Lhasa Apso Blog: The Dog Days of Summer

The "dog days" or "dog days of summer" are the hot, sultry days of summer. They were historically the period following the heliacal rising of the star system Sirius, which Hellenistic astrology connected with heat, drought, sudden thunderstorms, lethargy, fever, mad dogs, and bad luck. Wikipedia

As of this writing the "dog days of summer," which run from July3 - August 11, are nearly officially at an end. I have a strong feeling that the stormy hot weather will continue for a while though.

“The first week of August hangs at the very top of summer, the top of the live-long year, like the highest seat of a ferris wheel when it pauses in its turning, The weeks that come before are only a climb from balmy spring, and those that follow a drop to the chill of autumn, but the first week of August is motionless, and hot. It is curiously silent, too, with blank white dawns and glaring noons, and sunsets smeared with too much color.”

~ Natalie Babbitt

August is my favorite month, of course, since it is my birthday month. I am a Leo through and through! I'll soon be 72, which looks so old when I see it in print. Good thing I still feel much much younger (and probably act like it too!)

The last time I posted, I told you that our Millie puppies arrived by C section. Millie recovered well and the puppies are now 5 weeks old and doing great. We took some pictures this morning so I could share them with their new families and with the blog readers.

Here are the two boys:

Here are the two girls:

I had to laugh at that second girl's photo. You can tell she already has that "Lhasa Attitude!" How dare we take her picture!!

Except for the fun of watching the puppies grow, July was a quiet month. Our son, Aaron, visited for a few days. At the end of the month, I went to a dog show in Waukesha, WI. Ebony took Reserve Winners Bitch the first day and Winners Bitch for 2 points, Best of Winners, and Best Owner Handled the second day.

Ebony

I'm not sure anyone would call it a "highlight" but the scary thing that happened our first night at the fairgrounds was a whopper of a storm! Keep in mind there were 3 of us and 4 Lhasas in an RV, parked in the fairgrounds RV lot.

The sky grew dark and darker, the wind came up, the weather people on TV were following the storm as it came our way, first advising a tornado (we could hear sirens), then the announcement changed to a high flatline winds warning (derecho) of winds up to 75 mph. No fun at all and really nowhere to go. Our power went out so we had no AC and the generator would not start.

The next day the AC was off in the grooming building and remained off for the duration of the show. Imagine a building full of people and dogs and blow dryers running for most of the morning into mid afternoon!

We had a good time anyway, but the storm is not an experience I want to repeat. I certainly want to repeat the Winners Bitch win!

Two days after returning from Waukesha, I and my packed bags left Macomb to catch a flight from Peoria to Miami. I went there to visit our daughter, son-in-law, and grandsons (ages 6 and 8). It was nice to see them all again and, as a plus, their new addition to the family, Maxi, their 8-month-old Redbone Coon Hound. She comes from a show breeder and is just beautiful.

Then, to balance out the good times in Florida, my flight from Charlotte, NC to Peoria was cancelled and I had to stay in Charlotte overnight and arrive home a day later than originally planned. I was lucky though because (at least according to the ticket agent) I got the last seat on the flight to Peoria. (I think maybe she told everyone that, just to make them feel lucky to get a seat so they would not argue with her!) Anyway, I made it home and was glad to be here at last!

What's ahead for September? Dog shows in Amana, IA; the American Lhasa Apso Club's National Specialty at Purina Farms; my mom's 91st birthday, and puppies leaving for their new homes--all things to look forward to. I enjoy meeting the new puppy owners; after communicating with them for weeks, it is fun to meet them at last.

Onto my favorite part of the blog every month:

Notes and Photos from Others

Victoria wrote, "Hello Joyce! Checking in…Our sweet Honey turned 2 years old on May 6, and she is the leader of our pack- I really mean it. She is adorable, and still as bossy as ever demanding to be picked up, but then immediately melts your heart with tons of Lhasa kisses! We just adore her! Her loves are sleeping on her throne (her favorite spot is on the sofa atop her favorite pillow) and playing in the backyard with her favorite toy. We hope you are doing well and having a great summer."

Celina wrote, "Here is a picture of Dora with a braid my mom gave her. She is getting ready for a trip overseas. We plan to bring her to Italy at the end of August."

Julie wrote, "Bekka continues to prove herself to be the sweetest dog in the world. She loves being with us and especially likes being outside when we are as well . Mornings are spent on our bed with us, Lunchmeat and Charlie the cat. The other two cats remain wary of Bekka and she does enjoy chasing them when they run, but there is no malice involved, just fun (the cats might report those events differently, I suspect).

Anyhow, this has been one of the best decisions we have ever made with regard to animal family members. We have even dressed Bekka and Lunchmeat up with Republican Elephant design collars. They look very patriotic. Thank you again for letting us bring Bekka into our home. We absolutely adore her. "

Maggie's Mila got a haircut. Here is Mila, before and after!

Judy posted pictures of Gus and Lippy.

From Sally: Ginger and Jaxon are wonderful. So thankful the fireworks are over. Ginger REALLY suffers with big noises- Jaxon seems to be much less nervous. He sticks close by but doesn't seem to be as scared.

Anyway I will enclose a couple photos of course . I hope you are having a nice summer with no more big storms!

From Mark about YoYo and Lili: "They are doing well, they are such a hilarious comedy couple, with their distinct personalities they growl, bicker and annoy each other constantly, but best of sisters. Yoyo still has her puppy personality, like the day we brought her home at 12 weeks, insanely jealous of each other when it comers to getting attention, if one or the other is on a lap, getting pet, the other, has to come in and try to wedge in between, thats when the growling starts. Ha Ha Ha. Lili is still the senior boss. Good to hear all is well."

Heather wrote, "It has been many years since my sweet Pabu arrived from you when I lived in Boston years ago (I think in 1998). Pabu had a wonderful life and lived many of his years in Europe (Germany, Switzerland, France). He spent his days traveling with me and going on hikes in the alps or lounging in a bag as we made our way through the cities. He made friends everywhere. He was even in a German TV show once!

He spent his last years in California where he loved the beach and warm weather. He passed at the end of 2013 at almost 16! It has taken me many years to get over losing him, even though I now have human children (14 and 4). My daughter has asked for years to have a dog after Pabu passed." ...Pabu was such a head-turner. I remember asking for a girl years ago when I first inquired and you had the "spunky boy" available. That was Pabu for sure! I had an artist create a picture of him years ago, so he still greets everyone as they come in the door. "