Author: Xena, Lucy and Chia

MS Awareness Month

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia20 Comments

One of my blogging friends posted this. She has MS, and is an amazing young woman. Also, if you don’t already know her English Bulldog, Nugget, I highly recommend you stop by for a visit.

How much do you know about MS? I decided with it being MS Awareness Month I would share a great website I follow it’s called Positive Living With MS by Penelope Conway the link is below. Penelope has some great facts, advice and info on MS some of which I have used below. MS effects everyone differently and […]

via March is MS Awareness Month  — Nuggets Drooling

Are We Still in Kansas?

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia16 Comments

lexi-dorothyFive years ago, Lexi was recruited to help the Chattanooga Symphony Opera (CSO) promote their instrumental score of the Wizard of Oz (WOZ) while the much-loved film played on a screen behind them. On March 2, 2012, Lexi’s new “Dorothy” – who Lexi knew from a different role in the previous production of WOZ – came to pick her up in a Pedi cab. They were to travel the streets and businesses of Chattanooga for the CSO promotion. On that day, one of Lexi’s life-long dreams came true: she was allowed in a restaurant!

Something else happened that day, too, while Lexi and her “Dorothy” were riding around town. As the line goes in the play, “The wind began to blow.” The darkening sky showed tinges of green, with swirling, ominous clouds. People looked up at the sky, stopped them and asked, “How did you manage the weather?” before running for shelter. Meanwhile, I was shut in the basement of the church, praying that Lexi didn’t get whisked off to Oz.

Note: Multiple tornadoes touched down in the Tennessee Valley area that day, doing extensive damage.

Star Student

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia28 Comments

Riley has been teaching me things like how to slither off the couch and how to deadie a stuffy. I practice my slithering daily, and it always makes Jeff laugh. Speaking of Jeff, I have lost him. He hasn’t been here for several suns and Mom, er, Amy and I have had the bedroom all to ourselves. I still sleep on my own bed like a good dog. It’s what she taught me to do. I want to be her star student, too.

Back to Riley. While Mom, er, Amy was at work today, he helped me refine my new stuffy deading skills.

Lucy wants to dead the stuffy
I think I understand now. Can I please try it?

 

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This is SO much fun!
This is SO much fun!

 

Uh, Riley made me do it.
Uh, Riley made me do it.

I am Lucy, Boyfriend Riley’s Star Student!

Self-Portrait Saturday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia15 Comments

A bit late, but better late than never, right? The self-portrait challenge results are being displayed on the Arts & Entertainment Website, where you will see over 20 self-portraits as well as ours, below.

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Riley, Lexi’s handsome younger big brother.

 

Lucy, who is going after the Van Gogh look
Lucy, attempting the Van Gogh look

 

One never knows when or where Angel Lexi will make an appearance.
One never knows when or where Angel Lexi will make an appearance.

Be sure to visit the Arts and Entertainment site to see all the wonderful entries.

Valentines and Other News

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia28 Comments

Hi, this is Lucy. Lots of news today!

I finally got those staples out of my belly, and now I don’t have to wear the Cone of Destruction at all! I even got to resume my duties as Church Dog this week.

Amy and Jeff have never ever told me I did anything wrong, so I figured I could do whatever I want. So…I have been doing my bizness in the house. It’s easier than asking to go out. The first few times, they just cleaned it up and then let me go outside and play with Riley. Then, last night, Amy scolded me for the first time. When she pointed at the “stinky pile” I laid down and positioned my face over it so she could push my nose into the stinky. She got this really sad look on her face and told me no, I just needed to go outside to potty. Also, she said I couldn’t be the Church Dog until I stopped doing this kind of thing in the house and the church. *hangs head*

Now for some good news!  Until this year, I never got to celebrate Valentine’s Day, so I didn’t know what to expect. I got a card in the mail addressed just to me!

lucy-w-v-day-card inside-of-vday-card

I don’t know who Madeline Rose is, but it still made me feel good. 🙂 Amy said it was really from some good friends I haven’t met yet. Oh boy, I can’t hardly wait to meet them!

When Riley found out about my card, he got jealous! While we were playing, he whispered in my ear.

Lucy, will you be my Valentine?
Lucy, will you be my Valentine?

And I whispered back.

Yes, Riley, I like you lots.
Yes, Riley, I like you lots.

After that, Riley taught me how to deadie my only toy.

...and then you rip off the arms.
“…and then you rip off the legs like this.”

I think maybe Riley is my boyfriend now. ❤

Love from your not quite perfect friend, Lucy

 

Preparing for the Big Day

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia16 Comments

Piper is head over paws about Shelby, and we think Shelby may feel the same way. However, not wanting to take any chances of someone else sweeping in, Piper screws up his courage and asks…
Pipers valentine to Shelby

❤                   ❤                    ❤                    ❤                    ❤                    ❤                   ❤

In other news, Gracie went to Florida to meet up with Noodle for the big party tomorrow. Since Lexi loved them both, they decided to honor her by going to the Valentine’s Day Bash together as friends. They thought it would be a good idea to get to know each other first…

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Listen, Gracie. I think Mom’s calling us for dinner.

You kids have fun and don’t do anything Lexi wouldn’t have. (Oh boy, I think I just opened it up for too much fun…)

 

Breakthrough

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia34 Comments

Our household has had a wonderful breakthrough. Riley and Lucy are playing. Let me give you a little background on Riley and why this is so important.

I found Riley when he was 6 months old and 28 pounds. He was a happy, carefree, loving dog. Even as he matured into a 70 pound bullie/lab mix, he loved to go to the dog park and play with all the dogs. Then, one day, he got attacked by a Rottweiler and a Great Dane team. Thankfully, he wasn’t hurt. But it affected him psychologically. Ever after that, he has been not only suspicious of other dogs, but would jump them. He never hurt any of them, but we sure didn’t need someone reporting an aggressive bullie mix! Plus, I didn’t want anyone else to be psychologically damaged like Riley had been.

It should be noted that he never jumped or tried to hurt Lexi or any other “frequent visitor” at our house. He has always especially loved Piper, my schnauzer nephew. I know Lexi thought of Riley as her bothersome, younger, big brother, but never showed any signs of fear. You can see them together in the  header.

He became my son, Andrew’s, dog about 3 years ago. They are totally bonded, just like Lexi and I were. Recently, Andrew and Riley have come to stay with us for a while. I have been monitoring Riley and Lucy very carefully, as I only wanted good experiences for them both. Last night, Lucy’s sweet disposition and pleas to play finally won out. It started with them in the hallway outside my husband’s home office. Riley dropped into the play position. Lucy appropriately responded with the same posture. They went back and forth like that for about three minutes. Then they moved it to the living room where they had more room to maneuver, with Jeff following to be sure all continued to go well. These two big dogs played hard for 10 or 15 minutes until I broke it up with praises and treats. They played for a bit longer after that, when I stopped them for the night while it was still happy play. I managed to film some of it.

Today they are back at it again. They went into the fenced back yard and did the “buddy” thing – walking together, standing together, running and playing together. Lucy is thrilled to have a playmate, and even Riley seems much happier. It didn’t take me long to decide I would rather have a full heart than a clean house.

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Riley and Lucy resting from hard play

 

Gracie’s Busy Day

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia26 Comments

Gracie here again. Today was the day that the peeps get rid of their kids by giving them to the church for a while. I love this kind of day. I am free to love on the little people, and made 87 trips downstairs to do just that. Their giggles make me wiggle and their sticky, tasty fingers and faces are fun to lick.

It is also the day peeps come in to get pieces of paper to trade for food. They all seem to need a dog to pet, so I was there to help with that, too. Lexi had told me this was her most important job as the Church Dog, so I take it very seriously.
avi-and-gracie-revisedThe pastor’s daughter came after school and we played and played. We both finally got worn out and waited on the couch in the room that has lots of books until it was time for her to leave.

When we finally got home after 87 hours of working, I jumped from the car and ran to the house, already thinking about seeing Mr. Jeff and eating my supper. When Ms. Amy opened the door, there stood another gimongous dog. His name is Riley. I backed up and refused to go in until Ms. Amy picked me up. He could still tickle my toes, so I was relieved when we went upstairs and shut Riley downstairs with Mr. Jeff.

Riley

I found out Riley was Lexi’s brother and used to live here, too. You probably already know Riley, but for anyone just tuning in, this is a picture of him taken a few years ago.  He is even bigger than Lucy. Speaking of Lucy, she is still wearing the Cone of Destruction and trapping me with it like a Bullie Dozer. I know Lexi never had any problem dealing with all these big dogs in her house, but she forgot to teach me that lesson.

I wonder who is going to show up next…

 

Gracie Gets a Message

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia20 Comments
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Is that one of my friends out there?

Hi, this is Gracie. I have been staying with Mr. Jeff and Ms. Amy for almost a week now. Today, I was sitting in one of my favorite places when Ms. Amy said something to grab my attention away from what was happening outside.

 

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Gracie, do you want to go to work?

I was a bit disappointed that there weren’t many people there, and definitely no little people today. As a consolation, Ms. Amy took me outside during her lunch time. The sun was shining and the temperature was perfect. We took a nice walk all around the church and I got to read tons of pee mail. Some of it was old news, but it was still interesting.

Before we went back inside to do more work, I saw the message my bestie, Angel Lexi, had left for me. In case you didn’t know, this is the same sign where she was honored after she made her trip to the rainbow bridge. I thought maybe she was nearby.  I miss you, Lexi, and I am going to let my light shine.

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Memory Monday: Agility

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia31 Comments

pdx-certs-2

As was the way with most things we did together, Lexi loved training and running Agility courses. No matter where we were, if she saw agility obstacles, she would go and run them. When we were learning the weave poles, the instructor told us to lead our dogs through the first pole, then to let them run straight along the side to get used to the poles. Lexi, being the precocious pup that she was, did a perfect weave first time out (with no previous training).

When we were practicing, she was very patient with me (thank you, Lexi) when I would get confused about which obstacle was next. She would simply go to her favorite – the V ramp – and run it over and over until I got my bearings.

Today, while going through a box of Valentine decorations we will use for our  Dance Class Valentine Party, I came across a forgotten memory. These are our certificates of completion for Agility 1: Foundation; Agility 2: Obstacles; and Agility 3: Sequences.

Toward the end of the Sequences Course, our turn had come at the starting line. The instructor, with timer in hand, asked if we were ready. Looking down, I said, “Are you ready, Lexi?” In answer, Lexi shot toward the first obstacle, with me a split second behind her. I faintly heard the instructor call, “I guess she was ready!” I think, if Lexi hadn’t been totally focused on her task, her reply would have been, “I was born ready.”

 

Endangered Species

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia28 Comments

lexi-with-unicorn-horn-and-text
Angel Lexi is having a bit more fun here than she let on in her submission.

endangered-girafferiley

Riley – Angel Lexi’s brother – was a bit skittish around these gentle giants, but soon learned there was nothing to fear and took up their cause with gusto.
To learn about these endangered species and many more you can go to the Endangered Species Challenge created and sponsored by Blogville’s Arts and Entertainment Director, Louis the Dog Armstrong.

From Bad to Worse by Lucy

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia59 Comments

0123171610aThis morning Amy saw bloody liquid drizzling out of my owie. She put one of her T-shirts on me and took me back to the vet. It is a long ride and by the time we got there my her shirt was soaked in bloody wetness. I was happy to be at the vet doctor’s office because they are all so nice to me. Then Amy left me and the vet people irritated my owie with a saline salute. I mean regaed it. Or gated it. Or something like that. And they closed it back together with metal things. And I am on medicine so I don’t get an insect. Or something like that. It is all because of what I did to my owie with my tongue. All of you were right. I thought I was being clever when I didn’t let Amy see that I could still lick it, even with the pretty blue donut thingy around my neck. But it seems that I was a bad girl and now I am being punished with this horrible collar of shame. I can’t sniff the ground to figure out where I want to go potty, I can’t reach my water or food, and I get stuck places. I am on sick leave from work, too, but at least Jeff will be here with me and let me sleep in his office. *sigh* I have to go back to the vet doctor this Friday. Maybe if I am real good and do everything I am told, all they will do is pet me and give me treats and tell Amy to take the collar of shame off me.0123171609-1

My Owie and No Prayerful Vision

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia58 Comments

Hi, I’m Lucy. I know I said I wasn’t going to start blogging until after I had fully recovered from the cut the vetdoc made on my belly. But I think you, my new friends, need to know what has happened around here. First, I kept waking Amy up during the night with what she called my incest licking. Or something like that. I couldn’t help it, the glued-together cut on my belly has been bothering me. She punished me by going out all alone with Jeff to a place called church this morning. When they got back, Amy took one look at my red belly and put this thing on me. I don’t understand why she would put something on me that she said would interfere with my prayerful vision. Or something like that. I can only see what is right in front of me, and I am freaking out every time I get a glimpse of something off to the side. What if aliens are coming at me? Or squirrels?

I have no prayerful vision.
                I have no prayerful vision.

I know there is a boat in the driveway, so I thought maybe this was my life vest and we were going boating. Nope, just a walk down the street and back, and not a very long one at that. I am being a very good girl. Can anyone help me get this off?

lucy-laying-with-donut-on-head
  Doesn’t Amy know I can’t lick my owie now?

 

Meet Lucy

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia76 Comments
lucy-on-couch
                 Lucy in my office at St. Luke

This sweet girl is a rescued, dark brindle bullie mix. She came to live with us a week ago on Saturday, while I looked for a good home for her. I don’t get attached to dogs quickly, so no problem. Besides, she isn’t a schnauzer! We figured it was better to pick out a name to call her rather than keep referring to her as “the dog.” I came up with Lucy.  Monday afternoon I approached Jeff with tears in my eyes and asked if we could keep her. Without hesitation he nodded and said, “Of course.” WE HAVE A NEW DOG!

Lucy makes the house feel alive again. She has also filled a little bit of the space in my heart that Lexi’s passing left desolately empty. I imagine that space will keep filling as we get to know and love each other even more.

Lucy has been accepted as the new, permanent church dog. Everyone who meets her falls in love with her- staff, volunteers, parishioners, children. The pastor’s 10-year-old daughter comes after school and runs through the hall playing with Lucy, and sits or lays on the floor petting and hugging her, and saying, “I love you, Lucy.” Lucy has also been great with the few younger children she has chanced to meet over the last week.

Lucy sitting

Jeff called her “the perfect dog.” She has a temperament that can’t be beat, is playful without being obnoxious (you know what I mean), knows a few simple commands, barely sheds and has not had any accidents in the house. No, she waited to go to work with me to pee on the hallway runner. And to Petco to pee about 87 gallons on the floor while I sorted through new collars. So, maybe “almost perfect.”

I took her to the vet on Tuesday, where I found out she is a little over a year old and 58 pounds. While there, I was able to observe her interacting with two smaller dogs. I saw tail wags and friendly nose touches. That is also where I realized  – while the vet was searching her abdomen for a scar indicating she had been spayed – that she had gone into heat. She went back yesterday for an ovario-hysterectomy. She is home now, resting at my feet, and obviously not feeling her best after major surgery.

Lucy asked me to let everyone know that she looks forward to blogging with all of you and making new friends, and hopes to be accepted and loved in this community as well. She indicated that she will start blogging after she has had time to recover from her surgery.

An aside to all who might be wondering if this means I am no longer looking for a schnauzer. Not as obsessively. Not as actively. But there is always room in our home and hearts for a second dog if the right one comes along.

Gifts from the Heart

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia19 Comments

 

I want to showcase the beautiful sampler that Sidney, Shelby and Sophie’s Mom, Susan, made in honor of Lexi:

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I just love this, not just because it is lovely and commemorates my girl, but also because of the heart and thoughtfulness that went into it. It is sitting on display with my other “Lexi things.”

As you may already know, Piper and Shelby have started up a bit of a romance. In case you missed their second date, you can go here to learn all about it. Ms. Susan also made a cross stitch for Piper and his Mom:

pipers-cross-stitch

So what do you think? Is this a bit of a bribe to ensure Piper’s Mom lets him continue to court her daughter? Or a thank you to Piper for staying with me for two weeks to comfort me after Lexi crossed the rainbow bridge?  Whatever the reason, you can see the love stitched into these works of art. Piper’s Mom sends her huge thanks and appreciation to Susan as well.

In any case, Piper will be showing up at the Valentine’s Party with Shelby. ❤