...and for our next Newsletter...

[Mark]

Hi everyone . . . I've been thinking about the Newsletter and thought it would be fun to get participation from the terrific members here. BTW, to make sure you get the newsletters - confirm that your email addy is entered in your member profile. So let's talk about things like frequency, content, etc.

One member has volunteered to compose the newsletter in both plain text & PDF (Acrobat) format so that those with Adobe Acrobat can view it with graphics and other neat stuff. What are everyones thoughts on that?

I also wonder if there are those of you who would like to write and contribute articles on an ongoing or a onetime basis? I'd like to get the next one out before Christmas, so maybe there could be a lot of Holiday focus in this one . . . ideas for Holiday recipes (for the puppers of course), web links, gift ideas . . . Articles written could be with or without the Holiday theme. I'm sure that there are many of you with some great ideas and things to contribute . . . so let's hear them. They can be things you are actually willing to do or things you would like to see.

So . . . what are your thoughts and ideas?

Thanks,
Mark

[isobelsmom]

Mark,

I'd love to help with the newsletter. I used to be a managing editor for an animal newspaper here in Ohio. I loved it. I wouldn't be able to do much until after the holidays, but really want to be involved in this project. Let me think about what I could contribute/do--and if you would let me know what you need help with we could meet in the middle perhaps.

mary

[Mark]

Hi Mary,

What do I need help with? Everything! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/lol.gif

When I saw the mass email feature for the board I thought it would be cool to do Newsletters . . . so I threw one together. But I'm no writer or editor and I know if I continued doing it that it would get stale. That is, if I even had the time or creativity monthly (or whatever) to do it on an ongoing basis. With the variety of talent in the membership . . . I thought of looking for help there. It always has amazed me that we have so many people with knowledge and/or talent in health, training, feeding, rescue, writing, design, editors, etc., etc. It also occurred to me that with this being a favorite place for so many caring people that maybe they would like to be involved in the Newsletter content.

I appreciate your willingness to be involved and will await your further input. Thanks,

Mark

[Uschi]

What a great idea! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/heart.gif I've been away for more than a little while, so haven't heard anything til now... boy, have I missed out on a lot! :P Anyhoo, I definitely think plain text & PDF formats would be excellent. One other thing, would there be a place where these newsletters could be archived, so that new members down the line can look back over previous editions? To me, having a record of things like this is really a useful thing...

When I think of Holidays and Dachsies, I immediately think of Ripley's birthday -- she's our Christmas Day baby. How about a section on member-Dachsie birthdays? How they're celebrated, how old the cuties are, perhaps some pictures... ?

I know some of you are great at getting in the minds of your Dachsies (or is it the other way around?) so what if there were an "Insider's Report" from a Dachsie's point of view on daily life, the holidays, whatever's appropriate for that newsletter?

There could be a "From the Field" column for anyone active in field events. An "On the Nose" section could contain seasonally appropriate tips for keeping our sweethearts happy, healthy and safe. A "Daily Dish" (monthly dish, etc) for food-related articles. A "Toy Box" could feature one of our Dachsie's favorite toys or a new toy that promises to become a favorite. A "Ringside Seat" could provide a forum for show dog information and stories...

Okay, my brain drizzle just blew over... :P That's about all I can come up with at a moment's notice. I'll keep the thoughts of what I can do swirling <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm12.gif" border=0> around in my noodle a while longer.

--J/U http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/square.gif

[Dolly's Mom]

OK. Here's what I did on another newsletter and for a while had a ton of fun, but didn't get the interest needed to continue, so it went by way of the flat plushie. I'd like to propose 2 columns. The first would be called...

DEAR DOLLY will be a column for lovelorn dachsies or any other critter who may need advice on issues of LOVE. This can be boy/girl trouble or even sibling questions. Dear Dolly will answer all letters and write back to everyone who writes. The top 3-5 letters will be reserved for the newsletter. Of course since Dolly's paws are too pudgy for the puter, I will act as Dear Dolly's secretary, but all advice will be coming from her. There may be times where she doesn't KNOW the answer. She will then yodel for help from other knowledgeable dachsies on the board who may wish to act as her assistant. Remember anyone can write to Dear Dolly with questions about love....everyone that is EXCEPT HOOMANS. DearDolly even has her own email address. Please address all inquiries to DearDolly@cableone.net.

Hope to hear from you,

:X Dear Dolly

Miss Madders

Hawwo all my uppy puppy pals!
Please write to me Miss Madders for all your questions on Dachsie Etiquette. You may be surprised at some of my answers.....I AM a dachsie afterall!! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/biggrin.gif I look forward to your ettiquette dillemmas! I do NOT have my own email addy like my sissy, but she has graciously said that I can use HER email but asked that any of my mail be posted ATTN: Miss Madders or something similar. Same as with Dear Dolly's letters, the top inquiries will get in the newsletter and the others will be answered and typed to you by my hooman secretary.

Love and sloppy kissies!

Maddie....I mean, Miss Madders <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm9.gif" border=0>

[Mark]

I see some good & fun ideas here. I'm sure after the Thanksgiving holiday there will be more ideas posted.

Maybe it's too ambitious to think we can review all the ideas, organize who is doing what, put it all together, do a final proof read and get it out in time for Christmas. So many people are so busy we may not have time. But I certainly think we could get it all together by sometime in January.

As time allows during this busy season keep the ideas & volunteering comin'. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

Thanks,
Mark

[Roxane]

Hi Mark:
As one of the big "talkers" on the board I feel a moral obligation to offer assistance.http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/halo.gif
Some small contribution, until after the glitter and gold dust of the holiday season settles down or is put away.
Just let me know,
Roxane & crew +2

[Mark]

Hi Roxane,

Any ideas on what you would like to contribute?

Thanks,
Mark

PS Uschi, welcome back . . . I was just wondering where you've been! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif I really like you're ideas! Now all we need is some volunteers who are willing to contribute by doing some or all of them.

[Roxane]

Dear Editor:
Since I am doing this instead of my own holiday newsletter...
Because of other obligations, perhaps I could do a little light research and find some seasonal/doggie humor you might want to sprinkle in here and there.
I promise, after the 1st of the year, I will do a reporter like job on a subject of interest to the group. If you would like, of course.
Now I really do need to get back to the computer. The lure of mingling with friends on the BB is much too strong! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif
Roxane, G & B, S & B

[Mark]

Hi Roxane,

Thanks for volunteering. I've gone ahead and put together most of a newsletter myself for this issue. With the holiday's everyone is just too busy to take on a new project.

I hope everyone will continue to share ideas or volunteer their services and after the New Year we can get down to the mechanics of making a great newsletter! We may need to get volunteers together in a "chat" environment to make communicating easier.

For those of you involved in rescue . . . it would really be nice to have some rescue news or articles included, but I know how much time you already invest in saving our furfriends. Maybe if several of you were to take turns?

OK, OK. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/biggrin.gif I'm done rambling for now. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/lol.gif

Mark