Category: Xena

Group Photo Shoot

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia37 Comments

Mom tried to get all three of us – me, my guy, and my little sis – in a picture together. She has a new respect for all you peeps who do this on a regular basis. Here’s how it all started…

Xena: Hi Mom! Will you take my picture? Maybe another cuteness picture?

And continued…

Mom: That’s a great idea, Xena. In fact, I want to get pictures of all of you together.

Lucy: I don’t feel like getting my picture taken.

Riley: Me neither.

Mom: Come on you guys…it will be fun!

Lucy: I don’t want to do this today. And I don’t see any treats.

Xena: Is that a bug or part of the carpet? I think I’ll hop on it.

Mom: Xena, stay where you are.  Riley, come on and get in the picture.

 

Mom: Lucy and Riley, you can do better than that! Look how nicely your little sister is posing.

 

Xena: I think it might be a bug. One of those ladybugs.

Lucy: Where?

Mom: Xena! Lucy! Look at me.

 

Mom: Riley, buddy. Do you think you could show less enthusiasm?

Riley: No. And I know sarcasm when I hear it.

 

Alas, exhausted from their failed photo shoot, all dogs fell asleep. And thus ends another attempt at a group photo card.

A Thankful Get-Together

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia22 Comments

Xena: Mommy, Mommy, where’s my breakfast? Mommy, Mommy, when am I going to meet my new friends?

Mom: I’m fixing your breakfast the same as I do first thing every morning, Xena, then we’ll be seeing your Auntie Jen, Uncle Bill and cousins Piper and Ella. 

 

 

 

Xena: Have they seen my latest cuteness picture? Are they going to love me?

Lucy: *sigh* I got this one, Mom. Yes Xena, they will love you. I met Auntie Jen and she is a lot like Mom. She’ll fuss over you and hold you and give you kisses. Piper has gotten to be a senior schnauzer, and he has recently gone blind, so take it easy on him, will you? And Ella is going to be MY friend, so paws off. 

Mom: Lucy….

Lucy: Ok…she can be your friend too, but mostly mine. 

(a few hours later)

 

Piper: Hi Lucy and Xena. I’m Piper. I used to live here before you did. I knew your sister, Angel Lexi,  87 years before she was an angel. We were BFF’s. We hung together all the time.

 

 

 

 

 

And this time, when Mom leaves, I’m goin’ with her. We’re a team, ya’ know.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Lucy, I’m Ella. Look at pretty you! Me and you, we’re the same size! We could be friends. Wanna’ play?

 

 

 

 

Piper: Excuse me…how did I end up in this play pen? Let me out. There’s nothing wrong with my nose and I smell food.

 

 

 

 

Piper: That’s better! Oh, hi Aunt Amy. Got anything good there I can have?

 

So, the humans ate and drank and laughed and talked and enjoyed the day with family and friends who are also family. No one remembered to take pictures of Lucy and Ella playing. They played all day long and became the best friends we all hoped they would be. In fact, we even discussed them going back and forth between our homes in Chattanooga and Nashville each month, but no one was willing to give up their half of the duo for a month at a time.

Piper mostly tried to stay out of their way. Xena tried to keep up with them and did a lot of obnoxious schnauzer puppy yapping. Thank goodness she finally wore herself out.

 

Tired smiles and wiggles and snores from Lucy and Xena the Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Lap Time at Work

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia22 Comments

At work, I get lots of nap lap time. I love when Ms. Beth comes by to see me. She holds me like a baby and says I am growing so much that I barely fit in her lap.

I like to sit on Mommy’s lap, too, and look at the thing that is like a silent TV and type on her ‘puter keyboard. And I like wearing my cuteness walking vest. It keeps me from being chilly in our office, and besides, if I have to go outside in a hurry, I already have my walking vest on.

Pretty soon I start to get sleepy…

…so I rest my head on the edge of the desk and take a little nap.

That’s when Mommy gently lays me in my bed so she can  work so I am more comfy.

A growing girl needs her sleep.

Xena the Lap Schnauzer Princess Warrior

New Playmates

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia22 Comments

I have a new playmate. (Mom was so surprised that she didn’t get the video just right, so please overlook that.)

Her name is Xena. I thought and thought and finally realized I had to play more gently with her than I do with Riley. Riley and I play this way, but we are rougher. Now Xena’s not afraid and we are having tons of fun together!

Be still, Xena. Just rest for a moment, OK?

 

Love and wags, Lucy

I have a new playmate! (I think I could have done a better job on the video than Mommy did, but I was busy playing.  And excuse the gagging at the end…I got some hair stuck in my throat.)

Her name is Lucy. I haven’t had another dog to play with since I left my littermates. Now Lucy is playing nicely with me and I don’t feel like she is going to run me over and smoosh my brains out. We played all day long! Of course, we took little breaks to eat and go potty – outside!  Then we played again until it was time to go to bed. I can’t wait until we play together again tomorrow!

I am Xena the Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Sister Trials

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia26 Comments

Hi Lucy.

 

Come closer. I want to tell you something.

 

*Whack! Whack! Whack! Whack!

 

Hey! Leggo my leg!

 

Why are you being like this, Xena?

 

I’m bored. Turn your head that way, Lucy. I want to tell you something else.

Whack me once, shame on you. Whack me twice, shame on me. 

OK then, I’ll lay paws on you and pray for you to recover from your recent whacking. I am the church puppy, you know. 

Love and Wiggles from “the abused patient what have I done to deserve this big sister Lucy

And from me, Xena, the Schnauzer Warrior Princess 

 

Things That Were, Are, and Will Be

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia27 Comments
Lucy with purple tiger
I think all our toys are deaded.

Lucy: Hey Xena, Mom said if we were good dogs, we might each get a new Bully Horn for Christmas! And some new used stuffies, too!

Bully Water Buffalo Horn

Xena: Yay! I want a bully horn! And new stuffies! Wait, what’s Christmas?

Lucy: This will be my first Christmas with Mom and Dad, too. I hear that Christmas is a magical time of the year when all your wishes come true. And some believe that if you listen closely, you can hear the animals talk.

Xena: But we talk all the time!

Lucy: I know that, but some people don’t hear us. Maybe it is Christmas Eve when they realize that we are as real as them, with feelings and thoughts and need the same kind of love and care as them.

Xena: Hmm. I will have to think about that after lunch. Hey Lucy, did I tell you what a fun time I had at Rocktoberfest with Mom and Dad? I wish you could have been there.

Amy-Xena Rocktoberfest 2017

Lucy: Maybe next year I won’t be so afraid of things and can go, too. I know it helped you get over some of your fears.

Xena: I’m not afraid. I’m a Warrior Princess! And I can eat chickie feet with the best of them! For some strange reason, Mommy took this picture for Halloween, but she didn’t get it on our blog.

Xena eating chicken foot

Lucy: Yes, pretty scary. *grin* Say, I heard you are going to Angel Lexi’s vet today. Mom is taking you to Dr. Karen to get a leap tow shot.

dog in doorway at vet

Xena: Yep, and I won’t be afraid, either. She’s something called whole is tick. I hope I don’t get any ticks from her.  I can already leap, but I have never had to tow anything. I heard Mommy talking to Dr. Karen on the phone,  and she and Mommy see things the same way and won’t argue. Mommy will protect me and say, “No,” if they try to put that glass stick up my bee hind again.

Lucy: Do you realize that none of that made any sense?

Xena: Pthhh.

I am Xena, the senselessly brave Schnauzer Warrior Princess

 

 

 

A Walk with My Mom

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia22 Comments

 

 

Mom and I went for a walk all by ourselves today, ’cause Lucy and Riley were napping with Andrew. It was 75F/22C degrees warm and partly sunny, as the weatherman would say. I got to wear my second brand new, not from Goodwill, cuteness vest. It’s soft and comfy on me, and may give me a “buy” for my next ax ee dent.

 

We successfully made it to the bottom of the driveway. Now, who decides which way to go? We could go that away…

Or this away.

We decided to go this away. Oooo, good smells on the road.

I’m being good and not doing bunny hops or twirls. Lucy would be proud.

Wait, what’s that in the grass?

I see you Mr. Bug. Come on out of there.

We turned around and the other way, so it was almost like I had two walks. At the corner I found the Neighborhood Central Pee Mail Station. Before heading home, we spent some time there getting caught up on what is going on in the local news.

We’re home, Mommy and I was good! I was good! Are you gonna’ tell Lucy? Huh? Huh?

Oh. You said, “Sit.”

I am Xena, the good walking Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Sisterly Love

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia21 Comments

AND

Lucy: OK, so first, I want to thank everyone for their support. No one told me I was a bad dog for running off. Ya’ll just told me how pretty I am and to be patient and don’t make my Mom worry about me ’cause she loves me very much.

Xena: Well, it’s true, except for the part of not being a bad dog for running off.

Lucy: I wasn’t talking to you, Xena. I was talking to all my friends who love me. Some day you will love me, too, because I am going to be a wonderful big sister to you. I remember now what it was like coming to a place – even a good place – that was all new and trying to learn what to do.

Xena: You rolled me in the dog lot today. That wasn’t nice. You scared me.

Lucy: I was trying to play with you. I will be more careful next time.

Xena: Mommy got a brand new toy just for me. His name is Racoon. I love Racoon.

Lucy: I am glad you love Racoon, Xena. Mom spent Saturday going to the half off sale at all the area Goodwills. The toys are for all of us. And I got a “new” collar.

Xena: What about my tennis ball?

Lucy: Again, the toys belong to all of us, little sister. Mom threw the ball for you a lot, and you learned it is called “ball.” That was good, Xena.

Then, Mom made sure I had a turn to play, too. She wanted me to remember that she loves me just as much as she loves you, and that we can still have fun together.

Did you know that we stood and watched you play by yourself and do zoomies? I bet you didn’t see Mom look over and smile and wink at me. Do you know what I did then, Xena?

Xena: Did you ask for a treat?

Lucy: No, I winked back!

Xena: No way! I think you’re fibbing, Lucy.

Lucy: Way! You should have seen her mouth drop open before she grinned real big.

Xena: Then Mommy and Daddy took us all – even Riley who mostly ignores me – for a walk. Mommy forgot to bring the camera phone to take my picture. She didn’t realize she needed that picture until after we got home and she went into the bathroom.

Lucy: Xena! You didn’t!

Xena: At least I went to the bathroom in the bathroom. Hey did you see my new cuteness collar? That must have been what kept me out of trouble.

Lucy: The way you acted on the walk, she probably couldn’t have gotten your picture anyhow. You bunny hopped down the road and barked and barked and zigged and zagged and totally wore yourself out.

Xena: *yawn* No I didn’t.

Lucy: Shhh. Goodnight, little sister.

Love and wiggles, Lucy

Lucy Confesses

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia29 Comments

Hi. My name is Lucy and I am a runaway. It’s because I have a problem. Her name is Xena.

There, I have admitted it. That is the first step, right? You see, I never ran off from my home until Mommy brought home the cute puppy. Yep, that’s what everyone calls her. Oh, what a cute puppy. Do you have any idea how much I want to stop up my ears every time I hear that? She has ruined my life. I never get time with my Mom and Dad. Well…almost never.

One day not long ago Andrew took me and Riley outside to play. The first thing I did when Andrew looked away was to run off through the woods with Riley, and let Riley take the fall for it. It was easy to get him blamed for corrupting me. After all, I had never run off before.

Sure, they let me sleep in the bed with them now, but I know it’s just because they feel guilty about letting the cute puppy sleep there. They don’t have me fooled.

I was cold, so Mom covered me up and I slept with my head on her pillow.

But the brat the cute puppy got her spot on the bed too!

I just get so sick of Xena taking all my stuff. And she never gets in trouble for it, either.

                             Xena has ALL the bones.

Mom was with us the next time that we were all in the back yard, outside the fence. I saw her look down at her phone and I took my chance. Riley had just gotten a lecture about not running off, and he told me he was staying put. So I took off into the woods behind the house by myself and Xena followed me. I didn’t really mean to take her. I didn’t want her around me at all. So I sent her back and she was waiting by the fence when Mom came running from scouring the front yard and the woods looking for us. I waited just a bit to see if Mom even cared that I was still gone. When I saw her running around asking everybody if they had seen me, I decided to come back home too.

Yesterday I saw a rabbit and sped off after it. Is it my fault that Riley followed me? Andrew came running after us, but we just kept going. After running and running, we wandered into the yard of a nice family with little kids, and we had a great time playing with them. I had managed to shed my collar with all ID, but Riley still had his on. Two hours later, while Mom was at work, she got a call from the mail lady saying she had seen us in a neighborhood on the other side of a very busy two lane highway. Mom left right away and had gotten as far as our subdivision when she got a call from the man whose house we were at. I wouldn’t go to her. I figured I was in trouble and this would be a nice family to stay with. I mean, why does she need me anymore, anyhow? She has the cute puppy now. Right? Well, she got me into the truck and I jumped back out. The nice man helped Mom by lifting me back into the truck, then lifting in Riley. Then he had to take the cute puppy off of Mom’s back – yes, really, the little thing is like a monkey – before Mom could stand up.

I think the next step is to believe that a power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity. I sure hope so. In the meantime, I am grounded. No more off-leash time outside of the fence or house. Oh, and did I already mention that yesterday I lost my pretty red collar with my rabies and name tags? *sigh*

Love with no wiggles,  Lucy

My Cuteness-Helper Vest

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia41 Comments

I got a new walking vest. You can see my Howloween bow sticking out from under it.

 

Mommy said I would need all the help I could get to look cute the next time I potty in the house.

Hmmm. I wonder what she meant by that….anyhoo, I’ll show her cute.

I’m sorry, Mommy. I won’t do it again. *paws crossed*

 

I think that worked! Now it’s play time!

I am Xena the (almost) Contrite Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Me and My Shadow and..eeek!

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia23 Comments

I was out walking on a bright and sunny day.

 

Suddenly, out of nowhere, threatening clouds covered the sun and scary bright lights flashed all about me.  But…why can I still see my shadow?

 

Is it still my shadow? Or have we moved to another dimension where even shadows don’t obey the laws of nature?

 

Eeeek! What has my Angel Sister Lexi become in this dimension?

Bwahaha! Happy Howl-o-ween! ~Angel Lexi

TGIF Thursday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia27 Comments

It’s been another big week at work for me. Let’s see… I made a new friend. Her name is Linda, and I liked sitting in her lap.

This is me and my friend Linda.

I explored Mommy’s my office more.

Hey! What’s this litter on my shelf? Who’s supposed to be cleaning around here?

 

I took my morning naps.

 

I enjoyed time outside in the sunshine while resuming my work of pulling grass weeds.

 

I took an afternoon nap on Mommy’s lap while she tried to worked.

Yep, what an exhausting week! Good thing my work week ends on Thursday. TGIT!

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I am Xena, the Exhausted Schnauzer Warrior Princess.

Dogs in Conversation

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia26 Comments

Lucy: Xena, you get all the attention.

Xena: I don’t know what you mean. You get fed.

Lucy: Yeah, but you get all the other attention. 

Xena: But I see our folks pet you and tell you that you’re a good girl.

Lucy: Uh huh. But I know that even then they are thinking about you.

Xena: I don’t know why.

Lucy: And she buys you new toys.

Xena: My giant ducky isn’t new. It came from a yard sale.

Lucy: *sigh* Exactly! Did you see me get anything from the yard sale?

Lucy: Now I’m the middle child. *sigh*

Love and wiggles, Lucy

Lookout, Here I Come, Rocktoberfest!

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia20 Comments

Sunday I went back to Rocktoberfest with Mommy and Daddy. I didn’t get stuck in the car torture seat this time because it is gone, gone forever! Take that bad puppy car seat! I did see some people I remember, especially the man named Tommy who plays something called an Alpine horn. It is about 87 times longer than me and makes pretty sounds.

This lady didn’t tell me her name, but I think she was in charge of the Polka Band. She wanted to take me home with her, but Mommy said, “No.”  Sometimes it is good when Mommy says, “No.”

A man with a funny hat on his head took our pictures with one of those pencils I am supposed to chew. I didn’t know someone could take my picture without a phone in their hand. Another dog named Maxwell came up to get his picture drawn and I growled at him to go away, ’cause I needed to concentrate my cuteness on the funny hat man. Maxwell didn’t listen, probably ’cause everyone was laughing at me him. Grrrr.

It is called a carrot sir and it sure does make me look silly!

The sun kept playing peek-a-boo with the clouds. Sometimes the dark clouds threatened to dump water on us, but they were just kidding. (That’s what Mommy told me.) It kept their temper down just enough so we weren’t too hot or too cold.  Do you see the sunglasses on Mommy’s head? The ones Andrew gave her 87 moons ago because he didn’t want them? The ones that have a name Ray Ban? Well, take a good look, ’cause it’s the last time you will ever see them. Daddy knocked them off her head while they were dancing and now they are Ray Ban garbage. At least I didn’t do it this time.

Another big day at Rocktoberfest is behind us. Lots of little people pet me, and so did lots of big people. Mommy got to practice saying, “What’s in your mouth?” and “Xena, stop it.” and “Give that to me.” (You will notice there are no sunglasses on her head anymore, either.) I got lose from the chair and joined my folks on the dance floor. And I heard a lot of people say, “Look, a schnauzer!” Yep, that’s me…

Xena, the Schnauzer Warrior Princess

The Screaming Mimi’s

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia32 Comments

I had another boring busy day at work. I was a good girl (mostly) and always did my potty outside. I have started my plan on escaping the gate by diligently chewing the corner of it. Who needs a file when I have puppy teeth? When Mommy picked up the phone camera to prove my guilt, I looked innocent and ran to my bed.

Then the preacher lady came in. She talked and talked and it was soooo boring, I couldn’t stay awake.

Wake me when something fun happens.

On the home front, I am getting used to my play pen. At least that is what I want Mommy to think.

Oh, I almost forgot – at least I have tried hard to forget – I went somewhere new called The Vet after work. I was violated. OMD! How can someone do that to the back end of a puppy? Mommy said the people in the next county could hear me scream. I couldn’t tell you much after that, other than the Vet Lady said I was healthy and Mommy said, “No,” to needly things they wanted to stick in me.  I think she must have gotten mixed up and taken me to the Halloween Chamber of Horrors I heard someone talking about. Mommy and the Vet Lady also had a disagreement about my food, but nobody yelled or called each other bad names. I know Mommy won, ’cause I am still eating my chickie chick and dear deer.

Oh, and Mommy is trying to return that stupid car seat that I hate. It tried to kill me! Earlier this week I was screaming my fool head off expressing my displeasure at being stuck in it again when it tipped over backwards and I got caught under it and my harness got really tight around me. I was panting so hard to get my breath that Mommy looked back and saw the monster car seat attacking me! She pulled right off the road and drove the rest of the way to the dentist with me in my kennel.

Oh yes, the dentist office. Mommy called to see if she could bring me to stay in the front office with the workers while she disappeared into the back to have something done to her mouth. They said yes, and I would have to stay in my kennel. Guess what! I never saw the inside of my kennel while I was there. The ladies kept coming up from the back and holding me and passing me around. It was pretty nice. And no one violated my back end. Daddy went to the same dentist the next day and they all wanted to know why he didn’t bring me.

Yep, I’m that addictively adorable.

I am Xena the Schnauzer Warrior Princess