Henrietta: The Dish

Finding your niche in writing about pets

You love your dog, cat, ferret or fish, right? They are amazing, fun, do the coolest things and you find a way to talk about them to everyone you meet. Your Facebook profile starts with, "I love my bossy poodle..." Oh  it, that's mine! 

So you've determined you have a passion for your pet and you'd like to spread the word about him or her, right? Do you have a blog? Are you thinking of starting a blog in which you can write about your pet? What's holding you back? Is it lack of time? Are you unsure of what you'd write about? Read on for 5 tips to get you started in the pet blogosphere:

1.  Find a focus/your audience: Will your blog be about Fluffy or Fido's adorable antics? If so, who will be your audience? Are you writing/blogging about them for your own edification? To hone your writing skills? To get invited on Letterman for his Stupid Pet Tricks segment? All are good reasons, but if you're looking to grow your blog and gain a following you might want to expand it a bit. Perhaps you can focus on topics related to your pets' specific breed, what you did to train him and how long it took to pick up the new skill.

2.   How often will you blog: If you want to gain a following, your audience will want to see fresh content at least weekly. More than weekly -- at least three times - is ideal. If people click to your site a few times and don't see anything new, chances are they will lose interest and find another blog to follow. 

3.  How will you spread the word: Do you have your own personal Facebook or Twitter page or blog? Have you considered setting up a Fanpage for your pet's blog? It's a great way to find followers and promote your posts. 

4.  Will you be relevant: Pet rescues because of hurricanes or tsunamis, pet food recalls, heroic acts performed by dogs (perhaps by the same breed as your own dog) -- these are great topics to blog about (and link outside of your blog to other people who are talking about the same subject). Do you want to be looked to as an expert in a particular pet area? Blogging about current events can help make your blog more searchable. 

5.  Grammar and style matter: If you're a great idea person but not so great a speller, you may want to ask a friend to proofread your posts before they go live. In the past, bloggers were given a pass on bad grammar, spelling and punctuation, but no longer. Individuals who follow blogs are as interested in reading something that's well written as they are in reading something that's interesting. If nothing else, run your post through spell check but a second set of eyes can be your best friend when it comes to your posting. 

Pet bloggers are taking over the world! Okay, that may have been a bit dramatic, but pet bloggers are gaining notice and recognition within the blog world. Pet lovers are a force to be reckoned with. Now is the time to add your voice to the conversation! 

 

Sharing isn't something *I* should have to do

Henrietta had been an only child for two and a half years and then all of a sudden I felt a yearning for a kitten. I mean, kittens are so cute and cuddly and there are so manycats and kittens out there in need of a loving home. I figured that maybe Henrietta would welcome a new sister, right? After all, if she had a sister and I had to ever leave the house she wouldn't be alone.

In my mind, the two of them would cuddle up on a blanket together and keep each other company.  I was a bit afraid that the two of them would bond so firmly that I would be extraneous to the mix and then I'd feel left out and jealous, right? Again, not so much.

Okay, there were some getting to know you pains and thankfully Zoe didn't add to those pains with any claws to the Hen's nose. It was just a lot of hissing, puffy hair and Hen barking.

After a little while, they started to bond. But then I made the mistake of letting Zoe be in the room when I had given Henrietta her chew bone. Notice the bone is bigger than Hen, but size matters, right?

I was happily working away. I did see Zoe hop up on the bed and nuzzle in with the bone. I kind of saw Hen hop up behind her. This picture was snapped before all puppy and kitty hell broke loose! Let's just say this was the calm before the storm. Before it was all over, I'd screeched loud enough to scare them both into freezing long enough for me to snatch the bone and put it on a high shelf where now no one gets to play with it!

Picky eating redefined

Because I enjoy fruits and veggies, Henrietta has grown up with a love of all things leafy and fruity. True, it's likely because every time she gives me the stare down when I am eating I give her a sample of it. It's also unfortunately true that she shares my sweet tooth but that's the topic of another post.

We've been indulging in carrots, celery and hummus lately and we spice it up with pretzels and cucumbers. I discovered today that she is more likely to lick the hummus off of whatever fruit, veggie or salty snack we are sharing and then squirrel the snacks away.

I discovered that she was storing snacks because when I moved the couch around the other day I found quite a stash of half eaten snacks. The hummus and other good dip was licked clean off but the remains -- well, remained. 
Note to self: Watch the Hen when she seems to be eating her snacks too quickly because I now know she's hiding them away for a rainy day.

Also, I went to Petco today to find her a Kong and discovered an interesting line of flavored gourmet foods -- they ranged from chicken/oats/dried veggies to duck/barley and trout/sweet potato mixes. I picked up the chicken and veggie one and she turned her nose up at it at first but is now sitting staring at the ba. Maybe I should make her finish the leftover snacks she'd buried.

Apps to make your pet happy

As I was reading the Sunday paper, Henrietta's sharp eyes caught this bit about a new iPhone app. I figured I'd better pass it along to all pet lovers out there.

And if your pet is as chatty as the Hen, why not consider getting him or her a collar that will allow it to Tweet its innermost thoughts? Here's a cat with a lot to say... take it away, Parker.

What does your dog's name say about you?

This was an interesting article about what your dog's name says about your personality. Henrietta's name mirrors the Sam/Max category.  (Henrietta caught with her paw in the cookie jar -- or head in the milkshake cup, as it were. )