The End of September? Already?!

"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 so yellow....
Deep in December it's nice to remember
The fire of September that made you mellow..."

~ Harvey Schmidt / Tom Jones

 

 

 

 

 

I know some of you have been checking this blog all week, waiting for updates and new photos. I left for Nebraska last Wednesday to spend some time with family and to help my mom celebrate her 85th birthday. It was quite a week. I returned home late Monday night and have been playing catch-up both at the office and at home ever since.

I still don't have all the laundry done!

But the time spent with Mom and other family members was well worth the long drive. During it I did indeed see many fields of Iowa and Nebraska corn and soybeans looking ripe and nearly ready for harvest.

My daughter and her boys flew to Nebraska for the birthday celebration, and it was a joy to be with them, especially coming so soon after the Hurricane Irma scare. In addition to visiting Mom, we traveled to David City, NE, where we lived before we moved to Illinois, and visited my dear friend, who is also my daughter's godmother. At that point, I was gifted with a pair of socks (see below...no more explanation needed!)

A few of the puppies have left for their new homes; a few more are leaving this coming weekend.

Here are some quick photos taken this AM when none of us (me, my husband, and all the puppies) really felt like participating in a photo session!

Josh x Shadow Puppies - 10 weeks

Finn

Grady

 Rafe x Kimmi Puppies - 9 weeks

Penny

Copper

Hunter

Miles

Winslow x Luna Puppies - 7 weeks

Bekka

Chase

Dottie

Griffin

Linc

The American Lhasa Apso Club National Specialty Week is fast approaching. I know it will be time to pack and leave before I am ready to do that!

 

Some of you unfamiliar with dog showing may be wondering what a national specialty is, so I'm including an excerpt from an AKC article explaining a specialty show. You may well ask why I just did not write an explanation myself. I would respond that I am too tired right now to re-invent the wheel!

From AKC’s article "What’s 'Special' About Specialities?" by Arliss Paddock: 

 

"Whether you’re a prospective owner researching a breed or an experienced breeder, handler, or judge involved in that breed for decades, there is no better place to learn than the breed's national specialty show -- or, simply, "the national." Usually held annually by the breed’s national parent club, the national is more than just a dog show; it’s where dedicated fans of the breed meet together year after year, sharing their knowledge and passion and bringing their best dogs to compete against excellent specimens of the breed from other parts of the country…As with any dog show, the point of the conformation classes is determination of the best breeding stock to continue the breed — and this point is taken nowhere more seriously than at the national. The national offers a look at the state of the breed and where it’s going…But the beauty of the national goes beyond the glory of winning, whether hoped-for or achieved. To a dedicated fan of the breed, nothing matches the experience of seeing a ringful of those dogs that are so pleasing to your eye, wonderfully presented at their best and gathered together in a number that you don’t see anywhere else during the year. If you love that breed, it’s positively heart-stirring…"

Our Lhasa Apso National Specialty week is in St Louis from October 16 through October 19. The theme is "Rolling Down the River."

Although the heading says "Tentative Schedule," what is listed here is what will happen each day. The exact times are missing for most of the events; however, the conformation judging has generally begun at 10:00 AM. The Breeder Education Panel Discussion on Thursday has been re-named "Hot Topics" and the topics to be discussed are locations for future National Specialties and the Breed Standard Committee's work thus far on making revisions to the Standard.

I'll close today with a photo of Josh that just arrived. It was taken of his Group 4 placement at the show in the Amana colonies at the beginning of the month. Sadly, the photo of his Group 3 placement also that week did not turn out well. One would think a professional photographer would have a good eye for whether a dog is stacked up and looking good enough for a picture. Then again, why should she care? Good photo or not, she still gets paid for taking it. (Jan, where were you when I needed you? LOL!!)

 

GCHB CH Joyslyn MLS Dakota Wind Breaker - Group 4 under Murrel Purkhiser, Sept. 2017

 

That's it for this week!

Life is Better When You Have A Lhasa to Love You!

Joyce

 

 

Latest Puppy Photos

Puppies are nature's remedy for feeling unloved, plus numerous other ailments of life.  
~ Richard Allan Palm


It is certainly hard to feel unloved at our house. We have puppies! They are adorable and they are full of kisses and cuddles. As you scroll through the photos this week, you will notice that some puppies are missing. Yesterday was an exciting day for three new puppy owners and for Lacy, Gracie, and Georgie. Finn and Grady were not sure what happened and why their siblings were no longer here to join in chasing, romping, and toy trading/stealing events that happen in our family room. 

You will notice that Daisy now has a new name. Her new owners stopped by to meet her and play with her this weekend and together we decided that "Daisy" just did not fit. Her new name is Penny. Penny fell in love with her new people, and they with her. They won't have too much longer to wait to take Penny home with them.

Penny is ornery, just like her mom Kimmi. She is full of fun and mischief. For example, I cannot walk across the floor without her latching onto the leg of my jeans! It makes for a strange journey across the floor.

Puppy Photos

Josh x Shadow, age 9 weeks

 

 

Finn

Grady

Rafe x Kimmi, age 8 weeks

Penny (who used to be Daisy)

Copper

Hunter

Miles

I am hoping to keep one of these boys to show. I am not quite sure which one yet and have given myself until the end of the month to decide. One of the others has been spoken for. Matching people with puppies gets pretty crazy sometimes and frustrating too (for the buyers) because it takes me so long to make up my mind!

Winslow and Luna, age 6 weeks

 Two of the males (don't know which two yet) have been spoken for. The other male and both girls I have held in reserve as I try to decide if I want a male and/or a female from the litter. Once I make my decision, deadline October 21, other puppies will be available. People call and email to ask if I have puppies, and I do, except I have to tell them I do not yet know what is available, and they give me the impression that that is weird. (I can't imagine why!!) It boils down to this: one male (Grady) from Josh x Shadow (that's another long story!); one male from Rafe x Kimmi if I decide to keep a boy or two if I do not decide to keep one; and one female from Winslow x Luna, if I keep a girl, two if I do not, and one male if I decide not to keep a male from that litter. Confused yet? Yeah, I know...

Bekka (mad because I woke her up!)

Chase

Dottie

Griffin

Linc

ALAC National Specialty Week

The American Lhasa Apso Club is holding its 2017 National Specialty in St. Louis from October 16 - October 20. The theme this year is "Rolling Down The River." Here is the cute cover from the Premium List and the tentative schedule for the week. Lhasas and their people come from across the country to compete. If you want to see some lovely Lhasa Apsos and/or chat with breeders and exhibitors from across the USA, this is a great opportunity to do so.

Life is Better When You Have A Lhasa to Love You!

Joyce

Feeling Grateful

“Bad things do happen in the world, like war, natural disasters, disease. But out of those situations always arise stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.” ~ Daryn Kagan





Today I am so very grateful to report that my daughter and her family who live in Miami are safe. Her husband stayed home with the two boys. I cannot even imagine how she must have felt when she had to leave her family behind. She was on the hurricane duty roster at the hospital where she works. She is a labor and delivery nurse, and she had to go in early Saturday and is expected to stay until it is safe to travel so the relief shift of nurses can come in. 

Like so many people across the country, we have been glued to the TV, following the storm's progress, and praying for our family and friends in Florida and for those impacted by Harvey and Irma in this country and other countries that were devastated by the storms. It is not over yet as people face clean up, destruction of property, loss of life, missing pets, and all the other horrible  things disaster brings. Those of us fortunate to live outside the impacted areas may not physically be able to help, but we certainly can dig deep into our pockets and donate to the Red Cross or other disaster relief organizations that offer such important services in times of need.

Puppy Updates and Photos

The puppies are growing, getting cuter day by day, eating solid food, and pooping a lot. (Kimmi and Shadow decided clean-up duty is now my responsibility -- Luna has not started to wean her puppies yet.) They are enjoying their toys and chew bones, tearing up piddle pads, and exhibiting their joy of life. They are on the go and then suddenly things are quiet and there they are, asleep in a puppy pile.

Here are the most recent pictures.

Josh and Shadow Puppies - 8 weeks old

 

Finn

Georgie

Grace (formerly known as Lucy)

Grady

Lacy

 Rafe and Kimmi Puppies - 7 weeks old

 

Copper

Daisy

Hunter

Miles

 

Winslow and Luna Puppies - 5 weeks old

Bekka

Dottie

Griffin

left: Linc   right: Chase

That's all for today. I feel mentally exhausted after all the worrying over the last few days. The puppies and other Lhasas helped relieve some of the stress. It is hard not to smile when the puppies are so exuberant and loving. The adults can certainly sense stress and sadness and offered cuddles and kisses.

Life is indeed better when you have a Lhasa to love you! (and when you know your family is safe!)

Joyce

 

Show Results and Puppy Pictures

Our September began with a trip to Amana, Iowa, for a dog show. The weekend was fun but tiring.
Grooming was outside under a tent. The weather was warm but not too warm. A breeze blew through the tent, which basically made putting in a straight part a losing battle. We all did the best we could then took the dogs inside and did the finishing touches to their parts and heads at ringside. Onyx and Josh represented the breed well and earned a bunch of ribbons and some points.

Here are photos of Onyx (9 months) with her ribbons. She took RWB to Kristine's girl on Friday and Monday (Congrats Kris!) and took WB and BOS on Saturday for one point and Sunday for 2 points. She now has 7 singles. We will soon be on the hunt for majors.

My granddaughter, Klara, was with me on Saturday and Sunday and was a big help taking Onyx back in the ring. It was Klara's first experience in the show ring and she did very well. She showed Onyx in the B match on Saturday night and got a Group 4. 

Josh was the only special and took BOB all 4 days. There was Owner Handled (OH) competition on Friday and Monday. He took an OH Gr 4 on Friday and OH Gr 3 on Monday. Nothing in regular groups on Friday and Saturday, but a Group 3 on Sunday and Gr 4 on Monday. 

Congratations also to LaVonne and her male puppy, Cooper. He took BOW all 4 days plus a Best Bred By Group 2 on Saturday and Best Puppy Group 4 on Sunday. I'm proud of Cooper too since he is a son of our Rafe (GCH Ch Joyslyn's Inherit the Wind).

Latest Puppy Pictures

I know that many of you are reading the blog right now just to see the puppies. So here they are!

Josh and Shadow Puppies - Age 7 weeks

Finn

Georgie

Grady

Lacy

Lucy

 

 

 I tried to post a video of the puppies at play but had no luck. Sorry! Technology is just not cooperating at my house lately.

Rafe and Kimmi Puppies - Age 6 Weeks

Copper

Daisy

Hunter

Miles

Winslow and Luna Puppies - Age 4 Weeks

Male

Two Males

Dottie and Bekka

I hope you enjoyed seeing how the puppies have grown. 

Life is Better When You Have a Lhasa to Love You!

Joyce