That's a direct quote from Dr. V of Pawcurious, and of our Be the Change for Pets panel. She so eloquently thanked Dogtime Media and BlogPaws and all of the bloggers who voted for her, during the Petties - where she won a Pettie for Best All Around Blog and mentioned that pet bloggers are not Mommy bloggers. We are so much more.
I was so impressed with the way Dr. V described our growing pet community, I had to try and share here. Note that I do not have word-for-word quotes. I did not take notes. I merely enjoyed the ceremony and the company. But, if I can paraphrase what Dr. V said, this is it...
Pet bloggers are bigger than themselves. We don't write our blogs just to serve ourselves, or even to promote our pets. Yes, we love our furry, feathery, or leathery friends as deeply as any Mom loves her kids, but in our efforts to connect, there is an underlying desire to make sure our words count for something more than chatter. No, Mommy bloggers aren't about chatter, either - but they do seem, to this blogger, anyway, to be focused on more than the content shared on their blogs.
Mommy bloggers write about health (so do we); they write about opinion (so do we); they connect to learn best practices in being a mommy (so do we); and they hope they can connect with brands to get free product or trips to visit the brand headquarters (and so do we). The difference, for us, is that we are building a collective voice that will work to achieve the goal Mike Arms set forth in his Saturday BlogPaws keynote. That goal being to make our purpose - supporting these amazing animals we call pets and friends - something not only newsworthy, but noteworthy.
We're about making changes. We're about serving the greater good. We're about accomplishment and using our collective voice to get the attention needed to show others how important these cherished creatures are to us, and should be to the whole world.
Mike Arms said, "They didn't ask to be here." He was talking about the pets that end up in shelters and rescues. He so rightly noted that it's up to us to teach the world not only how important these animals are to us, as loving members of the community of man, so to speak. It's important for us as members of the pet community to understand how to communicate the value these animals bring, through our blogs and our fund-raising.
No, we are not the Mommy bloggers. Though we all consider ourselves Moms and Dads, the work we're doing is more than caring for the pets in our care. It's caring for all pets, in any situation. It's caring to move mountains. It's caring to help each other, today, tomorrow, and every day. Until the world recognizes the true value of these precious creatures we blog about.
Thank you, Dr. V for speaking the words out loud. The truth needs to be told, again and again, out loud, to make a difference.
It was an honor and a joy to be there at BlogPaws. We are excited to be a part of this movement. And yes, it is a movement! ~Marcie
Posted by: Helen Woodward Animal Center | 09/14/2010 at 03:12 PM
We are not the Mommy bloggers, or any other kind of bloggers for that matter. We are the Pet Bloggers. And WE ARE THE CHANGE.
Posted by: BZTAT | 09/14/2010 at 03:18 PM
I love this. Keep the spirit and the hype and the motivation from BlogPaws going!
We are the change, and I'm proud to be a part of it.
Posted by: Dorian @ Your Daily Cute | 09/14/2010 at 08:36 PM
I could not agree more:) Noteworthy, significant, immediately useful - it's what we pet bloggers do to raise awareness for our furry friends and the general consciousness of the public, offering tools for change when needed. Great post Yvonne!
Posted by: Dancingdogblog | 09/15/2010 at 01:49 PM
Everyone who came to BlogPaws, and everyone we tweet with, everyone we talk with on Facebook, are people in charge of Be the change for pets. There are many programs being supported right now, and many more to come.
At BlogPaws, if we can help, we will. Collectively, our minds, hands, and voices will move mountains. Thank you everyone who signs on... we <3 you all.
Posted by: Yvonne DiVita | 09/15/2010 at 03:35 PM
Grete woofie helped mom choose the Service Dog organization that will get the $500 donation mom won:
http://corycattalks.blogspot.com/2010/09/woofie-wednesday-be-change-for-pets.html
She chose Guide Dogs for the Blind! Thanks to BlogPaws for making this happen!
Posted by: Cory | 09/15/2010 at 09:58 PM
Great post Yvonne - this is why I'm proud to be part of the BlogPaws community!
Posted by: Vicki Cook | 09/16/2010 at 08:00 AM
@Vicki Cook - YOU are why blogpaws is a fantastic community! Thanks for your help at BlogPaws West. And thanks for the kudos on my little post.
@Cory - that is fantabulous! You did a great job picking an organization that knows how to give back and be the change. Now, you're a big part of be the change too! We <3 you and your Mom! (and Eukanuba/Iams). Mwah!
Posted by: Yvonne DiVita | 09/16/2010 at 12:30 PM
This is really great post,thank you! <3
Newfoundland dogs
Posted by: Moley | 06/14/2011 at 10:03 AM
LOVE this! Thank you so much for sharing. I don't know how old your little one is but our son is 2 and is a terrible independent player. I am going to try this asap - I think it will help!! Thank you!
Posted by: Christian Louboutin Outlet | 08/29/2011 at 08:18 PM