Tag: dog blog

Grooming with Mom: Plus One, Minus Two

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia29 Comments

Thanks for joining us for another episode of Grooming with Mom. I’m here to tell you about a new groom, a pup who is moving, and a senior citizen who will soon cross the rainbow bridge.
Let’s start off with the Happy News.

Marr

One of our current clients got a new four-month-old puppy. Brinkley, shown below, is still figuring out how this whole not-the-only-dog-anymore thing is going to work.

While Brinley was home waiting to see if Marr was coming back, Marr was here getting his first haircut. Here he is at his home before he was groomed.

Marr is a Multipoo. He came to us with a lot of fleas hidden down under all that soft, fluffy hair, and a lot of hair and crusty dirt in both ears. Per his Dad’s instructions, Groomer Mom did not trim his crazy ears or his tail. She used the choppers (a funny kind of scissors) to remove a lot of that hair and trimmed his face. He came out looking like this.

Yep, crazy ears. And a little bit of hair still sticking up under his eyes, cause Groomer Mom said it was more important for him to keep his eyes than for her to get all the hair, BOL! Except for that, for a puppy, he was very calm and good on the table. We look forward to seeing both Marr and Brinkley back in the months to come.

Dora

Next to come visit was Dora. She and her schnauzer sister Maggie have been coming to get groomed since May of 2013. Maggie crossed the Bridge a year ago last April.

When Dora showed up last Saturday, her Mom said, “I’ve got to talk to you first.” She had been trying to get up the nerve to take Dora to the vet one last time. Her husband suggested that she go ahead with the grooming appointment and talk to Groomer Mom about it. She explained that Dora was blind and deaf, was incontinent, and ever since losing her sister Maggie, has had absolutely nothing to do with either of her pawrents.

Dora (L) and Maggie 2018

Looking down at Dora in her lap where Groomer Mom had set her, Dora’s Mom said this was the first time Dora was even sitting with her. With a heavy heart, Groomer Mom tried to give her the affirmation she needed to put this 17-year-old shih tzu at peace. Groomer Mom said there was no sense putting Dora through the stress of a groom, so with Dora in her Mom’s lap, she only clipped the hair covering Dora’s eyes so her Mom could see her better. Tuesday, Dora will be reunited with her sister Maggie on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. Our hearts are heavy.

Markel

Sunday, Markel aka Baby Dog, came to get groomed. As his Mom held him in the nail sling, she told Groomer Mom that she had accepted a job about 2 hours from here and would be leaving in 2 weeks. She said she felt like she had only just found Groomer Mom (read about it here) and didn’t know what she was going to do for a groomer there. She had previously experience terrible haircuts for her boy.

Baby Dog ‘s first groom here in June of 2022. Letting hair on top of nose grow out where previous groomer had shaved it.

Groomer Mom scissored his legs quite a bit shorter and also his beard some shorter to help it last a bit longer if needed. She told his Mom that if she was back in town with him and he needed a groom, just give her a call. We’re going to miss Baby Dog.

Groomer Mom has been grooming dogs from her home since 1993, taking a 10 year break (except for grooming her own schnauzer, Lexi) after she moved. She resumed grooming in 2013 with Maggie and Dora as her first clients. It feels like an end of an era. And perhaps, with the new puppies showing up, it is the beginning of a new era!

This is Lucy signing off on Awww Monday, with thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting it.

Thankful Thursday Picture Poem

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia23 Comments

Hangin’ Round by Chia
Mom, there’s a boy hangin’ round.
Wish he’d do it without sound.
Please come get him down
And then take him to the pound.

I don’t want no kids around. They might mess with my toys.

Chia: I’m thankful that we don’t really have any little kids hangin’ round. They get on my nerves.
Xena: I’m thankful that Mommy has designated me as the Tuesday Church Dog. I just have to remember to 1. Don’t bark, 2. Don’t growl, 3. Wag a lot and then run to get a treat!

And, as always, we’re thankful to both Brian for hosting Brian’s Thankful Thursday and to  Angel Sammy for the fun picture this week.

Happy Breed Results Tuesday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia30 Comments

Hi, Lucy here. The results are in! While the Good Dog breed wasn’t listed, Mom said that was just an oversight on the Wisdom Panel people’s part, cause that’s what I mostly am. *big wags*

If you said boxer, as many of you did, you will find out that it is at the top of my breed profile. Also, if you remember, Mom and Dad had a little contest (now I know where Xena gets that from) and wrote down what breed(s) they think I am, and hid the papers away until we got the results. How did my Mom do? She got four out of six she wrote down, and three of them were top of the list. Dad? He only wrote down one, and it was also at the top. Are you wondering what breed(s) I am? Drumroll, please! And here it is!

We detected 10 breeds in Lucy’s DNA.

  • Guard
    • 26% Boxer
    • 25% American Pit Bull Terrier
    • 24% American Staffordshire Terrier
    • 7% Bulldog
    • 5% American Bulldog
  • Herding
    • 4% Australian Shepherd
    • 2% Border Collie
  • Asian and Oceanian
    • 3% Siberian Husky
    • 2% Chow Chow
  • Sporting
    • 2% Labrador Retriever

I’m really happy I’ve got so much boxer in me since my guy Achilles is all boxer and my BFF Ella is half boxer. No wonder we all get along so great! I can’t wait to tell Pastor. He still tells me he loves me and kisses and pets me at work. I never knew work could be so great!

Oh, and the panel also showed some of my relatives, and the second one listed is named….Lucy!!
To finish up, I want to thank Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday Blog Hop!

Grooming with Lucy Ace Reporter and Poetry on Thankful Thursday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia22 Comments

Hello! Ace Reporter Lucy here with a new groom for your reading and viewing pleasure. But first, I want to thank  Brian for hosting Brian’s Thankful Thursday! And I am thankful to  Angel Sammy for the fun picture this week, too. And thanks to Chloe the shih tzu’s dad for recommending us!

Our newest dog to be groomed is Cooper, a pomeranian/chihuahua mix. The only other pom that comes to Small Dog Grooming is also named Cooper. And Cooper’s brother, who recently passed to the other side of the bridge, was a pom/chihuahua mix. Are we seeing a trend here? A coincidence? You can decide for yourself. Meanwhile, here is our new Cooper pre-groom.

Isn’t Cooper adorable? He sure doesn’t look 10-years-old, does he? We couldn’t see the chihuahua in either his looks or his personality. He seemed mostly like pomeranian to us. Groomer Mom thought he was really pretty just how he was, needing only a slight touch-up. But his Mom had other ideas…she wanted him shaved.

His Mom stayed and held him while he got his nails cut and dremeled, and he was a real good boy. He wouldn’t stay on the table with his Mom here, though, so she left until he was ready to go home, and he settled right down.

After she left, Groomer Mom shaved his body and legs with a #7 blade, going lightly over his paws, and several inches down his tail – at his Mom’s request She used a very short #40 blade on the inside flap of his ears, leaving some hair around the edges, then rounded them with shears. She scissored in front of his ears, then blended his head hair into his neck using a #5 blade and choppers. A #10 blade took care of his tummy and under his tail. Groomer Mom bathed Cooper and dried him on the table. After texting his Mom a 10 minute heads up for when he would be finished, she used that #40 blade on the bottoms of his paws before using straight shears to trim around them.

She let his very happy Mom pick out a pretty scarf for Cooper to wear before leaving with Cooper groomed just how she wanted and a promise to return. We are very thankful for our new grooms and our clients who like us enough to recommend us!

Now, I get to do the poem for today’s picture. First, the picture that Angel Sammy picked out last week.

Cookie Cutter Houses by Lucy

Cookie cutter houses in a boring neighborhood.
No one would find us in this cookie cutter ‘hood.
No Amazon packages! How would we survive?
The driver of the truck would never find our drive!

If Chia got loose she’d have no direction
To find the right house or family connection.
No trees or thick bushes where critters could hide;
Poor Xena the hunter would just stay inside.

Our groom clients couldn’t find us…there goes our lunch money.
No flowers with bees to make us sweet honey.
Let’s use those cookie cutters to make us dog cookies.
And stay where we are for Amazon, grooming clients, Xena the hunter, and honey bees!

Gracy Returns

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia23 Comments

Xena: Our friend Gracie came back to stay with us while her folks took a vacation in Puerto Rico, where they’re visiting their family and friends and eating all the delicious foods there that they have missed. Gracy used to come visit when Angel Lexi was here, and they got along good. After Angel Lexi became an angel, Gracie stayed here at the house with Mommy and Daddy so they weren’t so lonely here with no dog. She even went to In Dee Anna with them over Christmas and even got to sit on Santa’s lap while her folks went to Germany . She also was Mommy’s work-dog for the couple of weeks she was here, and has been to Rock City with my folks.

Fast forward a whole bunch of years… It was kind of a slow start to us all getting used to each other. Gracie was here a month or so ago, and we all got along then. This time, after a couple of days, Gracy was one of the pack. She’s the same size as me and Chia, and she won’t back down to us or to Riley, either. She just stands there and stares right back at us. You’ve got to respect that.

Chia: At first I tried to intimidate Gracie, so that, you know, she recognized me as being in charge. Like Xena said, it didn’t work. Early Saturday morning Mom took me and Gracy for a walk in the neighborhood.

We walked together and read pee mail and explored a little bit. She can walk almost as fast as me! Now we kinda hang out, following the folks through the house, and even sleep together in the big bed! I like this chick!

Xena: After their walk I watched Mom groom Gracy. We had a big day Saturday, what with the grooming and our brother Adam here all weekend for his birthday, and our other Brother Andrew coming over and me and Chia playing ball and stuff.

Gracie wanted me to do something with her, but I was worn out and settled into my kennel for a pre-bedtime nap.

We’re going to miss Gracie when her family comes for her this Wednesday. Last night we voted and…

Lucy: Xena we didn’t vo…

Xena: Everyone but Lucy voted and we agreed that Gracie can come back and stay with us anytime she wants.

Thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday!

Lucy: What Am I?

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia30 Comments

87 days ago (last Thursday) Mom sent my spit through the mail to find out what breeds I am. Why is it taking so long? If I could remember my Dog Mom (my Dad was long gone when I was born) I could have told her that I am a Good Breed Dog. But I can’t and everyone at church wants know what “what I am,” so there you go. Or there my spit goes.

Here are pictures of me from many different angles.

Lucy and Oscar

Mom and Dad wrote down what they think the breed mix result is going to be. They’ve hidden them until we find out, and then they’ll see who guessed right, or at least the closest. Do you want to play?

Xena: The first right guesser will get an all-expense-paid…

Lucy: …thank you and recognition on our blog. (I told you Xena, we’re not giving away trips, unless you want to pay for it with your food money.)

I hope we’ll still be friends no matter what breed(s) I am. Knowing sure won’t make me any different, that’s for sure. (I’ll still be the dog most loved by Pastor!)

Your pal, Lucy

I Lost my Grammy Toni

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia31 Comments

Do you remember back in March when Mommy took me to visit my Grammy Toni? It was the first time I’ve seen her since Mommy adopted me from her. This picture is from that visit, which you can read about here if you want.

That’s me in Mommy’s lap and Grammy’s schnauzers on the floor.
We just found out this week that my Grammy Toni died two months ago. The fellas who were there visiting at the same time with their schnauzers kept trying to get ahold of her, but with no luck. They kept texting Mommy, but they had already done everything she thought of. Finally, they got ahold of Grammy’s sister who lives in Florida, and she told them the bad news. They were so upset that they didn’t think to ask what happened to her four schnauzers afterward. We sure do hope they got really good homes.

So it’s been kind of a sad week around here. I lost my Grammy Toni. Hashalóm/ole(ha)shólem. May she rest in peace.

The day Mommy adopted me, and I said goodbye to my Grammy who had raised me for 15 weeks. I’m the one with the colorful halter.

Thankful Thursday Poem by Xena

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia25 Comments

Xena: I have the honor of creating a poem to go with the picture this week. But instead of inserting me into the picture, I asked Mommy to insert a picture of Riley. You’ll see why in a moment. First, though, thanks to  Brian for hosting Brian’s Thankful Thursday! And I am thankful to  Angel Sammy for the fun picture this week, too. First, here’s the picture, and my most excellent poem follows it.

Murder! by Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess
You murdered my doggy, the l’il pup screamed.
He’s dead and not moving…or so it seemed.
I named him Dooley and now he is dead.
Who did this while I slept in my bed?
Then a voice came to me; here’s what it said:

“You’d better get used to toys being destroyed.
He often does this when he gets annoyed.
I won’t give a name, but he’s big and he’s red.
Don’t expect him to stop ’til your toys are all dead.

Oh dog! I cried, as I grabbed my Dooley
He squeaked! He lives! I’ll hide him well, truly!
The big red dog I don’t want to annoy.
Lest he think that I, a small pup am his toy!

Xena: Now you know why it’s Riley in the picture. He used to deadie all my stuffies when we were both younger. He has still been known to deadie Chia’s stuffies.

Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess, who is thankful that Riley hasn’t deadied me.

Chia’s Sunday Selfie

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia29 Comments

I’m free! I got released from jail last Tuesday as scheduled. It’s been so great! And I feel great after my big girl surgery. After my ordeal, Mom said I can do the Sunday selfie today. Oh, and thanks so much to The Cat on My Head for hosting Sunday Selfies.

I just got back from a big store with Mom. I’ve never been to a store before that I can remember. There was so much to see! I pulled this way and that, wanting to see everything at once. I didn’t find any treats, though, just pipes and bottles and lamps and stuff. But the lady at the checkout was super nice and kept saying how pretty I am and she loved my coloring and even petted me.

I’ve also been spending lots of time with my brother and sisters.

We’ve been playing a lot and we even got to take a walk yesterday when Mom didn’t think it was as hot as it turned out to be! But it was a short one, as we were all panting hard.

You’d think I wouldn’t want anything to do with that kennel that had turned into a jail cell after spending seven whole days and nights there. But I’ve grown quite fond of it. In fact, I think I’ll go take a nap there while Mom grooms a dog.

Happy Sunday everyone! XOXOXOXOOXOXOXOX Chia

Thankful Thursday Poem

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia23 Comments

First, we want to thank Brian for hosting Brian’s Thankful Thursday! And thanks to to  Angel Sammy for the fun picture this week, too. 

Xena: Babies, nope, you can have this one Chia.
Chia: Why do you think I want to write poems about babies. *shudder* They all look like the same stupid kid to me. Hey, let’s give it to Riley. Riley loves babies!

Thankful for Babies by Riley

A litter of babies (they all look alike);
Oh, what I would give for a dear little tyke!
Climb me or pound me or pull on my ear,
Do what you want, you would still be my dear.

I’d watch you and keep you safe from all harm,
If I couldn’t stop you I’d bark an alarm.
Stick your hands in my mouth or pull on my tail,
No matter, I’d still love you without fail.

Can I keep one, Mom Amy, I only want one?
I’ll feed him and walk him though I’m no longer young.
He’ll be my baby and I’ll be his dog
Until the Lord calls me; then I’ll be with God.

by Riley (who really wants a baby or young child)

Chia’s Awww Monday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia35 Comments

Hi friends. Or are you? No one, no not one of you, has come to rescue me from jail. Well, I’m gonna just assume no one could get a ride…

I’ve accepted my fate, and just go in the kennel now when I come in from pottying. Then I get a kennel treat and sometimes whine for a while before I give up again. Oh, and I’m also being tortured with this plastic cone thing around my head.
Saturday night, Dad held me for a long time while he and Mom watched Netflix.

Can you see where I’m sewed back together right under Dad’s finger?

When he put me back in jail, he didn’t realize that Xena was in my kennel (jail). So I had to share it with her until Mom started looking for her at bedtime. Sunday morning when I got out of jail to go out to potty, I “cone slammed” Xena in the side of her head and neck and knocked her away from my kennel jail. Then I did it again. It worked. She stayed out of it all day.

I’m told I only have 2 more days left on my sentence before I’m released for good behavior. I still don’t know what I did to end up like this. But at least now I know that “getting spayed” means “you’re going to jail.”

I’m Chia the Convict, dictating this to Xena the Kennel Thief

Xena: And Chia says thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday and letting her tell her side of the story!

Thankful Thursday with Riley, Lucy and Xena

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia31 Comments

Riley and Lucy: We’re both thankful that Xena didn’t run out onto the road and get hurt or worse.
Xena: I’m thankful I got to go to work with Mommy again.
Why these thankfuls? Keep reading for the story behind them.

Riley: Psst, Lucy. Watch this.

*Shouting* Hey, Xena, you gotta come out and see this! There’s a family of chipmunks running all around the mailbox.

Xena: Where? I don’t see any chippies.

Riley: Maybe you need glasses. Or maybe you’re just not close enough!

Lucy: *whispering* Riley, that was mean. She’s actually going to check it out.

Riley: Bwahahahahaha! She fell for it.

87 seconds later

Wait, where’d she go?

Lucy: I think I saw her cutting across the yard, running toward the woods chasing something. It’s hard to tell on this hill.
Riley: Cr*p. Now we’re in trouble.
Lucy: Not as much as if she’d gone out on the road! Oh wait, she’s back.

Mommy sure was mad, but I don’t understand why she was mad at Riley and Lucy and not me. Oh well. Lucy got grounded so I got to come to work with Mommy! Maybe I should chase chippies into the woods more often…

Thanks to  Brian for hosting Brian’s Thankful Thursday! 

Big Girl Surgery Complete!

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia29 Comments

Chia: Just yesterday I was playing with my new boom box that I got for my birthday without a care in the world.

Then today I don’t get any breakfast, get left at a place I’ve never been and put in a cage with no food or water, then get a needle stuck in my leg. Now I’m home and don’t want any supper even though I haven’t eaten all day, or water, and just don’t feel right.

Mom stuck this big thing around my neck but I got it off. I think I need to call a lawyer. Mmmm, Dad’s holding and petting me now, and it’s feeling kinda good. Maybe after I take a little nap…

Newest Family Member: Mme Sophie Mae

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia27 Comments

Hey there friends. *wags* Lucy, Ace Reporter with a special news report on this great Monday. We have a new little piglet cousin. I’ve decided to tell you the story of her adoption and new home with the aid of pictures that our Auntie Jen sent to us. (As an Ace Reporter it’s always important to give credits as needed.)

The idea of getting Sir Mortimer, aka Morty, a companion pig had been in Auntie Jen’s head for several years, with many people supporting it. The last one was Morty’s ferrier who told her that she would see a big change in his attitude – for the better – if he had a companion. The hold-up was Uncle Bill.

Over the 4th of July weekend they went to visit a cousin whose pig had just had a litter. One of the little piglets kept coming to the fence to see Uncle Bill. She wouldn’t stop staring at him. She had never been in close contact with a human, but she really, really liked Uncle Bill. He finally got to hold her, and, well…

…she loved him holding her while he fell in love with her.

First up after arriving in her new home was a “get the layers of dirt off the piglet” bath.

Then it was dry and hold time.

That’s my BFF Ella in the background wondering if there are any more little piglets coming in the house. And even though first contact seemed favorable, for now, Sophie Mae has to stay separated from Morty so he doesn’t hurt her, or worse.

Please excuse me, I seemed to lose my objective reporter stance there for a moment…

Sophie May is a mix of potbelly and Juliana breeds, and is expected to be a “smallish” pig when she grows up. She has her own inside pen and her own outside house, from where she can safely watch Ella and Achilles running around, and get to know Morty while in a safe place.

For now, Sophie Mae’s enjoying all the love she’s getting from her new parents.

Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off with thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday!

No Spay Friday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia24 Comments

Hiya, it’s me, Chia, still intact and a happy girl! What happened you ask? No, Xena, I didn’t give them such a hard time that they sent me home. Me and Mom, we were waiting in the car to be called in. I had just about gotten her calmed down — I could tell she was upset even though she kept smiling and petting me and talking sweet to me — when her phone thingie rang. It was the person in the spay clinic calling to say our appointment was for next Tuesday, July 11. Mom had gotten the wrong day BOL! If you think I’m kidding, take a look at this…

No incision. Just happy me. So on the way home Mom took me to the dog park to play and run on some agility boards and both of us got pretty muddy. Then we went home and I got my breakfast and played with Lucy. It’s been a good day.

XOXOXOXOXOX Chia (aka Chi Chi or Mia Chia, or the Flash or The Long One)

Chia’s Poem and Thankful Thursday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia27 Comments

Chia: First, thanks to  Brian for hosting Brian’s Thankful Thursday! And I am thankful to  Angel Sammy for the fun picture this week, too. 

Who are you, you little fox
With freckled nose and cute white sox?
D’you come to bite or steal my food?
You gonna be here, you better be good!

Not a fox am I, said she,
I’m just a little dog, you see,
Who got real lost in these deep woods
And now need shelter, heat and foods.

My trailer’s small, built just for one…
I think you’ll fit, you look like fun
So first we’ll eat some fish and fruit
Then get some sleep…you’re awfully cute!

Then when the early morning comes
Will you please take me home to Mom?
I love with all my heart to run
But losing Mom is never fun.

I’ll take you home to Mom, sweet pup.
But now I’d like to pick you up
And hold you so you’re not afraid.
Tomorrow you’ll be home again.

Chia: I am real thankful that I have a great Mom and Dad who love me and helped me to be a better pup. Every time brother Andrew and his girlfriend Jentry come over they comment on how changed I am and how good I am. They love me now, too! *wags all over*

Happy Birthday Chia and USA!

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia20 Comments

Happy Birthday to our country, the great USA, and happy 3rd birthday to our youngest sister, Chia!

Chia: It’s the day we celebrate my birthday, since I couldn’t remember the actual day in July to tell my new pawrents 29 months ago. They said I’m a real fire cracker, so they decided the 4th of July would be an appropriate day to celebrate.

I got a nice long walk before the day got to hot, just me and Mom! And she let me pull her the entire way without yelling at me to “Stop pulling!” te he. For a birthday present, I’m getting my big girl surgery this Friday! No more big girl panties or embarrassing urges for me!! (Please pray for me.)

Hey Mom! Me and Xena want to go outside and play for a while, come get the door…please.

Lucy: Yep, Chia’s been a firecracker all morning.
Back to it also being our country’s birthday, I am re-running this video for the 4th of July since many of you have never seen it. And if you have, I hope you enjoy it again.

A big thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday Blog Hop! And Happy Independence day to all our American friends.