Lucy’s Thankful Thursday

Lucy: Looks like I get to lead off Thankful Thursday again this week. So let’s start by thanking Brian for hosting Thankful Thursday.

First, I’m thankful for my position as Zen Assistant when Mom grooms. To maintain the zen mode and help transfer it to the dog on the table, I allow the shaved hair to fall on me as I sit under Groomer Mom’s legs.

Sometimes I back out and shake it off, then go back in for a fresh “hairfall.”

I’m also thankful for one of our Christmas presents that we all share. It’s a giant bag of freeze-dried beef liver.

You can see that my sister Xena had her turn and grabbed a mouthful out to eat off of the floor. When it was my turn, I just stuck my head in and started eating. Now Mom doles them out one piece at a time to us all, but I still think about my first encounter with them. *sigh*

Mom Amy: I’m especially thankful this week for one of my two closest friends, Jen. You may think she’s my sister because the pups call her Auntie Jen. We couldn’t be closer if we really were sisters. She brought Ella and spent the weekend with us during Lucy’s birthday (and Jeff’s), and brought our Christmas presents and Jeff’s birthday present. She always knows what to get us that we’ll love. And in case you’re wondering, Ella coming to visit was the best present Lucy could have gotten. I took this selfie to send her to let her know I am thankful for the new scarf she gave me. See all the puppy dogs on it?

I took this picture at the temp job I’ve been working since the beginning of November. It’s as office manager at a First Lutheran Church. This is my line of work, what I’ve been doing most of my life. I’m so thankful this position came my way. They will be hiring someone, so fingers crossed I get the job.

Lucy’s Challenging Sunday Selfie

Greetings, my friends. If you know me, you know I don’t like to have my picture taken. Even last Sunday, on my birthday, I gave the privilege away to my BFF Ella. This week, when Mom asked, “Who would like to do the Sunday selfie?”I stepped forward. Literally. You can imagine her surprise. She said, “Lucy, are you sure you want to do the Sunday selfie?” I looked at her and wagged my tail, and out came the phone camera.

Of course it was a challenge with Chia on the loose. On the first try, she photo-bombed me.

Mom suggested we try again. This time, Chia ran in and screamed in my ear.

After that disruption, Chia had to go to time out. Besides, I’m only seven years old and I don’t want to go deaf just yet.

Finally, here is my selfie. Mom wants you to know that I really can look happy and even smile, but I just get nervous about this whole picture thing. Xena says practice makes perfect, but I don’t know. I think there are just naturals. I’m a natural at calming people and helping them feel good.

With that done, I cuddled on the couch with my peeps brother, Andrew.

His hands are blurry cause he’s stroking my shiny furs. Oh dog! There’s Chia again. I’m going into zen mode now; see all y’all later.

We want to woof out a big thanks to The Cat on My Head, for hosting Sunday Selfies!

Lucy’s Prayers for Achilles on Thankful Thursday

Y’all know that my BFF Ella was here last weekend for my birthday. A coupla days after she got back home, her Mom found an area on her brother Achilles’ foot that looked like it was swollen. The next day it looked like Achilles had licked it until it burst and he cleaned it out real good. We got a picture, but it’s not for anyone with a weak tummy, so I decided not to post it. The picture shows two deep holes between two of his front foot toes. Instead, here is a nice picture of my precious boyfriend Achilles. I’m so thankful he’s my guy.

Aunty Jen and Uncle Bill took him to the dogtor the next day and he got a diagnoses: paraneo plastic syndrome. It’s cancer, with something that makes his immune system go wild. He’s had some other symptoms that something was wrong, like bleeding a lot out of his behind. No one could figure out what was wrong. None of the tests showed anything. But it’s very likely that it’s connected to what is going on with his paw.

My aunt and uncle are devastated, and so are me and Mom. The last time I saw him, I was upset with him for watching Xena get a bath. Now I feel bad and I want to go see him and give him lots of kisses. The only good thing is he isn’t in any pain.

He’s such a sweet, funny, goofy boy.

Please send up woofs, meows, prayers and good health into the universe for my Achilles. *sob* Lucy, hoping for a miracle.

And thank you, Brian, for hosting Thankful Thursday.

Grooming with Mom on Happy Tuesday

This is Lucy, with Happy Tuesday’s edition of Grooming with Mom. But first, a big shout out to Miss Sandee at  Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday.

As you will see, this seems to be White Dog Tuesday. First, we got back a pup who was here only once, in July of last year. It’s been six months, and the long hair and mats to the skin indicated that he hasn’t been anywhere else since then to get groomed. Presenting once again Teddy the seven-year-old maltese. Here he is before his groom.

Teddy looks like a fluff ball, but is actually matted clear to the skin; they’re the kind of mats that won’t just come out, not even with dematting spray and comb. So Groomer Mom had to shave him everywhere except for his head, ears and face. His Mom must have been brushing those areas. He was shaking-on-the-table nervous, so I was called to come in to be a calming presence for him.

Teddy liked me and did settle down some with me there. After all the shaving was done, he asked me to come closer so he could whisper in my ear.

“Tell that person she’s all done and I can go home now,” he quietly woofed.
I told him to just stay calm while he got his bath and finished up. At “bath” he started shaking again. Oops.

Teddy’s bath and groom was finally done, and here he is, definitely ready to go home.

Teddy, are you giving us a raspberry?

While Teddy was waiting for his person, Groomer Mom got a call from a fellow whose neighbor had given him one of Groomer Mom’s business cards. He has an 11 year old white miniature poodle named JoJo who needed groomed. Groomer Mom told him she was ready for JoJo right then and to come on. Here is JoJo before getting groomed.

JoJo has been going to get groomed every 4 to 5 weeks, so she wasn’t in too bad of shape. She’s a good girl, and it was easy to tell she is used to being on the grooming table. Strangely, she didn’t like her right leg messed with and kept trying to bite the clippers. Then she would look guilty, like she knew she wasn’t supposed to be doing that.

JoJo is on two medications from her vet for bad allergies. Can you see that black area on her chest? Under both of her front legs her skin is black too, and the hair there was matted with a gooey, stinky, tan-colored substance. Her vet said to just keep those places washed. In all her years of grooming and five years of working at a vet, Groomer Mom has never seen anything like it. She had to wash it off of her clipper blade when she was done shaving under those legs. She is requesting that this reporter ask if any of you might know what that is, and if so, please leave that information in the comments.

Anyhoo, here is JoJo after a good bath and groom.

Her Dad was pleased, so we are hoping to see this dear pup again in the near future.

This is Lucy, signing off with *wags* and *wiggles* from another episode of Grooming with Mom.

Ella on Lucy’s Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday. I turned seven years young. My BFF Ella came a long way from Nashville to visit me, and we had our usual great time together. I told her as a thank you that she could do the Sunday Selfie today. She readily agreed. Here’s my Ella.

Speaking of my birthday, I had a great day. Mom filled all our treat puzzles and we enjoyed finding and eating the treats. But mostly, I hung out with Ella. You can see us taking a break in these pictures, while Mom and Auntie Jen visited.

Here we’re resting before Ella got her nails dremeled by Mom.

And here we’re practicing synchronized sleeping.

And here we’re just holding tails.

I wish me and Ella could be together always! I guess that’s what it means to have a BFF.

Finally, I want to give a big thanks to The Cat on My Head, for hosting Sunday Selfies!

Poetry by Lucy and Thankful Thursday

Hi friends. It’s finally my turn to write a poem. It might not be as good as Xena and Chia and Riley’s but I send it to you with *wags* and love. Speaking of which, I am thankful for all the love in our home, and that I never have to be afraid.

First, here’s a big thanks to Brian’s Thankful Thursday, with special thanks to Brian for hosting it! 

I hope you don’t mind that Mom helped me add myself to the picture. It has a lot more meaning like this, so I think maybe you’ll like it.

The Dish Helpers by Lucy

The folks had a party
And they sure ate hardy.
A mess in the sink,
A mess on the counter.
There’ll soon be a stink
Of the food all turned sour.

Shania, let’s help, let’s give them a present.
Sure, Lucy, let’s help while the food is still pleasant!
Wash the plates clean
With your big doggie tongue
It’s still fine cuisine
And the night is still young.

They worked hard until the sun once again shone,
Then slept like two logs ’til they woke to the phone.
Lucy, Shania,
We love you, you know.
But now in the washer
All those plates must go.

The pups felt discouraged and almost ashamed
‘Til their folks came home with a plaque that was framed.
To “The two hardest workers in all of the land.”
We love you and know your intentions were grand.

So here are your presents, your favorite treats.
Some bacon and broccoli, apples and meats.
Please leave the cleaning of dishes to us,
And just be our much loved and beautiful pups.

Lucy: I was inspired to write this poem not only by the picture, but by real-life experience. I get to lick the plates either on the floor or in the dishwasher, but it’s never good enough. No matter how clean I get them, Mom always follows up with soap and water.

Grooming with Mom: Molly and Dixie

This is Lucy, with Happy Tuesday’s edition of Grooming with Mom. But first, a big shout out to Miss Sandee at  Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday.

Groomer Mom was covered up with grooms all of December, and I hope you’ll forgive this Ace Reporter for being lax in reporting new grooms. Here I present you with one new groom and a second-timer. Hold onto your seats, cause here we go!

Late one evening Groomer Mom got a call from someone who apologized for the late evening call, but that he was a lawyer and had been tied up in court. Well, while some lawyers may deserve to be tied up in court, I never knew that actually happened! I wonder what he did?

Anyhow, he claimed that three folks he interacted with in his downtown condo complex and doggie group told him he had to bring his pup, Molly, to Groomer Mom to get groomed. They talked a while, and he seemed legit — except for that tied up in court part. He wanted Molly to have a teddy bear cut. Groomer Mom asked him if she had ever had one. No. And did he know what a teddy bear cut was. No. She suggested he look it up on-line. So they made an appointment for him to make the half hour drive out here in two weeks and she would see what Molly’s hair would do.

Here’s Molly pre-groom:

Molly is a one-year-old, eleven pound shih tzu/bichon frise mix, aka shih-chon. She was crazy on the table and even in her Dad’s arms while trying to get her nails cut and pretty much everything else. It finally reached a point where Groomer Mom hung her head, trying to figure out how to tell the lawyer man she couldn’t groom his dog, while he sat there chattering and anticipating a teddy bear cut, whatever that is. Finally, Groomer Mom told him that she was going to cover Molly’s eyes while he went through the door into the hallway where there were comfortable chairs. And for him to be very quiet so Molly didn’t know where he was. He did — guess he didn’t want to get tied up again — and within a minute Molly settled down and let herself be groomed. Of course, in that minute there were some meaningful finger shakings and looks from Groomer Mom, after which Molly proved herself to be a smart little shih-chon.

Her Dad had also provided Groomer Mom with a picture of another dog, saying that was the groom he would like. (It wasn’t a teddy bear cut.) Groomer Mom did the exact cut she was shown, right down to the strange cut over the eyes.

OK, so she clipped that little bit over Molly’s right eye after she took the picture. She released Mr. Lawyer Man from the hallway, and he was thrilled with the groom. He made an appointment for six weeks.

Some of you may remember Dixie, who came for her first groom in August when she was two months old. Here she is after that groom, crazy ears and all.

Groomer Mom suggested she be groomed every six weeks. Her Mom must have heard, “When she is six months old.” She came back in December for her second groom. This mini poodle/Australian shepherd mix had really grown! It had been so long that she forgot anything she had learned the first time here, and it was like a first groom all over again!

Her Mom stayed and helped hold her, and it ended up being a success. (I also assisted with my zen presence.)

That’s all for now, friends and followers. This is Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off with two challenging but successful grooms.

Back from In Dee Anna

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

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

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

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

Chia: You should know.

Riley: Grrrr. *lifts lip*

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chia: Shut up, Xena. I’m warning you…

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

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

Chia: *wags and wiggles*

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

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

Saturday Potpourri

Xena: We’ve got a bunch of odds ‘n ends to show you today. I’ll start off, cause I’ve been bored, bored, bored.

Mommy’s been working almost full-time at a church, Daddy’s been sick in bed (but he seems better now), and Mommy’s also been working from home for the place where Daddy works. Then, after supper, when everyone settles into the living room before going to bed, I have to run into my kennel to protect it from Chia taking it over. That doesn’t leave any time for cuddling or petting or playing. But I hear we’re going to In Dee Anna, so maybe things will liven up soon.

Lucy: First, in case you were worried about me, I haven’t had to wear pj’s lately, but I see them being packed for our trip to the cold, white north in a couple of days. I also saw my new sweater from last Christmas being packed.

Mom had 2 grooms yesterday and 5 today, and she had to carry them down the hallway into the downstairs kitchen to wash them in that sink. Her hose watchamacallit for her grooming sink fell apart.

She tried a coupla places around town, but no one had the parts. Lowe’s didn’t even have that type of sink hose, and the other place told her how to take hers apart and fix it. Nope. So she’s waiting on Amazon to send the two she ordered – in hopes that at least one will fit and work – but they won’t be here until next Wednesday when we’re all gone to In Dee Anna, er Indiana.

This here’s Shaggy. She belongs to one of Mom and Dad’s friends from church, and he’s also our handyman.

Shaggy’s letting Mom know what she thinks of being here and being groomed!

Riley: I can hardly wait until everyone leaves for a few days. My heart person, Andrew, will be here with me and just me!

He’ll bring in any packages and maybe he’ll even fix the sink for Mom Amy. And I’ll get tons of petting and sleep in the bed with him. I hear Andrew’s coming Sunday night. I hope that’s really soon!

Chia: Hi, it’s me, Chia! I was supposed to be the one who told you my Dad’s been sick all week, but of course Xena had to do it first. Grrrrr.

I cuddled up with him to keep him warm and help him feel better. Uh, try not to look at my hair all over the sheet, OK? Anyhoo, it worked! He was up all day yesterday and even asked Mom to play one of their word dice games last night. Today he left to go play in his big band. You’d think that as good as I was to him, he’d of at least taken me with him, right?

Oh, and since Lucy showed you a picture of her in her new sweater from last Christmas, I’m gonna show you mine!

It’s getting packed, too! Well, gotta go now and make sure Mom packs all my stuff.

Love, Xena, Riley, Lucy and Chia

Clothes! Oh No! by Riley and Lucy

Thanks (we think) to The Cat on My Head, for hosting Sunday Selfies.

Hi friends, it’s me, Riley with what should have been a better picture for Sunday selfie. I like to wear this sweater that my pal Lucy gave me for Christmas last year. But it has a tendency to slide down my back.

I really think Mom Amy should have taken better care to help me wear it properly before she took this picture. Oh well, sometimes you get what you get, right?

Uh, hi, this is Lucy. Y’all may know I don’t like to get my picture taken, not even under the best of circumstances. What if things went wrong and I ended up inside that phone thing? What if bad people who I used to live with recognized me and I had to go back there? (Although both Mom and Dad have assured me that as long as I want to live here in my furever home, they will never let anyone take me from them. But still…) Anyhoo here’s my unwilling picture for Selfie Sunday. Oh, and it was me who messed up the couch cover in hopes it would take the attention away from me.

I guess cause I gave my sweater to Riley, my folks thought that I needed something else to keep me warm. I am so humiliated. But Mom says my name is next to the word compliant in the dictionary, so I do what I’m asked. (Please don’t share.)

We love you, Mom, and don’t really blame you. We really hope Santa Paws still comes (and that he forgets to bring us clothes).

XOX Riley and Lucy

Grooming with Mom: Barkley

Lucy, Ace Reporter with another episode of Grooming With Mom on WGWM. And many thanks to Brian’s Thankful Thursday, with special thanks to Brian for hosting it! 

Today I have another new groom to introduce to you. We are always thankful for new pups to groom, and this one is no exception. Barkley was one of those little “designer” puppies that gets sold to big dog store enterprises and was purchased by his first owner sight unseen. The woman kept him in a cage most of the time and said she couldn’t get him house broken. Fast forward six months, and Barkley finds himself being carried into a dog shelter. His current owner intercepted the woman and asked to have him. “No problem!” the woman said as she handed Barkley over to the next chapter in his life.

Barkley’s new Mom is crazy about him and has a six-year-old daughter who adores him. It took less than a week to house break this precious little boy. He was sold as a schnauzer/yorkie mix, but neither his new Mom nor Groomer Mom can find those breeds just by looking at him. He definitely has poodle hair! His new, furever Mom is a hairdresser, and was referred to us here at Small Dog Grooming by one of her clients. She takes him to work with her, where he gets to interact with people all day.

Barkley’s first grooming appointment started off with him refusing to have his nails cut, even with his Mom staying and helping. You’ve all seen the picture of Chia in the hanging body device to get her nails cut, right? If not, here it is!

This is NOT Barkley. This is Chia.

Barkley did great at getting his nails cut while he was “hanging around,” and his Mom thought it was ingenious! The rest of the groom went well, and Groomer Mom got lots of kisses. Barkley got what Groomer Mom calls a “winter cut” where she leaves the hair on his body long. Here he is with his new “look.”

Just for fun, here are his before and after pictures side-by-side. The lighting was different, but the color he is in the “after” picture is his true color. Didn’t want you to think he got a dye job, BOL!

We think his Mom’s clients are going to be very pleased with Barkley’s new look!

That’s it for today, folks. This is Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off with *wags* on another successful episode of Grooming with Mom.

The War on the Stuffies

Lucy, Ace Reporter, coming to you with breaking news. Our house’s Dog Nation has declared war on the Family Stuffies.

There were small incidents beginning before the Thanksgiving holidays. An antler here, an ear there. Mom had been in bed sick for a few days with a bad cold, so at first it was all chalked up to boredom. And, as usual, the stuffies were easy targets. Riley’s stuffie, Ratty D, lost his nose in one incident. Mom super glued it back on. And, as usual, Chia was blamed.

Chia: Excuse me, Ace Reporter Lucy! I didn’t do it! I really didn’t! Really!

Yes, that’s what Chia claimed the entire time, but no one believed her. Then we found out she was telling the shocking truth!

Last Friday Christmas decorations and stuffies had been brought down from the attic, including Christmas Reindeer. Chia immediately claimed the reindeer (NOT Riley’s reindeer, Rainey) and carried it everywhere through the house with her. I was carefully watching, waiting to catch her in the act of wanton destruction, but all seemed quiet (OK, maybe not exactly quiet) on the home front.

Then, one evening when brother Andrew was here, Riley walked into the living room with his reindeer Rainey’s head!!! Mom gasped in shock and Riley wagged his tail. He had beheaded one of his best friends, the only stuffy he had never harmed. This was going on two Christmases that Riley had loved and cherished Rainey, and now this! WARNING: Picture of graphic violence to follow:

All the stuffing had also been removed from Rainey’s body.

Mom was getting ready to give Rainey a proper burial in the garbage can when brother Andrew, always quick on his feet, stuffed all the stuffing back into the lifeless body, and set it, with the head on top, on the kitchen counter. His ploy worked. Mom, an excellent seamstress, sewed the gaping neck wound closed and reattached Rainey’s head.

We think Rainey will be disabled the rest of his stuffy life. He can no longer hold his head in one position, but it flops down or to the side. This reporter wipes away a tear as I continue to report that Rainey’s first request was to be near Riley. Forgiveness is a wonderful thing.

This reporter was wrapping it up when Racky D asked to be able to say something on the record. Go ahead, Racky D.

Racky D here. As you can see, I’ve been the the victim of stuffy abuse. After the Mom super glued my nose back on a week or so ago, I thought, great, I’ve still only got one eye, but at least I can smell again. Then, out of nowhere, Xena bit off my nose. Of course, Chia got blamed at first, but the truth always comes out in the end. And that’s all I’ve got to say.

Lucy: Wrapping it up, I see that we still have a large contingent of stuffies on the victrola. Hey there friends. You’ve been up there a long time. Is there something you want to say?

Hey there Lucy, Ace Reporter. This is Chippie, appointed spokes chipmunk by our leader Guru Larry Lemur. The six of us have fled as refugees from the environment that has turned hostile toward all stuffies. And we want to say we were appalled at what Riley did to Rainey. We plan to stay up here where it’s crowded but safe. A kind person has given us our own Christmas tree, and, like I said, we have sought refuge here where it’s relatively safe. We aren’t having fun anymore, but at least we have our stuffy lives. And Santa Paws knows where to find us.

That wraps it up folks. I hope to be back to you soon with news of peace in our Dog Nation, good will toward stuffies.

Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off.

Xena’s Sunday Selfie – Again

Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess with Lucy, Chia and Riley

Thanks to TheCat on My Head,for hosting Sunday Selfies. We love you guys!

I was the chosen one for a Sunday selfie this week. The trouble was, when I got the news I was in baby hold in Mommy’s lap, surrounded by a soft, warm blankie and Rainy the Reindeer, and I could hear the gentle beating of Mommy’s heart.

Even so, I’m never one to turn down a selfie. Shoot, if I’d known sooner, I’d of asked Mommy to comb my face and leg feathers. Oh well. The bigger problem was me starting to fall off to sleep.

Well, I hope this will do and that you still like my selfie…

The Mom: And now she’s going….going…gone.

Xena wanted to include this note to all our friends. I haven’t filtered it, so hoping there’s nothing too inappropriate.

Xena: Hey friends! Y’all first got notified of this post…

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Awww Monday Grooming with Mom

Lucy, Ace Reporter with another episode of WG(rooming) W(with)M(om). And many thanks to Miss Sandee at  Comedy Plus  for hosting Awww Monday! 

I mentioned in a previous report that dog breeds seem to come to Groomer Mom in three’s. We now have another two of the breed King Charles Cavalier Spaniel. A new family moved in just up the road and they saw the now-leaning-against-a-pole-next-to our-driveway grooming sign. They told Groomer Mom that it had been four months since the pups were groomed. They took them to one of the big box pet stores and the groomer there “did an awful job.” Now it was Groomer Mom’s turn! We think the Cavalier’s’Mom was already impressed when Groomer Mom started talking about how that breed should look, and what she planned on doing and also NOT doing as a groom for them.

First up is Mr. Chester, who is 6 years old and about 16 pounds. We don’t have any “before” pictures, because the groom is so minimal. It’s the bathing and drying time that really adds up!

Chester is a sweet, loving, outgoing boy, leaving a big kiss on Groomer Mom’s nose! Notice he still has the Cavalier trademark, the “feathers” on his feet!

His sister, Miss Dixie, is next. She’s quite shy, but still gave Groomer Mom a little kiss on her hand.

Their Mama stayed and held them for their nails. This reporter thinks it was just an excuse for her and Groomer Mom to visit and get to know each other a bit, as the pups gave no resistance. We found out that they recently moved here from Southern California, where, according to their Mom, things were getting a bit too “crazy” for her to stay. They chose Chattanooga on a whim, and are loving it here.

The Cavaliers’ Mom was delighted when she came to pick up her precious pups, and said they now officially have a new groomer!

Lucy Ace Report signing off with two more successful grooms!

Birds of Prey Selfies and Chia’s Confession

Hi friends, and a big woofin’ thanks to The Cat on My Head, for hosting Sunday Selfies.

Xena: Hi there everyone! October was a big month for company coming. During the last weekend of the month — actually, beginning that Thursday — Daddy’s sister and two cousins and their husbands came to visit from the IN state. And his other cousin and her husband came to visit from the NC state. That was a lot of people all at once! Chia couldn’t behave herself, something called “over stimulation”, so got put in her my kennel where she screamed for 40 minutes. We were all on the porch right outside the glass door and big window where the kennel was, so we got to listen to every bit of it!

Chia: You just wait Xena the squeala until there’s somethin’ I can tell on you! Umm, I mean, I’m innocent, Your Honor!

Xena: Ignore her. We all do. Anyhow, our folks and all the company spent the day at Rock City that Saturday, and they went to the Birds of Prey show. Oh, I’m sure you’re wondering why I didn’t go…you see, it’s cause they were all going out to eat at a restaurant afterwards, and we live in a backwards country that doesn’t let dogs inside restaurants, well, except for that time Angel Lexi got to go through a restaurant when she was advertising the Wizard of Oz for the Chattanooga Symphony who was playing the score thingie from it. She was able to check that off her bucket list. But the rest of us won’t be doing that so we all oughta move to France. Because in…

Lucy: Xena, could you please just tell the story about the birds of prey, or do you want me to take over?

Xena: It’s OK, I’m back on track now, Luce. Let’s see, where was I…oh yeah, the birds. These birds had all been rescued and are now unable to live in the wild. They seem to really like their new home, though. Mom got some neat pictures, so we decided we’d let them have the selfies today. We’re going to take turns introducing them. We drew treats to see who would go first, but everyone ate their treats before we could measure them so we are just going from oldest to youngest. Riley, you wanna go first?

Riley: Thanks, Xena. I want to feature Bob the Barn Owl. These owls are also known as Monkey Faced Owls.

I think they should be called Heart-Faced Owls. Look at those long wings, and them long nails! Mom thinks I used to be hard to do a nail trim on…I’d love to see her try to cut those!

Lucy: Thanks, Riley. I’ve got the colorful bird of prey to show you. The American Kestrel is small in size, but so pretty! I didn’t get his name. Oh, Mom just told me that she couldn’t get a picture of the one at Rock City, but this one from the internet looks just like him.

Hi, it’s me, Xena, again. I picked the Barred Owl, aka Hoot Owl to do her selfie today, cause she looks cuddly and cute, just like me!

Barred Owls aren’t usually all white like this. They said this one is an albino!

Hi hi hi!! It’s me, Chia, who Xena fibs about! I picked the fiercest and fastest bird of prey, just like me! This is the mighty Peragrin Falcon!

They didn’t walk around with this big girl, so the picture was taken from the bleachers. She even screams like I do! (Oh, wait, I think I just told on myself.)

Xena: With that great presentation and confession, we’re wrapping up Selfie Sunday!

Woofs and Wags from Riley, Lucy, Xena and Chia

Helping Our Dad on Wordless Wednesday

Thanks to Comedy Plus for hosting Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop!

Thankful Thursday with Xena and Chia

Xena: First, me and Chia want to give a big thanks to Brian’s Thankful Thursday, with special thanks to Brian for hosting it! Chia wants to go first, as usual, so I’m gonna be the nice big sister and let her, even though this is MY blog.

Chia: Hi ya, everyone! We thought that we’d tell you about some things we like, and that means we’re thankful for those things, right? I like my stuffy named Ratto. As you might have seen on Sunday, Riley grabbed Ratto away from me and kept him all night, and that really miffed me. This week my Mom was playing with me and Ratto. She would throw him across the room and I would run and get him and bring him back. But one night I was a little sleepy and just wanted to cuddle with Ratto and not have to run and get him. Mom just didn’t get it, and kept grabbing him and throwing him. Finally, I hid Ratto under the big blanket on the couch.

After I got him all hidden, I hid me. That was that for the night.

I could feel Mom’s arm laying on top of the blanket, but she left us both alone. I’m thankful for that and also that I had my Ratto to cuddle with under a warm blanket. OK, Xena Weena, go ahead. I’m going to find Ratto, or maybe grab Riley’s Racky-D. Shhh, don’t tell him.

Xena: So, y’all probably know I love to ‘splore the yard. I love to hunt for critters: lizzies, chippies, and yes, even big ol’ snakes! The weather was so pretty last week that I got to do that several times. Mommy likes to be outside when it’s warm enough, too, so she just followed me around.

I know there’s still something in this drain pipe!

I dug in it and couldn’t find anything. I ran the length of it, sniffing, and couldn’t get to anything. I even tried to get inside the pipe, but after I got in up past my shoulders I got spooked and backed out fast. I won’t tell Mommy what’s in there; I want to surprise her when I finally catch it!

Do you remember the super big snake – at least six feet long – that visits us every year and eats my lizzies? I was looking for it through the lattice work where we last saw it, all wrapped through the holes.

I didn’t see it, but I smelled me a chippie. One of these days, chippie. One. Of. These. Days.

So I want to say I’m thankful for my Mommy coming outside with me so I don’t have to stay inside or in the dog lot, and I’m thankful for all the fun critters I get to smell (and hopefully catch) in my own yard!

Your good friends, Chia and Xena

Lucy’s Nature Friday

First, big wags to our friends over at the LLB Gang for hosting Nature Friday!  Even though I got to do Awww Monday this week, Mom gave me first dibs on presenting Nature Friday. *wags* I didn’t even mind my picture being taken this time!

Hmm, I wonder where the best spot would be for this presentation…

There’s some pretty stuff down that way, but I don’t really feel like going off the porch right now. I haven’t had my post-breakfast nap yet.

Oh, looky there! Nature right here on my own front porch.

OK, Mom, take the picture, I’m ready.

What? I am smiling.
Happy weekend everyone!! *wags* Lucy

Grooming with Mom on Awww Monday

Many thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday! And thanks to all my readers for joining me in another episode of Grooming with Mom.

Even though Groomer Mom’s business cards and sign reads, “Small Dog Grooming,” we had another large dog on the table this past week.

Chia: It seems like they just keep sneaking in.

Lucy: No Chia, they are scheduled.
While Groomer Mom also worked at the Jewish synagogue, she promised her young co-worker that she would teach her how to groom her new puppy. Fast-forward four months, and the Golden Doodle is six months old and ready for her first groom. This is Willa, another precious puppy who has never had an accident in the house, never chewed anything, never misbehaved, never run off…Riley, Chia and Xena are trying hard not to hate her.

Willa’s Mom, who we will call L, used to help her Mom groom their shih tzus, so she’s been around the block once or twice. Groomer Mom demonstrated how to do a particular grooming task, then handed the tool to L to do it. Seems that L is what’s called “a natural.” She’s very artistic, so we think that helped. After a couple of hours, the “masterpiece” was finished.

Hi, I’m Willa, and I was a good girl for my first groom.

Groomer Mom emailed to L the Amazon links of the tools she will need. With that, we say bye bye to sweet Willa knowing she’s in good hands.

This is Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off ’til next time, with *wags* and *smiles*.

Grooming with Mom: Theo on Thankful Thursday

Hey there folks, this is Lucy, Ace Reporter, reporting to you with another episode of Grooming with Mom. Let’s shout out a huge thanks to Brian’s Thankful Thursday, with special thanks to Brian for hosting it!

We get emails every week from Dogs Naturally, where we learn lots of stuff about good nutrition. They’ve been giving us a little quiz with one question each time, so we thought it would be fun to share those. Here is this week’s:
Which breed’s name means “curly small dog?” Answer at the bottom of this post.

Groomer Mom got what she thought was the strangest call ever from someone wanting a groom. The person said he has a miniature schnauzer whose groomer retired, and he couldn’t find anyone to give his dog a good groom. Then he saw a schnauzer with a great cut, a real “schnauzer” groom, and asked the owner where she took her dog. You can see where this is going, right? So far, nothing strange. The strange part is that he lives in Dalton, GA, which is almost an hour from us. We’ve had people drive 30 minutes, but not an hour! Groomer Mom even asked him if he was sure he wanted to come this far, and he assured her he did.

Theo – short for Theodore – is on the tall side for a mini at 20 pounds. He’s solid, though, no fat to make up those pounds. This is his “before” picture.

Theo’s legs and feet were very matted and a bit of scissoring and shaving had to happen to remove the worst of the mats. The last groomer had cut the hair straight cross that was growing out of his ears, instead of pulling it out. Groomer Mom growled a bit about that, and Theo sat perfectly still while he was tortured all that hair got pulled out. However, he absolutely would not allow his nails to be cut or have the Dremel used. His Dad holding him didn’t help and hanging him in the sling (you’ve seen Chia in it) didn’t help, either. Finally, Groomer Mom asked Theo’s Dad if he wanted her to stop, and he said yes. In the end, his groom was the same as our Xena’s!

Theo was happy cause he got lots of treats and his Dad was happy cause he loved the cut! He said he’ll be back next time Theo needs groomed, and promised to keep him combed out in between.

TRIVIA ANSWER

The breed whose name means “curly small dog” is the Bichon Frise. Bichon means a small, toy or lap dog, and frisé means curly.

Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off with another episode of Grooming with Mom! (*wags*)