Tag: dog friends

My Birthday by Xena

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia32 Comments

Hi, all my friends! I know you must have been laying awake last night wondering if I had a good birthday. You can sleep well tonight knowing I did. I want to tell you about my day, OK?

The first thing to tell is that we have all been taking turns sleeping in bed with Mommy and Daddy. But I got to sleep in bed with them the last two night as a special treat for my birthday. Besides that, Mommy says I’m her special, baby girl, and loves to fall asleep holding me. Except when my bee hind is in her face, of course. When we got up, Mommy looked at me and said those dreaded five words, “You need a bath.” Then she added, “But it’s your birthday, so we’ll wait ’til tomorrow.”

When Mommy checked her email, she found this:

While it was nice to get a card from the AKC, it would have been nicer to get the cupcake!

After breakfast, Mommy took me outside , not in the fenced dog lot and let me do my thing.

These drainage pipes have always fascinated me, so I decided to check them out. Mommy ran over one of them with the lawnmower this year, so it was easy to stick my head in it.

I’m sure I smell something in there. Is it another chippie?

Come out, come out, wherever you are!

Fine! I’ll just lay here and wait.

Maybe it’s lizards. I haven’t had any lizards to chase since the snake ate them all last summer.

I can smell you!

I thought maybe the critter got out and ran along the wall, but I still couldn’t find it!

OK, Mommy, I’m done with that, and ready to move on.

I love our backyard. There’s so many things to smell! I’ve gotta decide where to go next. I could spend the whole day out here!

I decided to ‘splore behind the shed. It’s one of my favorite places, with lots of leaves and wood and especially smells!

I don’t usually get to run through the wooded area, so I tried to be careful and not get in any poison ivy.

My last place to ‘splore was the cactus garden. I found a new chippie hole and got my nose all the way down it, but didn’t find a chippie. I’ll check back later.

After all that digging and ‘sploring, Mommy changed her mind and I got a bath after all. Drat. But, along with it being my b-day, it gets me another night in the big bed!

The next nice thing was Mommy filling up all the treat puzzles and giving them to us.

Riley wouldn’t eat his breakfast today, but I noticed that he not only got all the treats out of his puzzle, but he checked out all of ours when we were done. I helped Lucy a little bit, too. Hers is just like mine, and I showed her how to do it better.

Chia: Does this mean I have to wish Xena a happy birthday?

Xena: Ignore her. We find that usually works best. So tonight, I got lots more meat in my supper, and I’m ready to chill out with Mommy. With that said, I’ll say nighty night, and wish you a great Wednesday.

XOXOX Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess Birthday Girl

We got news last night of River Song of Small Tales suddenly having to cross the Rainbow Bridge. We are all very sad about that, and offer POTP and prayers for her family. Run free, dear friend.

Our Trip and Company

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia24 Comments

Xena: Wow, there is so much to tell! My most exciting news is that I finally lived up to my name, Xena Schnauzer WARRIOR Princess, (I had the Schnauzer and Princess parts perfected already). You see, Aunt Bobbi brought her dog Daisy, who is the size of like a cattle dog or something. I barked at her and chased her back into her kennel. After that, I chased her back there every time I saw her. Then my Aunt Jenny (NOT Auntie Jen) brought her Australian Shepherd type dog over, and guess what! She was scared of me too!! I am The Dominator!

I reigned from this chair.

Lucy: I spent a lot of time with my Aunt Bobbi and Uncle Dennis. And my Grandma. She loves me.

Everyone was tense and there was some raised voices over major (and minor) decisions that had to be made. I don’t like that, it’s scary. But I tried to put some of my Zen energy to work for my family.

Chia: I already told you my story of my Runabout while I was at home with our new sitter. I was good for her after that And she made sure I didn’t “escape” again. I played with Riley and took naps, dreaming up more ways to get to run the neighborhood.

Then I heard about how stressed I made everyone while I was gone on my adventure, so I decided to stay home. Or at least come right back if I got a chance to “stretch my legs.” The same night my pawrents got home, we had a visitor. Her name is Kim and she lives in the Philippines. I could tell she didn’t take to me immediately, so I made sure she knew I wanted her to hold me a lot. When she started taking just me on leashed runs around the neighborhood, I knew I had my new best friend. She “baby held” me like Mom holds Xena, and rubbed my belly and talked to me and explained why some things I growled were not nice and I shouldn’t be talking like that. Last night I put my new “come right back when I get loose” strategy to a test, and came right back when Kim called me. She left today. I may have to go looking for her…

Xena: Something sad happened, too, while I was at my Grandma’s house. I was walking around the house with my family and came across a poor chippie who had passed away.

I came up to her and sniffed her and gently nudged her, then stared for a while in case she was “playing possum,” but she had already crossed the bridge. I don’t know what happened to her…there was no sign of foul play. Mommy was assigned the task of burying her, but Uncle Dennis did it. When he came in and said he had taken care of the chippie, we asked if he had said the mourner’s Kaddish over her. He said he did. Then we asked if he gave a eulogy for her. He said he did. Then we asked if he gave her a proper burial. He said he did. May the chippie’s soul rest in peace.

Riley: I really liked our new sitter, even if she let my friend Chia get away and stopped searching for her when it got dark. She missed work that day, but hey, who let Chia get loose, right? I liked Kim who came to visit, too. She pets good. I slept with her every night. She says I snore…all night long.

Then we had another surprise. Artie, who stayed with us one other time, came over on Tuesday night to stay a few days while his folks were out of town. There sure has been a lot of shuffling dogs around. I’m glad I just got to stay here at home.

We all like Arty; he’s a good dog and a really funny boy. He came walking out of the bedroom with my Rainey Reindeer. Mom caught him and took Rainey before Arty got into major trouble with me. Instead, she gave him Winter Bear and Oscar, who was almost done-for already. He took them back to MY bed in Mom’s bedroom and played with them for a while. The next morning I finished deading Oscar. May he rest in peace.

Xena: That’s all we can think of to tell you right now. But we’re sure there will be something else soon…there always is!

XOXOX Love and licks and wags and wiggles from Riley, Lucy, Xena and Chia

How to Defeat a Big Dog by Chia

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia31 Comments

We are joining Brian’s Thankful Thursday, with special thanks to Brian for hosting it!

Chia: Hi friends! You never know who you’re gonna run into out there in your own yard or on a walk or even on a runabout. So you’ve gotta be ready! Here’s what you do when you run into a big dog.

First, you grab them by the neck.

Then, you wrestle them to the ground:

Next, you make them say woof, woof, you win!

Finally, you run like H. E. Double hockey sticks when they rise from their defeat!

Xena: That was some performance, sis. So where you goin’ now?

Chia: Lookin’ for my next big dog to dominate.

Xena: Sometimes I’m just plain thankful I’m a small dog.

Hard Time Helpers

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia18 Comments

Hi, this is Lucy, and since I’m the Ace Reporter in the family, I was asked to let y’all know where we are. Our Auntie Jen and Uncle Bill have to be out of town for a very difficult situation in the family involving someone they love very much. I’m not at liberty to give details. But I can tell you that Mom brought me and Xena with her on a three hour drive to take care of my BFF Ella, my boyfriend Achilles, and the pig Mortimer, aka Morty. Let’s see how it’s goings…

Lucy: When we arrived last evening around supper time, Ella was super excited to see me and I was grinning from ear to ear. It was past our supper time (we had driven to where it was an hour earlier than where we live) so Mom got right on with fixing everyone their meals. She read the instructions Auntie Jen left and had just scooped Achille’s food into his bowl when Morty the pig threw his nose up against the bottom of her hand that was holding the bowl. Kibble flew everywhere and we stood back while the race was on between Mom and Morty. Who would get the most kibble from the floor!? The kitchen floor is slick for someone who walks on hooves, so Mom was able to keep pushing Morty back, but he was determined. In the end, we think it was a tie.

After breakfast today, we all got to go outside for a while.

Mom knew to shake the treat bag when she called Morty to come in. He came running!

He got a treat for coming, then some more when he followed her back to his “bathroom apartment.”

Then Mom checked on the rest of us…

Mom: Ella, what are you doing?

Xena: She’s hunting chippies, like I do, Mommy.
Ella: Mmph, mmph.
Mom: Ella, please get your head out of there.
Lucy: After Mom made Ella move her head, it appeared that Ella had been licking dirt and stones. (Sounds more like a Chia move.) So Mom put something over the hole. That’s when Ella decided she wanted to go back in the house, too.

Lucy: I spent the whole day outside enjoying the sunshine and the grass and the big yard.

I rolled and watched birds and shared the yard with Morty and sometimes Xena and Mom, too. Achilles had to stay inside most of the time because of his allergies.

But when he was out here, he had a good time. Mom threw his toys for him to chase and he played keep away with her.

After Xena snoopervized Mom “cleaning” the yard, they both went inside, too.

Mom: Come on Xe, let’s get all those allergens off you with a nice bath. Wait, what are you doing?

Xena: I’m practicing my “back” for Freestyle. See how fast I can do it?

Mom: *catching Xena* I know you had a bath yesterday, but (and here comes those dreaded words) it’ll be good for you.

Achilles: What’s goin’ on? Xena, you gettin’ a bath?

Xena: What’s it look like, Achilles? Did you think I was running the 500 or something? Sheesh, you can be almost as big a dufus as Angel Lexi used to say Riley was.

Xena: Why do you keep staring at me?
Achilles: I like to watch.

*meanwhile*

Ella: Lucy, you might want to check out what’s going on in the bathroom.

Lucy: Achilles! What are you doing?

Why are you in here with Xena when she’s taking a bath?

Xena: He said he likes…

Achilles: *interrupting Xena* Uh, well, you see, she’s your little sister, and I like to make sure she’s OK. Looks like your Mom has everything under control and I can leave now.

Lucy: Mom, when are we going home?

Mom: Well, friends, it seems my Ace Reporter is done reporting today, so I’ll help her sign off with wags and hopes that Achilles and Lucy make up tonight.

Rain, Rain, Go Away Almost W.W.

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia21 Comments

Thanks to Comedy Plus for hosting (Almost) Wordless Wednesday!

Chia: I want this rain to go away so Lucy will go out in the yard and play with me.

But in the meantime, I’ve got this boss shirt that used to be Angel Lexi’s. It says, “Life’s Short, Bite Hard.”

Lucy: Mom, please make the rain go away so I can lay out in the yard in the sunshine!

Chia: Never mind the rain, Lucy, let’s play right here!

Love and wags and wiggles from the rainy day dogs, Lucy and Chia

Why Is Shania Home?

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia25 Comments

Shania: Hey guys, I’m back.

Priscilla: Where were you? We looked everywhere.
Shania: You know the Mom’s office got moved out of our house, right?
*Everyone nodding*
So Lambie had to go, too, since she was actually given to the synagogue, not to us.
*Everyone nodding*
Xena thought it would be safer for me to go keep Lambie company for a while than to stay here. Chia had her “deadie the stuffie” eyes on me, and Riley was unpredictable.
Ludwig: I sent out a search party, but no one could find you. And the squirrels never came back, either.
Chippie: You sent squirrels? Squirrels?!
Sweetheart: Never mind that. Sometimes Ludwig gets into the bottom shelf of the pantry. What we want to know is if you’re ok and why you’re back now?
Shania: All the Mom told me before putting me in her carry bag to come home was that we were leaving and not coming back, so tell Lambie goodbye. Oh look, there’s Lucy! She’s the sweetest pup! Aghh, I’m falling!

Xena: Welcome home, Shania. You can ride in my kennel with me again and get magically transported to other places!
Chia: Gotcha!

You’re mine now.
Shania: HELP!!
Riley: Chia! Drop it!

Riley: So, you’re back, Shania.
Shania: *pant, pant* Yes, Riley, thanks for saving me from Chia.

Riley: No problem! Hmm, you might have a flea here…and here…and…
Lucy: Riley, my friend, can I please have Shania? She’s really not worth your time. I know you’re in charge here, and you have much more important things to do, like keeping Chia from swiping your bone, right?

Shania: Thanks, Lucy. One big gulp and I woulda been gone. No wonder the Mom sent me away!

Lucy: Well, you’re back now, Shania, so stay safe, little girl. Maybe you’ll go again when my Mom gets another job. I sure hope I can go, too! And, uh, you might want to wash your ear.

Pots and Dirt and Scary Cart Thingies

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia18 Comments

Lucy: Hey Xena, you went shopping with Mom. Did she get her basil to plant? I might try some of it this year.

Xena: I don’t think so. Something about still having nights below 40.

Chia: We better get more dogs if she needs more than 40 at night! Are you sure she didn’t say she needs more than four? That we’re getting another dog? Woohoo! We’re getting another dog, another dog I can be boss of!

Lucy: No, no more dogs. So, Xena, where did y’all go?

Xena: Oh, we just went to the big store with big carts that attacked me. I was brave and *quiver* hidbehindMomandshehadtocarryme. Then she bought a really big bowl which I hoped is my new food bowl and dirt, which I totally don’t understand since we have plenty of dirt in the dog lot. Remember when we came home and she dumped the dirt out in the woods from that other, smaller bowl and then poured the new dirt into what I hoped was my new food bowl and dug a hole in it for the plant thingie?

Lucy: Oh yeah. I remember her saying the aloe plant had a ton of new babies and outgrew its current pot. There it is on the porch table, with the mama plant surrounded by all her babies. So cute!

Chia: Then she took the other house plant that wasn’t looking so good and dumped all the dirt out in the woods – and I didn’t manage to get out of the fence that time – and pour a bunch of new dirt in the same pot.

It must like it’s new dirt cause it’s already looking better! I wonder what it tastes like. Hey! There’s my stone up there with it. Hey, Xena Sis, whatcha doin’?

Xena: Watching the plants grow.

We are joining Jakey, Rosy and Sunny (happy birthday month, Sunny) of the LLB Gang with much thanks for hosting Nature Friday.

We Lost a Dear Friend

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia16 Comments

MAGGIE
August 2008-April 15, 2022.

2013: Maggie was 5 years old when she first started coming to Groomer Mom. She and her sister Dora were our neighbors down the road.

2018: Maggie and Dora used to come and stay with us sometimes when their Mom and Dad went on trips. The same as all of, she liked her tummy rubs.

2019: Even after they moved about 15 minutes away, Maggie and Dora kept coming to get beautified by Groomer Mom every four or five weeks. We always loved to see them coming.

2022: This picture of Maggie was taken earlier this year. She was having a lot of trouble with her back legs. She would wobble and fall down, and sometimes fall over backwards when she sat down. Groomer Mom held her a lot, and made sure she was supported and safe during her grooms.

Groomer Mom knew that it wouldn’t be long before precious Maggie crossed the rainbow bridge with help from her loving pawrents. We still love you, Maggie, and will see you someday on the other side.

With love to Maggie’s family, who gave her a wonderful 13 years.

Flashback & Nature Friday: Grounded at Dog Park

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia23 Comments

Xena: Guess what! I get to do Flashback Friday again. This one is from August of 2018 when I was barely two years old. Keep reading….

Lucy: Xena, you are the only dog I know that can get grounded at the dog park. It was our third day in a row going there. You just don’t know when to shut your mouth. You were inciting riots with all your barking. And Mom said she was getting a headache. Xena: Please stop lecturing me. I paid the price. I had to sit with boring Mommy while you played with the other dogs. I wanted to run and play too. (and bark more)

Xena the Benched Schnauzer Warrior Princess

We are joining Angel Arty, Jakey, Rosy and Sunny of the LLB Gang with much thanks for hosting Nature Friday. We’re also thankful to Fivesibes for hosting Flashback Friday!

 

Psycho Weather Selfie Sunday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia25 Comments

Xena: Friday we had a good walk around the neighborhood. It was what Mommy calls “Sweater Weather.” Some of the neighbors’ road-front spring flowers were even blooming.

Mommy wanted to “feature” me and Lucy in front of this little roadside garden area, but we were both too busy sniffing stuff on the road. I know, I know, I’m always the “take my picture” pup, but I swear, promise, there used to be something dead here on the road, and I was too engrossed in figuring out what it was.

Then came Saturday morning. It was still o’dark-thirty when we finished our breakfast and asked to go out, as usual. While we were in the dog lot out back, Mommy took these pictures (without a flash) from the front porch.

Somehow the newly fallen snow reflected enough light (we don’t know where from) that it was like daylight outside. The orange specks in the second and third pictures were lights on houses, not the sun. Believe it or not, these are full color pictures. No one shoveled the walk or drive or road. They were just still too warm for the snow to stick to them. So, if I stood outside in a snowstorm, does that mean the snow wouldn’t stick to me, either?

Chia: The white stuff was just spotty in the dog lot and we just navigated around it. It was my first snow! So Mom clipped a long leash on my collar and let me and my pack out there in the front to really see it. At first I just stood there and looked at it like everyone else. Then I ran into it and turned around and ran right back out of it! Yowzers! No one ‘splained to me what it was or that it was wet and cold. So we all spent the rest of the day snoozin’ and hangin’ out in the house.

Until the snow goes away, I’m hangin’ out with my sister and best friend, Lucy.
Except for when I’m nappin’ with my sister and second best friend, Xena.

Since I stopped being mean to Xena, she’s started playing with me again every morning after breakfast. That’s much more fun than getting stuck in my kennel.

Today’s really cold, but the sky’s clear and most of the white stuff is gone and it’s gonna warm up, so it’s gonna be a good day. Here’s hoping y’all have a good day, too! Oh, and many thanks to  The Cat on My Head  for hosting Sunday Selfies! 

XOXOX Lucy, Xena and Chia

Dear Diary by…

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia38 Comments

Xena: For Flashback Friday, Mommy said I could re-publish my very first post! But I want to start out saying Happy Birthday to my peeps brother, Andrew! OK, here we go…

The Last Picture of Me at My First Home

Dear Diary,

I, once called The Female with the Yellow Collar, just had my whole world turned upside down. I should have known something was up yesterday when The Woman took me away from all my puppy siblings and friends – and oh, we were having a grand ol’ time in our playpen – and put a pretty colored thingy on my body. She let me run around the house some, dragging a long thing attached to what I learned was called a hardness (probably because it is hard to get out of), then kept me in a wire kennel away from my buddies.

Come around supper time, a New Woman came to our door and The Woman let me go outside to meet her. I liked her right away, so I wanted to show her what I could do. I ran as fast as I could in big circles around the yard, stopping to sniff the grass and the bushes and anything else that caught my interest. Sometimes I would rip leaves off a bush, just to show it who was boss, or grab some grass and tear it out of the ground, slinging it over my shoulder. Pretty soon I forgot about the New Woman and just ran and played for the sheer joy of it. I bounced up and down and inside of me I was laughing.

    My Boring Brother

I was brought in the house and put in the wire kennel while one of my brothers went outside with The Woman and The New Woman.

He’s so boring, he just did his potty, sniffed around, and wanted The New Woman to hold him. I don’t know why he got a cookie for just doing that.

The next thing I knew, the Womans were talking and signing papers and giving each other stuff and I got put into a kennel in the back seat of the New Woman’s car. It was a little scary, ’cause I had never been in a car before this. We drove for about 87 hours – the New Woman said it was only 3 hours, but I am not sure about that – and I slept most of the way. Except, of course for when my tummy got sick and then I had to pee pee.

The New Man held me.
When I first met Lucy


When we got to the New Woman’s house, a Man took the kennel out of the car and told The New Woman that I had gone pee pee all over the pillow and there was throw up there, too. He left the room while The New Woman gave me a bath. I was shivering, mostly from fear, but I was a little cold too, so The New Woman wrapped me up in a soft towel and took me upstairs to The Man. He held me and called me Littlest One and made me feel safe. I was getting sleepy – after all, the sun had gone away a zillion hours ago – when I got another surprise. A gigantic dog suddenly appeared and sniffed me! She told me her name is Lucy and asked me my name and why I was here in her Dad’s lap. I said, “My name is either The Female with the Yellow Collar or Littlest One.” I didn’t really know, but thought I should answer her. I told her, “I’m here because The New Woman brought me here. And don’t ask me anything else, ’cause I’m just as confused as you.” When The Man put me down for Lucy to see me better, Lucy ran and hid in The Man’s office. That’s where I heard The New Woman say she was, anyhow. Then I listened to The Man and The New Woman talk about where I was to sleep. The New Woman wanted me to sleep in the bed with them. The New Man said he had heard too many horror stories about what could happen. So The New Man won and I was put in the cleaned kennel where I could see The New Woman. I had a special blue and yellow blanket that used to belong to someone named Angel Lexi, and a big soft toy to cuddle with. Lucy was still all scared, so The Man and The New Woman let her sleep with them. I guess she is too big for the horror things to happen to her. I fell off to sleep wondering what new surprises would happen tomorrow.

I guess that’s it for now, Dear Diary. I think I will have lots more to write about very soon. Note to self: ask The New Woman if Littlest One is my new name. ~Me

Grooming with Mom: Then and Now

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia21 Comments

This is Lucy, Ace Reporter, with pupdates on Millie, Gus and JoJo

Gus and Mille began coming to “Small Dog Grooming” (Groomer Mom) back in June of last year after their previous groomer passed. You can click here to read the story and see the pictures of their first groom by Small Dog Grooming. They have been coming every month since then. Groomer Mom took fresh pictures the last time they were here in February.

Millie
Gus

Next up is JoJo, a yorkie who has come every three weeks since April of last year. She is five now. You can click here if you want to see the story and picture from her first groom at Small Dog Grooming.

She got a real different groom from previously…more off her face and less off her body. Her Mom said the cold makes her eyes run. We like this look better.

Chia has been bugging me during this entire report. She wants me to post a picture of her.

Are you taking pictures of me while I’m asleep?

Lucy: There you go, Chia, not one, but two pictures.

Chia: Sheesh, Lucy, I didn’t mean those pictures!

Lucy, Ace Reporter signing off with groom updates (and sweet revenge).

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

Super Bow Wow Sunday Selfies

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia10 Comments

Riley: I’m a Bengal Tiger. I’m gonna smash those goats.

Later…

Lucy: I can’t see the game with this helmet on.
Riley: That’s why I took mine off. And it makes it easier to eat the Super Bowl snacks. *chomp, chomp*
Lucy: It was a lot of fun chewing off the sleeves, and these shirts are a lot more comfy now, too. Wait…. you said snacks?

*chomp, chomp* Super Bowl Sunday is the best!

Xena: Chia! Grab a piece for me!

Chia: *chomp, chomp* Sorry Xe, every dog for herself.

Many thanks to  The Cat on My Head  for hosting Sunday Selfies! (And may the best team win!)

With love, wags, woofs and snacks, Riley, Lucy, Xena and Chia

Sunday Selfie Naps

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia19 Comments

The Mom: Since the girls were napping after a good breakfast, I helped them with their “selfies.”

If these sweeties were awake, I know they would send tail wags and wishes for a happy week.

Many thanks to  The Cat on My Head  for hosting Sunday Selfies!

New Theme and Selfies

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia32 Comments

Xena: Hey there, friends. We hope you like our new look. The truth is, Mommy was playing around and accidentally saved a new theme. When she tried to go back to the theme we’ve been using since any of us start blogging, it said that theme had been discontinued. We couldn’t get it back. But she didn’t like the new theme, so she had to find something else in a hurry. She found this new one, which may stay, or you may be seeing a different one from time to time, BOL!

Lucy: Mom’s also been playing with our pictures like some of y’all do. Well, you don’t play with our pictures, you play with your own.. ugh, you know what I mean. Anyhoo, here’s a couple she’s done.

Chia: I’m in four of them! Wait, why does Xena get five pictures and I only get four?

Xena: Let’s have a contest to settle this! Everyone comment on your favorite picture, and the dog who gets the most comments gets to take everyone who voted for me to…

Lucy: Stop! That’s crazy, Xe! No contests, no voting, no you taking anyone anywhere. Just. Stop.

Chia: *running around the house* I wanna win! I wanna win! I wanna win! (etc.)

We hope you liked our lots and lots of selfies today! XOXOXO Chia, Xena, Lucy and Riley

We are happy to join The Cat on My Head for Sunday Selfies.

Sunday Selfies Show & Tell

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia23 Comments

Lucy: Hi, and Happy New Year, friends! *wiggles* When last we met, Mom was going to take me to the Smart Pet store for a new sweater. That was great! So many people pet me while I was there! I got a really pretty sweater too, and it even fits me like it was made for me (but not made by Mom, BOL!). Then I found out I had to pose for a picture. I really don’t like getting my picture made.

Chia: C’mon Lucy, you can do this! I just got lots of pictures taken and it doesn’t hurt a bit. Give Mom a good picture and it’ll all be over and you can go back to doing nothing.

Lucy: *gulp* OK, I’ll try. But it’s hard to look happy like Xena does in her pictures when I’m doin’ something I don’t wanna do.

Lucy: There. I hope everyone can see my pretty new sweater. I’m done.

Mom: No you’re not, sweet girl. Chia photo bombed you.

Chia: I was just giving moral support.

Lucy: Are we done yet?

Chia: Yep, it’s my turn. First, you probably noticed I’m wearing my big girl panties. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to wear them.

I managed to get them off during the night and now there’s blood on the bedsheets and Dad’s underwear. I was laying up against him. Hmmm. I didn’t know that would happen. Xena! Are you back there photo bombing my picture?
So, what I really wanted to tell you is, I got another present, too. Mom decided I needed a new collar after she put my pretty pink collar on me and I made choking sounds, sorta like, “ghagrk.” I’m a big 1 1/2 years old now and I outgrew it. Off we went to the Smart Pet store!

Can you see it? Instead of a bow it has a pretty sunflower on it. And it’s not pink, yay! No, you can’t see it? Well, that’s ok, there’ll be plenty more pictures of me wearing it other days.

Xena: My turn! I got new stairs to be able to get on the bed without hopping up and down asking Mommy to pick me up. Riley’s bed is always on the side where the rug is, and the floor on Mommy’s side is too slippery for me to try to jump up. I wasn’t too sure about these stairs at first. But when treats suddenly appeared on them, I made it the whole way up to the top.

Now the trick is to get back down. Riley’s sleeping on his bed, so I can’t jump down that way. OK, I’m gonna try this…

OK, I think I can do this. One step at a time.

I’m doing it, Mommy!

Chia: Did you see me run up and down and back up the stairs, Mom? I’m so fast, just like the Flash! You probably missed it. That’s OK, I’ll do it again!

The next night….

Xena: Mommy, Mommy, Mommy lift me into bed Mommy.

Mommy: *sigh*

We are happy to join The Cat on My Head for Sunday Selfies.

Riley Paws Says So

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia22 Comments

Riley: Shhh, everyone take a nap. We need to rest up so we can go to bed early tonight. We want Santa Paws to come.

Xena: Y’all are joking, right?
I mean, why would you have to nap to go to sleep early?

Riley: Because Santa Paws says so.

Santa’s Elf: Wow! That came outa nowhere!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas from Santa Paws Riley, his elf, Lucy, Xena and Chia (zzzzz…)