Scratchings-and-Sniffings

No You May Not Guest Post On My Blog

I know you're all getting these - emails from random folk asking to guest blog on your blog. I wouldn't mind so much, there's a certain flattery in being approached to share someone else's writing, but... 99% of the people asking to post on this blog are not even associated with pets. And the other 1%, who are associated with pets, somehow (sometimes just by showing an infographic they created about the pet community), aren't qualified to be a guest blogger here.

Is this happening to you? What does it mean? Could it mean:

• People think we're stupid? I mean, really... why would I allow a random person I don't even know to post on my blog, especially when they're not a pet person?
• People think they're ... way better writers or promoters, than they are? "I write for these sites and I'd be happy to write for you, for free!" Sure you would...
• People think it's okay to insult other bloggers because, after all, my little blog needs the extra help and all. 

Time for a BlogPaws Update

by Yvonne DiVita

You're coming, right? To BlogPaws, I mean? To THE event of the year? Oh yeah, it's an event, all right. It has pets galore (I hear through the grapevine - her name is Rebecca Flick - that we have a ton of dogs attending already and there are a whole lot of new registrations coming our way every day... I bet that means another 10 -20 dogs! WOOOHOOOO!), it has great speakers, it has brands that just wanna have fun (sung to the tune of "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun") and it has a ton of bloggers hoping to meet those folks they talk with everyday on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and in their blogs.

What's new this year? Well now, I can't actually tell you that. WE have some surprises in store. And when I say surprises, I mean... real surprises. For some key people in the pet community. One thing I can announce, which we announced a week ago, I believe, is that the amazing David Frei, who's Angel on a Leash will be getting a donation from us this year, will be Emceeing our Nose-to-Nose Awards. How kewl is that? I can't wait to meet him, in person, in the flesh! 

Pinterest... R U On It?

Sharing good stuff this week.

From Carol Bryant, over at BlogPaws, a post about Pinterest. Are you on Pinterest? I am. But, I don't have a page for this blog, yet. My pins are all about my Lipsticking world (marketing to women) and I share all sorts of pet stuff there, too. 

I'm wondering if I should branch out and create Pinterest pages for this blog, for a couple of other sites I contribute to, maybe even a whole page just for funny dog pics. I mean, really... there are thousands, aren't there? In fact, there could be a Pinterest page for cute cat pics and videos...and, I bet there is one. Is it called Tunaberger... (instead of cheesebuger... I know, I'm not really funny at all, am I?)

CyberMonday

DIRECT FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH: (okay, we don't have horses at BlogPaws... but we wish we could!) We do have pets of all kinds - including people. You know your pet thinks of YOU as the pet in the household!

Do not let this go by - it's the best cyber Monday deal on the web! If you think you're better off waiting to be sponsored... let me say this - sponsorship might happen and it might not. Why not decide TODAY that you're attending on YOUR terms, not as a gift from a brand? Why not partner with some friends, create the car pool, decide you're coming to meet the whole dang pet community, and have a chance to work with ALL Sponsors, not just one that might or might not 'sponsor' you?

I don't know. I like sponsorships, too. But, as I grow smarter in this new world of social media, I realize the real power is when I am my own boss. And, that's why this CyberMonday deal is so great! I hope to see you at BlogPaws - don't disappoint me!

BlogPaws Announces Cyber Monday Savings

Too Lazy To Write Week

And so, because I'm slammed with BlogPaws stuff, and I'm off at the American Animal Hospital Association's Denver conference (too much going on, will try to share this weekend!), I am sharing pics...maybe some Touts later on, we'll see. 

Enjoy these little bits from a previous BlogPaws Conference - and check out the other pics. They'll keep you entertained. 

Yep, we attract kids, too!

Dr. Laura Bennett and Jane Harrell

Our own Tom talking up the sessions.

Snotface the Ferret

Buy an ornament, save a pet

I had to share this. Love this idea. How can we continue the concept/idea after the holidays?

 

Animal News, Facts and Fun Stuff: Spotlight on...

Sharing a great online resource: About Vet Med written by Janet Tobiassen Crosby DVM.

<<< A few of my pets and my first foster Greyhound, Hammer

I am the Guide to Veterinary Medicine on About.com where I have written about veterinary medicine, pets and vet news since 1999.

This site has been a few years in the making.  I kept going back-and-forth, since I didn’t want to duplicate my about.com site content and my time is always short. (And honestly, sometimes writing ideas are precious and few.)

Since joining Twitter though, I have met so many fascinating people and learned so many new things that I wanted to have a place where I could write a little more than 140 characters now and then. I also want to be able to spotlight friends, web sites and business that I enjoy.

You can read my about.com bio here and follow me on Twitter here.

I recommend this site for daily viewing. I first met Janet at BlogPaws and have come to have a high regard for her work and for her as a person.

Amazing Grace and Form

Enjoy this. Watch it when you can take just a couple of minutes pause. You'll be glad you did.

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

 

 

Elephant Parade - In support of the Asian Elephant

Mary Haight, over at Dancing Dog Blog, has a fantastic post about elephants. It's not well known, I don't talk about it much, but I LOVE elephants. I have a large collection of elephant knick-knacks and devour elephant stories wherever I see them. I'm convinced that elephants are a superior species - but, then, it's not hard to be superior to humans. IMBO

Anyway, Dancing Dog Blog talks about the Elephant Parade which is sweeping across Europe to raise funds in support of the Asian elephant, which is on the edge of extinction! [image from Sona Mirzaei Art - Sona is the only America chosen to participate! ]Here's how Mary begins her post:

BlogPaws... Down to the wire!

Does anybody know what 'down to the wire' means? I don't! But, it sounds good.

BlogPaws is less than a week away. OMG! We have such a busy schedule planned. The Spooky Buddies movie is just ONE!

Registrations keep coming in, too. There will be about 400 people there - most of them bloggers (of one sort or another; and all with a fondness if not outright passion, for pets!)

I can't wait to see all the pets. It looks like a whole bunch of dogs are coming, a few cats, maybe a guinea pig and at least 2 ferrets that I know of. Watch for LOTS of pictures and video.