Riley: Chia! Why are you dressed like an Indian? Mom Amy said we should dress like pilgrims for our Thanksgiving picture. We even had a meeting and I decided we’d all just wear pilgrim hats. What’s wrong with you, long dog?
Chia: I’m a rebel. And I can run faster than you. Lucy: Everyone please just stand still and look at the camera. The sooner we get this over with the better. Chia: Xena, where you goin’? Xena: I think I see a critter…
Thanks to Rosy and Sunny of The LLB Life for hosting Nature Friday!
Xena: First, here’s our feeble attempt at Nature Friday, BOL!
This is a baby oak tree who barely has his trunk yet. But he’s sure putting on a pretty show for the fall season. And we think the evergreen is a baby fir tree, cozying up to the baby oak. Can anyone say “awww?” Mom says she’ll replant them in the spring when the ground is softer.
Mom bought a big bag of little bitty candy bars to give out at Halloween. We had a lot left. She kept seeing letters on the little snicker bars, just one letter on each, and couldn’t figure out why. When Riley’s Person Andrew came over last Sunday he set the candy bars out in this order. Mystery solved!
Finally, this is Lucy at work on Monday. It was still pretty early in the morning when she started staring out the windows wondering when the Pastor – her new BFF – was going to show up.
I guess that’s all I’ve got to bark about today, friends. Hope you have a lovely weekend. Oh, wait, I forgot to put in my picture! I’m Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess
Gracie was one of Angel Lexi’s only dog friends. She’s a very smart little shih tzu, and fun to be around. She came and stayed with our folks for a couple of weeks to try to help them right after Lexi crossed the bridge. She came back regularly as her folks went out of town to visit, and often made trips with our folks. This is the 3rd time in the last two or three months that Gracie’s spent a week with us. We all like Gracie and we think she likes us too.
Me and Gracie, we went for a special walk today around the neighborhood, just us two with Mommy. And with our neighbor Miss Pam. She walked with us too. And with our shadows. **humming “Me and My Shadow”**
Happy Tuesday! From Xena and Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus, who is hosting Happy Tuesday Blog Hop!
Daddy, isn’t Mommy coming out to take my selfie on your lap? She needs to hurry. I just ate and I’m getting sleepy.
A few minutes later…
Jeff: Amy, I think it’s too late for a selfie. Amy: I’ll catch her or maybe Chia wanting their pictures taken a little later.
“A little later”….sleeping with stuffies…
Xena with Riley’s Racky DChia with Brownie Bear
Many thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday, and to The Cat on My Head, for hosting Sunday Selfies (even if we are a day late and not much of a selfie!)
Xena: This is the poem we promised y’all yesterday. It was one of many nursery rhymes in Rock City’s Fairyland Cavern. Mommy re-wrote it underneath, too, in case it was hard to read in the picture.
THERE WAS A LITTLE GIRL Who had a little curl right in the middle of her forehead, and when she was good, she was very, very good, and when she was bad, she was horrid.
Chia: That’s the poem????
Xena: I want to thank Comedy Plus for helping me publish this post so all our friends can read the poem we’ve dedicated to Chia!!
Hi friends, it’s me, Xena. First, a big thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday Blog Hop! I am the German dog in the family, so I hitched a ride with Mommy and brother Adam to Rock City to celebrate Rocktoberfest on Sunday. It’s was tons of fun, and would have been even better if I could have gotten my paws (and mouth) on one of those bratwursts! As it was, I got to listen to the Wurstbrauts, instead!
Daddy was the band leader and announcer, and once again he used me as a prop. Here’s a picture of us from a previous year.
Hmm, I had the same sweater on. It must be my Oktoberfest sweater!
Then me and Mommy “walked” Rock City. First we had to squeeze through “Fat Man’s Squeeze,” tee hee. As you can see, it was no big deal for me (or Mommy). But some of the folks behind us were having a bit of a rough time, BOL!
This picture below is from a little area off the cavern walkway. It was lit all pretty like this with the stained glass in the rock behind us.
A nice person we didn’t know took the picture for us.
Here’s a coupla more pictures of us as stopped for a photo op along the trail. Mommy’s not used to taking “ussies” or even selfies, but she did her best.
When we got back to the pavillion, brothers Andrew and Adam and almost sister Jentry were there eating and waiting for us and listening to the Oompah songs from the band. Mommy said she and I had already walked the whole trail, but, she said, “Come on, let’s all do it together!” So we did.
L-R Andrew, Mommy & me, Adam
When we finally got back to the gift shop it was time to go take Adam to his home and then head home ourselves. I sure did sleep good that night!
If you come back to visit us tomorrow on Wordless Wednesday, we’ll show you one of the poems that was in the Fairyland Caverns. We’ve dedicated it to Chia. Until then…your friend, Xena
Chia: Everyone come see it! I can’t wait to see all the nice things it says!! *wags* XOXOX Chia
It’s my turn to write a poem for the picture and I think I’ve got the perfect one. *wags*
The Pastor Is Gone by Lucy the Church Dog Pastor went away. I pleaded with him to stay. Please return I pray.
Xena: Wow Lucy, you really do have a case on the pastor. Did you get AI to help you with that Haiku? Lucy: No, Xena. AI couldn’t express my feelings like I can. I miss him so much. I haven’t seen him for a week but he’ll be back today and he’ll fuss over me and tell me he loves me Chia: I want to meet this pastor. Grrr, why haven’t I gotten to meet him? Why won’t Mom take me to the church where she goes and works all day? Why do you and Xena get to go but not me? Grrr. Xena: Because the first time the front door opened you’d run out onto that busy street and get flattened into a 2 dimensional dead dog. Chia: Oh. Well, I’m thankful I’m still a 3 dimensional live dog! Xena and Lucy: So are we!!
Once upon a time, in the heart of the Chattanooga Valley, there lived four dogs named Captain Riley, Blackbeard Xena, Long John Chia, and Brindle Lucy. They were pirates who sailed the high seas of the mountains and were feared by all who knew them.
As they sailed through the valley, they encountered many obstacles. They had to navigate treacherous waters, avoid dangerous wildlife, and outsmart rival pirate crews. But they were determined to find the treasure and nothing could stop them.
The treasure was more magnificent than they could have ever imagined. It was a chest filled with gold coins, precious jewels, and rare artifacts. They knew that they had struck it rich and that their lives would never be the same again.
With their treasure safely aboard The Salty Dog, they set sail back home to the Chattanooga Valley. They were hailed as heroes by all who knew them and their legend grew with each passing day.
One day, they decided to embark on a new adventure. They had heard rumors of a treasure hidden deep in the valley and were determined to find it. They set sail on their trusty ship, The Salty Dog, and began their journey.
Finally, after many long weeks at sea, they arrived at their destination. They docked their ship and set out on foot to find the treasure. They searched high and low, through dense forests and rocky terrain, until they finally stumbled upon it.
A place they could raid for all the treats their ship could hold!
And so ends the tale of Captain Riley, Blackbeard Xena, Long John Chia, and Brindle Lucy- four dogs who dared to dream big and became legends in their own time.
Chia: We’ve only been back from our vacation in In Dee Anna a few days and we’re leaving again. That’s a lot of travel, but hey, I like to ride in the car as long as you don’t shoot out liquid poop all over our travel pillow in our kennel, XeBe.
Xena: It’s been over a week, Chia, and no, we’re not going. So I won’t be shooting out anything from anywhere on your whatever.
Chia: Wait…we’re not going? They’re not leaving us all alone for 87 days, are they? Wait! Does that mean…
Xena: Yep, Daddy’s taking Mommy to the beach again for her birthday. He’s been doing that for several years now, in case you haven’t noticed. But it means Miss Christy is coming, and when she can’t be here for a day or so, Miss Pam, our favorite neighbor will be feeding us and spending time with us.
Chia: Woo hoo! How soon are Mom and Dad leaving? Tomorrow, maybe? Or tonight??? Why didn’t Miss Pam tell us that when she was here?
Xena: Maybe because you were so busy attacking Lucy and jumping all over Miss Pam. You did get to spend more time in your kennel while she was here learning how to feed us than since we got back from our In Dee Anna trip. Anyhow, it also means we won’t get to blog unless Miss Christy helps us, or we do it remote with Mommy.
Chia: I don’t care. I get to be with Miss Christy and Miss Pam without Mom correcting me! I can beat up on Lucy all I…
Uh, ummm, hi Mom. Love ya.
The Mom: I’m so thankful that your Dad takes me to the beach, even though he’d rather be in the mountains. And I’m thankful beyond words that you’re all over your bouts with diarrhea. I’m also extremely thankful for our wonderful dog sitter, Christy, and that Pam is thrilled to spend time with all of you! And you’re right, Xena, I may not be helping y’all blog again for about a week or so, and I’m thankful that you understand. We’ll just have to wait and see how that works out.
It’s me, Xena, here on my blog. I get to do the poem again this week ’cause I’m the only one of the pups here who ever got to ride a horse. It was at my Auntie Jen’s. Mom got a picture of it too. I tried to be brave.
This week’s picture from Angel Sammy features a small panda bear on a horse!
Giddy Up Horsie by Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess
Giddy Up horsie, let’s go for a ride. Better be careful, on this snow we’ll slide! Brother’s behinds us, he’s nudging your tail. “Cause right now your speed is just like a snail.
My schnauzer friend Xena says she rode a horse Good tales she tells; I believe her, of course! They went far and wide and then returned home. She said home’s the best, ne’er more will she roam. (at least until next time)
The End
Lucy: Thanks, Xena, good poem! I wanted to give the thankful today. The nice lady dog trainer, Julia, from next door came over again after her first time teaching Chia to walk nicely on a leash. She worked with Chia and Mom and Dad and taught Mom and Dad how to teach Chia to stop attacking me. Did you get that, BOL? I’m so thankful for that, and that she hasn’t done it since! She’s smart. It doesn’t take too long when you know what to do. I’ll let you know if it “sticks”.
Hi, it’s me, Xena. Yesterday me and Chia rode together in the car kennel for 87 hours. We do really well at that! A bonus was that we got to eat breakfast before 5:00 in the morning…woo hoo! Lucy rode in the back seat next to us, and slowly wormed her way up between the front seats so that she was mostly laying on the divider thingie between Mommy and Daddy. She pretty much panted the whole 87 hour drive, so we didn’t begrudge her that comfort. Riley? Oh, he stayed home with His Person Andrew, who came to stay at our house with him. Anyhoo, we went especially to spend time with my Grandma who turned 93 on Thursday.
From all the stress of the drive, Lucy’s had the squirts and…
Lucy: No, Xena, you don’t need to tell everyone about that, please!
Xena: Oh, ok Luce. So this morning Lucy went to the nursing home to visit with our Grandma. While she was there, she did some unofficial therapy work with other residents who wanted to pet her. It was nice that she made people smile and have a little bit better day.
Lucy: (Looking grateful) Thanks, Xena.
Xena: It was nice and cool here in In Dee Anna, and Mommy took us all for a long walk. We walked down to a pretty place called Forest Park. Here’s me and Lucy in front of some pretty roses and something called a pergola. There was also a very small lake and more pergola thingies and lots of paved walkways.
The temperature was in the mid-60’s but the sun was warm.
And here’s Chia in front of some other flowers. Speaking of Chia..
Chia: Xena, don’t! Xena: Speaking of Chia, for three years, no matter what Mommy has tried, Chia’s been a terror to take on a walk. She pulls so hard on the leash the whole time that Mommy hates to even walk her (but she does anyhow ’cause Chia needs so much exercise). So we get here, and Julia — who owns the Air B&B where we are staying, not my friend and Freestyle trainer Julia — lives next door. She was outside when we arrived and she and Mommy and Daddy started talking. They found out that Julia is a dog trainer. (I wonder if all dog trainers are called Julia??) Mommy begged her to take Chia and leash train her, saying she would pay her whatever she wanted if she could do that. Julia went in her house and came back out with a thin metal collar that she slipped over Chia’s head. (If you biggify the picture you can see the collar.) She put the leash on it and walked down the block and back with Chia. The whole time Mommy and Daddy’s mouths were hanging open cause Chia didn’t even try to pull. OMD! Then Mommy tried it and the same thing happened. Julia gave Mommy the collar! And that made for a much nicer walk this morning.
Finally, something beautiful happened while we were at the park. Mommy took a picture of us and it looked like there was a halo outlining me.
Can you see it? Then she took this picture.
Lucy: It looks like laser beams like in Star Wars. Xena: It does, but it’s not. I think it’s Angel Lexi letting us know she is with us.
That’s all for today, except to thank Rosy and Sunny of The LLB Life for hosting Nature Friday!
Hi, it’s me, Xena, the rightful owner of this blog. And no comments from the peanut gallery, Chia. There’s another reason why I get to do the poem for this week’s picture…I’m the only pup in this family who has been to Paris. See, here’s proof!
With that, let’s move on to today’ picture and poem, where I’m back in gay Paris!
Montmartre…Againby Xena the Schnauzer (Warrior Princess)
Is that a pic of my last time here? Everything new in my first year, Oh what a puppy I was back then! The joy of Montmartre had me smitten.
Again I’ll visit Sacré-Cœur But of Moulin Rouge I will stay clear. Then I’ll visit Van Gogh’s house, Moving quietly as a mouse.
So soon it’s time to fly back home, Landing in Georgia, I’ll ne’er more roam! In my pocket the picture I found, I bend my head to kiss the ground.
Now for my thankful: I’m thankful to be able to translate my poem into French!
Montmartre…encore par Xena the Schnauzer (Warrior Princess)
Est-ce une photo de ma dernière visite ici ? Tout est nouveau dans ma première année, Oh, quel chiot j’étais à l’époque ! La joie de Montmartre m’a fait craquer.
Je visiterai à nouveau le Sacré-Cœur Mais je resterai à l’écart du Moulin Rouge. Puis je visiterai la maison de Van Gogh, en me déplaçant tranquillement comme une souris.
Bientôt, il sera temps de prendre l’avion pour rentrer à la maison, J’atterris en Géorgie, je n’errerai plus jamais ! Dans ma poche, j’ai trouvé le tableau, Je penche la tête pour embrasser le sol.
Hmmm. I think it sounds better in English, don’t you?
Thanks to all my friends who come by to visit me here. Y’all are the best!!
Thanks for joining us for another episode of Grooming with Mom. I’m here to tell you about a new groom, a pup who is moving, and a senior citizen who will soon cross the rainbow bridge. Let’s start off with the Happy News.
Marr
One of our current clients got a new four-month-old puppy. Brinkley, shown below, is still figuring out how this whole not-the-only-dog-anymore thing is going to work.
While Brinley was home waiting to see if Marr was coming back, Marr was here getting his first haircut. Here he is at his home before he was groomed.
Marr is a Multipoo. He came to us with a lot of fleas hidden down under all that soft, fluffy hair, and a lot of hair and crusty dirt in both ears. Per his Dad’s instructions, Groomer Mom did not trim his crazy ears or his tail. She used the choppers (a funny kind of scissors) to remove a lot of that hair and trimmed his face. He came out looking like this.
Yep, crazy ears. And a little bit of hair still sticking up under his eyes, cause Groomer Mom said it was more important for him to keep his eyes than for her to get all the hair, BOL! Except for that, for a puppy, he was very calm and good on the table. We look forward to seeing both Marr and Brinkley back in the months to come.
Dora
Next to come visit was Dora. She and her schnauzer sister Maggie have been coming to get groomed since May of 2013. Maggie crossed the Bridge a year ago last April.
When Dora showed up last Saturday, her Mom said, “I’ve got to talk to you first.” She had been trying to get up the nerve to take Dora to the vet one last time. Her husband suggested that she go ahead with the grooming appointment and talk to Groomer Mom about it. She explained that Dora was blind and deaf, was incontinent, and ever since losing her sister Maggie, has had absolutely nothing to do with either of her pawrents.
Dora (L) and Maggie 2018
Looking down at Dora in her lap where Groomer Mom had set her, Dora’s Mom said this was the first time Dora was even sitting with her. With a heavy heart, Groomer Mom tried to give her the affirmation she needed to put this 17-year-old shih tzu at peace. Groomer Mom said there was no sense putting Dora through the stress of a groom, so with Dora in her Mom’s lap, she only clipped the hair covering Dora’s eyes so her Mom could see her better. Tuesday, Dora will be reunited with her sister Maggie on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. Our hearts are heavy.
Markel
Sunday, Markel aka Baby Dog, came to get groomed. As his Mom held him in the nail sling, she told Groomer Mom that she had accepted a job about 2 hours from here and would be leaving in 2 weeks. She said she felt like she had only just found Groomer Mom (read about it here) and didn’t know what she was going to do for a groomer there. She had previously experience terrible haircuts for her boy.
Baby Dog ‘s first groom here in June of 2022. Letting hair on top of nose grow out where previous groomer had shaved it.
Groomer Mom scissored his legs quite a bit shorter and also his beard some shorter to help it last a bit longer if needed. She told his Mom that if she was back in town with him and he needed a groom, just give her a call. We’re going to miss Baby Dog.
Groomer Mom has been grooming dogs from her home since 1993, taking a 10 year break (except for grooming her own schnauzer, Lexi) after she moved. She resumed grooming in 2013 with Maggie and Dora as her first clients. It feels like an end of an era. And perhaps, with the new puppies showing up, it is the beginning of a new era!
This is Lucy signing off on Awww Monday, with thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting it.
Xena: Our friend Gracie came back to stay with us while her folks took a vacation in Puerto Rico, where they’re visiting their family and friends and eating all the delicious foods there that they have missed. Gracy used to come visit when Angel Lexi was here, and they got along good. After Angel Lexi became an angel, Gracie stayed here at the house with Mommy and Daddy so they weren’t so lonely here with no dog. She even went to In Dee Anna with them over Christmas and even got to sit on Santa’s lap while her folks went to Germany . She also was Mommy’s work-dog for the couple of weeks she was here, and has been to Rock City with my folks.
Fast forward a whole bunch of years… It was kind of a slow start to us all getting used to each other. Gracie was here a month or so ago, and we all got along then. This time, after a couple of days, Gracy was one of the pack. She’s the same size as me and Chia, and she won’t back down to us or to Riley, either. She just stands there and stares right back at us. You’ve got to respect that.
Chia: At first I tried to intimidate Gracie, so that, you know, she recognized me as being in charge. Like Xena said, it didn’t work. Early Saturday morning Mom took me and Gracy for a walk in the neighborhood.
We walked together and read pee mail and explored a little bit. She can walk almost as fast as me! Now we kinda hang out, following the folks through the house, and even sleep together in the big bed! I like this chick!
Xena: After their walk I watched Mom groom Gracy. We had a big day Saturday, what with the grooming and our brother Adam here all weekend for his birthday, and our other Brother Andrew coming over and me and Chia playing ball and stuff.
Gracie wanted me to do something with her, but I was worn out and settled into my kennel for a pre-bedtime nap.
We’re going to miss Gracie when her family comes for her this Wednesday. Last night we voted and…
Lucy: Xena we didn’t vo…
Xena: Everyone but Lucy voted and we agreed that Gracie can come back and stay with us anytime she wants.
Thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday!
Do you remember back in March when Mommy took me to visit my Grammy Toni? It was the first time I’ve seen her since Mommy adopted me from her. This picture is from that visit, which you can read about here if you want.
That’s me in Mommy’s lap and Grammy’s schnauzers on the floor. We just found out this week that my Grammy Toni died two months ago. The fellas who were there visiting at the same time with their schnauzers kept trying to get ahold of her, but with no luck. They kept texting Mommy, but they had already done everything she thought of. Finally, they got ahold of Grammy’s sister who lives in Florida, and she told them the bad news. They were so upset that they didn’t think to ask what happened to her four schnauzers afterward. We sure do hope they got really good homes.
So it’s been kind of a sad week around here. I lost my Grammy Toni. Hashalóm/ole(ha)shólem. May she rest in peace.
The day Mommy adopted me, and I said goodbye to my Grammy who had raised me for 15 weeks. I’m the one with the colorful halter.
Xena: I have the honor of creating a poem to go with the picture this week. But instead of inserting me into the picture, I asked Mommy to insert a picture of Riley. You’ll see why in a moment. First, though, thanks to Brian for hosting Brian’s Thankful Thursday! And I am thankful to Angel Sammy for the fun picture this week, too. First, here’s the picture, and my most excellent poem follows it.
Murder! by Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess You murdered my doggy, the l’il pup screamed. He’s dead and not moving…or so it seemed. I named him Dooley and now he is dead. Who did this while I slept in my bed? Then a voice came to me; here’s what it said:
“You’d better get used to toys being destroyed. He often does this when he gets annoyed. I won’t give a name, but he’s big and he’s red. Don’t expect him to stop ’til your toys are all dead.
Oh dog! I cried, as I grabbed my Dooley He squeaked! He lives! I’ll hide him well, truly! The big red dog I don’t want to annoy. Lest he think that I, a small pup am his toy!
Xena: Now you know why it’s Riley in the picture. He used to deadie all my stuffies when we were both younger. He has still been known to deadie Chia’s stuffies.
Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess, who is thankful that Riley hasn’t deadied me.
Riley and Lucy: We’re both thankful that Xena didn’t run out onto the road and get hurt or worse. Xena: I’m thankful I got to go to work with Mommy again. Why these thankfuls? Keep reading for the story behind them.
Riley: Psst, Lucy. Watch this.
*Shouting* Hey, Xena, you gotta come out and see this! There’s a family of chipmunks running all around the mailbox.
Xena: Where? I don’t see any chippies.
Riley: Maybe you need glasses. Or maybe you’re just not close enough!
Lucy: *whispering* Riley, that was mean. She’s actually going to check it out.
Riley: Bwahahahahaha! She fell for it.
87 seconds later
Wait, where’d she go?
Lucy: I think I saw her cutting across the yard, running toward the woods chasing something. It’s hard to tell on this hill. Riley: Cr*p. Now we’re in trouble. Lucy: Not as much as if she’d gone out on the road! Oh wait, she’s back.
Mommy sure was mad, but I don’t understand why she was mad at Riley and Lucy and not me. Oh well. Lucy got grounded so I got to come to work with Mommy! Maybe I should chase chippies into the woods more often…
Thanks so much to The Cat on My Head for hosting Sunday Selfies. Once again I’m on “my” table to do a Sunday selfie. Watcha mean, Lucy? Smile? I am smiling. And saying, “Cheese” just makes me drool.
Well, that’s done. Hey, wait, someone moved the chair I used to get up here. I wonder how I’m gonna get down…guess I’ll wait for Mommy.
Still waiting…
No need to miss naptime. *yawn*
Hoping everyone has a good Sunday and a good, food-filled week.
I'm Dalton, a Rat terrier mix and I came here in Sept, 2017, I was rescued from Hurricane Harvey. My birthday is 8-20-2016. My Gotcha Day is 8-27-2017. And I am Benji, a terrier mix of unknown origin. MY Birthday is June 6, 2018, and my Gotcha Day is Dec 28, 2018. I also was a rescue from a different part of Texas. We also have Angel MrJackFreckles, (2-5-2018); and also we have Angel Minko, (6-18-2017); and Angel Pipo, (11-3-2020);There are also Angels Groucho, Simba, Suki, & Toki. We meezers used to be known as WeBeesSiameezers. We'e all from Michigan, Dalton and Benji both came here from Texas, as rescues..
Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess with Lucy and Chia 