It’s been a crazy whirlwind for the blog over the last month. The redesign was a huge undertaking but I am happy with the results (mostly anyway. I am still making small tweaks). Now that things have calmed down in that respect, I want to share some things that have been going on outside the blog.
Imagine my shock when my Spring 2013 issue of Modern Dog Magazine arrived and inside, on page 17, I found our blog under the Surf feature. We were one of only three blogs highlighted. Modern Dog did not talk to me before featuring us so all the great things they said were purely from an outsiders perspective. It was interesting to read and I was very flattered!
A month or two ago I was contacted by AKC Family Dog Magazine to do and interview about hiking with Chester and Gretel. I wasn’t totally sure what article I was being interviewed for because they hadn’t settled on the final angle themselves. I ended up talking with the interviewer for an hour and a half! However, I know a bit about how media goes so I figured I would be lucky to have one line in the magazine from the interview….if anything came of it at all.
I was flattered, excited and completely shocked when the May/June 2013 issue arrived. There on page 32 was a full-page photo of Chester and Gretel that I had provided to them! As I scanned the three-page article Small Dogs, Big Adventures I saw that not only was our blog mentioned but I was extensively quoted in the article.
The same day the magazine arrived I got an email from a local radio station, KIRO 97.3 FM. They asked if I would be interested in being interviewed for an upcoming segment on exercising with your dog for the It’s Raining cats and Dogs radio show. Um…yes please!
It was my first radio interview and it went well despite the microphone glitch half way through (whew…glad I was able to pull it out and refocus on the interview). The radio host, Shawn Stewart, was so kind, gracious and made me feel at ease.
I got to talk about Gretel’s first hike, some beginner hikes for small dogs in Seattle, and the Adventureweiner Club of Seattle I founded. You can listen to the recorded interview segment, Top 10 Hikes with Dogs, below.
I had prepared a whole list of great hikes for small dogs in the Seattle are for the radio show but we barely touched on them. I had assumed nothing when I arrived and was not surprised at that. The host still wanted to share my list of hikes so they were published in an article on MyNorthwest.com called Big Adventures with Little Dogs.
The icing on the cake, which I DID know was coming but totally forgot, was that Gretel’s crooky face was published in the Smiling Dogs feature of the recent issue of BARK Magazine. It was funny because, as I said, I had totally forgot she was going to be in there. I am always excited to get the new issue so I tore it from my hubby’s hands and eagerly started flipping through it. It was only after I saw her photo that I remembered that the magazine had let me know about it 🙂
The excitement is not over for me because in one week I leave for BlogPaws, one of the biggest national conferences for pet bloggers. This is one of the best conferences to attend if you want to become a professional and turn your blog into a business. There are so many great presentations planned that will help me grow the blog.
It’s not just the conference I am excited for (although I AM beside myself). I am super excited because I get to share a room with the author of Kol’s Notes! She is excited because Kol’s Notes is one of the finalists in the Best Bark Blog category of the Nose-to-Nose Awards. I think we will feed off of each others excitement and be two hot messes until the end of the conference 🙂
Maybe I will be able to rest when I get home……
GizmoGeodog says
May 9, 2013 at 4:55 AMWhat an absolutely astounding week you’re having…Ican only say Congrats!!! on all you’ve achieved and wish lots more great things coming your way
Jessica Rhae says
May 9, 2013 at 9:28 AMThanks! I am actually talking with the radio show producer to be on once a month. I am so excited…but don’t want to count my chickens…..
Skippy says
May 9, 2013 at 5:07 AMYou’re batting 1,000 for the week – congratulations – and the readers of AKC Family Dog Mag get to see a great picture of Gretel and Chester!
Jessica Rhae says
May 9, 2013 at 9:30 AMMaybe the photo will make them want to come and hike with their dog in Washington 🙂 The photo is of one of our favorite hikes any time of the year.
emma says
May 9, 2013 at 6:46 AMWow! Mom and I are so happy for you and all your news! That is so pawsome! Someday we would like to gain some fame but it takes a lot of work and time. Hopefully BlogPaws will help mom out a bit! Great job, you can be super proud and if you had a tail, you could carry it high!
Jessica Rhae says
May 9, 2013 at 9:32 AMIt IS a lot of work and time. I have been at this 20-30 hours a week for almost 3 years. It may be short-lived it but feels good to get some acknowledgement for my efforts. You are so cute Emma it will be your turn soon 🙂
Chris and Charlie says
May 9, 2013 at 9:18 AMisn’t it amazing how good things seem to come in bunches?
Jessica Rhae says
May 9, 2013 at 9:33 AMYes. And then they usually go away…or at least come and go in spurts. I am trying to be realistic but am pretty excited. I might get a reoccurring spot on the radio show.
Chris Knowles says
May 9, 2013 at 5:37 PMwell you might as well enjoy it while it’s there!
SUGAR: Golden Woofs says
May 9, 2013 at 10:11 AMWoof! Woof! Lots of exciting NEWS and Golden Congrats. Kol is my fellow TT. My mom is looking forward on meeting you. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
Jessica Rhae says
May 9, 2013 at 11:32 AMIt will be great to finally meet you too! Uh…having a moment of brain density…what is TT?
Dachshund Nola and Her Mom says
May 9, 2013 at 5:00 PMWow! Congratulations! 😀
Amanda
Hailey and Zaphod's Lady says
May 9, 2013 at 5:27 PMWhat a busy month. Congrats on your success. Lee and Phod
Ann Paws says
May 9, 2013 at 5:33 PMThat is a LOT of awesome stuff! Congratulations! Have fun at BlogPaws!
Jessica Rhae says
May 9, 2013 at 6:17 PMThanks and I will. I am totally excited. I can’t believe that I will be on my way to BlogPaws in 6 days!
Gretchen says
May 9, 2013 at 7:42 PMYou have a lot to celebrate! Just stopping by to let you know we are passing an award on to you over on our blog.
Wallace and Samuel says
May 9, 2013 at 9:36 PMWOW!! Congratulations!!
Wally & Sammy
Bichonpawz says
May 9, 2013 at 10:40 PMWow! We are pretty sure that all of this qualifies you guys for SUPERSTAR status!! Congratulations and have a blast at BlogPaws!! Xo Chloe and LadyBug
Sue at Talking Dogs says
May 10, 2013 at 2:21 AMWow! What a whole lot of barking good news! Congratulations 😀
Hawk aka BrownDog says
May 10, 2013 at 4:39 AMHi Y’all!
Wonderful!!! Congratulations!!!
Oh, and while you’re on a roll, I’m sure you’ll have no trouble havin’ extra fun at BlogPaws for those of us who can’t attend, but would love to attend!
Y’all come by now,
Hawk aka BrownDog
Marg says
May 10, 2013 at 4:47 AMWow that is so terrific about all those articles in magazines and the radio talk. Good for you. Hope you have a great time at Blog paws.
Elizabeth says
May 11, 2013 at 9:51 PMVery cool – you deserve all of these great things coming to you!
Jackie Bouchard says
May 12, 2013 at 8:53 PMCongrats on all the great news for your blog this month! Plus BlogPaws too – what a month! Wish I was going to BlogPaws… maybe next year.
Bruce Sherman says
May 12, 2013 at 11:23 PMWow, what a ton of great stuff happening in such a short time. You have been building your brand for years now, and are starting to see the results of your work. I couldn’t be happier for you.
Jessica Rhae says
May 13, 2013 at 6:50 AMThanks so much Bruce!
Jodi says
May 14, 2013 at 7:33 AMWow that’s a lot of things to be excited and happy about, CONGRATULATIONS!!!
We are going to have a great time at BlogPaws, I can’t wait to meet everyone and learn, learn, learn!!
Chris Anderson says
May 15, 2013 at 8:02 AMHi Jessica…I have so enjoyed reading your blog and all your great news !!! I was so excited to see the AKC magazine picture with Chester & Gretel wearing their Cozy Hound coats !!!!!! I am definitely going to get the magazine today….thanks for all the exposure you have done for me….Chris
Jessica Rhae says
May 15, 2013 at 8:18 AMHi Chris. I totally didn’t even think about them wearing your coats. Now the whole thing is even cooler now though 🙂 I wish I had thought to mention to the lady where the coats came from. Looks like Spring is here so we are not in the market for new coats but may order new ones this fall. Do you have any new Fleece patterns?
Chris Anderson says
May 16, 2013 at 8:20 PMI am working on some new styles and will have them ready for the fall. I will let you know. Thanks again.