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Sunday, January 20, 2013

The Next Step

After four years of doing the website and newsletter, juggling Facebook, guest blogs and now my own, it's time to think about the next step for IBDKitties. I've been asked quite a lot lately "when am I going to write a book". For awhile I hesitated because it'll not only be a lot of work but I already have so much information on my website, I really didn't see what else I could contribute. But after speaking with several friends in the business I'm now giving it some serious thought. 

What I am going to do is ask for opinions on what you all would like to see added in the book. Based on my discussions with others, the book will be a lot more on the personal side and somewhat less on the technical and medical. I'm still not sure I'll be doing this but I'm putting out some feelers to see if it'll be worth the time and effort. 

So with that in mind, please give me some of your ideas and what you'd like to see in the book. Would you like more stories of other IBDKitties? Would you like more in depth writing about me and my Alex and our relationship? I've also thought about taking some of the information I've used in my newsletters over the years and adding the most important items that I feel people really need to learn about. Please let me know what you all think and if you have any ideas. I'd greatly appreciate it! Thank you all for sticking with me these last four years and to all the newcomers whom I've already grown to love and admire for your dedication to your fur children. Let's see if we can take the next step together to help others not only with the ever growing epidemic of IBD and other GI disorders but for the care and health of all of our furry families. 

17 comments:

JadensMom said...

To start off, I think the idea of you writing a book is a really good one! There's such a lack of information on this subject that I think it's very needed. Plus, it would be handy to have this information all in one place that we could take with us to the vet when we talk about treatment and diet options. I would still like the personal experience part along with maybe an appendix of the treatment and diet options you list here. I hope this turns out to be something you can do! You have my full support, so put me on pre-order!

IBDKitties said...

Thank you so much Jaden's mom. I'll need that encouragement from time to time as this is quite a large endeavor and will take me awhile to do. I definitely want to put as much information in the book as possible without just copying things from my website. This way people can still come to my site to get medical info like about the liver and pancreas but have enough info in the book that they don't want to put it down.

Jules said...

Great idea, Lisa! I *would* include the information from your website in the book (Helen at felinecrf.org created a book from the extensive info on her site regarding CKD/CRF, and it is a huge hit with folks). A book form of information is sometimes handier to have all the information in one place that you can thumb through to find the info (no having to go to a website and dig through to find what you're looking for)

Just me, but I would focus on that, but also add the personal side with you and Alex. Purrs to you for all you do for kitties!!

IBDKitties said...

Thanks Jules. I had seen that she had done that with the Tayna's site and made a book. Was wonderful how she structured it. I didn't think anyone would want to have a book when it's already all on my site. But I'm glad you said that about the book and it being something people can thumb through.

Pookie's Mom said...

It's been 4 years already?! :) I definitely would like to know more about your relationship with Alex, though I know that won't be easy. I also think Jules makes a very good point about having the information in a book that people can refer to. I refer back to my books from time to time to refresh my memory, and I thought it would be very helpful.

Thanks, and keep up the good work!

IBDKitties said...

Crazy isn't it how fast those years went by? Some days it doesn't seem like it's been that long since I lost her and other times it feels like forever.

Anonymous said...

I know you can do this. You have helped me & so many others. I would like both medical info & stories. It would be nice to have something you can highlight & bring to the vet. Also some blank pages for notes/info/records would be good too. I look forward to seeing your journey. purrs, Maizy, Tig, Smitty & Felix's momma Renee

IBDKitties said...

Oh now see?! This is why I'm glad I asked for ideas. That's a wonderful suggestion to have blank pages for notes! Thanks so much for that!

DeeDee said...

How about an e-book concentrating on the support aspects of having an IBD kitty.

DeeDee said...

How about an e-book concentrating on the support aspects of having an IBD kitty.

IBDKitties said...

That's a good idea but I don't know how much more I could offer on the subject other than in a regular book. Maybe in the future that might be something to look into.

bananarama said...

Yes, yes, yes! A book is so needed. The things I needed most when Tiki was diagnosed were info about foods and medications. I kept reading about a raw diet, but she absolutely would not touch it. Learning about carageenan was important too; as you know, there are only a couple of novel-protein canned foods that don't contain it.

When the vet put her on chemo, I couldn't find *any* info about it for IBD, just lymphoma. I also didn't know there was a difference between prednisone and prednisolone.

And I would love more case histories! (I know I still have to do Tiki's; I've just been absolutely slammed with work this month.) xox

bananarama said...

Yes, yes, yes! A book is so needed. The things I needed most when Tiki was diagnosed were info about foods and medications. I kept reading about a raw diet, but she absolutely would not touch it. Learning about carageenan was important too; as you know, there are only a couple of novel-protein canned foods that don't contain it.

When the vet put her on chemo, I couldn't find *any* info about it for IBD, just lymphoma. I also didn't know there was a difference between prednisone and prednisolone.

And I would love more case histories! (I know I still have to do Tiki's; I've just been absolutely slammed with work this month.) xox

IBDKitties said...

These are all important notes for me to take down and that's what I'm doing. I'm so glad I asked about this because this is all information I may not have thought of without the help I'm getting here.

Timmy Tomcat said...

I think you should give it a try. You can always work at your own pace when writing a book so there does not have to be any sort of odious deadline. A blog that went to book form that I recently read was A Daily Dose of Dogs (aka Cats with your coffee) at http://dogsandcats.typepad.com
Maybe this will also give impetus to switch from blogger?
Have a great day and thanks for all the informative posts
Pete (aka Timmy's Pop)

IBDKitties said...

Thanks Pete, I need all the encouragement I can get. I spent 3 hours writing on Sunday and now I am feeling slightly overwhelmed with all that needs to be done. I need to take this one step at a time.

Sarah said...

Oh yes I think a book is a great idea. I think you could include a lot of the personal experiance you had with alex, maybe some personal stories of others if they want to contribute, but also include alot of the info from the website- if not expand on it where possible.
Diet definatly needs to be a big part of the book, as well as medications and treatments. Personal stories can interject and show just how much diet and treatments effect those involved. Also the tips section- how important it is to have a first aid kit, what to include, ect. OH and there needs to be a part in there about planning for your pet if you preceed the pet to the bridge. So many people dont plan ahead! And sections about pet sitters, vets that do home visits, standing up to vets to fight for your pets rights, creating a log to leave for other care givers for what to do and when...all of that is on the site and can be expanded on in a book. I love the idea and I know you will be great.
~Sarah (AnnaBelle's mommy)