When Hissy and June Buggie started writing Hisses and Purrs, the goal was to make people aware of what was really going on in the world in relation to animal welfare. June Buggie especially wanted humans to know that while much of the news was bad, there is also much good news out there.
The feature was one of the least-visited posts each week. The guys tried a variety of ways to make it interesting, including sensationalist titles.
But the truth is bad news makes us all tired. It makes you tired, and it makes us tired.
Our goal here has always been to make people aware of the plight of animals without using the same old emotionally laden messages that are already out there turning people off to animal welfare.
So while will continue that mission, we will do so in different ways. Our new Sunday feature seems to be quite a hit, and we’re glad. Who know so many people would cry over two cows?
And last Friday’s commentary on dogs also went over well. We’ve had lots of new visitors to the blog because you’re sharing links to the post. Thank you so much!
Look for more new features that help us convey our message in a way that brings people together. Our heads are swimming with lots of ideas!
Dogpaddling Through Life 
Oh Rumpy, hungry from thinking. Well, as a matter of fact, I always ‘liked’ hisses and purrs, because it was the reality of life. There’s now a petition going to safe a really sad, ill and lonely elephant from a zoo in Rumania. Something like that, perhaps: asking people to sign and give them the feeling they do something?
Petitions don’t do anything but give somebody your personal information to sell to others. If you really want to make a difference for that elephant, start a letter-writing campaign to that zoo. Bombard them with emails and snail mails. THEN they’ll know you are concerned.
Whatever you do on the blog, whenever you do it – we’ll be watching…..we love seeing all of you and hearing what’s going on in your world and ours…..AND we absolutely LOVE the photos of handsome Malachi, sleepy JB and gorgeous Rumpy!
Hugs, Pam and Sam
Oh don’t worry, Sammy. We’ll be there. But as you well know, blogging is about finding things that work to entice more readers to keep coming back. That’s how we change hearts and minds.
OH! I think you are all great!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
*blush* Thank you!
I enjoyed Hisses and Purrs. I’m sorry to hear that it didn’t do well.
It had a core group of supporters, but those folks are the choir. I need to reach out and bring in new readers to help spread the message about animal welfare.
😦 I loved your hisses and purrs. I was looking forward to it because I wanted to add a hiss from Pinellas park where a legally blind woman was refused service at a local McDonalds due to her service dog. The picture online of her and the dog makes ot look like the dog is a pit mix. Not only did the employee refuse service but so did the manager and they asked for papers on the dog which is a violation of the ADA act. The lady states her dog was marked as a service dog and will sue. So its double hisses, not only for denying service but for possible discrimination against a service dog that happens to be a pit bull mix. The only county in Florida that allows breed specific legislation is Miami-Dade county so to encounter such bias local to me is really disheartening.
I think that would be an excellent blog post for you to write! Unfortunately this happens often. But also, we have people who are using fake service animal badges to take them inside. There may be more to the story than we know.
Very true.
You do so much in bringing the message to stop treating our fur people like animals that whatever you do I am in favor. Go for a change.
Thanks! Change is good.
I was so interested in reading Hiss and Purrr post written by both Hissy and June Buggie….I’ll miss it….However I can’t wait for listening to what Malachi says!!! He looks very majestic on the picture!!! 🙂
I don’t know if the bad news is tiring or just makes us really, really sad. I have learned a lot from your blog especially about the differences between the various groups. I realized that I tend to give my money to groups that focus on the good that they do rather than the bad things they can’t fix. Kudos to you for continually improving your blog. You have a lot of very dedicated followers.
I loved Hisses&Purrs, sometimes I cried and sometimes I was angry about the people who did horrible things to animals, but it was good to read about good people who deserved some purrs. But I’m very excited what Malachi has to say, btw: nice tail-move Malachi :o)
Sometimes, less is more. Speak up for the ones who cannot. Keep up the good work x.
I will continue to speak, but am fine-tuning my message so it will be heard.
I’m glad to see that you’re working hard to see what encourages people to take action instead of tuning out. Story telling is a particularly effective way to help people remember things and take actions. So perhaps we’ll be reading some stories here?
Maybe!
Wooohooooo let’s hear from Malachi more!
It is always inspiring when people go out to tell stories to enlighten. I disagree though about the petitions. Doo they always work…no…but they do sometimes, and they at least advertise the fact that people are unhappy with what is happening. I think so long as you make sure you only go to reputable sites to sign, your info is as safe as with the rest of your online presence.
Oh and Rumpy…maybe you might consider this. Can you go in to your dashboard and change your settings so you see your whole posts when you view it in your reader. I have taken to using my kindle, makes it so much easier to really catch up with blogs. Not so much switching around. I didn’t have it set that way either, but it helps. Seems lots more are using mobile devices, I know I like the convenience of it at times, and viewing is quick with it on.
Can do Jo. Thanks for the tip!
Planet Purrth needing you. You might wanting to apply for Secretary job in Purrime Ministerette cabinet. You just peemailing applicatshiun which we shall ovulate and get back to you at purrliest convenience.
Hmmmmm…… I might be interested!
Maybe the winter was making the hisses harder to take? I’ve noticed that everyone seems a lot more desperate for a good story these days – we need to know about the bad stuff but lately I think we have a much lower tolerance for it. I’ve noticed everyone wants to hear about things like the cow story you ran, and the dogs being adopted in Russia, and anything that gives them hope that their fellow humans are still capable of humanity.
I agree -sometimes you need to change the tune to keep the crowd on the dance floor 🙂 A bigger audience also lets you reach more readers when you have something urgent to share.
Did you get your brain food Rump! I enjoy sharing your blog posts, people always tweet me and say hey i know Rumpy! BOL!
I am surprised that hisses and purrs are one of your least visited posts, I enjoy them. I like to know whats happening in the world, good or bad, and I like knowing if there is anything we can do about it!
But it’s always good to get the brain juices flowing, so I wish you luck with all your brainstorms, and can’t wait to see what you come up with!
((husky hugz))
frum our pack at love is being owned by a husky
I’m pretty sure cookies are brain food. All this thinking calls for some extra cookies! Lots of extra cookies!
Love and licks and I want some cookies too,
Cupcake
Please insist your human give ’em to you!
We love using our brain to think of ways to get food. And, continue to love your posts, June Buggie et. al. Hey, it’d be purrrrrrfect to hear from Malachi. wag wag
Brain food in terms of cookies, right, Rumpy?
I liked the Hiss and Purrs and I understand that if so few people visited you would want to make changes.
It really is more uplifting to hear good news. There are a lot of bad things in this world, but there is so so much good, too. Thanks, Rumpy! 🙂
Sometimes the best way to deliver a message is with an iron hammer in a velvet glove. You’ve got to let folks know what’s really going on, but you can soften the blow. Folks are more likely to read a story about mistreatment of animals if they know the animal is finally in a safe and loving place.
Good luck to you, Jen, and your crew for getting the word out.
Someone has beaten me to saying that cookies are good brain food! It must be true!
I saw someone linked you on Reddit. I saw the link and thought “Hey! I follow that blog!”
I know! It brought a few new eyes to the blog. Yay!
Hello Rumpy & Malachi & June Buggie & Hissy Fit: I agree with you 150%. I am seeing ALOT of violent postings about 4 leggeds on FB & it makes me so upset I end up having nitemares. I think we need to focus on the postive at all times…there is alot of badness in this world…we can not change things hundreds or thousands of miles away…
I am exicted to see what new ideas you all come up with!!
Love Sherri-Ellen & Nylablue xoxoxo
I will miss “Hisses and Purrs”…you did it so beautifully!