This Is Me--2024 A to Z Theme

My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2024 the theme is a personal retrospective that I call "I Coulda Been" which is in reference to my job and career arc over my lifetime. I'll be looking at all sorts of occupations that I have done or could have done. Maybe you've done some of these too!

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Pets (Elements of Blogging) #AtoZChallenge





       According to a 2013 article in U.S. News and World Report, Americans spend $61 billion on their pets each year and that figure has undoubtedly gone up since that article appeared.  We've all seen how popular pets are with many bloggers who love to show off their own pets with photos and stories about their lovable little critters.  So why not have a blog all about pets?

        Posts about pets can be informational, educational, or just plain fun.  The posts can feature pictures or stories about pets.  Pet care articles can assist pet owners who want to make certain that their pets stay healthy.   Pet owners can also use tips about how to better manage their homes with pets living in them or traveling with their pets.   There are tons of ideas that can be used for putting together a blog devoted to pets or just posting about pets on your present blog.

        Other blog ideas that start with the letter "P" are publishing, physical fitness, and psychology.

        What blog themes can you think of that begin with the letter "P"?  Do you own a pet?  Do you ever post pictures of your pet or other pets on your present blog?

Some pet blogs (though not always about pets):

The Doglady's Den

Angels Bark

Paw Print Pet Blog




55 comments:

  1. We have rescues, we love our babies Isabel [rat-terrier] and Casey [cat] I would post photos, but I don't want someone to take them and add weird quotes to them.

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    1. Weird animal quotes can be kind of fun. I would have thought that would be something you'd get a kick out of.

      Lee

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  2. We did own a pet until we lost Koda to cancer in December. I did blog about him and have pictures of him on my blog; even had a blog with the name of his breed in it. People have commented they miss reading about him and seeing his picture. We're not ready to get another dog yet if we do, but I'm sure when we do, I'll be blogging about it.

    betty

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    1. I've seen a lot of blogs like that and they always seem to go over well with readers.

      Lee

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  3. I have cats in my latest MS. But I wouldn't call them pets. We do have a rescue dog as a pet. And a parrot. and we had a Hamster called Hammy but she died.

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    1. So imaginary pets can't be included as pets? It's good to hear about people doing the rescue dog thing.

      Lee

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  4. Hi again, Arlee! I want to thank you for the wonderful comment you left on my blog this morning for Margaret Schneider and her daughter Kathleen. I'm sure it warmed their hearts. Kathleen will be replying to your comment as soon as possible after the day's birthday festivities have concluded.

    I'd like you to see the post I published two summers ago following the death of my pet Cocker Spaniel, Toto (a female). I loved that dog and still miss her.

    Here's the link:

    http://shadydell.blogspot.com/2013/08/toto-1999-2013.html

    Thank you again, Arlee, for your thoughtful comment in honor of "The Oldest Living Dell Rat," Margaret Schneider. Enjoy your weekend, my friend!

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    1. I honor the elderly and if I ever get there I hope the younger will show interest in me as well. I'll check out your pet post.

      Lee

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  5. I do own a pet (3). We have a pure bred minature poodle named Princess Fiona Glenanne, Fi Fi for short. I have posted pics of her before on Facebook. I also have a special friend in a beta I named Mr. Monk and a pair of Neon Tetras (Green & Pink) named Chuck and Sarah from the series "Chuck"

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    1. I suppose if I had any pets I'd be sharing photos as well. Right now all I have that I've been sharing photos of is a sunflower.

      Lee

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  6. Psychology is a fascinating subject and would make a great blogging niche. Thanks for the mention, Lee! ☺ "Doglady" is my nickname and I look after dogs for a living, plus have had many of my own. There's a huge network of pet bloggers out there. I did start out with that, but have since become "niche-free", concentrating more on subjects like writing, travel, music, ageing, health, etc.Still want to publish a book of dog stories, though. Have a good weekend.

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    1. Debbie, you do have a blog in the more eclectic category such as I have, but I've seen enough dog stories on your site that you came to mind right away--as did Michele Truhlik.

      Lee

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    2. In regard to the Psychology blogs, Debbie, I have found many many of them and they are very interesting. There are so many subtopics of psychology that many more could be added.

      Lee

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    3. Yup; still working on that dog book! ☺ Michele and I have a lot in common. We're even in the same business. Did you know we met during last year's A-Z and have become fast friends? See what a wonderful thing you started? I briefly studied Psychology in college and would love to check out some of those blog sites. Can you recommend a couple?

      Delete
  7. I don't have a pet blog, but I do post pictures or stories about my cat now and then.

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  8. I've been on the look out for popular ideas for posts to carry on with my blog after A-Z, with three dogs and a cat, I think pet posts might be right up my alley! Great tip!
    Brandy from Brandy's Bustlings

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    1. Try it out for a trial run and see what kind of response you get. If it doesn't work you can always move on to something else. That's a great thing about blogging!

      Lee

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  9. I love my dogs! And I've been discovering some great pet blogs during the challenge.

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    1. There are quite a number that I've seen. I had been more diligent I could have had a far longer list.

      Lee

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  10. I love my two goofy pets and I post pics of them from time to time. I should shoot more pics of them but they end up somewhat redundant.

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    1. The way I see it most pet photos are a bit redundant unless something amazingly different or clever has been captured. I'd rather see family photos since I'd rather see what people are doing.

      Lee

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  11. When I was married I had both a dog and a cat. After the dog was put to sleep I wrote my very first poem. Tabitha the cat was diabetic and I had to give her 2 shots of insulin a day, and yes Lee I have put them on my blog.
    Loved reading your post today,
    Have a great quiet week-end.
    Yvonne.

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    1. It's been pretty quiet so far. You have a great weekend as well.

      Lee

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  12. I know a lot of bloggers who post about their pets though not exclusively. Our pets are all gone now and we're thinking we don't want more at this stage of life.

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    1. Pets can be a lot of trouble and expense, especially when you're in an urban area like I am. Personally I'd like to see everyone in my neighborhood get rid of their pets so I don't have to hear the barking or deal with the poop that occasionally shows up in my yard--I hope pets are leaving it.

      Lee

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  13. I love my dog and I do put photos of her in my blogs but not too many. She's a family member and you know how they are when we use them casually as post subjects! RRRRufff!

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    1. I'd put pictures of my wife on my blog but she'd probably get annoyed with me for doing so. She's the only pet that I have these days.

      Lee

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  14. No pets any more. Had dogs for many years but not these days. a) we live in an apartment and b) we would not be able to walk a dog very much. Gary and Penny come to mind of course, Penny would make a good blog subject.

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    1. Penny is very often a blog subject as well as the blog author.

      Lee

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  15. Once upon a time I did rescue birds. Tape your fingers... some of those beaks are big! This past Christmas I kept a neighbor's bird for 8 days. He was a cutie! The bird, not the neighbor, ha! I have long hair and the bird fell asleep sitting at the back of my neck. I thought he'd escaped when I couldn't find him. Went to the bathroom, and saw his long tail hanging out from my hair. It was scary!

    Blog ideas with "P": Political humor, Philanthropy, Paleontology, Painting lessons, Pastels, Punctuation Corner.

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    1. Glad to hear that you care for birds so I guess I'd ask next would you rescue me, Arlee Bird?

      Some great P possibilities there!

      Lee

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  16. Of course I love animals and my hubby and I are the proud servants to 4 cats and our dog Wallace. They are all rescues. I love anything to do with animals so this is a big love of mine. I would say Painters or paintings-You have Poussin, Pissaro ok that is off the top of my head but love paintings

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    1. I like painting as well and enjoy bloggers who put up these images and discuss them.

      Lee

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  17. Kathe at It's A Snap often posts pictures of Lucy her cat and she participants in Feline Friday. That's one of the few bloggers I know that really is into pets.

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    1. I've seen plenty, but I don't remember Kathe's blog.

      Lee

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  18. I don't have any pets, or have ever blogged about pets. But I did have another blog about Physical Fitness. Some of the times I would write product reviews, one time I did an A-Z physical fitness series. Other times I'd do a Biggest Loser write up. That particular blog has fallen by the way-side however.

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    1. Product Review blogs can be interesting though sometimes they can get a little overly commercial and almost spammy.

      Lee

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  19. I don't know that Scrappy could carry a blog himself. Though by some of the comments I get, if he could type I might be fired....

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    1. If animals could type they'd rule the world.

      Lee

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  20. I have noticed the huge increase in dog food products. They are starting to look tasty.

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    1. Well watch out. As we get older and poorer that might be what we will be eating--and it would probably be the cheaper stuff.

      Lee

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  21. I got a whole mess of pets. They do make life better. However, it is a bit late to corner the market on cute cat and dog pictures and videos. However, If you love animals, there is always time for one more picture.

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  22. I have neither pets nor children, only my green baby Kalanit, the spider plant I've had for coming up on 15 years. I used to want to be a veterinarian, and still dream of someday having a whole slew of pets—dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, horses, goats, lizards, tarantulas, frogs, tortoises, all sorts of creatures. There are other pets I personally love but don't think I'd be a good match for, since I'm not sure I'd be emotionally strong enough to keep fancy mice and rats, gerbils, and hamsters when they only live a few years. I also couldn't handle having to keep prekilled rodents in the freezer for a snake, and then have to thaw them out and put them into the tank with tongs.

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  23. Thanks so much for the mention Lee! I appreciate you and am thrilled that you included Angels Bark in your list of pet-oriented blogs! My A-Z isn't about pets at all, being that it's all about music, but in today's post I did showcase a song that is meaningful to me because it reminded me of a special time with my dog. I do frequently post about my dogs because they provide so much fodder for the blog: they're so darn funny sometimes and I manage to get some pretty silly pictures or can tell some crazy shenanigans that the dogs have gotten into. I think any household with pets has some very fertile ground (no pun intended) for blog post ideas. There are so many great pet blogs out there. I've come across several with this year's A-Z. I think pet blogs really help bring people together: there is a bonding that occurs when people talk of their animal companions. I met Debbie from the DogLady's Den through the 2014 A-Z and we've become great blog buddies over the year. Animals provide a great ice-breaker to many folks who might otherwise not reach out. Just one more reason to be grateful to our loving furry companions... Thanks again Lee!

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  24. I have posted about my cats a few times, I have enough pictures of them to start a separate photo blog! I also did one post as an obituary for my corgi who died a few years ago, I still miss her :(

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  25. Hey Lee, I have posted about cats I've had before and am thinking of doing a new post about my new cat...or maybe not exclusively about him, but he'll probably get a mention and a photo. I like seeing pics of people's pets and reading about them...but I tend to not really enjoy the blogs that are written as if the animal is writing it. Those are a little too precious for me.

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  26. I once had a pair of Fish as pet for my daughter.. For Nine months they made us laugh and play everyday n then one dreadful day one of them passed away following which the other one too passed within few weeks.. Me n my daughter felt shattered ..later i wrote a poem for them..

    http://serendipityofdreams.blogspot.in/

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  27. Well, I have a pet cat named Blaty. He is so cute, but I have never posted a picture of his as I'm a personal blogger.
    http://shinningappy.blogspot.in/

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  28. I love pet posts on blogs, but they always make me jealous because I would love a dog, but the landlord says no. =(

    ~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
    Member of C. Lee's Muffin Commando Squad
    Story Dam
    Patricia Lynne, Indie Author

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  29. I don't have animals these days. My husband has allergies, and we travel a lot, so it's just not a good idea for the animal. However, if I had them, undoubtedly I'd blog about them. They're entertaining, and people seem to love as many cute animal stories as they can get.

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  30. I love my pet but she rarely makes an appearance on my blog. I do post an insane amount of pictures of her on social media, though.

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  31. I think I posted a picture of our dogs two or three times over the years on one of my blogs. We have rescue dogs and adore them. They are terribly spoiled! But, yes, they make for a great blog (or blog post).

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  32. We have a cat named Smooch (because she's really smoochy). We got her from the SPCA. She is a beautiful cat and now & again shel makes an appearance on my blog. :)

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