We get a lot of new readers every February, which is a good thing, since we are supported only by readers (we donยt sell ads so we can retain our independent voice). Most of these new readers come on board as a result of their response to one of our direct mail marketing efforts. (I know that many people have negative associations with direct mail, but these mailings are the only way, other than word-of-mouth, that we find new readers; itยs probably the way we found you!)
So, we love new readers; we need readers. We wouldnยt be here without you. However, the challenge for me, in the month that follows publication of the first issue that many subscribers receive, is responding to the tidal wave of calls, letters, and e-mails from people who, being new to our holistic health/nonviolent training orientation, tend to kind of freak out when they read WDJ for the first time.
Some sample correspondence:
ยWhat the heck do you mean Science Diet is no good?! I get it from my vet!ย
ยDid you really mean to say we shouldnยt use spot-on flea treatments on our dogs?ย
And, ยI donยt want to spoil my dog with treats. Why donยt you talk about training with shock collars? ย
I try to tell people to hang in there; I know itยs a shock, at first, to see a publication that actually takes a stand on these issues (and more), advocating for healthy, happy dogs instead of toeing the line in consideration of their advertisers, who actually support those magazines. I try to suggest that they read past the headlines to learn the reasons why we donยt like certain foods, pesticides, or training methods; weยre really not coming out of left field. (I have to admit, in fact, that a small percentage of my correspondents complain that we arenยt ยleftย enough!)
Fortunately, just as many of the new people are thrilled to discover a community of dog lovers who are just as committed as they are to getting and keeping their dogs in tip-top physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual health. Itยs a great pleasure to hear the stories these people have to tell about their own quests to find the healthiest dog foods and safest and most humane training methods and equipment.
Anyway, I just wanted to say ยThanks for your support!ย to our repeat subscribers, and ยWelcome! Sit down and relax!ย to our new friends. If weยve piqued your interest in a certain subject, please consider purchasing one of the articles weยve published on the subject in the past (see the “Back Articles” page of our site). OR, simply stand by for more information. We talk about all this stuff ย food, training, products, health, and the dog/human bond ย in every issue.
-by Nancy Kerns
