Monday, November 15, 2010

Lipstick Happens ...But So Does Grace: Why I Blog

I decided to write this post because I am disturbed. There appears to be turmoil in Blogville and I don't like it.

I decided to start blogging because it is an outlet. An outlet I don't have at my job or at my gym or anywhere else in my life. I love my animals and I could talk about them non-stop. Unfortunately, most people don't want to hear THAT much about my dogs & cats. Even my parents are over the dog stories.

Also, in Blogville, I've found people that share my other passions such as animal rights, animal healthcare, training, and rescue among others. I've also found people that have a deeper than normal compassion for animals. Being from the south, I don't get too much support when I publicly question my legislators about weak dogfighting legislation for example. On Blogville, my feelings and concerns are validated and I don't feel like such a bleeding heart!

I never thought I'd be a part of something like Power of the Paw. When Calhoun had eye surgery, I was a WRECK at work. No one cared or even understood why I would fork out that kind of money for a SPECIALIST to perform surgery on *gasp* a dog! I wish I'd had the Power of the Paw to reassure me. I will probably never meet any of you but I know that you know how I feel. It's nice to not feel alone.

And Blogville is rarely 100% serious. We all love our animals and the silly things they do. And the silly things us humans do for them! I mean really, where is our dignity!?! LOL! I mean we give our dogs these personas and accents which are great! We are able to do this because we know our dogs and cats so well that we are convinced that they would have this accent or feel this way about such and such.

This is just one example of Blogville meanness, someone criticized Shawnee the Shepherd ( I think it was Shawnee...) for the way she talks. Why, why, why would anyone actually take the time to send such a ridiculous comment? Of course Shawnee talks like that! Look at her- she's precious! Love you Shawnee! Her blog is ADORABLE!

While none of the blogs I follow are truly controversial, some of our blogs might be more controversial than others. I am not perfect, my animals aren't perfect. This post may in fact open me up to criticism, I don't know. The truth is that it doesn't matter to me. My purpose is not to offend. My purpose is to find camaraderie and understanding. If you don't like it, don't read it. It really is that simple. I mean really though, Heaven Forbid, we read something outside of our comfort zone and accidentally learn something new or laugh at something inappropriate (ahem- Mango's lipstick heehee, Puddles beer wreath, the list goes on and on).

I read a profound bumper sticker on the way home from work the other day. "GRACE HAPPENS". Grace has many definitions. Obviously, there is the heavenly definition. Then there is the definition that describes a disposition to kindness and compassion. My grandmother taught me the importance of grace. I am not always gracious or graceful. But I strive to be better. I know we are all capable of it because I see it in the way you care for your animals.

So I propose we start a new group or badge or whatever called Grace Happens. By placing this badge on your blog, you pledge to be kind and compassionate to other bloggers.


ImageChef.com


52 comments:

  1. That was spot on for sure. What is up with mean humans who are chicken to show themselves but feel like they need to weigh in on things that don't concern them?

    Slobbers,
    Mango

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  2. Beautifully, powerfully written. You put my thoughts into words exactly. Thank you for this uplifting post during this crazy time in Blogland.


    Hugs,
    MayzieMomma (and Mayzie, of course)

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  3. Awww. That was such a great post!

    Hugs,

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  4. Well done and Thank you,
    You have captured my thoughts as well. I am going to display this badge on Maggie Mae's blog to let everyone know we pledge to (continue to) be kind and compassionate to all other bloggers.

    Blessings and Grace,
    Janelle and Maggie Mae

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  5. Beautiful post. While I don't have a blog (yet) you've described the sense of community and friendship that I've found here in Blogville. I've found this to be, for the most part, a supportive and caring and compassionate and humorous place. Grace Happens for sure :-)

    -Lisa, Gizmo, Bart and Ruby

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  6. Oh yes, that woz me that happened to (and some udders). There do be doodyheds infiltrating in Blogville and like I writed in my bloggie, they should not let the doogie door hit them in the behind on they way out. They has no bizzness here. Play nice or leave. Thank you so much fur your kind werds. You made mom's eyes all leaky. Your post woz the bestest and everything you writed woz so true.

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  7. PERFECTLY said!!! Thank you! I'm going to grab your badge right now!

    Zona's Mom and Zona

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  8. Nice post... thank you:)

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  9. Very nice post and well said!

    MinnaK

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  10. So very well-stated. We would be honored to display your badge.

    Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara and Mom

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  11. I completely agree with you! I think you've put into words what many of us feel at the moment, and I thank you for that. Grace Happens is a perfect saying!

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  12. Pawesome post!
    It is great to share good and sad moments, good causes and happiness and it is not fun to see fights between bloggers.
    Take care
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

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  13. Excellent post you have a new follower ( well 3 if you include Richie & Ronnii too ) we will all be displaying your badge.
    You put my thoughts into words perfectly thank you
    Momma Tea
    x x x

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  14. Thank you so much for this post. I agree 100% and will proudly post this badge on my blog!

    Your pals , Kristin & Pip

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  15. The blog thing should be totally stess free and completely supportive of other blogs. Leave your bitches (not your 4 legged ones!) at the door!

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  16. We found you over at Mayzie's blog. We couldn't agree with you more!

    The Road Dogs

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  17. Speak it girlfriend! Tell those tools what's up! If they keep on, we'll put the bitey on them all. Grrrrr!! Oh, but gracefully! :)

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  18. Hello Heartbeats - we've swung on by here from Miss Mayzie's blog and oh it's cheered us so much! So beautifully written - and so needed at this strange time. We'll be displaying your badge on our blog with pride. One of our FH's (female human) favourite sayings is 'all done by kindness' so she's so delighted to have found your blog! Big schnauzer snuggles - JD and Max.

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  19. This saddens me greatly. I am new to the pet blogging world and I posted something recently about how surprised I was to find such a warm, supportive community online. Apparently this is not entirely the case. And it's disappointing.

    I will proudly display this badge. Hopefully, if we work together, we can show that this kind of thing is not acceptable in this community.

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  20. I agree - we are not going to let any poop heads ruin our fun and friends!

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  21. We are new and don't have a blog, either, but we do have opinions. Like the others above, thank you for saying something that apparently needs to be said and for saying it so well. We value this online community that offers support, humor, and a shared love of the pets that are so important in our lives. Please: if you don't share the values, just go away and play someplace else.

    Jed & Abby

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  22. What a great post. I think you have been able to capture and articulate we we do blog.

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  23. Thank you for summing it all up perfectly! we will display this!!

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  24. I just came for a visit after reading Mangos post. I think I missed what happened, can you recap it for me (you can't just email me) but I fully agree with what you are saying here

    Kari
    http://dogisgodinreverse.com/

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  25. So bootifully put
    Thank you fow expwessing what so many of us feel.
    Mommi and i get joy and giggles and suppowt fwom ouw blogging fwiends
    that's what it's about..when I get nasty hoomans I delete them..it huwts , but we can't let it wuin all the pawsitive and wondewful things we get fwom ouw blogging ]smoochie kisses
    ASTA

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  26. Shiloh'n Shasta here - we bin M.I.A. fer the past few daze so we kinda missed sum of what iz happenin'butt mom read sum on her werk 'puter then told us 'bout it - so dumb, stupid an'what a waste of hoomin life. Like mom sez, "Izn't there enuf drama in our day tu day livez?" We wood b most happy an'proud tu display that badge on our blog.

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  27. miss heartbeats,
    i couldn't have woofed it better myself. bloggin' is about havin' funsies and makin' new friendz and bein' a supportive family. thankies for the positive reminder and for the badge.

    *woof*
    the booker man

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  28. Very well put. We are gonna post the Grace Happens sign on our blog too. We strive to be good pooches and love all our DWB buddies.
    Smooches,
    BabyRocketDog and Hootie

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  29. Hey there...
    GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

    I came along to read your post - on Mango's recommendation and I want to lend my voice of support.
    Here in SA we have a thing going...it's called 'Lead SA' and has the motto: "BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE!"
    I love your 'grace' idea too!!!

    Like you, this is how I experience my blog and the world of dogs with blogs. (Positively!) There is a subtle voice which echo's around our blogs and this resonates the knowledge that there is more to the human-animal bond which meets the eye. Our love for our animals and the way we express it must be respected!

    Positivity always wins!!! The negative comments will always be swamped by the postive ones here in our world. Go DWB!!!

    Well done on a beautiful post!! (I have written more than I intended..whew!)
    Sending lotsaluv to you and keep up the good work!!!
    MAXMOM IN SA

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  30. Bravo!

    I've been chastised fur my spelling and such -

    Sorry, Khyraese happens too -

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra

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  31. Followed over from Mango this morning and, must say, love this post. One of the beauties of the software that I use for my blog is that I approve the individual posting comments. Thus, most people can post comments freely. BUT, if a commenter wants to be nasty, I simply block all of their comments from ever appearing. Very simple, easy, and keeps the blog to be what I want - a bunch of animal lovers having fun.

    Beautifully written and well stated.

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  32. We have just come from Mango's blog. Thank you for your post, we would very much like to take your Grace happens badge and place it on our blog.

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  33. We too read Mango's blog and came to say hello and read your eloquent affirmation about the Power of the Paw and the special connections our little corner of the internets have created.

    Other than your tale of Shawnee, we don't know what happened -- but we think it's proably better that we don't. We're terriers after all!!!

    Wirey woofs,

    Jake and Just Harry

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  34. You're right. I try to keep politics, religion and anything else controversial out of my dog blog. There's a time and place for those things in other blogging realms. I've found friends and lots of support thru my blog and want to keep it fun. Keep up the good work.
    Sue with Morgan, Tsar and the Porties

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  35. This is great! I'll be proud to have this badge on my blog! If I can figure out how to display them...
    -Corbin

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  36. I stumbled here from Mango's blog. Thank you... timely words for sure! I have added the badge to my blog.

    Jen and the Black Dog crew

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  37. Well said! We will post it to our blog.
    ~Milly and Shelby

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  38. I posted about this and put the badge on my blog. Very inspirational.
    I am a new follower :)

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  39. Shawnie said "doodyheds!" Nee ner nee ner nee ner!

    I actually have a hard time understanding "some" dog-speak but sometimes it just cracks me the FRACK up and I love it. I say to each his own. wanna write a little goofie cuz your doggie's goofie? go for it! it brings character to them. how else will we really know who they are if they all talked alike? we don't even talk alike in the US for Dog's sake!

    If you don't want to read it, then leave... seriously...it's a free Internet right?
    someone stop me, I'm about to say "peace out."

    wags,
    wild dingo

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  40. I'm with you! In fact, one of the things that I've been so amazed by is how supportive and caring the dog blog community is. So many parts of the web are filled with vitriolic "discussions" - but that's generally not true in the dog blog world. Here's to "Grace"!

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  41. If they think Shepards talk funny, they should try to understand Bassett-speak. 'Doody-heds' is too good for them!
    Jeanne, Lil, Angus, and Ed the bassett.

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  42. We have no time these days for the negative... It's a shame people decide to be toxic! Great post!

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  43. Dis has to be one of da best written posts! Between you, Mayzie, and Mango...we will never furgets da reasons we blog. We is all heres to have fun.
    Thank you fur such a most wonderful post!

    Puddles

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  44. We came over from Mango's place. We would like to be friends with you.
    your pals Morgan & Maisie

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  45. I came from Mango's bloggie - I'm totally stealin' the badge and putting a linky on my page for it.

    It's nice to meet you!

    woof - Tucker

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  46. We stopped over from Mango's bloggie as well. Great post and we are going to be displaying your badge proudly. The HoundDogs

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  47. You've got it spot on! Thanks for the wonderful post and to bring everyone together :) Nice to meet ya!

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  48. Hi, we came over from Mayzie's blog and are glad we did. This is a terrific post. says it all.
    We pawsonally believe in the adage 'Live and let live'.

    thanks for the badge. we will definitely display it with pride:)
    wags, Buddy n Ginger

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  49. Wow, humans can be just stupid! We didn't know that stupidness was happening. If I can figure out how to, I'll add the badge to our site.
    Great post. Thank you!

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  50. We are so way behind, we say your badge and had to come check it out! You ROCK! This is wonderful. How much could a lot of things change in the world if a just a little grace was applied!

    Way to go!

    Wags! (from Mr. Nubbin')

    Thumbs up! (from his mom)

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  51. Hello there, I'm George Clooney the Cat and I just found your blog tonite and signed up as a follower. Theese is an excellent post and I hope it's ok that I joins this "Grace Happens" club as well. I wants to put theese badge on my blog too, and link back to you. Come by and say hi sometimes.

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  52. This is by far one of the most vibrant and inspirational post i've read. Of course i will put a "Grace happens" sticker on my blog. On top of being awesome, my favorite hen is called Grace ^^
    Slobbers,
    Indigo the Great Dane.

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