I started writing this blog a million years ago. December 22, 2007, to be exact. That was 484 posts ago. Here's part of that first entry:
So this is the blog. Welcome. I'm not a blogger. Not really all that good with technology and all. But I'll get there. And you're welcome to come along for the ride.
What I do know is dogs, and dog behavior. So, if you can put up with my blogging learning curve, I'll try to give you some tips and insights that'll help you understand and teach your dog.
I feel just as passionately today about dogs and behavior as I did three years ago when I started this blog. Blogging is now part of what I do, who I am. I am crazy. Smart Dog U, Smart Dog U is me. I wanted to reach more people, I wanted to help more dogs -- that's really why I started writing.
There was too much frustration between dogs and their owners- and too many people using harsh, outdated methods to "fix" problems. This blog was going to help me keep my sanity get dog-friendly solutions out to as many people as would listen. I wanted all dogs to be companions, not comPAINions.
I found many readers were interested in the service dogs I raised and trained. A little dog named Talos came along and made service dog training a bigger part of my blog. He was little in the beginning, at least. By the time he had completed his training with me, Talos was about 160 pounds of Great Dane-ness. Huge and handsome. His training was documented in this blog. And tearfully, so was turn-in. At which point I lost my mind.
I would like to think that I've raised awareness of the many things service dogs have to experience to become a working service dog. I tried to emphasize the important role that the public plays in a service dog's training.
I blog when the spirit moves me. Or more truthfully: I blog when I have time. Between running a dog-training business, training a service puppy, working with my own three dogs, and spending some time with my husband, there isn't always a lot of time left over. Reader comments are like candy to me - I love interacting with those who read the blog. So sometimes I'm up late writing a post at 1:00a because that's the only time during the day I can collect my thoughts and put them on paper in the blogosphere.
I do worry sometimes that my blogging might be a bit dysfunctional disorganized. My 2011 resolution is to develop an outline of topics and stick to it. That makes me laugh.
I haven't monetized my blog. Mainly because I don't know what that means how to do it. Would I like to? Sure, money is good, it helps buy the dog food pay the bills.
The thing I like the most about blogging is that I'm anonymous I get to talk with other dog-lovers just like me. My family sometimes looks at me like I'm a little too crazy about my dogs. But here in blogger-land, I'm just as normal as the next crazy dog person.
The things that really chap my @$* re: blogging are those lunatics fans of a certain tv personality. Their ravings comments about how wrong I am ruin my day. But I have ultimate control: I can delete their comments if they really steam me! (Is that evil?)
So there you have it. The Smart Dog Blog through the ages. Let's hope I don't run out of doggie things to talk about. Otherwise you'll have to hear about my grocery list, my laundry list, and what I'm watching on tv.
