Mommy – Page 11 – Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess with Lucy and Chia

I would like to forget the past 10 days

Published on April 8, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia24 Comments

I have had a very unsettling couple of weeks. It all started a week ago when Mom was out late with my Auntie Jen and Auntie Jen’s fiance Bill and some more people who had come in from out of town to be in the wedding. They did something called “bowling” and something else called “shooting pool.” Dad was gone to band rehearsal, so I was home all alone, and I am not used to that anymore.

The next day Mom left again early in the afternoon and Dad left again while I was eating my supper. That night, Dad came home without Mom! He told me Mom was staying at Auntie Jen’s with “the girls” all night before the wedding. Hey, I am a girl, why wasn’t I there. Piper was there, and he’s a boy! Piper drank some of Mom’s white wine to try to fit in with the girl’s night. How lame is that?

Saturday Dad left me all alone again, sneaking out while I was eating an early supper. It was wedding day for Auntie Jen and Uncle Bill and I wasn’t invited again! You can see how this would upset me. She says I am her favorite niece. Hurumph. Finally, around bedtime, Mom and Dad pulled back in and who did they have with them, I ask you? Piper and Ella! It wasn’t bad enough that Piper and Ella were at girl’s night and Piper and Ella were in the wedding. Now they were at my house! Ella came bouncing in and asked me to play with her. I. Said. NO. Then they got to eat in front of me, since they hadn’t had their supper yet. The final blow of the day came when they piled in the bed with Mom and Dad. I got out of what used to be our bed and slept on the dog bed on the floor.

Sunday was a bit better. After everyone got fed and let out to do our bizness, Dad left for church and Mom and I jumped back into bed and slept until 1:30 in the afternoon. We were exhausted. I was in a better mood after that and asked Mom to take a picture of me and Piper since I saw Pipes still had on his bowtie from the wedding.

Both Piper and Ella gave out early on Sunday from all the excitement the last few days – excitement I didn’t get to have. 😦

0403162041a — **This is Piper, not me. I guess we really do look a lot alike.**

Things started looking up for me Sunday night when Mommy shut Piper and Ella out of the bedroom. She told them they could sleep anywhere else they wanted in the house, but she needed a good night’s sleep. I took advantage of the situation and slept with Mom and Dad.

Monday, they were still here when Mom got home from work and they were rested and ready to play.

My Auntie Jen came and visited after work and, when she left, took her pups with her. Whew.

Along with everything that happened with the wedding, I started having trouble with allergies. Apparently it is allergy season in Tennessee. I never knew what people were talking about until this year. My ears have itched, my eyes have itched, and the paw that I had surgery on has itched. Even with the benadryl I was licking my paw until one knuckle started to get raw, so Mom taped the baby sock back onto my paw. I just sat in the kitchen and held it up and looked at her like, “Really?” “Yes, really,” she said. So I have had to contend with that since Tuesday night.

Speaking of Tuesday, my faithful readers know that I got in some big trouble at work. I growled at someone. Mom knows she needs to work with me on this and Mr. Colin gave us some good advice. She even had the treat jar outside the office for people to get into and give me a treat as they are coming into the office. Mom said she just has had too much to do to watch my every move at work right now, so, after I growled at someone else just before we left, I got put on disciplinary leave without pay! I had to stay home the rest of the week. Of course, some of that might have been because when Mom bent over to put me in the car Tuesday night, her back went out. And not out for a good time, either. She has been going to the chiropractor all week and said she just couldn’t deal with me and my stinkin’ attitude too.

Thursday morning I figured she had forgotten and would take me. Mom shook her head and explained to me again why I had to stay home. I just stood in the kitchen and hung my head. Dad begged her to take me – isn’t he a great Dad? – but she still said, “No.” So I have been stuck at home since Tuesday night.

Mom said she will post some pictures of the wedding when she gets them. That’s right, Mom, just rub it in. I sure hope next week is better. Love you all!

When Will I Ever Learn

Published on April 5, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia21 Comments

Mom says I have to learn to not bark and growl when I am at work, or I am going to get fired!

Lexi 2 — **Not even begging for the food Mom has in her hand.**

Memory Monday Walk Down Puppy Lane

Published on April 4, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia13 Comments

I am so glad Mommy has gotten better about taking pictures, because we could only find three pictures of me under one year of age.

My head in Ara's mouth — **My head in Ara’s mouth**

The picture on the left was taken by the lady named Becky who had my doggie mom and dad. I was about 4 weeks old here. She put different colored collars on us puppies so she could tell us apart easier, and we were all Miss or Mr (plus color). It also helped prospective buyers who got pictures of us on the internet.

The picture with the German Shepherd. Now that’ one for posterity, isn’t it? I had this silly game where I grabbed Mr. Ara’s lip and pulled it out until he screamed. It was great fun. One day I decided to do an alligator roll with his lip between my pin-like puppy teeth. He wanted me to clearly understand what would happen if I did that again. I am a quick learner, and since my head is still attached to my body, you can see I learned that lesson the first time. Mommy took this picture to help me remember.

My peeps brother Andrew came to meet me on my first day in my furever home. He brought me this lion hand puppet. I had great fun with it for years. One of my peeps – usually Mom – would put her hand in it and I would attack it! I was only 8 weeks old in this picture.

Bonus picture: Mommy found Riley when he was six months old – or at least that’s how old the vet said he was. She didn’t know his taste in toys, so she bought him a variety. He liked the bone best. Unfortunately, that didn’t stop him from chewing up our bedspreads, dog beds, pillows, and blankets.

New Treats

Published on March 20, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia15 Comments

Mom disappeared for a while today – I mean, she left the house without me. She came back with something special just for me!
If you enlarge the picture by clicking on it and look at the red writing, you will see it says, “Live. Love. Treat.” Now that is my kind of treat!

I found the entire “bone” fit into my mouth. I tried to chew it up like that, but the task proved to be beyond even my abilities. I had to eject part of it from my mouth to swallow.

**A slight break in devouring my new treat.**

Mom insisted on taking my picture. I refused to look at her. That’s ok, take my picture, but never my treat!

The Groomed, Hard Working, Not-Really-a-Bad-Dog, Decorating Schnauzer for Sale. What!?!

Published on March 15, 2016March 16, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia16 Comments

I am sorry I have not posted lately. Mommy and I have been very busy. I hope you missed me!

First, grooming: Dad said, “Amy, wait until the end of March. The weather could change.” Does Mom listen to Dad? (You decide.) Mom grabbed me up early on a Tuesday morning before work and this is what happened before Dad could even sneeze.

Next, work: After I forgave Mom, I told her I would help her at work. It was a St. Luke day.

Here, do this paper first. Hey, what's that on your computer? — **Here, do this paper first. Hey, what’s that on your computer?**

**I think I can work this mousie thingy!**

I got my computer work done and I moved into guard dog mode. One of the “Parents Day Out” workers and kids started to invade our office, so I growled. “No! Bad dog!” Mommy said. I hung my head and felt bad. Then they came back and oh my, I just couldn’t help myself, I did it again. This time Mom grabbed me by my beard (I hate it when she does that) and really scolded me. She said that lady was terrified of dogs and, after nine months, was just starting to warm up to me, and I go and act like that!

Next, decorating: Mom finally forgave me and let me help her decorate for Easter:

I can't wait for there to be food on these plates! — **I can’t wait for there to be food on these plates! Can you see me sitting patiently at the head of the table?**

Now, selling: Dad gave Mom a whole bunch of old videos to sell. They mostly teach how to ballroom dance, but some teach how to do yoga, how to swim, and even how to do Irish dance! It took Mom a couple of weeks to list all these on ebay and Craig’s List, while I lay around staring pitifully at her. She’s finally done and starting to ship out the ones that have already sold.

You didn't put ME up for sale, did you, Mom? — **You didn’t put ME up for sale, did you, Mom?**

I am Lexi, the groomed, hard working, not-really-a-bad-dog, decorating schnauzer for sale. What?! Oh, only if you can get $10 zillion for me, Mom? Well, maybe I am safe, just maybe.

Memory Monday – WOZ Crew in Pictures

Published on March 7, 2016August 15, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia10 Comments

This month for Memory Monday I thought I would mix it up with a picture collage. Isn’t that why we take pictures, anyhow, to remember? This one contains never before posted pictures of my first time as Toto in 2006. You can click on the collage to make it bigger and easier to see.

The top left picture is, of course, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Lion. The Tin Man got mad at me once because I got away from Mom during his big scene, his solo performance, and danced back and forth across the stage with him. The audience was laughing when it wasn’t supposed to be funny. He may have forgiven me by now. I never had much interaction with the Scarecrow. A man made out of straw is liable to flop onto you at any time, so it is prudent to stay your distance. The Lion was my buddy. He carried me a lot, especially when things got a bit scary, like in the Wicked Witch’s castle. He didn’t even get mad the time I gently reached over and grabbed his nose between my teeth while I was in his arms on stage. It was just an affectionate nip, which, as a fellow animal, he seemed to understand.

In the top middle picture, that’s me in Dorothy’s arms, sandwiched between the two witches. I was fascinated by the wicked witch. She was scary mean when we were on stage, but so nice to me at other times. However, I managed to upset her once too. *sigh* She was sneaking across the back of the stage, supposedly unseen by Dorothy and company who were at the front of the stage. I ran off from Dorothy (which Toto was always doing in the movie) and started following and barking at her. She started waving her arm wildly at me to get away, which, again, got the audience laughing. I felt it was such a success that I included that in my performance every night. She never seemed to get used to it. *sigh*

The bottom left picture is of me and the costume person. I liked her because she never tried to put costumes on me. She said I was perfect the way I was. *big smile* Finally, the bottom middle picture is my brother Andrew, so proud of me after one of the performances!

This is Lexi Toto with lots of great memories!

T-Lex

Published on February 21, 2016February 23, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia14 Comments

After work Friday, Mom and I met Dad in a restaurant parking lot. I knew it was a restaurant by the smells. I thought, “Finally, the lawmakers have moved into the age of enlightenment and I can now partake of fine dining somewhere other than at home.” Sure, there’s always Mickey D’s takeout.

**Mmm, smells good! (from my last birthday)**

But even when you throw in an ice cream dessert for my birthday, it’s just not the same. I only know this because of the one and only time I was allowed to enter a real live restaurant. See https://lexitheschnauzer.wordpress.com/2012/03/03/oz-was-almost-real/.

But no, instead of us all going in the restaurant, Dad hopped in the car with us – and I was very glad to see him, despite the aforesaid disappointment. We drove to the local Toyota dealership to see a man about a car Mom found on the internet. Apparently, our Toyota Avalon is starting to fall apart and my peeps say it is too old (13 years) with too many miles (almost 300,000) to sink over $4,000 into it. Quite frankly, I would be glad to have another car since the air conditioning has totally stopped working in it and, with temperatures in the mid and high 60’s, I have been panting. Now, before you judge me as a spoiled lover of comfort, please remember that I am a black dog still wearing a winter coat. And I go to work with Mom almost every day.

The young fellow’s name was Curry (he,he), and he fussed over me a lot. He said his lab just crossed the rainbow bridge and he misses him a lot, but he is at work too many hour each day to start with another dog right now. I am glad I could help his need for canine contact. After Mom and Dad and I took the Lexus for a test drive, Mom told Curry we would all think about it and let him know the next day. I really didn’t understand this, since I could tell during the test drive that they really, really liked and wanted this car. It had everything on their “must have” list as well as their “would like” list”, and I could feel how excited they were. While we were saying goodbye to Curry, out of the blue Mom asked, “Did you go to see the Wizard of Oz at the Theatre Centre a few years back when you were a kid?” When he said he did, Mom pointed at me and said, “Meet Toto.” His eyes got so big and he shook his head like he didn’t believe it. Mom had to reassure him it was true, and he said that explained a lot about my perfect behavior. *smiles*

So, this is Sunday, and you can see where that car is parked today (Ok, maybe not. It is in our garage at home.)

You're taking too long. Maybe I can figure out how to work this thing. — **You’re taking too long. Maybe I can figure out how to work this thing.**

Mom wanted to name my new car Lexi the Lexus. Dad said no. So now, since it is a Toyota Lexus, she has named it T-Lex. Bwahaha. Daddy thought that was only nominally better, but she has already told the car that T-Lex is it’s new name, and it is king (or queen) of the road! Yeah. I don’t think she can take that back.

I am Lexi the schnauzer in T-Lex.

Our Valiversary

Published on February 14, 2016February 14, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia27 Comments

Valentine + Anniversary = Valiversary.

That’s what my sweet Noodle and I have today. My crew worked really hard to come up with something special enough for my fantastic guy. Well, most of them did, anyway. I finally decided that anything short of the personal touch would not be enough, so I brought on some so-called experts. They wasted no time checking out different internet sites, did a search on “love” and found that women sometimes dance for their guys… and their guys like it.

After the crew did more research, there was a massive scrubbing of computers. I’m still not sure what happened. So…

I did my own dance for you, honey. Mom helped me dance while Dad recorded it for you. There were times I was dreaming of dancing alone, just for you. I hope you enjoy my personal present to you:. (Be sure to keep watching when the butterflies appear at the end!)

Valentine’s Preparations

Published on February 13, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia10 Comments

Today we have all been hustling (he, he) (OK, tomorrow you will get my little joke) to prepare for the day of love. Mommy and Daddy helped me first thing this morning, and what fun we had! I sure wish I could tell you about it, but then it would ruin Noodle’s surprise. I’ve been in an extra-good mood all day from it, though. I had forgotten how much I like to d…oops, almost gave it away there!

While Dad was continuing to work on Noodle’s surprise, Mom started working on Daddy’s surprise. I helped by keeping Mom company and eating the stray apple peel.

We don’t know yet if it tastes good. We have to wait for Daddy to get home from his band gig, and Mommy says it will be so late that we may just eat it for breakfast!
Here’s the recipe if you want to give it a go.

A Typical Day at Work

Published on February 5, 2016February 6, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia21 Comments

We went to work to the Church on the Mountain this morning. First things first:

In case you were wondering what is on my left foot in the first picture, here’s more of a close up. Oh, just a reminder, you can always click on a picture to make it bigger Mom is now making me wear a baby sock on the foot that had surgery so that I can’t lick it.

I hurried down the hallway to see my Auntie Carrie. Since she brings me both yummy treats and my very own special lunch, I have made her my official Auntie. She packs me a lunch with chicken, broccoli, carrots, and other yummy stuff that even Mom approves.

Outside Auntie Cary's office — **Outside Auntie Cary’s office**

I always forget Auntie Carrie doesn’t work on Fridays. I resisted entering Mom and my office – which is in the next door – until I was positive Mom wouldn’t open Auntie Carrie’s door to give me one of the treats Carrie keeps for me. Mom, I can show you where they are!

Outside Moms office — **Outside Mom’s office**

I finally gave in when Mom filled my water bowl with my special water.

I decided to rest my eyes, but soon left work for dream land.

I tried to stay awake after that, but it was hard with the heater on in the office and no little munchkins running through the hallway today. The day care center is just past our office but is not open on Fridays.

While I was asleep, my Auntie Jen sent this to Mommy.

I’m Home from the Vet – Well, most of me is

Published on February 1, 2016February 2, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia42 Comments

This has definitely not been the best day of my life. First Dad refused to give me my brekkies. Then Mom left me at the vet office and I got stuck in a cage. Next, someone stuck a needle in my arm and stole my blood. Then the vet called my Mom. I was hoping Mom would say, “Oh, I will be right there to get my precious darling Lexi.” Nope. When the vet called her two more times, I started to get worried. That didn’t last long – it’s hard to worry when you are first sedated, then knocked out by something running into your vein. While I was asleep the doc stole five of my teeth – Five! In one of the phone calls, he had told Mom that “at my age” there could be bone loss leading to loose teeth, but he wouldn’t know until he got the plaque off. Even though they all felt firmly anchored, the plaque sometimes holds them in place. So why did he take the plaque off? Grrr. Ow, that hurt.

Remember that lump on my paw? Refresher here: https://lexitheschnauzer.wordpress.com/2016/01/31/potp-for-the-paw/ The doc found another lump between my paw pads on the same foot. Since it wasn’t directly beneath the lump on the top of my foot, he wasn’t sure if it was two separate tumors. He was concerned because the one on the top had grown so quickly. When the doc got in there with his knife he realized that the one on the bottom had pushed up the thin skin between my toes and caused the one on the top. Or something like that. When he got them off he saw that even though the skin on them was thick, the inside was filled with a creamy liquid. He told Mom on his fourth phone call that it was a good sign and didn’t recommend spending the money on a biopsy. Finally, Dad picked me up and brought me home to Mommy.

While Daddy went back out to get my pain medicine, Mommy held me and rocked me and sang me to sleep. You know I was in pain to let her do that. But it was strangely comforting. During that time, Dad sent Mom a text:

I can’t understand why he still isn’t home with my pain medicine!

My blood work was mostly good, but my liver enzymes were “off the chart” high. Mom told the doc that she had warned me not to drink. Ha, ha. Silly Mommy, I have already gone through the 4 step program for Kahlua and Cream.

Step 1: I ask for it.

Step 2: Mom says No.

Step 3: Mom and Dad start calling it “special K”, like I don’t know what they mean.

Step 4: They stop buying special K. Drat.

Mom asked for a copy of the bw:

Dr. Smith said this can be a sign of Cushings, but I had a Cushings test a year or two ago because those same levels were high then, and it came back negative. I don’t have any of what’s called “clinical signs,” either. To help my liver, Mommy bought Milk Thistle. Dr. Karen is my acupuncturist, and she said this will help bring the ALKP level down. I hope I get it in something good, like butter, or peanut butter or hamburger. Mmm.

Daddy’s home. Finally! Time to take my pain meds. I wonder what took him so long…

POTP for the Paw

Published on January 31, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia18 Comments

Nothing much going on around here. Last Wednesday I had my acupuncture because my hip was starting to hurt again. Then Dad took me up the mountain so I could visit with Mom and have lunch with my friend Carrie. On the way home after work we stopped at another church where Mom and Dad are starting to go on Sundays. Daddy met us at the door and introduced me to Pastor Mark. Pastor Mark welcomed me into his office and told me to feel free to explore while he talked to my folks. After about an hour I knew it was past my suppertime so I started to remind Mom. I had to remind her loudly. She finally got the hint and we all headed home.

Thursday, before going to the children’s hospital, I stopped by work and got my treat from my friend Dave. Then I went on to the hospital, saw my friend Lois who always gives me a treat when I get there, and therapized some kids and nurses and a doctor or two. My friend Beth had a treat for me when I went back to work with Mom.

Friday, I really goofed up. I thought Mom wanted me to go downstairs to get groomed, so I kept running away from her. She finally gave up – and left without me! Later I found out that I had been invited to a birthday party!! I still can’t believe Mom went without me!! Happy birthday Jentry. I hope you had fun without me. I know it would have been better if I had been there. Oh, what, Mom? There was no food, not even cake? Well, I am sure Jentry had plenty of fun without me there.

This morning I got groomed. I knew I was picking up grooming vibes. Tomorrow is my teeth-cleaning-at-the vet day. They will do blood work first to make sure it is ok to help me go to sleep while they clean my teeth really good. The teeth cleaning has been scheduled for a while. Now I also have to have my paw checked. I have had a tiny pink lump on my front left paw for a long time. Mom caught me licking that paw last night and of course she had to stick her nose in and see why I was licking. This is what she saw:

You can’t tell real well from this picture, but it is a raised lump. By Mom’s reaction, I sure hope it isn’t anything bad. I sure hope I don’t end up having to wear a cone of shame. I sure hope I don’t lose my paw! Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! POTP for me, please.

Breaking the Rules

Published on January 19, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia12 Comments

My rule is No Hoodie. Mom’s rule is Stay Off the Driver. Mom broke my rule, so I broke hers. On the way to work this morning:

Operation Hoodie

Published on January 17, 2016January 18, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia13 Comments

When my peeps brothers were little, our Mom used to make a lot of their clothes. Often to match, sometimes for halloween. They were very young and didn’t know to protest.

**Adam, Mom, and Andew L-R) – many moons ago.**

0117161618 — **Sorry about quality of shot – these are old pictures.**

I have seen Mom at the sewing machine from time to time, usually to make a repair, but never to torture me with clothes. We got a cold spell and out came my hoodie. Even though I lost weight, it was still a bit snug. Plus, since it pulls on over my head, I stand on my hind legs to get it off. With the hip dysplasia, that is no longer the best option. So Mom got an idea.

Mom wasted no time heading to the sewing machine. — **Mom had an idea. She wasted no time heading to the sewing machine.**

First, she used what she calls pinking shears to open up the belly of my hoodie. Poor hoodie. She used some material originally bought for another project, cut it to fit, sewed velcro onto it, then sewed it onto my poor hoodie.

Finally:

**An extension panel with a velcro closure on my Hoodie’s bellie**

Then came the test drive:

Meeting a beautiful schnauzer

Published on January 7, 2016January 9, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia14 Comments

What a time of it I have had. All the boarders (both of them) finally left and I thought I was on easy street. Mom and I had a great day at home by ourselves on Saturday, doing laundry and stuff. “By ourselves” reminds me that my Dad had been missing for well over a week. No one would tell me where he was. I finally gave up and decided it would be just me and Mommy. Next thing that happens…Mom pulls out a suitcase and starts packing it. Then she pulls out my bag and starts packing it! Yay! We are going for a trip.

We were all ready to go when Auntie Jen showed up. She helped put Mom and my stuff in her car, but I wouldn’t go near it until Mom got in. I wanted to be sure she wasn’t sending me off by myself. We spent a nice evening at Auntie Jen’s, and at bedtime I got a bit confused. Instead of going home, Mom lifted me into a big bed and crawled in next to me. This would have been alright, except there was another person and her schnauzer in a bed just across from us. I stood on the bed and stared at them, but they did not seem threatening. In fact, the other person looked a lot like my Mom and was getting under the bedcovers at the same time. The other dog was a rather attractive schnauzer and looked very intelligent, so I just kept staring, as she stared back. Mom had already turned off the lamp but there was enough light coming in the window from the moon that I could see they were still there. I watched them as long as I could keep my eyes open. Apparently the beautiful dog in the other bed was also tired, as she sank down into the bed at exactly the same time as me! We both closed our eyes and went to sleep.

Mom was up early the next morning. Hmmm. Strange for a Sunday, but everything was strange by now. We went downstairs to the kitchen where Mom finally explained to me where my Dad had been for so long. His uncle -who was also his mentor – was dying. Dad had driven our car up to a place called Fort Wayne in the state of Indiana to sit with him. Uncle Don did die, Mommy explained, and she was going to join Dad for the funeral. She went through the mind thought of suns rising and setting to help me know how long she would be gone. Then, she and my Auntie Jen went out the door without me! I know she had explained everything, but I didn’t believe she was leaving me! Auntie Jen finally came home, and my Mom wasn’t with her. I was so upset, I wouldn’t even let her touch me. I just cowered down every time she came near me. I know she felt bad, and I was glad, because she took my Mom away and left her somewhere. I didn’t want her to get ahold of me and do dog-only-knows-what with me, too.

I have a new Uncle Bill who lives with Auntie Jen. I stayed in his lap a lot when he got home from work at night. I also spent a lot of time in the big backyard with my cousins, Piper the schnauzer and Ella the part boxer. We ran and ran and smelled the bunny holes and squirrel droppings and all the other wonderful smells. We chased each other and even played tug of war with a drain pipe that I think Ella might have torn off the house. I dug holes and got my beard filthy. It all helped take my mind off of possibly being an orphan. I still hadn’t forgiven Auntie Jen.

Finally, after supper on Wednesday night, Mom and Dad came back to Uncle Bill’s. Mom withstood Ella trying to knock her down to swoop me up in her arms and let me kiss her all over her face. I was so excited I shook all over. Then Dad held me and pet me too. My family was back!

This morning I went to work with Mom, but that’s a story for another day.

Memory Monday – Theater Finale

Published on January 4, 2016August 15, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia13 Comments

Before I tell you about my final gig as Toto, I remembered that I wanted to show you something from the first show. The Theatre Centre had these cool buttons made. That’s ME!

Now, I am back to give you what you crave: details of my final appearance in a production of the Wizard of Oz.

It was spring of 2014. I was eleven years old, limber, sharp of mind, and jonesing to get back on stage. My first Dorothy had been one of the managers at Rock City ever since I knew her. Every year she would hire Dad to teach Irish folk dance in March at Shamrock City and polka at Octoberfest. She ~~deserted us~~ left after having her second baby and Rock City hired a new person, Jonathan. During the Shamrock City gig in 2014 Dad heard Jonathan talking about bringing WOZ back to the Colonnade. Dad came home and told Mom she needed to go with him the next weekend and bring me and some of my calling cards. Of course we went, and the next thing we knew we were being asked to submit my bio for the play. It’s pretty impressive, so I know you will want to read it, too. Lexi’s Bio.

Even though it had been a couple of years since my last performance, I was still active in Freestyle. That kept me sharp and responsive to movements. I still did a bit of preparation for my part, which you can read about in a previous post. There were lots of rehearsals, too. I knew what to do, so I tried to help everyone else so we could just get on with opening the play. Here are some pictures from rehearsal:

SAMSUNG — **Why isn’t anyone up here rehearsing with me. Chop, chop, people!**

Always listen closely when the director gives directions.

Finally, rehearsals were over. Every night for a week we didn’t get home and in bed until eleven o’clock. Mom and I were exhausted. We were barely getting to work the next day. And there was too much to do for us to sleep at work. Our schedule was get up, eat breakfast (me), go to work, eat lunch (Mom), starve the schnauzer, go to the theater, rehearse and get treats (me), go home, get a treat (me) and go to bed. Over and over again. I lost a whole pound.

The play opened in September of 2014. I loved being on the stage again. It was on Mommy’s birthday that I posted my thoughts about it, which you can read here. Of course, I had a different Dorothy again. Here is a picture of us on stage. I know this is while we are in Oz because her dress is blue. In Kansas, everything is black and white. Isn’t it funny that I am still black and white in Oz, BOL!

I look at the picture now and am embarassed about my weight back then. No wonder she grunted every time she picked me up! What an extra 5 pounds can do to a little schnauzer!

On opening night, those munchkins kept getting in my way. They started dancing as I was entering from stage right and almost danced me right off the front of the stage. Now that would have been an opening night to remember! It shook me up. I wasn’t myself the rest of the night. I hear people say that, and I think it is funny. Who are they if they aren’t themselves? Of course, in my case, I was Toto. BOL. The next night Mom adjusted my entrance to be from stage left. It worked much better.

I performed every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night, plus a matinee on Saturdays. I’ll tell you, by the time Saturday night came around I was almost too tired to walk onto the stage. I know my acting Saturday evenings suffered from it. At first Mom would take me out shopping – like to Lowe’s Hardware or the pet store – after the matinee, just to kill time. We live an hour away, so it was too far to go home. When she realized how tired I was she let me sleep in my kennel in the wings, just off the stage. That helped, but I was still ready to go home. By the end of the second week I was posting about that.

One night my Dad came and watched me perform. I didn’t realize he was there until I saw him in the lobby at the meet and greet. He held me while everyone pet me and asked if I was his dog. He had the honor of saying yes. I was really tired from my performance so I laid quietly in his arms. However, when he put me down, I tried to scamper down the hall, where I could smell the Mexican food from some other event. I am never too tired for food. After that, either Mom or Dad held me until it was time to go home. Drat, foiled again.

The last day of the play was a Sunday. Before the curtain opened on the evening performance Mommy said she had something very important to tell me, and to listen closely. She said it was not only the last performance of this production, but probably my last performance as Toto. She said to do my very best; push away being tired and give them a show they will never forget. So I did. I acted my little heart out. I think it was my best performance ever. I took my final bows with Dorothy and the cast and walked to the door. I was too sad to say goodbye to anyone. At least I have my memories.

When all the world is a hopeless jumble, And the raindrops tumble all around, Heaven opens a magic lane. When all the clouds darken up the skyway, There’s a rainbow highway to be found, leading from your window pane. To a place behind the sun, Just a step beyond the rain. —- Somewhere over the rainbow…*

*The opening lines from the song “Over the Rainbow.”

Coyote alert

Published on December 31, 2015February 8, 2020 by Xena, Lucy and Chia19 Comments

Today was a better day. I went to work with Mom to the Methodist Church. Some people I had never met came in and I didn’t growl, not even once! It is after Christmas and I am still trying to be a good dog. When I need to go outside there, Mommy insists on putting a leash on me. There are lots of neighborhood posts about coyote sightings. Mom said it’s one thing rescuing me from another dog, but it would be quite another trying to snatch me out of the jaws of a wild coyote. Although I agree, sometimes my nose leads me toward the trees, hence, the leash.

I also went to the children’s hospital today. One teenage girl was a good petter, plus she seemed to really want or need me there on the bed with her. I kept snuggling in closer, and when Mom said it was time to go I pulled back and tried to make myself really heavy so she couldn’t move me. Miss Lois, the hospital worker, was as surprised as Mom, knowing I had never done that before. That made the nice girl smile, so I sat with her a little longer before I told Mom we could move on to the next child.

This was our last day of work for this entire year. I was so excited all day, knowing Bogie, the parti colored cocker, was going home tonight. Can anyone say Hallelujah? In line with my resolution to be good, I let him sniff me all over. He started sniffing in – yes, in – one ear, worked his way around my face, shoving his nose in my beard, and finished in the other ear. At one point he even tried to stick his nose in my mouth, but I kept it firmly closed. He left a little while ago, after Mom cleaned up more pee and poop. Mom promised he won’t be back to stay, just to be groomed.

Finally, I am an only dog again. Hmm, I wonder what Riley is doing tonight…

Flooding and Another Dog in the House

Published on December 26, 2015 by Xena, Lucy and Chia13 Comments

Christmas night wasn’t the best around here. As of last night we have another dog “boarding.” I’ve seen Bogie (actually, I have smelled him) come here from time to time to be groom. This time he didn’t leave. After he got here last night he was so nervous he had “intestinal upset” in the house. Mom got that cleaned up only to find that the groom room was flooding from all the rain. Mom and my brother Adam spent a lot of time with a mop, towels and a shop vac trying to get up all the water. It was coming in as fast as they worked, so Mom finally quit and went to bed.

Today was better. All the water had mysteriously disappeared from the groom room floor, sort of like it had never happened. Weird, huh?And so, with her work space once again usable, Mom groomed Bogie. She was careful to keep her voice soft and sweet so she didn’t upset him. She figured this out this afternoon after she yelled, “Stop!” when he was about to step on a big spider and, as if on cue, liquid poo squirted out of his butt. We have gone through a lot of paper towels so far this weekend.

Here’s the thing though. Gracie does not like Bogie. I actually heard my sweet little friend growl at him – several times. He bounces around like a Tigger dog and just doesn’t know when to quit. Hey, Noodle, you feeling my pain, sweetie?

Mom decided to open Bogie’s new can of tennis balls and try to wear him out a little. The ground is very soggy and muddy, so they played in the house. I even grabbed the ball away from him once!

Bogie won’t eat, not even with meatloaf and other good stuff crumbled up in his food. However, he tried to stick his head in my food bowl and it was my turn to growl. At least he understands what “grrrrrrr” means. OK, so he is probably a nice dog, but he is just so obnoxious. Gracie and I have decided to just stay away from him.

1226151746-1 — **Gracie decided her kennel was the safest place right now.**

I think that if Bogie keeps refusing to eat all the wonderful food in his bowl, Mom should just give it to me. After all, isn’t wasting food a sin? I know there’s something about poor hungry dogs somewhere in the world, not having enough to eat, who would love to have this food. It only seems right that someone should eat this food, and I don’t see why it shouldn’t be me. If you agree, put up your paw! Anyhow, Bogie Wogie is here until New Years Eve…pray for me to survive!

Too much Gracie

Published on December 17, 2015 by Xena, Lucy and Chia23 Comments

1217151624 — **Why, Mom, why? Just because I growled a little bit at some people at work on Tuesday…I didn’t think you meant it when you said Gracie would come Thursday if I did that!**

I laughed this morning when Mom tossed Gracy into the tub before work and gave her a good bath. I was so lost in the moment that I didn’t stop to think what that might mean. Yep, she went to work with us. I was not at all happy about that. She rode in my car, she ate my food, she drank my special water and she got all the attention that should have been mine. I growled every time someone pet her instead of me. Mom says I am my own worst enemy. I don’t know what that means. The pastor’s 8 year old daughter was there today and she played with Gracie and took her outside and took her in the pastor’s office to watch a show together. Then she thought she could be all nicey-nice with me after that huge betrayal. I wasn’t having any of it. Dad stopped by and Gracie thought she could have all his attention too. I was so upset that I managed to get out the door and took off. Mom had Gracie on a leash and was holding the door open for Dad to move some big stuff into the church, so she couldn’t exactly chase after me. She took Gracie to her office, hollered for Dad, and by the time they got outside to look for me I had decided to return, since it was drizzling rain. Mom was so mad she swatted me with the leash as I tore up the stairs. It hurt my feelings more than anything, and I knew I was in deep trouble now. Mom had a lot of work to get done, which meant that I only got a short lecture this time.

By the time we got in the car to head home Mom was in a better mood, the sun was shining and I didn’t even care if I had to share the front seat with Gracie. I’ve been thinking, and I realize that I have to change my attitude to keep my job as the church dog. I think it will be a better night. I hope it’s just me and Mom going to work tomorrow.

Love and kisses to all. May the Lord be with you. (I am practicing.)

Memory Monday – Wizard of Oz Part 2

Published on December 7, 2015August 15, 2016 by Xena, Lucy and Chia14 Comments

Let’s see, where was I in recollecting my first experiences as Toto. Ah, yes, we had just met my now Auntie Jen.

In theater, there is something called a green room. It is where the cast can sit and rest between scenes, but most especially between the first and second act. I usually showed up about 15 minutes before the show started since I didn’t need makeup or wardrobe. It would be just in time to warm up my voice with everyone, as I previously posted. Besides, it was fun to see the stage manager sigh with relief every time I ~~walked~~ tore through the back stage door. One evening as I ran toward the warm-up room I smelled, then saw, someone walk in with baked goods and place them in the green room. During the entire play I couldn’t stop thinking about that. Now let me mention that as unlikely as it may seem, there are a few scenes that I am simply not supposed to be in, such as when Uncle Henry and Auntie Em can’t find me or My Dorothy after the tornado. It was during one such scene that I could no longer control my urge to eat those baked goods. Unfortunately, they were on the far side of the stage. Sure, I could have taken the long way around behind the back curtain. Bwahahaha! Who are we kidding? Even I know the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, and that line took me straight across the stage. Like a good quarterback (my peeps brother Andrew watches a lot of football so I understand a bit of it), I made it through the first line of defense as I exited the stage, intent on my goal. The second line of defense closed in on me just before I could round the corner and devour what was calling me to it like a siren song. So I didn’t get my baked goods and Auntie Em was mad at me. 😦 Mom wasn’t very happy with me either, but gave me points for speed and determination. Points? She could have just given me baked goods.

**I ran so fast everything became blurry.** (reenaction)

In June I posted some Memory Mondays about my time as Toto. If you missed them, you can read them here. I was going to tell you all about winning my Annie Award, but that is included in the June post, too. I guess Mommy’s name is also on the award because she was my stage director.

Mom actually made a schedule of when I was supposed to be on stage with cues and stage sides to enter and exit. If you are interested, you can see it here.

2nd Production of the Wizard of Oz (WOZ):

Early in 2010 I got called to star once again as Toto in a WOZ production at a convention center called the Colonnade in a town called Fort Oglethorpe in North Georgia. I blogged about it at the time, also. Go ahead, click the link, it is safe. I got left out of the playbill, if you can believe that! I mean, who leaves the star out of the program? I wasn’t too happy about it, but Mom was steamed!

This time the director didn’t have a plan for what scenes I could be in or how much I could be on stage. Having had some experience at this, Mom called the shots for me. She let me go on stage a lot more, but not when it would have hurt the story line. She still had my playbook all marked up with when and where I was to enter and exit. Apparently, direction and routine appeal to her as much as they do to me.

I didn’t understand why there were long gaps between each scene as the sets were changed. At one such time I was with Kandis the Dorothy behind the curtain, bored with waiting and peeking out to see what I could see. Suddenly I spotted my Auntie Jen in the audience! I glanced back at Kandis, who was distracted with texting, and made my break. For the first and last time in my career I forgot the stage actor rules and tore down the stairs and into the middle of the audience, leaping right into Auntie Jen’s lap. I was wiggling all over, wagging my tail and even gave her a hug. She was beaming. I could feel the happiness radiating off of her. People in the seats near her were asking if I was her dog. “No,” she replied, “this is my niece.” ❤

We went to the Star Awards ceremony, which was held at the Colonnade. I fully expected to get another award, but those people forgot all about me – again. I made my point by running up on stage while Kandis (Dorothy) was singing Over the Rainbow. Would you believe she had her eyes closed and didn’t even see me! So I trotted backstage, lickity split, where they were setting up the food for after the awards. If I wasn’t going to get an award, I sure was going to get something out of being there. I came back out as she was finishing the song and this time I know she had to have seen me because people were chuckling. When she looked down, I slipped her and went back to the food. She came after me, though, and acted so very glad I was there. We went to the lobby and she wanted me to run with her and play with her, but I just wasn’t into it. I was a bit bummed, no award and all, and I just wanted to get back to the food.

When the play was over, I did a final blog about it.

“Stay tuned” as they say, “for my final Oz blog the first Monday is January!” Great story! Great pictures! It is all about me!”

I (still) am LexiToto.