dog blog – Page 61 – Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess with Lucy and Chia

Catching Up

Published on July 20, 2016July 21, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia36 Comments

You may remember that Mom took me and Piper on a road trip over the Fourth of July weekend. We went Up North to Pee Yay to see my bestest friend Rhonda. Ella had to stay at our house with my Dad, who also had to stay at our house. I don’t know why, so don’t ask.

Piper totally under blanket at Rhondas — He, he, they can’t find me.

While we were there, Piper invented a new game of hide and seek. Mom watched the whole thing, but my friend Rhonda suddenly saw something moving around under the blanket, and out popped Piper’s head!

Also while we were Up North, I fell down the stairs going up to the bedroom. You see, I was following Mom up these wooden stairs and my left leg sort of gave out on me because of the hip dysplasia. I slid backwards down 3 steps. When I tried to stop myself with my right back leg, I twisted my knee. *sigh* This week Dr. Karen checked my knee and it is sprained. I am supposed to try to stay off it as much as possible, take my pain pills and ice it several times a day. I get 3 pain pills, which makes me sleep a lot, which keeps me off my leg! Brilliant!

After returning home, Piper cried and fussed and ~~drove Dad crazy~~ hid behind the toilet when me and Mom went to work. Mom said she would try taking him to work with us the next day. ~~Daddy cried with joy and kissed Mommy’s feet.~~ Dad thought that was a good idea. Piper is not a working dog like me. He doesn’t know how to behave in an office. He kept running down the office hallway and barking at the nice man fixing our air conditioning. He tried to leave with some people that we didn’t know. And someone left a puddle in our boss’ office. What Mom? No, why would you think I was jealous and acted out because the pastor held Piper in her lap? I guess no one will ever know “who done it”!

This is a good place to eat my lunch. — **This is a good place to eat my lunch**.

Since then, Mom has been taking only me to work, which is as it should be. She has to carry me up and down the stairs to protect my knee. We go upstairs to the big hall to eat our lunch because 99 degrees is too hot to sit outside. Mommy does take me outside a couple of times a day, though, to roll in the grass and soak up some of that wonderful sun.

I'm a good boy riding in the car. — **I’m a good boy riding in the car.**

Piper has always hated riding in the car because it made him feel sick to his tummy. He would run and hide if he suspected a ride was imminent. Not anymore! Now he wants to go everywhere we go. As a treat, Mom took him for a ride to Walgreen’s to get my pain medicine. Mom apologizes for the bad picture. She said it was hard to get while ~~driving~~ idling at a red light. You can see he is sitting up on the back seat. His normal riding position used to be as low as he could get on the floor of the back seat. Mom says we have made a breakthrough!

I think that gets us all caught up. I had better go and put ice on my knee now. Oh wait! Be sure to come back for a visit on Tuesday. Us Mayoral Candy Dates have HUGE announcements to make, and I don’t want you to miss it. We will all be linking to each other’s blogs so everyone knows everything! I can’t wait!

Trickery at Supper Time

Published on July 14, 2016August 15, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia50 Comments

**What is this swill you try to feed me!?**

If you have been following my battle with the C, you already know my appetite has been off ever since the chemo. What? A schnauzer without an appetite? Unheard of before now!! But, sadly enough, it is true. Mom tries hard to give me foods I like, understanding that my taste buds have been adversely affected by the poison injected into my system a couple of months ago. I think it is so funny that she does airplane zoomies around my head with the spoon and makes zoomie noises to get me to open my mouth, just like she used to do when the boys were toddlers. She thinks it is so funny that it often works!

Also, if you are one of my wonderful, faithful, much-loved blog followers, you already know that my cousin Piper is staying with us for a while. Mom has discovered a new tactic to get me to eat my canned food, and I don’t seem to be able to resist it.

Mmmm...food! Yummy! — **Mmmm…food! Yummy! (Piper)**

Lexi for Mayor Reason #11

Published on July 12, 2016August 15, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia33 Comments

11. Small government and no taxes

I’ve been thinking. There is so little crime in Blogille that Frank and Ernie’s prestigious law firm can easily handle the cases that come their way. As an aside, I do encourage anyone who is suffering an egregious wrong to contact them. I have watched them in action in my boyfriend Noodle’s case Noodle vs Jamison, and they get justice done.

So where is this leading? Well, I guess it is just that we don’t really need a police force (sorry Sarge) or a lot of rules. You know, that one about treating other anipals like you would want to be treated works just fine. And taxes? Nope. You keep your bones and nip and all the other treats you love. They are yours to enjoy and share with your friends, if you want. I know first-hand that when one of us has a need, their friends – both old and new – jump in to help. Yep, no need for taxes; just friendship and kindness and working together to help make Blogville a great place to be.

I also want to send a special thanks to all of you who prayed for me, sent healing thoughts, and/or helped financially. It is all appreciated so much. Mom asks that you continue lifting me up in your thoughts. Now, I think I will go out in the heat to take a quick roll in the grass. It feels so good!

roll in grass — **Take time to enjoy life.**

Are We There Yet?

Published on July 4, 2016August 9, 2018 by Xena, Lucy and Chia36 Comments

My cousins Piper and his housemate Ella came to stay with us last Wednesday while their peeps moved and got settled in.

Then, early Friday morning, Mom packed the car, kissed Dad goodbye, and took me and Piper for a ride. Ella stayed home to keep Dad company.

Wake me when we get there. (nnon) — **Wake me when we get there. (11:00 a.m.)**

Finally, 87 hours later (no, Lexi, it was 10 1/2 hours later~Mom) we got there. Where’s there? Pee A. Also known as Pencil Vain Ya. There were a lot of women there eating and laughing and they were all very nice to us, even if they couldn’t keep straight who was Piper and who was me. After a couple of hours they all left and we have been visiting with Mommy’s friend Rhonda and my friend Paisana, who everyone calls Pai (pronounced Pie). Pai

Yesterday, Piper made a new friend. Rhonda’s brother dropped by and we sat outside and visited. I remembered John Paul from when we all vacationed together at the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Piper sat in J.P.’s lap for at least 87 minutes and got a back rub. J.P. liked Piper a lot and thought all the noises he makes are really funny.

Later that evening, everything was going just fine…then… Piper got in a lot of trouble for trying to attack Claud (short for Claudia) while Claud was in her Mommy’s lap. Piper got scolded and sent to his room. That upset Pipe so much that he has been pretending Claud doesn’t exist, which is better than scaring her.

The Moms have been having way too much fun going out during the day and leaving us all alone. We aren’t telling them about any parties that may or may not have happened while they were gone. *burp* Here is all three of us outside with Ms. Rhonda:

0702161602a — **Mom finally got us all to look the same direction, even if it wasn’t at the camera.**

Firecrackers have been making lots of noise all weekend, which bothers Pai; however, her Mom said she hasn’t been as freaked out as usual, and she thinks it is because we are here, ignoring all the noise. Glad to be of service, Ms. Rhonda. I AM a service dog, you know. Well, therapy dog, anyhow.

We are getting back in the car tomorrow and going home. Mom and I wish all our American friends a happy and safe Independence Day.

Health, Friends and Flowers

Published on June 28, 2016August 15, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia38 Comments

First, an update on my health, because inquiring minds want to know, right?

Saturday Mommy and I went to see Dr. Smith, who is another dogtor where my beloved Dr. Karen works. I’ve developed another tumor under my left ear. It’s odd, almost like a cyst, but not. It doesn’t bother me any, though, and the decision was to leave it alone unless it gets much bigger or starts seeping anything. Then there was the matter of the strange, splinter-like thing sticking out right next to one of my front toenails. Dr. Smith said it was like a hangnail on a person, and that it can be cut short and it wouldn’t hurt me. I think Mom forgot ’cause she hasn’t done that yet. Finally, Mom told Dr. Smith I had kept her up most of Friday night with the squirts. He got me some of that paste medicine that Mom squirts in my mouth to soothe my gut. I am glad it doesn’t taste too bad.

Unfortunately for all of us, the paste didn’t work. Mommy says Saturday and Sunday nights were an exercise in patience and stamina for her. When Mom called back on Monday and said the paste wasn’t working, Dr. Smith said to give me Imodium. It is mint flavored and not too bad to swallow. After it started working, I noticed that my tummy was upset, so I needed to go out a lot during the night to eat clover. Mommy is walking around looking kind of like those zombie things you see on TV. I can’t help it if it all happens for about 12 hours, starting at bedtime. I heard I am to sleep in our bedroom with Dad tonight and Mom is sleeping by herself in the guest room. I don’t guess Dad is going to get much sleep tonight. He will be zombie daddy tomorrow.

Oh, I almost forgot. On the way home from the dogtor on Saturday, just as Mommy was driving over the Chickamauga Dam, I went into a seizure. There wasn’t anything she could do without risking having a car accident, so she just reached over and stroked me to help me stay calm. It didn’t last more than a few minutes and really wasn’t too bad. I wasn’t scared, but I was kinda’ ticked off that my right side went all weird. My right legs got stiff and my head kept pulling to the right. As soon as possible, Mom pulled off the road and held me and within a couple of minutes I was ok and ready to help navigate us back home. When Mom told the dogtor, he confirmed what she thought. The melanoma tumors have probably moved to my brain. I don’t really understand what that means. Mom said to not worry about it, just try to eat what I like and enjoy my life.

Speaking of enjoying, my cousins Piper and Ella came to stay with me.

That's me in the front. — **That’s me in the front. I’m the boss.**

AND I found out today that Mommy is driving up to Pee A this Friday and she is taking me and Piper with her! Yay! I will get to visit my friend Rhonda and my friends Pai and Claud. It will take 10 or 11 hours each way, but I don’t mind the drive. Ella is staying home with my Dad.

Finally, lookie what Dad surprised Mommy with. He also bought her sweets, but they didn’t last long enough to take any pictures, BOL. Can you believe she didn’t share her cream horn tonight?

A Tribute for Bailey

Published on June 27, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia32 Comments

This is for you, Bailey, from me, Lexi, the napping schnauzer.

My brother Riley would also like to offer his napping tribute to Bailey:

May all your naps be good at the Rainbow Bridge. ❤

Lexi’s Campaign Tuesday

Published on June 21, 2016August 15, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia29 Comments

Last week, Kismet pushed me to think of more reasons that I should be elected ~~Supreme Leader~~ Mayor of Blogville. Chemo has made my brain a bit foggy at times, so I had to call on some of my peers to help me out. Hooch and Rin were the only ones available on short notice, so we planned late into the night. I think their strategy is brilliant: WIN.

Here is Reason #10 to Vote 4 Lexi:

A Working Lunch with a Working Dog — **My food’s gone. Is this meeting over?**

10. I am a working dog. The above picture is from one of my previous employments. We were wasting no time, having a working lunch. I understand the challenges of all us working class anipals and peeps and can form a ~~labor~~ party (woo hoo!) to help you.

I am Lexi, the future ~~Supreme Leader~~ Mayor of Blogville.

Pee S: Special thanks to my BFF Sweet William the Scott for working tirelessly to help me track down my famous peers and making sure they felt appreciated with the special pictures he took.

An Overnighter

Published on June 19, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia35 Comments

This weekend Mom and I packed up and went across town to visit my bestest friend, Auntie Jen, along with Piper and Ella. My Uncle Bill had to go away overnight so we went to keep them company and help with some stuff. It is sad that they are moving away; however, it is great that it is only about a four hour drive, which means more road trips and overnight stays!

Auntie Jen is the only one – besides the hospital kids – that I let hug me. Hmm, I wish people would let me know when I have something stuck between my teeth!

**Auntie Jen loves me, and I love her too!**

Piper and I played hide and seek in the back yard while our moms worked in the house.

**Can you find Piper? You may have to enlarge the pic.**

Later, Mom and Auntie Jen sat down together in front of the computer to research houses for rent in the new city. I took that opportunity to rest.

A realtor came over this afternoon to talk about selling their house. I know Piper and I can be pretty loud when someone comes in the door, and this time it worked to our advantage. Before the realtor lady got there Mom packed me and Piper in the car and took us riding around. Look where we ended up.

**Baskin Robbins: heaven on earth. We shared a scoop of sugar-free coconut and pineapple ice cream**

Christmas, Oreo and Lexi’s Pawsome Adventure

Published on June 17, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia24 Comments

Have you checked out Christmas’ blog today? If not, go take a look at the great time the three of us had while Christmas and Oreo visited me here in the Choo Choo City! They came by themselves in Christmas’ snazzy new wheels and we met at the Walnut Street Bridge. It is the longest walking bridge in the world at 2,374 feet, and connects downtown Chattanooga with the North Shore, across the Tennessee River. It can be pricey to eat out downtown, so I brought food. Can you guess what? Hot dogs and Oreo Cookies, what else! So glad they have a sense of humor. We went on to other major tourist attractions, including the Hunter Museum and Rock City where I am the German dog every October for Rocktober Fest. There is really nothing going on there this time of year so we ran the trails and did some climbing and hide and seek, being careful not to fall off Lookout Mountain. After avoiding being eaten by a shark at the Chattanooga Aquarium, Christmas actually won him over to be a part of his campaign for mayor. What a weiner dog! At the end of the day I wanted to go camping with them, so Chris let me use his mobile phone to call home, but Mom said, no, I had to come home and take my pills and rest. Now, be sure to go see all the pictures and read Chris’ account of our visit!

They're ignoring me — **Happy but exhausted!**

Vote Lexi for Mayor Reasons 9 and 10

Published on June 14, 2016August 15, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia44 Comments

Hello friends, Lexi here again. If you missed my past ~~Campaign Propoganda~~ posts informing you why you need to vote for me for ~~the Supreme Leader of Blogville~~ your Mayor, you can check it out at the bottom of this page. Today, we move on to reasons #9 and #10, which are the last two reasons I can think of right now. I might come up with some more later.

9. A Dog of Many Sorrows: I Understand Affliction. Among other things, I have suffered with and overcome hip dysplasia. I bravely allowed the new vet to stick lots of needles in me and over time it removed the affects of the dysplasia. I also recently survived a round of chemotherapy, the infusion of poison into my bloodstream.

Lexi the Pin Cuhion — **Lexi the Pin Cushion**

I have also lived through the sorrow of the death of my sisters and housemates, Lily and Ivy.

How is this relevant, you may ask? Not only can I empathize with you, but I am able to come up with new and daring solutions to your problems. I am willing to be a role-model of bravery and fortitude and empathize with you during times of sorrow.

10. “What’s in it for me?” I know that to vote for someone, the biggest question is, “What do I get out of this?” Right? So, if you tell me you voted for me, and send me your e-mail address, I will send you back via e-mail your very own “I Voted for Lexi!” button, similar to the ones you can now feel free to grab and use from my side bar. Second, you will feel good knowing you made the right choice for your ~~Supreme Leader~~ Mayor. And, reasons 1 through 8 answer that question quite well, I believe. In case you missed them or just want a refresher, here they are.

Reason 1: Proclaimed Actor

Reasons 2 & 3: Let Them Eat Cake and All Lives matter

Reasons 4 & 5: Church Dog and Build Relationships, Not Walls

Reasons 7 & 8: Volunteer Service and Spokesdog for a Major Multi-National Company

Massages and Food: These are a few of my favorite things

Published on June 11, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia29 Comments

Massage: I got my massage at work on Thursday, just like Mommy said.

Do you like this picture? I was in a dimly lit room so Mom used PicMonkey to brighten it and ended up with something that looks more like a painting. Good Mommy. Anyhow, back to my massage. I was a bit more stressed this time and did not relax into it like before. Although, I was caught yawning a few times! I was concerned about where Mom was and wanted to be sure to keep her in my sights. Miss Sky, my therapist, thought it was anxiety from my illness. Even so, I appreciated it a lot and did feel better from the gentle rubbings.

On to food. Mommy and I went to the PetSmart store on our way home from work on Wednesday so that she could get me the high protein food, just like my dogtor ordered. We came home with several canned varieties since I cannot chew the hard kibble anymore. So far I have totally rejected the one on the far left (it was the cheapest), ate part of the one on the far right (it was next to the cheapest) and took three day to finish off the yellow can (same price as second one). I want to try the other two. They cost more, so they should taste better, don’t you think? Mom said my brother Riley is going to have some good topping for his kibble. What? Hmm, maybe I should try them again…

meat at table — **I want liver, not a fancy plate.**

Our friend Miss Christy works in the meat department of a local grocery store. She knows everything about meat. Mom went there yesterday to buy me more good food from the meat department. Miss Christy turned her onto beef marrow bones, which are currently cooking downstairs in the crockpot. I have to wait two days for those to be ready. She also told Mom about calf liver, which they carry in the freezer department. Miss Christy said it has the highest amount of quality protein you can get. Mom fixed me some yesterday and OMD, it is about the bestest thing ever.

For lunch today I had ground beef. Since I had liver yesterday, I said, “Come on Mom, you can do better than this,” so she served it to me at the table on one of her good anniversary dishes. That wasn’t quite what I meant. So she said, “Fine. I am putting it on the floor and you can eat it or not.”

Isn't this the same stuff you tried to give me at the table? — **Isn’t this the same stuff you tried to give me at the table?**

**Hey, this cooked beef is really good!**

wait, where did it all go? — **Wait, where did it all go?**

I’ve Been Feeling Better Video

Published on June 9, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia37 Comments

Mommy started up my meds again, the ones that settle my tummy and the lower areas, and I feel better. I am still being picky about my food. I don’t mean to be. It’s just that some things still don’t taste right. OK, the truth is, why eat kibble when you can eat canned? Why eat canned when you can eat hamburger? I mean, right?

Dad wanted to video me last night so all my friends could see I am still alive and barking. Huh? I coerce Mom into spoon feeding me now. How, you ask? Easy, peasy. I just refuse to eat out of my bowl! And when I am done, I let her know. I remembered partway through this supper that I should be eating home cooked chickie boobies or home cooked beef patties. Oh, and it’s true…the camera does put 20 ounces on you.

Pee S: Sorry about the potty part. Dang it, Dad, do you have to record everything?

Reasons 7 and 8 to Vote Lexi for Mayor

Published on June 7, 2016August 15, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia27 Comments

Hello friends, Lexi here again. If you missed my ~~Campaign Propoganda~~ previous posts informing you why you need to vote for me for ~~the Supreme Leader of Blogville~~ your Mayor, you can check our reasons 1 & 2 here and reasons 3 & 4 here and reasons 5 & 6 here. Today, we move on to reasons #7 and #8:

7. Volunteer Service: I give all of myself at the Children’s Hospital once a month. My job is to make sick kids smile, and I am very good at it. I grin the whole time I am there. It feels good to give back to the community who loves me. How is this relevant, you may ask. I can give you pointers on how to qualify to be a therapy dog, too. Plus, you can use me as a reference. That should do the trick.

8. Spokesdog for a Major Multi-National Corporation: I will be YOUR spokesdog, too.

Me as spokesperson for CG Roxanne Water — **Me as spokesdog for CG Roxanne Water a.k.a. Crystal Geyser.**

While you are here, feel free to grab one of the campaign buttons from the sidebar and join my other friends who are proudly showing support for their candy date of choice!

Unresponsive

Published on June 6, 2016August 15, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia53 Comments

Unresponsive. Yep, that’s what this Big C is to the poison they pumped into my system up at UTK. Even after making me “sick as a dog” (excuse the pun) it only poisoned ME, not the C. There are more tumors growing in my upper gums. So no more chemo. The nice Dr. Karen has now put me on an herbal and another medicine to try to slow down the advance of the C.

**How much longer, Mom? You forgot my breakfast!**

After that news, we moved to my favorite room at the animal hospital – the one where I get my acupuncture! My appointment wasn’t for about 87 hours, but nice Dr. Karen said there was no sense me going home and coming right back, so she would get to me in a little while if we could wait. Mom agreed, but no one remembered I had not had my breakfast. All ended well, as the treat dispenser named Angela came in before I died of hunger and started feeding Wellness Treats into my mouth while Dr. Karen made me a pincushion. My hip does feel better, and we stopped at Mickey D’s on the way home!

Pee S, I overheard Mom talking to my other bestest friend named Sky about getting me another massage! Umm, I think it was for me, anyhow. I will let you know.

Sunday School: Another Pet Food Lesson

Published on June 5, 2016June 5, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia29 Comments

Mommy tries to be particular about what she lets me eat. A few weeks ago she took over my blog and posted about the new canned food I am eating by Variety Pet Foods and the evils of Cesar’s. I especially like Variety’s Sunday Brunch, Grandma’s Stew and Grandad’s Roast. Today she found a site called Dog Fo od Advisor whose slogan is “Saving Good Dogs from Bad Food.” Variety Pet Food got all 4’s and 5’s on a 5 point scale. She wanted to share this particular article about “meal” with you today. I guess you could call this Sunday school!

The Mysterious Meat Concentrate Most People Know Little (or Nothing) About

For a dog food, what could contain more protein than whole meat?

Well, surprisingly, a quality grade meat meal can actually be a more abundant source of protein than the whole meat from which it was made.

Here’s why.

Meat meal is a dried end-product of the cooking process known as rendering. Rendering is a lot like making stew — except that this stew is intentionally over-cooked.

With rendering, you start with a meat stew, cook away the water and bake the residue. And you end up with a highly concentrated protein powder — or meat meal.

Now, check out the chart above. Notice how whole chicken contains about 70% water and 18% protein.

Yet after rendering, the resulting chicken meal contains just 10% water and a whopping 65% protein.

That’s nearly four times more protein than whole chicken!

Nutritious Ingredient or Anonymous Waste?

Of course, not all meat meals are created equal. Some are of very high quality while others are positively awful.

It all boils down to the stew’s contents — the raw materials. And one critically important principle…

No meal product can ever be better than the raw materials that were used to make it.

Better meals are typically made from the meat of clearly identified sources. Low-grade meals come from anonymous materials like slaughterhouse waste and spoiled supermarket meats — even diseased or dying cattle — or dead zoo animals.

For a more detailed look at the dark side of the industry, you may wish to read “The Shocking Truth About Commercial Dog Food“.

How to Recognize Lower Quality Meat Meals

Since many manufacturers do little to clarify the true nature of the ingredients they use, two important rules can help you avoid choosing an inferior products.

Avoid dog foods containing any meat meal that:

Includes the words “by-products” in its name
Fails to identify the specific source animal¹

Here are some examples of inferior meat-based protein ingredients. Notice the generic nature of the phrases:

Meat meal
Animal meal
Chicken by-product meal
Meat and bone meal
Glandular meal
Poultry meal
Blood meal

Species-specific animal sources include names like beef, venison, lamb, chicken, etc. When you see ingredients like those listed above in any recipe, it’s a sign you’re probably looking at a lower quality dog food.

Tips from Lexi: Say Cheese!

Published on May 31, 2016August 15, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia33 Comments

If you love cheese, raise your paw. Or hoof. Or claw. Or fin. We all love cheese. Today’s Tip from Lexi is “How to get (more) cheese.”

Choose a medium bodied whine, perhaps from California — **Choose a medium bodied whine, perhap from California**

Whine
Your peep says, “Do you want a little cheese with that whine?”
Say, “Yes, please.”
cheese
Enjoy

That’s how I started getting my cheese on a regular basis.

Memorial Day USA

Published on May 30, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia28 Comments

Back to Work, Back to Vet, Get Well Cards

Published on May 27, 2016August 9, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia39 Comments

It’s been a rough kind of week. As many of you know, I had my first chemo treatment last Thursday. Being the good employee that I am (and not eligible for sick pay) I went on in to work at St. Luke last Friday. Here is me getting everything done so I can go home when Mom is ready:

Some of my friends sent me get well cards. First, Noodle, Macy and Molly e-mailed me the cutest cards.

My boyfriend Noodle also sent me a video card:

Then I got some real live cards from the mail person. They were actually from Noodle and his family (he wrote he loves me on the back of the envelope!) as well as the beautiful goldens, Bonny, Belle and Bess and their family. They both had slips of paper in them that made Mom get all teary-eyed. I wonder what they were…

0526161943a-1 — I like my cards, but where are the treats?

I have been taking two different pill for nausea, a pill to stimulate my appetite, and a pill to stop the squirts. I’ve been getting up lots during the night ’cause I keep feeling like I have to go out, but all I do is strain and dribble from the back end. All I want to eat is steak and sometimes chicken, and sometimes I can’t even eat that. Today I ate chicken, and Mom made me pumpkin and oatmeal cookies from a healthy dog cookie cook book. I ate most of one.

sick Lexi in car — I don’t feel good, Mommy.

Then, a little later, everything I ate came up all at once. I felt like I was going to die! Obviously, I didn’t. Mom called the oncology vet at UTK, Dr. Walters, and she said I had to go to the hospital here in Chattanooga, and that she was going to call the doctor there herself. Mom took me right away, and of course they stuck a glass stick up my poor patootie. The vet tech took my pulse, too. It was odd, no one has ever taken my pulse before. At least it wasn’t invasive like that awful stick. She said my temp and my pulse were normal. Dr. Smith came in and checked me and did what Dr Walters had suggested. He stuck another needle in me (this is really getting old) and started fluid running sub q. That is short for under my skin. Then he gave me a shot to help with the nausea. Mommy told me I was going to get that shot and that it would burn a lot and that I had to be brave. The dogtor said I keep having the squirts because my intestines are very irritated from the chemo and it makes me feel like I have to go potty all the time. I now have more medicine to take with all the other medicine I have. This one is to sooth my intestines and help with that almost constant feeling of urgency, if you know what I mean.

After they were all done and ~~had finished taking all Mom’s money~~ Mom had paid them, I got to go home. I was sooo glad to see Mom! I felt some better when we got home, so I helped Mom eat her pan fried hamburger, then I ate some more of that store broiled chicken, then some of my homemade cookies. I have still been running outside with the feeling that I have to “go” but all my food has stayed down. That is very important to me.

Hoping for a more restful night and no more urgent potty misery!

I am Lexi the miserable with the tired Mommy.

Dressing (Up) for Whitley

Published on May 23, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia45 Comments

This one’s for you, Whitley.

spoiled rotten

How’s Lexi – Glad you asked

Published on May 21, 2016August 15, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia55 Comments

Yesterday I had a very upset tummy most of the day, even to the point of throwing up a bit. Mom talked to the local vet who called my oncologist in Knoxville, who told her what drug to call in to the pharmacy to help with this chemo sickness. We went and got it on the way home and about 30 minute after Mommy forced it down my throat I was feeling lots better. Mommy was happy when I ate a good supper of homemade chicken and rice. I felt so good that I went into the play position and Gracie and Mom and I played for almost a half hour. I did most of the barking and Gracie did most of the running. It felt good to feel good again.

The weird thing is, the oncology doctor said with this particular poison they used on me, if I was going to get sick it would be in one to two weeks. She said dogs don’t usually get sick from it, but if they do, it is never in the first week. Mom and Dad say I have always been an over-achiever.

When I woke up this morning – still on the mattress on the floor with Mommy – my tummy was a bit upset again, so I refused food. Yes, very un-schnauzer-like. Mom understood and didn’t insist. Instead, she said, “Let’s go for a ride!” and we jumped in the car – yes, I actually jumped in the car, something I haven’t done for a long time – and headed to the local vet. Two nice girls came in the exam room and sat down on the floor with me while they cut and pulled out the stitches from my forehead, the back of my neck and my upper leg. They said I behaved the best of any dog they have done that for. Then Dr. Smith came in and said the gaping hole in my forehead has scabbed over and seems to be healing nicely. He said Mom doesn’t have to spray the liquid bandage on my forehead any more and that I don’t have to wear the dreaded cone any more. HIGH FOUR! When we got home later this morning I was ready to eat some homemade chicken and white rice. Since I gobbled that all down, Mom cooked me more chicken for supper, along with brown rice which is supposed to be healthier. I am not nearly as fond of that nutty taste and ate more chicken than rice. Even so, my tummy is happy and full and I am ready for a nap with my friend Gracie.