Editorial Policy
You’re reading a personal blog, but that doesn’t mean anything goes. I hold myself to a standard when I write, because your trust is the whole reason this site exists. Here’s how I create everything you read here.
Where My Content Comes From
Every post on this blog starts with real experience — mine, or (with permission) stories shared by readers and friends. I write about things I’ve actually done: products I’ve actually bought or been sent, routines I’ve actually followed, problems I’ve actually lived through with my own dogs.
I don’t write “top 10” lists padded with products I’ve never touched. If I haven’t tried it, I’ll tell you that plainly.
How I Research
Personal experience is the starting point, not the finish line. Before I publish anything that touches on health, nutrition, or supplements, I:
- Read what veterinarians and researchers have published on the topic
- Check ingredient lists and labels carefully
- Look at what other real owners are saying — the good and the bad
- Talk to my own vet about anything I’m unsure of
If the evidence behind something is weak or mixed, I say so. I’d rather be honest about uncertainty than confidently wrong.
How I Write About Products
When I review a product, I give it a fair trial — usually several weeks — and then I tell you:
- What I liked, honestly
- What I didn’t like, honestly
- Who I think it’s for, and who should probably skip it
- Whether I’d buy it again with my own money
That last question is my real test. If I wouldn’t repurchase it myself, I won’t pretend it’s great for you.
Use of AI Tools
Sometimes I use AI tools to help me organize my notes, fix my grammar, or get unstuck on a draft. But every post is my experience and my words, reviewed and approved by me before it goes live. AI doesn’t live with golden retrievers — I do — and I take full responsibility for everything published under my name.
Keeping Things Current
Dogs change, products change, and so does what I know. I go back and update older posts when something important changes — a reformulation, a new price, a lesson I’ve learned since. When I update a post, I note the date. If you spot something outdated, please tell me.
Independence
No brand directs what I write. I choose my own topics, I write my own verdicts, and I publish the unflattering stuff along with the praise. How the blog makes money is explained in my Disclosure — the short version is that funding supports the blog, it doesn’t steer it.
When I Get It Wrong
I’m human, and I’ll make mistakes sometimes. When I do, I fix them openly. My Corrections Policy explains how that works, and you can always reach me at hello@mygoldenretrieverlife.com.