November -- National Gratitude Month!

 

Well, another month gone. I hope October was a good month for you all. It was a gorgeous month here as the trees were sporting and showing off their leaves in all their glory. I did not take as many pictures as I should have to capture the bright reds, oranges, and yellows.

I am glad I took the pictures I did because the next day it rained and the leaves lost all their vibrant colors.

We spent a lot of time taking care of puppies (pictures toward the end of the blog) and I spent time at shows with Pearl. She and I went to a show in Freeport, IL where she earned two more points toward her championship (now she just needs 4 more points) and she also took a National Owner Handled Series Group 2. Here is a picture taken of her with her pretty rosette. (I know I posted it last month!)

Of course, a lot of planning and packing went into the preparations for going to the American Lhasa Apso Club National Specialty, held this year in St. Louis. It was really nice not to have to drive very far for a change!

My friend LaVonne shared the ride with me to the National. Here is a picture of some of the things we had to find room for in my back seat and trunk. The trunk was already full of crates, exercise pens, ringside tables, a grooming table, and other things Pearl might need! We got it all in though!

I had "don't forget" notes all over the place and still managed to leave a couple things behind!

Unfortunately, Pearl did not win any points during that week. We had fun anyway. It was great to see friends and their Lhasas from around  the country again.

Gwen came to show Mozart, a daughter of Archie and Millie, who showed in the 6-9 puppy class. They did a good job and Mozart did better and better each day.

I was happy to see my friend Marsha, who lives in North Dakota. We only get to see each other during National Week and this year she was not sure she was going to attend. Fortunately, she did!!

Friends and former puppy buyers Kathy, Marilyn, Janet and Mike visited us when we were showing at the Lhasa National Specialty. It was great to see them again! Kathy and Marilyn have come to the National in the past when it was near to their homes. It was a first time for Janet and Mike. Many thanks to the four of them for being there to support us and to watch all the Lhasas show. To see that many Lhasas together in one place is indeed a grand sight! 

Janet and Mike own Pebbles Grace, a litter sister to our Millie. Janet wrote, "Just wanted to tell you again how much we enjoyed the show today… You are such a wonderful person and it seems like everyone else is warm and friendly. (OH how could they not be they all love LHASAS). You and Pearl both looked so beautiful today while showing.  I hope you finished your day with WINS."  

(Well, we didn't win anything but we still had fun!) Here is a photo she took of us.

Here we are in the line-up for Winners Bitch (3rd from the left.)

At the Awards Banquet, pins were presented to members who had been members for ALAC for 25 years or more. Below is the picture of those of us who received the 45 year pins.

Next year our National will be at Purina Farms, Gray Summit, MO, in September.

Notes and Photos from Others 

As usual, I want to share the many notes and photos I have received from our puppy buyers.

Stephanie wrote about Auggie at Halloween: "Auggie, my little lobster, just wanted to drop in and say hello!  The photo is a little out of focus, but he was an ever-moving target.  I have to say, he's the cutest little lobster I've ever seen!"

The Johnson family sent this note and photos of Snickers. "Hope you and your family are well. Also your amazing Lhasa’s. I walked in the door from the garage and was calling Snickers but didn’t see him as he comes running. I walked thru the kitchen and nothing then I turned around and there he was with his toy. He is just the most amazing and such a loving dog to each of us.   I’m sure your ears ring as they say as we think of you and say how lucky we are to have you and him in our lives. We wanted to send you these pictures!!  He loves caring his toys around."

Paula wrote about Eleanor: "She's so smart, sassy and literally perfect❤️...Thankful for you Joyce. We love her so much"

Sheila wrote about Bogey and sent photos. "Still loving him, the best dog ever. He went to training for a month and is now even better behaved than before." "We are so thankful for you and lucky he is part of our family."

Michele wrote, "I thought I would share a recent photo of Trinket straight from the groom shop. She always feels so silky and soft plus the hair is nice and straight.We are both fine and looking forward to some cooler weather especially with the longer coat. We always receive lots of compliments from people when we leave the groom shop as to how beautiful she is. We always read your blog end enjoy comments and photos from your customers and especially love how they embrace this wonderful breed. Stay well."

Jacob and Alexa sent these photos of their Harley.

Ginny sent this photo and wrote, "Buddies❤️Maple and Cayenne, our rescue, who deals with blindness and health issues. Living their best life together."

And another of Maple exploring the fall decor on the deck.

Sally wrote, "I'm including a couple photos of my doggies.... they are doing wonderful. The best dogs ever ❤️I'm so thankful for them every day."

Jill owns two dogs she got from us as adults. She wrote, "Have had Shadow 5 years and Breaker 1 year. They are the gifts that keep on giving."

Ruth wrote this about Dani: "She has really turned into a sweet dog.  If she wants something and your back is to her she taps you on the leg with her paw. One night she tapped me on the leg. I turned around and she was standing there with the little blanket you had made.  I always held her on my lap with that blanket when she was small so I put her on that blanket on my lap and she was happy!  She lets me know when she wants to go to bed every night and goes into her crate with her snuggle puppy and the pink elephant you gave her. She was so afraid of the crate when I got her I never thought I would see the day she wanted to go in it.  It definitely is her safe place."

Nanda sent a photo of Ty, who is evidently a fan of my husband's books!

Celina wrote: "Hello from Dora! She also wants to send her littermates, including Emmy, a happy belated birthday! She celebrated with a cupcake on the 8th. This was her yesterday on Halloween. A little scruffy from the humidity and drizzling after walking, but happy to be celebrating the day! It wasn’t easy to get a pic of her with the hat, but my mother Teresa captured her beautifully. Hope everybody is enjoying autumn and happy holidays ahead!"

Many thanks to all who sent notes and pictures. We enjoy getting them and seeing how the dogs have grown. And I love sharing them on the blog. Here are photos of our puppies.

Other Stuff

1. Dog showing is not the only thing AKC supports. Here is a new AKC title you and your dog can achieve,https://www.akc.org/sports/akc-family-dog-program/akc-fit-dog/akc-fit-dog-titles/

2. From the Lhasa Apso Standard regarding Hindquarters: "Well-developed rear assembly. Angulation of hindquarters should be in balance with forequarters to provide equal reach and drive. Legs - Heavily furnished with hair. Hocks - Well let down, set slightly behind the point of buttocks, perpendicular to the ground and turn neither in nor out. Feet - Same as forefeet."

3. Celebrate this month of gratitude by counting your blessings and reaching out in kindness to others.

4."What if they are not stars but holes poked in the top of the container so we can breathe?" (Seen on a T-shirt!)

Thanks for reading the blog!

Regards,

Joyce

Autumn Leaves! October Is Here!

 

"O hushed October morning mild,

Thy leaves have ripened to the fall:

Tomorrow's wind, if it be wild;

Should waste them all."

~Robert Frost, "October"

Well, we've said good-bye to September, another busy month around here. Highlights included:

1) a 4-day outdoor dog show over the Labor Day weekend in Amana, IA, where the weather was perfect and Pearl won all four days and came home with 9 points toward her championship and a lot of pretty ribbons! Here are some photos taken of her at the show.

2) The week following the show, I drove to Indiana to pick up a puppy. This cute little guy is named Marco.

3) We had puppies!! There are 8 of them. Some pictures will be posted next month. Looks like reddish golds, golds, blacks, and a black and tan.

4) We traveled to Nebraska to celebrate my mom's 90th birthday. Actually, the first celebration was hosted by the Boone County Health Center, where Mom worked in admitting for 46 years. Her last day at work was the day before her retirement party. On Saturday, my sister and I hosted an Open House, which was overwhelmingly attended by family and Mom's many, many friends. 

Left to right: Me, Mom, My Sister

Mom surrounded by grandkids and 4 of her 6 great grandkids

In one sense that trip was difficult for us. Because of the dogs, my husband and I seldom go on any overnight trips together. One of us stays home with the dogs. Nine years ago we went to FL for our daughter's wedding and the next trip together was the one to NE for Mom's birthday. We hired a dog sitter and left the poor woman with copious notes! (I am notorious for being a worrier!) She did a fine job, as did my friend Jane, who served as her backup! All was well when we arrived back home.

And before we knew it, October arrived!

Did you know October has designated holidays for each day? Before we even get to Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day and Halloween, some of the holidays include National Homemade Cookies Day, National Cinnamon Rolls Day, National No Bra Day, National Grouch Day, National I Care About You Day, Black Cat Day, National Caramel Apple Day...and the list goes on!

October began with another dog show, this one only 2 days, in Freeport, IL. Again, we had beautiful weather during the day (but chilly mornings and nights - Brrr!)

Pearl again showed well and earned a point each day. She is now up to 11 points, has both major wins, and just needs 4 single points to finish. I showed her in the NOHS (National Owner Handled Series) and she won second place in the Non-Sporting NOHS group. Here she is with her ribbon. We took this photo of her yesterday afternoon. 

What's next? Why, the National Lhasa Apso Specialty of course! This year it is being held in St. Louis on October 18 - 21 at the Holiday Inn St Louis SW, Route 66, 10709 Watson Rd. The shows are held on the 18th, 19th, and 21st. The 20th is set aside for meetings. If you live near by, you should come to watch. There are 42 Lhasas entered from across the country, so you'll be able to get a big "Lhasa fix" that week. Go to lhasaapso.org for information about each day's schedule. As of this writing, the times for the competitions are not available.

Notes and Photos

Jessie sent this photo of San.

Sally wrote, "I sent you these 2 pictures of Jaxon so you can see his colors. My niece asked if I highlighted his hair which of course I didn’t. It’s a mixture that’s for sure and so thick dear lord 😂" Here is one of the pictures she sent. What a beautiful combination of colors!

Stephanie wrote to let me know Auggie had been neutered. "His discharge paperwork said that "Auggie is a very sweet and absolutely gorgeous boy!"  Of course, I agree with that professional assessment.  And when I went to pick him up, the vet told me that one of the staff members said he is so cute & perfect that he should be on a shelf in a toy store!..He is full of personality and is such a happy-go-lucky little fella...I love this picture of Auggie and LadyBug playing "mind tug-of-war" with the ball.  They have plenty of balls, but they always seem to want the same one.  Auggie ended up winning this stare down.  They play really well together and I believe they are thankful to have each other."  

Paul wrote, "This is what happens when you pay too much attention to your phone and not your daughter."

From Marianne about Kaiju: "...thank you once again for him he is just such a good puppy.  He recently realized that the window behind the couch is the best place to watch the neighborhood. Now I catch both my guys checking out what is going on. He is just such a happy cuddly little guy... well not so little he is 17.2 lb now.  We love him dearly and he is not spoiled at all."

Priscilla wrote about Trixie: "Trixie has been a delight. She is so happy, sweet, and serene (most of the time, LOL). She tells Ozzie when she wants him to play with her, so she is starting to boss him around a bit. She is walking outside fairly well while wearing her harness. She knows how to ‘sit’ but is pretending not to understand other commands. Training with treats has commenced!

She is into interior decorating with the dog beds, which she drags onto a pile—like a fort. And after she has finished, she smiles proudly at us! I’ve attached a somewhat recent pic of her—she’s up to 10 1/2 pounds now."

Paula sent this photo of Eleanor helping with homework.

Nanda sent these photos of Ty.

Sporting his new shades!

Resources

AKC has many good resources available on its website.

Here is one that might come in handy:

AKC: Introducing AKC GoodDog! Helpline Video Chat

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/introducing-akc-gooddog-helpline-video-chat/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20201027-nibble-breeder

Let Our Trainers Help Your Puppy Buyers Face to Face! The AKC GoodDog! Helpline is excited to announce our new video training service. Sometimes having a trainer’s eyes on a dog can help to identify the best solution to a training issue. Owners can schedule a video session with one of our trainers who can help them understand what their dog’s actions signify as well as advise them on how to get the desired response.

Also, I recently received a copy of a new book about the Lhasa Apso: The Complete Guide to The Lhasa Apso by Vanessa Richie.

I was immediately put off when in the Introduction she wrote, "At just a foot in height at the shoulders..."

That is so wrong, which makes me wonder if she referred to the Standard at all when she wrote about our breed! 

From the Standard: "Size: Variable, ideally between 10 and 11 inches at the shoulder."

This is a case where size does matter!

I skimmed through the book and noticed it had a lot of general knowledge in it that applies to any breed, and like similar books of its kind, just sort of plugs in the word "Lhasa" and provides Lhasa photos in those sections. It contains some nice pictures and quotes from Lhasa owners and exhibitors.

There are 18 Chapters in the book. Chapters include Is the Lhasa Apso Right for You? Breed History of the Lhasa Apso, Lhasa Apso Attributes and Temperament, Finding Your Lhasa Apso, Preparing Your Budget and Family for Your New Lhasa Apso, Preparing Your Home and Schedule, Bringing Your Lhasa Apso Home, Introducing Your Lhasa Apso to Your Other Dogs, etc. 

The book sells for $19.95. Publisher is LP Media

Speaking of the Lhasa Apso Standard, here is the section on the forequarters and shoulders: 

Forequarters: Shoulders - Well laid back. Elbows close to the body. Shoulder blade and upper arm are ideally equal in length (i.e., length from point of withers to point of shoulder and point of shoulder to point of elbow should be equal.) Viewed from the front, the rib cage is oval in shape. Legs - Heavily furnished with hair. The legs are straight from elbow to pastern. The vertical distance from the withers to the elbow equals the distance from the elbows to the ground.  Pasterns - Strong, perpendicular.  Dew claws - may be removed. Feet - Well feathered/heavily furnished, should be round and catlike, with good pads. The hair may be trimmed for neatness.

With that said, remember that Life is better when you have a Lhasa to love you! Indeed it is!

'Til next time -- thanks for reading!

Joyce