Merry Merry Month of May...

 

May is blue and gold and green. 

Not a trace of cloud is seen;

Yet I find along the way, 

snowflakes falling all the day,

Dainty snowflakes fragrant white, 

and there's not a cloud in sight.

Snow you cannot truly be--

you're just petals from the tree!

~Annette Wynn, "May Snow"

I apologize for the late post this month. I knew I had a show in mid-May and wanted to wait to post in case something good happened. It did! and now I don't have to wait to share the good news.

Deacon, Ebony, and I attended a show in Davenport, IA, last weekend. Deacon was entered in three of the four shows and Ebony was entered in two of them. Deacon took Winners Dog at the first show and earned 2 points toward his championship. He took Reserve Winners Dog at his second show, and Winners Dog/Best of Winners at the third show. Happily, that was a 3-point major win.

When we got home we took this photo. We originally tried to get a photo of his win with the judge but she had other judging on her schedule and wanted to wait until after she judged Best in Show. It was too long of a wait on a hot day, so we came home. My husband took this picture of Deacon with his ribbons. The ribbon for Best of Winners is missing because our kitten ran off with it and hid it somewhere!

Ebony was basically along for the ride. I wanted to see if her attitude toward showing had changed. Not really. She loves going to the shows, but hates being in the show ring where some stranger (the judge!) will be touching her. She did show better than before and managed to take Reserve Winners Bitch to the major on Sunday.

Chance and Millie have five black puppies, 2 boys and three girls. The puppy pictures were taken at age 4 weeks and 3 days. 

Here is Chance:

Here is Millie:

These are the boys:

The girls:

Our next litter(s) probably will not be born until late fall, so will not be ready for homes until early 2025, if all goes as expected.

In June we will have two adult females available for new homes. Contact me at joyslynslhasas73@gmail.com for more information about them.

Yesterday my printer died. What a workhorse it has been. It spit out its last piece of paper and that was it. I tried to revive it with no luck -- just a bunch of ink all over my hands. I bought that printer in 2015 and have not had any major problems with it at all. It was an HP Office Jet Pro 8610. The new one is on its way. In the meantime I can't print anything! I would be nice if the new one lasted nine years, but I am not holding out much hope for that! 

In Memory of Joyslyn's Beauty RN NJP TKN (Belle)

     Mary R., who has blessed this blog many times with photos of her 3 Lhasas, two of them being Joyslyn's Lhasas, wrote to tell me that her beloved Belle had passed away. Mary wrote, "Thank you for letting her into my life;  she added much to the life of the other pets…..and most to me.   I often feel I didn’t deserve all she gave to me."

     Belle was born at my house on Christmas morning 2008. We named her Joyslyn's Beauty Secret and she indeed grew to be beautiful! She was a dainty little girl and broke my heart because she hated the show ring. I finally had to face the fact that she was not going to show well enough to win consistently (although she did garner 9 points) and that is when Mary took her.

     Belle blossomed with Mary's love and proved it by being a good agility dog.

     The titles behind her name are RN (Rally Novice),NJP (Novice Jumpers Preferred), TKN (Novice Trick)

     Mary and I each have favorite photos of Belle and I am sharing them.

An Article

This month I am sharing an article about finding a reputable breeder. Recently a report from AKC was rather eye-opening and dismaying, at least as far as the Lhasa was concerned. The results showed that there are many Lhasa breeders "out there," but also that the number of them who did not belong to the American Lhasa Apso Club was much higher than the number of those who were club members. That is not to say that the non-club Lhasa breeders are not reputable. But how does a person know? The following article might help.

What to Look for As You Search 

for A Reputable Lhasa Apso Breeder

by Joyce Johanson

Dear Potential Lhasa Apso Owner,

Thank you for your interest in the Lhasa Apso and for taking the time and effort to "do it right." By that, I refer to your visiting this site to find out more about the breed and to determine if the Lhasa Apso is the right choice for your family. I assume this is just one of your many stops along the way as you read and learn about the breed.

What should you, a potential Lhasa Apso owner, look for as you search for a Lhasa Apso breeder? Just what is a reputable breeder and what should you reasonably expect from him/her?

The first thing you should expect from a reputable breeder is questions. . .lots and lots of questions. We're a nosy bunch! Some of us will ask these questions as we talk to you on the phone. Others will mail you a questionnaire. We'll ask why you want a Lhasa Apso; what your past experiences with the breed have been; what other pets you have; the ages of your children or grandchildren who visit often; your philosophy of raising and training a dog; your philosophy about making a dog a part of your family; and your philosophy of crate training. We'll ask for information about the research you have done on the breed (especially if you have never had a Lhasa before) and where you found the information. We'll want to know if you have a fenced in yard and, if you don't, how you intend to protect and exercise your Lhasa. We'll ask if you understand the amount of care a Lhasa's coat takes and if you have made arrangements for a groomer to care for your dog or if you plan to do the grooming yourself. We'll ask if you want a male or a female (and why) and if you're looking for a companion puppy or a show prospect. We'll ask what you understand about the Lhasa's personality. (For example, what does "chary of strangers" mean?) And, if you don't know the answers to some of our questions, that's okay. We'll take the opportunity to educate you on some of the joys and tribulations of owning a Lhasa. Oh. . . and we'll probably ask for names and contact information of references, and it's just fine for you to ask the same in return.

The next thing you should expect from a breeder is answers to your questions. You can be nosy too! You should be given ample opportunity to ask questions about the breed in general and the breeder's dogs in particular. Make a list before you make the phone call and add to the list during the conversation if necessary. Many of your questions should be generated from the reading you have done about the breed. Don't be afraid to ask questions regarding how and where the puppies are raised and socialized, the number of litters the breeder has each year, the number of years the breeder has been involved with the breed, the breeder's practices regarding waiting lists and deposits, and the breeder's health guarantees, return policies, policies on spaying/neutering, policies on withholding AKC registration paperwork, and prices. Ask whatever you think you need to know to help you find a puppy that is right for you.

You should expect information. A good breeder wants you to know everything you need to know before you welcome a Lhasa Apso into your life and a relationship that could last 15 years or longer. Most of us enjoy talking about the breed - and our own Lhasas - so we might give you more information than you really want. A good breeder will be able to provide you with resources for finding more information, especially if you seem not to have done your homework before you called!

You should expect honesty and integrity. A breeder's value system should reflect the "treat others as you want to be treated" philosophy. Unfortunately, that is not always the case, and more than one puppy buyer has been hoodwinked by a breeder who seemed honest and sincere. (I might also add that more than one breeder has been taken in by a puppy buyer who was less than honest. The trust factor works both ways.) The American Lhasa Apso Club (ALAC) has endorsed a Code of Ethics for its members that covers behavior related to breeding practices, kennel management, sales, advertising, written agreements, and health guarantees.

Once you've chosen a breeder, you should expect the following:
1. An opportunity to meet the puppy's dam and sire. If the breeder does not own the sire, he will not be available for you to meet and that's okay, but you should be able to meet the puppy's mother.
2. An opportunity to meet other Lhasas the breeder has produced (most of us enjoy showing off our dogs!) Ask to see siblings of the sire or dam or other offspring of either dog. Many breeders can pull out photo albums to show you pictures of the puppy's relatives back many generations.
3. A health guarantee that outlines how long the guarantee is in effect, what particular diseases or conditions are covered by the guarantee, and what procedures to follow if a health problem arises while the guarantee is in effect. Don't expect the guarantee to cover injuries or illness caused by accidents, neglect, or abuse, including improper diet, improper grooming and coat care, or inadequate veterinary care while the dog is in your possession.
4. A sales agreement with return policy that explains under what circumstances the dog may be returned for money back or for a replacement puppy. You can also expect the breeder to request the right of "first refusal," meaning you are expected to contact him/her should circumstances prevent your keeping the Lhasa, even when he/she grows up. The breeder may take the dog back (usually no money changes hands) or may help you find the dog another home.
5. Your puppy's AKC  registration paperwork. Depending on the sales agreement, the AKC registration paperwork may be provided at the time of the sale or at a later date. Most breeders require that puppies sold as pets be spayed or neutered and that they receive documentation of the procedure. If the breeder does not intend to provide registration paperwork, a statement of that fact should be part of the signed sales agreement.
6. Continued support. Most breeders want to maintain some kind of contact with puppy buyers. They realize that their job as a breeder does not stop with the puppy sale. Your breeder should be a resource for you as your Lhasa grows and should welcome your questions as opportunities to educate you further about the breed. By maintaining even intermittent contact with puppy buyers, a breeder becomes educated about his/her lines, how they mature, and the problems that may arise. By keeping in contact with your breeder, you are doing him/her as well as yourself a favor. (P.S. Breeders always appreciate occasional photos of the Lhasas they have bred.)

Good Lhasa Apso breeders are not hard to find, but you need to do your homework about the breed so you know the kinds of questions to ask and can feel comfortable with the answers you receive. Again, thanks for being interested in the Lhasa Apso. Good luck as you search for the right breeder who has just the puppy you've been waiting for!

*********************************

Notes and Photos

Judy G sent an update on Onyx and Winter: "Last night at Rally class three classes combined and we held 'virtual rally' trials. We set up and changed many courses to help our dogs succeed. In Novice,  Nyx completed her course with a few minor points taken off, so she should be awarded her first leg. She has trouble going from a fast pace to a normal pace, but it's coming along. She still attends agility class on Monday night to keep her fit.

In Rally Intermediate, Winter still won't sit, down or stand. so that I can walk around her, so 10 points immediately are deducted. I'm sure she had points taken off for hopping backwards instead of backing up. Everyone had fun and Winter now moves to Rally Advanced and working off leash.

Other pups are in good health and we are in week 5 of "Fit Dog" walks."

Sally wrote about Jaxon and sent pictures of both him and Ginger.

"He is very attached to me... I included just a couple photos. The only way I could get Ginger to look at me so I could get her picture is to tell her it was for Mommy Joyce- then she pops her head up... 

I have been busy trying to keep these two clean and brushed. At the beginning of March we had spring- gorgeous and warm so the snow melted and that's always messy and dirty. Then last Wednesday we got 2 feet of snow which was awful. And now that is melting so once again dirty and wet everywhere. It's exhausting."

Later, on the occasion of his 3rd birthday she wrote, "He's the sweetest boy ever

Victoria reported on Honey: "Hello Joyce! Happy Birthday to Honey- she turned 3 on May 6th. She got a bath and a new toy! She’s one happy and spoiled birthday girl."

(Yes,  Jaxon and Honey are littermates.)

Paul asked, "Who says Rusty doesn't play with toys!" (Actually I said that! And it was true. I guess he did not like the toys at my house. I am glad he is playful at last!!)

Stephanie wrote about Auggie: "It's been a while since I've sent you an Auggie update, but just wanted to let you know that he is still the most precious fella imaginable!  I'm sending a pic of him relaxing in his favorite spot where he can watch for rabbits and squirrels in the yard - then dart out the doggie door when he decides it's time for a chase (which, thankfully, he never wins).  If you zoom in, you can see his beautiful eyelashes; he's the envy of every female he meets.  He is a bit bossy with all of the other pups in our extended family, but he's fun-loving and playful, too.  I think Lady Bug (my lhasa rescue) is happy to have a little brother, and he keeps her young running zoomies and playing chase.  The second picture is him in the backseat of my mom's car when she picked me up from the airport after a recent trip.  Auggie greeted me happily, then promptly turned his back to me and faced the back of the seat the rest of the way home, even when I talked to him (he never rides facing the back)!  I guess he was letting me know that he did not approve of my trip, even though I know he had a fabulous time at Grammie's house.  I am so thankful he is part of our family and my heart is just so full of love for this little fella.  Thank you for all you do to preserve this amazing breed and to share beautiful, healthy lhasa apsos with others!" 

From the Johnsons: "We always love your blog and looking at the updates and photos.Snickers always loved having a toy on his mouth and yesterday we were outside he came to the glass front door. He was holding the heart toy so adorable 

We love him so much and he truly can’t love us anymore as he comes to each of us and just cuddles.  He truly is the best dog and I’m sure everyone who gets a puppy  from you agrees. Thank you as always for our beautiful Snickers."

Eleanor's mom sent this photo of that little cutie! 

From Michelle: "Sunny and I are patiently waiting for your new May Blog! We can’t wait to see pictures of the new puppies! Hope all is well with you and yours!"

(Looks like Sunny got tired of waiting and took a nap!)

Nanda sent this of Ty and Gigi:

Lisa sent an update on Duncan: "...He thoroughly enjoys walking near the lake. He particularly likes walking along the edge of the docks as he peers into the water for fish.

Duncan also likes to sit next to me when I sit down - especially when I am working on needlework. He often tugs playfully at the linen as if to say it is taking up the space intended for him. Other times he will just rest his head on top of my lap (or needlework, in this case) and look up at me with those expressive brown eyes of his. 
He is definitely a guard dog. He is very sensitive to sounds, strangers outside, etc  - even more than his older Lhasa Apso brother, Dresden, who is 7 years his senior. Duncan is also the most affectionate of the 3 Lhasas I have had.
Duncan and Dresden continue to bond, play, snuggle/sleep together and tag team me when one or the other wants a treat, a walk, or an outing to a favorite pet-friendly store. 
Thank you for entrusting Duncan to me."

From Janice and Gigi about Cinder: "As you know a friend who worked for [AFLAC] gave me a stuffed talking duck. Cinder found it a long time ago and fell in love. When it finally quit talking, I went out on Google to find another one. I got three. And then when those died I got three more. She knows that "AFLAC" is any one of them. Not only does she play with them, she takes one to her dinner bowl with her, and she takes one to bed. Thank goodness she doesn't play with them in the night. "Aflac, Aflac, AFLAC!" And since she sleeps with me, I just hope not to roll over on it!"

Courtney sent this photo of Amelia. The two of them have begun confirmation showing

From Gigi and Janice after hearing of Belle's passing: "We watched her [Belle] often before Cinder came to live with us, and we [continued to do so]. I especially loved when she would get silly, or pointedly tell Mary that she had done 5 weave poles, and she saw no reason in doing seven!"

Other Stuff

The American Lhasa Apso Club has a Code of Ethics for its members. It was recently updated and can be found on the ALAC website as lhasaapso.org

I also found a Code of Ethics espoused by the Better Breeder Institute and really like it (probably because it matches my own!) 

Here it is:

"The Better Breeder Institute’s Code of Ethics is written keeping the best interests of our dogs at heart, as well as the families we entrust our puppies to. Conscientious breeders should exceed the minimum requirements and expectations, setting a standard for others to follow. The goal always being to produce quality dogs that closely conform to their breed standard, of sound temperament, are vigorous, and free of health problems. To that end, I hereby pledge and certify:
1.    To support the preservation and advancement of my breed.
2.    To plan each breeding with the primary intention to improve my bloodline within the foundation of correct breed type and original breed purpose.
3.    In every breeding, to analyze the pedigree and conformation of both the sire and dam, with consideration of the breed standard and the principles of genetics.
4.    To only incorporate dogs free of serious or disqualifying defects. Further, to refrain from using any dog that is found to consistently produce afflicted puppies.
5.    To perform all health screens on my breeding stock as recommended by my national breed club.
6.    To maintain high standards of health, maintenance, and care for my dogs. Facilities are to be kept clean and orderly. 
7.    Not to sell any puppy until it is at least eight (8) weeks of age.
8.    To be judicious in the sales of my puppies and concerned about the type of buyers they are placed with. I will not sell puppies into homes where I question the care, treatment, or safety of the puppy, or to dog wholesalers, retailers, pet shops, or at auction. I will require buyers of pet-quality puppies to spay/neuter them at a safe & appropriate age.
9.    That all my puppies are seen by a licensed veterinarian and given a full veterinary exam before going to a new home. Any health issues or concerns are to be fully communicated and detailed to the buyer.
10.With the sale of every puppy, I will provide the buyer with a properly-executed sales contract, health guarantee, registration papers, and diet, vaccination, and parasite control records at the time of purchase.
11.That my advertising, marketing, and communication will be factual and honest, both in substance and implication.
12.To be available to my puppy buyers for whatever reasonable advice and assistance they may need through the lifetime of the dog.
13.To request that my puppy buyers advise me if they are ever unable to keep their dog so that I can either take the dog back or help assist in placing the dog in a new home.
14.To conduct myself equitably, ethically & professionally toward everyone, whether partners, clients, or competitors."

AKC Pupdate is a free, weekly email newsletter with personalized content based on your puppy’s breed and age. This newsletter is for all puppies, including mixed breed dogs and dogs not registered with the AKC.

Sign up for this helpful resource at 

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/akc-pupdate-info/

For those of you who enjoy reading novels in which dogs have a role, I suggest you check out the Alex Kava "Creed" series. The latest one came out a few months ago and, like all those before it, was a great read.

And, by the way, my husband's newest novel is now available. I read it! It's good! Look for Sins Revealed by Lynn-Steven Johanson. Although she does not have a starring role, there is a Lhasa named Autumn in the book.

That's It!

Thanks for reading and special thanks to all who took time to send pictures and write updates. It is so good to hear from you about your Lhasas.

Joyce

April!! Spring at Last?? Maybe This Time!

“April is a reminder that something better is always around the corner.”~Unknown

Hello again! The days are once again flying by. I hope your March was a good month for you, your family, and your Lhasas.

We had a great time at the show in Louisville in mid-March. I was still recovering from whatever "bug" I caught at the Madison, WI show. The Covid test came back negative, but my symptoms were certainly Covid-like. 

I traveled with my friend Jane in her RV. My goal for the show was that Deacon would have fun and show it by getting his tail up and keeping it up as he went around the ring! He did.

The Louisville show is amazing. For one thing, the venue is huge. We counted at least 34 show rings, not to mention the vast expanse of grooming spaces! Our grooming space was next to the bleachers for the dock diving competition. Very noisy there! (We did not get splashed.) Also, that show is a shoppers paradise! The vender booths were plentiful and I managed to come home with plenty of purchases for me, my dogs, and friends.

One of the booths we visited was the one for Latifa, the "Animals Can Talk" person. I took Deacon to talk with her on Thursday. He has no issues but I wondered how he was feeling about showing, the new kitten, traveling with Jane, and life in general. It was all good.

Latifa took one look at him and said. "You are an old soul."

Jan and I co-own Gabby, a female I bred who is a litter sister to Bekka and Chance. Gabby has been bred but has never had puppies, so we were interested in Latifa communicating with Gabby to find out why. Gabby was more than happy to express her opinion on puppies. She did not like them. She does not want them, and if she ever had them she would not take care of them. Ta-da and so there!

Besides showing, a main reason I was at that show was to give a Lhasa seminar to a group of people interested in judging the breed. I forgot to get an exact count, but I think we had at least 15 people attending the seminar. By "we" I mean myself and Jan, my co-presenter. I really enjoy teaching people about our breed.

One question we were asked was what we considered "hallmarks" of our breed. Our answers were (1) head (for sure!), and (2) balance, and (3) coat. 

Back at home there was a short week to get ready for a show in Maquoketa, IA. Only 4 Lhasas were entered

on Saturday: Deacon, a class bitch, and two specials. (for those of you who do not know dog show jargon, a "special" is a dog that is a champion and is competing for Best of Breed.) Deacon took Best of Winners and earned his first point.

Here are some pictures of Deacon at almost 9 months. Yes, he has a lot of coat. He has started his coat change. So far the matting is not terrible, but I know the day is coming.

Easter came and went and the next big thing was my cataract surgery, which went well. I became adept at putting drops in my eye. I had a hard time remembering NOT to bend over! It amazed me to learn how many times a day I caught myself about to bend over! 

I decided not to enter any shows in April even though we have some shows very close by. There is never much of a Lhasa entry so I chose to stay home and save some entry money!

I suppose the other big April thing was the total eclipse, but since we were not in the path, watching it on tv was sort of anti-climactic. Really cool for those who got to see it in person though.

April is our anniversary month. This year is our 52nd. Here we are on the evening of April 15, 1972. It was the end of our finals week at Wayne State College. Our mothers feared a catastrophe because our friend and Lynn's college roommate, Ron, offered to make our wedding cake and we told him "okay." It turned out just fine, much to our moms' relief.

I mentioned our new kitten. He is a Russian Blue, as was our previous cat (Boris). The new guy is Yuri and he is a "pistol!" Many item in our family room have wound up on the floor, some of them broken.

Here is the culprit:

Our next shows are in Davenport, IA, at the fairgrounds on May 10-12. Normally we would also enter the shows in Bloomington, IL, over the Memorial Day weekend, but this year our granddaughter is graduating that weekend. I plan to drive to NE to pick up my mom so she can attend the graduation also. Then I will take her back home. It's a bit over 8 hours each way, but worth the drive to have Mom with us.

In June we will be at shows in WI. The first is a 4-day show in Manotowoc from the 6th-9th.

We expect to have puppies soon. Due date is April 18.

On To Notes and Photos From Others 

(my favorite thing to share)

Michelle wrote, "Traveling is tiring...Sunny had a good trip! The first day we went to the ocean and he thought the seaweed would be nice to roll in so we went back to the camper for a quick bath! I'm guessing his idea of a spa treatment! I'm glad we were able to take him with us!"

Later Michelle posted on Facebook: "We got the best! Joyce Johanson you have dedicated your life to this beautiful breed and we appreciate you more than we can ever express! I just wanted a beautiful dog to love and you certainly gave me that and so much more!"

Thanks again Michelle for your kind words!

From Dawn about Ollie: "I am touching base to let you know how Ollie is doing. He is doing great and is growing like crazy. He loves to play with his toys and enjoys running around outside. We are still potty training him, but he is getting better.  Our other dog, Bailey (Lhasa) has turned into a puppy again with him around even though she is 10 years old. He currently weighs 11 pounds. We got his hair cut last week...We are very happy we were able to get a puppy sooner rather than later. He has definitely been a welcome addition to our family!

From Kathy about Sophie's reaction when she sees Kathy's friend Marilyn: "As you know, Lhasas can be very wary of people approaching or entering the house they “protect.”  Such is the case with Sophie, with 99% of the people (even those she knows well).  Barking, backing up, and a little growling while the tail is wagging is the usual “greeting” that Sophie gives, even if that person stops by frequently. Then there is Marilyn—who only stops by when we are going somewhere and we are meeting at my house (every 4 months or so)."  

Here is a shortened clip from the video Kathy sent of  Sophie's reaction when she saw Marilyn's car pull up. Sophie loves Marilyn! I seldom post videos bt this one was hilarious.

Judy G. let me know that Winter received a first place score and earned her second leg in Rally Intermediate. Way to go Judy and Winter!! Many congrats and thanks to Judy for training Miss Winter so well. Winter is a ball of energy and, although she earned her championship, I think she is having a lot more fun at Judy's house!

Paul wrote about Rusty: "So, Rusty has discovered that sleeping with his head on a pillow is much more comfortable than putting his head on the surface...

He is so curious about everything.  When we go on car rides the other kids sleep, while Rusty either sits or stands on the armrest in the back seat looking out of every window to see things as we go by.

Courtney, who is showing a puppy sired by Chance and out of Pearl, wrote to tell me, " First show in the books. 1st in breed (she was the only Lhasa) and 3rd in her group in 4-6 months puppy. Lots to work on but I think she had fun and was one tired puppy by the end of the day." 

Congratulations Courtney and Amelia on now having experienced your first show. Thank you for showing her! She is a beauty and I am proud of you both.

Here is Amelia at her first show, doing the "Down and Back."

Another cute video came from Jody, Bob, their Lhasa Bernie and their human and canine friends who participate in the "Bernie The Science Dog" project in cooperation with a grade school classroom in Texas. The topic was Taking Tests and the dogs used agility equipment and their noses during an "egg hunt" for concealed treats. I couldn't use the entire video, so I took a couple screen shots to post on the blog.

Jody wrote, "Our latest video to give encouragement to all 130 of the 3rd graders before they take their first state test!" 

(FYI: Bernie is the black Lhasa in the pictures. A Joyslyn's Lhasa I am proud to say!)

Lisa explained about Duncan: "Now that temps are getting warmer, he is more wary to go outside when it is light out, birds chirping and people/vehicles more likely to be out and about. He seems much more confident when it is dark outside. He is becoming more and more loving and affectionate - always likes to give kisses (he aims for the lips for some reason)." 

From Valeree about Tia: "She is just the sweetest little thing. She’s so in love with me and MJ, following us everywhere. She’s so smart too, at the top of her class in puppy obedience school, and we can’t wait to move on to agility training next because she loves running the agility course. Next month we are taking her on her first plane ride, a quick getaway to New Orleans. If all goes well with that, she will get to travel to Cabo San Lucas with us in July. We found a resort that’s known for being pet friendly so she’ll get her own little doggie cabana to sit at the pool with us.

Hope all is well with you. Thanks for bringing this sweet little girl into our lives!

Nanda sent this photo of Ty and Gigi and titled it "Watching Papa."

Judy L. posted this photo of Gus on his 5th birthday.

And so I had to post a picture of his litter sister, Millie, because it was her birthday too.

Judy also posted this photo of Lippy -- ready for the Easter Bunny!

Thanks to Judy for being such a great supporter of purebred Lhasas and for posting this on Facebook:

Paula wrote that she was hacked and I can certainly sympathize with her. It is a terrible jumble of feelings: violation, fear, anger, concern for safety of money, identity, and piece of mind. 

And Now a Commercial 

By now you all know my husband is an award-winning playwright and author of the Joe Erickson detective novels. His latest novel, Sins Revealed, is now available. (and yes, the Lhasa Autumn is in this one also) Below is a great review of the book from Literary Titan:

"Detective Joe Erickson, a dedicated officer with the Chicago Police Department, confronts yet another challenging case in Lynn-Steven Johanson's latest novel. Tasked with investigating a potential crime scene involving a burned pickup truck and two charred bodies, Erickson and his team delve into a mystery fraught with intrigue and danger. As suspicions of murder arise, Erickson's meticulous approach uncovers a tangled web of relationships and secrets. The discovery of the victims' identities, Gina Whitmore and Perry Gardiner leads to revelations about their unconventional lives and involvement in illicit activities. With each twist and turn, Johanson skillfully constructs a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Johanson's background as a playwright shines through in the narrative's depth and complexity. The thematic richness of the novel, exploring themes of friendship, betrayal, love, and substance abuse, adds layers of intrigue to the gripping plot. The attention to detail displayed by Erickson and his fellow officers underscores their commitment to justice, making for a compelling read. Among the cast of characters, Detective Joe Erickson emerges as a standout, his blend of people skills and compassion endearing him to readers. Gina Whitmore, with her enigmatic persona, adds an element of mystery to the story, her complexities unraveling gradually as the plot unfolds. The impeccable character development, coupled with the novel's captivating storyline, ensures that readers are fully immersed in the world Johanson has created. Johanson's crime novel, Sins Revealed: A Joe Erickson Mystery, is a thrilling and thought-provoking read. It skillfully weaves together suspense, drama, and human emotion. For aficionados of the genre, this book is a must-read."

Ask your local library to get a copy or better yet, buy one! (Just so you know, it's a good thing we don't have to rely on royalties to buy food!)

And Some Help From the AKC Files 

The AKC website has many helpful articles. Here is one that you might like to read:

"Tips From AKC: What Common Dog Training Words Mean"

Thanks for reading! If you own a Joyslyn's Lhasa, please send photos and updates for all to enjoy. I love hearing from you!

Never forget:

Joyce