Two years ago yesterday:
And from January, 2011:
(I had to soak her in a tub of warm water to melt the snow.)
Memory Monday – Lexi, the Snowdog
Tag: schnauzer
Memory Monday: Agility
As was the way with most things we did together, Lexi loved training and running Agility courses. No matter where we were, if she saw agility obstacles, she would go and run them. When we were learning the weave poles, the instructor told us to lead our dogs through the first pole, then to let them run straight along the side to get used to the poles. Lexi, being the precocious pup that she was, did a perfect weave first time out (with no previous training).
When we were practicing, she was very patient with me (thank you, Lexi) when I would get confused about which obstacle was next. She would simply go to her favorite – the V ramp – and run it over and over until I got my bearings.
Today, while going through a box of Valentine decorations we will use for our Dance Class Valentine Party, I came across a forgotten memory. These are our certificates of completion for Agility 1: Foundation; Agility 2: Obstacles; and Agility 3: Sequences.
Toward the end of the Sequences Course, our turn had come at the starting line. The instructor, with timer in hand, asked if we were ready. Looking down, I said, “Are you ready, Lexi?” In answer, Lexi shot toward the first obstacle, with me a split second behind her. I faintly heard the instructor call, “I guess she was ready!” I think, if Lexi hadn’t been totally focused on her task, her reply would have been, “I was born ready.”
Gifts from the Heart
I want to showcase the beautiful sampler that Sidney, Shelby and Sophie’s Mom, Susan, made in honor of Lexi:
I just love this, not just because it is lovely and commemorates my girl, but also because of the heart and thoughtfulness that went into it. It is sitting on display with my other “Lexi things.”
As you may already know, Piper and Shelby have started up a bit of a romance. In case you missed their second date, you can go here to learn all about it. Ms. Susan also made a cross stitch for Piper and his Mom:
So what do you think? Is this a bit of a bribe to ensure Piper’s Mom lets him continue to court her daughter? Or a thank you to Piper for staying with me for two weeks to comfort me after Lexi crossed the rainbow bridge? Whatever the reason, you can see the love stitched into these works of art. Piper’s Mom sends her huge thanks and appreciation to Susan as well.
In any case, Piper will be showing up at the Valentine’s Party with Shelby. ❤
Memory Monday: Angels on Earth
Lexi was two years old when I snapped this photo in 2005. I didn’t realize until later that she already had her wings! See them? Well, maybe not. But this I know: there were so many things she knew, understood and did that I could never explain. 
For instance, she would single out a dance student who was practicing the step incorrectly and draw my attention to it so I could help them. And she was always right about it. How did she know?
Also, when I had her attention and visualized the sun rising and setting, she understood how many days until something was going to happen. On that morning she would get extra-excited. For instance, on Thursday night I might tell her that we were going to the opening of Rocktoberfest on Saturday, then visualize the sun rising, setting, rising. No reaction Thursday night or Friday morning, but Saturday morning she would do the really excited dog thing. How did she know?
What does your dog or cat or pig or bird do that you can’t explain?
Birthday Boy
Hi. guess what day this is. Oh, I gave it away, didn’t I? I had a great day with my Daddy. He made me scrambled eggs for breakfast.
Wow, were they good. What Dad, do I have something stuck in my beard again? Next, my dad took me to the pet store and let me pick out a new toy.
Aunt Amy said I look like a Scottie in this picture and wondered if I had been hanging around Sophie too much. Uncle Jeff, who knows all about picture taking and stuff, said, no, it was just the angle, that I am still a schnauzer.
I heard I am getting a box of presents in the mail from Aunt Amy and Uncle Jeff, but it won’t be here until tomorrow. That means I can have birthday fun for two whole days. It’s my bedtime now, and I think I will give Mom and Dad the puppy eyes so they will let me sleep with them tonight. After all, it is my birthday! *tail wags*
Memory Monday – First Boating Blog
from June 30, 2005 originally posted on Dogster when Lexi was 2 years old.
Today I swam eleven laps around my pontoon boat – a personal best – perhaps because no one was watching when I wanted back in after the fourth lap. When we were done at the lake we went to Dairy Queen, a place that has the most wonderful treats. Brrr! The ice cream made me very cold and I started to shake uncontrollably. I knew Mom would take my ice cream away if she saw me shivering so I gobbled my pup cup of vanilla ice cream (my favorite flavor). It was worth it! To warm me up, Mom had to sit in the hot car with me until the shakes went away. I’ll make up for it tonight by puking on Mom’s bed. Won’t she be surprised?!
Memory Monday – Beginnings
I believe that for most of us, our lives are like a novel that can be broken down into chapters. A new love can produce a new chapter: romance, marriage, the birth or adoption of a child or of a pet. I clearly remember the Saturday in June of 2003 when that new chapter began for me – the day I fell in love with Lexi. While her 4 littermates were sleeping, Lexi was trying to bite the cool air coming out of the floor vent in her breeder’s home. Two weeks later, on the Fourth of July, I made the three hour trip back to pick up my spirited, eight-week-old puppy. Thus began a glorious new chapter of love in my life. My Angel Lexi, forever my heart dog.
Piper’s Big Date
I knew Shelby had been stuck in the house with her brother and sister for 87 weeks after her surgery and was needing some peace and quiet. I thought about the beach, but Shelby was concerned about sand and bacteria getting in her incision, even if it was completely healed. So for our first date all alone, I took Shelby to a lovely little cabin in the mountains. Heck, I can hang out just about anywhere and be ok, but I wanted my girl to have some comfort and pretty surroundings. She is a girl after all, and I learned from my Mom that girls like those things.
I thought we could start with a little stroll leading up to the cabin.
We arrived just before the sun started to drop behind the trees. I was a little nervous about the cabin being nice enough.
Once inside, we thought we would rest in front of the TV for a while.
We watched a show, but all I could see on the TV was Shelby.. so I tried to look at some books, but again, all I could see was Shelby!
By now we were both hungry. I heard that Shelby loves mangoes, so I made sure to get some. I didn’t know if she liked her steak cooked or raw, so I had Mom pack both.
We had a big day, and with our tummies full, we started to nod off. We each went to our own bedrooms, ’cause we are good pups. However, someone started hearing things and got scared.
I might have awakened Shelby, but I felt safe I knew she was safe, and we I slept well the rest of the night.
We got up early the next morning to do a bit of fishing, then watched the sun rise over the lake. What a beautiful finish to a perfect date. I sure hope Shelby felt the same way.
Note: the graphics in this post were made possible through the help of Noodle’s Mom, Samantha.
Memory Monday – One Year Ago Today
What is Rocktoberfest?
If you have ever been on I-75 in Tennessee or Georgia, you have no doubt seen the billboards for Rock City, and maybe even seen the barn roofs or sides painted with the Rock City ad. The Rock City bird houses are famous around here.
For thousands of visitors from all over the world each October, Rocktoberfest is a fun tourist destination where, once they make the drive to the top of Lookout Mountain, they can enjoy nature amongst huge rock formations, dizzying heights and natural flora. They also get to enjoy polka bands and dancing, and locally brewed beer, the best of which (IMHO) is the Octoberfest beer.
For Jeff and me, it means much more. This was the first year that Rocktoberfest has been in existence that Lexi did not attend. Sometimes she was frustrated by not being allowed to help teach polka with Jeff, and sometimes humiliated by being used as a prop when Jeff MC’ed and announced she was the “German dog helping out today”. She was recognized by the bands for singing with them from the sidelines and pet by many children of all nationalities. She often saw friends whom she always recognized from year to year, such as her beloved Dorothy from her first Wizard of Oz, as well as some band members. She loved walking the trails and smelling the pee mail. This year, Jeff worked there every Saturday and Sunday as usual, and I went every weekend to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine and try to heal from her loss.
There is a different band each weekend , although sometimes a band will perform two weekends when there are five weekends, like this year. Last Saturday, a boy about 5 years old walked up to the band with his fingers in his ears, removing one long enough to try to grab the instruments. He managed to snag the slide on the trombone while it was being played as well as one of the bells. We were sitting on the bench just to the left of this picture, and when Jeff jumped up to rescue the bell, the kid’s Mom stopped laughing and ran up and grabbed the kid. Since I keep this a “G rated” blog, I won’t voice my feelings on the entire episode. Moving on. At least two of the bands had alphorns, the instrument used to play the famous “Ri-co-la.” I hear there’s even a ringtone with that three note cough drop tune.
The Birds of Prey show with different species of owls, a comical vulture, several falcons. and an American bald eagle is quite impressive, with the birds release to fly just above the heads of the seated audience. This all happens within an enclosed space. All these birds have been rescued, either from being raised in captivity or found with injuries too severe to treat and release back into the wild. The eagle, for example, only has one wing due to illegal poaching. No photography allowed during the show. 😦 And no dogs allowed anywhere near it. They are, after all, birds of prey, and some are quite large. If one should escape, well, there might be one less chihuahua or yorkie in the world.
Here is the overlook where you can see 7 states – Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia and South Carolina. It helps to put a quarter in the telescopic viewers.
There is one large waterfall as well as a small one very close to the overlook. I took all these pictures the last day of Rocktoberfest (last Sunday) and was too lazy to walk to the big falls again. So here is the smaller one. 
Since Rock City strives to be child-friendly, there are some fun costumed characters. One of the most famous is Ik, King of the Trolls. This guy has been playing Ik at different venues for 20 years, and comes across as bigger than life. He says that he doesn’t eat children for three reasons:
- Children are not fully ripe.
- Children are not even a mouthful.
- Children are full of toxins such as sugar, GMO’s, and high-fructose corn syrup.
He will make an exception for free-range children that contain no antibiotics or growth hormones.
While at Rock City, there are plenty of souvenirs to buy. We have some very large beer mugs and steins that we take back every year, since the beer refill is only $2!
Jeff uses his special floor mat to stand on to keep his back from hurting. Come back tomorrow to find out who wins in Jeff’s battle with Rocky the Gnome for the mat. Also tomorrow I will highlight the dogs of Rocktoberfest. Well, at least all the dogs that were there last Sunday – and did’t get eaten by a bird of prey, bwahaha!
All Saints’ Day
This is the first day of November, also known as All Saints’ Day. Many churches will observe this holy day next Sunday. St Luke UMC, however, chose to observe it on October 30. Prayers are said for those who have passed, especially those who have passed since this time last year. The congregation is encouraged to name their loved ones who have gone on and to come to the altar rail to light a candle for them.
At St. Luke, besides the candles on the altar rail, a special table was set up in the middle to hold larger candles for those who left us this year. A picture and/or a memento could be left for that special loved one. I think you know where I am going with this.
I knew I couldn’t sit through this service without crying the whole time, so I asked Lexi’s favorite person at St. Luke to light the candle when the time came. I am sure this was hard for David, too, but he did this for Lexi and me.
This is the page in the bulletin from where the names were read. I do believe that no matter what happens, there is a reason. Losing Lexi in early September is one of the hardest things I have ever endured. About one and a half years ago when I got my job at this wonderful church, I never expected anything like the support I have received since that time. I am blessed to be among these loving, caring people.
Party Like It’s Halloween!
Can I go first, Amy? Yes? OK. This is Riley. No one told me about the Halloween party at Dory’s. Now I am all dressed up and have nowhere to go. Hey, maybe my Dad will take me trick or treating. I love, love, love little kids, and I would get to see a lot of them if I go out tonight! *paws crossed*
Piper and his gorgeous date Shelby from the Corkscott clan enjoyed the great food, drinks and other anipals at Dory’s Halloween party today. In fact, I think they are still partying! This was a first date, folks, so I can’t wait to see if they hit it off. I know Piper was more than a bit nervous, but he is such a sweet boy, I’ll bet Shelby was a bit taken with him. *fingers crossed for him*
Lexi popped into Dory’s Halloween party and, as she commented there, “I am back for the party ’cause there are so many good food things and all my friends are gathered together in one place, but please don’t think I turned into a vampire dog when I died. I am not really a vampire! It is just a really great look for All Hallow’s Eve! Bwahahahaha – I have come to suck your blood. (barked in Transylvanian accent, of course)”
Hmmm. It seems like there is something just wrong about the title Angel Vampire, don’t you think? Happy Halloween, my sweet girl.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy Halloween, with no unexpected “bites”!
Anticipation, by Piper
Piper here. I got a date to the Halloween bash at Dory’s Back Yard! Guess who? Nope, I’m not sayin’.
Memory Monday: Whose Interview Is This, Anyhow?
I promised to do Memory Mondays after Lexi left for the rainbow bridge. Even though I have been following your blogs and getting smiles from them, it has been too painful to post anything, other than helping Piper from time to time. Every time I think I am beginning to heal, the wound rips wide open again. My precious husband is grieving much more quietly, but still grieving nonetheless. He has lost so much weight that his pants bag and try to slide off, and he is pulling out the clothes that fit him several years ago. We miss our little girl terribly. The house feels so empty with just Jeff and me here. Everyone else has moved on, one way or another.
It helps that it is October, with Jeff working Rocktoberfest every weekend and me accompanying him every Saturday. Even there, though, there are so many memories, as Lexi always went with us.
Last week our eight year wedding anniversary came and went, with neither of us feeling like celebrating.
So today I am determined to tell a story I promised one of Lexi’s wonderful blogging friends not long ago. It is the story of how Lexi helped me get my job at St. Luke, where she was so loved, even to the point of a memorial service after her passing. So here goes.
In the spring of 2015, the Ochs Center – Lexi and my Tuesday and Thursday job – closed up their offices. Lexi loved going there and it was quite difficult to leave that last day.
The board president told me about her church needing a part-time office administrator and said she would recommend me for the position. Happily, I got the call and scheduled an interview. The next Wednesday we celebrated Lexi’s 12th birthday at St. Timothy’s, where I worked the other three days of the week, and where Lexi usually joined me on Wednesdays and Fridays. I brought cookies and people came by my office to wish Lexi a happy birthday and to eat a cookie. That afternoon it suddenly dawned on me that my interview at St. Luke was immediately after work that day. In looking forward to celebrating Lexi’s birthday, I had completely forgotten, and it would take me an extra hour to take her home and drive back into town. I decided I would call to see if I could bring Lexi with me to the interview. Bold move, but I was desperate. As a contingency plan, I called Jeff, who said he would meet me at the foot of Signal Mountain to take the schnauzer if they said no. I made the call, explained the situation and made my request. Unbeknownst to me, I was speaking with a volunteer. He said, “Well, we don’t usually encourage dogs at the Sunday service, but I reckon it would be ok to bring her with you to your interview.” So I did.
It was certainly providence that the three ladies who interviewed me were – and still are – dog lovers. Lexi was on her best behavior as she sniffed around the room and under the table, then, not finding any food, sat quietly beside me. The interviewers were all impressed with my resume, but I think even more impressed with Lexi. After a rather brief interview, I was offered the position with the caveat that Lexi would also come work with me. We started work the next week. She always believed she was the reason I got the job, and I won’t be the one to argue with that.
Sophie, are you there?
This message is for Sophie the Scottie. 
Hi Sophie. I didn’t know how else to reach you. This is Piper the Schnauzer.
Will you go to Dory’s Halloween Dance with me? I know it is short notice, and we are supposed to have our pictures to Ms. Beth by Monday, but I just found out. Will you go with me, huh huh, please? I know you are still recovering, and I promise to be very gentle and only give you a little hug if you want one. We don’t have to run or dance if you don’t feel up to it.
If anyone else who might see this knows how to reach Sophie, would you please give her a call or a text or an e-mail and tell er, ask, her to read this. I have never asked anyone out before, so I am not sure if I am doing this right. I am going to be so disappointed and maybe even embarrassed if she says no. Sophie, please say, “Yes!”
Angel Lexi Makes the News (again)
This was in Wednesday’s paper. OK, so they got Lexi’s age wrong (but what girl doesn’t like to be thought of as younger than she is), combined what happened at more than one church, and misquoted me more than once, but hey, it’s the newspaper. What do you expect?
How my Week Turned Around by Piper
About 87 weeks ago I agreed to go home with my Aunt Amy and Uncle Jeff ’cause I knew they were sad and I wanted to help. But it’s been real hard for me. I missed my own Mom and Dad and my sis Ella so much. At Aunt Amy’s, I would sit at the top of the stairs where I know people come up from their cars and I would watch down to the driveway from the patio to see if my Mom was coming. I whined and breathed hard and refused to take my pills (they got stuck down my throat anyhow) and didn’t much feel like eating. Finally, Aunt Amy told my Mom I really needed to come back home because this was too hard on me. I really wanted to be here but I wanted my Mom to be here too.
Aunt Amy would not take me to work with her on Tuesdays because I have never liked being around little kids, and the Parents Day Out program kids come to the church on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I tried my best to go, but she still left me all alone at home. By the time she and Uncle Jeff got home last Tuesday night I was a wreck. I even had what she thinks was a little seizure from getting so worked up.
Wednesday morning finally arrived and I got to go to work. It was just me and Aunt Amy there. I was very, very good. I got to run all over the church – except for the place where they hold the Sunday worship service – and I wasn’t nervous so I didn’t mess anywhere. I was such a wreck home alone on Tuesday and so good at work with Aunt Amy on Wednesday that she decided to “go against her better judgement” and take me on Thursday. Thursday is the day the people come in to get their food vouchers to go to the Food Bank and get their food. That opening you see behind my foot goes between Aunt Amy’s office and the volunteer office where those people come. I thought about what Lexi had told me, how she always went to them very calmly and suggested that they pet her. I thought I would give it a try with the first two ladies that came in and guess what? It worked! So this is therapizing, the therapizing that Lexi loved to do and was so good at it. Well, I could be good at it too. In my desire to therapize, I forgot about what color people were, what they smelled like and how big or little they were. I made them feel happy and they pet me and made me feel happy. No wonder Lexi loved to do this!
In between therapizing, I ran downstairs to see what was up with all the little kids. I have a reputation of not being especially fond of little kids. I decided right then that if I could therapize people in the office, I could therapize little kids in their classrooms too. Twice Aunt Amy called me to come back upstairs. The third time that I ran down, she just said, “Well Piper, you know who is down there and you go at your own risk. Come back when you are ready.” I discovered when I went in the first classroom that the kids loved me. I mean they loved me! They were sweet with me and pet me gently. I made sure everyone was happy and then went into the second classroom. Sure enough, the same thing happened. And guess what? Lexi never did this!! I think I finally got one up on my cousin. I even think I heard someone say that I could be the church dog!
So you think this is good? I have to tell ya’, things only got better from there. Over the weekend I went for a ride up Lookout Mountain to Rock City with Aunt Amy. On the way, she said we would see my Uncle Jeff and, 
and, and my Mom!! Woohoo! I got to lead the way on the trails and sit with my Momma while we listened to the oompah band, the Wurstbrauts. Mom even helped Uncle Jeff teach polka. The only bad part was when I got tied to a chair. Momma was on the dance floor and Aunt Amy was taking pictures. All these middling size kids kept running past and it kind of scared me. I started yelling “Momma! Amy!, Momma! Amy!” My Mom finally heard me and pointed at me and Aunt Amy saved me. Whew, that was a close call.
Now I am safely and wonderfully home in Kentucky with my Mom and Dad and Ella. I miss Aunt Amy and Uncle Jeff.
I am Piper, the why-can’t-everyone-just-live-together schnauzer.
Eligible Bachelor
Eligible bachelor dog looking for a hot bit… Ow! Aunt Amy, stop it. No, YOU stop it, Piper! This isn’t a dating site and you can’t use that kind of language on this blog. I m going to have to change my password. But Siddhartha Henry said… the good Purrince did NOT say to do this! Start your own Craig’s List account if you want to hook up. Can I? NO! I was being sarcastic. Oh. If you really want a girlfriend, Piper, let’s go about this right. What should I do? Well, now that all the girls know you are “eligible and looking” maybe someone will show some interest. And if she is shy, she can tell Siddhartha Henry she is interested by leaving a comment on any of his posts. You know he has offered to help you like he helped Noodle. Now, why don’t you tell the sweet ladies out there about the real you?
I love my Mom. A lot. Is that enough, Aunt Amy? It’s a good start. Keep going, buddy. I am a great hugger and I love to cuddle and snuggle. I am 12 years young and like to run and play and chase squirrels and rabbits. That’s what I meant, Piper. Let everyone know more about you. I hate baths, but don’t mind being groomed. That’s right, sweet boy, you are the easiest dog I have ever groomed because of how good you are on the table. *smile* I also have a big heart. No, really. I have to take pills every day for it. And I am extra-sweet. Really! I have to get shots every day for it. I am very brave about getting my shots and only scream if someone forgets to let the stuff in it warm up a bit before sticking it in me. Then, it hurts a lot more. And I have been told that I am handsome, but I will let you decide that for yourself. *big grin* Yes, I can vouch for your handsomeness, little guy. I think maybe that is enough for now. If someone shows interest, you can ask her to go to the next Blogville event with you. But I think I should be going home soon. I won’t be here when a sweet girl answers my, er, your, er, this not-a-dating-site post. Sweet boy, that’s not how Blogville works. You won’t miss out, trust me. I love you, Aunt Amy. I love you too, Piper.
Lexi’s Memorial Service – Recorded
For those of you who were unable to watch live this morning, here is the link to the recorded service. The sound levels are not great on this raw footage, so please bear with it. They improve a bit into it. Later, when my dear, over-worked husband has a bit of time to work on the sound, I will repost it. But for those who don’t want to wait, here it is on Vimeo:
Lexi’s Memorial Service at St. Luke UMC
Lexi’s Memorial Service Announcement
This is a memorial service announcement. As most of you know, Lexi,our talented and precocious 13-year-old miniature schnauzer, returned to her Creator on September 4 after a three month bout with cancer. She was a much-loved Church Dog at St Luke United Methodist Church in Stuart Heights, after also “working” at St. Timothy’s and St. Paul’s Episcopal Churches and the Ochs Center for Metropolitan Studies. As such, Pastor Evelyn offered to hold a service to celebrate her life. All are invited to St. Luke this Saturday (September 24) at 10:30 a.m. The service will be streamed live and also – hopefully – recorded. It will either be streamed here or on http://www.stlukechatt.org.
Many locals know Lexi from her role as Toto in three productions of Wizard of Oz. She starred in her first performance in 2006 with Kim Jackson at the Theatre Centre, with a record attendance of 7,000 over 6 weeks and 26 performances. Her last turn on the boards was the fall of 2014 in the Jonathan Humble production at the Colonnade. For 10 years she brought joy to children as a therapy dog at TC Thompson. She epitomized what Mother Teresa said – ‘Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.’
I also want to say a special thank you to Samantha and Beth for coordinating the Treats for Lexi Tribute as well as all who joined in to make it a special day. Seeing all the wonderful posts made me cry and smile, and remember once again how much she was loved by everyone.
Several people have suggested I still post on Lexi’s blog. To that end, I will still post Memory Monday’s once or twice a month, as well as special posts when one of her friends or relatives – such as Piper, Ella, Riley, and Gracie – come to visit. Piper is with us now all the way from Louisville, KY, so there will definitely be some blogging going on soon.
Wishing you continued blessings from the furry (and feathered) ones in your lives.
Amy
Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess with Lucy and Chia 