Au Revoir: The Bark Ceases Print Publication


With a heavy heart, I must tell you that, after 23 years, we are ceasing publication of the print version of The Bark. Issue #100, the upcoming Spring 2020 edition is the last of its long line.(We will continue to publish online here at thebark.com.)

There are oh-so-many reasons for this decision. In the last decade, many corporate-owned magazines have folded or migrated to digital-only following precipitous declines in both readership and advertising. As an indie magazine, we have found this larger trend to be insurmountable. We simply don’t have the resources to continue.

The hard reality is that magazines are chiefly financed by advertising, which has become increasingly difficult to obtain. We’ve been able to hang on this long thanks to wonderful advertisers—many of whom are small businesses themselves—who have stuck with us for years (be sure to give them your support). But the likes of Google, Facebook and others have so radically altered the advertising landscape that there is simply no longer a place for small, indie voices (no matter how often and loudly we bark out!).

GET THE BARK IN YOUR INBOX!

Sign up for our newsletter and stay in the know.

There are other reasons as well, some of which I have detailed in previous Editor’s Notes. Every aspect of magazine production has changed, from the number of printers (fewer) to the consolidation of distributors. All have had an impact on expenses (and yes, politically motivated trade wars are partly to blame as well). Printing, postage, the price of paper, even the price of ink have increased by double digits.

Adding insult to injury, newsstand sales have tanked nationwide. It started when Amazon put a stranglehold on many bookstores (the traditional marketplace for magazines), and has spread to other outlets, including grocery stores. Heck, even the ways people buy groceries have had a negative effect on us; delivery services such as Prime, FreshDirect and Instacart don’t deliver magazines. Traditionally, The Bark sold well from register racks, but fewer people are physically going into stores, and many of those who do are peering at their phones instead of looking at the magazines on display—a double whammy for sales.

We have also had to contend with a declining subscriber base. We do thank and appreciate our subscribers, who still prefer reading printed publications. In the bigger picture, however, people are spending more time online, where they find a deluge of free content that satisfies their informational and entertainment needs. Plus, it truly is the greener option; all of us need to be concerned with the ways our personal preferences, including how we read about dogs, affect the sustainability of our planet.

Then, on a personal note, I have been working on The Bark in what seems like 24/7 mode since I co-founded it 23 years ago, with nary a break. Almost a third of my life has been devoted to my print “baby,” and while it has been an exceedingly fulfilling endeavor, I’ve been told by my doctors that it has contributed to a decline in my health. I don’t know if, like this issue, I’ll reach the century mark, but I do know it’s time for me to bow out. Trust me, this was an exceedingly difficult and poignant decision to make.

We’re at “what happens next?” For those whose subscription ends with issue 100, that it will be it. Those whose subscriptions go into the future will be hearing from Belvoir Media Group, who will be sending the magazine, Dogster to complete your subscriptions. No, it’s not the same, but we’re happy that the Belvoir folks are helping us fulfill our obligation to you. Your first issue from them will arrive in the near future. While their magazine takes a different approach, they are also rich with useful and timely information for dog lovers.

To all of you who are reading this now, we want to extend our most sincere thanks. It is because of you that we were able to keep publishing for more than two decades—a lot longer than industry experts thought possible. We loved hearing from you, and your enthusiasm for our mission; it touched us deeply. We hope you don’t forget us, and that you check us out online often.

Thebark.com is doing well, but with your regular digital “drop-ins,” it will do better. We maintain a very robust archive of articles and are always adding new content. Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletters as well. We are, as always, open to your comments and questions. Visit us on Facebook, too.

So, that’s it, my friends. I do hope you cherish and enjoy our final issue #100 as much as we enjoyed being able to deliver it, and the previous 99, to you.



Source link

38 thoughts on “Au Revoir: The Bark Ceases Print Publication

  • July 19, 2023 at 3:22 am
    Permalink

    Hey! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone 4!
    Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts!
    Keep up the superb work!

  • July 19, 2023 at 3:31 am
    Permalink

    Having read this I thought it was rather enlightening. I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worthwhile!

  • August 19, 2023 at 1:19 am
    Permalink

    Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the net the simplest thing to be aware
    of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people consider
    worries that they plainly don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well
    as defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people
    can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more.
    Thanks

  • August 26, 2023 at 7:42 pm
    Permalink

    Definitely consider that that you said. Your favourite justification seemed to be at the
    web the easiest thing to have in mind of. I say to
    you, I certainly get annoyed at the same time as folks consider
    worries that they just don’t understand about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the entire thing without having side
    effect , folks can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more.
    Thanks

  • August 29, 2023 at 2:25 am
    Permalink

    Spot on with this write-up, I really think this amazing site needs a lot more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read more,
    thanks for the advice!

  • August 29, 2023 at 3:14 am
    Permalink

    I’m amazed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is something too few men and women are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy I came across this in my search for something concerning this.

  • August 29, 2023 at 4:11 pm
    Permalink

    Just want to say your article is as astounding. The clarity in your post is just cool and i can assume you are
    an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your
    feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please
    continue the gratifying work.

  • August 29, 2023 at 4:35 pm
    Permalink

    Excellent post. I certainly appreciate this site. Stick with it!

  • August 29, 2023 at 9:46 pm
    Permalink

    Hi there mates, how is everything, and what you wish for to say about this post,
    in my view its truly remarkable for me.

  • August 29, 2023 at 9:50 pm
    Permalink

    Hey There. I found your weblog the usage of msn. This is an extremely neatly written article.

    I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to learn extra of your helpful information. Thank
    you for the post. I will certainly return.

  • August 29, 2023 at 9:56 pm
    Permalink

    Wonderful post! We will be linking to this great content on our site.
    Keep up the great writing.

  • August 29, 2023 at 11:47 pm
    Permalink

    I like the valuable info you supply for your articles. I’ll bookmark your blog and check once more right here regularly.
    I’m reasonably sure I’ll learn a lot of new stuff proper right here!

    Best of luck for the following!

  • August 30, 2023 at 12:04 am
    Permalink

    I got this web page from my friend who informed me on the topic of this site and now this
    time I am visiting this web site and reading very informative content at this place.

  • August 30, 2023 at 12:09 am
    Permalink

    At this time I am ready to do my breakfast, once having my breakfast coming over again to
    read more news.

  • August 30, 2023 at 2:30 am
    Permalink

    Hey there! I know this is kinda off topic however
    , I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or
    maybe guest writing a blog post or vice-versa? My website goes over a lot of the same subjects as
    yours and I think we could greatly benefit from each other.

    If you might be interested feel free to shoot me an e-mail.
    I look forward to hearing from you! Wonderful blog by
    the way!

  • August 30, 2023 at 2:39 am
    Permalink

    Very rapidly this website will be famous amid all blogging people, due to it’s fastidious posts

  • August 30, 2023 at 3:03 am
    Permalink

    I have been surfing on-line more than three hours these
    days, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
    It’s beautiful worth enough for me. In my view, if all web owners and bloggers made excellent content
    as you probably did, the internet will probably be a lot more helpful than ever before.

  • August 30, 2023 at 4:24 am
    Permalink

    These are genuinely wonderful ideas in regarding blogging.
    You have touched some nice factors here. Any way keep up wrinting.

  • August 30, 2023 at 7:27 pm
    Permalink

    What’s up everyone, it’s my first pay a visit at this web page,
    and piece of writing is genuinely fruitful in support
    of me, keep up posting these types of articles or reviews.

  • August 31, 2023 at 2:35 am
    Permalink

    Great article. I will be dealing with a few of these issues as well..

  • October 6, 2023 at 4:03 am
    Permalink

    Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest
    twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like
    this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this.
    Please let me know if you run into anything.
    I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.

  • October 8, 2023 at 1:28 pm
    Permalink

    If player B’s penalty expires although player A is still in the box, player A is eligible to leave the penalty
    box.

  • October 9, 2023 at 10:51 pm
    Permalink

    hello!,I like your writing very so much! proportion we keep in touch
    extra about your article on AOL? I require an expert in this house to
    solve my problem. May be that is you! Having a look ahead to see you.

  • October 10, 2023 at 2:39 pm
    Permalink

    Wow! This blog looks exactly like my old
    one! It’s on a completely different subject but it
    has pretty much the same page layout and design. Wonderful choice of colors!

  • October 10, 2023 at 2:42 pm
    Permalink

    You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be really
    something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very
    broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next
    post, I will try to get the hang of it!

  • October 10, 2023 at 2:43 pm
    Permalink

    Hi just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the
    images aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.
    I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same results.

  • October 14, 2023 at 7:01 am
    Permalink

    Hey there, I think your site might be having browser
    compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Firefox,
    it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it
    has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
    Other then that, awesome blog!

  • October 14, 2023 at 7:05 am
    Permalink

    I’ve read some excellent stuff here. Certainly price bookmarking for revisiting.
    I wonder how much effort you put to create any such magnificent informative site.

  • October 14, 2023 at 7:06 am
    Permalink

    Wow! In the end I got a webpage from where I be capable
    of actually obtain useful data concerning my study and knowledge.

  • October 14, 2023 at 7:07 am
    Permalink

    This design is steller! You most certainly know how to keep a
    reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start
    my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job.

    I really loved what you had to say, and more
    than that, how you presented it. Too cool!

  • October 14, 2023 at 7:08 am
    Permalink

    Thank you for every other magnificent article.
    Where else may anybody get that type of information in such an ideal method of
    writing? I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I am on the
    look for such information.

  • October 14, 2023 at 7:15 am
    Permalink

    I like the valuable information you provide in your articles.
    I will bookmark your blog and check again here regularly.
    I’m quite sure I’ll learn many new stuff right here!
    Good luck for the next!

  • October 14, 2023 at 7:16 am
    Permalink

    Hello everyone, it’s my first pay a quick visit at this website, and paragraph is actually fruitful in favor of me, keep up posting these types of articles or reviews.

  • October 14, 2023 at 7:18 am
    Permalink

    Excellent goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you are just too magnificent.
    I actually like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you
    are saying and the way in which you say it. You make it
    entertaining and you still take care of to keep it
    wise. I cant wait to read much more from you.

    This is really a terrific site.

  • October 14, 2023 at 7:20 am
    Permalink

    Outstanding post however , I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this subject?
    I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further.
    Thank you!

  • October 14, 2023 at 7:20 am
    Permalink

    Thanks for finally talking about > Au Revoir: The Bark Ceases Print Publication – ruffeodrive < Liked it!

  • October 14, 2023 at 7:25 am
    Permalink

    This post will help the internet people for setting up new website or even a blog from start
    to end.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.