Author: Xena, Lucy and Chia

Mouse in the House by Chia

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia35 Comments

On July 4th I was tasked with catching the mouse in the house! It surprised me once, and by the time I started chasing it, it had too much of a head start. But I’m gonna find you, mousy. Here, mousy, mousy…

I’m half dachshund, and we are badger hunters! Mice are more in Xena’s area of expertise, cause schnauzers are ratters. But I saw this one first and it’s gonna be MINE!

The problem is,  I haven’t seen that mouse at all since then. Maybe she knows she’s dead meat if I get her! She’s been eating our coconut oil toothpaste, the stuff Mom mixes with Neem oil to brush our teeth. Grrrrr. Oh, and now Mom’s been referring to the mouse as “she” because “she” is so darn smart (sorry, guys)! Mom moved our coconut oil toothpaste to the very top of the stack dryer. Shoot, even she can barely get to it there! And guess what? Part of it was gone the next morning! How the dickens is this mouse getting to these places? And why isn’t it getting trapped? This time the mouse slammed the door on the trap shut on it’s way out!

She ate all the “toothpaste” in the trap again a few nights ago plus shut the trap door on her way out again! The other two traps broke trying to catch that darn mouse. She keeps going in them and eating our coconut oil and walking back out. At least she has good manners and shuts the trap door behind her!

I’m really trying, Mom!

“You won’t believe what she did the other night while we were asleep! She got on the stovetop and into the trap that had her favorite coconut oil. The door closed with her in the trap. She banged against the inside of the trap until it bounced off the stove. Then she kept banging against the inside of it until it was partway across the room. Then she got the door at the other end – the door only people are supposed to be able to pull off to release the mouse in the wild – lifted up out of it’s groove and walked away! (after she ate the coconut oil.)
 
My folks are about to look for another humane way of catching her. If that fails, well, there’s always the jaws of death. No! Not mine! (unless I catch her first) An old fashioned mouse trap. Mousie will die. Mom will cry. And then I will have failed. But it will be over.

Now the back of the trap is sealed with clear packing tape so mousy poo (yep, it poos a lot) can’t escape that way. But who woulda thought she could do that in the first place!?

I’ll catch it Mom! I’ll hold it down with this paw like I did my [toy] squirrel while I bite off its head.

Rubber bands are around the outside of the trap and hooked on each side to the burner grates on the stove. Hopefully, that will keep the trap from being bounced to the edge and off the stove top. More coconut oil is in it. We will know tomorrow if she took the bait again, or if she learned not to go into it. Mom’s also gonna place one in the bathroom. She’s heard mousy poo rustling around in there during the night.

This is your last chance, Miss Mousy Poo. Git out while the gittin’ is still good.
Chia, your arch nemesis.

In case you’re wondering, this is what the trap looks like.

Chia’s Poetry and Thankfuls on Her Birthday Month

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia23 Comments

Chia: It’s still my birthday month and I’m trying to make the most of it, with Xena’s blessing. She just turned 8, so she must be getting soft in her old age.
Xena: Hey! Watch it or I might revoke your blogging privileges Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going back to bed for my nap.
Chia: *whispering* See what I mean? Anyhoo, I’m thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week! Last week I said I bet I get to do the poem again this week, and I was right! (I think Mom had a bit of influence on the decision too. I saw Xe get an extra treat.) Here’s the picture and my poem!

Almost a Baboon by Chia

She’s made good progress painting our Dad’s face.
There’s red and black squiggles all over the place.
Now if she just adds some eye makeup too,
He’ll look like a baboon who belongs in the zoo.

The end

Chia: Thankfuls, hmmm. I’m thankful I don’t have to get a full table groom every month like Xena does. I would be tons thankful if I didn’t have to get my nails dremmeled every coupla months! Let’s see. Oh, I’m thankful that we had hardly any fireworks last Friday. They don’t bother me, but I get tired of seeing my sisters shake. It’s a bit disconcerting. Mom asked me why I don’t try to comfort them like I do her when she’s upset, and I just don’t have an answer for that. Oh yes, and I’m thankful to all of you wishing me a happy 5th birthday!! It’s really cool to have so many on-line friends. Also, Miss Jentry came over last Sunday, I think to wish me a belated happy birthday. And she celebrated her son Connor’s 21st birthday while she was here. He’s moved in with us and is settling in the downstairs “in-law” suite. I’ve heard that Connor and his Mom lived here for a coupla years back when Conor was like 8 and 9 years old. He knew Angel Lexi and Angel Riley. Angel Riley used to sleep in bed with him

Connor and Riley

Lucy: I’m also really thankful there were only a few fireworks! And that I’m back visiting with all my Al-Anon friends at work.
Chia: Oh yeah, I heard the folks are going away tomorrow and Saturday nights to 2 big dances in Knoxville, a couple of hours from here. And that Miss Clare from next door and her little brothers and sister are going to take care of us. Woo hoo! *great big wags* We have fun with them and I’m extra good when they take me for walks. Her sister is kinda small and I don’t want to pull her down the road. (Mom’s thinking about hiring them to walk me at least a few days every week…that would be a great late birthday present!)

Guess that’s it for now, friends. Hope everyone is doing great and doing what you love to do!

Celebrating My Birthday: Chia’s Fun Moments

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia15 Comments

We’re still celebrating my birthday today. I’m getting a “birthday weekend!” I had a great birthday yesterday!! Mom took me for a long walk around the neighborhood. Just me! (She hasn’t been walking me cause of how hard I pull and it’s just not fair.)
Here’s some more of what I did…

We’ve had these treat puzzles, but don’t get to use them very often. My sisters got to use the treat puzzles too. I remembered how to get all the treats out, so XeBoo didn’t have to help me this time. She was too busy throwing the pieces in the air to get at the treats in her puzzle, anyhow!

Then I got my present:

A squirrel! I was so excited!

I took the squirrel out into the dog lot to see if it would run so I could chase it. Nope. So I brought it back in the house where I decided to finish it off.

It’s still with us and I’m still not naming it. Guess I’ll have to keep trying to catch the mouse in the house. Mom said that’s my job.

I’m Chia, mighty hunter and birthday weekend girl.

Happy Birthday Chia and USA!

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia41 Comments

Happy Birthday to our country, the great USA, and happy 5th birthday to our youngest sister, Chia!

Chia: It’s the day we celebrate my birthday, since I couldn’t remember the actual day in July to tell my new pawrents when they adopted me. They said I’m a real fire cracker, so they decided the 4th of July would be an appropriate day to celebrate.

Mom, I almost caught the mouse! Does that count for anything?

I got a nice long walk before the day got to hot, just me and Mom! And she let me pull her the entire way without yelling at me to “Stop pulling!” te he. For a birthday I’ve been tasked with catching the mouse in the house! It surprised me once, and by the time I started chasing it, it had too much of a head start. But I’m gonna find you, mousy. Here, mousy, mousy…

Hey Mom! Me and Xena want to go outside and play for a while, come get the door…please. (Maybe the mouse will follow me out….)

Lucy: Yep, Chia’s been a firecracker all morning.
Back to it also being our country’s birthday, I am re-running this video for the 4th of July since many of you have never seen it. And if you have, I hope you enjoy it again.

A big thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday Blog Hop! And Happy Independence day to all our American friends.

Chia: Thanks, Luce the Goose. I’m gonna finish up with what my Auntie Jen texted to me. I don’t remember if I showed y’all this before, but it doesn’t matter, cause it’s my birthday!!

I’ll keep you updated on the mouse situation! XOXOXOXOXOXOX Chia the birthday girl (I’m 5! I’m 5! I’m 5!)

Chia’s Poem and Thankful Thursday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia26 Comments

Chia: Hi friends!!! *whole body wags* I’m really happy you came to visit today. Do you know what tomorrow is? Do ya?
Xena: It’s the 4th of July. I’m asking for CBD oil to get through tonight and tomorrow.
Chia: Oh, yeah, it’s that…and it’s my birthday, or at least the day my family celebrates my birthday. They say I’m a real firecracker!! Boom!! *Xena jumps.*
So I’m blogging today in case Mom is too busy with giving me treats and presents to blog tomorrow! Hope you like my poem!

Stan the Man by Chia

I listen to this man named Stan
Go on about this old sedan.
That cigar makes my nose twitch
And Stan’s clothes make my eyes itch.

Is that a dog on the car’s hood?
My nose and eyes aren’t working too good.
Yet on Stan drones with his sales pitch
That he is sure will make him rich.

All these autos are just junk
From headlights back to their big trunk.
I’m gonna tell my Mom, “Don’t buy!”
Then turn around and say “Goodbye!”

The end

Wow, can you believe people used to put those kind of ads on TV? Or that people would dress like that? I’m glad I don’t have to wear clothes (unless it gets really, really cold out).

I get to lead off on the thankfuls for today. I know it sounds kinda corny, but I’m so thankful that brother Andrew brought me here to live with the folks who are now my Mom and Dad. And I’m super thankful that Miss Jentry comes to visit me. Did you know I used to live at her house with my last person? He was renting from her, then he got high and went up high on the roof and the police took him to jail.

I know I don’t always treat Lucy nice, but she’s so easy to pick on. And I love her lots and am really thankful that she’s my big sister. I’m also thankful that Xena’s my sister, too, except for when she gets in the way in the bed so that I can’t crawl under the covers to sleep. We play almost every day!

And I’m thankful for the soft blankies Mom has around the living room. There’s always one I can pull down and cuddle up on.
And I’m thankful for our new neighbor kids. I wasn’t too sure about them at first, but they’re boss! Miss Clare is the oldest. She comes over when Mom and Dad are out of town and feeds us and plays with us and pets us and takes us for walks! Her little sister Lucy (yes, Lucy has the same name as Lucy) usually comes with her, and her little brother Michael. Or sometimes William.
OK, Lucy and Xena. Your turns.

Lucy: You said it all, Chia. I’m thankful for the same things, plus for you. I know you do love me and just can’t help yourself sometimes.
Xena: I’m thankful for CBD oil. And valerian oil.

Chia: I know you are, Xena. Finally, I’m thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week! I bet I get to do the poem next week too, so I can’t wait to see what it is.
Bye, and be good and you’ll get treats!!
Chia aka ChiChi aka Chiaweeah *whole body wags*

Thankfulness and Fun with Xena

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia29 Comments

Xena: I’m thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week. Let’s see what Angel Sammy has in store for us today. Oh, and you’ll notice I hopped into the picture! *wags*

This Dang Hoodie by Xena

I was guarding the dog treats when I fell asleep
And dreamed I was riding in a yellow jeep.
Then I awoke and now I can’t see.
Who dared to put this dang hoodie on me?

The end

I’m thankful that my 8th birthday was on a Saturday. That way Mommy could take me with her to visit my brother Adam on my birthday! She also took me to work this Monday and Tuesday as a special treat. I like having a birthday month and getting fussed over. I’m Xena Schnauzer Princess (Warrior) and us princesses like lots of attention.

Lucy: I’m both thankful and excited that the bible study group where Mom works isn’t meeting at all in July. When they start back in August, they’re changing their meeting day to Tuesday. That means I can go every single Wednesday to greet the Al Anon group! Mom told the group, and they keep asking her if it’s time for me to come back yet. *wags* One lady even commented that she loves to see me smile *big toothy grin.*

Chia: I’m thankful for our new 15-year-old neighbor girl, Claire. She has started dog sitting us when Mom and Dad go away. She comes over to feed us twice a day and in between too. When she takes us all for walks, I don’t even pull on my leash. Mom’s thinking about offering to pay her just to walk me every day. (That’s cause I’m not that good for Mom…don’t ask why, cause I’m not tellin’.)

Xena: Well, I gotta go now cause Miss Claire just got here. She’s taking care of us again for a coupla days while Mommy and Daddy go down to Atlanta. They are going to get some special kinda card so they can just fly through the airport. BOL, I made a funny! (Did you get it?) BOL!

Achilles

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia33 Comments

Amy: This Monday I went to our best friends, Bill and Jen’s home. While I was happy to see them, the reason for the trip was to be with Achilles, their 14-year-old white boxer. Not long ago he was diagnosed with cancerous tumors all throughout his body. If you’ve been reading this blog very long, you will remember that he was also Lucy’s real-life boyfriend. I couldn’t take her, however, because I was coming from an event in Indianapolis. Even so, Achilles was so very happy to see me! He bounced around like a puppy; played tug o’ war; learned how to use a treat puzzle (I brought 3 of my dogs’ puzzles.). He played a little bit of chase the ball and laid in my lap. I stayed with him all day. He coughed a lot because of the tumors pressing on his lungs and couldn’t lay down very well for the same reason.

The next morning (yesterday) he was still doing better. We all knew it was because he was so happy I was there. We also all knew it wouldn’t last.

Within an hour after I started the three hour drive home, I got a call from Jen. Achilles was down and he was unable to get up. A little later he did get up, and the rest of the day and evening he refused to lay down. His exhaustion was apparent.

He was no better today. I share this through my tears as I mourn his passing, just about an hour ago as of this writing.

Achilles was a sweet, precious, smart and loving boy. He and Lucy loved being together and exchanged mouth licks as a happy greeting. While Lucy hasn’t seen her guy in a long time, I think she will understand he is gone the next time we take her with us to their house.

  • Xena and Achilles

We love you, Achilles; your family, of which Jeff and I are a part, will miss you beyond words and remember you always. Run free across the Rainbow Bridge with your sister Ella.

Fun with Gracie by Xena

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia28 Comments

Gracie came to visit with us again for 10 days. It was really different this time. She was really different. She didn’t take her usual 24 hours to get used to being here around the three of us. She started hanging out with us right away.

Mommy took her to work the first full day she was here.

I finished my work. Do I get a treat?

Back at our home, Gracie started being assertive about what she wanted. She followed Mommy around until Mommy realized that Gracie either needed to go out or wanted to be fed. Finally, she decided she would eat when we were given our food. She never used to finish her food. But this time she licked her bowl clean both morning and night. It might be because her dad gave Mommy money and said, “Just feed her what you feed your dogs.” Guess she liked it!

One night our folks decided they needed a break from all four of us in the bed (I don’t understand why), so they shut us all out of the bedroom. Gracie barked and barked from her kennel. After being reprimanded for it, she got quiet…for about five minutes. Then she started barking again. That time Mommy carried her and her kennel into Daddy’s office at the other end of the hallway and shut the door. She finally settled down and went to sleep. That was the last night Mommy and Daddy tried that.

You don’t see me here on the bed because I was taking the picture.

Chia: Xena, don’t fib. You thought the bed looked pretty full, so you slept in your red bed on the floor until the middle of the night. That’s when I heard you wake up Mommy to pick you up and put you in the big bed with everyone.

Xena: Moving on…
Early one evening we got a storm. Gracie’s never been afraid of storms. But me and Lucy are! Mommy was in the bathroom, so Lucy went into the walk-in closet and laid down. I shook until Mommy sat down on the floor and held me. Gracie ran and got in what used to be a shower but is now a storage area.

She was shaking, too. Yep, she really became one of the pack. I wonder what she’ll do now that she’s going home. I wonder if her pawrents will notice anything different, or if she’ll morph back into the original, only-dog Gracie.

After being here for 13 days her pawrents came and got her. Gracie was so happy she did big zoomies through our front yard. We’ve never seen her do zoomies before either. It was good they came back ’cause I had begun to think she was just going to live here. What’s one more dog, right? *whispering* I was/am still Mommy’s favorite.
Chia: I heard that!

Thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday Blog Hop! 

Xena’s Sleepy Selfie Sunday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia15 Comments


Thanks to The Cat on My Head for hosting Sunday selfies!

Xena: Mommy, it’s my birthday month, so I’m taking the rest of the Sunday selfies for me, OK?
Mommy: Of course, baby girl. you go for it.
Xena: Well, the thing is, I’m really sleepy and you just tucked me in, so, would you please take my picture? Then it’ll be ready for Sunday morning.
Mommy: Of course, Xexe. Try to keep your eyes open for a moment.

Mommy: Uh, maybe we should try again tomorrow morning.

Xena: Zzzzzzzz

Mommy on Sunday morning: So, are you ready to try again, Xe.
Xena: I got it Mommy. You can go back to bed or get ready for work, or whatever. *wags*

Mommy: Xe, where did those flowers come from?
Xena: Uhhhh, would you believe the big gray cat next door?

A Dog’s Thankful Thursday: Xena’s Family Fun

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia29 Comments

Xena: I’m thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week. Let’s see what Angel Sammy has in store for us today. Oh, and you’ll notice I hopped into the picture! *wags*

Gettin’ Down with Grandma by Xena

I went to the home to visit my grandma.
The desk sent me to the room that’s called Hee Haw.
My Grandma was there and she sang real good.
But why was she singing ’bout life in the hood?

Hey Grandma, I crooned, you sure actin’ Sus.
“You ain’t got a clue, girl, so you should just shush.”
Well Grandma, I see that you fixed youself up.
“Well what would you know, you just a wee pup!”

Like that back and forth we went with street slang.
Her dissin’ me while together we sang!
I howled and she belted a tune ’bout the gang,
Then finished our song when the supper bell rang.

That was a fun one this week. I wish I had known my grandma. She sure did love Angel Lexi lots and lots, and I bet she would have loved me, too. I don’t think she knew any more than I do about street gangs or “the hood,” though.

Sus: Short for “suspicious,” used when someone’s behavior seems shady.

Chia: Thanks, Xena and now it’s time for my thankful. I’m so happy brother Andrew came to see me over the weekend. It feels like furever, though, and he needs to come back. Not only that but Miss Jentry came on Sunday and fixed all the folks a Mexican dinner. I got to taste a little bit of it. I’d eat that for supper any day!
Lucy: I heard that I may get to start going back to work every Wednesday again, beginning in July.
Xena: I’m thankful that my itchies are gone. I don’t have to wear that cone on my head anymore, or those jammies on my body to cover my tummy. Thank you Jesus! (I went to church this week.)

Here’s wishing everyone a good end of the week with no fleas or seizures or ticks or thunderstorms!

XOXOXOXOX Xena, Lucy and Chia

Fond Memories on Happy Tuesday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia25 Comments

Thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday Blog Hop! 

We often think about our big (angel) brother, Riley. Today, Mom saw his harness still hanging next to the door, beneath a safety jacket for walking in the dark. So we wanted to share a couple of pictures of him with happy memories. It is from 5 years ago today.

And another smile from almost 7 years ago:
Lucy: Hey Xena, do you remember when you and Riley had the bed war? You took his bed, so…

…he took yours!

Xena: Yep, those were fun times (I think I won that particular battle, BOL!)

Wishing everyone lots of happy times to make into happy memories!

Ty Beanie Bears Say Goodbye

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia22 Comments

Lucy, Ace Reporter, here to tell you about two of Brother Andrew’s collection of Ty Beanie Babies, who are leaving us (for the great unknown). He was cleaning out his stuff from the attic, and decided to sell all his T.B.B…except for the ones who were damaged. Here are April and September to tell you their own stories.

Hi new friends. When we got rescued from a box in the attic, we thought, “Great! now we can have some fun!” But, somehow, in a way neither of us can remember, we were “damaged goods.” So instead of selling us, Andrew gave us to his favorite pup, Chia. We had no idea…no idea…we thought it would be all fun and games with this talkative, very active dog. Then the chewing started.

I’m innocent, your honor!

September: Yeah, as innocent as a crocodile in a fresh water fish pond.
April: It didn’t hurt much. But our guts started to fall out.
September: The little beads were all over the floor.
April: Then the Mom saw what was happening.
September: She said, “You finished them off, Chia. Now they have to leave before you eat their guts.”

April and September: Ever since that we’ve been sitting here in front of the Minties the dogs eat.
September: I wonder if we’re next, after the Minties are gone.
April: No, we’re going to the final resting place.
September: *gasp* No! Not the…not the…
April: Yes. The garbage can.

Lucy: You’ve heard it in their own words, friends. Goodbye, April and September.
Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off and wishing everyone (except these Ty babies) a great weekend!

Xena’s Poem and Thankful Thursday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia24 Comments

Xena:  I’m thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week. Let’s see what Angel Sammy has in store for us today. Oh, and you’ll notice I hopped into the picture! *wags*

A Midnight Rendezvous by Xena

In the middle of the night
When open fridge lights are so bright
I awoke from a deep sleep
And in the kitchen I did creep.

I found two cats…not one, yes, two.
They glanced at me, said, “How d’ya do.”
I growled and said better than you.
Ignoring me, they found the stew.

You can’t reach it, I barked with doubt.
Get outa my house, get out, get out!
“We can with your help,” they mewed.
Then we’ll share this yummy food.

Mommy never understood
Why the pan no more had food.
I’ll ne’er tell how now I’ve got
Two cats whose friendship I bought!

The End

Chia: You befriended cats? And let them eat our food?
Xena: *sigh* It’s just a made-up poem, Chia. Maybe that’s something you can be thankful for today.
Chia: Uh, sure. And I’m thankful I’m not walking in clouds and seeing rainbows and butterflies like I did last Sunday. I even let Mom cut and dremmel my nails while Miss Jentry held me. Wow, that was some trip.
Lucy: Sunday was a nice day. You were so mellow, Chia. I wish you could be more like that more of the time. I’m thankful for the pills that make you like that.
Chia: Pills? I didn’t take any pills. Just an extra bite of ground beef…ohhhhh.



Coco’s Transformation on Happy Tuesday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia19 Comments

Thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday Blog Hop!

Hello! Ace Reporter Lucy here with a new groom for your reading and viewing pleasure. Today I would like to share with you an amazing transformation of a shih tzu who only gets groomed two times a year.

Coco is a very nice and good girl. She came to us looking like this.

Groomer Mom needed to wash her first, but knew that she’d never get all those mats dry enough to shave if she did. So she got started and, made good progress. Here is Coco with most of the shaving part done. Lots of hair had already hit the waste basket.

G. Mom would have never gotten through this without Coco’s cooperation. She seemed to know G. Mom was trying to help her. Finally, after everything was off or trimmed and bathed and dry, Coco was like a new pup.

Just look at those beautiful big eyes! Groomer Mom had a talk with Coco’s Mom about bringing her more often. We kind of doubt that’s going to happen, though.

Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off with another successful groom.

Xena, Lucy and Chia on Thankful Thursday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia20 Comments

Xena:  I’m thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week. Let’s see what Angel Sammy has in store for us today. Oh, and you’ll notice I hopped into the picture! *wags*

My Ride Home by Xena

Who planned these houses anyway?
I ’bout slipped off my uber ride.
Dang, I guess they’re here to stay.
I’ll dig a tunnel to inside.

Chia: Wait, Xeboo, I’ll help you dig!
Xena: Don’t call me Xeboo. *sigh* It’s just a story, Chiboo.
Chia: Chiboo, BOL, BOL, BOL *rolling on back*

Lucy: Once again, I’ll get the thankfuls going while “the littles” work this out. I’m thankful I got a nice bath. It made my furs shine again, just like my Hebrew name, Ora, that means light or shiny. I even got a certificate saying so at my Barkmitzvah.

That was about five years ago (October 2020). If you missed it, you can read about it here.

And I’m thankful that at 9 1/2 years old, I’ve never been sick or injured. I sure do hope that continues.
I think I’m most thankful for my wonderful home. I love that Mom has been taking me to the church where she works. I’m always a good girl now and almost everyone who comes in pets me and talks sweet to me. I love all our new neighbor kids, too. Just think, I’ve never been a “kid” dog until now!

Wishing everyone a rest of the week full of light. Lucy

Guest Cat Selfie Sunday by Xena

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia25 Comments

Happy Sunday, friends. Today, I, Xena, have been persuaded to let someone in our neighborhood do the selfie today. The cat next door came over and said, “Hey, I hear this is Selfie Sunday, and no one in my house has a blog. A little help, here?” So, cause I like the kids that live there, I said, “OK,” adding, “Just this once.” Uh, he told me his name, but I don’t remember it. I do know a few things about him, though.

  1. He’s very friendly.
  2. He comes over a lot to get petted.
  3. He used to be a farm cat.
  4. He often shows up when someone brings their dog to be groomed. Then, Mommy has to go outside and hold onto him when they drive away so he doesn’t get run over.

Here’s his picture. Maybe since I did this for him, he won’t hurt me if I get close to him…

Thanks to The Cat on My Head for hosting Sunday selfies!

Xena’s Poem on Thankful Thursday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia26 Comments

Xena:  I’m thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week. Let’s see what Angel Sammy has in store for us today. Oh, and you’ll notice I hopped into the picture! *wags*

The Guest by Xena

You brought home a guest without asking me?
Just how stupid can you possibly be?
The sand’s not been raked, a bed not been made.
Nor the pool cleaned out, in which she would bathe.

I’m sorry, sweetheart, her Air B&B cancelled.
I saw her there, all lost and dismantled.
Let’s get known for our hospitality;
I’ll help you get ready so she is happy.

Then we can offer our home for a profit.
Where more can come and pay out-of-pocket.
We won’t charge her, she’ll give great reviews!
It’ll cover the cost for our ocean front views!!

The End

Chia: You’ve been listening to Mom and Dad trying to plan their September vacation, haven’t you Xeboo?
Xena: I’ve told you to stop calling me that? *sigh* Yes, I have, and we’re not going to get to go with them.
Chia: With any luck, brother Adam and my Jentry will stay with us!!
Xena: I was asked to go on vacation with our folks, but I might get really afraid way up high on an airplane, so I’ll stay here.
*pause*
Chia: Liar! Hey, wanna play?
Lucy: Well, I guess I’ll be doing the thankfuls this week. First, I’m thankful that Chia’s been on some herbals to help her settle down a bit and stop attacking me. I think she might be playing at first, but then she gets all stiff and serious. I hate to have to put her on her back to make her stop.
I’m also thankful that all the bad storms with all that awful thunder has stopped. And I’m thankful I get to sleep in the big bed with my folks and sisters. I’m really thankful for the new family that moved in next door with all the kids who love me and let me lick in their ears. More about that another time. *big wags*

Xena: *while running after Chia* Thanks for joining us and we’ll see ya next time.


Xena’s Almost Wordless Wednesday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia16 Comments

Thanks to  Comedy Plus for hosting Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop!

Xena: Brother Andrew asked us to come by his place on our way home from work yesterday. He gave me these pretty flowers. They smell good, too.

He loves me.

Mom’s note: It was a belated Mother’s day bouquet. But I’ll just let Xena believe they were for her.

Hiking On Mobry Mountain with Chia

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia20 Comments

Hi, It me, Chia! I finally got to go somewhere with Mom that no one else got to go. Mom took just me in the car and we went on an adventure!! So I asked her to share it with all my friends here. She said Nature Friday would be the perfect place, so here we are. Hope you’re here too!!!

Y’all know who Miss Jentry is, right? She’s my favorite person in the whole world!!! She asked Mom to go hiking with her, so brother Andrew tagged along (it was going to be a girls’ hike, but that’s ok, we love Andrew too.) We went to a nearly mountain, only about 15 minutes from our house. It’s called Mobry Mountain and is part of the Appalachian chain. I’m told it’s a small mountain, as mountains go, but it sure looked big to me!

For the hike I got to wear 2 different harnesses with 2 different leashes. Mom said it’s cause she loves me, and that it’s fashionable, but I think it’s cause I slipped my harness and ran the neighborhood the other day during a walk. We weren’t really walking when it happened…Mom was visiting with Miss Pam just up the road and didn’t notice when real fast-like I turned around and pulled the harness up over my head. She noticed as soon as the harness hit the ground, but I was already in full run mode by then. Just thought I’d explain in case you noticed that in the pictures.

OK, back to our hike. *tail wags*. We drove up the mountain, but not to the top. A good ways up there was a park with a hiking trail. All the peeps took turns holding onto my leash(es).

We hiked through the woods for a while. I didn’t even pull on my leash(es)! This was all so different for me. I’d never been taken hiking before. Mom wouldn’t go near the edge of this drop-off. She’s ascared of heights. And I stayed away from it too with Miss Jentry.

If you look close at his next picture, you can see the alligator rock laying on another rock.

Way in the background on the left you can see the two towers at the nuclear power plant that’s just a few miles from where we live. When Mom had her pontoon boat, she would sometimes go up there, cause it sits right on the Tennessee River. The water was always much warmer there, and once she saw a fish with 3 eyes!! (Mom never went in the water near there.)

Then we got into an area that had a great big ship embedded in the rock. We all walked through the cutout in the huge rock.

Here I am with bro Andrew. I’ve hear that there’s a place called Fat Man’s Squeeze up at Rock City that’s a lot like this.

I finally got to the other side and got to walk with Miss Jentry.

I guess that’s it for the story of my first hike. I sure hope I get to go hiking again! Oh, hey, Thanks to Sunny (and Rosy) of The LLB Life for hosting Nature Friday!