Before you make your first post or have just made a first post - Please read!
 

You are probably terrified at this point. You dont know anyone and they dont know you. You have probably lurked for a few days, weeks or months. Its probably taken you all your strength and bravery to make your first post and then it all comes flooding out. Your mind may be fit to explode. There may be a thousand thoughts whirling around and you just need to get it all out. So you decide to write:

You may then wonder why no one replies, why some get replies and you dont? You may feel rejected or neglected. You may end up feeling even more of a lost cause because no one can answer your problems. You may think what the hell is the point and no one cares?

Firstly let me tell you that WE DO CARE! However, in order to get the best out of the Vets Support Forum there are a few things you can do!!!

1. We dont know you or your history! Its REALLY hard to know what to say or how to say it if we have no idea about you. So if you are gonna make a post then a little background REALLY helps!! Make an intro in the General Vet section. Tell us a little of yourself. Reply to others threads too. Its a GREAT way to get known. Read THIS

2. Try and figure out what it is you are asking for rather than just blurting it all out. Believe me i know how hard this can be. However, sometimes we can just write a load of "stuff" and to the outsider it can be really hard to decipher! If you want to just let off steam then tell us. If you are asking for what to say to a partner then say so. If you are asking for what actions to take then do that. It really does make it easier for us to give you an answer!!

3. Be aware that this board is slow moving!! We are a tiny board on a big website. Being older we are in the minority. It takes time for people to read and reply.

4. Also be aware there are many who have been members here for a long time. We know each others histories and stories. Its easier for us to answer our friends than newcommers sometimes! It takes time and eventually we will get to know you and think of you as a friend too :))

5. Finally dont forget that others are probably struggling too! its a support site and people WILL reply but only when they are in the right state of mind to do so. Its hard to reply when hightly triggered or down. So just be aware and also read THIS


Everyone is welcome in Vets..there are strong friendships and bonds formed. Help us to help you and then become part of our little family too!!!

Thanks

Matthew xxx

Thanks for posting this Matthew :)

Thanks for posting this!

Matthew, you're awesome for posting this. :thumbup:

bumpage

Thanks for posting this - it has encouraged me to be less of a lurker and more of a participant, so it has worked!

dont worry we were all lurkers once!! I lurked for 4-5 months before i first posted and then i couldnt shut up :P

Thanks for this :)

Me too. Thanks!

:cool: :cool: :cool:

Thanks for posting. :) It will hopefully help some newcomers. Maybe this should be stickied??

I agree it should be stickied... in my opinion...

le bimp

Bumpity bump

Thanks for bumping, this is such a good thread.

last bump

bah i lied. bump again :P

lol ^

good thread :)

i agree it should be stickied. i lurked for, like, 4 years lol until it changed from ruin and i got brave :p

sneaky bump

thanks for this =] ^_^