I could hear the regret in my editor's voice when she called to break the news. She said that despite recognizing the popularity of the weekly column, "market research" shows that newspapers need to take a different direction. I'm guessing this is why sections of the paper keep getting revamped--they're still trying to identify what that "direction" may be.
These days print media is doing their best to connect with a generation that simply doesn't read print anymore. If it ain't online, they ain't readin'. Trying to reach this generation might be as hopeless an endeavor as trying to get my generation to convert solely to e-readers, smart phones, and iPads. Oh, I've got a Kindle and an iPhone. But I'll never use them for my news. Never.
I love newspapers. Always have. My affair with print started in 1967 when I was 9-years old and with my folks visiting Aunt Amelia and Uncle Frank in San Francisco one weekend. I was bored. Oh God, so bored. Theirs was not a kid-friendly house, and it was cold outside. And foggy. No yard to play in, no toys, no other kids. Bored bored bored.
And so, when I came across their Sunday San Francisco Examiner/Chronicle, I started reading it out of sheer desperation. Anything to kill time. But my interest in the paper suddenly spiked when I came across a photo of actor Tommy Steele in the entertainment section. Helloooo! I had just seen his new movie, Half a Sixpence, a few weeks earlier and had an enormous crush on the British singer/actor.
I must have been the only 9-year old in history to ever ask her parents for a subscription to the San Francisco Examiner. I got it and have never stopped reading. Even when I moved to Utah for a couple years, I continued my subscription to the weekend Examiner/Chronicle, although it would arrive three days later. No matter where I lived, no local rag could ever replace my beloved hometown newspaper.
Yes, I love print. The smell of the ink, the tactile feel of the paper, the peripheral news elsewhere on the page that catches my eye--maybe a word or a picture--and so I find myself reading an article or blurb that I had no intention of reading and as a result, I learn something new. It just doesn't work that way online. Sigh....
But Back to Pet Tales
My main regret is losing this voice for the rescue community. It's been extremely rewarding to spotlight the joys of animal companionship and share the many wonderful resources we have throughout the Bay Area. From bunnies and birds to chihuahuas and pit bulls, there's a rescue group for that one particular person looking for that one particular pet. Plus, I've met so many wonderful people, like-minded folk who love the creatures that share their lives.
But the good news is, I've been asked to write a pet "lifestyle" column in the 96 Hours section of the Chronicle, addressing trends, events, and quirky topics that appeal to pet owners. It'll be different, but fun and I'm looking forward to discovering what's out there. Because really, I don't get out much...what IS out there? I need readers to share their favorite pet tips and ideas with me.
Thanks for reading Pet Tales all these years. I hope you'll follow me over to 96 Hours for the new column, which is yet to be named. I had suggested "Heavy Petting" which a few editors liked, but the Powers That Be nixed that one. Oh well.
Can't win 'em all.
7 comments:
Waaaahhhhh!!!! I read this last week and was HEARTBROKEN. I've been a Chron and back in the day an Examiner subscriber since I got my first apartment after college in 1983. As an animal loving 52 year old Pet Tales was my favorite part of the week and made the Wednesday paper my favorite! Keep on fighting the good fight. I'll follow you to 96 hours obvi and keep up with your blog but damn the Powers that Be for biting the hand that feeds them ;)
I'm with Adriana and am so sad that the Chron will no longer carry the Pet Tales column. Yes, I'll look forward to your new column (which should be WEEKLY) but Pet Tales is my favorite feature of the Chron as I knew I would read a heart warming tale and get a warm and fuzzy feeling all day. Yes, I am in the older demographic that still reads an actual newspaper, but I like being able to put it aside and read when I'm ready. Although I have an IPad and Kindle, I don't like to catch up on articles that way (especially long form) and thus fewer eyeballs/less revenue for someone. Plus I read that the Chron increased its delivery rates as its share of revenue from subscriptions is rising versus the share from advertising. As the Chron continues to reassess what works, I'm hoping that they know how valuable you are to its readers. Thank you for Pet Tales and here's to your new column!
Oh no!! I'm also heartbroken at the loss of this great column. I was referred to your column years ago from a friend when I adopted my first greyhound, I now have 3 and felt an immediate kinship. I will of course continue to read your new column and your blog, but darn I feel as though us oldsters are becoming invisible to the powers that be!
Oh NO! I love your column, love the newspaper (SF of course) and have had a subscription to a PAPER paper since I was 19 years old. Once I moved out of my parents' home, I *had* to have a newspaper to read. Sometimes 2 or 3. In print. Living away from SF I pay the extra cost to have it delivered daily. I'll sift through the separated papers after my young son to find your column.
I'm so sorry.
One of my joys and delight. Severely cut to market research and tight budgets.
Yet another valuable thing removed from the paper in the name of "market research." Pet Tales was one of my absolute favorite things in the Chron, as it was for several people I know. It was a wonderful column!
But the modern corporate world does not value moving stories about people and animals enriching each others' lives. How unhip. The bean counters want trends! Things that sell ads!
I don't mean to disparage your new column, which I will indeed read and wish you the best of luck with. You are a wonderful writer and a great advocate in the animal world. Anything you are involved with I'll be happy to read. But I do find this news about the axing of Pet Tales distasteful and depressing.
I cannot believe there are not at least 5,000 comments regarding the loss of Pet Tales in the SF Chronicle! Your column was the best thing in the Wednesday paper. I have tried calling and emailing the editors of the paper. The decision to eliminate one of the most unique and interesting columns is truly disturbing. I wish you the best and look forward to reading your articles and blog.
The Chron is crazy - Pet Tales was one of the very few reasons I take the paper at all. (When they reduced the quality of the plastic bag containing the paper, making it unusable for picking up dog poop, I thought that might be the end of our relationship too. But I hang on, at least for now.) Ah well - will look for you in 96 Hours.
Many thanks for hours of good reading over the years
Joy (Little Bit's mom)
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