Alana here today.
As you may have noted from Crepes’ whining, I’ve been away for the last two weeks. One was a leisure trip to, once again, Disney World. However, this time it was with my mom, which makes it a totally different kind of ok than my last trip there. The next week, I was at BlogPaws. For those not in the know, BlogPaws is an organization that supports the pet blogging community and once a year puts together a conference and awards.
This year’s BlogPaws was in Las Vegas, just outside of the strip at a beautiful location in the desert. There was sunshine, there was kayaking, and best of all, there was an amazing community of people. You see, sometimes I feel a little bit down about the world. I feel sad at all the photos I see online of kitties and pups being abandoned. It hurts me (and I’m sure you) to look at countless photographs of animals that are “about to be euthanized” and need rescuing. The pictures of the abused are even worse. Top that all off with the issues we humans are having with each other plus the uncomfortable topic of climate change, and it’s enough to make one want to hide in bed for months on end.
Going to BlogPaws, however, is rather refreshing. Yes, the kayaking and the pool were great, and I also came away with a fine tan, but what I found most poignant was the community of people that chooses to gather there each year. It is a collection of writers, rescuers, and pet lovers, many of which want nothing more than to do good for this world. It’s true that some people are there to learn how to monetize their blog, but beyond that, so many people are there because they want to discuss how they can help. I attended a Be The Change session lead by Caroline Golon and witnessed first hand a group of people coming together to exchange ideas and brainstorm about each others’ problems.
I spent time with Kitty Bungalow’s Charm School for Wayward Cats and was renewed by their Headmistress’ energy and enthusiasm for saving feral kittens in a way that brings humor and lightness to an otherwise serious endeavor. I had some long conversations with my friend from Tree House and noted that he really is passionate about his job, that it’s not just a job but a way to help the community and many, many homeless cats. After attending a session that focused on reaching a wider audience, I was pleased to find out that the co-founder of Nebo, a web development agency, was not only an expert willing to give us advice, but a real, compassionate, human being who loves animals, too. I even learned how to bottle feed kittens, a task that everyone should undertake at least once so they can feel the little paw pushing on their finger as they try to get just a bit more milk from the bottle.
Also, I dressed a kitten in a mariachi outfit and made him a guitar from pipe cleaners along with my cohorts from Kitty Bungalow and Tree House. (Read about his meteoric fall from grace in the Kitty Bungalow Blog.)
Overall, my experience there was a positive one. In fact, I really didn’t have a bad moment, except when I didn’t take home the coveted Best Special Causes Blog award (maybe next year), but I recovered quickly when my name was called for the Best Blog Video award for our CATastrophes project. I reconnected with friends that I’d already made at past BlogPaws and online, and I met new friends that I didn’t know existed before. The community of like-minded individuals made me remember that even in this world of so much despair, there really are good people out there, and that’s something that I need to remind myself of every day.
If you are reading this blog, then you’re part of our community, and I encourage you to look to your friends and colleagues here whenever you need a reminder that the world still does, indeed, contain lots of goodness that we, together, can cultivate and grow.
Love,
Alana.
PS. Crepes is REALLY happy I’m home.
It was super meeting you at BlogPaws and Juan was #1 in our book!
Congratulations on your award! It is ok to admit to helping dress Juan Lopez. Didn’t I see a photo of grown women wearing cat ears? Enjoy your moment of fun and silliness. Just don’t tell Crepes.
Wonderful post Alana! It was so great to meet you at BlogPaws and I am so happy you won Best Blog Video, you truly deserve it, love all your videos! Now that Juan Lopez is something else!
BIG congrats on your well-deserved award!!! I’m so happy you were recognized for your absolutely amazing video work! …and those kittens… OMC! Squeeeee!
: )
ConCATulations on your win! It may seem disappointing not to have won the Special Causes award, but that is just one award– in my eyes you already won and do so everyday in different ways of advocating for cats with special needs: with each post on CREPES’ blog (!), every video produced, your work at Tree House, relationships and promotions with feline related companies, and of course the inspiration for your desire to advocate for special needs cats– your own fur kids Crepes and Rocky.
Your words express the love and compassion you have for all animals and inspire many of us followers to get involved in doing what we can to help. Keep up the CATabulous job, you rock!
Of course when I say all these things, my sweet love Crepes is included for I know how little gets done without her supervision or direction. You rule in so many ways Crepes, I am honored to worship you my Queen.
Alana…no trash talkin, vizshuz squirrelz, stooooooopid burds or trout today; just many congrats on an award well deserved….very happy for you…guess FS doesn’t know what it’s all about after all, do they 🙂 🙂 please tell guy and juan they need to team up for a late summer fashion show ♥♥♥♥♥ laura
We are far away from you, but we feel the same, we belong to that wonderful community too. We don’t know if we would be able to attend a BlogPaws Conference one day, so we miss the “in real life” part, but you’re true : “The community of like-minded individuals made me remember that even in this world of so much despair, there really are good people out there, and that’s something that I need to remind myself of every day.”. Concatulations on your awards ! Crepes can be proud of his mum ! Purrs
All of your comments are so lovely. Thank you, everyone! We consider all of your our community and our friends!
reading cat blogs is what allows me to continue to be able to foster kittens. All too often I hear the down side, see the downside, etc.. and I start hating people again.. It is people who blog about cats, love their cats, grieve their cats, that care about others cats.. those are the people that remind not all people suck, and it is worth it to continue..
So for sharing what you do, I thank you.
Right back at you!
The pet-blogging community really is a wonderful group of people. I’m so glad that I have found it. Concatulations on your Nose-to-Nose Award!! Well deserved 🙂 Hope to meet you at next year’s conference!
YOU my dear, are “one of the good people” and I am HONORED to know you! I was tickled to death for you when you won. It is soooooooooo deserved!!! Much love!
You are a joy, Caren. 🙂 Thank you so much for all you do for our community and for being so welcoming!
I just love this post and wish so much that I could have attended. I love our little pet blogging community so, so much. Concatulations on your win, and I am desperately in love with Juan. I’ll bet your fur family is ecstatic to have you home!
Congrats on your award. I bet Crepes did miss you. Welcome home.
Sue B
Congrats on your award!! So exciting!! Very well deserved!
And Devon is glad you are home, too. He felt really really sad for Crepes…because there’s no one like momFOD (sorry, dadFOD, but its true).
We were so excited to hear about your award for your video. You deserved it!
Wow what a great time
We love little Juan and donated some furmula to that great cause
The Kitty Bungalow Charm School link to their Amazon list was not right
I will post it here
http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/ref=cm_wl_search_1?ie=UTF8&cid=A1R8JR2HJJ07CK
Purrs
Juan is in the middle of a group session right now but really thanks you for the support! We wanted to make sure you have an updated link to help with the KMR. Tequila is a tough road for a tiny kitten! With your help we know we can get Juan on the road to recovery! Thanks! http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/ref=cm_wl_search_1?ie=UTF8&cid=A1R8JR2HJJ07CK
Congrats again on the well deserved win. I posted an album of pics on G+ and at my blog today including one of you.
The mom says you’re so right about the pet blogging community…and BlogPaws was a great way to join together and connect with that community. The mom loved seeing you again…but she’s still wondering how you got an awesome tan when she came back pasty-white. 😉
Congratulations on your award…it is so well-deserved!
I’m doing the “happy Noodle dance” for you for winning the award!
Noodle
Concatulations on your award! The head peep was glad to finally get a chance to meet you, even if she didn’t get to talk to you very long. You were one busy lady! We’re sure that Crepes will forgive you for the long abandonment….eventually.
Concatulations on your awesomely-deserved video award! And I just want to say, my human is totally envious that you got to hang out with Shawn from Kitty Bungalow – she is one of her heroes and she did not even get to see her! Well, she barely got to see YOU! How great to know that you got so much out of the giving end of the conference!
Yep, Crepes weally missed yous while yous wus gone. Soe glad yus had a gweat time. 🙂
Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses ♥♥♥
Dezi
Our mommy really enjoyed meeting you. You are so high energy with lots of enthusiasm. She was especially pleased that you won the video award. She thinks the videos you make are incredible. Mau is hoping to see Crepes back at Scouts sometime very soon. XO, Lily Olivia. Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Love the kitten selfie! 🙂
Congratulations on your award! I too am disappointed that you missed out on the best cause blog award (I mean, hello! You are fighting for special needs cats, is there a better cause?!), but I’m proud of your win and you looked beautiful accepting your award!
But the mariachi kitten? That’s just wrong! :p
Concats on that win! We’re sure Crepes was delighted to have you home again. Even if it is just to ignore you. MOL!