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Has Facebook Gone to the Dogs - Literally?

People now have Facebook pages for their dogs? Is that too much?

When Facebook first crept onto the scene in 2004, it slowly earned 1 million users, but that grew incredibly in the eight years that followed. According to a story in Yahoo Finance this week, it now has 955 million users in any given month, an increase of 29 percent more than just a year ago.

But recently a new trend has emerged that, considering the number of pet owners worldwide, could increase that number exponentially. Facebook users have begun setting up Facebook pages, just for their dogs.

Tell us what you think about this, a naturally progression or has Facebook finally gone to the dogs? Are you ready to have Fido's daily activities coming through your Facebook feed?

Edward September 15, 2012 at 02:39 pm
Its a social media tool doing exactly what it was intended for. Fortunately Facebook users can manage the type of feeds they want to receive, or not. I personally have never been on Facebook and probably never will, I prefer texting / calling.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) September 15, 2012 at 02:44 pm
Since it looks like I found a home for a feral cat from my backyard on Facebook even before I had time to post her on Patch, I'm not one to knock feline-friendly version of Facebook right now. If it's gone to the dogs - or cats - I'm cool with that!
Gail Moore September 15, 2012 at 03:42 pm
I confess that I follow the adventures of Buttermilk Sky, a goat. https://www.facebook.com/buttermilkgoat
Edward September 15, 2012 at 06:39 pm
No way, a goat? Now I'm interested in what else happens on Facebook. It remains a place where people share personal / social type information. Its also a place were some people over compensate for their limited inter personal and people skills and divulge a bit too much of themselves. My biggest worry has always been with Google types indexing web based data, how much info is too much when you can now link location type GPS coordinates to personally identifiable info e.g. Name, home / work address, phone #s, email etc. Its only a matter of time before traffic cameras are fitted with web tools that can pin point a persons location based on the collective compilation of their personal data. With the number of vulnerabilities our federal agencies info tech systems have and knowing now that your SSN, IRS, banking, DMV and medical data is linked, in the wrong hands it could quickly become a doomsday scenario for a victim. I'm an information security engineer, its a never ending war against both domestic and global threats.
Gail Moore September 15, 2012 at 06:43 pm
A goat! Really!
As for information overload ... there is no need to fear "big brother" as we have actually invited him in and shared our lives with the whole world. Checking in on Four Square, live Twitter updates with our every move and mood, GPS tracking so we know where we are ... I totally love Social Media, but as a society, we've given up our right to privacy and announced on the world wide web. That being said, you can generally find photos of my dog on FB, but until she grows those opposable thumbs required for the space bar, she's not likely to have me updating her Facebook page!
Valerie Pegg September 16, 2012 at 10:32 am
FB is great for finding homes for pets in need, and for cross posting pets in high kill shelters who need exposure in order to be saved. I think I have way more pics of my pets and foster pets and furry clients than my own nieces and nephews! I don't have any actual pages made for my pets, but whatever floats your boat!
lynchsales September 16, 2012 at 11:28 am
I took in a cat I named Luna. She had been declawed and was wondering around our neighborhood. Because she had no claws I brought her in our home, put signs out, etc. After about a week I posted on Facebook that she needed a home and within an hour a family looking for a cat emailed me. I met them at Discover Mills and the rest is history. Although we really can't take in any more pets permanently, we do a rescue if needed. Facebook is a great way to find them quality homes.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) September 16, 2012 at 11:54 am
Well, I almost found a home for the feral cat from my neighborhood, but although she looks a little like a Bengal, I don't believe she is so it fell though. She will be going up on Patch after all, but Facebook nearly helped me find her a home.
Bd Cat September 16, 2012 at 01:13 pm
What"to the dogs", I thought only cats were allowed!! now, I am Mad!!
Racer X September 16, 2012 at 01:34 pm
Alert- Kidnapped Athens child.
Sharon- A buddy of mine's 12 year old step-son who lives in Athens was kidnapped by his biological father two and a half months ago while the son was visiting him in Kennesaw. The biological father is from the Czech Republic and took him there before disappearing in the Canary Islands with him. The boy's mother and step-dad are worried sick and need help. Do you think Oconee or Athens Patch could do a story on this? If Facebook ever had a good use I would think finding a kidnapped child would be it. Here is a link to the link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kevin-A-Viskup/152111584925665
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) September 16, 2012 at 01:37 pm
Mike, I will pass that information on to them.
Athens Area Humane Society September 16, 2012 at 05:28 pm
Just a quick note--a feral cat is one that has lived on its own to the point where cannot be handled by humans, so be sure to refer to it as a stray if you're looking for a home for it (otherwise people may get the impression that it cannot transition to a pet in a home).
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) September 16, 2012 at 05:46 pm
I will do, thanks for the correction. Its mother and the other one from the litter are definitely too wild, but for some reason this one isn't - not sure why. I have another one that I brought inside from the same mother and I would never try and find him another home. He has been inside for two years and still hides for hours when he hears another voice in the house. Do you know why one cat from a feral mother would assimilate into human society so easily? I trapped her on Wednesday, had her fixed on Thursday and by Friday night she was content to get up on my bed and sleep. I had been feeding her, the mother and other cat outside for about six weeks so I know she didn't come from another home.

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David Binder June 20, 2013 at 12:32 am
I have a coworker that wants your fridge. Please email me or leave a number where she can call youRead More & I'll hook y'all up.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 19, 2013 at 09:16 am
David, it's still there we are just in the process of working out the bug on uploading photos toRead More articles that we authored (ugh!). I just didn't want to promote it and have people try and upload photos unsuccessfully. Depending on how long it takes to address this issue, I may keep June open through part of July - I hope not. If you have any photos you want to add, email them to me and I will upload them for you in the meantime.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 19, 2013 at 09:19 am
That is the strawberry fields. I have a picture of the strawberry fields between the welcome toRead More Loganville and welcome to Grayson signs that I will get up soon.
EMILY GOLDSTEIN June 18, 2013 at 09:49 pm
Rabies tag on dog leads to a disconnected owners number
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 06:11 pm
Yea, sorry David. We are still dealing with some "issues." It rejected Jason's blog, andRead More none of us, not even our top regional editor, is being given authority to release it. Poor Jason, I know he so hates being rejected! And we hate it happening to him. The people not being "bugged" by technical issues, however, are reporting that it is super easy to use.
TheSkalawag June 19, 2013 at 08:10 am
I wonder. Will Patch restore the reply button and add a responded to your comment notification?
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 19, 2013 at 09:21 am
Please keep these comments coming. We are forwarding all these issues to our production team. TheRead More ones that are most pressing are more likely to be addressed first. Once we have the initial roll out completed and working well, the tweaking will begin.
Dave June 19, 2013 at 07:28 pm
I'm just reporting the news, Skal. I don't know the reasons although I could speculate. Just keepRead More your head down and don't answer the door.
TheSkalawag June 19, 2013 at 07:43 pm
Okay Dave ;-) Whatever you say:-) :-)
Good Grief Y'all June 19, 2013 at 07:47 pm
Scawwy stuff.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 03:05 pm
Tom, I will see if I can find the connection.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 05:51 pm
Good news! Her name is Izzi and she has been reunited with her owners.
Tom Laverick June 18, 2013 at 09:42 pm
Great News!!!!
TheSkalawag June 19, 2013 at 07:55 pm
There's one in particular GGY.
R++ One of the Famous Dacula Crew June 20, 2013 at 12:27 am
Put it all the questions on the Census...
TheSkalawag June 20, 2013 at 02:28 am
R++ "Put it all the questions on the Census..."Read More What does this mean?
TheSkalawag June 19, 2013 at 07:35 pm
I remember my Great Grandmother putting just enough coffee in a cup of milk to color the milk and weRead More would sit and have our "morning coffee" together before we went to the farmer's market on Saturdays or before we went to church on Sundays. Those were some of my most cherished times in my life.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 19, 2013 at 07:58 pm
So glad you have found your voice again Skalawag!
TheSkalawag June 19, 2013 at 08:12 pm
Me too. Couldn't have done it without you and your great IT team. Thank you Sharon.
Tammy Osier June 17, 2013 at 01:53 pm
DR, seems like an oxymoron doesn't it? I'd like to hear from someone who is actually from there toRead More find out their spin on why they even enter a contestant in the first place. It's my understanding that a woman that shows that much skin in public will be flogged or worse? Maybe democracy is taking ahold in some places, who knows?
Good Grief Y'all June 17, 2013 at 03:24 pm
I was wrong. Guys are interested pageants. You would no doubt be happy if the contestants justRead More wore the face shawl with their bikinis.
Karsten Torch June 17, 2013 at 04:30 pm
Couple of thoughts - One, why hold it in a land where there is going to be this kind of protest?Read More Just move it and don't worry about it. Other, I find it interesting how the Muslims want us to be understanding and inclusive of their beliefs, but don't even think they'll allow anything they don't agree with. Just a tad bit hypocritical...
R++ One of the Famous Dacula Crew June 14, 2013 at 02:06 am
You mean the FEES don't you? Cause they aint taxes don't you know...
Bonnie June 14, 2013 at 11:50 am
I call it a "rainbow!"
M.K. Osborne June 14, 2013 at 03:30 pm
Fees is when its lightning too .