Miscellany

 

"The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous."~Fredrick Douglass

Even though I am writing a week after the celebration of July 4, I cannot just skip the fact that it was and should be celebrated. The Johanson dogs did not mind the fireworks. I always enjoy re-visiting the musical "1776." The songs stick in my head!

Otherwise, looking back, I seem to have only nothings to report lately. For instance, just lately we had no wins at shows, we've recently been through the experience of having no hot water, and the other day we had a big storm (a derecho) that left us with no power for days.

We were among the lucky ones in town who did not have tree limbs or entire trees that fell down. Our neighbor lost a huge limb from his maple tree. Thankfully, it fell toward his house, not ours! Some friends had an entire tree fall near their house and across the street into a neighbor's yard. 

One thing we did that worked well for saving food was to layer ice and food in our washing machine. We added ice daily. When we got the power back, we took out the food and let the ice melt. I just added clothes and more water and did some laundry!

One good outcome was that I cleaned out the empty refrigerator and its freezer. Always look on the bright side, right?

Ebony received recognition from AKC for being a "Puppy of Achievement."

She started her show career with group placements in the 4-6 puppy competitions and with taking Winners Bitch at two shows for points. Then, for some reason known only to her, she decided dog shows were scary places and that she did not appreciate the judges (strangers to her of course) putting their hands all over her! It is so darn depressing. We have a few more shows coming up. If things do not change for the better, I suppose I will have to either find a pet home for her or send her out with a handler to see if she will show for someone that is not me. Or not.

Speaking of pet homes, I think you all remember Rusty. His breeder/co-owner and I have decided to look for a pet home for him. It makes me cry to think about it but I know that logically it is necessary. Logic and heart are two different things. If you are interested, get in touch with me at joyslynslhasas@outlook.com and we'll talk. Rusty is currently with his breeder/co-owner in PA, not in Illinois with me.

Rusty, the day he became a Champion

Those of you waiting for puppy news: Puppies were born on Thursday (6th) by C-section. None weighed over 5 ounces. It's been touch and go for them, but (knock on wood) I think things are looking up. We are supplementing with a goat milk formula and they are also nursing. Millie is feeling better now and being a good, caring momma. I just wish they would gain weight faster than they have been.

5 days old

Let me tell you that being a dog breeder is not all sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows. 

If you belong to the American Lhasa Apso Club, you probably already read  the June issue of ALAC Online and saw the ad I put in for Josh. Here it is for those of you who did not see it:

We are so proud of Josh! He is very special to us.

If you do not belong to ALAC and want to join, it's not hard. I am the membership chair, so get in touch at joyslynslhasas@outlook.com and ask for an application. Dues are just $35 a year (that is less than $3 a month).

Notes and Photos From Others

Sharing the pictures and notes I've received is a favorite part of this blog for me. I've been told that readers enjoy it too! Thanks to all who sent pictures and notes.

Larry and Marilyn wrote. "Hi Joyce, Thought you might like this picture. Marco is officially 1 year old today. He has been a pleasure and has really cemented his membership in the family. He is a very lovable, playful and sociable puppy and it has been a great pleasure having him this past year. He has brought many hours and laughter to our lives with his antics and I'm sure he will continue for many more years to come. I don't think there is any way that he is spoiled. No way!!! ps. Don't worry, the candle is photoshopped in."

Lisa sent an update about Duncan (Ebony's litter brother). What follows is some of what she wrote: "...He has little blonde highlights on each side of his ears. Happy to see his light eyebrows are still visible. He has a little grey in his tail...His headstrong days and testing in late April/May are hopefully behind us. He loves to pick up a toy and run back and forth in the family room and hall. He and Dresden are inseparable...One time when we were on our way back inside after a walk. I picked Duncan up in my arms and was about to carry him inside. Dresden gently tugged on the ankle of my pant leg letting me know he wanted me to put his little brother down so they could continue playing. Duncan is increasingly becoming more demonstrative in displaying his affection. He will let me know when it is time to end my work day when working from home. He will stand on top of the chair behind my home desk and try to jump in my lap...He cuddles on the sofa and in bed...He is very interested in other dogs. He is not afraid of them.  He wants to go meet every single one - which I do not allow.  There are several small dogs in our neighborhood that I am comfortable with him interacting. He is still cautious around humans. He jumps outside at time due to loud or shrill sounds. Much like the fictional character of Mary Poppins he is “practically perfect in every way.”

I wish I could say that about his sister. I am about to let her go to the highest bidder. (OK that is maybe a joke, or not)

Jim wrote, "We moved back into our home after a lengthy renovation. Daisy found a bag of her belongings and was not subtle about wanting her stuff to be unpacked…"

Sally wrote about Ginger and Jaxon: "On July 8 I will be celebrating 2 years of having Jaxon. He is my shadow I have to say he follows me everywhere. He is a very lovey dog and some of that has rubbed off on Ginger- she now spends some time on my lap and getting her fair share of petting and belly rubs. She will always be #1 of course. Just sending you a couple photos - the one of Jaxon's tummy- no matter what I want him to do he must have a tummy rub first- he is quite the boy. They are both a delight to me every day. I have some barrettes ordered for Ginger so we can grow out those messy bangs they drive me nuts! And that bed head stuff that I told you about doesn't work that well."

Interestingly, on the same day within an hour of each other I heard from Nanda, who owns Gigi, and Maggie, who owns Gigi's litter sister, Mila. Gigi is black with white markings and Mila is gold. Nanda sent photos of both Ty and Gigi, and if you think it looks like 2 pictures of the same dog, look again. One of those pictures is of Ty, who is a full brother to both Gigi and Mila, just from a previous litter.

Maggie wrote about Mila, "Mila is doing great.  She is sassy and bossy.  She thinks she is in charge of the house.  She is friendly and social.  She loves going for walks and going to neighbors houses to say hello."

Paul wrote, "We three went for a ride on a Gator this morning. Squirt has ridden before in the right seat. I put Jo Jo in the back, not knowing if she would be okay or not. Well she just loves it in the back. When we got back home, Jo Jo was riding on top of a stool.  The photo will help."

Raquel sent this picture of Minnie.

Finally:

A good news announcement from AKC: :

"On Monday, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will announce an extension of the temporary suspension of dog imports from countries classified as high risk for rabies.  The extension will not make changes to the current rules and will remain in effect through July 31, 2024. 

The CDC believes the suspension remains necessary to protect the public’s health against the reintroduction of the dog-maintained rabies virus variant into the United States.  Insufficient veterinary controls in high-risk countries to prevent the export of inadequately vaccinated dogs, and persistent veterinary supply chain and workforce capacity shortages continue to be factors that require the extension."

And if you wonder why this is good news, think back to the outbreak of a new strain of rabies brought in by dogs from another country. Think back to the terrible dog flu strain that caused many illnesses and deaths. Our laws have been lax regarding imports of dogs from other countries and, as a result, many of our own have become sick and/or died. This extension will help curb some of those problems.

That's all I've got!

Enjoy the rest of your July!

Joyce

Welcome June!

 This too shall pass.

It may pass like a kidney stone,

but it will pass.

Okay, I know it has nothing to do with June or anything else in this post, but when I read it, I thought it was hilarious (and true!) so I had to share it!

Let's get started!

May was a month of driving, dog shows, and family. 

Ebony and I went to two 4-day shows, one in Davenport, IA and one in Bloomington, IL. We only took Winners Bitch once in those 8 days. But that win gave Ebony her second point -- and she was a 7 month old baby at the time, so I am not complaining. She does need a lot of work and practice because she is not comfortable with strangers touching her. ("Chary of strangers" as the Standard says.) Anyway, the other 7 days she took Reserve Winners Bitch ("always the bridesmaid...")

A good thing that happened (but too late to save me nearly $400) at the Davenport show was I found my lost car keys! For some reason, they were in the bottom of a tote bag under the square piece that covers the bottom of the bag to hold its shape. I have no idea how they got there! 

Speaking of shows. I finally received the photo of Rusty taken in Louisville when he won Best of Breed. I do not think I posted it previously. I don't really like that busy background. I guess Purina really really wanted everyone to know they sponsored the show. The other thing that bothers me is that the photographer did not notice that the hair was not brushed over Rusty's foot so that it could be fixed. Otherwise, it's a nice photo (of Rusty!). 

Judge Adam King, me, CJ Kenon (Rusty's breeder) and Rusty

One of the favorite songs I sang to my kids and grandkids is "I love you a bushel and a peck." A Mother's Day gift:

Between the two May shows, I drove to Nebraska to visit my mom, sister, and brother-in-law. On the way I stopped in Iowa to drop off the stand dryer that would not work, hoping that it would not cost a fortune to fix it. (It didn't -- whew).

Evidently Mom decided that since I was coming, she would clean out the huge storage tub of family photos. I came home with a sack full of pictures, well aware that what I was feeling about that is how my kids are going to feel when I decide to foist on them all the photo albums I've put together over the years. Hey-- at least I put the photos in albums AND wrote on the back of each photo.

She also dug out of the closet an art project I did in high school. LOL...when I first saw it, it was upside down and I had no idea what it was until I flipped it a couple  times. I brought it home and now it is in the back of one of our closets. 

The other weird thing we found was a warranty for the casket sold for the burial of one of our relatives. We laughed and laughed. Read it and see if you can figure out what is so absurd about that 20 year warranty!

So are you supposed to dig the casket up annually to check on it water-tightness??

On to other things:

Puppy News

There is no news - yet. Millie has been bred and an ultrasound this week will let us know if she is pregnant or not. I'll be letting people on the waiting list know the results of the test.

Not a puppy but a darn cute baby:

Here is a photo taken of a fawn whose mom bedded it down this morning in the plants surrounding one of our trees. I have nothing against deer except I wish they would stop eating our hostas.

Puppy Coat Change

Ebony is now 8 months old and her coat change has begun. Here is a photo of just some of the hair we have brushed out of her coat in the last few days. This mess was from yesterday.

If you have a young Lhasa, it too will go through a coat change. They all do it! Perhaps this article will help you get through it:

Coat Change in Lhasa Apso Puppies

by Joyce Johanson

Each Lhasa Apso puppy should come with a warning label, "Attention: This puppy will undergo a coat change. Be prepared!" The alternative, of course, is for Lhasa breeders to inform their puppies' new owners about the grooming required to see a puppy through his coat change without having to resort to clipping him down.

The owner of a Lhasa puppy should be prepared for the puppy's coat change anywhere between the ages of 9 to 14 months. Since individuals differ, the time frame may also vary somewhat: some Lhasas may begin as early as 6 months, while others may hold off until 16 months. One thing you can be sure of, unless your Lhasa puppy has a really sparse coat, the coat change WILL happen.

What's so scary and all important about watching for the coat change? It has to do with matting and grooming.

Remember, a Lhasa's coat does not shed as most other breeds' coats do. What happens during the coat change is that the softer puppy coat is being replaced by the harsher-textured adult coat. As the adult coat comes in, the puppy coat "dies" and needs to be brushed out or it will tangle and mat terribly. At this time, your puppy may need daily grooming to remove the soft, "dead" puppy coat. You will be surprised at how much loose coat can be brushed out during coat change time. You may remark that the pile of hair on the floor by the grooming table would easily fully coat another dog! And you may wonder if your little Lhasa will have any coat left by the time you've finished brushing him! Don't worry, if all you are getting out is dead, loose hair, there's no problem.

While grooming difficulties may vary, depending on the amount and texture of your Lhasa puppy's coat, keep in mind that the coat change is a natural part of a Lhasa's development, and when it is over, your Lhasa's softer puppy coat should have given way to the harder-textured adult coat, which is usually a lot easier to take care of. Now that's something to look forward to!

Knowing what's going to happen is only part of "being prepared." The other part of the preparation lies in training. Since getting through the coat change requires that the Lhasa be groomed, start your preparations by teaching the puppy to accept grooming as part of his routine and to lie quietly on his back or sides while you comb and brush him. Prepare yourself also by learning how to groom your Lhasa properly. Refer to any of the books (by Herbel, Helf, Brearly, Nicholas) written about the Lhasa. Most contain excellent grooming suggestions or entire chapters devoted to grooming.

When the coat change does begin, don't get discouraged. It usually lasts less than a month. Set aside time each day to groom your Lhasa. If you don't have time to brush him completely each day, then at least do some spot grooming in the troublesome areas (neck, insides of legs, behind the ears) on a daily basis. Don't go longer than two days without a complete brushing, though. Those darn mats surprise you -- a puppy may not look matted, but his undercoat may be a real mess.

My best advice is to be aware of what will happen, be prepared to do some heavy-duty grooming for about 3 weeks, train your puppy early to accept being groomed, watch for and take care of tangles and mats as they appear, and do not put off grooming thinking the mats will disappear by themselves (they don't!). Finally, don't be discouraged; just hang in there until it's over -- the coat change period really does end!

Please note: Permission to reproduce and/or circulate information in this article is granted. However, the article must be disseminated in its entirety and credit must be given to Joyce Johanson, Joyslyn's Lhasa Apsos. Thanks!

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Another helpful article, "Sorry, Not A Winner!" by Cassandra de la Rosa, was published in the June issue of the AKC Gazette, page 73. In the article, Cassandra outlines things a newbie needs to do to be successful in the show ring. I would add the following to her list: socialization and practice, practice, practice at home and at a conformation training class.

One of Ours

Many of you already are fans of Lynn's detective novels featuring Chicago detective Joe Erickson. His fourth novel, One of Ours, was recently published and has received some nice reviews. If you have not read any of the books, perhaps the following reviews will entice you to order a copy of each from Amazon or your local book store. You can also ask your local library to order them.

Excerpts from various reviews: 

 

Literary Titan:  https://literarytitan.com/2023/04/02/one-of-ours/ 

"One of Ours is a compelling and engaging true crime novel that will captivate readers with its intricate plot and well-crafted suspense. Highly recommended for those seeking a thrilling literary experience that challenges their deductive skills and keeps them guessing until the very end." 

 

Midwest Book Review:  https://www.midwestbookreview.com/mbw/may_23.htm#dianedonovan 

"Mystery readers, including newcomers to Joe Erickson's world, will find One of Ours compelling, action-packed, and hard to put down, while libraries looking for satisfying intrigue and puzzle-solving paired with psychological intrigue will find the story a fine addition to any detective or police procedural mystery collection." 

 

The US Review: https://www.theusreview.com/reviews-1/One-of-Ours-by-Lynn-Steven-Johanson.html#.ZHY49NbMJnZ 

"Johanson writes clear, controlled prose and does an excellent job with the story's pacing. It is a book that is easy to read for longer periods than expected. He is obviously versed in the noir detective genre because that DNA is found in this novel. However, the work is modernized, and the main characters are more reformed and refined than fallen and fatalistic...the well-written adventure and likable characters make this an easy book to recommend to anyone who enjoys detective fiction." 
 

Online Book Club: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=298211 

"I love One of Ours by Lynn-Steven Johanson because it is a very intriguing book. It centers around mysteries, murders, and blackmail…Each character was well-developed...The story was fast-paced, conflicts were being resolved...In so many ways, I found One of Ours to be a humorous book. The characters' witty expressions and remarks made me chuckle from time to time, and they helped relieve the suspense."

Oh, there is also a Lhasa named Autumn in this book, and she will play a bigger part in book 5. 

Photos and Notes from Others 

Paul wrote, "Josie is really unique.  She has found a way to sleep by watching us. Josie goes under all the covers, sometimes all the way to the foot of the bed, turns around,  goes back up the bed until her head is just out and lays her head on her pillow. We are so happy that we have both Little One and Josie."

Condolences to Judy G, who wrote to let me know of Izzy's passing. "Joyslyn MIToya Is It the Wind CGC, TKN, Spot-On crossed the rainbow bridge yesterday afternoon at Hobart Vet. My girl Izzy was 16 years and 5 months. The last several months she has had problems with her right rear leg. I have carried her in and outside and up and down the stairs. Yesterday she told me it was time.

Izzy trained and competed in both agility and rally, but she did it her way. She would lay down on a rally course, and run the agility course the way she felt like. Of course we never finished but she was very entertaining.

She was a very good girl, always happy and interested in the other dogs and people. Iz could stare a hole right through you. Even laying on the heart blanket yesterday she looked right at me as the doctor put her to sleep for the final time. She will always live within my heart."

Izzy was about a year and a half old when she left our home to live with Judy and her other Lhasas. Many thanks to Judy for keeping in touch over the years and always updating us on Izzy's accomplishments. I know she was well loved and that she loved Judy in return. Here is a photo of Izzy, taken before she left our home to live with Judy.

Cynda sent this 8^th birthday photo of Luther.

Lisa sent this photo of Duncan and wrote, "He still has his cute light eyebrows. So far, he still has the adorable spots on the backs of both ears."

Nanda wrote, "Gigi and Ty are fantastic and delicious! How did we live without Gigi for 2 years? She is the sweetest dog ever. We can’t stop hugging her. And the two of them can’t stop cuddling and playing. Total besties ❤️"

Jim wrote, "Daisy is doing well! She and the baby are best friends already; I can’t wait for them to really start playing with each other by the end of the year."

Ingrid sent photos of Jempa and wrote, "My Lhasa Apso puppy, Jempa, is now fully grown and he continues to attend AKC obedience classes and agility classes.  Jempa loves attending canine school and he enjoys learning new things...Jempa is true joy. My family and I love and appreciate him so much....even when he is a little rascal!"

Michelle wrote, "When camping I have Sunny wear a harness which typically requires a lot of brushing nightly to make sure no mats start but this time we came home and bathed and there were not really any and his hair just seems so much easier to manage lately, I’m wondering if they have another coat change as they mature? Whatever it is, I’m happy!"

Michelle sent pictures of Sunny enjoying his favorite spot on the dashboard of their RV.

Judy wrote, "Nyx went to her first trial last Friday night. It was a UKC tunnels course. We train on fake grass on their flooring is mats. The 7 tunnel course only interested her for 4 tunnels then she ran past the openings of the next 3. She did that twice!...Winter is doing very well in Rally and Donna, our trainer, feels she will be ready to trial in the fall." 

Mary R sent this artistic rendition that a friend made of Mary's three Lhasas.

 Raquel sent this picture of Miss Minnie.

That's it for this blog. Thanks for reading and a special thanks to those of you who sent photos of your Joyslyn's Lhasas. Also, please let me know if there is a Lhasa subject you would like me to address in a future blog. My email is joyslynslhasas@outlook.com

Joyce