4 Reasons BlogPaws Made Me Cry | Lola The Rescued Cat
Thursday, May 25, 2017

4 Reasons BlogPaws Made Me Cry

I have always enjoyed attending BlogPaws, and this year in Myrtle Beach, SC was no exception. Each conference has broadened my horizons, given me ideas to improve my blog and social media experiences, and has strengthened existing friendships and formed new ones. The Cat Writer's Association track has provided insight on writing skills and ideas for articles and posts, and this year I was a finalist in their annual Communications Contest in two categories. I was also officially named as treasurer for the association at the member breakfast.

This year BlogPaws touched me in a different way because there was a big focus on rescue and the bond between people and their pets. I try to make this a big part of my blog, and in a world where bloggers are supposed to “find their niche” and “solve their audience’s problems”, BlogPaws's focus on this gives new meaning to my work. Read on to see why I needed several tissues over the course of the weekend. 

BlogPaws 2017|Myrtle Beach|Nose To Nose Awards

FOUR REASONS BLOGPAWS MADE ME CRY


1. Paws: Share the Story

Representative Katherine Clark has reintroduced the Pet and Women Safety Act, H.R. 909/S.322 to congress. Did you know that there are currently no laws that protect the pets of survivors of domestic violence? About one million pets per year are abused because of domestic violence, and women in an abusive relationship often won’t leave because they fear for their pets. 

BlogPaws 2017|Myrtle Beach|Nose To Nose Awards
Photo courtesy of Bayer Animal Health US

That’s where Noah’s Animal House steps in. Noah’s Animal House in Las Vegas is a full-service boarding facility on the grounds of the largest women & children’s shelter in Nevada, The Shade Tree Shelter. Bayer donated $20,000 to help support their work to keep both pets and pet owners away from the dangers of domestic abuse. A woman who received services for herself and her dogs spoke at the conference. When she finally found the courage to leave an abusive relationship, she had nowhere to go. Friends offered her a place to stay, but she could not bring her large dog. With nowhere to turn, she went to Shade Tree and found a haven that kept her and her pets together. Today she is back on her feet and doing well. I supported the PAWS Act at BlogPaws, and you can do the same by filling out this form. This bill will help protect victims of domestic violence from emotional and psychological trauma caused by acts of violence or threats of violence against their pets by establishing a federal grant program to help ensure that domestic violence survivors have access to safe shelters for their pets.



Bayer presented a video on the role that pets play in our lives, which included a photo of Lola sleeping in my arms. 


BlogPaws 2017|Myrtle Beach|Nose To Nose Awards

2. K9s For Warriors

Did you know that 1 in 5 veterans suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder? The goal of K9s for Warriors is to empower these veterans to return to civilian life with dignity and independence. A representative from Merrick presented on their involvement with this wonderful program. Merrick has expanded its partnership with K9s For Warriors with the launch of Merrick Backcountry Hero’s Banquet recipes, a new lineup of natural dog food & treats to raise awareness for K9s For Warriors’ work. 94% of K9s for Warrior's dogs are rescues. The non-profit group carefully selects dogs for their program from animal shelters across the country and professionally trains them at their facility. The dogs are then matched with warriors with whom they live, learn and bond together for three weeks before graduating and returning to home and family life.


Merrick showed a video about a warrior and his K9. The voice over was in a man’s voice, but the video featured a dog. The narrator spoke of things such as being rescued, learning to trust again, and being able to go outside. I thought the video was from the rescued dog’s point of view, but it turns out it was from the warriors’ perspective. There could not have possibly been a dry eye in the house, and it was a struggle for me not to sob. What a wonderful program to help the brave men and women who fight for our country. 



We were also treated to the trailer for the Megan Leavy movie a story about a marine and the K9 who became her best friend. The movie hits theaters June 9.




During the month of June, Merrick will donate $1 for every purchase of the BackCountry line to K9s for Warriors. 


3. Hope for Paws 

I think I was one of the few people in the room who had never heard of Eldad Hagar and Hope for Paws. How I missed this rescue team is beyond me. BlogPaws shared a video of Eldad and his team rescuing a litter of puppies from a drain pipe on the side of a highway.


As you can see the puppies were deep inside the pipe, and the rescue was a difficult one. The end of the video, with the puppies romping with their surrogate mom, definitely hits the "awwww" spot. A few things entered my mind; 1.  They undoubtedly would have died in that drain pipe on the side of the road without intervention and 2. How many animals perish in similar situations that people never know about? Eldad received a well-deserved standing ovation from the crowd as everyone wiped a tear from their eye. Now that I know about Hope for Paws, I will not only follow them but will support them in their mission as much as I can. 


4. Donations, Donations, and More Donations!

BlogPaws has always been very generous in their donations, but this year, thanks to an anonymous donor, they were able to go above and beyond. Three rescues received $10,000 donations to their animal hospitals to help cover medical expenses: North Eastern Veterinary Hospital, Willamette Animal Hospital, and Pet Haven Animal Hospital. Pet Haven is in Brooklyn, which means many animals right here in my backyard will be helped. I don't have a complete list of donations but I know they flowed freely all weekend. Thank you, BlogPaws, and your anonymous donor, for caring so much to help animals in need.

This year I gained more knowledge about topics such as SEO and Canva, as well as how to improve my branding. For me, a conference has proven to be useful when I walk away with an invigorated mind full of new ideas to implement. But it's a huge success when I can walk away with a happy heart. 

Did you attend BlogPaws this year? What resonated most with you? 
Dawn


Would you like to comment?

  1. Wow, what wonderful things happened at BlogPaws this year! I love how much the organization gives back and it sounds like they outdid themselves this time.

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    1. They really did! I wish I had the full list of donations.

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  2. wavez two ewe L & L.....thanx for de headz up....

    we will wait til de food servizz gurlz at home bee fore watchin
    de videe ohz ~~ ♥♥

    N we iz glad theeze organizationz R gettin de recognitionz
    they dee serve ♥♥♥♥♥

    all sew... 984 paws up times a bazillion to who ever made
    that anonymous donationz♥♥♥♥♥

    we iz off line for a few sew heerz two an X ray fish
    kinda week oh end ~ ♥♥

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    1. Yes, the food service girl should wait to get home to watch them for sure. We're still working on our names.

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  3. Thanks for sharing and congrats on all you have accomplished! What I loved about your post, is that you shared what you LEARNED at the conference, so far I hadn't seen that anywhere. I saw a lot of photos of everyone having fun (which is great), and tons of photos of swag received, but you are the first (that I have seen) to write about what you learned and what the conference meant to you and about the good that was one by BlogPaws. Kudos, well done! catchatwithcarenandcody

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    1. Thanks, Caren. I wanted to put a different twist on my wrap up post this year, since Lola and Lexy have complained about the ones I did for the past two years. LOL It was a great conference this year.

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  4. Dawn, this is a powerful post and so well done. I did not know about Hope for Paws either and was so inspired about what they do. When I had the opportunity I had to give Eldad a huge hug and thank him for what they do. I signed the petition for the Pet and Women Safety Act and generated the letter to my three representatives. I have already received a response from two of them. In my next post I am going to tell my readers to come here and read your post. I couldn't do a better job with it. So happy to see you. Hope to see a photo from that breakfast on Sunday. Love and hugs, Janet

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    1. Thanks, Janet, that means a lot to me. It was so great to see you and Tom again this year, and I'm looking forward to KC.

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  5. I was disappointed that I had to come late to the conference because I missed out on these great presentations. I too was impressed with all the donations made by BlogPaws and the anonymous donor. ~Island Cat Mom

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  6. Wonderful and touching recap, Dawn. Very well written.

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    1. Thanks, Debbie, I appreciate that. It was great meeting you.

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  7. We loved that HopeForPaws dude and he still gets my whiskers weepy wet.

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    2. I still can't watch his videos without crying. It was great meeting you.

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  8. Excellent post. Even though I had never heard of Hope for Paws, I wrote about PAWS helping keep abused women with their pets 4 years ago. TW cries easily and said she didn't go to BP to cry although the topics were ones we need to know about. Lastly about the Pet and Women's Safety Act: don't expect too much out of this Congress. They are all about the rich and couldn't care less about pets or abused women.

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    1. Thanks, CK. Paws crossed everyone can make change happen.

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  9. Congrats on being named treasurer. I would have cried too knowing how many animals are abused.

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  10. This is such a wonderful post. As pet bloggers we are a voice for the voiceless, and to have that celebrated is a beautiful thing.

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    1. Oh, and that's one of my new favorite pictures of Lola! So precious.

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    2. You're right... we are a voice for the voiceless. I was so happy to see BlogPaws focus on what is important to so many bloggers. I love that pic of Lola, too!

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  11. Thank you for writing about what you learned at BlogPaws. I really enjoyed reading this. I would have cried too, but these things are so important and I'm so grateful for these groups. It's wonderful about the donation!

    I love that picture of sweet Lola in your arms. How neat that that picture was in Bayer's video!

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    1. The donations were wonderful, and I'm glad you enjoyed this post. I wanted to put a different twist on my wrap up post this year. I love that pic of Lola, too.

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  12. Thanks for sharing about your experiences at this year's BlogPaws conference, Dawn. I especially like the Pet And Women Safety act. I will go and fill out the form now!

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  13. I love this post! It's such a creative way to share the issues we heard about in one post. I haven't even thought about how I'm going to approach the subjects. But I cried too ... in terms of issues that really resonated in my heart - this Conference was incredible - I don't usually cry - but it was impossible not to. I love that picture of you and Lola - she's a sweetheart and I bet she's in heaven that her Mommy's home :)

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  14. Sounds like BlogPaws was so full of doing good this year! I'm very sorry I missed it. And congrats on being a finalist as well as your position within CWA. How very exciting!

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  15. I was tearing with you. 1) I escaped a abusive marriage. Leaving took longer because yes.... 4 cats and a Belgian Bouvier to worry about. 2) I now am super happy but still struggle with the PTSD from marriage #1 and my father's violent death. Anxiety attacks WERE a real problem until Montecristo came into my life. I almost NEVER share this but ... yes. So I get how important these things are. Thanks for sharing. Now to look at what Canada is doing - or not doing and get some action going on this end.

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  16. As a Domestic Violence survivor I am so happy she has introduced the Pet and Safety Act as I stayed in mine because of my lil one and the minute I could get out I ran with her. I was just discussing this last week at one of the Organizations of Domestic Violence and how things need to change. I was blessed that a shelter here in San Francisco let Baby in with me.

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  17. Yep, all of those caused tears for me too. So much moving stuff there this year!

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  18. We love being part of a community that gives back so much

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  19. The PAWS act sounds like an excellent idea. I used to volunteer with Mr. N at a DV shelter that allowed women to bring their pets.

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  20. There were so many cry-worthy moments at BlogPaws this year! I love all that they do to educate about important animal issues that matter and how they put their money where their mouth is, quite literally. I was amazed at all of the donations BlogPaws and their sponsors made this year!
    Oh, and I hadn't heard of Eldad either. Will be following him now for sure!

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  21. It is so wonderful that the pet community bands together to not only raise awareness, but raise funds for these animals in need. Solo we can do a little, but together there is no limit to how we can help.

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  22. I didn't make it there yet; I hope one day I will. I can see how many stories bring tears into one's eyes. Happens to me often too.

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  23. My daddy loved Blog Paws this year for all of those reasons too, but most of all the unconditional love from people to animals of all kinds! I didn't get to come this year b/c he was worried that I wouldn't be nice to the cats, but I'm going to try it next year! ~ Dear Mishu

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  24. Aww. I remember hearing about the movie Megan Leavy and the K9 for warriors program but I never knew about these other causes. It is a great cause to help those of domestic abuse (women/men and animals). It's something I never would have thought of and it's so hard to hear. :( Thank goodness people are bringing to light these issues. Thanks for this important post.

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  25. What a great community we are all a part of!
    Have a wonderful weekend...

    Noodle and crew

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  26. It was a very emotional year for BlogPaws. Mom admits to being very jaded but she does that otherwise once she starts bawling she'll never stop and some images can bother her for a long time. Which means she avoids these situations. But it doesn't mean she doesn't care! Thanks for the reminder. Love Dolly

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  27. Excellent post. BlogPaws was very special this year and Mom Paula had to keep tissues handy the whole time. I love how BlogPaws is able to give back to the pet community in so many ways. Mom Paula also enjoyed spending time with you.

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  28. This was my first year attending the BlogPaws conference and it was very emotional and uplifting. It is pretty incredible what BlogPaws was able to do and to see so many sponsors doing such great things to help animals and people.

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  29. We loved the fact that BlogPaws allowed us all to make a difference and highlighted brands and organizations doing this too. All the award winners will also be able to donate $500 to the charity of choice and we chose Hope for Paws. We will also be making further donations to them over the next 2 months from our own YouTube videos. We also support K9s for Warriors and PAWS. So important and so great to spread awareness and give back.

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  30. I love the doing good aspect of BlogPaws, always have. As I tell anyone who asks, it's a conference like no other....in so many ways! Thanks for spotlighting the great work being done by those going the extra mile to make a difference for pets and their people! I cried more than once too! :)

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  31. Oh my goodness I have wanted to go to blogpaws for sooooooo long and still haven't been able to make it :/

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  32. Wow! Glad Blog Paws is addressing these issues

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  33. Wow! Glad Blog Paws is addressing these issues

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