Grooming with Mom: Bath Time Fiasco

Lucy, Ace Reporter here, with news on the Groom Beat. Not too long ago I reported about Mom’s record setting six hour groom. If you missed that one, you can read about it here. Aoife (pronounced eefah), the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, came back on Monday for her second professional groom. I will add kudos here to her mom and dad for keeping all the mats brushed out of her fine, thick coat. After all the preliminary stuff – you know, cutting toenails, pulling hair from ears, combing through her hair – it was time for her bath before getting her haircut. Aoifa’s almost too big for the bathing sink, and didn’t want to be bathed. Mom wrestled with her to keep her in the sink,  but Aoifa was determined. She climbed up on the top ledge of the sink! That was another first. We can’t wait to see what happens in six weeks when she comes back for her third professional groom. Oh, and it only took three hours, this time. Maybe next time will be even shorter, ya think?

Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off with wags and kisses

Nature Friday with Competing Sisters

It’s Nature Friday over at my friend Rosy’s place. (Click here to join the hop.)

We got our first bloom of the season. It is a tall purple iris. When Mommy was growing up, her folks also called it a flag. It looked pretty lonely so Lucy and me, we decided to involve it in a contest with us.

So here is how it works. We both posed in front of Miss Iris and want all of you to vote on who did best. The only problem is that it was kinda hot out and we went for a walk first. Even so, I’m pretty sure I will win. I’m even going to let Lucy go first. Lucy said she is featuring three quarter and side poses, in a thoughtful mode. She picked a purple border to match the flower.

Now it’s my turn. Hmm, I guess I needed my beard washed after supper.I decided to do a side pose of just my face and a two thirds pose. I chose a pretty pink border to match my collar. I mean, who wants to look at some stupid flower, anyhow, right?

OK, so now it’s your turn to vote (for me).

Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess in a pretty pink border

Demise of the Hated Bush

It happened! Mom can be a force of nature when she gets her mind set on something. Since Dad said, “No.” to the brush killer, Mom had to come up with plan D. If you remember, plan A was for someone who wanted big bushes to come dig them up and take them, but the roots were in the rain water drain running away from the house and we only lost one bush that day. Plan B was for Brother Andrew to cut them down, but he got obsessed with busy power washing the shed and doing some other stuff out back and it got late and he had to leave without cutting any bushes. Plan C was to kill them by spraying brush killer. We heard the Hated Bush laugh when Dad said, “No.” (If you missed that whole story, you can read about it here.)

So on to plan D. Mom told Brother Andrew she would come pick him up to finish the job. That way he was trapped and couldn’t go home until the Hated Bush was dead. We know the Hated Bush just chuckled under its breath, not believing Bro Andrew would actually get to it before dark, ha, ha. You tell me if it was right.

It didn’t stand a chance. *sigh* Mom made sure that was the first bush killed. My ex-boyfriend buddy Riley came over too, and we snoopervised.  Xena  tried  to  get  in  on  the  action  but  we  ignored  her. This was a job for big dogs.When Bro Andrew came in and said he was done, Mom said, “No, no, you missed one,” and sent him back out. So he went back out and even dug up most of the roots. End results:

The little azalea bush that we helped Mom plant last fall was allowed to stay. Now Mom is planning on raking the dirt and mulch to the side, laying down more landscaping fabric, planting hostas, raking everything back and laying down new mulch. Whew. That sounds like a lot of work. I hope we don’t have to help. We would much rather do zoomies. (footage taken from last spring when the Hated Bush still felt secure in it’s home)

Love and wags, Lucy and Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Purim Hustle, Bushes and Allergies

PURIM

Xena: Hey there. I think I told you that Mommy is now the office manager in a synagogue and I’m not allowed to go, right? Well, they recently celebrated something called Purim. It is pronounced like Pour Rum, he, he. It’s where you’re supposed to get drunk and act stupid.

Lucy: Xena!

Xena: I’m telling the truth. Look it up. They even wear funny costumes. Well no one got drunk, but they did have a talent show. Daddy dressed in his polyester leisure suit and him and Mommy danced a Hustle.The people were clapping and cheering. I think maybe they really were drunk, BOL.

Then parts of a book of the bible called Esther were read in Hebrew, and every time the name Hamen was read, the drunk people booed real loud and swung their noisemakers. I don’t think I would have liked being there, ’cause that would have scared me hurt my sensitive ears.

THE BUSHES

Lucy: Mom advertised that she had four big bushes in front of the house that anyone could have if they dug them up themselves.

Xena: Why did she do that? Why would she give away our bushes?

Lucy: A couple reasons, Xena. 1. She’s “sick and tired of having to trim them”. That’s a direct quote, by the way. And 2. She’s too cheap smart cheap to pay someone to get rid of them for her. So she came up with this scheme. She especially dislikes that big green one cause it is so tall and cause it gets prickly and cause stingy insects live in it in the spring. She even told the Hated Bush that it was going to a new home soon where it would be loved and cared for. I guess she didn’t want it coming after her. Anyhoo, a nice couple wanted them all, so they came over and started trying to dig up that yellow and green one next to the Hated Bush.

Then they discovered that it had something called a water root that had made its way into the main tube connected to the gutters, the one that carries water away from the house. They ended up sawing off the water root and dragging the whole thing into the woods. They said the Hated Bush probably had a big root in there too. Of course the Hated Bush would do something like that, right? One down, three to go.

Xena: Were those the people I was barking at?

Lucy: Yes, they are sure to remember the noisy little dog that lived in the house with the Hated Bush.

Xena: Grrr.

Lucy: Riley and Andrew came over the other night. Mom had asked our peeps brother Andrew to do a favor for her. I heard Mom whisper to the Hated Bush, “Now you’re going to die! Then you are getting hauled off to the dead bush burial grounds!” I think it might have shivered…or, it could have just been the wind.

Xena: But the bushes are still there!

Lucy: Uh huh. It seems Mom just can’t get rid of them. Brother Andrew power washed the shed and did some other work first, and then it got dark out and he had to go home. Now I’m hearing something about some brush killer that is in the shed. If she does that, we’ll have to stay away from them cause they might try to take revenge by poisoning us. But I heard Dad say, “No.” That’s really weird. Only Mom says, “No.” He said we’ll wait on Brother Andrew to come back.

ALLERGY UPDATE

Xena: My allergy shots are not totally working yet so my allergy dogtor said to get some new shampoo called Head and Shoulders with Zinc. It’s a very special shampoo to help me not itch. I got some new conditioner, too, that my allergy dogtor makes himself. It smells nice and makes my hair super soft. The only problem is that I have to get a bath every two to three days.

Lucy: What’s the problem with that.

Xena: I don’t like it. I’m also taking a very special pill called Xertec. So far so good.

Lucy: That’s Zyrtec, Xena.

Xena: No, no, it is the same as my name. Xe for me, Xe.

Lucy: Why do I even try?

Lucy and Xe Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Grooming with Mom- The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Lucy Ace Reporter on the Groom Beat here. Today I am reporting about news in the lives of our Mom’s grooming clients instead of on new dogs coming to be groomed.

We have the Good:Why is this mess good, you may ask. This is Maggie. Previously, we asked for POTP for her Mom, who was battling breast cancer. During the final stages of the battle (wait, don’t cry yet, it’s good, I promise) Maggie didn’t have time to come for a groom, and ended up looking like this when she came a couple of weeks ago.

When her Mom picked her up (yes! I said her Mom!) she looked like this. Her Mom had been going through reconstructive surgery and is better now. She didn’t even have to do something called chemo. We want to thank everyone for all the POTP’s that helped give this story a happy ending continuing.

Next, the Bad: Do you recognize Maggie (L) and Dora? No, no, they’re not bad. They’ve been coming to us for years and we know and love them. Here’s the bad: their grandpa died and their grandma is not handling it well. It’s causing a lot of stress with their folks which, of course, trickles down to them. We know that some of you have recently lost close relatives and close friends, too, so you can empathize with Maggie and Dora.  POTP for their family, please.

Finally, the Ugly:

Roxxii is pretty adorable, right? It’s what happened in her family that is so ugly. Her Mom’s boyfriend died suddenly, and her Mom was right in the other room when it happened. They are young people, and no one should ever feel so bad that they should die like that. Her Mom is having a real, real hard time right now, so we ask for lots of POTP for her, too. Because she isn’t in a good condition to keep Roxxii brushed, she asked Mom to just shave her hair short. Mom thought she might get cold, so she gave her Xena’s first-ever hoodie,

Xena: But what if I want to wear that hoodie?It’s too small for you now, Xena. That means you can’t wear it cause it doesn’t fit you anymore. Our Mom was wondering what to do with it, and this seemed like a good way to pass on the love you always felt when you wore it.

Xena: Oh, OK,  I hope she feels loved in it too. I feel cozy and loved in my Sock Monkey jammies tonight.

Sometimes it seems like there is too much bad happening all around us. Let’s all remember to be kind to each other with a friendly word or pat on the head.

Your  friend, Lucy.

Wordless Wednesday in the Light

Light Your Light Shine on Me (click to play- then you can come back here while the music plays! And we promise to be quiet.)

We are joining Comedy Plus for the Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

Sometimes: The Red Chair and the Shrine

Since The Tree is finally gone and The Red Chair has been strategically positioned in front of the window, I have a new favorite spot.It’s best when the sun is shining. I get to keep an eye on what is going on in the neighborhood, watch for Mommy to come home from work, and sun bathe – all at the same time. I think that’s called multi-tasking. I like it so much that sometimes I keep my vigil on The Red Chair even when it is raining, which is most of the time lately. My sister Lucy likes that chair also, and, strangely, her hair doesn’t stick all over it like it does on the other furniture. Sometimes we bark at squirrels and neighbors and delivery people; sometimes we bark and howl with the neighborhood dogs; and sometimes we just nap.

You’re a good sister, Xena.

And sometimes,  I – being a good sister – let Lucy have the chair all to herself!

Not always, but sometimes, we leave an offering to The Windowsill Shrine.* It’s the only picture of my Guardian Angel Lexi that I can reach. Sometimes she helps me with things, like not being afraid, so it seems like the thing to do. She doesn’t always want the offerings, so I take them back and offer them again another day.

I am Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

• The Mom’s Note: This picture was from the first date Lexi had with Noodle on Valentine’s Day 2015. Here they are dancing at a disco after having a romantic picnic in Central Park. Dancing was one of Lexi’s favorite hobbies, right after acting and eating.

Grooming with Mom: Lucy and Aoife

Lucy here, Ace Reporter on the Groom Beat. Today I am going to feature two new dogs that came to Mom for grooms. The first one has the same name as me…can you imagine?

A neighbor called and asked about grooming her Maltese/Bishon mix. She said she had been widowed six weeks ago and the dog was a mess. Mom quickly put it together that this lady was the wife of the man whose twin engine plane went down in the Tennessee River and both he and his passenger were killed. Mom knew Frank ’cause he was outside a lot when we went for walks. On Halloween he would dress up scary and jump out from behind a tree to scare the kids. Mom nicknamed him Frank-enstein! Anyhoo, we weren’t busy right then, so Miss Janet brought Lucy on over. Lucy is a very sweet 8-year-old who acts like a pro on the groom table. Here is her “after” picture – Mom forgot to get a “before” picture.
She kissed Mom and sang about how good it felt to be groomed. Can you see her tail wagging?

Xena might have already told you that Mom is working part-time as Office Manager at a Jewish Synagogue. She has gotten to know some of the people, and one of the congregants and volunteers asked Mom to groom her Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. Mom spent a long time watching videos to get ready since she had never groomed that breed. Wheatens hail from Ireland, so her Irish name is Aoife, pronounced Eefa. She isn’t quite a year old. This is what Aoife looked like when she got here at 11:30 last Monday morning. Her mom, Laurie, warned Mom that Aoife had some mats, and it turned out that her mom had no idea just how matted she was. Mom was determined to save Aoife’s coat, and spent hours de-matting her while she and Laurie gabbed about anything and everything. They even came upstairs and had cups of tea while Aoife was under the dryer. Laurie is a good petter, by the way, and said I am beautiful and sweet. 🙂 After drying Aoife, Mom found a bunch more mats and got back to work. The long blade on the clippers wouldn’t go through her hair, so Aoife got a scissor cut and gave Mom lots and lots of sloppy kisses. Miss Laurie sent us this picture from her house. We have no idea how Aoife’s hair got standing up on her head, ’cause it wasn’t like that when, at 5:30 pm – six hours after she had arrived – Mom declared her finished.Mom said this one set a record for the longest groom in Mom’s grooming history which she started in 1991. Miss Laurie gave her lots of money, though, and promised to comb her out really good every single day. She already made an appointment to come back in six weeks.

That’s all until next time, folks. Wiggles and waggles from Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off for now.

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.

Riley Visited Us

Lucy here. Riley was my first boyfriend. We had some really good times together. Then, about a year ago (which, as you know, is something like seven years to us dogs), he and Andrew went away and the next time I saw him he wouldn’t have anything to do with me. Never any explanation. I’d just been dumped. Mom said it was  because Riley knew he wasn’t going to see me and was protecting his heart. But what about my heart?

Then, out of the blue (or gray, really, since it was raining), Riley came back. He gave me the ugly face at first, but I think it is because his folks were eating and he didn’t want me to get his portion. A little later he wagged his tail at me and said we could be friends again. That made me feel good. He has put back on all the weight that he didn’t need to lose and his furs are shiny and healthy-looking again. Even though his muzzle has gotten a bit gray, he looks so handsome, just like he used to.

Brother Andrew and our Jentry came and visited too. It has been way too long. I sat near them all evening until they had to leave. Riley promised to come back to visit again soon. Maybe next time we can run and play outside, just like old times. That sure would be fun.

Love and waggy tails, Lucy

Grooming with Mom – Landry, Dallas and Bonnie Blue

Hi folks! This is Lucy Ace Reporter on the Groom Beat. Today I am here to tell you about three of the worst messes my Mom has groomed, all from the same owner.

This is the “before” picture of Landry, an 8-year-old shih tzu.Landry was at the vet in October, and you can see on his back where the techs there tried to shave him down. They said they couldn’t do any more and stopped. From October to now, that hair has never grown. When he came to Mom, his legs, tail, ears and face were completely matted, some clear down to the skin. Urine and feces were in his back leg hair. Landry didn’t want groomed, and he kept trying to bite Mom. Even a muzzle wasn’t enough – he was going crazy. Super Hero Dad to the rescue! Dad held Landry while Mom shaved him all over, even his face. He got a good bath and ended up looking like this. Landry seemed much happier by this point. You can sorta see how overweight Landry is. He can hardly stand up. Mom thinks it’s his thyroid, especially with the hair not growing on his back, and asked his Mom to get him checked.

Mom’s next challenge was Dallas, a 12-year-old Yorkie, who is diabetic. She forgot to get a before pic, but he looked something like this. Most of Dallas’ hair wasn’t as matted as Landry’s except for his legs. Mom had to muzzle him to shave his legs and feet, but Super Hero Dad did not have to be called. You can’t really tell from his “after” picture, but Dallas is also very overweight.

The final dog of the trio is a 10-year-old Pomeranian, Bonnie Blue. Let’s just get right to her “before” picture.Mom brushed Bonnie for a whole hour, using a dematter, a horse curry comb, and a slicker brush. She thinks she brushed enough hair off to make another dog. Bonnie also had to be muzzled for her feet with Super Hero Dad holding her, too.I don’t know if I am supposed to say when Mom has favorites, but I am going to tell this time. Bonnie Blue stole Mom’s heart. Doesn’t she look happy after her groom? She even gave Mom a thank you kiss on the nose. Unfortunately, under all that clean fur is another fat, er, overweight dog.

Mom – and especially Dad – hope the lady brings Landry, Dallas and Bonnie Blue back before they get in such bad condition again.

This is Lucy, Ace Reporter on the Groom Beat, signing off

 

 

From Pupdates to Ludwig Missing

WHERE WERE MOM AND DAD

Xena: Hi Everyone! As we mentioned not long ago, Miss Christy came and stayed with us while Mom and Dad took off without us for two whole nights. I showed her my favorite spot. Then I showed her how fearless I am when I play-attack Lucy. 

Miss Christy said I am as spunky as ever! Oh yeah, we found out that Mommy and Daddy went to a church convention. Here they are with a flat dude. The flat dude’s  name is the Most Reverend Michael Curry. Some of you may might have heard of him. Mommy said she missed us me us very much and the first thing she did when she got home was take us for a nice walk.

FREESTYLE

Xena: I know you have been waiting to see another video of me dancing Freestyle. This one is from my second lesson. 

Since this lesson, I have gotten much better at walking close to Mommy’s legs. She shows me what she wants by holding a wooden spoon with almond butter on it down next to her leg when she walks. Tricky Mommy, but I don’t care. It tastes great and wait ’til you see my next video!

Lucy: Can I go next, Xena?
Xena: No, it’s still my turn.

XENA STANDS UP FOR HERSELF

I mentioned a little while back that I stood up to 2 dogs and They. Backed. Down.  I know y’all have been waiting to hear that story. The first “incident” was when Peyton and Slider’s folks came to pick them up after being groomed. Mommy let me go outside with everybody and while I was trying to make friends Peyton growled and lunged at me. You can see in this picture that Mommy has used her as a guard dog, so I should have been more cautious.Anyhoo, I lunged right back at her. We never actually touched, but I was ready. Her Mom said no one has ever stood up to her before, so Peyton didn’t know what to do and just quit.  The second time was with the dog sitting next to me and Mommy at Freestyle class. We don’t have a picture of this dog, but he is the typical, crazed Border Collie. He was already worked up because he wanted to do Agility instead of Freestyle, then he kept starring at a little girl there, and finally he snarled at me. I stood up and lunged and he pulled away. *wipes paws* That  took care of that!

CHRISTMAS TREE

Xena: Maybe you remember that our tree was still up the beginning of January. I started placing bets on if it would come down before Valentine’s Day, and if so, by how many days.

Lucy: Who were you betting with, Xena?

Xena: Myself. That way I was sure to win. Anyhoo, it’s gone. It disappeared the first week of February. I looked out the window to see if it was in the front yard, but I couldn’t spot it. I also ran through the side woods to try to find it, but I couldn’t smell it anywhere. And I got in trouble for running out of the yard.This red leather chair took over the space. No matter. I won the bet. I won the bet, Mommy. Give me a treat.

LUCY AND THE KENNEL

 

Lucy: Everyone was very kind to me when I let y’all know what I got for my birthday – a jail cell. I am very happy to report that I was so good after I saw it that Mommy never had the heart to make me stay in it, not even when both she and Dad left the house. She kept the door open so I could go in and explore, but why would I want to do that?

It is now folded up and leaning against the wall. That was a better present!

MISSING FRIENDS

Xena: That reminds me, I haven’t seen my friends, Brownie Bear or Ludwig or Rainbow Bear or even little Sweetheart Bear for 87 weeks.

Lucy: How on earth did my prison remind you of them?

Xena: They spent a lot of time hanging out in my kennel. Anyhoo, do you know where they are, Lucy?

Lucy: I heard they are hibernating in the guest closet for the winter. Bears do that you know. Of course, Winter Bear is still awake and playing in your kennel ’cause he’s a winter bear.

Xena: But Ludwig’s not a bear…where is he?

Lucy: He’s supposed to be guarding the bears while they sleep all winter. Let’s go take a peek. Xena: HEY YOU BEARS, WHY ARE Y’ALL SLEEPING AND WHERE’S LUDWIG?

Lucy: Shhhhhh Xena, don’t wake them up or they’ll be grumpy. But where is Ludwig?

Xena: *whispering* Maybe he got hungry and went out for a burger and fries.

2 days later

Xena: Hey Lucy, I just checked and Ludwig is still gone. I hope he didn’t get lost. Or eaten by a coyote. Or squished on the road. Or, or… Mommy! Call the Missing Ludwig Po-Po’s and give them Ludwig’s picture. We can post it on all the trees and telephone poles, too.To be continued…

I am Xena the BRAVE Schnauzer Warrior Princess

and I am Lucy the umm, well, the Lovable

My First Valentine

I got so excited about Valentine’s Day this year that I made my honey a pretty card with my picture on it and sent it to him early. Here it is. Do you see my best happy face? I hope my pose isn’t too provocative. I sure do hope BB likes my card. I made it with love.

Look what Big Boy sent me! He even put me in a heart. ❤  Don’t we look like we belong together?Yes, Big Boy! I will be your Valentine!!

Lots of love, Lucy

Friday Food for Thought

Hi everyone, Lucy here, Ace Reporter on the Food for Thought beat. Today we’ll talk about Dangerous Oils!  I understand that cars run on motor oils and machine parts use lubricating oils. Now here’s what’s going to blow your mind. Normally, we would think about replacing dangerous fats with healthy oils, right? Well, Mom and I just found out that’s backwards. Instead, we learned how to Replace Dangerous Oils with Healthy Fats! I don’t think Xena knows how, though, ’cause she was too busy stealing my bully horn when we were learning about this.

 

Did you know that the balance between Omega 6 and Omega 3 oils is super-important for both peeps and us 4-leggers? Yep, it’s true. I just learned how to used bullet points, so I am going to use bullets. Please don’t be alarmed; they aren’t real bullets and won’t hurt you (like some oils will). Here’s my bulleted list of some problems that can be caused or helped, depending on the oils or fats you eat.

• diabetes
• cardiovascular disease
• rheumatoid arthritis
• cancer
• depression
• Alzheimer’s
• and more (don’t you just love the “and more”? It leaves this wide open!)

Anyhoo, being the helpful ace reporter that I am, I’ve got you a list of good fats:

•Grass fed butter — Raw, organic butter made from healthy grass fed cows’ milk contains many valuable nutrients, including vitamins A, D, E and K2. Furthermore, it contains various minerals and antioxidants that support good health.

•Coconut oil — This is supposed to be the best cooking oil. It has a number of valuable health benefits, including a positive effect on your heart and antimicrobial properties. It’s also a great source of energy, thanks to its medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). When consumed, the MCFAs are digested and converted by your liver into energy that you can immediately use. Coconut oil also helps stimulate your metabolism to encourage a healthy weight profile.

•Organic ghee, which has been used for cooking for thousands of years, is another good choice.

•Olive oil — This oil contains healthy fatty acids that can help lower your risk of heart disease. While the standard recommendation has been to avoid using olive oil for cooking and to only use it cold, recent research in which 10 popular cooking oils were compared, contradicts this advice, showing extra-virgin olive oil actually scored best for both oxidative stability and lack of harmful compounds produced when heated.

Now, you’re not going to believe this!  Watch out for fake olive oils!!!!!

Peanut oil and sesame oil are are also yummy, er, healthy options to use raw. While both are high in omega-6, peanut oil is high in antioxidants, and sesame oil has been shown to benefit diabetics. The caveat with these two oils is that you need to consume them unheated and in moderation, so as not to throw off your omega-6 to omega-3 ratio.

I’m not real sure what all this means, only that Mom gives us coconut oil every night with our supper, and it tastes really good. If you liked my article you can 1. Pet me and tell me how good I am; or 2. Follow this link for a complete article with more details. or 3. Both

That’s all for today’s edition of Friday Food for Thought.

Love and wiggles, Lucy Ace Reporter

 

Visiting Our Aunt and Uncle

Xena: Auntie Jen must have heard me say I missed her, ’cause she invited us to come to her house near Nashville. I get a bit nervous on car rides, and I panted for the whole three hour trip even though Daddy held me and pet me the whole way there while Mommy drove. At least this time I didn’t puke in the car.

Lucy: That’s only because Mom didn’t feed us before we left home.

Xena: I had a much better trip home. Auntie Jen put lavender oil on my ears, then Mommy put some on my paw pads after we got in the car. I only panted a tiny little bit once or twice. I hope we have lots of that oil around.

We returned the Santa toy that Achilles forgot at our house a couple of weeks ago. He was so over-the-moon happy that he played with it all weekend.

Lucy: He ignored me all weekend, too. Xena: That’s ’cause he remembered the talk I had with him when he was at our house! And he let me ride the horsie he got for Christmas. At first it was a little scary. I mean, I had never ridden a horsie before. I thought maybe I should watch for traffic behind us like Mommy does when she is driving.Then I said, “giddy up,” and urged horsie to go faster while I hung on tight. I rode bareback my first time out!OK, Mommy, horsie said he’s done. You can help me off now.

We all played outside, too. Here we were playing follow the leader. That’s cousin Ella in the lead.

As the day got later, something strange happened. We think that aliens were coming down and making shadow monsters out of Lucy and Ella. The girls ran into the house with me and the monsters disappeared.

That Saturday night the peeps put Achilles in his kennel and left. The rest of us got free run of the house and we were all Very. Good.  My folks brought home pictures of what they did while they were gone. 

 

They went ballroom dancing to celebrate Daddy’s birthday and Auntie Jen’s birthday. In that picture they were doing something called a foxtrot, he, he.

That wraps up our big out-of-town weekend. I heard that this coming weekend, Mommy and Daddy are going to something called a Convention in Knoxville. That means that our most favorite doggie sitter – other than our Auntie Jen and Uncle Bill – is coming to stay with us. We lo-o-o-ve Miss Christy!

Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Pee S: I can’t wait to tell you the stories about how I stood up to two dogs who got nasty with me and They. Backed. Down! I am getting very, very brave.

Pee Pee S: I don’t never start the trouble, neither!

 

A Belated Birthday Story

Hi, this is Lucy, My 3rd birthday and 2nd gotcha day was January 14, the day before Dad’s birthday. I was excited, thinking maybe I would get a great big cake and maybe ice cream and lots and lots of treats. I saw a big, heavy package delivered a few days before, and just knew it had to be something for me. I was right! You are never going to believe what I got…The meanies folks said this was a present to help me learn how to behave, to not chew up anything, and that would be a gift to everyone. Do I look happy with my present?

It is really big, and I can even walk around in it. Here is a picture of me and Ella in it together, to give you a sense of just how big it is. We could have even fit one more of us in there. This is the one that Achilles-dini escaped from when he and Ella were here for a few days. I wish he would show me how he did it, he, he.

Oh well, maybe my 4th birthday will be better.

Wags and kisses, Lucy

Return of Our Friends

Xena here. Something bad happened. Our Uncle Bill’s Mommy fell down really hard. Her hip broke, and so did her leg, and her shoulder shattered. She is very old, and we feel very bad for her. So first, before we go any further, we want to ask for POTP for Miss Pat.

Our Aunty Jen and Uncle Bill drove the three hours from their home near Nashville to be with Miss Pat right after she fell. That’s why Achilles and Ella got to stay with us. Aunty Jen left them at our house while my folks were gone teaching a ballroom dance class. She locked Achilles in the new, gigormous kennel, and Ella took over Xena’s kennel. (That was to ensure that Ella and Lucy didn’t go on another destruction spree.)                                                  Achilles

When Mommy and Daddy got home an hour later, Achilles met them at the door. He really is Achilles-dini.

Ella was still in Xena’s kennel, and pitifully asked Mommy why she had to be in jail. Shortly after Mommy let her out she projectile vomited the little bit of kibble left in her tummy.

Mommy went up to the attic to pull out more dog beds. You can see that Angel Lexi’s bed got covered with red fuzz from my red blankie that was in the wash with it. The plan was for Achilles to sleep there because it is the bigger bed. Since he wouldn’t settle down, Ella claimed it. Silly girl, she didn’t even use most of the bed. I guess her head felt good on the floor.

The next day my folks had to go to work, so they jailed both of our guests. When Mommy got home (you know this is going to be bad, starting off like that, right?) Achilles-dini was loose again, but the door to the kennel was still locked. That is still a mystery. Now, here’s the bad part.  The smell about knocked Mommy over. The big boy had left a steaming present in Daddy’s office, and I had to be in the house and smell steaming Achilles-dini poop all afternoon! *gag* Wait! There’s more! We couldn’t walk through the house without stepping in Achilles-dini pee. He left puddles and trails. I couldn’t believe Mommy wasn’t mad. She said it is because he drinks huge bowls of water all at once because he is so hot from his allergies. He takes medicine, but it doesn’t help enough.

Achilles-dini also decided the pretty hanging bulbs on the Christmas tree (yes, we still have our tree up in the front room because it make Mommy feel good) anyhow, he decided they are good to eat. No one has died – or even gotten yelled at (much) – yet.

Oh, and one more thing. I had a talk with Achilles. I told him in no-uncertain-terms that Lucy already has a boyfriend and he isn’t to be kissing on her. He understood and said OK, he could respect that. 

BB, you know I have been called a “snitch,” but I can snitch on good things too, right? So here goes: Lucy behaved herself around Achilles-dini. Mommy is a notary public, and I will have her notarize my statement if you want, to prove it is true.

Our friends are going home today, and, until then, our folks are taking turns leaving the house for work and errands.

Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess, the good snitch

Wordless Wednesday: Bette Davis Eyes

“Lucy Sandy Eyes”

 

“Bette Davis Eyes”

Grooming with Mommy: Maddie (and a blurb from Xena)

I guess you could say this is a Two Part Post. So that my sister Xena doesn’t steal the last half, I have given it to her, as she is tugging on my ear with her teeth and telling me that she wants to say something, too.

Part One: Hi, this is Lucy, Ace Reporter, with a clear conscience, on the Groom Beat. Today’s article features Maddie, a salt and pepper colored Schnauzer. Maddie is the same size as Angel Lexi was and has turned almost silver. Her Mom (Anne) is an expert organ player and knows my Mom from when Mom worked at St. Luke. Anne usually grooms Maddie, but sometimes she needs an expert groomer’s touch.  The holidays were so busy that Maddi got pretty madded, or matted, and Mom’s touch was needed. Xena and I got to come in the groom room and be with them, but Xena couldn’t stop her yapper so I took her upstairs. Before long, Mom was done and Maddie had her bath they all came upstairs too. Xena and I sort of played with Maddie while the peeps visited over lunch. On the way back downstairs, Xena was on one side of me and Maddie on the other when they decided to (almost) get in a fight and barked and lunged at each other right underneath my belly! That sure was a moment I don’t want to repeat.  Lucy, signing off from the Groom Beat, with my guts still intact.

Hi, Xena here. I just wanted to say that I miss my Auntie Jen, who took care of me at Christmas time when Mommy and Daddy went away. Auntie Jen, will you and Uncle Bill come back to visit me soon,  please?XOXOXO Your niece, Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Lucy Repents

Dear Mom, I am sorry for ripping the stuffing out of the couch cushion – three times. I felt so bad after you yelled at me and showed me what I had done wrong, I would have done anything to make it right. That’s why I went willingly to the guillotine bath. That’s why I even jumped in the tub by myself and didn’t make you pick me up and put me in it.

Please forgive me. I promise to not tear up the furniture again. I love you, Lucy

Dear Big Boy, I am sorry I lied to you about what I did with Achilles. When my snitching little sister told on me, I panicked. I was afraid you wouldn’t want to be my boyfriend anymore. But lying is wrong. So is kissing other boys when I have a boyfriend. Please forgive me. I was a Bad Girl. Love, Lucy