Show Results and Photos

What? That's not a Lhasa! My "granddog" Henri!

“No matter how close we are to another person, few human relationships are as free from strife, disagreement, and frustration as is the relationship you have with a good dog. Few human beings give of themselves to another as a dog gives of itself. I also suspect that we cherish dogs because their unblemished souls make us wish - consciously or unconsciously - that we were as innocent as they are, and make us yearn for a place where innocence is universal and where the meanness, the betrayals, and the cruelties of this world are unknown.” -Dean Koontz, A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog.

A week ago today four of the dogs and I got up early and headed to Minnesota for two days of Lhasa Apso Specialties, hosted by the Twin Cities Lhasa Apso Club, and two days of all-breed shows, hosted by the St. Croix Valley Kennel Club. The shows were at the fairgrounds in Lake Elmo, MN. It was darn hot there and we had to groom and show in un-airconditioned buildings. Miserable!

However, we had a great time. The members of the TCLAC were great hosts. The shows ran smoothly, and we enjoyed wonderful meals provided by the club. The raffle was fun, even though I did not win anything (as usual!). This show is where I get to see friends that I see only at this show or at our national specialty, so hot, humid weather or not, we had fun. I wish I could say I had as much winning as I had fun. Alas, that was not the case. Thursday, Duncan took 3rd in his 6-9 month class of 3. Friday he won his class. Saturday he took second. Sunday he won the class and also Reserve Winners Dog to the 5 point major. That was an achievement due to the number of dogs competing in the Winners class. It was nice for the youngest to be selected and for the judge to recognize his fine quality, even if there were no points involved.

Windy showed like a dream on Thursday and Friday. She decided on Saturday and Sunday that she did not want to stand still on the table for exam, but she still moved and showed herself well. She was entered in the 12-18 month class and was the only entry. On Thursday, she took Reserve Winners Bitch to the 5 point major. Again, it was nice to be recognized from among the many lovely bitches, even if no points were involved.

Rafe was shown only on Thursday and Friday, for reasons you'll read later in this post. On Thursday, he did nothing. Friday he took Select Dog.


I saw Belle and Mary at the show in Lake Elmo. Mary had Belle entered in the rally trial. I was fortunate to make it from the conformation building to the obedience/rally building in time to watch Belle perform. She was great! I was so proud of her. She scored a 94 and qualified for another leg toward her rally novice title. Only one more leg to go!  Mary wrote about Belle: "It was very good to see you and Belle agrees. It was fun and heartwarming to see her excitement to see you…I am still very proud of Belle's first 2 legs with the little training we have done and her willingness to please…Thank you for letting Belle into my life.  She is my jewel that sparkles, all the time…"

Cindy wrote this about Jethro: "Tonight is week 3 of beginner obedience training.  He has sit, stay, come mastered but is struggling with heal.  Again he is motivated by treats even if the treats are just hand fed pieces of dog food so I am confident he will get it mastered.  He is the smallest student and very social with all." Jethro is having some issues about grooming, especially around his face. I'm having similar ones with Lila, who is determined to keep her mustache messy and that comb away from her face. Both Cindy and I are working on overcoming this aversion to face combing!



Cindy sent some cute pictures of Jethro:

Jethro chillin' out on the deck

Jethro at the gate!

 Speaking of Lila, she went with us to the MN shows and, for the most part, endured the travel, the heat, and being crated quite well. However, when we got home she ran and ran and ran, getting rid of all that pent up energy. Then she decided to play soccer with her chew bone and batted it with her front feet, banging it into furniture and baseboards as she chased it around the room. So cute!

Unfortunately, puppies seem to pick up bad habits faster than they do good ones. Windy has a terrible habit at shows of barking at other dogs and people who look "odd" to her. (I have yet to determine the criteria for people. For dogs, it seems to be anything bigger than a Lhasa.) Little miss copycat Lila decided Windy has a good thing going with the barking. Oh no!

The photos below were taken at the Twin Cities Lhasa Apso Club Specialty on Thursday, August 22, 2013. Photo credit for the specialty photos goes to Paul Bagley.



Duncan (Joyslyn Highly Classified) photos:

Judge Beverly Capstick exams Duncan on the table

Duncan on his "down and back" for the judge

Jimmy (Joyslyn Golden Tu Mon Ami Inka Dinka Doo) photos:

Jimmy with co-owner LaVonne ready for table exam

Jimmy

Windy (MLS Dakota Dancing in the Wind at Joyslyn) photos:

Windy entering the ring

Windy ready for table exam

Windy - she can sure move out

Windy - rear movement

Windy in line in the Winners Bitch Class

Rafe (GCH. CH. Joyslyn's Inherit the Wind) Photo:

This photo, taken of Rafe at the Bloomington, IL, show in May, was recently posted on my Facebook page by a friend. It made me sad to see it, mostly because it shows how Rafe used to show! Rafe's days as a show dog will end after next weekend. He simply no longer enjoys the shows. Oh, he likes going in the car and being at the show. He likes the extra attention. But, he no longer enjoys being in the ring. That carefree, happy gait has been replaced by a slow, almost grudging one. He needs a break from the shows, and I need a break from his attitude. He is not yet two years old (end of Nov. is his birthday) and he has accomplished a great deal between May 2012 and the end of June 2013. This includes his championship, his grand championship, and a ranking in the Top 20 Lhasas in the country. One ranking system has him at #6 for breed points from 1/1/13 - 7/4/13. He deserves a rest. It is time for a break. We'll try again at a few shows next year and see what happens.

I was recently made aware of the Yellow Dog Project. If you see a dog of any breed wearing a yellow ribbon or bow on collar or leash, that dog's owner may be involved with the Yellow Dog Project. As its website information tells visitors, Yellow Dogs are dogs who need space - they are not necessarily aggressive dogs but more often are dogs who have issues of fear; pain from recent surgery; are a rescue or shelter dog who has not yet had sufficient training or mastered obedience; are in training for work or service; are in service; or other reasons specific to the dog…" Visit the website to read more about the Project.

I've mentioned before that one of the joys of being a dog breeder is getting updates from people who have purchased dogs from us. Years ago, a gentleman from Indiana purchased a puppy. This week I got a letter from him, "Dear Lynn and Joyce, On 9/18/98, I purchased from you a pet Lhasa, born on 6/13/98. Her name is Miss Pumpkin and her father was Ch. JaMa Joyslyn Deja Vu and her mother was Ch. Marlo Bobbet Tootles. I want you to know what a wonderful dog that she has been. She has been perfect in every respect. We both are getting old, but she enjoys perfect health. She sleeps a lot and she has never spent a night in a kennel. When I have gone on vacation, I have somebody come in and stay at the house and take care of her. As she has aged, she now wants to be by my side most of the time. I just want you to know what a joy that she has been and we are now going on our 16th year." I remember him well, and was so pleased to hear from him and to know his Miss Pumpkin has been a loving companion and is still going strong at age 16.



Definitely, Life is better when you have a Lhasa to love you!

Joyce