Pet Blogger Challenge in 7 years and I’m not about to start now.
7th Annual Pet Blogger Challenge Questions
When did you start your blog and, for anyone who is just seeing it for first time, please provide a description of your site. Would you say your blog focuses more on sharing stories with your readers, or providing a resource for your audience?
I started Something Wagging This Way Comes the day before we picked Honey up to live with us in March 2010.
It’s a place to contain my musings on dogs and our relationships with them. I write about any topic that strikes my fancy as long as I can link it in some way with dogs.
And I can relate just about any topic, no matter how far out, to dogs.
I do occasionally write posts people find helpful. I’m pleased to get new readers for my posts on nose work games and how to dispose of dog poop after you scoop.
Since we moved full-time onto our 34 foot sailboat, I’ve also written about our travels and what it’s like to live on a very small boat with a large, furry dog.
What was your proudest blogging moment of 2016?
Can’t say I have much to be proud of since this is my first post since June 1. But I was proud that, at least for a while, I continued writing even while traveling on our boat.
Which of your blog posts was your favorite this year and why? (Please include a link.)
I was fond of Maybe Your Dog Doesn’t Have To Be Fearless.
People who read Something Wagging are amazing.
Many have adopted dogs with challenging behaviors. Some train their dogs to be therapy pups. But everyone wants to give their dogs the best life possible.
As a result, they (you) often put a lot of pressure on themselves (yourselves) to do everything perfect. I’m always happy to remind folks that doing your best is often good enough. It’s a theme I come back to often.
Year after year, one goal that we all seem to share is that we want to reach more people. What one tool did you use or action did you take this year that had the most impact on increasing traffic to your blog?
Sorry. I did absolutely nothing.
Which of your blog posts got the most traffic this year? (Please include a link.) Have you noticed any themes across your most popular posts?
Poop happens. So of course my most popular post was What Do You Do After You Scoop The Poop?
What blog do you find most inspirational and how has it influenced your blog? (Please include a link.)
Every pet blog inspires me. It’s amazing that so many wonderful and talented people gift their ideas to the world.
But I have a special place in my heart for 24 Paws of Love.
24 Paws of Love is so beautiful and honest. It has given me a lot more courage to speak up about challenges I’ve faced. And for that I’m very thankful.
What is one thing your readers don’t know about you or your pets that would surprise them?
You might be surprised to know that I passionately love blogging (despite my recent neglect).
Heck, I even walked over a mile in sub-freezing weather to get internet at the library so I could join the hop today.
What you don’t know about my dog Honey is that she’s very protective for a golden retriever. Why else would she want to sample all our food before we eat it if we wasn’t looking out for poison-wielding assassins?
What is something you’ve learned this year that could help other bloggers?
I was pleased to find that even without regular posting, my visitors have not dropped off.
Yes, I would have grown more readers if I had posted daily. But years of work doesn’t go up in a poof just because you take a break.
Hallelujah!
What would you like to accomplish on your blog in 2017?
You’ll see that I’ve started implementing a fresh new look that a friend designed for me. But it’s half done and kind of hinky looking.
I hope to get things looking pretty again soon and get back to a regular writing schedule.
Now it’s your turn! You have the attention of the pet blogging community – is there a question you’d like answered, or an aspect of your blog that you’d like input on?
I’d really like to focus more on our boat life. Would you find it interesting to learn about what it’s like to live and travel full-time on a sailboat?
Thank Yous
So that was my 7th Pet Blogger Hop.
Thank you to Amy Burkert of Go Pet Friendly for organizing and hosting the blog for so many years.
And thank you to everyone reading this for not forgetting us while we were gone.
Beth
I’m glad you’re back! I’ve definitely missed stories about Honey and every time Barley and I (and now our new puppy Rye) have walked by the marina in our state park, I’ve thought of your boat! I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned before how fascinating I find the idea of living on a boat, so I am 100% in support of more posts about that!
Martine
So glad to see you back, if only for one post! We were worried there for a while. Wishing you, Mike and Honey all the best for 2017.
Vicki
Welcome back! Love the new look even though it’s still a work in progress. I am not at all surprised to learn that Honey checks all your food for poison. She probably checks your bed for assasins too! 😉
Pamela
And she tries to smother them in dog hair. Tricky secret service dog.:)
Mary Hone
So glad you’re all alive and well. But what are you doing in freezing Temps? The new blog design looks great, more what you’re all about. Welcome back!
Emma
I can’t tell you how thrilled we were to see a post from you. About a week ago, Mom was wondering what happened to you. We figured either something went terribly wrong or you were at sea and gave up the blog. We love to read about any of your adventures. We would never live on a boat, but it is interesting to hear how it is from someone who does. We wish you a wonderful 2017 and many more blog posts!
Edie chase
I’m glad to see you back, even if it’s just for one post. I have no inclination to live on a boat, but I enjoy reading about other people who are doing what they love. Be safe, have a good year and thanks for walking in the freezing cold to keep us in the loop. ?
Jan K
It is so great to hear from you, and I love how the blog is looking! I would definitely love to hear more about life on a sailboat; we’ve missed you!
Blogging can be challenging enough, and I can see where adding a mile walk into the schedule can slow things down a bit, but we hope you’re back to stay. It’s also very good news that you can take a break and not lose anything. I have trouble just taking the weekends off for worry of that. (just kidding)
I randomly worried about you from time to time, but Mike was good about getting stuff out on Facebook so I knew all was OK. 🙂
Kenzo
Ahoy sailor, glad to see you again!
Jen Gabbard
I gasped out loud when I saw your post show up in my feed; it made my day. Glad to know all is well, and I’ve missed your writings but it is nice to know that you can retain readers when taking a break.
Your post about fearlessness is one that still sticks with me. Such a great message that I (and many others) forget quite often. Like Beth mentioned above I’m fascinated with boat life, so I’d be on board (worst pun ever) for anything you put out there.
Cathlin Parker
I was so glad to see your post! I’ve missed you. Of course my main attraction is the dog-related stuff, but I’d be happy to read more about the boat, too.
Pamela
Well of course it would be dog related. Even on a boat, Honey is the star!
Cathlin Parker
I know how that goes! 🙂
Taryn
Welcome back! So glad you bobbed back up to the surface! You have been missed!
Groovy Goldendoodles
Reading this made me smile – it was like finding an ole friend again after a few months of disconnect. I laughed out loud when I saw the photo of all of us on the boat. Can’t wait for the weather to get better and then you’ll be heading south again. There’s new places to eat LOL Hugs to Honey – and Mike 🙂 Be safe my friend, you are missed!
Colby
I’m glad you decided to walk through sub freezing weather to make this blog post and that you’re getting back to a regular schedule. I’m not sure if you’ve seen, but we had a litter of Goldens at the house for the past 8 weeks so I’ve been a little busy. They’ve all moved on and will hopefully be working service dogs in the near future. I can’t believe you’re traveling the world on a sail boat! Amazing! Yes, I’d love to continue hearing about your life on the sail boat and of course all about Honey.
By the way, I just wanted to let you know one of my favorite posts that you wrote since starting your travels was the “find your lost pet while traveling” post. I’ve referred several guide and service dog friends to that post since they are often away from home with their working dogs.
Here’s to a great 2017!
Monika & Sam
It’s soooo good to see you again. I worried about you and glad you are well (ok, well except for the two broken fingers-ouch!). Hope to see and hear more about yours and Honey’s adventures. Be well and keep smiling!
Elaine
Oh my goodness, have we missed you Pamela! I love the new look and I’m thrilled we’ll all be hearing more from you soon!!
The Daily Pip
I would love to learn more about living on a boat! I remember reading your blogger challenge post last year and am happy to find you here again!
I think it is amazing that your traffic has stayed the same even when you are not posting. My traffic tanks when I don’t post. So, good for you!
24 Paws of Love
Awww, Pamela. You are too sweet. You and Honey have always had a very special place in my heart too. It was such a joy to have you “back in blogville.” Thanks so much for your kind comments and I want you to know you are very much appreciated.
Hope you are feeling better (and the fingers too!)
We are always interested in your life and Honey, wherever you may be. 🙂
Take care and much love,
Patty and the 24 Paws of Love
Dachshund Nola
So great to hear from you! I would love to hear more about boat life. We’ve missed you!
Melf
The answer to your question is YES!!! I want to hear all about your adventures! I want to know how abbey is faring with life as a season. I want to hear about your adventures and mishaps. I miss you!
Melf
I swear I typed Honey, not Abby. Damn autocorrect. Augh! (Shakes fist in air)
Melf
That was “life as a sea dog”, not life as a season. Seriously. When did we ever need autocorrect?
Jodi Chick
You don’t know how much joy seeing “something Wagging” in my feed reader brought me. Whether it shows up once a week, once a month or once in a blue moon, I am always enamoured with everything you write. <3 So never feel bad about being away; we always want you back. I also learned that my blog could survive without me this year. While I hope it never has to, there is something so very freeing in the knowledge that you CAN take a break when you need it.
Next, even if you didn't post much, that beautiful photo of you and Honey at the top of the post is worth sacrificing some writing for. You look so genuinely happy and I just want to squeeze you both you're so darn adorable.
And I love your beachy background and colours.
And I'm glad you're back! And I'm testing non-slip puzzle solutions for Honey. You've inspired a post.
AngelCallie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom
Forget my first fellow pet blogger who introduced me to Blogville?? No way!!
Welcome Back Pamela! And Honey! And Mike!
PS. What happened to Mike’s blog?
Mike Webster
Mike responds: Thank you for asking. I’ve been taking a break, too, while I consider whether I can find a new voice for the blog. I don’t know whether Bimini Dream will continue, but Something Wagging This Way Comes will go on forever. 🙂
Dz Dogs
You’re back! Hooray!
Love your new site look!
Jackie Bouchard
Glad to see you guys are still alive and well and not carried off by pirates! 🙂 Love the new colors and the new design! Hope to see more of you again in 2017!
Amy@GoPetFriendly
OMG – you’re back!!!! YAY!! I’m so excited, and I’m absolutely tickled to see all the comments here. (Sorry it took me so long to work my way through the list – if I’d known it was you, I would have skipped ahead!)
Life takes over for us all at times, and I hope that you’ll always look back to this post and remember that, no matter how long you’re away, your fans will be delighted to have you back.
I’m sure it comes as no surprise to hear that I’m dying to hear about your travels with Honey. Reading about a different way of life allows people to expand their imagination. Certainly not everyone in my audience dreams of living in an RV, but sharing your stories may inspire them to strike out on their own adventures.
Seriously, thank you for walking in the freezing weather to participate in the Challenge again this year. It means more to me than I can tell you. Happy sailing!
Kimberly Gauthier
You have no idea how happy I am to see this post! When I clicked the link and your blog came up, tears sprung to my eyes – so obviously I’m crazy today. You were missed. This was one blog that I read just for the pure joy of reading.
I look forward to more posts about life on a boat. And I love the new look. LOVE IT!
Welcome back and Happy New Year!!!
Zoey
Very cute. Hope you’re having a great year thus far. Welcome back 🙂
Keep up the awesome posts !!
Zoey
KB
I’m so glad to see you back! I’d love to hear more about living on a small sailboat, and especially what it’s like for Honey.
Beth Patterson
I am not going to lie, I have worried about you from time to time and tried to FB stalk you more than once in the last 6 months. I did see something once that said you all were okay, so I was relieved.
I like the new look.
I’d love to read more about your adventures on the boat!