Gracie’s Busy Day

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Gracie here again. Today was the day that the peeps get rid of their kids by giving them to the church for a while. I love this kind of day. I am free to love on the little people, and made 87 trips downstairs to do just that. Their giggles make me wiggle and their sticky, tasty fingers and faces are fun to lick.

It is also the day peeps come in to get pieces of paper to trade for food. They all seem to need a dog to pet, so I was there to help with that, too. Lexi had told me this was her most important job as the Church Dog, so I take it very seriously.
avi-and-gracie-revisedThe pastor’s daughter came after school and we played and played. We both finally got worn out and waited on the couch in the room that has lots of books until it was time for her to leave.

When we finally got home after 87 hours of working, I jumped from the car and ran to the house, already thinking about seeing Mr. Jeff and eating my supper. When Ms. Amy opened the door, there stood another gimongous dog. His name is Riley. I backed up and refused to go in until Ms. Amy picked me up. He could still tickle my toes, so I was relieved when we went upstairs and shut Riley downstairs with Mr. Jeff.

Riley

I found out Riley was Lexi’s brother and used to live here, too. You probably already know Riley, but for anyone just tuning in, this is a picture of him taken a few years ago.  He is even bigger than Lucy. Speaking of Lucy, she is still wearing the Cone of Destruction and trapping me with it like a Bullie Dozer. I know Lexi never had any problem dealing with all these big dogs in her house, but she forgot to teach me that lesson.

I wonder who is going to show up next…

 

Gracie Gets a Message

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Is that one of my friends out there?

Hi, this is Gracie. I have been staying with Mr. Jeff and Ms. Amy for almost a week now. Today, I was sitting in one of my favorite places when Ms. Amy said something to grab my attention away from what was happening outside.

 

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Gracie, do you want to go to work?

I was a bit disappointed that there weren’t many people there, and definitely no little people today. As a consolation, Ms. Amy took me outside during her lunch time. The sun was shining and the temperature was perfect. We took a nice walk all around the church and I got to read tons of pee mail. Some of it was old news, but it was still interesting.

Before we went back inside to do more work, I saw the message my bestie, Angel Lexi, had left for me. In case you didn’t know, this is the same sign where she was honored after she made her trip to the rainbow bridge. I thought maybe she was nearby.  I miss you, Lexi, and I am going to let my light shine.

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Memory Monday: Agility

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As was the way with most things we did together, Lexi loved training and running Agility courses. No matter where we were, if she saw agility obstacles, she would go and run them. When we were learning the weave poles, the instructor told us to lead our dogs through the first pole, then to let them run straight along the side to get used to the poles. Lexi, being the precocious pup that she was, did a perfect weave first time out (with no previous training).

When we were practicing, she was very patient with me (thank you, Lexi) when I would get confused about which obstacle was next. She would simply go to her favorite – the V ramp – and run it over and over until I got my bearings.

Today, while going through a box of Valentine decorations we will use for our  Dance Class Valentine Party, I came across a forgotten memory. These are our certificates of completion for Agility 1: Foundation; Agility 2: Obstacles; and Agility 3: Sequences.

Toward the end of the Sequences Course, our turn had come at the starting line. The instructor, with timer in hand, asked if we were ready. Looking down, I said, “Are you ready, Lexi?” In answer, Lexi shot toward the first obstacle, with me a split second behind her. I faintly heard the instructor call, “I guess she was ready!” I think, if Lexi hadn’t been totally focused on her task, her reply would have been, “I was born ready.”

 

Endangered Species

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Angel Lexi is having a bit more fun here than she let on in her submission.

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Riley – Angel Lexi’s brother – was a bit skittish around these gentle giants, but soon learned there was nothing to fear and took up their cause with gusto.
To learn about these endangered species and many more you can go to the Endangered Species Challenge created and sponsored by Blogville’s Arts and Entertainment Director, Louis the Dog Armstrong.

From Bad to Worse by Lucy

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0123171610aThis morning Amy saw bloody liquid drizzling out of my owie. She put one of her T-shirts on me and took me back to the vet. It is a long ride and by the time we got there my her shirt was soaked in bloody wetness. I was happy to be at the vet doctor’s office because they are all so nice to me. Then Amy left me and the vet people irritated my owie with a saline salute. I mean regaed it. Or gated it. Or something like that. And they closed it back together with metal things. And I am on medicine so I don’t get an insect. Or something like that. It is all because of what I did to my owie with my tongue. All of you were right. I thought I was being clever when I didn’t let Amy see that I could still lick it, even with the pretty blue donut thingy around my neck. But it seems that I was a bad girl and now I am being punished with this horrible collar of shame. I can’t sniff the ground to figure out where I want to go potty, I can’t reach my water or food, and I get stuck places. I am on sick leave from work, too, but at least Jeff will be here with me and let me sleep in his office. *sigh* I have to go back to the vet doctor this Friday. Maybe if I am real good and do everything I am told, all they will do is pet me and give me treats and tell Amy to take the collar of shame off me.0123171609-1

My Owie and No Prayerful Vision

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Hi, I’m Lucy. I know I said I wasn’t going to start blogging until after I had fully recovered from the cut the vetdoc made on my belly. But I think you, my new friends, need to know what has happened around here. First, I kept waking Amy up during the night with what she called my incest licking. Or something like that. I couldn’t help it, the glued-together cut on my belly has been bothering me. She punished me by going out all alone with Jeff to a place called church this morning. When they got back, Amy took one look at my red belly and put this thing on me. I don’t understand why she would put something on me that she said would interfere with my prayerful vision. Or something like that. I can only see what is right in front of me, and I am freaking out every time I get a glimpse of something off to the side. What if aliens are coming at me? Or squirrels?

I have no prayerful vision.
                I have no prayerful vision.

I know there is a boat in the driveway, so I thought maybe this was my life vest and we were going boating. Nope, just a walk down the street and back, and not a very long one at that. I am being a very good girl. Can anyone help me get this off?

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  Doesn’t Amy know I can’t lick my owie now?

 

Meet Lucy

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                 Lucy in my office at St. Luke

This sweet girl is a rescued, dark brindle bullie mix. She came to live with us a week ago on Saturday, while I looked for a good home for her. I don’t get attached to dogs quickly, so no problem. Besides, she isn’t a schnauzer! We figured it was better to pick out a name to call her rather than keep referring to her as “the dog.” I came up with Lucy.  Monday afternoon I approached Jeff with tears in my eyes and asked if we could keep her. Without hesitation he nodded and said, “Of course.” WE HAVE A NEW DOG!

Lucy makes the house feel alive again. She has also filled a little bit of the space in my heart that Lexi’s passing left desolately empty. I imagine that space will keep filling as we get to know and love each other even more.

Lucy has been accepted as the new, permanent church dog. Everyone who meets her falls in love with her- staff, volunteers, parishioners, children. The pastor’s 10-year-old daughter comes after school and runs through the hall playing with Lucy, and sits or lays on the floor petting and hugging her, and saying, “I love you, Lucy.” Lucy has also been great with the few younger children she has chanced to meet over the last week.

Lucy sitting

Jeff called her “the perfect dog.” She has a temperament that can’t be beat, is playful without being obnoxious (you know what I mean), knows a few simple commands, barely sheds and has not had any accidents in the house. No, she waited to go to work with me to pee on the hallway runner. And to Petco to pee about 87 gallons on the floor while I sorted through new collars. So, maybe “almost perfect.”

I took her to the vet on Tuesday, where I found out she is a little over a year old and 58 pounds. While there, I was able to observe her interacting with two smaller dogs. I saw tail wags and friendly nose touches. That is also where I realized  – while the vet was searching her abdomen for a scar indicating she had been spayed – that she had gone into heat. She went back yesterday for an ovario-hysterectomy. She is home now, resting at my feet, and obviously not feeling her best after major surgery.

Lucy asked me to let everyone know that she looks forward to blogging with all of you and making new friends, and hopes to be accepted and loved in this community as well. She indicated that she will start blogging after she has had time to recover from her surgery.

An aside to all who might be wondering if this means I am no longer looking for a schnauzer. Not as obsessively. Not as actively. But there is always room in our home and hearts for a second dog if the right one comes along.

Gifts from the Heart

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I want to showcase the beautiful sampler that Sidney, Shelby and Sophie’s Mom, Susan, made in honor of Lexi:

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I just love this, not just because it is lovely and commemorates my girl, but also because of the heart and thoughtfulness that went into it. It is sitting on display with my other “Lexi things.”

As you may already know, Piper and Shelby have started up a bit of a romance. In case you missed their second date, you can go here to learn all about it. Ms. Susan also made a cross stitch for Piper and his Mom:

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So what do you think? Is this a bit of a bribe to ensure Piper’s Mom lets him continue to court her daughter? Or a thank you to Piper for staying with me for two weeks to comfort me after Lexi crossed the rainbow bridge?  Whatever the reason, you can see the love stitched into these works of art. Piper’s Mom sends her huge thanks and appreciation to Susan as well.

In any case, Piper will be showing up at the Valentine’s Party with Shelby. ❤

Memory Monday: Angels on Earth

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Lexi was two years old when I snapped this photo in 2005. I didn’t realize until later that she already had her wings! See them? Well, maybe not. But this I know: there were so many things she knew, understood and did that I could never explain. Don't I look like I have wings?
For instance, she would single out a dance student who was practicing the step  incorrectly and draw my attention to it so I could help them. And she was always right about it. How did she know?

Also, when I had her attention and visualized the sun rising and setting, she understood how many days until something was going to happen. On that morning she would get extra-excited. For instance, on Thursday night I might tell her that we were going to the opening of Rocktoberfest on Saturday, then visualize the sun rising, setting, rising. No reaction Thursday night or Friday morning, but Saturday morning she would do the really excited dog thing. How did she know?

What does your dog or cat or pig or bird do that you can’t explain?

Purrs for Jamison

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purrs4jamisonday Today we set aside a time to remember the brother of our well loved Noodle the Schnoodle, whose DNA test says he isn’t but none of us believe it. I most vividly remember the day Jamison took over Noodle’s blog without Noodle’s permission. Talk about Noodle being hot under the collar! He even brought charges against Jamison with Frankie and Ernie. The ruling was not in Jamison’s favor, and I don’t think he ever tried that again. The one thing I know for sure about Jamison is that his Mom loved him so very, very much and did everything she could to save his life. Please, if you haven’t already done so, please, please go to their gofundme account and try to help out, even if it’s just a little. Dear Jamison has crossed the rainbow bridge, but the bills are still there to be paid. Many thanks to the community for getting together to help ease that burden.

Birthday Boy

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Hi. guess what day this is. Oh, I gave it away, didn’t I? I had a great day with my Daddy. He made me scrambled eggs for breakfast.

Wow, were they good. What Dad, do I have something stuck in my beard again? Next, my dad took me to the pet store and let me pick out a new toy.

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Aunt Amy said I look like a Scottie in this picture and wondered if I had been hanging around Sophie too much. Uncle Jeff, who knows all about picture taking and stuff, said, no, it was just the angle, that I am still a schnauzer.

I heard I am getting a box of presents in the mail from Aunt Amy and Uncle Jeff, but it won’t be here until tomorrow. That means I can have birthday fun for two whole days. It’s my bedtime now, and I think I will give Mom and Dad the puppy eyes so they will let me sleep with them tonight. After all, it is my birthday! *tail wags*

Memory Monday – First Boating Blog

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from June 30, 2005 originally posted on Dogster when Lexi was 2 years old.

Me on my boat in the horrid yellow vest. Don't I look like a bumblebee?
Me on my boat in the horrid yellow vest. Don’t I look like a bumblebee?

Today I swam eleven laps around my pontoon boat – a personal best – perhaps because no one was watching when I wanted back in after the fourth lap.  When we were done at the lake we went to Dairy Queen, a place that has the most wonderful treats. Brrr!  The ice cream made me very cold and I started to shake uncontrollably. I knew Mom would take my ice cream away if she saw me shivering so I gobbled my pup cup of vanilla ice cream (my favorite flavor).  It was worth it! To warm me up, Mom had to sit in the hot car with me until the shakes went away. I’ll make up for it tonight by puking on Mom’s bed.  Won’t she be surprised?!

Gracie’s Going Home

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Hi, this is Gracie. Over the last 2 weeks I have gone to work and been the church dog, went to Indiana where I met Santa and made at least 87 new friends, and slept in the peeps bed every night (I’m not allowed to do that at home.) I have had a great time, but I still miss my Mom and Dad and told Santa that for Christmas, all I wanted was them to come back. Guess what? They are coming to get me today! When Ms. Amy said I had to get ready. I sure didn’t think she meant this!

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Are we done yet?
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Wait, are those treats?
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No, I must be strong.
I’m dry now and the bag is still here.
*gasp* It opened!

                       I’m dry now and the bag is still here.           *gasp* It opened!

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Thank you Ms. Amy. Can I have another one?

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I am all ready to go home now and just wanted to tell my new friends goodbye for now. Have a very happy New Year.

Jamison

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Jamison

Many know and love Noodle from his blog  https://noodle4president.wordpress.com. Jamison is his feline brother. On Monday, Dec. 26, Jamison was attacked by Rudee, the black mouthed cur who has been living with the family while they try to find him another home.  (Prior to this, he has never shown any signs of aggression.) Jamison remains in critical condition. He has 3 pelvic fractures and his left leg is paralyzed (unknown if it is permanent or due to the fractures). He had surgery that night to insert 2 drains and to place 14 sutures. Jamison has not made much improvement. He’s battling hypothermia on and off . He’s anemic – platelets should be 30, and are steadily dropping; the last count was at 20. This could possibly be due to high fluid intake diluting blood, or possibly a bleed that hasn’t been pinpointed. He’s not eating on his own at all and still isn’t walking but he’s very doped up on pain meds so it’s to be expected. His prognosis remains guarded.

Every afternoon at 4:45 the family has to pick him up from the vet and transport him to the overnight emergency vet. Then in the morning they pick him up at 7:30 to bring him back to the day vet.

They have incurred well over $2000 in vet bills so far and there are many more to come for Jamison’s recovery.

Noodle’s Mom set up a gofundme account when our Lexi came down with cancer, and we were facing about $2500 in medical bills. So many of you helped! Every donation was greatly appreciated and added up to ease the financial burden. Won’t you please help Noodle and Jamison’s family now by going to GoFundMe? If you would like to avoid the admin fees, you are welcome to email me at lexi at lexitheschnauzer dot com and I will give you their address. I know not everyone can help financially, but please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers.

Santa and Me

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gracie-with-santaWoof! This is Gracie. I got to sit on Santa’s lap and whisper in his ear exactly what I want for Christmas. No lists that first go through elf hands for this pup! Santa said no problem, but that I would have to wait until the end of next week for my present. That’s ok, I can wait. Oh, and I have a personal message  straight from Santa to pass on to you:

Yes, pups and kitties, there really is a Santa Paws!

Merry Christmas to all my new friends.

Love, Gracie.

Church Dog of the Week

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Woof! It’s me, Gracie. I am staying with Ms. Amy and Mr. Jeff over Christmas while my Mom and Dad go on vacation without me. Come to think of it, they always go on vacation without me. It has something to do with flying, which I haven’t learned to do yet.

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    I still have to travel by car.

Speaking of flying, that reminds me of wings which reminds me of Angel Lexi, who earned her wings almost four months ago. Ms. Amy left my food dish at work today, so I get to honor Lexi by eating my supper out of her green food dish tonight.

Speaking of work, I have earned the title Church Dog of the Week. Wouldn’t Lexi be proud? I went to work with Ms. Amy yesterday and was minding my own business when this appeared in the doorway to our office:Odin

Jiminy Cricket! This beast was HUGE! He looked like he could have swallowed me in one big chomp. I was mightily afraid for awhile, but then got a bit curious why this beastie was sporting the GQ look. Maybe he wasn’t a bad sort after all. So I thought, OK, I can try to share church space with him, even if I didn’t want to be BFF’s, if you know what I mean. After a while, all that tension of trying to not let the beastie be my bestie wore me out.

Gracy in her bed
               Dreaming I’m in a land far, far away.

                             Meantime…

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Yep, Odin was still there when I woke up. Eventually he went in the office with his Momma and left me alone so I could help Ms. Amy get her work done.

When I went to work again today I got the best reward! There were 87 gazillion little peoples downstairs and they all wanted to pet me and kiss me. I ran between them and wiggled and kissed them back for what seemed like hours, until I got totally worn out. Lots of big people came in to see me today too, and I greeted everyone with tail wags and wiggles and they all loved me, too. I think I saw more people today than I have all year long. Good thing my bed is there so I can rest. Lexi never told me what hard work it is to be the church dog. Finally, it was time to go home.

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      I’m ready Ms. Amy. Are you coming?

I’ll say goodnight for now. I need to get my rest so I can get up again tomorrow and do it all again.

Kisses and wiggles,
Gracie

Memory Monday – Beginnings

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miss-greenI believe that for most of us, our lives are like a novel that can be broken down into chapters. A new love can produce a new chapter: romance, marriage, the birth or adoption of a child or of a pet. I clearly remember the Saturday in June of 2003 when that new chapter began for me – the day I fell in love with Lexi. While her 4 littermates were sleeping, Lexi was trying to bite the cool air coming out of the floor vent in her breeder’s home. Two weeks later, on the Fourth of July, I made the three hour trip back to pick up my spirited, eight-week-old puppy. Thus began a glorious new chapter of love in my life. My Angel Lexi, forever my heart dog.