Just Some Ramblings

Well, it is official! I have two new champions. AKC sent the championship certificate for Maggie earlier this month. Rafe's came on Saturday. Speaking of Rafe, here is the photo of him taken for his Best of Breed win on August 25. Many thanks to judge Jose Luis Payro for that exciting win!

Let's see, when I last wrote, I told you about a tooth cleaning spray that said the plaque build up would be gone in 30 days of use. I've been spraying Walker's teeth morning and evening, two squirts on each side of his mouth for nearly that long. I see no progress yet. Perhaps a miracle happens on day 30???

I'm having the same bad luck with the shampoo. It did NOT remove the pee stains from Maggie's coat when it was used full strength and allowed to remain on for 15 minutes. It smells great. I diluted it 20 to 1 as suggested on the bottle and used it to bathe Rafe. It made his coat soft, fly-away and static-y. But it smells great.

This year's American Lhasa Apso Club National Specialty week starts October 15, less than a month away. I am making lists in my head and trying to prepare myself for packing and making the long trip from Macomb, IL, to Mansfield, MA. Rafe is starting his coat change and I dread the thought of his coat matting while we are making the drive. Walker, his sire did that to me, back in 2003 when we were on our way to the National in CA. While my friends got some much needed sleep, I sat on the motel room floor, watching a Mr. Ed marathon while conducting a grooming marathon of my own, lasting hours. I could not get that stupid "A horse is a horse of course of course" song out of my head for days! I am sure I still know all the words. I have not watched Mr. Ed since! LOL


Speaking of Walker…my boy will be 10 years old on Saturday. I love that dog! He was so much fun to show. I still keep his coat long. I wanted to take him to this year's specialty as a veteran again, but knew it would be impossible to show both him and Rafe and do them each justice. He had a good time at last year's specialty and would probably appreciate being at another one if only he did not have to make the long trip to get there.

Many members of the American Lhasa Apso Club are mourning the death of Ann Burton, long time club member and good friend to many. Ann attended our national specialties and was so proud of her Lhasas. I knew her best from my work on the ALAC Board of Directors. Ann was our club Secretary for a number of years. My condolences go to her close friends and family. She will be missed.

Life is good when you have a Lhasa to love you…and family too! I get to see my Mom and sister this weekend for the first time in months and months. Since we're celebrating Mom's birthday, many other family friends and relatives will be there too. It's going to be fun!

Joyce

It's September Already??

My favorite poem is the one that starts 'Thirty days hath September' because it actually tells you something. ~ Groucho Marx

Yes, September has 30 days, and only 23 are left! I'm looking at my calendar knowing this month is going to fly by. Time always does when I'm busy!

August 23, 2012 - New Champion Rafe

First, I want to share the photo taken on the day Rafe finished. Here the two of us are, posing for that finishing photo. I think he is gorgeous, although I admit to being quite biased about him! He's been enjoying a respite from the shows after going so many weekends in a row. I took Both Windy and him to class on Tuesday, and he at least remembered what it was all about. He hates to stand still on the floor for much time so we need to work on that before the specialty.

I don't have the Best of Breed photo yet, but the proofs of it looked good. I'm hoping it will come next week.

Windy did a great job at class. Obviously, the trip to the 4 Minnesota shows did her a world of good regarding her attitude toward wearing a lead and walking with her tail up. She owned that training ring! Head held high, tail up, she flew around with a "look at me" attitude that I hope she keeps. She does think pretty highly of herself, I have to admit. Here's a picture of her playing with our cat, a Russian Blue named Boris. (The picture also presents an opportunity for you to see the new flooring for the family room.)  ;-)

Windy and Boris at play

And, while we are doing pictures, here is one of Maggie, and one taken of Belle and me in Minnesota. Her new owner brought her to see me again. Belle is doing great and enjoys Mary and the other two Lhasas. The puppy pictures were sent by the owners of Lucky and Wrigley, two of the black puppies that were born at the end of April.

Maggie

Belle with me. It was good to see her.

A day at a dog show would not be complete without a shopping tour through the various vendor booths. Vendors abounded at the 4-days of the Minnesota shows, and I did my share of shopping and spending money. I had my clipper blade sharpened, then put it in a place where I would be sure to find it when I got home. Alas…I have no idea where I put it! Even St. Anthony, my go-to guy for lost items, has not been helpful in this instance.

Lucky, age 4 months

Wrigley,  age 4 months

The Petzlife vendor introduced Karen, LaVonne, and me to a line of natural products, one of which was the Petzlife Oral Care product. It comes in a spray or a gel. I bought the spray because it seemed less messy than putting gel on my fingers then rubbing it onto the dogs teeth or gums. Anyway, the product is 100% guaranteed to get rid of icky plaque in 30 days of use. I decided to try it on Walker, who is due for a teeth cleaning at the vet one of these days. The hardest thing about using the product is that the dog cannot eat or drink for a half hour before application or a half hour after application. I have trouble remembering to take his water away and then, when I do remember, the schedule gets all thrown off! The product is applied with 2 sprays on each side of the mouth twice a day. We're on Day 8 so far. It smells good. It must taste fine because he is not complaining about it. If it works, I'll let you know. If it doesn't, the company will be making good on its guarantee.

I also bought an Isle of Dogs shampoo that is supposed to work well for removing stains from light coats. I really needed it for Maggie because she insisted on sitting down when she peed and always had yellow stains, especially on her left back foot. Since she is now finished, I haven't yet given the product a try. I wanted it to be a challenge!  Again, I'll let you know the results.

Prior to leaving for the Minnesota shows, I visited our local WalMart where I happened to find some dog treats called America's VetDogs Treats. I noticed they were made in America, rather than in China, and that they were made by Bil-Jac, which is the brand of dog food I use. So, I bought a bag. The treats are soft, easily broken apart for use as training incentives, and my dogs love, love, love them. While we were strolling through the vendor booths at the show, we stopped at the Bil-Jac booth and I mentioned to the rep that I'd purchase the treats and how much the dogs liked them. He then told me about the VetDogs program. I went to the website to get more complete information and would like to share it with you.

Americas VetDogs provides guide dogs for veterans who are blind; service dogs for those with disabilities other than blindness; physical therapy dogs to work with amputees in military and VA hospitals; and combat stress relief dogs to be deployed overseas with combat stress control teams at no cost to the disabled veteran. Read more about the programs. The organization's mission is to help those who have served our country to live again with dignity and independence. Its work is supported entirely by individuals, corporations, foundations, and service organizations. This is a link to a YouTube video about the organization's work. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of VetDogs products support programs for disabled veterans and active duty servicemen and women. 

I'd like to end with this sign that has been making the rounds on Facebook. I think all of us who have owned multiple dogs can relate to the message.

 Life is good when you have a Lhasa to love you. Give yours a big hug!

Joyce