Lhasa Apso Blog: Fall Is In The Air

"There is a harmony in autumn, and a luster in its sky, which through the summer is not heard or seen, as if it could not be, as if it had not been!" - Percy Bysshe Shelley

As each new month approaches, I think to myself, "This month will be better. The craziness will end." Nope! It hasn't happened yet. I've been on the go nearly every weekend since mid-July. September has been no better, and the October calendar is nearly full already.

The big event in October is the American Lhasa Apso Club national specialty. (Okay, October is also the birthday month for both my sons and those are big events too!) This year's ALAC specialty is held the week of October 18th at the Holiday Inn in Mansfield, MA. The theme for the event is "Lhasa Strong." Here is the logo for this year's specialty. I love it!!

For those of you who might be interested in attending and seeing Lhasa Apsos from across the country, here is the tentative schedule of events for the week.

I've entered Luna. Josh is staying at home for this show. His last shows of the year are coming up next weekend in Freeport, IL. Josh has done a great job in the ring this year for being such a young Lhasa. As of this writing, Josh is currently tied for first place in AKC's National Owner Handled Series with 270 points. He has only a few more points and a couple more requirements to earn his Grand Championship title. Now we'll take some time off and let him mature in mind, body, and coat before we start showing again in 2016.

Last weekend, Josh, Luna, Kimmi and I attended shows in Rochester, MN. We hung out with friends from WI, MN, and IA and came away with some nice wins.

Here is a photo of Kimmi, taken after her bath and before we left for Rochester.

The Rochester kennel club held a Beginner Puppy Competition for dogs ages 4-6 months old. There were five Lhasa puppies competing. The Best of Breed winner was Simon, a 5 month old male, owned by Julie Timbers and Lynn Replogle. Kimmi won Best of Opposite Sex. Also competing were Kimmi's half siblings Stewart and Penny, owned by Karen Schlais and Jan Graunke, and Maggie, owned by Lynn Replogle.

Here are the three half-siblings (all sired by GCh. Joyslyn's Heartbreaker, who is also Josh's sire). From left to right: Kimmi, Stewart, Penny.

Also on Saturday, Mary won the 6-9 puppy class with her Riley. Here is a photo of Mary and Riley that I took in August.

Karen's Sybil took Winners Bitch and Luna Reserve Winners Bitch.

Josh took Best of Breed and Best Owner Handled. In the Owner Handled Group, he took a Group 4. He did not place in the regular Non-Sporting but did make the cut!

Karen took this picture of him in the Owner Handled Group.

On Sunday Karen's Jack took Winners Dog. Luna took Winners Bitch. Josh took Best Owner Handled. He also took another Group 4 in the Owner Handled Group.

It was quite a busy weekend -- and the almost 6 hour drive home seemed endless!

Notes from Others

I've received some photos and emails from others that I'd like to share. Sarah sent this photo of Mira, taken right after her haircut. Mira is Duncan, Kimmi, and Luna's grandmother. Mira enjoys a queenly life of leisure at Sarah and Al's house.

I also received a photo of Maci. She is a littermate to Riley.

A third puppy from that litter was Mysti. Here is a recent photo of her.

I also received a very moving email last week from Lois about a Joyslyn's Lhasa that she shared her life with. Lois wrote,
"Dear Joyce,
    I am very sad to tell you that my best girl Citrine, Joyslyn-Ris'N Star of Josels (born February 12, 1999), passed away Monday afternoon, August 17, 2015 at the vet’s office. She was 16 years, 6 months, and 5 days old.
     Citrine was diagnosed with kidney disease in April 2014. She had been doing relatively ok until July 5, 2015 when it became much more noticeable that she was failing. She seemed to be disoriented at times and would get lost in my small house. She would walk in circles in the house, bump into the furniture and walls, and get into a corner and couldn’t get herself oriented and back out. She would eat, but I did have to put her in front of the food and water for her to find it. She had to be carried outside and in because she could no longer negotiate the doorway and the stairs. There were training pads in numerous places in the house for her frequent accidents. She still had a very strong, sharp bark and she would bark when she wanted something or needed help. About once a week she would surprise me by coming to the door and wagging her tail when I came home from work. Most of the time she was no longer able to do that every day.
     Citrine really took a turn for the worst on Saturday afternoon, August 15, 2015. She was very tired, weak, couldn’t stand, and was unresponsive. Citrine had never been much of a lap dog, but she allowed me to hold her for extended periods that weekend. Much of the time she was as limp as a rag doll. She didn’t eat between 9 AM Saturday morning, August 15 and 1 AM Monday morning, August 17, but she did have a little water a couple times when I put her in front of the water bowl. She managed to eat a little bit of chicken (her favorite food) about 1 AM that Monday morning, but I knew that there was no hope left when she refused to eat chicken later. It was very difficult for me to convince myself that it was time to let her go.
    Thank you, Joyce, for the dedication that you have given over the years to your dogs. Citrine was certainly an example of the temperament, health, and longevity that results when there is love, excellent care, and quality breeding. Of course, Citrine being the daughter of your DJ helped, too. It was an absolute pleasure being the final owner for almost 10 years of this beautiful Joyslyn’s Lhasa Apso. I am missing her very much."

Most of us reading this blog know how much it hurts to lose our Lhasas, as they are indeed beloved family members. My heart just goes out to Lois. I am so appreciative of the love she gave Citrine.

The book, The Heaven of Animals, by Nancy Tillman, is a book worth having. Although it is a children's book, I believe its message can be soothing for adults and children alike as they grieve for a deceased pet.