Full Crew on Talk Like a Pirate Day

Today we are celebrating Talk Like a Pirate Day. We’ve asked Angel Riley to join us, as he always enjoyed this day, and he managed to get a half day pass from the other side of the Bridge. And we invited our new friend Oliver, too. He was a bit hesitant, but we talked him into it. We said something like, “Arrr, do ye wish to throw in with this scurvy crew, or be takin’ a stroll off the plank, ye bilge rat?” Oliver decided to join us.

Riley: I can near lay me eye on home from here!

Chia: Arrr, I be the Captain!
Xena: Me an’ Ollie’ll be comin’ fer ye, Captain, when the lass ain’t watchin’!
Oliver: Now hand over some o’ that fine grub ye be feastin’ on, ye greedy sea dogs!
Lucy: Belay yer jabberin’ and fix yer deadlights on the lookin’ glass.

Everyone: Wishing all ye scallywags a jolly Pirates Day — may no soul be forced to dance the plank today!

Xena and Chia’s Poetry on Thankful Thursday

Xena: Happy Thankful and Poetry Thursday, everyone! I’ve let Chia jump in the picture with me. Well, and help me with the poem. I’m trying harder to be a good sister. Here we go!

Whatcha Doin’, Xena? by Xena and Chia

Chia: Whatcha doin’ Xena?
You’re on that truck…I see ya!
Xena: I’m tryin’ to find my breafast.
The Ollies packs went too fast!

Chia: I think there’s more Ollie boxes,
And maybe some salmon and loxes.
Xena: I’ll knock them on the road.
You check while I unload.

Chia: I’m running home to tell Dad!
He’ll know that you’ve been so bad.
Xena: And while in the kennel I lay
You won’t have a partner to play.

Chia: Hey! Let’s keep unloading the boxes!
Xena: We’ll both be as sly as foxes!
Chia: And no one will bark ne’er a word
Xena: This whole conversation just blurred.

Chia: I’m here first for the thankfuls cause I’m fast. I coulda probably outrun that truck. I’m thankful that we don’t have to chase down our yummy food. Mom always puts in in our bowls and puts it on the floor and says “wait” until we all have our bowls. Then she says, “Free!” and we can all eat. I’m thankful my sisters don’t try to steal my food, cause I’m the slowest eater. I like to chew my food, not just gulp it down like Lucy does.

Lucy: I’m still thankful for all the yummy little treat cookies that our friend Kim made us while she was here visiting. Mom gives me some while I’m at work with her. And I’m thankful for the nice weather. I love to lay out in the sunshine.

Xena: I’m thankful that Clare, the girl next door, comes over and feeds us and lets us out to potty when Mommy and Daddy are late getting home from work. Hmmm, I guess all of our thankfuls – and the poem – are about food today. Now everyone knows what’s really important to us!

And speaking of thankfuls, we are all thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week!


Queen of the Couch Pillow Awww Monday

Thanks to  Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Mondays! 

This couch pillow is near the top of the list of places that me and Xeboo (I know, I know, Xena, don’t call you Xeboo) vie for. Even Lucy tries to take this one over! And sometimes it’s a hard decision whether to get in Dad’s lap, lay next to Mom, or grab this favored spot in the living room. But today, I’m Queen of the Couch Pillow!

Your best friend, Chia!

Mom Amy: Chia came to us at seven months old and has been with us for a little over four years. I’ve never had a dumb dog, and I truly believe that Chia is only rivaled by Angel Lexi for being the smartest. We have to be careful to not allow her in situations where she can run off, which unfortunately restricts her from doing some things the other dogs get to do . But one thing I know for sure…her big heart overflows with love and caring (even though she shows it in strange and annoying ways to Lucy!). We wouldn’t trade her for anything!

Xena’s Beary Good Poem on Thankful Thursday

We are thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week! 

Xena: I’m back in the saddle, as they say…
Lucy: Xena, I really wouldn’t use that analogy after what happened last week.
Xena: Geez, I’d almost forgotten about those horses chasing us. Anyhoo, I survived and am here with my poem about Angel Sammy’s fun picture (that I jumped into). Then we’ll all do our thankfuls! Here goes…

Yoga for Animals by Xena Schnauzer Princess

Down Dog is fun to do.
Mr. Bear tried it too,
But he’s built a different way
So did his yoga as he lay!

The End.

Xena: I’m thankful that I’m a dog, especially a schnauzer dog. That means I get to live with my Mommy and Daddy. (Bears can’t do that, unless they’re Teddy Bears.) And I’m thankful that the weather’s been so nice…no more bad thunder!

Chia: Yep, we do down dog every time we invite each other to play! I’m thankful Miss Jentry came over to visit with me last Sunday. Oh, and that the neighbor kids are back from their vacation AND are going to take care of me (and my sisters) this weekend while Mom and Dad go out of town for Mom’s birthday. I heard they’re staying at a place where there’s a horse farm. Kinda thankful I’m not going! Besides, I know they wouldn’t take me dancing with them, anyhow.

Lucy: I’m thankful, once again, that I got to go to work with Mom yesterday. I felt more like visiting this week, and I greeted and said goodbye to every single person who came through the door for their Al Anon meeting!

Xena: That’s it for this week. Hope y’all have a good, burr free, thunder free, horse free weekend!

Poetry by Chia on Thankful Thursday

Let’s start off again with being thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week! 

Chia: I get to do the poem this week ’cause, well, I’ll get to that later. Right now, here’s my poem. You’ll soon see why I’m not in the picture!

What’s Wrong? by Chia

Darling, this is our anniversary!
Why won’t you smile or even look at me?
Please tell me what’s wrong and I’ll make it right.
I love you so much, I don’t want to fight.

It’s my Jacksund, Chia, my precious girl.
Leaving her alone makes my stomach churl.
Let’s go to the park where she can come too.
Then I’ll take you home and make love to you!

Lucy: Chia, this poem is scandalous!
Chia: What?! They’re gonna go home after we have fun in the park and then we can all cuddle together in bed. Right?
Anyhoo, Mom let me have the picture poem this week because Lucy got to go to the nursing home to see our grandma last Friday when we were in In Dee Anna, and I had to stay at the rental house with Xena. And it gets worse! On Saturday, Lucy and Xena both went to Dad’s sister’s hobby farm to celebrate grandma’s birthday with all their relatives, and I. Had. To. Stay. At. The. Rental. House. By. Myself.
So, I said, “Mom, don’t you think I should at least get to write the poem this week, and write whatever I want?” And she said, “Yes!” which meant that Xeboo couldn’t say “no.” So there, little Miss I got to go to the party and you didn’t! *big wags*

Xena: You woulda got loose and run off! We were all just looking out for you, cause we love you. Oh, and don’t call me Xeboo.

Lucy: And I’m thankful that you didn’t go and and maybe get lost and die in the the vast wilderness of Amish Country, In Dee Anna.
Chia: Umm, oh, yep, there is that. Well, I still hope everyone likes my poem.

The Mom: I’m thankful for a safe trip to Fort Wayne, IN and back. It’s about a nine hour drive each way. I’m also thankful that we don’t have to do that drive again until late November when we’ll be going for the Thanksgiving/Christmas get-together.
I’m also thankful for all three of my sweet pups. And yes, Chia’s safety is the only reason she didn’t get to come to the farm get-together. She’s still a “runner” and we love her too much to lose her like that (or at all!).

Wishing everyone a good Thursday and weekend, which is only one more day away!

Fort Wayne Adventures by Xena

Xena: Hi there friends. Thought I’d share a few pictures of moments in Fort Wayne last weekend. First, here’s a pic of me on the big couch in the front room of the Air B& B where we stayed.

It sure was comfy!

The first night there, we were laying in bed and heard a loud scraping sound, from the atttic. Mommy turned on the light and the sound stopped. She turned out the light, we all settled in again, and it happened again. Light on, noise off. Once more it happened, and this time the animal was also making “talking” noises. We all ran and got in bed in the other bedroom, and we didn’t hear it again. But it sure did sound like a BIG animal like a raccoon or a possum, not a mouse or rat.
The next day we all went outside after breakfast, and guess what we saw in the neighbor’s yard! A huge raccoon!! We stood at the gate and barked and barked, but it just stood there staring at us. After a bit, it turned around and slowly sauntered away. Mommy didn’t get a picture of it, so please use your imagination.

A little later in the morning, me and Chia and Lucy went ‘sploring in the fenced-in backyard.

The yard was a pretty nice size, and it was surrounded on the inside of the fence by lots of ivy and weeds and – we soon found out – little green burrs. They were either “grass burrs, sand burrs, or lawn burrs, which produce sharp, spiny seed pods that cling to clothing and fur.” And dog oh dog, do they ever! Even though we all had a great time playing in that surrounding area, I’m the only one with long hair. First, Mommy put water and soap on my face and spent 87 minutes removing the great big mats created by the hair clinging to the burrs. Then she looked down and saw that all my leg feathers were the same way. She said it probably took 887 minutes (or an hour) of constant combing to get them out of my pretty hair. It hurt when she tried to get the ones out of the hair on the top of my feet, so she tried real hard to take it easy there. I was a good girl and just stood on the kitchen counter while Mommy worked on this. At Mommy’s insistence and under her watchful eye, we stayed out of those areas after that.

Tomorrow we’ll have a couple more pictures and another story for you of our time in Fort Wayne!

Your schnauzer friend, Xena

Xena’s Rainy Poem and Dry Thankfuls

Let’s start off again with being thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week! Not sure this was the most fun one I’ve ever done. I mean, I had to balance on a bicycle seat while holding an umbrella and trying to reach the pedals. Let’s see how that turned out…

Dumb Dog-Sitters by Xena Schnauzer Warrier Princess

What’s wrong with these guys who are dog sitting me?
It’s raining so hard, they hardly could see
To ride their bicycles to have a beer.
There’s eighty-seven places I’d rather be than here.

I’m stuck on a seat holding my umbrella,
And barking out loud, “Hey, you dumb fellas!
Take me home now or I’ll tell my Mommy,
And she’ll kick you out without any money!”

The End

I’m so thankful that my Mommy gets us only the very best dog-sitters. Miss Christy is at the top of our list. We all hated to see her go home, even if I still missed my Mommy a lot. I’m also very thankful that my pawrents came back home.

Lucy: I love Miss Christy too (I’m her favorite!). We cuddle all night long and she pets me a lot and gives us treats. Speaking of treats, one of Dad’s best friends came all the way from the Phillipines and stayed with us for several days right after Mom and Dad got home. She made us healthy and really yummy doggie treats. Mom took some to work today and the Al-Anon people grabbed them and gave them to me! *big wags*

Chia: I heard that we’re leaving on a trip with Mom and Dad this morning. We’re going to see our Grandma who is turning 95 years old this weekend. I’m thankful to get to go!

Lucy: I am too! And I hope I get to go again to the nursing home where she lives. There’s lots of older people there who like me, and I let them pet me.

Xena: A trip? Yay!! See everyone next week!!

Thankful Thursday with Poetry by Lucy

Let’s start off again with being thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week! My sisters have so much fun doing the poetry for these pictures. I’m thankful that Xena let me do the poem for this week. Here we go…

The Man, the Dog and the Bird by Lucy

I’ll help you Dad, I’ll grab the cone
Before that evil bird has flown
To her nest with nestlings…
Oh, heck, she’s got goslings.
I just can’t take their food;
It doesn’t matter how good.
You can have my treat, Dad,
An orange that’ so sweet, and
If you’ll just give me half
We’ll think of the bird and laugh!

Xena: That sure does sound like you, Lucy. I’m thankful you are my sweet, gentle big sister. Remember how we used to play when I was a puppy. I’ve started playing again, with Chia. But if you want to play too, that would be lots of fun. *wags*

Lucy: Thanks, Xena. I’m also thankful that you’re my good little sister. We’ve always gotten along great, and there’s never been a feeling of competition between us.

Chia: Hey girls! What do you want to compete in today? Who gets the most treats? The most pets? First going through the door? Who gets to sit with Mom or Dad?

Lucy and Xena: *sigh* We hope everyone has a happy and thankful Thursday!
Chia: Me too! Me too!

The Mom: To be fair to Chia, along with her exuberant enthusiasm, she can also be a sweet, cuddly girl, even with her sisters – especially Lucy. And she is the only one who is empathetic with people; who can feel if someone is sad or hurting, and gently does her best to try to make that person feel better. I’m thankful today and every day for our Chia.

Chia Hunting Miss Mousie

Thanks to  Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Mondays

I’m still hunting Miss Mousie. Mom has given me permission to send her to the bridge where she can play with all the Mousies who went there before her. I go into stealth mode when I hear her. Mom’s cut the first 30 seconds of the video. She said it looks like something called a “still” cause I stand posed perfectly still, not moving a muscle. Important for the hunt but boring for the video, I guess. Here I am as the mighty hunter!

The music that’s playing is called “Inescapable.” Mom thought that was quite suitable for what I was doing, BOL Hope you enjoyed! (I still haven’t caught Miss Mouse.)

Chia’s Crazy Cat Poem and Thankfuls

Xena: We’re all thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week! Chia’s been a bit upset about our company (even though she’s laying on the couch with Oliver right now) so I thought it might help to let her do the poem this week. She really loves to do that. OK, Chia, you go ahead.

Chia: You did take the last Thursday of my birthday month away from me, Xena, so it’s good I’m getting this week’s.

Loony by Chia the Jacksund

He’s wearing a chef’s hat
And is loony as a bat.
He’s working for a vet
Don’t ever take your pet!

He’s got mechanic’s tools;
All your teeth he could pull.
The vet’s been M.I.A.
No one saw her drive away…

Someone check the freezer!
A body may be in there.
The hat tells the real story.
He”d rather cook than bury!

The End

Hope my poem didn’t make you puke or faint or anything. It’s just kinda the mood I’m in. Mom keeps saying Ollie and I could be play pals if I’d just try. (His name’s Oliver, but I call him Ollie cause it irritates him.) Instead, I look at Ollie and show him my teeth. He looks back and shows me his teeth. We sit like that for a minute or two, then, when I feel I’ve made my point, I get off the couch and walk away.

Xena: I’ve given up. I just ignore them now. They’ve been here five nights and days. Maybe they’re just gonna live here.

Lucy: No, it’s like when our shih tzu friend Gracie comes to visit. Sasha and Oliver’s Mom went on vacation, so our Mom said she’d keep them. I think Sasha and I will get to be friends. I’m always thankful for new friends. And I’m thankful that the weather has cooled off enough we can go for walks when Mom gets home from work.
Xena: Me too. And I’m thankful I got to spend the day at the church with Mommy without any other dogs, even if she did forget to bring my treats.
Chia: I’ll be thankful when Ollie and his big sister leave. Hey, see y’all later. We’re all going to cuddle up on the couch for a nap now.

A Poetic Bear Camp Adventure with Xena

We’re all thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week! I confered with my Mommy before jumping into this picture. She didn’t think it was very safe getting that close to a bear. I promised to run really fast and then jump right back out! Here I go!

Bear Camp by Xena

“You awake, Momma B.?” Daddy Bear asked.
Come out from the covers, in the sun let’s both bask.
“I brought you some trout, I caught them myself.
We’ll eat then lay down again all by ourselves.” *wink*

“I’m not your Mama B!” the young lady gasped!
Your tent’s one more over,” the blanket she clasped.
“Get outa my tent, you big furry beast!
“And once I’m clothed I will join your trout feast!”

The end

Chia: That bear shoulda know better. The tent’s two small for two adult brown bears. I hope those brown bears didn’t eat that stupid lady.
Xena: Of course they didn’t. No one got hurt in the making of my poem. Do you have anything to be thankful about, or are you too busy commenting about my poem. I know you’ve been doing them all of July.

Chia: I”m excited we’re gonna have new friends come stay with us. Maybe they’ll play with me. And I know we’re all excited about Miss Christy coming to stay with next month when Mom and Dad go to a dance camp a hundred thousand miles away.

Lucy: I can’t wait to see Miss Christy, too! I’m also thankful and excited about Sasha coming to stay with us. She’s a boxer like my BFF Ella was. I sure do miss Ella since she crossed over the Bridge.Chia: Your boyfriend Achilles has gone over…
Xena: *interupting Chia* So Lucy, do you think the pom, Oliver, will play with us? *whispering to Chia* No one’s told Lucy.
Lucy: Told me what?
Xena: Uh, geez, I don’t remember *paws crossed and changing subject* Chia, what are you thankful for?
Chia: Hmmm. I’m thankful for both my sisters and that no one else has gone over the Rainbow Bridge.

Xena: I think we’ll wrap this up for today. Everyone have a good weekend with lots of time with your peeps.


Chia’s Final July Poetic Thankful Thursday

Let’s start off again with being thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week! This was another fun photo that I took the liberty of jumping into, and here’s my poem to go with it.

Sneaking Jacksund by Chia

Tommy thought the shoes were fun.
“Sneakers,” they’re called, for a silent run.
Who was Tommy’s victim to be?
One thing for sure, it won’t be me!

Instead, I snuck up from behind,
Quiet as our mouse (who we still can’t find).
I shouted, “Boo!” Tom lost a shoe,
Then ran real fast to take a poo!
The End.

Xena: BOL, BOL, that was a fun one, Chia. And just think, this is your last poem for your birthday month. I’ve had a restful break and will be taking over again next week. I’m thankful for my early morning walks that we take before me and Mommy go to work. It’s not exactly cool at 6:30 in the morning, but not so hot, either, that I overheat.

Lucy: I love our early morning walks too. And Xena, did you hear Mom talking about meeting up with a couple of the neighborhood dogs at a different neighbor’s house. They’re going to come stay with us for a week and we’re supposed to “get acquainted” on what Mom called “neutral territory.” I think that means not in either of our yards. Instead, another neighbor with a fenced yard is letting us all come there.

Xena: Huh. Not sure about that. How does Mommy know all these people anyhow?

Lucy: She grooms Miss Susan and Miss Nicole’s dogs. And I think we’re in for a lecture about being nice to Miss Susan’s dogs, Sasha the Boxer and Oliver the Pomeranian. As long as no one tries to stick their noses in my butt, I’ll be nice.
Xena: I’ll work on ignoring them. They just need to understand that I’m in charge around here.

Chia: And with that, friends, we’re signing off until next time. *wiggles and wags*

Owl Delivery: A Poetic Adventure with Chia

Chia: It’s still my birthday month, woohoo! And Xena’s still lookin’ the other way (for real!) when I grab the picture for the Thursday poetry. So let’s start off with being thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week! Here we go!

Owl Delivery Plus by Chia

Mom! Owl Delivery you called is here.
He says he’ll catch that mouse we fear.
Miss Mousie’s smart, but so is Owl.
He said he’ll need a grooming towel.

“A grooming towel?” my Mom replied.
“Well, let him in with his supplies!
Let’s see what Mr. Owl can do.
It can’t be any worse than you.”

I hung my head, opened the door.
Owl flew onto the entry floor.
Mousie ran out and down the walk
Then got grabbed up by a big hawk.

The towel’s to wipe the sidewalk clean;
Here’s the terms on which we agreed.
Thanks little Chia for today.
If you’d caught Mouse I’d not got paid.

The End

Chia: OK, so it wasn’t so much a delivery as a service call. But that’s what I meant by “PLUS” in the title! Hmmm, wondering if Owl Delivery Plus really did come to our house. We haven’t seen hide nor poop from Mousy in a few days. Mommy read that mice can’t resist peanut butter, so she baited her new trap and all her old traps with Kroger cheap brand PB. Maybe Mousy likes the more expensive stuff and moved to a fancier house… hey, Xena, what do you have to be thankful for today?

Xena: I’m thankful I got to go to work with Mommy three times this week and *whispers* you didn’t get to go at all.
Chia: Why do you think I can’t hear you when you whisper? I’ve got dog ears, too, you know.
Xena: Oh, well, uh, I meant, you might run outside onto the busy road and get run over by a car. I, on the other hand, am well behaved and never do that kind of thing. I don’t pull on the leash, either, which is why I got to go for a walk with Mommy early this morning and you got put out in the dog lot by yourself.
Chia: Grrrr. I just have more spirit than you!
Lucy: Girls, this is supposed to be Thankful Thursday, not Snide Saturday. Let’s tone it down. I’m thankful for my walk this morning, and that we’re all allowed to sleep in the big bed with our folks at night. And also for Thomas the Mailman who comes to Mom’s work to give me good treats!

Xena: Lucy, you reminded me of one more thankful. Mr. Ted always came to the church to see me and give Mommy some papers with lots of numbers on it from Sunday. I like Mr. Ted almost as much as I like my brother Adam. Then someone else took his place. But Tuesday he came by just to hold me and pet me. Mommy helped me up into his lap and he talked sweet to me and gave me scritches in all my favorite places. He’s going on vacation, but told me he’d come back to see me when he gets back. *big wags*

Chia: I guess that’s a wrap for today, folks. Stay cool in this heat, and don’t let any little schnauzers push you around…gotta go!

Mouse in the House by Chia

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

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

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.