Category: Xena

Body Switch by Chia and Thankfuls

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia20 Comments

Hi folks! *wiggles all over* It’s me, Chia!!! Wow, I had some fun with this picture that Angel Sammy sent us. Oh yeah, that reminds me. Thanks to Angel Brian for hosting Thankful Thursday as well as Angel Sammy for the fun pictures every week. Xena sort of got in on the action, as you will see. Here goes!

Who’s My Dad by Chia
My Mom and Dad went out on a date;
I think it mighta been somethin’ they ate,
But when they returned
I was very concerned.
Were their bodies switched? What makes this their new state?

Mom’s got all the stuff and Dad’s walking so oddly.
Xe’s going with it. I think it’s ungodly.
Maybe it’s witchcraft!
If so, then I think that
We call the priest to end all this folly!

Chia: Wow, I’m thankful MY Mom and Dad haven’t switch bodies. And I’m thankful for getting to go on our family walks every morning with MY Mom and Dad. We go real early before it gets hot.

Xena: First I want you to know that I absolutely would be able to tell if something like that happened to our folks. My Mommy would still pick me up and love on me, and carry me in to bed to sleep with her even if she was in another body, cause she’d still be my Mommy!
I’m thankful she’s still her, though! I’m also thankful for the yummy ground beef we got at several meals this week. And the avocadoes. And the strawberries. And..well, all the good food we get.

Lucy: I’m thankful Mom hasn’t sent me to dirt-a-holics anonymous yet. First, I rolled in it all the time. Now, I can’t seem to stop eating it. She’s threatened to buy a basket muzzle to put on me when I go outside. She did google what causes pups to do that and there were so many things that can cause dogs to eat dirt that it almost made her dizzy. The first one she’s trying is feeding me more of my regular food. I can get behind that! (Or in front of it, as the case may be.)
Oh, yes, I’m also thankful Mom’s still taking me to work with her on Thursdays. (She wipes my mouth off before we get in the car.) I’m being very, very good, too! (There’s no dirt to eat there, but that’s not really what I meant about being good.)

Chia: Ok, Lucy Deucy, we’re gonna call it a day. Everyone have a great Thankful Thursday!

I’m Going on Vacation!

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia30 Comments

First, we want to bark thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday Blog Hop!

Xena: Me and Mommy and Daddy are getting ready to go on vacation to In Dee Anna for my Grandma Jean’s 84th birthday celebration! I hope there’s good food and cake. I’m going to try to be on my best behavior and not act scared at the Assisted Living home where Grandma Jean lives. (She’s Daddy’s Mommy.)

Lucy’s acting relieved and Chia’s acting bratty ’cause they get to/ have to stay home with brother Andrew and Riley. This will be two weekends in a row they got left behind. I had to stay home last weekend, too. But now I’m all groomed and ready to travel in my car kennel where I feel safe and happy.

Last weekend my folks went to Knoxville, Tennessee, to a dance on Friday night. They left early so they could go to the gluten-free bakery my Daddy loves and then to his favorite restaurant for supper. It’s called Jig and Reel. He said it’s a Scottish restaurant, and has lots of different items on the menu that you don’t see other places. But his favorite thing is their “Scotch whiskey flights.” Sounds like birds or planes, doesn’t it? Mommy smells them before he drinks each one (she doesn’t like the taste) and then they compare thoughts on them. One of them made her cringe and cough and almost struggle for breath. It was Daddy’s favorite! She really liked the smell of another one, but Daddy didn’t like it at all. I don’t think I would have liked any of them!

They slept in what’s called an Air B&B in Knoxville, then went hiking the next day before they left for home. They found what they called an oasis – an 85 acre park – in the middle of downtown Knoxville. They mostly went to see Fort Dickerson there, but then they walked one of the trails. If you click here you can read a little bit about it. Fort Dickerson is the site of a big battle in the American Civil War. I won’t spoil it by telling you who won the battle.

Mommy and Daddy at the top of the hill on their walk.

My folks started their walk where the big red arrow is on the map – the one you’ll see if you click the link – and headed up the blue line, then moved to the black line and circled around, heading back to the parking lot where the big red arrow is. They said it was a fun hike through the woods with lots of big hills and roots and big rocks and big fallen trees and the occasional, “which way do we go now?” Before that, they drove up to the Civil War Earthen Site and walked the short trail around it, stopping to read all the signs about what happened there and see the big guns that are like cannons only a bit smaller. The Fort overlooks a valley and what is now called the Tennessee River, and was the perfect place for the Union troops to stop the Confederate battalion from advancing. Oops, did I just give you a hint who won the battle?

This is Augusta Quarry. It’s right at the start of the trailhead. Isn’t it pretty?

Well, that was last weekend. Now we – me and Mommy and Daddy – have to finish getting packed and ready for this weekend. I haven’t decided yet which stuffies are going. Probably Priscilla, she’s a good traveler. We’re leaving this Friday and not coming home until next Monday! Wow, that’s like 87 day! I’ll try to stop by and visit you before we leave.

Your friendly Travelling Schnauzer Princess, Xena

Xena, the Girl, and the Bear

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia24 Comments

Hi Folks! As usual,  thanks to Angel Brian for hosting Thankful Thursday as well as Angel Sammy for the fun pictures every week!

Here’s our fun picture for this week, and it’s a doozy!

Xena, the Girl, and the Bear by Xena

Hey kid! Are you crazy to stare down that bear?
You’re tiny and big bears aren’t known to play fair.
This isn’t your teddy you take to your to bed.
With his big teeth and claws you’d soon end up dead!

“I like him,” she murmured, “and we could be friends.
I’ll take him home and we’ll see how this ends.”
“Come in,” said Francisco, “and we’ll take a swim.”
“Don’t do it” I barked, “he’ll tear off your limbs!”

“Come pet me!” I wiggled and whined and yelped.
Then we’ll find your Mommy and ask her to help.
My excellent plan worked when we found her parents.
The little girl’s safe and Francisco’s…uh, Francisco’s…

Oh darn! I can’t think of a word to rhyme with parents. But Francisco lost and I reported him to management!!

Chia: It was just pretend, Xena, you can’t report him to management. And management rhymes with parent. phthhh
Xena: Well, I pretended to report him to the pretend management. So there! Phhhhhthhhhhh. Oh, wait, it does rhyme!

Lucy: I’m thankful that I have two silly little sisters. And that It’s cooled down outside just enough to go lay in the sun. And I’m real thankful that I continue to be allowed to go to work at the church with my Mom on Thursdays! I’ve been real good and greet people with big wags and smiles. Now we’re all waiting to find out if Mom and Dad are taking us with them next weekend on their trip to In Dee Anna or if we’re staying here with brother Andrew and Riley. I hate the ride, but I love to visit! So either way, I’ll be ok.

Everyone have a great rest of the week! XOX Lucy, Xena and Chia

Happy Tuesday – No More Jungle

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia29 Comments

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

It’s me, Xena, owner of this blog. It was willed to me by Angel Le…
Chia: Blah, blah blah.
Xena: …xi and it’s mine. Now that we have that established Chia, let’s get on with our story. If you remember, our front yard had grown into a jungle. We saw giraffes and monkeys and were being stalked by Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my! Well, at least by a tiger when Riley came and rescued us. He had heard the roar of a riding lawn mower starting up. Today…

The jungle and the critters in it all seem to be gone. I can still smell them, though. It’s sure hot and muggy (90% humidity) enough for it to be a jungle out here.

Wait, I’ve got a scent.

I think it’s a condor! I think it’s big and dangerous! *shudder* I’m gettin’ outa here.

…and then, Daddy, I chased it away. It was so big and scary!

Daddy: You’re my brave little girl, Xena.

Xena and Now Lucy’s Adventure Continues

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia25 Comments

Much later, at least 87 minutes…

Xena: Our front yard’s becoming a jungle.
Lucy: Do you see a giraffe? I think I hear monkeys.

Xena: *Woof! Woof! Woof!* Hey, you! Giraffe! Get outa our yard!

Lucy: *shudder* I hear something coming towards us in this front yard jungle. There’s lots of cats in this neighborhood. Sure hope it’s not a lion or a tiger or even a bear, oh my!

Both: LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS, OH MY!

Riley: There you both are. Follow me. I hear the mower coming, and you don’t want to be here.
Lucy: Come on Xena…let’s go!
Xena: Hey Riley, did Chia eat my supper?

Monkey: Screeeeee!

Tiger: Eww, smells like stinkin’ dog around here. Glad they’re gone!

The end.

Xena’s Sunday Selfie Aventure

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia15 Comments

Thanks to The Cat on My Head for hosting Sunday selfies, and congrats to them on their year #10 of blogging!

We’ve had a very hot and dry summer, and Mommy kept telling the grass cutter guy, “Nope, it doesn’t need cut yet,” every week. Then it started to rain. And the temperatures dropped about 10 degrees. And everyone’s grass started to grow…fast! In fact, too fast for our grass cutter guy to keep up with.

Here’s my selfie, in our front yard!

Guess it’s not really that long. I can still see, kinda. Hey I wonder if there’s any critters in here to chase.

Lucy: Xena! Where are you? I can’t find you!

The grass cutter guy’s supposed to come tomorrow. Maybe someone will find me and Lucy before that.

A little later….

Chia: There they are! Hey, Xena! Can I have your supper?

To be continued….

Xena’s Roller Coaster Ride on Thankful Thursday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia18 Comments

First, thanks to Angel Brian for hosting Thankful Thursday as well as Angel Sammy for the fun pictures every week. 

Xena: It’s not July anymore, so I get to do as many posts as I want, cause it’s not Chia’s birthday month any more and it’s my blog. Angel Lexi willed it to me. I’m very thankful for both those things!

Chia: No she didn’t!

Xena: She came to me in a dream and…

Lucy: Enough. Just do your poem, Xena.

Xena: Ok. *wags* This one was a bit of a challenge. And quite a bit scary to experience. But I always feel safe in my kennel. Oops, I almost gave away my poem. Well, here goes…

My Dare Ride by Xena

I took the dare,
I rode the ride.
I had somewhere
I’m safe to hide!

My Mommy said
She’d wait for me
‘Cause I’m her little
|Cup of tea!

I won the bet
What did I get?
A raw steak and
A cup of tea!

That’s all for me!
XOX Xena Schnauzer Rolly Coaster Schnauzer



I Went to Work Again on Almost Wordless Wednesday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia22 Comments

Finally….and I was a good girl! Thomas the mailman was so happy to see me; he said he’s missed me a lot! And he gave me a treat. The group that meets at the church right next to my office were all happy to see me and everyone kept fussing over me and complimenting me. Maybe I’ll be able to go back again. Whew, I’m tired. It was a busy day!

Thanks to  Comedy Plus for hosting Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop!

Xena Schnauzer Church Princess

Thankful Poetic Thursday by Xena

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia28 Comments

Good morning! Chia’s still asleep so I’m doing our post today. If she wants to keep this birthday month of blogging to herself, she’d better get up earlier! Thanks to Angel Brian for hosting Thankful Thursday as well as Angel Sammy for the fun pictures every week. Here’s his picture and my haiku poem for this week.

There’s scooters for all ages
But none for a dog.
I don’t want one anyhow.

That’s my first haiku. Whatcha think?

I have to tell y’all about what’s going on in my Freestyle world that I think I’m happy about. Mommy took me and Chia a coupla weeks ago to practice, just the 3 of us. It was supposed to be Chia’s turn to learn a dance routine and go get her first title this November. Mommy wanted Chia to watch and learn from me, since she imitates me a lot. So I got to dance around the floor first with my Mommy, then I had to go in the kennel while Chia went out and tried it. I quickly discovered the kennel door wasn’t latched, so I ran out and joined the fun. Instead of stopping, Mommy kept going with both of us. Sometimes me and Chia danced right next to each other and sometimes we danced with Mommy between us. Mommy was so thrilled with what we did that we went back last Friday and met Miss Julia there so she could watch us and help with suggestions. BTW (that means By The Way), one person dancing with two dogs is called a Brace. Miss Julia videoed it. Mommy says please remember, this is only the second time we’ve done this, and we’re just “piddling around” out on the floor. Chia’s still got a lot to learn.

Xena and Chia trying out a Freestyle Brace with our Mom

I didn’t think I was going to get to do Freestyle again this year, but I don’t mind sharing a performance with the long dog as long as I get to dance, too. Besides, I’m a lot more experienced and confident and can kinda push her around out there teach her things. So that’s my thankful for today. Oops, she’s waking up. I’d better hit “publish” now. Have a great rest of the week and do what you love!

Xena Schnauzer Dancing Princess

Xena’s Final 2024 Birthday Month Picture

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia15 Comments

Chia: Hey Xebo, why you lookin’ so sad? And why d’you have that blanket over you.

Xena: The name’s XENA, The air conditioning is cold. And I feel bad that this is my last birthday month picture for this year.

Chia: Wellllll *wags tail* let’s go outside on the patio and play!

*a few minutes later* Xena: I’m gonna get you!

Chia: No, I’m gonna get YOU! Ow, my leg!

Chia: Maybe you should go back in and get your throw-back picture ready.
Xena: Yep, I’m gonna find a good one. Then Mommy will help me take new ones for the rest of the year!

Here we go. This was my very first Freestyle Title. This was in November of 2018 and I was just a little over 2 years old. We were performing in Level 2b.

That was a very good day! Yep, I feel much better now.

Your friend and Freestyle pup, Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Xena’ Birthday Month Pictures @ RC

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia15 Comments

What’s RC? It’s Rock City, of course! The place I used to have so much fun every March and October. I heard they aren’t doing this fun stuff anymore and that makes me sad. But it makes me happy to remember all the fun times I had there! These memories are from March 2018, when I was nine months old. This first one is me with my Daddy.

I saw my Mommy set down the empty cup that she had been drinking from. I wanted to go ‘splore it…you know, take a taste! And help out by licking the cup clean.

Mmmm, I still remember it was full of foamy goodness. It tasted like ice cream and something else… Mmmmm.

Turns out, it was an ice cream beer float. Mmmmm.

What else can I say? Except that was the only one I ever got..

Hic. *grin* Hic.

It was sooooo gooooood.

Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Xena’s Thursday Birthday Month Pic and More Thankfuls

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia17 Comments

First thanks to Angel Brian for hosting Thankful Thursday!

These pictures were taken on the second Christmas Eve after I was born. It was 2018, and I was one and one half years old. This is my Uncle Bill. He’s belongs to my Auntie Jen. I wasn’t sure about him at first, ’cause I hadn’t been around him much.

But I thought about it and smelled him and looked at him and decided I liked him! (And I still do.)

I’m thankful I have people who I love and who loves me. That’s important. And I’m thankful I have a nice little bed in the big bedroom I can start out the night sleeping in, and that I can climb the stairs to the big bed and curl up with my Mommy whenever I want during the night. She almost always puts her arm around me and we sleep together like that until morning. I’m thankful my Mommy loves me so much.

This is Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess, celebrating my birthday month.

Xena’s Rough Saling and Thankfuls

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia17 Comments

Hi Friends! First, a big thank you to Angel Brian for hosting Thankful Thursday as well as Angel Sammy for the fun pictures every week.  And lots of thanks for all the happy birthday wishes last week! I’m now 7 years and 1 week old. It’s still my birthday month, so I get to write the poem again, whoo hoo!

Rough Saling

Word got out I’d run away;
A found reward was on my head.
I’d just gone shopping for the day!
Now I’ll be trampled and found dead.

It’s supper-time, my stomach growls.
Across their heads I quickly run.
All these folks! I’m in hell’s bowels.
I’ll be home soon with my own Mom.

Now for my thankfuls. Hmmm. I’m thankful to live in my home with air conditioning. It’s been sooooo hot outside! And I’m thankful I have my little sister Chia to play with. Sometimes she’s a, a, shall we say, a pest? But she’s my sister and I love her. And I’m thankful for all my blogging friends, too!

Your Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Xena’s 7th Birthday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia42 Comments

T’was the night ‘fore my birthday and up on the couch
Was my Mommy and me and Chia made three.
‘Twas supposed to be just my Mommy and me!

Te, he, that’s my funny poem on my birthday. Here are the pictures my Daddy took of the “night before.”

Watching Daddy and trying to think of what to woof
I told a funny joke!

Chia didn’t even laugh. She’s just jealous. Her 4th birthday is in two weeks. I won’t laugh at her jokes then, either!

Today me and Mommy took a walk through the neighborhood while it was still only 65 degrees. I got to sniff and go anywhere I wanted (as long as the leash reached that far). I saw the orange cat that was on our front porch this week and barked at a man out walking and pooped in the neighbor’s yard. It was a good walk

Then, when Mommy was done grooming two other dogs, she took me to the Home Depot store. She carried me in ’cause the pavement was so hot. By then it was over 90 degrees outside. We walked all over the store, and everyone looked at me and smiled and lots of folks said hi to me and said what a beautiful girl I am, and I wagged my tail at them. That was my best trip ever to Home Depot!

Then, when we got home, Daddy left and went to the store. Guess what he came home with…a doggie cake! He and Mommy invited me to sit in a chair at the table with them. I wasn’t too sure about that.

It did look a lot like a dog, but it smelled really good, like something good to eat! Mommy said Daddy has a strange sense of humor, to which he said, “Don’t you remember? You got a cake just like this for Lexi.” Ready for a flashback?

This picture is from my 10-year-old birthday party. I had a Healthy Choice meal with my Mom and Dad and then my very own cake shaped like a dog. I know, kinda’ weird, but Mom meant well. Can you see the happy all over my face?

I think mine was cuter. And bigger. I ate a couple of bites or three, then Lucy and Chia got a bite (Riley didn’t want any). Then Mommy and Andrew finished it off (Daddy can’t eat cake).

Can you see Chia watching it all closely?

I think all that sugar’s making me sleepy, so I’ll woof with all y’all again soon.
Xena, the 7-year-old Schnauzer Warrior Princess who had a good birthday!

Xena’s Thankful Poetry Thursday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia30 Comments

Hi Friends! First, a big thank you to Angel Brian for hosting Thankful Thursday as well as Angel Sammy for the fun pictures every week. It’s my turn again since tomorrow is my birthday. I’m going to be seven whole years old! Someone told me that my birthday is on the summer equinox, also called the first day of summer. I hate to tell you this, someone, but today is the first day of summer! Happy summer, everyone!! And boy oh boy, if summer’s as hot as our spring has been I’ll be spending most of my time inside in the air conditioning. I get overheated real fast. Enough about the weather… here’s my poem.

A Tale of a Tail by Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

I wonder what everyone’s giggling about.
I’m a person with considerable clout!
Oh no! Tee Pee hanging out like a tail…
This can’t be known on my campaign trail.
I’ll make something up, I’ll claim it’s AI.
I’ll win the election with that big fat lie!

Lucy: You know it’s never good to lie, Xena.
Xena: I know Lucy, but sometimes we all – even you – lie just a little when Mommy comes home and asks us if we had our supper after Daddy’s already fed us. We all start yelling, “I want to eat! I want to eat!” Maybe we should be thankful that Mommy never lets us lie.
Lucy: Uh, in this case, that thankful would probably be a lie.

Chia: Well, I’m thankful that Gracie came to stay with us last weekend and, after the first day here, my enthusiasm stopped scaring her and she hung out with us.

Gracie, previously good friends with Lexi

And we’re all thankful that Riley’s still hangin’ in there and HP Andrew’s still hangin’ here with him!

Bye bye for now! Xena, soon to be birthday girl. (I heard that I’m getting to go see my peeps brother Adam tomorrow!)

Crossing the Border

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia26 Comments

Lucy, Ace Reporter, here with the newest news on the Border Crossings. A rabbit was sighted crossing our property border early last week. Xena, can you tell us more about what happened?

Xena: Yes, thank you, Lucy. I and my sisters were watching out the window for passersby to bark at when suddenly a bunny leaped out of the woods that define our property border on the north. The bunny hopped along our road border to the west and into our front yard.
I quickly called for a meeting of the pack, as a decision had to be made. It was difficult to come to an agreement, as everyone was yelling at the top of their voices.

Lucy: Yes, I heard – and was a part of – all the commotion. What happened next.

Xena: It was a difficult decision. Was the bunny smuggling things into our yard? Was it going to try to hurt us? Why couldn’t it just stay in the woods where it belonged? It would have been so easy to chase the bunny and try to catch it. Fresh meat, you know. In the end, we all agreed that the bunny deserved the same rights as we had. The right to live in peace and eat our grass and move about in our yard without fear.

So we opened our borders to the huddled masses yearning to breathe free.

Lucy: That was a kind and smart decision we all made, and ended well for everyone. This is Lucy, Ace Report…

Xena: Wait, Lucy. Did you forget what happened a couple of days afterward? Word got out that we have open borders, and a different kind of immigration started. We started taking turns as border watchers. Remember? I’ve got this picture of you as a “watcher.”

A couple of days later it was Riley’s turn. That’s when the next property border crossing happened.

Here’s what he saw..

Lucy: It sure does look like we’ve become a diversified property!

Chia, Riley, Xena and Lucy, with liberty and free grass for all!

Xena’s Thankful Poetry Thursday (hic)

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia24 Comments

Hi Folks! I get my blog back for the rest of the month cause it’s my birthday month. I’ll be seven whole years old on the first day of summer! I think I might be old enough to drink something other than water now, and I’d like to start with that kalua that Mommy likes. Here’s my poem…uh, maybe I shouldn’t start drinking…or maybe I shouldn’t start driving…

First, though, a big thank you to Angel Brian for hosting Thankful Thursday as well as Angel Sammy for the fun pictures every week. And here we go….

Don’t Drink and Drive by Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

I wanted to take Mommy’s car for a spin.
I didn’t know what trouble I’d soon be in.
I grabbed a big bottle off the lower shelf
Thinking I would drink all of it all by myself.

Out of the driveway and on down the street,
I found drinking while driving was quite a feat.
I’d never done either before this wild day
And learned that at home I really should stay.

I barked and I laughed and then I got sick;
I barfed in the car all over the shift stick.
Next thing I knew I was parked ‘tween two cars.
I crawled out the window and blew a loud fart.

Many police arrived and one read my name tag;
When he called my Mommy I gave a small wag.
We can’t give a dog a D.U.I. they said,
You need to come get her and put her to bed.

No more will I drink and no more will I drive;
I’m very happy to be home and alive.
Just one little thing I do wish that I knew…
How’d I park in a space that’s just a walk-through?

Mommy has taught me better than to drink anything but water and she has showed me I can’t drive cause I can’t reach the pedals or see over the front dashboard. Besides, I get scared riding in the car when I’m not in my backseat kennel. I just wanted to ‘splain this to you to make sure you didn’t think this really happened! I’m real thankful that I have my Mommy to take me places.

Lucy: I’m thankful I have Mom and Dad to be close to when it thunderstorms.

Chia: I’m thankful I’m not scared of thunderstorms.

Riley: I’m thankful My Person Andrew is still here with me and helping me any time of the day or night that I need help. That includes taking me out when I really have to go in a hurry and cleaning up after me when I don’t quite make it outside. I still have trouble breathing at times, but MP Andrew has taught me to lift up my head and lay it on my bolster or the arm of the couch if I’m up there, and then I can breathe easier.

Thanks for stopping by to read my poem and thankfuls today! Xena