What is Blogpaws?

If you google Blogpaws online you'll quickly learn that it is a pet community and social media marketing conference. Pet bloggers gather to network, learn blogging tips and tricks, explore new products and information. It's about making new friends and connecting with old — people and pets alike. It's about moments like those featured here:

Although there were lots of pets in clothing at Blogpaws, Coco the Couture Cat has to have one of the largest and most impressive wardrobes. Last year, I took a shot of Coco that received a lot of publicity. It appeared along with an article by Jo Singer on a site called Pictures of Cats. Many people had strong opinions against dressing cats in clothes, but seeing all the smiles Coco brings and the stately way she stares out from her perch, it becomes a difficult argument to make.

A ferret and its owner walk the red carpet on the final night of Blogpaws. Although I did not get this creature's name, I enjoyed watching the way it interacted with its owner, draping around her neck and shoulders and resting in her arms. I have often heard that ferrets can be mean, but this little one dispels that rumor.

I "met" Ms. California, Shanna Olson and her doggie celebrities online a week before Blogpaws when I liked her Doggie Celebrities Facebook page. Kimberly Gauthier is well known in the pet blogging community for her site Keep the Tail Wagging.

Mealtimes were among my favorite moments at Blogpaws because you'd get to see all these wonderful pets sharing the dining room with the people.

This little kitty participated in a fashion show in which participants had mere minutes to design a look from materials on hand.

Tillman is a rock star and youtube sensation. This skateboard riding dog travels in his own tour bus and loves his board, barely waiting for his handlers to hand it over before taking off.

This 60-pound, six-month-old capybara named Mia, had to be one of the most interesting attendees at Blogpaws. Capybaras are related to guinea pigs and are the largest rodents in the world. I loved watching the dogs checking out the capybara, trying to ascertain exactly what this creature is.

What is Blogpaws? It's a chance to dress up, dispel myths, share information, network, eat, skate your way into each other's hearts, sniff each other out and decide to be friends.  Blogging, the pet industry and the human-animal bond are serious subjects, but the animals at the heart of Blogpaws can't help but make you laugh. These are joy magnets and they draw you back again and again.

By Way of Introduction

One of my favorite red carpet moments at Blogpaws 13 was when this little lady decided it was time to check out this passing gentleman. She wanted an up close and personal introduction and found a way to get it! The only thing funnier may have been the way the swarm of bystanders, myself included, stormed the couple in an effort to capture the moment.

Cat Lady

Worried about getting a reputation as a crazy cat lady? Blogpaws may not be the place for you. This photo certainly encapsulates the spirit of the event. A dog on a bicycle, a 40-lb rabbit, a cage full of baby chicks, a ferret named Marilyn -- all were present at this pet blogging conference, which concluded on Saturday evening with a red carpet event. Here, Marilyn donned a gown as did a number of dogs and yes, cats! No one seemed worried about being dubbed crazy and most embraced it as they strutted their stuff along their four-legged friends. The above duo had to be among my favorites.

The people gathered to have fun, but they were also there on serious business. Pet lovers often find themselves dismissed as being frivolous or juvenile. People can be patronizing, viewing animal lovers as cute, but never really taking them seriously. Yet, Blogpaws attendees were there to network and learn how to turn their love of animals and blogging into a paying enterprise. All seemed to truly being enjoying their work.

I have to admit that I sometimes worry about this reputation of animal lovers as "crazy," obsessed with pets because their relationships seem lacking in other areas, but what I loved about the woman above is she seems to turn this sterotype on end. Yes, she's dressed in the mild-mannered attire of a librarian, but she's working it and her love of her dolled up cat doesn't come across as crazy to me, but rather endearing, even sophisticated. I was in awe of the costumes and the ceremony, but also proud to be among those in attendance. True, it was challenging to describe to my friend Clare's circle what I had been doing at the conference, but I can honestly say I was proud to be counted among its attendees. There are so many more foolish activities than being a cat lover, pug lady or even ferret follower. We are lucky to have found something that makes us smile!