A Note from Janice Brown, Founder

I remember how excited I was a few years ago. Experienced publishers told me that if the magazine survived the twoyear mark that, much like a restaurant, it was a good sign that we’d be around for a while. And now, here it is, our fi fth anniversary. With more than 30 issues under our belt, we have seen a lot of growth and change in the animal community, both nationally and locally.

Sometimes (non pet-people) tell me that they can’t believe that we’re able to continuously come up with new information, products, and stories to fill our pages. However, it comes as no surprise to me considering that the pet industry is currently a $36 billion a year industry, bigger than the toy and remodeling markets. In fact, we always end up cutting items due to lack of space, despite the fact that we keep adding pages to the magazine.

As a person who has a history of starting projects with much enthusiasm and energy, and then quickly losing interest after the initial thrill is gone, I now realize that it all comes down to heart. Being excited helps, but when you fi nd the thing that truly motivates you and speaks to your passion, that’s when it gets good.

It’s impossible to get bored working here. My innate desire to see animals get rescued and adopted, and fi nd the loving homes they deserve, drives everything we do. To have such a committed, hard-working staff who love their jobs and impact so many other people and pets is a joy. Although I’ve never worked harder in my life, I have to say, it rarely feels like work.

The holiday season offers a time to refl ect on the past, think about the future, and focus on the present. Spending time with family, traveling, taking time off of work, and generally slowing down usually comes with the territory, but I’d also like to take this opportunity to say thanks to all of YOU. The magazine continues to be a collaborative effort, supported by our readers, our advertisers, and the businesses that help spread the word by allowing the magazine to be distributed at their locations. It is an honor to provide the resources and information that we do to such a supportive and caring community. We appreciate all of the hard work and dedication that all of the animal-lovers show throughout the year, and we couldn’t continue to grow and thrive without you.

We all deserve to take some time to enjoy the upcoming festivities. My friends and family know that I get very excited the day after Thanksgiving, not to shop, but because of a local radio station that plays holiday music 24/7 until Christmas Day! Nothing puts me more in the mood than listening to songs about Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

The holidays can conjure up happy times for some, and saddness for others. But I believe that we need to focus on the good things, especially since we’ve collectively all been through a lot this year. So kick back with your pets, your family, good friends, and of course some yummy food, and celebrate.

Wishing you all the best this season. May it be a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year–

Janice Brown
jb@ChicagolandTails.com