Hey everyone! Look what I found hiding in Mommy’s junk email folder on her ‘puter. Good thing I checked it!
Xena, Lock in Up To $250k of Term Life Insurance for as little as $15/mo.. Yep, isn’t this cool? I have to ask Mommy to get this for me. Or maybe I’ll ask Daddy…
Welcome To Medicare 2023 Xena Not sure what this one is for, but I think I need to check it out.
Xena, Get $100,000 Coverage for Only $1* I can get $100,000 for only one dollar! Woohoo!! I bet that’ll buy lots and lots of treats!
Lucy: Xe, wasn’t there another word next to all of these?
Xena: Oh yeah, it just keeps getting better. Along with the special offers, everyone was also giving me a can of spam. I stay home on Wednesdays, so I’ll get on Mommy’s ‘puter tomorrow while she’s gone to work and doesn’t need it and accept all of them. Won’t she be surprised!?
And a big thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday Blog Hop!
Riley: Xena what’s called in legaleze “the first right of refusal” for today’s selfie. She was sleepy after quickly devouring her breakfast, or brekkies, as she calls it, and refused on the basis of not wanting to go through getting “prettied up” to be presentable.
I, myself had just settled in for a long last-day-of-winter nap when asked if I wanted to do the Sunday Selfie. Since all I had to do was look at the camera, I said sure, why not? So here goes…
Besides I have news from going to the vet — my favorite vet place where I love going — on Friday. My belly has been really big, and I’ve been chewing on one side of it. Plus I’ve been hacking up clear, foamy liquid a couple of times a day. This all brought a big uh, oh from Mrs. Dr. Vet. Listening to my heart, she said my murmur had gotten decidedly worse, too. So I get to go back to visit with them again in two weeks for x-rays and stuff. And I get to take drugs before I go, but shhh, don’t tell anyone. Mom asked if Mrs. Dr. Vet couldn’t just put me on the heart medication she had talked about, and the answer was a bit scary. Something about if it was the other thing, like a growth or tumor or something like that, on or around my heart, the medicine for a heart murmur could make it – and my heart – explode! Eeeyikes! So Mom Amy and Dad Jeff decided to spend the money on diagnosis. Whew. I’ll let you know what happens. But at least I won’t be having an exploding heart…I think that would hurt a lot. Your buddy, Riley
Oh, and thanks so much to The Cat on My Head, for hosting Sunday Selfies!
Xena: Last week I got to go to Mommy’s workplace for the first time since I was just a puppy. It’s a new place, and it’s a church again. Mommy went from temp status to hired! So now I’m the official church dog. My first day there was Tuesday a week ago. I got so nervous that I had a runny, stinky accident. I didn’t get to go back last week, after that embarrassment to both me and Mommy.
Anyhoo, this week I got to go back to work with the promise I would only potty outside. I went on Monday and again yesterday. We don’t work on Fridays which is why we’ve got our vet appointment today. I’ll tell ya’, it’s hard work. My office is right in front of the front door, and it has big glass windows both in the front of the office and on both sides of the front door so I can see anyone coming. I have to grrrrrrr real quietly with my mouth closed until I know they are OK. Then I run up to them and welcome them with a wagging tail.
After work I went to the vet to get my ears checked again. They were much better, but still not 100%. So I’ve been getting this globby stuff in them every night, but one of them is actually worse. We’re all going to the vet today to get blood pulled for our twice a year DNA HW test *shake* *shiver* so the vet is going to look at them again then. I’ll be shaking so hard I probably won’t even notice. *sigh*
Working all day can be exhausting. We must have walked up and down the long hallway to the coffee room and the lobby (they call it a narthex) 87 times yesterday. Sometimes I just nap in Mommy’s lap.
Can you see her green top she wore a day early for St. Patty’s Day?
I like to schmooze the pastor, too. I follow him into his office and ask to be pet and to sit in his lap. He says I’m a real cutie and a good girl. (He doesn’t know about my accident down the hall.) He said I can come every day except Wednesday when there’s lots of people there. That’s OK by me! I also like to lay in Mommy’s lap while she works on the ‘puter. I haven’t gotten my own ‘puter yet — maybe we’ll get another one from the Good Will store like I had at the other church.
Mom: Whatcha’ doin’, Xexe? Xena: Miss Nancy fed me all my treats. Is it time to go home yet?
Well, that was my long way of wishing you a very happy St. Patty’s Day, and don’t drink and drive, BOL!
And here’s one for my Daddy, who’s something called a “Trekkie.”
Lucy, Ace Reporter, coming to you live (well, I AM alive!) from, WGWM with another episode of Grooming with Mom. We are so thankful for all of Mom’s wonderful clients and their pups! And a shout out of thanks to Brian for hosting Thankful Thursday
My usual M.O. is to report on new grooms. Today I would like to show you how some current grooms have changed, as well as other pupdates.
Let’s get the sad one over with first. You may remember Barkley, a one-year-old rescued schnauzer/yorkie/poodle mix. He was here last December for his first groom since being rescued. A couple of months ago he escaped from his house and ran into a yard that belonged to a bigger dog. Precious Barkley didn’t survive the encounter. May he play like the puppy he is on the other side of the rainbow bridge.
We’ve been following puppy Dixie since her first groom here. She’s now nine months old. This time her front right leg had shorter, curlier hair than her other legs. Her Mom said that she had broken her leg in two places when she jumped off their bed. She had her surgery and her leg now has metal plates, but she is getting around like nothing happened. Dixie has grown a lot and Groomer Mom decided it was time to do something different with her face. Dixie’s Mom agreed. And her Dad wanted all her leg and body hair trimmed as short as her one leg. Here are pictures of her previous groom (L) and the one done this time. Let us know which way you like her face best.
Dixie still has crazy puppy ears, and that’s just going to have to take time.
Molly came to us from downtown for her first groom here several months ago. In response to a reminder text, her Dad called from L.A. saying he was visiting his son over the Christmas holidays when he fell and broke his hip. He wasn’t going to be able to bring Molly, since she was stuck there in L.A. with him. When he was finally able to make the trip back, he hobbled into the small grooming area with his walker and Molly on a leash. He told Groomer Mom she could cut Molly’s hair how she thought it would look best this time, as opposed to making it look like a picture he had of another dog that she modeled the groom after last time. Then he asked what she’d been doing. She told him she’d been to a nearby Mexican restaurant the night before and how great the food was, and the band was really good too. At that, he said he’d go wait there, get a beer, watch the game on their many TV’s, etc. That was a great solution, since Molly was un-groomable with him here. Here’s Molly from her first (L) and second times here. Personally, this reporter really likes the second groom better.
Molly’s Dad got a late lunch and declared both the food there and the groom here excellent!
Next up is Winston. He is a multi-poo/shih tzu mix. Winston first came to Small Dog Grooming in 2017. He came back two years later, then in a year, and seems to be a more or less regular client now. His Mom gets busy and keeps forgetting to make an appointment. His last time here was the beginning of January, when he got a “mini-groom” because the weather was cold. These are his before and after pictures from this past weekend. He was terribly matted, but thankfully no fleas. And he was very good for his groom!
This time his Mom made an appointment for 6 weeks, and wants to keep doing that so she doesn’t keep forgetting.
Let’s wind this up with a wish for a Happy St. Patrick’s Day from our friend Laila.
This is Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off with another successful episode of Grooming with Mom.
First, thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday Blog Hop!
Today I honor miniature schnauzers across the world. No, this isn’t a federal holiday or even one of those made-up Hallmark holidays — although I think that’s a great idea! I just love the breed. I found this on FB, where I rarely look at anything at all. My hubby laughed, knowing that only by the grace of God, we only have one schnauzer…for now!
I was always a “big dog” person. I had Alice, my dalmation until she passed at 11 years. After that, my “then” husband and I bought a house in Cleveland, TN, where we could have more dogs. He always talked about having a schnauzer, so I got him one for his first birthday in our house. I’ll admit that I got this 6 week old puppy from a backyard breeder. I had never heard of backyard breeders at the time, but something sure seemed “off.” About a year later, when I found out what kind of breeder and person this man was, I went back to try to get my pup’s mother, but he said he didn’t have her anymore. Here is Freda.
When her dad left us, I wouldn’t let him take her. She and I bonded while grieving together. She developed terrible allergies, and the steroid shots caused her to have cushing’s disease. At age five she went mostly blind. As long as I didn’t move the furniture, no one could tell she couldn’t see. She even led the way on our hikes down wooded paths! She was smart, feisty, “top dog” in all situations, had attitude, and wanted most of all to be with me no matter what I was doing. In other words, she was a miniature schnauzer! She taught me about the breed, and they embodied all the things I admired and could want in a companion. When, at 13, she passed from the terrible effects of the cushings, I found someone who needed to rehome their mini schnauzer.
I took Evie to the vet after picking her up, and was told she had a bad heart murmur. I then took her to UTC Vet School in Knoxville, and was told it was a class 4 murmur, as bad as it gets. They could do surgery, but there was no guarantee. She was only seven months old. She had very little energy, and just cuddled or hung out quietly with my other two dogs.
All I can say is she had a good life…boating, sleeping in my bed, going on trips, and playing with the big German Shepherd who was living with me at the time. Well, let me define playing. The GSD would run through the yard, slowing when he reached Evie so that she could grab ahold of his neck with her teeth and hang on him like a giant engorged tick while he kept running. When she was 19 months old I came home from work and found her gone, still warm in her kennel.
After that I was determined to find a well-bred schnauzer. After researching, I contacted a breeder, Becky, who lived three hours away in southern GA. One of her females had just had a litter, and she emailed me pictures of them a couple of times a week. I picked one out and gave her a very Southern, girlie name: Anna Belle Lee.
When they were six weeks old I made the trip to Becky’s to meet her and Anna Belle Lee and leave a deposit. I would have to return in two weeks to pick up my puppy. I sat on the floor for three hours watching them all play. I met their Mom and Pop, who were also house dogs and seemed happy and well cared for. Anna Belle Lee was every bit as beautiful and sweet as I had imagined. But I was still living with the GSD, and I was concerned this wouldn’t work. There was another puppy who stood out as the one who could deal with him..and pretty much anything. I left to get some lunch, and when I returned I had made a decision. On the way home I knew I had to come up with a different name for this one, the one who tore up all the newspaper while the others slept; jumped and bit at the air coming out of the floor register; and generally, although physically the same size as them, had a huge presence amongst the other little ones. She was no Anna Belle Lee. I named her Lexi. Many of you knew Lexi, who was the inspiration for this blog.
To the right, Ara is doing an alligator roll with 8 or 10 week old Lexi’s head in his mouth. She wasn’t a bit afraid, but I was holding my breath. He did this after she had repeatedly grabbed his lip and pulled it until he screamed. At least she stopped pulling his lip…
There’s not enough space in one blog to elaborate on everything Lexi loved and did, but here’s a condensed list.
Agility
Titled in Freestyle
Played Toto in 3 plays, each 2 years apart, and won the Annie Award in the The Chattanooga Theatre.
Received a life-time pass to attend any Chattanooga Theatre production
Advertised the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra from a pedi-cab
Made a guest appearance with a children’s ballet troupe
Helped us teach ballroom dance for 3 years to a group of homeschoolers
Did therapy with physical rehab patients
Visited nursing homes
“Therapized” at T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital for 10 years
And more, so much more
Lexi with her headshot and Annie Award from The Wizard of Oz. She was very proud and possessive of the award.
Cancer took her in 2016 when she was 13 years old, only three months after she was diagnosed. I lost my partner and best friend. While I can’t say I’m done grieving her, someone else won my heart about a year later.
It usually takes me a while to actually, really love anyone. The day I brought Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess home from another renowned breeder, I fell in love with her. Even though this is her blog now, and you see her all the time, she wants me to include her picture in this post. Like all my schnauzers, she loves having her picture taken.
She was 13 weeks old when I got her and took this picture. This is how the breeder groomed her, and I’ve tried to stay true to it. Oddly, her leg hair or “feathers” and her beard have never grown.
The personalities of all four schnauzers have been extremely different; they have been their own, unique dogs. Evie was too sick to be anything but docile. Lexi was self-confident, brave to the point of danger, was able to change to meet whatever was needed of her, and quick to see the upside and make the most of all the different situations I put her in. She didn’t like to cuddle.
Xena is a bit shy, sweet, loving, smart, and like the others loves to be with me and do anything I’m doing, especially freestyle. She loves to be outside and “hunt” critters. She’s also fearful of new situations and even of changing textures on the floor. She’s my baby.
If you’ve gotten this far in this long blog, I thank you. I’ll be back soon with more adventures with Xena and her “crew.” Thank you, Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday, Oh, and why don’t you scroll back up and get one more laugh out of that meme?
Xena: Sure, sometimes we argue over things, like whose kennel is this and who gets to sit on Mommy’s lap. But sometimes it’s like this morning. The kennel door is always open so we can go in and out as we want (except when Chia is in jail!). I actually had the kennel first this morning, and Chia came in asking me to leave. I always hold my ground by simply ignoring her demands. Today she just cuddled up for our morning nap. It was kinda nice.
We had already spent time playing together with our stuffies. I grabbed one and ran so that Chia would chase me. Sometimes we play tug-of-war for a short while and then run and jump at each other and make funny noises. I’ve taught Chia how to dance, and she’s taught me how to, well, how to be a puppy again. Sure, Chia can be extremely annoying, but in my big schnauzer heart, I guess I really do love her.
Angel Teddy of Two Spoiled Cats gave us a great picture to write a poem about. And boy, am I ever gonna do it!
I thought and I thought and I thought. Mom Amy went to work and came home and fed me and ate and went to a church meeting and came home and I said, “Mom Amy, I know it’s late, but I’m ready. “
She said, “OK, let’s do it, then.” So here goes.
Topsy Turvy World by Riley
Everything seems upside down In this world and in this town.
Right is wrong and wrong is right. Why do some folks always fight?
Hot in winter, cold right now; Hey, does anyone have a plow?
Dogs who get the very best; Kids who’re hungry, cold, and stressed.
So topsy turvy cars are weird? To some the difference is revered.
The problem with this picture now: The dog should drive, the man should meow!
Mommy, you promised I could do the Sunday Selfie today…did you forget? Yes, I know you’ve been grooming dogs and working out in the yard all day, but this is priority stuff. I can pose lots of different ways and you can take lots of pictures. But we need to get on it, I mean, it’s almost supper time. *drool* almost…supper….time….
No! No! You can’t use that one. You need to comb my hair and wipe the drool off my mouth.
(1 minute later) Now I’m ready. How about like this?
OK, that’s good.Let’s just use that one. Is supper almost ready? Oh, and Happy Sunday everyone!
Thanks so much to The Cat on My Head, for hosting Sunday Selfies!
Just a few years ago I ran with abandon. Now I follow this Dr. Seussism.
Well, all except when I run to the back chain link fence to have fun barking viciously at the neighbor dogs.
And I’ve decided this is a good one for me, too!
I bet I could take that black and white boxer mix on the other side of the fence. But I wouldn’t want to hurt him, so we’ll just have fun barking at each other.
I’m thankful that I live where I can run with abandon (under the watchful eyes of Mom Amy) or walk with care, and am loved for who I am, no matter what shape I’m in!
Happy Dr. Seuss Day, my friends! *wags* Riley
Thanks loads to my buddy Brian of Brian’s Home for hosting Thankful Thursday, and my little friends Macy and Maxwell, also of Brian’s Home, for hosting Dr. Seuss Day.
Many thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday! And thanks to all my readers for joining me in another episode of Grooming with Mom.
Today we have a new groom to present to you, a big Aussie Doodle boy by the name of Basil. Basil’s brother, Chief, comes regularly for his grooming needs. That’s the reason Groomer Mom accepted Basil, even though he’s already bigger than any of her “small dog” grooms. Here’s Basil before his groom.
If this isn’t already Awwww-worthy, I don’t know what is! At four months he still has a lot of growing to do, which means Groomer Mom may have to decline continuing to groom him. But that decision is for the future.
Basil’s Mom and sister stayed to help. He did prove to be very difficult because 1. this was his first time on a grooming table, and 2. he’s a puppy! He had to go into the dreaded sling to get his nails and paws done. In case you don’t remember, here’s Chia in “the sling.”
Getting back to Basil, (sort of) this was the first time Groomer Mom met his Mom and sister. His Dad always brings Chief, but Basil’s appointment was for a Friday when his Dad had to work. Groomer Mom says she gets a lot of her socialization needs met from visiting with her clients, and she really enjoyed the time spent with them while they helped her with Basil. I was also called to come use my powers of Zen to help out, and I was glad to oblige. Groomer Mom forgot to get a picture of Basil when he was finished so his Mom sent us his “after” pic.
Even more adorable, right? This is Lucy, Zen Master and Ace Reporter, signing off with another successful groom.
Xena: First I want to thank Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday! And show you my picture since I got groomed yesterday after going 87 months without full grooms. I sure do feel better!
Mommy says I’m her Awww Monday every Monday. *wags*
Chia: Grrrr. I wanna be her awww monday. Xena: You are, Chia. Chia: I am? Xena: Yep, you’re her awwwful Monday BOL! Chia” Grrrrrrrr.
Xena: We want to thank Four-Legged Furballs and 15andmeowing for hosting. Just click the blue links to get the sentences, then fill in the blanks your OWN way and link up!!
Chia: This is so super cool we each get our own sentence. I just wish I could say lots of things!
Everyone to Chia: We know.
Lucy: I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Chia is now on CBD oil to calm her down.
2. Riley: I am disappointed with our lack of snacks this year for the Super Bowl.
3.Xena: I always come to the kitchen when I hear the refrigerator door open.
4. Chia: I didn’t believe Lucy would get mad when I was just trying to play with heruntil I saw it for myself.
Chia: I’ve got the last sentence, so I get to have my picture here. Arrr, arrr, arrr. (I talk like that a lot!)
Hi friends, it’s me, Xena. It’s poetry Thursday and we’re joining Angel Sammy with another great picture deserving another great poem! Click here to go to the blog of Two Spoiled Cats and you, too, can join in the fun.
Here’s the picture Angel Sammy gave us, and I managed to jump into the picture, too!
The Mean Pie Ladyby Xena
She’s big and she’s mean And I just wanna scream, “Help me Mommy, please help me, please!” She’s goin’ for Chia, whose loud growls shook the trees.
“Hey lady,” yelled Mommy, “you’d best put that down. No one hurts my babies, no one in this town!” Then Mom stomped her foot and gave her “that look.” Mean Lady stepped back and her whole body shook.
“I just came to ask you a question,” she lied. “I’m baking and would you all like a pie?” A pie would be good, and so would a flan. But none of us ever saw her again!
Love. That’s what this month is about. That’s what this post is about.
Lexi spent ten years of her life going the third Thursday of every month (except November, when it always fell on Thanksgiving) to T.C. Thompson’s Children’s Hospital in Chattanooga. Sometimes I took her, and every once in a while the children’s director at the church where I worked asked to take her.
As an aside, I usually visited with the quilting group at the church every Thursdays, except the third one. Lexi would always come with me, and the ladies always made a fuss over her. On one of the third Thursdays that the children’s director had taken Lexi to do her “therapizing,” an older lady asked for Lexi’s whereabouts. I told her Lexi had gone to the children’s hospital to do her “therapizing”. The lady sat very quietly for a moment, then said, “Well, I knew she’s talented, but goodness, I didn’t know she could drive.”
It didn’t really matter who took her; we were just her means of getting to where she needed to be. After receiving her first treat, she took on her demeanor as a therapy dog and it was all business…and love.
One little girl, Kennedy, was there more often than not throughout the many years we visited. We watched her grow, we watched her struggle. During one visit, we walked into Kennedy’s room, where she had her head covered, crying. Lexi jumped on the bed, and the therapy pet coordinator said, “Look who’s here, Kennedy.” She pulled the covers down and a huge smile brightened her face. She grabbed Lexi in a big hug and held her against her chest. Lexi hated being hugged, but understanding how much Kennedy needed this, just laid there, held tight without a struggle until the little girl finally released her.
Lexi also did therapy at Siskin Physical Rehab in Chattanooga. Two incidents immediately come to mind. They both happened on the same day
In the hallway before entering a rehab area, an older man stood guard. He looked down and just stared at Lexi. “I’ve never much liked dogs, been scared of them all my life. I’ve never petted any of the dogs that come here. But this one here, she’s special. May I pet her?” I picked up Lexi so he could pet her, and he continued, “I used to be a pastor, and I do believe that the good Lord sent her.”
In the room, a young man sat in a wheelchair with his therapist standing next to him. After getting his permission, I gently set Lexi in his lap. She sat there while he pet her and the rest of us visited. We usually spent about five minutes with different patients at the rehab. This time, I suddenly realized 15 minutes had passed, with Lexi pawing at the young man’s hand every time he stopped petting her. This was unusual for her. As we walked away I overheard the man’s therapist say, “That was so good! You actually moved your hand!” I will never know how Lexi always knew just what each patient needed.
On the anniversary of Lexi’s tenth year at T.C. Thompson, I got permission for my husband to come along and take videos. Each person and their guardian gave permission to so this. This was planned to be our last visit, as Lexi was already suffering from the cancer that took her a short three months later.
Thanks to Comedy Plus for hosting Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Xena: Mommy and Daddy went away Friday just before lunchtime. Daddy had some work thing in Nashville, and he and Mommy went from there to our Auntie Jen and Uncle Bill’s house for the night. In case you’ve forgotten, that’s where Lucy’s BFF Ella and her boyfriend Achilles live. They asked Mommy to show Lucy this, so come look, Luce!
Achilles: I love you Lucy. Do you still love me even in this cone of shame?
Xena: Lucy, stop drooling on the ‘puter.
Achilles: Lucy honey, will you come over my house and help me deadie this stuffie?
Look, Lucy, I’m playing tug o’ war with your Dad! My foot’s almost all better and I feel good enough to play with you, too.
Xena: Lucy, could you please stop licking the screen?
Ella: Hey girl! When ya’ gonna’ come visit me. I miss your pretty face. It makes me feel real good to just chill with you. You know you’re my BFF and I love you lots!
You could come in the kitchen and catch falling food with me while my Mom cooks!
Lucy: Awwww. I remember when Ella came to visit, just a couple of weeks ago. I sure do miss her!
Xena: I hope Ella can see how hard you’re wagging your tail, Luce. You remember, that tail you wrapped around hers while she was here. She really is a good friend to you. I know you would like to be friends with the pig, too, even though it’s unlikely that will ever happen. So just to make you smile some more, here’s a picture Mommy took of Morty.
Lucy: Awww.
Xena: Happy Valentine’s Day a day early, Sissie!
Me and Lucy and Ella and Achilles want to thank Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday!
Xena: This is our first time doing fill-ins — we usually have plenty of our own sentences to use, BOL! But when Mom asked us if we would like to participate, we hopped at the chance.
Chia: I didn’t hop, Xena. You’re the hopper in the family. I leaped!
Xena: Semantics.
Chia: Don’t you be calling me names, fuzz ball.
Xena: We want to thank Four-Legged Furballs and 15andmeowing for hosting. Just click the blue links or the badge to get the sentences, then fill in the blanks your OWN way and link up!!
(Xena) I am going to the dogtor on Monday to get my waxy, crumbly-stuff, full-of-liquid ear checked.
2. (Chia) The worst thing in my life is getting my nails cut.
3. (Riley) From my experience, good meat in my bowl is worth its weight in gold.
4. (Lucy) Being in a kennel does not work for me.
We hope you liked our fill-ins and maybe even learned a little about us. Come back and visit us soon. And, umm, prayers and POTP for me and my ear, OK?
Love. That’s what this month is about. That’s what this post is about.
Nan wasn’t raised with a dog, and was a bit scared of them. I got my Mom a little dog from the shelter as her gift for retiring from nursing. She wasn’t sure about keeping her until Nan, said, “Aww, Marion, can’t we please keep her?” So they did.
I wish Nan had known Lexi. She would have loved her.
Years after Nan had passed, Mom finally moved here to Chattanooga into an apartment I had just vacated. I had bought a house only a block or so away. She was in her mid-80’s at that time, and I did not know how unsteady she was, and that dementia was setting in. She was able to hide it on my trips to western PA to visit. Mom delighted in Lexi staying with her in her apartment while I was at work. Mom was usually still in bed in the early morning when I dropped Lexi off, so I would let her in and she would stay with Mom in bed until it was time to get up. One afternoon when I stopped to pick up Lexi after work and visit a bit with Mom, she told me that she hadn’t felt good earlier. She said she was sitting on the edge of her bed when Lexi reached over and put her paw on Mom’s leg. Remember, Lexi was a therapy dog, and they know when someone is hurting or sick; they seem to know what to do. Mom said Lexi helped her feel better, and noted, “She’s a kind schnauzer.”
I noticed that Mom was going through her favorite jam that she used on her toast every morning. She admitted to me that she always made Lexi a piece of toast and jam to eat with her. Since I knew it was useless to try to persuade Mom to stop, I bought Lexi her own, inexpensive, apple jelly. A couple of weeks later I thought to ask Mom how Lexi liked the apple jelly. “Oh,” Mom replied, ” I’m eating that because Lexi likes the black raspberry jam better.” Yes, my Mom loved Lexi.
When Mom fell in the middle of the night, pulling the TV down on her, she wasn’t badly hurt, but it was time to move her to assisted living. She ended up falling there, too, and breaking her hip. She never recovered from that, and ended up in a nursing home. One day I received a call from the home that Mom had aspirated on something she was eating and was unconscious. They didn’t know if she would waken. I immediately called my son and then my husband, asking them to come quickly and bring Lexi. As we sat in chairs on each side of the bed, just waiting, my son and me crying, Lexi sat on the bottom of the bed staring at her grandma. Suddenly, Mom opened her eyes, looked down to the bottom of the bed, and with a huge smile, cried out, “Lexi!”
Today I am celebrating the joy that Lexi brought into my mother’s life, and the love they shared.
Chia: It’s early and Mom’s taking pictures. It’s still cold out, so I pulled down my blanket – you know the one I got for Christmas and it’s all mine – off the back of the couch and wrapped it around me.
Now I’m warm and comfy.
Xena: So, my sissie Chia is happy on the couch, and I’ve claimed her place in her bed that’s in my kennel. Mommy says this is called an “on-going feud.”
Mommy has been letting my pretty hair grow out to keep me warm this winter. I got a bath, and she said to tell you this picture was taken before she got to brush my pretty hair.
Riley: Zzzzzzzzzzzz.
Lucy: Excuse me, I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m trying to take a sunbath.
We all want to thank Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday!
Lucy: Looks like I get to lead off Thankful Thursday again this week. So let’s start by thanking Brian for hosting Thankful Thursday.
First, I’m thankful for my position as Zen Assistant when Mom grooms. To maintain the zen mode and help transfer it to the dog on the table, I allow the shaved hair to fall on me as I sit under Groomer Mom’s legs.
Sometimes I back out and shake it off, then go back in for a fresh “hairfall.”
I’m also thankful for one of our Christmas presents that we all share. It’s a giant bag of freeze-dried beef liver.
You can see that my sister Xena had her turn and grabbed a mouthful out to eat off of the floor. When it was my turn, I just stuck my head in and started eating. Now Mom doles them out one piece at a time to us all, but I still think about my first encounter with them. *sigh*
Mom Amy: I’m especially thankful this week for one of my two closest friends, Jen. You may think she’s my sister because the pups call her Auntie Jen. We couldn’t be closer if we really were sisters. She brought Ella and spent the weekend with us during Lucy’s birthday (and Jeff’s), and brought our Christmas presents and Jeff’s birthday present. She always knows what to get us that we’ll love. And in case you’re wondering, Ella coming to visit was the best present Lucy could have gotten. I took this selfie to send her to let her know I am thankful for the new scarf she gave me. See all the puppy dogs on it?
I took this picture at the temp job I’ve been working since the beginning of November. It’s as office manager at a First Lutheran Church. This is my line of work, what I’ve been doing most of my life. I’m so thankful this position came my way. They will be hiring someone, so fingers crossed I get the job.
I'm Dalton, a Rat terrier mix and I came here in Sept, 2017, I was rescued from Hurricane Harvey. My birthday is 8-20-2016. My Gotcha Day is 8-27-2017. And I am Benji, a terrier mix of unknown origin. MY Birthday is June 6, 2018, and my Gotcha Day is Dec 28, 2018. I also was a rescue from a different part of Texas. We also have Angel MrJackFreckles, (2-5-2018); and also we have Angel Minko, (6-18-2017); and Angel Pipo, (11-3-2020);There are also Angels Groucho, Simba, Suki, & Toki. We meezers used to be known as WeBeesSiameezers. We'e all from Michigan, Dalton and Benji both came here from Texas, as rescues..
Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess with Lucy, Chia and Riley 