Thanks to Amy of Go Pet Friendly and Edie of Will My Dog Hate Me for hosting the 2nd annual Pet Blogger Challenge. I can’t officially participate in it because I’m too late. I thought the questions were great, so I answered them anyway.
1. When did you begin your blog?
I made my first blog post on March 15, 2009.
2. What was your original purpose for starting a blog?
My first post was about being mindful, and I wanted to share a feline perspective about causing less suffering to ourselves and others as we move through life.
3. Is your current purpose the same? If not, what’s different? If so, how do you feel you’ve met your goals?
Mostly, that’s still what I’m doing. I write about things that add pleasure to my life as well as those that reduce suffering. The thing I’ve done that most meets the goal is hosting art auctions to raise money for disaster relief for animals. I get to join with a community of like-minded folks to make things, enjoy the artwork of others, and do our little part to reduce the suffering of animals in particularly rough situations.
4. Do you blog on a schedule or as the spirit moves you? If the former, how often — and what techniques do you use to stick to it? If the latter, do you worry about… well, whatever you might worry about (e.g. losing traffic, losing momentum)?
I blog when my human isn’t completely overloaded with things others want her to do or getting her energy back from spending too much of it. I have a core group of pals who like to read my posts and follow what the kitties and humans in my house are doing. I’d like to share with them more regularly. I know they don’t forget about me while I’m not posting, but they get out of the habit of dropping by if I’m not saying anything new.
5. Are you generating income from your blog? If so, how (e.g. sponsor ads, affiliate relationships, spokesperson opportunities)? If not currently, do you hope to in the future — and how?
We don’t exactly make any income from my blog. The money we have raised in the auctions was ALL given to the organization we were supporting. Neither we nor the artists who donate their work profited from them. I have promised my human to do the best I can to help support our family. So far, the balance is still tipping her way. I keep trying to come up with new ideas. She met with some company representatives at BarkWorld Expo 2011, and we’re building relationships. You’ll hear from me soon about a product I’m getting ready to try with my human, for example. My human and I are going to be developing our art store. Lots of changes coming there, and we hope we’ll generate some income.
6. What do you like most about blogging in general and your blog in particular (bragging is good!)?
I like interacting with the community of people who love cats and care about cats who are in trouble. I also like the photos. My human is a pretty good photographer.
7. What do you like least?
I don’t like it when my human is too overwhelmed or tired to work with me here. I wish she could get her priorities straight.
8. How do you see your blog changing/growing in 2012?
Well, I already said we’re going to develop some business relationships and make changes in the art store. I hope we’ll have some art auctions but that they’ll be on behalf of animals in disasters that have already happened, rather than new ones. I’m thinking of letting Nutmeggy have a bigger role in the blog too, maybe even changing the name to include her. She’s way more interested in socializing than Karma is.
You’re a very well-spoken kitty! Thanks so much for participating in the Challenge and good luck with your blog in 2012.
It was my pleasure to participate. I’m looking forward to this year!
Teaching others about ending suffering while raising money to end suffering are two great causes.
Good luck meeting your goals in 2012.
Thanks!
Hi Cheshire K – it’s so good to see you here! I really enjoyed meeting your human at BarkWorld. I definitely think you should let Nutmeggy to some blogging too!
My human enjoyed meeting you too! I will definitely give Nutmeggy a chance to blog. If I don’t, she’s going to eat all my food. Hee
Glad you made it to the hop *high paws*! Looking furward to hearing from Nutmeg soon too! Is that her at the keyboard already?
Yes, Nutmeggy is ready to type. Her typing is sometimes very beautiful and artistic.
Oooo… do you think that you will let Meggy guest blog? That could be Very Interesting.
How would YOU like to write another guest blog, Katie? Meggy could start with a guest blog to see if she likes it, but I was thinking of making her more of a regular!
Stopping by from the hop – nice to meet you!
Thanks for hopping in!
Looks like some good things are coming up., I like your store.
Thanks, Mario!