Did you know that an elephant’s skin is incredibly thick, measuring between one to one and a half inches in thickness? Yet, despite its impressive thickness, an elephant’s skin is so sensitive that it can detect the gentle landing of a fly on its back. While this might seem unrelated to dogs, it holds a profound connection, especially when it comes to writing about our canine companions.
In the world of dog blogging and pet enthusiasts, discussions can often take a wild and unpredictable turn. Whether the topic centers around dog food, training methods, or any aspect of pet care, you’re bound to encounter a flurry of passionate opinions. Unfortunately, this passion sometimes manifests as insults, name-calling, and outright meanness in comments and discussions.
But why does this happen?
It’s safe to assume that this intense emotion stems from a good place—a deep concern for the well-being of our beloved animals. However, it becomes perplexing when these concerns lead to negative interactions with fellow pet parents.
This analogy brings us to the crux of the matter: having skin as resilient as an elephant’s is crucial in the world of pet-related writing.
For years, I’ve been dedicated to writing about dogs and cats, and during this time, I’ve encountered my fair share of negative comments. These comments range from those offering constructive feedback to others filled with nothing but hostility. While most are sincere in their intentions, there are individuals who vent their frustrations on other people and their pets.
I have even come across humorous instances, like a persistent commenter who used to leave replies on my older blog posts with comments like “ok cool who cares” and “ugh shut up.” To add a comedic twist, they used an email address that was simply “yourmom at gmail.” The extent to which some go to express their dissatisfaction never ceases to amaze me. Interestingly, when I researched this individual’s IP address, I discovered they were known for vandalizing Wikipedia articles. So, quite the character!
You may be wondering where this is all leading. Well, it’s time to share two significant pieces of news that I’ve been eager to reveal:
Firstly, I’ve sold The Zero-Waste Pet website.
While negative comments may be par for the course in the world of dog and pet-related content, The Zero-Waste Pet took things to a new level. It seemed that this niche drew in comments that were less constructive and often more aggressive than I’d experienced before. Though some comments were genuinely helpful, pointing me toward better resources or strategies, many were marked by hostility. Almost every week, someone would criticize the site for having sponsors and ads, accusing me of promoting consumerism. However, none of these critics were willing to contribute to covering hosting fees or putting food in my dog’s bowl. As if that weren’t enough, I received numerous comments suggesting that small sustainable actions were insignificant and that truly committed sustainability advocates wouldn’t have pets.
Each of these comments was like a tiny fly landing on my elephant-like skin.
Ultimately, the sheer volume of comments became overwhelming, and I found myself with insufficient time to moderate and respond to them all. I simply couldn’t leave angry comments hanging without a response, and I couldn’t invest the time required to handle it all responsibly. Just when I was contemplating shutting it all down, an investor approached me with an offer to purchase the website. We reached an agreement, and I passed the torch. Therefore, any content you now encounter on that website or its Instagram account no longer originates from me.
To be honest, I felt a great sense of relief when I let go of that responsibility.
I did, however, retain the rights to the ebook I authored, though I agreed to change its name to avoid any brand confusion. If time permits this summer, I plan to revamp that resource.
Secondly, I’ve secured a literary agent!
For those who have been following my journey, you may recall that I began writing a book just before the pandemic struck. Over the past few years, I diligently completed the manuscript, joined a critique group for editing, and began pitching it to literary agents. Despite my busy schedule, working on this book remained my top priority. It still is. The decision to let go of The Zero-Waste Pet allowed me to create even more room for my book project, ultimately leading to a major milestone—I secured a literary agent.
So, what does this entail? My agent now has my proposal and manuscript, and she is actively submitting it to editors at publishing houses in search of the perfect home for my book. It’s a phase that requires skin as thick as an elephant’s, able to endure potential rejection, yet sensitive enough to learn and evolve throughout the process.
Thankfully, my years of writing about dogs and pets have cultivated this unique blend of thick, sensitive, and increasingly wrinkled skin!
While my agent represents my book in the publishing world, I’ll be focusing on addressing long-overdue blog updates and connecting with you all on Instagram. (By the way, are we already connected on Instagram? If not, let’s make that happen!)
I trust that you and your pets are doing well, and that you’re enjoying the early signs of spring. Reach out to me on Instagram, where I love seeing pictures of everyone’s beloved animals. And please share your thoughts in the comments: Can you relate to the analogy of having elephant-like skin? Lately, it’s been particularly resonant with me, but I suspect I’m not alone in feeling this way.
