Thankful Thursday Thoughtful Poem

Xena: My sisters and I were trying to decide who should take this picture and make a poem out of it. We decided that we would all say something. But first, we want to thank Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the great picture every week! 

AGELESS by Xena, Lucy and Chia

I’m nine now, says Xena, and yet I can say
I feel so much younger when with Chia I play.

I’m only five, says Chia, the Jacksund.
I run and I play like I just turned one.

I’m eleven, says Lucy, but I still see
In Mom’s eyes a prettier and younger me.

You all, says Mom Amy, keep me young with your love,
And for you I thank our good Lord above.

The End

Xena: We did it! I’m sure thankful for that. And for my Mommy who cuddles and holds me and won’t ever let me get hurt. Even when I get afraid, I feel so safe with her.

Chia: I’m thankful for all my toys. I have fun shaking the schnauzer stuffies in Xena’s face, BOL! And I’m thankful that Mom will play with me when I ask her to.

Lucy: I’m thankful for all my friends at work and in the neighborhood, and how they all pet me and talk so nice to me. They know I like them because I smile and wag all over when I see them.

And we’re all thankful for our readers and friends. Without you, it wouldn’t be much fun to blog.

Happy Thursday, everyone!

Fritz Traveling on Sunday Selfie

Thanks to The Cat on My Head  for hosting Sunday selfies!

Xena: Once again we’re gonna let Fritz have the Sunday selfie. Maybe he’ll stop pouncing at us when he’s here if we do some nice things like this for him. Besides, Mommy has me and Lucy in another post coming your way soon, BOL!

Me and Mommy took Fritz and his Mom (our friend) Clare to the pet store last week to find him some clothes. For reasons only he knows, he liked wearing the clothes they tried on him. He got a new coat and a new sweater. The next day he went on an outing to visit with Miss Clare’s grandparents. He got to wear his sweater.

Fritz: I like going places in the car. It’s always fun!

Xena: We have a bonus picture of him shopping while he was on his trip to his great-grandparents.

Which picture do you like better for selfie Sunday?

We’ll see you again soon. In the meantime, please stay safe if you’re also getting this dangerous, icy weather!

XOX Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Xena’s Dance Poem on Thankful Thursday

 First, thanks to Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week! 

I love to dance, and sometimes I think about how Angel Lexi help Daddy and Mommy with their dance students. Maybe I could do that too.

Dance Lesson by Xena Schnauzer Princess

Arlene, keep your eyes from closing.
Watch his lead so you don’t go boing.
Arnold, your legs are too far apart.
Bring then together or you might fart.

You both, your timing is just all wrong.
You’re not listening to the song.
I give up, you’re hopeless, I’m going home.
You can pay for your lesson over the phone.

The End

Xena: I’m thankful that Miss Marie Cris rubbed my tummy every day she was here. I even started throwing myself back in the baby hold in her lap! That took a lot of trust.

Chia: I’m thankful that Mom brushes our teeth (almost) every night at 6:00. I don’t want to have to go get put to sleep while the dentist cleans them.

Lucy: I’m thankful for all the people who come into the church and talk nice to me and pet me. I smile at them and wag my tail, too.

We’re still waiting to see what happens here — the forecast keeps changing. Everything from snow with ice on it, then more snow on it, to just ice, to nothing. Guess we’ll know when it happens!
Hoping everyone has a good weekend without too much (or any) snow and ice.

Xena, Lucy and Chia


Lucy’s Dirty Poetry and Thankful Thursday

Lucy: First, thanks to Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week! I didn’t get in on the sister photo poem action last week, so I get to do the poem all by myself today. I’m not in the picture, either, but read on and you’ll find out why.

Snitched On by Lucy

My sisters found out what I did
Covered with mud playing with a kid.
So they turned to AI to snitch on me.
But it didn’t work. As you can see,
That dog looks not a bit like me!

This is me (and my little sis, Xena):

Xena: Hey Lucy, thanks for including me in your picture. You’re a good big sister and I’m thankful for you.
Chia: Are you thankful for me, too, Xeb…er, Xena?
Xena: Sometimes. But especially when we play together. And I’m thankful that our visitors from the Philippines are still here with us. Marie Cris holds me every night and rubs my tummy.
Lucy: Yes, and I’m thankful that I get to sleep with Miss Kim every night. I’m also thankful that I had a good 10-year birthday yesterday.
Xena: Yes, but Mommy’s a bit worried about you cause you ate that entire, 14 inch long braided chew stick yesterday – the one Mommy got you for your birthday and thought it would take you days to chew through. Guess she doesn’t know you that well, huh? Anyhoo, Chia’s keeping an eye on you while me and Mommy and Daddy are all at work today. Just have Miss Kim or Miss Marie Cris call us if you need us, OK?
Lucy: OK, but I feel fine. I’m gonna hang with them today. In the meantime, we hope all our friends have a good Thankful Thursday!

Snow Folk Soon Gone by Xena and Chia on Thankful Thursday

Xena: First, thanks to Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week!
This was a bit of a scary scene to jump into, so I asked Chia to help me. There was no way I was dragging puppy Fritz into this mess.
Chia: You just didn’t want him on our blog again, Xepoo.
Xepoo: I’m not Xepoo, I’m Xeboo, er I mean I’m Xena. And stop calling me that!
Chia: Sure, Xeboo. Hey, folks, here’s our poem! *wags*

Snow Folk Soon Gone by Xena and Chia

Xena: Look at them all—snow-folk standing still,
a thousand quiet noses sniffing winter’s will.
Chia: They stand like a crowd that forgot how to move,
each one shaped by gloom, gloves, and grooves.
Xena:  They don’t chase, they don’t bark, they don’t run—
are these statues dreaming of sun?
Chia: Each face is different, yet frozen the same,
a crowd of friends who never woof our name.
Xena: Some wear words on paper, some wear crooked smiles,
each one here for just a little while.
Xena: Do you think they know they won’t stay long?
Chia: Everything melts, sister—that’s the song.
Xena: They’ll vanish softly when the weather turns kind.
Chia: Soon gone like footprints, like breath, like time.

The End

Chia: Hi four, Xeb..umm, Xena! We made a great team! Let’s do it again!!
Xena: Hi four, Chia. Yes, we did, and no, once is enough, BOL. I’m thankful for the fun pictures Angel Sammy sends us every week. I think it helps make us a better team, too. And I’m thankful for the pretty weather here and my Mommy and Daddy and all our good friends and our great food.

Chia: Can I just say ditto? I’m thankful for the same things, Xe. And I’m real thankful that Connor, who you know lives downstairs right now, always agrees to go walking with Mom and to take me! (For our friends who don’t know Connor, he is the son of our brother Andrew’s long-time girlfriend, Jentry, and he lived here with them for a few years as a child.) (I didn’t know him then cause I wasn’t born yet.)

Lucy: I have to say, you two did a fantastic job with your poem and your thankfuls. I’m thankful I got to go to Sasha and Oliver’s house and visit with them for a couple of hours last Sunday. THey live just right around the corner. Mom went there to visit Miss Susan and took me! I hope we can get together again real soon. Me and Sasha are tight. *big wags*

Chia: I almost forgot! Miss Kim, who lives in the Phillipines, is coming to stay with us tomorrow for 10 whole days! Maybe she’ll take me running in the mornings again!!

Wishing everyone love and happiness,
Xena, Chia and Lucy

Fritz Mania on Happy Tuesday

Xena: Well, it looks like puppy Fritz is taking over my blog. Hmmm. Maybe I should watch to see what he does and then imitate him. *sigh*

Xena: Can someone please teach me how to drive like that? And get me a car?

Thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday Blog Hop! Now I guess I’ll go see if I can get any treats for cooperating. XOX Xena

Grooming with Mom and Fritz on Sunday Selfie

Hi folks! It’s been a while, I know. Since we last met, Groomer Mom (GM) has groomed five schnauzer puppies as well as their Mom and Dad!
She was so busy with the pups that she forgot to take pictures of all but the last pup, Fritz. Fritz was adopted by our neighbors, and 15-year-old Clare is his new Mom. If you missed our Christmas Eve post about this, you can find it here.

After GM got off her office job on New Years Eve, Miss Clare brought Fritz over to be groomed.

This is a picture of them on Christmas Eve when Fritz arrived at his new home and had played himself into a stupor.

It’s getting pretty cold around here, so the decision was made to leave most of the hair on him that usually gets shaved off from his back, head, chest and ears. He still didn’t like being groomed and kept grabbing GM’s hand with his sharp little teeth. She had to get firm with him, and he responded to that with slightly better behavior. He still didn’t want the sides of his face shaved, so GM had to use the scissors, which he didn’t like either. Miss Clare stayed and held on to him, but he was still a challenge. Here is Fritz, finished, although not quite to the satisfaction of his worn-out groomer, AKA his Aunt Amy. And we let Fritz have the selfie this Sunday!

In one more picture GM asked me to include, she used ChatGPT and placed Fritz in a fancy salon with a mirror.

On New Years Day Miss Clare told GM that after his groom, Fritz went home and fell fast asleep. He had worn himself out, BOL!.

This is Lucy, Ace Reporter signing off with another (mostly) successful groom!

Thanks to The Cat on My Head  for hosting Sunday selfies!

Thankful New Year: A Poem from Xena and Sisters

Xena: As a gesture of my thankfulness for my sisters I’ve invited them to write a poem with me today. But first, we want to thank Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the great picture every week!

The End

Xena: Great job, girls! I’m thankful that you’re both my sisters and I know I don’t tell you often but, well, I love you.

Lucy: I love you too, Xe. And I’m thankful for our wonderful pet sitters. Let’s see, there’s Miss Christy, Miss Clare, and I get to go stay with Miss Susan and Oliver and Sasha!

Chia: Don’t you love me, too, Lucy? You didn’t woof that you do…

Lucy: Of course I do, Chia. I mean, I haven’t hurt you yet, right? Even with you acting ugly with me?

Chia: Oh…yeah, well…I love you too, Luce, and I’m thankful for you. And I’m thankful for a new year where I’ll try to be a good girl. Maybe then I’ll get to go to work with Mom, too, and also go to sleepovers like you do, Lucy!

HAPPY 2026, EVERYONE!!

Christmas Eve and Day Miracle, Hopes and Presents

Xena: Merry Christmas to all my friends. I hope everyone is happy and your tummies full.

Christmas Eve Miracle:

I want to tell you the back story, and I’ll try to keep it kinda short. You probably already know we love our neighbor kids and they love us, especially Miss Clare and her little sister Lucy (yes, like our Lucy), so we all call her Lucia – which is her real name so there’s no mix up. I, Xena, am the reason 15-year-old Miss Clare fell in love with schnauzers. Then, this fall, the family’s friend’s schnauzer had five baby puppies. Clare had been trying to get her follk to let her have one since before they were born. They were a dogless family – sad, I know. My Mommy tried helping by tellling them how great us schnauzers are and stuff like that. They finally told her no, and she gave up. Then some circumstances changed. Guess what she got on Christmas Eve…

This is 12-week-old Fritz in Miss Clare’s arms.

He had a fun day of playing with the kids and chewing on stuff and peeing in the house. My Mommy is now his official Aunt Amy … and she got to hold him too. By the way, Miss Clare’s Mommy let my Mommy know she was making the hour drive to get a puppy for Miss Clare while Mommy was grooming me yesterday. My Mommy was so happy she started crying. Weird, I know. Then Miss Clare started crying when her Mommy walked in with the as yet unnamed puppy! Miss Clare named him Fritz. I’m sure we’ll all be seeing much more of Fritz!

Christmas Eve Bedtime:

Xena: Mommy, is Santa Paws coming tonight?
Mommy: Yes, sweet baby. Go to sleep now so he will come.

Christmas Day:

Two of us waited patiently….finally…

I got Wiggles and Wags Fruit Slices: Apple & Pumpkin. And besides the taste, the best part is the ingredients: Apple, Pumpkin. That’s all! And I’m not allergic to either of those!!

Lucy: I got a bag of them, too! And I also got Wiggles & Wags Meaty Patties with beef and chicken and a coupla other OK things.

Chia: I got a bag of Wiggles & Wags Chewy Bones made with chicken and cheese (yummy). They’re soft and chewy.

Xena: Mommy opened our bags and we got to stick our heads in them and “stuff our faces” until she picked up the bags, saying, “Let’s save some for later. You just had breakfast.”

That was three hours ago. We’ve gotta go now to see if we can have some more yet. Lots of love and wishes for a good Christmas.

Xena, Lucy and Chia

It Wasn’t Me by Xena and Thankful Thursday

First, thanks to Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week!

Xena: I’m very thankful today that Daddy helped my Mommy get some internet connection from the boat, uh, ship they’re still on in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. I’ve been able to catch up a little bit on what’s going on and I’m happy to say Mommy misses me as much as I miss her! Other than that, they danced in the ballroom with good music from a band the first night and had a lot of fun. The second night the boat was on the “high seas” and they tried to dance, but I guess that’s hard when the boat, I mean ship, is rocking. Guess that’s what “Don’t rock the boat” means! Hey, isnt’ that a song?

Anyhow, the third night was a don’t even try to dance night, cause the things called waves and swells were much worse. The good news is they didn’t get sick and were still able to eat as much as they could fit in their tummies. (I could fit a lot in my tummy!) So I’m also thankful that I wasn’t on that rocking boat and maybe getting sick, and that my folks didn’t get sick, too.

They’ve also met some nice people from the UK and Germany and Queens, Ireland and the U.S., too. That was all over meals while they were eating.

So now here’s my poem (thank you, Mommy, for helping me.)

It Wasn’t Me (or The Ghosts Did It) by Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Look at this mess! It sure wasn’t me.
I was sound asleep next to the tree.
I only woke when I heard you yell,
“Just look at this mess! What the h…ll!?”

The ghost of Christmas past appeared,
Our friend, the lab, woofed with much fear.
He ripped the wrappings oh so fast
And took our presents to the past.

The ghost of Christmas present came,
My sis Lucy sincerely explained.
It said others needed these more,
Then left to take them to the poor.
Then came the ghost of Christmas to come
Saying we’d need these more in years to come.

My other sis looked at the floor.
From her eyes guilty tears did pour.
I did all this and made up the story.
For all of it, I’m very sorry.

Our Mum sat down and said so sweet,
Come and sit here by my feet.
I love you all! Let’s get the broom
And clean up the living room.
I have only one thing to say…
Where are your gifts I wrapped today?

We looked around and saw nothing,
No toys nor treats, not a single thing.
Perhaps the ghosts really did appear…
We’ll watch for those gifts in a future year!

The End

Lucy and Chia: Hi Mom!! Hi Dad!! We miss you too, and we’re still having a good time with Miss Christy. We’re so thankful that she was able to come be our dog-sitter while you’re gone. And we’re thankful we’re not on a rocking ship on the big ocean, too! Lots of love to you and to all our friends.




Deserted

Mommy and Daddy left today. They are on their way to the airport here in Chattanooga. I heard them say they’re flying in a plane to Atlanta. Then they’re taking another plane all the way across the pond to London. Then, they’re taking an Ocean Liner named the Queen Mary. It’s going to take them through where the Titanic sunk and most of the people died! *shiver* But if they make it through there, they’ll end up in New York City, and take another plane home. They’re going to balloroom dance to a big band every night! I won’t see them again until very, very late on the Monday before Christmas. Mommy might not be able to get the pictures Miss Christy sends her of me and my sisters. And she might not be able to say hi or show any of them to you until after she gets back. And after she recovers. And after she goes into work and gets the bulletins printed for 3 services. Hey, wait, that means I can’t go to work next week, either.

But don’t worry, we’ll be back. Maybe even before next year.

I might wait right here with my new friend until my Mommy comes home.

Love and *wags* and a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Xena, Lucy and Chia

Pee Ess: You didn’t get a Christmas card from us because Mommy was too busy to make and send any. Or even make and post any. *sigh* Maybe next year…

Xena and Chia’s Sunday Selfies

Thanks to The Cat on My Head  for hosting Sunday selfies!

Xena: Chia kept bugging me about wanting to do the Sunday selfie, so I finally said I would do one with her. I’m wearing my hoodie and Chia, well she thinks she’s hot stuff still in her fall scarf. She really needs to get a winter or Christmas scarf. Maybe Mommy will help her with that.

Chia: Mom promised I’d have a Christmas scarf for my next selfie!

We hope everyone has a good week! XOX Xena and Chia

Happy Thanksgiving and Xena’s Fantasy Meal

Xena: I’m not allowed to eat ham, so that’s why I have turkey for Thanksgiving. (Sorry Mr. Turkey, above.) Speaking of eating turkey, here’s my poem on Thankful Thursday. Oh, and thanks to Angel Brian, who is hosting Thankful Thursday, as well as Angel Sammy for the picture every week!

Thanksgiving Dinner by Xena the Schnauzer

Come on Heinz, bring me a piece
A big one, mind you, not full of grease.

I’m trying, Xexe, to get you some,
But if Mom comes in I’ll have to run.

I thought you cooked the turkey for me!
I thought that I am your sweet honey.

You are my dear, but don’t you see?
This turkey is bigger than you and me!

You grab the front, I’ll grab the back
Together we’ll have a really good snack!

The End

Chia: I can’t wait to get some of that turkey I smell cooking in the oven. Mmmm.
Lucy: It does smell great! What about your thankfuls, Chia?
Chia: I’m thankful I got to go on the Fort Wayne trip with Mom and Dad. I got to visit my Grandma and I wasn’t afraid of her in her wheel chair this time. She pet me real nice and than Mom sat on the floor and held me.
Lucy: I’m thankful I didn’t have to ride in the car on a trip. I’m a nervous wreck when I do that. Instead, I stayed with Miss Susan and my friends Sasha and Oliver, where I had a great time. I can’t wait to go back. And I’m thankful that Sasha’s mouth and place where she had stitches is all healed up and she’s her excited, happy self again!
Xena: I’m also thankful I got to go with Mommy and Daddy, even if I DID get a bath while I was there. I’m glad I made a nice man in a wheel chair happy while we visited my Grandma. He pet me and I layed between his feet. He said he liked me and I’m a good dog. *wags* I’m also thankful to be home and back with my sister Lucy. *wags* I guess that’s all for now, so together…
Lucy, Chia and Lucy: Happy Thanksgiving!

Xena and Chia on D.A.D. Sunday

Xena: I didn’t know today was Father’s Day. We didn’t get Dad anything.
Chia: Nope. It’s National Dog Appreciation Day. Smile!
Xena: Ohhh, I thought it was just for our Sunday Selfie. I am smiling.

Chia and Xena: Thanks to The Cat on My Head  for hosting Sunday selfies!

Coned Xena on Her Triple Sunday Selfie

Chia: Thanks to The Cat on My Head  for hosting Sunday selfies!

Xena: Hi friends. I want to thank y’all for all the nice things about how beautiful I looked in my new yellow flower cone. I was liking it better and better every day. And it’s so sunny and warm outside, I asked Mommy to take a picture of me for my Sunday selfie.

Then…then Mommy took it off me to do another selfie.

I think I posed pretty here. I was wondering if my friends would think I was more beautiful with or without the yellow flower ring when something unexpected happend. Mommy put me in “baby hold” and took a picture of my tummy.

Yep, she figured out the flower around my neck was decorative only. So now…

…wishing all my good friends and my new friends and, well, eveyone a cone-free Sunday (unless it’s an ice cream cone, of course).

I’ve Been Flowered

Xena: Well, I’ve got old bad news and also semi-good (or maybe it’s semi-bad) news. First the old bad news. Because I’ve been an itchy mess – chewing myself raw – Mommy put the Cone of Shame Honor on my neck. As often as I could I rammed it into her while following her down the hallway. I also asked her to promise not to show any pictures of me in it!

But, before I could extract the same promise about my new Soft Dog Cone (sometimes I hate Amazon), she snapped one and here we are. She could have at least brushed my beard first!

It still has the care instruction tag on it because Mommy wanted to see if I could get out of it. I should have tried harder, cause the tag’s off now. Guess that means we’re keeping it.

Daddy said Mommy could cut out some green leaves from material and sew them around it. I didn’t share a thankful yesterday, so here’s my thankful: Mommy said, “No.”

The Humiliated Xena Schnauzer Itchy Princess

Xena’s Story: Rerun of Halloween in Paris

Mom Amy’s note: Whether this is your first time reading this post or you are enjoying it as a rerun, thank you! And if you haven’t read the full series of “Xena’s Story” you can click here to get started!

“I’m so glad my Mommy and your Sissy let us stay in Paris,” woofed Xe.
“Yep, even if Sho did send little Missy the mouse to keep an eye on us. As though we wouldn’t notice her hanging around, spying,” laughed Tye.
“I’m also glad Missy agreed to only send good news back to Sho and Mommy when we offered to include her in everything we did!” exclaimed Xe.

“Hey, Missy,” the pair yelled out together, as they were often wont to do. Let’s head on over to the river bank and see what’s going on. The café let us have the night off from tasting food, er, I mean waiting tables, and licking, er, I mean washing dishes so we could enjoy Halloween! They’re so nice there. They even said please, please take the night off, take several nights off. We can text Gigi on the way to meet us there,” finished Xexe.

A short while later, the foursome met up on the bank of the Seine.
“Look at that friendly pumpkin,” observed Tye. What fun we are going to have tonight! I bet we get lots of treats, too!” she added.
“Gigi, will you take a picture of the three of us?” implored Xe.

“This light is quite flattering,” observed Tye.
“Oh, my,” squeaked Missy, “I forgot to smile. And now Miss Mommy and Miss Sho will know I am in cahoots with you two. I’m sorry, Miss Mommy and Miss Sho!”

Later, after nightfall…

“Let’s go to Disneyland Paris,” suggested Gigi. “They always have a big blast for Halloween. It should be tons of fun. And *giggle* maybe we can sneak in like we did at the museum and all those other places we got thrown out of.”

“Poof” said Mickey the Magician. “You’ll disappear if you enter here.”
“Grrr,” growled the pumpkin. “Turn around or you’ll never be found.”
“Come closer,” enticed the witch. “Turn into wood, rot where you stood.”

“Well, we sure didn’t get very far,” grumped Xe. Who knew they would have this elaborate system set up to make you leave if you didn’t have a ticket!”
“Ooo, that was scary,” squeaked Missy the mouse.”
“Let’s go find somewhere better,” meowed Tye with disdain.

“I know,” said Gigi, trying to make up for the Disneyland failure. “Let’s go to the Eiffel Tower. It is never disappointing, and it is free.

The next morning…

“Wake up, my friends,” woofed Gigi. “It’s time to go home.”

“Where am I?” asked Tye. “I felt this terrible sleepiness overtake me and I laid down and fell soundly asleep.”
“We never made it to the Eiffel Tower,” Gigi answered. “You fell asleep, like you said, and Xe went into a stupor. I could not rouse either of you, so I sat here and watched over you both all night to make sure no one played a Halloween prank on you. It was very odd. It was like the pumpkins acted as the poppies did in the Wizard of Oz.”
“I dreamed I was wearing the Cone of Shame, and JenJen Bear came to comfort me,” said Xe.
“Well, I hate to tell you this,” laughed Tye. “Oh, never mind. You’ll realize it soon enough.”

“But I also had an even scarier dream,” said Xe as she began to shake with fear. “Angel Lexi came back as a Vampire Dog…”

“Bwah, ha, ha, ha. I have come… to suck…your blood.” Lexi’s voice could be heard in the distance, moving away from the four friends. “Man, I love Halloween and the Big Guy letting me come back to have some fun!”

As Gigi, Tye, Xe, with Missy riding on her back ran as fast as they could toward their Paris abodes, their screams reminded all of the terrors of All Saint’s Eve.

Happy Memories from This Day

This group of pictures popped up in the “Your Memories from this Day” from One-Drive.

It includes Gracie (the shih tzu), which is so appropo, since she is here with us again. There is Xena checking out her new stuffie, Shania. And Piper and Milo – my close friend Jen’s schnauzers, who now live on at the rainbow bridge. And finally is our Angel Riley. What a wonderful dog he was. He would be so happy living here right now, next door to 5 kids he would love. Hope you enjoy.

Many thanks to Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday!