My friends, both Pixie and I appreciated all the well-wishes you passed along this week. She’s doing much better, as this video illustrates. I couldn’t just leave all you geeks hanging.

Last Sunday, I woke up to see that Pixie had discharge coming out of her eyes and they were swollen badly. I took her to the pet emergency room. She was initially diagnosed with Conjunctivits, which turned out to not be the case.

On the third trip to the ER with her in the middle of the night Tuesday night, we were referred to a specialist. She was taken to the Animal Eye Clinic in Seattle. I can’t thank them enough for helping my puppy. The care she received was fantastic.

Pixie was diagnosed and I was reassured that there’s no permanent damage. Pixie has an amazing disposition. Kat will tell you she’s a big cuddle bug.

There were times I felt it tough to remain composed. I felt so helpless. Wicket and Pixie are my family, and I love them as unconditionally as they love me.

Thanks much to my good friend Betsy Weber for sending baked noms to the pups. Thank you to ALL OF YOU for your support and well-wishes.

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Pixie is home now, and is doing so much better. Wicket and I are both relieved, of course, but I think Wicket is just happy to know she’s home.

Pixie is resting comfortably, as you can see. She’ll be as good as new in no time. Thank you to all of you for your concern and well-wishes.

The community is worried about Pixie, too. They decided to post photos of their own pets to support MY pet’s treatment and recovery. How cool is that? Once again, I’m reminded of the power of bringing people together.

Thank you, everyone.

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Hopefully you’ve taken time to stop by our software center lately.

One of my dogs, Pixie, woke up this morning and seemed to be having problems with her eyes. I took her into the vet immediately, fearing the worst. Her vitals checked out, but the doctor said it’s likely either allergies or some kind of conjunctivitis.

Either way, it gives me the opportunity to tell you about something you might want to know if you’re a pet owner – pet insurance. It’s worth getting if you love your pets half as much as I love mine. Lucky for me, after looking a few options and meeting one of their liaisons at BizTechDay a few weeks back, I picked up Trupanion. Out of all the pet insurance options out there, it seemed that they were the only ones which allowed me to set my own deductable – from $0 to $1,000 (and the premiums were adjusted accordingly).

This video was posted to the YouTube channel on Sunday, and is being posted to the blog on Monday. Pixie is a little better today, but still not completely out of the woods. Still, after I take her for a follow-up visit, I’ll submit the claims to Trupanion and wait for the money to come back to me – even this quickly after getting her covered.

How do you cover costs for the unknown? As Wicket and Pixie get on in years, I have to be a lot more mindful of these unexpected vet visits (and potential prescriptions). I’d hate to get stuck in a situation where I wouldn’t be able to bail them out of… well, I don’t even want to think about losing these two.

If you’d like, please have your own pet leave a video response wishing Pixie to get well soon!

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Pixie is a lot of fun to watch when she’s sleeping. She seems to have extremely vivid dreams. I can’t help but wonder at times what’s running through her mind when she’s asleep and reacting to her dreams this way.

Maybe she’s dreaming of more tasty treats? Perhaps she’s thinking about a nice, fresh lawn (since the grass in the backyard was just replaced with new sod). I bet she’s tossing around a new toy, though. Just look at those hind legs move!

What dreams do you think are in Pixie’s head?

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Yes, this video will get a million views. Why? I don’t know! Pixie isn’t sure exactly what’s going on, but that’s ok. She’s often clueless when it comes to funny sounds emanating from my office.

Hey – it’s not my fault that she tends to nose around my desk when she shouldn’t!

[awsbullet:funny pet tricks]

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Wicket and Pixie hate this time of year. They’ve decided to join the Army!

Wicket has dreams of becoming a First Class Poop Trooper. Pixie wants to go on an Afghan Hound peacekeeping mission. Together, they’ll stage the furriest military coup ever seen!

What’s wrong with having a little costume fun every Halloween? The Star Wars stunt has been seen on television shows the world over. They

[awsbullet:halloween+pet+costume]

I love my dogs, as most of you already know. Pixie and Wicket are my babies, even though they’re a few years old now. I spoil these dogs, and treat them like they’re my children. Heck, they ARE my children.

When Pixie fell asleep in my arms, I couldn’t resist taking a video capture of her. She looks so peaceful, doesn’t she?

Life is good at times.

Do you have pets? If so, what kind? Have you ever taught them any tricks? I love my dogs Wicket and Pixie – they’re my kids. They are usually quite smart… almost too smart at times. They pick up on new little tricks pretty easily, unless they’re just in one of those moods where they think they’re the boss.

This treat I was holding was going to make Pixie huge in a matter of seconds. I was serious – and proved it! I gave her the treat… and she magically grew to about five times her normal size.

Maybe I should’ve been a Chemist!

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Looks like Wicket and Pixie made it to the front of Yahoo this morning (Video tab). As soon as I heard the news, I told them – and they couldn’t look less interested in this accolade. Thanks to Daniel Kindler for tipping me off to this momentous event. Who knew that they’d make it this far, even a year later? I guess it’s a timeless classic (much like Star Wars itself).

Unfortunately, this year, we won’t be at home for Halloween – otherwise, we would all be dressing up like army brats and fighter pilots. Until then, we’ll all have to enjoy the horror on Wicket’s face – and the terror in Pixie’s eyes – as their embarassment was briefly broadcast on the Internet. I don’t think this video will ever die, and I’m quite surprised it made it this far.

What’s your favorite type of dog?

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Marcus writes: “Although it is not related to tech, you did mention it on the live stream and I thought that was enough to merit a top 5 list. My top 5 list is involving one of my pets, which is my parrot. I have 1 parrot at the moment, and he is called Elvis. He is almost 1 year old, and is an African grey parrot. I have had him since January and love him! Here is a top 5 list of tips on how to handle and deal with your parrot.”

• Although the parrot is yours, HE is the boss. If you want him to do something and he does not want to do it, he will not do it. You cannot expect that he will do everything that you tell him to do.
• This relates to the first point and it is very important. Do not tell your parrot off, or show any negative behavior towards him EVER. The end result will only be he will be to scared to go anywhere near you. Encourage good behavior and ignore bad behavior.
• Do not think that even if you have a big cage, the parrot will be satisfied. I try to keep my parrot out of his cage for as much time as possible. At night I put him into it for around 20 minutes so that he can get some food, and then he sleeps on his perch in my room.
• Do not leave him unattended near anything that you do not want him to poop on. Parrots excrete their bodily waste every 40 minutes. If he likes to stay on doors or chairs, have a newspaper or two around.
• Do not buy a parrot thinking it will be easy and not matter. They can live for as long as you (60 years)… and depending on when you buy it, he will be with you for your whole life. It is like adopting a child… only it will spend its whole life with you and not leave. Consider everything before you buy one.

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I caught Wicket looking at doggie websites he shouldn’t be. He doesn’t know I’m on to him… so let’s sneak in there and see what he’s up to!

Oh man, I can’t believe this. We caught him red handed! Wicket is sitting in front of the Mac… surfing the Lassie websites. I just can’t believe he would do that! Pixie is so disgusted with him, she’s licking herself. I don’t know what to do with these dogs anymore… I really don’t.

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Wicket has suddenly learned how to play Hide ‘n’ Seek with me. He hides… and I can never find him! He better not be surfing those Lassie websites again, or he’s seriously going to be in the dog house this time.

What the heck? He was sitting quietly on my computer desk the whole time? He’s becoming more of a camera hound than I am… I swear it! Maybe we should start a new show… live.wicket.com

Ok ok. You can play with the computer now Wicket. Just be sure to let your sister have a turn this time, eh?

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