Happy New Year!

I must say that Mom and I are certainly a couple of party animals. It's New Year's Eve, and you wanna see what we're doing to celebrate? Here's a picture of our evening festivities... (Yes, that's me sleeping on my doggie bed.)

Mom's been playing with her new crock pot, too. Yippee. And she wouldn't even let me have any of the food she made. How RUDE!

Anyway, here are my New Year's Resolutions:

1. Eat more cookies.

2. Steal the couch from Mom whenever I can.

3. Convince Mom to give me back my old doggie food.

4. Squeak those toys as much as possible.

5. Properly "mark" more trees around our house.

News from the Vet

Mom made me pee in a little container today so that she could take it to the vet. I don't know have any idea why they'd want my pee-pee, but they got it!

Then Dr. Curt called us this afternoon and told Mom that those nasty bladder stones are trying to come back again. Mom has to give me more medicine now to try to keep them away. I hope it helps. I don't want to have surgery again! I wish Mom would give me my old doggie food again. That stuff tasted so much better, and it was special food for those nasty stones. Mom said the new food is better for my liver, though, so I guess I'm stuck with it.

And you know what else we found out about today? Dr. Rebecca had a baby this morning! I usually visit her when I go to the doggie doctor. Mom said Dr. Curt could help me if I get sick before Dr. Rebecca is back, though.

The Pond!

Guess where Mom and I went today...the POND! It was warmer out than it has been, and all of that icky ice is gone now. So, we walked around the pond. Seems like it's been forever since we've been over there.

And I couldn't believe it, but the pond had a baby pond! There was a little pond over there that we didn't have before. Mom tried to tell me that it was just flooding from the snow, ice, and rain, but I don't believe her. It looked like a baby pond to me!

What's in a Name?

Mom hardly ever calls me Lexi. I have no idea why, but she's come up with a ton of other names for me over the years. Here's just a sampling...

• Lexi
• Lexi-Lou
• Lexi-Lou Nafziger (my full name is used when I'm in trouble)
• Lexi-Lou Who (she must think she's Dr. Seuss)
• Lexi-Lou Who who was no more than 8 (again with the Seuss stuff!)
• Lou
• Little Lou
• Little Lou Magoo (o.k. so she can rhyme.)
• "You Little Shih Tzu!" (again, when I'm in trouble...)
• Super Pooper (how embarrassing!)
• Stinker
• Stinker Butt
• Stink Pot (I get it...I smell...enough already!)
• Silly Goose
• Goose Goose
• Goober (Grandma Cindy got after Mom for calling me that one)
• Goober Butt (how rude!)
• Lexus (now I'm an expensive car????)
• Solid Gold Doggie (in reference to my vet bills)
• Little Love (well, this one is a little sweet)
• Little Lou Love (I guess some of the sweet names sort of counter-balance the rude ones...)

My Christmas Story

Whew. I think I finally recovered from Christmas...now I can tell you about it!

Mom and I went to Grandma and Grandpa's house on Christmas Eve. Hossy and I spent some time together in the afternoon, and then all of my aunts and uncles and people-cousins came over in the evening. There were a LOT of people at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Mom and I spent the night there. We hung out with Grandma and Grandpa on Christmas morning, then Hossy and Uncle Marty came by. Hossy and I stayed at Grandma and Grandpa's house while everyone left for a bit.

You know what Hossy did???? He was a BAD doggy when all of the people were gone. He got up on the counter and ate some people food! He had a coffee cake and a thing of pecan rolls. He shouldn't have done that. Everyone was pretty upset when they got back 'cause they wanted to eat the things that Hossy ate. Mom got worried that I was involved...but I was in my crate, so I had a good alibi.

The best part about the whole trip up there was Grandma and Grandpa's backyard. I LOVE THAT PLACE! I went all over, investigating everything. It was icy, so I fell on my belly a lot, but I still had fun. Each time Mom tried to take me back inside, I would run away from her. I didn't want to go inside when there was so much to check out in the backyard!

I don't like my Uncle Mark, by the way. On Christmas Eve, he kept trying to smoosh me by stomping on me. He's so mean!

Puppy Nest

I love to make puppy nests out of my blankies. I curl up in 'em and stay nice and toasty with the blankies all around me.

I usually use my front paws and tunnel around in my blankies to make a nest. It can take me a little while to get it just perfect. Here's a picture of me working on a nest. Yeah, that's my booty stickin' up in the air. The rest of me is under the blankies, tunnelling.

But check out the awesome puppy nest that Mom made for me the other day. This really, really rocked! You could barely see me all curled up down there! Of course Mom had to take a picture and wake me up. In the bottom picture, can you see me giving her that dirty look??? I showed her how happy I was about the camera waking me up!

I Don't Like this Ice!

Oh, this really stinks. Everything is all wet outside and it's icy, too. I can't walk on the sidewalk, and even the grass is all slippery. I keep flopping on my belly, and then my belly gets cooooold.

How am I supposed to do my business outside when I can barely stay standing up????

Bring Back My Old Food

Mom decided to change my doggie food. I was doing just fine on the old food and it was yummy in my tummy. But she said something about the new food being better for my ouchy liver and that Dr. Rebecca said I needed to eat this stuff instead.

This new food sucks, though. It's just nasty, nasty, nasty. I'm refusing to eat it. Instead, I've been eating the old kind of crunchy food that Mom left out. I'd rather eat that dry junk than the new canned food. That'll tell you just how desperate I am right now! I've also been scavaging around our house, looking for anything Mom might have accidently dropped. I've even been licking the carpet...but that's mainly 'cause I know it bugs Mom.

Bring back my old food!!!

What's with This Weather?!

It was really, really cold. Then this weekend it got warm again. It was super windy, though. Those stupid leaves were sure flying at me in the parking lot. Mom said watching me walk out there was like watching a game of Frogger, whatever that means. I was practically a doggie kite with that wind.

Then it got rainy and I got all wet.

Then it got icy and my little legs flew all over the place when I tried to walk.

Then it snowed again...with more ice on top of it. I thought the rain meant that spring was almost here. I'm tired of this stupid snow and ice!

I don't understand where I'm supposed to go potty at when it snows. All of the grass is gone. That's where I potty. I'm gonna explode if I don't find some grass soon.

I saw Santa!!!!

Guess what I did today... I saw Santa Claus! Mom and I went shopping at the doggie store and he was there! I sat on his lap and they took a picture.

We got a neat frame for the picture, too. Mom said that it was a good thing to get a picture 'cause half of the money from the pictures goes to help doggies who don't have houses and families. That's pretty darn cool in my opinion. I think every doggie out there deserves a home and someone to scratch her belly!

Santa asked me what I want for Christmas. He told me he'd tell Santa Paws. So I told him that I want COOKIES! They're my favorite things. Chicken cookies...beef cookies...bacon cookies... They're YUMMY! Bring on the cookies!!!

My New (LITTLE!!) Shirt

Aunt Katie gave me a present this weekend. I thought that was really super cool of her. I don't get presents very often from people other than Mom and maybe Grandma Cindy.

Anyway, Aunt Katie bought me a Christmas t-shirt that says "Ho Ho Ho!" on the back of it. Mom and I thought it was cute...but there was a little bit of a problem. The t-shirt was extra-small. I'm a little doggie, but not that little. Mom said I'd need a small or maybe a medium since I've been eating too many treats lately.

But last night Mom thought she'd try it on me anyway. I thought that was absolutely nuts. She almost got it stuck on my head!!! It hurt my leg, too, because of the stupid arthritis in it.

The shirt bunched up in my fur, and Mom couldn't get it to straighten out 'cause it was too little on me. She thought it was hysterical that the "Ho Ho Ho!" on the back was completely smooshed because of the bunching. I was not so amused. I told her the darn thing wouldn't fit!

You'll note that my tail is down in these pictures. I was NOT enjoying myself...even though Mom thought this was so funny.

See those holly leaves on the back? The "Ho Ho Ho!" is right above there, but you can't see it because the shirt was all smooshed!

Hoss, Uncle Marty, and Grandpa Marion

Guess what...I got to go see Hoss yesterday! He's my buddy. We had fun barking at each other for a bit, and we sniffed each other, too. Then, we went back and forth in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard, trying to pee on the same stuff. Hossy is a lot bigger than I am, though, so he has a lot more pee. He didn't have much trouble covering all of my spots. I sure tried, though.

The only downside of the day was in the afternoon when Uncle Marty and Grandpa watched Hossy and I. Mom left with Grandma Cindy. I think Grandpa Marion might be nuts. You know what he did to me??? Uncle Marty was sleeping on the bed, and Grandpa Marion picked me up and held me over Uncle Marty. I wasn't sure what to think...and I still don't know how Grandpa caught me. Uncle Marty woke up and told Grandpa to put me down, but he just put me on the bed and not the floor. It was WAY to high for me to jump down. I was stuck there!

And Uncle Marty just went back to sleep. I stood at the edge of the bed and tried to figure out how to get down, but it was too high. I didn't want to be up there -- seemed dangerous to me. I never get up on the bed at home. Finally Uncle Marty woke up again and helped me get back down to the floor.

I was sure glad to see Mom when she came back...

I'm Putting Myself Up for Adoption

I'm SO TICKED at Mom right now. You wouldn't believe what she's done to me lately. It's just absurd. She's so mean!

She's giving me this other doggie food that's not my normal doggie food. It was o.k. at first, but I want my old food back. And then she's putting this dry, powdery crap on top of the food. That's just nasty! It makes it all dry and crunchy and just gross.

Then, just to add insult to injury, she's been prying my mouth open and squirting this other nasty crap down my throat!!! I just couldn't believe it when she started doing that. I was shocked...she's not usually this mean to me.

This morning, she ruined my doggie food, squirted that stuff in my mouth, and THEN she poured those drops in my eyes. I had had enough!!! I left her in the living room and just went to my office. She was NOT going to mess with me anymore!

What happened to my Mom?! If she keeps this up, I'm looking for a new house...

Breakfast in Bed

A long time ago my Mom got smart and put a water bowl in the bedroom for me. I like having choices about where to get a drink.

Guess what she did tonight...she let me eat supper in the bedroom, too! She said it was 'cause I didn't eat all of my food and she didn't want it to go to waste. So she brought the food mat in and put it by my water bowl and my bed. It was so cool to be eating in here that I gobbled that food right up.

This rocks. I've almost got her completely trained!

It Snowed...Ugh!

It snowed at my house yesterday. I really don't like snow. It ranks right up there with leaves in my book. It's just too cold, and it freezes my little puppy paws. Brrrr!

Here's a picture Mom took of where we usually walk. I refused to walk any further than this, though, 'cause of that stupid snow. Mom doesn't like snow very much either, but she told me that it made the trees and bushes pretty. Whatever...

And here's a picture of what one of my favorite spots looked like yesterday. The snow makes it so hard to find a good spot to leave my mark. I try to sniff around, but the snow ends up going up my nose. That's NOT cool! Anyway, you'll notice that I was successful in finding a spot if you look closely. he he he! I can't go there today, though, 'cause the wind blew the snow around and it's too deep by that light pole. Big bummer...

Lazy Day

Mom and I had a nice, lazy, stay-home day today. These types of days are the best. I don't know why she thinks she has to go to work.

We went for a walk this afternoon and my leg was only a little ouchy. We played my favorite game tonight, too -- "you try to pet me; I try to bite you." I LOVE that game! We hadn't played that for a while 'cause I haven't felt very good. Stupid, ouchy leg.

Tonight I decided to tunnel under the covers on my doggie bed. Mom thought it was hilarious...I have no idea why. Anyway, she felt she had to keep taking pictures of me. That's annoying 'cause she kept waking me up. Oh, well. I suppose I did look pretty darn cute...as usual...

The Groomer!

She did it -- I can't believe Mom actually did it! I'm so upset with her...

Yesterday, she left me at the VET...and today she took me to the GROOMER! How rude.

When she came home in the middle of the day, I knew what was going on. So you know what I did? I went and tried to hide in the back of my crate. I refused to come out of it, too. Mom had to crawl in there and pull me out. I was NOT going to willingly go to the groomer! I showed her...

The VET!

I should have known something was going on this morning when Mom asked me if I wanted to go for a ride. She took me to the VET and then she LEFT ME THERE!!!

I'm a doggie pin cushion. They poked my leg with a needle and then gave me some food. So I thought things were all good. Wrong answer. They waited a while and then they poked me in the leg again! Ouch.

I was so happy to see Mom when she came to get me...even if I am a bit ticked at her for leaving me there. What's next...the groomer?!?!

Arthur Itis

My leg has been ouchy lately. It hurts to walk, so this morning I just refused to go potty outside. Mom kept trying to make me, but I wouldn't have anything to do with that.

She says that my leg is ouchy because of Arthur Itis bothering it with the colder weather. I have absolutely no idea who that is. The only doggy that I hang out with is my cousin Hoss, and Mom and I don't hang out together with her people friends very often 'cause she's so busy. So who on earth is Arthur Itis and what did I do to HIM?!

Squirrel Attack!

A squirrel tried to KILL me this morning!!! I was almost viciously attacked!

o.k. Well, maybe it wasn't technically a "vicious attack," but a squirrel did try to dive-bomb me with a nut. The stupid thing actually THREW a nut at me from way up in a tree! Can you believe that?! The nut landed less than a foot away from my little head.

I hardly ever chase squirrels. I wonder if that one had me confused with another doggie...

Lots of Trips to the Vet

Mom had a stay-home day today. I don't think she was feeling very good. I'm just glad she let ME stay home, too, 'cause you know what she did last week and this week? She took me to the doggie doctor for FIVE days in a row! How rude!

On two days she actually left me alone there all morning. I've been so poked and prodded that it ain't funny. Dr. Rebecca and Dr. Curt are nice and stuff, but nobody likes to be stuck at the vet.

Now Mom's making me take pills. She seems pretty sad about something, too. I don't know what, though, 'cause I feel fine. She said I have bad liver problems, whatever that means. I just give her some extra kisses when she gets so sad.

I Hate Leaves

My Mom absolutely loves the fall because of the cooler temperatures and the pretty colors. I won't argue about the temperatures -- summer is just TOO hot for me. I can't see many of those colors she's always talking about, though. The tops of those trees are pretty high up there, and I've got some short little legs. By the time the leaves are on my level, they're crunchy and brown.

I know that "hate" is a pretty strong word, but I think it accurately describes my feelings towards leaves. I know I've complained about them before, too. But here's an official list on why I don't like leaves...maybe you'll see where I'm coming from...

1. They're crunchy and scratchy under my little paws.
2. The crunching sound scares me sometimes, especially when someone else steps on them near me.
3. I can't feel the ground when I walk through them.
4. I can't figure out what's under the leaves. I might be missing something that I need to check out.
5. They're impossible to sniff through.
6. They're just in the way. I'm a busy doggie and I don't need the additional challenge.
7. They get stuck in the fur on my face when I try to sniff stuff on the ground.
8. They get stuck in my floppy ears when I try to sniff stuff on the ground.
9. They get stuck in the fur on my little legs when I have to walk through them.
10. Sometimes they hurt when they get stuck like that. Mom has to help pull them off of me.
11. Sometimes Mom thinks I look funny when I have leaves stuck to me. How rude.
12. When they're wet, they stick to me in even more places.
13. When I try to pee on something, the leaves get in the way and block my target.
14. If I do pee on them near my target, they just blow away. Thus, I can't leave my mark where I want to.
15. When I get near a leaf that another doggie has peed on, I end up getting the pee-pee on me. That ain't cool.
16. The rattling sound scares me when they blow in the wind.
17. I can't figure out where the rattling is actually coming from, so I have to be on guard more than usual.
18. And when it's windy...PROJECTILE LEAF MISSILES! I swear they all aim right for me.

That's a good start for my list. I wish someone around here would rake...

Why Is Mom So BUSY?!?!

Mom's been hogging the computer lately. She's SO RUDE! She says she has to have it so that she can do her homework. She doesn't understand that I need time to update my blog. Doggies have online needs, too.

Then she tells me that she has to study so that she can graduate and get another job so we can get a nice, big yard for me. She says I can have my very own trees to pee on and my very own yard where no other doggies can go potty.

When I was a puppy I had a yard at my old home. That was before Mom adopted me. There were lots of other doggies there, though. (They didn't like me...those big bullies.) Anyway, I like yards. Grandma's yard is really, really cool.

But Mom's too busy with school and homework. I don't get nearly enough attention anymore. I pottied in my crate yesterday just to prove my point. A yard someday would be cool...but I want more time with Mom NOW!

Rice Rocks!

This antibiotic stuff is getting really, really cool -- I'm eating SO much rice these days! Rice is one of my absolute favorite things. The only bad part is that Mom keeps prying my little mouth open and poking a stupid pill down my throat. I gnaw on her finger each time she does that, just to emphasize my disgust. But I can't be mad for long...'cause she keeps giving me rice!

My bladder is feeling better these days. I wonder how many more pills I have to take...

What I Learned Today

I came upon a wonderful realization today...

• Mom wants me to take my antibiotic so my bladder infection will go away.
• I have to have food in my tummy before Mom gives me the pill.

So, if I hold out and don't eat any of my doggie food, Mom will break down and make me some RICE! I love that stuff. It's my favorite thing. Usually I'm a meat sort of girl, but that rice stuff is the tops in my book.

Mom had to make me some rice twice today. he he he. I've got a good system going. I plan to keep this up for as long as she's making me take those stupid pills.

Using the Doggie Bed for a Cover

I decided to nap under my doggie bed last night while Mom watched TV. I wedged myself between my blue blankie and the bed, then worked my back under the bed. Mom thought it was hysterical. She couldn't figure out why I wanted to sleep like that. I was rather comfy.

Poor, Sick Pooch

Wonder why I've been quiet lately? I've been sick. Mom even made me go to that VET again! She was worried that I had more icky bladder stones 'cause I was having accidents in my crate. Dr. Rebecca said it was just a bladder infection, but they made me have tests done to be sure. I really don't like the vet...even though they're nice there and they love doggies. But no doggie likes to be poked and prodded!

So I've got some pills that I need to take for a while. Mom tries to hide them in my doggie food. She actually thinks that I don't know they're there, if you can believe that. I'm not an idiot.

I went to the doggie spa last week, so I'm really super cute right now, too. When you don't feel good, it helps a little to know that you're still adorable. Mom had the groomer trim my ears so that they don't flop in my water bowl so much. That made me even cuter!

In the Dog House

I got in trouble this morning. I wanted to go for a long walk and Mom just wouldn't listen to me at all. I couldn't figure out what the matter was with her.

Then I realized that it was raining. It wasn't bad, so I didn't care. I've got fur!

But Mom said she was having a "good hair day" (whatever that is) and I ruined it. She was not a happy camper. Oops...

Why Do I Put Up With THIS?!

Yes, I'm a spoiled doggie. Don't you think it's worth it, though, when you see the type of crap I have to put up with?!

Mom and I like to play with this blue blankie, but she took it a little too far...

Lazy, Lazy Days

Mom and I had lazy days all weekend. We even got an extra day off of work. Some holiday -- doesn't matter why to a doggie. I was just happy to have another free day with Mom. Here's a picture of what I did today:

Oh -- I almost got to poop on my leash again this morning. Mom noticed and stopped just as I was getting ready to do my thing. How rude. She really doesn't want me to poop on the leash, though. Oh, well. It's fun!

Revenge is Sweet!

I hate my leash...but I'm sure you already know that.

Today, however, I got my revenge. It took quite a while to plan out the perfect method, and this morning a wonderful opportunity presented itself. I was hunting and hunting and hunting for the perfect spot to go # 2. At the very last minute, I spun myself around in a circle and the leash had no choice but to wrap around behind me.

Yes, I pooped right on that stupid leash today! he he he

Mom wasn't too happy, but I sure enjoyed it.

I Hate the Bath Tub

Would you believe that Mom made me take ANOTHER bath?! I really don't like getting all wet like that. She told me that I was stinky and that I needed to be clean because we were going to go see Grandma and Grandpa again tomorrow. I just don't understand that, though, because I got to be stinky when I was at their house back when Mom was sick. I think my Mom's just picky.

She even took pictures of me in the tub. How rude! I thought I was going to just have to climb out myself...

Stupid bath tub!

Playing with Hossy

Tuesday was a work day, but guess what... Mom and I went to see Grandma and Grandpa in the afternoon! I got to play with my cousin Hoss in the backyard. We romped around for a while. Hossy played with his Kong, too. He loves that thing. We both think that Grandma and Grandpa's backyard is awesome.

Mom took some pictures of us playing. Aren't we adorable? Mom thinks it's funny 'cause I'm so little and Hossy is so big.

Here's a picture of Hossy and I romping in the yard. Grandma and Grandpa have the coolest yard ever. It's SO big!

And some more romping... I was afraid Hossy was going to run over me! See that silly Kong in his mouth, too? He really loves that thing. I don't think he knows that there's supposed to be food inside it!

Then we sat outside for a while, just enjoying the day with Mom and Grandpa Marion.

Hoss got pretty tired and he flopped on Grandma Cindy's bed!

I got tired, too, but I waited until we were driving home. I zonked out in the car. Good thing I don't have to help drive!

The Pond Again!

I must have been a really good doggie. Mom took me to the pond early this morning and again this evening. That's TWO trips in one day!

To Market, To Market

I feel really bad now for complaining about how boring Mom was. You know what she did today? She took me to the farmer's market!

I love going to the market because there are so many people there and there's so much stuff to sniff. I don't even know how many times today I heard, "Oh, what a cute doggie!" I know I'm cute, but it's always great to hear other people say that. I get lots and lots of extra petting there, too.

I got pretty tired, though, 'cause it was a lot of walking. And I had to be careful because there were a lot of people there. That's a lot of feet that I have to watch out for -- don't want to be stepped on!

But even with all of those feet, I still had a pretty cool day. I guess taking that bath last night was worth it since I got so much petting at the market!

Ain't NO Way I'm Taking a Bath

This doesn't make much sense to me...

Each month, Mom puts this nasty junk on my back. It stinks and it makes me all icky and greasy. She says I have to have it to keep the fleas away. You know what it is, though? It's a people repellent! She puts that junk on me and then tells people not to pet me when we go on walks. How rude!

Then, just to add insult to injury, a few days after she puts that junk on me, she makes me take a bath to get the stuff off! It's just absurd.

This is cruel and unusual punishment. So you know what? I'm breaking the cycle this time. I don't care if I've got the nasty stuff on me -- Mom's not going to give me a bath!

Shhhh! Don't tell her I'm hiding in the bedroom...

Two in a Row!

I woke Mom up really early today 'cause I thought it was a stay-home day. Turns out that we have to work today, though. Oops!

Anyway, I somehow convinced Mom to take me for a walk around the pond this morning. Woo hoo! I couldn't believe it. That's TWO long walks in a row! So very cool. I'm beginning to feel bad about saying Mom was boring...

She actually didn't want to walk around the pond this morning. I think she wanted to go back to sleep instead. But you know what I did? I just kept tugging and trying to go that direction. I was a doggie on a mission...and it worked. She finally just gave in.

I got SO excited when we finally went that way. I was Super Doggie at times, just flying down that path so fast that Mom couldn't keep up with me. My little legs were moving right along.

But now I think it's time to take a nap...we did get up pretty early...

A Walk in the Park

Mom took me to that really, super-cool park again tonight! I had so much fun. I got pretty excited when she pulled into the parking lot 'cause I remembered when we went there before.

This time we went on a really long walk around the park, though -- way longer than we went the last time! There were SO many new smells to sniff. You wouldn't believe how many other doggies had been there.

It was really fun to go on such a long sniffing spree, but I got a little tired in the middle. Mom couldn't keep up with me at the start, then I couldn't keep up with her in the middle, but then she couldn't keep up with me again at the end. That was so funny.

I love the park!

Yawn!

My Mom is so boooooring! She gets home from work and just wants to sit on the couch. Geez. Give me a break! I've been sitting in my office all day long and I'm ready to play, play, play. The woman just doesn't understand...

Nothing to Report

Not a lot for me to report tonight. Typical evening for Mom and I. Went for a walk. Ate some supper. Took a nap. Went for another walk. Played with squeaky toys. Begged Mom for more food. Went outside again. Begged Mom for more food again. Now I'm getting ready to take another nap. I wish Mom would hurry up and just go to bed so that I can, too.

The VET!!!

I should have known something was up this morning. Mom chased me around outside trying to get me to potty in a little container. But then she went to work and I went to watch TV just like a normal day. So I thought things were o.k.

Nope. My luck ran out. When Mom came home from work, she took me to the VET! The doggie doctor!! It's not a fun place.

I was poked and prodded and weighed and tugged on. Ugh! They even poked my leg and took some blood out. I got a cool pink bandage from that, but it annoyed me 'cause I couldn't move my leg like normal.

The vet gave me some yummy cookies when we left. I was just happy to be going, though. I'd had enough of the doggie doctor!

Mom felt bad 'cause I was poked so much, so we went to the doggie store after the vet. The doggie store ROCKS. I got a new squeaky toy that's really cool. I was flingin' it around the room earlier. Mom also got me a little apple doggie dessert. Yummy in my tummy!

Surprise! It's Grandma and Grandpa!

Guess what... Grandma and Grandpa came down to my house to see me! I was so surprised. Mom took me out to potty, and all of the sudden I see Grandma and Grandpa out in our parking lot.

I like visiting with Grandma and Grandpa. Extra petting and extra attention sure never hurt! I know how to weasel stuff out of Grandma, too, just like I do my Mom. Nobody can resist my cute little face! They didn't give me much of their supper, so that was a bummer. Grandma did sneak me a couple little pieces of potato chips, though. Grandma rocks! Grandpa sometimes drops food on the floor, too, so I like to stake out the area where he sits.

Want to hear something funny? When nobody was watching, Grandpa went and messed with our thermostat! He was complaining 'cause he was cold...but he got confused and made it even colder in here. I froze my little hiney off until Mom realized what happened the next morning. Grandpa is sure sneaky!

I do have one beef with Grandpa, though. You know what he tells people about me?! He likes to say that he can't tell which end is my front and which is my back! He even convinced my uncles that I need a shirt with an arrow on it so they know which way I'm going. How rude!!!

Lazy Day

I woke Mom up early today and we went for a walk around the pond. That's a GREAT way to start the day, if you ask me! I love the pond. We were out there so early, too, that there weren't any other doggies around to bother me. Mom and I had the pond to ourselves.

Since our walk, Mom's been busy cleaning in our kitchen. I decided to take things easy today, though. It's a lazy summer day for me! Mom took some pictures as proof...

I hate to point out the obvious...but I'm just so cute!

A Day of Beauty

Mom took me to the doggie spa this morning for a day of beauty. I got an absolutely adorable hair cut.

I don't really like going to the doggie spa, though. You know why? 'Cause I have to take a bath there! I hate taking baths. My ears aren't itchy and stinky anymore, so I guess that's good. It's rather embarrassing, though, when the people at the doggie spa trim the hair on my bottom and clean out my...um...glands back there. So very humiliating...

I'm even cuter than normal now, though, and Mom really likes it when I'm this adorable. I suppose I do get extra petting and scratching, too, when I don't stink.

But I still don't like to take baths...even at the spa.

My Mom's a Dork

Mom keeps asking me where Hossy is. He's at Grandma's house, not our house! She thinks it's hilarious when I start looking for him after she asks. So why is she asking me where he is if he's not here?!

Good grief. I'm a DOG. How cool do you think you are by tricking me?! Mom's such a dork.

Just Visiting

Mom and I went for a ride yesterday...and we spent the day at Grandma and Grandpa's house! I got to play in the backyard and go for rides in Grandma's car. I even got to hang out with Hossy! Uncle Marty stopped by, too. I got lots of scratches and rubs from everyone. What a cool day.

We even sat outside and watched a parade go by Grandma's house. I got a little scared when the firetrucks went by because their sirens were SO LOUD. Grandpa Marion put his fingers in his ears!

You know what the best part was? We only went for a day-long visit! Mom and I came home late, late last night. I love going to Grandma's house...but there's no place like home!

QVC vs ESPN

I've had some time to compare a couple of TV channels while Mom's been at work lately. I usually watch QVC. Have for years. There's some cool stuff on QVC.

One day, though, Mom accidently changed the channel on my TV when she was turning it on. She didn't know she did it, either. The button she pushed turned my QVC into ESPN, so I watched that for a long time. After a while, Mom realized what she did, but she left it on those sports anyway. Sports are o.k., I suppose. I learned a whole lot.

Today she switched the channel back. I realized, too, that change is good now and then...but QVC is still the best for me!

Oh, What a Beautiful Day!

I had such a cool day yesterday!

Mom took me for a walk around the pond early in the morning. She usually doesn't take me to the pond when I wake her up early like that. She did yesterday, though. It was a beautiful day, too. There was this huge puddle over there -- the sidewalk was flooded from all of the rain we've had. You know what I did? Mom tried to get me to walk around the water, but I decided to go right through the middle! I got all wet up to my sides. My belly was completely soaked. Mom couldn't believe I did that because I hate to take baths. This was different, though. It was a puddle! I am a dog, after all...

Last night, Mom took me to the park, too. I got to go for two long walks in one day! How cool is that?! We hadn't gone to the park in a long time. There was all sorts of stuff to sniff there. Lots of doggies had been at the park, so I had to leave my mark on a lot of stuff. I love going to the park!

Today it was back to work for Mom and I, though. Bummer. Oh, well. I'm gonna keep thinking about that park...I hope she takes me again soon!

Puppy Poetry: Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Rain, rain, go away.
I’m sick and tired
of all this gray!

I must abstain from peeing in the rain.

You can bet that I hate to be wet.

I just can’t perform in the middle of a storm.

Rain, rain, go away
Or I guess I just
Won’t pee today!

It Stinks to be a Doggie in the Summer

This weather is impossible. Yesterday when Mom got home from work, it was way too hot for me to take care of business outside. Mom made me stay out there anyway until I pottied a little. She took me out two or three other times before we went night-night, too, but it was still too hot and humid for me. I didn't want to take the time to find a good "spot."

So I woke Mom up in the middle of the night and we went out again. Would you believe that it was raining out there that time?! I just can't catch a break. Mom took me out a couple of times in the middle of the night, but it was stormy all night, so that wasn't much fun. And, of course, the stupid thunder scared me, so Mom and I were up most of the night.

Want to know a secret? I peed in my crate last night. I just couldn't hold it anymore, and the weather wasn't cooperating with my bladder. Shhhh....don't tell Mom!!!

My Summer Vacation

Oh, wow...has it REALLY been almost a month since I've had a chance to write?! Things have been a little crazy for me.

Mom got super busy with homework, so I got to go spend a couple of weeks at Grandma and Grandpa's house. I have so much fun there -- it was sort of my summer vacation. Grandma sneaks me scraps of food and stuff. he he he. I love that. I'm not supposed to have people food anymore 'cause of my bladder stones. Grandma spoils me, though.

I spent a lot of time with Hoss when I was at Grandma and Grandpa's house. He's my cousin, and he stays at Grandma's house a lot of the time, too. I think he's there a lot more than me, though. Uncle Marty drops him off every afternoon when he goes to work.

It's fun to hang with Hossy. He's got Grandma trained to take him for rides in the car...so I got to go, too! That was so much fun. Grandma would drive us around town. Hossy got the backseat -- 'cause he's such a big doggy -- and I got to sit up front with Grandma and Grandpa. I love going for rides. Mom doesn't take me NEARLY often enough!

Grandma has an awesome backyard, too, and it has a fence all of the way around it. I got to just romp all over the place. So very cool. I liked to find a good spot and then just roll around on my back in the grass. Awwwwww. There's also a cool tree at the far side of the yard. I went and sat in the shade there quite a bit, just to watch the world go by. Grandma usually sent Grandpa out to get me when they decided it was time to go inside. They weren't very happy when I didn't just run back up to the house. I really didn't want to leave that nice, shady spot!

Mom's been pretty busy with work lately. I guess she's done with school for the summer, though. Maybe now she'll let me use the computer more often to write stuff here... Let's hope!

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

Happy Birthday to me!!! Mom sang to me this morning, and she gave me a couple of extra belly rubs. I got extra cookies with my supper, too. I love my birthday! I used to get a whole hot dog of my very own on my birthday. Mom said that I couldn't have one this year, though, because I'm only supposed to eat my special doggie food. I really love those hot dogs, but I don't want to have surgery again on my belly. I'm tired of those stupid bladder stones! So, no more birthday hot dogs for me. Bummer.

At least Mom doesn't make me wear one of those stupid party hats on my birthday anymore. I'm posting a couple of pictures here from two years ago. That was the last time she made me wear a hat...and I think the second picture will show you why. The stupid hat attacked me! I was traumatized for a while. I was so upset that I couldn't even eat my birthday hot dog! No more party hats for me.

Where does the time go? I can't believe I'm 8 years old today. That means that I've lived with Mom for almost 6 full years now. It sure doesn't seem like it has been that long. I was born on June 13, 2000, and Mom adopted me on July 12, 2002. I've been living the good life since then. I'm spoiled rotten -- it took me a few years, but I've finally got Mom trained just the way I like!

Are doggies supposed to have a mid-life crisis? If so, I'd better get working on that...

I Got in Trouble...

Sorry I haven't been able to post in a while. I was grounded, and Mom wouldn't let me use the computer.

We had a little disagreement last week. Mom said she needed to go back to work, but I wanted her to stay home with me. So I decided to let her know just how upset at her I was...by peeing in my crate every day. On Friday, I even rolled around in it a bit, just so that I smelled "great" for Mom. Boy, was she mad!

She grounded me. We also had a discussion about how she needs to go to work so that we have money to buy doggie food and doggie toys. I suppose she has a point there. I decided I'd better shape up and just get used to being back in my office during the day. I haven't pottied inside again. (She made me take a bath on Friday after I rolled in the messy crate -- I really HATE baths!)

It stinks that she's at work again, though. I really liked spending all of my time with her when she was home sick for the last few months. I even got to nap on the couch with her every day. Oh, well. I suppose that having money for doggie food is more important...

Watering Some Ants

We had a lot of rain the other night, and since then these huge ant hills have popped up all over. They even tried to take over one of my favorite sniffing spots outside. So you know what I did? I sniffed 'em and then hiked my leg on 'em! Yes, I "watered" that ant hill. You should have seen them scamper! he he he.

My Belly Hurts

My belly started to hurt today. Here's a picture of it. Isn't it just gross?!

Mom said that it's probably not anything we need to worry about and that it will get better soon. She put some medicine on it for me. She said something about how it's just the stitches from my surgery. I thought they were supposed to stay inside my tummy and just go away, but it looks like they're trying to come out now.

I hope Mom's right and my belly gets better soon. Stupid bladder stones.

Another Embarrassing Picture

Why on earth does Mom keep taking pictures of me like this?! Can't I just sleep in peace? Geez.

Stupid Dry Dog Food

Mom keeps trying to get me to eat that dry, crunchy crap that she bought. I'd much rather have the canned food, though. You know what she actually did this evening? She mixed my canned food up with that dry junk! So, I showed her. I picked up a piece of the dry food, walked over to her, and spit it out by her foot! Ha! She should know better than to mess with me...

Puppy Poetry: No Poo for Lou

I’m Lexi-Lou
And I refuse to poo.

Yes it’s true,
I’m overdue.

Mom hasn’t a clue,
Why I refuse to doo.

If she only knew
But I’ll tell you…

Things are quite constraining
Just because it’s raining.

How Embarrassing...

I can't believe Mom took this picture of me. And now she's making me post it on MY blog -- just as if I was the one who wanted it out on the internet. I can't believe my puppy belly is on display for the world to see. This is so embarrassing...

Icky Bladder Stones

Those bladder stones I had were pretty icky. Want to see how nasty they were? I actually have a picture of them. They look pretty cool, but I'm really happy that they're on the outside now and not still poking me in the tummy!

Poor, Sick Puppy

Mom and I have both been feeling sick lately, so that's why I haven't posted anything in a while. Mom took me to see Dr. Rebecca yesterday. She told Mom that I was feeling icky because I had stones in my bladder again. (This happened last year, too. Mom and I are both getting tired of it!)

Would you believe that Mom LEFT ME at the vet's office yesterday?! I was so scared...and a bit ticked at her. This morning, Dr. Rebecca and Dr. Curt actually took me in for surgery, and they got those nasty stones out.

I feel pretty crummy now, so I need to go back to sleep. Mom told me that I'd feel better in a couple of days.

She's going to add some pictures here that she took of me tonight. My pink bandage is covering up my pain patch. My incision is actually on my tummy.

Whooooosh!

It was SUCH a windy day today! I tried to walk outside and the wind kept pushing me sideways. It was just crazy. I went up to sniff the light pole in the parking lot, and the wind blew this big piece of paper over and smacked it into the pole. That's enough to scare the "shih" out of this Shih Tzu!

Those leaves were terrible, too. They're dangerous projectiles in wind like this. One leaf had the nerve to smack me in my back legs when I was walking, and the wind kept it stuck there until I turned around! It was pretty frightening. It didn't help matters that Mom thought it was funny. Stupid wind...

Brushing the Belly

There's only one thing better than having someone scratch your belly... It's when Mom gets out the hairbrush and brushes the belly! Oh, I love that. I almost fell asleep when she was brushing me tonight. Sooo nice. That's just like a doggie massage!

Changing My Mind

I have the right to change my mind, don't I? My Mom doesn't seem to think so. Take tonight, for example. We went outside so that I could do my thing. I took care of business and I was ready to come back inside. Mom didn't agree. She made me go for a walk in the cold! After we got going, though, I decided that it wasn't too bad of a night for a walk. I started to enjoy myself.

Wouldn't you know it, we were back at our building in no time at all and Mom made me come back inside! I didn't want to. I wanted to sniff some more and check a few other things out. But noooooo. Mom had to drag me inside, claiming she was tired and that I'd had enough time to check my pee-mail. It was just ridiculous. Why is SHE the boss all of the time?! I've got to figure out how to train her better...

I Got New Kongs!

I think Mom went to PetSmart today...'cause I got new Kongs! I have two brand new ones now and one that's a little old. I love the new ones--especially when Mom fills 'em with my canned doggie food! Those things are like Chuck 'E Cheese for doggies. I get to eat yummy stuff and I get to play, too. Very cool! Mom took some pictures because I was so excited.

Oprah's Show on Puppy Mills

Mom taped Oprah's show from last week on puppy mills, and she just finally worked up the nerve to watch it last night. It was SO sad! Please check out Oprah's resources on animal rescues: http://www2.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200804/tows_past_20080404_b.jhtml?promocode=incl20080404bpage.

If you're looking to increase your family, please consider adoption from a shelter or animal rescue. Don't support the puppy mills! Dogs are people, too, and no doggie should ever have to live in the conditions shown on Oprah's secret footage. I felt so bad for all of those puppy dogs. It's just horrible, too, that doggies are put to sleep in shelters because nobody wants them. Surely someone out there could give those puppies a good, loving home!

Have I ever told you my story? I was born at a breeder's house, and I was adopted by some nice people parents. I was sick when I was born, and my first people parents helped to make me all better. I had a lot of other Shih Tzu siblings there, though, and they picked on me a lot. I was always so scared. The other dogs wouldn't even let me eat very much dog food! So, when my first people parents found out that Mom was looking to adopt, they asked her if she could give me a good home. We've been together ever since. I love living here -- I'm the only doggie; I'm spoiled rotten; and I run the show!

Please make another puppy's dreams come true. Adopt from a shelter or rescue!!!

Green, Green Grass

The days are getting warmer. The sun is shining brighter. The grass is even getting greener!

Want to hear something funny, though? Mom never let me potty right in front of our building until she hurt her back and couldn't walk very far. I like it this way because I don't have to walk very far when I really have to go. Anyway, I pick different spots each time. So now that the grass is starting to get green again, we've got several bright green polka dots all over in front of the building. It's so funny looking! I guess I need to work on "fertilizing" other spots out there, too!

Puppy Poetry: Taking a Bath

Taking a Bath

I had to take a bath today
And I must sincerely say
(Even if it is cliché)
Keep that bath water away!

Just like any respectful pet
Water really makes me fret
So please remember, don’t forget
That I hate to be wet!

Water’s only good to drink
And I really, truly think
Baths can put me on the brink…
So please, oh please just let me stink!

Leashes are stupid

I love it when the weather gets warmer. I'm a fair-weather type of gal, so I'm not a big fan of winter. (Well, I don't really like summer, either. Thank goodness for air conditioning!)

I tried to chase a robin the other day. Mom wouldn't let me catch it. Stupid leash. If I was free, that birdie would have been MINE! Of course, I'm not sure what I would have done with it if I had actually caught it...

I got to go for a walk around the pond today. I love going over there! Some other doggies sort of scared me, but it turned out o.k. There are so many different smells to sniff at the pond. I really wish that I didn't have to stay on my leash, though. My mom just holds me back. I can't explore nearly as much as I'd like to. Mom is so slow. I loved Grandma Cindy's backyard where I got to roam all over on my own. That rocked! This leash business has been hard to adjust to again. It stinks. I want a backyard with a fence!

I'm home!

I'm so glad to be back home! It seems like I've been gone forever.

My mom hurt her back a few months ago, and I got to stay with all sorts of different people. I spent some time over at Knee's house with her parents. I went to Grandma Pat and Grandpa George's house for a couple of weeks, and then I spent a lot of time with Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Marion.

I really loved Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Marion's back yard! I got to run and play and sniff all on my own. I liked to follow my cousin Hoss around, too. Man, he's a big doggy. That long tail of his almost whacked me a few times!

I'm not sure why, but Grandpa Marion kept stealing my doggie bed at night. He took my blanket, too. Maybe he was just confused. Sure made for some interesting nights!

Anyway, it's great to be back home now. Here's a picture of what I did last night. I was pretty content. Can you tell?