Back from In Dee Anna

Xena: Well, folks, we’re back. Did you miss us? There was no internet where we were staying, and Mommy won’t blog from her phone, so it seemed like we were in the dark ages. She was able to help us read and comment on your posts from her phone, though it took much longer as those key things are soooo small for our pawpads.

Us pups mostly stayed in the rental house while Mommy and Daddy mostly went out to restaurants every day with Daddy’s family. While Daddy was glad to see everyone, he especially wanted to visit with his Mommy, who is 92.

Lucy: Don’t you know not to ever tell a woman’s age, Xena?

Riley: When someone gets that old, they don’t care about that anymore.

Chia: You should know.

Riley: Grrrr. *lifts lip*

Xena: As I was saying, we were at this rental house out in the country where me and Lucy stayed with our folks when we went to visit for Grandma’s 90th birthday. It was in August and we got to run all over the huge back yard and all our relatives came out and we had a great time.

This trip, it was kinda cold, so we wore our colder weather clothes when we went outside. Me and Lucy got to run around again, but Run-Away Chia had to stay on her leash.

Lucy got to go visit our grandma on Tuesday and she took a nap at Grandma’s assisted living apartment while the peeps went out to an Asian restaurant. Lucy was wearing her nice sweater and, well, she can tell you.

Lucy: Thank you, Xena. I had been wondering if there would be snow, but there wasn’t. The temps were in the 40’s, so my sweater was sufficient, even though I had also packed my heavy winter coat, as you can see in the picture. I fell asleep on Grandma’s comfy couch waiting for everyone to come back, and dreamed I was in a snowy forest.

In my dream I had a nice wooden platform to stand on so that my paws didn’t get too cold. But I was all alone, so I was glad when everyone came back and I woke up.

Xena: I think Lucy’s dream brought on the new weather forecast of below 0 temps and ice and maybe snow. Because of that, Daddy decided it would be good to leave early on Thursday morning instead of on Friday morning as originally planned. So the next day – Wednesday – Mommy suggested that Daddy take Chia to meet our Grandma in the afternoon when nothing else was happening. He liked that idea, and off they went! You won’t believe (or maybe you will) how Chia (mis)behaved with our Grandma.

Chia: Shut up, Xena. I’m warning you…

Xena: I’m not afraid of you! I’m Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess! And Mommy won’t let you hurt me!!
So, Chia walked in and growled at Grandma!! What the dog?! Daddy told us that Grandma still talked nice to her and commented on what beautiful coloring she has, and tried to make friends with her the whole time she was there, but Chia would have none of it. We were all pretty disgusted with Chia, but you know what? Grandma still was good to her and loved her. I heard of someone who was born a couple thousand years ago who is still like that. Even more reason to celebrate His birthday this Sunday!

Later that day me and Lucy went to visit while everyone set up food and ate and visited in an area reserved for us. Daddy said his family get-togethers always revolve around food! I sat on Mommy’s lap and let Grandma look at me and pet me when she wanted to.
With all the visiting and stuff, we didn’t get back to our rental house and get everything packed until late (it was at least 9:00 at night). Then, in the middle of the night — around 3 o’clock — the folks are up getting dressed and packing the car and loading us in and off we went for home. I want to tell you that Chia and I share the back seat kennel when we travel, and, believe it or not, she’s a good traveling companion.

Chia: *wags and wiggles*

Xena: Anyhoo, it was nice to get home and see Riley and brother Andrew and Jentry and everything familiar and ours. And this is where Santa Paws knows to deliver our pressies, too!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!! Lucy, Xena, Chia and Riley