This summer I finished up a ten year run as a therapy dog. I have done therapy in nursing homes and in a physical rehab center; however, my favorite has been at the children’s hospital – as long as the little munchkins stayed in their beds! The last Thursday of each month, Mom would say, “Lexi, do you want to go therapize the kids today?” I felt so good doing that work that I would grin the whole time I was there. So did the kids! See for yourself…
Tag: dog blog
Sunshine and Walking
Hi friends. I am still feeling pretty lousy.Mom said that’s a lousy way to start a message, but it’s the truth. Even with my meds, my tummy doesn’t feel good and I don’t want to eat. Except once, yesterday, the “make Lexi feel famished” pill kicked in and I gulped down most of a can of k/d.
This morning I wanted to go outside. The back of our house faces the east and the sun had not quite topped the trees. However, a few rays of sunshine pierced through the branches and foliage to make sun puddles on the concrete just outside of our enclosed patio. Mommy carried me out there and held me in the the sun puddles until her back ached and she had to sit down.
After a while we went in, but Mom could tell I was still restless, that I still wanted something. When she asked me if I wanted to go for a walk, I went to the front door, the one we often use to go out for a walk. Mom let me go out without my leash, too! I made it down the stairs ok and we walked side-by-side down the driveway, where I made my usual right turn to walk along the bottom of all the yards. We only went as far as the neighbor’s house. When we got back to our driveway, Mommy asked me if I wanted to keep going and I said yes, so we walked past two more houses to the corner where all the neighbor dogs leave their pee mail. I read what was there and turned left to go down that road for a few more houses. Sometimes I followed Mom, and sometimes she followed me. It was kind of like when we did Freestyle, only without the music and fancy footwork. We live out in the country in a quiet subdivision with only local traffic, and Mom made sure I didn’t wander into the road. She knew there was no chance of me taking off to chase anything.
There were tons of smells and Mom let me explore along the way. It was just like old times. There we were, just the two of us, taking a leisurely Sunday stroll through the neighborhood. Once back home, Mom carried me up our driveway and I am pleasantly tired now. I think the “make the schnauzer famished pill” might be starting to kick in too, so Mom is going to stop typing so she can use her hands to feed the schnauzer.
Renal Failure Update
Lexi asked me to update all her friends in Blogville as to her condition while she is at the vet’s this morning getting another – and possibly final – kidney treatment.
After her second treatment yesterday, more b/w was done. Her kidneys are responding somewhat. But not enough. The vet said the key is if she will eat and also keep it down. All I could get her to eat yesterday was some goat cheese we were having with supper. Her little cousin Piper was here and she perked up enough to beg at the table. All my tricks and coaxing couldn’t get her to eat anything else though. She has gotten very thin, and she has started shivering. I don’t know if it is from pain or what, but Jeff suggested that her body isn’t getting enough fuel to keep her warm.
We should know withing the next few days if she is going to recover enough from the kidney failure to continue with any kind of quality of life. Wow, this is a hard one to write. I think it will soon be time to call in her family and friends to say their last goodbyes.
I don’t have any brave Lexi or Mom pictures to show you today. I think we are both feeling pretty scared. Lexi has never been a snuggler or lap sitter, and now she wants me to hold and snuggle her most of the time. I will give her anything she wants.
I want to thank everyone so much for their prayers and support. 13 is a good, long life, and she has already lived 3 months longer than the 30 days the oncologists gave her. I am so grateful for these past three month.
Lexi or I will keep you informed. It’s almost time for me to go pick her up from the vet, where the techs all love her and where they are all doing everything possible to help her have more good time left. So I will say good bye for now.
Amy, Lexi’s faithful servant
Hospital Stay Today
And Tomorrow, I am told.
I haven’t been feeling so great. I haven’t said anything ’cause I thought it would pass. Kinda’ like all my food has been passing the wrong direction at 5:00 in the morning the last two days. I not only gave it all back this morning at that hour when Mom and I both wish we were asleep, but I continued to puke at work. I haven’t been eating much, either, ’cause my tummy has been upset. I did eat some peanut butter treats and cheese last night. And lost it all this morning.
So Mom cancelled her lunch with the boss lady today and took me to the vet. First they did x-rays, just pictures, really, of my chest and neck. I got to go back and sit with Mom while Dogtor Rob looked at them (Dogtor Rob is Dogtor Karen’s husband – Dogtor Karen was out of town today.). Then I sat with the nice tech while Mommy went back and looked on the computer to compare my x-rays from May with the new ones. The big tumors on my neck aren’t bothering anything – that’s the good news. Now for the not good news: the tumors in my lung have gotten really big, too. Mom and the dogtor also looked over my blood work from May. Dogtor Rob said he wanted to steal my blood again to see what was going on, especially with liver and kidney functions. He said that could be causing me to puke.
Mom promised she would not leave, not even to get lunch, so that made it better when the tech carried me back for the vampire to suck my blood. I waited with Mom while they processed it, or whatever it is they do. The dogtor came back in the room to show Mom the results. He said if I was a person, I would be on dialysis right now. He said they needed to keep me all day to do a “slow drip” of fluids and give me some kind of shot that makes my intestines do things like a dialysis machine would do. Weird, huh? So they take my blood and are giving me back water. What a jip.
If that wasn’t bad enough, Mom left. That was the worst part, not being with my Mom. She came back and got me before they all went home because she insisted she wasn’t leaving me there all night. They left a needle called a catheter in my leg and have it all bandaged up with gauze so I won’t pull it out. I have been quite successful in getting sympathy by holding up and limping on that leg. I have to go back tomorrow and have the same thing done, then they will steal more blood either tomorrow night or Saturday morning.
For tonight, Dogtor Rob sent home some new swill food called k/d for kidney diet. I think I will turn my nose up at it like I have at the i/d Mom bought yesterday. Wait, what’s that you are waving under my nose, Mom? Wait, I want some…sorry folks gotta go!
PAWlympic Recap and Closing Ceremony
All the athletes did superb jobs. Everyone won a gold medal. I could have won all the golds, too. If Mom had just let me enter all the events, I would have all the gold medals. *sigh* She said something about my hip, blah, blah, blah, my knee, blah, blah, blah, uncertain health, blah, blah, blah, her exhaustion from me getting her up at night, blah, blah, blah. Excuses!
So, post-events, I am sneaking behind Mom’s back surprising Mom, showing you my non-entries, with a link to each event.
August 6: Fetching : I’ll pass on this one.
Swimming This is a particularly difficult stroke since it is done against the current.
August 7: Digging Again, I pass.
Silly Sleepy Furries I did entered this event, and wish to enter it again. My post, my rules.
This is a dangerous sleeping position since one could slip clear off their bed at any time.
August 8: Pole Jumping: Looks like a blast, but not quite up to it.
Hurdles and Balance Beam: Please notice I walked the edge to make it more daring.
August 9: Sunpuddle Napping I don’t want to compete with my brother, Riley.
Channel Surfing This one falls under the Remote Control sub-category (I made that up.)
August 10: Raspberries/Tongue Curling Since my boyfriend Noodle hosted this event, Mom actually submitted my entry. You will see it when you click on the event link.
Ear Flapping This particular maneuver requires a moving vehicle of some sort. Please ignore the boy in front of me. He is not in the event.
August 11: Boxing When in this position, take care you don’t get sold on e-bay.
Synchronized Napping Here are me and Piper in our Synchronized Lapping. That’s right, isn’t it?
August 12: Tuneful Farting Passing again. I don’t want to bring back recent bad memories when Mom sees this post.
August 13: Basketball I think I will pass on this one too. At least it isn’t Mom leaving me out!
August 14: Gymnastic Bathing I try to avoid anything with the word “bath” in it.
August 15: Wabbit tracking This is under my own category of Indoor Tracking
Sitting Pretty This one needs no introduction.
August 16: Forget it; I’m not bagging any monroe but how about a Riley?
August 17: Snuggling This is in the forced snuggling sub-category (that I just made up)
August 18: Fly Fishing I never fly or fish…
Synchronized Walking and Looking I have a Title in this event.
August 19: Stuffie Deading My sister Angel Ivy used to dead my stuffies but I wasn’t into that.
Freestyle Napping Please notice the artistic curves repeated in this entry. I call it “The Half Moon”
August 20: Smileys The best smile of all is one that makes you smile, too. So I give this one to my brother Riley. Hey buddy, even after denying it all these years, I want you to know I love you. Your little sis, Lexi.
Now, for my gold medals:
Do you have any events you would have entered if your minion publisher had been paying more attention? If so, let us all know. If you post them, please feel free to share in my gold. After all, we are ALL winners!
Thank you so much to everyone who hosted and competed. We could not have done this without you.
Finally, here is Madi at the Pawlympic Stadium for the Closing Ceremonies to introduce Founding Furter of Blogville, Frankie.
Bestest Treats Ever – A Schnauzer’s Perspective
I, Lexi, have been working on perfecting my D&D (Disdain and Dump) technique. I think it could be a PAWlympics event. I call this one the Double Dish Tilt.
As a reward for my world-class efforts, Mom made me the bestest doggie treats ever. Why, I bet even the cats would love these! The main ingredient is — wait for it — LIVER! One of my good friends, Linda, who comes to visit me at work, brought Mom this recipe. She stole printed it from allrecipes.com, where you can also have your peeps steal use it. Only 3 ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds of beef liver, 2 eggs, and 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour. A few tips and disclaimers from Mom when making it:
- Jelly roll pan? Who has a jelly roll pan? I just used a cookie sheet and it worked great.
- I only had calf liver in the freezer, and it was a bit more “liquidy” when put in the food processor, so I about doubled the flour and it came out great.
- If you are going gluten-free, use brown rice flour.
- This is VERY high, quality protein, so it’s great for dogs/cats like Lexi who has been prescribed a high protein diet (to help fight the C) but not so good for dogs/cats with other problems such as UTI’s.
Mom said this was the fastest and easiest dog treat/cookie she ever made, and she has baked a lot of them! Oh be sure to refrigerate. Mom froze half of them. She said if you don’t want to bother following the link, just throw everything in a food processor, spread in a cookie pan lined with parchment, and bake for 15 minutes at 350 F degrees. Let cool and slice. Easy peasy.
I, Lexi the Schnauzer, give Diabetic Dog Treats (which we have renamed Liver Cookie Bars) my pawsome seal of approval!
Campaign Tuesday -Celebrity Gathering
Lassie and Eddie rang me up on their way through town, asking if there was anything they could do to help support me as a Mayoral Candy Date. We met in a private library and had a great time discussing our careers.
Sweet William the Scott took some time from his PAWlympics coverage to do a photo op of us all together. Thanks, Sweet Wills!
After brainstorming on the campaign for at least 87 8 minutes our stomachs all started growling at us, so we called out for pizza delivery. The delivery guy had a tennis ball on him. So, after Lassie and Eddie finished chasing the ball and I finished off the last of the pizza, we had our strategy: A pizza for every anipal and a tennis ball with every delivery.
Memory Monday: Snow, anyone?
Some call this extremely hot August weather the “dog days of summer.” If that’s right, then we have been in the dog days all spring and summer. In these 90+ (F) degree days, sometimes it helps to reminisce about the cooler times. Here in Chattanooga, we hardly ever get snow, but every once in a while…
Can you feel the cool coming on, my friends?
Super Sunday Selfie
My Mom. *shakes head* She couldn’t find the Sunday Selfie hosting site today. So she said, “Never mind, you can still do your Sunday Selfie on your own blog, Lexi, and maybe someone will be kind enough to send us the link.” *sigh* So I did, since I have had some time to think about it this week.
This is how I have seen myself most of my life: brave, strong, humble, present in time of need, and much loved by everyone:
I am Lexi, the lonely Sunday Selfier. I guess I will go watch the PAWlympics.
OK, Mom finally got with it and found the hop. I am in it. Hop on over (really Mom?) to The Cat on My Head to see all the other Super Sunday Selfies.
Lexi the Boating Dog (2 years ago today)
Mom got another one of the nostalgic timeline pictures pop up again on her phone. I am sure your peeps get them too. Two years ago today I was chillin’ out on and in the Tennessee River. Hmm, I wonder where my life jacket is? I bet Mom just took it off so I could dry my beautiful hair in the sun.
Since our boat isn’t running this summer, we have been staying inside to keep cool. How boring…
I am Lexi, the boating dog.
3 Years Ago Today
I know, it should be Campaign Tuesday. And with the PAWlympics in full furs, I decided to take a week off from the campaign and share something even more fun. This picture popped up on Mom’s phone. Please notice the chomp taken out of the treasured quilt that my great-grandma made by hand, as well as the cushion cover that Mom made. Mementos of the five years that my brother Riley lived with us.
Be sure to click on the PAWlympic schedule above my header picture to get caught up on the pawsome PAWlympic athletes and events happening right now!
Lexi’s Busy Weekend
Well, it has been another good weekend. First, of course, was the Opening Ceremony of the PAWlympics. I had to run the fire stick torch, and my best guy Noodle was with me all the way. 
After all that excitement I felt like sleeping for 87 days, so it is good that I was entered in one of the napping events hosted by ZOOLATRY. I won a gold metal — just like everyone else. After my nap I ran errands with my Mom.
Dad was in bed reading, and Gracie was stuck to him like glue, so we left them at home.
After going to several drive-thru’s we ended up at Lowe’s. Mom forgot my leash, which meant I had to ride around in the buggy. I was her official purse guarder. At the checkout, Mom told the clerk that she had already paid for me. I think it was supposed to be a joke, ’cause the clerk smiled. I didn’t get any treats, though.
When we got home, everyone was out of bed, so I told Dad I wanted to go for a walk. We did GTM (Get The Mail), which I haven’t been able to do for a while because of my sprained knee. I was determined though. Here I should mention that we live in the neighborhood house on the hill.
Yep, it was a good weekend, ending in a good sleep.
Lexi’s Third Sunday Selfie
Everyone says I have this selfie thing down. *smirk*
I hope y’all are having a good Sunday. We have been celebrating my brother Adam’s birthday all weekend. (Well, the peeps have been while I stayed home to watch Gracie.) Tonight everyone is coming here for ICE CREAM CAKE! Yay!
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PAWlympics Opening Ceremonies
It’s finally here. The day you’ve all been waiting for with kibbled breath. It seems all the other Candy Dates and their Running Mates have arrived.
And look! Here comes the MacLowland Band with … with…OMD, it’ my buddy Sweet William the Scot!
And there is Kissie, er, Kismet in the front waving the flag. See how proud she looks! Oh, here comes the Mayor’s Float. I wonder if they made it themselves, or if their minions peeps helped. Just think, Noodle, you and I may be riding in that float next year. *dreamy look on face* (Noodle) Yes, Lexi, and lots of our friends are here, too.
That’s my cue. I never miss my cue, you know, being a seasoned theater dog and all. Come on, Noodle, we have to run. Here comes Chris. He made good time carrying the fire stick. He’s supposed to hand it off to me now.
Slow down a bit, Noodle, my back leg is still bothering me. Hey, maybe I will hold my hurt leg up and use it to carry the fire stick. (Noodle) Lexi, it’s called a torch, dear. Whatever. Slow down.
Look, there’s Arty just ahead. I”m supposed to give him the fire stick. I wonder if he can catch. (Noodle) Lexi! It’s a torch! And NO, do NOT throw the torch!
Here you go Arty. Be careful, this stick is on fire. (Arty) It’s a torch, Lexi. Whatever. (Noodle) Told ya. *tear in eye* (Noodle) I’m sorry! I’m sorry! It’ a fire stick! *grin* Come on, Noodle. Our wonderful mayors are being introduced and we I am supposed to be on the platform with them.
It’s certainly been a wonderful and tiring day, and the games haven’t even started yet!
You can click here to see the full week’s schedule of events. And be sure to visit Mayors Murphy and Stanley’s Blog to see the lighting of the Cauldron! Noodle, does that mean another fire stick? (Noodle) Yes, my beauty, another fire stick. *sigh*
Pee S: Special thanks to Arty’ Mom Beth and Sweet Will’s Mom, Lee and our Mayors’ Mom Carol for providing these pawsome pictures.
Click here for the Blog Hop hosted by Madi of Madi and Mom.
Gracie’s Post
Hi, this is Gracie the shih tzu. Lexi has blogged about me during my previous visits. We are friends. I stole borrowed Lexi’s blog today to let you know I am back. Lexi’s dad picked me up from my dad, dropping me off at Lexi’s work place around lunchtime — too bad I didn’t get any lunch. But there were little children there!! That’s even better than food. I got one little boy to smile and stop crying for his Mom, and ran around visiting with all the children. When Lexi’s mom said it was time to go up to Lexi’s office, I hid under the table ’cause I wanted to stay with the kids. Being only five pounds, it is just too easy to scoop me up and carry me around, so I ended up in the office with no kids. *sigh* Here’s what I found.
I made myself the official greeter today, and everyone adored me. Lexi barked at the first person, so I explained to her that unless she wanted me to steal her job, she had better change her attitude. When the next person came in, I could see her getting ready to bark. She took a deep breath, looked back at her mom, then let it out without barking. Good girl, Lexi! Then she walked over to greet the lady. Of course, I was already there, soaking up all the attention. Next, I have to teach her to wag her tail more. Wow, it looks like I am a natural at this!
When things slowed down, we finally got the sleeping/working arrangements sorted out.
Looks like my good friend Lexi is waking up, so I had better hop off here. Isn’t it supper time? Hey, Mrs. Lexi’s Mom…*bounce, bounce, waggles*
PAWlympics! Coming Soon!
Did you know that my boyfriend and Mayoral running mate, Noodle, is hosting an event for the PAWlympics next week? It has to be one of the most fun events ever: raspberries/tongue curling. Be sure to hop over to see what Noodle’s up to and register to pawticipate!
Lexi’s Second Sunday Selfie
I found just the right chair in the library for my selfie. The sun was shining in the big window, the chair provided a light color contrast against my beautiful black hair, I started to click the button for my selfie, then…
I started to think about the scrambled egg Mom just made me.
Political Announcement of the Utmost Impawtance
Attention! Attention! *clears throat* I wish to announce my Mayoral Running Mate. *drum roll, please*
Noodle!
With my sprained right knee, I needed someone to do a lot of the running for me, and who better than the best boyfriend in the whole world – Noodle! He is not just a handsome hunk. He is smart and funny and is a great organizer of fun. As a team, we can’t be beat (we hope). Oh, and in case you don’t recognize the other two anipals on the platform with us, to the right is Beautimous Shoko from The Canadian Cats and on the left is Honorable Purrince Siddhartha Henry of Purrince Siddhartha Henry an Lady Mumm’s Purrfect Pad. Shoko is not just beautiful and a good sister to Kali, but is also a vital part of Team Lexi, campaigning across international and species lines. The Handsome Purrince is very impawtant to both me and Noodle, as he encouraged a timid Noodle to take a chance on asking me to be his Valentine last year.
Feel free to grab any of these pawsome buttons, provided by Team Lexi members Sweet William the Scott and his Mom, Lee. Please display them proudly on your sidebar to show your support of Lexi (me) and Noodle for Mayor and Vice-Mayor, respectively.
The other two mayoral Candy Dates, Christmas and Arty, are also announcing their Running Mates today. Hop on over to their blogs with me to get their news!
Get Well Cards
Mommy and I were so happy to get these cards in the mail today.
One was addressed just to me. “Lexi T. (The) Schnauzer” BOL, BOL, BOL!
These made our day! Thank you, dear friends.
Piper’s Post
Hi, I’m Piper. Lexi said I could use her blog one time, so I better make it count. I have been living here with Lexi and my Aunt Amy and Uncle Jeff since the beginning of July. Lexi said that I have been here 87 weeks. I used to live here with my Mom, then without my Mom for a whole year while she went away to school. This is my second home. I love my Aunt Amy. She took me for some rides with her, even to the church where she works so that I could be the church dog for the day. She said that didn’t work out real well, so didn’t take me back. I don’t have the experience my cousin Lexi has with going to work. I also went on a trip up North and had a really good time.
I heard Aunt Amy say I have been a big help in getting Lexi to eat. I am so glad I could help. I get special treats, too, and sometimes I get overly excited and grab at them. That is when Aunt Amy says, “Piper! Easy!” and I try real hard to control myself and take the treats gently like Lexi does. I like to hear, “Good boy, Piper.”
I do miss my Mom and Dad and Ella, and will be so happy to see them all again. My Dad is picking me up tonight, but I don’t want to leave. I want everyone to just live together so I can have all my people and Lexi and Ella all in one place. Is that really too much to ask?
I will miss you too, Piper dear.
Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess with Lucy and Chia 