January Doldrums - Part 2

 Well, it is "one of those days!" I pushed a wrong/random key as I was working on the January Doldrums post and "presto" -- everything disappeared. When I got it back, low and behold, Blogspot did not give me an edit option. 

Messing around and (I admit) a few swear words later, I gave up trying to edit and just decided I would make a Part 2 to finish posting the photos and note from others. It just is not worth the frustration. Blogspot keeps changing things, but taking away the edit option irks me -- a lot!!!

So, as I was saying, back to

Notes and Photos from Others

Sally wrote about Ginger, "My tomboy before and after some play time 😂" and sent these photos:

Before

and After

Here is Emmy's brother Tucker playing with his friend Rosie. Shelly wrote, "He weighs 9.11 lbs and loves wrestling with Rosie, chasing Scout who hisses the entire time (I secretly think he likes it as he looks for Tucker), barking at Pearce and giving lots of cuddles and kisses. Couldn’t imagine our family without him!

Joey (via owner Paul) sent me this message: "The sun hit my hair and it had a reddish tint to it. You can only see the red when the sun hits my hair just right. For some reason I love to bark a lot, which mom and dad don't like too much. And of course I am still biting and chewing on mom's and dad's arm and hands. I sure hope this stops soon. I really love the snow on my deck behind the house. I go out there by myself as much as I can to play and do go back in before I get too cold...As of Sunday morning I weighed 11.4 pounds even with all my running around the house and on my deck. I did get a phone and chewed it all up, I still have to have Dad send out the emails for me."

The phone Joey chewed!

Judy wrote about Ty: "Ty has started something new. He walks the first 2 or 3 jumps in agility and then starts running! Yikes! I am working on the basics of rally with him so maybe this summer I will move him to rally.  The hardest part for him is walking. He is always trots or runs everywhere."

Sharon wrote about Chance: "Jim and I both love Chance and consider him a part of our family. Chance is the best medicine I could have, he's so sweet and affectionate, and petting him is better than seeing a therapist!"

Lynn sent a photo of her Amie.

Kathy wrote about Jampa, who is a litter brother to Millie. As a matter of fact, the puppies we have now are from a repeat of the breeding that produced Millie and Jampa (and others!).  

She wrote, "Jampa is healthy and happy.  This is especially so since I have been home so much over the last 6 months.  He gets play time with me and taken outside to play in the snow (BRRR!). He has his favorite toys and we name them.  Once he knows the name, sometimes he'll actually bring the right one back to me. There is "Wombat" which you can see in one of the pictures below, and "Bunny", his absolute favorite.  When I have to mend Bunny because a leg is torn off or the stuffing is coming out, Jampa sits and watches me until I'm done and is too excited when I give the mended Bunny back to him.  (Don't tell him, but he's actually on Bunny #3 since some things just can't be fixed with needle and thread!)...Jampa has been shedding undercoat for about a month now.  I think it's finally over.  I'm not finding mats all over him any more (shoulder, his mane, and all the usual places).  I also think he's decided to change color--again. The new coat is black again."

I totally understand what Kathy is going through with Jampa because Millie has been blowing undercoat like crazy lately. I groomed her one day and it took about an hour. Four days later, I started grooming her again and what a mess. In four days she blew coat so bad that it took me 3 and 1/2 hours to groom her! I was afraid she would not have any coat left! Here is the pile of undercoat that came out of her!

She did have coat left and that scuzzy undercoat does have to come out, but oh my, what a mess.

Speaking of grooming, the other day I received a request asking what kind of basic grooming tools were needed for a Lhasa. My response was 1) a greyhound-style comb with narrow teeth on one end and wider set teeth on the other; 2) a pin brush (it should not have those little balls on the ends of the pins); 3) a face comb; 4) a boar bristle brush with nylon pins. I use the boar brush on feet. I do not use a slicker brush. I never learned how to use one the right way and not knowing (or caring to learn!) means I don't use them because if a person does not use one correctly then the results are not good.

It is also important to have a good grooming spray as well as a mat/tangle spray to help with mat removal. 

I have a lot of articles about grooming on my website. Go to http://www.joyslynslhasaapsos.com/art.html  if you care to learn more.

As you know, our adults who are retired from breeding are available for pet homes. One such dog was our Maggie, CH Joyslyn's Moonlight Magic (the mother of Kimmi, who is the mother of Autumn, who is the mother of Emmy). Here is a photo we took of Maggie when she finished her championship.

Beautiful, right!!??

Well, Maggie's current owners had an artist do a painting based on that photo. The result was gorgeous!

Special congratulations go out to Gwen West (owner) and Sue Cannimore (handler) of Joyslyn's Beethoven Fifth West, who is a litter brother to Bekka and Chance. They are all Luna's offspring. Beethoven is pictured below after winning Best of Breed and taking Group 3 and Group 4 placements.

That's it for now! Stay safe and healthy! Wear a mask!!

Joyce

January Doldrums

 

"Snowflakes are one of God's most fragile creations--but look what they can do when they stick together!" ~ Vesta M. Kelly

Now I know that many of you who read this blog live in regions where it does not snow. Those of us who do have to put up with sleet, ice, snow -- digging out after many inches or feet of snow, scraping ice off of car windows, and just being tired of being cold understand what I mean by the "January Doldrums." Add to that the fear of Covid and the stress of waiting our turns for vaccinations, well...doldrums indeed.

Something that has helped greatly around our house of course is the Lhasas. They are happy, love plowing their noses through the snow, and always ready to cuddle and give kisses. I am in the midst of training Emmy and she is doing well with stacking on the table and walking on a show lead. She is getting very full of herself with all the praise and treats she receives. Unless the show in Des Moines, IA in February is cancelled, Emmy will be going along to participate in the Beginner Puppy Competition (for puppies 4 - 6 months old only). Archie and Millie are entered also and I am looking forward to getting back in the show ring, even if we entered only one day, thinking one day is sufficient for the dogs to get back in the grove.

Here are the latest photos of Emmy - obviously not well groomed - but she is rather a tomboy! She is 3.5 months old now.

We have new puppies! Puppies at last!! Josh and Bekka puppies were born on January 20 and are now a couple days older that one week. There are two boys and two girls in the litter. All are growing like weeds and doing very well.

Josh and Bekka puppies - 2 days old

Two black males - 1 week

Gold female and black female - 1 week

I know many of you are waiting to hear that we have a puppy for you, but these have already been spoken for.

When might we have another litter? Well, the hope is that two of the girls will be in season and ready to breed by the end of March/early April. If that is the case, about 2 months later we should have puppies being born.

Actually, I am now experiencing what puppy purchasing is like from a different point of view. The last time we bought a male puppy to "bring in some new bloodlines" to complement our own, was 16 years ago when we bought Connor, who is still with us, but definitely showing his advanced age. He came to us as a young puppy, eventually becoming known as CH San-Dhi Joyslyn Icon. Now we are eagerly awaiting the addition of a young male, not yet named, who will join us next week. I am sure that Miss Emmy will be thrilled to have someone nearer her age to play with.  

Here is Connor the day he finished his championship.

Anyway, I am now going through all the anxiety, joy, and anticipation that my own puppy buyers go through as the days go by and eagerness to have the new one at home at last grows stronger.

Notes and Photos from Others

I am always happy when I get emails and photos from our puppy buyers. I love sharing them with you all and, from the comments I have received, it seems like many of you enjoy seeing them also.

From Celina: "...my mother and I got Dora from you last month. I just wanted to tell you that we registered her with the AKC a few weeks ago and she is doing great. Now sure if my mom kept you updated, but she is a great little dog and so loving and sweet...She also learned to bark a few weeks ago and is talking more and more. It is actually lovely to have a girl for a change. We never thought we would like a girl dog as we have always had boys, but she is amazing. She is feminine, but still very feisty and fearless. In addition to being a cutie, she is a very loving dog and even my grandmother loves her. I think knows she knows my grandmother is older so she doesn’t move as much when she holds her."

Dora is Emmy's sister.

Dora ready for a tummy rub

Celebrating New Year's Eve!

 Terry wrote about Dora and Emmy's brother, Rudy: "I am delighted.  He has such an adorable face an expression.  I don't like to leave him to go to work."

Julie sent this photo of Jenna wearing her cone. She had been spayed.

Kassia also sent photos after Leeloo was spayed. She wrote, "'No jumping" said the vet... "keep her quiet"for a week so her stitches can heal... day 5..  I walked in on her having just had breakfast...she had decided she wanted to see out of the window!! This dog cracks me up.. she's a laugh a minute!"

Leeloo got a t-shirt instead of a cone

Day 5...after jumping on the chair

Molly Anne has Luna, who is the mother of Bekka. She wrote, "The resemblance between Bekka  and her mother is truly amazing. I also realized that in the pictures you have seen of Luna she looks a bit well, scruffy. In both defense and retrospect, I generally take her picture when we are out and about.

She has a habit that amuses me, and which I presume was a necessarily learned response. While walking, should a leaf or twig become entangled in her “drawers” she instantly becomes a statue--Medusa could do no better--until I dutifully find and remove the offender. When I say “ all clear” she brightly trots off again."

Luna after a trail hike

Kathleen wrote about Beau: "Thought you might like to see how Beau has grown. If there were a contest for best temperament he would get first price.  He continues to be a lover and my shadow. He has been the perfect antidote to the isolation of the virus. I hope you are well and thank you again for the gift of my perfect Lhasa."

Linda did not send a photo but wrote about her Daisy, (Emmy's sister): "I haven't had much time to get on my computer. Daisy follows me everywhere, gets into everything. Gracie has been afraid of Daisy since she got here. Daisy hides behind furniture etc. and jumps out at Gracie and bites her and chases her, Gracie growls and snaps but Daisy just continues. I spend a lot of time refereeing. Daisy has been showing her Lhasa smarts, she diffidently knows her name, comes when she 's called., is learning a lot words. Does Emmy chase her tail?  She loves to run at full speed through out the house. She just likes to have fun.!"

Speaking of Daisy, here are a couple photos Jim and Cristina sent of their Daisy. They wrote, "Daisy has been doing great. She loves lazy weekends when she can cuddle in bed with us and take naps; and she love playing with her toys. She’s especially into her balls; she doesn’t like fetch as much as she like playing “goalie”, where she blocks the ball after I kick it toward her. She’s also a very vocal dog and has a great internal clock (she knows when it’s time for her evening treat). She’s the funniest and sweetest dog."

Okay...at this point, an error occurred. Bummer!

I had to start a new post.

And...later I figured out what went wrong but I am too irked right now to go back and combine Part 2 with this post, so I am leaving it in two sections! 

           

Happy 2021!!

 

“We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives…not looking for flaws, but for potential.” ~ Ellen Goodman

Happy New Year to all of you and to your families as well. This is indeed a time of hope for new beginnings and, most of all, a time of hope for an ending to the pandemic. More than enough people have suffered and died. More than enough families mourn for lost loved ones. I, for one, have great hopes that the vaccines will prove effective. As one of my co-workers said after listening to naysayers, "We all have been praying for months and months for an end to this thing. Why are so many not willing to admit that the rapidity of the vaccine development is God's response to our prayers?" Good point.

I received many Facebook, email, and cards to wish my family and me a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Naturally, many of those included photos of the senders' Joyslyn's Lhasas, many decked out in holiday attire.

Tom and Judy sent this photo of their Zoie enjoying her Christmas toys.

Shelly sent this photo of Tucker under the tree.

Shelly wrote, "I cannot tell you the joy Tucker is bringing us. He is really a very smart puppy who has adapted wonderfully to our routine and family. Thank you so much for continuing to breed Lhasas. I adore this breed.

Here is a photo Betsy sent of Willow enjoying the snow.

Pat sent an update on Teddy:  "

Chris, Teddy and I wanted to send you both Christmas wishes and to say thank you again for putting Teddy in our lives.  He is quite the boy and keeps us both occupied as we continue to work from home during this crazy year. He's learned about work breaks and definitely understands when it's lunch time!  He also has the knack for deciding that it's time to play with his squeakiest toy right when either of us start a conference call! Course that has only helped him become well known throughout our business community. 

I'm sending a couple of update pictures for you.  The first one you've seen from his Halloween pics but the difference is, you will be able to find his picture now in national retail stores and online since he has become a picture frame model - LOL!  So, I've attached his "proof" for your enjoyment.  He's not autographing anything just yet! The other pictures are his introduction to snow. We had a rare 6" snow fall here a little over a week ago and he was smitten.  He played and played and played!  I was busy with the blow dryer every time I got him back in because his feet and underbelly were nothing but snowballs!  Chris said he was just finding his Tibetan roots.  I said he was trying to be a Yak!"

Look for Teddy when you shop for picture frames!

Teddy enjoying the snow

Michelle sent a photo of Sunny enjoying the festive atmosphere in their home.

 Cindy posted this photo of Luther.

Sharon wrote that they felt lucky to still be able to celebrate Christmas with 15 year old Gisa.

Here is Joy's Lucy, who was a year old in November. I complimented Joy on how clean she keeps Lucy's face. It is often difficult to do with such light colored hair.

Karen sent this photo of Kimmi and wrote, "

Here's Kimmi in some festive garb...She frequently goes outside with our cat, Molly. They're best buds. She definitely can hold her own with Huckleberry.

Julie wrote about Jenna: "

Jenna is doing so well. She is my best friend and she is definitely a clinger. I think she and I both lucked out with each other, but her especially since I’m such a homebody. I just had over a week off work and we spent the whole time together. We went on lots of walks. She doesn’t play with toys so I make sure we walk everyday, even if just around the block. My mom also loves her and often on days I work she will bring Jenna to her place for the day. My mom says she is good company."

Sharon wrote about Chance: "Speaking of blessings, that's what I consider Chance to be. He has such a sweet, affectionate, calming spirit and we couldn't ask for a better dog. Chance seems very happy and content. I don't know if I've ever gotten so attached to a dog so quickly before, he's exactly what I need right now with all the chaos going on in the world. I hope he feels the same about me and about Jim, who is equally attached to him. He loves the yard, and the numerous squirrels who make their home there have to be on guard at all times.

Jane wrote about Greta: "Everyone is doing great! ...especially  GRETA! she got your hug and kiss and "good girl" many times over. She is having a ball with this cold weather, our property has a lot of land on it, so she is learning the layout on a leash, and then when we are about 50 yards from the house, I let her off her lead and she runs straight towards home, twirling and jumping and really REALLY going fast. Then she'll stop let me catch up with her, and off she goes! Her coat is nice and furry so she keeps warm, plus I have a fleece lined winter jacket for her...She now sleeps with Joe on the couch!!! doesn't run away from him, and is considering the idea, he may be an ok human. We love her bunches. She fits in with us perfectly. We also take our time getting to know people. Greta the Supriser! lets us see more of her personality every day. My laundry is in the basement, so she sits and waits at the top of the stairs for me, and grudgingly lets me back up. Our little silly game. Plus all our other goofy stuff. Lots of car rides, walks, treats."

Judy sent this photo of her Izzy, who recently had a 14th birthday.

Here is one that Mickey posted of Biddy.

I heard from Molly Anne about Luna (who is Biddy's mom). "We take a walk in the woods every other day & Luna gets a 'play day' at a small day care. She gets personal attention and is happy to go. I groom her myself all the time now. Every time she gets a compliment (often!), I parrot back what you said, 'she's beautiful on the inside and the outside"--so true!"

Sally sent pictures of Ginger - before the snow and after the snow!

Teresa sent this photo of Dora.

 

Marilyn wrote, "

I hope you are both well and keeping safe. I still read your blog and marvel at your beautiful puppies! We feel so blessed to be the proud owners of 2 Joyslyn’s Lhasa Apsos. We purchased Muffy, our first Lhasa back in New York in 1984. Then came Abby in  2001, our first Joyslyn’s puppy. Now, we have the beautiful Maci, and the goofy Hunter!! They are the guardians of the street, and they will alert us to any odd behavior out there! They are each other’s friend, but Maci definitely rules the roost and she puts Hunter in his place when need be." Here are photos of Hunter (top) and Maci.

Kathy wrote, "We

 have certainly had more time at home with Sophie this year, and her amount of daily treats has proven very popular with her! She is a pure joy and a wonderful companion! It’s hard to believe she is already five years old!"

Here is a Christmas card from Mary and Gabe (9 yrs old). Mary wrote that the mask lasted on Gabe only seconds and that "He keeps me sane through all this virus going on."

Here is part of a card from Kathleen that features their Beau.

Thanks to all who sent pictures and/or greetings for Christmas and the New Year. As always, it is a joy to hear from you and to receive photos and updates. If I missed posting someone's photo or note, forgive me. It was not on purpose. 

We all have things we miss because of Covid. You can imagine I miss going to dog shows, not only because I enjoy the competition of showing my Lhasas but also because I have so many friends that I get to see only at the shows. I miss them all. 

I was fortunate to be able to attend a few shows in October and early November before things shut down again due to a Covid surge. The dogs did well, even poor Archie pulled himself together at the end. I say "poor Archie" because that dog is afraid of everything and I don't seem to have the magic to pull him out of it. Not sure what will become of him. He is so beautiful but definitely was overloaded on the fear factor!

The next few photos are brags on my part because, even in limited showing, the Joyslyn dogs managed to find themselves on the rankings chart, even poor Archie (Joyslyn Mon Ami Derecho), right there at the bottom of the second chart! 

Again, best wishes to you all for the new year!

Thanks for reading!

Joyce