We’re coming to the end of another year and I feel low as I always do.
Rather than look inward or look back, I’ve decided to look outward at you, the reader.
Who are you? Are you a typical Something Wagging This Way Comes reader?
What I know about my readers:
You can learn a lot by looking at your statistics and Alexa rankings. And you can learn even more by reading comments and following back to other blogs.
I know that
You have two x chromosomes.
Yep, women are overwhelmingly the audience for Something Wagging. No wonder my husband likes guest posting so much. He just laps up female attention.
I think I should spread the word that men looking for female company of the animal-loving variety should start hanging out here. Especially if they want to meet brainy women.
You’re very smart.
And, no, not just because you read Something Wagging.
I first suspected you were a brainy bunch by reading your comments. I may not have the most comments of any dog blog out there but I get the smartest comments. I can’t tell you how many times a post has been improved by the smart thoughtful remarks made by the readers. It happens both with the silly posts and the serious ones.
But it’s also because, according to Alexa: “Relative to the general internet population, people who went to graduate school are overrepresented at somethingwagging.com”
I’ve compared Something Wagging to other blogs I admire and have never seen the same reference to grad school.
Your animals are smart too.
I’ve made it no secret that I like dogs to be dogs. I have no use for cute outfits unless a dog needs it for warmth. And don’t even get me started on pet costumes.
And if you asked me, I’d tell you I wasn’t too interested in reading blogs where people write as their dogs or cats. And yet….
Some of my favorite blogs feature animals writing posts. They’re so witty and clever that they’re the exception that proves the rule. Can you guess which ones I’m talking about?
- Tales and Tails when Bunny takes over the keyboard. (Scroll down to see Bunny’s and the other dogs’ resolutions.)
- Kol’s Notes when Kolchak the Puggle takes Mama Jodi to task for some new infraction.
- Rumpy Dog when June Buggie goes on one of her rants. Luckily she ended the year on an encouraging note.
You’re ethical.
According to my analytics, you’re not goofing off at work reading my blog. You wait until you get home.
Unless, of course, you’re reading Something Wagging on your smart phone while you’re pretending to work. But no, my traffic numbers are definitely higher at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
You tolerate and even encourage omphaloskepsis.
My most popular feature is the weekly Puppiness Project in which I shamelessly steal from am inspired by Gretchen Rubin’s Happiness Project. The Puppiness Project is a vehicle for reflecting on my own quirks while watching Honey for lessons on being a better human.
I’ve always gotten a good response to it.
But two friends of Something Wagging have made navel gazing an community event.
Answer back about who you are.
I’ve speculated about friends of Something Wagging. But you can put the record straight by participating in the Pet Blogger’s Challenge sponsored by Amy Burkert of Go Pet Friendly and Edie Jarolim of Will My Dog Hate Me.
On January 10, all the participants will answer a series of questions on their blog. A linky list will enable us to visit everyone who participates and check out their answers.
Since this is the second year, Amy and Edie have one set of questions for newbies and another set of questions for people who joined in last year. Oh, and they’re also asking you to link to last year’s post if you’re an alum.
This is a fun chance to set the record straight and share a little bit about the blogger behind the blog. I enjoyed participating last year and look forward to learning more about all the new bloggers I’ve met this year.
Happy New Year from Something Wagging This Way Comes!
I think you pegged Jen pretty good! Happy New Year to you all. xxx
I guess birds of a feather really do flock together.
I had to look it up, but I already feel smarter knowing what Omphaloskepsis means! Now to drop it into a conversation.
Nice post and I love reading The Puppiness Project. I always find myself relating it to my dogs. Happy New Year!
Now that I know there’s a word for navel gazing, I use it whenever possible. I think this is my third blog post this year. 🙂
Hope you have a wonderful New Year!
Bunny says she’s glad to know that she’s the exception for two of your rules! She does need a coat for warmth (Gah! If only I had less than 10% body fat! I’m trying to be the person who looks like her dog!) and she does enjoy a good turn at the keyboard. When I decided to write in her voice at times, I had two things in mind. Greyhounds are the descendants of dogs who could once only be owned by royalty, and I wanted her to reflect that. I also wanted people to be able to enjoy reading her posts and not have to wonder what she was saying.
The Puppiness Project is definitely one of my favorite things about your blog! I’ve enjoyed both your serious and light-hearted posts. Another one I really liked was the one about the artist who created his art out in nature and some of it lasted a long time while other things quickly disappeared! That one really drew me in.
May 2012 bring you wonderful things! 🙂
Bunny is just exceptional no matter what! 🙂
Thanks for the kind words. I also loved the post about Andy Goldsworthy. I was happy to bring him to the attention of some folks who may not have known him before.
I think 2012 has lots of good things in store for all of us. I look forward to seeing what you and Mr. Taleteller will be up to along with Blueberry, Bunny, Morgan, and Kuster.
Wow, you’ve really analyzed us.
The challenge sounds…well, challenging. Have a great year and always looking forward to the puppiness project and reminders of what we can learn from real dogs.
It’s not me. Blame the internet. It’s gathering info about us all the time and just waiting for ways to exploit their knowledge…. Sort of like our dogs and cats. 🙂
Pamela – I love Something Wagging, especially the Puppiness Project! I read the Happiness Project last year, and it’s fun to see how you apply it to your blog. Looking forward to your post on January 10th! xo
Thanks, Vicki. I really enjoyed the idea of the Happiness Project. And if you can borrow a good idea…
Happy New Year, Pamela, Mike and Honey:)
I’ve had a passing glance at the Pet Blogger Challenge. Sounds like fun if I can find the time. But even if I don’t have time to take part I’m looking forward to reading what everyone else posts.
The high caliber of the comments you receive on your blog posts is just one of the many pleasures I get from reading your blog. I’ll often come back to read what other people have to say as well as read your replies to their comments:)
PS great idea about using the liver on Mike’s hat brim:)
Thanks for the good wishes for the new year.
I hope you don’t mind that I watched the Sydney fireworks Georgia Little Pea posted just for you. You’re a very generous gal so I thought you’d be okay with it.
And thank you for being one of those high caliber commenters when you have some spare time. 🙂
Best in the New Year to you and Beryl and Frankie!
Well those are some pretty flattering qualities to assign to your readers!
It’s definitely always heartening to read a blog that has intelligent and ethical commenters. It’s a pleasure to join in that kind of a conversation. Thank you for fostering it!
I’ve just been lucky, Jen. I’m amazed at the wonderful comments you all make here.
Best wishes to you and Elka for the New Year!
I love your blog and how thoughtful it is. Perhaps the reason that you attract smarter readers is that you and your blog are smarter than a lot of the dog blogs out there. Your Puppiness Project brightens my day and it has made me more thoughtful and cognizant of the lesson I can learn from my dogs.
(LOL, it’s funny you mention the writing from the dog’s perspective. If you had asked me a year ago, I would have said that I didn’t much care for it either. I’m not entirely sure why I started that way and I’m not sure, if given the chance, I would start that way again. I’m so glad that you think we’re an “exception to the rule”. It means an awful lot to us!)
You and the other “exceptions” to the writing as your dog rule have been a real learning moment for me. I’ve had to realize never to be too “dog”matic because someone will come along and make me eat my words.
Of course, I’ve learned not to eat while reading your blog because all the laughing makes me choke. 🙂
Thank you for the kind words. I hope you and your family have a wonderful 2012!
Well, I like your analysis of myself 🙂 I am indeed a woman, I am very curious (in sense of wanting to learn and understand things). I am devoted to my dogs and trying to learn everything I can to make their lives better.
I love science but I am open to concepts science didn’t manage/didn’t bother to grasp. I believe that just because something has not been analyzed and quantified it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist and doesn’t work. With all the conflicting expert opinions out there I decided to go with my gut and with what makes sense to me.
Only one of my dogs is smart – and she is extremely smart. The other is a typical guy LOL
I loved the way you brought some flesh to the dry statistics I see on my site. Excellent!
You must get a lot of information from your host! I can’t gleen that much information from my stats!
I am also sorry to say that I had to look up omphaloskepsis…. not that smart. Sadly, it didn’t have anything to do with little orange Dahlesque characters but I do like the word and am going to endeavour to use it at every opportunity.
Happy new year. 🙂
Heather, you have made me very happy. I’m so glad for the Willy Wonka reference!
Please use the word in good health.
Happy New Year!
I had to look up the word too. I guess I don’t fall into the smart part of the statistic! LOL unlike Heather though, I have no intention to try and include it in a sentence!
As for the talking pets blogs, I am not really fond of them either, but have to agree wtih the three you gave exception to, they are all really great blogs.
You have a great blog, with smart, respectful readers because you are a smart, respectful blogger.
I hope you rub off on me!
Happy New Year Pamela.
Thanks for the nice thoughts, Jodi. But I’m hoping you’ll rub off on me. 🙂
Anyone who can write every day and write so well is someone worth emulating!
Hope you have a great 2012!
Your stats are fascinating, although I must say that I am not surprised to hear you have such a brilliant set of readers. I have read many insightful comments below your insightful and thought-provoking posts.
I am participating in the Pet Blogger Challenge again this year and am very much looking forward to it. I did not know Edie and Amy had already posted the questions for this year. Thanks for letting me know!
Of course stats can be problematic–you know the quote about lies, damn lies, and statistics, don’t you?
I can’t wait to read what everyone has to say at the Pet Blogger Challenge. Not sure what I’m going to say, however. I guess it’s good I have some time to look over the questions.:)
Is that like “Out! Out damn spot!”?
I can’t wait to read what everyone has to say too. It will be interesting. I’m a little nervous about getting it done. Will have to start working on it tomorrow so there’s no rush.
aha! is that the secret to a good picture, Honey? 🙂
is this really the blog for Really Smart People? eeek. i must watch my Ps and Qs then, and use the right word, and check wikipedia before proceeding further.
the Petblogger Challenge – what sweet memories. i was sitting on the potty that morning, when i saw i had 7 comments all at one go [or some number like that]. it brought tears to my eyes, seeing as how i was used to getting 1 or 2 [in a week]. i did make a few friends then, though many have disappeared over some horizon. i of course formally met you then *snigger* stalk, stalk.
i wonder if i’ll have time to do it this year. i’ll certainly be reading if not. and btw, just checked out rumpydog – it’s GREAT! x
What do you mean you don’t know if you’ll have time for the Pet Blogger Challenge this year? If you’re spending time on the potty, you probably have time to whip out a few answers to the Challenge questions. Or was that a once a year event? 😉
BTW, glad we’ve moved from stalker to friend status. 🙂
hmmm…hmmmm…..i’m thinking okay? 🙂 love ya x
Female- check.
Graduate degree – check (two, in fact)
I like to think I’m ethical.
Man do I naval gaze. I love big boats… Oh… you said “Navel gaze.” Never mind.
Happy New Year to you, Honey, and Mike, and all your wonderful readers. How the heck did you find out about the graduate degrees?
I knew you were one of my smarties skewing the stats. But I’m really thrilled that you made the naval gazing joke that I wanted to do but couldn’t figure out how to include. 🙂
“I like big boats and I cannot lie…”
As for the how… I suspect that folks complete a survey that asks about their educational attainments and Alexa finds it attached to a cookie with your name on it (or at least your IP address). It feels pretty invasive, doesn’t it?
Rest assured, I don’t know everything. I have no idea of your favorite ice cream flavor or how you threaten your kids when they start working your last nerve. 🙂
1) Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food
2) I threaten to beat them with a stick.
Now you know!
I promise to never use my specialized knowledge for evil purposes.:)
sorry to interrupt so ruely but you guys are hilarious! 🙂
Geez, it’d be nice if I could spell. In the presence of such greatness, I thought it best to come back and correct.
ruDely
Well, this is one time that I wish I had not taken a day to digest your post before commenting. It would have been far less embarrassing NOT to follow all the superior-ly (note: not even a word) intelligent comments that are now preceding mine. 😉
I do not have a graduate degree, btw; however, I DID try out three universities and four to five majors (ending with a BA and a class shy of three minors) before finally graduating after 5.3 years. And I still have no idea what I want to be when I grow up. On the bright side, you can take comfort knowing that I’m an outlier (well, except for my gender)!
Seriously though, the long ago Saturday morning I found your Happiness post on friendship (on the blog hop), I knew I’d found something really special. You never fail to challenge my thinking and that makes ME happy! Thanks for being a friend!
P.S. Thanks for the hat brim tip. Love the photos!
Oh, and I don’t have a paying job, so the ethical part doesn’t apply to me. 🙂
I’d say checking out 4-5 majors and squeaking so close to 3 minors definitely puts you in the smarty pants category. And a well-rounded smarty pants at that. 🙂
As for not having a paying job, my husband likes to say that raising children is the most important job anyone can ever do. After all, someone has to train those kids who wait on him at McDonald’s. 🙂
BTW, do you remember Steve Martin’s old joke about playing tricks on little kids? From the time they’re young you should always talk wrong. Then, when they start school, they raise their hand and say, “May I mamoo dog face in the banana patch?”
Now that’s unethical parenting.
Well, I am very smart, so I guess I fit the bill…
Kidding, kidding… I’m nowhere near that egotistical! I will say that I’m not surprised to learn how smart your readers are. The posts here are always so well-written and thought-provoking, and many times I have been pleasantly surprised by your take on an issue that I’d never even considered before. Love what you do here, and love the Puppiness Project, of course. 🙂
Although I will say, I seem fairly typical except for the smart animal part. Love Bella though I do, she’s not getting a Mensa invite any time soon.
I’m digging that new term for navel-gazing. I hadn’t heard that one before, but I’ll be using it from now on.
You’re smart enough for you and Bella together. She can just rest on her good looks! 🙂
Thanks for the kind words. I don’t think I’ve seen so many diplomatic ways of saying, “Pam, you think weird” as in the comments today. What a clever bunch!
In my opinion, “thinking weird” is a pretty high compliment. You think weird really well. 🙂
I’m a recent reader, so I probably don’t skew your statistics that heavily, but, in the name of science!
I am 22, female, attended college for 1 year and discovered that my passion was in doing. After joining province-wide (Canadian) summer group for business, I am in the start-up stages of my very own pet products business. I guess that makes me ethical, since I make my own hours, so when I’m on the computer I’m not skipping work =) My dogs have all been exceedingly intelligent, but also socially inept. A little like me.
I hope to read more about the Puppiness Project in the coming year.
Hi Amber! Glad you’ve been stopping by.
I can’t wait to see what you do with your pet products business.
Probably a lot of us here in blogville would describe ourselves as socially inept. That’s why it’s good for us to get to know each other here so we don’t feel so alone. 🙂
I always knew I was in good company here. Thanks so much for helping to spread the word about the pet blogger challenge. I’m looking forward to your post and all the rest next week!