Dogstragam

I first started my dog instagram account because I felt like my dogs were under appreciated on my personal account 😂 Laugh, but it’s true. And if you’re reading this, you’re probably a dog person, so you get it. Walking by a stranger with my dog and they don’t smile… off with their head. Sitting outside with my pup and a person walks by without asking to pet… you’re lucky I don’t trip you (I’m kidding!). But you get the idea, right? There are certain kinds of dog people and they just get one another. I am one of those dog people and I have found my people of those who get me. Does it matter that I haven’t met them all IRL? Not at all. Because the tears that I will cry when your dog passes (even though I have never physically met them), are real. The rage I feel if your dog is harmed or the advice that I will offer (sometimes unsolicited, sorry) when I’ve been in a similar situation, are so real and genuine, that it’s often weird that I don’t really know them in the world outside of instagram.

I’m not really sure when I actually started my dog instagram account (2018 maybe? It’s a lot of scrolling, you guys), but when I really started getting into it in 2019 for a sleeping dog project (IYKYK, maybe I’ll do a post on that one day, titled, Imposter Syndrome — Will you actually do it? HAHAHA, but really). As I started navigating the world of dogstagram, I realized that there was actually, a lot to learn from this. And as I slowly started making friends, 2020 happened and we all know the challenges that came with that. Had March 2020 never happened, I honestly don’t know if I would be as deep into dogstagram as I am. But March 2020 did happen and the lockdown/pandemic became the dogstragam push that I needed and the reward has been ten-fold.

I have met people in my community who have become real, lifelong friends. The sheer fact that we both had dogs was our commonality, but in that, we have found that we also have so many other things in common. I am so thankful for these real friendships that have turned into so much more. I have also realized that outside of my Denver, Colorado community, I have a community almost anywhere I travel. Who plans a road trip or vacation based on what dog they can meet IRL? 🙋🏻‍♀️ But seriously. I have met amazing dogs in California, Oregon, Montana, New York, and Texas and have also had other dogs pass through Colorado from Canada, Minnesota, or California. Meeting the humans and dogs that frequent our instagram world has been a piece of my life that I didn’t know I needed.

Have I convinced you yet? Are you creating a dog instagram account because you are craving that connection with other dog parents? If you are, you will never find another human being who will champion you to buy the dog bandana, try the fancy food, get the cute treats, or want the chance to meet up with you and your dog for a walk on a nice day. It’s the little things in life that become the big, meaningful things. And as we all know, the time we get with our pups is never enough, so go ahead and find that community that will forever be cheering you and your furry friend along.