Fritz’s Poem and Thankfuls

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia26 Comments

Fritz: I saw the picture for this week and said, “Xena, I want to do the poem, I want to do the poem, I want..”.etc. She said if I’d shut up and stop jumping at her that I could do the poem. But just this week. I don’t know how to type yet, so I got Aunt Amy to help me.

First, here’s a picture of me just in case you don’t know me. My Mommy is Clare and we live next door.

Now, here’s this week’s picture and my poem.

Best Friends by Fritz

I’ve got a new game, follow the leader.
We’ll go down the stairs and past the big cedar.
When it gets dark, I’ll grab hold of your tail.
And if it should hurt, just give a soft wail.
I’ll let go right away; we’ll still be friends.
You’re my BFF from now ’til the end.

That was fun and a bit harder than I thought. Aunt Amy had to help me with some of the rhymes, too. I’m so thankful that I got adopted by my Mommy Clare and her folks and her brothers and sisters. They all love me and I love them, too. And I’m so wagging thankful that Aunt Amy and especially Miss Lucy (she’ll get used to me) and Miss Xena and Miss Chia live next door . If I get away, my Mommy always knows where to find me, BOL!! Sometimes Miss Xena plays with me and Miss Chia has started playing with me, and I’m so, so, so thankful for that. I’ve got a bunch more thankfuls that maybe Miss Xena will let me share another day.

Xena: Thanks Fritz. I didn’t know you were a poet, but you did a good job. But there’s one thing you forgot…
Fritz: Oh, yes. Thanks to Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the great picture every week!
Is that all, Miss Xena?
Xena: Yep. Now go play with Chia so I can take a nap.

Hoping everyone has something to be thankful for today! XOX Miss Xena Schnauzer Pup-sitter Princess

Epilepsy Awareness and Poetry on Thankful Thursday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia28 Comments

Xena: First, thanks to Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the great picture every week!
Today is the 11th Annual FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong Purple Day®️ for Epilepsy Blog Hop & Social Media Share! AND it’s the day we create great poetry for the pictures Angel Sammy gives us! AND it’s Thankful Thursday. Wow, I’m getting tired just thinking about everything that’s going on. I’m gonna take a nap and will be right back.

Chia: I’m not tired! Here’s the picture for today, and my poem follows it.

Shhhh, Don’t Tell by Chia

Shhh, don’t tell anyone
You saw me fall on the ground and shake.
Shhh, I’m my father’s son,
He can’t see me writhe like a snake.

Shhh, don’t tell anyone.
I want to be just like my friends.
My life has just begun
But I can almost see how it ends.

Maybe you should tell someone.
I need help.
I need help.
I need help!

The End

Xena: *yawn* Thanks for taking over, Chia, while I took a little nap. Hey! You’re done! *reading the poem* Poor little guy. Let’s help tell everyone about Epilepsy Awareness.

(L-R) Lucy, Chia, Xena

Finally, thanks to Five Sibes for hosting this day.

Screenshot

Xena: We agreed that together we would tell you how thankful we are for all our blogging friends. You help us – especially our Mommy – get through the tough times. And from being at our church for the funeral, I realized how much love and caring our folks get from those great people, too. (And everyone was happy for me to be there!)

Love from YOUR friends, Xena, Lucy, Chia and our Mom

Chia’s Tribute to Her Brother Andrew on Thankful Thursday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia32 Comments

First, thanks to Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the great picture every week!

Chia: Xena, can I do today’s poem? Did you know that I knew brother Andrew before I moved here? We both lived with Jentry (brother Andrew’s long-time girlfriend), but I had another person who was supposed to be my “owner” while I lived there. When he left and didn’t take me, brother Andrew brought me home to his Mom’s, to try to find me another home. And he did! Almost five years later, I’m still here with you and his Mom and Dad and Lucy. Of course they’re my Mom and Dad now, too! But I still really miss him.

Xena: Well…I had another poem almost ready…but sure, Chia. You go ahead.
Chia: Thanks, Xe, you won’t regret it! Here goes…

We’ll All Be Together by Chia

We hope one day we’ll see our brother
In a place like this – or perhaps another,
With whispy clouds and streams and trees,
With flowers blowing in a gentle breeze.

He loved us all; we loved him too.
But nothing more can we do.
No barks of joy, no happy whines
Until the rainbow bridge we find.

But until then perhaps we’ll find
An Air B&B where we’ll keep in mind
The joy of nature, and be assured
We’ll all be together with our Lord.

The End

Xena: *wiping away tears* You were right, Chia. I’m thankful you wrote the poem. And I’m thankful that someday – hopefully many years from now – we’ll all be together again.

Lucy: Xena, why don’t you tell our friends what you did last Saturday.

Xena: I went to brother Andrew’s funeral at Holy Cross Episcopal Church, where Mommy and Daddy go without me on Sundays. Brother Adam – who loves me a lot – held me all through the service. Afterward, I kept hearing people say how beautiful the service was and what a wonderful talk my Daddy did. I guess Mommy wrote out memories, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to stand up and read them, so Daddy did it for her. He added some of his own, and it really was pretty entertaining. A couple of folks even told him he should be a preacher! (Remember, he used to MC at Rock City’s Rocktoberfest every year, every Saturday and Sunday in October!)
Then everyone went to the Parish Hall where there was lots and lots of yummy food. They ate and visited for over an hour. And I got to run around and visit with everybody! A couple of the church members whose dogs Mommy grooms asked if she would bring their dogs home with her and teach them to behave like I do! And I heard other people telling her how pretty I am and…

Lucy: Thanks, Xena. I just wanted to add that if anyone would like to see one of our posts about Dad doing his thing at Rock City – and yes, Xena was there with him – you can click here. You’ll also see Mom and brothers Adam and Andrew there, too. For now, we want to thank all of you who sent kind words and cards. It meant a lot to my Mom, and we all love you guys.

Xena’s Poem and My Terrible News

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia52 Comments

Xena: First, thanks to Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the great picture every week!

I had to think really hard about the photo this week, especially since there was no room for me to jump into it. Probably for the better…I don’t really want to be that close to a crying kid anyhow. She probably would have scared me! Here’s what I came up with…

LISTEN TO THE SCHNAUZER By Xena the Schnauzer

Xena, Xena, put it back on my head.
I thought it would curl, not make my hair dead!
The girls in daycare will all laugh at me.
I was trying to stylel it, to be more pretty.

So… you cut your hair. That was your plan?
I watched the whole disaster begin.
Snip, snip, snip—no strategy at all.
Now you’re crying like you fell in the hall.

You blithely ignored my very wise bark.
Clearly you lack a schnauzer’s spark.
Next time consult the dog, I say—
We specialize in judgment all day. 🐾

Amy: I had this post about ready to schedule yesterday when I got the phone every parent hopes never to have. My son Andrew had OD’d and the police were at his and his girlfriend’s house doing CPR. My thankful today, in the midst of intense grief and having to contact everyone and plan his funeral, is that I am sure I will see him again one day. I hope he is with his heart dog, Riley, and his grandmothers.

If you don’t see any comments or posts from me for a bit, you’ll know why. Please keep me and Jeff and my other son Adam in your prayers. Thank you for always being a wonderful community of caring people.

Categories Uncategorized•Tags

Lucy’s Post-Breakfast Awww Monday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia24 Comments

Thanks to  Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Mondays!

Lucy: Sorry Mom is so late in doing my Awww Monday picture. I hope it’s still ok to send it to you, even though this is Tuesday. Xena’s saying it’s ok, so here it is.

I had a yummy breakfast, then I decided to curl up in the bedroom chair instead of on the bed. I’ve got my very own pillow here! Xena also suggested I tell you that no, I’m not sad. This is just how I look. Maybe next time I’ll smile for the camera, like I do when I greet people at the church.

Have a Happy Tuesday! Lucy

Meeting at the Bridge on Thankful Thursday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia35 Comments

First, thanks to Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the great picture every week!

Xena: We’re especially thankful to Miss Pam at Two Spoiled Cats who hosts the poem every week. Me and Mom were real late even thinking about doing our weekly poem, and got over-excited when we saw what is this week’s poem. Yep, we wrote the poem for it and posted it last Thursday. Miss Pam loved the poem and told us to go ahead and post it again this week. So for those who didn’t see it then, here you go. And those who did, well, maybe you would like to read it again. Oh, and I do want to clear Angel Lexi’s name for the mistake. She didn’t know when it was supposed to post. (Whew, glad I got that off my chest.) Here we go…

I’ve been consulting with Angel Lexi about today’s picture. She said she could jump into the picture and help me. Y’all know that our Riley crossed the bridge a year ago last Thanksgiving. He and Lexi didn’t have a great relationship cause she always tried to boss him around and he wasn’t allowed to do anything about it. But that all changed now that they are angels. You’ll see…

Meeting at the Bridge by Angels Lexi and Riley

Lexi: Riley, I’m happy to see you again.
You’re somewhere safe, and here we’ll be friends.
No need to fear, Ri; let me take your paw.
The Bridge is safe, soon you’ll be in awe.

Riley: I feel much younger, with no aches and no bloat.
I’m feeling like I have wings and can float.
I’ll run to you, Lexi, to the other side
Where I’ll feel the peace and love our Lord provides.

Lexi: This is my unicorn, Spike is his name.
Riley: A unicorn, huh? We’ll all play a game!
Lexi: Hurry on over, we’ll go see the Big Guy.
Riley: I know he’ll love me. Watch! I think I can fly!

Lexi: Well, that poem worked well, Riley, What do you think?
Riley: I’ve got a warm, tingly feeling in my heart.
Lexi: It’s probably just indigestion.
Riley: It’s *blaaat* yep, at least it doesn’t smell.

The End

Xena: Wow, I sure didn’t expect that! I’m thankful that I’m still here with my Mommy, and well. I hope I have many more years with her and Daddy. But at least I know that when it’s my time to go, I won’t be alone at the Bridge, and I’m thankful for that too.

Lucy: Even though I’m really healthy, I’m older than you, so I might get to see Angel Riley again before you do, Xe. We used to be good friends and I’m sure we will be again some day. In the meantime, I’m hungry and want more food! I’m thankful that Mom got me some chicken from the grocery with bones in it to crunch! Yummm.

Chia: I’m thankful Mom lets me have the wings to eat. She always watches me while I eat them (I think so Lucy doesn’t steal it away from me). It’s been cold this week, but I’m thankful for the sunpuddles to nap in!

All: We’re thankful for you, our friends, and how much we know you care about us!!!!

Post-Minties Sunday Selfie by Xena

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia25 Comments

Thanks to The Cat on My Head  for hosting Sunday selfies!

Me and my sisters had just finished chewing up our Minties (they’re like Greenies) when Mommy called for Sunday selfie. She walked into the front room and I immediately followed and posed. Then Chia ran through trying for a photo bomb. But Mommy said, “Let’s try again.” So I took an even better pose, and here you go!

I hope everyone is having a good Sunday.

Xena’s Treat-less Workday on Awww Monday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia28 Comments

Thanks to  Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Mondays!

I went to work with Mommy today. It’s some stupid holiday, so Thomas the Mailman didn’t come, so I didn’t get a mailman treat. And Mr. Ted didn’t come in, so I didn’t get to sit in his lap and get pet real gently and get a treat.

Then I had to work really hard to be super nice to the few people who did come to try to get the “I did the right thing” treat. I finally retired to my doggie bed that’s under Mommy’s desk. Pretty soon I started drifting off…

…and even in my dreams the treats just marched around me, out of reach. *sigh*

Xena Schnauzer Hungry Princess

Xena’s AI Poem on Thankful Thursday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia22 Comments

Xena: This was an easy one today. I mean, it’s just so obvious.
Chia: What’s obvious about it, Xeboo, er wait, I meant Xena?

Xeboo, er Xena: (Ignoring Chia) First, thanks to Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the great picture every week! Here’s my poem:

A Matter of Perspective byXena

They see towers chewing at the sky,
steel louder than the wind.
They call this place empty.

But I sit nose-level with a flower
brave enough to bloom anyway.

The machines look powerful from far away.
Up close, they smell like nothing.

This—
this yellow face turning toward the sun—
this is alive.

Perspective changes
when you’re small enough
to notice what survives.

The End

Xena: In the integrety of honesty, (and to shut up Chia who was looking over my shoulder) I had a little help from AI with this picture and this poem. I hope you still like it. Me and Mommy and Daddy are all thankful for AI!

Chia: You’re always saying we voted (when I didn’t get to) so let’s ask our friends to vote yes or no on if they think you should be allowed to use AI!

Lucy: In case you didn’t see my post on Monday, I want to let all my friends know that the doctor said, in short, I’m in perfect health! I’m still very thankful for that.

Chia: Oh yeah, thankfuls. Hmmm. I know! I’m thankful for everything! I have a great life here with great parents and great sisters and great food and a great bed and great friends!

Lots of love, Xena, Lucy and Chia

Xena in Carbee on Happy Tuesday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia24 Comments

Monday was such a pretty day that I finally didn’t have to wear a sweater or my hoodie when I went outside. I went to work with Mommy and got my exercise following her everywhere. And I was nice to the few people who came in, too. I got some of Mommy’s hot dog at lunch along with some of my apple and pumpkin treats!

I usually ride in the backseat of our electric car. When Mommy first got the car, she called our other car “Car A” and this one “Car B.” It quickly became like a living thing with a name: Carbee. Daddy bought Carbee a big cover for the back seat. It hooks onto the back and front headrests and also hooks over the back windows. (I also know how to get into the front seat if I want to, but I don’t usually want to.)

Anyhoo, Mommy took my picture in the back seat. She knows I love to have my picture taken.

I hope you are having a good week and wish you a happy Tuesday.

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

Lucy’s Awww Monday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia32 Comments

Thanks to  Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Mondays!

Hi Friends! *smile and wags* I hope you like my picture. Mom wanted me to tell you that I’m not sad or anything, this is just how I usually look. Unless I’m smiling, of course.

I hope everyone’s week is starting off right. Mine sure is! The vet called Mom with the results of all the tests they did: a CBC, urinalysis, poop, er, fecal, and occult HW test. At 11 years old, I’m completely, perfectly healthy. Even my joints are those of a younger dog! Now maybe Mom will understand that I’m just hungry and feed me more! Your friend, Lucy

Long Table Feast by Lucy on Thankful Thursday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia19 Comments

Thanks to Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the great picture every week! 

Long Table Feast by Lucy

A river of plates stretches farther than sight,
Colors and spices bloom under lantern light.
Crowds lean in close as history is shared,
A banquet so vast it must be declared.
At table’s bright edge sits Lucy, alert and proud,
Boxer–Staffy smile winning hearts in the crowd.
Her eyes track the steam as dumplings drift by,
Certain this feast was laid out just for her—no lie!

Lucy: Wow, I sure do wish this was all for me. I’m hungry all the time. In fact Mom took me to the doctor yesterday cause she’s worried about something called Cushings. I smiled at the vet and the tech and they fell instantly in love with me. (That was my plan.) They still stole some of my blood, but it didn’t hurt much. Mom will let all my friends here know what the diagnosis is when she hears back from the nice vet. Oh, and I’m thankful for all the treats they gave me at the vet’s, too!

Xena: I’d eat all the time too, but I’m not always bugging Mommy for food. Mommy says it’s cause I’m a schnauzer. We could eat 24/7. Maybe you have schnauzer in you, Lucy.

Chia: I’m thankful that my tummy gets full at meal time and I’m not always having to ask for more. And no, you two, you can’t have my treats.

Lucy: Oh, and I almost forgot, I’m thankful that the vet was amazed at how supple my joints all are and my agility at age 11. (I didn’t tell her that Mom gives me healthy supplements to help keep them that way.) And I’m thankful that the vet left the room with the words, “I hope the rest of my patients today are as sweet and as good as you, Lucy.” *more big wags*

We’re all thankful that we have good and good-for-us food every day and for a warm house with comfy places to sleep. Hope all our friends are having a good Sunday!

Love and Licks, Lucy, Xena and Chia