Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Looking Back on 3 Years of Barking from the Bayou

Me and my Basset Hound Bentley share a special bond.
   It is hard to believe that it was 3 years ago today that my life went to the dogs. Literally. What started out as a platform for my book series morphed into a lifestyle dog blog and I couldn’t be happier. Barking from the Bayou has become much more than a hobby. My husband Skipper and I have worked to build the blog into a place where our readers can forget the troubles of life and enjoy a laugh or smile. We have learned so much and have so much more to learn. I know blogging has made me a better pet parent to Bentley and Pierre. It is our hope that we have helped you too.
Bentley Basset Hound painting Pierre the Westie.
   A blog is made up of two main parts; the writing and the photography. While I do the writing, it is Skipper who does all of our photo work. He never fails to amaze me whether we are doing a review campaign or an on location shoot. Some of the most fun times are when he gets to be creative. I love how the boys can drive a boat or be launched in a rocket pack. Although he likes to stay behind the lens, I think he deserves a spotlight on his work. I’m sharing a few of our favorite photos that have appeared over the last three years. It would be impossible for us to pick a favorite among the hundreds he has taken but if you have one, let us know in the comments.
Bentley Basset Hound in his sheriff outfit
Fun facts about Barking from the Bayou:
Number of posts: 1,035
Number of Comments: 25,000
Number of page views: 950k
Most readers are in the USA but we also have friends in
Canada * France * Norway * Germany * U.K.
The BFTB NETWoof News Team Pierre, Paisley and Bentley
BFTB NETWoof News
Our BFTB NETWoof News was Skipper’s idea and has quickly made Monday one of our most popular days. I’ll be honest with you; this is one of the most difficult posts we write because there is so much bad news when it comes to how humans treat our four-legged friends. There are some weeks where I feel sick at my stomach while perusing animal stories in the media. That is why we feel it is so important to show the happy, feel-good stories with our readers. Our weather forecast is researched to be as accurate as possible. Do you read our news each week?
Bentley Basset Hound and Pierre Westie in their tuxedos
Top 5 Blog Posts
This photo speaks volumes as Bentley Basset Hound waits for me to get home.

 Thanks a Million
   Nobody succeeds without some great mentors and friends. I’d like to thank my friends at BlogPaws™ for their wisdom, advice, and support from the very beginning. The love and friendship from the great people of Blogville keep me inspired and laughing. Those of you who visit each day and leave comments or share us on social media mean the world to us. We would not be here five days a week without you.
Pierre Westie modeling his sunglasses and blue dot tie

Thanks to our Sponsors/Affiliates
   We are so proud to be associated with some awesome companies. A big thank you to Dr. Harvey’s, PrideBites, Sooty Paw Paw poop bags, The Mountain and Whistle. Their continued support of Barking from the Bayou is wonderful.
Bentley Basset blasting off with his rocket pack while Pierre Westie mans the controls

The Future
   We never know what the future will bring but I believe our 2017 is going to be amazing. Thank you for being with us for the last three years. We look forward to many more years of blogging fun!
   Now, it is your turn…what do you like, dislike and what would you like to see more of in the coming year? Let us know in your comments.
Congratulations to 
Miley
the winner of
Bentley's Wooftastic Giveaway
Thanks to everyone for entering!
Bentley's Wooftastic Giveaway badge featuring him and the prizes





50 comments :

  1. I love your blog, there is something for everybuddy... I specially love the news about blogville and the whole world ;o) You are a super team, hugs to your super talented guy behind the lens :o)

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  2. We luv your blog! Da photos and da news are pawsome!

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  3. Congratulations on three years! We can say, we knew you back when! You know we love your blog and you two make an awesome pair with writing and photos! Our five years was last month, and we totally missed it! Keep on blogging and 2017 will be a stellar year!

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    1. We are planning for a big 2017! If five years goes as fast as these three, I can understand how you missed it.

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    2. And you know we love you right back ♥

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  4. What a great three years! I'm so glad to be a part of it!

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  5. Thanks so much, the Goldens can't wait to get their goodies! Congrats on 3 years! Your blog always brings a smile to our face and a chuckle from our bellies! We hope you have many more to come! :)

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    1. Congratulations to you! We hope to keep you chuckling for years to come.

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  6. Happy Blogoversary! And congrats to the lucky winner.

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  7. Huge Congratulations on Three years! You have accomplished to much! I sure wish I had someone to take my photos....can you rent Skipper out? lol Congratulations again! xoxo DakotasDen

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    1. Sorry, I can't do without him around here. LOL! Thanks for being such a great friend.

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  8. Congratulations on 3 years!!! Both you and Skip are amazing, and I could not be prouder of the two of you!! P.S. I can't believe that I didn't win the giveaway!!! What up??? LMAO!!!

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    1. Thanks! I love that you read our blog with your morning coffee. ☺

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  9. Happy 'Blogversary!' Wow, 3 years and look at your stats. Bravo. And to the behind the scenes guy who does the photography...we tip our hats and shower him with "a-paws." You all make a superb team with two of the most adorable boys from the Bayou I've ever seen! Keep up the good work!! ღ
    P.S. Congrats to winner, Miley!

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  10. What supergreat photos! Congratulations on 3 years and here's to many, many more! We love reading your blog!

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    1. I love reading about your adventures too. I'm glad we are friends.

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  11. Happy anniversary! And yes we do read your news each week. And the photo work is wonderful too!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  12. Congrats .... your blog is amazing :)

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  13. Congratulations on three years! Your blog has come a long way in that time, and you have a wonderful team over there.
    I really appreciate that you keep the news upbeat. There is so much sad stuff out there, and even though we can never avoid it completely, it's nice to be able to come here and hear those happy stories on Mondays. Keep up the good work and here's to many more years!
    ♥ Jan & the crew at Wag n Woof Pets

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    1. Thank you, Janet. We love bringing good news to our friends.

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  14. Congratulations and keep up the good work!

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  15. Happy Blogoversary!! We always enjoy stopping and by!
    Smileys!
    Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo

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  16. We love your blog, and what you did in three years is amazing ! Concatulations ! Purrs

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    1. Thank you. We have come a long way and have so much more to do.

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  17. Happy Happy 3 year Blog Anniversary! We really really love your blog and as soon as we started reading it we fell in love and became favorite blog to read! Your blog is always full of so much love and happiness and always makes us so happy! Thank you so much for your amazing work Melissa, Bentley, Pierre and Skipper! <3

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    1. It has been a pleasure to get to know you and Happy. I'm glad that you enjoy visiting us. Thank you ♥

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  18. Wow! Congratulations on 3 years of blogging! We sure enjoy visiting.

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  19. Happy 3 year blogiversary! We learn a lot from you, and you always make us smile.

    Love and licks,
    Cupcake

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    1. Thanks! I hope that we can become better pet parents together. ☺

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  20. I love what you and Skipper have created together! I cyber stalked you and you took me under your wing before we'd even met and now I consider you not only mentors but also friends. Congratulations on 3 successful years!

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    1. Thanks, Denise Your friendship is precious to us ♥

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  21. Happy Happy Anniversary. It's so nice to look back at pictures
    Lily & Edward

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    1. Thank you! We have so many pictures that I like to bring some of our favorites back out to share. ♥

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  22. Congratulations on three years of blogging! We're glad you're here, and we always enjoy visiting. :)

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    1. Thank you. It always makes us happy to have you visit.

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  23. Congratulations on 3 years of blogging!

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  24. Congrats on three years! All of these photos are fantastic, but I think my favorite in this post in Bentley in the cowboy hat. He certainly pulls it off better than I could! Hope you all have a great holiday season. :)

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  25. Happy Third Blogiversary!!! Yours is one of my favorite blogs, one of the first ones I started following when I began my blog nearly 3 yesrs ago. I'm so jealous of the creative photography on your blog, it's so terrific! You are a super talented writer! I could go on & on about your blog, but I'll just say, I'm so glad I found your blog & that we're friends!!
    Love & biscuits,
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

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  26. Happy Third Blogiversary!!! Yours is one of my favorite blogs, one of the first ones I started following when I began my blog nearly 3 yesrs ago. I'm so jealous of the creative photography on your blog, it's so terrific! You are a super talented writer! I could go on & on about your blog, but I'll just say, I'm so glad I found your blog & that we're friends!!
    Love & biscuits,
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

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  27. Congratulations on 5 years. I didn't know that you and Skipper were such a close team. That's super cool.

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