Ummm...Where is Spring?

What we'd like to see in our yards!

The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month. 
~ Henry Van Dyke

Where is spring? It certainly has not shown itself in west central Illinois! The temps have been low and the wind chills even lower! The weather forecast for this weekend is snow, snow, snow! UGH…enough already!

What is on its way!

I've spent more than enough time in a car this past month to last me a long time: a 13.5 hour round trip in late February to pick up a dog in WI; an 8 hour round trip to a dog show the following weekend; a 6.5 hour round trip to WI to take the dog back; and, most recently, a 16 hour round trip to NE to visit Mom, my sister, and her family. When I returned, the following day involved a 4 hour round trip to Bloomington, IL for a work-related meeting and, once I returned home that afternoon, I changed into my jeans and hopped into the car for another 4 hour round trip to Peoria to take Windy to her  training class! Thankfully, except for the weekly training class in Peoria, the next trip on my schedule is not until the first weekend in April.

I had a wonderful time in Nebraska with my family. We talked a lot, shopped a bit, played some games, and simply enjoyed being together again. Unfortunately, my visits are not frequent enough, but we enjoy the time we can spend together. I might add that on each day of the visit, I was again in a car: Friday we went shopping in a larger town (about a 2 hour round trip); Saturday we traveled to Lincoln to pick up my sister's exchange student at the airport (about a 6 hour round trip); and Sunday Mom took us to lunch in a neighboring town (about a 2 hour round trip). Am I tired of being in a car? YES!

At last! This week the flooring installer came, pulled up the Duraceramic tile in our family room, installed a moisture barrier, and laid new tile (this time with grout and not sealant between the tiles). It looks great! Since the puppies were in a room adjacent to the family room, I moved them upstairs so they would be removed from the dust and commotion of the installation. Besides, we needed their room to store the family room furniture! It was a long two days for them (and us) since they did not have as much room to roam around and play as they were used to having downstairs. We were all happy when the furniture was moved back into the family room and the puppies' room was once again empty of the family room furniture, clean,  and available to them.

Duncan, 8 weeks old

Here are the latest pictures of the boys, now 8 weeks old. They had their first shots this week and passed their health exams with flying colors!

Gus, 8 weeks old

BTW…Happy Belated St. Patrick's Day! Zora and Zeus celebrated their "Irish Roots" (LOL) in style. (Zora seems happier about being decked out in green than Zeus does. I imagine he thinks it is undignified!)

Zora and Zeus, dressed up in honor of St. Patrick's Day

Ellie in her new home on her new blanket

Ellie's new owners sent a note with a picture of her: "Just returned from the vet and everything went great…Attached is a photo of her on a new blanket that Claire made.  She's adjusting so well and such a joy for us." 

We also received a nice newsy letter and a bundle of photos from Davy's owner. Davy was one of our retired champions who was placed with a new owner who has a profound appreciation not only for the breed but also for Davy. I get great letters detailing his personality and activities, always with a thank you for allowing him to have Davy. Here is one of the photos he sent. Yes, he still keeps Davy in a long coat and tells me they both enjoy the grooming time spent together.

Davy

Based on our experiences, I want to let any of you who are thinking about taking or given the opportunity to take an adult Lhasa instead of a puppy to give it a try. People call me all the time upset because they cannot find puppies and decrying the fact that breeders are not breeding as often as in the past, making good Lhasas from reputable breeders hard to find. That is happening for many reasons: many of us are getting older and are trying to cut back on the number of dogs we breed and own; many new, restrictive laws are being passed that limit the number of dogs a breeder can have; other laws seek to punish dog breeders, which makes us all more than a little concerned, lumping the good breeders with the bad ones. Bottom line -- many breeders who show Lhasas often have retired champions, both male and female, available. If you cannot find a puppy, ask the people you are calling if they would consider selling an adult. You may wonder how breeders are able to let their retired champions go. It is not easy. I'll refer you to a previous post that may help explain.

I hope Spring comes soon for all of you!

Remember, life is better when you have a Lhasa to love you!

Joyce