Regarding the Different Color Ads You are Seeing

[Adina P]

I realize NOBODY likes ads.  Whether on TV, radio, or websites.  They are annoying and there's always something MORE fun that could take their place.  It would be dreamy to not need them at all.  Believe me...I've resisted ads for a long time, but they are quickly becoming necessary--one of the things that allow us to continue to give you DoodleKisses.com

Doodle Kisses is my baby.  I care about this site and its members immensely. Probably too much.  It's what I wake up to in the morning and what I check last before I go to bed (as well as constantly through the day--even if just on my phone).  I want to do the best I can by you!  While I realize not everyone will be happy with each and every decision we make and we will get complaints, these complaints DO hurt ME personally. They really do.  I'm not so far removed as an admin that I can just slough it off because I like you and I want to see you happy with what we have created and maintain with love.

 

This is not to say nobody should complain.  Complaints give us important information.  But sometimes they aren't constructive and just feels like criticism of my baby.  Please send ME your complaints whenever possible. 

At this point managing a site with nearly 8,000 members and all that comes with it is more than a part time job.  Most of my free time is spent checking in and administering and making sure things are running smoothly.  I don't even participate in discussions half as much as I used to because there's not enough time in my day to do so.  I'm doing the BEST I can to make and keep DK an excellent place to be.  In the past few months I've started moderating membership so that we can keep out those annoying dreaded spammers.  It's not that any one thing is time consuming on its own, but it adds up through the day and with growing membership.  And this is with Clark's help as well.

There's no way to sustain my putting in this level of commitment to you without the site actually doing more than paying its monthly/annual fees.  It just isn't realistic to expect otherwise.  The new ads aren't saving me time or making my commitment to you any less.  But, YES, we are experimenting with new ways to display ads so DoodleKisses.com brings in more revenue -- what you see is pretty minimally invasive in my opinion.  It may or may not be a permanent change.  We have a lot of ideas for improvements but realize that every change can be really dangerous and make members feel intruded upon.  We really do try to tread carefully.

Every page that has one of the new colorful ads added, has had a different banner ad removed from the top of the page.  This actually moves the important content UP on the page.  The only difference is that it is a picture instead of a text ad.  Nobody has to click on the ads if they don't want to.  And the content isn't really much different than what is on the side of pages.  They are obvious ads, in my opinion, and aren't going to be misconstrued as 'DK suggestions'.  If something horribly inappropriate pops up, do let us know.

And please remember that 25% of all proceeds the site earns is donated to doodle and dog rescue.  So even if you really despise these things and vow to never click on them, at least remember that every time someone else clicks on one of the ads, doodle rescue will be earning some money too!  You might wonder "what rescues does DK support?"  Historically we have given to DRC, IDOG, and a local all-breed rescue near us.  We plan on giving to these three organizations and perhaps others again this year. 

Moving forward we will continue to look for ways to support Doodle Kisses and doodle rescue more.  In the next few weeks we are going to introduce a DoodleKisses/Amazon.com store that will allow you to make all your Amazon.com purchases in a way that supports DoodleKisses and doodle rescue.  It seems like a win-win to us.  You shop at Amazon anyways, now you can do it and support doodle rescue and DK at the same time.

I'm on YOUR side.  I am the most active user of this site.  I don't want to do ANYTHING that makes the site suck.  I started this site because I absolutely love doodles, not to be the next Bill Gates.  I feel that we have succeeded in creating the best doodle lovers' community available and we will constantly strive to improve it and keep you happy.  I realize this is one of two kinda noticeable appearance changes lately, but DoodleKisses.com is still the same place it's always been.  The same great doodle loving members, the same rules and standards as before. 

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Adina, I love DoodleKisses and you and Clark for creating it. I hope you didn't take any comments to heart, I feel that most were just wondering and probably assuming that the site has gotten to that stage for the necessity. It's something new and you know we all like things the same :o).

I hope nothing that was said "hurt" you, I am certain that was not anyone's intentions.

Wow, first the logo and now this, you are trying to get an awful lot done before the little one arrives, hope you can relax soon,

You guys are awesome and EVERYONE knows it! And we also know you LOVE this site.

Lisa and Daisy Doodle.

[Coco Chanel and Cheryl]

I love the new logo and the ads are no big deal! They are small and hardly take up any space. I have been on sites with far more annoying ads! Keep up the good work!

[Phoebe's Mom]

Not only do I love the site, but I appreciate the time and effort you take in responding to concerns, issue and 'regular posts.'  Thank you for taking the time to thoughtfully explain the changes and the necessity for the ads.  I think you are Clark are doing wonderful job!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Adina, you had me at "25% of the proceeds are donated to rescue".  My comment in my blog was only because I just couldn't figure out why the ad was popping up in the middle of my blog.  I thought I was doing something wrong or something was going "haywire" with my computer.  From my perspective, DRC is in critical need of funding because of the ever increasing influx of dogs that have to be placed....anything that can help in that regard is so worth it.  I can handle a little "distraction" to save more dogs.  Oh, and I clearly acknowledge all that you and Clark are doing to keep this site growing and improving. I love DK, and certainly want it to continue.   If I have a criticism it would only be that maybe you could have let us know about the change in advance.  That would have prevented me from thinking I was losing my mind...LOL.

[Sue & Willy Babe]

  Adina  I have always loved this site, and met many good doodle friends, I have no problems with the ads at all. If we didn't have you and Clark none of us would be able to talk about our Doods !  Thanks for all that you have done for this site !

 

    I am sorry you had not so pleasant comments, but rest assured Wilson and I appreciate all that you do!!! The logo is Wonderful, and so glad to hear that Doodle items will be on Amazon soon.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Adina, it's a beautiful warm sunny day and I just have to go out and play so I'll make this short. I appreciate all you do for DoodleKisses and it has to take up an enormous part of your time. So I don't mind the ads, they were a little distracting at first but I can get used to it. I just have one request, when you become as rich as Bill Gates can you charter a plane and fly us all somewhere for a giant doodle romp (just kidding). Here is what I really think, if you make some money or a lot of money, good for you, why shouldn't you, more doodles helped and something that you love that actually makes you a living, priceless. I have gained much valuable knowledge from DK and like to think I have become a better doodle mom because of it and for that I am grateful as I'm sure Quincy is too. So good luck, I for one will not be jumping ship.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Well said Donna, I agree completely.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Adina, I love what you represent and think you do an awesome job....Clark too. I did not say anything about the ads, but at first thought something was wrong with my computer. When I saw the comments, I was just happy to know it was not my computer :) The ads are no big deal to me and if it helps DK, I am in full support!! Let me know if I can personally help you in any way!!

[Jennifer Tramell]

So, I wasn't crazy thinking that there was something new on the pages :-)  They are annoying sometimes but it sounds like the benefits outweigh the slight annoyance.  Thanks for all your hard work - you'll get no complaints from me!

[Clint]

Ditto.

[Connie & Bocelli]

Adina, whatever it takes to keep this WONDERFUL site afloat is OKAY with me!!  Like you said, we don't have to click on the ads and they are a necessary evil to keep this forum going.

I can not even imagine the level of commitment that you and Clark have put into your 'baby, DK' and I am ETERNALLY grateful for all that you do.  I don't know where I would be or if I even would have gotten a Doodle had it not been for this forum and all the information and support that it has brought to me.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for Doodle Kisses.  I love it and love you and Clark for creating it.

Happy 4th!!

[Jennifer and Jack]

I am sorry for anyone who made a comment to you, I think you are doing a great job and anything that you can do to create a little revenue for Doodle.Kisses, for your own personal time put in and certainly for the Rescue dogs is awesome.

 

I actually already ordered the dang doggie camera... LOL it got me. It looks fun. Ad's on very popular blogs, websites etc is the way that people are doing things now.

 

I say Congratulations on being so popular that ad companies want to advertise with you. You are doing a great job.

 

Lets see how it goes, no worries. My only complaint is the more dog stuff I see, the more I buy.....

I love this site, it makes me feel a part of something and helps me connect to other people.

 

I am sad you got your feelings hurt. I can almost say for sure, no one meant to do that.