9 Reasons I Might Be Crazy, Plus Enter to Win Over $375 in Pet-Friendly Prizes! #SpringFlingGiveaway

Hey, y'all! Ahem. I said, HEY, Y'ALL! (Look away from those prizes, dangit!)

So, you're here. That means at least one of two things:
You want to:

1. Find out why I'm crazy, and/or
2. Get yourself entered in the Spring Fling Pet Blogger Giveaway...because there are over $375 in prizes!

Note: Although #2 is not contingent upon #1, if you picked #2, you're still gonna have to scroll down through the nine reasons I might be crazy. And not only that, one of the bonus entries is a QUIZ question.

You might want to summon some patience, is all I'm saying.    

But first, I need to tell you more about the giveaway!

For starters, I'm not in this alone!

I've collaborated with these nine other superstar pet bloggers so that we could make the prizes HUGE!

• Christina at The Lazy Pit Bull
• Amanda at Dog Mom Days 
• Kevin & Rachael at My Dog Likes 
• Jessica at Beagles & Bargains 
• Jodi at Kol’s Notes 
• CK at Stunning Keisha 
• April at Tenacious Little Terrier 
• Rochelle at The Broke Dog 
• Bryn at A Dog Walks Into a Bar

And these are the prizes!

• Grand Prize: (1) $250 Amazon Gift Card*
• 2nd Prize: Black+Decker PET Cordless Lithium Hand Vacuum (approx. $100 value)**
• 3rd Prize: Embroidered collar and leash from dogIDs (approx. $44 value)**

Y'all, I'd love an Amazon shopping spree and I know you would, too! You know what else I'd love? The cordless hand vac (for the corgi tumbleweeds) AND that leash/collar set! Yes, give it all TO ME! Alright fine; you can have it. I'll just be over here with fur all over my clothes, being happy for you when you win. 

* The 10 participating bloggers each contributed their own money toward the Amazon gift card.
** 2nd and 3rd place prizes have been donated by their respective brands, Black+Decker and dogIDs.

YOU CAN ENTER TO WIN ON ALL 10 PARTICIPATING BLOGS!

Yep! To increase your odds, simply visit all the blogs (linked above) and enter (but hurry, the entry forms will all close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, April 25)!

One "finalist" will be randomly selected from each blog!


Then all of the finalists' names will go into a drawing, during which three winners will be randomly selected to receive the prizes listed above.

This is great news! That's because even if one of the 10 blogs has 467 times more entries than another, EACH BLOG will still get one finalist in the drawing! (FYI: Chronicles of Cardigan produced the 3rd prize winner in a previous pet blogger holiday giveaway!)

Ready to enter?

Well, you can, right after you see these nine reasons I might be crazy!
(Note: By might, I mean I am. Just a little. And in a harmless way.)

#1: Tigger (at 17 years, doesn't make the litter box every time.)

#2: Maddox (stepped on my right eyeball last Saturday night after Lele charged him for entering her personal space. He was trying to lie down on my stomach. The pain was like a knife stabbing through my pupil. Thankfully, it subsided after I took the maximum dose of ibuprofen and I haven't had any issues since.)

#3: Lele (barks ferociously at my husband every day when he comes in from work--like he's an intruder--even though she knows and loves him. Gets into trash [bacon packages] and recycling [yogurt containers] and cat box if I don't lock them up.)

#4: Lulabelle (steals hair elastics and drops them all over the house. Sits with her head shoved through banister posts.)

#5: Jon Farleigh (yanks and tugs his own leash every time I take him out to pee and poo. Barks like a raving wild dog whenever I clean the kitchen counters, dust the dining room table and/or open the spice cabinet.)

#6: Dewi (barks 95.23% of his waking hours, in 249 different dog languages, most of which I don't understand. Likes deer poo...as an appetizer.)

#7: Bertie (drops his stuffed pheasant, Chewbacca mouse, and goldfish in the water bowl and then pulls them out (soaking wet) and drops them into the food bowl for me to find...every day. Also, YES, I take the toys away from him, but he finds them! He can smell them inside drawers!)

#8: Frances (rubs all over my legs and feet when they're still wet from having taken a shower. Stands under my feet when I'm not looking and watches me nearly wipe out on the tile floor trying not to step on her head.)

#9: Bobby Flay O'Fish (turns on the kitchen faucet, steals the rubber drain collar for the garbage disposal, pesters Frances between 2-3 a.m., causing her to meow like an alarm, gets into things he shouldn't and eats them [which is why we have to lock up all of the things].)

Heed his advice; he knows what he's talking about. 

And there you go; nine REALLY good reasons, I'd say! 

How about you? Might you be "crazy," too? Give me one good reason why (in comments, please)!

* Crazy, as in crazy about your pets because if you weren't, they'd be in big trouble! 

Now, go forth and enter the giveaway, using the Gleam gadget below!

Spring Fling Pet Blogger Giveaway II
Well, did you enter? Yay! I hope you win! Don't forget you can enter at the other nine blogs (linked at the top of the post) to increase your chances! 

I'll post all three winners' names on the Facebook page and Twitter on April 26!

Good luck!

About the giveaway: 

No purchase necessary. Giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents age 18 and older, except where prohibited by law. Giveaway will run from April 19 to April 25, 2017 at 11:59pm EST. Three (3) winners will be randomly selected and notified via email. Winners will have 48 hours to claim their prizes; failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the prize. Twitter and Pinterest do not sponsor, administer, or endorse this promotion. Participants must read and agree to Gleam’s Privacy Policy before entering and participating in this promotion. By entering this contest, participants grant permission for their email address to be added to the Chronicles of Cardigan mailing list. 

Each participating blogger paid an entry fee which will be used to fund the grand prize. The 2nd and 3rd place prizes were generously donated by the participating brands. Please be sure to visit their websites to see all the incredible pet products they have to offer.

8 Obvious Reasons Why Dogs Sit on Cats [With BONUS Video]

If you've lived dangerously* - as I have - perhaps you've witnessed it: a dog backing up to a cat and resting his entire backside (usually with tail in the upright position, thereby, fully exposing the butthole) directly over the cat's face. Or, if his aim is off (as my dogs' usually is, because they're corgis, and have limited clearance between their butts and the floor), on the flat part of the cat's side, as if sitting on a back-less futon.

It's quite a sight to behold, actually. Not so much the act of sitting on the cat, but that, in many cases, the cat either a) seems to enjoy it, or b) is momentarily paralyzed from shock, and therefore, just lies there motionless, and allows you to take several photos and/or video.

Now, I realize many of you haven't lived as dangerously* as I, which is why I've curated this collection of my own photos**, plus a compilation video (of someone else's dogs and cats). I think you'll find it (the collection) educational.

* By dangerously, I mean, there's a flock*** of pets in my house. 
*** Flock = at least 3 broken vacuums in 4 years.
** Previously published.

What? Is there something stuck on my fur?

Yeah, I'm thinking that's gonna leave a skid mark. 

Speaking of educational, it occurred to me a few hours ago, that there must be a good reason why dogs get the urge to just sit on a cat. I doubt anyone has ever done a scientific study on that, though (who'd fund one?), so I didn't bother wasting my time on Google. I was, however - using personal anecdotal evidence - able to brainstorm a few reasons of my own. They all seemed obvious, I might add. See if you agree.

8 Reasons Why Dogs Sit on Cats

1. to dominate them
2. to humiliate them
3. to retaliate against them
4. they think it's funny
5. they're emotionally immature (might be redundant)
6. chairs are too hard against their hard dog buns
7. they thought you gave the command, "sit on a cat," when you actually mumbled, "go to your mat"
8. they heard your command perfectly, but sat on the cat because it was softer than their mat. 

So? Think I'm in the ballpark? Can you think of any other reason(s)? Does anyone want to sponsor a scientific study? 

Wait! Before you decide whether to sponsor the study, check out this (hilarious) video compilation!
P.S. Do not be alarmed. Sometimes the cat sits on the dog, too. Those instances would NOT be included in the study.

Post by Huffington Post UK.

So, how about now? Think I should set up crowdsourcing to fund a study? Yeah, me neither.

Might as well check for bedbugs while I'm down here...

Classic Cardigan on Giving Thanks: 5 Less Obvious Reasons Why I'm Thankful for My Dogs

Oh, hi, y'all! You caught me staring at Dug! I could stare at Dug all day, I mean, couldn't you?!

So, about 15 minutes ago, I accidentally discovered Dug .GIFs in a Google search. (OMG!) And, clearly, I couldn't just slam the virtual door in his sweet face, so I went ahead and brought it over here! heehee

It's not bothering you, is it? DUH, of course it isn't! Dug is a happy-pookie-muffin-smooshy-marshmallow-puffy-goober-dog! And, he doesn't bother anyone!

SQUIRREL!

OK, I'm back, and this is "Classic Cardigan on Giving Thanks" week! (Remember, from yesterday?) And that means, it's time for another classic Thanksgiving-inspired post from the archives!

This one's from last year, actually; maybe you'll remember it. ☺

Originally published on November 25, 2013...

5 Less Obvious Reasons Why I'm Thankful For My Dogs

Because it's almost Thanksgiving, I'd like to share five (less obvious) reasons why I'm thankful for Jon Farleigh and Dewi:

1. They never complain about my cooking. Ever. Even when I do this to the burgers:

The middles were still perfectly edible, you know.
The dogs ate them. Because my kids wouldn't.

2. They follow me everywhere, so I'm never lonely. 

Never...

...ever lonely.

3. They help keep the cats from running amok, and creating a state of anarchy. 

Jon Farleigh = Feline Anarchy Prevention Specialist (FAPS)

4. They are a collective 70 pounds of double-coated fur blanket, for when I'm cold. 

And if the heater broke and there were no more fires, I'd have enough of their soft, downy undercoat to make several sweaters.

If I knew how to spin yarn...and knit.
(Can you imagine? I could call them cardigan cardigans!)

5. They just plain make me laugh!

Even when they're laughing at me (or yawning, it's hard to tell most days)! ☺

What makes you thankful for your pet(s)?

^^^^^^^^

See you tomorrow, with the next Thanksgiving classic!

The Preemptive Post to Assure You Chronicles of Cardigan Has Not Been Canceled

Not canceled. On a two-week hiatus, beginning August 11.

The writer will be on vacation. The actors (at least the two canines, who receive payment directly from me -- in the form of delicious food and occasional "business" travel to "exotic" locations, like Cardi parties and dog-friendly festivals), well, they'll be having a different sort of adventure, at home, with the family members who would rather sit at home than go on a vacation with me. [insert me being as baffled as you are ☺]

Anyway, the blog is gonna be quiet for a few more consecutive days than is typical. The places I'm going are not work-friendly. In other words, there will be no work (which includes anything tied to a keyboard). It's been a long, looong time coming.

However, DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THE BLOG! Although it'll be as quiet as an uninhabited house, it'll be left in perfectly capable paws: JON FARLEIGH and DEWI'S! And the boys have proven - on several occasions - to have sound watch dog instincts, as illustrated below.

Would you enter this house?

How about now?

Note: Cuteness can be deceptive.

Sometimes, even, a cat will step in as back-up.

Which technically means they passively supervise.

In particularly harrowing circumstances, though, the cats have the training to go it alone.

Heaven help the poor chap who tries to raid my blog, should it come down to this.

Oh, and in case any of you remember waaay back to that ONE TIME, when the dogs sneaked onto my blog in the night and changed some stuff around...

...well, I can assure you that won't happen again. They know better.

I video taped them being caught in the act.


How shameful. 

So, yes indeed, friends, I'm confident everything will be just as I left it upon my return in a couple weeks! I'll see you all on the other side, OK? Be good!

P.S. I have 608 published posts in this blog's archives. That means, if you'd like to read something, or see some adorable pet photos, you needn't wait for my return. 

P.P.S. You might see me on Twitter and/or Instagram and/or Tumblr, during the hiatus, but rarely, and maybe not until the second week. I don't include pressing my phone's keypad as work. Not all the time, anyway. ☺

Get Chronicles of Cardigan Delivered for Free, Plus a Dog-Inspired Amazing Weight-Loss Tip!

Have you heard the phrase: "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is"? Yeah, so have I, but THIS ISN'T ONE OF THOSE TIMES!

You really can get all of my (or most anyone's) blog content delivered for free, straight to your inbasket, without having to do a thing (except sign up for email delivery or follow me on Bloglovin). But before I show you exactly how to do that (in pictures), let me share a WAY simple idea the dogs gave me for how to eat less, and therefore, lose weight (as I'm trying to do)! 

My Dog-Inspired Weight Loss Plan

Supplies you'll need:

• Internet
• Printer stocked with paper and ink
• Tape
• Dog or cat (optional)
• Camera (optional)

Step-by-step directions:

1. Obtain a photo of dog (or cat*) poop (you can get this from Google, or take a photo yourself, your choice).
2. Print it off (number of copies depends, but I'd make at least 10).
3. Tape one copy to the following places (not an exhaustive list): refrigerator, pantry/food cabinet door, your plate, all TV screens, bathroom mirrors, the book you're currently reading, computer/tablet screen, smart phone, the ceiling above your bed (or wherever you lie down to sleep), your alarm clock, the car steering wheel.

That's it!

(Disclaimer: Results not guaranteed, but considering I'm feeling queasy from just writing the directions, it just might actually work! *groans* Also, as with any new weight loss regimen, check with your doctor first. But, for the love of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, please don't tell your doctor where you got the idea!)

* If you have dogs, I do NOT recommend taping up pics of cat doody. Your dog will EAT your signs (or raid your cat box). 

*****

So, now that I've given you plenty of reason to never EVER miss another one of my posts, let me show you how to get them delivered to you 2-3+ times per week! (Really! You'll never have to remember to find me on the Internet again!)

Email Subscription (Easiest)

See that same exact box over near the top of my right sidebar (hint: you have to actually be ON the blog to see it)? Well, all you have to do is type in your email address and press Submit! That's all! You'll receive an email each time I publish a new post (the entirety of which, is in the body of the email) - NO SPAM! Nothing extra! And no fake names in the From field! Yay!

Follow Chronicles of Cardigan on Bloglovin (Easy, but not as easy as email)

See that button up at the top of my sidebar? Yes, well if you have a Bloglovin account, when you click it, Chronicles of Cardigan will be added to your feed list. If you don't, you'll be prompted to create one. Bloglovin, in case you don't know, is like a blog reader, with a few extras. If you opt in, it will send you a daily email digest of all the blogs you're following, including a blurb from their most recent post.  

 <= Wanna try it? Just click!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

So, will my next blog post be stakeout or DELIVERY? (No tipping, please. ☺)

By the way, have you seen Chronicles of Cardigan on Facebook? It's fun! Check it out!


Psst. Wait a sec. What do you think about my calling it the Shatkins Diet? ;)

Classic Cardigan: The Time It Rained Fuzzy Foster Kittens and I Caught Some (Updated!)

Two years ago last weekend, I left three cats and two dogs at home and drove over to the Richmond SPCA to pick up three, five week old orphaned kittens. They were with us for a grand total of six weeks, or until they'd all reached a healthy two-pounds, were age-appropriately vaccinated and old enough to be spayed/neutered. It was harder work than I had bargained for - keeping those fuzz balls well fed, entertained and cleaned of food-crusted faces and poo-crusted paws and butts. But because of that hard work, it was also one of the most rewarding (and wonderful) jobs I have ever experienced. I will never forget those babies, and am so thankful all three of them quickly found permanent, loving homes.

Since that first kitten fostering experience, there've been a few other feline comings and goings at my house. OK, they've all been comings (unless you count the vet visits), as follows:

July 2012: Maddox - a nine-year-old, long-time Richmond SPCA resident - entered our home for a four-week foster. We failed. He was adopted into our family permanently three weeks later.

Maddox: No, as a matter of fact, I'm never letting her go.

October 2012: Bertie (he would later be called) - a  teenage kitten - showed up in our front yard, at night, yowling and desperate for human contact. After an exhaustive search for his owners, with no luck, he never left.

Bertie: I love my big, honking, twin big brother.

June 2013: Bobby Flay O'Fish (oh yes, we did) - a tiny, just-weaned kitten - found himself in the middle of a busy, six-lane intersection, seconds before I came along in my car. He ran into a grassy shoulder; I pulled over, got out and grabbed him; he was feral and bit me hard; I swallowed tears of pain and tossed him in the back seat anyway, drove him home and began the weeks-long process of taming him enough to be considered adoptable. By the time that happened, he was super-bonded to Bertie and already ours.

Bobby Flay O'Fish: I love both my big, honking twin big brothers.
Plus my three, not so big and honking sisters, and those other two (who are staring at me from the floor) with the broken meows. 

So you see, when today's forecast is 100% chance of foster-kitten showers (as it has been in my area for several weeks, with no end in sight), unlike two years ago, I'll be stuck inside like a water dog who wants nothing more than to go out and get wet! (So, that metaphor needs some work. In the meantime, please refrain from imagining a bunch of labradors running around getting pelted by cherubic foster kittens falling from the sky.)

I hate that helpless feeling, y'all! So, that's why - because the kittens need us, and June is Adopt-A-Cat Month - I'm making a multi-part plea:

• If you've never fostered kittens before and think it might be fun (it is), check with your local shelter(s) to see if you can help!
• If you've thought about adopting a kitten (or cat) but are nervous about it "fitting into" your lifestyle, consider fostering first (if it isn't for you, that's okay, but in the meantime, you will have saved a kitty (or two)'s life!
• If you can't foster (or adopt) a kitty, but want to help, SHARE this post (or tell your friends who are thinking about getting a cat)! Or, consider donating much-needed kitten-fostering supplies (towels, blankets, beds, litter boxes, carriers, toys, bowls, food, kitten formula, etc.) to your local shelter/rescue! Many of them have wish lists posted on their websites.  

Thank you from the most bottom of bottoms of my heart! 

But wait! You can't go away without SEEING those precious little fuzzy kitten balls I mentioned at the top of this post! They're named after Spongebob Squarepants, Patrick and Sandy, even! You guys! LOOOOOK!

Originally published on May 25, 2012...

It Rained Foster Kittens...and I Caught Some!

Yes, you read that right. When I learned that this morning's forecast at the Richmond SPCA was cloudy with a 100% chance of foster kittens*, there was only one thing for me to do: drive over there and see if I could catch one (or three).

And so I did...all of the above. ;)

Now, before I bust wide open from the anticipation, please meet my three itty bitty, five week old foster kitties!

On my lap ☺

Although not the names they were given at the shelter, we're affectionately referring to them (L to R in top photo) as Bob (teeny little tabby boy), Patrick (large tabby boy) and Sandy (long-haired dilute tortoiseshell/tabby, aka torbie girl).

If all goes well, we'll have these three fuzz balls for 3-4 weeks, at which time they'll be spayed/neutered and placed for adoption at the Richmond SPCA (which happens to be exploding with kittens of all ages).

Because they are so little and too young to be fully vaccinated or treated for biting parasites, we've set up a kitten "apartment" in my master bathroom, which can be completely closed off from our other pets and is relatively easy to clean.

The kittens seem to think the arrangement is pretty cool.

Patrick

teeny Bob

Sandy

teeny Bob totally fell asleep while at the watering hole ☺

Kitten Pile (squee!)

In case you're wondering about how the rest of the animals are handing this, they are (for now) completely oblivious. They haven't seen the kittens and have expressed no desire to break into the bathroom. At some point (before the kittens go back to the SPCA), though, I'll try a supervised meeting with the dogs (one dog at a time). I think it'll be good socialization for both species. (And besides, Jon Farleigh was best friends with kitten Lulabelle way back in the day.)

Can you believe he was ever that small?
(He's at least three times bigger than her now.)

Over-the-top adorableness aside, I'm pleased with how the kittens are doing so far: they're eating, drinking, peeing (in the litterbox), pooping (in the litterbox), playing, sleeping and doing all the other things little kittens should be doing at this age. Oh yeah, and they purr LOUDLY and often.

It's going to be a full holiday weekend at my house, for sure.

* I recently attended a Meet the Fosters volunteer training class through the Richmond SPCA, after which I received notification of several litters of kittens needing immediate foster care.

Tacky Cardigan With Words on It: Why Reality TV Sucks for My Cats

Not my reality TV, either. THEIRS!

I don't know how long they sat there and watched that stupid (ugly, nasty...) stink bug the other night, but I KNOW they didn't kill it. Stupid things are too gross even for cats! Corgis, too! ICK!

Do your pets watch "reality" TV? And by that, I mean do they watch creepy bugs in your house, or eat them? Do you hate stink bugs, too? (Fun topic, huh?) ☺

If you'd like me to consider a photo of you pet(s) for a tacky cardigan, just post it to the Facebook page!

It Rhymes With 'Hump' Day: Mugwump (possibly the first time used to describe a dog in recorded history)

Mugwump (definition from Urban Dictionary, because it best suits this absurd blog post my purposes. Also, I've taken the liberty of removing all instances of the word "man." You'll see why.):

"A politically un-enslaved dog. A dog with high, definite principals. A dog who does not ask for office, nor accept office. A dog who votes for the best species, regardless of his/her party name."

In the following example, Dewi is a mugwump:

Me to Dewi: "So, would you ever vote for a cat?"

Dewi: "A cat? {pauses to think} I mean, as a registered dog, I've historically gone dog. But, as a matter of principal, say, for example, the dog candidate wants to raise the tax on bacon, but the cat candidate is all about affordable bacon for everyone? Well, it'd certainly make me unpopular among my canine constituents, but heck yeah, I'd vote for the cat!

Would you excuse me for a moment? The cat's become dislodged."

"Mmmm, not bacon...can't quite...."

And, that does it for my example!

So, is anyone else's dog a mugwump? ;))

Notes:

<> The word "mugwump" can be political; this blog, however, is not, and therefore, any secret messages you think you see, are in fact, rooted in your imagination. 

<> I made up the whole example. Dewi isn't really a mugwump. Please refer to yesterday's post, if needed.

<> I used this same photo sequence in a previous blog post about the importance of enunciating training commands. That post is equally ridiculous. 

<> I'll give 25 vanity points to the first person who can correctly name the iconic American author who self-identified as a mugwump in one of his published writings. Hint: It's only one person, but I'll accept two different answers. ☺

Tune in next Wednesday when I rhyme 'hump' with...

On 2013, Blogging and Polyester-Headed Sourpatch Monsters (Illustrated with Funny Dog Photos)

Because there's no blogger support group that meets on the third Wednesday evening of every month (for example), and I keep most of these "business" things to myself 364 days of the year, I'm grateful for today's opportunity to participate in the (my third) Pet Blogger's Challenge. (Note: I think I just said I have 364 days worth of business to unload. Maybe you should run. Unless, that is, you want to see the PICTURES! Also, hint: I really don't talk all that much. ☺)

Thank you to (role-model) bloggers, Amy Burkert of Take Paws (Go Pet Friendly.com blog), and Edie Jarolim of Will My Dog Hate Me?, for once again hosting this beloved event.

When I first arrived here, three years ago -- on this exact Blogger blog, only with the "blogspot" still hogging up my URL, and a blog design with distinctly less TV in it -- I couldn't fathom any direction for The Chronicles of Cardigan, beyond showing off photos of my dogs to a group of fellow dog lovers who'd appreciate them. It was just plain old fun.

[pretend Jon Farleigh is me.]
I love my blog! Yay, blog!

Before long, though, I realized there was just as much (maybe more) fun in putting words together on the page than just putting up the photos, so I wrote every day, wringing my brain free of more droplets of creativity than it had given up in decades. And, I got burnt out.

[pretend stuffed corgi is this blog.]
JF: You've changed, blog, and I don't think I like you anymore.

Blog, you are a polyester-headed sourpatch monster! Go sit in time-out!

And, burn out led to ambivalence, which led to struggles with whether or not to monetize, which led to resentment over being "obligated" to do something with this space that could, eventually, take all the fun out of it. So (after some serious soul-searching), I stepped way back. Decided to lose the guilt for not posting, and gave my poor, overwhelmed brain a rest...

My brain is eating cookies in bed, and not taking a nap. 

Last year's Blogger Challenge (for context)...
  On 2012, Blogging and Elephants in the Room

This year's questions and answers...

1. How long have you been blogging? Please tell us why you started blogging, and, for anyone stopping by for the first time, give us a quick description of what your blog is about.

Three years. The reason I started the blog is up there, in the 3rd paragraph from the top. Here's the blog description from my About page: This blog is a disheveled stack of nonsense humorous and (sometimes) unconventional chronicle of my life with Jon Farleigh and Dewi (my two lively Cardigan Welsh Corgis), three (okay, SIX!) rescue cats, a husband and some kids. But really, it's mostly about the dogs. (In fewer words, THERE'S A PARTY GOIN' ON IN HERE, ALL THE TIME!) :)

2. Name one thing about your blog, or one blogging goal that you accomplished during 2013, that made you most proud.

I had LOTS of fun! (That was my only goal for 2013.)

3. When you look at the post you wrote for last year’s Pet Blogger Challenge, or just think back over the past year, what about blogging has changed the most for you?

I've managed to banish the guilt...for not posting enough, for not participating in enough blogger stuff, for not sounding like someone I'm not. I've also reestablished a posting rhythm, and have gone from publishing only once, to three times a week. And finally, after three years, I got paid* to write!

4. What have you found to be the best ways to bring more traffic to your blog, other than by writing great content?

 Twitter (which encompasses Triberr.com shares) and Facebook, in that order.

Oh, yeah, there you go. Stupid brain cookies tasted terrible anyway.

5. How much time to do you spend publicizing your blog, and do you think you should spend more or less in the coming year?

I only share post links (on Facebook, G+, Twitter and sometimes, Pinterest) when I've recently published one. However, I'm active daily on several social media platforms, where my blog URL is visible. I spend at least one hour a day just showing up in different places. This year, I intend to increase my presence substantially on Twitter and (hopefully) G+ (specifically hangouts).

6. How do you gauge whether or not what you’re writing is appealing to your audience? How do you know when it’s time to let go of a feature or theme that you’ve been writing about for a while?

They leave a comment? They share it? They don't call me bad names? :) As for the second question, I leave it when I'm no longer inspired to keep writing about it. (Boring does not equal fun.)  

7. When you’re visiting other blogs, what inspires you to comment on a post rather than just reading and moving on?

It's usually because I feel compelled to, which -- as with anything I say out loud (being more of a listener) -- happens when I'm passionate about the subject, and think I have something of value to add. Please note that feeling "passionately" about something, sometimes, equals having a burning desire to be a smart@ss. But I try to limit those comments to bloggers who already know what a harmless buffoon I am. :)

Pardon me, cat, would you get me some Grey Poupon and a can of sardines?

8. Do you do product reviews and/or giveaways? If so, what do you find works best, and what doesn’t work at all?

Yes, I will do reviews, when I've found something that's really awesome, and feel like sharing it with my readers. That being said, most of my reviews are unsolicited (meaning no one asked me to review it; I just did it). I will also do paid reviews (for brands who ask me to), but considering what I just said, I wouldn't even do a paid review unless I was certain I could give a sparking one. As for giveaways, they're fun, especially when I can afford to give away a gift card, or something whimsical that I'd buy for myself. I will consider sponsored giveaways only if I truly love the product, wouldn't think twice about buying it myself, and (hugely important) it fits in with my blog theme and writing style. 

9. When writer’s block strikes and you’re feeling dog-tired, how do you recharge?

For something less chronic than full-on burnout (which I've had, and I talked about last year), I just take a deep breath and post a classic (ahem re-run). (Yay, re-runs!) If I get so tired that I can't even post a re-run, I'm not sure a "recharge" will be what the doctor orders. At least not in the context of this question. 

OK, I'm feelin' groovy again. But, if blog wants to play with me,
some big changes are gonna have to happen. 

10. Have you ever taken a break from your blog? How did that go? Have you ever thought about quitting your blog altogether? What makes you stay?

Not an extended break, but I cut back to posting once a week for the first two-thirds of 2013, and...it was glorious! And refreshing! :) And, yes, I've thought about quitting (don't we all?), but I can't. I don't want to quit it. It's just plain old fun. 

11. What goals do you have for your blog in 2014?

Well? I think I'd like to branch out into doing recipes and cooking demos...NOT! (Reminder: I'm a harmless buffoon.) Gosh, I don't like this question! OK, other than continue to have fun, I'm gonna make more money with it (doing exactly the same stuff I've been doing already, just less sporadically). And, I promise you, it'll still be the same happy place it always has been! So, see you next week, OK?! :))

[pretend Lulabelle is me.]
Hey, blog. Long time no talk. Guess what? I always knew you were a cat person, so I made a few changes. I think this is gonna work out just fine, don't you?

 Thanks for reading!
☺☺☺

* My first paid writing job was through the BlogPaws Pet Blogger Network. 

Have you seen all these other awesome posts?