I am thrilled to interview FidoseofReality and Carol Bryant in our premiere dog interview for the Worldwide Pet Blogs spotlight at Dash Kitten. Carol continues to inspire us, so please relax and enjoy some quality time with FidoseofReality.com.
Where in the world are you and FidoseofReality?
We are located in northeastern Pennsylvania in the good ‘ole U.S.A. We are born and raised here and have remained in the area to this day. We are within a few hours of New York City and Philadelphia, yet we have a small town feel, which we love.
What is your favorite part of creating your web presence/blog?
I love the process of writing. It is in my DNA and at the core of who I am. Creating content and being able to deliver research-based data and real-life experiences with dog parents is my constant goal. Sometimes I will “write” blog posts in my head and/or get an idea for a blog topic in any given place at any given time. (Just ask my wife, Darlene, who sees me thinking or lost in thought and asks what I am writing about).
Being able to touch the lives of dog moms and dog dads is my most favorite part of blogging and writing in general. I receive emails and messages daily from dog parents whose dogs I have helped in some way. These messages mean more to me than words could ever express.
I love the process of creating content, doing the research, and adding my thoughts to it. Knowing that people are affected by it and actually use/apply my content to their dogs’ lives is the greatest gift of all.
What kind of readership have you discovered enjoys your blog?
As a blogger of nearly a decade, my readers have evolved with me. The constant, however, has been the loyal dog parent who wants to learn more and do better. As the saying goes, ‘when we know better, we do better.’ I am a lifelong learner and an avid reader. Knowing I have a huge responsibility to deliver solid information to my audience is something I take seriously.
From a demographic standpoint, data shows that 80 percent of my readers are women, most located in the United States, but about 15 to 20 percent are outside the USA. They are a higher income earning household, are well educated, and they want to learn more about helping their dogs.
In the past 15 months or so, I became more micro-niche. I’ve always been a health and wellness dog blogger, but Fidose of Reality evolved into “A health/wellness/lifestyle blog for Cocker Spaniels and their canine friends.”
Folks have asked me why Cocker Spaniels? When Cocker parents have questions, they tend to come to me. When we host fundraisers, they are generally toward Cocker Spaniels. Even the fundraising arm of this blog is called Wigglebutt Warriors. Wigglebutt comes from the motion of the Cocker Spaniel. They don’t wag: They shake their booties in a Wigglebutt fashion.
That said, if you love dogs and want the latest dog health and wellness news with a reality-based perspective, Fidose of Reality is for you. We love ALL dogs here, all breeds, all mutts, all ages, all sizes. We always have and we always will.
What are the joys & challenges of being a worldwide dog blogger? Do you feel you make a difference for dogs?
What great questions! Let’s start with the challenges! Keeping my fingers and paws on the pulse of what dog parents what to read, what their pain points and questions are, and how I can be one step ahead and help them with things they may not have even considered: Those are some of my greatest challenges. In the same token, those are also some of my greatest joys.
Putting the time in to read, attend classes, take webinars, talk to experts, travel and go face to face with pros in the pet industry and in veterinary medicine is a time commitment. More importantly, as a writer/blogger, I would never share information I did not feel was factually sound, well researched, and would be used on my own dog. I also share my opinions and my experiences for a complete picture.
Pets are universal. This is a common thread and something on which all of us pet lovers can agree. Though I am dog writer and dog blogger, I love animals in general. I want to be sure someone reading my blog in the U.K. is learning and applying the information I share in the same way that someone in the U.S. does.
Yes, I completely believe that I make a difference to dogs because my readers tell me so. I wrote a blog post that was done in pretty much “real time” when my dog, Dexter, was diagnosed with and battled IMT (immune mediated thrombocytopenia) on Fidose of Reality. Thank Dog he is in remission.
Well, you know how we just aren’t sure who we, as writers, can affect with our writing? We also have to make sure to tell folks to seek veterinary care and not rely on our blogs alone. That said, I had a reader connect with me this month to tell me her dog (a black lab) was rushed to the vet and has IMT. She knew to act fast because she Googled the symptoms and found my blog article.
We conversed briefly through Facebook Messenger and she said the vet was a bit stumped. Her vet also did not do the testing needed to save this dog. I advised her to seek an internist, someone who specializes in this, as noted on my blog. She did that and wrote me to tell me that she was at the internal medicine doctor, they did testing, and she was awaiting results. Her direct words were “I came here because you told me to and I read it on your blog. Thank goodness I found you.”
I cannot tell you how much this means to me. I will never tire of these kinds of emails and conversations. Sending them to the vet is something of which we all have to be cognizant as writers and bloggers. Being diligent to keep our readers well informed and when to question things and seek even MORE medical attention for their pet is a gift that repays itself time and again. I asked her to keep in touch with me.
What are some things folks should know about you and your dog? What’s next for you and Fidose of Reality?
In my 7-year role as PR/Marketing/Social Media Manager with BlogPaws, I helped to build BlogPaws into the social media mecca it became.
A dog lover of the highest order is how Gayle King introduced me on Oprah Radio.
As part of my philanthropic efforts, my wife and I founded Wigglebutt Warriors, the fundraising arm of Fidose of Reality, raising over $75,000 for homeless dogs in four years’ time.
My heart beats dog® (yes, I own the trademark on that). My dog, Dexter, is my heart shaper, love keeper, treat beggar, bone burier, ball player, and life change
I received the 2018 Dog Writer’s Association of America Distinguished Service Award sponsored by the American Kennel Club earlier this year. Coupled with the success of my blog, the encouragement and messages of support I’ve received from dog parents over the years, and my wife’s encouragement to be a part of this new chapter in my life, I am forming my own business!!! Part of that involves writing books and very much staying in and continuing my path with educating pet influencers and pet bloggers. That, too, is very important to me.
Will you suggest some favorite posts for our readers to discover more about you?
Is a Cocker Spaniel The Right Dog For Me? https://fidose.com/CockerRight
Help for Dogs Fighting IMT: https://fidose.com/IMT
Anatomy of a Grieving Dog Mom: https://fidoseofreality.com/anatomy-of-a-grieving-dog-mom/
Who Watches Your Dog Overnight at the Vet? https://fidose.com/Overnight
Dog Mom Weds Love of Her Life: https://fidoseofreality.com/dog-mom-weds-love-life/
My heart beats dog® and I know I am not alone in this canine cardiac rhythm. We live in a country divided and I think it’s safe to say that dogs unite us. Dogs are the best of us when the worst of us let us down. My life is truly a celebration of dogs’ time here on earth.
Those who have learned to love more richly because of a dog I have found carry a light in their souls. Dogs welcome us into their worlds and they want us to celebrate with them. Dogs have taught me to be more of a human being and less of a human doing.
Today, tomorrow, and until my final breath, I celebrate dogs.
Carol Bryant
FidoseofReality.com
