I became a pet blogger to help animals, and in doing so I’ve realized a life long dream.

My Childhood Dream

When I was a child growing up in the wilds of suburban New Jersey, I was passionate about two things: horses and writing. I wrote short stories, usually involving animals and magic. I always had a vivid imagination and a love of mythology. As an avid reader I would get lost in books and wanted to create the same for others. The thing is, I never showed anyone my writing. I never thought it was good enough. A theme that led to me cease horseback riding, a tale I detail in My Middle-Aged Equestrian Reinvention.

When it was time to go to college at the University of Delaware I decided to aim toward publishing rather than equine studies. I did not want to become a veterinarian and did not know any other options. I did not feel comfortable showing anyone my writing so chose to study literature and become a copyeditor or managing editor. Something behind the scenes. While I lacked confidence in riding and horseback riding, I never doubted that I was an overachiever. I am incredibly hard on myself and always seek to do better. 

The “Typical” Career

I got my first post-grad job working as an Editorial Assistant for The Rockefeller University Press in New York City. We published medical journals, good ones, and although it wasn’t my area of interest (cell biology) I learned an immense amount in my five years. My Managing Editor was tough, smart, and taught me to be ambitious and trust my instincts. I really enjoyed my coworkers, my Editorial Board, and learned how to push myself and deal with stress.

When it became clear there was little room to move up in that small non-profit, I applied for a position at John Wiley & Sons, Inc., this time focusing on a previously mis-managed journal called The Journal of Surgical Oncology. This was my baby for 7 years and I still miss it today. I became an Assistant Managing Editor and Associate Production Manager during my tenure, expanding to other journals and working on both editorial, production, and even a leading team member of the peer review management system. But sadly, no writing other than board meeting reports and the occasional presentation.

During my time in publishing I supplemented the typical 9-5 office job with volunteer work at the Central Park Zoo as a day captain for almost 5 years. Weekdays were spent surrounded by computers, and the weekends were for animals.

The Life Changer

Everything changed when I became a mother. A no brainer, right? I had three wonderful daughters in two years and the demands on my time became too much to retain even a work from home position. It was hard to let go, as I really did enjoy my job. But medical publishing wasn’t my dream.

Quitting publishing was the right decision to make. As much as I am so thankful to all I learned in medical publishing, taking some time away allowed me to reset. I looked back and realized I had veered off course from what I love, and the two things I was most passionate about (besides my family, obviously) were still missing.

As mothers do, you take a back seat when your children are small. About a year before the youngest went to school for the first time I sat down and really asked myself what I was passionate about. Through all my different school jobs, careers, and volunteer work there remained always a constant- animals and writing. I always came back to them.

Choosing A New Path

But here’s the rub. Client’s owners were asking us a lot of the same questions. Now, I’m not a veterinarian and would never presume to give medical advice. Clients would ask about best practices to prevent injury, how to naturally help their digestion, or give advice on the best tick prevention. So in December 2016 I decided that I wanted to answer these questions on a wider scale. After all, if my clients all have similar the questions- what about the rest of the world?

A Pet Blogger is Born

And so Bridle & Bone was born. I’m so thankful that just a few weeks after starting the blog I found BlogPaws. BlogPaws is a network of pet bloggers around the world dedicated to making us better bloggers and helping animals. The community has been, quite simply, amazing. It is truly a community. Now, after attending my first BlogPaws conference last week in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina I went in to this conference a new blogger, new writer, and new community member. I was so humbled by the comradery and sheer support from people with whom I’d either met online only or never interacted with until the conference.

Pet bloggers get social. Taking notes and taking names with That Cat Blog and Come Wag Along.

There are so many amazing pet bloggers out there, and I feel privileged to be among this amazing network, even if equestrians are vastly outnumbered (I was one of 2 attending). Still, I don't mind standing out a bit while I walked around with my daughter's Breyer horse instead of a flat pet or animal on leash. It was a great conversation starter! 

Interested in attending the 2018 BlogPaws Conference? Click the photo to visit their site. 

I know that I have a lot to work on to improve my blog and expand my reach in order to help animals. But I have priorities and a clear path toward my goal. In just 6 months my readers extend to the United Kingdom, throughout Europe, Australia, and South America. In the next year I dream of the possibilities armed with the knowledge and support I’m receiving from BlogPaws.

About the writer: Heather Wallace of Monmouth County, New Jersey is a certified equine and canine sports massage therapist, co-owner of Bridle & Bone Wellness LLC, and equestrian & canine blogger at Bridle & Bone. She is an adult amateur equestrian in unrequited loved with an OTTB and has two rescue dogs, Gonzo and Beau.

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