Lhasa Apso Blog: Hi Again! It's Been A While...

"Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August." ~Jenny Han, The Summer I Turned Pretty

Whoa! Where did June go? I was thinking that I needed to post to the blog and then realized the last post was June 1. Busy month! (Procrastinator??)

You know we have puppies that are now almost 8 weeks old. The last time we took photos below, they were 6.5 weeks. As cute as they are in these photos, they are even cuter now. They will be leaving around July 10.

We hope to have a new litter at the end of July, so if you are on the waiting list, it might be a good idea to contact me to let me know you are still interested in a puppy. If any of you want to be added to the waiting list for a future litter, the contact email is joyslynslhasas@outlook.com

My June involved no dog shows. We went to 3 weekends of shows in May, so I took a breather. Part of the "breather" was a trip to Florida to visit our daughter, son-in-law, and two grandsons (ages 6 and 4). I took our 15-year old granddaughter with me. It was a trip we had planned for June 2020, one that was cancelled due to COVID. Other than sitting on the plane for 3.5 hours in Chicago waiting for a thunderstorm to pass and then flying another 3+ hours to Miami, the trip was a good one, even if we both came home with sunburns!

Once home, I needed the rest! Those two active boys wore this grandma out!

Our town celebration was this past weekend: "Macomb Heritage Days" with car shows (my husband's won an award), bands, a carnival, and lots of food vendors. Our son Trevor surprised us and came home for the weekend. It was great to have him home for a few days.

Congratulations go out to owner Gwen West and handler Sue Cannimore for the success of CH Joyslyn's Beethoven's Fifth West in the show ring this month. Here is a photo of one of his recent wins, a Group 3 placement.

My friend Vickie emailed me and commented: "Got to see Beethoven in early June with Sue in Estes Park ... what a nice boy! Loved his size, temperament and, wow, what a coat! You should be very proud of him!"

I am certainly proud of him and thankful to his owner, Gwen, who fulfilled her promise to me to show him to his championship. She has taken it beyond and is now going for his Grand Championship. Congrats, Gwen!!

Some of you will have relatives of Beethoven's on your Lhasas' pedigrees. He is a litter brother of our Chance (CH Joyslyn's Moon Shadows) and Bekka (CH Joyslyn's Moonlight Beckons). If your Lhasa's dam is CH Joyslyn JaMa Dancing By the Light of the Moon (Luna), he/she is related also.

2021 ALAC National Specialty

If you live anywhere near Boxborugh, MA or if you feel like a nice trip to see fall colors and take in the American Lhasa Apso Club's National Specialty the week of October 18-22, come see us at the Boxboro Regency Hotel and Conference Center. Club members from across the U.S.--and sometimes from other countries--gather to show and to celebrate the wonderful Lhasa Apso. This year's theme is Lhasa Tea Party.

The events start on Monday, October 18, with a sweepstakes and specialty show sponsored by the Merrimack Lhasa Apso Club. Tuesday is ALAC's Eastern Regional Specialty. Wednesday is set aside for obedience and rally trials, a Futurity and Maturity, a celebration of veterans (dogs 7 years old and older), and a fun match sponsored by the new Sunshine State Lhasa Apso Club. Thursday is for seminars, club meetings, and the awards banquet and auction. Friday is big show -- the ALAC National Specialty.

You will see beautiful Lhasas, from young puppies to veterans, competing during the week. Breeders and owners will be proudly exhibiting their dogs. If you want a chance to meet people you have heard of and hoped to meet some day, this is a good opportunity to do so.

For those of you who would like to attend a National Specialty but don't want to drive to the New England area, wait a year and attend the 2022 National that will be held at Purina Farms, near St. Louis.

Helpful Article

The AKC website has many helpful articles. For example, here is a link to an interesting article from AKC about separation anxiety and how to handle it. It is a timely topic now that so many people are transitioning from working at home and being with their dogs 24/7 to once again going back to the office and putting in 8-hour days.

Notes and Photos from Friends

GiGi wrote that she thinks Lhasa and Scotties make a perfect combination for a home that wants more than one breed. Her's get along so well together. She then added, "I also wanted to tell you about Cinder’s hugs. I’ve had big dogs that leaned on me and smaller dogs who sat beside and against me, but I’ve never before had a dog that hugged! It’s part of another “Cinder Procedure”. Each morning when I first sit down in my office chair, I have to pick her up. She puts her front feet over my shoulder, straightens out her back legs, and presses her chest into mine. It only lasts for a couple of minutes, but it is a wonderful way to start each day!" (Cinder is her Lhasa that is Josh's litter sister.)

Shelly posted a photo of the handsome Tucker sporting his summer hair cut. "Well it was so dang hard to part with his beautiful locks for summer but Tucker’s coat changing from puppy to adult made the decision easy…he is so happy and feels so good now! Love our sweet Tuckerman!!"

Jim, whose family recently moved to FL, wrote, "I am sorry for the passing of one of your dogs. You have raised so many wonderful dogs and are surely proud. And each of those dogs are bringing daily smiles and joy to people like me! It’s rainy season in Florida and daisy is not loving the thunder (she will hide in her bed, my bed, under beds, or wedge herself between pillows on the couch). We put her natural swimming skills to the test the other day (she also didn’t love that but swam really well!). We probably won’t be putting her into a pool again any time soon, as we are mindful of how too much pool water can dry out dogs’ skin and coats but it was fun to watch this one time.

Judy wrote, "Our Zoie will be one year old on June 6th. I can't believe it! I know that I've said this before, but she is so smart. The first time that I told her to sit until I said it was o.k. to eat, she did. Now this is really amazing! From the time we brought her home, we have been watching a church service on U Tube. When we sit down I tell Zoie that it is time for church. She jumps up on the couch and does not move until I tell her that church is over. Everyone has trouble believing me until they see it for themselves. She is such s good watchdog. No one or animal can step on the property without her letting us know. The only problem we're having is that with COVID she has not had a chance to be socialized. We are slowly working on this. My friend from Waukesha came for a visit and she barked at her for quite awhile, but by the second day she jumped up on her lap for some love. The funny thing is that if she meets someone outside, she is fine but if they come in the house she barks and barks at them. Very protective! We have put up lattice all around the deck so that she can't jump off. She loves to be out there! She has filled a void that we thought would never happen. Thank-you! Pictures of her are on my phone and I have not downloaded them to my computer. I will send pictures next time."

Mary R. wrote about Rafe, CH Joyslyn's Inherit the Wind, whom she got from us as a "retiree." She wrote, "All 3 dogs had their check up a couple weeks ago. The vet said Rafe was a perfect body score, labs great, and she said he has really come out of his shell. I never think of him like that, but owners are still unable to be in exam room. He would not walk back with tech. I had to lead the way to exam room. The vet said they sat on floor and he crawled in their laps."

Michelle wrote, "Our new adventure is bike riding. ..we put one of Sunny’s pillows inside and took his tie out cable and attached a clip to the center so he says in the middle for balance and can’t jump out but can stand up, sit or lay down. We just went for a short ride the first 2 times. I’m not so sure how he will do but we can take him with us if likes it."

And later she let me know about his new training class: "...Our training classes almost

completed. Sunny is the smallest dog in the class, there are 3 labs (one is still a puppy), a boxer, a 7 month goldendoodle, and a 12 week Australian shepherd who is just too cute, but already bigger than Sunny! Let’s just say in true Sunny style he’s doing his own thing, LOL! He has surprised us in many ways but we also have a lot of work to do! Before class is over I will ask for a class picture. I look forward to seeing puppy pictures on your blog!"

Kris and Fernanda wrote, "Dear Joyce, we are sorry to hear about Connor’s passing. Since Ti has a little bit of Connor in him, we hope these pictures- and his munchkin face - will brighten your day. We offer you our prayers, condolences and love. The pictures we are sending today are proof that Ti’s Grandma clearly has a problem: she cannot, for the love of God, visit him without bringing a new toy. Ti isn’t complaining but we believe she needs some sort of rehab. We are struggling to find him amongst his toys like “Where’s Waldo?”. Congratulations on the latest show’s achievements and thanks again for all the Titans and Connors you have gifted the world with."

Later Fernanda wrote, "Titan had another grooming appointment. Too bad he’s wearing a harness. But you can still see how handsome he is. "Ti takes his job of watching our home very seriously. If we try to distract him he lets us know that he’s focused and he’s not here for our entertainment … unless he hears the bag of food treats being opened."

Sally, who will be adding the black and tan male puppy to her home, sent this photo of Ginger, who I am sure has been told that she is getting a "brother" but I am also sure she has no idea how her life will soon change! Enjoy your status as an only child now Ginger!!

Paul wrote, "Joey decided to help me this morning to adjust the shower door in the motorhome. He even checked out what tools we might need."

At this point I just want to add how much getting these notes and photos mean to me. I love hearing about the Lhasas we have sold over the years and to see photos of them as they mature. They do indeed brighten my day!

Gift Idea (Repeated)

Last Christmas my friend Marsha made some beautiful ornaments for me. Here are the ones she sent me.

The one on the left is has a picture of Breaker on it; on the right is a picture of Josh; in the middle is the logo of our national club (the American Lhasa Apso Club).

Marsha and another member of ALAC are making ornaments again this year. If you are interested in having one (or more) made with your dog's photo on it, these ornaments are great gifts for friends, family, or yourself!

Here is ordering information if you are interested.