Mommy – Page 10 – Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess with Lucy and Chia

Catching Up

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Are We There Yet?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Health, Friends and Flowers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

An Overnighter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I’ve Been Feeling Better Video

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

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

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

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

Unresponsive

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

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

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

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

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

Valued Employee

Published on May 28, 2016August 15, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia46 Comments

I was featured in St Luke’s June Happenings Newsletter as the Church Dog. I am a valued employee. Below is the main picture. Just click the link and scroll down to page 2 to read the whole article. 🙂

Lexi featured

For those who might be wondering, I feel much better today. I have been eating well, and the “urge to go” has finally gone. I decided to enjoy life today. Even though it is too hot to stay outside for long, I have been spending a few minutes throughout the day lazing in the sunshine, smelling the flowers and rolling in the grass.

From Lexi’s Mom: Thank you to everyone for your prayers and POTP. Please continue; the battle isn’t over yet. It’s just great to finally see Lexi feeling good again.

Back to Work, Back to Vet, Get Well Cards

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

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

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

My boyfriend Noodle also sent me a video card:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I am Lexi the miserable with the tired Mommy.

How’s Lexi – Glad you asked

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

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

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

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

0520162116-1

Chemo

Published on May 19, 2016August 15, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia66 Comments

Mom is helping me with my blog while I am getting poison chemicals pumped into my body.

Here’s the scoop: I have lumps in my right lung and they are bad. Real bad. The melanoma vaccine takes about 3 months to work. We can’t use it because I will be d-e-a-d before it can work. Yep, it’s that bad. Mom had decided I wasn’t going to get chemo or radiation because she wasn’t going to let anyone make me feel sick and miserable. When the doctor team assured Mom that very rarely do dogs get the bad side effects that people get, she said let’s get it started, then.

So Mom handed me over (traitor) and these otherwise nice people ~~stole about half~~ drew enough blood to do many tests to be sure my organs are in good enough shape to withstand the chemo. I am a hearty schnauzer and my organs said, “Yes! Hit us with your best shot!” ~~Traitors.~~ They were so enthusiastic that the dogtor stuck me with another needle and started “infusing” these chemicals into my system. *sigh*

I have to go to my local dogtor in a week to get more blood stolen. Then in another week for the same thing. Then in another week for that plus to get poisoned again. *sigh*

Mommy said she refuses to be “dogless” in one to three months, and that I am the only dog she wants. If determination alone (plus being filled with chemo poisons) will save me, I may live to be an old(er) dog yet!

Oh, I also wanted to let you all know that my wonderful boyfriend Noodle started a GoFundMe to help Mom and Dad with all the vet bills. I guess cancer can be expensive. If you want, you can check out his post

Coming Together for Lexi

to read how you can help – just if you want to, that is.

I am Lexi, cancer patient and Mom’s favorite schnauzer.

Taking it One Day at a Time

Published on May 16, 2016August 15, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia56 Comments

0516161017 — **Mom, where is my breakfast?**

This morning we were up early, but Mom didn’t feed me.

0516160858 — **Me on the table at the dogtor, with my hated cone, my necrotized forehead and my new wound bandage spray.**

Instead, Mom took me for a ride to the dogtor. I had managed to paw at the stitches in my forehead enough to get the incision really infected. So much so, in fact, that some stitches were missing and I now had an infected gaping wound between my eyes. Dogtor Smith said the skin had necrotized. (huh?) Mom says I look like one of those India women with a red dot on my forehead and that I am her “gorgeous worgeous.” That’s one of her nicknames for me. I think the dogtor has a sense of humor too – he said it could be much worse. Question: How do you bandage a dog’s forehead? Answer: You don’t. Instead, he told Mom she had to spray sterile wound wash on it twice a day and then spray this special sea salt liquid bandage on it 6 times a day, and it should heal up ok. In the meantime, guess what I have to wear. Grr.

I heard Mom ask if the Labs were back. Back? You mean they had been here once and gone again? Dogtor Smith disappeared for a few minutes and came back in with a paper in his hand. Apparently the Labs had delivered the paper and left. While the dogtor explained what the paper said I could feel Mom getting real upset but holding it all in. It must have been a news paper because there was very bad news on it. Dogtor Karen – who is my favorite – came in the exam room and said she is contacting the University of Knoxville, who has a great veterinary school, and an oncology place in Atlanta to see if I am a Candy Date for a Melanoma Vaccine that could erase the bad news. I hope so. I want to be a Candy Date again. Anyhow, Mom cried a lot today and I laid by her to comfort her. I must have done a good job because she asked me if I wanted to go for another ride. “Of course I want to go for a ride with you, Mom,” I answered. So we hopped in the car and guess where we went…Mickey D’s!! We shared a hamburger and a caramel sundae. I got the caramel all over my beard and I kept trying to lick it from the inside of the e-collar. It made Mom laugh. Hmm, I wonder if it is my birthday again.

This is Lexi and Mom, taking it one day at a time.

Prayers for Lexi, please

Published on May 9, 2016August 15, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia72 Comments

I went to my favorite vet this afternoon to get my acupuncture. The vet tech Angela and Dr. Karen love me and I love them back. Angela is like a treat dispensing machine – what’s not to love? Dr. Karen said I am her very bestest patient on the table. She also said I am sweet and beautiful and brave and that I look years younger than I am. 🙂

Mommy hadn’t brushed my teeth for almost a week, and when she looked in my mouth this morning she put the brush down without giving me my yummy toothpaste. She saw something she thought was a big abscess on my gums. The vet said because it has a large black area on the bottom of it, she believes it is a cars in oma. No, it is in my mouth, and I am relatively sure it isn’t a car. There is a picture of it at the end of the post; however, if you are squeamish like my Dad, you can just skip right over that to the comments section. In the meantime, here is a picture of me Saturday night after I finished my birthday dinner. Mom says it is a happy picture.

This is Lexi’s Mom (Amy) taking over here. Lexi goes early tomorrow morning to have the tumor removed, plus three more suspicious looking tumors on her body. Please, POTP, prayers, good thoughts, all of that for Lexi, and I could use some too. I have had my cry and am trying to not be a wreck right now. I think it is times like these that we all appreciate each other the most. Now, scroll down fast if you don’t want to see the gross picture of her gum tumor just behind her incisor.

Teen Dog

Published on May 7, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia37 Comments

Thursday night, before she sat me on the bed for a talk, I watched Mom pack her bag. She told me to pay close attention because she wanted to explain something to me. She said, “Lexi, I blah, blah blah.” And, “So I will be back blah, blah, blah.” Then she picked up her bag and left without me!

Dad got back home from band practice ~~hours later~~ a short time later. I thought sure he would bring Mom back home with him, and I looked everywhere without success. Daddy tried to explain to me what I think Mom had already explained, but I was too distressed to listen well.

Friday came and went and no Mom. Saturday morning, I was ready to listen.

So tell me again when Mom will be home... — **So tell me again when Mom will be home…**

“Tonight,” he said. “She will be home for your birthday tonight, Little One.”
After feeding me supper, Dad left again with his big red saxophone case and I started watching out the front door for my Mom. It took a very long time, but I finally saw the car coming up the driveway. I was so, so happy and I kissed her all over. Mom took me into the kitchen and what did she bring me home for my birthday? Yes! Mickey D’s. We sat down at the table together and I shared halfies of my cheeseburger, fries and caramel ice cream sundae.

I am a teenager today – 13 years old!

What do you mean, goodbye?

Published on April 29, 2016April 29, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia35 Comments

Here I am in my Auntie Cary’s office at work at the church on the mountain. I said, “What’s that, Mom? I need to say goodbye to my Auntie Cary? I might not ever see her again? I don’t understand.”

“Auntie Cary, I have loved our lunches together, especially the eating part. You always bring me good treats. You have been a good friend. Where are you going? Please don’t look so sad.”

That was Wednesday at my work at St. Timothy’s. Today, Mom told me we didn’t have a job anymore. Our position had been eliminated. How can they possibly eliminate Church Dog? Mom said no, technically they only eliminated Parish Administrator, but the Church Dog position was critically linked to it. *hurumph* Well. it wouldn’t be the same without Mom there, anyhow. Mom had only told a few parishioners that today was our last day, and one of our special friends came by with a present.

0429161035b-1 — Wait, there’s no treats in here.

Mom is feeling sad today, so I reminded her that this leaves her more time to work on my Campaign for Mayor. Me and Mom, we can’t wait to find out where we will be needed next. This is going to be an adventure!

I am Lexi, the hopeful Church Dog and the next Mayor of Blogville (I hope).

Piper Update and Hodge Podge

Published on April 28, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia31 Comments

Great news from the vet! We got he results from the biopsy on the tumor removed from Piper’s leg. Piper had a histeocytoma, which is bee nine. That means he does not have cancer. *happy dance* It fooled the vet because it is usually only very young dogs, like under the age of 2, who get these. They said it could grow back, but not to worry if it does. Whew! Piper and his folks and me and my Mom thank everyone for their happy thoughts, prayers POTP, well-wishes and concern. Auntie Jen is back to calling my cousin “the punk,” (as in “Hey, Punk, whatcha want for dinner?”) so I know he is feeling good again.

It has been busy on the home front. Last weekend the boy stayed with us all weekend. Mommy always knew it was him running in the front door because I would bark and he would smile and pet me. He’s a good kid, and understands it is just my job to bark at him. Then my peeps brother Adam came on Sunday and took over the room where the boy had been sleeping. I love Adam tons and he loves me tons too. I am his very favorite anipal, which is as it should be. I got to see my other peeps brother Andrew too! After everybody left, I got bored, so I barked at Dad until he agreed to be in a picture with me.

Last night I heard Mom ask Dad if he had people and anipals come stay with him before he met her. He gave a resounding, “No!” Mom said this has happened with her for most of her adult life, and she enjoys it. Mom then got quiet for a moment, and said, “This had to be a big adjustment for you – I love you soooo much!” Aw. To put this in perspective, Auntie Jen lived with us all for a year, brother Andrew, Jentry and The Boy lived with us for two years, my schnauzer cousins Piper and Milo lived with us for a year after Auntie Jen moved out, and there have been plenty of drop ins in between. That is just since Mom and Dad got married in 2008, BOL! Because Dad loves all the peeps and anipals who have also called our house home, he hasn’t minded a bit.

Moving on… Yesterday Dad took me for another acupuncture treat mint because my hip was starting to bother me again. I love going to see Dr. Karen, and I love my treat mints – they make me feel so much better. I get to go back next Friday.

Hallway ceiling at children's hospital — Hallway ceiling at children’s hospital

Today Mom took me to the children’s hospital to therapize the sick and hurting kids. There weren’t as many today, which is good. I was sitting in the bed with one 5 year old boy and he said, “Look Mommy, the doggy likes me. It is smiling at me.” Now, I don’t like being called an “it” but I am glad I made it, er him, happy! Mommy took a picture of the ceiling at the hospital – yes, she claims she meant to do that, BOL! Pretty cool, huh?

Sleepover

Published on April 23, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia28 Comments

Piper: At my house and still not feeling good.

Yesterday after we were done at work we met up with Auntie Jen and Piper. Piper took my spot in the front seat of our car – the T-Lex – and came home with us. Mom said we are having a sleep over because his Mom had to work last night and this morning. He sure does have lots of pills to take and even a shot. His leg that had the surgery does seem to hurt, as he tries to not put much weight on it.

He was licking it last night, and when he started trying to nibble on the stitches Mom had that Magic Collar on him faster than he could blink out SOS. At bedtime I ~~ran and laid in my bed so he couldn’t have it like he did my spot in T-Lex~~ let Piper sleep in the bed with Mom and Dad. I make sacrifices for my cousin.

0423160813a — This collar thingy makes me feel like I am in jail, being punished for something I didn’t do. ~ Piper

piper with ecollar — Thanks to everyone for their POTP and prayers. I think I still need more.

Update Post Surgery

Published on April 21, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia27 Comments

Piper is home after getting the tumor removed from his right back leg. Mom said some words like round cells and vascular, whatever that means. He is in pain, which makes my Auntie Jen also hurt.

Mommy went over and held Pipes and sang to him this evening, the same way she did me after my paw surgery early this spring. She said it calmed Pipe-Pipe, just like it did me. His Momma had to go back to work, so Mom stayed with him until his Dad got home tonight.

Even though Piper gets two shots a day for diabetes, his “sugar” is all over the charts, so he will have to go back to get an all day glucose test done. The doc should have his biopsy results by then.

And they aren’t sure if Piper’s heart medicine is doing the trick for his heart murmur.

His Momma and Daddy really appreciate all the POTP, prayers, and healing thoughts.

Update on POTP for Piper

Published on April 20, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia25 Comments

Piper’s vet appointment today was at 2:00. The doc did a skin cell scraping (that doesn’t hurt) and said they were flat cells. She explained that those are very fast growing cells – we knew that lump wasn’t there April 2 when Piper’s Mom got married – and the cells might be cancer, or might not. The only way to know for sure is to remove the lump and send it off for biopsy. My sweet cousin is spending the night at the vet clinic and is having his surgery tomorrow. Please continue the POTP for Piper, and also for his mother, my Auntie Jen. She is worried and will be an absolute basket case if anything happens to Piper – just like my Mom would be for me. We love Piper lots and lots. Thank you to everyone who responded to my first post today with prayers and well wishes and healing thoughts. And thanks to those who didn’t respond but are keeping a good outcome in mind for Piper. We are believing for the best.

Piper, my sweet cousin and friend. — **Piper. Isn’t he handsome?**

Massage

Published on April 14, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia10 Comments

OMD, OMD, OMD! How could I have lived this long without knowing about professional massages? They are better than anything!

Do you remember when my new friend Gracie came to stay with us? Mom wouldn’t accept any money for keeping her, so, as a thank you, her Mom and Dad gave my Mom and Dad AND ME gift certificates for massages. I’ve been waiting a long time to get mine because I am not allowed to go to the massage place because of some stupid health laws. (Can you think of anything dumber?) Anyhow, Mommy told me I was going to get a big surprise at work today, something I would like lots. Finally, mid-afternoon, sometime after Mom and I had our lunch, in came this lady named Sky. With a name like that, you would think she would be blue, but her skin was basically the same color as Mom’s. It really wouldn’t have mattered, I just thought I would mention that. Mom says I am rambling because I am still so excited, in a relaxed sort of way. He, he. She and Mom set up the massage table in the room adjoining Mom’s office. Mom and Sky started feeding me treats and put me up on this big cushy table. Sky was petting me in the nicest way imaginable, and it didn’t take me long to just relax on the table and go with the flow. I laid down and Sky kept petting me, only she was really massaging me. It felt better than anything, ever. I started yawning and stretching with pleasure. Mom had relaxation music playing on her computer. This sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? But it wasn’t. It was real, and it really happened to me today. Mommy’s desk was right through the doorway in the next office, and she stayed where I could see her in case I got anxious, but I didn’t really care where she was. I just wanted Sky to keep massaging me. My muscles all relaxed, the tension left, lots of knots got worked out. Even the hip with the dysplasia relaxed. OMD I felt so good! Someone came to Mom’s closed office door and she told them, “Not now, and I know you will think I am crazy, have lost my mind, but my dog is getting a massage.”

When we left for home today, Mom said she could see what a difference there was in how I was moving – I had a lot more spring in my step.

Ms. Sky has a small dog that needs groomed, and I heard her asked Mommy if she would like to work out a trade. I sure hope they do that and I get lots more massages. This is what I want for my birthday next month. Plus maybe some Mickey D’s.

Oh, and Mom said sorry about no pictures. She was so amazed at my reaction that she totally forgot. She promises for next time. NEXT TIME! Yay!

I am Lexi, the massaged schnauzer.