Friday, July 13, 2012

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures...and More


Windy, 13 weeks

It's picture sharing time again! I have some nice ones to share with you, featuring the wins from the West Bend and Greater Milwaukee Lhasa Apso Club shows on June 30, as well as a couple of puppy pictures.

Lucky (Flash) 11 weeks
All but one of Breaker and Mira's puppies have left with their new owners. Flash (who will be renamed "Lucky"—I have to remind myself constantly to call him that) leaves at the end of July. Windy, my new puppy, has adjusted well to her new home with us. She loves playing with Flash/Lucky and the two are worn out by bedtime. Tuesday night I fell asleep watching TV and when I woke up, the two of them were sacked out on the floor by my feet, lying on their sides and so deeply asleep that I had trouble rousing them. I suspiciously checked out the room, wondering what they'd been doing to make themselves so tired, but I saw nothing out of place. They have their daily routines and I know Windy will miss Flash when he leaves. I'm slowly introducing her to the older dogs also.

We had a disruptive week at home. For the past 15 years, home in Macomb that were built during the 60's and 70's have had water problems. The copper pipes have sprung pinhole leaks and have had to be replaced. (I'm not sure what that says about the water in Macomb.) We knew we were living on borrowed time. Up to this year we'd had no problems. For a few years, I'd been saving money to replace the pipes before ours decided to leak and create water damage. Finally, we had a plumber come to do an inspection and give us an estimate (yikes!). He found leaks – and showed them to me. So we bit the bullet and had all the old pipes replaced.

Belle
A disappointment this week was that the family who put a deposit on Belle back in February has not found a convenient time to come to Illinois to pick her up. We've decided that after all these months of arranging and canceling visits, their having Belle was "not meant to be," so Belle is once again available to a pet home. She is 3 years old and has been spayed. She still has her long beautiful coat. I can't bring myself to clip it but I'm sure someone else will be able to do it.

Communication from AKC today included this message: " The US Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Animal Plant Health and Inspection Service (APHIS) announced today that the comment period on the proposed regulations regarding “Retail Pet Stores and Licensing Exemptions” has been extended until August 15, 2012. We encourage any concerned dog owners who have not yet signed the AKC petition and/or submitted comments about this problematic proposal to take advantage of this extra time to do so.
Maggie, a 3 point major win!
Background: This important proposal would require all who own more than four “breeding females” and sell even one animal “sight unseen” to be regulated as a commercial breeder and be subject to federal commercial breeder licensing, regulation and inspections.  The term “breeding female” is not defined, so it is unclear how USDA or even breeders themselves would determine who falls under these regulations.  The term also includes multiple species (including cats, dogs, and other small mammals). 
The AKC believes that the USDA’s “one size fits all” regulations are not in the best interest of all dogs, responsible breeders, or puppy buyers.  It is unreasonable and virtually impossible for many small hobby breeders to comply with the strict kennel engineering standards that were designed for large commercial operations."

Again, comments opposing these regulations need to be sent in by all, exhibitors, breeders, AND pet owners. The regulations as currently proposed may make it impossible for small breeders like myself to continued raising dogs. What that means, of course, is that eventually the major pet buying option left for the general public will be from pet stores who get their puppies from commercial breeding facilities. So, even if you just own one pet-- Lhasa or any other breed or cross breed--please write an opposing comment or sign the petition. In the former post, I provided links to information that may help your understanding of the situation.

Thanks!

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

Joyce

Rafe, a 2 point win!


Rafe, a 3 point major win!

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