Story: BlogPaws here I come
TweetThis Thursday I will be flying out west to attend my first BlogPaws conference. For those who aren’t familiar with the organization, it’s an incredible group of people who support pet bloggers like myself. We learn from each other and connect with brands and causes we support. It’s all about finding ways to be voices for the voiceless, and to tell stories, share information and celebrate the non-human souls with whom we share our lives.
I found out about BlogPaws too late to attend last year, and I remember joining in the Saturday Night Blog Pawty and tweeting about how much I wanted to go. Since then, I learned a lot, met a bunch of new friends, and increased my social media presence by doggy leaps and kitty bounds.
In addition, I was honored to be named a finalist for a BlogPaws Nose-to-Nose Award for one of my blog posts. The Nose-to-Nose honors excellence in pet blogging, and it means a lot to me to be recognized by my peers. They’ll announce the winners Saturday night, and not only do the people win, but homeless pets will too. Only Natural Pet will donate 400 pounds of food to a shelter or rescue organization chosen by each winner.
I’ll be gone four days, and my husband and son will hold down the fort, taking care of the gang while I’m away. In the mean time, my furry family members have been helping me get ready.
First I had to figure out what to wear. I was looking for an excuse to create some t-shirts with my logo, and I thought BlogPaws was as good a time as any to try them out. Hopefully, it will increase my visibility and help people recognize me.
While these are swell, I will be bringing something to dress up in for the Saturday night celebration.
Ever since my awesome friend Jen Sullivan designed my logo, I kept thinking I should make it into a real tag. Then I found Paula Milkin of Island Top Custom Tags on Etsy, and I knew she would be able to create an incredible dog tag that I would wear as jewelry. And OMD, did she deliver!
I should have asked her to make me some matching earrings. One dog, and one cat.
BlogPaws is a pet friendly event, and many of the attendees will be bringing their dogs, cats, rabbits and other furred and feathered friends with them. Unfortunately, New Jersey is a long way from Las Vegas, where this year’s conference is being held. I don’t think any of my cats or dogs would be happy flying, and I can’t afford to take the extra time for a road trip, so I have to do the next best thing: bring some kind of representation of my pets, so they could be with me in spirit.
For the dogs, I hired Christy Myhre of Pancake Pets and Toki Poki to make a flat version of Jasper, Lilah and Tucker. I haven’t seen the result yet in person because Christy will be shipping the trio out to meet me in Vegas. Here’s the photo she sent me. (That’s her pup in the pic.)
Who are they and why are they staring at me?
Aren’t they gorgeous? I can’t wait to meet Flat Tucker, Flat Jasper and Flat Lilah, and take them home with me!
As for the cats, I couldn’t get a photo of all four sitting pretty like the dogs, so I bought a plush kitty stunt double to travel with me. I named him Rover, since he’s a travelin’ cat, and introduced him to the four cats he would be representing.
I started with Elsa Clair.
You’re the quiet type, aren’t you?
A couple of sniffs, and Rover was on the Approved List. Though Tucker thought he was a dog toy and tried to claim him.
Tucker: I think that’s mine.
I think Calvin was a bit confused when he met Rover, as it was kind of like looking at a mirror. Rover has black mask and cape markings that are quite similar to Calvin’s.
You’re a good lookin’ cat, you know that?
Once he figured it out, Calvin was cool.
You smell a little funny, but you look mahvelous.
Athena, on the other paw, did not like the way Rover looked at her. So she swatted him.
Who are you that dares stare upon the face of the Queen?
When he didn’t swat back, thus acknowledging her superiority, Athena accepted his presence.
Well, I guess as long as you’re loyal…
I set Rover next to Dawn, who was hiding under the dresser. She quickly recognized a sweet and quiet spirit.
It’s a deal. You won’t chase me, and I won’t hiss at you.
I still have to pack, and I’m sure the gang will help with that too. I’m hoping to be able to continue to post from the event, but it might be a little challenging since I’m only taking my iPad and my point-and-shoot camera.
I can’t wait to meet in person and furson so many folks I’ve only known online. BlogPaws, here I come!
This post is part of the Monday Mischief blog hop. Check out the great blogs listed below.
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OMC, that tag is amazing! The head peep is headed to BlogPaws, too, and she’ll have to watch out for you so she can say hello, and so Plush Ashton can meet Rover and your flats. Travel safely and see you at BlogPaws!
Thank you! We’ll be looking out for you! Safe travels.
Look forward to meeting you. Glad you’re bringing stand-ins for the gang 🙂
Looking forward to meeting you, too! 😀
Yeah, it will be fun to meet you!
I think so too. I’m really looking forward to the conference–and meeting so many online friends in person.
Congratulations on your nomination. Love the shirts and tag, and I know you’ll have a fantastic time at the conference. My human mommy once again dropped the ball–found out about the conference too late last year and opted out this year because she has a human vacation planned. Really? Paws crossed for next year! Safe travels to you. 🙂
Thank you. I found that attending the BlogPawty on Saturday night helped last year when I couldn’t make it. Not as good as being there, but maybe the next best thing. 😉
Have fun at blogpaws!
Thanks. I certainly hope to. I wish it was closer and I could bring one or more of my pups!
I think you’ll have a blast at Blogpaws, shame the whole gang isn’t going! 🙂
Love your t-shirts, my Mum wore t-shirts with our blog on the other year when we went, though I think it was pretty obvious as she had me by her side and there weren’t any other doggies there that look like me! 🙂
Have fun,
Your pal Snoopy 🙂
Thank you! Don’t think I could ever bring the whole gang. Three dogs and four cats would be a challenge.
Have a great time at the BlogPaws conference! We didn’t know about it until too late last year as well…and unfortunately, this year we just couldn’t swing it. I love your t-shirts and your flat pets!
Thank you. Can’t wait to be there meeting and greeting and learning. 😀
Love your black and white kitty 😉 Thank you for sharing my work on your blog. Yes, I think earrings would be nice one with kitty and one with the dog. Have a good time at the conference!
Paula
Thanks! Everyone seems to love the tag–and I haven’t even shown up wearing it yet. (And BTW, I gave the brass version to stuffie stand-in Rover, who will be wearing it on a collar.) 😀
Have a fab time at blogpaws
Thank you! Really looking forward to it.
Safe travels!! Can’t wait to meet you!
forgot to tell you, Christy made my flatpets too!
She did a great job, didn’t she? Safe travels to you, too!
You are going to have so much fun at BlogPaws! We went last year, and it was such a treat to learn from lots of experts and meet so many blogging pals in person. 🙂
Good luck in the Nose-to-Nose awards. We’ll be rooting for you!
Aw, thanks! I’m truly just honored to be nominated.
What a great tag to wear for a necklace!! I’ll be looking for you in your shirts! I’ll be wearing mine too! I’m soooo psyched!
Thanks! Can’t wait to meet you in person!
That tag is gorgeous and I love the cut-outs.
Aw thanks!
The mom is heading to BlogPaws too…so she’s hoping to meet you and the flats and the plushies.
Looking forward to meeting her!
Have a wonderful time! Can’t wait to hear about it. Wish I was going but maybe next year. Super duper congrats on the nomination. Paws crossed for you!
Love your dog tag!
xo,cynthia
Thank you! I didn’t go last year, and am so happy to be going this year. 😀
Have a good time at BlogPaws! I won’t be there, as I am more of a newcomer, but I’m rooting for you to win the nose-to-nose award! And you should really find a way to sell those shirts or something, I’d definitely tell my owners to invest in those, they love this blog as much as I do! Anyway, have a wonderful time! I wish I could meet this Rover, he sounds fun! -King Flufferball (or Whiskers, if you prefer. But I think King Flufferball gives me a cooler, better, royal-er, and swag-ier profile.)
Thank you!
I actually have plans to offer a few items like t-shirts with our logo on them after I get back. If your people are interested, have them check back here in a few weeks.
And yes, King Flufferball does have a certain royal flair to it. 😉
Very cool! We hope you have a great time! Love the t-shirts and the flat pets, And of course the plushie too – very cute! Can’t wait to hear about your experience!
Thank you! I hope to report back–if not during the conference, then pretty soon after. And of course, I’ll try to send Tweets as well.
Have a great time and safe travels!! I wish I could have gone!!
Thank you! Maybe next year!
I couldn’t go last year, and I made it this year, so you never know.