Evie’s Story

Click on the picture to go to the FiveSibes website.

This is a story about a little dog and her cardiological-caused seizures. You can read about the difference between that and true epilepsy caused by neurological seizures here in this short and easy-to-understand article.

I had just lost my first miniature schnauzer, Freda, when I got word that a family needed a home for their little schnauzer. When I met them just off the interstate, the mother told me the dog was about nine months old and had a slight heart murmur. I never did get a “good” reason why they were re-homing her. I brought her home, and we renamed her from Daisy to Evie – our GSD was named Ara (short for Aragorn). I immediately made an appointment with my vet. At the exam, Dr. Sally got a worried look on her face and suggested I take her as soon as possible to UTK (University of Tennessee at Knoxville) vet school. There she was diagnosed with a class 4 heart murmur, about as far from “slight” as you can get and still have a live dog.

Evie’s professional portrait

Since little Evie didn’t have a strong ticker to pump that blood vigorously through her veins, she didn’t have much energy. She couldn’t jump up on the couch or even run through the house. Somehow Ara understood this. Sometimes when I took them out, Ara would run zoomies back and forth in front of Evie, slowing only slightly as he approached her. At that point she would grab ahold of the loose skin under his neck with her teeth and hang on while he ran around the lawn with her. Do you have the image in your head of a GSD running with a large tick swinging from his throat? Go ahead and laugh…that’s what it looked like!

Slowly in that first year with us, Evie began to develop other problems. I held her close to my heart as she experienced her first, terrifying seizure. Because her doctor was aware of her heart problems, she realized this wasn’t true epilepsy, which is caused by neurological problems. Evie’s seizures stemmed from cardiovascular problems. She was placed on anti-seizure medication, which reduced the frequency of the episodes. All we could do was hold and comfort her as these seizures continued throughout her short life.

We tried to help her have as “normal” a life as possible. She thoroughly enjoyed going boating with us.

I got to swim in the water with Ara.

She loved her big brothers.

That’s Sammy on the left. He wasn’t thrilled about another schnauzer in the house, but soon learned that Evie wouldn’t (and couldn’t) dominate him like Freda had.

And, like most pups, she loved to sprawl out in safety and comfort on the big bed.

Zzzzz

Evie had a “thing” for metal objects. Noting this, her loving grandparents bought her a set of old-fashioned metal measuring spoons that she greatly loved to chew on.

One day, shortly before we returned home from work, little Evie quietly left her kennel and her many illnesses behind as she passed over the Rainbow Bridge. She was only 19 months old. She was loved.

You can find your local Epilepsy Foundation and make a donation by clicking here.

Fun on Dr. Seuss Day

https://comedy-plus.com/dr-seuss-day/

Thanks to Timmy of Tomcat Commentary, Ranger of The Adventures of Ranger, and Emmy of 15andmeowing for hosting a super fun Dr. Seuss Day blog hop!

Xena: Did you know this is Dr. Seuss Day, Lucy? All kinds of weird and fun things can happen today. Let’s pose for a fun picture.

Don’t look so freaked out. Here, I got us some Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat hats. Let’s put them on and try another picture.

That’s lots better, Lucy. Lucy? Are you there? Are we here? I’m, I’m starting to feel weird. What’s happening? Do you feel it?

What the? Where are we? What happened? I don’t feel like myself.

We’re not at home anymore, Xexe. (And we’re not in Kansas, either.) It’s like these hats are magical. Don’t look back, but there’s a transparent cat behind us on the couch. I think it’s the REAL Cat in the Hat.

So you wanna chase him?

No! Anyhow he’s gone now. What do you think we should do?

Look! When I get on the couch, the Dr. Seuss saying changes to be just for me!

Oops, there goes my hat.

Yep, that sure is you, little sis. Hop down and let me try it!

Dr. Seuss must know I love to get my teeth brushed and I want to keep them all, so they all get brushed! Say, did you hear that noise? I think someone’s coming…they’re getting closer…and closer…*shudder*

Let’s make a run for it!

Riley: What are y’all doin’ with those silly hats on? Come play with me, Lucy.

Our Angel Lexi lived by many of Dr. Seuss’ sayings. Here she is with one of her favorites.

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In Purrsuit of Flavours & Wordy Wedneday: Dad’s Cookies

Thanks to Comedy Plus 
for hosting the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.

Thanks to Shoko and Tyebe of the Canadian Cats and Nelly and Phenny of Easy Blog for hosting this yummy day.

Xena: I’m hoping for some yummy strawberries as my Valentine’s treat. Or some blueberries or black-berries or raspberries. Mmmm, berries.

Lucy: You love everything having to do with food Xena…well, except lettuce and spinach and garlic. Me, I’m hoping to get a nice card from my guy Achilles. Even better, I hope I get to see him, but I don’t think that’s gonna’ happen. So I’ll settle for some berries and a card!

We have Dad’s favorite cookie recipe to share with y’all today. Remember, he can’t eat gluten or dairy and some other “normal” stuff. This recipe also fits nicely into our Dr. Gundry way of eating to “create a healthy gut.” I hear we’ve started on the same diet as Mom and Dad for the same reasons they are on it. I haven’t noticed. It’s pretty much the same as we’ve been eating, except more organic food and only grass-fed meat. All that to say, these aren’t going to be your regular chocolate chip cookies. They look and taste a bit different. But if you are on a restricted diet, they are great! Anyhoo, here we go.

Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 C ghee*, softened (Mom uses about 2/3 C ghee and 1/3 C Spectrum Culinary Organic All-Vegetable Shortening)
5 Tbsp Truvia
1 1/3 C packed Swerve Brown Sugar
Cream together in a large bowl until smooth.

2 eggs
2 tsp Vanilla Extract
Beat eggs in one at a time, then stir in vanilla.

1 tsp Baking Soda
2 tsps hot water
1/2 tsp salt
Dissolve baking soda in water and add it and the salt to the mixture.

3 C Almond Flour (next time Mom’s going to try a mixture of Almond Flour, Coconut Flour and Millet Flour)
2 C Lily’s Dark Chocolate Baking Chips (you can use a little less if you want)
1 C chopped walnuts (optional, and Mom leaves them out at Dad’s request)
Stir all into batter.

Drop by tablespoons onto cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. (If you skip the parchment paper, expect to end up with nothing but cookie crumbs to top your ice cream.)

Bake for about 10 minutes in a preheated 350 degree F (175 degrees C) oven, or until edges are nicely browned. Allow to cool completely on the parchment paper.

*From Mom: No need to buy that terribly expensive ghee in the grocery when you can easily make it yourself! Here’s how: First, know that you will lose a quarter or 1 stick of the butter in making this. So plan your containers to each hold about one stick of butter. Put your butter in a small sauce pan over very low heat. Leave it for about 30 minutes. Longer is ok. There should be a white bubbly and/or crusty top that you can scrape off with a tablespoon and pour into your grease jar to discard. Very slowly pour the clear, yellow ghee into your containers. Be careful to not pour in the white part that has settled to the bottom. You can also use a turkey baster, but that takes longer. When you get all the clear yellow that you can, discard the white part that’s left. Let it cool and refrigerate. The reason we divide ours into 3 parts is so that we can let one of them sit out and be softer to use. If you don’t want to do that, you can pour it all into one container.

Until next time,
Lucy and Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Remembering Lexi

Many thanks to Deb Barnes of Zee and Zoey’s Cat Chronicles, author of Purr Prints of the Heart – A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death, and Beyond,  and founder of Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day. And to Ann at Zoolatry for hosting this blog hop.

Puppy Lexi

Lexi got her first title in Freestyle Competition in 2016.

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Lexi in training at her first and third theater run in the Wizard of Oz, 6 years apart.

Lexi was often used as a prop “the little German dog” at the month-long Rocktoberfest event.

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Lexi loved to go boating.

Lexi had to drop out of the Blogville mayoral race due to poor health.

Lexi had many jobs. One was to come to the Methodist church where I worked, where she was loved by everyone. When she passed, the pastor held a memorial service for her, and everyone and their dogs were invited. This short video was taken outside of the church shortly before she crossed the rainbow bridge from the Big C at age 13. Warning: she is barking in it

Lexi was a different personality with whatever was asked of her. She knew her roles, and threw her entire self into each one. This video sums up her joy in life (look at her smile with the children) and her innate desire to bring joy to others.

I know that my heart-dog, my partner, is somewhere over the rainbow, still busy doing the things she loves.

Lexi the Schnauzer: May 7, 2003 – September 4, 2016

I love you, darling girl and think of you often. Your Mom

World Parrot Day

Today we are celebrating World Parrot Day with Kismet.  She’s hosting a party and everyone is invited!

We asked Mr. Google about parrots, and here’s some of what we found:

World Parrot Day was started on May 31^st 2004 by the World Parrot Trust. Its aims are to highlight the threats to captive and wild Parrots around the world. At the very first World Parrot Day the World Parrot Trust handed in a petition calling for the EU to ban the trade of wild birds in Europe. This has since come into force in 2006/2007.

What makes a parrot a parrot? The most defining and recognizable feature is a thick, hooked beak, which most species use to crack open their preferred food of nuts and seeds. They also have feet that are known as zygodactyl, meaning they are arranged in sort of an X-shape, with two toes pointing forward, and two pointing backward. This helps them hold on to tree branches, and also lets them manipulate food and other items with their claws.

A Cockatoo, but NOT Sidney

A Sidney the Cockatoo story by Lucy: Many of our lifetimes ago, Mom worked as the office /clinic manager at a veterinarian hospital. A big cockatoo named Sidney came in regularly to board, and he and Mom developed a bond. He would sit on her shoulder and they would chat while she worked at the front desk. One day he kept trying to bite her necklace. After repeatedly telling Sidney, “No!” (she was good with that word way back then, too) she said, “If you do that again you are going back in your cage.” When he laid his huge beak against her cheek she thought she was going to get bitten for sure. Instead, Sidney said, in a low voice, “Sawry,” meaning he was sorry and didn’t want to go in his cage. One time, his owner’s adult daughter brought in her dog to be boarded while Sidney was there, sitting on Mom’s shoulder. Upon asking how Sid was doing, Mom told her that he had been talking up a storm. The daughter looked more closely at him and asked, “Are you sure that’s Sidney? Sid doesn’t talk. No one in the family has ever heard him talk.” That’s when everyone realized that Mom was his favorite person. She hoped they would offer to give him to her, but that didn’t happen.

A Blue and Gold Macaw but NOT Mary Lou.

A Mary Lou the Blue and Gold Macaw story by Xena: At the same vet’s there lived a blue and gold macaw in a humungous cage. That cage was bigger than my kennel. It took at least two people to roll it up front every day. It was a trick to get that cage moved without getting bitten. Mary Lou was not a nice bird. (Unlike Kismet who invited us to her party today.) So one person would push, causing M.L. to run over to that end of the cage to try to bite the person’s fingers. That person would let go and the person at the other end would pull, causing M.L. to turn and run to that side for the same reason. They would keep doing that until that cage was moved to the front near Mommy. Mommy tried to make friends with that bird, but Mary Lou didn’t like anyone! 

I think that’s all we’ve got, but before we go I want to remind Kissie that I hung out with a bird named Pirate Pete  on Talk Like a Pirate Day and I didn’t eat him! 

Your friends, Lucy and Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Lucy’s Dr. Seuss Day

This says, “Today you are you that is truer than true. There is no one alive that is youer than you. ~Dr Seuss” Sometimes it seems like everyone wants me to be someone else. Or at least it feels that way, and I end up trying to please everyone. That usually doesn’t make everyone happy, especially not me. I think I will just be me, and love everybody for who they really are, too. Will you be my friend today?

Happy Dr. Seuss Day, my friends.

Wags and wiggles,

Lucy

Pee S. Please go to Jakey’s blog to join in the blog hop. Bad Mr. WordPress won’t let us link everything from here.

Xena’s Dr. Seuss Day

I found out that this saying by Dr. Seuss is so true! Mommy likes to throw some of the food that she cuts up in the kitchen to me and Lucy. Sometimes it is veggies, sometimes fruit, sometimes meat *drool*. Anyhoo, I used to throw my head up to catch mine, but I would flinch and close my eyes. I always missed it when I did that. I learned that I have a much better chance of catching my food if I can just keep my eyes open. I think that has come with getting braver. But sometimes you just have to shut your eyes and hope you don’t miss any food.

Happy Dr. Seuss Day, everyone!

Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

You can visit Mr. Jakey’s website to join the blog hop or just to visit others who are also blogging about Dr. Seuss Day. Mean old Mr. WordPress won’t let us linky up. *grr*

 

Extra-Thankful Thursday

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. Xena and I have been thinking about what we are thankful for, so here goes.

First we want to say how thankful we are for Blogville and all the friends and support we have gotten. You are happy when we are and sad when we are. When Angel Lexi went over the bridge, Mom could not have made it without all of you. And oh, yes, although it is a very fun virtual reality to live in, we know the peeps and pups who make it up are real.  We love you!

In our little corner of Blogville and the world, we are thankful for the family dogs who came before us and had the hard job of training Mom. On birthdays, they taught her to say, “Let them eat cake.”This is from Sammy’s birthday on the fourth of July. Every year, Mom used to keep 10 dogs for that whole week, so they all helped Sammy celebrate his birthday. Freda was Mom’s first schnauzer.

Lexi: This picture is from my 10-year-old birthday party. I had a Healthy Choice meal with my Mom and Dad and then my very own cake shaped like a dog. I know, kinda’ weird, but Mom meant well. Can you see the happy all over my face?

But it took Lexi to teach Mom to say, “Let them eat McDonalds.”

I love birthdays and I love Micky D’s!! This is all for me!

We are thankful for our friends who we know in the furs.                                   Gracie, who never comes to see us anymore.

My (Lucy’s) bestie, Ella.

                                  The big lunk, Achilles. (We love you Achilles.)

And our newest buddy, Chaz.

And we are thankful for the memories of our friends who are now waiting at the Rainbow Bridge.

And our blogger buddies who have gone on, too.

We are so very thankful for all of our blog buddies still with us, too. We would love to meet you all in the furs, like Mommy did with Angel Lexi’s boyfriend, Noodle.

We are both especially thankful for really yummy food.

beef, kale and sweet potato

We are thankful for our Mom and Dad, who love us and give us a good home.

And I am thankful for you, Xena. I love you!I love you, too, Luce the Deu…I mean Lucy. XOX 

And, in the spirit of this holiday, we are both thankful to be red-blooded American dogs, born in the U.S.A. What was it I heard the other day? Oh yes, American by birth, Southern by grace, BOL!

We hope everyone has as much to be thankful for as we do! Happy Thanksgiving to all our furiends. Be sure to go to the the blog hop today by clicking on the picture. 

Love, licks, and wags, the Southern girls: Lucy and Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

 

 

 

World Kindness Day: Words Matter

Xena: Hey Lucy Deucy, do you think that’s true, that words really matter?

Lucy: Well, how does it make you feel when I call you Xena Weena?

Xena: Grrr. It hurts my feelings.Sometimes it makes me feel sad, and sometimes I just want to bite you.

Lucy: And what about when Mom tells you that you are a good girl and she loves you?Xena: I feel happy and all warm and cuddly inside.

Lucy: So, little sister, do you think words matter?

Mom: Years ago I was given some wise advise. When you see someone who looks sad, or bored or uninterested, find something to compliment them about. And mean it. You can change the direction of their whole day.

Xena: Like what, Mommy? Like tell them they’re the smartest person you ever met or that they have the most gorgeous furs ever?

Mom: No, no, little one. Something simple, such as, “I just love your earrings,” or “You have such pretty hair,” or even, “Great shoes! Where did you get them?” I remember the time I did that with a totally disconnected convenience store clerk and she looked up and smiled, her whole face lighting up.

Xena: Huh. *thinking* Hey Lucy Deu…I mean Lucy! Your furs are very shiny today.

Lucy: Aw, Xena, thanks. That made me feel really good. *grin*Xena: I’m glad, ’cause I love you. and your furs are so shiny I’m going to need sunglasses.  Now, can I have your supper?

Lucy: *sigh*

This is Lucy with the Shiny Furs and Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess thanking you for being our friends and wishing you only kind words today.

Fall Flower Friday

Lucy: Mom played supermom and removed old stumps and roots from dead bushes by pushing them out of the ground with her feet. How? Glad you asked. She put her back against the house and pushed with her supermom legs. (When she gets determined, stay out of her way!) She bought bags and bags of new pine mulch and dumped it all over the ground in front of the house. Then, after researching the 3 season azalea bushes on-line, she picked out an Encore Azalea at a plant nursery. She dug and scraped and dug some more and finally got it planted in front of the house, right where she wanted it. I told her to quick, get some pictures, ’cause we all know what happens to most of the stuff she plants, BOL!  Don’t you think the color goes pretty with my furs? 

Xena: Mommy also got a mum. (He, he, I think that is really funny…Mom got a mum.) First, she set it on top of her new mulch, but we live on a hill, so no one could see her pretty flowers from down at the road. So she found an old plastic white table to set them on. She spray-painted a plastic chair Tennessee Vols orange to add even more color to the front of the house and to make the crazy college football people in the neighborhood like her. It was nice to sit in the orange chair and…smell the roses mums.

Be sure to drop by LLB in Our Back Yard to join in the blog hop or just look at more pretty flowers!

Love and wiggles from Lucy and Xena Warrior Princess.

 

Fall Flower Friday with Vow Renewals

Xena: Oh boy, oh boy, I can’t wait for tomorrow. I’m so excited I don’t think I will even sleep tonight. My Auntie Jen and Uncle Bill are coming to watch Mommy and Daddy get married. 

Lucy: No, no, no! Tuesday was Mom and Dad’s 10 year wedding anniversary. They are already married, Xena the Weinah. And I’m really excited about Ella and Achilles coming with them to play with me.

Xena: Don’t call me names, Lucy Ducey. If they are already married, why are they going to get dressed up and go to the church and have a special ceremony with the priest?

Lucy: They’re getting confirmed. No wait. They’re getting, umm, oh, Xee Pee, you have me all confused now. Wait, I’ve got it! They are doing a Renewal of Vows. 

Xena: But why do their bowels need renewed, Luce the Goose? Can’t they go potty?

Lucy: No, Xena! Vows! Vows! Renewal of Wedding Vows!

Xena: Stop barking at me! Why are they doing that?

Lucy: It was Dad’s idea, and Mom thought it was very romantic, so they are having the same peeps come that were invited when they got married in their back yard 10 years ago. If Mom seems a little sad, too, it’s because Angel Lexi can’t be there this time. Mom gave me this picture to use from 10 years ago.Xena: I see Angel Lexi watching Mommy cut the cake. And that must be Angel Ivy and Angel Lily, too, in the bottom picture.

Lucy: Mom’s even going to wear the same dress. We can’t go this time, but I’ll send some of my hair with her.

Xena: Well, Mr. I Want To Marry You Achilles had better be singing a different tune this time when I see him. I hear he got his junk removed, so maybe he will leave me alone.

Anyhow, I want to do Flower Friday now, like I promised. with some flowers from Rock City’s Rocktoberfest, where I went last Saturday.I don’t know if these ferns count, since they don’t have flowers on them.

I wouldn’t sit still here, and a young guy kept laughing at Mommy trying to take a picture before I moved again.So I got stuck up here on a bale of straw next to these mums that aren’t even blooming yet. Tricky Mommy.

 

We want to thank Mayor Artie and the gang at LLB in Our Back Yard for hosting Flower Friday. You can visit their blog to see all the other entries. Then vote for me to win.

Lucy: There’s no voting or winning, Xena. It’s a blog hop.

Xena: I am Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess (vote for me)

 

 

Lucy and Xena Talk Like a Pirate

Is everyone ready for my song? Here goes.

Fifteen men on a dead man’s chest
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum
Drink and the devil be done for the rest
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum. The mate was fixed by the bos’n’s pike
The bos’n’ brained with a marlin spike and
Cookey’s throat was marked belike It
Had been gripped by fingers ten and
There they lay all good dead men like
Break o’ day in a boozing ken__
Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of rum

OK Xena, your turn. I’ve even got a map here for us to hunt for treasure later.

Xena: What is happening? Why is this weird bird here and why am I wearing a hat. Is this a joke?

Pirate Pete: No, matey, t’is no joke. I am Pirate Pete, and this is Talk Like a Pirate Day.  Talk like a Pirate or walk the plank.

Grrrrrrr.

Great first try, me fine lassie. Try again.

B-argh-k!!

That be it, sweet Xena girl. All together now:

Yo ho ho an’ a bottle a’ rum!Presented to you by Lucy the Pirate Dog, Xena the Pirate Warrior Princess and Pirate Pete

Amusement Park Fun

Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.

It is often celebrated with outdoor barbecues, picnics, family get-togethers and doing fun things out of doors, often heralding the beginning of summer. Xena and Lucy have joined in the blogville BBQ at the amusement park today, and have their dessert already picked out. Let’s hope they don’t get upset tummies, since they definitely don’t get this kinda stuff at home! Wishing everyone a good and safe holiday.

Lucy: Hey Xena, we better hurry up. I am the official greeter for the Diva Slippers Band and aren’t you playing your accordion?

Xena: Yep, I left it over where we are playing. Maybe we better come back later for our candy.

Both: Nah!

Now hop on over to Mayor Arty’s blog to join everyone as we celebrate the day we honor our brave veterans.

Happy Birthday Madi

Today for Madi’s 16th Birthday Celebration, Mom will tell about how she learned to drive.

Xena: *yawn*

My Grandma was afraid to teach Mom, so she hired a professional driving teacher when Mom was 17. He said she was “a natural” and she passed her driving test the first time.

Xena: Seriously? People get paid to teach people how to drive? It just doesn’t look that hard. Push a stick here, turn a wheel there, move your feet around, and voilà, we are where we are going. Kind of sounds like a Dr. Seuss story, doesn’t it? 

Don’t interrupt me, Xena. Where was I? Oh yes. Just a year or so sooner and Mom would have learned in the family ’54 Buick Century. The seats were blue, so Grandma called it Blue Belle. Grandma had to get another car because of all the salt on the roads to melt the snow. The salt killed that big, heavy car. Even its eyes fell in. This is a picture of what it looked like (credit to Mr. Google). 

Xena: No wonder Mommy doesn’t let us have much salt. Uh, Lucy, isn’t that Angel Lexi in the back seat? Was she with Mom way back then?

Um, I don’t think so, Xe. We’ll have to check with Mom about that.

Here’s a picture from January, 1960, of the actual car with my Grandma and her sister in front of the apartment where Mom grew up. 

Xena: Wait, Lucy. Who is that running from behind the bush?

*eyes wide* Let’s just keep going.

When Mom got a boyfriend…

Xena: Mommy got a boyfriend? Really? You’re fibbing, Luce. Mommy would never have a boyfriend. She’s married to Daddy.

When Mom got her first boyfriend a long time before she met Dad, he taught her how to drive something called a straight shift in his old Chevy Nova. We have another picture of what it looked like, courtesy again of Mr. Google. Mom says it was old and beat up and had red seats and didn’t look nearly that good.

Here’s the funny part. Her boyfriend lived out in the country with lots of woods. One part had a dirt track around it, so he showed Mom how to change gears and told her to just drive around the track. She got going too fast and forgot which foot to use for the brake ’cause there were now three pedals instead of two. This silly boy stood in the track waving his arms and yelling at her to stop. She didn’t want to run him over so she swerved into the woods and the car bumped over rocks and big sticks and barely missed trees until it finally stalled out on top of a log. A few days later, after he fixed his car, he took Mom into town and told her to drive his car around while he went into a store. The main road, State Street, was on a bit of a hill. Mom had stopped at a red light, and the car behind her kept running into her bumper. Finally, the man got out of his car and came up to Mom’s window. He explained that it was her drifting back into him, and did she have her foot on the break. She said no, just on the clutch. So that’s how Mom learned to drive a stick shift.

Xena: I think I will just learn to drive our T-Lex. 

Our what?

Xena: Our T-Lex. That’s what Mommy named the car she bought for Angel Lexi before Lexi was an Angel. It’s a Toyota Lexus, hence T-Lex. Isn’t Mommy funny, he, he? How old do I have to be to drive?

I think 16 years old.

Xena: Oh. Well let’s just wish Madi of Madi and Mom a very, very happy 16th birthday, and happy driving!

Lots of love from Lucy, Xena and Mom

This is a blog hop, but since Mom isn’t smart enough can never get linked up properly, just hop over to Madi and Mom’s blog to leave your birthday wishes and hop along.

Xena’s Dr. Seussism

I awoke from my nap and saw these fishies swimming by in the air. I thought maybe I was supposed to catch my own lunch. And this odd hat was perched on my head. Then, suddenly, these words came out of my mouth. Mommy says I’ve been infected by Dr. Seuss. I hope I won’t need a shot.

I am Xena Schnauzer Dr. Seuss Warrior Princess

This is a blog hop.

Our mayor Arty is hosting the party

So jump lickity split to the hilarious wit.

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Oui, Oui, Paris!

Mom: Surprise Xena! We are in Paris for Valentine’s Day!

Xena: Oh. My. Dog. So that’s why you gave me this scarf that says Paris all over it. Quick, take my picture in front of that pointy thing, or nobody is going to believe this.

Mom: Don’t you want to get closer?

Xena: Nope. This is close enough. It’s big and pointy and I’m not sure if it would hurt me.  *click*

Mom: How about this, Xena? It’s not as big and it sure isn’t pointy.

Xena: But what is it?

Mom: It’s a national monument, and it’s called the Arc de Triomphe. Napoleon, the French Emperor, had the Arc built over 200 years ago . He wanted to honor the Grande Armee, the name of the French army at that time. The Grande Armee had conquered most of Europe and was then considered invincible. In other words, no one could beat them at war.

Xena: That’s nice. Now can we go somewhere more interesting?

Mom: Sure, honey. Let’s walk around Paris for a while.

Xena: Look Mommy! It’s a pet store like the Smart Pet place back home, but it’s got my name, “Moustaches.” Let’s go in here!!

Mom: Yes, we can go in, but what do you mean? Your name is Xena, not Moustache.

Xena: My name is Xena the Schnauzer, and schnauzer means both snout and mustache in German. That’s how my breed got that name.

Mom: Huh? How do you know that, Xe Xe?

Xena: Sometimes, when I’m working on my new puter – you know, the one I got for Christmas – I talk to Mr. Google and he told me.  *whispers* But I only do that on my official breaks and at home.

Mom: If you are done browsing in Moustaches, let’s go get something to eat.

Xena: How about here? It’s real pretty and it smells good, too.

Xena: Oh goodness, my chicken salad was good. I thought le garçon was going to faint when I asked for the chicken livers raw. Et la steak tartare, oo la la! C’est magnifique!

Mom: Xena! You’re speaking French!

Xena: Really? The words just sort of came out. Did it sound ok? Could you understand me? 

Mom: Certainement! How about if we go up to montmartre. Are you ready for lots of outside stair steps, like over 300?

Xena: Race you!

Mom: *pant pant* Here is one of the most famous cathedrals in all the world. It is called *pant pant* Sacré-Cœur, or *pant pant* Sacred Heart.

Xena: Ohhhh, let’s go inside.

Mom: Well, if they’ll let us.

Xena: I’m the church puppy. Of course they will let us!

See, I told you they would let us in. My, this is so, so big! Does God live in here?

Mom: No, sweetie. God lives in you and me and all of his creatures. People come to places like this to worship God together, and to feel his love and  his presence within themselves. God is the goodness glue that holds all of the universe together.

Xena: Do you mean the Methodists, Mommy? Cause that’s the only church I’ve been to.

Mom: Not just the Methodists, Xe Xe. God loves everyone: all Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, people of all faiths, and even people who don’t have their own faith. We are all his Valentines and he loves us all.

Xena: Happy Valentine’s Day, God!!

Mom: *smile* Let’s look around, precious girl. Do you see all the little alcoves off of the nave?

Xena: What’s a nave, Mommy?

Mom: It’s another word for a sanctuary, like we have at work at St. Luke. Anyhow, two hundred years ago when France had kings and queens and other aristocracy, those families paid the Catholic Church to have their own little chapels to worship in, right there off of the main cathedral. They could also pay to have a crypt where they would be buried after they died.

Xena: Ewwww. Do you mean someone dead is in that box? Ewwww.

Mom: Uh, maybe we should look around outside some more in montemartre…

Xena: Mommy, I’m really tired. Can we go home now? Will you carry me?

Mom: Sure, Xena. I love you, my little Valentine. ❤

Xena: Happy Valentines Day, Mommy. I love you to Paris and back!

Mom’s note: Please click Xena’s postcard to find everyone else who celebrated in Paris.

Grateful for Blogville

This is Amy, Mom to Lucy and Xena, as well as Angel Lexi. I am sharing my gratefulness today for Blogville. I first used Dogster. Dogster limited its users to 5 pictures and there was no real community there. Because it had been bought out with the new owners talking about closing down the blogging portion, I decided to create my own website to blog about Lexi, my thespian schnauzer. I soon became addicted, and was thrilled every time someone new found The Adventures of Lexi the Schnauzer – actually, I still am!

Of course it’s easy to become attached to animals. I was, however, a bit surprised when I found myself starting to really care about many of the people behind the keyboards. I watched a true community form whenever someone was in need – whether it was for prayer, encouragement, financial, or all three. Then, when I was losing – and lost – my heart dog Lexi I was overwhelmed by the kindness, the caring, and the support I got from this community of people I had never met in person. I don’t know what I would have done without you.

Now, you join me in enjoying the antics of my girls. You commiserate with Lucy over her trials with the “cute puppy,” applaud her in her victories, worry for her when she runs off, and rejoice when she shows the world that bullie breeds are actually sweet, loving dogs. You follow along with Xena as she learns about her world, overcomes her fears, tries to dominate her bigger siblings and grows way to fast. And you give me many smiles and some tears with pictures and stories of your own furbabies.

Thank you. thank you, thank you for all of this. I am grateful for each and every one of you — friends who have become family. Wishing you folks here in the U.S.A. a wonderful Thanksgiving and hoping everyone else celebrates right along with us.

God Bless.

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Lucy and Riley Go to the Summer Dance…or Do They?

3 weeks ago:

Riley, if you love me you will take me to the Blogville Summer Dance.

2 weeks ago:

Lucy, will you go to the Blogville Summer Dance with me?

1 week ago:

Mom! I don’t have a thing to wear to the dance! I am going to look at your stuff.

Mom, do you like this hat on me? This flower necklace is falling off me and I might trip when I’m dancing with Riley.

 

Uh, Mom, why do you have a topless dress? This thing is falling off me and I might trip when I’m dancing with Riley.

 

Mom, what do you think? Does this dress make me look fat?

 

Thanks for fixing the flower necklace Mom. Does it make me look pretty? I think I will wear this.

 

I’m ready, when are we going? What’s taking my woman so long?

 Today:

 

Riley: Come swim Lucy, the water’s fine.    Lucy: I’m working on my tan.

Riley: Isn’t this great?   Lucy: But where are all our friends? Are we at the right place?

I think they missed the memo.

 

God Bless America by Lucy

The Story I Love by Angel Lexi

You didn’t think Blogville could get away with telling about favorite stories without me, did you? After all, I starred in my favorite story.

That’s me, way over on the right in Candice Dorothy’s arms. I am watching Mom for my next cue.  This was in Georgia, my birth state, at the second WOZ production I starred in.

I was Toto is three different productions. The first time was at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre and remains my and Mom’s favorite. It had the best crew and best director and biggest attendance. Over a period of six weeks seven thousand people came to see me perform. It was my first time as a thespian schnauzer. As soon as I hit the stage in front of an audience the first night, I knew I had found my passion. I was called a ham and a stage hog. What is it with the references to pigs? Could I help if I was enthusiastic during every scene, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, as well as during the afternoon on Saturdays and Sundays? Could I help it if I danced back and forth on the stage with the Tin Man during one of his “solo” performances? OK, so maybe I could have helped that one. That’s the time I got called “that dog.” But I had been watching him for several performances and I knew the steps to the dance!

Mommy, thank you for helping me be the best Toto ever; for all the rides and treats and training and prompting and encouragement when I got tired, especially during my last performance. I remember how you held me and explained to me that it would be my last time on the stage, ever. You said you knew I was 11 years old and exhausted after performing once already that day. And you asked me to give it my all, my best, one last time. And I did. I shone. I performed like my life depended on it. I gave it everything I had, and you knew that. You were so proud of me, and that made me happy. I was your star.

As you remain, my dear Angel Lexi-Toto.

You can go to the Blogville Arts and Entertainments page to read more stories by more of our friends.