And so it begins...

I've always had a passion for writing, but a blog about pets wasn't on my bingo card. Don't get me wrong, I've toyed with the idea of blogging before, and I have so many feelings when it comes to animals. One could say that I should've tried my hand at blogging a long time ago. However, a combination of anxiety, low self-esteem, and imposter syndrome made it difficult for me to try. And yet, there was always a desire to share and connect with those who loved animals as much as I do. If I had the space and money, I'd build a dog and cat sanctuary, or maybe operate a bookstore where customers could cuddle with adoptable animals (especially seniors—I have a soft spot for them). 

So, what changed? I decided to go to therapy, and it has helped me push past insecurities that were holding me back. After plenty of sessions and a few conversations with my husband, I finally took the plunge. It was a slow plunge, with this post alone taking me weeks to draft, but it's here. I'm proud of taking this step, because over the years my desire to touch on topics about animals only grew stronger.

If you're anything like me, you’re passionate about animals. You probably have your own share of opinions when it comes to them. You might not agree with everything I say, but I want to emphasize that this blog isn't here to tell anyone what to do or how to feel. That's not up to me. What I want to do is start conversations, provide information, educate, and even share some feel-good stories. In turn, I could learn from readers like you. You might give me a different perspective that I hadn't considered before, or provide me with information that I didn't know existed until you told me about it. At the end of the day, I think our end goals are the same, which is to give these animals a voice. 

I have two senior furbabies: a twelve-year-old dog and a seventeen-year-old cat. I also have a red-eared slider that I've had for twenty years. Sometimes I can’t help but think of where they’d be if they were in the wrong hands. What if they were being abused and neglected? What if they were being used in dogfights? What if they were wandering down the streets, constantly in danger of being attacked by a wild animal or getting hit by a car? 

Thankfully, they’re here with me, safe and sound. That doesn't stop me from thinking about the ones who aren't safe and sound. The ones who are currently sitting in shelters and rescues, waiting for a home to call their own. The ones who lost their lives before they even knew what a loving home was. If we amplify the voices of animals, then we might be able to bring changes to the way they are viewed and treated. 

Speaking of Paws is merely a blip in a sea of blogs right now, and I have no idea what kind of impact it’ll have. It might not have any impact at all in the grand scheme of things, but I can try my best. Is it scary? Yes. I’m terrified. Like I’ve mentioned, I have anxiety issues and no one is more critical of me than myself. I almost don’t want to embark on this newfound journey, but that's letting my fears win. So, I’ll put one foot—or maybe paw?—in front of the other and see where it takes me.