Achilles and Ella went home with their dad yesterday. They were so thrilled to see him that they forgot to say goodbye. But we have precious memories of their time here with us.
Achilles is a cuddle bug, and loved time on the couch with Uncle Jeff.
Achilles is fighting severe allergies. He was recently allergy tested and has the sea rum (serum) like Xena. When we could monitor him closely, he didn’t have to wear his hood (cone) or Rambo suit.
When all 80 pound plopped down on you, you felt it. Xena usually stays pretty close to her Mommy, so care had to be taken that he didn’t plop down on top of her when he also wanted to be close. Such a sweet, happy boy. He wiggles all over, and just wants to be loved.
This is Xena greeting Achilles (after she stopped barking at him).
Ella and Achilles also liked the same chair in the living room. Maybe it was because of the “guard” schnauzer on the pillow watching over them.
Achilles
Ella
That’s where Ella slept most nights, with the blanket her mama made her under and over her.
The pictures below show what close friends Ella and Lucy are. It took 1.5 seconds for this wonderful relationship to begin.
Rock City’s Rocktoberfest 2019. We hope Rock City will be open for Rocktoberfest again this year, and are able to do it in a safe way.
Oh, and for those who asked, yes, Achilles did get his time back in the home office after Xena ran him off. He even got his “hood” or cone off for a while.
Achilles found a spot on the corner of Lucy’s bed. She didn’t move over for him, but she didn’t mind sharing, either.
For now we will say adieu, with hopes next time comes sooner rather than later.
Posted at 1:06 am by Xena and Lucy, on July 11, 2020
Lucy: I came in to kiss you before I go to work. That’s what Mom and Dad always do. But I see you’re in da Hood. I’m going downstairs now. See you tonight, honey.
Achilles: What does she mean, she’s going to work?
Ella: So, this is where Aunt Amy works? She’s home with you all day?
Lucy: Yeppers. And this is where I stay with her all day and help her. Sometimes Mom’s assistant is here with her dog Hank, and sometimes Bridger, her little baby person, comes, too. I like that a lot.
Ella: I think I will stay right here and help Aunt Amy, too, since it doesn’t look like her assistant or Hank or Bridger are coming today.
Lucy: Which reminds me, where’s Morty? I was so excited about you and Achilles being here with me that I forgot all about him.
Ella: I hear that your Mom didn’t feel quite ready to take on caring for him yet. We know a vet who takes care of pigs like Mortimer, so he is boarding him while we are on vacation.
Mortimer on his way to the vet
Achilles: Hey y’all. What are you doin’?
Hi Aunt Amy. What’s everyone doin’? Can I do it too? Where’s Miss Brooke? I helped her yesterday when she went in the bathroom. I didn’t want her to be lonely in there all by herself. She sure looked surprised and didn’t get the door shut fast enough and pet me while my head was on her lap. I thought she might need some help today, too.
Xena: Hey! What’s going on here? Why’s everyone in my office?
There’s not room for two of us with cones on down here. You’re gonna knock something over or break something, Achilles. Go over by the fridge and lay down, or go upstairs or something. You’re in my way. I want in Mommy’s lap. I need to sleep there so she can work.
a few minutes later
I thought I was in da Hood [see previous post] with Xena. She sure is fickle…and bossy!
The Mom: Sometimes it’s more of a zoo than a workplace around here. It’ a perk of working from home!
Lucy, Ella, Achilles and Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess
Lucy: You look bored, Ella. Why don’t you tell me a story about what’s been going on at your house. I heard some of it from Achilles, and now I want to hear it from you, girlfriend.
But you didn’t want to hear how I almost died, Lucy. *thinking* OK, I’m going to give you the quick version.
I stopped eating ’cause I felt uncomfortably full. And I stopped pooping ’cause it couldn’t come out no matter how hard I tried. I felt all “bloated.” My regular vet who I love couldn’t help me ’cause she didn’t have the diagnostic equipment, so Mom spent most of the rest of the day trying to find someone who both could and would help me. Seems a lot of docs aren’t taking new patients during this awful COVID-19 thingie. Finally we went to a great dogtor who used a machine that could see me inside and I had something called a blockage way down in that messy coil of intestines. Can you see the ring on my front arm? That’s where they shaved me and put in a needle to help me go to sleep for my surgery. They fed me and gave me drinks like that too for a while, until I was able to eat again. Do you see the huge black square on my tummy? That’s where they shaved me and cut me open and removed the block from inside my tummy. Who knew my skin is black!?
Lucy: I think your black skin is beautiful, Ella. That is a very scary story, but it has a happy ending. Umm, I’m also glad you gave me the short version!
Ella: Me too, I’m thirsty now. But first, tell me some more about stuff that’s been happening around here.
Lucy *thinking*: Hmm. OK. Riley was spending a lot of time here. Can you believe he still has an ear infection that’s been going on a year or more?
He seemed to really like being here, and would even ask my Dad to play ball with him every night. The first time he asked, he stood right in front of Dad, staring at him, and started barking that really loud, deep bark of his. Dad’s usually really good at understanding us, but this time he just looked over at Mom with a “Why is he doing this?” look on his face. Mom knew right away. “He wants you to play ball with him,” she said. I don’t know how she knew; I mean, even I didn’t know. But she can “read” that boy. After doing the same stare and bark two nights in a row, Dad finally knew what Ri-boy wanted at the same time every night, and would get up and play ball with him.
Ella: He is a good looking dog, isn’t he? I wish he liked me, but he was pretty hateful to me the only time I’ve been around him. I really don’t understand it. I like everyone and everyone likes me! We could have made pretty puppies when we were younger… *sigh* But what about his ear infection?
Lucy: Oh yeah. Mom picked him up from Andrew’s and took him to the vet. They came to the car and got him and took a little of the gunk out of his ears to do a culture. Oh, and me and Xena went too, and gave blood for our twice-yearly DNA HW test, which came back negative. In this case, negative was a good thing. Anyhow, about a week later, the new vet – who never met Riley – called and said he has two types of staph in his ears, and they would work him in to treat it. She said it would be fast and easy to clean out his ears and put in the medicine. I could see Mom covering her mouth and her whole body shaking. I was afraid she was having a seizure, but turns out she was trying not to laugh. Finally, she told the new vet that four grown men can’t hold him to clean his ears or cut his nails. But he trusts his dad Andrew to clean his ears, so she promised that he would do that before she brought him. At the vet’s, the vet techs put the medicine in his ears while he was still in the car. He wore a “just in case” muzzle, but he was surprisingly good. Now we’re waiting to see if it works.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen…
Xena: Hey ‘killies, when’d you join the gang? Achilles: I don’t know what you mean.
Xena: We’re both “in the hood!” BOLOLOL!! ‘Killies: *groan*
Lucy, Ella, Achilles and Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess
Achilles: So, Lucy, to continue with telling you about the stuff I have to put up with at home… that pig! After all this time, he hasn’t even learned our language. He goes around grunting at us and using body language that me and Ella can’t understand. I used to try to stay out of Morty’s way, but it gets so tiring.
Lucy: But what does he do? And what do you do, my darling?
Here, let me show you Morty’s latest travesty.
I was sleeping peacefully on the couch when he jumped up, laid down next to me, and threw his back leg right across my nose, in front of my eyes. Aghh! I guess it could have been worse…
Lucy: What did you do, dear? Did you bite him?
Achilles: No, no, no. I might look big and intimidating, but you should know I would never hurt a fly. Well, maybe a fly. But I’m a pacifist, like you. Sometimes I get a bit worked up when I see other boy dogs, but I try to keep it under control. Anyhoo, here’s what I did.
Achilles: Enough about me. What have you been doing, beautiful?
Lucy: Hmmm. Mom’s been extra busy grooming during this COVID thingy. I’ve been working tirelessly helping her.
Sometimes I catch the hair so she doesn’t have to sweep it up. And when the pup on the table is nervous, sometime this makes them laugh!
We’ve been getting quite a few new and “haven’t been here for a long time” dogs in to be groomed. The last one was a tiny Yorkie puppy. Dog, was he a handful. Literally.
Chief: Let me go! I don’t want whatever you’re selling!
Finally, Mom agreed to let him lay in her lap while she worked on him.
Mom must have taken her patience pill that day. She said that Chief is only about three months old, and this is his first groom. First grooms are hard on everyone, so she tries to make sure the pup doesn’t get scared.
Achilles: How did it end? Did Chief survive? I’ve never been groomed, or even watched a groom.
Lucy: Like you showed me pictures to explain things, I’ll do the same for you. Here’s how it all ended.
Chief “before”
Chief “after”
Achilles: What happened to the table in the “after?” Did Chief get so light from losing all that hair that he floated?
Lucy: BOL! Mom just played with the picture so that Chief was the sole focus, BOL! Give me another kiss and then let’s go see what Ella’s doing and if my Mom’s fixing us anything for lunch.
Priscilla, you know you can’t push me out of this chair, right?
Priscilla: I don’t know until I try.
They’re coming, I just don’t know when. It’s daylight. I thought they would have been here by now. What’s taking them so long? You can keep scratching there, Prissy, that feels good.
They’re here! Let’s go welcome our best friends!
Happy Fourth of July, Achilles! *wag, wag, wag*
Hi Lucy! You look as beautiful as in my dreams, girlfriend. Hey, do you like my new camo outfilt? I wear it when I’m itchy. Do you think I look silly?
Lucy: *swooning* You look like Rambo. He’s this tough, sexy guy on TV. Only you’re much more handsome.
Does it look good from this angle, too?
Ella: Come on Lucy, let’s go play a little. I can’t play too hard, though. I’m mostly better, but I’m still recovering from surgery. I almost died, you know.
Lucy: No!! Don’t even say that. Let’s go hang out. Are you coming, Achilles?
Achilles: What do I smell on the counter? It smells sweet.
Lucy: Oh, it’s just the 4th of July cake Mom made. She doesn’t share cake with us, but you might get some fruit later. Let’s go outside with everyone.
Achilles: Hmm. I think it’s too hot out.
I’ll just lay down here near the cake on the cool floor. You girls go on.
Xena: Where’s Achilles? I don’t trust him.
To be continued…
Lucy, Ella, Achilles and Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess
Posted at 12:28 am by Xena and Lucy, on July 4, 2020
I have to make this kinda’ quick, cause I just found out my bestie, Ella, and my guy, Achilles are on their way. They are visiting me for a week while their folks go somewhere else. Ella was real sick a couple of weeks back, and ended up having surgery and on heavy antibiotics. It had something to do with her gut. I am so happy she’s ok and able to make the three hour trip!
Now, to do my 4th of July post…
For those who aren’t from here: On July 4th, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, which had been written largely by Thomas Jefferson. Though the vote for actual independence took place on July 2nd, from then on the 4th became the day that was celebrated as the birth of American independence.
Today, in honor of all the men and women who helped make us a free nation, I told Mom I wanted to post my video from two years ago. As a repost, we didn’t know how to delete the comments from then, so please feel free to just add some woofs, meows and howdys to them!!
Starring Lucy Directed, Edited and Produced by My Dad
After saying a prayer of thanks that all the ideas that Tyebe and Shoko of The Canadian Cats and Da Phenny, Neilson and Katty of Easyblog threw out – such as beer can chicken and squirty whip cream – really did get thrown out, we had to sit down and think up what we like to eat in the summer. Me and Xexe immediately agreed on the frozen treats Mom made for Xe’s birthday. That recipe is at the end, so that you will remember it best. Mom finally decided on the cold soup she’s been making this summer. She likes it and Dad asks for it a lot. Besides the taste, one of the things Mom likes about it is how quick and easy it is to make. So here we go…
Chilled Lemon Basil Avocado Soup
Ingredients: 2 ripe avocados, peeled and roughly chopped 1 C coconut milk 1 C vegetable broth about 1 tsp of fresh lemon zest (original recipe called for 1 Tbsp, but I thought too lemony, so adjust if you just love lemon flavor) 1 Tbsp lemon juice (adjust to taste) 1 Tbsp white wine vinegar 1 Tbsp lemon or regular basil 2 tsp minced shallots (can substitute leeks or onion if you don’t have shallots) 1 tsp kosher salt (adjust to taste)
Instructions: Add all ingredients to a blender and puree until very smooth. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let the flavors blend. Best when made the day before. NOTE: The soup will taste very mild when first blended, so wait before adjusting seasonings. It will end up about this color, or a little darker.
It’s our turn now. Here’s the recipe for
Frozen Banana-Almond Butter (or Peanut Butter)-Cocomut Oil Dog Treats
1 C softened or melted coconut oil 1 C almond or peanut butter 1 medium very ripe banana (sorta’ ripe is ok too)
Dump everything in a bowl and use an electric mixer to get it all mixed together good. Scoop it into an ice cube tray. Makes about 1 1/2 dozen.
Notes: We get almond butter because it’s a lot healthier than peanut butter. Mom had to use a butter knife to loosen the edges to get each cube out. You might want to spray some olive oil in the tray compartments first. Also, the recipe called for filling a plastic baggie with the mixture, snipping the end, and squeezing it into a fancier mold than an ice cube tray. Really? We don’t care what they look like, just give us more! Oh, and they come out about this color.
It’s time to come inside, Xe. Mom’s made our favorite summer treats, and they’re ready!
Posted at 1:29 am by Xena and Lucy, on June 24, 2020
Hello friends. Lucy Ace Reporter back with you on the Groom Beat
Today I am featuring a little shih tzu mix named Sandy. She was here once before, back in February. She’s barely a year old, and a wiggly pup. Here is Sandy “before.”
Her Mom tried to stay, and had to keep holding Sandy so Groomer Mom could work on her. But even then, it just wasn’t happening, as they say. Groomer Mom finally told Sandy’s Mom she would have to leave, that it was impossible to groom her like that. And guess what happened the minute her Mom walked out the door. Yep. She settled down and was finished in no time.
At first, her Mom just wanted her bangs trimmed and her nails cut. Then Groomer Mom asked if she wanted Sandy’s ears trimmed, and she did. Then Groomer Mom asked if it was OK to trim her face, and it was. Then Sandy’s Mom said just go ahead and groom her like you did before. So Sandy got a bath and a scissor cut all over. She wasn’t quite done when this picture was taken.
Groomer Mom decided to take more hair off her head after she saw this picture, BOL. But by then Sandy’s Mom was back in the room and it was too hard to try to get another picture. So you can use your imagination.
Sandy Update: I forgot to hit “Send” or “Post” or whatever it is I’m supposed to touch with my paw, so it’s now 3 weeks later. But that’s OK, ’cause I have an update. Sandy’s ears have been in really bad shape with an infection for several months. Mom was the first to notice back in February, and she told Sandy’s Mom, who took her to the dogtor. The dogtor tried a bunch of stuff, and none of it worked. They finally did a catture, or a court order or maybe it was a cult lure, I’m not sure, but they found out she has a resistant strain of a staff infection. So Sandy came back today for a good bath and nail trim since she can’t get her ears wet for a while after she gets her treatment at the dogtor’s a bit later today. Her boy came with her. The mom kept saying what a beautiful dog I am, and so sweet, too! Mom told her I am her zen dog. The groom room got too crowded with us all in there, so the boy had to wait in the hallway just outside the groom room door. I didn’t want him to be scared or lonely, so I kept him company.
I wouldn’t mind adding this to my job description.
Lucy Ace Reporter signing off with wiggles and tail wags and lots of pets from a little boy.
Posted at 1:45 am by Xena and Lucy, on June 20, 2020
Well, it turns out that I didn’t get to go anywhere with Mommy today. She left early with a cooler packed with ice bricks, and I saw Daddy packing her lunch. She said bye to me and Lucy and that she would be back, like she always does, just in case we think she is leaving for good.
Me and Lucy and Chippie played for a while until Daddy came upstairs from his basement office and asked what was going on.
By then, we all were worn out. Does that mean I’m getting old?
After we got kefirred at noon (that’s what it’s called when we get served our kefir at lunchtime), we went out on our new porch so we could hang out while we waited for Mommy to come home.
Me and Lucy played chase across the porch, not even slowing for the doggie door. We made a full circle of the yard before we slipped through the door again and onto the porch. I turned and ran back out before realizing that Luce the Deuce, er, Lucy wasn’t chasing me anymore. When I stuck my head in to peek, I realized it was a trap! Just look at Lucy’s tail! She was ready to spring on me! I turned and ran and off we went. We played so hard that once again we fell down exhausted.
87 hours later Mommy got home, and all she carried upstairs from the car was some groceries from Trader Joe’s. With my most excellent ears, I heard her ask Daddy to unload the rest into the downstairs freezer.
“I’m dreaming of a tripe birthday, Not like the ones I’ve had before. Where the innards glisten And Lucy listens To hear if we might be getting more…”
This is Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess, one day away from 3 years old, with this stupid, revised Christmas song stuck in my head.
Posted at 1:43 am by Xena and Lucy, on June 19, 2020
Xena: Since it’s almost my birthday, can I lay in your Porch Bed, Lucy?
Lucy: You mean the Bed Formerly Known as Riley’s? Sure. I’m good right where I am.
Xena: Did you hear what Mommy was saying earlier about my birthday? She was talking about getting me a special treat and yummy food. She didn’t know I was cooling off behind her chair and could hear every word she said.
Me cooling off behind Mommy’s chair
Lucy: I heard some of it, but I was under the table dozing. I don’t think she saw me, either.
Xena: I also got to see what she had up on her ‘puter screen. Look at this!
(Click on picture for link to site.)
Xena: Then I heard her on the phone with someone saying she wanted the Tripe-stuffed cow hoof and two packs of the plain cow hooves and a case of the XKaliber mix like I used to eat growing up and would you be able to eat it too and I don’t know what the person answered her. Aaaand, she said she wanted to take me with her almost to Atlanta to pick it all up.
She asked if I could eat it, too?!?
Lucy: You know, Xena, you could always ask Mom about it. Even if that ruins her surprise for you, I know you won’t let it go until you find out. Here she comes now.
Xena: Mommy, are we going to Atlanta to get my birthday surprise?
The Mom: No. (We’re actually going to Marietta, north of Atlanta, but I’m not telling her that.)
This is Xena the almost birthday girl, wondering if I should get my ears checked. I was sure I heard her say… *sigh*
Posted at 1:21 am by Xena and Lucy, on June 16, 2020
Lucy, Ace Reporter here, with another episode of Grooming with Mom. Today I am featuring Daisy, a furry mixed breed that we think has some kind of herding dog in…
Xena: The first person to correctly identify her breed wins a …
Lucy: Xena! Get out of my post! And no one is winning anything! How many times do I have to tell you…
Xena: Phthhh.
Lucy: Folks, I can’t apologize enough for my little sister. She gets something in her head… Anyhoo, Daisy lives with the board president of the synagogue where Mom works. He’s the third member of B’nai Zion to drive a half hour or more to bring his pup for Mom to groom. You’ve already met Aoife and Bailey. Daisy is another really sweet, loving girl. She gave Mom hugs, just like Aoife does! Here is Daisy before her groom.
Help! I can barely see and hear!
Daisy’s hair completely covered her eyes, and her ears were full of hair. I’m so glad I don’t need to have hair pulled out of my ears! Her Dad told Mom to go ahead and just shave her down. Mom almost did what he said. Here’s her after picture.
Daisy was so happy that she kept trying to give Mom more hugs. I think we’ll call this the “Big Headed Daisy” picture.
Here’s another one, still looking like she has a big head, but at least you can see her a bit better.
Her Dad said they only get her groomed every 4 to 6 months. Mom’s going to talk to him about that…
Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off. Hope y’all are having a ding-doggidy-daisy kind of day.
Posted at 1:12 am by Xena and Lucy, on June 13, 2020
Way, way back at the end of March, work began on our patio. Mom said, “It better be done before Memorial Day, ha, ha, ha.” With a few veiled threats from Mom, i.e. “I’m not paying you any more money until this is done, ha, ha,” it got done the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. Dad says it’s not a patio anymore; he says it’s a “porch.”
Dad bought paving stones made out of river rock. You can see in one of the pictures how he arranged them outside the door that doesn’t go into the dog lot. Mom put in the edging, and they are going to get some pebbles or something to fill in the rest of that area.
Did you notice the “sunroof?” It lets in lots of light, and even the living room has more daylight because of it.
Did you notice the aloe plant on the little table. We want to say a huge “thanks” and a few *licks* to our reader who suggested that to heal up the hot spot under my (Xena’s) ear. It worked like magic!
Right away, Mom taught us how to go through the new doggie door. We have gotten very good at it. At first I would get whacked with it when Lucy went first, but then I learned to time it just right.
Mom couldn’t mow the grass in the dog lot the whole time the guys were working on the new porch. It got so high that we played “jungle” in it and sometimes munched on the tall stocks of grass. And there’s areas where the weeds that passed for grass died because of stuff laying on them during the construction. We saw some grass seed last time we went in the shed, so we’re sure Mom will spread some around soon. We heard the mower running tonight. No more fun in the jungle, but we’ll still have lots of fun sunbathing and hunting snakes and lizards.
Riley: I’ve been feeling better about being here with Lucy (and Xena). Although I still miss my Dad, I know he’ll come back for me and I might as well enjoy my time here. Right? I’ve started eating more – I really love that sauerkraut and coconut oil that Miss Amy mixes into my food – and I’ve had more energy. Lucy and I run in the big front yard while little Xena runs after us and jumps and barks and growls at me. I finally figured out she’s not trying to be mean or “take me on” but its’ her way of playing. I ignore her, as she usually just bounces off of me. In this video, me and Lucy played kinda rough, so Miss Amy kept Xena away.
Every evening between 7:00 and 8:00 I start barking at Mr. Jeff. Miss Amy always knows what I want, so at first she had to cue him, “Riley wants you to throw his ball.” Now he knows, and we play ball in the house – down the hallway and into the bedroom or the library or the living room. It’s nice to have a guy like my Dad who will play ball with me.
My bed got moved into the living room so I have somewhere other than the hard floor to lay when the family is together in the evening.
As everyone was getting ready to go to bed the other night, Miss Amy noticed that I had stretched out so that my head was hanging off my bed. She knows that I still chew up things – at least stuffies – so she went through the house looking for something she “didn’t care about”. Then she remembered the brown blanket that I had chewed big holes in years ago. She retrieved it from the closet and laid it all bunched up under my head like a pillow. I slept especially good that night.
The next day, when I got up to eat breakfast, that crazy schnauzer ran and jumped into my bed.
She and Lucy eat a lot earlier than I do, so her beard was all spiky-wild from her food. Then she acted like she had to guard my bed so I wouldn’t try to get back in it. Silly schnauzer! I spent the rest of the day in her favorite red chair. That one kinda back-fired on her, didn’t it?
The Mom: I don’t like to wear shoes in the house unless my feet are cold so I often slip them off when I sit down. One particular day, I found a present in one of my sandals.
I don’t know who left it there, but it warmed my heart.
It might have been me. Or Xena. Or Riley. We all love Mom.
Epilogue: Andrew picked up Riley and took him home with him. Riley may be coming back…or he may not. Either way, Lucy and I love having him here. And, I suspect, even the crazy little schnauzer does, even though she would never admit it.
By Riley, Lucy, the Mom and the Crazy Little Schnauzer Warrior Princess
Lucy: Xena, I think it might be a good idea to give a quick recap on what’s happened so far in your stories. Not all our readers saw the earlier ones, and that would help a lot.
Xena: Why don’t they just read them? *pout* Oh, OK. But if you have been keeping up, and your memory is good, just scroll down to the first picture to take up where we left off last week. Or go here to read them all from beginning to end.
So, for those of you who missed the earlier editions, or just don’t remember, the first section is simply called Xena’s Story.
Xe the schnauzer took a boat trip to Siam and met the Siamese cats, Sho and Tye. They all quickly became besties, and had a lot of adventures before Xe had to go home. (Click here.)
Tye missed Xe, who had become like a sister to her. Tye stowed away on a boat, where she eventually made friends with the captain by catching all the mice on board and keeping them fed and happy in her cabin. After docking in Texas, USA she got thrown in a detention center, where she only had rotten vegetables to eat, but made friends with a chihuahua. After receiving a text from Tye, Xe left home to rescue her. (click here)
After taking a school bus to Texas to rescue Tye, Xe got caught inside the detention center by a plott hound, who tossed her in a bag labeled “fresh meat”. She was put in the same area as Tye. Xe had remembered to pack a soft bed, a pretty night shirt, and a mouse toy for Tye, which they used while they waited to get out. Xe applied to be Tye’s sponsor and they were finally released. (click here)
Tye and Xe had more adventures on the way back to Xe’s home in Chattanooga, Tennessee. A horse named HoNo (short for horse with no name) gave them a ride to the Tennessee border, where they were picked up by a NICE Plott Hound in her old truck. Sally drove them to the Big White House to meet with the Person in Charge. There, Tye told her tale of the interment camp and all the other Siamese cats who were being held there. The Person in Charge gave them their favorite foods and made a decree to free everyone from the camps. (click here)
In the meantime, Sho decided she had better come help Tye, so she bought a magic carpet and ended up in Newfoundland, where she met a Newfoundland Hound named Buddha. Buddha had heard about Tye’s troubles and told Sho where the detention center was in Texas. Sho flew her magic carpet there where she found HoNo. HoNo remembered the two friends, and directed Sho back up the coast to the Big White House where they were headed. (click here).
Sho finally found her sister and friend when she landed on the lawn of the Big White House. They all climbed onto the magic carpet for a ride to Xe’s home, where Lu was waiting for them. (click here)
Lu and her Dad have arranged a Zoom meeting with lots of the friends that the Xe et al made on their journeys. Siam is renamed Tyeland after Tye’s fame for freeing the Siamese cats held there. Lu informs them about the Shelter in Place edict so they cannot continue on to Canada as planned. (click here)
This next part is called Sheltering in Place. Sho and Lu, as the more mature members of the group, hit it off and spend time relaxing together and enjoying island beverages. The youngsters Tye and Xe continue to find fun ways to spend their days, including a full spa treatment and a hula lesson by Tye. (click here)
Sheltering in Place continues with Sho and Lu taking a tub soak while sipping on Coronas and the youngsters shooting the bird back and forth with old rackets they found in the attic. (click here)
The story takes another turn with Think Canada. The 3 friends decide to hop on the magic carpet and take their chances at returning to Tyeland to finish up their business there before trying to relocate to Canada. By the way, their hut in Tyeland is named Hut Canada. (click here)
Sho is tired by the time they land, so she goes inside to take a nap. Tye and Xe get bored and go off to stuff a mouse down a cobra’s throat. That doesn’t end so well. (click here)
That was what is called a synopsis in writer’s talk for all the episodes so far. The Canadian Cats did a great job of putting these all together. You can click here to go to that page on their blog, where you can begin at the beginning and read straight through. Next is a gratuitous shot of me to let you know we are starting the next story in Think Canada.
While Sho was relaxing outside of the Hut Canada, waiting on Tye and Xe, a large cobra snake slithered up to her, stopped and stared. “You’re not the cat I sssaw in the jungle, are you?” he hissed.
Not knowing what the cobra snake was up to, Sho did not let on that her little sister was in the jungle more than her. “I walk through the jungle from time to time,” she replied. “Why do you ask, snake?” inquired Sho, pronouncing the word snake as if it was a swear word.
*Hisssss*. “My name is King,” he said, not bothering to answer Sho’s question. Continuing to quiz her, he asked, “Do you have a schnauzer friend? I sssmell her. *Hiss* I’ve ssseen a schnauzer in the jungle, and I would like to *hiss* say hello.”
At this point, Tye and Xe ran out onto the porch, completely unaware that danger lurked in Tye’s own front yard. When they heard hissing, they looked out to see someone they never wanted in their front yard. They’d been found!
“We have to do something,” whispered Xe. “One of us has to let Sho know not to tell him we’re here,” replied Tye. “I’m a bit smaller, so I guess I’ll try to sneak down there.” Even though Xe was shaking like a rattler’s tail, she knew that this was mostly all her fault, and she couldn’t let her friend do this. “No, I’ll go,” she whispered with only a slight quaver in her voice.
Xe ran like she was in an agility trial, zip, zip, and ended up behind the bush near Sho. “Don’t tell him we’re here,” whispered Xe. “He’s mean.”
“Why don’t you rest your scales and I will go inside and make us a nice cup of mulberry tea?” suggested Sho, without ever looking over at Xe.
Before anyone could turn back towards Hut Canada, Tye leaped off the other side of the porch and ran full out into town, looking for Squish, their elephant friend. It’s rumored that elephants are afraid of mice, but that snakes are afraid of elephants is known as a fact.
Tye tore through the town looking for Squish until she ran headlong into a tree, bouncing off it and landing on her back. Blinking hard, she looked up and saw it wasn’t a tree after all. It was her friend Squish’s leg.
“Why such a hurry?” inquired Squish. Tye quickly related to him what trouble they were in, and that she feared for Xe’s life. “No one hurts my friends!” trumpeted the elephant as she took off full speed toward Hut Canada.
Xe was now hunkered down behind the bush, afraid to move.
“There you are, you slimy piece of shnake!” Squish said with disdain. (shnake is a swear word in elephant-speak.) “You may be King the Cobra in the jungle, but here you’re going to be…”
“Wait, pleasssse!” pleaded King. “I know who you are, too. You’re the mighty Sssquish, who sssquishes snakes until they pop like balloonssss! Pleassse, let me go, and you and your friends will never ssssee me again.”
Squish knew that you had to be dumber than mud to believe a promise from a snake. She thought about the pedicure she had just come from when Tye found her and didn’t relish messing it up with snake guts. But she would do whatever needed done to keep her dear friends safe. Then, from the corner of her eye, she saw a mouse. And not just any mouse, but Missy, who had helped her in the past. Missy, had brought her oboe. As she began to play a mesmerizing tune, Squish sneaked around King, whispering, “King, the Snake, you will never hurt or eat a mouse or a schnauzer or a cat again. You will be kind and gentle to all you meet.”
By this time King was softly swaying back and forth in rhythm to the music. He was being charmed and was open to all suggestions made to him. “You do all these things,” the elephant continued, “and I will let you live.”
Missy stopped playing. Xe stopped shaking. Squish stopped talking. King stopped swaying. It was as if, just for a moment, they were frozen in time. Then King shook his head, looked around, and whispered, “Weren’t we all invited for tea? I do hope there’s a drop of honey. I just love honey with my tea, don’t you?”
Xe stepped out from behind the bush. King looked at her quizzically and said, “Why, what an adorable little dog. Will you be joining us for tea? I do hope so, and perhaps there will be some biscuits as well. I just love biscuits with my tea and honey, don’t you?”
Sho, absolutely shocked, still remembered her manners and hurriedly set the outside table for everyone to have tea with honey and not just one, but two plates of biscuits as well.
From that day on, King never hurt another living thing, and Squish didn’t kill him. In fact, they made up a game called, “don’t step on the snake,” which they had to play every time King came to visit. Squish and Missy often accompanied him, and Sho always made tea with honey and biscuits for everyone. (She is a very good hostess.)
The End. (Well, just the end of this part of the story.)
I am Xena, with Shoko and Tybe playing supporting roles. Lucy: Xena, this isn’t a play. Nobody is playing any roles. Xena: I’m getting ready for when it is turned into a Broadway play. I want to be the star, like Angel Lexi. Lucy: *sigh*
This month the search is on for salad recipes. Ours is a bit different and super duper easy, with only a few ingredients and great for a hot day.
I get the leftover tuna juice in with my food. It’s super yummy!
Tuna-Egg Salad Stuffed Tomato
Ingredients: A nice fresh tomato 1 can of your favorite tuna 1 hard boiled egg about 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise, or enough to make it a little creamy small dash of salt and pepper, to taste
Directions: Remove the stem from the tomato and use a sharp knife to slice down about 3/4 of the way from the top. Do it again as if you are quartering it. Then slice each of those quarters down one time. It should look like a flower beginning to open when you are done, but still hold together. Set on a fancy plate. You can lay some lettuce under it if you want.
Mash up the egg with a fork and mix in the tuna, spices and mayo. Put a good-sized scoop into the tomato. You’ll be able to fill more than one tomato, depending on the size of the tomato and how much filling you use in each one.
You can add a little topping such as paprika, chives, cayenne pepper, crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, or use your imagination.
Sorry we don’t have a picture of one we made ourselves, but when you’re done, your tuna-egg stuffed salad should look sorta like one of these two, that we found on the web.
I have another recipe just for our pup friends. I hope you’ll get over forgive me that it’s not a salad. Although there is tomato in it…
I think our cat friends can eat it too, but I have never looked up what cat’s can and can’t eat. You may want to stick with the tuna. *grin*
This is Lucy and Xena Schnauzer Princess Warrior, wiping drool *slurp*
The Mom: Why are you staring at me, Riley? What do you want?
Riley: I just ate and I need to go out.
*a few minutes later*
Lucy: Where’d you go, Riley? I saw you go into the woods and thought you had run off.
Riley: Nah, I just had to do my business and I don’t like anyone watching. Besides, why would I mess in my own yard, or in my family’s yard? That’s just nasty. And why would you think I ran off?
Lucy: It’s cause Mom told me she had a dream about you and me running off together through the woods like we used to do a couple of years ago. In her dream, she found you near her old neighborhood and brought you home. But she never found me. She said it was a terrible dream. It woke her up and she never went back to sleep that night. So I am staying out of the woods.
Now, where did Xena go? It’s so hard being the responsible one, trying to keep track of every body.
Xena: I found a hole; two holes, actually. I can smell a critter.
Lucy: What’s in the hole? Don’t you have to go potty?
Xena: I don’t know yet, and I already went. Now will you please be quiet? I need silence. Absolute. Silence.
Tye, this is a lovely home with all the best foods available for our tasting but its time we thought about Canada, the country, and Canada our hut. We have to have someone look after the house In Tyeland while we are gone. What if we like it in Canada and want to stay, Sho? If, we decide to stay like forever, we’ll have to think about it then. Right now, the challenge will be to see our hut….Canada, and have a friend look after it for us. Squish could do it for us. Nobody’s going to mouth off to Squish. We can rent the house out. That’s a great idea Tye. Squish could have the rent for Canada, the hut. I miss Squish Sho so let’s go visit him and Squash. How about Lu and XE? They are like family. Let’s ask XE if she wants to help us. …
Lucy, Ace Reporter here, with another episode of Grooming with Mom. Today I am featuring Benny, a 2-year-old Cockapoo. Mom first groomed Benny when he was three months old.
Mom hated didn’t like how his face looked in this groom, but it matched the picture his Mom asked for him to look like. Kinda crazy, huh?
We didn’t see him again for a couple of years, and today learned that his Mom had gotten married and moved across town. With the Shelter in Place order, it has been a long time since Benny was groomed anywhere. His Mom remembered bringing him here for his first groom, and called, hoping my Mom was open for business.
Benny has grown into a sweet and loving dog (kind of like me, he, he). He also was a very matted dog from missing all those appointments. His Mom expressed her desire to have him groomed like last time, in a scissor cut, but, if that wasn’t possible because of the mats, ok’d a shave-down. Although Mom did her best to work through the mats, his ears were matted like felt, and the only thing to do was to shave them.
After, that, the rest (of his hair) was history. That also gave Mom the liberty to groom his face and head how she thought looked good. Benny’s Mom was pleased. We may have just saved him from a life-time of ridicule by his peers.
Sho: Well, if we had to be stuck somewhere other than Canada during this pandemic, I’m glad it was here with you and Xe. And Tye had the right idea with this spa tub. I – being a cat – didn’t think I would like it. But it’s so relaxing.
Lu: It’s true, Sho. And this inoculation of Corona tastes pretty good. Do you think it would work better if we had it in “shots”?
Both: BOL, MOL, ha, ha, ha, *hic*
Xe: Hey, what are you two doing?
Tye: OMC, I can’t look. I think they’re naked!
Lu: Of course we are, silly cat. None of us wears clothes. Well, except when you put on that strange-looking hula skirt. The real question is, what have you two been up to?
Tye: I flipped Xe the bird. Xe: And then I shot Tye the bird. Both: Yep, we kept flipping each other the bird and it was lots of fun.
*earlier that day*
Tye: I’m so glad we found these old rackets up in your attic. *whack*
Xe: *whack* Me too, Tye. Shoot that angry bird back to me and I’ll flip this one right back atcha.
Dogtor B, an ex-shelter dog, became a therapy dog in October 2016. He loves to talk about his endeavors, his new little brother Sky, and life in general as an expat.
