Wordless Wednesday: Winter Fun

The last of the February 18 storm pictures.

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Annie's Agent

Come on Annie bigger smile you know there are cookies on the line for both of us. What you just naturally shine for the camera, why shouldn't I get a little something for encouraging you to shine?

Monday Mischief: Sheltie Detectives Casebook 1: What Lies Beneath the Snow?

We are on the case as you can see. There is something in the snow. Mom has created the mystery of the missing dog treat. She knows the best way to get us to take her silly pictures is through bribery, but when treats are lost you have no better hope of finding them then with our Sheltie Detective Agency. Well I guess you really don't want us on your case because we are just as likely to eat your treats when we find them as return them. We might have to think about how this detective for hire thing will work out.

Friday Flowers: The First Crocus of the Year

Mom took this picture on Wednesday. We had a snow storm on February 18th and then the temps rose into the 60's confusing the poor flowers. We are due for snow again, but Mom had to capture the crocus while they were out.

Thankful Thursday: Our Treehouse

Hurry up Annie it's time to get into our super duper secret treehouse. With the low hanging branches it is really hard for Mom and Dad to get in here so it is our own little hide away. It also helps reduce rain and snow impact during a storm. We can also really scare the squirrels when they take refuge here. They forget its our hangout and when we bark it is so funny watching them run.

Wordless Wednesday: You Can't See Me

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National Politics and Blogville

I normally don't post twice in one day, but I thought it best to say something because I think this issue is important. Blogville has long been one of my retreats from the world. There I find stories that are funny, sad, inspiring, and the stories have brought me back even when I've taken time away with other responsibilities. Blogville and a few craft sites are some of the only places I can seem to escape the constant bickering over National politics. Everyone seems to have an opinion. There are those devastated over the elections and those elated. The agnostics can't seem to catch a break.

I've noticed a few political posts in the past and said nothing as they seemed infrequent, but President's day seemed to have triggered a few and I will say freedom of speech is a beautiful gift. You do have a right and the privilege of saying what you want in this country and I hope it is one that is never damaged by political correctness and regulation of speech. I do believe however, you also have to decide what kind of community you wish to live in when you speak. We can fill Blogville with all kinds of political rants. However, remember they won't all be the kind of political speech that supports YOUR political beliefs. Once you open that door you will find some of your fellow Blogville members have political views you don't like. So while you vent your political anger, imagine Blogville filled with posts from the other side with views you don't like. Wait isn't that every other social media site out there today?

Well surely I can just avoid those posts. Well of course you can. I fell on one accidentally yesterday by a Blogger I really love and was so disappointed I left without leaving a comment. I didn't visit another favorite Blogger this morning because her Blog preview came up in my feed and identified it as a political statement I had no interest in reading although she has the cutest dogs and I love seeing their outfits on a daily basis. NO visits from me today. Doesn't matter what the political subject matter is folks I come to your blogs to read about your pets. If you insist on writing about politics it is a way to start damaging Blogville as I can't imagine I'm the only one who agree or disagrees with the your posting just wants to escape the politics for a little while. This is how Blog communities die when people stop visiting and commenting. You want to add traffic not drive it away. If you only want followers who share you politics then by all means become a political blogger. If you want to participate in a much wider world of Blogging realize not everyone wants to read political views whether they share yours or not. For some reading pet blogs is an escape from the political theater.

To clarify I'm not talking about the hundreds of quality, educational posts I've read on animal related political issues. While some of these are political in that they relate to animal legislation, etc. I've learned a great deal from reading up on these posts and I've written some posts in support or against ones that have been written because it does relate to issues regarding our main topic here in Blogville our animals.

Social medial has thousands of sites where you can find people who share your political views or to debate those that don't. Until the last election I can say I really didn't know or care what most of the members here believed and I was OK with that. Sadly, this community is not immune to those who feel the need to bring it into the mix.

Just a note for those of you who have been working on your blog to work with brands. It is also important to remember brands have been getting hit by the left and now the right about the kinds of people they advertise and work with as partners. If they have 2 Bloggers with cute pets, well written posts, and engaging sites, but one makes political statements and one focuses on the central topic of animals which one is a safer bet for the brand in this environment? Just saying.

Blogville is an informal grouping of Bloggers. There are no rules or membership requirements. You are free to post as you wish. I merely ask you to think about the kind of community you wish to belong to going forward. Do you want us to be another site fighting over the politics of today or are we that supportive, friendly, welcoming environment that encourages fellow animal Bloggers.