September

 

Try to remember the kind of September

When life was slow and oh, so mellow

Try to remember the kind of September

When grass was green and grain was yellow

Try to remember the kind of September

When you were a tender and callow fellow

Try to remember and if you remember

Then follow

Try to remember when life was so tender

That no one wept except the willow

Try to remember when life was so tender

That dreams were kept beside your pillow

Try to remember when life was so tender

That love was an ember about to billow

Try to remember and if you remember

Then follow 

~ Jerry Orbach "The Fantasticks"

A fact of life: We are all going to die!

Now what kind of opening is that!?

It is just the truth. Some die young. Some die old. Accidents, cancer, heart attacks, a wide array of diseases--to say nothing of bombings and crazy people with guns. Most of you have wills. If yo do not then get thee to a lawyer! If we are parents, we are told to name in our will the people that we want to take care of our children, just to make sure they are cared for by people we trust to raise them as we would.

But what about our beloved dogs? (Okay...and cats...apologies to our cat Yuri)

When people fill out my waiting list form, they are supposed to let me know who will take care of the dog in case of death or any reason that they are unable to care for the dog themselves. Most respond, "my kids" or "a friend." Really? Did you ask them or are you just assuming? Do you have in writing that the person will care for the dog(s) and not just dump them at the nearest animal shelter or send them off to be euthanized? 

  

Lynn and I recently met with an attorney to update our wills and the subject of "what's going to happen to our dogs" was raised. The attorney then told me that he had some experience with that and that he had actually given numerous seminars to address the issue. I know that at this year's American Lhasa Apso Club's National Specialty there will be a seminar on the topic, but since he offered me the outline to his presentation, I accepted the offer. I want to share with you.

Food for thought for sure!

If any of you have set up a trust or made plans in a will for your dog, we all would like to know what steps you took to do so.

August passed quickly. It is a month when three of us have birthdays: me, my daughter, and a grandson. Those two live in FL. I celebrated with a small cake.

Many wished me happy birthday via FB and I received some nice cards in the mail. Thanks!!

My youngest son took Lynn and me to dinner. Otherwise, the day was uneventful--if you call wrangling 9 puppies "uneventful!"

We attended the 4 Twin City Lhasa Apso Club's speciality shows in MN. Haven was not happy because I entered Deacon instead of her and she had to stay home. Deacon had earned his championship before he was a year old and I had decided to let him mature a bit before I took him to shows again. We'd made an appearance at a show in Burlington, IA in June and he showed well, so I decided to see what he would do in MN. 

Well, on Friday he totally screwed up! He was nervous and kept turning around to check the lineup behind him. Worst of all, he went around the ring with his tail down. UGH...so ugly. So for the two shows on Friday, the judges were not impressed!! He was given a Select Dog ribbon both days. I did not think he deserved even that.

Saturday and Sunday were different stories, thank goodness! On Saturday, he was awarded Best in Speciality Show (BISS)--a sought after award. He also placed 4th in the Non-Sporting Owner Handled Group. We were outside for that Group and the high winds had all kinds of fun messing up his hair.

On Sunday, he took Best Opposite Sex (BOS) to the female that took Best of Breed. 

Here are some photos:

BISS

BOS:

This photo is of the 3 of us and our dogs who won BISS during that speciality weekend.

from left: 

MULTI BISS GCH CH Windwick Blackbeary (Sandy Sorth)

BISS CH Joyslyn's Legacy Of The Wind (Me)

BISS CH Yangchoo Paint It Panda CGCA TKN (Michael Yang)

Our next show took place in Des Moines, IA. Haven was the only Lhasa entered so she won Best of Breed by default but went on to win a Group 3 in the Non-Sporting Owner Handled Group.

That trip to Des Moines did not start out well. First, my friend Jane was going to drive because she has a van and her dogs need larger crates. However, her check engine light came on the day before we were  to leave so I was assigned to drive and her dogs had to ride in the smaller crates. I was scheduled to be at her house by 5:00 AM for the 4-hour drive. On the way to her house, my "low tire pressure" light came on! I made it to her house and we rousted her husband from sleep so he could fill the tire for us. We made it to Des Moines, but after I showed Haven the first time, I went outside and checked the tire's pressure. Low! Called AAA and eventually a guy came. Discussed using a spare. Decided it was a slow leak so just put air in the tire. We made it home. I took the tire in and the service guy found a small piece of metal in the tire.

What I learned that I did not know: 1) if you use a spare tire you can only drive 50 mph,  2) you can only drive 50 miles on a spare, and  3) A spare is only meant to get you as far as the nearest tire store.

Live and learn!

I did have one of those devices that plugged into the car to fill up a low tire, but it was old and no longer worked.

I think I will ask Santa for a new one.

Notes and Photos From Friends

Craig & Kim sent pictures of Finn

Celina went to Italy and took the aDORAble Dora with her. Here are a couple pictures of Dora enjoying herself in Matara, Italy.

Brad sent this of Chase

Matt wrote this about Bennie: "Benny is doing great. He fit right in and made himself right at home the same day!  His new brother Ozzy was standoffish for about 30 seconds before he realized he had a new brother to play with. After that it was pure joy!  Ozzy immediately took him under his paw, so to speak, teaching him all the things he is supposed to do (and all the things he shouldn't do but still does!).  They play together constantly, wearing each other out and leaving their elders in peace (mostly).

Benny isn't food motivated at all, but sometimes I wonder if he just can't find the treat in front of his face thanks to all the fluff!  He's hilarious and talkative. Seems like he found his bark pretty early!  He figured out steps really quickly but he's still too small for stairways and some of the senior dog assistance stairs we have around the house." 

Tracey sent this picture of Gigi.

Patrick sent this of Niall (formerly known as Duke).

Lisa sent this of Duncan.

Mary R came to see me at the show in MN. She owns Rafe. Thanks for taking time to see me, Mary! I was so glad to see you! Here is a photo of Rafe and his pal Moka.

Judy G sent this note about Nyx, Winter, and Ebony: ""Winter is Winter"

After three weeks off,  we returned to class Wednesday night. Winter was so happy to be back at work that she was a twirling maniac. After every command she twirled, and she forgot how to stand. Her favorite twirl is a 360 in the air. She enjoys being the class clown as everyone laughs at her antics. I was saved by Nyx as she remembers how to be a rally dog.

Ebony enjoys sharing in Winter's antics as she turns circles joining in on the fun!"

Kassia wrote about Leela:"Still the queen!! And has my husband rapped around her finger!!

David wrote about Callie. "She is doing well. Has befriended many puppies in the neighborhood. Everyone who sees her comments on what a beautiful dog she is." 

 Autumn "wrote" me a note via her owner, Lynn. Autumn wrote: "I am clearly Alpha around her but I’m also quite shy. I’m not quickly responsive to attention given me by other dogs and people. But I’ve got a couple of dog pals… guys. But I don’t really have a chance to run around and play with them. 

  I’m a really good girl and I love that I’m told every day that I’m beautiful … that I am the sweetest girl in the world… that I am “such a such a good girl” and that I am best in show today…EVERY DAY ."

Jan sent this of Aasha (sister to Haven). Aasha is an AKC champion and is now experimenting to find out if she likes Fast CAT.

Kathy sent an update and this picture of Jampa.

Nanda sent a picture of Ty and Gigi on a walk.

From the Archives

First on the list for today is Belle, a gorgeous Lhasa who did not like to show. When I finally gave up on her, I took her to two different shows--and she won points at both. But I had promised her to Mary R. and to Mary she went. Mary trained her in agility and Rally. Belle loved it! Much more exciting than walking around the show ring!

CH Joyslyn's Spirit of The  Wind (Riley)

Riley was placed in a novice show home and flourished there. I showed her when her owner could not and together we made her an AKC Champion. Here are some photos of Riley.

 

Adult Available

That's all for now! Thanks to all who contributed pictures to the blog and thanks to those who read it!

Joyce