It’s the 1st Anniversary of The Poodle (and dog) blog

A year ago (That's seven in dog years) I decided to start a blog. It’s been fun, rewarding and more addicting than I thought possible.

From the start I wanted it to be upbeat and positive. I hope it has been.

I wanted it to be The Blog Where No Dogs Died—unless they died long ago and got a monument.

I have tried to present dogs as they really are: complex and simple; intelligent and stupid; courageous and wussies; beautiful and ugly; obedient and rebellious; resourceful and helpless; heroes and victims; solemn and silly. I wanted to present them as noble, loyal doggy friends to all mankind and destructive, infuriating little puppy poop machines.

In the past, dogs were animals with a purpose, working animals. Today, besides being pampered pets and family members, they serve as policemen, medics, guides, teachers, babysitters, service dogs, contraband sniffers, watchdogs, rescuers, victim advocates, research assistants, space pioneers, companions and entertainers. Still every year thousands must be destroyed.

Not everyone wants to own a dog and that’s all right. I hope those who do will make the commitment of 12-15 years to help the dog become a good little citizen. They are eager to please but they need intelligent guidance.

Not everyone is going to like dogs and that’s all right. I hope those who don’t can appreciate how much dogs can add to the quality of life in a society. Dogs may not have “rights” in the sense that people do, but they need love and protection.

I’ve met some wonderful and talented people, both bloggers and emailers. Thanks so much for your support.

Special thanks and love to Pam and Al.

I’ve written 273 posts this year (That would be...uh..a whole lot in dog posts). Now to take a deep breath and on to a second…

Comments

[Sally]

Congratulations and many more years of blogging I hope.

[Sam from Fremont]

Congratuations on seven in dog years anniversary.

[Tor]

Happiest of blogiversaries! Seems like a lot of blogs I read got started in mid to late summer. Good luck!

[The Pomfather]

dont forget who protects yer little fluffy poodle blog, baby, me an' johnny, dat's right. if it werent for us you wouldnt'a got past two posts. now pony up that protection money like i told ya or its otters for you

[jan]

Pomfather can rest assured that the necessary dog kibbles are on the way now.:>)

[thinkoffthefat]

Congratulations on your first anniversary year with this blog. What an accomplishment to keep it so up beat. Thank you for not talking about a dog dying in any situation except memorials which I'm all for. That's why I keep coming back. Bless you.

[Laura]

Congrats on your anniversary.

[schnoodlepooh]

Congrats on your blog anniversary. I'm so glad that you are here and that I finally found you (or you found me?). This is one of my favorite blogs - informative, inspirational, and lots of fun! Let's go another year! I promise I'll read if you'll write.

happy licks and woofs from the schnoodlepooh gang!

[Carina]

Happy anniversary and congratulations on a very industrious year!
I like your philosophy here, keeps me a regular reader too.
Cooper, Daphne and their cat Elvis say 12 paws up. :)

(An otter would do that? Yikes.)

[Sue]

Happy Anniversary! .. :)

[George Roach]

Wow! Has it been a whole year? And did I find you near the beginning or in the middle somewhere? I must be having a senior moment and not remembering our start too well. I just knew, I should have kept a copy of that first email to remind me. I am so very happy that you have found such a happy and well worth while pursuit of the blogaverse. Now, if I could just do the same. Cheers!! Oh, by the way, where is my champanya?

[Olwen]

Congrats on being a year old. Well done for keeping it up. I hope I'm still blogging one year on.

[pam]

CONGRATULATIONS, Mom! Your wonderful blog is a credit to you and to all the dogs we love.

[Terry]

Thanks for a year of good information about mans best freind.

[Faith]

This is my first visit here, but I'm already bookmarking your blog. I love it!

Congratulations on the anniversary :D

[Therese]

Congrats on your first seventh anniversary, Jan!!

[HART (1-800-HART)]

Well, I've only subscribed to your feed since July 5/06 but I'm pretty sure that I've scanned all 273 posts by now.

Happy Blogiversary or Happy Annibloggery or whatever they are calling this nowadays! :D

HART

[Vernon]

I like the heroic dog stories, but I think my favorite was "Why dogs eat poop." More dogs eat poop than do heroic stuff.

[Dirty Butter]

Congrats to you! You started blogging just about the same time I did! In fact, I've noticed a lot of the blogs I read started just about then. Strange.

I have enjoyed reading about all the great and strange doggy tales? tails? tales?, although we are a cat's family now. We always had dogs, up until this last pet, but we've strayed ....

[Laundry Woman]

I'm so sorry. I have nothing at all to say about dogs...I'm too busy taking care of my pet children. But your advice on my blog was so funny, I had to say thanks for the great advice. Now, have any ideas on where to purchase an original and attractive hat to pass????

[Daisy]

It's been a year? Cor blimey! Many congratulations, I'm looking forward to the next one :-)

[gazard]

Time fly, happy anniversary and I'm sure you will have great years ahead!

[steven davies]

I have enjoyed reading your stories so much. It makes me so happy to see others out there who care for their animals as much as me and my husband do. I have six strays I have found over the years. The last stray I picked up was a 40 pund Rottweiler, who over a course of two months and some advice balooned up to 80 pounds. He has become tearifyingly vicious. My vet has suggested I put him down. I am hoping that if I get him neutered, get him a dog back pack, and walk him daily the aggression will dissipate. He attacked me this evening for stepping on his foot! He will growl just so you will pet him. He has started to listen to the down command, but to be truthful, I am scared of him.