The three days I spent at BlogPaws in D.C. really shook things up for me. And that’s not including the earthquake or the hurricane.
At my first conference for pet bloggers, I found myself thrown into a mix of hundreds of people who are just as passionate as I am about what they do. As a natural introvert, I was challenged over and again by the pressures of talking to total strangers about myself and what it is I choose to do with the majority of my time.
Truth is, I was far more at home in the “classrooms”, jotting down everything the presenters had to say, feeling like a college kid excited by the learning. Feeling that brain buzz that gets me going, the egghead’s fever pitch at the prospect of SO MUCH TO LEARN!
Yipppeeeee!
There was so much on offer: a ton of great information about how to get higher blog rankings, increase your SEO, the latest nifty tips and tricks … it was a social media event, after all. To a person, every blogger there does this not (just) for profit, but because they are passionate about what they do and want to do it even better, because ultimately we are working on behalf of the animals.
But here’s what I REALLY learned: BlogPaws can teach you everything you ever wanted to know about all of that stuff … the what and the how … but it can’t give you the WHY. You’ve got to bring the WHY, and answer for yourself the most fundamental question of all: WHY do you get up everyday and go back to this, even if (as is true for many of us) there is little or no money in return for the time and effort?
I can’t speak for anybody else. For me it’s love. Just plain L-O-V-E. I love Welsh Corgis more than any other breed of dog (and that’s a lot of dogs and a lot of years of being a dog lover). I think they are the most fascinating, cherishable, smart, unique (some say goofy — I’m OK with that), beautiful and funny dogs on the planet.
It’s as simple as this: they make me positively happy. And as somebody born with a biological pre-disposition to unhappiness (shout out here to all my fellow depressives!), this is no small thing.
Dogs have given me a reason to be happy when being happy seemed all but impossible, and Corgis do that best of all. They occupy that place in my heart where the pilot light stays on, when the cold winds blow and the dark descends. As long as there are still Corgis, with their laughing eyes and little legs, I’ll be all right.
True thing: I wake up every morning eager to see the day’s blog post, even though I wrote it. These stories come to me and through me. I don’t own them, I just share them! Because they make life better, and on the worst days more bearable. I sing the song of dogs — Welsh Corgis in particular — because it is a glorious, friendly, affirming one, and I need to hear it as much as anybody.
So that, my friends, is what I learned at BlogPaws 2011. I learned precisely WHY it is I do this blog. I do it out of love, and the need to hold fast to what makes me happy. Knowing it makes so many other people happy too is remarkable, and for that I’m grateful — and perpetually amazed.
Yours always in the love of Corgi.
Laurie
So very nice… I saw you at BlogPaws and didn't come up and introduce myself-so sorry! Hope you'll be at the next one!
ditto to everything you said and more!! My 4 cardis are my reason for getting up in the morning and why I feel content at night, with those stubby little bodies scattered about the bedroom floor!
I LOVE THIS POST! You are dead on. BlogPaws can teach you all you need to know about the How but you have to be responsible for the Why.
I think my favorite part of this post: "As long as there are still Corgis, with their laughing eyes and little legs, I'll be all right."
I feel the same way about Persian cats.
xo!
Bocci — it would be great to meet you at the next BlogPaws!
Laurie — heaven is four Corgis scattered about your bedroom :-).
Caroline, thank you! It took me a while (about a week and a half) to figure out what exactly was my take-away from BlogPaws. Spent too long comparing myself to all the other "more professional" bloggers, but realized that I do this blog for reasons that have nothing to do with success as it's measured by money or readership. It's driven by pure enthusiasm for the dogs, and all that they embody.
Laurie
Laurie… your words inspire me so much. I am as grateful to have found your blog as I am to own my own beautiful Corgi. No one I know UNDERSTANDS my love for animals,(or my Corgi obsession!) but you make me, and I'm sure everyone else who reads your blog, feel like we fit in somewhere… like we are part of something greater. So thank you for taking SO much time out of your day to create something beautiful for us and of course, yourself 🙂 Though I don't know you personally, I KNOW you are beautiful where it really counts. Thank you.
Gemma's mom
Toby!!! That's my boy!
I am thrilled to have found your blog, Laurie. And now I see I can relate to you in more ways than Corgis.
I have struggled with severe depression all my adult life, and my corgi and rottie have saved me more than once.
Your posts and pictures are a bright spot in my life. Thank you for doing your blog and know that you may be touching people in positive ways you don't even realize.
Robin
Well said, Laurie!!! Growing up in a family of dog breeders/handlers I went outside the box when I got my Pembroke and I love her. She is my everything and I always light up when I see another Corgi. They are special little dogs.
Megan
Sarah — it's an uncommon gift (I choose to call it a gift) to feel this way about dogs (and animals). I've struggled my whole life to defend and explain it to others, but finally arrived at acceptance. This is WHO I am, there are others like me, we are lucky! It makes life better, it just plain does …
Robin — I've struggled with major depression all of my adult life too. There are so many of us who do. I feel for you, I understand it, and it makes me feel great to know that what I do helps you in your own difficulties. Doing the blog helps me … gives me something to wake up for some days … we must all have that, but especially those of who deal with depression. Thanks for letting me know how my work helps you, it REALLY means something to me!
Megan — love it that you went your own way and got the dog for you. If there's a Corgi-shaped place in your soul, nothing else will really do.
I cried a little after I read this post. Everything you said, especially when you said "Dogs have given me a reason to be happy when being happy seemed all but impossible, and Corgis do that best of all." is exactly how I feel, and I'm glad I'm not alone (I live in a rather…backwards state). As someone who is prone to bouts of anxiety/depression, I usually feel alone and isolated. After wanting a corgi for ten years (and wanting a dog for over 15), I finally rescued a purebred pembroke from my local animal shelter, and she's been my best friend ever since, moreso than I could've ever hoped for (even for a corgi!). She came to me during an especially sad period in my life (I had recently suffered several losses, including the untimely death of a close friend, and I was living alone) and she has shown me nothing but love and loyalty, when a lot of my "friends" have not. As my friend put it "She's a little weird, and a little awkward, but she's still a good person." (like me apparently lol). On a lighter note, I love your blog (and others like it), because it allows me to satisfy my corgi obsession even more, and allows me to connect to people that share the same sort of love for these foxy little dogs as I do. I'm glad you found affirmation, because its something you deserve by doing this blog. I know that's kind of cheesy…but it's true. 🙂
Grace,
Thanks for responding straight from the heart.
Dogs can soothe so many hurts and sadnesses. More than that, they can be the kind of constant companions human beings simply can't be. I've found that I need both human and animal companionship in order to feel whole … one without the other just doesn't work.
I'd love to hear about your rescued Corgi sometime, please drop me a line: thedailycorgi@gmail.com.
Thanks, and BarOoOooooooo!
Laurie
A lovely entry, Laurie. As a long time blogger and Corgi owner "I get it" 100%.
Thanks Doug. Means a lot coming from a fellow blogger!
Laurie