Riley’s Thankful Thursday Pupdate

Well, first, I want to thank my kitty friend Brian for Brian’s Thankful Thursday.

As y’all know, we were all trying to figure out where I was going on Tuesday. Ends up it really was to a different vet, but this one only does allergies and stuff like that. Her name is Laura Wilson, and I like her. Mom Amy will tell you that I wasn’t scared going into the building, either! The place is called Lighthouse Veterinary Allergy & Dermatology.

Chia: Awww…you didn’t go to the beach without me, didja?

Riley: You can ignore the peanut gallery, folks. I do that all day long. Anyhoo, she was gentle and nice and I really liked her voice. I was so relaxed that I actually fell asleep when she left the room!
Ends up I’ve got allergies and what’s called a secondary bacterial infection from the allergies. I listened close when Doc Laura came back in and she and Mom talked. Here’s a breakdown of what I heard:

1. Doc: We could do the full allergy testing but Riley’s got a heart murmur, and we would have to check to see what level it is first because of the sedative involved. Also, we wouldn’t know for a year at the least if the allergy serum was working…and he’s a large, 12-year-old dog. (Not sure what my age and size has to do with anything, but let’s just go with it. I don’t want stuck with a bunch of needles anyway.)
2. Doc: We could ignore the Glacier Peak Holistic food sensitivity test that was done and do an elimination diet. Mom: But what protein could I feed that he hasn’t already been eating. (At that point the Doc started naming kibble type diets that had kangaroo –hmmm, wonder what kangaroo tastes like — buffalo, and all kinds of other meat.) Mom then said no, we’re sticking with raw. What else? Doc: rabbit. Mom: I don’t have a gun, and have you looked at the price of rabbit??
3. Doc: Atopica (cyclosporine capsules). Once a day. Expensive, but there’s a generic one that Riley can have after we see if it works for him. That takes 30 days. It doesn’t suppress the immune system like Apoquel and it doesn’t tell the brain to ignore the itching like Cytopoint, and it’s not a steroid.

At this point they agreed to go with option 3. I also got doxycycline hyclate (I asked Mom Amy to spell that for me) to help clear up the bacteria, and I’m still getting my special baths. But I can’t get them outside tied to the truck anymore cause it’s gettin’ a bit too chilly for that. And I also got new drops for my ears. I like getting them; Mom Amy puts them on her fingers and gently rubs the insides of my ears. It feels good.

It’s time for my post-breakfast nap, so I’m gonna get comfy with my Rainy Reindeer and my bone, and will see y’all next time.
Your friend, Riley

Riley and Wherever It Is I’m Going

Hi Friends. I’ve still got some skin issues going on, so I heard that Mom Amy is taking me to the laundromat today. I guess she’s gonna bathe me there. I’ve gotten used to being tied to the truck’s trailer hitch and hosed down and washed during the heat of the summer, so this should be ok, too.

Chia: No Riley! She didn’t say laundromat. I think she said dermacrat.

Riley: What’s a dermacrat?

Xena: Maybe she’s taking you to vote on what you want done for your itching and stuff.

Lucy: Not to butt in, but I think she said dirtologist.

Riley: Just so she doesn’t try taking me to a different vet. She wouldn’t dare. I love my vet place.

I guess I’ll find out where we’re going in a little while. In the meantime, I’m gonna take a beauty nap, so no more yapping from the peanut gallery.

Lucy’s Sunday Selfie and a Quiz

Thank you so much, Cat on My Head, for hosting Sunday Selfies.

This is Lucy. While I do not like having my picture taken, I will do it for my Mom and my friends in Blogville. If you’re a regular reader you already know that with our selfies, we’ve started doing a little quiz to see how well you know us. Don’t worry, you won’t be graded; it’s just for fun. We’re doing one each Sunday until each of us has had our turn. This is Sunday #3, so just one more to go. Here’s my selfie *sigh*.

Now for the quiz. I came up with these. I hope you get them all right!

1. Mom has assigned us all numbers, just like on the Netflix show, The Umbrella Academy. Which number am I? (Hint: It’s the order in which we joined the family.)
   a. #2
   b. #4
   c. #1
   d. #3
   
2. Mom says my picture is in the dictionary next to this word:
   a. Quiet
   b. Vicious
   c. Fussy
   d. Compliant
   
3. My favorite pastime is (Hint: Look at my selfie.)
   a. Going for car rides
   b. Laying in the sun
   c. Watching TV
   d. none of the above
   e. all of the above
   
4. Which of these statements is true?
   a. I growl at anyone coming in the door.
   b. I am scared of strangers.
   c. I am the healthiest dog in our household.
   d. I love to learn new things.

The answers are at the bottom of the page.
Happy Sunday! *wags and wiggles!* Lucy

————

Talk Like a Pirate Day: Riley, Lucy, Xena and Chia Go to the Beach

Xena: You know Mommy and Daddy’s gone off to the beach without us again, right? And we’re left all alone to Talk like a Pirate.

Riley: Never fear. I will once again lead the charge in finding them this year. We’ll let narry a pirate whisk them away, at least not before we get our supper.

Lucy: Yeah, well, that didn’t work so good last year. We ended up on an inflatable pirate ship that took us nowhere and we had to hurry and get back home before Miss Christy got back from work. (click here if you missed that.)

Chia: But I was the captain!! Let’s do that again! I wanna be the captain again! I found Miss Christy’s credit card and phone and I’ve contacted an Uber to get us to the beach.

A few hours and a huge Uber bill later…

Chia: Lookie here, ye rogues! Me caught me a sea serpent and made haste to kill it. That makes me the Captain. I’m Captain Chia, harr, harr, harr!

Xena: Quiet, bilge rat, and bring me a grog whilst I watch for our pawrents.

Chia: Grrrrrr. Garrrrr.

Riley: Me thinks me catches their smell, Lucy me mate.

Lucy: Remember to get yur hat on the way back, C’ptain Riley.

Chia: Why din’t any of ye rogues wanna play with me sea serpent?

Xena: I told ye, ye bilge rat. Me watches fer our pawrents who’ll have the chest of treasure.
Chia: Huh? And call me Captain Bilge Rat, er, I mean, Captain Chia!
Xena: With our supper, Captain Bilge Rat.

Riley: The smell gets closer.
Lucy: It smells like BBQ…
Riley: Aye! We’ve found the booty!!

(People yelling) Hey, you dogs! Get away from there! Bring that food back!

Later that evening…Miss Christy on the phone with Uber…

Why did you charge my credit card all that money? Uh huh, no, no! I’m telling you, I did not order an Uber to the beach and back! Do you know how far that is!? I was at work all day. Wait…
do you dogs know anything about this? Wait, what am I saying? You’re dogs. Dogs just don’t do these things. *shakes head*

Well, is everyone ready for supper? Uh, Riley, where’d you get that hat?

Everyone: *woof, woof, woof, arrf, grrr, woof, Miss Christy! (Translation: Supper, yes! And we love you, Miss Christy.)

Chia’s Selfie and a Quiz

Hey, hey, hey, thanks, Cat on My Head  for hosting Sunday Selfies! Woohoo!

This is Chia. I’m doing the Sunday selfie today. And, along with my our selfies, we’ve started doing a little quiz to see how well you know me us! Don’t worry, you won’t be graded (or will you?); it’s just for fun. (or is it?) We’re doing one each Sunday until each of us has had our turn. This is Sunday #2, for those counting. First, here’s my selfie. I’m trying something a little different today.

Now for the quiz. I came up with these good ones.

1. Mom has assigned us all numbers, just like on the Netflix show, The Umbrella Academy. Which number am I? (Hint: It’s the order in which we joined the family.)
   a. #2
   b. #4
   c. #1
   d. #3
   
2. If I had a choice, I would
   a. Run away to explore the big wide world.
   b. Live the rest of my life here with my pack.
   c. Go live part-time with the neighbor, Ron, down the street.
   d. All of the above
   
3. My favorite sibling and playmate is
   a. Lucy
   b. Xena
   c. Riley
   d. none of the above
   e. all of the above
   
4. My Dad has nicknames for us all. Mine is
   a. Little One
   b. Squirt
   c. Long One
   d. Growly One

The answers are at the bottom of the page. Happy Sunday! *wags and wiggles to infinity!* Chia

Keep scrolling down…

down…

here!

Riley’s Sunday Selfie and Quiz

Hey, Cat on My Head, , thanks for hosting Sunday Selfies!

This is Riley. I got chosen to do the Sunday selfie today. And, along with our selfies, we’re starting to do a little quiz to see how well you know us! Don’t worry, you won’t be graded; it’s just for fun. We’ll do one each Sunday until each of us has had our turn. That’s four Sundays, for those counting. So first, here’s my selfie:

Now for the quiz. I had to think and think, but I do think these are good ones.

1. Mom has assigned us all numbers, just like on the Netflix show, The Umbrella Academy. Which number am I?
   a. #2
   b. #4
   c. #1
   d. #3
2. If I had a choice, I would
   a. Go live with my heart-dad, Andrew.
   b. Run away to explore the big wide world.
   c. Live the rest of my life here with my pack.
   d. Go live with the neighbor down the street.
3. When I got tested for food sensitivities, three foods that I am NOT sensitive to (meaning I can eat them) are:
   a. almonds, dates, emu
   b. plumps, lamb, kale
   c. mushrooms, sweet potatoes, eggs
   d. venison, spinach, watermelon

The answers are at the bottom of the page. Happy Sunday! *wags and wiggles* Riley

Grooming with Mom on Thankful Thursday

I am Lucy, Ace Report, welcoming you to another episode of Grooming with Mom. Today we are joining Brian’s Thankful Thursday, with special thanks to Brian for hosting it!

Hello, dear Readers. It’s time to report on another new groom. A young couple moved into our neighborhood – across the street and one house down from us – a few months ago. A quick note that the other pups living here are determined to stop by to welcome them with some pee mail! The man with the same name as my Dad saw Groomer Mom’s *grooming sign and made an appointment to have their 13-year-old King Charles Cavalier Spaniel groomed.

*Perhaps a quick background on that sign is in order. Shortly after Groomer Mom revived her grooming career in our new house, she mentioned to Groomer Helper Dad that she was going to have a sign made and put it in the front yard. G.H. Dad actually laughed and said, “Do you really think that’s going to bring in clients?”

Of course, Groomer Mom just went ahead with her plan. Now, many years and three signs later, she has quite a few people who have become “regulars” because they saw her sign! This is the current one.

Back to Everly. She was rescued from a cruel puppy mill several years ago. At the puppy mill her tail was docked to “provide better access.” This reporter is not quite sure what that means, just that Groomer Mom choked back tears when she heard this. Everly is a quiet “soul”, gentle and cooperative. Her Mom said they named her Everly because they were giving her a for-“ever” home!

Everly’s Mom wanted her shaved, and her ears left long. Her “before” picture isn’t as dramatic as many of the first-timers’.

A groom, a few treats, a bath and a little over an hour later, she looked like this:

We think she even looks happier! She tied Maggie, the poodle/shih tzu mix for our Best Behaved on the Groom Table Pup. And since she was even better at getting a bath than Maggie, we think Everly may take the lead!

We’ve noticed that some things, such as different dog breeds, really do “come in three’s.” Mom and Dad’s good friend brought her King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, River, to Groomer Mom a couple of weeks ago. That was the first one. Now we have Everly. Who will be next?

Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off with another successful groom.

Awww Monday Big Bed Sleeping

Many thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday!

Chia: Hey Lucy, who d’ya think’s gonna get to sleep in here tonight?

Lucy: I don’t know for sure, Chia. I heard Mom and Dad talking about how they aren’t sleeping well with all 3 of us in the bed and with Riley on the floor scratching and snoring.
Last night I slept in here with Riley on his floor bed, and before that you were in here, so I’m kinda thinkin’ it’s Xena’s turn. Yep, there’s Mom calling us into the living room.

Riley: I call dibs on the couch.

Chia: Maybe we’re gonna throw dice to decide. Or draw a card. Or play a game. Or see who can bark the loudest.

2 minutes later

Xena: Thanks, Mommy, I like this pillow better. Will you please turn off the light and ask Chia to stop barking? Do I hear dice rolling around on the floor out there?

Wishing all our friends here in the USA a Happy Labor Day, and a reminder to take it easy today. We told Mom she can be Rosie the Riveter the rest of the week, BOL!

Heads Up on Rawhide Bones

Lucy, Ace Reporter here with a different kind of News Beat. We came across an article about rawhide, which is something we never get. I decided it’s newsworthy in that it can help you make an informed decision about putting these supposed treats in your mouth — or, if you’re the Mom or Dad, about giving them to your dog. Warning: This report contains toxic information that is not for the squeamish.

WHY RAWHIDE IS TOXIC If you knew how rawhide was made, you’d never give your dog another one of these treats … ever! Here are the six toxic steps in rawhide production: 1. COLLECTION In slaughterhouses, the hides are placed in a brine that slows down (but doesn’t stop) the hides from rotting. 2. PROCESSING The brined hides are shipped to tanneries, where the fat and hair are removed. This is done with chemicals like ash-lye or sodium sulphide liming, which is really toxic.  3. SPLITTING Next, the hides are treated with more chemicals that puff up the hide, making it easier to split it into layers. The outer layer is used to make leather goods, while the inner layer is used for gelatin, glue … and rawhide. 4. BLEACHING The next step is to wash the inner layer in a solution of bleach or hydrogen peroxide. This helps remove the dead, rotten smell from the decaying hide. 5. COLORING The white hide strips are decorated to make them attractive to dogs. They’re often basted in different flavors and dyed with petroleum-based food dyes like FD&C Red 40. 6. PRESERVING It would be a shame to let these rotten pieces of hide rot even more…so they’re preserved with chemicals like chromium salts and even formaldehyde, the most carcinogenic chemical that exists.  So, you ask, what can you chew if you can’t chew rawhide. Click this safe link to find out.

HOW TO CHOOSE SAFE BONES

This is Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off!

Those Dogs Eat Better than Me!

Chia: That’s what we hear people say when they hear about or see what we eat.

Our supper time is 5:00 sharp! We all know that, but we never ever mind if Mom feeds us early. Late is a different story. Every evening, Mom makes up our supper and our breakfast for the next day. Our breakfast bowls get covered and put in the refrigerator until 6:00 the next morning. We get her or Dad up if they sleep late. We’re helpful like that.

In the left column is our supper bowls. In the right column, Lucy will get 2 eggs added in the morning, and I will get one. I don’t think that’s fair, but Mom reminds me that means I get more meat, so that’s OK. Xena and Riley are both allergic to eggs, so they don’t get any. Then we get all our special additives on top, like fish oil and krill oil and bone broth capsules and pre- and probiotics and some other stuff, too.

Can you guess whose bowl is whose? Bet you can’t, so I’m gonna tell you. I get up on the stool on the far side of the counter and watch as Mom makes it all up, so I’ve got the scoop on this. The bowls at the top are Riley’s. He eats a lot!

Riley’s picky, so Mom puts his veggies and fruit in the food processor, then mixes it in with his meat. I don’t know if he knows she fools him like that, but it works. The day Mom took these pictures, he didn’t eat his fruit, so Mom saved it and processed it for his next meal. You might remember he had been having lots of diarrhea, and some throwing up. No more! His furs are shiny again, too! He never was excited about meals, and often didn’t eat much, but now he’s right there waiting with us for every meal and licks his bowl clean (when Mom “food processes” his veggies and fruit).

Next are Lucy’s bowls. She gobble, gobbles and barely tastes what is in her bowl.

No need for the food processor for her. Can you see her tongue licking even the outside of the bowl and the floor?

Next are the best bowls…mine!

I’ve got little teeth and I have to chew a lot. I don’t like swallowing my food whole like Lucy does. Sometimes Mom puts mine in the food processor too, probably to make Riley think his food is supposed to look like that, since we eat right next to each other.

Riley and I eat slower, and are always the last ones done. Sometimes Mom puts yuckie stuff like strawberries or apples in our bowls, and we both leave those as presents for our sisters. But when she uses the food processor, we lick our bowls clean!

Closest to the edge of the counter are Xena’s bowls. Mom has to remember or look at the list on the fridge for what to NOT feed her, because of her allergies. She does the same thing now for Riley, too.

Xena loves to eat, and licks her bowl clean then checks out Lucy’s while Lucy checks out hers, BOL! There’s never ever anything left in those bowls. I don’t know why Mom even bothers to wash them after every meal.

We get different things…sometimes grass-fed ground beef, sometimes beef roast, sometimes turkey or tuna fish or sardines. We get deer meat too, when Mom can get it. No one gave us a deer (for the cost of processing) last fall, but we all have our paws crossed that we’ll be eating venison again real soon. We get all kind of fresh veggies: cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, kale, collard greens, carrots, squash, bell peppers, and also cooked mushrooms that we love. Lucy and Xena really love all the fresh summer fruits, too: watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. We all like avocados, too, and they help with Xena’s leg cramps.

Anyhoo, you can see why we are happy pups, on Happy Tuesday and every day! And oh yeah, thanks, Comedy Plus, for hosting Happy Tuesday. Y’all are the best!

Thankful Thursday Pups

Lucy: Today we are joining Brian’s Thankful Thursday, with special thanks to Brian for hosting it! And we’re kinda late ’cause Mom got her days mixed up and then had to go to work and come home and feed us and clean up the kitchen and stuff. Anyhoo, we are still very thankful today and always for…

…each other! Xena’s not happy she has to wear her shirt and Big Girl Panties, but until the flea bites heal, it’s the only thing keeping her from chewing herself up. In spite of that, we’re still thankful we have each other, especially when Mom and Dad go off to work.

Hey, wait, we’re missing someone…Riley!

Xena: I see him…he’s on his bed at the entrance to the living room.

Chia: Grrr, arrr, grrrrrrararar.

Lucy: You don’t seriously think that’s going to get him over here, do you, Chia?

Xena: I know why he didn’t come over with us. He didn’t like my shirt that says, “Life’s short, bite hard.” Now that I went and changed, he’s ok with being in here with us girls.

Lucy: Now we’re all together, and we’re thankful for Riley, too! Our pack is complete!!

XOXOX Lucy, Xena, Chia and Riley

Grooming with Mom: Toby

Lucy, Ace Reporter here with another episode of Grooming with Mom. Many thanks to  Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday.

Today we have another new poodle puppy to introduce. Toby is five months old and never been groomed. I, Ace Reporter, personally met and interviewed Toby. First, Toby’s “before” picture.

Under all that hair is a sweet, 3 pound baby. Groomer Mom’s original plan was to brush him out (that’s a grooming term) and take a couple of inches off that mop, all the way around. But the brush wouldn’t go through his hair. The comb wouldn’t go through his hair. She sprayed him with a de-matter and used the de-matting tool, and it wouldn’t go through his hair. His mats were almost to the skin; there was no way to get some sharp shears there without risking cutting him. So next, Groomer Mom tried a long, #5 blade. It wouldn’t go through the mats. She then moved to a #7 blade, which cuts a little shorter, with blades closer together. Sure enough, with a little work, it found it’s way through. Of course, Groomer Mom also had to use the table strap to keep the little guy on the table and not trying to crawl on her shoulders while being groomed. Here he is again, partway through and wondering what this thing is around his body.

It was at this point that the groom got really tricky.

“Do NOT shave my front legs! Do NOT put that noisy shaver near my throat! Do NOT cut my nails!” declared little Toby with his screams, his teeth, his claws and all his energy to fight. It was at this point that Groomer Mom unstrapped him, carried him upstairs to Groomer Helper Dad and said, “I need help. Now.”

Groomer Helper Dad went downstairs, taking this reporter with him. At that point, I was wearing my proverbial Zen hat. While I sent calming thoughts Toby’s way, Groomer Helper Dad held him, got peed on, got scratched, and nearly dropped him. Then Groomer Mom wrapped Toby in a towel and pulled out or uncovered only the body parts she needed to work on. Groomer Helper Dad agreed to a picture as long as he remained anonymous. I’ll look up what that word means later…

The towel actually worked better than my zen thoughts, if you can believe that! Toby calmed right down and the groom was able to be completed. Here he is after his bath and touch-up.

Since Toby’s Mom couldn’t pick him up for 30 minutes, Groomer Mom brought him upstairs and put him in Xena/Chia’s kennel. Xena and Chia immediately ran up and started barking at him, which our Mom immediately put a stop to, saying, “Stop that! How could you be so hateful to this poor little puppy?!” Xena harumphed and walked away, but Chia decided to stay and try to make friends with him.

In the end, Toby’s Mom – who had never before had an “indoor” dog – loved the cut and understood why it had to be different from what was planned. She bought a grooming comb from Groomer Mom and made a new appointment for six weeks from now. She also told Groomer Mom that her 7-year-old son was very worried about leaving Toby. He asked his Mom how they knew they could trust “that lady” they left him with. She explained that his great-aunt brought both of her Yorkies (Molly and Cooper) here, and that she would never do anything to endanger them. Groomer Mom suggested that the boy be given a chance to stay and help during the next groom, so that option will be presented when Toby returns in October.

Lucy, Ace Reporter and Zen Master, signing off with another successful groom.

Selfie Sunday: Xena

It’s my turn to do a Sunday Selfie. My life’s been pretty miserable lately. I have a flea allergy. That means that when even one flea bites me, I go crazy itching and scratching.

Mommy got the yard treatment guys to spray real good. The stuff is supposed to not cause cancer or hurt peeps or pooches, even if we eat the grass — after it all dries. Well, that didn’t work. Even after that and after Mommy washed our bedding and vacuumed and flea bathed us all, I would still have one or two on me every time she checked, morning and night. Then she sprinkled that stuff that cuts them into pieces — I think it’s called diatomaceous earth (Mommy helped me with the spelling) in our dog lot. I still was getting fleas. Then she called the pest service back and a different guy came out. He told Mommy that he was going to use something else that was also safe for all of us. He thought maybe the fleas had grown used to the other stuff, and they needed something new to do the job. He sprayed really good, and Mommy hasn’t found a flea on me since. Well, that way my long way of saying that there have been no new fleas, but I am still suffering from the bites from the other ones that are now dead, and, if Mommy’s words came true as she killed each one, they’re all burning in H.E. double hockey sticks.

Anyhoo, that was a long way of saying that I’ve decided, for my Sunday Selfie, to go to my happy place without fleas or Chia or anything else that irritates me or makes me miserable. Especially fleas.

Join me, and we’ll play and pretend happy things.

Many thanks to  The Cat on My Head  for hosting Sunday Selfies!

Grooming with Mom: Dixie and Caesar

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

First up today is a new pup, just 2 months old, second day in her furever home, and getting her first groom. Dixie’s Mom is the daughter of another couple who have been bringing their poodle/Shih tzu mix to Groomer Mom for several years. Dixie, a miniature poodle/Australian Shephard mix, barely weighs a pound, even with all the fluffy hair she had when she showed up. She is only about 8 inches tall to the top of her head. Of course, Groomer Mom was awing and cuddling her too much to remember to get a “before” picture. Just take a look at her and add a lot more fluffy hair everywhere.

Never mind those crazy puppy dog ears. The hair will grow longer and then be cut straight across. Dixie was surprisingly good and not afraid of the scissors or the clippers. Of course, Groomer Mom fed her treats during the groom. (I would be good too, for those yummy treats!) We hope to see her again in about 6 weeks. Eventually, her face will probably be shaved, but enough trauma for the first groom, right?

Our second featured groom is a pup who has been here before. Caesar is a 14-year-old, long-haired dachshund. Previously, his Mom wanted him groomed like this:

This time, she decided that she wanted him to look like a short-haired dachshund. In other words, “Shave him all over, everywhere!” So Groomer Mom did as she was told.

When Groomer Mom called Caesar’s Mom to say he was ready to go home, his Mom asked how he looked. Groomer Mom replied, “Old.” His Mom just said, “Well, he is old,” and laughed. However, when she showed up, she exclaimed, “Oh my, he does look old. Well, I guess we won’t be doing that again.” Now that she will have a blank slate, Groomer Mom is going to try a different cut on his face than previously. That, however, will be a few months from now.

This is Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off and wishing y’all an awww-filled week!

Lucy and Chia on Wordless Wednesday

Thanks to Comedy Plus for hosting Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop!

He’s Alive! as reported by Lucy, Ace Reporter

Lucy, Ace Reporter, back on sister station WCAH (W Crime at Home) with a surprise update on the murder case of Larry the Lemur.

Xena’s not here to tell you what should be her story because she doesn’t even know yet. She left early this morning with Dad. She was going with him to work, and then to the vet’s to get her teeth cleaned. She wanted to have a service for her friend, Larry the Lemur, who was murdered a few days ago. We all suspected Chia, but had no proof. Then, the body disappeared.

We’ve all got something to be thankful for today, especially Xena. And, for different reasons, Chia. Although, Chia might now be on the hook for “Attempted Murder of a Stuffie,” which is definitely a step down from “Homicide of a Stuffie.”

Larry suddenly appeared to a small group of stuffies who had gathered on the victrola in the front room.

Their shouts of surprise brought most of the other stuffies out of hiding to find that Larry the Lemur was healed (mostly) and back amongst them. Larry’s leg is reattached, but about 1/2 inch shorter, so he will be walking with a slight limp. His face and belly wounds are also healed. His left hand is still missing, and we think it has already been digested and discarded. He is, however, still wearing that great smile of his! Larry has now been declared their “Guru.”

With all the commotion, it didn’t take Chia long to discover that the only stuffy who could positively identify his murderer was alive again.

Riley, do you have anything to add?

I’ve been following this case with interest, Ace Reporter Lucy. While I laugh at this whole “Guru” thing, I feel Larry’s life may still be in danger. Larry needs to live long enough to point his remaining paw at Chia (or whoever murdered him, but we all know who did it). I may have to become his body guard. You know the long squirt won’t mess with me.

There you have it, folks. Be sure to stay tuned for action-filled updates on the case of “Who Murdered Larry Lemur” and “Is Larry Really a Guru?”

We are joining Comedy Plus for Happy Tuesday!

Ace Reporter with the Case of Larry Lemur

This is Lucy, Ace Reporter, with news coming to you live from sister station WCAH (Crime At Home).

Today we learned the shocking news that Detective Larry Lemur has met his demise. He was found gutted and dismembered. This is a disturbing picture, so please skip it if you are of a delicate nature.

All attempts at resuscitation were in vain. One bystander was overheard saying, “At least he died with a smile on his face.” That’s why we think the murderer struck fast with no warning. There is a slash above his nose, and his abdomen is ripped open. And, of course, his leg was torn off. It took a moment to realize that his left hand is missing, too.

Xena, it’s well-known that Larry Lemur was your friend. However, he recently questioned you in the greatly overstated death of Riley’s stuffy, Rainey. How did you feel about that?

Well, Lucy, I wasn’t planning on leaving town anyhow, so I think he was just doing his job. No hard feelings. Besides, Larry and I really were friends. I think it’s terrible that his life was cut short, right when he had started his career. We should have a service for him.

Chia, after Xena had pointed her paw at you, Detective Larry Lemur also questioned you for the same non-crime. You knew Larry had been added to the household to be Xena’s friend. There are rumors that you took out Larry in a reprisal against both him and Xena. Is that true?

Chia: No one can prove anything! Umm, I mean, I’m innocent, Your Honor!

There you have it folks. Lucy signing off with another unsolved case of W Crime At Home.

And a big thank you to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday!

Sunday Selfie by Jemma

Many thanks to  The Cat on My Head  for hosting Sunday Selfies!

Hi, I’m Jemma. I think we might have met before. I’m here with my Mom, Uncle Jeff’s sister. Me and my Mom, we live in Illinois. We’re here in Tennessee so my Mom can visit her brother and also go to her conference in a city called Nashville. She’s been gone overnight, at least 87 hours, and I’ve been scared.

I have my own room, and I stayed in it all day yesterday, guarding my space, and all night too. Today I’m trying to be braver. Riley scares me. Chia kinda scares me. Xena kinda scares me, too. I like Lucy. I growled at Aunt Amy every time she came in “my” room, even when she brought me peace offerings and sat on the floor with me. This morning she lifted her lip and growled back. That scared me, too, but now I at least know who’s boss. So I finally decided to try to trust her. After all, someone has to feed me and take me outside, right? And I don’t know if my Mom is ever coming back. So I’m outa my room and trying harder to fit in. Maybe I’ll see y’all again soon, if I’m gonna be living here. (Do you like how I used the Southern “y’all?” I’m trying.)

*little wags* Jemma

From Aunt Amy: Jemma’s Mom will be back later this afternoon.

Grooming with Mom: Tucker

Lucy, Ace Reporter here on the Groom Beat.
Today, we have only half a story. The ending has not yet been determined.

I know you’re all used to seeing cute pups come in looking a mess and go out all spiffed up. Groomer Mom forgot to get an after picture–she was too upset. No, there were no accidents during the groom. But there were no grooms during the past 12 months for this poor, elderly schnauzer. This picture was taken after Groomer Mom cut a path for him to be able to see a little bit while she kept grooming.

Tucker if 14 or 15 years old. His Mom, an elderly lady, died a year ago, at which time her son took in Tucker. The son had never had a schnauzer, or any dog who needed groomed. He lives in the neighborhood and saw the grooming sign in our front yard. He was hesitant to bring Tucker because he was so embarrassed, but Groomer Mom kept telling him how glad she was that he did. Tucker’s new dad said they couldn’t stand the stink anymore.

Tucker is a good boy and was used to being on the groom table. He was not used to having his face shaved. The hair on both sides of his schnozzle was matted to the skin, so there was no saving his beard. Upon trying to shave the terribly matted left side of Tuckers face, a cauliflower-like growth was uncovered, and the shaving had to go over and around it. That was Groomer Mom’s breaking point with this schnauzer, and her tears started to leak from her eyes. Anyhow, Groomer Mom thinks it’s a papilloma, with hope that the other, smooth ones are also benign. Some are bigger, some smaller, on his back, his cheeks, and his foot. It shows red here from having to shave the thickly matted hair off it.

Groomer assistant Dad had to be called in as Groomer Mom tried – unsuccessfully – for 20 minutes to shave an oblong, hard, matted area on the other (right) side of Tuckers snout, under his eye. The little she did manage to shave and showed red, inflamed skin underneath. She finally quit when Tucker became extremely agitated. And she cried some more.

Groomer Mom used a medicated shampoo with Chlorhexidine and Ketoconazole. Unfortunately, he still had an odor to him when he dried.

When Tucker’s dad came to get him, Groomer Mom showed him this 3/4″ thick, half dollar-size lump of hair on his face. She told him to take Tucker to the vet soon for him to be lightly sedated and have the vet’s office remove that mat. It is notable that in all the years she has been grooming, Groomer Mom has never before met a mat she couldn’t conquer. Then she showed him all the tumors for the vet to look at while he’s there. She was emphatic that he do this soon! He told her that Tucker had missed his spring annual checkup so he would get it all done at once. At that, Groomer Mom again emphatically told him to not allow the vet to give this elderly dog vaccinations, and explained why. She ended by telling him that she had a product called Anti-Vaccinosis to be given right after vaccinations to help counter the heavy metals and other not-good things mixed into the vaccinations, and said she would let him use it if he decided to get the vaccinations for Tucker anyway.

He left with Tucker, promising to bring him back before he gets looking too bad. If he doesn’t, Groomer Mom knows where he lives, only two houses away, and told us we could all poop in his yard.

This is Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off with hopes of giving you a successful “after-picture” in about six weeks.

Detective Larry Lemur and the Case of the Murdered Stuffie

Many thanks to Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday.

Larry Lemur: *gasp* Someone suffocated Rainey!

There’s a murderer among us. I need to start bringing in suspects.

So, Xena, where were you last night and this morning?

Xena: Last night I laid on Daddy’s lap while he and Mommy watched their show on Netflix. Then I went to bed with them and slept all night in the bedroom with the door closed. Do you have any idea how upset Riley’s going to be?

Larry: I do. So are you saying you’re innocent? If you’re innocent, why are you wearing those Big Girl Panties even though you don’t go into heat anymore? Are you trying to wear a disguise?
Xena: Well, I’m not so sure I’m exactly innocent. I mean, I did chase a lizard into Lucy’s mouth once, and I’ve tried to catch chipmunks. Mommy put these Big Girl Panties on me so I couldn’t lick and chew on my tummy because of my allergies. Did you notice they match my herbal flea collar? But no, I didn’t kill Rainey. I think it was Chia.

Larry: Fine. You’re free to go. But don’t leave town.
Larry, talking to himself: Hmmm. I know Lucy has absolutely no interest in stuffies, and she’s the least likely dog to inflict harm on anyone or anything. Although she and Ella did tear up the back of the couch cushion once when their folks were all gone. But that was a long time ago and she has promised to never do anything like that again. She’s a dog of her woof. So…

Chia, did you murder Riley’s Rainey?
Chia: I’m innocent, Your Honor.

Sure, I’ve killed my share of stuffies, but I know better than to mess with Riley. You know he’s going to make somebody pay for this, and I don’t mean with cash or treats. Nobody, but nobody, crosses Riley (except Mom the Brave). There’s going to be pain and suffering…I should run away again.

Later…

Rainey: Hey there Riley. Do you have any idea where everyone went? I can’t find any of the other woofers.

Riley: *slurp, slurp*
Rainey: I mean, I laid down on the loveseat to catch some zzzz’s, but the sun was in my eyes so I covered my head with the pillow before falling asleep. I woke up to the sound of dogs running and doors slamming. Oh well, you and me, we can still have some fun together. Umm, what’s with the Cone of Handsomeness, Big Guy?
Riley: Allergies, and bacterial and yeast infections. I’m on meds, but in the meantime, Mom Amy doesn’t want me licking and chewing on myself. Yeah, let’s go find something to do around here, like figure out where everyone went to.

Larry, peeking around the corner: Case closed!