Welcome back! Here is another edition of Interview with a pet blogger! Today we’re chatting with Carol Bryant, a famous blog owner who created the great blog Fidose of Reality.
To those who have just known Fidose of Reality for the first time, Fidose of Reality covers:
- The latest dog health and wellness news with a reality-based perspective, Fidose of Reality. ALL dogs here, all breeds, all mutts, all ages, all sizes.
- More content geared at the health, wellness, and lifestyle of Cocker Spaniels, both American and English!
- Lifestyle means dog friendly travel, modern ideas and products for the Cocker mom and Cocker dad, plus contests and giveaways.
- Gifts and product ideas for dogs and dog lovers!
- Dog rescue and adoption stories and fundraising for dogs in need through Wigglebutt Warriors!
Let's find out some interesting facts about her and Fidose of Reality.
Interview
1. Why did you decide to start Fidose of Reality? and Why Cocker Spaniels?
My heart beats dog® (yes, I own the trademark on that), and it sing songs in perfect rhythm for Cocker Spaniels.1 The heart wants what the heart wants.
As a little girl, I fell in love with Cocker Spaniels after seeing one in “The Big Book of Dogs.” She had a flower in her hair, gently positioned right behind her ear. I wanted one.
My first dog as an adult was a Cocker Spaniel, Brandy Noel, whom I miss every single day. Brandy, be proud my love, I am writing your legacy. I found my passion, and this is my destiny. For keeps: Cocker Spaniels and their canine friends!
Why I started Fidose of Reality: When Cocker parents have questions, they tend to come to me. When we host fundraisers, they are generally toward Cocker Spaniels. Even the fundraising arm of this blog is called Wigglebutt Warriors. Wigglebutt comes from the motion of the Cocker Spaniel. They don’t wag: They shake their booties in a Wigglebutt fashion.
2. As a successful dog blogger, with the victory in the 2015 Women in the Pet Industry Woman of the Year in the Advocacy Category, what is the biggest challenge you have ever faced?
Great question. One of my biggest challenges was in coming out as the true human being I am.
When I first walked into the BlogPaws pet blogging conference in 2010, my family went along with me. I am one of those people who travels everywhere with her family. It works for us: We live together, love together, travel together, and thrive because of it. Twenty years and proud of it.
I walked around the conference telling everyone whom I introduced to my family member, Darlene, that she was my sister. And I felt like such a fraud. Here I was, finally embracing my dreams, taking a major leap forward.
Hell, I was the girl who went back to college full time as an adult, supported by my family member, taking strides and moving forward. Yet here I was introducing Darlene as my sister. So what’s the big deal?
Darlene is my wife of nearly 25 years.
We exchanged vows in 1993, but we were legally married a few years ago here in PA. I legally changed my last name close to a decade ago, and in every way, shape, and form we are a married couple.
We have been there through the health crises, the family issues, the raising of dogs, the crossing of a dog to the rainbow bridge, and all the high highs and loving celebrations. She is my life. And I told people she was my sister. I didn’t want to rock a boat, incite someone to not like me or judge me, and quite possibly I was afraid of what others might say or do.
No more.
I’ve met so many amazing people in my journey as a pet blogger/writer and being immersed in a career in the pet industry. Without the love, support, and encouragement of my wife, I can honestly say I do not know where I’d be.
And I know I am not alone in feeling this way. Others have the love and support of a spouse and so do I. I don’t like labels and they really do belong on soup cans.
So we are just a married couple, truly more in love with each passing year than I ever could have imagined. She is my dream come true and kitschy as it sounds, she completes me.
3. How many dogs do you own? Who and how are they?
Dexter is my heart shaper, love keeper, treat beggar, bone burier, ball player, and life changer.
He is a male cocker spaniel and holds several AKC titles, but more importantly he owns my heart.
He is also my never again. I swore I’d never get another and never again. And he is my never again. Prior to Dexter, Brandy Noel graced our lives for nearly 15 years.
4. I believe that many audiences love to hear some interesting experience or some unforgetable memories between you and your dogs!
There are so many adventures to share, and two that stand out are:
Traveling cross country as a family by car to BlogPaws Conferences where Dexter was a part of so many adventures, sights, and memories created.
Also, when we were invited to appear on Oprah Radio for the Gayle King Show. Gayle fell in love with Dexter! A dog lover of the highest order is how Gayle King introduced me, Carol Bryant, when I appeared with my Cocker Spaniel, Dexter, on Oprah Radio’s Gayle King show to dish dogs. Listen here:
5. What is the most important thing you have learnt in all your years as a dog blogger?
Dogs are more like us than not but they are not humans. Dogs are the best of us when the worst of us breaks our hearts and lets us down. I embrace a passion for dogs and that passion somehow in this crazy, messed up universe so very perfectly found its way to me. A little girl once lost found her forever home in dogs.
6. What is one goal for your blog in the next 6 months?
To complete my first book and to continue with more Wigglebutt Warriors fundraising events. Wigglebutt Warriors® is the fundraising arm of Fidose of Reality.
To date, we have raised over $62,000 for homeless Cocker Spaniels and other dogs to assist with medical, food, and basic needs until they find their forever homes.
Thank you for your inspirational stories!
Ending
Fidose of Reality is a health/wellness/lifestyle dog blog for Cocker Spaniels and their canine friends which inspired a lot of pet lovers. Watch the video below to learn more about Carol Bryant and her blog:
