Yes, we’re still here.
I haven’t posted much lately, I know. I’ve just not felt like it.
To be honest, I’ve been thinking about no longer writing about animal welfare. Researching those blog posts takes time, and it doesn’t generate readership. If I want readers, I need to either spout venomous hatred or provide non-stop cute. Neither concept interests me.
I’ve been writing, but not about animals. Perhaps it’s time to start a different kind of blog and let this one die.
In the meantime, here’s your cute.
Dogpaddling Through Life 
I have followed your blog for a long time and I enjoy it – I am passionate about animal welfare and even though some of your subject content is upsetting, which of course, is bound to be, I have found it informative and inspiring. I hope that you don’t stop the blog, but if you do I wish you all the best for the future…
oh that would be sad… I remember so much great posts, the hisses&purrs and the posts wit Deedee… don’t forget to wear a smile before you leave your crib, that was pure canine wisdom :o)
I have followed it for a long time too, I always read, but seldom comment. perhaps I should comment more, because I always enjoy the articles
It would be a bad news.
IWe hope Rumpydog doesnt go away. Its hard over the long haul especially when for some unknown reason the numbers sink for a few days… you do great work here. _the collies -n- Chuck 🙂
It hasnt been a few day, Chuck. Its been a year. But thanks for the encouragement. Maybe you will like the new blog.
You need to blog what you feel. Not everybody will like every post every day. You ARE surrounded by extreme cuteness over there, so there’s that. It’s pretty irresistible. If you’re feeling a new direction, we’ll be there.
FWIW – your stats blow DeafInPrison.com out of the water. I wish I got even 10% of the likes you get on every post. Don’t let yourself get discouraged. One day, Quentin Tarantino will e-mail you, and say “I’ve been reading RumpyDog every day. I want you to write my next multi-million dollar screenplay. Enclosed please find PayPal advance check.”
Don’t give up just yet.
P.S. Maybe we can collaborate on something. Say, the prison dog program, where rescues are trained and homed by inmates. Just a thought.
I suspect that Rumpy wouldn’t agree with you! [needless to say, I would agree with him!] 😉
Still, you know better, my dear Jen.
I just hope whatever you decide, you will include the 4-legged loves of your life! 🙂
we love you!!!
If you decide to do something else, let us know where you go. Somehow you can work Rumpy into anything.
I hope you don’t end your blog. If you do, please let us know where you’ll be. 🐕😇
I’m sorry to hear this, but I understand because I was there for a while. Took a long break from my blog. Do what is best for you. 🙂
I think people’s attention spans are getting shorter that’s all. You do such good for animals you can’t stop. Maybe post pic of cute dogs with a link to something bad you want to highlight. What about collaborations? I’d be happy to doodle a dog sometime or write a poem about being nice to dogs. hmm.. please don’t give up.
Just write what you feel like writing that expresses you! Be true to you without concern of what others want to read, etc. That’s how you shine! 🙂 Ku’s Mama
I’m always interested in animal welfare, and I’ve enjoyed reading your posts. 🙂
I’ll miss your animal blog posts….. 😦
As in all things comes a time when we just need to relax ourselves from it
Perhaps a solution is to write about another topic and come back to animals if and when the time arrives
Enjoy your thoughts…
Jen your posts are always of interest, what ever you decide to do I am sure it will all be meant to be.. Your caring and sharing of animal welfare is what is your passion then write about your passion.. Or other passions which spur your inspiration..
I follow many blogs and when yours pops up in the reader I always love to read..
Hugs your way x Sue
When all is said and done, if you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, maybe you should find what you do enjoy. Take a breather and re-assess, maybe. I enjoy your blog– but don’t do it for us. Do it because you want to.
Perhaps a shift in content and tone, not an end of the blog? We’re all friends…what better place to try new things, Jen? xoxoM
My person hasn’t let me write much lately either. Something about that “busy” thing. But she says every once in awhile I can still post. Maybe you could do that too. I would miss you a bunch if you never posted again.
That’s bad news I have been following your blog for a long time and I hope that you will not end this blog.
Don’t give up on us … change the concept of your blog if you want but keep the original blog we know and love… we can cope with different content….. Rumpy talk to your mother!!
All things have a beginning, a middle, and an end. Maybe this is the end for this project. Let us know what the new blog is. I have more than one blog and since I’m turning out a book shortly I know the hearing issues blog will go to burner so far back it may die of exposure to the elements. OTOH, I hope to have a nifty writing blog take over.
What ever you decide to do let us know,we are with you all the way,xx Rachel and Speedy
I wonder if it’s not about the number of readers, but about the effect you have on the ones who do read. If you inspire one person to help save an animal, or change one person’s mind about animal welfare, then your blog is worth doing. The hard part is not knowing you’ve done that, which is where faith comes in, I guess. Like KDKH, I suggest taking a break and seeing where your muse leads you. Thanks for everything you’ve written so far, and I look forward to what you feel moved to say in the future.
I have honestly been sincerely concerned as to what might have happened to you. I was worried you were ill Jen. I too wonder if the time of the blog and social media has passed for those of us who are “adults”. It is time-consuming. Moreover, on Facebook and Twitter I find myself really communicating with people I hold deeply in my heart, such as you, Ann Belov, and my friends IRL, but whom I may not see on a regular basis, I deleted my Blog this week because I found out I missed out on an opportunity because of a blog post I had made. I do hope you keep an avenue open so you can keep us updated on Rumpy, the cats and you. Especially for pictures of and thoughts by the furbabies.
Life isn’t always about how many followers you have or STATS. Life is about one person you might reach and help, one animal you might save without knowing it. One kind word or advice that make someone smile and think. Good luck with finding your “social media” masses. We who do read you will miss what you have brought to the WWW.
I write about Animal rescue in Korea and find the same thing but it’s a way of getting their stories out. I hope that if one person reads it then it will make a difference. I enjoyed this blog and found it informative so thank you 🙂
Mom and I really love Rumpydog blog!
Sit. Stay. Speak.
I thought you had a large following who enjoy your animal welfare, etc. posts. I sure do. But ya gotta do what ya gotta do. We second all the love to you, and third, forth. Max, Bella, Lady, & bipeds
I haven’t been blogging much either lately, for a variety of reasons. I’m glad to hear you are writing (as I’ve been) other things. I don’t believe in maintaining a blog if it is a burden. If you have something to say, say it, if not, don’t feel obligated to create content. And if you’ve found another passion you want to blog about, then let that passion guide you. We’re not doing this for a living, we’re doing this to make living more meaningful 🙂
I took a fairly extended break last year and it really helped my enthusiasm for coming back.
Having said that though, you do have a fair amount of readership here who follows you because they like you. If you change directions, I wouldn’t give that up. Just rename it (keep the same domain name though), redirect what you want to do and let readers decide if they want to stay or not. But I’d recommend you at least start with the base you already have.
Nancy
I remember your super nice blog about pet sitters, and I very much appreciated that you interviewed me! ❤ I, too, am slowing down on some of my rescue stuff. Maybe a short break for both of us? Love and Kisses xxx Roberta
I don’t know what your readership is but judging by the comments it seems you are doing pretty good. I understand your feelings though and you should do what makes you most happy.
I would really miss you I enjoy reading your post and have followed you through all of your moving and sicknesses and feel like you are part of our fur family also.
do not stop…although I can entirely relate…I love rumpy and your efforts are amazing at enlightening and I am sharing! <3!! and I write about animals all of the time…one day our words will resonate…I am sure! 🙂
We hope that you don’t let this blog die. Maybe you could post about the other things that interest you as well as the occasional animal welfare and other Rumpy things. 🙂 But you have to do what you feel is right for you.
I love seeing Rumpy- just so you know. But if blogging becomes a burden it defeats the purpose I think. Do what feels right to you.
We’ve been thinking of you guys. Write what you want when you want. (Researching does take a great deal of time) This should be fun and entertaining for you. (“Neither concept interests me.” You are my kind of person!)
Just let us know how you guys are doing once in a while – you do have those who like to know it’s all OK there.
Paw waves…oh, sorry, let me wipe the mud off you…will the sun never return?
We hope that you reconsider. We have cut back on our writing too, but we have gained so many friends that we want to keep up with them.
Would miss your blog. My repost of you blog on dog and cat right has been getting a good response although my readership is small since my blog is only 3 mos old. Susan
I never stopped reading you, but I gave up commenting since you haven’t responded to anything I’ve written in like … a year? More? I think you have a good thing here, but I can understand how over the long haul, it would drag you down. You do a difficult job in “real life.” You see a lot of suffering and then you write about the suffering of animals. I couldn’t do it, but I admire what you do, your steadfastness in continuing for so long. Whatever you decide, you should do what is best for you and yours. We all reach a point when we need to change. I could never write about one thing all the time, no matter what it was. It would drive me nuts. I couldn’t do it for a month, much less for years. Good luck no matter what you decide. I’ll follow you if you are blogging, regardless of subject matter.
I hope you like the new turn I take.
I think there are still many people read the blogs about Rumpydog and buddies. Please keep writing about them. Let’s do what we believe is right even with fewer readers.
Love to Rumpy, Jen and buddies…. 🙂
Noooo…you shall has no Purrime Ministerette purrmission for leaving never!
We no blog often either. But you can blogging about life, right? Like we does?
I hope the outpouring of support you see here gives you some joy.
You sound tired. And if taking a break would make you feel better that doesn’t have to mean the end of the blog. Vicki of Bunny’s blog (who also posts about animal welfare issues) has recently returned after a break.
But your comment about readership makes me worry a little bit. It’s hard not to notice stats. Especially since WP puts them right out there for us every day.
But when I see that you have over 11,000 followers according to your sidebar, I see someone who has a tremendous readership. You have struck a chord. You’ve challenged people. And you’ve made us think.
So if you need a break for yourself, take it. We’ll be here waiting if and when you come back. But be careful about worrying that your welfare posts don’t have enough readership. You have a tremendous readership and engagement. Especially for someone who expects people to think.
Okay, sorry for the lecture. Be well. Care for yourself. Keep being Jen.
Relatively new to blogging myself and only recently came upon your blog. You have done and are doing wonderful work, and hopefully you will feel you can continue even if you only post once a month.
I do feel for you at this time. More than twenty years past I found myself similarly wearied and exhausted through the animal welfare work I was then involved in. Mine was a one person job for the most part and we feel the responsibilities, the work and attendant pressures wholly alone.
You must do what is best for you and your animals at this time and whatever you do we wish you all the very best.
But……remember it is January and you may feel a whole new burst of enthusiasm and energy come the spring…….! Please don’t disappear entirely. Love and Light to you All.
Rumpydog is one of the first blogs I stumbled upon and it will be sad to see it go, but I’m looking forward to the new one. Wishing you much success!
I hope you don’t go. I really enjoy your blog and your animal welfare posts, and will be sad to see them go. But I will understand if you do stop the blog, and wish you luck with your new project.
It would be a shame tor Rumpy to disappear. Blogging is a huge time commitment .. But it has to work for you too. 🙂
I’d really hate to see you end Rumpy’s blog, but I know it’s gotta be a lot of work. When doing something you used to enjoy becomes a drudge, you need to change up something. Life’s too short to stay in a rut! Love y’all!!! ❤
No, don’t go.
My posts about animal rescue are often the ones that receive the lowest numbers. It is frustrating, and I do think you’re right to some extent: people are drawn toward either drama or adorable photos. However, I love Rumpy and your blog, and I hope you return – take a break, relax, and come back when you feel ready. ❤
Don’t write about something you don’t feel like Rumpy, animal rights research does take a LOT of work and you don’t want to be wrong. Responsibility and all that. Or maybe just post less? Or at least post to FB or we’ll miss you.
Awwwwww noooo I did love the purrs and hisses xxx
I’ve followed your blog for a long time. Would be sorry to see it go.
Rumpy was one of the first blogs I followed. Your content has always been interesting, challenging readers to think about how they themselves impact animal welfare with every act they take…always provocative. Your 11K followers is astoundingly successful for a blog that makes its readers think. However, Jen…I understand your observation about stats for posts that have content vs cute. I have slowly been trying to bring a little content to my blog…the number of views dives. And then I post several photos of the cats, have few words, and the views skyrockets. I am recovering from knee replacement surgery and my posts are more cute, but views are down. I have not been able to do much commenting…so here is the bottom line for me Jen. Cute posts, and replying(as you do) to comments and visiting and commenting EVERY day on 50 or more other blogs brings views ie larger stats. We all have lives, I refuse to allow my blog to own my life and I think that is what you may also be experiencing. You will always have readers Jen. Do what works for you and your life. Easy for me to say but I am trying to do it myself and stop looking at stats. I wanted to me influential but it will take over my life to get there. You already ARE influential. Change the topic you want to influence…and “they will come…” Be well, Savannah and Linda
I feel your pain — just be true to yourself. Write what you want to write and do it for one reason — please yourself first. If you write it, they will come 🙂 If they don’t – meh – message wasn’t for them.
Well, gosh. I’ll miss you if you go.
No no no plz!!! No!!
We don’t always have the time to write. I stopped to write on my main blog too. I just can’t spread cuteness and the like if I feel too bad or if my life is a mess. I miss Deedee. But it was good to stay with you while she died. Not because of the drama, but because my dogs are old too and in autumn one of them died. People with dogs and cats have similar experiences. It’s good to know we’re not alone; I follow you on facebook too and it is much easier for me to follow you there. I never understood the competitive part about blogging, sure we all like to get traffic. But it’s not as we would get anything real from it. I’ve met some wonderful people on the blog. I think Easyweimaraner’s mom is the funniest person in the whole world. I am not too much interested in rants about animal rights because I’m already feeling like shit and can’t take more. That doesn’t mean I don’t care. There’s just no point in feeling bad or worse. But if you write about personal experience, that’s much more interesting for me. I just can’t always read your posts, but I would miss you, if you stopped to write entirely;
Oh no, so sorry. Yeah I know the feeling about the energy it takes and dealing with haters. If you gi in another direction, please keep us posted so I can continue to follow your pawsome posts. 😄
http://www.universitytimes.ie/?p=32334 – realized after I commented on your food post I should have put this here! 😛
Do what you need to do – it’s your blog, your voice.
how true, i hear ya.
FYI – appreciate your support for animal welfare in whatever direction you take.
Don’t you dare we love Rumpy and Co 🙂 xxxx UK will miss the furballs and their fight for justice posts xx
greetings!
There HAS to be a middle ground, Rumpy. Not an either-or. I will say however that while I have not yet happened to have encountered it with you, graphic pictures sear my heart and mind to the tune of not being able to get over it, I am deeply aware of these horrible things. I can’t look, and when I happen onto such a photo in Twitter or FB, it sears my soul. Words, yes, pic, no. Pictures make me and many others like me almost need help professionally to deal with it.