The Joy of the Game - Super Dog Sunday Part I

~~Pixel's Official Contest Photos Blog Post ~~

It is Super Bowl Sunday here in the U.S. But for dogs and pet bloggers all over the internet, it is SUPER DOG SUNDAY! This specific post is part of a very fun Blog Hop where pet blogs post their most fun football pet photos to share. One cannot help but be excited that there is a contest with prizes awarded by our Fantastic Hosts: ALL THINGS DOG BLOG & DOG TIPPER, but all of this fun is really about supporting the PET FINDER FOUNDATION, who works with shelters, rescue organizations and animal welfare organizations across the country to help ensure that no adoptable pet is euthanized for lack of a good home. 

I have two very special football photos to share...  

The first one is of myself. The football was supplied by our two hosts a few weeks ago. I have been practicing my best football plays, and Mommy caught the action on camera. Here I am, running as I carry the ball I caught moments before into the 'end zone.' Can you see the dirt & stuff flying up from my paws and my ears flapping as I run? What a fun day it was! You can catch all the cool Pixel football action with lots and lots of photos at this blog link . 

This second very special photo is of a superstar named Flurry. Isn't she beautiful? She is a giant schnauzer mix and lives in Texas at the Pasadena Animal Rescue & Assistance shelter. She has the sweetest face, eyes and smile...and she needs a forever home really badly. I can tell she will be lots of fun to play with and cuddle. 

I had fun using Image Chef software to give her the superstar display she deserves. I wish I could be friends with her! Why don't you go see her on her Pet Finder's page? Please help her find her forever, loving home, just like I did. 

Click HERE to see ALL the amazing Pixel football action photos. They are very fun and full of good plays, if I do say so myself. Love you all! Pixel

The Joy of Being Lighthearted in Life

I think I might be a rock star...
Mommy says that my first record album cover is going to be the funny, highly stylized image to the right. Never mind the fact that I don't have a band, a record deal, or that the record itself (based on this image) would be oddly shaped in a long rectangle! Obviously, my Mommy really knows how to be lighthearted and silly, a very valuable lesson that she started teaching me from way early on. (Evidently, my Mommy also likes to play with photos of me on her computer, but that is beside the point.)

 Mommy made these funny 'Motivational' posters to illustrate the point of taking most any situation and finding the lighthearted side of it. I have had many a time that I was scared, sad, sick or just feeling down and Mommy will scoop me up and give me a hug, take me outside for a bit of playtime, or bring me my favorite treat to put a little romp in my step. I guess it has rubbed off, because I have done the same for her. She has had times when she was frustrated, feeling down, or having a difficult time with something, and I will bring her a toy to play with, do a little dance like only a Pixel can do, or just go up and cuddle with her.

And, as is overwhelmingly evident, I let her take photos of me no matter what silly situation I get myself into. Mommy says to find the positive in a situation, whenever possible, and it will help you find perspective. Sometimes that is easier said than done when the evil lawnmower is coming to get you, but I think I get the point!

Now, sometimes life can be tough, and there will always be those times when lighthearted is just not going to happen, and annoyance sometimes ensues, but we do our best. That is why having family and friends can be so helpful and wonderful. I have the most awesome dog/human pack ever and they get me through those times until I can be lighthearted again. See, even a Pixel Mixel can have a bad day...

Success at being lighthearted in life is an ongoing process, but I think it is a mindset I choose to live by. After all, I AM a blogging mini schnauzer...how much more lighthearted can you be?? I suppose my steps to lighthearted success would be to:
1. Find joy in the little things, like rawhide, a cuddly soft blanket, snow falling and paper towel rolls.
2. Practice 'Random Acts of Kindness' - Look for ways to be kind and do for others, no matter how you feel, and do it whenever you can.
3. Laugh at yourself. Take funny photos.
4. Play. Just do it!
5. Volunteer...at a dog shelter, at a people shelter, at a retirement home, at a hospital. Remember, lightheartedness can be catching...
Now, about my rock star status....would you buy the album if I did make one?