The Meaning and Serious Side of BlogPaws
While I did not have to contend with Hurricane Irene like last year, getting to Salt Lake City from Fort Lauderdale this year to attend BlogPaws was no easy picnic either. Armed with a thick pair of fuzzy socks, a neck pillow, and a mini plush blanket (all in leopard print) to make sure my endless flight was as comfortable as possible, I awoke sometime over Utah to see the spectacular view of a patchwork of gorgeous mountains. Naturally, my camera was packed in overhead, but it is highly unlikely I would have been able to take a photo of quality anyhow. Dan is clearly the photographer in our family and he was home with the cats…
I was unable to take a good photo of the mountains, but did manage this stunning night shot of Temple Square that consists of three city blocks in downtown Salt Lake City. It is home to nearly 20 attractions related to Mormon history and genealogy, including the Salt Lake Temple, the Tabernacle, and the Family History Library.
During my 6 plus hour flight, it gave me plenty of time to reflect on just what blogging was to me and what did I expect to gain from the conference. Clearly much of the allure is the social aspect – it is wonderful to connect in person with old friends as well as put a name to a face to new ones. Not to mention the obvious – the paws part of BlogPaws. Cats in hats. Cats in strollers. Big dogs. Little dogs. Ferrets and more. Everywhere you turn at BlogPaws it is a pet lovers dream come true as a bevy of animals in a variety of sizes, shapes, species, breed, and color parade down the halls of the Sheraton hotel. For someone like me who is homesick for her cats as soon as she pulls out of the driveway, it provided me with a sense of calm and balance. Plus, I got to wear my cat ears and fit right in!
Nothing unusal here... me in ears with Teri of Curl and Swirlz and her cat Coco who is wearing a designer outfit... I was thrilled to meet up with Teri after doing that great interview with her on breeding Cornish Rex cats.
But, putting that aside, I realized for me, that blogging has been a metamorphosis of sorts this year. Almost like a caterpillar who has turned into a beautiful butterfly, liberated and free, I felt that this year I had really spread my personal wings as I began to question who I was through the expression of writing and my love for the feline species.
My blog that was created initially as an adjunct to my book, The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey, has been a springboard of personal discovery. I have devoured topics about cats that I did not know about, such as feral cats, spaying and neutering, cat overpopulation, breeding, and so much more with such a passion that I began to realize that blogging was my voice to teach and educate so that I could better inform others about what I have learned to help promote cat welfare. In essence, whether through humorous posts, personal stories, videos, photos, interviews, serious subjects, or anything in between, for me, my blog is the celebration of cats in every aspect and I have become their advocate.
Me with my dear friend, Christine Michaels of Riverfront Cats. She inspires me on a daily basis and is without doubt one of the main reasons I have become such a devoted and educated cat advocate.
Keynote speaker, Betsy Saul, of Petfinder.com
Because of that, the highlight of BlogPaws for me had to be listening to Keynote Speaker, Betsy Saul, President and Founder of Petfinder.com on Friday morning. She completely invigorated, validated, and inspired me with her message that education and preventative measures to reduce the numbers of pets going into shelters is critical. She says this is particulary true for cats and that we still have a long way to go towards helping our feline friends. This news really charged me up and made me even more committed to helping cats through education and teaching so that one day we can live in a world where no adoptable cat is euthanized simply because he or she became homeless.
She shared a video from TED – Ideas Worth Spreading by Derek Sivers called “How to Start A Movement” and the simple but profound concept was one that really got me to thinking about the power and responsibility we have as bloggers to create and inspire positive change in the animal world and I thought I would share it with those of you who could not make the conference:
I can only hope that through my voice, my blog, and my actions, that I remain a diligent crusader and inspirational force for others to follow and perpetuate like Betsy who created the online concept of Petfinder.com in 1996 with her husband Jared. Started as a resolution to do something for homeless animals, this online database of animals has facilitated 17 million adoptions in its first fifteen years. Betsy paved the way for the rest of the conference and my mindset was that of absorbing as much knowledge as I could. I attended various educational seminars and met with vendors and sponsors to look at new pet products, foods, toys, accessories, and concepts. All with the bottom line intention of being a better blogger and vehicle to help animals, which, in essence is what BlogPaws is about and why I attended.
Another highlight of BlogPaws for me was meeting pet expert, Steve Dale, who I interviewed in my controversy of cat breeding series. Here he is with Christine and I.
I will follow up in the next day or so with a more lighthearted look at BlogPaws – seeing the event through the eyes of flat pet Zee and Zoey, catching up with old friends and meeting new, and just the fun part of sharing pictures and general behind the scenes good ole fun cat chat! See you soon!
Oh, and don’t forget, the deadline for Pettie nominations is quickly drawing to a close! Click here to vote for your favorite bloggers and for a chance to win $10,000 for a shelter or rescue of your choice!
How ironic that you closed this spectacular post by mentioning ” good ole fun cat chat”…was that a Freudian slip for my being unable to attend???? ((((hugs))))
Loved your statement of “In essence, whether through humorous posts, personal stories, videos, photos, interviews, serious subjects, or anything in between, for me, my blog is the celebration of cats in every aspect and I have become their advocate.”…..and those things are what help to make your blog superb. I appreciate the time, study, reflection and care that you put into each and every post.
I was deeply saddened I couldn’t attend this year but am grateful that I WAS able to live stream every keynote that was available via live stream and was greatly moved by the Betsy Saul speech as well.
Superb coverage of the “meaty” side of BlogPaws Deb!
LOL Caren…. you will just have to tune in to see what I meant!!! I wondered if you would catch that (and, of course you did)!! I missed you like crazy and it just was NOT the same without you. I am so glad you got to see the Betsy Saul speech via live stream. She really was amazing and I am so grateful for postitve people like her in this world. She truly makes you believe it is possible to make a difference, and she is living proof of it!
I’m glad you enjoyed the post and I really appreciate your kind words on the growth of my blog.
xoxoxoxo
Caren you were truly missed but we felt your spirit–mostly your Tweets that flitted around social media nonstop. It was like you were there. I can’t wait to meet you!
@Christine you are a complete sweetheart!!!!
“the tweets flitting around social media nonstop” were intentional!!! I didn’t want to be forgotten 🙂
Plus, I was greatly enjoying all of the live stream events!
Can’t wait to meet you as well and MEET one day we SHALL!!
And…you MUST go and watch “Funny Girl” it is one of my faves…….
Deb – it was wonderful meeting you at Blogpaws. Like you, I found Betsy’s keynote address inspiring. It’s interesting how the experience of blogging has also helped open my eyes about issues in animals welfare, and I continue spread the word about helping homeless pets. If we each do a little, it adds up to a lot!
That is a great post Deb and glad to hear that speech by Betsy was so good. It is so heart warming to hear that people really are trying to reduce the number of animals in shelters. Sounds like Blog Paws was a really good thing this time. Thanks for this great report about it all.
Deb, Meeting you was a highlight for me at BlogPaws! You are everything I expected, from becoming acquainted with you and your fabulous blog online, and more! I’ve always been just so impressed with your eloquence, compassion and dedication. You are a genuine sweetheart!
As a newbie, I wasn’t sure what to expect….just wanted to get there in one piece and take in as much as I possibly could. I also loved Betsy’s keynote….Lena’s too. It was a revelation to me, learning that I can actually make a difference even though my blog is seated solely in silliness.
I’m looking forward to keeping up with you, having some fun together and watching the friendship grow.
xo
Debbie
a.k.a. Glogirly
Katie’s made it clear that I am NOT allowed to sport my cat ears though.
Thank you for the kind comment Debbie – I felt the same meeting you and was so taken by your warm personality and sense of humor. You already know how talented I think you are and silliness is a completely important aspect of cat blogging. We need the world to embrace all aspects of cats, not just the serious side, the stereotypical side, or the side that is burdened by the sadness of living on the streets and in shelters. We all do our part to educate the world and I am looking forward to our friendship growing as well. xoxo
Thanks for your report on Blogpaws, Deb. It seems to have become more than the sum of its parts. Let’s hope it goes on to be bigger and better and even more influential. Being in the UK and really not a serious ( in every sense!) blogger, I can only applaud all the work that is now being done to advance the cause of pet care.
BTW I have noticed how your blog as evolved and developed since I first started following. It’s like watching a butterfly emerge from the chrysalis! xox
Carolyn – I am so happy to hear you are noticing the evolution of my blog. I know in the beginning, I wondered if anyone was reading it at all!! As far as your blog not being serious, maybe not. But it still inspires people because we get to appreicate the humorus and sarcastic side of our feline friends! It helps to dispell stereotypes that all cats are the same!
How much fun this sounds, Deb! I know your presence there was valued and you were also able to give back just as much as you give. I would have been in heaven too with all the fur babies and great lectures. Can’t wait to hear more about the conference.
Great report on BlogPaws, and I soak it all up like a sponge. I was so wishing that next year I would not be a BP newbie but oh well.
It is interesting how a blog can grow and change, and find new meaning/direction. Yours is always an inspiration.
Thank you Julia – I am glad you find my blog to be inspiring. As far as being a newbie, speaking from experience, that feeling lasts for all of a minute, as you are quickly welcomed by your fellow blogging friends into a cirlce of cat love!!
…ummm…ahhh…gosh…I am totally without meows….you are so dedicated to us…and all I can think of is…welll…ahh…I am so humbled that you comment on my blog. You are so committed and I am just beginning and not sure that I will even be heard…I just want others to know how impawtant adopting adult cats is and how it is different from adopting little kitties…so many of us are returned ‘cuz peeps aren’t willing to take time…to allow us to emerge from our trauma…and I just don’t think I do a good job of presenting that…but to have you read my blog…that is pawsome indeed! paw pats, Savvy
Oh sweet Savannah…. you are far too kind!! We all start somewhere, and I can assure you that when I first started blogging, I don’t think I even had crickets reading my posts!! It was a lonely journey for a long time, but I love cats and writing so much, that I just kept on going with it!! I love your blog and I love your emerging spirit. You are being heard…. between all of us cat people, we do have a voice and we are all making a difference in our own ways.
sounds like BlogPaws provided you with a jolt of enthusiasm! Go get ’em!
Oh Deb–time for a hug! Your writing has inspired me. Just when I want to brush up on my writing and post more, suddenly new cats appear in my colony. More dumpees. Two new cats have appeared. And one was clearly around people. She’s so clean and tame. I call her Fanny from movie Funny Girl with Barbara Streisand. (I’ve never seen the movie but heard about it). She has funny but cute face–with little brown mustache.
I was so excited to hear Betsy address the outdoor and feral cat issue at Blog Paws. She asked for leaders to step up. I think Peter and I were about to start our own cat dance right there and then to say “hey we’re way back here!”.
I’m so looking forward to working together on our nonprofit in getting to the root of the problem and truly reverse the homeless cat population!
Ready? Here we go!
Christine – I am more than ready! You finding a tame cat only makes our nonprofit all the more important. What could we have done to make sure that cat stayed a member of its household rather than being dumped? As long as we keep the momentum going, just like Betsy Saul, we can make a difference. xoxoxo
Hi Deb. I’ve just viewed the trailer of your book. very good, I loved the pictures.
Cody & Sheba.
Deb, I really enjoyed this and look forward to part 2. Yes, you are the butterfly who has found her beautiful wings.
[…] people come to BlogPaws to let their fur down. They come in cat’s eye glasses, animal print clothing, and accompanied by cats looking like Cleopatra on her royal […]
I am having so much fun, coming across photos of Coco and I at BlogPaws, but this is one of my favorites, cuz you are in it! I, too, have enjoyed getting to know you, sharing our fears and hopes and I am proud to know you and call you friend!
Teri – glad you are enjoying the pictures! I just did another post today with another one of you and Coco!! Please feel free to use the photo of you and I on your blog – I am so proud of the interview we did together and that picture of us means a lot to me! I am proud to call you a friend as well and thank you so much for all you do for the kitties of the world!
Ps: I’d love to use the photo of us on my blog, if you’d give me your ok…