The Joy of Being Recognized for Your Work - Pixel is Chosen as a BlogPaws 2016 "Nose to Nose Award" Finalist!

Have you heard the news?? I am incredibly excited to officially announce here today that one of my most important and compelling blog posts has been chosen as a finalist in the 2016 BlogPaws Nose to Nose Awards! My article "Pet Medications and Xylitol: What You Don't Know Could Kill Your Petnow Could Kill Your Pet" has been chosen as one of four finalists for "Best Written Pet Blog Post". I am so honored, humbled, thrilled, excited, and just amazed that I was chosen among hundreds of incredible pet bloggers that were nominated. This blog post is a very special one I wrote last year on the dangers of Xylitol poisoning for your pet. You'll find out in the blog post exactly how close this hits to home and why it is so important that every single pet parent know about the dangers.

I've worked hard with Mommy from the moment I told her I wanted to start a blog, loving every minute of our time working on it. Except for those late nights when I work alone, Mommy and I do every part of the blog together, creating story ideas, taking photos, documenting my silly and fun adventures, doing research to bring important information to my dear friends, and planning out and writing our more serious informational blog posts...it's always Mommy and me doing our best to present an entertaining and informative blog. 

Three years ago Mommy and I went to our first and only BlogPaws Conference and it changed our lives for the better. We made so many wonderful pet blogger friends (friends like Deb Barnes of Zee & Zoey), learned so much and met a number of brands that we ended up working with.
I remember sitting in the audience during the awards show, seeing all the talented bloggers up there, thinking, "Wow, wouldn't it be amazing to even be considered a finalist? I wonder if Even with all we've done over the years, I never thought I'd be chosen as a BlogPaws Nose to Nose finalist. What a blessing and an honor to now be among those being considered for an award!! Maybe all those late nights pawing at the keyboard, trying not to wake Mommy, are finally paying off. 

There is a total of 12 Categories in the Nose to Nose Awards, including my category of "Best Written Pet Blog Post", and I'm so excited for each of the finalists in all the categories. Mommy and I have known several of them for years and we greatly admire their work. Other nominees are new to us, and we have become instant fans! Please take a few minutes to read the official 2016 BlogPaws Nose to Nose Announcements article. Take a little time to get to visit their blogs. You will love their humor, their pathos, their brilliant photos and their charm.  And don't forget to leave a comment or two to give some celebratory praise and paw clapping to these talented writers. They are ALL winners in my Pixel Blue "Eyes".
I hope you share in my joy and excitement friends over being a BlogPaws 2016 Nose to Nose Award Finalist. Mommy and me have full hearts and are still beaming! And for the sake of your pets, please be sure to read my blog post about Xylitol poisoning dangers. It just might save your pet's life. 

See you in Phoenix...

The Joy of a Bad Hair Day - Pixel's Wednesday Words of Wisdom

Pixel's Wednesday Words of Wisdom: Smile & Go With It!
I'd like to share some simple yet very helpful "Wednesday Words of Wisdom" with you my friends. It's made a huge difference in my life, and it might make a difference in yours as well.
My advice is simple: next time you have a "bad hair day" don't let it bring you down. Don't fret over it being "unruly". Let your bad hair day become a joyful day!
Let your hair do it's own thing. Just walk out the door with your hair all crazy, face the day and SMILE as big as you can...as if you wanted it to look that way. Walk with confidence. Walk with swagger. Tip the waiter an extra 10%. Make others feel good throughout the day and it'll make you feel good too!
Who knows...you might even start a new hair trend!
Do you have some Wednesday Words of Wisdom to share with me? I'd love to hear them. Just leave me a comment below friends!
And don't forget to see what my fellow pet blogger friends are up to on this Wordless Wednesday. Some of us are more "wordy" than others, BOL, but I promise it's always entertaining.

The Joy of a Good Book - Pixel Reviews "A Doggy Daycare Day" by L.J. Burns

There is nothing quite as cozy as a warm bed, a snuggly blanket and a good book on a rainy day or a lazy afternoon. I especially love books with or about animals. I like it even better if an animal WRITES THE BOOK. Yes, animals are quite prolific, as you know well from my own musings here on my blog. Animals have a lot to say, and writing is a perfect outlet for us, just like it is for everyone else.

What a joy it was the day I found out my good friend Mitzi Jo (she likes to be called MJ by her friends) co-wrote a book with her Mom L.J. Burns called "A Doggy Daycare Day".

Let me give you a little background on them before I delve into the book. MJ, who has been in TV commercials (including one with the dog whisperer for National Geographic), and can do all kinds of tricks, has been helping run a wonderful doggy daycare with her Mom, who professionally trained dogs for Hollywood for over 20 years before opening the doggy daycare. They share a very special bond. The real life doggie daycare that L.J. owns and operates is called "Camp Jean". If I lived nearby, I'd certainly want to stay there! They have a fantastic looking facility, with several acres of property, all dedicated to making the most fun doggy daycare you've ever seen or experienced! M.J. also has a blog where you can read up on her activities throughout the year.

The book, A Doggy Daycare Day, details a typical day with MJ, her siblings and all the dogs that come to stay with them at the doggy daycare facility. They have all kinds of interesting little adventures. MJ keeps everyone in check and they all have loads of fun. It is a lighthearted look at "a day in the life" of a doggy daycare out in the country.

The book is beautifully illustrated by Andrea Vitali, an incredibly talented artist and children's book illustrator.

WOW! Look at the detail in his work. I feel like I'm in the same room with MJ and her friends in the book. I can almost hear them saying the words I read because they really look like they are talking. His artwork is absolute Disney quality, isn't it!

It is perfect for the very young, the young learning to read, adolescents or just the young at heart. It could really teach kids about how fun dogs can be.
The book itself is in paperback or e-book format. I always think it's more fun to get the actual book, especially one that has such pretty illustrations, not to mention such a well written one by a friend.
"Look Mommy! MJ signed the copy of the book she sent me! It even has her "pawtograph" mark on it." I sure feel special.
So friends, you've got to go get a copy of this book. You can purchase either a paperback or an e-book version on Amazon here.
Do you have a dog book you love? I'd love to hear about it. Leave me a comment and tell me the name. Maybe I can read it or even do a review of it. And of course, if you've written a book and would like me to review it, simply contact me via email at pixelblueeyes dot blog at gmail dot com. 

The Joy of Awards - Nominate Pixel for a BlogPaws 2014 Nose to Nose Award

I am a little dog with BIG DREAMS. Right now, a big dream of mine is actually possible, but I need the help of all my friends...so gather 'round, and let me tell you about it.
By now everyone should know how much I love BlogPaws. They are the premiere pet blogging and social media company that brings pet bloggers, pet parents and pet companies together to do wonderful things all in the name of us pets. Well, "Awards Season" is upon us and the BlogPaws team is currently taking nominations for the 3rd Annual Nose to Nose Awards. I am both a pet blogger and what they call a "micro blogger" (someone who uses social media such as Facebook and Twitter as part of their online presence), so there are several awards that I am eligible for. They have a total of 12 Nose to Nose Awards!!

I went to my very first BlogPaws conference last year, in May 2013. I remember sitting in the audience during the 2nd Annual BlogPaws Nose to Nose Award show thinking, "I wonder if I, Pixel Blue Eyes, will ever get a chance to be one of those winners..." Well, now is my chance!
The knowledge and friendships I've gained from being a part of the BlogPaws community, my experiences at the conference, and the opportunities I've gained from all of this has been extraordinary. I have grown so much as a blogger and can't wait to do even more!

Writing this blog for you has brought me such joy and I hope that I've brought some joy and laughter into your life as well. I'd be honored if you would consider nominating me for one (or several) of the awards. It's really easy to do, and I will give you all the information you need below.

AWARD CATEGORIES (that link to the quick and easy nomination forms):

• Best Cause Blog
• Best Dog Blog
• Best Cat Blog
• Best Other Pet Blog
• Best New Pet Blog
• Best Humor Blog

• Best Blog Post
• Best Design
• Best Pet Blog Photo
• Best Pet Blog Video
• Best Pet MicroBlogger
• Best Use of Social Media by a 501(c)3

IMPORTANT INFO YOU NEED TO NOMINATE PIXEL BLUE EYES:

Blog Writer's Homepage:  www.pixelblueeyes.com
(For No Tail Left Behind, it's www.NoTailLeftBehind.com)
Contact Name for Blog Writer:  Jenny Lewis
Contact Email:  pixelblueeyes.blog@gmail.com
Facebook page:  #/pixelblueeyes
(For No Tail Left Behind, it's #/NoTailLeftBehind)
Twitter page:  www.twitter.com/pixelblueeyes
(For No Tail Left Behind, it's www.twitter.com/NoTailLeftBhind)
HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS OF CATEGORIES I AM ELIGIBLE FOR:
Best Humor Blog
How often do I make you LOL, BOL, or even MOL (meow out loud)?
Best Blog Post
Here's some of my personal favorites that were a huge hit, along with the direct link to each post!
In Search of Long Lost Kibble - A Pixel Adventure
https://www.pixelblueeyes.com/2013/05/in-search-of-long-lost-kibble-pixel.html
The Joy of Adventure - Pixel Tries Her Paw at Being a Survivalist
https://www.pixelblueeyes.com/2013/04/the-joy-of-adventure-pixel-tries-her.html
A Twist of Fate on Pixel's Wordless Wednesday
https://www.pixelblueeyes.com/2014/01/TwistFatePixelWordlessWednesday.html
The Joy of America's Independence - Pixel and her Sisters Get Into Character
https://www.pixelblueeyes.com/2013/07/the-joy-of-americas-independence-pixel.html
The Joy of the U.S. Constitution - Happy Constitution Day!
https://www.pixelblueeyes.com/2013/09/the-joy-of-us-constitution-happy.html
Pixel the Prison Pup Tells Her Tail
https://www.pixelblueeyes.com/2013/11/happy-halloween-pixel-prison-pup-tells.html
The Joy of a Pretty Day - Pixel Dances in the Sunshine
https://www.pixelblueeyes.com/2013/07/the-joy-of-pretty-day-pixel-dances.html
Best Design
Whether for my Blog, Facebook page, or Twitter page...you know you like it.
Best Pet Blog Photo
(Look through my blog or Facebook page to choose your favorite)
See below for STEPS on how to get the photo link/URL for the ones you want to nominate

Best Pet Micro Blogger
(Do you enjoy my Pixel Blue Eyes Facebook and Twitter pages? How about my No Tail Left Behind Facebook campaign page? Well, they both count here, so why not nominate them both!
Best Cause Blog - www.notailleftbehind.com
(Through this educational campaign, I educate about the dangers of tail docking. I've helped hundreds of docked tail dogs and their families, shared lots of important information on how tail docking negatively affects dogs, and changed the hearts and minds of several breeders who no longer dock puppy tails thanks to learning from my Facebook and online campaign. I myself live with chronic nerve pain and permanent health issues due to my docked tail that was taken before I adopted Mommy.)
A panel of professionals will judge the candidates based on creativity, expertise, and performance. NOTE: During nomination, participants will NOT be required to garner votes or drive likes to their social media sites. Whew! Thank goodness for that!
QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE NOSE TO NOSE AWARDS:

1. Anyone can nominate a blog. That means YOU my friend.
2. There is no limit to the number of nominations you can make! As many blogs and as many nominations as you'd like.
3. Bloggers are judged on their expertise, creativity and performance in one or more of the 12 categories. 

3. A group of distinguished professionals in the industry will review and judge ALL the nominations and select the chosen final nominees for each category. There is no "daily voting" or anything like that. You just nominate the blog for as many award(s) as you wish in a short form available on the Nose to Nose nomination page. Each nomination must have it's own form filled out. (RULES)

3. Nominations WILL BE CLOSED by 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, February 12, 2014.
So get those nominations in as soon as you can.

4. The winners will be announced at the 2014 BlogPaws Conference in Lake Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday night, May 10, 2014 during a glamorous live broadcast award show and banquet.

STEPS ON HOW TO GET PHOTO LINK/URL TO NOMINATE A PHOTO:
1. Select (click on) a photo you like in my blog or Facebook page. It will open up sort of "above" the browser window.
2. Right click on the photo and select "copy image URL".
3. Double check that the link works by pasting it into a new window or tab to see if that exact photo shows in a new window.
4. After verifying you copied the URL correctly, paste it into the "Best Pet Blog Photo" nomination form.
Okay friends, I've given you all the information you need. Now, go and nominate Pixel Blue Eyes and ALL your favorite blogs and photos for the 2014 BlogPaws Nose to Nose Awards!!

Pixel's Pet Blogger Challenge 2014 - My Plans to "Pixelize" the Pet Blogging World!

Pixel's Plans to Pixelize the Pet Blogging World in 2014!

For the first time in my pet blogging life, I am taking part in the Pet Blogger Challenge, which takes place every January 10th. It’s a time for pet bloggers to see how far we've come and make some plans for where we’re going (with our blogs) in the new year. I started my blog when I was but a little puppy, however I didn't really take it very seriously until about 2 years ago.

I've seen my blog grow a lot in the last couple of years, with a great deal of that growth attributed to the encouragement, support and friendship of fellow pet bloggers like me. Some have small blogs, others have huge websites that include blogs, but no matter who we are as pet bloggers, we all have a few things things in common...
we love animals, we love blogging, and we want to be the very best that we can be at our craft. I've been working very hard over the last few months especially, to bring my blog to a whole new level of fantastic, so I am very excited to join in this challenge. There's a series of questions I must answer to help share my ideas, goals and hopes for the future of my blog. Here goes friends!

Introducing Pixel's Mommy - Meet the Blogger Behind the Pet Blog

As a professional pet blogger, I've made lots of fellow pet blogging friends over the years. Believe it or not there are many other animals like me sharing their stories, lives, and adventures online, including dogs, cats, ferrets, turtles and horses. Who knew that us animals had so much to say? In celebration of the many pet blogs and their humans out there, and to challenge those behind the camera to come out and be recognized, several fellow bloggers have created a "Meet the Blogger" blog hop, to meet the humans behind the pet blogs. As with most writers, there is at least one person in their life who is a fantastic support. It makes all the difference in the world!

I'd like to introduce you to my Mommy (her name is Jenny) and share a little bit about her. First of all, we need to be clear that Mommy is 100% supportive of my blog and social media activities. My focus has always been to be absolutely kid friendly and full of fun, adventure, good information and sound advice. I must start by sharing that I adopted Mommy and saved her from heartache back in 2008. Of course she rescued me too. It was truly love at first sight! I had waited for her my whole life the day she walked in. I stared right into her eyes and deep into her soul. She knew in an instant that she was mine. She told me later she tried to give other pups a chance, but I was THE ONE. I knew that the whole time!

Mommy and I originally started this blog back when I was 9 months old. She says that I brought her so much joy that she couldn't very well keep that all to herself, so with my blessing she started my blog. Oh how I chuckle at some of my first blog posts! But I've grown a lot since then and Mommy has helped me along the way. At first we only posted occasionally, sometimes only every few months. But it has really grown a great deal in the last couple of years and we wish we could do it full time!
Our blog hop hosts have a list of questions for me to ask Mommy Jenny. She agreed to do this interview with me since so many other blogger Mommies are doing it. I hope you enjoy learning a little about the Mommy heart behind the Pixel Blue Eyes blog!

Pixel:  What is one of your favorite non-animal related book? 

Mommy:  Are you kidding me? I have to find one that doesn't have an animal in it? How fair is that? LOL! Okay, I will share one that doesn't have an animal in it as long as I can share one that does as well. 

Pixel:  Okay Mommy, I will humor you and let you share both kinds of books. 

Mommy:  I'd have to say that one of my favorite books NOT animal related is the Mary Stewart Arthurian/Merlin novels, written back in the early '70's, right around the time I was born. The first one is "The Crystal Cave" and I've read it a few times. I loved the series because she has the most realistic view of Merlin as a real person instead of some freaky evil sorcerer. Mary Stewart does a beautiful job of intertwining history and fantasy, and her attention to detail in her descriptions make me feel like I am right there. 

Mommy: Now, my favorite books WITH animals in it (you said I could include this Pixel) is the Chronicles of Mister Marmee series by H.L. Stephens. The first book is called "The Case of Jack the Nipper: A Chronicle of Mister Marmee" and the second one, which just came out, is "The Case of the Wayward Fae: A Chronicle of Mister Marmee". They are AMAZING adventures with Mister Marmee, who is a marmalade colored gentleman cat who lives in Victorian London and helps solve crime with the greatest detective ever, Sir Happy Heart. The two of them consult with Scotland Yard. The characters are so 3 dimensional, I feel like they are beloved old friends to me. You should know this Pixel, We've read these books together!

Pixel: Okay, Mommy. Next question is:  What is your favorite non-animal related movie? 

Mommy:  Pixel, you're killing me! Okay, give me a minute to think... It is hard to pin down just one, because I love a variety of movies, so I will say the X-Men series and the movie "I-Robot" come to mind as ones I can watch more than once. One of my super favorites is "Avatar" but that has animals in it! To keep it well rounded though, I must include a comedy in here, so let's go with a silly favorite: Galaxy Quest!

Pixel: Who is your favorite actor? 

Mommy:  Well, I don't always know people's names, and most often I love actors that are excellent character actors. I might have seen them in a dozen things, but can never remember their name! Whomever was in the movies I mentioned, I like them!

Pixel:  What is your favorite holiday?

Mommy:  I love ALL the holidays, Pixel. But I really love Thanksgiving and Christmas because they are truly a time of celebrating togetherness with the family and eating amazing food. You know how much you love oven roasted chicken and sweet potatoes.

Pixel: I know what you mean Mommy! I love getting to sit at the table with you and share a good meal. But we do that all the time, as well as on holidays. 

Pixel:  Since we're talking food, what's your favorite meal? 

Mommy:  Any meal I can share with you Pixel!

Pixel:  Awe Mommy, that is the sweetest thing ever! But you're not getting out of this question. 

Mommy:  Okay, okay. One of my favorite meals is oven roasted turkey, homemade gluten free corn bread sausage stuffing, mashed sweet potatoes, gravy, and a wonderful dessert of either a huge piece of your Auntie's gluten free pumpkin pie or her amazingly decadent chocolate cake. I can't get enough!

Pixel:  What do you like to do in your free time? 

Jenny:  That should be a given. Spend time with my little Pixel of course! I love being with you, whether we are playing, snuggling, writing or practicing your tricks. And I love having the two of us go out and run errands together, with you tucked securely in your harness carrier. I've come to accept the fact that you do go crazy barking in every single parking lot we have ever entered. But you are my guard dog as well as my child, aren't you. Of course, I also love spending time with our family. We are blessed to get to see each other every day. We have such fun together don't we?

Pixel:  We sure do!

Pixel:  What do you wish you were more skilled at? 

Mommy:  Sewing, playing the violin, juggling, and speaking sign language and Spanish...preferably all at the same time, LOL! Seriously, I can hand sew but need to take the time to learn sewing with a machine, I have a perfectly good violin but need lessons, I used to juggle but it's been years, and I know just enough sign language or Spanish to be an official interpreter (JUST KIDDING!). I would really like to get better at both languages, just because I like them. 

Pixel:  What is one thing that you've done that you are most proud of?

Mommy:  Truly Pixel, I'd have to say that I am incredibly proud of your blog and the online presence we've built surrounding your sweet, adorable, funny, smiling self. I never could have imagined 6 years ago that we would have the kinds of friends and followers we have that love sharing your adventures and joys in life! It's been a great blessing and it has shown me that I am a writer. I never knew that about myself. 

I also have to say that I am very proud to have gone back to school in my 30's and earned 2 degrees, both of them involving computers and digital media. Before I went back to school I'd never thought of myself as very "academic" or interested in computers, but my wonderful family was very encouraging and supportive. They helped me see I could do anything I set my mind and heart to do. Now, I work AND play on computers all day. 

Pixel: Other than blogging, what are 4 things that you do that bring you joy?

Mommy:  Photography, being in the outdoors (even just standing in the yard is good for me), quilting by hand (though I haven't done it in a while) and volunteering my time and photography skills to our local shelter. I've been a photographer for almost 20 years now and I adore it! I started doing it well before the digital age, back when film was king. But I have moved completely over to digital and am amazed at how technology has advanced the photographic possibilities. I love nature and the beauty it holds. It just feels good to be out in it, whether it is sunny and 70F degrees or snowing and 20F. As for quilting, I have a lot of fabric I've collected over the years and several 'started quilt tops'. Unfortunately, I have yet to complete a full quilt project. Still, I enjoy the process of planning a quilt and choosing the design and material.

Pixel:  I can attest to the fact that Mommy has a lot of photos of the great outdoors, and lots of 'started' quilt tops. I am hoping to see one completed before I am a senior dog! BOL!
Mommy: I will see what I can do to make that hope and dream a reality my silly little flower girl.

Mommy:  Regarding my photography and volunteering, one of the greatest joys for my heart is the volunteering I do at the Smyth County Animal Shelter taking pet portraits of all the animals who end up there, ones who are either lost or are looking for their new forever home. I make posters for each one and put them up on the shelter Facebook page that I co-admin with Officer Kristy Moore, a wonderful friend and animal control officer. She started the Facebook page not too long before I called out of the blue to volunteer my services. In the last 2 years we've helped hundreds of dogs and cats find new, loving forever homes, or be reunited with their families after getting lost. We started with just a few hundred followers, and one rescue helping us. We've grown to a whole network of wonderful rescues and volunteers who help us save lives everyday, and the shelter Facebook page is closing in on 3,000 followers! It's a legacy that has forever changed me.
Pixel:  And I love sharing the dogs and cats and happy endings on my page and here on the blog. Which, by the way, we need to do another 'happy endings celebration' post on the blog!

Pixel: Alright Mommy, I have one more question to ask, and this one I made up. What are 5 things people might not know about you?

Mommy: Hmmm, I think I can come up with a few things for this one. 

1. I love snow and snowflakes. I love things with pretty snowflakes on them, and I even try to photograph snowflakes and snow crystals in winter when we get good snowfalls. 

2. I love silly socks! I wear them under my work clothes and boots. Hello Kitty, unicorns, you name it, and I will wear it. 

3. I worked in radio, TV, did night club deejay work and was a stage hand for concerts when I was a teen and into my early 20's. It was a great experience and I got to meet and work with some really fantastic artists.

4. I used to not like cats very much, but one day a very sweet cat changed my heart, and now I LOVE them!

5. I love box turtles and tortoises! Years ago I had a few and I loved their personalities. If I had a huge piece of land, I'd have a pet rescue sanctuary and turtles would have their own section to roam free in. 

Pixel: Thank you Mommy for letting me interview you for this special "Meet the Blogger" blog hop!

Mommy:  It was my pleasure Pixel. Thank you too! Now, let's go read about all the other bloggers. 

The links below are a doorway into many other fantastic pet bloggers that are wonderful and a real joy to read. I hope you enjoyed this special interview. Have fun getting to know about other pet bloggers.

Happy reading!