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

Thankful Poetry Thursday with Lucy

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia24 Comments

Hi Friends, Lucy here. First I will give thanks to Angel Brian for hosting Thankful Thursday as well as Angel Sammy for the fun pictures every week. And here it is.

Who’s Flying the Plane? by Lucy

Have you both gone insane?
No one’s flying this plane!
I don’t mean to complain…
Are you both on cocaine?

I’m just a poor dog
And my brain’s in a fog.
Don’t know who I can text
Or just what to do next.

Guess I’ll climb in the pit
And there I will sit
Trying this plane to fly
So we all do not die!

I’m thankful my Mom and little sister Xena are back home with us. Of course, Chia helped keep me from getting too lonely. And I’m thankful that if my friend Riley absolutely had to have the squirts all day last Sunday that they finally stopped and he’s OK.

Xena: I’m thankful I got my Level 4 title in Freestyle and that we made it safely there and back. And that my Mommy wants to do this with me!

Chia: I’m thankful my Mom and sister are back too.
Xena: Did you miss me, Chia.
Chia: No. But we didn’t get all the yummy fruit and veggie extras in our meals that Mom puts in there.

Happy Thankful Thursday, everyone!

Xena’s Freestyle Sunday Ribbon Selfie

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia36 Comments

Hi everyone. We don’t usually do Sunday Selfies, but I wanted to show you my new ribbons I won yesterday at Freestyle. First, though, thanks to the Kittles Blue for hosting The Sunday Selfies Blog Hop.

I had a sneezing fit right at the beginning of our performance, and then I had to wipe the snot off my nose with my paw and then something really itched under my back leg. So we got behind in the music and couldn’t do some of the really neat dance moves we had. Now, let me ‘splain the point system the judges give. If you get 65 or more points total from the three judges you get your title in the new level that you’re tryin’ for. I already have my level 2 and level 3 titles and ribbons, so we were tryin’ for level 4. Even with the sneezin’ and wipin’ and scratchin’, I got 72 points and got my blue ribbon in Level 4. That means that I’m now titled in Level 4.

The pretty white ribbon means I got fourth place in my class. That’s mostly cause of the sneezin’ and wipin’ and scratchin’ puttin’ us behind. Today I get to do it again. I won’t get another title, but I’m pretty darn determined to get a higher score! We’ll get a sit-down session with the judges today and they’ll tell us how we can do better besides not sneezin’ and wipin’ and scratchin’.

Well, I got kinda weary, too, waiting for my turn. All the dogs in levels II and III got to go before me! So this mornin’, we’re staying at the hotel until it’s closer to my level 4 performance. Me and Mommy are just hangin’ out in our room. And tryin’ not to breathe or walk in the outside allergy stuff that’s still up here in Ohio. That might help me not be sneezin’ and wipin’ and scratchin’ during our performance.

Everyone have a good Sunday, and I’ll let you know soon how great I did today!

Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Xena’s Thankful Thursday Poetry

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia26 Comments

Hey there *wags* it’s me, Xena. Riley’s in his room napping with Andrew, so I grabbed this chance to be able to write the poem this week. *clears throat* First I will give thanks to Angel Brian for hosting Thankful Thursday as well as Angel Sammy for the fun pictures every week. And here it is.

Oh Dog! by Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess
Another one of these meetings at work.
This guy won’t shut up and he’s such a big dork.
He thinks he’s important, he thinks he’s the best,
But in his portfolio no one will invest.

Don’t look at the clock, don’t stare at the wall.
Where’s the treats or excitement? There is none at all.
I’d get up and go home but my Mommy won’t leave.
She fell asleep with the keys half an hour before me.

I’m thankful I don’t have to go to meetings! I’m also thankful that my Freestyle show is this weekend. Me and Mommy are driving up to Cleveland, Ohio with our friend Julia and her pup Jinx. Jinx is going to get her Level 3 title and I’m going for my Level 4. Of course I’m a few years older than Jinx and have been doing Freestyle a lot longer. Keep us in your purrayers and thoughts for safe travel (and that Mommy doesn’t mess up). We’ll share a video and maybe pictures too (if someone will take them) after we get back next week.

Your dancing dog friend, Xena

Practicing on Awww Monday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia27 Comments

Thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday!
Have I mentioned me and Mommy are going to a state called Ohio so we can perform our Freestyle dance? We’re leaving on Friday, and I have so much to do:

  1. Pack my food and lots of treats
  2. Get groomed (done)
  3. Rescue my Schnauzie stuffie from Chia and hide her
  4. Practice our “moves”
  5. Go to the chiropractor
  6. Pack my food and lots of treats

In the meantime, I’m practicing my pose for my awards acceptance.

What do you think? Should I try to smile like Lucy. I will wag my tail a lot and probably look at Mommy adoringly, cause, well, that’s what I do on the Freestyle floor! Mommy calls me her tiny dancer.

Is it Friday yet?

Xena, Tiny Dancer

Riley’s Poetry on Thankful Thursday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia25 Comments

Hi, yep, I’m still here. I’ve lost an awful lot of weight, except I’ve got a big belly, or so I’m told. But I know My Person Andrew needs me right now, so I’m sticking around as long as I can. When Mom Amy asked me if I wanted to write a poem this week, I didn’t really feel like it, but, well, then I thought, “Hmmmm, I might not be able to do many more,” so I did. By the way, this picture of me is from four years ago. Let’s start by thanking Angel Sammy for the fun picture this week. And here it is.

Chicken legs

Look at that load of chicken legs;
That’s the stuff for which we all beg.
Why’s that dude got ’em all on his head?
Wait! Chicken legs means those birds are dead!

I need to sniff and follow the trail
From where he came; I’ll have it nailed.
And then I’ll stuff my stomach full
Before I worship at the shul.

BOL! I remember when Mom Amy used to work in the office of a Jewish shul. I get my inspiration (and rhymes) from tons of things I know. I oughta write a book like Lexi did. Yep, I bet I could, I bet….I…*snore*

Mom Amy: The pups said I could give the thankful today. First, though, many thanks to Angel Brian for hosting Thankful Thursday.

I am thankful for all of you who rallied around me with sympathies, good wishes, and even information of how they could memorialize Riley when I let you know the condition he was in last week. Thursday I made the appointment for Friday to take his last trip to the vet, and he must have known and not been ready. Or he knew H.P. Andrew still needed him. Friday morning he woke up feeling considerably better. At that point, H.P. Andrew made the decision to wait. And you were all so kind about the change of heart, too. You are truly wonderful people, and it is a privilege to be even a small part of your lives.




Full Guide: Safest Flea And Tick Prevention For Dogs

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia22 Comments

Lucy, Ace Reporter here with relevant information on how to safely keep those nasty bugs off of us dogs and (cats).Plus, bonus information on the popular flea prevention sold by vets that has been sickening and killing us since 2012 — at a rate of over three times all others out there.

Here’s the link to read all about it from the source, Dog’s Naturally, which is run by holistic veterinarians.

Remember, please don’t poison us to save us. *wags* Please.

Lucy, your friendly ace reporter, signing off *smiles*

Riley’s Still with Us

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia27 Comments

Riley had a quiet night (maybe because I dosed him with CBD oil and Valerian EO). This morning he was walking fine and not coughing nearly as much. The cough has been caused by his enlarged heart pressing on his esophagus. So Andrew changed his mind and we are going to watch him over the weekend. I still don’t expect it to be long. I just wanted to let all my wonderful, supportive blogging friends know what was going on and that Riley. Is. Still. With. Us.
Here’s another picture of Riley, this time from one or two years ago, with his beloved Racky-D. He could relate to Racky-D, both of them having problems with their right eyes.

And just a side note, although I often cast Chia as this crazy, over the top dog (which she can be) she is also very sweet and loving and empathetic to pain and suffering. She tried to comfort me all last evening, and this morning she kept insisting to get into the bedroom with Andrew. She usually only does that to get Lucy out, but Lucy slept with me and Jeff and the “two littles” last night. She empathetically felt Andrew needed her.

Again, thank you for the outpouring of love and understanding and support. I truly don’t know what I would do without you.

Your blogging friend/family member,

Amy

Riley’s Last Night

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia43 Comments

This will be short. Riley has been suffering with labored breathing for two or three weeks. It has been progressively getting worse. His appetite, even for raw beef, has diminished to almost nothing. Today, his hips are giving out.

Riley is Andrew’s heart dog, and Andrew is Riley’s person. They are currently together in the bedroom, and Riley is lightly snacking on pizza. Tonight, tomorrow morning, he will get anything he wants. Tomorrow, if he makes it through the night, he’ll make his last trip to the vet, then to the crematory, the same crematory that took care of my Freda and Sammy and Lexi. We’ll pick out an urn and return in an hour or two to pick up his remains.

Every one of you know how hard and heart wrenching this is, for me and Jeff, but mostly for Andrew. Please keep all of us in your prayers.

Riley turned 14 May 1. I will always remember him as the sweet, goofy puppy he was 13 years ago.

Riley, 6 months old, his first week at his new home with us.

Miss Chia and Thankful Thursday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia18 Comments

Let’s start out by thanking Angel Sammy for the fun picture this week and to Angel Brian for hosting Thankful Thursday!

The Surprise Demise of Miss Chia

On the set of a new movie
We do things that are groovy,
Like me playing dead;
The plot will soon unthread.

Was it Bruno, Max or Charley
Or the guy who rides a Harley?
Did the audience learn to love me
Before the queen bee stung me?

I’m not really dead at all
But I did take a bad fall.
Hope that scene we never replay
Or they use a bee made of clay!

In the end I’m still alive!
After the cops arrived
All the suspects are set free
“Cept that d..mn mother f…k..r bee!

Lucy: Chia! You can’t use language like that! Bad girl!
Chia: Language like what? I just used some letters that don’t make any words, Lucy Goosey!

Okay, now for thankfuls. Sometimes I’m thankful and sometimes I’m a bit sad that The Puppy got adopted. She was a super fun playmate, except when she grabbed me by the base of my tail and her tooth went up my a…
Lucy: Stop! I’m sorry she bit you there, but don’t say the donkey word. No blood was drawn and you’re ok now.
Xena: Hey Chia, you were just jealous that she was getting so much attention and you weren’t the baby of the family any more.
Chia: Was not! *grrr*
Xena: *grrrr*

Well, folks, we hope you have a good and thankful Thursday and it’s probably time we all signed off from here. XOXOXOX Chia, Lucy and Xena

Final Puppy Update

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia28 Comments

Xena: We did it! We found her a home, a good home, a great home! Yay!!!!
You know who I’m talking about: The Puppy.

She grew about 2 inches in the week she was here, and no, I’m not exaggerating. That’s what Mommy said! Two inches! She never stopped messing in the house and Chia got depressed. Neither me or Chia would go into our kennel, er, my kennel because of how she made it all smell (pee).

Then a miracle happened. Brother Andrew’s friend and his family came over. There was a little girl about kindergarten age, and a boy who looked like he just entered his teens. And the wife. She and her hubby listened attentively to everything Mommy suggested as far as food, vacs, and heartworms. The wife is a nurse and understood everything medical Mommy said, and the man already knew how bad almost all commercial dog food is. At the end of the time, Daddy gave Mommy the nod and they offered The Puppy to those nice people.

Today, Mommy got this text from The Puppy’s new Dad:
“[The puppy] is an amazing addition to my family. She is already potty trained. My son that you met is her human. She sleeps with him and stays by his side everywhere. I appreciate you letting us get her. And her name is ASPEN.”

Mommy and Daddy are thrilled and us pups are relieved. Well, the folks are relieved too, just in a different kind of way.

This sure is a Happy Tuesday! (Thanks, Miss Sandee – at Comedy Plus – for letting us tell our happy story on your Happy Tuesday Blog Hop!)

PRESCRIPTION DIETS EVADE REGULATIONS

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia24 Comments

Coming to you today on the Health Beat!

Lucy, Ace Reporter here with breaking news! PRESCRIPTION DIETS EVADE REGULATIONS: … Hill’s Pet Nutrition made one of the most profitable marketing moves in pet food history: they filed a trademark application for the term“Prescription Diet.”Previous to this, nobody thought about how lucrative selling the same crummy ingredients could be if they simply required a prescription from vets. It was an ingenuous way to sell virtually the same foods found in the grocery store aisle with a grossly inflated price tag….

Mom has known that Hills regular and Prescription Diet formulas were no better than grocery store dog foods for years…ever since she worked at a vet’s and read the ingredients. It went further downhill when Purina bought the brand, with the first ingredient starting with corn or another grain instead of meat. It is reported that a gently cooked complete diet with all natural ingredients helps prevent cancer as well as a plethora of other diseases in dogs and cats. In the meantime…you can read all about it here from a post by Dogs Naturally.

This is Ace Reporter Lucy on the Health Beat!

Puppy Update

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia31 Comments

Xena: Well, no luck with FB or ND.
Chia: FB? ND?
Xena: Facebook and Next Door. Get with the social media vibe, CheeBee.
Well, Mom tried to give the puppy to a neighbor who had a husky who died recently, but he’s not ready for another dog. Can’t get anyone to answer the phone at the city shelter or the Humane Society. Tomorrow Mommy’s gonna talk to someone at church who volunteers at one of those places.
In the meantime, all three of us were a bit dismayed to find the puppy still here when we got out of bed this morning. We’ve all been growling at her and saying “No!” to playing. Even Lucy! Puppy did have some time outside with Chia, though. (Now she’s actually answering to “the puppy.”)

Mommy put one of Chia’s many name tags with her and Daddy’s phone numbers on the halter in case she gets away.

The folks realized that huskies need a lot, and I mean a lot, of exercise. That means running for a half hour or more every day, preferably an hour. And never off-leash. Daddy said when he stopped thinking with his heart and started thinking with his head, he knew neither he nor Mommy have the energy at this stage in their lives to give Puppy what she needs (other than love). Also, Puppy has to be watched every moment she is loose in the house or she pees everywhere, even soon after she comes in from outside. Oops, there she goes again. Clean up on aisle 1!

Anyone want a husky?

Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

New Puppy??

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia33 Comments

Chia: Mommy was sitting at her desk at work yesterday when she heard a noise at the window next to the outside door. When she got up to see what it was, she saw a large puppy scratching at the glass. As she approached the window, the puppy saw her and, frightened, started to run away. The church is on a very busy street (which is why Chia isn’t allowed to go). So Mommy went outside and started called to the puppy. She got down low and gently urged the pup to come to her. It took a while, but with patience and perseverance, Mom was able to extract her from beneath the rose bush. Two things to note here: there is black mulch under the rose bush and Mommy wore her white pants to work yesterday.

Moving on….Mommy got my car kennel from the car and put the puppy in it in the office. She posted a picture on NextDoor and asked the owner to contact her. At closing she hadn’t gotten an email, so she emailed Daddy (with a picture) and asked him what he thought she should do. “Bring her home!” was his answer. On the way home they stopped at a vet clinic to see if she’s microchipped, and she is not. (Mommy could tell Daddy was glad, BOL!) You see, Daddy had a Husky years ago and loves the breed. So Mommy’s gonna keep checking her work email over the weekend to see if anyone responds. She’ll make them tell her their name and what vet they use for the puppy, and then she’ll follow up with the vet to be sure it really is their puppy.

In the meantime, puppy had what we think, by her response to it, her first bath. She got a packet of our Ollie turkey food and gobbled it up. (He, he, I made a funny.) We have found out that she likes balls and anything that she can chew on, and that she is not housebroken. She’s friendly but a little shy yet. She and Chia have taken turns going into the play position, and other play gestures. But Chia’s just a little too forward and rough for the puppy, and it scares her. We think she’s under 3 months old.

And Lucy, being the gentle soul that she is, has been kind to her.

I saw Chia whispering in Lucy’s ear, and it turns out she asked Lucy to help her show the puppy how they play.

Even Riley welcomed the puppy. He took a good look at her and woofed, “Not a schnauzer. She can stay.”

Friday early morning Update: Not shy. Me and Chia are trying to put her and her sharp baby teeth in her place, but are now hiding, er, I mean have now retired to Daddy’s office. Mommy, is it safe to come out yet? Is she outside? In my kennel? Yep, she’s caged. I can hear her whining.

So, that’s what’s going on at our house this weekend. Mommy just checked her work email, and no one is claiming her. *sigh* It’s going to be a long weekend. Glad I’m leaving for my Freestyle practice this afternoon.

I am Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Achilles Sunday Selfies

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia29 Comments

Lucy: My boyfriend Achilles sent me some pictures to remind me he’s still around, and still loves and misses me.

Hey Lucy, sweet, pretty girl. I’m still here waiting for you. I hope you’re waiting for me too. Just a reminder…

Here I am in profile. You know, the strong and silent look.

Do you like this picture? Do you still think I’m handsome, Lucy?

Oh shoot, I still love you Lucy. I’ve got so much to tell you! I miss you. Come visit me soon, ok?

Your guy, Achilles

Lucy: *swoon*

Xena: Guess I’ll take over here and wish everyone a good Sunday. Thanks to The Cat on My Head, for hosting Sunday Selfies!

Riley on Thankful Poetic Thursday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia23 Comments

I’m on a streak here for the poetry Thursday. Chia’s complaining, but she is alway complaining about something, so all I can say is “deal with it.” I might, and I mean might let her do the poem next week. We’ll see.

Here’s the picture Angel Sammy gave us to work with. Of course, it has had a small alteration.

The Travel Guide by Riley

Hello Monsieur Bear.
It’s nice to have you here.
I hope your trip was good
And you got some fishy food.

I’m your travel guide;
I’ll take you far and wide.
Where’er you want to go
Moving fast or moving slow.

To the spots the tourists go,
Moving fast or taking it slow.
Or to spots much more remote,
Touring farms with cows and goats.

You can’t eat them when you’re there
But I’ll get you some sans hair.
We’ll go to a movie show
Or to a club b’low.

Watch that bus! It’s coming fast!
Oh crap! He shouldn’t of smoked that grass.
If that bus had only braked!
But what a pretty rug he’ll make.

A bear rug, BOL! I bet that would be super soft to lay on. Now for my thankful. My Person Andrew has been here with me all last week and all this week. That makes my heart happy.
Hey, anyone else got a thankful today?

Chia: I’m thankful that Mom and Dad’ve been taking me and my sisters on a lot more walks. I pull so hard on the leash that my nails scrape on the road and I don’t have to get them cut. I’m really thankful for that too!

Riley: Chia, you’re weird.

Chia: Grrrrrrr *runs away*

We give many thanks to Angel Sammy for the fun picture this week and to Angel Brian for hosting Thankful Thursday!

Your friends, Riley and Chia