Tag: dog friends

A Happy Ending or The Cruel Cut

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia28 Comments

I am so very happy to see you again my Prinzessin Xena.

Why are you back Ludwig. Didn’t Mommy tell you to stay away from me? Come any closer and I will bite your face again.

All the face-biting in the world will not keep me from you, beautiful one. If that is what I must endure to be close to you, then so sei es. You truly are a Warrior Prinzessin.

Well, I won’t be your girlfriend. I want to keep my options open. My Guardian Angel Lexi told me she was almost 12 years old before she got a boyfriend. She had her career to think about and couldn’t be distracted. She was a famous actress, you know. I might be famous at something someday too. And besides, how do I know it’s safe to be around you? You certainly haven’t been behaving yourself.

No need to worry about that any more, my lovely one. The Mommy had that problem “fixed.”

This is Xena the Schnauzer Warrior Princess with a safe new friend.

Grooming Annsley

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia36 Comments

Mom had a new groom today. She told me the story of how the nice lady found out about her grooming. Are you ready for this? The lady’s UPS delivery man told her! He saw her little tiny Yorkie and told her that his 15-year-old yorkie died not long ago. He said my Mom was a good groomer and gave her Mom’s name and phone number. (And boy, oh boy, did Annsley ever need groomed!)

Mom was concentrating when Annsley showed up and forgot to get her “before” picture, but she looked something like this (thanks for the pic, Mr. Google.)

She had big mats and little mats, and medium sized mats. But that’s nothing compared to Annsley’s story.  When she was a little more than a year old she was rescued from a cage in a crack house. (I sure would hate to live in a house with cracks, too.) Other than to be made to have puppies, she had spent almost her entire short life in that cage. In the meantime, the nice lady had just lost both her parents. She had intended to get a yorkie, but with her tragic losses, she had forgotten all about it until a rescue person brought Annsley into the vet where the lady worked. Right then and there the lady fell in love with her and they have been together for three years now.

Anyhow, because of the cage she had to live in when she was so young, she would freak out about the metal cages at any groomer’s. She would shake so hard that the lady had to give her pills before taking her. Plus, the last groomer cut her skin in two places (and made her look bad by shaving the hair down the center of her nose).

After hearing the story, Mom remembered John the UPS man, who had told the nice lady about Mom.  She remembered how John loved his tiny yorkie with all his heart. Mom thought maybe this was also a God-thing. Today, when Annsley came, she shook a tiny bit, but seemed like she wasn’t hardly scared at all. Mom had promised to not put her in a cage and that she would be the only pup in the grooming room. Annsley did great, even without any pills! When the lady…

(Xena) Lucy! Can I tell the rest, huh, please? I’m the one who got to play…oops, I think I gave the rest away.

(Lucy) Yep, you did. But the rest really is your story, so go ahead.

(Xena) Well, you see, the lady couldn’t come get her for about 87 minutes or hours (Mom: it was a half hour) so she said to go ahead and let her come upstairs and play with me and Lucy. Woo hoo!

Hi, I’m Annsley.

Hi, I’m Xena. Why do you keep running away from me?

I don’t know where I am and you’re bigger than me.

I won’t hurt you, I promise. Come on, let’s play.

Who’s that outside? That’s Lucy. She’s my sister and she’s wa-a-a-y bigger than you and me both. You don’t have to worry, she wouldn’t hurt you.

Well, I think I’ll just stay here until my Mom comes.

So that’s the story of how I almost got to play with a dog smaller than me. Maybe next time…she’s coming back in six weeks.

I am Xena the Schnauzer Warrior Play Puppy Princess

Introducing Ludwig

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia33 Comments

Good day. I am Ludwig and I have come to live with Frau Amy and Fraulein Xena at this glorious cathedral of Heilige Luke.  During the night when no one else is here I am guarding this valuable printing machine of Frau Amy. Today, however, I decided it was time to meet the little Prinzessin Xena.

Greetings, Prinzessin Xena. Herr Ludwig at your service.

Mommy! What or who is this?

But I told you, Fraulein, it is I, Ludwig.

Who are you really? Why do you talk funny? Why are you in my office? Sprechen!

You are even more beautiful from here, young Welpe. Ich liebe dich.

Come closer, lover boy….

…gotcha!

After a narrow rescue from a potentially deadly encounter, Ludwig has wisely determined it is best to admire the Frauline from afar.

*sigh*





			
		

	
	



			
				


			
				



	
	

		
		
Lucy’s First Valentine

				

			Published on  by Xena, Lucy and Chia29 Comments		

			



			


			


Just when I was feeling really low ’cause of my (ex)boyfriend skipping out on me, a very handsome kittie with a heart as big as Texas (or Canada) put a smile on my face and wag in my tail. Purrince Siddhartha Henry sent me my first ever Valentine’s Day Card.




Yes! I will be your Valentine, Siddhartha Henry. (I think that will make me your Purrincess for the day.)


With love always,


Lucy


			
		

	
	



			
				



	
	

		
		
A Visit with My Cousins

				

			Published on  by Xena, Lucy and Chia27 Comments		

			



			


			


Hi friends! I’ve been gone away all weekend with my Mommy. Did you miss me? We went to visit with Auntie Jen and Uncle Bill and my cousins Piper and Ella. Ella remembered me!


Xena! You’re here!


Ella is a great sister to Piper. Since his eyes don’t work anymore, he can get lost when he’s out in the big fenced back yard. So Ella goes out and helps him find his way back to the door. She’s Piper’s seeing eye dog! When she isn’t helping Piper, she likes to watch TV, especially the sports stuff.




I think they called that play wrong.


At first I didn’t recognize Piper. He sleeps a whole lot now (he’s 14 years old) and his beard gets all matted, so Auntie Jen cut it off. Ever wonder what a schnauzer would look like without a beard?




 I can’t tell who’s there. Say something.


Yep, well, Piper also gets cold real easy ’cause – according to Mommy – he doesn’t have any meat on his bones. Isn’t that a funny thing to say? So me and Ella went with Mommy and Auntie Jen to the Co Pet Place in search of a new sweater for Piper. I saw a dog coming out as we were going in so I started to bark and I barked the whole way going in and I barked inside, too. I was screaming “Beware! The Schnauzer Warrior Princess is here!” Soon I found out that I was to be the model, er fitter, er ummm, sir-eee-gut for Piper. How it worked was whenever Mommy found something that she thought would work well for Pipie (I like to call my cuz Pipie), she would try it on me and if it was a little big on me, she knew it would fit him. ‘For too long, Mommy and Auntie Jen found matching hoodies for Pipie and Ella and a new toy for Ella ’cause she was so good getting her nails cut at the Co Pet Place.  No, I didn’t get anything, but I really didn’t mind this time.


‘For too long, we got back to Ella’s house and my cousins got to try on their new hoodies. Since Piper can’t see anymore, I guess it didn’t matter that the hoodie fell down over his eyes.




Piper said he at least needed to hear, so his Mommy helped him out with that.




Actually, Ella’s came down over her eyes too.




I suppose that’s why she kept squeaking her new Valentine’s bear and didn’t see that it was drawing someone who wanted her stuffie.




In the meantime, my Auntie Jen was making weird beeping sounds and laughing. I think it had something to do with the new hoodies. Then this happened.




Mom! Piper has my new stuffie!


Turns out Pipie just wanted to check out what was squeaking and Ella soon had her stuffie back. We had a great time, except for one yuckie incident, which Mommy will tell you about another time.


I am Xena the Schnauzer Warrior Princess telling it like it is at the Co Pet Store.


 


 


 


			
		

	
	



			
				



	
	

		
		
Disappointments

				

			Published on  by Xena, Lucy and Chia24 Comments		

			



			


			
Super Bowl Sunday


That doesn’t look like soup. Where’s our souper bowl, Mommy?




Can me and Lucy have some anyhow?




Xena: This is a gyp. That TV’s making too much racket.I wish they’d shut it off.


Lucy: I wish Riley was here.




We hope someone got some good soup on Sunday (and got to see their bestie).


Xena and Lucy


 


			
		

	
	



			
				



	
	

		
		
Life’s Short, Bite Hard

				

			Published on  by Xena, Lucy and Chia32 Comments		

			



			


			


One of my blogging friends told me I did the right thing putting my stink on my new bed. Once my stink is on it, it is mine! With that in mind, I decided to get as much of my stink on the bed of He-Who-No-Longer-Exists as I could. Besides, he’s been gone about 87 days and I think by law he has forfeited his right to this bed. Maybe Frankie or Ernie could tell me for sure.




Mommy found Angel Lexi’s other shirt – she only had two shirts and a hoodie because of how much she hated clothes – and tried it on me. It’s the tiniest bit too big, but I have been wearing it anyhow. Maybe I will get more inspiration from Angel Lexi that way – or maybe she is just laughing at me! Can you read it? It says Life Is Short Bite Hard. BOL!




I am biting hard on this bone, for sure!


Hi Daddy! Don’t worry, I won’t bite you.




Lucy: Dad! Don’t let Xena bite me any more! My face already hurts from her teeth.


I am just going to hide out here in the bedroom until that shirt comes off Xena.




 


I think I will log some more hours in MY bed. Catch ya’ll later. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz




			
		

	
	



			
				



	
	

		
		
Sleep Places

				

			Published on  by Xena, Lucy and Chia44 Comments		

			



			


			


I’m not too picky about where I sleep. At home, I especially like the living room couch.






Lucy likes to curl up on the loveseat, across from the big couch. I think it’s ’cause that’s where Mom sits most of the time.

My next favorite place is in one of Riley’s beds. Maybe some day I will grow big enough to fill it up.

Last night Daddy was working on his computer at the kitchen counter. His coat fell on the floor, and it looked like a good place to snuggle so that I could be near him. I don’t get to see my Daddy very much ’cause we work at different places, and I miss him.




Riley likes to sleep on the orange chair in the living room. Daddy says it used to belong to my Auntie Jen, but now Riley has claimed it. They are almost the same color, te, he.




I haven’t seen Riley for a long time. Mommy said that him and Andrew are moving out. Riley will take his beds with him, so I won’t have anywhere left to sleep! Well, Mommy realized the same thing when we went to the Smart Pet Place on Lucy’s birthday. When we walked in the door, there was a great big bin with 87 dog beds, all in my exact size, and they were marked down to eight dollars. Mommy said that was a great deal and grabbed one as we were going through the line to pay for all of Lucy’s goodies. I refused to use it for a few days. I think I was in denial about losing Riley’s beds Riley moving out. But now I really like my new bed and sleep most of the night in it. A blanket and a squeaky bone toy that matches the bed all came with it. Sometimes I drag the blanket around the house with me. The bed and blanket are starting to smell like me, a good smell, not a new-from-the-store smell.




OK, I’ve got to go get ready for work now. ❤ puppy kisses


I am Xena the Schnauzer Warrior Princess with comfy beds


			
		

	
	



			
				



	
	

		
		
Snow and My New Bedtime Equipment

				

			Published on  by Xena, Lucy and Chia25 Comments		

			



			


			


 


Did I tell you it did something called snow here on Tuesday? We left work early before the white stuff started falling out of the sky.




It’s time to go home already? I haven’t had my lunch!


Later, when me and Lucy went outside to potty, there was snow all over the ground. I didn’t like it much, but I did what I had to and went back in the house. Lucy had seen snow when she went to Ill in Noise with Daddy over Christmas. She didn’t seem to like it much either.




“What the dog is this stuff? Oh yeah, I remember now.”




“Let me in! It’s not supposed to do this here.”


The next morning we went to work late, so Mommy used the time to make me another shirt just like the first one, but it’s a large instead of a medium. She’s gotten faster, too. The first one took 3 1/2 hours. This one only took about 1 1/2 hours! I am wearing it in the picture of me (at the top).


Mommy didn’t want the Looster to be jealous of all my fine new clothes, but she can’t find a pattern big enough for her. Instead, she ordered her a new coat from Mrs. Amazon. It is a late birthday present, since the Smart Pet place didn’t have any to fit her, either.




It’s got snaps underneath and the big fleece collar is her hood that snaps on and off. It will keep her warm when it gets cold outside again. Maybe she will stop pulling my sweater off me now!


Finally, here’s my surprise…my new bedtime equipment:




This is what’s called a game-changer. Or steps. They used to belong to Angel Lexi, but that’s me on them now. I don’t have to wake Dad up to put me back in bed anymore. I go zoom! up and down so fast, maybe it is part of my super powers!


I am Xena the Schnauzer Princess Warrior with bed steps


			
		

	
	



			
				



	
	

		
		
My Work Week

				

			Published on  by Xena, Lucy and Chia36 Comments		

			



			


			


First, before I say anything else, I want to tell you about a wonderful new device Mom gave me that has changed my life…well, at least my night. But Mom has been remiss in taking pictures, so she says I need to wait to say more. *whine* Soon, I promise.


Three times a week my day starts out the same as any other day – you know, out to potty, in the kitchen to eat brekkies, out to potty. But that is where it takes a turn.  I get my face – and sometimes all of me – washed. And brushed. And get one of my cuteness walking vests on. Then I get in the car and shake most of the way to the church. I’m still working on that bravery thing.


Once at work, there is the obligatory greeting people and deciding if I should wag, growl, bark or hide. Sometimes Miss Beth comes in and puppy holds me. It has become our “thing.” Have I mentioned that I love Miss Beth? I would like to take her home with me, but she says, “No thank you, I have my own home.”


Every day I carry my work equipment to the hallway outside our office. From there I can better see everyone coming and going.






By mistake I followed Mommy downstairs to the Parents’ Day Out area. There were lots of little people there, and one wanted to pet me. I tried to flee back to my office, but before I could get away, Mommy picked me up and let the girl pet my back. It didn’t hurt, but I still don’t trust them.


Sometimes Mommy moves all my work equipment back to my bed. By the end of the week I am exhausted.




I rest on the way home, and spend time with Lucy until it is time for Daddy to get home.




Sometimes we play bitey-face. And sometimes Lucy justs licks my beard.




Then I get dumped in the stupid playpen until my folks finish their supper. Before bed, I cuddle up to my Daddy.




So, if you need to talk to me on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, you can just come by St. Luke United Methodist Church or ring me up there at work. I will try to make time to visit with you.


I am Xena the working Schnauzer Warrior Princess


			
		

	
	



			
				



	
	

		
		
Lucy’s Special Day

				

			Published on  by Xena, Lucy and Chia37 Comments		

			



			


			


Hi friends, this is Lucy. First, a big thank you to everyone who wished me a good birthday and Gotcha Day. Your wishes worked! We all went to the Smart Pet Store and I got petted by lots of people. One of the workers knelt down to adjust my harness and I gave her lots of sloppy kisses on her mouth. When we got home, Mom put my new collar on me and gave me my cow ear. I never had one before, but I can tell you this: no way was I sharing this yummy goodness with Xena!


 


Mommy got me two cow ears, yes, two, just for me. She put one away “for later.”  Can you see my pretty new collar? The brown background matches my furs and the dots are bright and cheery, just like me. Mom put extra deer meat in my bowl at supper, and my tummy was full and happy when I went to bed to sleep between my Mom and Dad.


Xena wanted to show everyone her new jammies that our Mom made. My nose is in the picture, so I said it was ok.




Mom told Xena to “say cheese,” and Xena said she never gets any cheese.


Xena has some more news that I told her will have to wait until it’s her turn to write a blog. It’s a sunny 40 degrees (4 C) outside and I am going out to play in the yard now. I think I will roll Xena in the dirt and leaves – she likes that!


Love and Wiggles, Lucy ❤


			
		

	
	



			
				



	
	

		
		
Piper’s 14th Birthday

				

			Published on  by Xena, Lucy and Chia25 Comments		

			



			


			
Today, January 10, 2018, my nephew Piper turned 14 years old. Diabetes, congestive heart failure, and all, he has a strong will to keep on keeping on, and we are so glad for that. Here are some memories of his time with us.


This is his head shot from a photo shoot he was in with his Mama and his brother Milo, who is now, sadly, waiting at the rainbow bridge. It was taken almost eight years ago, and is my favorite picture of Piper. He’s such a handsome boy.




This next one also has to be one of my favorites. Piper is the skunk closest to the camera. I only know this for sure because Lexi never moved or lifted her head during the whole time they were forced to wear the humiliating costumes.




I like this one of Piper in the doggie toy store because he looks like a Scottie. It was just the camera angle, but it makes me laugh. Folks always get Schnauzers and Scotties mixed up when they don’t know much about either breed.  You’ll notice he’s a frugal boy, checking out the clearance section. Or maybe he just thinks he’ll get more that way.




The next two are from 2015, a year before Lexi left us. Isn’t it funny that Piper is on our left of Lexi in most of their pictures. Maybe she thought of him as her “right hand man.”  




Piper joined everyone in Blogville to honor her on Eat a Treat for Lexi day.




Prior to the last move to the Nashville area in 2017, Piper had started going deaf, and his eyesight was failing. I think he was wishing everyone would get unpacked and settled in. And maybe that I would give him some of what I was eating…




Piper, you are for sure our Super Dog today. Happy Birthday, sweet, precious, huggy boy. Your Aunt Amy sends tons of love your way.




			
		

	
	



			
				



	
	

		
		
Our Portrait

				

			Published on  by Xena, Lucy and Chia35 Comments		

			



			


			


I was just thinking about all the yummy food I get to eat. Besides all the meat -that is always my favorite – I eat steamed broccoli and turnip greens and kale and mustard greens and carrots. I get pickled beets and sauerkraut and tiny tomatoes and kala…, er, Mommy how do you spell those olives? k-a-l-a-m-a-t-a. Yep, that’s them. And eggs, yep don’t forget them eggs. Mmmm. And coconut oil and krill oil and sardines, too. And fresh fruit when we can get it, like berries and apples and and applesauce, too. And pumpkin and other squashes. Can you tell I like to eat? Mommy says I wouldn’t be a schnauzer if I didn’t love food.


Lucy: Xena, I thought there was something else you wanted to show our friends.


Xena: Oh, you mean the picture from when you ran off and almost missed getting our special picture made!


Lucy: No, no there’s no pictures of me running off!


Xena: But that’s what the picture always reminds me of when I look at it. That’s the day you got double grounded. Hey, are you still double grounded?


Lucy: I don’t know. *hangs head* Mom and Andrew never let me out to run around loose in the yard any more. *mumbles* I think that’s why Riley dumped me.


Xena: What are you mumbling about Lucy?


Lucy: Nothing! Just drop it, OK?


Xena. OK, it didn’t sound interesting anyhow. So, here is our family picture!




I am Xena the Schnauzer Warrior Princess.


			
		

	
	



			
				



	
	

		
		
A Sunbeamy New Year

				

			Published on  by Xena, Lucy and Chia25 Comments		

			



			


			


 




Xena: Lucy, why do you look so funny, like you have sun stripes?




Lucy: It’s probably the same bright light right next to you, Xena.




What light? Oh!




It goes all the way down…and if I follow it…




There’s my ball on the other side. I wonder if I can cross the sunbeam. I’ve heard you’re never supposed to cross light streams.


Lucy: Since you’re a dog and not a light stream, I think it would be ok.




Xena: There’s the bully horn on this side of the light.


Lucy: He, he, now your butt looks like mine did in the light, he, he.




Xena: So how’s this for butt in the light? I’m gonna chew up your bully horn.




Lucy: *fake sniffle and sob*


Xena: Aw, Lucy, I’m not really going to chew it up. You’re the bestest sister and friend in the whole world.




Happy New Year from your friends in Chattanooga.


Lucy, Xena and peeps


 


 


			
		

	
	



			
				



	
	

		
		
Lucy’s Home

				

			Published on  by Xena, Lucy and Chia29 Comments		

			



			


			
 


Lucy header


 


Lucy in sweater Dec 2017


I’m home! I didn’t think me and Dad would ever get home. We left Ill in noise at 5:30 in the morning with the temperature at 6 degrees below zero. That’s minus 21 sell see us, per Mom. I never understood why Mom made me get that sweater from the smart pet place until I went to Ill in noise. It was so cold there that I thought my furs were going to freeze up and fall off.  I started grabbing my sweater from the couch and taking it to Dad when I needed to go out. That, plus running a lot, helped.


Oscar never did warm up to me. And I bet he would have been warm to cuddle up to. On Christmas night, Dad’s sister and her husband and Daisy the Aussie mix dog came to stay. Do you know what Oscar did? He played with Daisy! I. Am. So. Mad.


On the drive home we had to wait to get through traffic with two axy dents. Plus, it took me forever to find a good place to poop. What Mom? TMI? But it did! OK, sorry. Now, where was I? We didn’t get home until almost 9 o’clock at night. Dad was sick so he went to bed. I pretty much fell over from exhaustion.


Lucy sleeping in library dec 2017


I felt better this morning, but Dad missed work and spent the whole day in bed. Come to think of it, he’s still there. Good thing Mom came home from work and gave me my supper. I thought maybe Xena would stay home with me today, but she said she had too much to do at work. I’ll let her tell you about that…


Xena on her puter at St Luke


Hi, this is Xena! You see, I had to get my new super puter set up at work. The one I got for Christmas. Then I had to learn how to use it and get to work. You can see here that I am figuring out how to turn it on.


Xena on her puter at St Luke 2


I finally got it turned on. There was a squirrel on the screen, but I was trying to find the mouse. Later Mommy told me the mouse was hiding underneath my puter. I did the best I could with a squirrel instead of a mouse, and got a lot of work done today.


Lucy: Thanks, Xena, I’ll take it from here.


Lucy-Riley on couch 12-17-17


It was good to see my guy Riley again. We pretty much just hung out. Then Xena got home from work.


Lucy-Riley on couch 12-17-17 #2Xena: Hey, what are you guys doing? Anyone want to chase me? Play keep-away? Tug-of-war? Anything?


Lucy-Riley on couch 12-17-17 #3We ignored her until she got bored and went away. It’s gotten to be bedtime, so I’ll sign off for now.


Love and wiggles, Lucy the travelling bully


Pee S: The weather person said it is supposed to get even colder up in the north, so, friends, stay in and stay warm and be sure to wear your sweater when you go out to potty.


			
		

	
	



			
				



	
	

		
		
Xena’s First Christmas

				

			Published on  by Xena, Lucy and Chia26 Comments		

			



			


			


It’s been weird not having Lucy here to pick on play with. So I have spent a lot of time antagonizing playing keep-away with He-Who-No-Longer-Exits [Riley].


Quick Mom, help me before H.W.N.L.E. gets the bone.


Too slow! I better run into the other room with it. 


(Mom’s note: There were 3 bones, but, as usual, no one wanted the 2 that no one had.)


Then it was Christmas Eve. I was so excited! I knew I had to go to sleep before Santa would come.




Hurry, Mommy. Get my jammies and jump in bed with me. Santa’s coming!


Why aren’t you getting in bed Mommy? Where’s my jammies?




Mom: It’s only 6 o’clock, Xena.




*sigh*


It was finally Christmas morning and Santa had come. I must have been a very good puppy, ’cause I got my new V-Tech puter from G.W. Mommy helped me turn it on and it told me to choose an activity.




I chose to play with my ball and Tiger at the same time. I thought that must be a pretty advanced activity. Tiger used to belong to H.W.N.L.E., but he had to pay Tiger to me as his fine for deading Raccoon.




 


Then I opened my other present…what is this?




Hey, this paper tastes pretty good! Thanks, Mommy.




Seriously, Mommy, what is this?




A little later…mmmm, cardboard.




And later still…a bully horn! It’s kinda big, but I think I can conquer this, ’cause I am….


Xena the Schnauzer Warrior Princess, wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas.


P.S. Lucy told me that she will be home late tomorrow. And that even though she tries her best, Oscar the cat remains stubbornly hostile toward her.


P.P.S. When I asked Mommy what Santa did all day on Christmas, she said he relaxed and rested with his own babies.




			
		

	
	



			
				



	
	

		
		
Where’s Lucy?

				

			Published on  by Xena, Lucy and Chia21 Comments		

			



			


			


Today was really different than most of my Thursdays. My big sister Lucy jumped into the back seat of the car and went to work with me and Mommy. Strangely enough, just knowing Lucy was in the car made me feel braver. I didn’t shake on the way like usual. Lucy told me she was almost the church dog, but it didn’t really work out. Sure enough, everyone knew her name and seemed happy to see her. I kept feeling braver. Whenever I heard someone come in, I barked and barked. Mommy kept telling me to stop barking. “Be quiet!” she said over and over. I thought she wanted me to be brave. “Well, I do,” Mommy said. “But that’s not brave – that’s obnoxious.”


When I showed Lucy my bed, she said it was her bed, too, when she was here. “It’s mine, now,” I said. “And do you see all these toys? Big Bear, Rope Chew, Blue Bone, and Hedgehog? They are all mine, too.”




After I made sure Lucy knew the boundaries, we played and argued over who should get pet every time someone came in our my office.




Mostly we played. Pretty soon it was time to go home.  When we went outside, I got another surprise. Daddy was there, and he put Lucy in the car and left me and Mommy the truck. There was so much stuff in the car that Lucy barely fit in the back seat.




“Mommy, where’s Lucy and Daddy? Shouldn’t they be home by now?”


To be continued…


			
		

	
	



			
				



	
	

		
		
Healing a Broken Heart

				

			Published on  by Xena, Lucy and Chia42 Comments		

			



			


			


Angel Lexi here, taking my blog back for just a little while. I’ve seen my Mom tilt her head in that way that I know she is thinking hard and she’s looking at little Xena when she does it. Let’s start from the beginning so this will make sense.


I knew it would be terrible for Mom when I had to leave, so I hung on for two more months than the docs said I would. Then I had no choice but to go on back to my Creator. After four months I could see how sad Mom still was, so I asked the Big Guy to send someone to help her. I figured He would send her another schnauzer, maybe even let me pick out the right one. At first I didn’t understand why He sent her Lucy. When I asked, He said to wait and watch. I could tell she was still very sad, but the break in her heart seemed to be starting to heal, at least a little.  As the months continued to pass, I saw stitch after stitch forming, creating a heart that could once again hold love. Lucy was accomplishing the job He sent her to do.


After the first anniversary of my leaving had passed, The Big Guy called me to Him to let me know that my Mom was ready for another schnauzer, and that I could help Him find just the right one. I knew exactly what Mom needed. She needed another little girl who looked a bit like me, but not too much. She had to be spunky and smart like me, and ready to be Mom’s partner in lots of activities, including being the church dog. I always loved Mom to the moon and back, but I wasn’t a “touch” dog except for when I was therapizing. Even though that is something she wanted when she adopted me, she never held it against me that it wasn’t in my personality. This time, I wanted Mom to get a cuddly girl, too. I knew the puppy couldn’t be too far away, like in China, or Mom wouldn’t get her, so I started searching in my home state of Georgia. Of course, The Big Guy knew I would find just the right one ’cause He had already picked her out. Boy, I can’t get up early enough to outsmart Him!


When the time was right Mom contacted my breeder, Becky, who understood what Mom wanted. The litter that would be ready to go in October were from a mom and dad who had puppies with temperaments more like mine, but they were all black and all males. Nope. The litter Becky expected to get in the spring would be from a mom and dad who usually had puppies that looked like me but were all cuddly love bugs with no “attitude.” Nope. So Becky told Mom about another great breeder named Toni. Toni was three hours away, and I knew that wouldn’t be a problem since Mom had driven that far to get me.  When Mom went to see these 15 week old puppies, Toni had already picked out the one she thought would be the best match for Mom. You see, I had whispered in Toni’s ear which one to choose, and of course, it was the girl who would soon be named Xena. Even though Xena’s only been in the family for a little over two months, Mom’s heart is healing much faster so it can hold all the love welling up inside it.  And Lucy’s new job is to help raise Xena and to be a wonderful big sister to her. She sure is acing that one, too.


Next thing I know, The Big Guy informs me that I am in charge of watching over Xena. Well, I’ll tell you, that really cut down time with my friend Spike. Puppies take a lot of watching. I made sure she didn’t chew everything up like I used to do as a puppy. Yep, checked that one off my list. Other than the potty training, everything has been going along beautifully, and she is almost there with that, too. Just as I was trying to pat myself on my back, Mom sends up a prayer to The Big Guy, asking for me to give Xena some of my bravery. It seems that every morning when Mom and Xena go to work, Xena is shaking in the car for at least half of the way there. She has other fears, too. I know, I know, she is supposed to be the Schnauzer Warrior Princess, but that’s for later. Even little princes and princesses have to grow into their titles, right? I started walking around thinking about this dilemma.


While it’s true that I have always had enough bravery to share, I didn’t know just how to go about this. I was walking and thinking and not paying much attention to where I was going. When I looked up I saw that I was in a different part of over the rainbow. I had wandered into the Land of Oz, and you will never believe who I found there…My Dorothy!




After getting caught up on the latest Oz news, I asked My Dorothy if she had any ideas. She asked me if I remembered the Cowardly Lion. Of course I did! He was one of my favorites. My Dorothy reminded me that he hadn’t always been brave; it was after he met her and the Tin Man and the Scarecrow that he learned to love and found his courage. Even then, he didn’t realize he had courage until the Wizard gave him a medal with the word Courage on it.




Suddenly, I knew what to do. For now, I am going to let little Xena grow and experience life and build her courage. I will keep en”courage”ing her and do my best to instill some of my extra bravery into her. Do you remember when the little warrior princess went after the big dogs in the house because they tore up her favorite toy? Who do you think helped her?  The more she learns to love and trust, the braver she will be. Some day she will get her own medal and be the superstar she was born to be.


So back to the beginning. When Mom tilts her head in thought, it is because she sees me in Xena, and wonders. Now you know why.


I think I will take a break from puppy watching and go running with Spike for a while.


I am Angel Lexi, the Brave Guardian.


 


			
		

	
	



			
				



	
	

		
		
All About Xena

				

			Published on  by Xena, Lucy and Chia31 Comments		

			



			


			


Hi Friends. Do you ever look at me and say, “She’s really grown!” You’re right! I did gain over a pound in just three weeks, making me 11 pounds, seven ounces heavy. And I’ve grown taller too! I’m almost 13 inches tall!! My sister Angel Lexi was 14 inches, so I’m almost as tall as her (at the shoulder). Mommy thinks I am growing up way too fast, BOL. She also thinks she didn’t get a good measurement from squirmy me, so there may be an update on that.




I have lost all my puppy teeth and have all my big dog teeth now. I really show them off when Lucy plays bitey face with me. And they work great for tearing holes in my playpen. I have a huge hole in the back side, but I have to jump up and down a lot to get the playpen to move away from the fake glass door so I can get out. I don’t know what Mommy’s thinking, pushing it up against the wall like that. To make things easier, I made a second hole in the end, and now I can come and go as I want.




Since the playpen is no good for “containing” me, Mommy shuts me in the big bathroom when she can’t take me with her, like to the store or the dentist. I learned that it is fun to pull all the tee pee paper off the roll. And I managed to get the door open that goes from there into Andrew’s bedroom. I heard Mommy come home today, so I ran into Andrew’s room, to the door that goes to the hallway.  I heard her calling me, so I didn’t understand why she wouldn’t come open the door. I didn’t know Mommy had come in behind me from the bathroom, and she scared the pee pee out of me when she touched me. The loose tee pee paper was then put to good use.


I’ve learned a lot of other things, too. If I walk under Lucy while she is walking I don’t get run over. AND  I can bite her legs. I have to be careful to not stop and laugh; that’s when she reaches down and grabs me by the beard. Barking about Lucy and my beard, she has found it keeps the flavors of my food and she likes to lick it, te, he. Also barking about my beard, Mommy washes my face every day before we go to work. I don’t like it, but that hasn’t stopped her. And I get all my longer hair – I have hair, not fur – combed out real pretty then, too.




I know “sit” and do it faster than lightening! I’m still working on “down” which means to lay clear down with my belly on the floor. I know what it means; I just don’t like doing it, and I get back up right away. I know I am supposed to potty outside All. The. Time. Sometimes I don’t know how to tell Mommy, and sometimes it hits so fast that I don’t have time to tell Mommy. So now there is a jingly thing hanging down low on the back door handle where I can reach it. Mommy keeps hitting it with her finger and sometimes takes my paw and hits it before she takes me out. I think this might have something to do with me going out to potty. I will think more about that later.




I am learning how to type. I learned the thing on the desk is called a mouse, and when Mommy moves it around I can see the very tip of its tail on the puter picture place. I watch it run all over that picture place. Daddy said if I am a good girl, Santa might bring my very own puter from a special company called Mattel. Or maybe one from Playschool. Anyhow, it’s going to be a great puter from one of the big puter companies. Then maybe I can get my own desk and chair from a great company like Mattel, too.




Every night before I go to sleep in the big bed, I put on my jammies. OK, Mommy helps me some. I love my jammies and always wag my tail and try to help. I get to wear them for my first and second outie in the early morning, too, when it is still cold outside.




Lucy is my very bestest friend. We share everything. Sometimes we even stick our heads in a food bowl at the same time and share what is in it.




We don’t fight or argue. At least not since she promised to never help He-Who-No-Longer-Exists [Riley], be mean to me.But sometimes Lucy gets up on the bed without me. I think she must forget that I can’t jump that high yet. She should stay on the couch, where I can jump up.


I hope you have liked reading all about me. I will be sure to come visit and ask Mommy to read to me, all about you!


Christmassy love from me, Xena, the Schnauzer Warrior Princess ❤