Guests?

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia21 Comments

Lucy: So, Xena, what do you think of the new dogs in the house? They’ve been here over a week. I wonder if that means we are keeping them.

Xena: They do look familiar. I think Mommy grooms them. But they won’t play with me. I try and try. I grab their stuffies and shake them in their faces and run, and nothing. Then I do the same with my stuffies.  Nothing.

Lucy: That’s ’cause Maggie is 10 years old. But I did see her chewing on your new birthday bully horn.

                                                      Who? Me?

Xena: That’s not exactly a group activity. So I took it away from her. ‘Cause it’s mine. And she can’t have it.

Lucy: And Dora forgets who Dad is and barks at him every day when he gets home from work.

Xena: Maybe that’s what happens when you turn nine.

                                                         Who are you?

Lucy: Just before their folks left, I heard their Dad mumble something about Dora not being the brightest bulb in the lamp. 

Xena: Well, they have just about stolen our Mommy and Daddy. 

Is that good, Maggie? A little more to the left, Mr. Jeff.

Lucy: I don’t mind Mom sleeping in the other bedroom with them. That means I can sleep in the big bed with Dad all night long. 

Mom and Dad are coming for us today. I am so outa’ here.

We are Lucy and Xena the Schnauzer Warrior Princess, the ONLY permanent resident dogs in our house.

Grooming with Mom

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia32 Comments

Hi friends. This is Lucy, reporting on a new episode of Grooming with Mom.

Maggie isn’t a newbie. She has been here before. This is her before and after picture from the first time she was here in October last year. 

She has been back twice since that. This time, however, Maggie’s Dad brought her and told my Mom to give her a short poodle cut. She is half poodle and half shih tzu, and definitely looks more poodlish.  Her “before” look isn’t nearly as bad as it was the first time she was on Mom’s torture grooming table.After a lot of shaving and some arguing over getting her face shaved, here’s how she looked in her “after.” We found out that her Mama was about to have surgery for breast cancer, and needed Maggie to have an easy haircut to manage. Please send up your POTP, good thoughts and prayers for Miss Marcia, Maggie’s Mom.

Licks and wiggles, Lucy

Birthday Surprises

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia32 Comments

Dear friends, before I start telling you about my great birthday, I want to say I’m sorry for tricking you. I didn’t mean to. My paw hit the publish button by mistake, and I wasn’t near done. But I am now, so please don’t be mad and read about my most specialest day ~Xena

I had the bestest birthday I ever had. Of course it was the only one I ever had. On the way home from work, we stopped at the Smart Pet place. After looking around, we went home with yummy treats for me.

When we got home, there were all my stuffie friends, including Ludwig, in the kitchen with bags of pressies for me. Winter bear got tired and fell asleep while he was waiting for me to get home, so he missed me opening my pressies. This pink bag had a lot of bouncy yellow foam balls that Mommy will throw for me. I love to play fetch with balls, and I’m even getting better at catching them with my mouth and my paws.The flower bag had yummy flavored bones in it – I had to share one of them with Lucy. Mommy let us chew on them for a while before dinner, but when she saw how quickly we chewed them apart, she took them away from us and fed them to that bad old can that’s under the sink. I hate that can. It gets lots of stuff I could eat! 

Ludwig ran and got me to come open my last pressie. He whispered in my ear, “I got this one for you, Xena. You are my friend and I love you.” Sure enough, that bag held my favorite pressie of all…a bully horn sized just right for me. Lucy wanted to chew it up, so I am going to take it to work and leave it there, where she can’t get it.

Next came supper. I got a French meal called steak tartar. Instead of bacon on top, there was fresh salmon. It was on a real fancy plate that used to belong to my Grandma. Next to it is my dessert: sliced apple and strawberries and goat yogurt.

Nom, nom, nom.

Lucy got beef and chicken and egg and cabbage and a tiny bit of salmon. And she got the same dessert as me.

She ate so fast that she made all these disgusting piggy noises (sorry, Bacon). We got our desserts after we finished our meal and had licked our plate and bowl clean. You can see we both dug into the yogurt first.

So that is the story of my first birthday, and I hope everyone liked hearing about it.

I am Xena the One-Year-Old Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Planning My Birthday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia35 Comments

I was cuddling with Mommy while she worked when she stopped and said to me, “Xena, your birthday is coming up real soon. Have you thought about what you would like?” Of course I hadn’t. I didn’t really know about birthdays. Mommy went on to explain that one year ago I was born on June 21. So this Thursday, I will be one year old, and I will get presents and we will celebrate my life.

I thought and thought and asked if I could get some more bravery so that the loud thunder and new things don’t scare me. I want to be brave like Angel Lexi was. Mommy said I will get braver as I get older, and besides, I can do other things that Angel Lexi wouldn’t. When I asked like what, she said I scoot clear under the couch so fast to get my ball that she hardly has time to blink. Angel Lexi refused to do that. That made me smile, and then think some more. I don’t want any more clothes, and I have lots of stuffies. I always get great food – I mean, chicken or steak or fish every night! As well as chickie feet and liver and gizzards and green tripe and fresh veggies and fruit and sauerkraut and coconut oil. What more could a pup ask for in their dish?

I have round bones that I play soccer with and a really big bully horn to chew (it’s really Lucy’s, but she lets me have it). Yep, I have a great sister who puts up with me no matter what I do to her (he, he). I get to go to work and see my friends there, and now to my training classes and sometimes even to stores. I have a soft bed, and a Mommy and Daddy who love me.

Hmmm. This is a hard question. I don’t know what to ask for. Can someone give me ideas?

 

I am Xena the Almost One Year Old Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Bedtime

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia32 Comments

 

 

Lucy: We don’t get to spend much time with our Dad, so at bedtime, we like to cuddle with him. We both love to get our bellies scratched. And our necks, and ears, and faces, and backs, and…Xena: Put the camera away Mommy. This is my special time with my Daddy. You know I’m going to jump out of the bed soon and get in Lucy’s bed before you tell her to “get down.”Lucy: Take as many pictures as you want, Mom. Just so I get to stay in the bed. Oh, and nobody ever tells me to “get down,” Xena. They just kiss and say, “I love you,” and “I love you too,” and then it’s time for me to go to my bed. 

Xena: Uh huh. That’s when Daddy calls me over to pet me one last time before he turns off the light. He must love to pet me.

Lucy: Thanks for getting out of my bed, Xena. Goodnight, I love you.

Xena: Goodnight, Lucy, I love you too.

The Home Line-Up

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia35 Comments

Maybe you saw the post where I told you about lining up my stuffies at work. Well, I like to keep things in order at home, too.Here is Tiger, Rainbow Bear, Brownie Bear, and the almost dead alligator that used to be Riley’s. I thought it was all dead, then one day, when I was playing in my kennel, I found it laying across my back. I’m keeping it because the squeaker still works. Everyone is lined up nice and neat waiting to go outside to play.  After I carried everyone out and laid them down in a neat line, I closed my kennel door so no one would run back inside.Everyone ready? Tiger, turn around. OK, Mom, open the door so we can all go outside and play. Man, sometimes I feel like I am running my own daycare, just like they do at work.

I am Xena, the Schnauzer (Warrior) Princess

We’re Not Water Breeds

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia35 Comments

Why does Mom think either one of us is part lab or even Goldens, like Bonnie, Belle and Bessie over at Three Pups and a Couple of Kittens. They love their new pool!

You don’t see the part where Mom “helped” me into the pool. I just kept on going, right out the other side.

Mom was able to get a full refund.

Love and wiggles, a (still) dry Lucy

The Lineup

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia30 Comments

At work, I like everything to be “just-so,” in it’s place. I think I am just like my Mommy.  She likes everything “just-so” on her desk, too. I often take my stuffies and other toys into the hallway to play with them.  (Mommy doesn’t do that with her boring desk stuff.)

You can see I have everyone lined up nice and neat. Closest to me is Blue Bone, then Little Bunny, then Brownie Bear, then Hedgehog, then Rope Toy. I carry them out here one at a time and carefully place each one next in line.

Now it is time to play and visit with my friends.

So Brownie, this is what that other dog named Mallie did to me. What? You don’t like it either? I know! It is so rude. Miss Beth said she won’t bring Mallie here anymore on Thursdays, but she might bring her on Mondays when we are here. I heard her and Mommy talking about us getting to be friends. I guess that would be OK – as long as she keeps her nose away from my bee-hind.

Sometimes when I get sleepy I invite one of my stuffies to come back in the office from the hallway to join me for a nap. Today it was Brownie Bear, after I promised to not stick my nose you-now-where anymore. Sweetheart was already napping in my bed. *yawn* (He, he, I made Mommy yawn, too. I told you we are just alike.)

I am Xena the Schnauzer Warrior Princess with my Stuffies

 

Amusement Park Fun

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia27 Comments

Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.

It is often celebrated with outdoor barbecues, picnics, family get-togethers and doing fun things out of doors, often heralding the beginning of summer. Xena and Lucy have joined in the blogville BBQ at the amusement park today, and have their dessert already picked out. Let’s hope they don’t get upset tummies, since they definitely don’t get this kinda stuff at home! Wishing everyone a good and safe holiday.

Lucy: Hey Xena, we better hurry up. I am the official greeter for the Diva Slippers Band and aren’t you playing your accordion?

Xena: Yep, I left it over where we are playing. Maybe we better come back later for our candy.

Both: Nah!

Now hop on over to Mayor Arty’s blog to join everyone as we celebrate the day we honor our brave veterans.

I’m a S.T.A.R. Puppy!

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia30 Comments

Mommy and me I have been going to my first puppy class for the past six Thursday nights. I’m telling you, it made for an exhausting day. First we went to the church and worked all day. Then Mommy had to find something to do for an hour or two and ended up going to Sonic or McDonald’s where I got to sit in the car with her and watch her eat.

S.T.A.R.  is the name of the class S=Socialization; T=Training; A=Activity; R=Responsibility. I think this might mean I am a T.rained S.ocialist  and a R.esponsible A.ctivist. Now Mommy is shaking her head no, no, no.

All us pups had to pay close attention to the teacher. 

Sweetheart Bear went with me one night. She was very impressed and couldn’t believe everything I had to do at class.

We all had to walk clear around the classroom practicing walking loose on a leash, sitting, laying down, and walking past each other without reacting. I did really good. In fact, Mommy said I was the best one there! *big wiggle and smile*

Well, at least I learned “down,” and to walk next to Mommy while we are in the class and she has treats in her hand.

Mommy got pictures of a couple of my classmates. This funny-looking puppy sat next to me the first night we were there. He was what Mommy calls hyper.  We didn’t get to be friends.

This  is Amber, the Afghan Hound puppy.She and her folks sat on the other side of us the first night, and from then on we always sat together during class. She tried sticking her biglongnose into my bee-hind, but she stopped once I ‘splained to her that I did not like that and don’t do it again. Do you see her front-hook halter? It’s just like Lucy’s. Mommy ‘splained to her Mom and Pop how good those are, and they got her one. They said it is like magic, te, he.

Last night I graduated! I had to take a test, and I did really, really good. I got a certificate with my name and Mommy’s and Daddy’s name on it. I don’t know why they put Daddy’s name on it since he never ever came to class. Maybe they were just being nice and didn’t want him to feel left out. Mommy gave me more treats, too!Next month me and Mommy Mommy and I will start six weeks of the Tips and Techniques class. If I Mommy does good there, we will go on to Agility Won. Yep, I want to win at agility two! Hmm, Mom is shaking her head no, no, no again. He, he, Mommy, I’m just joking.  (But we really are going to take an Agility Class, too!)

I am Xena the S.T.A.R. Schnauzer Princess Warrior

 

 

 

 

Merrick Dog Food Recalls

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia13 Comments

Just a quick note today to be sure that anyone who uses Merrick dog food is aware of this recall.

May 23, 2018 – Merrick Pet Care, of Amarillo, Texas, is initiating a voluntary recall of a limited amount of beef dog treat varieties due to the potential that they contain elevated levels of a naturally-occurring beef thyroid hormone.

Please pass the word on to your friends.

Antsy

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia23 Comments

I still like ants. I think they are fun to catch, and don’t taste bad at all. Mommy says they are free protein, and laughs. I am outside at lunchtime with Mommy. I look to my right and don’t see any ants.

I look to my left and…wait, what’s that scurrying away from me?

Got one!

I had some red cabbage with my ants for lunch.

I am Xena the Schnauzer Ant-Eating Princess

Grounded Again

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia33 Comments

                           Lucy: Mom says we really went and did it this time. 

Xena: Yep, but that was only after she could talk again.

Lucy: I thought I saw her head spin clear around, she was so mad.

Xena: I think she was spitting venom while her eyes rolled back.

Lucy: And fire was shooting out of her nose. That’s why I stayed up in the chair and tried to look innocent.

Xena: I just hid in the corner of my kennel until she slammed the house door and left. 

Lucy: Here’s what happened. Last week we got to run outside in the front yard every day. It was so much fun!

Can you see how fast we ran? We played bitey-face, too. 

Xena: It was great until Mommy got another part-time job, one where I can’t go with her. So now I only get to go on Mondays and Thursdays, and have to stay in my kennel the rest of the days when she is gone to work. That started the middle of last week, and that’s the morning this all happened…before she went for her first day at this job-without-me. She must have been mad about having to go to another job.

Lucy: Mmm, I don’t think so, Xena. I think it’s ’cause we ran off into the woods by the house instead of staying in the front yard with her. Then we didn’t come back when she called us.

Xena: No, Lucy. You ran off. I just followed you. Then there was so much to smell on the ground, I didn’t hear her calling. Mommy says us schnauzers go nose deaf. 

Lucy: Whatever, Xena. The point is, we were both off in the woods where Mom could hear us but mostly not see us and she said there’s poison ivy back there, too. And she thought she was going to be late to work on her first day because we wouldn’t listen to her. 

Xena: I went back to her. But then I thought I had better go get you and ran off again. It’s probably all your fault.

Lucy: Mom said we had better keep these pictures where we can see them, ’cause that’s the closest we are getting to running around loose out front again until her life on this earth is over. That was after she said some HBO words.

Xena: Look, Lucy, I can run as fast as you! I run so fast the hair on my face blows back into my eyes. 

Lucy: Hmm. Maybe we can use that as an excuse. We were running so fast that we couldn’t see we weren’t in the yard anymore. 

Mom: Forget it, girls. You are so totally grounded.

We are Lucy and Xena, the GroundeduntilH*llfreezesoverand-thereisnomorelifeleftonearthGirls

 

 

Is There a Dog In There?

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia17 Comments

Hi friends. This is Lucy with another episode of Grooming with Mommy. When Bella was carried in the door, none of us were really sure if there was a dog inside all that hair.

Then she stuck out her tongue at us and Mom knew she had some tough grooming to do. Bella was here almost a year ago, and hasn’t been groomed since. Mom said she was in the same condition the first time, too – matted to the skin, nails super long, and stinky stuff stuck under her tail. Then, something like a miracle happened.

Bella: I think I’m naked.

Hey, I like how my beard tastes after getting shampooed.

I can’t wait for my Mom and Dad to see me. I hear them coming up the driveway!

Love and wiggles, Lucy

Pee Ess: Xena and I hope all you mothers out there had very Happy Mother’s Day. We love you!!

Feelings

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia27 Comments

Miss Beth is was is my favorite person at work. I have always felt happy when she came to see me. Now she has replaced me with a dog she adopted to live with her. The dog’s name is Mallie. Me and Mallie almost got in a fight the first time she came into my office. Sure, sure, we met outside, where there’s lots of room to walk around and not feel so much “with” the other dog. When we went inside she did something really gross.  She stuck her nose under my tail and sniffed my bee-hind. I jumped around to face her and growled. She wagged her tail, like, yeah, growl all you want, I still got to stick my nose up your bee-hind. I was angry.  Next thing I knew, Mallie growled and jumped at me. That really scared me. After those feelings passed, I felt sad. Have I lost my Beth?

The next time Mallie came to my office, we pretty much ignored each other. And I ignored Miss Beth. I felt hurt and disappointed. 

Then Miss Beth came in without Mallie and stayed for a few hours. I wondered if she sent Mallie back to wherever she found her. I felt happy and gave Miss Beth a lot of attention.

Mommy explained to me that Miss Beth had rescued Mallie from a bad place that made her have puppies over and over again. She said I should try to be more understanding and loving and to try harder to get along with her. Now I feel kinda guilty. I still don’t want Mallie here, but I know I should try harder to be her friend. I feel really conflicted.What do you do when this kind of thing happens?

I am Xena, the Confused Schnauzer (Warrior) Princess

Car Prison

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia39 Comments

Let me start by saying that last week Mom and I were about 1/2 second away from being killed in our car. No, I am not exaggerating. We were driving home from work on Tuesday, up a 4 lane road with a center lane for turning. Coming toward us was a sleek black car, going at least 70 mph  in a 45 mph zone (per Mom). Without slowing, it moved into the turn lane and kept on coming. It barely missed the rear of our car and slammed into the side of the car right behind us. Then other cars slammed into them. Mom pulled into a gas station and called 911. I heard her say to send ambulances, too. It shook her up so much that now she gets nervous every time a car pulls into the center lane to turn. I was in the front seat with her like usual, and Mom decided right then and there that was going to change.

You may remember that when I was a very young pup Mom tried various methods of “restraining” me in the car, supposedly “for my own good.” The most (in)famous one was this:You can read about it with more pictures here. I am happy to report she got her money back.

Last week she decided that I am finally big enough to wear Lexi’s car safety harness. Not only did I have to wear a seat belt, but I had to ride in the back seat of the car.

Mom said I look so much like her precious Lexi in these pictures, it brings tears to her eyes. I said maybe she would feel better if she let me sit up front again. She said no. 

I am Xena the Safe Schnauzer Warrior Princess