Monday, March 23, 2015

"So Long, And Thanks for All the Fish"

Boy, it's hard to write a headline to say so long for a blog about a dog that isn't going to make people panic.

Bella is fine.

Jan is fine.

I am fine.

But I think it's time to admit the blog is not so fine.

All good things and all that...

I started Bringing up Bella as a journal about my crazy, smart (and crazy-smart) scared-y dog. It became so much more than that.

And while I am grateful for the friendships we've made, amazed by all the other pet lovers and bloggers we've discovered and so very humbled by the trust other scared-y dog owners have put in us, I am also more than a little exhausted by the amount of effort it takes to keep "it all" going.

I've made some half-hearted attempts over the last year to reinvigorate things here but the fact is, the time I've devoted to the blog in the past is time now being devoted to Bella et al in the present.

It's also true that I have less to offer the scared-y dog community since, well, since Bella's not quite the scared-y dog she once was. No, she'll never hang out with dogs at the dog park again and yes, walking or driving places with her will always be a lesson in patience and humility, but over the years she has grown into a pretty happy, healthy dog.

Bella has her own special set of issues that we will continue to work with her, her doctors and her behavioral team to address but I need to put my focus back on her, myself and my family. There are only so many hours in a day and I already spend far too many of them in front of this computer.

Photo © Amanda Jones

I will keep the blog online as I know there are people who've found comfort and camaraderie here, but I will not be updating it again. I guess I just needed to say it out loud so I could stop pretending in my head that I was going to get back around to it one day.

As for my original intent of this blog, I've started a private journal to keep Bella's stories for myself. Who knows, maybe someday I'll put them all together to share with the world? And maybe I will drop some pictures here again over the years.

Or maybe, just maybe, I'll inherit oodles of cash from some long lost relative, quit my job, save all the animals and find myself with copious amounts of time to dedicate here again. Hey, it could happen.

In the meantime, I will continue to share stories and pictures on Bella's Facebook page. If you haven't already found us there, I hope you'll take the opportunity to drop in and give us a "Like".

Thank you to everyone who has visited, commented, emailed, Tweeted, Pinned, worked with or sworn at us. It has been a blast and I have loved every minute of it.

"Life is short. Play with your dog."

Wishing you and yours
All the best,
Leslie

(With all due respect and admiration to the wonderful, but sadly late, Douglas Adams, for the post title.)


29 comments:

  1. I'm sad to see yet another blogger I admire go. I totally get it though. my blog has evolved over the years and, as such, has required more and more of my time. Now I'm wanting to expand my work in the pet and social media realm but the blog itself competes for time I need to put into that and also time to spend with my dogs and family. I'm making it work as best I can but my blog us no longer my first priority. Good luck and I will follow along on Bella's page.

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  2. Thanks so much, Jessica. I really do hope you will continue to find the time for your blog - it is such a wonderful and needed niche and I truly believe you are in a position to make this whole blogging/social media thing work. It's hard to find the time but I really hope you are able to continue. Part of me hopes that if I officially bail on the blog, I will be able to keep up with other blogs without all the conflict that goes on in my head and yours will be one of the blogs I am hoping to keep up with.

    Best wishes to you and the pups,
    Leslie

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  3. Wishing you all the best.

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  4. I'm sorry to read this but understand. I've been remiss in posting also. Life's ups and downs tend to do this to me. As long as we can keep up with Bella on her Facebook page.

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  5. Thanks Leslie. That is sweet. The blogging desire has not died but it is much harder to fit in than it used to be.

    I hear you too on the reading of other blogs. I love to learn from such wonderful pet people and keep in the loop with my friends. Sadly, I REALLY don't have the time for that. I do what I can but am sad that I have become "an observer" instead of actively connecting. I always think fondly of you though and hope that this will open up some space for you to enjoy reading other people's blogs again.

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  6. It is a hard decision, but I understand. Good luck with yourself and Bella. We will miss you.

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  7. You, Jan and Bella are wonderful and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your journey. You helped me through a very dark time and helped me feel less alone. Your post has inspired me to jump on Brewster's website tonight and give everyone an update. Thank you and happy tails to you all!

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  8. Choosing to spend more time with the ones you love is never a bad decision. Your posts have been a wonderful gift to your readers. I hope it has been a gift to you too.


    Keep those Bella pics coming on Facebook. And maybe an occasional agility video? Those make my heart sing.

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  9. Desiring more time for living and loving is completely understandable. While I'll miss knowing that you're here, I'm delighted to think of you and Jan out having fun with your girl. We'll keep in touch on Bella's page and follow your adventures there. All the best ... enjoy!

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  10. No words - just love.

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  11. Oh Lorrie, I hope you know how much your friendship means to me. And how much it symbolizes everything this blog offered us in return for simply sharing our story. I love that crazy dog of yours almost as much as I love mine. And like your path with Brewster, I have learned that sometimes the right thing means walking away and letting go.

    I look forward to following that beautiful boy's story and following your path as well. <3

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  12. We completely understand, but will miss you and Bella. We don't Facebook, so maybe you'll visit our blog once in a while in all of your free time! All the best to all of you :-)

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  13. I promise, we will definitely find time to visit you and the pups. We miss you terribly and hope all is well. <3

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  14. Two French BulldogsMarch 23, 2015 at 10:56 PM

    We totally understand. Mom is exhausted too, it's like a second full time job.take care, see you on Facebook
    Lily & Edward

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  15. Things change and I get that. I'm sorry to see you go but knowing that all is good will make it easier!

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  16. Leslie, I have enjoyed your blog and everything you have shared. I wish nothing but good things for you in the future.

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  17. I am also sorry to see you go but I completely understand. I think you summed it up perfectly with "Life is short. Play with your dog."....'nuff said...........wishing you ALL the best and we "liked" your page ages ago and will try to make it a point to stop by more frequently! Wishing you all the best! You will be missed!

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  18. Thank goodness for Facebook, hey Leslie ;) Love that photo, I hope you've had it put on canvas or glass or something! I am really bad at keeping up with blogs these days. FB seems to have taken over in some ways. I know I spend an awful lot more time there than reading blogs. Totally understand your decision. it's hard to keep the momentum going with a blog. Why put unnecessary pressure on ourselves? There is more to life. If my domain name didn't still have 2 years to run I'd probably stop putting up my 2 or 3 photos a week myself. Best of luck and I'll see you on Facebook!

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  19. Of course it got onerous. There was a lot of snow to shovel this winter.

    I agree with Pamela. Deciding to devote more real time to Jan and Bella can't be a bad thing. Everything has its time, and this is theirs.

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  20. It seems like so many bloggers are giving up lately. Sorry to hear you are ending the blog, but understand. It does take a lot of time and effort and if it isn't bringing you joy because you don't have time for it, you should not do it. Enjoy more time with Bella and best of luck to you.

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  21. Thank you for the gift you have given to all of us with scaredy-y dogs. I'm almost at the year mark with mine and much of what you have written in the past has been so helpful -- especially this last post about how Bella has made so much progress. Gives me hope for my little Ronnie. Take care and enjoy every day with Bella!

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  22. I will miss you in this space, but will be sure to keep connected. Best of luck with wherever you set your feet and type your words.

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  23. Hey Leslie...I realized today that after reading this post the other day, I rushed right off to facebook to message you, and then started drafting my own "retirement letter"

    -- that I totally failed to leave you a comment. How rude of me!! Anyway, you already know that I found this post inspiring, but I also wanted to add that I am so happy for you that you've reached a point with Bella that you are starting to consider her a "not-so-fraidy" dog, and more of a normal dog with normal issues (hey, they all have them.). That is just the most awesome feeling, and I understand it well, as Meadow too is no longer the fraidy dog I used to blog about either.

    I wish you the best in life, and hope if you ever do publish a book about your experiences with Bella, that you'll at least stop back here and let the world know about it...so we can all read it!

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  24. Looking at your copyright date (2011) just now took me aback just a bit: OMG, we were mere babes in the womb back then! OK, no we weren't, but still, it's been FOUR YEARS! I don't know about you, but that's my life expectancy for a PAID job (which is why I stayed at my last one for 6). ;) I hope you're feeling a sense of relief and renewed joy in the time you've regained with your family - human and dog.

    That said, I hate seeing my friends leave their blogs, in the way I hate when my favorite TV shows end their runs. It just feels like a part of me has ended with them. In time, though, I get over the shock and revel in being able to watch reruns until the end of time. Thank you for leaving your blog up until the end of time for all of us. :)

    And finally, please don't ever leave Facebook; I'm very bad at long-distance phone relationships. Have an awesome day; I'll see you over there, girl! ♥

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  25. I'm glad everybody's fine! I've enjoyed being your blog buddy.

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  26. I'm sorry to see you go, but happy to know we'll still get to see Bella on her Facebook page. I can totally respect your decision. Keeping up with a blog is a lot of work! And spending more time with your family is a fantastic alternative. All the best to you and Bella and Jan. Hope to see lots of happy pics of Bella on Fbk!

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  27. Jan K, Wag N Woof PetsMarch 27, 2015 at 6:08 PM

    I am sad to see you go, but happy that all is well with your whole family and that you are doing what you need to do. I'll try to check in with you on Facebook...though I'm bad about getting on there a lot and usually miss things! Best wishes to you!

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  28. Thank you, furflying. I'm so glad we were able to help in any way. Wishing you and your pup the best of everything.

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  29. uch, Jessica. I really do hope you will continue to find the time for your blog - it is such a wonderful and needed niche and I truly believe you are in a position to make this whole blogging/social media thing work. http://yourdirecthealthcare.com/

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