New Puppy??

Chia: Mommy was sitting at her desk at work yesterday when she heard a noise at the window next to the outside door. When she got up to see what it was, she saw a large puppy scratching at the glass. As she approached the window, the puppy saw her and, frightened, started to run away. The church is on a very busy street (which is why Chia isn’t allowed to go). So Mommy went outside and started called to the puppy. She got down low and gently urged the pup to come to her. It took a while, but with patience and perseverance, Mom was able to extract her from beneath the rose bush. Two things to note here: there is black mulch under the rose bush and Mommy wore her white pants to work yesterday.

Moving on….Mommy got my car kennel from the car and put the puppy in it in the office. She posted a picture on NextDoor and asked the owner to contact her. At closing she hadn’t gotten an email, so she emailed Daddy (with a picture) and asked him what he thought she should do. “Bring her home!” was his answer. On the way home they stopped at a vet clinic to see if she’s microchipped, and she is not. (Mommy could tell Daddy was glad, BOL!) You see, Daddy had a Husky years ago and loves the breed. So Mommy’s gonna keep checking her work email over the weekend to see if anyone responds. She’ll make them tell her their name and what vet they use for the puppy, and then she’ll follow up with the vet to be sure it really is their puppy.

In the meantime, puppy had what we think, by her response to it, her first bath. She got a packet of our Ollie turkey food and gobbled it up. (He, he, I made a funny.) We have found out that she likes balls and anything that she can chew on, and that she is not housebroken. She’s friendly but a little shy yet. She and Chia have taken turns going into the play position, and other play gestures. But Chia’s just a little too forward and rough for the puppy, and it scares her. We think she’s under 3 months old.

And Lucy, being the gentle soul that she is, has been kind to her.

I saw Chia whispering in Lucy’s ear, and it turns out she asked Lucy to help her show the puppy how they play.

Even Riley welcomed the puppy. He took a good look at her and woofed, “Not a schnauzer. She can stay.”

Friday early morning Update: Not shy. Me and Chia are trying to put her and her sharp baby teeth in her place, but are now hiding, er, I mean have now retired to Daddy’s office. Mommy, is it safe to come out yet? Is she outside? In my kennel? Yep, she’s caged. I can hear her whining.

So, that’s what’s going on at our house this weekend. Mommy just checked her work email, and no one is claiming her. *sigh* It’s going to be a long weekend. Glad I’m leaving for my Freestyle practice this afternoon.

I am Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Achilles Sunday Selfies

Lucy: My boyfriend Achilles sent me some pictures to remind me he’s still around, and still loves and misses me.

Hey Lucy, sweet, pretty girl. I’m still here waiting for you. I hope you’re waiting for me too. Just a reminder…

Here I am in profile. You know, the strong and silent look.

Do you like this picture? Do you still think I’m handsome, Lucy?

Oh shoot, I still love you Lucy. I’ve got so much to tell you! I miss you. Come visit me soon, ok?

Your guy, Achilles

Lucy: *swoon*

Xena: Guess I’ll take over here and wish everyone a good Sunday. Thanks to The Cat on My Head, for hosting Sunday Selfies!

Xena and Chia on Awww Monday

Xena: Hey Chia, wanna play? Look, I’ve got Lambie. *singing* Nah, nah, nah nah nah.

Chia: Uh, I don’t think right now, Xeboo. I’m goin’ to see what Lucy’s doin’.

*30 seconds later* Now what are we going to do, Lambie??

Thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday!

The Makeup Artist by Xena

Many thanks to Angel Sammy for the fun picture this week and to Angel Brian for hosting Thankful Thursday!

Xena: It’s my turn to do the picture poem this week that Angel Sammy gave us. So here goes.

The Makeup Artist by Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Mom, I see you put your makeup on
Every day, every morn.
Your cheeks are first, then chin and head.
I watch you from beneath my bed.

My little sis will soon be grown;
I’ll help her show off her good bones.
Some eye stuff just above her cheeks;
Working to perfect my techniques.

So Mom, can I do your face next?
Why is it that you look so vexed?
To my room I go with a big sob;
I thought that I did a great job!

Lucy: Great job, Xena! And thanks for letting me do a thankful today. I’m thankful that my brother and friend Riley is doing a bit better under the careful watch and care of His Person Andrew. I’m also thankful for the sunshine so I can lay out in the yard and feel it warming my furs.
Go ahead, Chia, I think you had a thankful today too.

Chia: Yep, thanks Luce the Deuce! (te he) I’m thankful Mom and Dad get to go away to Inn Dee Anna this weekend to visit my 93 year old grandma as well as some more of Dad’s relatives. I heard that on Sunday they’re going to Inn Deann Apple Us. (Don’t these places have long, strange names?) There’s a big dance there in a huge, old ballroom, and they’re doing the big 3D’s like they did 2 weeks ago. Yes, Xena, that’s Dine, Drink and Dance, not Doggie, Doggie, Doggie. And guess what, Xena…you and Lucy are going with them. (Wow, am I ever gonna miss her!) I wish I was going but I’m also thankful that it means more time with Andrew, who is staying with me and Riley. Maybe I can get out running again like last time….

Lucy and Chia on Poetic Thankful Thursday

Lucy: This is supposed to be my month to most of the blog posts, but everyone else has been taking over ’cause I don’t like my picture taken. So for today, I made a deal with Chia. I’ll let her be in the picture – with a by-line – and then I get to do the poem. Oh, and she also gets to do a thankful or two.

First, many thanks to Angel Sammy for the fun picture this week and to Angel Brian for hosting Thankful Thursday!

Now, here’s the picture Angel Sammy gave us to work with and then my poem!

Human or Beast by Lucy, with Chia helping with the visual
Human or beast, I’m questioning.
I see a long tail, but no sight of it’s “thing.”
I’m sniffing it’s butt; no odor at all!
If I push real hard, I might make it fall!!

Sniffing up higher…yep, woman for sure.
I live with my Mom and know that odor.
I’ve got it all solved! The beast is cement.
The broad’s on it’s back with a coat like a tent.

Lucy: Since it was Chia in the picture I pretended she was here writing the poem. I think I did pretty good at that. I’m thankful to have you as my friends. Everyone is always so nice to me. *wags* And as you’re reading this I’m probably at the church visiting with Pastor. Mom said she hopes I’ve learned my lesson, and I think I have.

Chia: I like getting my picture taken, just like Xena!

Sis Xena isn’t gonna be too happy about not going to work with Mom every day, but eh bien, right Nelly? I’m thankful to be allowed to sleep under the covers with Mom and Dad. Sometimes I’m in sleeping with Andrew and Riley, and that’s really great, too! And I’m thankful that Dad has started taking me for walks again! And I’m really thankful for my sister Lucy. She’s my BFF (even though I don’t always treat her real nice). But I do love her and cuddle and sleep with her, too, during the day.

Guess that’s all for now, friends. Love and *wags* and *wiggles,* Lucy and Chia

Occupied Territory on Wordless Wednesday

Thanks to  Comedy Plus for hosting Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop!

Thankful Thursday Poem

I’ve been thinking about Achilles lately. He’s all alone there with the pigs and his pawrents, but not with me to give him my sweet love. So here’s the (plagiarized) poem to go with the picture. I hope you don’t mind me not being too original.

My Boyfriend’s Back  by the Angels and revised by Lucy

He went away and you hung around
And bothered me, every night
And when I wouldn’t go out with you
You barked things that weren’t very nice

My boyfriend’s back and you’re gonna be in trouble
(Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend’s back)
You see him comin’ better cut out on the double
(Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend’s back)
You been barking lies that I was untrue
(Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend’s back)
So look out now ’cause he’s comin’ after you

He’s been gone for such a long time
(Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend’s back)
Now he’s back and things’ll be fine
(Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend’s back)
You’re gonna be sorry you were ever born
(Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend’s back)
‘Cause he’s kinda big and he’s awful strong
(Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend’s back)

(You’re a big dog now but he’ll cut you down to size
(Wait and see)

My boyfriend’s back he’s gonna save my reputation
(Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend’s back)
If I were you I’d take a permanent vacation
(Hey-la, hey-la, my boyfriend’s back)

I’m thankful for my Achilles! He’s the best.

This is a moment that will always be with me. I love to cuddle with my boyfriend. He really is “kinda big and awfully strong.”

I’m also thankful to Angel Sammy for the fun picture this week and to Angel Brian for hosting Thankful Thursday!

Sleepy Saturday

Riley: My Person Andrew has gone back to his house, so I think I’ll just relax and sleep the day away.

Chia: That was a good breakfast, and I’m just going to go back to bed and wait for something interesting to happen. No one has to help me; I know how to tuck myself in!

Hmmm, I wonder if Xena is playing with one of my stuffies….and what’s Lucy doing? And did I just hear a door?

Xena’s Unexpected Present on Awww Monday

It was Christmas morning, and we were all waiting for Andrew and Jentry to come over so we could open presents. I decided to take a little nap in my bed that’s in the big bedroom. I nodded off for a while, and when I woke up, there was a surprise in my bed.

Do y’all remember Chia’s octopus stuffie, “Smiley?” Yep, there he was, big as life, laying with me in my bed. Mom walked in and I asked, “Do you know why Smiley is sleeping with me?”
She said Chia had laid it there, and it was Chia’s Christmas present to me.

She’ll probably want Smiley back later, but that’s ok. Now I can grab it and yell, “Mine!” and Chia can chase me and grab it and yell, “Mine!” and we can have fun playing. Did anyone else get something unexpected for Christmas?

Many thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday! And Happy, Happy New Year to everyone!!

Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Preparing for Our Trip on Wordy Wednesday

Xena: I’ve gotta prepare for the trip to In Dee Anna early tomorrow morning. I’m gonna be stuck in the car kennel with Chia for 87 hours.

I saw Mommy pack my warm hoodie for the cold weather. I hope I don’t have to wear it. I’ve gotta remember to remind her to pack our food, too. I wonder if there’s any alligator meat left… And I need to go to sleep early so I can get up and have breakfast before 5 o’clock tomorrow morning. Hmm, I wonder if we can start eating breakfast at that time every day… alligator, mmmm.

Lucy: I got to go to work today after not seeing Pastor for 7 days. I don’t usually go on Wednesdays but I got special permission from Pastor to come today.

I waited a long time for Pastor to come in, but he finally came and we had a great reunion! He still loves me. I even got to tell him about our special Thanksgiving week meat: alligator! Yum!
Then a lot of people from a group called Al Anon came and it was a little intimidating, but I smiled and wagged my tail and they all liked me too and pet me and said what a sweet girl I am. It was a good day, but now I have to get rested up to go do therapy with my Grandma in In Dee Anna.

Riley: My Person Andrew is here to stay with me while everyone else goes on a long trip.

I’m so glad I don’t have to ride in the car. We’ll sleep in the bed together, and we’ll just hang out. Wait, I hear him calling me to go for a walk with him. It’s dark and getting cold, but I see he’s got my sweater and leash, so it’ll be ok. Catch ya’ later alligator! Oh, wait, that reminds me. Last week Mom gave us all a lot of alligator meat in our bowls for breakfast and supper. I. Hate. It. I. Won’t Eat. It. So Mom gave me turkey and Lucy got the alligator the next day.

Chia: Mom!! Are we goin’ yet? Huh? Huh? Can we go now?! Huh? Can we?

*licks Mom’s lips* Let’s go! Get Xena and Lucy and let’s go! Let’s go! Love you Mom! Come on! Oh, and don’t bring any of that gross alligator meat!

 Thanks to  Comedy Plus for hosting Wordless Wednesday and we hope it’s ok it got really wordy! XOXOX Chia, Xena, Lucy and Riley

Thanksgiving Thankfuls and Poetry Thursday

Chia: I made my poem short and to the point so everyone could get back to eating turkey.

There’s an Outhouse by Chia the Thanksgiving Injun

There’s an old outhouse
So we don’t pee inhouse

And we’re all thankful to Angel Sammy for the picture this week and for Brian’s Home Blog for Thankful Thursday.

Speaking of Thankful Thursday…

Riley: Chia! Why are you dressed like an Indian? Mom Amy said we should dress like pilgrims for our Thanksgiving picture. We even had a meeting and I decided we’d all just wear pilgrim hats. What’s wrong with you, long dog?

Chia: I’m a rebel. And I can run faster than you.
Lucy: Everyone please just stand still and look at the camera. The sooner we get this over with the better.
Chia: Xena, where you goin’?
Xena: I think I see a critter…

Going to See Ella, But Ella’s Gone

Lucy: For those of you who don’t know Ella, she’s my BFF. Her folks are Mom and Dad’s BFF’s so that works out good. But she lives 3 hours away and we don’t get to see each other much. This is Ella from several years ago.

We love each other. We’re always so happy to be together.

But everyone just found out on Wednesday that she’s dying. Cancer.

We were hoping she would at least make it through the weekend. Me and Mom packed to leave after work on Thursday to go see her and tell her we love her and say goodby before she crosses the Rainbow Bridge. Then, we got the texts from her Mom. She wouldn’t eat or drink. She wouldn’t potty. She could barely walk. She was struggling to breath. She was in pain. The joy in her life was completely gone. They had a final vet appointment for 3:30 on Thursday, the day we would have gone to say goodbye and give her all our love. Now she’s gone. We just came home instead of making the three hour trip there. Nothing will ever be the same without my BFF. I hope her brother, my boyfriend, Achilles is OK.

Ella’s Mom made this memorial for her.

Goodbye Ella. We hope you find your little schnauzer brother Piper and chase the bunnies with him again. You will be always in our hearts.

A Sad Lucy and Mom

Chloe Does Selfie Sunday

Xena: This is the first day of the Halloween month. Yesterday Miss Della brought our yorkie friend Chloe for a groom. They live less than a half mile from us “as the crow flies.”

Chia: Or “as the dog runs.” I think I passed their house last week when I escaped and stretched my legs chasing the neighbor’s black cat back to another road behind our subdivision.

Xena: Yep, that’s why there are now eight inch garden stakes all the way along the chain link fence around the dog lot.They hope you can’t squirm under the fence anymore with those holding it down.

Anyhow, Miss Della sent us a sweet picture of Chloe on her front porch, so we invited Chloe to do the Sunday selfie this week.

Thanks so much to Miss Della for the picture and The Cat on My Head, for hosting Sunday Selfies!

Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Chia’s Couch Positions on Wordless Wednesday

First, a big thanks to  Comedy Plus for hosting Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop!

Riley on Awww Monday

Thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday!

Riley: What Mom Amy? Stop licking my paw and come outside with everyone?

Well, you know how much I like laying on this rug you put in front of the couch. It’s nicer than laying on the floor when I want to be with everyone… Oh, OK, if you insist.

First, would you get a picture of me in my nifty new leather collar to show all my friends?

It’s got my name on it so everyone knows who I am and two phone numbers on it so folks can call for a ride home for me when I’m done playing with their little kids!

Hey, Lucy! I didn’t know you were out here. Whatcha up to?

Lucy: Hey Ri, just tryin’ to avoid Chia…you know what that’s like.

Riley: C’mere Chia. Stop lookin’ at Lucy. Don’t you want to play in the big league?

Chia: Big league? Yep, yep, yep, yep!! Count me in!!!

I want to play, I want to be the ump; no, wait, I want to chase the ball. Yep, that’s it, I want to be the ball chaser. What are you gonna do? I wanna do what you’re gonna do. Can I? Can I? You wanna wrestle, too?
Lucy: Can I play, too?

later….

Chia: Thanks, Riley, I had a great day. Let me know when you’re ready to play some more!

Riley: Someone remind me to never again spend a day (or part of a day) playing with Chia.

Grooming with Mom: Plus One, Minus Two

Thanks for joining us for another episode of Grooming with Mom. I’m here to tell you about a new groom, a pup who is moving, and a senior citizen who will soon cross the rainbow bridge.
Let’s start off with the Happy News.

Marr

One of our current clients got a new four-month-old puppy. Brinkley, shown below, is still figuring out how this whole not-the-only-dog-anymore thing is going to work.

While Brinley was home waiting to see if Marr was coming back, Marr was here getting his first haircut. Here he is at his home before he was groomed.

Marr is a Multipoo. He came to us with a lot of fleas hidden down under all that soft, fluffy hair, and a lot of hair and crusty dirt in both ears. Per his Dad’s instructions, Groomer Mom did not trim his crazy ears or his tail. She used the choppers (a funny kind of scissors) to remove a lot of that hair and trimmed his face. He came out looking like this.

Yep, crazy ears. And a little bit of hair still sticking up under his eyes, cause Groomer Mom said it was more important for him to keep his eyes than for her to get all the hair, BOL! Except for that, for a puppy, he was very calm and good on the table. We look forward to seeing both Marr and Brinkley back in the months to come.

Dora

Next to come visit was Dora. She and her schnauzer sister Maggie have been coming to get groomed since May of 2013. Maggie crossed the Bridge a year ago last April.

When Dora showed up last Saturday, her Mom said, “I’ve got to talk to you first.” She had been trying to get up the nerve to take Dora to the vet one last time. Her husband suggested that she go ahead with the grooming appointment and talk to Groomer Mom about it. She explained that Dora was blind and deaf, was incontinent, and ever since losing her sister Maggie, has had absolutely nothing to do with either of her pawrents.

Dora (L) and Maggie 2018

Looking down at Dora in her lap where Groomer Mom had set her, Dora’s Mom said this was the first time Dora was even sitting with her. With a heavy heart, Groomer Mom tried to give her the affirmation she needed to put this 17-year-old shih tzu at peace. Groomer Mom said there was no sense putting Dora through the stress of a groom, so with Dora in her Mom’s lap, she only clipped the hair covering Dora’s eyes so her Mom could see her better. Tuesday, Dora will be reunited with her sister Maggie on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. Our hearts are heavy.

Markel

Sunday, Markel aka Baby Dog, came to get groomed. As his Mom held him in the nail sling, she told Groomer Mom that she had accepted a job about 2 hours from here and would be leaving in 2 weeks. She said she felt like she had only just found Groomer Mom (read about it here) and didn’t know what she was going to do for a groomer there. She had previously experience terrible haircuts for her boy.

Baby Dog ‘s first groom here in June of 2022. Letting hair on top of nose grow out where previous groomer had shaved it.

Groomer Mom scissored his legs quite a bit shorter and also his beard some shorter to help it last a bit longer if needed. She told his Mom that if she was back in town with him and he needed a groom, just give her a call. We’re going to miss Baby Dog.

Groomer Mom has been grooming dogs from her home since 1993, taking a 10 year break (except for grooming her own schnauzer, Lexi) after she moved. She resumed grooming in 2013 with Maggie and Dora as her first clients. It feels like an end of an era. And perhaps, with the new puppies showing up, it is the beginning of a new era!

This is Lucy signing off on Awww Monday, with thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting it.

Awww Monday Trio

Lucy: Is it raining out there, Riley?
Riley: No, I just got a bath. Uh, what’s Chia doing to you?
Lucy: Not sure, but I think she’s trying to pick me up by the nape of my neck.

Thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday!

Gracy Returns

Xena: Our friend Gracie came back to stay with us while her folks took a vacation in Puerto Rico, where they’re visiting their family and friends and eating all the delicious foods there that they have missed. Gracy used to come visit when Angel Lexi was here, and they got along good. After Angel Lexi became an angel, Gracie stayed here at the house with Mommy and Daddy so they weren’t so lonely here with no dog. She even went to In Dee Anna with them over Christmas and even got to sit on Santa’s lap while her folks went to Germany . She also was Mommy’s work-dog for the couple of weeks she was here, and has been to Rock City with my folks.

Fast forward a whole bunch of years… It was kind of a slow start to us all getting used to each other. Gracie was here a month or so ago, and we all got along then. This time, after a couple of days, Gracy was one of the pack. She’s the same size as me and Chia, and she won’t back down to us or to Riley, either. She just stands there and stares right back at us. You’ve got to respect that.

Chia: At first I tried to intimidate Gracie, so that, you know, she recognized me as being in charge. Like Xena said, it didn’t work. Early Saturday morning Mom took me and Gracy for a walk in the neighborhood.

We walked together and read pee mail and explored a little bit. She can walk almost as fast as me! Now we kinda hang out, following the folks through the house, and even sleep together in the big bed! I like this chick!

Xena: After their walk I watched Mom groom Gracy. We had a big day Saturday, what with the grooming and our brother Adam here all weekend for his birthday, and our other Brother Andrew coming over and me and Chia playing ball and stuff.

Gracie wanted me to do something with her, but I was worn out and settled into my kennel for a pre-bedtime nap.

We’re going to miss Gracie when her family comes for her this Wednesday. Last night we voted and…

Lucy: Xena we didn’t vo…

Xena: Everyone but Lucy voted and we agreed that Gracie can come back and stay with us anytime she wants.

Thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday!

Thankful Thursday with Riley, Lucy and Xena

Riley and Lucy: We’re both thankful that Xena didn’t run out onto the road and get hurt or worse.
Xena: I’m thankful I got to go to work with Mommy again.
Why these thankfuls? Keep reading for the story behind them.

Riley: Psst, Lucy. Watch this.

*Shouting* Hey, Xena, you gotta come out and see this! There’s a family of chipmunks running all around the mailbox.

Xena: Where? I don’t see any chippies.

Riley: Maybe you need glasses. Or maybe you’re just not close enough!

Lucy: *whispering* Riley, that was mean. She’s actually going to check it out.

Riley: Bwahahahahaha! She fell for it.

87 seconds later

Wait, where’d she go?

Lucy: I think I saw her cutting across the yard, running toward the woods chasing something. It’s hard to tell on this hill.
Riley: Cr*p. Now we’re in trouble.
Lucy: Not as much as if she’d gone out on the road! Oh wait, she’s back.

Mommy sure was mad, but I don’t understand why she was mad at Riley and Lucy and not me. Oh well. Lucy got grounded so I got to come to work with Mommy! Maybe I should chase chippies into the woods more often…

Thanks to  Brian for hosting Brian’s Thankful Thursday! 

This Memorial Day, We Remember

Lucy: Mom never met her Uncle Paul. He lost his life in England for our country shortly before the end of WWII.
Mom asked us to be quiet for a moment to honor all who have served our country and who have given their lives for this great nation. That was asking a lot of 4 dogs, especially a schnauzer, but we agreed it was a small price to pay. Mom also explained that this was one of the reasons I have the freedom to be a church dog. *silence*