Wrapping Up 2024: Thank You!

It’s the end of the year, and time to look back and do some reflection. The picture at the top of this post is an old one, from 2017, and shows Riley the Chihuahua doing some brilliant work in an UKC vehicle search. Riley searched with the big dogs back then, and often beat them in the placements. I lost him to cancer a few days ago, and this picture is in honor of the huge impact he had on my life. He taught me everything I know about vehicle searches, and by extension, he also taught my students.

It has been a fairly productive year on the blog. Last January I made a commitment to post twice a month, and reviewing my stats, I can see that I almost reached that goal.

I also had a goal of 1000 subscribers by the end of 2024, and I am just shy of that goal: as of today, I have 983 subscribers. Thank you all for signing up!

And according to WordPress, people have not just subscribed, but also read a lot. Here are the stats:

My most popular post remains Making the Buried Element Easier. It was published over two years ago, and is still highly read, with over 11,000 views. It is perhaps, a testament to how much we all struggle with this element. I am still working on ways to improve in buried and will probably continue to write about it.

Thank you ALL, for reading and commenting. I enjoy writing the posts and sharing what I am learning, but I also love to hear that I have helped other people along the way.

I recently reorganized the blog so that now there are categories and you can navigate to read all of the posts on a topic (like buried) so if haven’t been to the site recently, click on over and take a look.

What will 2025 bring? More posts of course! Among other things. Yeti and I are scheduled to work on our Detective title (which I am sure will be a wild ride) and I just bought myself a new smoke machine to teach myself more about how odor moves.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!

19 responses to “Wrapping Up 2024: Thank You!”

  1. expertgreat3a57c2bb20 Avatar
    expertgreat3a57c2bb20

    Thank you so much for sharing and helping us on our searches. I love your posts

    Like

  2. cteff1 Avatar
    cteff1

    Thank you!! I am learning so much from your posts!!  and I’m so sorry for your loss….Riley sounds like he was a wonderful pup.Cathy & Siri

    Like

  3. goldpup55 Avatar
    goldpup55

    I’m so sorry about your loss.  It’s never easy.  They leave huge paw prints

    Like

  4. diggerb3b19742b3 Avatar
    diggerb3b19742b3

    Look forward to your greatly appreciated posts always!!

    Like

    1. Kerstin Ferguson Avatar
      Kerstin Ferguson

      Thank you for writing about all your experiences and sharing your knowledge with the rest of us, I save all your blogs and look back at some when needed,

      Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2025

      thank you

      Kerstin

      Like

      1. ellenheavner Avatar

        Thank you so much!

        Like

      2. Kerstin Ferguson Avatar
        Kerstin Ferguson

        I am very sorry for your loss, Riley I am sure had a wonderful life with you

        Like

  5. stephenssandrasbcglobalnet Avatar
    stephenssandrasbcglobalnet

    Thank you, Ellen, for taking the time to write these posts each month. I learn something from each post and they make me think about Scent Work training and trialing in different ways. It means a lot when trainers and judges share experiences and skills that help us improve and grow in the sport. I’m sorry for the loss of your pup, Riley. Sounds like he was a special boy!!

    Like

  6. truelabrador Avatar

    Your column on What to Know About the Buried Element saved me for a Q in Excellent Buried. My partner traveled quite far out of the area, further than I would normally allow her, moving downhill. Then she turned and came back and found the 3rd hide. We titled that day! I never miss one of you columns. So very helpful.

    Thank you and Merry Christmas!

    Like

    1. ellenheavner Avatar

      so happy for you! thanks for letting me know!

      Like

  7. Rejeania Thily Avatar
    Rejeania Thily

    Thank you for posting this blog on scent work. It has helped me see that my dog was following the scent and not goofing around. I have learned to read my dog better. Still have a long way to go.

    Sorry to hear about Riley. I know you must have some wonderful stories about him.

    Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

    Sabra and I have decided to go to more classes and make the journey to Frisco. Hope to see you there.

    Rejeania and Sabra

    Like

  8. delightfulinstantly74d073ba77 Avatar
    delightfulinstantly74d073ba77

    Thank you so much Ellen for your advice and great posts. Heidi and I really appreciate all the tips you have shared with us. You have made a real difference for us. Now I will see if I can deliver for Heidi in our trials..
    So sorry for your loss of amazing Riley. What a great little guy. 🐾

    Like

  9. tracibrrradley Avatar
    tracibrrradley

    So sorry to hear of your loss. I too have lost my first scent dog. The one who taught me so much! The dog who loved the scent game so much! I loved it because he loved it! The sniffing continues on with his two little brothers, one in Detective, the other in masters.

    Like

    1. ellenheavner Avatar

      I am so sorry for your loss. Glad to hear that he has a legacy!

      Like

  10. patriciaroddy8846 Avatar
    patriciaroddy8846

    Your posts are well written and show great insight. Thank-you!

    Like

  11. dazzling868e31f07a Avatar
    dazzling868e31f07a

    I am very sorry about your loss of Riley. Please accept my condolences.

    Thank you for sharing your insights and information with us. I love reading your posts.

    Debra Haber, DNP, AGNP-C, FAWM, DiMM

    Like

    1. ellenheavner Avatar

      thank you so much. I am glad you are enjoying

      Like

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I’m Ellen

A Scent Work trainer, instructor, competitor, student, and judge. Welcome to Sniffing Around Scent Work, a blog where I write about my experiences, thoughts and musings on my favorite past time.