Meet the Ugly Little Dog Behind the Blog Makeover
So! What’s your take on the facelift? It took the better part of two days, Monday and yesterday, wrestling with the blog design. Throughout the process, this little guy was my constant companion.
A scruffy, small, ugly little dog named Gadget sitting patiently
The Charm of an Ugly Little Dog Named Gadget
Gadget is, well, an Ugly Little Dog – but in that way that’s incredibly cute. Whatever he lacks in conventional looks, he more than compensates for with his affectionate, snuggly nature. He certainly deserves a treat.
The Joys (and Chaos) of Working Alongside Canine Colleagues
Working from home with your dog nearby is something I both recommend and caution against. I have four dogs, which translates to a four-dog chorus every time a leaf dares to blow across the lawn. Allow me to introduce the big dog of the house.
An Australian Shepherd dog chewing intently on a Jones Natural Chews Lamb Shank bone
Flash here is thoroughly enjoying a Lamb Shank from the Variety Bag 20. I supervise while he shreds them, making sure to collect the pieces afterward so Chewy doesn’t get them. It’s important to note that Lamb Shanks are not suitable for dogs of Flash’s larger size.
The daily routine also involves frequent trips to the back door whenever one of them needs to go out – whether it’s for a potty break, marking territory, or an optimistic bunny chase. Then comes the waiting, followed by letting them all back inside. Speaking of instigators, meet Chewy.
Small brown and white dog named Chewy gnawing happily on a large L Bone treat from Jones
Chewy has a particular fondness for his L Bone from Jones. At least once a day, he retrieves it from his toy box for a dedicated gnawing session. This is fantastic for his dental health, keeping his teeth and gums strong, and it has the added benefit of keeping him quietly occupied.
Essential Treat Breaks: Fueling Work with Canine Approval
Sometimes, the aforementioned instigator, Chewy, will climb onto the arm of my chair, place his little paws on my chest, and gaze into my eyes, signaling that a treat break is in order for the entire pack. Yes, we take treat breaks. First in line is always the matron of the group.
Close up portrait of a sweet-faced senior Australian Shepherd dog named Patches
How could anyone resist this face? Patches is 13 years old, like her brother, and possesses the most peculiar personality of any dog I’ve ever known.
Lately, the treat of choice has been Woofers. I absolutely love the Woofer. It’s a simple, single-ingredient treat – just ground beef baked into a thin patty. All four dogs go crazy for them, and they’re arguably the easiest Jones Natural Chews product to break into smaller portions. A single Woofer can provide treats for all four dogs twice, simply by adjusting piece sizes for the bigger dogs.
On second thought, the Lamb Lung Puffs might snap even more easily. And, believe it or not, dogs seem to love them even more intensely.
Lamb Lung Puffs are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for my canine crew. They resemble tiny steaks and have a light, airy consistency akin to divinity candy.
Navigating Blog Updates and Technical Glitches
So, where was I? Ah, the new blog look! I must have cycled through at least ten different blog themes searching for the ideal mix of aesthetics and functionality. The header alone has undergone countless revisions. Just when I thought I had it almost right (for the time being), the entire site vanished into thin air. It gave me a genuine scare! A call to the hosting company revealed a server was down – thankfully, I hadn’t broken anything.
Looking Ahead: Community and Connections at Blog Paws
Hopefully, I can connect with some tech-savvy friends at the upcoming Blog Paws conference to get some guidance on refining the blog’s design and functionality. You are planning on attending Blog Paws, right? Please say yes! A friend of mine is attending for the first time, and I’d love to introduce her around. You might recognize her dogs?
A sad-looking French Bulldog named Louie sitting down, wanting dog treats
King Louie the Frenchie expresses his displeasure at not receiving the entire bag of treats. Louie belongs to Karen, has his own blog now, and you should check it out!
Louie will be at Blog Paws! And I’ll be bringing tiny, chirping ducklings! I’m currently brainstorming costume ideas for them. So, if you haven’t already made plans to be at Blog Paws in Nashville over Memorial Day weekend, now’s the time!
Conclusion
Redesigning a blog while juggling the demands of four canine companions, including one endearingly Ugly Little Dog named Gadget, certainly makes for an interesting workday. From navigating technical glitches to managing treat breaks featuring favorites like Woofers and Lamb Lung Puffs, the dogs are integral parts of the process. Gadget, Flash, Chewy, and Patches provide both challenges and cherished companionship, reminding us that sometimes the most unique characters, like an “ugly but cute” dog, bring the most joy.
Before you go, why not give your own dog a treat? If you need to keep them occupied while you work, I highly recommend a Cutie Q – it tends to buy a bit more quiet time. 😉
