Xena’s Poem on the Run

My first thankful is for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the great picture every week! I’m even more thankful that my Mommy and Daddy are back from their anniversary trip. I heard them say the next trip they take will be to Fort Wayne, and me and Chia are going with them. Yay!

Chia: I’m thankful that Miss Clare is still taking me for walks, even after our folks got home. And I’m thankful that Gracie let me eat her supper one night this week!
Lucy: Chia, Gracie didn’t exactly let you… and Xena, what do you mean our folks are taking you and Chia?
Xena: You didn’t hear? While we’re gone, you’re going to go stay with our neighbor, Miss Susan’s, and you’ll get to be with Sasha and Oliver. Oh and with the little girl Ryan, too. I heard how you two cuddled all night at your last sleep-over.
Lucy: *wag, wag, wag* And I don’t even have to ride in the car to go there! I can’t wait!

Xena: We got a crazy picture this week. Here goes!

WHICH CAME FIRST by Xena

Which came first, the roosters or the eggs?
Run, little Lee, on those chubby legs,
Under the fence, and soon with any luck
The eggs’ll be in our tummies
And the birds won’t give a cluck.

The End

Chia: BOL, I guess the eggs came first ’cause little Lee carried the eggs and stayed ahead of those birds, BOL!
Xena: You understood my poem. *big wags* Sometimes I’m actually thankful that you’re my sister. Lucy: Did you know that Sasha and Oliver are coming to stay with us today for the rest of the week?
Xena: What?! Gracie is still here. Wait, let me count…that’s 87 dogs in our house!
Well, folks, I need to sign off now and find a solitary place to hide for a while…but close enough I can hear when Mom calls us for supper. See y’all soon!

Gracy’s Crazy Mixed Up Weekend

Thanks to  Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Mondays! 

Gracie: Hi *wags*. I got abandoned with Miss Amy and Mr. Jeff again. My folks went to Puerto Rico for my Dad’s business and for my Mom to visit with her sisters and cousins. I could have visited too, but here I am with a schnauzer who starts out my visit with, “Grrr, I’m in charge here, got it?” I nodded my head yes and we’re all good now. I do like my Aunt Amy and Uncle Jeff. I don’t think they’re actually related, but it makes me feel better to pretend they are. And Xena said I could do the Awww Monday today on her blog. Thanks, Xena!

Anyhow, right after my folks abandoned me – like the same day – Aunt Amy and Uncle Jeff abandoned me too! The neighbor girl, Clare, came and took care of us. Lucy and Xena and Chia went crazy over her, so I figured she must be OK. Her little sister, Lucia, carried me all around with her and I ended up in her house. Then Lucia took me for a walk and I pulled too hard and she lost the leash. I stood still until she was able to pick it up. I didn’t want her to get into any trouble. All her little girl friends held me and pet me, too. I enjoy kids, so I actually had a great weekend while my original sitters were away at some crazy Oktoberfest.

Now they’re back and I miss my kids. Oh wait! Here comes Miss Clare and I see my leash. Gotta go!! (Thanks Xena for letting me do your blog today.)

Thankful and Poetry Thursday

Xena: Hey there, friends, why don’t we start off with our thankfuls, right?
Chia: I’m thankful that the kids next door are going to take care of us while Mom and Dad are gone to Helen, Georgia this weekend for their wedding anniversary.
Xena: *panicking* They’re going away? Oh no! I wonder if I can go. How did you find out? Why didn’t you tell me? Mommy! Mommy! Where’s my Mommy?!
Lucy: I’m thankful that Mom didn’t die when she fell off the curb at the city Oktoberfest last weekend. Her hobbling around here all week was bad enough. It’s nice, though, that they are still going to have a good time at the Oktoberfest there. And don’t worry, Xena, they’re only going to be 3 hours away.
Xena: THREE HOURS!

Chia: Guess I’d better take over. Here’s the picture Angel Sammy gave us for today:

Don’t Go Here! by Chia

This is a horrible scene,
The worst that I’ve ever seen.
I can’t read the signs;
There sure should be fines
For no view of the road or skylines!

The end

Lucy and Chia: We hope everyone has a fun, Oktoberfest kind of weekend (with no injuries). And don’t worry about Xena. She’ll jump in Miss Clare’s lap when she comes over to spend time with us after feeding us. I-Chia- might try sitting in shy Miss Lucia’s lap this weekend! (She’s Miss Clare’s little sister.)

Chia’s Sleepy Sunday Selfie

I decided to break in the patio chair Mom and Dad just got redone. The webbing was all torn in it. Now It doesn’t match the other dirty-looking chairs so I decided to help out. I jumped up in it and laid down in the sun and, well, I guess you know what happens when you lay down all comfy in the sun.

*Zzzzzzzzzzz*

Many thanks to….

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!

Chia Rockin’ It on Thankful Thursday

Chia: Hey! It’s me! *lots of big wags* Thought I’d get this out while Xena’s napping. She won’t notice til it’s too late. I’m a bit tired myself after trying to get used to our new bed. It’s that new protective cover the folks put on it. We all hate it. So this morning early I curled up and took a nap on the blanket that was left between the pillows.

Movin’ on, we are thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week!

Lost in the Water by Chia

Kit took me swimming and we went too far.
Now we are lost and can’t find the North star.
It’s cloudy so the sun I can’t see.
How can I guide by astrology?

I’ll try bringing up Google Maps, Kit said.
But the charger’s at home and my phone’s almost dead.
Let’s pray for a boat, land’s too far to see.
“It’s time to wake up,” Xena said to me!

The End

Xena: That musta been some dream you were having, Chia. Your legs kept moving like you were swimming.
Chia: Uh, yep. Thanks for the wake up, Xebo… er, Sis Xena! I’m thankful you’re my sister and we can play together and have fun.
Xena: Me too. Just don’t ever try to go behind my back and steal Thursday blogs from me.
Chia: How did you…uh, nope, never!

Xena: I’m thankful today that we got a King Size Bed! Now we’re all back in sleeping with Daddy and everyone of us can sleep next to either Mommy or Daddy!

Chia: I’m thankful that Mom washed those new sheets, too. She and I both had a hard time going to sleep cause they had a funny smell.

Lucy: I’m thankful today that we got a new real, real, real quiet car. Dad said it runs on electricity. And I’m thankful I got to go for the test drive in it! We’ll all get to ride in it after the new back seat dog sling comes. That sounds kinda scary, but Mom says it’ll be fun and keep us all safe and the car seat clean.

Xena: Yep, I thought maybe Mommy would name it after me like she named the Lexus after Lexi. But no. She said she was tired of asking if they were taking the Nissan or the Chevy Bolt, so she said she was going to call them Car A (the first one they got) and Car B (this new one). So now she calls the Chevy “Carbee,” and talks to it. Grrrr.

Hoping everyone has a great weekend!

National Schnauzer Day (Late!)

Xena: Mom really tried to get this post done Friday, but it just wasn’t to be. So she finished it on Saturday. Then, she forgot to tell it to post. So now it’s Sunday and here we are. We guess it’s better late than never, right? Anyhoo, our neighbor/friend, Gay, sent us this picture.

In honor of me and all schnauzers, join me in celebrating National Schnauzer Day. Here are a few of my favorite pictures of me and of course of Angel Lexi (before she was an angel). Oh, and Shania asked to be included.

Me, Xena. The top right is at an Air B&B when we were on vacation in Fort Wayne. Re: the bottom right pic, I don’t usually like clothes, but these are my special “Mommy made” sock monkey jammies!

Here are some special pictures of Schnauzer Lexi, my predecessor.

Below are the pictures Shania picked for today.

We hope you enjoyed our presentation on (the day after the day after the day after) National Schnauzer Day!
XOXO and *big wags* Xena

The Croakestra on Thankful Thursday

And speaking of thankfuls, we are all thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week!

Xena: We have a fun picture today. I bet everyone is having a great time with it. I just had to jump in the picture so I could be part of the band/orchestra!

The Croakestra by Xena

The amphibian band walked past my home,
One looked at me and said, “Shalom.”
.I said, “I’ll sing with you, if you please.”

“Let me tell you about the birds and the bees
And the flowers and the trees
And the moon up above
And a thing called “Love” ~~”*

One frog fell in love with me,
And got me ‘neath the pine tree.
I said, “You better let me be!
Or you’ll end up an amputee!

Mom Amy: Guess I’ll do the thankfuls today. We’ve been dealing with a car on which the air and heat has gone out. Not good in Tennessee, or anywhere! Yesterday we got a used EV. I’m so thankful that we were able to do that, and I’ll be even more thankful when we get the 220 volt charger so we can drive it! 🤣

I’m also very thankful that the hubby decided we need to learn more ballroom dance and get better at what we already know. I totally agree! He’s hired a professional for a one hour lesson every week.

And, of course, I’m more than thankful for our three wonderful pups who give us so much joy, comfort and companionship. I’m looking at my sweet Xena sound asleep in a doggie bed under my desk at work. (She’s exhausted from greeting everyone who came in today with big wags and lots of joy.)
Wishing everyone a thankful Thursday!

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

Full Crew on Talk Like a Pirate Day

Today we are celebrating Talk Like a Pirate Day. We’ve asked Angel Riley to join us, as he always enjoyed this day, and he managed to get a half day pass from the other side of the Bridge. And we invited our new friend Oliver, too. He was a bit hesitant, but we talked him into it. We said something like, “Arrr, do ye wish to throw in with this scurvy crew, or be takin’ a stroll off the plank, ye bilge rat?” Oliver decided to join us.

Riley: I can near lay me eye on home from here!

Chia: Arrr, I be the Captain!
Xena: Me an’ Ollie’ll be comin’ fer ye, Captain, when the lass ain’t watchin’!
Oliver: Now hand over some o’ that fine grub ye be feastin’ on, ye greedy sea dogs!
Lucy: Belay yer jabberin’ and fix yer deadlights on the lookin’ glass.

Everyone: Wishing all ye scallywags a jolly Pirates Day — may no soul be forced to dance the plank today!

Xena and Chia’s Poetry on Thankful Thursday

Xena: Happy Thankful and Poetry Thursday, everyone! I’ve let Chia jump in the picture with me. Well, and help me with the poem. I’m trying harder to be a good sister. Here we go!

Whatcha Doin’, Xena? by Xena and Chia

Chia: Whatcha doin’ Xena?
You’re on that truck…I see ya!
Xena: I’m tryin’ to find my breafast.
The Ollies packs went too fast!

Chia: I think there’s more Ollie boxes,
And maybe some salmon and loxes.
Xena: I’ll knock them on the road.
You check while I unload.

Chia: I’m running home to tell Dad!
He’ll know that you’ve been so bad.
Xena: And while in the kennel I lay
You won’t have a partner to play.

Chia: Hey! Let’s keep unloading the boxes!
Xena: We’ll both be as sly as foxes!
Chia: And no one will bark ne’er a word
Xena: This whole conversation just blurred.

Chia: I’m here first for the thankfuls cause I’m fast. I coulda probably outrun that truck. I’m thankful that we don’t have to chase down our yummy food. Mom always puts in in our bowls and puts it on the floor and says “wait” until we all have our bowls. Then she says, “Free!” and we can all eat. I’m thankful my sisters don’t try to steal my food, cause I’m the slowest eater. I like to chew my food, not just gulp it down like Lucy does.

Lucy: I’m still thankful for all the yummy little treat cookies that our friend Kim made us while she was here visiting. Mom gives me some while I’m at work with her. And I’m thankful for the nice weather. I love to lay out in the sunshine.

Xena: I’m thankful that Clare, the girl next door, comes over and feeds us and lets us out to potty when Mommy and Daddy are late getting home from work. Hmmm, I guess all of our thankfuls – and the poem – are about food today. Now everyone knows what’s really important to us!

And speaking of thankfuls, we are all thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week!


Queen of the Couch Pillow Awww Monday

Thanks to  Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Mondays! 

This couch pillow is near the top of the list of places that me and Xeboo (I know, I know, Xena, don’t call you Xeboo) vie for. Even Lucy tries to take this one over! And sometimes it’s a hard decision whether to get in Dad’s lap, lay next to Mom, or grab this favored spot in the living room. But today, I’m Queen of the Couch Pillow!

Your best friend, Chia!

Mom Amy: Chia came to us at seven months old and has been with us for a little over four years. I’ve never had a dumb dog, and I truly believe that Chia is only rivaled by Angel Lexi for being the smartest. We have to be careful to not allow her in situations where she can run off, which unfortunately restricts her from doing some things the other dogs get to do . But one thing I know for sure…her big heart overflows with love and caring (even though she shows it in strange and annoying ways to Lucy!). We wouldn’t trade her for anything!

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

Poetry by Chia on Thankful Thursday

Let’s start off again with being thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week! 

Chia: I get to do the poem this week ’cause, well, I’ll get to that later. Right now, here’s my poem. You’ll soon see why I’m not in the picture!

What’s Wrong? by Chia

Darling, this is our anniversary!
Why won’t you smile or even look at me?
Please tell me what’s wrong and I’ll make it right.
I love you so much, I don’t want to fight.

It’s my Jacksund, Chia, my precious girl.
Leaving her alone makes my stomach churl.
Let’s go to the park where she can come too.
Then I’ll take you home and make love to you!

Lucy: Chia, this poem is scandalous!
Chia: What?! They’re gonna go home after we have fun in the park and then we can all cuddle together in bed. Right?
Anyhoo, Mom let me have the picture poem this week because Lucy got to go to the nursing home to see our grandma last Friday when we were in In Dee Anna, and I had to stay at the rental house with Xena. And it gets worse! On Saturday, Lucy and Xena both went to Dad’s sister’s hobby farm to celebrate grandma’s birthday with all their relatives, and I. Had. To. Stay. At. The. Rental. House. By. Myself.
So, I said, “Mom, don’t you think I should at least get to write the poem this week, and write whatever I want?” And she said, “Yes!” which meant that Xeboo couldn’t say “no.” So there, little Miss I got to go to the party and you didn’t! *big wags*

Xena: You woulda got loose and run off! We were all just looking out for you, cause we love you. Oh, and don’t call me Xeboo.

Lucy: And I’m thankful that you didn’t go and and maybe get lost and die in the the vast wilderness of Amish Country, In Dee Anna.
Chia: Umm, oh, yep, there is that. Well, I still hope everyone likes my poem.

The Mom: I’m thankful for a safe trip to Fort Wayne, IN and back. It’s about a nine hour drive each way. I’m also thankful that we don’t have to do that drive again until late November when we’ll be going for the Thanksgiving/Christmas get-together.
I’m also thankful for all three of my sweet pups. And yes, Chia’s safety is the only reason she didn’t get to come to the farm get-together. She’s still a “runner” and we love her too much to lose her like that (or at all!).

Wishing everyone a good Thursday and weekend, which is only one more day away!

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

Xena’s Rainy Poem and Dry Thankfuls

Let’s start off again with being thankful for Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week! Not sure this was the most fun one I’ve ever done. I mean, I had to balance on a bicycle seat while holding an umbrella and trying to reach the pedals. Let’s see how that turned out…

Dumb Dog-Sitters by Xena Schnauzer Warrier Princess

What’s wrong with these guys who are dog sitting me?
It’s raining so hard, they hardly could see
To ride their bicycles to have a beer.
There’s eighty-seven places I’d rather be than here.

I’m stuck on a seat holding my umbrella,
And barking out loud, “Hey, you dumb fellas!
Take me home now or I’ll tell my Mommy,
And she’ll kick you out without any money!”

The End

I’m so thankful that my Mommy gets us only the very best dog-sitters. Miss Christy is at the top of our list. We all hated to see her go home, even if I still missed my Mommy a lot. I’m also very thankful that my pawrents came back home.

Lucy: I love Miss Christy too (I’m her favorite!). We cuddle all night long and she pets me a lot and gives us treats. Speaking of treats, one of Dad’s best friends came all the way from the Phillipines and stayed with us for several days right after Mom and Dad got home. She made us healthy and really yummy doggie treats. Mom took some to work today and the Al-Anon people grabbed them and gave them to me! *big wags*

Chia: I heard that we’re leaving on a trip with Mom and Dad this morning. We’re going to see our Grandma who is turning 95 years old this weekend. I’m thankful to get to go!

Lucy: I am too! And I hope I get to go again to the nursing home where she lives. There’s lots of older people there who like me, and I let them pet me.

Xena: A trip? Yay!! See everyone next week!!