http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640
Thank goodness for the most part Pet Bloggers don’t have to deal with meanness and petty squabbles. We might have different ideas on training our dogs and be completely against one method or another but we can understand and only offer guidance. In general those who think adoption is the way you should get a new dog don’t get mean and nasty with those who go to a breeder looking for something particular. We all have our ideas about feeding time each choosing what is right for us and our situations. We can have a friendly debate about the merits of going to a dog park vs. never setting foot in one.
We are a community the is inclusive not exclusive we share the knowledge we have gained over the years living with our animals to help other pet families have a better happier life with their pets. We are there to help when someone’s pet gets sick or the puppy just ate the couch. I hope we never become divided into camps and schools of thought.
Felissa somehow I missed this (I watch The Today Show but sometimes I turn it off early), thanks for sharing….this has some great info in it.
Thank goodness the majority of pet bloggers are NOT like this!
I've had nothing but good experiences with other pet bloggers. In general, most of the people I have met on-line and in person are very helpful and supportive. We can have differences of opinion without being mean and spiteful.
It happens in all types of groups. There are trolls everywhere on the web–and out in the real world. I know a woman who was doing so many great things for her local animal shelter and managed to get publicity for the shelter on some news stations.
There were some very rude comments about how she was spending time “just helping animals” when there were people that needed it more. It was a very sad reality, but really taught me a lesson. It really is impossible to please everyone. Someone is going to always be around judging, so work on being satisfied with myself and the fact that I do what I can, when I can to make the world better.
I've seen this clip. Isn't it awful to think that people feel they can get away with that stuff all because they are hiding behind a computer screen?
Since I started blogging last year I have to say I've met nothing but kindness, generosity and support from pet bloggers around the world.
As for the mean folk there are out there “hiding behind a computer screen” – well, I believe life's too short to be mean and petty.
I don't think there are certain niches that attract better-mannered visitors… I have very few people who come and comment and all of them are always nice, even if they disagree. That's mostly because the people who visit are those whose blogs I enjoy and we generally share comments. If I did have hundreds of visitors, I'd imagine I would get nasty comments too. You can't control all the traffic.
I've seen some very vicious fights in pet forums too… We all need to be considerate of others, no matter the subject or how we feel about it, I guess.
I haven't been hit by any negative or mean comments yet. I guess that is why I haven't thought twice about writing what I want to say. I suppose there isn't much controversial about two cute hiking weiner dogs but I did write a very opinionated rant on picking up your dog poo last week.
Damn straight, my friend. I don't blog nearly as often as I should because my tongue hurts from biting.
Great post, Felissa!
I totally agree with Winnie – if that's how people want to really waste what time they have on earth making rude comments that's their problem as for me, I have better things to do with what is really a short time we have on earth. And besides, they can make all the rude comments they want – I guess that is their right BUT it is also MY right NOT to read that comment.
I've seen some pretty awful things on blog sites, including a few pet blogging sites. I'm grateful that for the most part it hasn't happened to me, but I know there are topics about which people have a definite passion and things can get touchy. I agree with the other posters that respect given is respect earned.
“The reason pet (bloggers) have so many friends is because the wag their tails and not their tongues.”
Though we may disagree on diet, times to feed, breeder vs. adoption…and on and on…it seems (for the most part) that pet bloggers have a mutual respect for each other and rightfully so. To each, his/her own style and method.
I find it quite a shame that other types of bloggers cannot respect each other's methods, styles, etc and just find the common ground…especially in the case of mom blogs as their common ground is their kids.
Proud to be a Pet Blogger! Woof-hoo!
Cairn cuddles, Oz
I love the pet industry and Blogging about pets and the people who love them. I am among like minded and mannered people: live and let live, kindness goes a long way. We are all here to collaborate, respecting the diversity and unique styles we all bring to the table! (or water bowl :<)
See you on Twitter.
Lisa
I think it's the difference between getting 70,000 page hits a month and 2000 page hits a month. I just don't have enough traffic to get mean people coming by.
And, you know, that's fine with me.
That stuff makes me laugh. I wouldn't ever get involved in a community of bloggers who are so childish it screams out.
Pet bloggers are much better 🙂