Grooming with Mom: Roxxii

Hmm, I wonder if her name is really Roxy or R O twenty three. 

Hi, friends, this is Lucy with another episode of “Grooming with Mom.” In this episode, my peeps brother Andrew was hangin’ with one of his friends…I wonder if Riley was with them and if he was thinking about me. Anyhow, his friend’s girlfriend was there with her 8-year-old shih tzu, Roxxii.  He, he.

So Andrew said, “Oh my God, that dog is an unholy mess! You need to go see my Mom right away!” OK, maybe not exactly like that, but she got the message, right?

Here’s Roxxii’s before picture: Andrew was right, right? Mom said that Roxxii is a very good girl. Mom’s thinking maybe a scissor cut next time would be more attractive, but it will be whatever Roxxii and her Mom want. Well, mostly what her Mom wants. When Roxxii was done, she looked like this:Her Mom was so happy that she asked if she should bring her back in two weeks. My Mom tried not to laugh when she said she thought six weeks might be just about right. 

This is Lucy, signing off with licks and wiggles from Grooming with Mommy.

At Heaven’s Gate

At Heaven’s Gate

I don’t want to go mom,
And leave Ella, you and dad.
My time is getting nearer mom,
But oh the fun we’ve had.

We’ve been so many places,
We’ve had so many friends.
We’ve had our share of hard times,
But they were great in the end.

I fought hard for you mom,
For you I stayed so strong.
I’m going to miss you and dad,
Oh mom it won’t be long.

You say I’ll see my friends mom,
All that have gone before.
I’ll even see GOD mom!
And he’s who DOGs are named for.

I don’t want to to leave you mom,
But oh won’t it be great.
I know you’ll love me forever mom,
And I’ll be waiting at Heavens gate.

-Piper

We will love you always, Piper.

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R.I.P.

January 10, 2004 – July 24, 2018

 

The Exploding Chair

Oh, uh, hi Mommy. Are you home from work already? What chair? Oh, that chair. Well, you see, Mommy, I was just sitting here minding my own business and it just kinda’ exploded. There’s Ludwig. He was watching from the top of the Victrola. Ask him!

(A few minutes later, after everyone returned from pottying.)

You can probably put it back together, Mommy. There’s some of it over there.And some of it over there.

You didn’t think I could do anything naughty with the cone on my head? Well, that’ll teach you. And I have to stay in my kennel tomorrow like I used to before the cone without ice cream?  *mumbles* I can’t help it if chairs explode.

I am Xena the Schnauzer Warrior Princess on Restrictions

A Cone without Ice Cream

Do you remember when Mommy and I almost died in an almost car wreck? And then I was banished to the back seat with a seat belt harness? I hated it soooo much, I shook so hard every time we went somewhere that my teeth started to get loose. OK, maybe not, but I thought they did. We now have a compromise. I still have to wear my seat belt harness, but I get to sit in the front seat. Mommy checked about the dangerous airbags, and they only work if there is at least 50 pounds on the seat. Since I am only 13 and one half pounds, no problemo. Hey Mommy, where are we going?

Mommy: To the vet. The one you like.

Why are we going to the vet, the one I like?

Mommy: Because you have been shaking your head and flapping your ears, and I can’t find anything wrong. Your ears are as clean as a whistle, and…

How clean are whistles?

Mommy: Very clean, Xexe, just like your ears. And now you have a sore under your left ear. You know I put lavender essential oils on it for 2 days, and yesterday I used the Vet-tech Sea Salt spray, and it isn’t any better. It keeps seeping. 

40 minutes later (the car ride is almost 30 minutes each way): Dr. Smith said the same thing you did about my ears being super dooper clean. I wish my favorite vet, Dr. Karen, had been there. Thanks for stopping the helper lady from putting that glass stick up my butt.

Mommy: I had to. I didn’t bring my earplugs.

And when Dr. Smith said he wanted me to take prednisone – whatever that is – you said, “No” again. And then you were nicer about saying no to the next medicine, and the next…

Mommy: I just suggested some other things, and he said they would work just as well for a hot spot. And I already have the sea salt spray, so we didn’t have to buy more. 

But I know I saw you give them your plastic money!

Mommy: Yep. I paid $54 for them to tell me you have a hot spot and that I can just keep doing what I was already doing. *mumble, mumble*

30 minutes later: Hey Lucy, I went to see the vet lady but she wasn’t there so I saw the vet man and guess what? Lucy: I don’t know, Sis, what did the vet man say?

He said I am a hot spot, just like when Daddy uses his phone to get on the internet. I bet I could save Daddy a lot of money.

Lucy: Better look behind you, Xena…your tale is growing.

My tail doesn’t grow, silly Lucy Ducey. He wanted me to take medicine, but Mommy suggested I eat ice cream instead. I am still waiting for it.

Lucy: That doesn’t make any sense. I have no idea what you’re talking about.

Well, I kept my head down under Mommy’s arm most of the time, so I couldn’t hear real well. But I know she said something about a cone instead of even more medicine.

10 minutes later: Why are you doing these things to me? Where is my ice cream?Mommy: You’re not supposed to scratch your boo boo, so I am trying a big band-aid before I have to get the cone. What ice cream?Lucy: I don’t think you have it on her right, Mom. 

I want my ice cream.

I am Xena, the Schnauzer Warrior Princess with a big cone and no ice cream.

And I Wasn’t Scared at All

Hi friends! I’m so exited about taking another class with Mommy at Play Dog Excellent, or PDX for short. This is the class us pups take before we start something called agility. I know that Mable and Hazel at the Idaho Pug Ranch do agility, and so does Benji at Life of Benji, and I bet a lot more of my friends do, too. Here’s my second week at class.

 The filming on this one wasn’t great, but you can see that I was learning to run along a raised board. I think I did pretty good for my first time doing this kinda thing, and I wasn’t scared at all.

I could run so fast through this ladder, my legs are almost a blurr! I got lots of compliments on how good I did it. And I wasn’t scared at all!
I never did understand what I am supposed to do with these squishy discs. I guess that might be ’cause Mommy didn’t know, either, BOL!

Last Tuesday was week number three, and things get harder more challenging every week. At first I didn’t want to do the “V Ramp.” I started up it and when I slowed down, I started to slide backwards. I have to admit, that was no fun. Mommy kept encouraging me, and then my Guardian Angel whispered in my ear. She said that this was her very favorite piece of equipment when she was doing Agility, and if I just ran fast the whole way up, over and down, just one time, I would love it too. So do you know what I did? Well, let me show you.

I do have to tell you, this video was taken at the end of the hour when I was exhausted. At the beginning of our training fun I was tearing up and down it so fast, Mommy could hardly keep up with me. I would get to the bottom, eat my treat, and turn around and run back up (and down) it. I was like that speedy guy from Marvel – I think his name is Speedy, or maybe Flash – yep, that’s it, Flash.

I guess that’s enough wowing you for one day. I’ll show you more videos again soon.

I am Xena the Future Agility Champion

 

Guests?

Lucy: So, Xena, what do you think of the new dogs in the house? They’ve been here over a week. I wonder if that means we are keeping them.

Xena: They do look familiar. I think Mommy grooms them. But they won’t play with me. I try and try. I grab their stuffies and shake them in their faces and run, and nothing. Then I do the same with my stuffies.  Nothing.

Lucy: That’s ’cause Maggie is 10 years old. But I did see her chewing on your new birthday bully horn.

                                                      Who? Me?

Xena: That’s not exactly a group activity. So I took it away from her. ‘Cause it’s mine. And she can’t have it.

Lucy: And Dora forgets who Dad is and barks at him every day when he gets home from work.

Xena: Maybe that’s what happens when you turn nine.

                                                         Who are you?

Lucy: Just before their folks left, I heard their Dad mumble something about Dora not being the brightest bulb in the lamp. 

Xena: Well, they have just about stolen our Mommy and Daddy. 

Is that good, Maggie? A little more to the left, Mr. Jeff.

Lucy: I don’t mind Mom sleeping in the other bedroom with them. That means I can sleep in the big bed with Dad all night long. 

Mom and Dad are coming for us today. I am so outa’ here.

We are Lucy and Xena the Schnauzer Warrior Princess, the ONLY permanent resident dogs in our house.

Grooming with Mom

Hi friends. This is Lucy, reporting on a new episode of Grooming with Mom.

Maggie isn’t a newbie. She has been here before. This is her before and after picture from the first time she was here in October last year. 

She has been back twice since that. This time, however, Maggie’s Dad brought her and told my Mom to give her a short poodle cut. She is half poodle and half shih tzu, and definitely looks more poodlish.  Her “before” look isn’t nearly as bad as it was the first time she was on Mom’s torture grooming table.After a lot of shaving and some arguing over getting her face shaved, here’s how she looked in her “after.” We found out that her Mama was about to have surgery for breast cancer, and needed Maggie to have an easy haircut to manage. Please send up your POTP, good thoughts and prayers for Miss Marcia, Maggie’s Mom.

Licks and wiggles, Lucy

Birthday Surprises

Dear friends, before I start telling you about my great birthday, I want to say I’m sorry for tricking you. I didn’t mean to. My paw hit the publish button by mistake, and I wasn’t near done. But I am now, so please don’t be mad and read about my most specialest day ~Xena

I had the bestest birthday I ever had. Of course it was the only one I ever had. On the way home from work, we stopped at the Smart Pet place. After looking around, we went home with yummy treats for me.

When we got home, there were all my stuffie friends, including Ludwig, in the kitchen with bags of pressies for me. Winter bear got tired and fell asleep while he was waiting for me to get home, so he missed me opening my pressies. This pink bag had a lot of bouncy yellow foam balls that Mommy will throw for me. I love to play fetch with balls, and I’m even getting better at catching them with my mouth and my paws.The flower bag had yummy flavored bones in it – I had to share one of them with Lucy. Mommy let us chew on them for a while before dinner, but when she saw how quickly we chewed them apart, she took them away from us and fed them to that bad old can that’s under the sink. I hate that can. It gets lots of stuff I could eat! 

Ludwig ran and got me to come open my last pressie. He whispered in my ear, “I got this one for you, Xena. You are my friend and I love you.” Sure enough, that bag held my favorite pressie of all…a bully horn sized just right for me. Lucy wanted to chew it up, so I am going to take it to work and leave it there, where she can’t get it.

Next came supper. I got a French meal called steak tartar. Instead of bacon on top, there was fresh salmon. It was on a real fancy plate that used to belong to my Grandma. Next to it is my dessert: sliced apple and strawberries and goat yogurt.

Nom, nom, nom.

Lucy got beef and chicken and egg and cabbage and a tiny bit of salmon. And she got the same dessert as me.

She ate so fast that she made all these disgusting piggy noises (sorry, Bacon). We got our desserts after we finished our meal and had licked our plate and bowl clean. You can see we both dug into the yogurt first.

So that is the story of my first birthday, and I hope everyone liked hearing about it.

I am Xena the One-Year-Old Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Planning My Birthday

I was cuddling with Mommy while she worked when she stopped and said to me, “Xena, your birthday is coming up real soon. Have you thought about what you would like?” Of course I hadn’t. I didn’t really know about birthdays. Mommy went on to explain that one year ago I was born on June 21. So this Thursday, I will be one year old, and I will get presents and we will celebrate my life.

I thought and thought and asked if I could get some more bravery so that the loud thunder and new things don’t scare me. I want to be brave like Angel Lexi was. Mommy said I will get braver as I get older, and besides, I can do other things that Angel Lexi wouldn’t. When I asked like what, she said I scoot clear under the couch so fast to get my ball that she hardly has time to blink. Angel Lexi refused to do that. That made me smile, and then think some more. I don’t want any more clothes, and I have lots of stuffies. I always get great food – I mean, chicken or steak or fish every night! As well as chickie feet and liver and gizzards and green tripe and fresh veggies and fruit and sauerkraut and coconut oil. What more could a pup ask for in their dish?

I have round bones that I play soccer with and a really big bully horn to chew (it’s really Lucy’s, but she lets me have it). Yep, I have a great sister who puts up with me no matter what I do to her (he, he). I get to go to work and see my friends there, and now to my training classes and sometimes even to stores. I have a soft bed, and a Mommy and Daddy who love me.

Hmmm. This is a hard question. I don’t know what to ask for. Can someone give me ideas?

 

I am Xena the Almost One Year Old Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Bedtime

 

 

Lucy: We don’t get to spend much time with our Dad, so at bedtime, we like to cuddle with him. We both love to get our bellies scratched. And our necks, and ears, and faces, and backs, and…Xena: Put the camera away Mommy. This is my special time with my Daddy. You know I’m going to jump out of the bed soon and get in Lucy’s bed before you tell her to “get down.”Lucy: Take as many pictures as you want, Mom. Just so I get to stay in the bed. Oh, and nobody ever tells me to “get down,” Xena. They just kiss and say, “I love you,” and “I love you too,” and then it’s time for me to go to my bed. 

Xena: Uh huh. That’s when Daddy calls me over to pet me one last time before he turns off the light. He must love to pet me.

Lucy: Thanks for getting out of my bed, Xena. Goodnight, I love you.

Xena: Goodnight, Lucy, I love you too.

We’re Not Water Breeds

Why does Mom think either one of us is part lab or even Goldens, like Bonnie, Belle and Bessie over at Three Pups and a Couple of Kittens. They love their new pool!

You don’t see the part where Mom “helped” me into the pool. I just kept on going, right out the other side.

Mom was able to get a full refund.

Love and wiggles, a (still) dry Lucy

The Lineup

At work, I like everything to be “just-so,” in it’s place. I think I am just like my Mommy.  She likes everything “just-so” on her desk, too. I often take my stuffies and other toys into the hallway to play with them.  (Mommy doesn’t do that with her boring desk stuff.)

You can see I have everyone lined up nice and neat. Closest to me is Blue Bone, then Little Bunny, then Brownie Bear, then Hedgehog, then Rope Toy. I carry them out here one at a time and carefully place each one next in line.

Now it is time to play and visit with my friends.

So Brownie, this is what that other dog named Mallie did to me. What? You don’t like it either? I know! It is so rude. Miss Beth said she won’t bring Mallie here anymore on Thursdays, but she might bring her on Mondays when we are here. I heard her and Mommy talking about us getting to be friends. I guess that would be OK – as long as she keeps her nose away from my bee-hind.

Sometimes when I get sleepy I invite one of my stuffies to come back in the office from the hallway to join me for a nap. Today it was Brownie Bear, after I promised to not stick my nose you-now-where anymore. Sweetheart was already napping in my bed. *yawn* (He, he, I made Mommy yawn, too. I told you we are just alike.)

I am Xena the Schnauzer Warrior Princess with my Stuffies

 

I’m a S.T.A.R. Puppy!

Mommy and me I have been going to my first puppy class for the past six Thursday nights. I’m telling you, it made for an exhausting day. First we went to the church and worked all day. Then Mommy had to find something to do for an hour or two and ended up going to Sonic or McDonald’s where I got to sit in the car with her and watch her eat.

S.T.A.R.  is the name of the class S=Socialization; T=Training; A=Activity; R=Responsibility. I think this might mean I am a T.rained S.ocialist  and a R.esponsible A.ctivist. Now Mommy is shaking her head no, no, no.

All us pups had to pay close attention to the teacher. 

Sweetheart Bear went with me one night. She was very impressed and couldn’t believe everything I had to do at class.

We all had to walk clear around the classroom practicing walking loose on a leash, sitting, laying down, and walking past each other without reacting. I did really good. In fact, Mommy said I was the best one there! *big wiggle and smile*

Well, at least I learned “down,” and to walk next to Mommy while we are in the class and she has treats in her hand.

Mommy got pictures of a couple of my classmates. This funny-looking puppy sat next to me the first night we were there. He was what Mommy calls hyper We didn’t get to be friends.

This  is Amber, the Afghan Hound puppy.She and her folks sat on the other side of us the first night, and from then on we always sat together during class. She tried sticking her biglongnose into my bee-hind, but she stopped once I ‘splained to her that I did not like that and don’t do it again. Do you see her front-hook halter? It’s just like Lucy’s. Mommy ‘splained to her Mom and Pop how good those are, and they got her one. They said it is like magic, te, he.

Last night I graduated! I had to take a test, and I did really, really good. I got a certificate with my name and Mommy’s and Daddy’s name on it. I don’t know why they put Daddy’s name on it since he never ever came to class. Maybe they were just being nice and didn’t want him to feel left out. Mommy gave me more treats, too!Next month me and Mommy Mommy and I will start six weeks of the Tips and Techniques class. If I Mommy does good there, we will go on to Agility Won. Yep, I want to win at agility two! Hmm, Mom is shaking her head no, no, no again. He, he, Mommy, I’m just joking.  (But we really are going to take an Agility Class, too!)

I am Xena the S.T.A.R. Schnauzer Princess Warrior

 

 

 

 

Antsy

I still like ants. I think they are fun to catch, and don’t taste bad at all. Mommy says they are free protein, and laughs. I am outside at lunchtime with Mommy. I look to my right and don’t see any ants.

I look to my left and…wait, what’s that scurrying away from me?

Got one!

I had some red cabbage with my ants for lunch.

I am Xena the Schnauzer Ant-Eating Princess

Is There a Dog In There?

Hi friends. This is Lucy with another episode of Grooming with Mommy. When Bella was carried in the door, none of us were really sure if there was a dog inside all that hair.

Then she stuck out her tongue at us and Mom knew she had some tough grooming to do. Bella was here almost a year ago, and hasn’t been groomed since. Mom said she was in the same condition the first time, too – matted to the skin, nails super long, and stinky stuff stuck under her tail. Then, something like a miracle happened.

Bella: I think I’m naked.

Hey, I like how my beard tastes after getting shampooed.

I can’t wait for my Mom and Dad to see me. I hear them coming up the driveway!

Love and wiggles, Lucy

Pee Ess: Xena and I hope all you mothers out there had very Happy Mother’s Day. We love you!!

Feelings

Miss Beth is was is my favorite person at work. I have always felt happy when she came to see me. Now she has replaced me with a dog she adopted to live with her. The dog’s name is Mallie. Me and Mallie almost got in a fight the first time she came into my office. Sure, sure, we met outside, where there’s lots of room to walk around and not feel so much “with” the other dog. When we went inside she did something really gross.  She stuck her nose under my tail and sniffed my bee-hind. I jumped around to face her and growled. She wagged her tail, like, yeah, growl all you want, I still got to stick my nose up your bee-hind. I was angry.  Next thing I knew, Mallie growled and jumped at me. That really scared me. After those feelings passed, I felt sad. Have I lost my Beth?

The next time Mallie came to my office, we pretty much ignored each other. And I ignored Miss Beth. I felt hurt and disappointed. 

Then Miss Beth came in without Mallie and stayed for a few hours. I wondered if she sent Mallie back to wherever she found her. I felt happy and gave Miss Beth a lot of attention.

Mommy explained to me that Miss Beth had rescued Mallie from a bad place that made her have puppies over and over again. She said I should try to be more understanding and loving and to try harder to get along with her. Now I feel kinda guilty. I still don’t want Mallie here, but I know I should try harder to be her friend. I feel really conflicted.What do you do when this kind of thing happens?

I am Xena, the Confused Schnauzer (Warrior) Princess

Sweetheart Bear Goes on Vacation

Mom and Dad went on a weekend vacation without us. Mom said she meant to leave Sweetheart at home with us, but that naughty bear hid in the back seat of the car behind the cooler. They’re back, and I’m going to make Sweetheart tell me where they went and what happened while they were there.She ‘fessed up right away. They drove to a big cabin in the woods and slept late ’cause we weren’t there to get them up. Daddy cooked all their meals and made lots of good drinks that we aren’t old enough to drink. They were sweet and some even had ice cream in them.

Mommy made a dump cake for dessert and they broke their “no sugar” rule all weekend!

Sweetheart visited with the bear living in the children’s room. Her new friend read a Dr. Seuss book to her. It is called Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

I don’t know how she got up so high to explore the big shelf in the living room.

Daddy had to help her get down, so she stayed with him while he took a little chair nap.

Then she went upstairs to Mommy and Daddy’s bedroom and took a little bed nap herself. She said there were three beds, and this is one was ju-u-ust right.

When she woke up, she sat at the bottom of the bed looking out the window at all the trees and listening to the noisy, bubbling creek down below. She  wondered if there were any big black bears in those woods.

When she went out to check for bears she found a gnome who is related to the gnomes at Rock City. He played Sweetheart a little tune.Then he asked her to give his kinfolk his love when she goes to Rocktober Fest this year with me, Xena. Hmm, I wonder why she thinks she is going to get to go with me.Lucy: Sweetheart had a wonderful time on vacation, and she wants me to ask if you are done forcing her to ‘fess up. 

Yep. I’m done. And I don’t think we should tell the folks about how much fun we had with our sitter, Miss Christy. How ’bout if we just let them feel bad that they deserted us. After all, we are a happy pack again.

Love and wiggles from Lucy and screams of joy from the schnauzer warrior princess Xena