Riley on Thankful Poetic Thursday

I’m on a streak here for the poetry Thursday. Chia’s complaining, but she is alway complaining about something, so all I can say is “deal with it.” I might, and I mean might let her do the poem next week. We’ll see.

Here’s the picture Angel Sammy gave us to work with. Of course, it has had a small alteration.

The Travel Guide by Riley

Hello Monsieur Bear.
It’s nice to have you here.
I hope your trip was good
And you got some fishy food.

I’m your travel guide;
I’ll take you far and wide.
Where’er you want to go
Moving fast or moving slow.

To the spots the tourists go,
Moving fast or taking it slow.
Or to spots much more remote,
Touring farms with cows and goats.

You can’t eat them when you’re there
But I’ll get you some sans hair.
We’ll go to a movie show
Or to a club b’low.

Watch that bus! It’s coming fast!
Oh crap! He shouldn’t of smoked that grass.
If that bus had only braked!
But what a pretty rug he’ll make.

A bear rug, BOL! I bet that would be super soft to lay on. Now for my thankful. My Person Andrew has been here with me all last week and all this week. That makes my heart happy.
Hey, anyone else got a thankful today?

Chia: I’m thankful that Mom and Dad’ve been taking me and my sisters on a lot more walks. I pull so hard on the leash that my nails scrape on the road and I don’t have to get them cut. I’m really thankful for that too!

Riley: Chia, you’re weird.

Chia: Grrrrrrr *runs away*

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

Your friends, Riley and Chia

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!

Chia’s Poem and Thankful Thursday

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

Hey there, friends! You may – or may not – have noticed that I’ve gotten to do the posting for a whole week long! It’s been a blast! (Mom says it helps keep me outa trouble.)

But all good things must come to an end…or at least slow down for just a bit. So here’s my last post before my brother and sisters get their turns…for maybe weeks…who knows?! **wiggles**

Partying (or Tie Up Your Boat Better)  by Chia

We found a little island in the middle of the river.
I said, “Let’s stop and drink some booze e’en though it kills your liver.”
We drank and laughed and barked and howled until we all fell over.
Didn’t notice when the river round the island moved in closer.
Or when the boat we all came on broke free to float down river.

We fell asleep and spent the night til we all had to pee.
The boat was gone, and snapping turtles waited in the lee.
I saw some ducks who had no legs attached below the knee,
I knew I wasn’t jumping in – didn’t want that to be me!
Finally our pawrent appeared to rescue all us three!

The End

Now I’m passing the keyboard over to Xena who’s got some thankfuls today. Take it away, galfriend!
Xena: Uh, thanks, Chia. I am sorry for Lucy who lost her church privileges for reasons I have sworn to her to keep secret. But I am thankful that I have been chosen to be the new church dog as long as I don’t pee on the carpet.

 I pooped in the room next to the office, but that was easy to clean up and I was only in a little bit of trouble. Now Mom’s taking me out to potty more often. The treats are good and it’s a good gig if you can get it (and not lose it, Loosy!)

Your friends, Chia Mia and Xexe

Chia: Pee Ess, when do I get to go to the church with Mom?
Everyone: NEVER!!

Mom’s note: Chia would be a great church dog if she didn’t have the chance to run out the door that’s just outside of my office and get squished on a very busy road!

Catch the Dot

Thanks to  Comedy Plus for hosting Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop!

Caution: Watching TV Can Cause Drowsiness

Thanks to  Comedy Plus for hosting Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop!

Happy Tuesday with Xena and Chia

Chia: Guess what me and Xena did on Sunday! Remember why Xe didn’t wanna do a Sunday selfie? No? It’s cause she knew she was going to Freestyle after a long time of not going and was real anxious to get there. And guess who else got to go…me!!!!!!!!!

Xena: Yep, wasn’t as good as just me and Mommy, but it sure was a lot better than not going. I was so excited, and Miss Julia asked me and Mommy to demonstrate a lot of things for the beginners. I got an A++++++! I remembered all of it, watched Mommy for cues and did it just right.

Chia: Yep, and I’m one of those beginners, so I watched real close so that when it was my turn with Mom, I would do it just right, too. And I mostly did! I even got to work off-leash some. Of course, there were treats involved.

Xena: Mommy brought a lot of CD’s home to listen to the music in my tempo (32 bpm) and Chia’s tempo (50 bpm). We’ll help her pick out the ones we like most. Then we’ll do things like help her with the movements. And Mommy will have to download the songs from the CDs and cut parts of it to be the right length for each of us. I’m going to perform in the top level this time, Level 4.

Chia: Mom’s still deciding if I’ll be a total beginner in Level 1 (on leash) or if I get to start in Level 2B (off-leash). We can’t do Level 2A because Mom’s already titled Lexi and Xena. I think I’m a 2B kinda girl! Hmmm, 2B or not 2B, that is the question…where have I heard that before…

Maybe next time we’ll have pictures of us at the Obedience Club where we’re taking our lessons.

Chia: In the meantime, I have something to tell y’all. I didn’t realize this until it happened, and now I know I’m absolutely the smartest dog in the neighborhood, maybe in the whole world.

I’m super smart!

Seriously! Here’s what happened:

Monday night I was standing in the bedroom with Mom who needed to get into “her” bathroom” and had given brother Andrew – who was in the jacuzzi tub - a 30 minute warning. An hour later she yelled through the door that she needed in there now! He said, “Just give me 30 seconds to get decent.” At that, Mom started counting the seconds out loud. You know… one, two, three, and so on. I had scratched at the door a couple of times to tell him to hurry up. Then, just as Mom said, “thirty,” I threw myself at the door and it opened. I know what Thirty means! It means open the @#*! door!!! And I did!!

*Wags* and many thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus, who is hosting Happy Tuesday Blog Hop!

Xena and Chia, the happy (and smart) pups

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?

Christmas Waiting and Treat Puzzles

Merry Christmas to all our friends! We are still waiting for brother Andrew and Jentry so we can get our pressies. In the meantime, Mommy gave us treat puzzles to work on. Here’s a short video of us all hard at work getting the treats out of the puzzles. You’ll see Riley in the background.

After we all decided there was no more treat goodness left in any of the puzzles, Chia started disassembling one of the bigger puzzles and taking the pieces into my our kennel to chew up. Seeing how it’s Christmas, Mommy only laughed at her and put what was left of the pieces back into the puzzle as best she could. You should have seen Chia’s surprise when she didn’t get scolded! May the spirit of Christmas last the whole year through!

Love and Happiness from Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Thankful Thursday

It’s just my third Christmas, but I think I have it figured out. We get presents, and sometimes give presents to others, too. I got a kind of a present in that I got to do the picture poem today!

Get Up Santa    by Chia

Santa, Santa, please don’t die!
All kids across the world will cry.
Santa, please don’t just lay there!
I’ve brought Ratto ; we can play here.

Did you just drink too much eggnog?
What can I do, I’m just a small dog!
Come on, I want to drive your sleigh.
Get up, Santa, so we can play!

Now my thankful: I’m thankful for my good food and that Mom threw out the rest of the rotten alligator meat. Yuck! And I’m thankful for my stuffies and hope I get more from Santa Paws! Hey Santa Paws, I’m being a good girl! Chia

Thanks to Angel Sammy for the picture this week and for Angel Brian’s Home Blog for Thankful Thursday.

Chia and Her Aunties and Uncle on Selfie Sunday

Thanks to The Cat on My Head, for hosting Sunday Selfies!

Aunt Bobbie! Aunt Jenny! Let’s all look at the camera and do our Sunday Selfies together. Just us girls!

Why do my aunties not want to do this? Come on Uncle Dennis, let’s do a three quarter selfie.

But if we’re both doing a three quarter selfie, does that make it a six quarter selfie? And how much is that in dollars? And how many treats would that buy?

What, Mom? OK. Uncle Dennis, everyone’s going in the living room now. Why don’t you go on, too?

Now it’s time to help out by cleaning the table.

Wishing everyone a crummy, six-quarter Sunday!

XOXOXOXOX Chia, aka The Long One

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

Chia’s Poem and Confession on Thankful Thursday

Lucy: Last Thursday when me and Mom were at work and told Pastor about Ella passing, he said, “I believe there will be more than people in heaven.” He was trying to let me know I would be with my BFF again some day. I’m so thankful for those words of comfort that I will always remember.

Riley: I’m thankful that Mom Amy got me the same natural stuff that’s been like a miracle for Xena and I haven’t been nearly as yeasty or stinky or itchy.

Xena: My belly has stayed it’s pretty, natural color all year, not red and itchy and bumby. And I haven’t scratched sores on my face or made the white hairs on my feet red with licking. I love those Red Rover powder supplie mints. I’m so thankful Mommy found them and keeps getting them to help me. This is the first year since I was one (I’m six) that I haven’t been an itchy, red mess all spring and fall.

Hi it’s me, Chia, again. I know you’re glad to see me, and I’m glad to see you too *full body wiggles*. Y’all know I’ve been a much better behaved girl since I got my blessing from Father Robert. But then I slipped up. I heard that some people confess their sins and then are forgiven, so here’s my confession: I chewed up Mom’s nighttime mouthpiece in the length of time it took her to shower. When she saw it missing, I tried to play innocent, but she knew.
I heard Dad say, “She hasn’t brought it to me yet.”
So I ran and got it from where I hid the evidence and took it to my Dad. Then Dad said, “She brought it to me,” so I ran to Mom and said sincerely, “I’m really sorry Mom, please forgive me.” And she did. Wow, it felt so good!

I get to do the poem again today because I’m so good at it, well, you’ll see why.

Hiding Under the Covers by Chia

Under the covers some folks may hide;
I’m just a pup but I won’t be denied
My nightly blanket on couch or on bed;
I always feel safe when I lay down my head.

Some hide from parents when they want to read,
Or think they can miss school this way. Indeed!
Whate’er the motive, a blanket’s a must.
But when sis steps on me the whole thing’s a bust!

Thanks to Angel Sammy for the picture this week and for Angel Brian’s Home Blog for Thankful Thursday.

Chia’s Poem and Thankfuls

Hi folks, it’s Chia week around here. It started with me going to Mom and Dad’s church last Saturday where the priest “blessed” me. Dad said Father Robert would have to drive the demons out first, but the priest just laughed and said the blessing would take care of it. Then Mom took me to a place called The Greenway where there’s a huge dog park and lots of trails to walk. What was even better was that I got to walk the trails twice cause the first time Mom lost her glasses and we had to go try to find them. I walked really nice, too, probably cause I had just gotten blessed! In fact, I’ve been a very good girl all week (so far), so maybe the blessing did help make me a better girl! In fact, I’ve been so good that Mom said I could do the poem today. With lots of wags and thanks to  Angel Sammy for the picture this week and for Brian’s Home Blog for Thankful Thursday, here’s my poem.

I’m Blessed and Not a Stinker by Chia

I’m tired of being a bad girl, tired of being a stinker,
Tired of wearing this costume, so now I’ll be a sinker.
I’ll just jump in the river and go to doggie heaven.
But what are those folks doing? They’re yelling, “No! That is a sin!”

“Hang on, dear poochie,” said they. “We’re here to save and love you!
You’re blessed and good (and pretty.) We promise we won’t eat you.
They carried me back to safety. I ran on home to Mommy.
I really love my Lucy. I’m blessed and not a skunkie.

Thankfuls, hmmm. I’m really thankful that I get to sleep in the big bed with Mom and Dad every night. I’m thankful that I get to eat the best food ever. I’m thankful for my sister Lucy…well, and for Xena too. She’s funny, she keeps grabbing toys to get me to play with her. And sometimes she even drags her bed into the living room like it is a stuffed animal to get me to play. And I’m thankful for Riley, too. He’s not so bad, ya know? OK, I’m gonna go cuddle up with Lucy now and take my nap.

XOXOXOX Chia

Chia’s Scary Sunday Selfie Dream

Last I remember I was sleeping on the couch. I sure hope this is a dream I’m floating in!

Thanks to The Cat on My Head, for hosting Sunday Selfies!

Xena’s Failed Selfie Sunday on Awww Monday

Daddy, isn’t Mommy coming out to take my selfie on your lap? She needs to hurry. I just ate and I’m getting sleepy.

A few minutes later…

Jeff: Amy, I think it’s too late for a selfie.
Amy: I’ll catch her or maybe Chia wanting their pictures taken a little later.

“A little later”….sleeping with stuffies…

Xena with Riley’s Racky D

Chia with Brownie Bear

Many thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday, and to The Cat on My Head, for hosting Sunday Selfies (even if we are a day late and not much of a selfie!)

Chia’s Poetry on Thankful Thursday

Thanks to Angel Sammy for the picture this week and Angel Brian’s Thankful Thursday. I wrote this poem before Brian made his trip to the Rainbow Bridge. *wipes eyes* So after debating whether to publish it or not, I decided that Brian would have wanted me to. Here it is, in honor of my friend Brian.

Keep Trying by Chia

Ever have that thought
Almost impossible to do,
Hoping to not get caught
While folks stick to you like glue?

I want to be in charge here
Of all that’s said and done.
I want to be the alpha;
It sure does sound like fun!

I want to run the neighborhood
Without any restraints;
Daily checking along the fence
And always both the gates.

I want to be the one most loved
By both my Mom and Dad,
Not the one told, “Bad dog!”
I’m not usually so bad!

I may never be in charge
Or alpha of my pack.
I may never run the neighborhood (with permission)
Or the favorite of my pack.

But I’m not a quitter!

Seriously, I’m really thankful for my home and my family and my yummy food and my walks and everything else that goes with being the youngest one of the pack. I know my folks love me a lot. Daddy holds me and rubs my belly in the evening, and Mommy kisses me and scritches me and lets me cuddle up to her back in bed and make sure I’ve got a blanket to burrow under. And she doesn’t even complain when I kick her in bed ’cause I’m having a wild running dream. And I love my pack. I just wanna be in charge, ya know? *sigh*

Pee Ess: True confession…this morning Mom walked away from all 4 of our dog bowls on the counter that she was filling with veggies and meat for our supper tonight. So while she went to the bedroom for something, I ate all the meat (except Riley’s, cause his bowl didn’t have any in it yet). I’m a Bad Dog again, but I have a happy tummy. For now. Except it’s starting to not feel quite as good. Oops, gotta go!

We’re all thankful for the time we had getting to know Brian and his siblings. We love you, Angel Brian!

(Not) Wordless Wednesday Fairyland Cavern Poem

Xena: This is the poem we promised y’all yesterday. It was one of many nursery rhymes in Rock City’s Fairyland Cavern. Mommy re-wrote it underneath, too, in case it was hard to read in the picture.

THERE WAS A LITTLE GIRL
Who had a little curl right in the
middle of her forehead, and when
she was good, she was very, very
good, and when she was bad,
she was horrid.

Chia: That’s the poem????

Xena: I want to thank  Comedy Plus for helping me publish this post so all our friends can read the poem we’ve dedicated to Chia!!

Lucy’s Thankful Thursday Poetry

 Lucy: Many thanks to Brian for hosting Brian’s Thankful Thursday,  and also to  Angel Sammy for the picture this week.

It’s my turn to write a poem for the picture and I think I’ve got the perfect one. *wags*

The Pastor Is Gone by Lucy the Church Dog
Pastor went away.
I pleaded with him to stay.
Please return I pray.

Xena: Wow Lucy, you really do have a case on the pastor. Did you get AI to help you with that Haiku?
Lucy: No, Xena. AI couldn’t express my feelings like I can. I miss him so much. I haven’t seen him for a week but he’ll be back today and he’ll fuss over me and tell me he loves me
Chia: I want to meet this pastor. Grrr, why haven’t I gotten to meet him? Why won’t Mom take me to the church where she goes and works all day? Why do you and Xena get to go but not me? Grrr.
Xena: Because the first time the front door opened you’d run out onto that busy street and get flattened into a 2 dimensional dead dog.
Chia: Oh. Well, I’m thankful I’m still a 3 dimensional live dog!
Xena and Lucy: So are we!!

Chia: What’s dimensional?

Chia’s Happy Tuesday Pose

Dad, do you remember when you and Mom went to the Knoxville zoo and all of us got our zoo animal look-alikes, but you didn’t get a picture of mine cause it was an otter and it was swimming underwater and the pictures wouldn’t turn out? Well, I don’t think Riley’s the gorilla, I think I am.

See, I even sit just like her. I think I could even make the same noises if I tried. I’ll try that later tonight when we all go to bed, OK?

A big thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday Blog Hop!

Talk Like a Pirate Day

Once upon a time, in the heart of the Chattanooga Valley, there lived four dogs named Captain Riley, Blackbeard Xena, Long John Chia, and Brindle Lucy. They were pirates who sailed the high seas of the mountains and were feared by all who knew them.

As they sailed through the valley, they encountered many obstacles. They had to navigate treacherous waters, avoid dangerous wildlife, and outsmart rival pirate crews. But they were determined to find the treasure and nothing could stop them.

The treasure was more magnificent than they could have ever imagined. It was a chest filled with gold coins, precious jewels, and rare artifacts. They knew that they had struck it rich and that their lives would never be the same again.

With their treasure safely aboard The Salty Dog, they set sail back home to the Chattanooga Valley. They were hailed as heroes by all who knew them and their legend grew with each passing day.

One day, they decided to embark on a new adventure. They had heard rumors of a treasure hidden deep in the valley and were determined to find it. They set sail on their trusty ship, The Salty Dog, and began their journey.

Finally, after many long weeks at sea, they arrived at their destination. They docked their ship and set out on foot to find the treasure. They searched high and low, through dense forests and rocky terrain, until they finally stumbled upon it.

A place they could raid for all the treats their ship could hold!

And so ends the tale of Captain Riley, Blackbeard Xena, Long John Chia, and Brindle Lucy- four dogs who dared to dream big and became legends in their own time.