Riley’s Selfie Sunday

Furst, thanks so much to The Cat on My Head, for hosting Sunday Selfies!

Hi Friends. Guess what tomorrow is…..it’s my birthday. And not just any birthday. I’ll be lucky number 13! Today I thought I’d celebrate by drinking some of Chia’s vodka. Oh yeh, she’ll tell you more about that on Tuesday.

I look kinda wet here cause I am. I just got a bath and a blow dry. But the blow dry wasn’t long enough to get me all dry. I got a nail trim, too. No nails were hurt in the dremelling process.

Anyhoo, Mom Amy promised to post 13 pictures of me tomorrow, on my birthday, so be sure and stop by and say hey! Now, to chew the top off this soft bottle…

*wags and little hops* Riley aka Ri Boy

Health Updates on Thankful Thursday

First, a big thanks to Brian for hosting Thankful Thursday!

Hey friends, this is Riley. My first thankful today is that I get to do a post a lot more since Xena took over the blog. Angel Lexi was very selfish with her blog, and only grudgingly let anyone else (me) post anything. So thanks, little sis.

My second thankful is even better. It has two parts.
Part one: My Person Andrew came with me and Mom Amy to the vet for me to get my diagnostic X-rays and an ultrasound on my tummy and chest. It was to see if I had a heart murmur or what was going on. Even though I was really high on some good sh*t Mom Amy gave me, I still knew he was there with me and it made me feel even more good than the drugs.

Part two: The tests showed no fluid in my abdomen or in my chest. It did show my heart is slightly enlarged, but all y’all already know I have a big heart, right? *grin* No heart drugs or anything else is needed. I’m feeling good and am eating all I can get ahold of and playing with Chia a little bit and also my stuffies. Hey, I’m gonna be 13 in just under a month, woohoo! Hope I get something good for my birthday!!

Xena: Thanks Riley. I’m glad you understand this is still my blog that I inherited from Angel Lexi. And you can use it anytime you want, since you inherited the position of alpha dog from her.

I’m gonna be real thankful when my right ear is back to normal. The culture the vet place did showed it’s full of yeast, but no bacteria. the new med that Mommy has to put in my ear every day hasn’t helped at all. So now — because we’re at the “end of our rope” — I have to take a half a pill called prednisone. I sure hope that works. I hear everyone gets extra hungry when they take that pill, but I’m a schnauzer, meaning I’m always extra hungry!

Those are our Thankfuls, so next up is our picture poem! Oh, and thanks to Angel Sammy for another great picture.

Angel Lexi the Schnauzer by Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

An empty slate, like an empty plate,
Always leaves you wanting more.
It’s so unfulfilling and makes you unwilling
To turn around and walk out the door.

Our Angel Lexi took steps whence she
Could fill the void on the wall
Our hearts still miss her, our wonderful sister,
But she still has the power to enthrall.

Thanks to  Angel Sammy for giving us a blank slate to work with today!

Riley’s Selfie and No Exploding Heart

Riley: Xena what’s called in legaleze “the first right of refusal” for today’s selfie. She was sleepy after quickly devouring her breakfast, or brekkies, as she calls it, and refused on the basis of not wanting to go through getting “prettied up” to be presentable.

I, myself had just settled in for a long last-day-of-winter nap when asked if I wanted to do the Sunday Selfie. Since all I had to do was look at the camera, I said sure, why not? So here goes…

Besides I have news from going to the vet — my favorite vet place where I love going — on Friday. My belly has been really big, and I’ve been chewing on one side of it. Plus I’ve been hacking up clear, foamy liquid a couple of times a day. This all brought a big uh, oh from Mrs. Dr. Vet. Listening to my heart, she said my murmur had gotten decidedly worse, too. So I get to go back to visit with them again in two weeks for x-rays and stuff. And I get to take drugs before I go, but shhh, don’t tell anyone. Mom asked if Mrs. Dr. Vet couldn’t just put me on the heart medication she had talked about, and the answer was a bit scary. Something about if it was the other thing, like a growth or tumor or something like that, on or around my heart, the medicine for a heart murmur could make it – and my heart – explode! Eeeyikes! So Mom Amy and Dad Jeff decided to spend the money on diagnosis. Whew. I’ll let you know what happens. But at least I won’t be having an exploding heart…I think that would hurt a lot. Your buddy, Riley

Oh, and thanks so much to The Cat on My Head, for hosting Sunday Selfies!

Riley’s Topsy Turvy World

Angel Teddy of Two Spoiled Cats gave us a great picture to write a poem about. And boy, am I ever gonna do it!

I thought and I thought and I thought. Mom Amy went to work and came home and fed me and ate and went to a church meeting and came home and I said, “Mom Amy, I know it’s late, but I’m ready. “

She said, “OK, let’s do it, then.” So here goes.

Topsy Turvy World by Riley

Everything seems upside down
In this world and in this town.

Right is wrong and wrong is right.
Why do some folks always fight?

Hot in winter, cold right now;
Hey, does anyone have a plow?

Dogs who get the very best;
Kids who’re hungry, cold, and stressed.

So topsy turvy cars are weird?
To some the difference is revered.

The problem with this picture now:
The dog should drive, the man should meow!

This is Riley, saying thanks, Angel Teddy!

A Peaceful Wordless Wednesday

It’s rare that Chia has nothing to say. We’re going to celebrate her quietness today on Wordless Wednesday, with a big thanks to  Comedy Plus for hosting Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop!

Sunday Selfie by Riley

Riley: Hi folks, and Happy New Year from us all. We had a good Christmas with lots of treats for gifts and no clothes. Yep, that’s a good Christmas. My Dad Andrew has been here with us too, and that makes me tail-wagging happy!

It’s my turn to do a Sunday Selfie, so first, a big thanks to The Cat on My Head, for hosting Sunday Selfies! Today I want to show off my new Benebone I got for Christmas. We all got one, and at first Chia was going around grabbing everyone’s and hiding them. Since she stopped that nonsense, we’ve all been going around picking up whichever one we come to, so I don’t think this is the one I chose, but hey, it’s still good!

Hope you’re still enjoying lots of treats and time with your folks. Love y’all! *wags* 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

A Precarious Perch on Awww Monday

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

Chia: Hi Mom, let’s sit here together on the couch while you watch your favorite Amazon show…like we always do!

Riley: Nope, my turn.

Chia: *thinking to self* There’s gotta be a way....

Riley: *thinking* Crazy little dog just doesn’t know any better. Hmmm, that massage felt good, and I do kinda like how cozy warm I feel with her and the blanket on me, and she really doesn’t weigh that much…

The Mom’ note: Chia pulled the blanket off the back of the couch onto Riley’s back, then did a lot of rearranging and digging at it before settling in. I fully expected Riley to growl, show his teeth, snap at her…something! Especially since he’s got arthritis in the area where she’s laying. Nope. They both slept like that for an hour.

Riley’s Poem: Exile

Hi friends, it’s me, Riley. It’s poetry Thursday and we’re joining Angel Sammy with another great picture deserving another great poem! Click on this picture to go to the blog of Two Spoiled Cats and you, too, can join in the fun.

Here’s today’s picture followed by my poem. Just like Xena, I jumped into the picture to better see what is going on. Of course, I had to roll in that snow, too! Stand back, I’m about to shake it off!

EXILE by RILEY

Where can we go that it’s colder, they say.
The sun has come up and we’re melting away.
From Greenland we move, to the Arctic we head.
The earth’s warming too fast, move faster they said.

Man, woman, child, dog, seal, they all plod,
Each one suffers from the same malade.
Snow Santa pauses, adjusting his sack.
Like Lot’s wife he wishes that he could go back.

Snow people in exile, snow animals too,
All praying they don’t melt ‘fore this day is through.
Like glaciers and icebergs, they’ll all slip away
It seems global warming has found it’s new prey.

Riley’s Racky D Returned & Blog for Peace

Xena: Did you give Riley his stuffy back?
Chia: Yep, and I gave him my birthday stuffy, too. Sorta as a peace offering. Told him they were hanging out on the porch together, having fun.
Xena: Do you think he bought it?
Chia: I think he’s just happy to have his stupid Racky D back. He started all this, ya know.
Xena: Doesn’t matter who started it, cause he can also end it!
Chia: You’re not gonna tell him, are you?
Xena: What’s it worth to you?
Chia: Uh, you can have the open kennel all week.
Xena: Done!

Riley: I found Racky D. Actually, Chia brought him to me. She said she found him outside. Hmmm, wonder how he got there. (Click here to find out.)

Then she brought me her weird stuffie that she got for her last birthday. That one pretty much lives outside. Whatever. I’m just happy to have my Racky D. back. *wags*

Chia: What Mom? Why am I laying outside the kennel? Uh, just keeping peace, Mom, just keeping peace.

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

Sunday Selfie with Riley, Ratto, Chia & Racky-D

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

Riley here. Did I tell you Mom Amy took me to a doggie dermatologist? Oh yeah, I remember now, I told you. The Atopica pills for my allergies didn’t work out. They gave me the squirts and lots of cramping. Even a lower dose gave me the squirts. Dang, and I was getting so much more raw hamburger because of those pills, too! Mom Amy’s mad because she spent so much money on them and the doc won’t even take back the box that isn’t open. Harumph. Guess we’re done going there. Too bad. I really liked them.

On to what else is happening around here. The other evening I spotted Chia on the couch with her Ratto, aka uh, well, I don’t remember the other names. Don’t give me any flack about that, Chia. I might be 12, but I still have all my huge, sharp teeth!

So, as I was saying, I grabbed Ratto and played tug-o-war with Chia. I have to give her credit, she put up a good tug-o-war fight, but, of course, in the end, I won. She kept coming at me, trying to get Ratto back. Guess what I did! Ratto ended up where Chia wouldn’t dare to even try to grab him!

It was bedtime, so Ratto was my pillow all night! Hmm, I wonder where my Racky-D is???

Well, I’m sure he’ll show up, maybe playing with the other stuffies.

Happy Sunday, everyone! Riley

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.

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

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!

Riley on Selfie Sunday

Hi folks, I get to do the selfie today in honor of Angel Mau at The Cat on My Head. There are those extra special companions who deserve special recognition. I hope I will be one of them when I am gone.

Do you remember me getting a new stuffie for my birthday on May 1? At that time I hadn’t decided whether to cherish it or deadie it, so I didn’t name it. That all changed not long ago.

Here is Raccoon Dog with me in my bed for my Sunday selfie. Racky-D for short. In case you were wondering it was Chia who took his eye. I almost lost my right eye, too, and it’s been cloudy ever since. So I took that as a sign that we should be friends.

Hoping everyone’s having a good Sunday. I’ve started on a new food, and I think it must be close to supper time. I can’t wait to lick my bowl clean again. OK, so gotta go and see if supper’s being served.

*wags* Riley and Racky-D.

Super Hero Riley

Hey Spicoli, it was nice to meet you when I was a guest on the What Went Into that Dog game show over at the Oceanside Animals. When you asked me to be on your Super Hero team, I told you being a Super Hero would cut into my nap time. How did I know that? Because I’ve already been one, that’s how! I promised you a picture to prove it, so here you go.

Oops, wrong picture. That’s when I got my head stuck in my Christmas present bag. Let me try again.

Oops, wrong picture again. That’s from when the evil wizard stuck me in a snow globe.
Wait, I think I found it.

Yep, I know you can’t tell, but it’s really me behind that super hero mask!

So anyhow, dude, tell everyone how much fun I had being there with y’all and thanks to the Dada for making it all happen. Keep on keepin’ on! *wags* Riley

Riley’s Awww Monday

Mom Amy said I could have Awww Monday since Xena’s getting Wordless Wednesday this week. I hope this is awww-worthy!

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

*Happy wags* Riley

My Birthday Day by Riley

Hi there, friends. Remember I said I would update you on what I ended up getting for my birthday? Today (Sunday) I am officially 12 years old! Mom Amy had some pictures pop up on her computer about this day in years past, and did a little reminiscing about my previous birthdays. This first one was taken in 2012 when I turned two years old. I wish I could remember what I was eating!

This next one was in 2016 and the last birthday I got to spend with my older, little sister, Lexi, before she went to the rainbow bridge. I turned six that year.

Lexi: Smile for the camera, Dufus!

On to my birthday today. Because of the touchy situation with how things have been coming out of my back end, I did not get any special food — except for a cheese stick — but I still had a yummy dinner and licked my bowl clean.

I finally looked at Mom Amy and said, “Hey, we all know what day it is. Where’s my new stuff?”

At that, she and Dad Jeff finally stopped their busy-ness and gave me their full attention. Thankfully, I didn’t have to try to unwrap anything. It just got laid out next to me.

I got a new stuffie and a Himalayan Dog Chew…the only ingredient in it is cheese, which is just fine by me.

My new stuffie started whispering something so only I could hear.

He said, “I want to be your new friend. You and me and Rainey, we can all be good friends, and I’ll play with you.”

He doesn’t have a name yet. Before I give him a name I have to decide if we’re going to be friends, or if I’m going to deadie him. Hey, don’t judge. Y’all do the same thing, right?

I took my new cheese bone to my living room bed and started working on it. It was really yummy. I had to keep warning Chia to stay away. When I lift my lip and show her my big, strong teeth, she backs off.

Later I grabbed my stuffie and ran and hopped through the house with him and shook him and played tug ‘o war with him and Mom Amy.

All-in-all, it was a good birthday. Thank you for stopping by as I turned 12 years old!

With lots of happy wags, Riley