Xena’s Beary Good Poem on Thankful Thursday

We are thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week! 

Xena: I’m back in the saddle, as they say…
Lucy: Xena, I really wouldn’t use that analogy after what happened last week.
Xena: Geez, I’d almost forgotten about those horses chasing us. Anyhoo, I survived and am here with my poem about Angel Sammy’s fun picture (that I jumped into). Then we’ll all do our thankfuls! Here goes…

Yoga for Animals by Xena Schnauzer Princess

Down Dog is fun to do.
Mr. Bear tried it too,
But he’s built a different way
So did his yoga as he lay!

The End.

Xena: I’m thankful that I’m a dog, especially a schnauzer dog. That means I get to live with my Mommy and Daddy. (Bears can’t do that, unless they’re Teddy Bears.) And I’m thankful that the weather’s been so nice…no more bad thunder!

Chia: Yep, we do down dog every time we invite each other to play! I’m thankful Miss Jentry came over to visit with me last Sunday. Oh, and that the neighbor kids are back from their vacation AND are going to take care of me (and my sisters) this weekend while Mom and Dad go out of town for Mom’s birthday. I heard they’re staying at a place where there’s a horse farm. Kinda thankful I’m not going! Besides, I know they wouldn’t take me dancing with them, anyhow.

Lucy: I’m thankful, once again, that I got to go to work with Mom yesterday. I felt more like visiting this week, and I greeted and said goodbye to every single person who came through the door for their Al Anon meeting!

Xena: That’s it for this week. Hope y’all have a good, burr free, thunder free, horse free weekend!

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

Fort Wayne Adventures by Xena

Xena: Hi there friends. Thought I’d share a few pictures of moments in Fort Wayne last weekend. First, here’s a pic of me on the big couch in the front room of the Air B& B where we stayed.

It sure was comfy!

The first night there, we were laying in bed and heard a loud scraping sound, from the atttic. Mommy turned on the light and the sound stopped. She turned out the light, we all settled in again, and it happened again. Light on, noise off. Once more it happened, and this time the animal was also making “talking” noises. We all ran and got in bed in the other bedroom, and we didn’t hear it again. But it sure did sound like a BIG animal like a raccoon or a possum, not a mouse or rat.
The next day we all went outside after breakfast, and guess what we saw in the neighbor’s yard! A huge raccoon!! We stood at the gate and barked and barked, but it just stood there staring at us. After a bit, it turned around and slowly sauntered away. Mommy didn’t get a picture of it, so please use your imagination.

A little later in the morning, me and Chia and Lucy went ‘sploring in the fenced-in backyard.

The yard was a pretty nice size, and it was surrounded on the inside of the fence by lots of ivy and weeds and – we soon found out – little green burrs. They were either “grass burrs, sand burrs, or lawn burrs, which produce sharp, spiny seed pods that cling to clothing and fur.” And dog oh dog, do they ever! Even though we all had a great time playing in that surrounding area, I’m the only one with long hair. First, Mommy put water and soap on my face and spent 87 minutes removing the great big mats created by the hair clinging to the burrs. Then she looked down and saw that all my leg feathers were the same way. She said it probably took 887 minutes (or an hour) of constant combing to get them out of my pretty hair. It hurt when she tried to get the ones out of the hair on the top of my feet, so she tried real hard to take it easy there. I was a good girl and just stood on the kitchen counter while Mommy worked on this. At Mommy’s insistence and under her watchful eye, we stayed out of those areas after that.

Tomorrow we’ll have a couple more pictures and another story for you of our time in Fort Wayne!

Your schnauzer friend, Xena

Our Visitors Are Here

Lucy: Our new friends are here! They arrived last night. Sasha, the Boxer/Boston Terrier mix, and me, well, we’ve been hangin’. I had to set her straight about sticking her nose up my behind, but she understood and all is good. Sasha has even learned to use the doggie door to the dog lot, and we go in and out together.

Xena: Oliver, the Pomeranian/Papillon mix, wont’ have anything to do with the doggie door. Mommy has to open the whole door for him to go out and come back in. Mommy groomed Oliver this morning. He had a LOT of hair, and his Mom said he was too hot. Here’s a picture of him and Sasha chillin’ out after his groom.

I wanna say, just because we’re the same size, I hope Mommy doesn’t expect me to be his friend.

Chia: I fussed at them both last night until we went to bed. At least they didn’t get to come sleep in the bedroom with us. But why should they care? They had the whole rest of the house to find a good sleep spot, right? Today I’ve been more accepting and not fussing at them as much. You gotta hear what happened when Oliver was in the tub this morning! He started talking to Mom just like I do! And when Mom told him that he was doing that, he said, “Uh huh.” I promise you, I’m telling the truth! Maybe he’s ok after all.

Happy Saturday from Lucy, Xena and Chia, and our new friends Oliver and Sasha asked to say hi to everyone.

A Dog’s Thankful Thursday: Xena’s Family Fun

Xena: I’m thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week. Let’s see what Angel Sammy has in store for us today. Oh, and you’ll notice I hopped into the picture! *wags*

Gettin’ Down with Grandma by Xena

I went to the home to visit my grandma.
The desk sent me to the room that’s called Hee Haw.
My Grandma was there and she sang real good.
But why was she singing ’bout life in the hood?

Hey Grandma, I crooned, you sure actin’ Sus.
“You ain’t got a clue, girl, so you should just shush.”
Well Grandma, I see that you fixed youself up.
“Well what would you know, you just a wee pup!”

Like that back and forth we went with street slang.
Her dissin’ me while together we sang!
I howled and she belted a tune ’bout the gang,
Then finished our song when the supper bell rang.

That was a fun one this week. I wish I had known my grandma. She sure did love Angel Lexi lots and lots, and I bet she would have loved me, too. I don’t think she knew any more than I do about street gangs or “the hood,” though.

Sus: Short for “suspicious,” used when someone’s behavior seems shady.

Chia: Thanks, Xena and now it’s time for my thankful. I’m so happy brother Andrew came to see me over the weekend. It feels like furever, though, and he needs to come back. Not only that but Miss Jentry came on Sunday and fixed all the folks a Mexican dinner. I got to taste a little bit of it. I’d eat that for supper any day!
Lucy: I heard that I may get to start going back to work every Wednesday again, beginning in July.
Xena: I’m thankful that my itchies are gone. I don’t have to wear that cone on my head anymore, or those jammies on my body to cover my tummy. Thank you Jesus! (I went to church this week.)

Here’s wishing everyone a good end of the week with no fleas or seizures or ticks or thunderstorms!

XOXOXOXOX Xena, Lucy and Chia

Xena and Lucy Huddle Over History Emails

Xena: Mommy gets these “informative” emails. She says they’re pretty interesting. She let us see one she got not long ago. It was History Facts and was called “The Roman Emperor Caligula declared war on the sea.” That immediately reminded me and Lucy of someone in power in our country.

That was kinda scary…so we huddled closer…on Mommy.

Thanks to  Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Mondays!

Chia’s Poem on Thankful Thursday

Chia: I’m thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the fun picture every week. Let’s see what Angel Sammy has in store for us today. Of course my poem – and picture – are added.

Office Cake by Chia

Sheri’s hoping that old guy, Bob, her boss,
Won’t try to reach over and grab her arse.
Connor is thinking this party is lame;
He wants to go play his video game.

Office dog Chia is eyeing the cake,
Planning the fast move she’s going to take.
Boss Bob is lost in his thoughts, diddle dee
And realizes he really must pee.

As Sheri decides to make a quick break
She sees bringing Chia was a big mistake.
Chia’s muzzle deep in the boss’s cake,
Boss Bob reaches over, a quick feel to take.

Now Bob’s in the ER, Sheri has no job.
Chi’s in the shelter with more office dogs.
This story’s lesson is easy to see:
Taking your dog to work doesn’t mean me!

Xena: Yep, we all knew that lesson, Chi girl, although that’s not the reason Mommy doesn’t take you to work. I’m still feeling thankful that Mommy is taking me! And I’m thankful for the 100% grass fed beef I got in my food dish today. And for the strawberries and butternut squash and cauliflower. *drool*

Lucy: I’m thankful I got to go to work on Wednesday this week. The Al Anon folks come in at noon. They all love me and pet me and tell me how special and how pretty and how sweet I am. *smiles*

Chia: I know, Xeboo, Mom doesn’t want me to run out the door when it opens. There’s a real busy street out there. I guess I’m thankful that Mom loves me so much… *whole body wags*
Well, thanks, everyone, for reading my poem and our thankfuls today. Don’t worry, be happy! (I heard that on a song.)

Lucy: I’m thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the fun picture every week. This week I’m also thankful that my little sister, Xena, handed over the controls to me to do the Thursday picture poem. As a thank you, I’ve included her in my poem!

When Pigs Dance by Lucy

I saw these baby piglets
And how my heart did swell
I knew the could be dancers;
That they could do it well.

My Mom got them their outfits,
My sis Xena taught them moves.
I gave them lots of loving
And moisturized their hooves.

Their very first performance
Took the audience by storm.
The crowd threw fruit and petals
So again they would perform.

In time they got much bigger,
And did not want to dance.
They moved out to a pig farm
Where they soon found romance.

Now they have their own piglets,
As cute as they can be.
Maybe some day they’ll learn to dance
And come to visit me.

I’m thankful I get to go to work with Mom regularly now. I was so happy to see Pastor today that I was jumping up and doing twists in the air. I got a new yummy treat from Thomas the Mailman. I was excited and started to walk away, but remembered to go back over to his truck to thank him. He liked that. And Mom brought my cookies, too. I got rewarded with one every time I went outside to go potty. That helped me realize that I had to go potty a lot!

Xena: Like Lucy, I’m thankful that I’ve been going to work with Mommy a lot more. And I’m even more thankful that she’s not making me wear those horrid “Big Girl Panties” at work. Oh, and I’m thankful that the weather has been getting warmer during the day, like in the 60’s F.

Chia: I’m thankful that I’ve had a few more walks around the neighborhood because of the nicer weather. (Mom’s a lightweight when it comes to walking in cold and wind. She says she doesn’t want to get sick.) And I’m thankful that Mom took me and Xeboo to practice our Freestyle last Sunday. I heard we’re going again this Sunday too! Woohoo!

With *wags & wiggles & hops* Lucy, Xeboo, er, Xena, and Chia

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 Thankful Thursday Poem

This is Lucy back again on my birthday month, having fun with a picture by Angel Sammy And, as always I’m thankful for Angel Brian, who does such a great job at hosting Thankful Thursday. Here’s the picture for this week:

The Pool and the Cool Hound by Lucy

The game got cancelled, so what can we do?
How ’bout something different, something new?
There’s a new kiddie pool in the back yard.
So they stripped to their shorts with disregard
For children or pets who might be around.
They said, “Look! That pups laughing! What a cool hound.”

OK, so I don’t actually have “hound” in me. I’m 1/3 AmStaff, 1/3Pit Bull, and 1/3 Boxer. My Mom says that’s a really great mix, and I’m proof of it. *wags and full teeth smiles* But I’m thankful I got to do the poem again this week. And I’m thankful the snow has gone away, too.

Chia: I’m thankful Mom took us to the dog park last Friday. And she didn’t yell at me even one time to stop pulling.

You can see that there was still snow and mush on some parts of the walkway. And wow, look at Lucy’s crazy shadow! I’m thankful that dog isn’t coming after me. Hey Luce, why did you kinda hang back so much? Mom was being super nice with her soft voice on the whole walk and didn’t even try to slow me down.

Lucy: I guess cause she kept wanting me to cross in front of her instead of behind her. I was just trying to be polite. But she said I was going to knock her down with the leash pulling against the back of her legs. I felt bad I almost knocked her down, so I stayed back behind her.

Chia: Next time, Luce the Deuce, just do what she says. She had to keep gently saying, “Come on Lucy, hurry up Lucy, come on up front with us, Lucy.” Although, come to think of it, that did take the focus off me.

Xena: Yeh, Lucy, why can’t you and Chia just be perfect walking companions like me? *wags* My turn for a thankful. I am thankful that I am a perfect walking companion for my Mommy, and don’t pull on the leash or lag behind! Once in a while I stop to sniff, but that’s just my natural curiosity, and Mommy understands that.

Lucy and Chia: Phhthhhhh!

Lucy, Chia and Xena the Perfect Walking Companion wishing you a Happy and 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!