Category: Xena

Preparing for Our Trip on Wordy Wednesday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia30 Comments

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

Thanksgiving Thankfuls and Poetry Thursday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia18 Comments

Chia: I made my poem short and to the point so everyone could get back to eating turkey.

There’s an Outhouse by Chia the Thanksgiving Injun

There’s an old outhouse
So we don’t pee inhouse

And we’re all thankful to Angel Sammy for the picture this week and for Brian’s Home Blog for Thankful Thursday.

Speaking of Thankful Thursday…

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…

This ‘n’ That on Nature Friday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia21 Comments

Thanks to Rosy and Sunny of The LLB Life for hosting Nature Friday!

Xena: First, here’s our feeble attempt at Nature Friday, BOL!

This is a baby oak tree who barely has his trunk yet. But he’s sure putting on a pretty show for the fall season. And we think the evergreen is a baby fir tree, cozying up to the baby oak. Can anyone say “awww?” Mom says she’ll replant them in the spring when the ground is softer.

Next, we wanted to share this license plate with Miss Cecilia and Angel Madi.

Mom bought a big bag of little bitty candy bars to give out at Halloween. We had a lot left. She kept seeing letters on the little snicker bars, just one letter on each, and couldn’t figure out why. When Riley’s Person Andrew came over last Sunday he set the candy bars out in this order. Mystery solved!

Finally, this is Lucy at work on Monday. It was still pretty early in the morning when she started staring out the windows wondering when the Pastor – her new BFF – was going to show up.

I guess that’s all I’ve got to bark about today, friends. Hope you have a lovely weekend.
Oh, wait, I forgot to put in my picture! I’m Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Happy Tuesday with Gracie

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia25 Comments

Gracie was one of Angel Lexi’s only dog friends. She’s a very smart little shih tzu, and fun to be around. She came and stayed with our folks for a couple of weeks to try to help them right after Lexi crossed the bridge. She came back regularly as her folks went out of town to visit, and often made trips with our folks. This is the 3rd time in the last two or three months that Gracie’s spent a week with us. We all like Gracie and we think she likes us too.

Me and Gracie, we went for a special walk today around the neighborhood, just us two with Mommy. And with our neighbor Miss Pam. She walked with us too. And with our shadows. **humming “Me and My Shadow”**

Happy Tuesday! From Xena and Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus, who is hosting Happy Tuesday Blog Hop!

Xena’s Failed Selfie Sunday on Awww Monday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia18 Comments

Daddy, isn’t Mommy coming out to take my selfie on your lap? She needs to hurry. I just ate and I’m getting sleepy.

A few minutes later…

Jeff: Amy, I think it’s too late for a selfie.
Amy: I’ll catch her or maybe Chia wanting their pictures taken a little later.

“A little later”….sleeping with stuffies…

Xena with Riley’s Racky D
Chia with Brownie Bear

Many thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday, and to The Cat on My Head, for hosting Sunday Selfies (even if we are a day late and not much of a selfie!)

(Not) Wordless Wednesday Fairyland Cavern Poem

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia18 Comments

Xena: This is the poem we promised y’all yesterday. It was one of many nursery rhymes in Rock City’s Fairyland Cavern. Mommy re-wrote it underneath, too, in case it was hard to read in the picture.

THERE WAS A LITTLE GIRL
Who had a little curl right in the
middle of her forehead, and when
she was good, she was very, very
good, and when she was bad,
she was horrid.

Chia: That’s the poem????

Xena: I want to thank  Comedy Plus for helping me publish this post so all our friends can read the poem we’ve dedicated to Chia!!

Rocktoberfest on Happy Tuesday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia25 Comments

Hi friends, it’s me, Xena. First, a big thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday Blog Hop!
I am the German dog in the family, so I hitched a ride with Mommy and brother Adam to Rock City to celebrate Rocktoberfest on Sunday. It’s was tons of fun, and would have been even better if I could have gotten my paws (and mouth) on one of those bratwursts! As it was, I got to listen to the Wurstbrauts, instead!

Daddy was the band leader and announcer, and once again he used me as a prop. Here’s a picture of us from a previous year.

Hmm, I had the same sweater on. It must be my Oktoberfest sweater!

Then me and Mommy “walked” Rock City. First we had to squeeze through “Fat Man’s Squeeze,” tee hee. As you can see, it was no big deal for me (or Mommy). But some of the folks behind us were having a bit of a rough time, BOL!

This picture below is from a little area off the cavern walkway. It was lit all pretty like this with the stained glass in the rock behind us.

A nice person we didn’t know took the picture for us.

Here’s a coupla more pictures of us as stopped for a photo op along the trail. Mommy’s not used to taking “ussies” or even selfies, but she did her best.

When we got back to the pavillion, brothers Andrew and Adam and almost sister Jentry were there eating and waiting for us and listening to the Oompah songs from the band. Mommy said she and I had already walked the whole trail, but, she said, “Come on, let’s all do it together!” So we did.

L-R Andrew, Mommy & me, Adam

When we finally got back to the gift shop it was time to go take Adam to his home and then head home ourselves. I sure did sleep good that night!

If you come back to visit us tomorrow on Wordless Wednesday, we’ll show you one of the poems that was in the Fairyland Caverns. We’ve dedicated it to Chia. Until then…your friend, Xena

Chia: Everyone come see it! I can’t wait to see all the nice things it says!! *wags* XOXOX Chia

Lucy’s Thankful Thursday Poetry

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia28 Comments

 Lucy: Many thanks to Brian for hosting Brian’s Thankful Thursday,  and also to  Angel Sammy for the picture this week.

It’s my turn to write a poem for the picture and I think I’ve got the perfect one. *wags*

The Pastor Is Gone by Lucy the Church Dog
Pastor went away.
I pleaded with him to stay.
Please return I pray.

Xena: Wow Lucy, you really do have a case on the pastor. Did you get AI to help you with that Haiku?
Lucy: No, Xena. AI couldn’t express my feelings like I can. I miss him so much. I haven’t seen him for a week but he’ll be back today and he’ll fuss over me and tell me he loves me
Chia: I want to meet this pastor. Grrr, why haven’t I gotten to meet him? Why won’t Mom take me to the church where she goes and works all day? Why do you and Xena get to go but not me? Grrr.
Xena: Because the first time the front door opened you’d run out onto that busy street and get flattened into a 2 dimensional dead dog.
Chia: Oh. Well, I’m thankful I’m still a 3 dimensional live dog!
Xena and Lucy: So are we!!


Chia: What’s dimensional?

Chloe Does Selfie Sunday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia20 Comments

Xena: This is the first day of the Halloween month. Yesterday Miss Della brought our yorkie friend Chloe for a groom. They live less than a half mile from us “as the crow flies.”

Chia: Or “as the dog runs.” I think I passed their house last week when I escaped and stretched my legs chasing the neighbor’s black cat back to another road behind our subdivision.

Xena: Yep, that’s why there are now eight inch garden stakes all the way along the chain link fence around the dog lot.They hope you can’t squirm under the fence anymore with those holding it down.

Anyhow, Miss Della sent us a sweet picture of Chloe on her front porch, so we invited Chloe to do the Sunday selfie this week.

Thanks so much to Miss Della for the picture and The Cat on My Head, for hosting Sunday Selfies!

Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Talk Like a Pirate Day

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia21 Comments

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.

Our Animal Doubles at Knoxville Zoo

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia17 Comments

Xena: OK, so I finally found a ‘puter to work on.

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 Dog Staycation on Thankful Thursday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia19 Comments

Chia: We’ve only been back from our vacation in In Dee Anna a few days and we’re leaving again. That’s a lot of travel, but hey, I like to ride in the car as long as you don’t shoot out liquid poop all over our travel pillow in our kennel, XeBe.

Xena: It’s been over a week, Chia, and no, we’re not going. So I won’t be shooting out anything from anywhere on your whatever.

Chia: Wait…we’re not going? They’re not leaving us all alone for 87 days, are they? Wait! Does that mean…

Xena: Yep, Daddy’s taking Mommy to the beach again for her birthday. He’s been doing that for several years now, in case you haven’t noticed. But it means Miss Christy is coming, and when she can’t be here for a day or so, Miss Pam, our favorite neighbor will be feeding us and spending time with us.

Chia: Woo hoo! How soon are Mom and Dad leaving? Tomorrow, maybe? Or tonight??? Why didn’t Miss Pam tell us that when she was here?

Xena: Maybe because you were so busy attacking Lucy and jumping all over Miss Pam. You did get to spend more time in your kennel while she was here learning how to feed us than since we got back from our In Dee Anna trip. Anyhow, it also means we won’t get to blog unless Miss Christy helps us, or we do it remote with Mommy.

Chia: I don’t care. I get to be with Miss Christy and Miss Pam without Mom correcting me! I can beat up on Lucy all I…

Uh, ummm, hi Mom. Love ya.

The Mom: I’m so thankful that your Dad takes me to the beach, even though he’d rather be in the mountains. And I’m thankful beyond words that you’re all over your bouts with diarrhea. I’m also extremely thankful for our wonderful dog sitter, Christy, and that Pam is thrilled to spend time with all of you! And you’re right, Xena, I may not be helping y’all blog again for about a week or so, and I’m thankful that you understand. We’ll just have to wait and see how that works out.

We’re all thankful to Brian for hosting Brian’s Thankful Thursday!

Xena’s Thankful Thursday Poetry

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia27 Comments

As always, we’re thankful to both Brian for hosting Brian’s Thankful Thursday and to  Angel Sammy for the fun picture this week.

It’s me, Xena, here on my blog. I get to do the poem again this week ’cause I’m the only one of the pups here who ever got to ride a horse. It was at my Auntie Jen’s. Mom got a picture of it too. I tried to be brave.

This week’s picture from Angel Sammy features a small panda bear on a horse!

Giddy Up Horsie by Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Giddy Up horsie, let’s go for a ride.
Better be careful, on this snow we’ll slide!
Brother’s behinds us, he’s nudging your tail.
“Cause right now your speed is just like a snail.

My schnauzer friend Xena says she rode a horse
Good tales she tells; I believe her, of course!
They went far and wide and then returned home.
She said home’s the best, ne’er more will she roam.
(at least until next time)

The End

Lucy: Thanks, Xena, good poem! I wanted to give the thankful today. The nice lady dog trainer, Julia, from next door came over again after her first time teaching Chia to walk nicely on a leash. She worked with Chia and Mom and Dad and taught Mom and Dad how to teach Chia to stop attacking me. Did you get that, BOL? I’m so thankful for that, and that she hasn’t done it since! She’s smart. It doesn’t take too long when you know what to do. I’ll let you know if it “sticks”.

Love y’all, and thanks for reading! Xexe and Lucy

Nature Friday in Fort Wayne

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia24 Comments

Hi, it’s me, Xena. Yesterday me and Chia rode together in the car kennel for 87 hours. We do really well at that! A bonus was that we got to eat breakfast before 5:00 in the morning…woo hoo! Lucy rode in the back seat next to us, and slowly wormed her way up between the front seats so that she was mostly laying on the divider thingie between Mommy and Daddy. She pretty much panted the whole 87 hour drive, so we didn’t begrudge her that comfort. Riley? Oh, he stayed home with His Person Andrew, who came to stay at our house with him. Anyhoo, we went especially to spend time with my Grandma who turned 93 on Thursday.

From all the stress of the drive, Lucy’s had the squirts and…

Lucy: No, Xena, you don’t need to tell everyone about that, please!

Xena: Oh, ok Luce. So this morning Lucy went to the nursing home to visit with our Grandma. While she was there, she did some unofficial therapy work with other residents who wanted to pet her. It was nice that she made people smile and have a little bit better day.

Lucy: (Looking grateful) Thanks, Xena.

Xena: It was nice and cool here in In Dee Anna, and Mommy took us all for a long walk. We walked down to a pretty place called Forest Park. Here’s me and Lucy in front of some pretty roses and something called a pergola. There was also a very small lake and more pergola thingies and lots of paved walkways.

The temperature was in the mid-60’s but the sun was warm.

And here’s Chia in front of some other flowers. Speaking of Chia..

Chia: Xena, don’t!
Xena: Speaking of Chia, for three years, no matter what Mommy has tried, Chia’s been a terror to take on a walk. She pulls so hard on the leash the whole time that Mommy hates to even walk her (but she does anyhow ’cause Chia needs so much exercise). So we get here, and Julia — who owns the Air B&B where we are staying, not my friend and Freestyle trainer Julia — lives next door. She was outside when we arrived and she and Mommy and Daddy started talking. They found out that Julia is a dog trainer. (I wonder if all dog trainers are called Julia??) Mommy begged her to take Chia and leash train her, saying she would pay her whatever she wanted if she could do that. Julia went in her house and came back out with a thin metal collar that she slipped over Chia’s head. (If you biggify the picture you can see the collar.) She put the leash on it and walked down the block and back with Chia. The whole time Mommy and Daddy’s mouths were hanging open cause Chia didn’t even try to pull. OMD! Then Mommy tried it and the same thing happened. Julia gave Mommy the collar! And that made for a much nicer walk this morning.

Finally, something beautiful happened while we were at the park. Mommy took a picture of us and it looked like there was a halo outlining me.

Can you see it?
Then she took this picture.

Lucy: It looks like laser beams like in Star Wars.
Xena: It does, but it’s not. I think it’s Angel Lexi letting us know she is with us.

That’s all for today, except to thank Rosy and Sunny of The LLB Life for hosting Nature Friday!

Xena’s Poem on Thankful Thursday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia23 Comments

As always, we’re thankful to both Brian for hosting Brian’s Thankful Thursday and to  Angel Sammy for the fun picture this week.

Hi, it’s me, Xena, the rightful owner of this blog. And no comments from the peanut gallery, Chia. There’s another reason why I get to do the poem for this week’s picture…I’m the only pup in this family who has been to Paris. See, here’s proof!

With that, let’s move on to today’ picture and poem, where I’m back in gay Paris!

Montmartre…Again by Xena the Schnauzer (Warrior Princess)

Is that a pic of my last time here?
Everything new in my first year,
Oh what a puppy I was back then!
The joy of Montmartre had me smitten.

Again I’ll visit  Sacré-Cœur
But of Moulin Rouge I will stay clear.
Then I’ll visit Van Gogh’s house,
Moving quietly as a mouse.

So soon it’s time to fly back home,
Landing in Georgia, I’ll ne’er more roam!
In my pocket the picture I found,
I bend my head to kiss the ground.

Now for my thankful: I’m thankful to be able to translate my poem into French!

Montmartre…encore par Xena the Schnauzer (Warrior Princess)

Est-ce une photo de ma dernière visite ici ?
Tout est nouveau dans ma première année,
Oh, quel chiot j’étais à l’époque !
La joie de Montmartre m’a fait craquer.

Je visiterai à nouveau le Sacré-Cœur
Mais je resterai à l’écart du Moulin Rouge.
Puis je visiterai la maison de Van Gogh,
en me déplaçant tranquillement comme une souris.

Bientôt, il sera temps de prendre l’avion pour rentrer à la maison,
J’atterris en Géorgie, je n’errerai plus jamais !
Dans ma poche, j’ai trouvé le tableau,
Je penche la tête pour embrasser le sol.

Hmmm. I think it sounds better in English, don’t you?

Thanks to all my friends who come by to visit me here. Y’all are the best!!

Gracy Returns

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia23 Comments

Xena: Our friend Gracie came back to stay with us while her folks took a vacation in Puerto Rico, where they’re visiting their family and friends and eating all the delicious foods there that they have missed. Gracy used to come visit when Angel Lexi was here, and they got along good. After Angel Lexi became an angel, Gracie stayed here at the house with Mommy and Daddy so they weren’t so lonely here with no dog. She even went to In Dee Anna with them over Christmas and even got to sit on Santa’s lap while her folks went to Germany . She also was Mommy’s work-dog for the couple of weeks she was here, and has been to Rock City with my folks.

Fast forward a whole bunch of years… It was kind of a slow start to us all getting used to each other. Gracie was here a month or so ago, and we all got along then. This time, after a couple of days, Gracy was one of the pack. She’s the same size as me and Chia, and she won’t back down to us or to Riley, either. She just stands there and stares right back at us. You’ve got to respect that.

Chia: At first I tried to intimidate Gracie, so that, you know, she recognized me as being in charge. Like Xena said, it didn’t work. Early Saturday morning Mom took me and Gracy for a walk in the neighborhood.

We walked together and read pee mail and explored a little bit. She can walk almost as fast as me! Now we kinda hang out, following the folks through the house, and even sleep together in the big bed! I like this chick!

Xena: After their walk I watched Mom groom Gracy. We had a big day Saturday, what with the grooming and our brother Adam here all weekend for his birthday, and our other Brother Andrew coming over and me and Chia playing ball and stuff.

Gracie wanted me to do something with her, but I was worn out and settled into my kennel for a pre-bedtime nap.

We’re going to miss Gracie when her family comes for her this Wednesday. Last night we voted and…

Lucy: Xena we didn’t vo…

Xena: Everyone but Lucy voted and we agreed that Gracie can come back and stay with us anytime she wants.

Thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday!

I Lost my Grammy Toni

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia31 Comments

Do you remember back in March when Mommy took me to visit my Grammy Toni? It was the first time I’ve seen her since Mommy adopted me from her. This picture is from that visit, which you can read about here if you want.

That’s me in Mommy’s lap and Grammy’s schnauzers on the floor.
We just found out this week that my Grammy Toni died two months ago. The fellas who were there visiting at the same time with their schnauzers kept trying to get ahold of her, but with no luck. They kept texting Mommy, but they had already done everything she thought of. Finally, they got ahold of Grammy’s sister who lives in Florida, and she told them the bad news. They were so upset that they didn’t think to ask what happened to her four schnauzers afterward. We sure do hope they got really good homes.

So it’s been kind of a sad week around here. I lost my Grammy Toni. Hashalóm/ole(ha)shólem. May she rest in peace.

The day Mommy adopted me, and I said goodbye to my Grammy who had raised me for 15 weeks. I’m the one with the colorful halter.

Thankful Thursday Poem by Xena

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia25 Comments

Xena: I have the honor of creating a poem to go with the picture this week. But instead of inserting me into the picture, I asked Mommy to insert a picture of Riley. You’ll see why in a moment. First, though, thanks to  Brian for hosting Brian’s Thankful Thursday! And I am thankful to  Angel Sammy for the fun picture this week, too. First, here’s the picture, and my most excellent poem follows it.

Murder! by Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess
You murdered my doggy, the l’il pup screamed.
He’s dead and not moving…or so it seemed.
I named him Dooley and now he is dead.
Who did this while I slept in my bed?
Then a voice came to me; here’s what it said:

“You’d better get used to toys being destroyed.
He often does this when he gets annoyed.
I won’t give a name, but he’s big and he’s red.
Don’t expect him to stop ’til your toys are all dead.

Oh dog! I cried, as I grabbed my Dooley
He squeaked! He lives! I’ll hide him well, truly!
The big red dog I don’t want to annoy.
Lest he think that I, a small pup am his toy!

Xena: Now you know why it’s Riley in the picture. He used to deadie all my stuffies when we were both younger. He has still been known to deadie Chia’s stuffies.

Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess, who is thankful that Riley hasn’t deadied me.