Lhasa Apso Blog: Merry Christmas!! Happy Holidays!!

"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas." ~ Calvin Coolidge

It has been our tradition for many years to put up and decorate the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. Heavy snow kept that from happening this year. We have a backyard shed in which the Christmas items are stored and neither of us wanted to trudge three times through the snow to carry 6 boxes full of Christmas items up and down 19 stairs covered with ice and snow.

As the days went on and the snow stayed, I told Lynn that we needed to get at least the tree and some decorations up. So we made our/slipped our way to the backyard shed and brought in the tree and only 2 boxes (contents unknown!).

Neither of those boxes contained the red and gold ornaments we always hang on the tree. What to do?? So I said, "Let's use the dog show ribbons." and we did! Here is the result:

At least it gave the show ribbons a new purpose!

On another subject: If you want to contact me use either joyslynslhasas73@gmail.com or 309-837-1665. Don't send a text message to that phone number. It is the land line. (and yes, I have a cell phone, but I don't share its number with the general public.)

Puppy News

Let's put it this way: we are keeping our fingers crossed that a litter is on its way. A vet appointment has been made for next week to confirm what we are hoping for.

Notes and Photos

Renee wrote on the occasion of Rio's first birthday.

"...sending a message with a photo of Rio today, on his first birthday. He seems very excited and even after Jim took him out for a longer walk this am, he’s been running around the house like a crazy guy. We’re having a little pizza/salad party tonite for a couple of his friends (Rosie & Rocky)...He’s very friendly and loves other dogs and people. Jim takes him to a large dog park about 15 minutes away, which he loves... He’s a love bug and continues to hang out in my arms, sometimes falling asleep even. I’m hoping this continues as none of my other lhasas ever wanted to be held.

He still loves his daddy very much, an early attachment.

Thank you for breeding this fabulous puppy for us."

Ed sent this photo of six-month-old Billy.

Nanda sent this one of Ty & Gigi just chillin' on the sofa.

And Cindy sent this of Luther -- putting his dad's lap to good use!

Raquel sent this one of her Minnie.

Stories

Thanks Judy G for this following story about your beloved Izzy (Joyslyn's Is It the Wind)

"When I first became interested in the Lhasa Apso breed, I found Joyce’s website filled with useful facts and information. One day, I was scrolling down and saw the most beautiful Lhasa I had ever seen. She was looking right into my soul with a tiny smirk on her face, AND she was for sale. I had my beloved Odie who was in agility and doing very well. I convinced my husband that I needed another Lhasa.

When we picked her up, she was more beautiful in person. I immediately pictured her as an agility dog with her beautiful tail flowing behind her. After months of practice, I entered her in an outdoor trial. She was the last dog entered. I placed her confidently on

the start line and she just sat there. No amount of calling, begging, or offering treats worked. Her agility continued with her leaving the start line, but choosing her own path of tunnels, jumps and wherever she wanted to run.

So, I thought rally would be better for her. After months of training alongside Odie, we went to our first rally trial. She pranced into the ring and promptly laid on her side. Her dead dog act did not impress the judge. She never completed her rally novice title, but

she did earn a Canine Good Citizen (CGC), Trick Dog Novice (TDN) from AKC and a Spot-On from UKC. She told me she was done with rally when she refused to enter the building.

She was very happy to deliver Meals on Wheels with me and visit her new friends. Her beauty was also inside her kind spirit.

She lived over 16 years, and she told me when she was ready to leave us and join Odie."

If you have or have had a Joyslyn's Lhasa, I encourage you to write a story about him or her to share with others who read this blog. Lhasas are special and I know you all have tales to tell about yours. Please share.

From the Archives

The first picture is of CH Joyslyn's Keepin' The Magic. Call name: Keeper

The photo was taken after he received a Group 3 placement.

These photos are of CH Joyslyn's Playboy at Heart

Call name: Zach

Note: His call name changed later when he went to a new home. He was then called Zeus because the family had a friend named Zach.

Next up is a dog near to my heart.

GCH CH Joyslyn's Heart Breaker.

Call name: Breaker

Breaker lived with us until he was 12 years old. At that time, a dear friend, Jill, whose home felt empty after the passing of her male Lhasa asked me if I had an older dog she could have. Lynn and I trusted Jill and knew she would love and care for Breaker so we agreed to part with him. Jill sends videos and pictures so we can watch him as he and her other Lhasa, Shadow, go for walks and chill out in the back yard. Breaker was 17 years old in August. I am so proud of him and so thankful to Jill for loving him as we did. I wish him continued health and more birthdays.

Breaker 7 months old:

Breaker after being groomed:

Breaker at a dog show:

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Something new I would like to try because I know I have readers who have Lhasas but not Joyslyn's Lhasas so they have not been able to share stories and photos.

With that in mind, I have an "assignment" for any reader who owns or has owned a Lhasa. Sadly, the amazing Lhasa Apso's future does not look bright. Fewer people are showing, fewer people are breeding Lhasas, and it seems to me that as far as breed recognition goes, fewer people have even heard of a Lhasa Apso and ask "Is that a Shih Tzu?" when they see one.

So I am asking you all to be advocates of our breed. Why do you love your Lhasa? What personality traits endear that dog to you? How would you describe the breed to someone who had never met a Lhasa? What can we do to "sell" the breed? In short, how do we save for the future the breed we love?

Please send me your ideas! You don't need to write an essay. Maybe finish this sentence: "I love my Lhasa because (and go from there)..."

or "Here is how I would describe the breed..."

Send responses to: Joyslynslhasas73@gmail.com

I know things are busy between now and mid-January, but I'd like to have responses for the January blog.

Here is what all of us Lhasa owners know

I found the following poem on the internet and thought it represented not only the long ago days when it was written by Joyce Kilmer during WWI, but also the atmosphere that seems so prevalent in the world today. Yet there is hope. Good people do good things.

Wartime Christmas

Led by a star, a golden star,
The youngest star, an olden star,
Here the kings and the shepherds are,
Akneeling on the ground.
What did they come to the inn to see?
God in the Highest, and this is He,
A baby asleep on His mother’s knee
And with her kisses crowned.

Now is the earth a dreary place,
A troubled place, a weary place.
Peace has hidden her lovely face
And turned in tears away.
Yet the sun, through the war-cloud, sees
Babies asleep on their mother’s knees.
While there are love and home—and these—
There shall be Christmas Day.