September - On the Road Again

"There is a time in late September when the leaves are still green, and the days are still warm, but somehow you know that it is all about to end, as if summer was holding its breath, and when it let it out again, it would be autumn." -Sharyn McCrumb

While I am writing this in mid-September, I do want to address happenings in August. First, thanks goes out to all who sent birthday good wishes via mail, email, and Facebook.

I'm sharing one gift, a coaster that goes on an easel,  that I think is "words to the wise" for us all:

Thanks LaVonne!

While September 11 rememberances have passed already this year, I wanted to share something I ran across as I was paging through some files trying to find something I had misplaced. Many of you may remember reading it shortly after the tragedy took place. 

On the morning of September 11, 2001, there was an unprecedented amount of activity at the Rainbow Bridge. Decisions had to be made. They had to be made quickly. And, they were.

At issue, not often addressed here, is the fact that many residents really have no loved one for whom to wait. Think of the pups who lived and died in hideous puppy mills. No one on earth loved or protected them.

What about the many who spent unhappy lives tied in backyards? And, the ones who were abused. Who are they to wait for?

We don’t talk about that much up here. We share our loved ones as they arrive, happy to do so. But we all know there is nothing like having your very own person who thinks you are the most special pup in the Heavens.

Last Tuesday morning, a request rang out for pups not waiting for specific persons to volunteer for special assignment. An eager, curious crowd surged excitedly forward, each pup wondering what the assignment would be.

They were told by a solemn voice that unexpectedly, all at once, over 4,000 loving people had left Earth long before they were ready.

All the pups, as all pups do, felt the humans’ pain deep in their own hearts. Without hearing more, there was a clamoring amount them – “May I have one to comfort?” – “I’ll take two, I have a big heart.” – “I have been saving kisses forever.”

One after another they came forward begging for assignment. One cozy-looking fluffy pup hesitantly asked, “Are there any children coming? I would be very comforting for a child, ’cause I’m soft and squishy and I always wanted to be hugged.”

A group of Dalmatians came forward asking to meet the Firemen and be their friends. The larger working breeds offered to greet the Police Officers and make them feel at home.

Little dogs volunteered to do what they do best, cuddle and kiss.

Dogs who on Earth had never had a kind word or a pat on the head, stepped forward and said, “I will love any human who needs love.”

Then all the dogs, wherever on Earth they originally came from, rushed to the Rainbow Bridge and stood waiting, overflowing with love to share – each tail wagging an American Flag.

Okay, I'm crying now...

On The Road Again

So, what have I been up to since I last posted? A lot of traveling! Deacon and I went to the Twin Cities Lhasa Apso Club specialty show in Lake Elmo, MN. It was fun to be with friends from MN but the trip was a bust for us. No placement for Deacon. I did not even win anything in the raffle! Darn.

LaVonne did some winning with Misti though.

GCHB CH MonAmi ‘N Joyslyn Shades of Summer

The next trip was to Amana, IA for four days of showing, this time outside. The night we arrived in my friend Jane's RV there was a thunderstorm, so of course the grass was wet in the AM and the dogs' hair had to be dried. Each day offered different weather: rain, blistering heat, strong winds, and a lovely fall day.

There were 3 Specials vying for Best of Breed. That honor was passed around with each of us winning one day and LaVonne and her Misti breaking the tie on day 4. Misti has been doing very well in the ring this year. She is 9 years old and in her prime. She loves showing! I am proud to be her co-breeder. Some of you reading this probably have one of her offspring.

So, Deacon came away from that show with 1 Best of Breed and 3 Best Opposite Sex and a few points toward his Grand Championship.

Here are some photos taken by Ronnie Crowder (ring shots) and me (at the RV). Thanks Ronnie!

The first two are Deacon in the wind.

This is Ebony and Deacon in the exercise pen.

Ebony likes going along to shows. 

She does not like showing!

That makes me sad.

She is a beauty with lovely movement.

This is of Deacon and me on casual/Hawaiian day

Deacon at the RV after being groomed on a calm day.

Deacon with me and LaVonne with Misti

Lhasa exhibitors:LaVonne, Sue, Jan, Polly, Karen, Me, and Jane (a great friend whom we have adopted into our group even though she shows Shiba Inu and a Norbottonspetz!). Missing from the group is Tami who left before she knew we were going to take a group picture.

Deacon again

We were all very tired! We got home late afternoon of Labor Day and on Saturday morning at 2:30 AM (Yes! AM!) I left home to meet Jane on the road so we could travel to Des Moines for a show. In our defense, when we made the entries, we had no idea that Jane's ring time would be 8:00 AM. 

Deacon was the only Lhasa there and was not at all interested in showing. I took him into the Owner-Handled Group and he totally bombed. So much for that!

Apologies to Michelle, who owns Sunny, because I invited her to visit us at the show since she lives close to Des Moines and I told her the wrong date! We had entered only on Saturday and I gave her the Sunday date.

There Really Are Good People in The World

So, if getting up at 1:30 AM then being disappointed in Deacon's performance was not enough to make me wish I had stayed in bed, the next awful thing was that when we got to the gas station to fill up before heading home to Illinois, I discovered my wallet was missing. I knew it had been in my purse and I knew I had not taken it into the show site, but it was nowhere to be found. I called home and asked Lynn to look around, just in case I was mistaken about having it with me. No luck.

Of course, when Jane dropped me off at my car, I had to drive home without my driver's license. But here is a funny thing: As soon as I got in my car and started it, what was playing on the radio but "I still haven't found what I'm looking for!" I had to laugh.

At home after unloading Deacon and getting him settled, I found out from Lynn that someone had called and said she had found my wallet on the ground of a parking space at the show. Relief! But how to get it from her to me. A young handler lives in a small town near Macomb, so I called her mom and her mom called her and explained the situation so she met up with the person who found my wallet and brought it home with her and Lynn drove me to her home so I could pick it up. Ta Da! Then I called my credit card company again.

Back in the Car

I returned yesterday afternoon from taking Monkee (see below) back to his owner. The drive was 6 hours each way so I stayed the night and drove home the next day. I am so sick of traveling. Thank goodness for audio books!

Puppy News

I know that a few of you are waiting for our next litter.

We recently did a breeding and if all goes as planned, puppies should be born in early November.

Here is a picture of Monkee, the sire:

And a picture of Pearl, the dam:

New Homes

Millie and Autumn are now in their "retirement" homes and, by all accounts, settling in and becoming used to a new environment.

Sandy sent this picture of Millie all comfy on the sofa.

And Lynn sent this of Autumn

It seems weird and "empty" not to have them here, but after meeting their new owners, I know they will be well-loved and well cared for.

Project Progress

In the August post I wrote about a survey project I had in mind regarding adult Lhasas going to new owners, as just happened with Millie and Autumn. My goal was to come up with information that might be helpful to people thinking about "adopting" an adult Lhasa and to post the results in the September blog.

I went back 9 years in my records and sent out invitations and survey forms to 22 people. Some had purchased more than one adult Lhasa from us.

I heard from a few people right away and am so grateful to them for their responses. I knew that not everyone I invited to participate would choose to do so, but admit to being disappointed in the return rate. I am sure that some email addresses have changed, although only 2 of the 22 addresses I used bounced back. That means 20 people should have received the survey.

From my previous work I was aware that for surveys, a response rate of  15% - 30% is considered "good." "Excellent" is 50% or more.

So...I had responses from only 7 people (35%); however, those 7 people gave responses for 12 dogs (52%) of the 23 dogs. Even though I wanted more people to respond, because I think it is an important issue, all things considered, the response rate for people falls within an acceptable rate.

As a former co-worker was fond of saying, "it is what it is."

But, since I have been on the road and then trying to catch up/keep up with grooming and household chores, I have not yet compiled the data about the 12 Lhasas, I am posting the survey and again inviting/urging anyone who has purchased an adult from us and who has not already filled out a survey to copy and paste it and respond. You are not required to write an essay! I hope to get results to you in October. people had some good suggestions.

================================

Survey of Lhasa Owners Who Have Purchased Their Dogs as Adults

 Name:______________________________________

(note: I will use only first names & last initials in the article unless you give permission for using your last name also)

 

How many adult Joyslyn's Lhasas have you had/do you have?         ________ Please use a separate form for each if you have had more than one.                                                

Dog(s) names:_______________________

 

Male or Female? ____________________

 

How old was/were the Lhasa(s) when you got him/her/them?  ___________________________

 

What year did the Lhasa join your household? __________________________________

 

Was this your first Lhasa Apso? 

 

There is a "3-3-3 Rule" that says for older dogs and puppies it takes 3 days of feeling nervous and overwhelmed in a new home, 3 days to settle in, and 3 months to build trust. Did you find this rule to be true in your case? ________________

Describe how easy (or not) it was to integrate the adult into your household and routines. What were the challenges (if any)?

 

Does/Did the dog have a preference for a particular family member? _______________

If yes:    husband      wife     child

 

Describe the dog's personality/favorite activities/favorite toys.

 

Based on your experience with buying an adult, would you do so again?  Yes     No

 

 What advice do you have for someone who is considering buying an adult Lhasa?

 

Add anything else you would like others to know about your experience.

 

Thank you for participating in this survey.

===============================

Notes and Photos

Celine sent photos of Dora

Courtney wrote about Amelia: "Amelia has blossomed in the last month and suddenly is very outgoing. I'm not sure what prompted this but she has always been relaxed around people, kids and other dogs, she is now seeking out attention from them. We have been working on polite introductions in obedience and she is doing great but I need to transfer that to stacking on the table because she has suddenly decided that people coming up to the table want kisses."

Later she wrote, " I have received a few comments on her coat color from show people but most people on the street comment about the length and the ponytails when I have her bangs pulled up. Little girls love her...She graduated from her intermediate obedience class last Friday and I have attached a photo of her from that and a couple from this morning."

Sally sent a picture of Ginger on her 6th birthday. She wrote, "Queen Ginger wanted me to send you her photo from her 6th birthday can you believe it already!!!"

 

She went on to say, "I talked to the vet about our flea episode. ( I haven't found any more) and she said rabbit fleas cannot live on dogs so even though they jump on dogs they don't stay. That's interesting anyway. Not super comforting but still. I have spread some oregano leaves and also a few citronella plants on the yard so I hope it deters rabbits." 

Thanks for sharing about rabbit fleas not staying on dogs. But still...ick!!

And I received a happy surprise when I got this letter from Eddie (via Sally and Bill). I had not heard from Eddie for quite a while. 

Eddie "wrote,"Hello Grandma Joyce!

It's been a long time since I have written you. I am very healthy and happy. I love my Mommy (Sally) and Daddy (Bill ) very very much! I am incredibly intelligent and it only takes a single word most of the time and I know just what to do. Mommy and Daddy have to be careful not to mention their grandchildren's names out loud because when I hear them I go bonkers excited thinking they are on their way to visit me and play. 

My Mommy and Daddy couldn't love me more!!!

Love and Licks (kisses),

Eddie

Marsha, whose arm is in a cast, tried to give her Lhasa, Willow, a haircut. According to Marsha, things did not go as well as usual. Marsha wrote, "I was looking at her last night and the bushy eyebrows, mustache and puffy hair on her head, I just thought of Albert Einstein." 

She sent me this picture labeled "Alberta Einstein."

 

Later she sent another of Willow and described her as having an "order in the court" personality.

Shelly posted this cute picture of her Tucker.

Thanks to you all for the pictures and updates!

Back to the Beginning

The August blog featured Bo Jangles, the first Lhasa we bought to show. I thought it only fair to go back to 1973 and our first Lhasa pets.

Here are Buffy (left) and Phoebe (right)

Phoebe was our first Lhasa, purchased with my second paycheck as a high school English teacher. (The first check bought a refrigerator. We enjoyed Pjoebe so much that we bought Buffy with my third paycheck. And the rest is history. Phoebe eventually went to live with my sister and enjoyed hanging out with her farm dogs. Buffy was the dam of our first Champion, Rocky.

Another Plug for the 2024 National Specialty

If you are a Lhasa fan, come to see the Lhasas. A Lhasa Specialty is only for Lhasas. (No show on Thursday -- that day is set aside for meetings.)

If you live near Gettysburg, come to watch and talk to others who love the breed!

Books with Dog Characters

You might like The Dog Master: A Novel of the First Dog by W. Bruce Cameron

Steven N. Lee's As the Stars Fall, When the Skies Cry, and Where the Echo Calls,

Thanks again for reading this blog!

I have more travel days ahead - to Nebraska for Mom's 92nd birthday and to a show in Freeport at the end of the month. Plus I signed Deacon up for some refresher classes - one a week for 4 weeks - in Peoria, about a 3 hour round trip.

Regards,

Joyce