Four years
I’ve been blogging for Jones Natural Chews for four years. July is my blogaversary and I nearly let it pass without saying anything. Stupid chemo brain. But four years with Jones is something to celebrate!
Not that Jones Natural Chews has only been around four years. They’ve been making quality all natural dog treats for nearly 30 years as a company. Before that, the Jones kids worked in their dad’s butcher shop and sold beef bones to customers to give to their dogs.
Before THAT, the Jones family has been in the meat industry for over 150 years. Seriously. The family have been butchers and slaugher house people for that long. Which means they know meat. It also makes for some pretty interesting conversations for those of us who don’t know meat from a hole in the wall.
Laura, the brains behind the business, and my college roommate, used to laugh at my stories of growing up on the gulf of Mexico, but especially at the things I loved to eat. I thought I’d tried just about everything until she started talking about Rocky Mountain Oysters, how delicious they were. I was puzzled that there were any kinds of oysters in northern Illinois. If you don’t know and are curious, click here to see what this delicacy is all about. Heh. I’m wondering why Jones Natural Chews doesn’t serve these up for dogs.
The Meat Business
I’ve certainly gotten an education in the last four years. Suzy, the youngest Jones, has been one of the most outstanding educators. She instructed me on the origins of the Bully Stick here (which made me blush), concerning rawhides, what’s on a Jones Pig Ear (nothing – it’s just a pig ear, baked), and so much more.
Jones has sent me informational literature, like the above diagram. That’s been very helpful to me. From things on a cow I never knew existed, to things on a cow which seemed they should be elsewhere (like the above Saddle Knuckle). Wow. So much to know!
And Dogs …
I thought I knew dogs before I worked for Jones Natural Chews. This last four years has humbled me in huge ways. I was caught in my small world of experience. And honestly? You all have been my biggest educators. Thank you. You’ve gently questioned me when I speak in error. You’ve written informative posts on your own blogs which have opened my eyes. The variety of information and expertise is fantastic, from nutrition (Keep the Tail Wagging and Slim Doggy), to breed specific blogs (My Brown Newfies, 2 Brown Dawgs, 3 Little Pugs), to service dogs (Carma Poodale) – there are worlds of things I still don’t know about dogs. And I’m loving every minute of this.
The relationships developed here have been such a blessing, too. Some of my best friends have come from blogging for Jones. People like Carol (Fidose of Reality), Jodi (Heart Like a Dog), Joy (My GBGV Life), JoAnn (Sand Spring Chesapeakes), and so many more. I’ve also been more grateful than I can tell you for all of your support through my cancer journey. It’s been life support for me. Truly.
So here’s to many more years blogging for Jones Natural Chews! And here’s to all of you going out and buying Jones so I can keep doing my job. 😉
Giveaway
I almost forgot! Jones Natural Chews is giving some lucky dog the Bully Bacon Twists! To enter, click this sentence and scroll down in the new post, click the Rafflecopter and follow directions. It’s pretty easy. Your dog will thank you!
Spreading the good chews …
Flea
