A Quick Photo Update

Dancer

The puppies went to class last week! I set up the exercise pen and intended for them just to sit, watch, get used to a different environment, different sights and sounds and smells. However, that was rather boring for me, so I put a lead on Rafe and -- wonder of wonders -- he walked as if he'd been born to it! (Actually, he was -- born to it, that is!) So then I alternated with the puppies and they walked and stood on the table. I was impressed! Being the youngest, my puppies were at the end of the line up. First in line was the Rottweiler until, of course, his turn was over and he came around the ring and ended up right behind us! I expected the puppies to be intimidated, but they were not. The dogs' owner kept him back and under control. I think he was more intimidated by the puppies than the puppies were by him. Rafe had a rousing romp with Kiara, one of Jane's Shibas, as they waited. I wish I had a video of that!

Gabe, almost 4 months

Here is a link to a  great article titled "Why Crufts Should Worry Us" from the Dogknobit website. Not only is the article good, but the comments are good too. They'll take some time to read, but it's worth it and provides food for thought even if you are a person not involved in dog showing. For those of you who do not know what went on, some background information might help.

I finally got around to updating the Joyslyn's website. This is how bad it was...neither Maggie nor Raven had a page! Three hours later that was rectified! I added show pictures and some baby pictures, which were fun to see again. I also posted  the one of Maggie holding her alien toy in front of her face. I love that picture. It's even funnier to see her in person as she carries that toy around.

Gabe, almost 4 months

Here are some recent pictures, taken last night. One is the latest of Dancer, who has recovered nicely after taking care of all those puppies. She is such a sweetheart. The others are of Gabe, who gets more handsome all the time! He has the cutest way of batting with his feet as he plays. I've been trying to catch it on video. No luck yet because he gets more interested in the camera than in playing. He's still waiting for the right home to come along. I tell him his time will come.

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

Joyce

Monday Musings

Happy Monday! 

For being a Monday, my day is going well. I hope yours is too!

As you may have imagined from my lack of recent postings, things have been dull around the Johanson residence – at least nothing has happened that I think would be of interest to readers of this blog. I apologize for not taking or posting puppy pictures lately. The "kids" are growing up and getting pretty (or handsome in the case of Rafe and Gabe.) Their coats are longer now and they have more hair falling over their faces.

Zora (formerly Gracie)

Here are some updates on the three who have gone to new homes. Zora's owner writes, " She went to the vet this week and has now doubled in size since we got her!  I can't believe how much she has grown.  She still has some of the puppy fat - this dog does not miss a meal. Our vet always goes on and on about the great condition of both of the dogs.  You would be very proud to listen to him talk about their structure, temperament, etc.  He is also impressed with Zeus's calm steady heartbeat.  Nothing gets him rattled.  Zora also put on a strong acting performance by pretending to be very quiet and sweet.  Spunky and outspoken is her usual mode. Her hair is getting longer so she is showing more red highlights."

I received a cute photo (see below) titled "Poor Little Griffin" and thought I'd share it and so it would bring a smile to your face as it did to mine. I've designated this boy as "Griffin 2" since he used to be "Sebastian" and has a brother named "Griffin" ("Griffin 1") whose new owners are keeping the name "Griffin" for him. Yes, we all agree that it gets confusing, but we all like the name "Griffin!" The numeral designation helps me communicate with my husband about the puppies, or he'd never know which one I was talking about.

Too bad this baby has no toys!

Griffin 1 left here on Friday when his new family returned from their trip to California. I had a report saying he was an angel on the 4 hour drive to his new home and that, once there, he captured the hearts of all who met him. 

The last time I wrote, I was getting ready to take Maggie to the show in Gray Summit. She showed well and received nice comments on movement but took Reserve both days. Maggie will have to start going to training class again because she is not happy about letting the judge examine her teeth. I'll be taking her and one of the puppies, probably Olivia, to class tomorrow.

The exciting news in Lhasadom happened at the Crufts dog show where the Best in Show was awarded to a  7-year old Lhasa, Ch. Zentarr Elizabeth, who was shown by her owner, Margaret Anderson, from Coventry.  What a gorgeous Lhasa! And what a fantastic win! I was amazed when I read that Elizabeth won the Breed over 165 other Lhasa entries. Compare that with the handful of Lhasa entries at the Westminister show in February. I wish the breed were more popular in the U.S. Many of us "old timers" in this area stand at ringside nowadays and reminisce about the times when there were 30 and more Lhasas at the shows where now we are lucky to have three or four of the same sex entered.

Getty Image

Here's a picture of Elizabeth and Ms. Anderson, taken just as the judge announced the Lhasa was the winner. Congratulations to both! YouTube has video of the judging. Just search for "Crufts Best in Show 2012."

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

Joyce

Catching Up

Today is the birthday of one of my favorite authors – Dr. Seuss! What would childhood be without him? Last night Klara and I read One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish: "From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere."

Sincere apologies for not posting for a couple of weeks! The reasons sound like excuses, so I'll not give any.

So here is sort of a run down on a couple of  things you might be wondering about:

1) Yes, we still have the two boys (Rafe and Gabe) available. We have not even taken pictures since the last time I posted. Yes, that is really unusual for us!

2) Belle is still available – and so is Dancer now that her puppies are totally weaned and on their own. She had such a hard time during her labor and delivery that I promised her "never again." 

I'm headed for a dog show this weekend. Everything is packed and ready to toss into the car as soon as I get off work. This time only Maggie is going. It is the first time she has been to a show by herself (i.e., without either Raven or Belle to travel with us). I won't know what to do with myself, having only one dog to groom and show. Maybe it'll seem like a vacation! LOL…

Finally, a couple suggestions about favorite products: A new favorite product of mine is Nature's Specialties Plum Crazy Tearless Foaming Face Wash. It smells great and is easy to use. You just pump the dispenser and out comes a cleansing foam that you apply to the dog's face. I work the foam in well, adding more as needed. Then I use a washcloth to blot and/or work the foam in more, and to soak up dirt and odor. The result is a clean mustache and much fresher smelling face! If you can't find the Nature's Specialties product (check online for distributors), you might look in the shampoo aisle at your favorite store for Tresemme's Fresh Start Dry Shampoo. (I don't think it is tearless though.) Nature's Specialties also has a waterless shampoo that works quite well. My waterless shampoo favorite by far, however, remains the Kenic Dry Pet Shampoo Waterless Cleanser.

Speaking again of Dr. Seuss and One Fish, Two Fish....: "Brush, brush, brush, brush. Comb, comb, comb, comb. All girls who like to brush and comb, should have a pet like this at home." I think he was talking about Lhasa Apsos!

"Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one." Thanks, Dr. Seuss, for so many memorable books.

Give your Lhasa a big hug and kiss, and be glad you have each other.

Life is good when you have a Lhasa to love you.

Joyce