Uncategorized – Page 4 – Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess with Lucy and Chia

Our Upcoming Valentine Anniversary

Published on February 10, 2016February 10, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia16 Comments

I have been thinking for a while about what to do for you for our Valentine Anniversary. Yes, one year ago Sunday you asked me to be your Valentine, and I have been sweet on you ever since. Saying “yes” was a good decision. I thought and thought, and finally called on the crew to come up with some ideas. They all got on their computers to try to help me give you the best Valiversary ever.

**The schnauzer team is working hard on this. No, no, not ON the computer!**

I even recruited a poodle to help with the “oodle” side of you, as well as someone who looks like she is related to my friend Ella.

No! Get OFF the computer! Good help is hard to come by. — **No! Get OFF the computer! (*sigh* Good help is hard to come by.)**

I have to hop off here for now to review the drafts before the conference call. I can’t wait for our Valiversary! Love and kisses!

Your girl, Lexi ❤

A Typical Day at Work

Published on February 5, 2016February 6, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia21 Comments

We went to work to the Church on the Mountain this morning. First things first:

In case you were wondering what is on my left foot in the first picture, here’s more of a close up. Oh, just a reminder, you can always click on a picture to make it bigger Mom is now making me wear a baby sock on the foot that had surgery so that I can’t lick it.

I hurried down the hallway to see my Auntie Carrie. Since she brings me both yummy treats and my very own special lunch, I have made her my official Auntie. She packs me a lunch with chicken, broccoli, carrots, and other yummy stuff that even Mom approves.

Outside Auntie Cary's office — **Outside Auntie Cary’s office**

I always forget Auntie Carrie doesn’t work on Fridays. I resisted entering Mom and my office – which is in the next door – until I was positive Mom wouldn’t open Auntie Carrie’s door to give me one of the treats Carrie keeps for me. Mom, I can show you where they are!

Outside Moms office — **Outside Mom’s office**

I finally gave in when Mom filled my water bowl with my special water.

I decided to rest my eyes, but soon left work for dream land.

I tried to stay awake after that, but it was hard with the heater on in the office and no little munchkins running through the hallway today. The day care center is just past our office but is not open on Fridays.

While I was asleep, my Auntie Jen sent this to Mommy.

I’m Home from the Vet – Well, most of me is

Published on February 1, 2016February 2, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia42 Comments

This has definitely not been the best day of my life. First Dad refused to give me my brekkies. Then Mom left me at the vet office and I got stuck in a cage. Next, someone stuck a needle in my arm and stole my blood. Then the vet called my Mom. I was hoping Mom would say, “Oh, I will be right there to get my precious darling Lexi.” Nope. When the vet called her two more times, I started to get worried. That didn’t last long – it’s hard to worry when you are first sedated, then knocked out by something running into your vein. While I was asleep the doc stole five of my teeth – Five! In one of the phone calls, he had told Mom that “at my age” there could be bone loss leading to loose teeth, but he wouldn’t know until he got the plaque off. Even though they all felt firmly anchored, the plaque sometimes holds them in place. So why did he take the plaque off? Grrr. Ow, that hurt.

Remember that lump on my paw? Refresher here: https://lexitheschnauzer.wordpress.com/2016/01/31/potp-for-the-paw/ The doc found another lump between my paw pads on the same foot. Since it wasn’t directly beneath the lump on the top of my foot, he wasn’t sure if it was two separate tumors. He was concerned because the one on the top had grown so quickly. When the doc got in there with his knife he realized that the one on the bottom had pushed up the thin skin between my toes and caused the one on the top. Or something like that. When he got them off he saw that even though the skin on them was thick, the inside was filled with a creamy liquid. He told Mom on his fourth phone call that it was a good sign and didn’t recommend spending the money on a biopsy. Finally, Dad picked me up and brought me home to Mommy.

While Daddy went back out to get my pain medicine, Mommy held me and rocked me and sang me to sleep. You know I was in pain to let her do that. But it was strangely comforting. During that time, Dad sent Mom a text:

I can’t understand why he still isn’t home with my pain medicine!

My blood work was mostly good, but my liver enzymes were “off the chart” high. Mom told the doc that she had warned me not to drink. Ha, ha. Silly Mommy, I have already gone through the 4 step program for Kahlua and Cream.

Step 1: I ask for it.

Step 2: Mom says No.

Step 3: Mom and Dad start calling it “special K”, like I don’t know what they mean.

Step 4: They stop buying special K. Drat.

Mom asked for a copy of the bw:

Dr. Smith said this can be a sign of Cushings, but I had a Cushings test a year or two ago because those same levels were high then, and it came back negative. I don’t have any of what’s called “clinical signs,” either. To help my liver, Mommy bought Milk Thistle. Dr. Karen is my acupuncturist, and she said this will help bring the ALKP level down. I hope I get it in something good, like butter, or peanut butter or hamburger. Mmm.

Daddy’s home. Finally! Time to take my pain meds. I wonder what took him so long…

Memory Monday – Cat antics

Published on February 1, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia9 Comments

Dear Friends,

I asked Mommy to run this for me while I am getting my teeth cleaned. I was shaking in the arms of the tech when Mom left…

It’s here again, friends, the first Monday of the month. This time I find myself thinking about the first time I found out that cats can be ok. I had never had much luck with them in the past. They either tried to kill me (Mom says I am a bit melodramatic with this) or got me in trouble by making me cross the street to chase them, or just scared me a lot. Let me tell you what happened to change my mind.

Mom went away and my BFF Auntie Jen picked me up to stay with her and her two schnauzers, Piper and Marley. Note: Marley no longer lives with Auntie Jen. I didn’t know there was going to be a cat involved! But, sure enough, there was a cat in her house, big as day. Not only that, Piper and Marley played with her. Can you believe it? When the cat started trying to get me to chase her for fun, I didn’t trust her. I have been tricked like that before, and it never ended well for me. (At this point in my story, please imagine me rubbing my nose with my paw, tears in my eyes.) This crazy cat was so persistent about it that I finally couldn’t help myself – I chased her. Then she chased me, but not mean-like. She was kind of laughing, in a cat way. Then she let me chase her some more. I liked this cat. I drew the line on cuddling with her like little Marley did. I did cuddle with Marley, though. Everyone cuddles with Marley.The last night I was there both my dog friends went to stay with their grandmother and I got to snuggle in bed all night with their Mom and Dad all by myself – no other dogs to take the attention I should be getting. I hoped Auntie Jen would come and get me again sometime. The next night I got to stay with my Grandma and sleep under the covers with her and eat toast and jam the next morning. I loved my Grandma.

I was Lexi, the cat-playing, snuggling schnauzer.

POTP for the Paw

Published on January 31, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia18 Comments

Nothing much going on around here. Last Wednesday I had my acupuncture because my hip was starting to hurt again. Then Dad took me up the mountain so I could visit with Mom and have lunch with my friend Carrie. On the way home after work we stopped at another church where Mom and Dad are starting to go on Sundays. Daddy met us at the door and introduced me to Pastor Mark. Pastor Mark welcomed me into his office and told me to feel free to explore while he talked to my folks. After about an hour I knew it was past my suppertime so I started to remind Mom. I had to remind her loudly. She finally got the hint and we all headed home.

Thursday, before going to the children’s hospital, I stopped by work and got my treat from my friend Dave. Then I went on to the hospital, saw my friend Lois who always gives me a treat when I get there, and therapized some kids and nurses and a doctor or two. My friend Beth had a treat for me when I went back to work with Mom.

Friday, I really goofed up. I thought Mom wanted me to go downstairs to get groomed, so I kept running away from her. She finally gave up – and left without me! Later I found out that I had been invited to a birthday party!! I still can’t believe Mom went without me!! Happy birthday Jentry. I hope you had fun without me. I know it would have been better if I had been there. Oh, what, Mom? There was no food, not even cake? Well, I am sure Jentry had plenty of fun without me there.

This morning I got groomed. I knew I was picking up grooming vibes. Tomorrow is my teeth-cleaning-at-the vet day. They will do blood work first to make sure it is ok to help me go to sleep while they clean my teeth really good. The teeth cleaning has been scheduled for a while. Now I also have to have my paw checked. I have had a tiny pink lump on my front left paw for a long time. Mom caught me licking that paw last night and of course she had to stick her nose in and see why I was licking. This is what she saw:

You can’t tell real well from this picture, but it is a raised lump. By Mom’s reaction, I sure hope it isn’t anything bad. I sure hope I don’t end up having to wear a cone of shame. I sure hope I don’t lose my paw! Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! POTP for me, please.

One Lovely Blog Award – for ME!

Published on January 28, 2016January 30, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia11 Comments

Woo hoo! Another award! I love awards. Like my Annie Award for being the best ever dog in a play (or something like that). And I love this award. It is so pretty. Thank you, Puppy Doc and Samantha at Musings of Puppy Doc. You are my newest friends.

Now, according to the rules (below) I have to share 7 facts about myself. Hmm, how can I limit this to only 7… he, he.

I am a svelt 20.5 pounds because I lost 4.5 pounds over the last few months. Mom took away my canned food and topped my kibble with veggies!
My most favorite thing in the whole world is acting on stage. I even got a special blue lucite award with my name on it (the Annie Award I mentioned above) for “Director’s Choice.” I could be on stage every night and never get tired of it.
My second most favorite thing in the whole world is therapizing kids at the kid’s hospital. I only get to go once a month because there are so many dogs who like to do this, but I am the only smaller dog. I sit in the bed with the little ones, and grin the whole time I am there.
Of course, my very, very most favorite thing in the whole world is treats. I get treats while I act and before I therapize. I get a go to the mailbox treat when I am home with Dad and a night night treat. My BFF Carrie brings me treats to work at St. Timothy’s and my new BFF Dave brings me a treat to work at St. Luke. And now my newest friend Beth brings me a treat on Thursdays to St Luke.
I hate being groomed and I hate getting baths. Mom says I creep when I am on the groom table, and I should know better after 12 years of getting groomed every month. I still think I could creep right off that table one of these times.
Even more than being groomed, I hate wearing clothes. I mean, I hate, hate, hate, hate, hate wearing clothes of any kind. When I was younger I would stand like a statue if Mom put clothes on me. She could pick me up and set me down somewhere else and my body would remain rigid like it was made of plaster. Now, I run around in spurts like a crazy dog. Run, freeze, run, freeze.
I am not a cuddler or a huggie girl. I like my space. If I want pet I will let you know. I will continue to let you know until I feel you have pet me enough. Then you need to leave me alone. Don’t hug me. I let the sick kids at the hospital hug me, and my Auntie Jen, but that’s it. Don’t cuddle me. I will run away from you.
Yes, I can count, but I have one more thing to tell you. Here it is: I am smart. Don’t try to pull anything over on me, ’cause it most likely won’t work. And if it does work, and I figure it out, I will pee in your bed, on your side of the bed. And you won’t know it until you are so tired you can barely stand up and you start to slide into bed and suddenly realize it is cold and wet and smells bad. Bwahaha!

Here are my nominees: (Noodle, dear, you have already been nominated, or you would have been first on my list, sweetie pie.)

Shoko and Kali of The Canadian Cats

Ray of A Dog’s Life? (Stories of me and him)

Rachel of rachelmankowitz

Belle, Bess and Bonnie of Three Pups and a Couple of Kitties

Sidney, Shelby and Sophie of corkscot

Dante of The Dante Diaries

Jasper and Nellie of jaspersdoggyworld

Kismet (you mean old bird, you) of kylascott

Sammie of Saving Sammie

The Fine Print for the Nominees:

1-Thank the person who nominated you and link their blog in the post.
2-Copy the rules and add the blog award badge as an image
3-Share 7 facts about yourself to your fellow bloggers.
4-Then nominate 15 people (I of course didn’t do this many ).

Breaking the Rules

Published on January 19, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia12 Comments

My rule is No Hoodie. Mom’s rule is Stay Off the Driver. Mom broke my rule, so I broke hers. On the way to work this morning:

Operation Hoodie

Published on January 17, 2016January 18, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia13 Comments

When my peeps brothers were little, our Mom used to make a lot of their clothes. Often to match, sometimes for halloween. They were very young and didn’t know to protest.

**Adam, Mom, and Andew L-R) – many moons ago.**

0117161618 — **Sorry about quality of shot – these are old pictures.**

I have seen Mom at the sewing machine from time to time, usually to make a repair, but never to torture me with clothes. We got a cold spell and out came my hoodie. Even though I lost weight, it was still a bit snug. Plus, since it pulls on over my head, I stand on my hind legs to get it off. With the hip dysplasia, that is no longer the best option. So Mom got an idea.

Mom wasted no time heading to the sewing machine. — **Mom had an idea. She wasted no time heading to the sewing machine.**

First, she used what she calls pinking shears to open up the belly of my hoodie. Poor hoodie. She used some material originally bought for another project, cut it to fit, sewed velcro onto it, then sewed it onto my poor hoodie.

Finally:

**An extension panel with a velcro closure on my Hoodie’s bellie**

Then came the test drive:

New bed!

Published on January 12, 2016January 12, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia23 Comments

Mom got me a new dog bed as a belated Christmas present. Sheesh. Doesn’t she know all I want is treats. On the bright side, I did help pick it out at the pet store. After trying ~~most of the beds there~~ about 4 or 5 beds, I smiled when I sat down in this one. It’s a Martha Stewart original, with a reversible bottom cushion. I didn’t understand at first why she put it on the floor at the bottom of our bed. I wouldn’t go near it. Why would I sleep there when I have a queen size bed with lots of blankets?

This morning Mom said my bed at the Methodist Church – where we work two days a week – is too big and in the way, so this will be my new work bed. When she brought it into our office this morning I still wasn’t sold on the idea. I tried it but soon went and laid down in the spot nearer to Mom that I like best. Mom finally had the light bulb moment and moved the bed along the other wall, which was near to her, as well as more out of the way – of the door to the mini-fridge, that is!

0112161217a-1 — **This *might* be better.**

I thought I had better try it out a little longer.

Zzzzzzz

What? No, I wasn’t sleeping on the job!

Phone Training

Published on January 9, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia17 Comments

My first day back to work – Thursday – was a busy one. Dave remembered my treat, so the day definitely started off good. We were getting a new phone system and I had to supervise that. ~~My minions~~ the church volunteers gathered in the front office in the afternoon to be trained on the new phones. I paid close attention in case no one is around and I have to take a call.

**I had been sitting while being trained on phones, but decided I could learn as much in a more comfortable position.**

Meeting a beautiful schnauzer

Published on January 7, 2016January 9, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia14 Comments

What a time of it I have had. All the boarders (both of them) finally left and I thought I was on easy street. Mom and I had a great day at home by ourselves on Saturday, doing laundry and stuff. “By ourselves” reminds me that my Dad had been missing for well over a week. No one would tell me where he was. I finally gave up and decided it would be just me and Mommy. Next thing that happens…Mom pulls out a suitcase and starts packing it. Then she pulls out my bag and starts packing it! Yay! We are going for a trip.

We were all ready to go when Auntie Jen showed up. She helped put Mom and my stuff in her car, but I wouldn’t go near it until Mom got in. I wanted to be sure she wasn’t sending me off by myself. We spent a nice evening at Auntie Jen’s, and at bedtime I got a bit confused. Instead of going home, Mom lifted me into a big bed and crawled in next to me. This would have been alright, except there was another person and her schnauzer in a bed just across from us. I stood on the bed and stared at them, but they did not seem threatening. In fact, the other person looked a lot like my Mom and was getting under the bedcovers at the same time. The other dog was a rather attractive schnauzer and looked very intelligent, so I just kept staring, as she stared back. Mom had already turned off the lamp but there was enough light coming in the window from the moon that I could see they were still there. I watched them as long as I could keep my eyes open. Apparently the beautiful dog in the other bed was also tired, as she sank down into the bed at exactly the same time as me! We both closed our eyes and went to sleep.

Mom was up early the next morning. Hmmm. Strange for a Sunday, but everything was strange by now. We went downstairs to the kitchen where Mom finally explained to me where my Dad had been for so long. His uncle -who was also his mentor – was dying. Dad had driven our car up to a place called Fort Wayne in the state of Indiana to sit with him. Uncle Don did die, Mommy explained, and she was going to join Dad for the funeral. She went through the mind thought of suns rising and setting to help me know how long she would be gone. Then, she and my Auntie Jen went out the door without me! I know she had explained everything, but I didn’t believe she was leaving me! Auntie Jen finally came home, and my Mom wasn’t with her. I was so upset, I wouldn’t even let her touch me. I just cowered down every time she came near me. I know she felt bad, and I was glad, because she took my Mom away and left her somewhere. I didn’t want her to get ahold of me and do dog-only-knows-what with me, too.

I have a new Uncle Bill who lives with Auntie Jen. I stayed in his lap a lot when he got home from work at night. I also spent a lot of time in the big backyard with my cousins, Piper the schnauzer and Ella the part boxer. We ran and ran and smelled the bunny holes and squirrel droppings and all the other wonderful smells. We chased each other and even played tug of war with a drain pipe that I think Ella might have torn off the house. I dug holes and got my beard filthy. It all helped take my mind off of possibly being an orphan. I still hadn’t forgiven Auntie Jen.

Finally, after supper on Wednesday night, Mom and Dad came back to Uncle Bill’s. Mom withstood Ella trying to knock her down to swoop me up in her arms and let me kiss her all over her face. I was so excited I shook all over. Then Dad held me and pet me too. My family was back!

This morning I went to work with Mom, but that’s a story for another day.

Coyote alert

Published on December 31, 2015February 8, 2020 by Xena, Lucy and Chia19 Comments

Today was a better day. I went to work with Mom to the Methodist Church. Some people I had never met came in and I didn’t growl, not even once! It is after Christmas and I am still trying to be a good dog. When I need to go outside there, Mommy insists on putting a leash on me. There are lots of neighborhood posts about coyote sightings. Mom said it’s one thing rescuing me from another dog, but it would be quite another trying to snatch me out of the jaws of a wild coyote. Although I agree, sometimes my nose leads me toward the trees, hence, the leash.

I also went to the children’s hospital today. One teenage girl was a good petter, plus she seemed to really want or need me there on the bed with her. I kept snuggling in closer, and when Mom said it was time to go I pulled back and tried to make myself really heavy so she couldn’t move me. Miss Lois, the hospital worker, was as surprised as Mom, knowing I had never done that before. That made the nice girl smile, so I sat with her a little longer before I told Mom we could move on to the next child.

This was our last day of work for this entire year. I was so excited all day, knowing Bogie, the parti colored cocker, was going home tonight. Can anyone say Hallelujah? In line with my resolution to be good, I let him sniff me all over. He started sniffing in – yes, in – one ear, worked his way around my face, shoving his nose in my beard, and finished in the other ear. At one point he even tried to stick his nose in my mouth, but I kept it firmly closed. He left a little while ago, after Mom cleaned up more pee and poop. Mom promised he won’t be back to stay, just to be groomed.

Finally, I am an only dog again. Hmm, I wonder what Riley is doing tonight…

See the #fireworks I created by blogging on #WordPressDotCom. My 2015 annual report.

Published on December 29, 2015December 30, 2015 by Xena, Lucy and Chia

A special thanks at year’s end to those who commented the most:
1. Noodle of Noodleforpresident
2. Sidney, Shelby and Sophie from Corkscot
3. Shoko and Kali of The Canadian Cats
4. Sidhartha Henry (S.H.) of Nylabluesmum, and
5. Cupcake from Cupcake.

Hey Cupcake, I just realized I’m not following your blog. Fixing that right now, my friend!
So what are you waiting for? Click on the link below – lots of interesting info. Then post your wordpress.com stats!

Source: See the #fireworks I created by blogging on #WordPressDotCom. My 2015 annual report.

Flooding and Another Dog in the House

Published on December 26, 2015 by Xena, Lucy and Chia13 Comments

Christmas night wasn’t the best around here. As of last night we have another dog “boarding.” I’ve seen Bogie (actually, I have smelled him) come here from time to time to be groom. This time he didn’t leave. After he got here last night he was so nervous he had “intestinal upset” in the house. Mom got that cleaned up only to find that the groom room was flooding from all the rain. Mom and my brother Adam spent a lot of time with a mop, towels and a shop vac trying to get up all the water. It was coming in as fast as they worked, so Mom finally quit and went to bed.

Today was better. All the water had mysteriously disappeared from the groom room floor, sort of like it had never happened. Weird, huh?And so, with her work space once again usable, Mom groomed Bogie. She was careful to keep her voice soft and sweet so she didn’t upset him. She figured this out this afternoon after she yelled, “Stop!” when he was about to step on a big spider and, as if on cue, liquid poo squirted out of his butt. We have gone through a lot of paper towels so far this weekend.

Here’s the thing though. Gracie does not like Bogie. I actually heard my sweet little friend growl at him – several times. He bounces around like a Tigger dog and just doesn’t know when to quit. Hey, Noodle, you feeling my pain, sweetie?

Mom decided to open Bogie’s new can of tennis balls and try to wear him out a little. The ground is very soggy and muddy, so they played in the house. I even grabbed the ball away from him once!

Bogie won’t eat, not even with meatloaf and other good stuff crumbled up in his food. However, he tried to stick his head in my food bowl and it was my turn to growl. At least he understands what “grrrrrrr” means. OK, so he is probably a nice dog, but he is just so obnoxious. Gracie and I have decided to just stay away from him.

1226151746-1 — **Gracie decided her kennel was the safest place right now.**

I think that if Bogie keeps refusing to eat all the wonderful food in his bowl, Mom should just give it to me. After all, isn’t wasting food a sin? I know there’s something about poor hungry dogs somewhere in the world, not having enough to eat, who would love to have this food. It only seems right that someone should eat this food, and I don’t see why it shouldn’t be me. If you agree, put up your paw! Anyhow, Bogie Wogie is here until New Years Eve…pray for me to survive!

My Stats (and I don’t mean my weight)

Published on December 23, 2015December 23, 2015 by Xena, Lucy and Chia9 Comments

–Although I have lost 5 whole pounds. Do you realize that was something like 20% of my entire body weight?

What I do mean, is that Noodle, my most excellent boyfriend, asked his Mom to show my Mom how to see where in the world people are reading my blog. Mauritius? I had to look it up.

United States	1840
Canada	284
United Kingdom	93
Australia	77
New Zealand	32
Brazil	31
Zambia	13
South Africa	9
Argentina	6
Netherlands	6
Italy	6
Spain	6
Hong Kong SAR China	4
France	4
India	3
Germany	3
Malaysia	3
Philippines	2
Mexico	2
Colombia	2
Costa Rica	2
Slovenia	1
Mauritius	1
Portugal	1
Pakistan	1
Belgium	1
Israel	1
Morocco	1
Greece	1
Ukraine	1
Estonia	1
Poland	1
Singapore	1
Puerto Rico	1
Mozambique	1

Four people from France…hmm…I wonder if any of them are my friends from France who came to my house and ate supper with us a few years ago. Even trying to use my considerable counting abilities, I had to ask Mom to tell me how many countries are listed. She said 35. 🙂

Sharing is Caring

Published on December 21, 2015December 21, 2015 by Xena, Lucy and Chia11 Comments

Gracie and I have started sharing. I let her eat some of my food right out of my own food bowl and gave her my blessing as she did. She let me sleep in her very own kennel that is in my Dad’s office.

Me sharing Gracies kennel — **Me sharing Gracie’s kennel**

And now, in keeping with my resolution to be a better dog, I share a blessing with you:

See that you are at peace among yourselves, and love one another. Follow the example of good dogs and cats of old and God will comfort you and help you, both in this world and in the world which is to come. In His Holy name. Amen.

I am Lexi, the good Episcopalian/Methodist dog. (Do you think Santa Paws will see this?)

Too much Gracie

Published on December 17, 2015 by Xena, Lucy and Chia23 Comments

1217151624 — **Why, Mom, why? Just because I growled a little bit at some people at work on Tuesday…I didn’t think you meant it when you said Gracie would come Thursday if I did that!**

I laughed this morning when Mom tossed Gracy into the tub before work and gave her a good bath. I was so lost in the moment that I didn’t stop to think what that might mean. Yep, she went to work with us. I was not at all happy about that. She rode in my car, she ate my food, she drank my special water and she got all the attention that should have been mine. I growled every time someone pet her instead of me. Mom says I am my own worst enemy. I don’t know what that means. The pastor’s 8 year old daughter was there today and she played with Gracie and took her outside and took her in the pastor’s office to watch a show together. Then she thought she could be all nicey-nice with me after that huge betrayal. I wasn’t having any of it. Dad stopped by and Gracie thought she could have all his attention too. I was so upset that I managed to get out the door and took off. Mom had Gracie on a leash and was holding the door open for Dad to move some big stuff into the church, so she couldn’t exactly chase after me. She took Gracie to her office, hollered for Dad, and by the time they got outside to look for me I had decided to return, since it was drizzling rain. Mom was so mad she swatted me with the leash as I tore up the stairs. It hurt my feelings more than anything, and I knew I was in deep trouble now. Mom had a lot of work to get done, which meant that I only got a short lecture this time.

By the time we got in the car to head home Mom was in a better mood, the sun was shining and I didn’t even care if I had to share the front seat with Gracie. I’ve been thinking, and I realize that I have to change my attitude to keep my job as the church dog. I think it will be a better night. I hope it’s just me and Mom going to work tomorrow.

Love and kisses to all. May the Lord be with you. (I am practicing.)

This Little Piggy Went to the Dog Park

Published on December 12, 2015July 28, 2017 by Xena, Lucy and Chia13 Comments

The weather today was perfect: 72 degrees and slightly overcast. What to do on a day like this? Dog park! So off went me, Mom, Dad and Gracie. I was sniffing all around the little dog side of the park – I am sure we went to that side because of Gracie – when things got interesting. This is what showed up.

I think he was a dog, not a pig. He sure sounded like a pig. I may need Riley to verify that for me when he gets here next week. (He is now the pig expert in the family.) Did you know that the tops of the water drains on the Cathedral of Notre Dame in France are made to look like a French bulldog? Yep, that’s your trivia for the day.

Guess who’s back

Published on December 10, 2015December 11, 2015 by Xena, Lucy and Chia11 Comments

Yep, its Gracie. — **Yep, it’s Gracie.**

Super Dog Revealed

Published on November 29, 2015December 2, 2015 by Xena, Lucy and Chia19 Comments

We headed home on Wednesday morning and drove about nine hours before stopping at our new friend, Baymont Hotel in Metropolis, IL. While Dad was checking out of Baymont on Thanksgiving morning, I decided I would drive for a while. Dad came back and said, “No.”

Can someone work the pedals for me? — **Can someone please work the pedals for me?**

It seemed that we had already escaped the cold of NW Indiana as it was already 60 degrees at 8:00 in the morning.

So, instead of getting right on the Interstate, we decided to look around. Everyone seemed to still be asleep as we cruised by old, but well-kept homes, to the city’s small downtown. We saw a giant statue of Superman and lots of gift shops. If the name Metropolis sounds familiar, it is because it is the home of Superman, as well as…

Since we work at a Methodist Church, and since Mom and Dad didn’t seem to be in any hurry to get home, Dad took a shot of us in front of the Methodist Church across from the city’s newspaper, the Planet. The church was founded in 1853! We sent the picture of us as well as one of the plaque with the information about the church to our friend, Pastor Evelyn, to say Happy Thanksgiving.

We finally got back on the road. My food dish was in the back seat, and it contained only dry kibble. In protest, I used my nose to try turning over the bowl. Mom told me to stop, so I tried harder. More loudly, she again told me to stop, so I tried even harder. She kept getting louder and so did my efforts until Dad broke out laughing at us both. At that, Mom reached back and removed my bowl of ~~crap~~ food from the back seat.
We finally made it back home in time to cook steak and squash for Thanksgiving supper. I sat at the table with my peeps and had a bit for myself. I can hardly wait for Christmas…Riley and my peep brother Andrew are coming home and I bet there will be lots of good food!