Snow Folk Soon Gone by Xena and Chia on Thankful Thursday

Xena: First, thanks to Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week!
This was a bit of a scary scene to jump into, so I asked Chia to help me. There was no way I was dragging puppy Fritz into this mess.
Chia: You just didn’t want him on our blog again, Xepoo.
Xepoo: I’m not Xepoo, I’m Xeboo, er I mean I’m Xena. And stop calling me that!
Chia: Sure, Xeboo. Hey, folks, here’s our poem! *wags*

Snow Folk Soon Gone by Xena and Chia

Xena: Look at them all—snow-folk standing still,
a thousand quiet noses sniffing winter’s will.
Chia: They stand like a crowd that forgot how to move,
each one shaped by gloom, gloves, and grooves.
Xena:  They don’t chase, they don’t bark, they don’t run—
are these statues dreaming of sun?
Chia: Each face is different, yet frozen the same,
a crowd of friends who never woof our name.
Xena: Some wear words on paper, some wear crooked smiles,
each one here for just a little while.
Xena: Do you think they know they won’t stay long?
Chia: Everything melts, sister—that’s the song.
Xena: They’ll vanish softly when the weather turns kind.
Chia: Soon gone like footprints, like breath, like time.

The End

Chia: Hi four, Xeb..umm, Xena! We made a great team! Let’s do it again!!
Xena: Hi four, Chia. Yes, we did, and no, once is enough, BOL. I’m thankful for the fun pictures Angel Sammy sends us every week. I think it helps make us a better team, too. And I’m thankful for the pretty weather here and my Mommy and Daddy and all our good friends and our great food.

Chia: Can I just say ditto? I’m thankful for the same things, Xe. And I’m real thankful that Connor, who you know lives downstairs right now, always agrees to go walking with Mom and to take me! (For our friends who don’t know Connor, he is the son of our brother Andrew’s long-time girlfriend, Jentry, and he lived here with them for a few years as a child.) (I didn’t know him then cause I wasn’t born yet.)

Lucy: I have to say, you two did a fantastic job with your poem and your thankfuls. I’m thankful I got to go to Sasha and Oliver’s house and visit with them for a couple of hours last Sunday. THey live just right around the corner. Mom went there to visit Miss Susan and took me! I hope we can get together again real soon. Me and Sasha are tight. *big wags*

Chia: I almost forgot! Miss Kim, who lives in the Phillipines, is coming to stay with us tomorrow for 10 whole days! Maybe she’ll take me running in the mornings again!!

Wishing everyone love and happiness,
Xena, Chia and Lucy

Thankful New Year: A Poem from Xena and Sisters

Xena: As a gesture of my thankfulness for my sisters I’ve invited them to write a poem with me today. But first, we want to thank Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the great picture every week!

The End

Xena: Great job, girls! I’m thankful that you’re both my sisters and I know I don’t tell you often but, well, I love you.

Lucy: I love you too, Xe. And I’m thankful for our wonderful pet sitters. Let’s see, there’s Miss Christy, Miss Clare, and I get to go stay with Miss Susan and Oliver and Sasha!

Chia: Don’t you love me, too, Lucy? You didn’t woof that you do…

Lucy: Of course I do, Chia. I mean, I haven’t hurt you yet, right? Even with you acting ugly with me?

Chia: Oh…yeah, well…I love you too, Luce, and I’m thankful for you. And I’m thankful for a new year where I’ll try to be a good girl. Maybe then I’ll get to go to work with Mom, too, and also go to sleepovers like you do, Lucy!

HAPPY 2026, EVERYONE!!

Christmas Eve and Day Miracle, Hopes and Presents

Xena: Merry Christmas to all my friends. I hope everyone is happy and your tummies full.

Christmas Eve Miracle:

I want to tell you the back story, and I’ll try to keep it kinda short. You probably already know we love our neighbor kids and they love us, especially Miss Clare and her little sister Lucy (yes, like our Lucy), so we all call her Lucia – which is her real name so there’s no mix up. I, Xena, am the reason 15-year-old Miss Clare fell in love with schnauzers. Then, this fall, the family’s friend’s schnauzer had five baby puppies. Clare had been trying to get her follk to let her have one since before they were born. They were a dogless family – sad, I know. My Mommy tried helping by tellling them how great us schnauzers are and stuff like that. They finally told her no, and she gave up. Then some circumstances changed. Guess what she got on Christmas Eve…

This is 12-week-old Fritz in Miss Clare’s arms.

He had a fun day of playing with the kids and chewing on stuff and peeing in the house. My Mommy is now his official Aunt Amy … and she got to hold him too. By the way, Miss Clare’s Mommy let my Mommy know she was making the hour drive to get a puppy for Miss Clare while Mommy was grooming me yesterday. My Mommy was so happy she started crying. Weird, I know. Then Miss Clare started crying when her Mommy walked in with the as yet unnamed puppy! Miss Clare named him Fritz. I’m sure we’ll all be seeing much more of Fritz!

Christmas Eve Bedtime:

Xena: Mommy, is Santa Paws coming tonight?
Mommy: Yes, sweet baby. Go to sleep now so he will come.

Christmas Day:

Two of us waited patiently….finally…

I got Wiggles and Wags Fruit Slices: Apple & Pumpkin. And besides the taste, the best part is the ingredients: Apple, Pumpkin. That’s all! And I’m not allergic to either of those!!

Lucy: I got a bag of them, too! And I also got Wiggles & Wags Meaty Patties with beef and chicken and a coupla other OK things.

Chia: I got a bag of Wiggles & Wags Chewy Bones made with chicken and cheese (yummy). They’re soft and chewy.

Xena: Mommy opened our bags and we got to stick our heads in them and “stuff our faces” until she picked up the bags, saying, “Let’s save some for later. You just had breakfast.”

That was three hours ago. We’ve gotta go now to see if we can have some more yet. Lots of love and wishes for a good Christmas.

Xena, Lucy and Chia

Lucy’s Trick or Treating Attempt

Hi friends! I’ve heard it’s the night of ghosts and ghouls, but so far all I’ve seen are my neighbor kids. Maybe it’s just too early

I wonder, maybe I could wear my Halloween scarf and go to houses and get candy.

Hmmm, my kid friends William and Michael are still outside, working in the yard.

Maybe they can tell me how this trick or treating thing works. Come on shadow, let’s go ask.

Me and my shadow are back, Mom. The kids said dogs can’t have chocolate and I should just go home and eat my supper.

Lucy’s Mom: Yes, sweet girl, I’ve got a good supper for you tonight.

Wishing everyone lots of treats and no tricks! (Unless y’all know dog tricks like Chia and Xena, do.)

Xena’s Poem on Thankful Thursday

My first thankful is for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the great picture every week! *yawn* I had to get up early this morning, even before breakfast, so Chia couldn’t pull what she did last week, stealing my picture poem! As if I wouldn’t know!Now for the picture and my poem.

New River Apartments (or New Jersey, New York) by Xena

New York City is full with new folks moving there.
There’s no more apartments and just enough air.
The mayor said, “No more!” The Jersey folks, compliant,
Turned back.
But New Jersey refused saying, “No! You’re not fans of the Giants!”

They all hauled their boats to the river named Hudson
After stopping at Costco to buy meat, fruit and onions,
Plus all else they needed for in the river to stay.
Now residents of neither, no state income taxes they pay!

The End

Xena: They shoulda just come to Tennessee. I heard that we don’t have to pay state income taxes here, either.
Lucy: Have you seen the traffic on the way to work and back? It’ cause of all the new apartments going up and all the folks moving outa places where they have hurricanes! They heard it’s nice here, and it is! But I want to get home after work to have my supper and it’s really slowing things down!
Chia: I think that looks like it would be fun to jump from boat to boat, saying hi to everyone and gobbling up whatever food is sitting out!

Xena: Oh wait! I almost forgot about our thankfuls! Let’s see…I’m thankful I got to go to work TWO times last week and again this week! And I’m thankful for the sunshine and time outside with Mommy.

Lucy: I’m also thankful for our time outside. I love to lay in the sun. And I love to run over to the nextdoor neighbors to visit with the kids. (They love me, too!) And I’m thankful that Mom ordered me a new name and phone number tag for my collar. My old one got lost. Hey, what do your tags say?
Xena: Mine says, “Help me, I’m lost.”
Chia: Mine says, “Oh Crap, I’m lost.”
Lucy and Xena: *rolling on ground laughing* Yep, that’s so you, Chia! *still laughing*

Chia: Well, I guess that’s it for today folks. Have a great weekend and don’t get lost!

Pick Your Awww Monday

Thanks to  Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Mondays! 

Hi friends on the first Monday of fall. Yesterday My Jentry was here and she painted my toenails for me. Can you tell how relaxed I am the whole time?

Mom wanted to keep the pic rated PG, so…nothin’ to see there, WP! You should be lookin’ at my nails, anyhow!
Xena: Chia, please get back on track to your story.
Chia: If you want, you can make the picture bigger to see my pretty pink nails. She finished all my nails on all my feet after Mom took this picture. I love My Jentry.

Lucy: It was such a beautiful day that I stretched out in the dog lot and soaked up the sun. Can you see my shiny hairs? You can call me Ora* if you want.

I couldn’t look up at the camera phone cause the sun was in my eyes.
*Meaning: “Light” or “brightness”. Origin: Hebrew

Wishing you love and happiness today and every day. Chia and Lucy

Lucy’s Strange Sunday Selfie

Xena: Thanks to The Cat on My Head  for hosting Sunday selfies! We have a bit of a different selfie to show you today. It was storming hard with lots of rain and thunder, so Daddy let us go downstairs with Mommy while she was grooming. It’s a lot quieter down there. There was a medium sized Golden Doodle on the table, who became very interested in us. Lucy got under the table as her “safe place” from the storm. That’s when things got a bit weird. Lucy, why don’t you take it from here?

Lucy: Yes, it was thundering hard, but I felt safe under the groom table and between Mom’s legs. I felt so safe that I decided to practice my Jewish name: Ora. Ora means light or shiny. I had just had a bath the day before, so my coat really was shiny. But I wanted to be a light to the sweet girl up on the table. So, here’s my selfie!

Yes, I love the feel of freshly cut dog hair falling on me.

Peace and light and love to all my friends. *wags* Lucy

Lucy’s Selfie Sunday

Hi folks. It’s a lazy kinda day. Miss Jentry and Andrew are here, Chia’s with them, and Xena’s napping.

Even Larry Lemur and the squid (I forget it’s name) are napping together. It’s a bit cooler today, and I can hear the wind blowing, so I’m waiting to see if someone is going to start a fire in the fireplace. Then I’ll just curl up and warm my toes while I nap. I think I’ll do that even if there isn’t a warming fire. The Super Bowl is tonight, and I can already smell the yummy snacks Mom and Miss Jentry are fixing. I sure hope I get some of them! May your team win!!

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

Lucy’s Thankful Thursday Poetry

Lucy: I’m thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the fun picture every week. And I’m thankful my sis Xena didn’t realize what day it was, BOL! So, here’s the picture and poem. Enjoy!

Dance And Romance by Lucy

It’s time for us spinsters to go out on the town.
We took an Uber to good old Chatt Town.
We’re all wearing feathers; Maude’s wearing a frown.
I hope we don’t do anything to live down.

We’ve gone to a ballroom; we may even dance.
There’s more ladies than men I see at first glance.
But still we can hope that we’ll each get a chance
To find a good partner for dance and romance.
The end.

I hope everyone knows that I just made something up for a poem. I leave the dancing to my sisters, and I already have a boyfriend, Achilles. Just look at this picture.

Can you see my tail wagging? Achilles is about to kiss me!

Chia: Ick! I don’t need no stupid boyfriend. I’m thankful I have my Dad, who loves me. I get in his lap and make him laugh so I can real quick stick my tongue in his mouth.

Lucy and Xena: Ewwwwww.

Xena: I’m thankful that we’ve had warm weather. It’s been in the 70’s F. and we’ve gone on walks around the neighborhood every day. On Wednesday we even got to visit with Miss Pam in her front yard. She lives right up the street from us.

Chia: I heard Miss Jentry and Mom talking about going hiking on some nearby mountain this coming Saturday. I bet they take me! *whole body wiggles*

Lucy: Well, that’s all the fantasy for today *looking at Chia*. Everyone have a wonderful weekend!

My Last Birthday Month Poem

I do hope Xena lets me do the poems more throughout the year. But this is my last one for January.

The Idjit and the Horse by Lucy

I saw that horsie coming and I squeezed my eyes shut tight
But she made it o’re that idjit with a clearance oh so slight.
Now I see this quarter horse not more than 14 hands.
After she jumps this idiot he may be no more a man.

Poor guy. I wonder if this is some kind of punishment. *sigh* I’m thankful my Mom never punishes me. I always try to be a good girl. Once in a while I have messed up and she has scolded me, so I’m also thankful that she forgives me almost right away, too.

Chia: I’m thankful all that cold white stuff is gone from our yard. And I’m thankful that I get to pick between Andrew and Mom for where I sleep at night.

Xena: I’m thankful for…I don’t know. It’s not been a great week. I messed up at church last week on the carpet in the chapel and Mommy stepped in it and well, things went downhill from there. I mean, she didn’t punish me or anything, but, well, I may not be going back. Or I may have to wear my big girl panties if I do. I don’t know which is worse. And I’ve been wanting to sleep on the couch where I’m already curled up on a soft blankie instead of getting up and going into the bedroom with Mommy. Then I get cold or scared or lonely and go pound on the door to get let in. I guess I should have learned by now to not wake up my Mommy. It doesn’t go well. Is this the kind of stuff that happens when you’re only four months away from turning eight years old?

Chia: Now I’m also thankful I’m not Xena. Maybe Mom will take me to work instead!

Xena: Yep, Chia, I heard Mommy talking about when she’s going to take you.

Chia: When? Tell me! *wags*

Xena: When H-E-double hockey sticks freezes over. But she didn’t spell it, she said the word.

Lucy: I think (hope) that’s all we’ve got for today. Before we go, I want to thank  Angel Sammy for the fun picture and, as always, I’m thankful for Angel Brian, who does such a great job at hosting Thankful Thursday. 

Lucy with Another New Groom

Lucy, Ace Reporter here, with another new groom. Although this pup will look sort of familiar, I promise you, she is a different dog. Let’s get right to it.

Do you remember Pumpkin, the Doodle I reported on just a few days ago? Well, this here is Gracie, who sure does look a lot like Pumpkin. In fact, she came to us looking a lot like Pumpkin did before she was groomed. Groomer Mom totally forgot to take any pictures at all, probably because Gracie’s Dad stayed during most of the groom in case G.M. needed any help with her (she didn’t). He was kind enough to send us this picture after they got home.

Gracie was born on July 29 of 2024 and is a Golden Doodle. She came to the family to keep Toby, their wild Doodle, company. She’s not too crazy about her big brother, but at least it keeps Toby busy and away from poor little Sammy, a shih tzu mix, who is 15 years old. Toby’s gotten too big for Small Dog Grooming, but Sammy still comes for a groom on a regular basis.

That’s it, friends, for this episode of Grooming with Mom.
Your Ace Reporter and Birthday Month Girl, Lucy

Lucy’s Happy Birthday Tuesday

First, thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday Blog Hop! 

I sure hope you aren’t too tired of hearing about me having a birthday month, cause guess what? Today’s the day!!! When Mom and Dad got home from work Mom fed us all a half hour early. Yes, Xena and Chia, you’re welcome. *wags*

Then Mom gave me one of my two birthday presents. 100% natural, made in the USA, Beef Marrow Bone. The other present is a 100% natural, made in the USA, Beef Knuckle. They both have only one ingredient: bone! I had been wondering what was in that Chewy box. Here’s my Happy Birthday picture.

Wishing everyone a Happy Tuesday!

Lucy’s Selfie Sunday

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

Just two more days and it’s my 9th birthday. I was laying in bed this morning after breakfast (which was an hour late but I didn’t complain) thinking about being 8.

It was a pretty good year. I got to go to the church a lot. And ate good food. And had my sisters here. But we lost Riley, and he and I were good friends. So that’s a sad thing. But he needed to go, I know. And I know I always seem to be self-confident when I write my blog. Just like I do when I see people other than my family.

But the truth is, I’m still scared of a lot of stuff, like if someone lifts their hand up like they might be going to hit me. No one ever hits me, or even almost hits me. It’s just from my first year before I got my furever Mom and Dad. Now I know I’m safe and loved. In fact, everyone seems to love me, so I should feel better about myself. Hey, maybe that’s why Mom named me “Lucy.” There’s a TV show – or so I’ve been told – called “I love Lucy.” Thanks, Mom. I love you and Dad too, and also Xena and Chia and all my friends in the neighborhood and at work, and all my blogging friends, too. So come visit me anytime you want, and I’ll always make you feel welcome.

Your good friend, Lucy the birthday month girl.

Lucy and Our Friend Gracie

Since it’s my birthday month, I get to use Xena’s blog anytime I want to. And I want to tell all y’all about our friend Gracie coming to stay with us last month. I’ve heard that Gracie’s been coming over here since before Angel Lexi passed. They were kinda like friends. At least Lexi didn’t object to her being here. Gracie stayed with Mom and Dad the Christmas after Lexi became an angel. She even went to Fort Wayne with them and sat on Santa’s lap. Gracie’s a little girl with a big personality.

Do you see Xena’s sweater on Gracie? Xena didn’t mind her wearing it at all. Gracie tries to get along with everyone and within a day of being here she just becomes one of our pack. Mom didn’t want to let her go home this time and threatened to move next time she was here and not give her pawrents our new address, BOL. Uh, you don’t think she was serious, do you?

We had a cold spell in December and I got to wear my red plaid winter coat that I got for Christmas last year. Or maybe it was the year before. Anyhoo, it sure felt good when we went out to do our business early in the morning. The next day it had warmed up nice and neither of us had to wear a sweater or coat. Mom took just me and Gracie for a walk in the sunshine.

Gracie even started sleeping in Mom’s bed with us. It’ ok, she doesn’t take up much room. And Mom would cover her with a blanket so she didn’t get cold during the night.

So that’s my story of having a friend stay with us. I hope she comes back and visits again soon!

Lucy, the birthday month girl. (I’m gonna be 9 and that’s so fine! *smiles and wags*)

Lucy and Snow

*shiver* I’m just thinking about how cold that snow is that I have to walk in to go potty! It started right on time at eight o’clock this morning. After about an hour Mom took me and Xena out to do our busyness in the front yard.

You can see there wasn’t much snow, but neither of us would go walking in it to do what we needed to do! A little while later Mom suited up Chia and out we went again.

None of us still would go far enough in it to do our busyness. Chia wouldn’t even come off the top step, not even to run down and say hi to the neighbor folks walking their Jack Russel mix. This is Chia’s first snow!

A few hours later there were three or four inches of snow on the ground.

I finally made the snow yellow. I know this isn’t a big deal to most of our friends. But we haven’t had any snow since Chia came to live with us three years ago. Our driveway, as you can see, is downhill, and the exit from our subdivision is downhill too, where you have to turn right or the other direction on a busy two lane highway. So pretty much no one goes anywhere when it’s like this, and most businesses close. Even Mom and Dad’s monthly dance cancelled for tonight — not that they were venturing out in this anyhow!

Chia found bare ground under the living room’s overhang and she did what she had to there.
I finally said enough is enough. I want to go in the house and curl up somewhere warm and without this cold, wet, white stuff.

I fell on my face coming up those snowy stairs. That’s why I have snow on my nose! Don’t worry, though, I’m OK.

Hoping all y’all are safe and happy. And thanks to Rosy and Sunny of The LLB Life for hosting this snowy Nature Friday!

Love, Lucy, the birthday month girl!

Lucy’s Birthday Month

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

Hi friends! My birthday is just one day before my Dad’s birthday.
Chia: Does that mean you’re a year older than him? Or just a day older?
Lucy: Mmmm, no, it doesn’t work that way. You have to factor in years and divide by a number and then add so many days.
Chia: Oh. Never mind. Are you gonna get something good? Are you gonna be so excited you’ll go outa your mind?
Lucy: Hmmm, no, it only works that way with you. But maybe I’ll get something good. I’ve been a very good girl all year. Mom says my picture is even in the dictionary, right next to the word “compliant.” Not sure what that means, but I always try to do what I’m supposed to do.

I just got my early birthday bath. I didn’t think I needed one. Mom took this picture to “prove” that I did. By the way, that’s Chia’s Edward the Duck laying by my feet. Don’t worry, I won’t hurt him.

Someone else in the house said I smelled bad, too. I was just trying to be there for him, ya know? Oh well, it was bath time. And I did a first for me. Always, always, always, when Mom said, “Get in the tub, Lucy.” I jumped in the tub (compliant). But this time I said, “I don’t want a bath.” We went back and forth like that several times, and I held to my stance. Except when Mom reached down to pick me up. When she did that, I dropped to the floor. Then, you won’t believe what happened! Mom was just standing there not looking at me and I was just standing there in silent protest and I thought, “Great, no bath,” when she reached down real fast and picked me up and put me in the tub. Aghh! At least she didn’t try to take my picture while I was getting showered.

A while later when I was all dry we all got to go out in the dog lot to do our “business.” Now I can see that I did need a bath to let my Hebrew name, Ora, shine through. Ora means light or brightness. Can you see all the bright light shining off me?

I hope I stay clean until my birthday on January 14. I hope someone scratches my tummy all day. That’s my favorite thing. Oh, and for a birthday present, Xena said I can make as many posts on “her” blog as I want all month long. So get ready, ’cause I’m gonna be at the computer a lot (as long as Mom doesn’t mind helping me). Oh, and this is my selfie today, as Ora!

Your waggly, birthday month girlfriend, Lucy.