Monday, July 27, 2020

Puppy Photos and Notes from Friends



“The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense.”Thomas A. Edison




Eureka! Remember when I said I was having weird things happening with fonts and that the letters x, y, z and number 9 were not showing up in some of my emails and on my website? Well, I figured out what was wrong and managed to fix it. If you have the problem too or if you ever get it, go to your browser settings and change the font from a serif font (e.g., Times) to a sans serif (e.g., Trebuchet). It was that easy.

The puppies are all growing and getting cuter, smarter, and faster (when it comes to getting underfoot) each day. They love, love, love crunching plastic water bottles and batting them around the room. Here are the most recent photos of the older litter (sired by Chance out of Greta) at age 7 weeks. 

Aspen

Beau

Jetta

Lia

Willow
And this is Josh and Jenna's only puppy, "Solo," age 6 weeks. Her new owner has renamed her "Gemma" because "she is a little jewel."
Solo
Breaker and Onyx's puppies are now 5 weeks old. The first photo is of the "runt," although I hate to call him that. He is gaining weight each day, looking like he is about 3 weeks old but acting his age when it comes to playing and walking around the room. We have different names for him. I call him "Little Guy" or "Little One," and my husband calls him "Joey," and "Little Joe."

The second photo is of his litter brother, who - for lack of a better name - is called "Buddy." My brain just has not come up with anything else to call him, although "Socks" might be appropriate.
Little Guy

Buddy
Notes and Photos from Friends

LaVonne sent this photo of her Josh and Misty son, Nelson, who finished his championship as a very young puppy and now resides in a wonderful pet home and sports an adorable puppy clip.

Sharon wrote about Chance: "Chance has been a very good boy, and we're really enjoying him!  We spent 5 days in Wisconsin over the Fourth, and he traveled really well.  We're out in the country up there, and he loved his long walks…Jim and I both love him and he feels more like part of our family every day."

Karen wrote about Kimmi, "The other day it rained real hard. I realized she wasn't in the house. John went out back and found her....completely soaking wet and totally a mud ball!!  She was pretty annoyed that we gave her a bath right away.  It was pretty funny."

Kimmi hanging out on the sofa with her new friend Huck
 Marilyn sent photos of Hunter and Maci and wrote. "Our bouncing boy turns 3 on Saturday. Happy birthday to him and to his litter mates. He weighs 16lbs, and is like a little bull. We are so glad that he was homeless for a day and that you let us adopt him. Maci loves him sometimes. Both are fresh from the groomer."
Happy Birthday, Hunter!

Maci

Here is Mickey's Biddy, enjoying her time in the sun.
Biddy - a Luna daughter

Michelle sent a picture of Sunny, staying cool with a wet beard!




Lynn wrote about her Amie: "Can you believe our gorgeous girl turned 4 yesterday? I don’t like that time is flying by.....but it just serves to make one realize that every moment is precious🐾 We’d be absolutely lost without this dearest love in our life. Notice how she’s eyeing the champagne? Thank you so much for this beautiful, divine little dog."

Happy Birthday, Amie!
Pat wrote about Archie's brother Teddy, "At 15 weeks, Teddy is definitely at the terrible two’s- he is into everything but keeps us in stitches.  Grandkids visited this past week and they fell in love!!  He was so good with them and they played for hours. He is a talker, lets you know what you should be doing when!  Doesn’t like to be told no - he will always argue.  Must be the red haired Irish coming out!!!  Almost housebroken and sleeping through the night (Always tells me good morning).  He’s finished his swimming lessons and has done very well. This after jumping into the pool a few weeks ago to chase a big turtle who had found his way in for a swim.

We cannot begin to tell you how much joy he has brought to our lives.  Chris keeps telling me he can’t sleep with me but we sneak a nap here and there.  He’s a good snuggler but likes to chew my hair to wake me up."

Teddy

Teddy's personality sounds much like Archie's. He is full of energy, hates to be told "no" and sasses back with a screechy bark that he inherited from his mother (!), and gets into all kinds of things he should not be getting into.

Here is Archie.  Do you see the "ornery" in his eye?



In Closing...

Do you have a picky eater? As those of you who have purchased our puppies know, we feed Bil-Jac dog food. I use the Adult Select and Puppy Select formulas and have been very pleased with them for many years. When I was browsing through Chewy.com the other day, I noticed that Bil-Jac now has a formula for picky eaters. Most of mine chow down their food, but I thought that some of you might appreciate knowing about the food for picky eaters.

Stay healthy, stay safe -- and wear your masks! It's a simple thing to let others know you care.

Joyce







Monday, July 13, 2020

Puppy Pictures, Notes and Photos from Friends




"Worry is like a rocking chair: It gives you something to do, but you never get anywhere." ~ Erma Bombeck


As the title of this blog says, I am posting photos of the puppies and of Joyslyn's dogs belonging to others. 

We'll start with Greta's puppies, now 5 weeks old.
Aspen 5 weeks

Beau 5 weeks

Lia 5 weeks

Jetta 5 weeks


Willow 5 weeks
Here is Jenna's puppy, age 4 weeks:


Solo 4 weeks
Onyx's puppies, age 2 weeks:


Black male, "Little One"

Gold male with Black Mask - no name yet 
These are photos of Archie, who has yet to be given an official AKC name. We just cannot think of anything that fits, except maybe "Brat!" Inspiration will hit one of these days. (That is not a shadow under his beard...the beard is accented with black.)


Archie

Teaching Archie to "stand" 
Eddie sent me two photos and a letter. "He" wrote that he wanted me to know he is doing fine and that he loves snuggling with his daddy on the couch.



Shadow did not send a picture but wrote to remind me that his third birthday is next month. "He" wrote, "I don’t mind the heat...I am a good boy. Dad is very proud of me. I am Dad’s shadow, always following him around outside or inside...I am so blessed my parents got me from you, now I have a great life because they love me so much. How could they not, I am so darn cute and handsome...I have the run of the house, I am the King of the house. Can do no wrong. Haha."

Lisa sent a photo of her Tilliebelle and wrote, "Tilliebelle, formerly Molly, has made it to 11 pounds! Joyce, she is such a joy, and I will forever be grateful I was able to get her. Her personality is ALL Lhasa; independent, brave, with just enough cuddle thrown in. She is my shadow."



Michelle wrote about Sunny and sent photos of him when he was in coat and after he had his summer clip. He is handsome in both. 


Mary sent this photo of her three Lhasas and wrote that Belle was very frightened by the fireworks this year. 


Belle, Rafe, Moka
Sally shared photos of Ginger enjoying herself on the shores of Gitchee Gumee. Sally wrote, "Ginger loves  the beach- she rolls in the sand and drinks lake water! We had a lot of fun."

Stacey shared a photo of her dogs and wrote, "Hope you are well. The Lola, Enzo and Elliot are almost always right on top of each other! Lola and Enzo wrestle every morning!"



Rebecca wrote about Carso, Archie's litter brother: "Carso has been such a joy, we are totally in love...He is a sweetheart who loves to give kisses and he and the cat Penny adore one another.  They chase each other around the house and wrestle, which is great for us because they wear themselves out...We can’t thank you enough for Carso. Especially in this crazy time when all the news is scary and depressing, he’s brought us so much laughter and love."

Shannon wrote about Minnie, Carso and Archie's litter sister: "...she is doing great! ...She moves so fast, I sometimes don't even notice she is by my feet until I start walking away! She definitely also has the "lhasa crazies." Especially around 6-7pm every night, right on schedule!"

Joy wrote about her Lucy: "I took some super cute pictures of Lucy this morning in one of our flower beds and thought you’d like to see our pretty girl! It is hot and very humid here, but Lucy seems to handle the heat better than Ella (who has a thick black coat, which I keep trimmed very short) and even Kona (my former Lhasa who looks a lot like the puppy Daisy and her mama Greta).  We had went on a walk this morning and then were spending time in the backyard.  She was a bit tired from our walk, so she was still for a long enough time for me to get some clear/in-focus pictures!"
One of the photos of Lucy in the garden
As many of you are aware, once my girls reach the age of 5 and/or have had 3 litters (enough for any dog!), they are placed in new homes. Kimmi was purchased by Karen and moved to Missouri. Karen recently sent me this update and photo. I am so glad Kimmi is happy and doing well in her new home. (But kinda sad because I don't think she misses me at all!) 

Karen wrote, "I've been waiting to write to show you Kimmi's new summer haircut...She's SO cute!! Things are going well. She has just about mastered the dog door...She is really enjoying the backyard.  

"Molly the cat and she have become fast friends and often lay out in the shade together. She is also starting to play more with toys. Remember that yellow toy?  She is starting to toss that around.  Like any respectable woman, she's let Huckleberry know who's boss now...LOL!!!  They are just now beginning to play a bit.  She's also completely mastered the stairs. We are SO HAPPY we decided to bring her home. She's a wonderful dog and very easy. Plus, she's a great cuddler and loves scratches and kisses!

Kimmi...who is now a bed dog!
Sharon wrote about Chance, who left for his new home in June, "Everything is still great with Chance. He's becoming more comfortable every day and it's a joy having him here.  l could spend the rest of my life just petting him - he seems to enjoy it and so do I."  

Now that I have mentioned new homes for our retired champions, I will tell you that once Solo has left for her new home, her mom Jenna, will be available to a pet home. I thought Jenna had been spoken for, but her prospective new owner has not responded to emails lately, so I am unsure of the status. Jenna desires to be an only pet so we are seeking that kind of home for her. She would probably be okay with a male dog, but she has an Alpha personality and she and other females just don't click well. 

New Product for Anxious Dogs

Something that some of you might be interested in is a new product from Purina, Purina Pro Plan Calming Care. The ads say that it "helps dogs cope with external stressors such as separation, unfamiliar people, novel sounds and changes in routine and location. anxious behaviors such as excessive barking...helps support anxious behaviors such as excessive barking, jumping, pacing, and spinning...promotes a positive emotional state and healthy immune system..."

I noticed the product was available at our local Pet Supply Plus store, so am sure other major pet stores carry it. It is also available at Chewy.com and probably from your vet. (It is not cheap, but if you have a dog with some anxiety problems, it would be worth the cost.)

That's it for this week! Stay safe and stay well! 

Joyce










Sunday, July 5, 2020

Mostly Photos...



First, Happy Independence Day! (I know...I am a day late and the fireworks are over! However, we should celebrate our freedoms daily.)


Photos of Joyslyn's Lhasas Shared by Their Owners:

Mary sent these photos of her 2 Joyslyn's dogs, Belle and Rafe. Rafe is sporting a new "do" that shows off his beautiful head and face.





Kathy sent a photo of Jampa, who is our Millie's litter brother.

Jim sent this photo of Daisy, taken as they traveled to CA.

Sue sent a photo of Monte, who is a litter brother to our Winter. 

Speaking of Winter, she is still in MS with her handler, waiting for a show where there might be a Lhasa entry, perhaps late summer or fall.

Violet sent this photo of Shadow, who is a litter brother of our Chance and Bekka.

Mark has two Joyslyn Lhasas, LiLi is the older; YoYo is the puppy. He calls them the "Beauty Queen" and the "Wild Child."



Shannon sent a picture of Minnie, who is a litter sister to our Archie. She, Archie, and litter mates Hazel, Teddy, and Carso are 3 months old already!


Although she did not send me this photo recently, yesterday I ran across this photo Marsha sent years ago (late 1997 or early 1998) of Oreo (Joyslyn's Leader of the Pack) when he was 6 months old. What a cutie! It brought back so many memories that I just had to share. Oreo has long since passed away. He earned agility titles and was a very smart Lhasa!


Here is a photo of him in action during an agility trial.

Our Current Litters

First, here are photos of Greta's puppies. They are growing, becoming more curious, playing, and still doing a lot of sleeping. Age 4 weeks.

Aspen, 4 weeks

Beau, 4 weeks

Jetta, 4 weeks

Lia, 4 weeks

Willow, 4 weeks
 This is Jenna's puppy, Solo, age 3 weeks. She is a black and tan. She does have eyes!!

And here comes the hard part: 
I know that many of you are waiting for information about Onyx's litter. Let me tell you that the week they were born was the week from hell. All went well with the whelping. They were all born easily and quickly. They were small puppies, all under around or under 4 oz. Then day after day, they died, one each day. All our efforts to supplement feedings were for naught. Onyx, who last year raised a litter of 7, was uninterested in being a mother. The day following their birth, Onyx had mastitis. A few days of an antibiotic, cabbage leaves, heat packs, massages, and hydrotherapy and she was better. 

I went through all the stages of grief at lightning speed that week. Exhausted, emotions raw, I gave myself a good talking to, recalled the Serenity Prayer, and did finally "accept the things I cannot change." 

Because of the puppies' small size and their lethargy, I have a strong feeling that this litter was the result of the last breeding and was born a week too soon. 

Anyone who thinks being a dog breeder is a piece of cake is so wrong.

We have two precious puppies, both males, from the litter. We are still doing feedings to supplement one of them. He is a character and gets so excited about eating! Onyx has settled down and is being a good mom. 

Letting people know about the loss of nearly all the puppies means going through the grief and disappointment all over again. I know most of you who read this are going to feel really sorry for me and the situation. Thanks for those feelings and for the good wishes for the two boys that remain. Please don't email me condolences. They'll just bring back the bad memories of that week, and I want to look forward, not back.

Lhasa blessings on you all.

Thanks for reading the blog!

Joyce