Xena: Hey! It’s my turn to do the poem and the thankfuls! Chia: So, Xena Weena, do you wanna go riding with the motorcycle gang? Cause, ya know, that’s what’s happenin’ here, sis. Xena: OK, but I want to give a thankful or two. Chia: Deal!
Chia: OK folks here we go, with lots of thanks to Angel Sammy for the fun picture this week and to Angel Brian for hosting Thankful Thursday!
Me and My Homieby Chia My home boy, my dew rag, now all I’ll need’s a bike. Chuck’s a little nerdy but he’s also very nice. We’re here to ask please, can you donate a trike?
Xena: Uh, thanks, Chia. Now it’s my turn. Riley: Hold up, Xena. Now it’s my turn!
Riley and My Boyby Riley I can’t let you join this gang, You mean too much, my boy. I know it’s been your heart’s desire… Wait! I’ll run get a toy.
You’ll go off with these bikers, You’ll leave me all alone. You might get hurt in fights or wrecks, And even break a bone!
I need to have your pets and laughs And playful loving, won’t you stay? Tell Mom to get your stroller out; We’ll be our own “gang” today!
Xena: Wow, you two did really good. I’m thankful today to have a little sister and a big brother who love me. And a big sister who loves me too!
Dr. Seuss was a smart dude. He knew what My Person Andrew and my relationship is like.
“To the world, you may be one dog, but to one person, you may be the world.” And “To the world, you may be one person, but to one dog, you may be the world.”
I changed just one word in the quote, and it fits us perfectly. Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss. Riley
First, many thanks to Angel Sammy for the challenging picture this week and to Angel Brian for hosting Thankful Thursday!
Rafting to Deathby Riley
I went on a rafting trip with the boys; I was told don’t bring any bones or sharp toys. The river was smooth and warm on my paws; I was careful about not using my claws.
We suddenly flew over a small cliff Way up in the air my hiney did lift. I screamed like a girl, waiting for the rebound. We landed in rapids; someone yelled, “Touch down!”
I almost flew out then hung on for dear life. I even had glimpses of the afterlife! Dear God, save me, get me out of this mess And in your church I will never more piss!
(Oh, wait, that was Lucy.)
Lucy: Riley! You promised!
Riley: Nope, that was Xena who promised not to tell on you. You just told on yourself, my friend. I’m thankful it wasn’t me! And I’m thankful I got to visit with my Auntie Jen over the weekend and sleep in the bed with her while she was here. After she left, My Person Andrew came back over to stay with me. I’m so thankful he does that. I’ll be sleeping in the bed with him until Tuesday when he has to go back home. Then Lucy will sleep with me (if she’s not mad at me, but she doesn’t know how to hold a grudge.) With my enlarged heart and all the coughing and trouble breathing, it makes me feel better to have someone sleep with me.
Riley: My Person Andrew has gone back to his house, so I think I’ll just relax and sleep the day away.
Chia: That was a good breakfast, and I’m just going to go back to bed and wait for something interesting to happen. No one has to help me; I know how to tuck myself in!
Hmmm, I wonder if Xena is playing with one of my stuffies….and what’s Lucy doing? And did I just hear a door?
Riley here. I get to do the poem for this week, using this picture that Angel Sammy found for us. Here we go!
It’s New Year’s Eveby Riley
It’s New Year’s Eve in the Old Folks Home. No one’s dancing or playing with phones. Blowing on toys is fun for the boys; The girls laugh and say my ears hurt, Oy!
We know there’s no promise of one more year. (Oh, what’s the difference if I’m deaf in one ear!) We’ll live happily in a life full of love ‘Til we fly away to our new home above.
Speaking of ears, I think I must be going deaf in at least one ear, too. I thought I heard Mom Amy say, “Good girl, Chia!”
I went back to my favorite vet place a couple of weeks ago. First I had to go to work with Mom Amy and spend the day there.
It wasn’t bad at all. The Al-Anon group came in at noon and L.O.V.E.D. me! I stayed for part of their meeting, then they let me back out to the office when I asked. I went on to the vet’s because I had been coughing and hacking a lot more and Mom Amy worried I might have caught a doggie cold or something. They took another x-ray of my chest. If you want to read about the first x-ray, click here. In short, that first x-ray showed my heart was a bit enlarged, and my heart murmur had gotten worse. This time, Mrs. Dr. Vet hung the old x-ray from March and the new one she just took up side-by-side and Mom Amy could see that my heart had gotten bigger. The Vet said that it was pressing up against something called an esophagus (Mom Amy spelled that for me) and that was making me cough. Kinda like if you press on your throat and it makes you cough. I got some pills that will help slow down how fast my heart is growing. I guess maybe that was on my mind and that’s why I wrote the poem the way I did. Hey, love y’all! *wags* Riley
From Mom Amy: There’s nothing that will cure what is happening, only slow it down some. As it is, we are thankful for every day we have with our Big Guy Riley.
Merry Christmas to all our friends! We are still waiting for brother Andrew and Jentry so we can get our pressies. In the meantime, Mommy gave us treat puzzles to work on. Here’s a short video of us all hard at work getting the treats out of the puzzles. You’ll see Riley in the background.
After we all decided there was no more treat goodness left in any of the puzzles, Chia started disassembling one of the bigger puzzles and taking the pieces into my our kennel to chew up. Seeing how it’s Christmas, Mommy only laughed at her and put what was left of the pieces back into the puzzle as best she could. You should have seen Chia’s surprise when she didn’t get scolded! May the spirit of Christmas last the whole year through!
Love and Happiness from Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess
Hi there friends. I went to work with Mom yesterday. This is the bed Lucy and Xena lay in when they’re here. It’s a bit small, but I made it work.
I had a very enjoyable day with a lot of people fussing over me and petting me and saying really nice things to and about me. I greeted everyone with wags and didn’t show them my teeth like Lucy does. I know it’s supposed to be a smile, but come on! She’s got fangs!
The Al Anon Group came today and most of them pet me and said what a good boy I am and how handsome I am. Some of them even told Mom Amy stories about their own dogs. I stayed in the meeting for a while, going around the table and helping everyone feel comfortable and able to tell their own stories about why they were there.
A little later I got to meet the mailman and he gave me a big treat just like he does Lucy. I followed him back to the truck cause the treat was good and I wanted more… and it worked!
One lady came in with presents for under the Giving Tree and a container of cookies to take downstairs for something going on last night. I could smell the cookies. Mmmmmm. I followed her the whole way down the long hallway hoping to score, but no luck. Mom Amy came after me and gave me a consolation treat.
Well, I shoulda know something was up. The only other time Mom Amy took me to work was when I had to go to the vet. Sure enough, that’s where we went as soon as she got done working. I didn’t really mind. Everyone there is so nice to me. They even laid me on a big table and took lots of pictures of my insides. Is that cool or what!? Mom Amy looked at the pictures of my heart. It’s gotten bigger since they took my picture in the spring this year. But then you probably know I’m a big-hearted boy, right? I really like people and just love, love, love the little folks. But because my heart has gotten bigger, it is pressing a bit on my windpipe. That’s the reason I cough so much. I know My Person Andrew is really worried about me, and cries for me. I don’t want him to be sad. I think I’ll make sure he knows I got some medicine to take to help slow my heart from getting even bigger. Maybe he’ll feel hopeful so he ‘ll forget feeling sad and just have fun with me when we’re together. That’s really all I want for Christmas…and maybe some more mailman treats….and cookies.
Anyhow, I wanted to say that I’m thankful to have such a great day, and for MPAndrew. And for mailman treats…and cookies.
Riley: It’s a boy picture, and I’m the only boy around here, so I get to do the poem this week. Xena: But I’m the German dog in the house. I should get to do the poem. Besides, I have one ready! Riley: I know I’m gonna regret this, but let’s do it together, das Fräulein.
Nuts by Xena the Schnauzer(ina) I heard that the German polizen are nuts. It takes guts to not care about your nuts!
Riley *groan* Final Exam by Riley The men had trained to be on the force; Now to test them on this motor course. If one of them flinched so much as an inch Their police career would be on the bench. I wonder if that bike started too slow; All these men would end up soprano!
Xena: Good one Riley! *wags* Riley: No, you can’t have part of my supper tonight.
Xena: It was worth a shot. But I’m still thankful for something else. I am so very glad to be back in my own home again. That house we stayed at in In Dee Anna had scary hardwood floors and a scary wood staircase to the bedrooms. Mommy had to carry me up and down the stairs in the morning and at night. I know most of our floors are wood, but I grew up on them and that’s different!
Chia: You were scared for real? I thought it was a game! That’s why I kept going onto the rug in the kitchen and acting like I was scared to get off of it. Xena: You mean you weren’t really scared? Chia: Heck no! Didn’t you see me get off it if everyone ignored me? Or if there was food involved? BOLBOLBOL! er, sorry Xena. Xena: I’m gonna take the high road here and say I’m thankful you weren’t really scared of the wood floors. Lucy: I’m thankful for my Dad and for my Grandma. Here’s a picture of Dad entertaining Grandma after our family supper.
Only 18 more days until Santa Paws comes! XOXOXOX Chia, Lucy, Xena and Riley
Xena: I’ve gotta prepare for the trip to In Dee Anna early tomorrow morning. I’m gonna be stuck in the car kennel with Chia for 87 hours.
I saw Mommy pack my warm hoodie for the cold weather. I hope I don’t have to wear it. I’ve gotta remember to remind her to pack our food, too. I wonder if there’s any alligator meat left… And I need to go to sleep early so I can get up and have breakfast before 5 o’clock tomorrow morning. Hmm, I wonder if we can start eating breakfast at that time every day… alligator, mmmm.
Lucy: I got to go to work today after not seeing Pastor for 7 days. I don’t usually go on Wednesdays but I got special permission from Pastor to come today.
I waited a long time for Pastor to come in, but he finally came and we had a great reunion! He still loves me. I even got to tell him about our special Thanksgiving week meat: alligator! Yum! Then a lot of people from a group called Al Anon came and it was a little intimidating, but I smiled and wagged my tail and they all liked me too and pet me and said what a sweet girl I am. It was a good day, but now I have to get rested up to go do therapy with my Grandma in In Dee Anna.
Riley: My Person Andrew is here to stay with me while everyone else goes on a long trip.
I’m so glad I don’t have to ride in the car. We’ll sleep in the bed together, and we’ll just hang out. Wait, I hear him calling me to go for a walk with him. It’s dark and getting cold, but I see he’s got my sweater and leash, so it’ll be ok. Catch ya’ later alligator! Oh, wait, that reminds me. Last week Mom gave us all a lot of alligator meat in our bowls for breakfast and supper. I. Hate. It. I. Won’t Eat. It. So Mom gave me turkey and Lucy got the alligator the next day.
Chia: Mom!! Are we goin’ yet? Huh? Huh? Can we go now?! Huh? Can we?
*licks Mom’s lips* Let’s go! Get Xena and Lucy and let’s go! Let’s go! Love you Mom! Come on! Oh, and don’t bring any of that gross alligator meat!
Thanks to Comedy Plus for hosting Wordless Wednesday and we hope it’s ok it got really wordy! XOXOX Chia, Xena, Lucy and Riley
Riley: Chia! Why are you dressed like an Indian? Mom Amy said we should dress like pilgrims for our Thanksgiving picture. We even had a meeting and I decided we’d all just wear pilgrim hats. What’s wrong with you, long dog?
Chia: I’m a rebel. And I can run faster than you. Lucy: Everyone please just stand still and look at the camera. The sooner we get this over with the better. Chia: Xena, where you goin’? Xena: I think I see a critter…
Thanks to The Cat on My Head, for hosting Sunday Selfies! Jentry and My Person Andrew just left. That’s why I’m late posting this. They come almost every Sunday for a family dinner and visiting. I’m happy Dad Jeff came up with that idea. He must have known what I wanted.
Mom Amy moved my bed and pillow to the guest room. It’s so much quieter and out of the way of traffic. I get really good snoozes here. Happy Sunday, my friends. *wags* Riley
Well, since I’m the male of our 4-legged pack, I said I would investigate the house in this picture and write the poem. If you look closely, you’ll see that’s not a tree behind the house, it’s a monster. When I realized this, I high-tailed it out of there as fast as my legs could carry me! But I’ve still got a poem for you.
The Scary Goon Behind the Castle by Riley
Wednesday, are you going home to your scary castle? Morticia’s there with Dad Gomez and Lurch, your trusted vassal. But who’s that goon in your backyard, with him I wouldn’t wrassle! I’m outa here, I’m headin’ home, to my less scary passel.
That experience has made me thankful there’s nothing scarier than the vacula in our house. And lately I’ve been taking it on when Mom Amy starts pushing it around the floor. Oh yeah, I’ve attacked it once or twice. Mom Amy just laughs and tells me to go somewhere it isn’t.
Mom Amy: I’m thankful our Riley, at the ripe old age of 13, is still with us, going on walks, attacking the vacuum, and even occasionally playing with Chia. I’m also thankful the insurance company is paying for the new roof we got this week. It seems every time the wind blew another piece of our old roof flew off onto the ground.
Once upon a time, in the heart of the Chattanooga Valley, there lived four dogs named Captain Riley, Blackbeard Xena, Long John Chia, and Brindle Lucy. They were pirates who sailed the high seas of the mountains and were feared by all who knew them.
As they sailed through the valley, they encountered many obstacles. They had to navigate treacherous waters, avoid dangerous wildlife, and outsmart rival pirate crews. But they were determined to find the treasure and nothing could stop them.
The treasure was more magnificent than they could have ever imagined. It was a chest filled with gold coins, precious jewels, and rare artifacts. They knew that they had struck it rich and that their lives would never be the same again.
With their treasure safely aboard The Salty Dog, they set sail back home to the Chattanooga Valley. They were hailed as heroes by all who knew them and their legend grew with each passing day.
One day, they decided to embark on a new adventure. They had heard rumors of a treasure hidden deep in the valley and were determined to find it. They set sail on their trusty ship, The Salty Dog, and began their journey.
Finally, after many long weeks at sea, they arrived at their destination. They docked their ship and set out on foot to find the treasure. They searched high and low, through dense forests and rocky terrain, until they finally stumbled upon it.
A place they could raid for all the treats their ship could hold!
And so ends the tale of Captain Riley, Blackbeard Xena, Long John Chia, and Brindle Lucy- four dogs who dared to dream big and became legends in their own time.
Mommy sent us pictures of her time at the zoo yesterday She said some of the animals reminded her of us. So instead of selfies, here are our (almost) doubles.
Lucy, Mommy said this first one reminded her and Daddy of you. You aren’t this big or anything, but she says you’re this gentle and sweet. Not only that, but this giraffe has your name!
Chia, yours is easy. None! She didn’t find any animals there that were long like a hot dot and fast like The Flash and and a combination of sweet and sour sauce. So, sorry, you don’t get an animal. Chia: Grrrrrrrrrrrr
Xena: Well, there were the otters that looked a lot like you, but they were swimming under water all the time, so Mommy couldn’t get a picture.
Riley, Mommy found several animals that reminded her of you.
The lion is the quiet king of the jungle but can roar really loud, and also keeps everyone in his pride in line. You don’t bark much, but when you do, wow. It’s deep and the whole neighborhood can hear it. The gorilla is smart and can be a clown like you were before I knew you, when you were much younger. And the bear, well, he does his own thing, takes his time and walks a lot like you. Wow. Mommy must really think about you a lot. I’ve never really given you much thought other than as the grumpy grandpa who I kinda stay away from except when I bark at you once in a while (when you’re laying down and can’t get up fast to get me!). But I’ve watched you play with Chia like you were a young pup, and I’ve seen you running through the yard and rolling in the grass. Maybe there’s a lot more to you that I realized.
I think this must be the one that Mommy and Daddy picked for me. Fierce and also loving.
Riley: Barharharharhar! So today you’re a comic, Xena. Come on, show everyone the real picture of the one Mom Amy picked. Xena: Oh…OK. Uh, but what is it?
Riley: It’s a red panda, curled up taking a nap. She said you look that precious when you’re napping like that. *gag*
Xena: Oh, well, maybe it does look a bit like me. *grin* I hope you enjoyed seeing our doubles at the zoo. And thanks so much to The Cat on My Head for hosting Sunday Selfies!
A big thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday Blog Hop!
Riley: I got loaded in the car and forced to ride with Mom Amy. We ended up at her work church. When she let me out of the car, I stopped shaking. Then she took me into the church and I started shaking again. I’m set in my ways and I don’t like new things (unless it’s a toy). I got a bowl of water and some dried meat treats, and eventually I settled down.
A couple of people came in and the mailman came, and I greeted them like I’ve heard Lucy does…but I didn’t smile like her; I just wagged my tail. Then it was time to leave and I had to get back in that d..mn car, but instead of going home I went to my vet. That was good. I love going to my vet. I met a nice lady who pet me while we waited. A vet tech came out and weighed me, then took me to the back and stole a little of my blood, but that was ok, I’ve got plenty more.
Dad Jeff showed up with all three of my sisters and waited in the car. Later they told me they were at their vet and got blood stolen from them, too. Lucy said that Chia yelled, “Me first,” so she went first while Xena cowered under a chair.
Anyhoo, when I was done at my vet, I got in the car with them and Mom Amy took me home while Dad Jeff went to the FedEx place with all our stolen blood.
A few days later Mom Amy got an email from the lab in Canada, who had apparently run DNA heartworm tests on the blood. Everyone was “negative.” I do believe that’s a good thing, cause it made the peeps happy.
I’m happy cause I don’t have to have another DNA heartworm test for almost 6 months.
Mom Amy, however, was not happy when she looked at the bill for drawing blood from the girls. The CHAI vet place had doubled their price. She called the practice manager and was told that she had to raise the price because of all the difficult dogs that came there, and all the time it took to steal their blood, and she couldn’t make any exceptions even though all three of my sisters were in and out in a total of of 20 minutes. After Mom Amy had already told her that less than 6 months ago it was half that price, and she should have been told, the woman said she couldn’t make any exceptions. Then, when Mom Amy told her my blood draw was only $15.50 (as opposed to their $39 each), she had the stupid nerve to ask why on earth Mom Amy hadn’t taken my sisters to that place instead? Then she asked if the email address was the same and said she’d send their records over to Mom Amy so she could go to the other place. Now there are decisions to be made. I’m glad I’m not the one making them, cause I would just say, no more blood theft! Now it’s time for a good nap.
Mom Amy: I’ve recommended Chai (Chattanooga Holistic Animal Institute) to many of my grooming clients, some of whom I know read my posts here. I still recommend Dr. Colleen Smith, but if the office is going to be run like this, I don’t know if I can keep going there. Just a heads up. Be sure to ask for a cost if you decide you want to try them, because I have a feeling that blood draws aren’t the only thing that has doubled in price. I may still go for the vet visits, but will always get an estimate first. Still trying to decide for sure what to do after this extremely upsetting encounter. I have, however, already established Xena at Riley’s vet so I can take her there for the $15.50 blood draw in another 5 1/2 months. And I plan on doing the same with Chia and Lucy, too. Thanks for reading!
Thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday!
Riley: What Mom Amy? Stop licking my paw and come outside with everyone?
Well, you know how much I like laying on this rug you put in front of the couch. It’s nicer than laying on the floor when I want to be with everyone… Oh, OK, if you insist.
First, would you get a picture of me in my nifty new leather collar to show all my friends?
It’s got my name on it so everyone knows who I am and two phone numbers on it so folks can call for a ride home for me when I’m done playing with their little kids!
Hey, Lucy! I didn’t know you were out here. Whatcha up to?
Lucy: Hey Ri, just tryin’ to avoid Chia…you know what that’s like.
Riley: C’mere Chia. Stop lookin’ at Lucy. Don’t you want to play in the big league?
Chia: Big league? Yep, yep, yep, yep!! Count me in!!!
I want to play, I want to be the ump; no, wait, I want to chase the ball. Yep, that’s it, I want to be the ball chaser. What are you gonna do? I wanna do what you’re gonna do. Can I? Can I? You wanna wrestle, too? Lucy: Can I play, too?
later….
Chia: Thanks, Riley, I had a great day. Let me know when you’re ready to play some more!
Riley: Someone remind me to never again spend a day (or part of a day) playing with Chia.
Lucy: Is it raining out there, Riley? Riley: No, I just got a bath. Uh, what’s Chia doing to you? Lucy: Not sure, but I think she’s trying to pick me up by the nape of my neck.
Thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday!
I'm Dalton, a Rat terrier mix and I came here in Sept, 2017, I was rescued from Hurricane Harvey. My birthday is 8-20-2016. My Gotcha Day is 8-27-2017. And I am Benji, a terrier mix of unknown origin. MY Birthday is June 6, 2018, and my Gotcha Day is Dec 28, 2018. I also was a rescue from a different part of Texas. We also have Angel MrJackFreckles, (2-5-2018); and also we have Angel Minko, (6-18-2017); and Angel Pipo, (11-3-2020);There are also Angels Groucho, Simba, Suki, & Toki. We meezers used to be known as WeBeesSiameezers. We'e all from Michigan, Dalton and Benji both came here from Texas, as rescues..
Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess with Lucy and Chia 