Thankful Thursday community building

The sun just keeps shining its rays on the Wayward pack lately. Emily over at Adventures of a Dog Mom recently hooked us up with another Sunshine Award.

As always, I’m flattered, excited and humbled by the shoutout. I only recently discovered Emily’s blog, which frequently offers really helpful tips for dog owners, like this diagram on how to properly trim your dog’s nails. Like I’ve said before, one of the best parts of blogging is getting to connect with like-minded folks and help one another as we build an online community together.

Pass-along awards – the chain letters of the blogosphere – are one way to grow that community, as recipients pass on the good karma in the form of links to their own favorite blogs. It’s a great opportunity to expose your blog friends to new readers and vice versa. I can attest to the fact that my readership expands a little bit every time someone is kind enough to nominate my blog for an award.

Of course, I’m spreading the Sunshine around again. But first I’d like to talk a little bit more about making connections.

Joining a themed blog hop is another way to connect with new readers and fellow bloggers. By the way, did you know this is Thankful Thursday?

Although distance often prevents it, when possible it’s fun to take things offline and connect in real life. I touched on this topic recently in a post about bloggers socializing at a private shopping party. I’m excited about a similar fun opportunity like that coming up this weekend. Organized by Chasing Davies, the Madewell event is a shopping and socializing event open to anyone but targeted at local bloggers with an eye for style.

I love getting to interact with other bloggers and readers face-to-face. Meeting in-person led another Emily – from Our Waldo Bungie – and me to found the KC Pittie Pack six months ago. Another dog lovin’ blogger, Amy from Fido Fetch Photography, joined us in that endeavor. By forming alliances, we are able to do more to further the causes, activities and animals we care about.

With that in mind, I look forward to partnering with more bloggers, readers, businesses and non-profit organizations so that we may together share stories, services, information, experiences and joy, as we help one another, animals and the community (on a local and global scale).

Stay posted for news about some fun collaborations currently in the works for Wayward Dogs and friends.

For now, here are some other blogs to which I’m passing the Sunshine Award.

Stacy Ideus Photography

Mona K Photography

Chronicles of a Sweet Tooth

My Joy of Living

Turtle Soup Daily

Ginchy!

Average Jane

Dogs or Dollars (check out this blog’s new design!)

Cokie the Cat (Founder of the Thankful Thursday blog hop)

For the rules surrounding this award, check out my original Sunshine acceptance post. To see all of the ways this blog has been commended, see the Awards page.

Thank you to everyone who makes reading this blog a part of your day! I’m so grateful to you!

What are you appreciative for on this Thankful Thursday?