Awww Monday’s Grooming with Mom: Griffin

Published on January 25, 2021July 11, 2021 by Xena, Lucy and Chia36 Comments

Lucy, Ace Reporter here on the Groom Beat today.

We got another new pup in to groom. His name is Griffin and he’s a four-year-old shih tzu. The person who has been grooming Griffin since he was a pup has been closed because of that awful flu thing that ate up 2020. One of Groomer Mom’s long-time clients suggested he come here.

His Mom didn’t really want him shaved, but realized he was pretty matted, so go ahead if it was necessary. As you might have guessed, it was necessary. Once again, Groomer Mom forgot to get before pictures. But, unlike some pups that come here, you couldn’t really see how much he was matted. Let’s hop to the end of the story and get you a picture of a totally groomed Griffin.

Griffin is a lover and a hopper, and a wiggler and a fighter and was almost a biter. He’s complex. My peeps bro came downstairs and held him while Mom cut his back nails. We think he was throwing such a fit about it because one of his nails was almost grown into his skin. He started to act the same way when she began to get the hair out of his ears, and that’s when Groomer Mom “read him the riot act. *shudder* ” I sure hope she never gets in my face and says in her firmest voice that there is no reason for me to act like that and to be still and that she is in charge and that I will be still and behave. And do you understand?

Griffin understood and behaved until he didn’t. Then he got “read the riot act” Part Two. After that everything was fine and Groomer Mom got lots more kisses.

Thank you, Miss Amy. I feel tons better.

And Griffon’s Mom said he looked really cute, too!

Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off with hopes that no one gets read the riot act this week.

We are joining Comedy Plus with much thanks for hosting Aww Mondays.

Xena’s Story: The Wanderers Go Home

Published on January 23, 2021July 11, 2021 by Xena, Lucy and Chia23 Comments

What happened to your story, Xena? You left everybody having a good time in Paris. Are they ever coming home?

Oh yeah, I forgot. But as you can see, I’m back home.

Xena, you were never…

Just go with it for once in your life, will ya’, Lucy? But just to make you happy, let’s find out how it all happened.

Xena’s Story: PART 5 CHAPTER 4

“Tell me again,” implored Lu, “how was it you lost your magic carpet and everyone still managed to get back home?”

“Well you see, it was like this,” answered Xe. “My magic carpet, the one with the great GPS system and deluxe pile – the one that Mommy bought me – it disappeared Halloween night. The only thing I could think of was that Vampire Angel Lexi took it. Maybe she became mortal for a while after scaring the bejeesus out of us and needed a ride back to the Bridge.”

“We were so scared that next morning that we didn’t even notice it was missing. We had planned to head home the next day. I was going to drop Tye and Missy off at their new home in Canada (the country) and then cross back through the states until I got home to Tennessee. I was concerned no one would be able to understand me with my new French accent, but I figured they would adapt.”

*groan* (Lu)

“Me and Tye and Missy were all packed and ready to go when we discovered the carpet was gone. So, of course I texted Mommy to tell her what happened and I would need money for the plane flight home since I couldn’t just go and buy another magic carpet here in France. She was not happy and told me I would have to work and save my money.”

“Gigi and I went to the restaurant where we had been working, and would you believe they had hired someone – a human person – to do our jobs. But, they said, the person didn’t get the dishes nearly as clean as we did, so we could have our jobs back. We told them we’d only accept our jobs back if they would hire Tye, too!”

“Seriously?!” Lu exclaimed.

“Yep,” answered Xe. “She needed air fare too, you know. Our great friend Gigi even said she would give us half her wages to help us get home. She was enjoying her dish licking, er, washing job so much, she didn’t care if she got the money or not. Sometimes we switched out and I got to wash the dishes.”

“So that explains why you missed Thanksgiving and Christmas with us,” mused Lu. “I really missed you, even if it meant I got all the special treats. It looks like you got a few treats of your own, though.”

“The job had perks. Anyhoo, we realized that no matter how much food we spilled and had to clean up and no matter how many dishes had to be ‘washed’ it was going to take us ’til this time next year to save enough for plane tickets. After all, we had our daily expenses, too.”

“Like what, Xe” asked Lu. “I’ve never had to pay expenses.”

“There was the room and board, for one,” replied Xe. “Then my hosts fell in love with me and wanted to adopt me.”

“Oh no!” exclaimed Lu. “What about our Mom and Dad?”

“I figured Mommy and Daddy could be my American pawrents, and I could have a Maman and Papa in France. Anyhoo, when they told me that, I got so excited I wet the floor and yelled out, ‘lit et nourriture gratuits!’ That means free bed and food, for those of you Lucy who don’t speak French like me. At that, my almost Maman and Papa looked at each other and said maybe it wasn’t such a great idea after all.”

“So me and Tye, we figured we better find a second job. Gigi suggested we all go apply for work at Disneyland, Paris. Missy, being a mouse, was a shoe-in for Mickey. When no management was around, she would take off her beret and hold it out for folks to drop money in it. You wouldn’t believe how much she raked in every day like that, on top of her salary.”

“Did you know Tye can sing, Lu? She got a job as a character from Frozen. Man, can she meow out a song!”

“The crowds loved her and threw flowers and sardines to her at the end of every performance.”

“What about you, Xe? What job did you get at Disneyland Paris?”

“I got my dream job.”

“I was put in charge of the Character Dining Kitchen as Goofy!”

“Being Goofy was your dream job?”

“No, Lu. Being in charge of the kitchen! OMD, I could have done that forever! I had to taste everything that was made to be sure it was right. The customers kept giving me their scraps, and I learned to catch better. And you wouldn’t believe how much food those people left on their plates when they were done! OMD, OMD, OMD!”

“It must have been hard coming home after all that,” Lu said softly, hanging her head.

“Not at all,” said Xe. “I’m back with my sister, my best friend (besides Gigi and Tye.) Me and Mommy have to work hard to get ready for my Level 3 Freestyle Trial in the middle of May, but there’s still time for you and me to to do what we do best.”

“I love you Daddy. Did you miss me? I’m Goofy in the kitchen.”

“Yes my dear girl, you certainly are,” Daddy answered with a funny little smile. “It’s good to have you home.”

The End

One Word Wednesday: Riley

Published on January 20, 2021July 11, 2021 by Xena, Lucy and Chia31 Comments

Thanks to Comedy Plus for hosting the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.

Awww Monday: Great News and Flashback to Xena’s Adoption

Published on January 18, 2021August 30, 2021 by Xena, Lucy and Chia22 Comments

Lucy: First, the great news! None of the growths on Ella’s gums were malignant. Thank you all for your prayers, good thoughts and POTP’s.

We are joining Comedy Plus with much thanks for hosting Awww Mondays.

Amy (aka The Mom) Recently I came across a video from when I drove three hours to south Georgia to pick out a puppy.

We lost Lexi September 4, 2016. A little over four months later on January 14, 2017 Lucy came into our lives. A few months later, after unsuccessfully trying to find her a home, I was still grieving hard for Lexi. Lucy was laying at my feet when I felt God say to me, “Look down, I gave you this dog.” I started to cry, and went into Jeff’s office to ask him if we could keep her. Without any hesitation he answered, “Yes, of course.” He was already in love with her. Lucy helped heal my heart and prepare the way for another schnauzer to come into our lives.

So, after failed attempts to adopt or rescue a schnauzer, on October 6, 2017, I found another reputable breeder. After my last groom on that Saturday I took off for Jackson, GA. A little boy and a little girl were presented. I wanted them both, but could only get one. The breeder only allowed one adoption at a time, and besides, that’s all the money I had. Of course, I chose Xena. To this day I think of the other one as “Oscar.” I guess that’s how one of our stuffie schnauzers got his name. Can you tell which three-month-old schnauzer I brought home?

Yes, it’s the little cookie monger, the one with the colorful harness.

Xena was scared in the kennel on the three hour drive back home, and had to have a bath before I brought her upstairs.

Lucy was very curious and immediately accepting of her new little sister. She was, and still is, the very best sister a little schnauzer could have.

Nature Friday and That Thing

Published on January 15, 2021July 11, 2021 by Xena, Lucy and Chia31 Comments

We are joining Arty, Jakey, Rosy and Sunny of the LLB Gang with much thanks for hosting Nature Friday.

Monkey: Whew. I’m glad we made it up here before Riley got ahold of us. Did you see him take off with the new guy that Xena got for Christmas? I’m afraid he might look like this aloe plant that the Mom left outside in the cold too long. It’s a gonner.

Winter Bear: Yes, I did see Riley stick his big T-Rex head into the kennel and snatch the new guy, and it made me shake all over. Bear only knows what happened to him. I know I’m the Winter Bear, but I think I’ll go hibernate with the rest of the bears until Spring. Maybe it’ll be safer around here by then. Wait! Is that the new guy heading back into Xena’s kennel?

Monkey: Hey there, you, new kid on the block, er, in the house. I’m Monkey. What’s you’re name.

Triceratop: Hi Monkey. No one’s given me a name yet. Unless it’s That Thing, as in, “I hate That Thing.” And, “I don’t know what That Thing is, but it gives me the creeps. And, “Have you seen That Thing move all on it’s own?” Xena’s supposed to be my new dog, but she hates me. I’m afraid she’s going to feed me to that big T-Rex dog. He already got me once, but the Mom rescued me.

Monkey: I don’t understand why Xena would feel that way. But come in here with me and I’ll try to help if he comes back.

That Thing: I’m a hand puppet, and I think I moved in ways that might have scared her when I was trying to play, but she would never admit it, Warrior Princess that she is. She did chase and bite me when I tried to run away from her.

Xena: Hey, You Thing, why are you back. I thought Mommy put you somewhere safe (for us both).

The Thing: I want to be with you and be your friend, even if it means facing down the T-Rex Dog.

Xena: Huh. I think you might mean Riley. And you would risk certain death by him just to be my friend?

Lucy: Hey, whatch’all doin’?

Xena: I am Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess and NOBODY threatens my friends!

Lucy’s Birthday and Gotcha Day

Published on January 14, 2021July 11, 2021 by Xena, Lucy and Chia38 Comments

Hi, it’s me, Lucy, the birthday girl. I came to live with my Mom and Dad exactly four years ago today! Being a lady, I wouldn’t tell my age, but the vet thought I was one year old at the time. And in heat. (Oh wait, I didn’t mean to say that.) Anyhoo, this day was assigned as my birthday, too. So that means I am five years old now.

For my birthday, I asked that Ella my BFF be OK and not have the big C. We were friends at first sight, and love each other a lot.

It will probably be another week or more before we get the biopsy results.

In the meantime, Mom surprised me with some treats. This morning, I got some of my very favorite Healthfuls Chicken and Fruit Wraps.

They have real dried apple, kiwi and banana wrapped in a chicken filet, and it’s all natural and sized for a big girl like me. Xena didn’t get any. She might have gotten one of her treats from Christmas, though.

I got extra portions for supper, too. My bowl floweth over, BOL!

After supper me, Xena and Riley celebrated my birthday with Peanut Butter flavored Frosty Paws! (Sorry, no pictures available.)

So anyhoo, as great as my birthday was, I’ll let you know when my real wish comes true in a week or so.

Love and kisses, Lucy

Almost Wordless Wednesday-Landry

Published on January 13, 2021July 11, 2021 by Xena, Lucy and Chia42 Comments

Thanks to Comedy Plus
for hosting the
Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.

Lucy, Ace Reporter here, reporting on another spectacular groom done the weekend before Christmas. It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words, so two pictures will suffice on Wordless Wednesday.

Thanks Lucy. Great job as always. This is Groomer Mom and I do want to say a little about this groom.

But Mom, this is Almost Wordless Wednesday, and I’ve already used up over two thousand words with the pictures!

It’s OK Lucy, dear. I think folks will make an exception.
Landry, along with his yorkie brother Dallas and his pomeranian sister Bonnie Blue were all here February of 2019. If you missed it, you are welcome to take a look here. They haven’t been groomed since. I started thinking about them, concerned for them, and even knowing what I was getting into, I contacted their mom. She told me that Dallas died of cancer in August, and his sister Bonnie Blue died of cancer the following month. But Landry sure could use a groom. Well, I knew what that meant, and what to expect, so I was prepared with a muzzle, kind words, and a bottle of CBD oil. His dad brought him, and told me he tried to give Landry a bath, but Landry bit him “pretty bad.” “He’s fast,” he said. With his dad’s permission, I squirted a half dropperful of CBD oil in his mouth. An hour had passed by the time he was mostly shaved and I had him in the tub. I decided to try it without a mask. Well, the CBD oil had kicked in, and Landry not only let me wash him all over, including his face three times, he also let me get the hair out of his ears and finish cutting his nails, all the time wagging his tail. Thanks, Monika, for a great product and a bite-free bath! You helped make Landry a happy boy. Landry’s dad agreed to start bringing him four times a year. I’ll have the CBD oil ready!

Lucy’s Birthday Wish

Published on January 11, 2021July 11, 2021 by Xena, Lucy and Chia32 Comments

I’ve been dreaming about my birthday coming up this Thursday. I’m going to be four whole years old! Isn’t it funny how I keep staying half a year older than Xena?

At first I thought about new chew bones or new treats or maybe a trip alone with my Dad to visit my Grandma. But now there’s really only one thing I want.

My BFF is having surgery right now. The dogtor is removing all those growths covering several of her teeth. They are going to send some of it off to make sure it isn’t the thing that took Angel Lexi. All I want is for Ella to be OK and be so excited to see me and to play with me for a lot more birthdays. I hope the Birthday Fairy can hear me.

XOXOX Lucy

Dog Bed War

Published on January 9, 2021July 11, 2021 by Xena, Lucy and Chia21 Comments

I’m Shania, and I like sleeping in the big bed.

Riley isn’t always here, so if I want to use his bed, I will.

I knew Angel Lexi and deserve to use this bed that was hers after all the crap she put me through.

This is MY bed. I inherited it from Angel Lexi. It’s a schnauzer bed.

This is the bed Mommy bought just for me. Sometimes I let my stuffies sleep in it with me.

I made a bed out of the dirty laundry pile. *phtt* What do you mean, my beard needs washed again? Aghh!

In Purrsuit of Flavors – Enchilada Sauce

Published on January 6, 2021July 12, 2021 by Xena, Lucy and Chia17 Comments

Thanks to Shoko and Tyebe of the Canadian Cats and Nelly and Phenny of Easy Blog for hosting this yummy day.

Lucy: For today’s Purrsuit, we are sharing Dad’s most favorite Mexican sauce. He even brags to his friends about this wonderful enchilada sauce that his wonderful wife makes. So far, no one has asked for the recipe, BOL!

Riley: But first, Mom Amy said I could share my favorite sauce recipe. I call it…

“Riley’s Super Tasty Topping”

Ingredients:
1/4 can dog food – I’m currently eating Beyond Ocean Whitefish, Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
About 2 big tablespoons of organic coconut oil

Directions:
Mix all together in a glass cup or bowl or whatever is laying around.
Heat for about 20 seconds in the microwave, or until the coconut oil is real soft, or even melted.
Mix real good with whatever kibble you are eating, and enjoy before another dog in the family who shall not be named scarfs it down.

Lucy: Thanks Riley. Good food post. Now it’s Mom’s turn. Take it away, Mom!

That’s sure a hard recipe to follow! *giggle* Since Lucy so kindly introduced this sauce, we’ll get right down to the recipe.

We hope your first week of 2021 is going swell!
Lucy, Riley and the Mom

POTP for Ella

Published on January 2, 2021July 12, 2021 by Xena, Lucy and Chia66 Comments

Lucy: My BFF in the whole wide world needs your prayers, your good thoughts, your anything that will help. Here is what her Mama, who is my Aunty Jen, found in her mouth on New Year’s Eve.

Besides the pink thing hanging down over her upper teeth, just below and on the right of it is a discolored piece hanging down, too. When she went to her vet today (Saturday), the dogtor found another discolored one growing up over a back bottom tooth, too. The vet wasn’t too worried about the big pink one. She said this happens to boxers, and they are harmless. But the discolored one on the bottom bothered her. Aunty Jen is going to get a biopsy and maybe some x-rays or something else like that done, probably on Monday. My Mom cried and cried, thinking about her Angel Lexi. Those of you who have been with us a while will remember when Mom found this, only five days since she had last looked in Lexi’s mouth:

This fast-spreading melanoma was first seen on May 9, 2016. Despite everyone’s best efforts to save her, by September 4th, she was gone.

So please, send POTP to Ella. She heard my Mom say my name over the phone today and she started looking for me. She’s only 8 or 9 years old, and I don’t know what I’ll do without her…

Lucy

Recap of Our 2020 in Pictures

Published on January 1, 2021January 1, 2021 by Xena, Lucy and Chia32 Comments

Our friend, Miss Monika from Tails Around the Ranch posted this picture, and gave us permission to show it to all our friends. It says so much about how we all feel.

A few of my favorite pictures/moments of 2020. ..

January 2020 (below) We were at our friends’ house in Nashville, blissfully unaware of how the year was going to play out.

February 2020 (below) We actually got some snow!

March 2020 (below) just before our world changed. We got pictures sent to us of Morty celebrating his first birthday.

April 2020 (below)

May 2020 (below)

June 2020 (below) Xena enjoyed turning 3 years old.

July 2020 (below) We got a baby in the home office and dogsat while our friends went on a trip.

August 2020 (below). We travelled to be with family in Indiana to celebrate Jeff’s Mom’s 90th birthday.

September 2020 (below). Still working in my home office with the help of Xena and Lucy. Our new back, enclosed porch was finally finished, and Xena found a way onto the table.

October 2020 (below) Lucy and Xena joined the Zoom service with B’nai Zion and became BarkMitzvah-ed. Lucy’s new Hebrew name is Ora (light or shiny), while Xena’s is Grrvurah (warrior, sort of). We took a trip to an Air B&B in Kentucky for our 12th wedding anniversary, and the pups stayed with our frineds in Nashville.

November 2020 (below) The weather was unseasonably warm and sunny. Our Nashville friends joined us for thanksgiving, and then we leftall four pups home with the dogsitter while we spent a long Thanksgiving weekend at an Air B&B in North Carolina.

December 2020 (below) OK, so the first one is still from November, but just had to include it. Riley is back with us for a while, and so is his Dad Andrew.

Have a very good 2021, from Lucy, Xena, Achilles, Ella, Morty, Riley and Amy

Almost Wordless Wednesday with Riley

Published on December 30, 2020July 12, 2021 by Xena, Lucy and Chia41 Comments

Thanks to Comedy Plus
for hosting the
Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.

Singing, “Nick, nack, patty wack, give a dog a bone…”

Here, Mr. Reindeer Stuffie, you can hold my bone while we cuddle. What, Mom Amy? Why haven’t I deadied my reindeer like I do all the other stuffies? Because you gave him to me for Christmas – just for me – and that makes me feel loved. How did I get Lucy’s sweater? She gave it to me to wear when I’m cold, and that makes me feel loved, too. Xena’s present to me? You mean that old, meatless bone? Well, I guess it’s a start.

I love my reindeer stuffie. I take him everywhere with me in the house.

XOX Riley

We’re Asleep, Santa Paws

Published on December 24, 2020July 12, 2021 by Xena, Lucy and Chia28 Comments

You can come, now, Santa Paws. We’ve been very good all year. Please leave our pressies in front of the fireplace so we can find them. Mom didn’t put up a tree this year.

Xena, running upstairs to Lucy: Do you think it worked?

Lucy: I don’t know. It’s still daylight out, and you were down in your office bed, not in your usual night time bed.

Xena: OK, we’ll just try to stay awake tonight and be real quiet to try to catch Santa Paws in the house.

Lucy: What if he’s reading this?

silence…

Both: Just kidding, Santa Paws!

Love and Merry Christmas from the good dogs Lucy and Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Howliday Card

Published on December 23, 2020July 12, 2021 by Xena, Lucy and Chia23 Comments

Thanks to The LLB Gang for hosting. Hop on over to see all the Holiday Cheer.

In our house we bark “Merry Christmas” to each other and hope Santa Paws brings us something good.

Love and kisses from Lucy and Xena

Aww, Poor Lucy

Published on December 21, 2020July 12, 2021 by Xena, Lucy and Chia44 Comments

We are joining Comedy Plus with much thanks for hosting Awww Mondays.

A quick forward from the Mom. Lucy was caught eating poop out in the yard in the morning. Later in the afternoon there were very stinky, steamy brown puddles throughout the house to be cleaned up. My money was on Lucy. Then she urgently signaled she had to go out and my suspicions were confirmed. To give her digestive system a rest, she had to go help her Dad do his video work while her sister got fed.

Animal Personality Types

Published on December 18, 2020July 12, 2021 by Xena, Lucy and Chia29 Comments

Lucy: We recently came across articles about personality types. It’s geared toward what animal personality type a person has. But why couldn’t this also apply to us pups and cats and birds and other anipals?

Xena: But we already have our own personality type. It’s called “dog.”

Lucy: Just go with this for a minute, Xena. Let’s take a look at our choices.
Personality Types: Lion, Otter, Golden Retriever, and Beaver

Xena: I bet all the dogs at Three Pups and a Couple of Kitties have Golden Retriever personalities, BOL!

Lucy: Probably. But continuing, here’s a very brief summary of each type.

Lions: Strengths— Visionary, practical, productive, strong-willed, independent, decisive, leader
Weaknesses— Cold, domineering, unemotional self-sufficient, unforgiving, sarcastic, cruel

Otters: Strengths— Outgoing, responsive, warm, friendly, talkative, enthusiastic, compassionate
Weaknesses— Undisciplined, unproductive, exaggerates, egocentric, unstable

Golden Retrievers: Strengths— Calm, easy-going, dependable, quiet, objective, diplomatic, humorous
Weaknesses— Selfish, stingy, procrastinator, unmotivated, indecisive, fearful, worrier

Beavers: Strengths— Analytical, self-disciplined, industrious, organized, aesthetic, sacrificing
Weaknesses— Moody, self-centered, touchy, negative, unsociable, critical, revengeful

Lucy: Hmm, I wonder which one I am. Let’s see…I’m easily frightened, very friendly, love people, easy-going and compliant with the rules. I will run and play with other dogs, but I won’t play ball or other games, and I won’t do stuff like Freestyle or Agility. I don’t bark much and I’m sure not an alpha. I think maybe I’m a Golden Retriever.

Xena: I’m whichever one is loud, busy, in charge and always ready to do anything. I love to play and work at my Freestyle and cuddle with my Mommy. I think maybe I’m a Lion (without the weaknesses part, of course).

Which one are you? Here’s a link to read more about the types. You peeps can play along too. We’d love to know which animal personality types our friends have!

XOX Lucy and Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Chloe and Chaz Visit

Published on December 16, 2020July 12, 2021 by Xena, Lucy and Chia34 Comments

Lucy here with a different kind of report today.

First, Riley has been here with us for about a week. At first he missed his Dad a lot, but he’s settled in and plays with me and adjusted to our “sleep all night” and “regular feeding times” routine.

Riley: My bowl’s empty Mom Amy. I think I could eat a little more.
Lucy: His bowl’s empty Mom, and come to think of it, so is mine.

Do you remember Chloe and Chaz who come to get groomed? They’ve been coming for so long, you probably don’t. So let me re-introduce you to them, which won’t be hard since they are staying here with us while their Mom and Dad run off to Gatlinburg to have a jolly good time. Let’s start with the fast and easy one. This is Chloe.

Where you see her is where she stays. The door’s always open, but she only comes out to go potty (sometimes even outside). Her Mom thinks she was abused as a very young puppy and has never gotten over it. Her dogtor even thought one of her ribs might have been broken. She lets Mom reach in and lift her out and hold her and doesn’t even seem to mind Mom grooming her.
Riley stuck his head in to say hello and you shoulda heard her growl at him. He just laughed and left her alone, which is what she wanted anyhow. This morning Xena stuck her head in Chloe’s kennel (I think she was checking for food). Xexe has learned to back fast and far in her Freestyle training, and she put it to good use this morning when Chloe growled at her!
The other thing about Chloe is she wouldn’t eat her first supper and breakfast here. Mom tried cooked chicken, her dry food, and Riley’s canned food. No luck.

So last night Mom cooked up some hamburger and Chloe ate it all. Here’s her and her brother’s breakfast this morning. Chicken, ground beef and canned dog food.

They both cleaned their plates. Their folks are coming to get them after lunch today. I guess that’s why Chazie got a bath.

Chaz is an outgoing and friendly little guy. He walked in our house like he owned the place. From the start, he wasn’t even afraid of giant Riley or mouthy Xena. He never causes trouble either, he just wants to get along and do whatever the rest of us are doing. So of course, we’ve all treated him proper, just like one of the pack. Riley’s even careful not to step on him, BOL. Chaz does have to wear his belly band all the time in the house or he will “mark” everywhere.

Chaz loves my Dad. He calls him Big Jeff. If Dad, er, Big Jeff is sitting down, Chaz is in his lap. You can see from this picture just how tiny Chaz is.

When Dad’s not available, Chaz hangs out with Mom. On the left, he stole my office dog bed. He stayed right there with Mom all day, helping her with her office work. She said he did a great job, especially in the “staying out of the way” and “lending moral support” categories. On the right, he has crashed with Mom in front of the TV while she watched another episode of Netflix’s *Call the Midwives.*

Chaz and Xe teamed up to beg for more food. They *are* both terriers, you know. Chaz recently lost most of the teeth – well, he didn’t exactly lose them – the dogtor pulled them during his teeth cleaning. Boy oh boy was his Mom ever upset! Our Mom would have been furious too. She is never ever, not ever going back to that vet, and said she might try our dogtor. So on the right, Chaz is watching Xena get her teeth brushed. It was his turn next, but there was almost nothing left to brush. Poor puppy. Now we know why he isn’t eating his dry food.

Well, we just heard from their Mom that they are leaving soon for home and will be here after lunch. We’ll end today’s report with this picture that she included with her text.

Bye, bye Chaz and Chloe. I think I might actually miss you!
Love and kisses, Lucy

Nature Friday in my Hoodie (Pththth)

Published on December 11, 2020August 15, 2021 by Xena, Lucy and Chia33 Comments

We are joining Arty, Jakey, Rosy and Sunny of the LLB Gang with much thanks for hosting Nature Friday.

Xena: Since the weather has gotten a bit colder Mommy insists I wear my jammies at night and my hoodie on our walks. Now, while I would like to honor my Angel Piper – it was his hoodie — I would much rather not wear it. Why, you ask. Because Angel Lexi taught me that clothes are like a punishment and now I. Hate. Clothes. Sure, I used to wear them and look pretty darned cute when I was a puppy. But I’m a big girl now (I’m 3 whole years old) and I am just fine without them thank you very much. Anyhoo, this is what happened when Mommy first put the R2D2 hoodie on me.

Help! I’ve been blinded. Everything has gone dark!

How can I go for a walk if I can’t see!!

This is simply un-nature-all. I’m not going anywhere looking like this.
Moments later…

Hey Lucy, bet I can walk faster than you.

Lucy: You’re not walking, you’re trotting like you always do, Xena.

Xena: Haven’t you heard, Lucy? Trot is the new walk, BOL! Besides, when was the last time you actually saw me walk? My new motto: Why walk when you can trot?

Lucy: We’re supposed to be posting about nature, not racing.

Xena: Here’s some nature on the road – it’s called leaves. Dead leaves. Maybe we should look some more. I’m not done trotting.

Lucy: OK Xena, whatever you want, Miss Trot-about. Umm, there’s a lot of leaves over there. And some sun, too. I think that counts.

Xena: Rrrrr. Why am I having to pull so hard to trot?

Lucy: Mom’s yelling at you to “Heel,” and to “Walk with me!”

Xena: *grunt* This trotting fast is hard work when no one cooperates. Uh, did you or Mommy say something, Lucy?

Lucy and Xena the Trotting Schnauzer Warrior Princess wishing you a happy and natural weekend.

Grooming with Mom on Aww Monday: Oreo and Sunshine

Published on December 7, 2020August 15, 2021 by Xena, Lucy and Chia25 Comments

Lucy, Ace Reporter here on the Groom Beat today.

First up is Oreo, the eight-year-old brother of Cooper, who Mom groomed a few weeks ago. Y’all might remember Coop, the darling pomeranian who started out on the groom table with about 87 pounds of hair and ended up – per his Mom’s request – like this:

Oreo is half pom and half chihuahua. Once again, Groomer Mom was neglectful in getting a “before” picture, but he looked so much like furry Cooper that she thought that was who his Mom had in her arms.

When Groomer Mom was trying to clean out Oreo’s ears, he grabbed her hand with his teeth and said, “I don’t like that!” Just to be safe, Groomer Mom slapped a muzzle on his face and finished his ears and nails. He figured out she wasn’t going to listen to him and there wasn’t anything he could do about it, so he sat still and let her do her thing. He ended up being a really nice – if kind of scared – pup, giving Mom hugs and kisses while she told him what a good boy he is. Here is the finished product, er, dog.

Our second featured groom today is a precious 13-year-old who has been here once before. Groomer Mom neglected to even record the previous visit, although she remembers it well. Sunshine’s Mom is a new client who sees our grooming sign every time she drives through the neighborhood to her daughter’s house. She called Groomer Mom and explained she has a terrior mix who needed a bath and a few areas – such as face, paws and behind – trimmed. Mom says here’s a perfect example of ass-uming. She assumed this pup – Sunshine – had short hair and would take less than an hour. Boy, was she wrong. Here is Sunshine before her groom.

Sunshine is a Cairne terrier and beagle mix. She has lots and lots of thick undercoat (that’s a grooming term) that Mom spent at least a half hour just brushing. While under the dryer (another grooming phrase) Sunshine went wee-wee in the kennel and had to have a second bath. At this point Groomer Mom texted her next client and pushed the appointment back by a half hour. That was Sunshine’s first time here

This time Mom kept her on the table after her bath and gave her a blow-out (I think this is a hair-dresser’s term). Here is Sunshine after her trim, bath and blow-out.