Updates, Show Results, and Some Photos

“Dogs are minor angels, and I don't mean that facetiously. They love unconditionally, forgive immediately, are the truest of friends, willing to do anything that makes us happy, etcetera. If we attributed some of those qualities to a person we would say they are special. If they had ALL of them, we would call them angelic. But because it's "only" a dog, we dismiss them as sweet or funny but little more. However when you think about it, what are the things that we most like in another human being? Many times those qualities are seen in our dogs every single day-- we're just so used to them that we pay no attention.” ~ Jonathan Carroll

I agree with Mr. Carroll's assessment of the dog. However, my youngest 'minor angel' seems to have a devilish streak!

Although I do not have a new picture to post of Lila, I do want to tell you about her. You might recall that Lila was the only female in the litter born May 4. Her two brothers have left for their new homes and she is staying with us to be our next "show dog." Almost every evening for the last week, I've said, "We need to get a picture of Lila." But we never seem to get around to taking one, so I have nothing to post. Like her mother, Lila seems to be a bossy girl. She is tough too. She and Duncan, who is now 6.5 months old, roughhouse each night, and she keeps right up with him.

Every week when our granddaughter comes to spend the night with us, one of the things we do is take puppies for a walk. Lila has been on a lead and has learned to keep up with Duncan on our walks. However, that fact was not apparent on  Tuesday night when Lila attended her first show training class.

Those of you who are regular readers know that the time from when I leave home to drive to Peoria, attend class, and arrive back home is nearly five hours. Tuesday shortly after 5:00, Lila and I set off for Peoria. It was her longest car ride yet and she was very good. She did not fuss in her crate nor did she get car sick. (Her mother always did, so I was somewhat apprehensive.)

I expected her to be a little shy at class. It was a new place, new people, new dogs - most larger than she is. This week every dog attending was under 7 months. We had a Newfie, a Shiba, a Klee Kai (a breed that was new to me), a mini Dachshund, and Lila.

Little Miss Lila, whose middle name must be "Stubborn," decided to humiliate me.  She did not want to walk on the lead and acted as if she had never been on one before. She decided she wanted to play victim and cried and screamed and tossed her body back and forth to prove she could throw a champion tantrum. She sat her butt down and refused to budge.

She loved the trainer but wanted him to "rescue" her from me, so she flirted with him and asked to be picked up and acted so sweet and kissy when he held her! Everyone was laughing (it was funny)! When it was time for us to do a "down and back," she would go away from the trainer, but not back toward him. We all decided that in her mind, she'd been there/done that and saw no need to retrace her steps.

She ignored the treats I'd brought for her, so others offered her cheese and pupperoni. She liked those treats, for a while, then ignored them too. She was definitely irked at me, so when we'd stop at our place in the line-up behind the dachshund, she would go to that dog's owner, crawl between her legs, and lie down on her shoes and totally ignore me. The lady's little dog tried to protest. Lila gave him a look and he rolled over on his back!

That was our first adventure at class. Wednesday AM I put her on a lead and took her for a walk. She was perfect - except for the fact that she wants to walk between my feet rather than to the left! (She's determined I'm goin' down!)

Now for some updates from the show we attended last weekend. The show was in Burlington, Iowa. The weather was beautiful for an August show. The club members were friendly and welcoming, stopping by to chat and make sure things were going well for us. It's always been a favorite show of mine (1) because it is only an hour's drive and (2) because the venue is comfortable.

This year, my friend LaVonne, who co-owns Duncan's brother Jimmy, came from WI to stay with me so she could attend the show. We had a great visit and fun at the show. I planned to help my friend Jane with her Shibas and we were hoping that the show superintendent would schedule the two breeds far enough apart so we could help each other at ringside. She had three Shiba entered and I had three Lhasas entered. Wouldn't you know, the two breeds were scheduled with only 2 breeds between them, both breeds had such small entries that one breed did not even show up. Things were hectic but we managed to get all the dogs in the ring when they were supposed to be there.

By the end of the weekend, Duncan had two points. Windy also earned another two, giving her 11 points including one major. Rafe was the only Special entered so he won the Breed more or less by default. He did not place in either group.

Jane took some photos and video of him while he was in the Group ring on Sunday.

Here is a partial clip from the video:

I received notes from Lucky's and Ella's owners this week, as well as from Sarah about Mira. Lucky is still chasing geese and getting into the stinky pond. Ella is growing and looking cute, as you can see from her picture. Mira is fitting into her new home well, and Tashi is glad to have another dog to play with again. I love the picture of the two of them. Tashi has such a pretty face and Mira looks so content. Note the way she has her front legs curled.

Ella (She is Rafe and Maggie's daughter)

Tashi and Mira

I've had quite a few calls recently from people searching for Lhasa puppies and becoming frustrated because they cannot find one from a reputable breeder. I understand their frustration and wish I could be more helpful. As we all know...

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

Joyce