Tag: Lhasa Apso

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Tales from the camp side …

Water dawg

Ahhhh, summertime and the camp sites are calling!  We returned home Sunday evening from a four-day camping trip which included two days on the river in a canoe.  This year’s trip was taken with my adult niece and her family, as well as one of Alan’s co-worker’s and his family for a total of six adults, four children and one dog … Dante.  Our outdoor activities generally include the dogs whether it be camping, hiking, bicycling or canoeing (where *everyone* wears a life jacket).

So we’re sitting fireside the third morning in north central Nebraska on the Niobrara River at Smith Falls State Park.  So “north” that we’re literally ten miles from the South Dakota border.  The river is the highest it’s been in years due to recent rains … rains that have caused lush growth in this already verdant river valley.  Having lived in Texas for 10+ years, I’m phobic about fleas, ticks and chiggers.  Dante was dosed with Frontline days before we left town and there are at least three cans of bug spray along.

It’s a cold morning and all the adults are up, imbibing on the first pot of French-pressed coffee.  Dante is fussing in his ex-pen so “Dad” decides he needs a lap to sit on. A warm lap.  A warm lap and a belly rub … what more could a dog ask for on a cold morning??  Ever aware that we’re in tick country, Alan starts checking Dante for bugs as he’s belly up.  The ensuing conversation …

Alan:  Honey, I think you’d better come check this out.

Adult Niece:  :::walking over:::   What’s that?

Alan:   I think he’s got ticks!

Niece:   His belly is covered in them!

Alan:   How are we going to remove them?

Me  ::::walking up for belly inspection::::    We’re not going to remove them …

Alan (indignantly):   Well, you can’t just leave them on him!!

Me:   Ummm, yes I can … those are his nipples!!!  And he’s got eight of them, by the way.       :::::dissolving into laughter:::::

That’s what I get for taking cat people camping in bug country …

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A Trip to …

… the side of a mountain. A mountain in Bhutan, to be exact, and a Tibetan monastery perched on the side of that mountain …

Taktsang in Bhutan

Makes an awesome desktop photo!

A little history:  Taktsang Dzong or Paro Taktsang (spa phro stag tshang / spa gro stag tshang), also known as Taktsang Monastery or the The Tiger’s Nest, is a prominent Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Nyingma (Red Hat Sect), located in the cliffside of the upper Paro valley, Bhutan. It was built in 1692, around the Taktsang Senge Samdup (stag tshang seng ge bsam grub) cave where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated for three months in the 8th century.

It is no wonder that the Apso is a “sturdy little mountain dog!”

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Elwood …

It’s very rare that we get a quick placement in rescue as our fosters usually arrive with more “baggage” than just their food, toys and bedding.  This generally necessitates at least a month in foster care to address medical issues and work on behavioral problems with training.  Most of our fosters stay 6 to 16 weeks, depending on our assessment and how they are progressing.  Even rarer is a home waiting to take on a ‘Poo mix, sight unseen. The stars are evidently aligned just right because this sweet boy went to an experienced Apso home … long nose/legs and all … within days of his arrival in rescue.      

His new family is just delighted with the addition to the family.  Here’s the email I received three days into his new home (as a side note, DaVinci, f/k/a Sterling, was adopted from us three years ago — we just love repeat adoptions!) …          

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He is an absolute little sweetheart and has fit into the family just fine.  It’s as if he has always had us for his family – he has shown no anxiety at all.  I found out on the way home from Longmont that he loves to be hugged and cuddled.           

When we got home, our dogs were naturally curious about Elwood and did their sniffing thing. Ha!  We took all three of them for a walk and when we got back all three dogs played in the back yard together.            

Elwood learned the doggie door in about five minutes and goes in and out like a pro.  He has not had a potty accident in the house as of yet and he sleeps all through the night.  The only problem we have had was when Piccolo and DaVinci had a few minor territorial disputes with Elwood.  That seems to now be over, and things are going very smoothly.           

DaVinci and Elwood have been playing well together and that is what DaVinci has needed.  He and Piccolo have played together some too, but Piccolo tires out quickly.  Elwood discovered a tennis ball in our dog’s toy box which he promptly brought to me to throw.  He has apparently been taught to fetch because he is very good at it.  In fact he loves it so much, he could do it 24 hours a day – Ha!          

Elwood is still such a puppy and he is so exuberant!  He is doing great here, and we are so happy to have him.   I will definitely give you updates on how he is doing, and when his hair grows a bit longer, will send you a picture of Elwood with his brothers.   DeLores and Lou          

And a week in to the new home …          

We want you to know that Elwood is doing great and we just love him!  He has the cutest personality and such cute puppy ways.  He has adapted to a routine that he enjoys which includes sitting with me in the recliner while I read the newspaper first thing in the morning, then when his dad gets up, he sits with him while Lou reads the newspaper, and then it’s off for the morning walk.   He loves his daily walks with his brothers, and afterwards he still has energy left and wants to play fetch with the tennis ball.  We do that several times a day with him because he has such high energy.   All three dogs get along great and love playing together.           

Elwood’s previous family can rest assured that he is a very happy dog in his new home and that his new family is so happy to have him.          

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My new family ... am I a lucky dog or what!!!!
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Ready and Waiting …

This piece, authored by Karen Filippi of Somerset Cairns, Tunkhannock, PA, speaks to each of us who have watched the years tick off with a beloved companion (reprinted with permission, as appearing  in the November 2008 AKC Gazette).

The AKC Gazette … the Official Journal of the Sport of Purebred Dogs Since 1889,  is available as a paper subscription or through a free online digital edition.  The Gazette is a treasure trove of information on the individual breeds which make up each “group” of dogs as well as being of interest in general to those sharing their heart and home with the canine species.

Ready and Waiting …

Summer, this year, seemed to come and go with my barely marking the days or weeks.  Instead, it’s the months that have become the season’s mile-marker, and the year the milestone of time’s passage.  This is, I think, also the measure of my progress through the seasons of my own life.  And so, with summer gone and year’s end approaching, I find myself facing the prospect of other passings, other endings.  Somehow, without my really noticing, two of my Cairns have grown quite old.

True to their reputation, Cairn Terriers are hardy, active dogs with relative few genetic health issues.  Should they fall ill or be injured, they will often suffer in silence.  This is another facet of the native courage that sends them headlong and heart-first into dark, narrow holes in the ground, seeking fierce quarry armed with tooth and claw.

The lifespan of a Cairn Terrier can, and more often does, exceed 15, 16, 17 years  and more.  Measured against human years, it is not very long.  Yet it is long enough to encompass a childhood, a marriage, to span one or more of the significant passages that mark our own lives.

Time passes, and, as it is the nature of things, the irresistable puppy become the irrepressible adolescent.  The adolescent becomes the mature, comfortable companion and faithful friend who, suddenly, a senior, slows but remains steadfast.  And then …

How to consider, cope with, the prospect of such a loss?

It is a testament to the lives of these incredible creatures that their passing has such a profound effect that we are compelled to search for ways to express our grief and afford it the dignity it is due.  While convention may still deny dogs a soul, for many the idea of the “Rainbow Bridge” speaks to our need to have them wait for us, somewhere, safe from harm.  In so many canine lives, there are too few such places; it seems fitting there should be such a place afterward.  Who can know?

What we can know, beyond doubt and, even absent faith, it the value of what they give to us.  We are, quite literally, their individual gods and they love us without condition or judgment.  They remind us to accept the world as it comes each day, to meet each moment with anticipation and awe.  To hear the poetry in our shared silences and the harmony in our different songs.  To fling our heart ahead in the sheer joy of living, and to run, full-out and free, to catch it up … again, and again.

When, all too soon, it is time for them to go, our memories of them will hold all this and keep it safe, ready and waiting, against the time when it will be our turn to follow.  … For Tinker and Indi, in their twilight.

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An interesting take …

… on what motivates one to obtain a particular breed of dog … or a cat or fish!  Can’t say that I agree totally with the personality hypothesis regarding the Apso, however.  Now the cat — totally my husband  lol.  

So, why do you own an Apso?  What was it that drew you to the breed?

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Why we choose one animal as a companion over another is an indicator of our personalities. Dr Onkar Pawaskar tells you what your pet says about you. (Dr Onkar Pawaskar is a veterinarian and practises out of Pet’s Clinic at Thane … from the AhmedabadMirror.com)

Dog Knows …  

Some people swear by dogs; others stand by cats. Then there are those who find love with a goldfish. The animal we choose to domesticate, even the breed, is an indicator of our personality. Dogs are probably the best mirrors to their owners, mainly because over time, their personality rubs off on the dog. So if you see an aggressive driver on the road, take the ‘Beware of dog’ sign on his door seriously. Also, it would pay to be a responsible for your pet’s appearance and behaviour — that reflects upon you too. This is what the most popular breeds indicate.

Labrador retrievers:  The Lab is an amiable, playful dog who does not have aggression or guarding qualities. A person who chooses to adopt this kind of retriever is most likely to be easy-going and with no wish to portray or project anything. Labs are generally a sign of self-assured people.

Pekingese:  Not very popular as a pet, the Penkingese is for divas who want a dog that’s a mix of good looks and smart behaviour. Ever seen a Pekinese walk? Head held high and beaming confidence, least bothered by its size… matching those who have a high degree of self-respect. Since it’s not hyperactive makes it easy to handle (albeit with care).

Lhasa Apsos:  This dog is a complete show-off, just like its master. Adopting a Lhasa Apso is akin to using a luxury brand to project a personal image or prestige. A well-groomed Lhasa shows the owner’s attention to details and pride in appearance. Good looks are very important to such a person.

Pugs:  Pugs are a favourite among those who aspire to be different. These dogs aren’t cute or appealing, nor are they built big. Yet they project tightly packed fierceness that resonates with people who have an underlying sense of unrealised potential and are willing to prove themselves if called upon.

Stray dogs:  You are dealing with a rebel here. Instead of going for a specific breed, the owner is adventurous and compassionate to give a stray dog a home. Far from materialistic, the person knows the distinction between love and worldly pursuits.

German Shepherds:  These dogs are fiercely loyal, intelligent, approachable yet aloof. People with German Shepherd place high value on loyalty and are, to some extent, possessive. The dog’s assertive personality shows disapproval for unnecessary aggression, but capability to protect oneself and one’s family.

Fish:   A dog requires a whole-hearted commitment, almost like a child. However for those who want animal company but not the responsibility, fish are the best alternative. You need to feed them only twice a day and clean the tank once a week — no grooming, no training and no walking. Fish people are extremely conscious of their sense of space. Even their interaction with their pet is largely decided by what, when and how much they wish to communicate; they don’t like being impinged upon. Always, it’s the human who goes to the pet, not the other way around.

Cat:   Cats are non-aggressive, lazy, non-demanding, self-indulgent, independent, intelligent and most importantly, indoor pets. They walk and groom themselves and don’t demand excessive attention or affection. Cat people, especially those who prefer Persian or Siamese breeds, love luxury, independence and have no patience for the involvement expected by dogs.

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Nine Hours Later …

… we had two 8-month old Apsos home and clean.  Not only matted but urine-soaked feet and bellies.  It took three people and almost six hours to get them cleaned up.  Matted to the skin in various places on their heads, muzzles and around the neck, chest and shoulders.  Feces caked on the rear.  

These boys are horses … I’d guess they weigh 21+ pounds (to put it in perspective, my boys weigh 14.5 to 15 pounds at maturity).  Golden in color with black tipping.  And exceptional temperaments.  Through it all, the only thing they offered were kisses.  No snapping, no biting, no whining … that’s saying a lot given what it took to get them cleaned up. 

They could be twins and we’re having difficulty telling them apart.  At the moment, one has retained baby canines, the other doesn’t.  Neuters are scheduled for the 19th.  They have a bit of separation anxiety but we’re working through that … 

Dawa and Momo
Rub-a-dub-dub ... Apso in the tub
Linda (l) and Debbie (r)

These little cuties … well, not so little … will be available for adoption in the next four to six weeks.  They need to be neutered, caught up on their vaccinations and microchipped.  We’re also in the midst of contacting a trainer/animal behaviorist to work on their separation anxiety.  While they’re getting better, we want to make sure we’re doing all we can for them to ensure they are well-adjusted.

Update:   Spoke with the trainer/behaviorist today.  She does not believe they have separation anxiety.  As they lived in an apartment that didn’t allow pets, every noise was responded to by the owner so that behavior [barking] was reinforced by the attention.  We’re ignoring the barking and it should extinquish itself in the next four to six days.  We’re also using a D.A.P. diffuser and spray as a calming agent.

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Update …

… on our little senior, Kalsang who went to his new home in September.  He’s doing just fabulous and his new Mom thinks he’s pretty special …

Kalsang and Mary

“We got the I.D. yesterday and appreciate all the trouble you went to for us.  Halloween was very quiet but Kalsang was good and seemed to understand what was going on.   He is a big hit at the Dog Club [training class] because he is more of a senior observer and contributes his wisdom when he feels like it. Ha Ha.  I personally think he is the cutest dog there.  He performs when he has his turn and then stays quiet laying by my side.  He loves going and enjoys the social part and the different smells.  He may have a little trouble with ears and eyes but his nose is in overdrive!  We try to walk twice a day for about 20 minutes each time and he isn’t as concerned when I leave because he is allowed to roam the house more freely and I tell him I’ll be back soon and he knows I mean it.  We have cut way back on treats because he is more secure now. He is just the most perfect dog!  He does love to get covered with snow and talk about muddy feet!  But what’s a mother to do.  I just love the fact that he doesn’t mind being cleaned up after he has a good romp in the yard.  He is laying near me now.  I really have the “good fortune”.    Later,  Mary

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Seniors in the twilight …

animated-hourglassThere’s a reason why we don’t normally take senior dogs into rescue.  Actually several reasons.  Most folks looking to adopt a dog are not in the market for an older companion as they’d like to spend more  than just a year or two (or even less) with their new best friend.  Many times, the old dogs arrive with serious behavioral and/or medical problems.  Rescue has a term for these dogs … “forever fosters.”  “Forever” because they usually end up spending the rest of their lives in foster care.  The problem with that scenario is spacing  and funding.  Available space is at a premium — at least for us — and having a forever foster takes up a spot that could be used for a younger, more adoptable dog.  Funding is always an issue so taking care of an elderly dog becomes problematic.

For me, the seniors are particularly difficult.  It usually starts with a phone call and a voice on the other end saying, “I need to get rid of my dog.”  The vocalization “get rid of” is distasteful as it brings to mind a worn out item or a piece of trash that needs to be disposed of.  Often times it is an elderly dog that outlived its usefulness for whatever reason.  No matter how many times I review the applications on my waiting list, I don’t have someone looking for an old, sick dog.  These poor dogs that have given their life to their family only to be turned out when their need was greatest.  It then falls to me to tell them that we have no one interested in an elderly dog.  And that if they take it to the shelter, he or she will spend its last days — frightened and confused — before dying at the hands of strangers.  Far better for them to take it to the vet and make that last journey in the arms of loved ones.  Despite having “the speech” memorized, there are still times when my voice breaks, the emotion spilling over.   One of the first things my rescue mentor taught was that we can’t save them all.  I truly know that with my heart … however, it doesn’t make it any easier some days.  Harder yet is having to put down a rescue for medical or behavioral issues.  Even though it’s not one of my dogs, it still hurts.  Rescue isn’t supposed to end that way.

Having said all that … we find ourselves with a senior in rescue.  A stray, he was pulled from the Larimer Humane Society.  We know little of his story other than the fact he’s been long neglected — whether in his former “home” or because he was on his own for an extended period of time.  We also know he is the product of a puppy mill because his microchip was traced to the Hunte Corporation — a known broker of puppies produced in the mills of misery and sold in pet stores.  His coat was matted to the skin and urine soaked resulting in a complete shave-down at the shelter.  Nothing more pitiful than a buck-naked Apso.

Our rescue exam revealed he has had a long-standing eye infection.  Thankfully, he does not have KCS or “dry eye” as it’s commonly known.  His age is estimated to be 8- to 10-years old … not all that old for an Apso but which still puts him in the “senior” category.  He does have arthritis on the right front/rear; however, he’s responding quite well to the Rimadyl, even trying to play with the resident foster home dogs.  Some high-powered supplements are on the way and we’re hopeful he’ll get good relief from those as well. 

Despite how rough his recent days/years have been, this dog is exceptional.  He greets everyone as a long-lost friend.  If you are familiar with Apsos, you know that’s not always the case.  When I picked him up at the pound, he came out of the kennel — head and tail up — and offered himself in greeting.  Those old soul eyes saying “I’m yours … take me with you.”  And then he buried his head in my hands, taking whatever comfort he could find in the moment, however brief.  As is our tradition, we’ve given him a Tibetan name.  Kalsang (pronounced “Kehl-sang”) and meaning “good fortune.” 

Perhaps it will be Kalsang’s good fortune to find a forever home in the twilight of his years … a home that understands that the love of an old dog is, indeed, a special gift.

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Meet Manny …

Our man, Manny
Our man, Manny

Update:  I received word that Manny went to a new home earlier this week.  Wishing his new owners and Manny “Lhasa” happy, healthy years together!

From time to time, we work with other groups in the area that find themselves with an Apso … in this case it was supposed to be a Tibetan Terrier but, on arrival, it was determined he’s definitely an Apso.  And a darned cute one at that!

Manny is a very sweet black and tan Lhasa Apso, around 6 years of age and weighs 22 lbs.   He is neutered, current on his vaccinations, microchipped, housebroken, will use a dog door, just had a dental cleaning, is good with other dogs, cats and older children.  

For his new forever home, he needs a stay at home, experienced dog owner, preferably with Lhasas who will go slowly with his transition to his new home.   He can not be crated or closely confined, has a slight thunder phobia, likes to sleep on the foot of the bed and cuddle on the couch.  

Handsome dude ...
Handsome dude ...
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Spring Specialty …

Melissa and a bored Josie ...
Melissa and a bored Josie ... ho, hum. I'd rather be in the agility ring ...

This year our local show club … the Lhasa Apso Club of Central Colorado … opted to have our Spring “specialty” show in April rather than lumping it in with the large cluster of shows in Denver this past February.  Accordingly, our specialty will be held in conjunction with the TerryAll Kennel Club’s All Breed Show in the Exhibition Building at the Adams County Fairgrounds, 9755 Henderson Road in Brighton, Colorado.

Details for attending (all Apso events in the Exhibition Building):

Friday:  Lhasa Apso Ring at 3:00 p.m.

Saturday:  Ring 3 at 12:50 p.m.

Sunday:  Ring 2 at 12:40 p.m.

As part of the weekend, we’ll be having a light potluck Saturday evening following Non-Sporting Group judging  and a breed seminar presented by Richard Camacho, including a slide show presentation and hands-on with Apsos, following Best in Show judging.

If you’d like to see other breeds, complete information can be found in the Judging Program.

Need more info?  Then contact me at ApsoRescue@aol.com.  Please note children in strollers and unentered dogs are not allowed on site.

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The Canine/Canine Bond …

Mr. Bed Head ...
Mr. Bed Head ...

The morning routine with three dogs changes very little from day to day.  Despite the fact Alan gets up some two hours before my alarm chimes,  the dogs sleep quietly in their crates until I greet the day.  Once up, the dogs are released from their crates in our bedroom and a small but colorful parade of Apsos makes its way to the back door.  Frankers excitedly prances, looking back over his shoulder to see if Ali is following, her usual ploddng self.  Dante brings up the rear … most likely with a slight detour off the hardwood into the front room to check out whatever toy was left out the night before or to goose the resident marble-brained cat.  An, ahem, well-placed nose will make him squeak loudly as he doesn’t buy into the typical canine greeting, considering it extremely rude to have a nose poked at one’s hiney!

Ali and Frankers go out immediately.  Dante — anticipating being picked up and put on a crate for banding — waits for me by the back door.  They thrive on routine, knowing what to expect as I go about making coffee and setting up their bowls for breakfast.

Having multiple dogs in the house — and one of them an intact male — came with a learning curve.  Despite the challenges, it has been an ongoing lesson in pack behavior.  One thing that became apparent early on was the canine’s innate need for interaction with others of its own kind.  While one can provide for their every need, we — as humans — cannot replicate the canine-to-canine bond.  A need that is hard wired into the canine psyche, a survival instinct sharply honed over the millenia.

'Rassling buddies ...
'Rassling buddies ...

Ali, adopted as an adult, acquired the nickname of “the Red Slug” shortly after she arrived nine years ago.  Once she adapted to the routine and activity of the household, she became … bored.  We took her places, including biking, canoeing, and on forays to PetSmart.  She had more toys than she could reasonably play with; she got to visit with my parents’ Tzu.  We worked on training.  We included her in all the assorted goings-on associated with work in our large yard.  Yet … something was still missing.  Exactly what that “something” was quickly became apparent with Franker’s entrance as an eight-month old puppy.  Infused by his energy, they became fast partners in crime and curiosity.  We couldn’t find one without the other being close at hand (and is still the case).  Wrestling matches became the canine sport of choice.  No matter the activity — or lack thereof — they sought one other out, taking comfort in each other’s presence.  As the fosters rotate in, they too are assimilated into the pack each with their own place in the pecking order. 

There’s a certain joy watching them interact … and a joy within them that’s unmistakable.  We humans tend to believe we’re the be all to end all, but I think our canine friends might disagree.  While adding a second dog will increase expenses (food, grooming, vet, etc.), the “return” is definitely worth the investment … for humans and dogs alike!

 

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Lives more temporary than our own …

Frankers
Frankers

We recently had a scare with my 8-year old male, Frankie a/k/a “Frankers.”  While holding him during a chiropractic adjustment for an old injury earned chasing squirrels, I found a large swelling just under his jaw.  To say I was “surprised” is an understatement because I had just groomed him that morning and didn’t find anything amiss.

The first round of antibiotics prescribed were ineffective and his condition continued to deteriorate, including spiking a high fever and complete disinterest in food.  Given his lack of response to the antibiotics, a biopsy was taken of the node to determine what exactly was going on.  While under anesthesia for the biopsy, the vet checked his mouth and esophagus for any foreign body that might be a contributing factor.  Zip, nada, zilch … meaning no clue as to what was causing it or how the swelling came about.  In the meantime, we switched antibiotics in the hopes he would respond.

The biopsy finally came back and revealed a severe bacterial infection of the lymph node (does it come through that I’m not a patient person in some situations??).  A few days later, he began to respond to the antibiotic and we were advised he’d have to stay on it four to six weeks as lymph node infections can be difficult to clear up.  Weeks later, the node has returned to almost normal, as has Frankers.

Shortly thereafter, I came across an excellent excerpt article on National Public Radio (NPR).  Written by a vet — Nancy Kay, DVM — it provides valuble tools for dealing with aging/ill pets and making decisons on their behalf … Speaking for Spot.  If you own pets, this is definitely a “must read.”  For myself, I’m tucking the information away in my mental tool box.  A guidepost for when aging bodies begin to fail and emotions run high in the face of loss.

The complete book is available at Amazon.com.

April 6th Update:   Today is a really, really good day for our household.  After months of dealing with Franker’s issues … first the hip/back injury and then the bacterial infection … I finally feel like I have my little guy back.  He’s playing with his toys, racing through the house, trying to get Ali to play with him, and bouncing up a full flight of steps from the basement (multiple times, no less).  A huge improvement over ten days ago when I had to carry him up the stairs because he couldn’t make it.  A week ago today, he had a chiropractic adjustment and a session of acupuncture.  I think what we’ll do now is explore the options for a maintenance program, something along the lines of once every 6-8 weeks (+/-)

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2009 PetExpo …

2009 Loveland Pet Expo
2009 Loveland Pet Expo

Always a good time, we attended the 2009 Loveland Reporter-Herald PetExpo the end of February.  Preparation begins several weeks prior as we make arrangements for our exhibit space and submit photos for the insert that comes out in the paper.  While there is a fee for submitting pet photos, half of it goes to the Larimer Humane Society so we’re more than happy to help support the local shelter.  It’s also good incentive to have  current photos of our pets … a momento of their life when all that remains is a memory and a pawprint on our hearts.

As this was our fourth year of attending the Expo, packing the day before is down to a science … grab the storage tub containing our booth supplies, review the inventory of  educational handouts,  pull books from the home library, and then get it all in the vehicle.  Last, but certainly not least, the dog(s) that will be attending get a bath so as to put their best foot forward for the breed.  If a foster is not available to attend, our dogs are taken to serve as ambassadors for the breed.  I always try to have one in coat there as most people have never seen an Apso in full coat outside the show ring.  Makes for some very interesting conversations with the most frequent comment being, “You must have to brush this coat daily!”  The big surprise is … I don’t do daily grooming!

We arrive early to unload and get set up — table display and dogs in place before the crowds start to arrive.  Looking across the large room, I see many exhibitors from past years and some new faces.  Later on, we’ll take a break and go visit the other booths … bronze statues, K9 photographers, pet crematorium, pet cemetery, dog bakery, canine massage therapist, to name a few.  All interesting when one has the time to browse.

Dante saying "hello" to a friend who stopped by!!
Dante saying “hello” to a friend …

This year, we were one of the few rescues in attendance and probably the only rescue with dogs in tow.  Having Dante there in coat pretty much guarantees we’ll see a lot of traffic at our booth and this year was no exception.  I love talking to the kids and seeing their reaction when they get to pet him … the little girls are especially fascinated with him.  The parents laugh when I tell them that “my husband calls this my Barbie doll.”    We’re also quick to point out that the breed comes in a “wash’n’wear” version, showing them one in a puppy cut. 

The dogs are on their best behavior and clearly enjoy the interaction with folks stopping to chat.   Dante took a shine to one little guy and proceeded to clean the top of his head for him … much to the boy’s delight.  At one point, we had a line of folks waiting to greet the dogs.  The day winds down and we start packing up all the gear, already thinking how we can add to the experience for next year’s visitors.

All in all, it’s a great way to connect with like-minded members of the community and educate folks about this unique breed that shares our heart and hearth.

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Nice Dog, but …

daily-rover-newspaper1I get a great deal of email most days between my personal contacts, what’s generated by the various lists of which I’m a member, and what comes across for rescue. Every now and again, something is actually worth passing along. Today’s entry is just that …

Bob McMillan of the Herald-Citizen in Cookville, TN has written an great article on dogs, our relationship with them, and the need for training …

Nice dog, but you have to train him

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Show Time!!

While this is basically a repeat of last year’s post, the same information holds true for 2009!

Tibetan Apsos at Show ...
Tibetan Apsos at an early show ...

Rocky Mountain Cluster: Once again, we’re gearing up for the largest dog show in Colorado … The Rocky Mountain Cluster held February 13-16 at the National Western Complex (Expo Hall), 4655 Humboldt in Denver. 

The Premium List, which contains information on the show, parking, maps and entry, can be found here … Premium List.  The actual times for judging and the ring numbers are not disseminated until just a week before the show.  

Show Schedule:   Saturday, Ring 6 at 3:00 p.m.; Sunday, Ring 7 at 9:30; Monday Ring 7 at 10:25.  Ring and show times on all the breeds can be found in the Judging Program.

If you’re thinking of attending, please be sure to give yourself plenty of time for parking, getting in the facility, and then finding the right ring and some chairs (rings are marked by numbers on tall poles). Parking, depending on where one finds an open lot, can run anywhere from $5 to $10 — and it may also be a long walk! Entry fee to the Expo Hall is $5.  Please note that dogs not entered in the show are not allowed on the site.  If considering crowds/parking, Friday or Monday would probably be the better of the four days to attend.

As the largest show in the region, the selection of vendors and their wares is pretty amazing … if it’s dog related, you’ll find it at this show!  From art prints, to clothing, to grooming supplies, to dog beds, to K9-related jewelry, to crates and tables, it will be at this show.  Might want to bring the plastic along (and keep in mind that the vendors start packing up on Monday for the return home).

Besides the conformation competition, one can also find other venues such as Rally, Obedience, and Agility.  These are generally held in the Events Center which fronts 47th Street.

Hope to see you there … it’s a great reason to come out and support the breed! If you need more information, please feel free to contact me at:  ApsoRescue@aol.com.

Loveland Pet Expo:  Now an annual event, ApsoRescueColorado will be attending Loveland’s Pet Expo on Saturday, February 28th at the Chilson Center from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This will be our fourth year in attendance. If we don’t have a foster dog ready for adoption, we’ll take a couple of our Apsos and use it as an opportunity to educate folks about the breed and rescue. If you’re in the area, please come by and say hello!

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I am a Lhasa Apso …

Ch. Everglo Zijuh Tomba

By Ellie Baumann 
Lhasa Tales ~ Nov 1977
 
I am a small dog whose ancestors managed to adapt to the rigors of the Himalayan plateau. The fittest survived, prospered and, eventually, some of the descendants reached this country in the early Thirties. I am descended from this stock.
 
Adverse conditions high in the mountains of Tibet forced my evolution to follow paths on which other high altitude dwellers were also embarked. Since the area from which I came is an especially cold one with killing frosts as early as August, my body structure had to adapt to the cold as well as to the height of my homeland. I have a shorter tail, shorter limbs, and shorter ears than dogs who live in the tropics. My body is very sturdy and solid with short, heavy bones. I look as if I could go long distances and not tire easily.
 
Under my coat is a sound body that is quite heavy for its size. People are surprised when they find that under all that hair is an animal who is put together like a tank. I need heavy construction to stand the stress of cold and altitude.

I have not been in this country too long compared to some other dogs you see at a dog show, but those who already know what I look like will probably remember very clearly where you first ran into me. I am not like any other dog that you would meet on a city street or a county lane.

I have a long coat that stretches down to the ground and completely covers my feet. Some people call me the “Jelly Bean” dog because I come in all colors. I can be one solid color or a blending of several colors. I can be plain, or I can be spotted. Of course, with a long-haired spotted dog, the coat just keeps growing and the spot stretches out into a stripe instead. If that happens, I’m called a parti-color. I’m even brindled but again, as the coat grows longer and longer, those brindle lines all run together and you have something like layers of different colors – an overlay.

My head is a little hard to see sometimes for there is so much hair on it. I have a beard. Yes even our ladies are bearded – and my ears blend right into the beard and all the rest of the coat. And, unless the hair is out of my eyes, you wouldn’t know that I could actually see you for my eyes are well hidden by what my owner calls the “head fall.” My tail is generally up, carried in a curl over my back and it’s often hard to know if I really do indeed have a tail. It can be held so tight to my back that you don’t know that it is really there, until I straighten it out and stretch it out on the ground behind me when I sit down …

Sometimes I can be found in a pet shop, but I hope that if you go looking for a Lhasa, you will go to a breeder who is trying to produce the perfect dog rather than the one who is out to sell a litter a month or so many dozen puppies a year.

I am a breed that was raised to be an indoor dog. In Lhasa – the capitol of Tibet – I used to live in the palace of the Dalai Lama before the Communists took over, and in almost every big monastery in Tibet there were a lot of my relatives living right there with the monks. Some people call me the “The Holy Dog of Asia” because of this, but all that I really did was to keep the monks company in their lonely and cold cells. Some people say that I am the faithful dog who followed the Lord Buddha around and who could be turned into a ferocious lion in the twinkling of his eye. I guess that is why so many call me the “Lion Dog.”

The AKC Standard alls for me to be the golden colors of the lion, but the Tibetans say that their lion is the mythical snow lion who is always white with a blue mane. I haven’t seen any white Lhasa with a blue mane so far, so I guess we’ll just have to stick with the western idea of how a lion should be colored.

I can live a long time if you care for me properly and my breed generally outlives the great big dogs, like the Saints and the Danes, or the little ones like the Chihuahuas and the Pomeranians.

There aren’t any bad personality traits in my breed that have to be beaten out or trained out of me in order for me to live in close contact with all kinds of people. I have an even, obliging disposition.

Of course, when I’m going to a dog show, then I look super beautiful because that is first of all, a beauty contest, and I want to look my very best. But with general care and brushing, I can stop traffic on any street, for I am a beautiful, graceful and elegant animal.

After all, I AM A LHASA APSO!!

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 Editorial note: Dog shows were originally started in the mid 1800s in England as a means of evaluating breeding stock … a process which continues today. It is not a “beauty contest” as noted above … although some might argue otherwise. Dogs shown in conformation events are not being judged against each other. They are judged against the written standard which outlines the “ideal” dog for that particular breed. If interested in learning more about the dog show, AKC has an excellent resource … A Beginner’s Guide to Dog Shows.

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Ringing in the New Year …

singingdoglrgWhen’s the last time you heard a song about a Lhasa Apso?  Probably … never.  If that’s the case, then I have a rare treat for you.  Canadian singer, Nancy Simmonds, has produced several CDs highlighting various breeds.  She’s done an excellent job on her research of the breeds, their characteristics and then weaving them into song.

One can hear Get Set Tibet in its entirety at StumbleAudio.com.  If you can’t access the song at Stumble, try the link below …

 
Scroll down and then click on the play button (circle) to the far left — not the song title.  And then even further down on the left, you’ll find all the different “litters” listed …
 
This link shows all the different songs/breeds on each CD. 
 
 
One simply has to listen to the one about the JRT … ’tis a hoot!!  I like ballad-type songs and the following give fabulous “visuals” of the different breeds …
 
CD #1   Welsh Corgi  (probably my fav)
     #2   Basenji, Borzoi
     #3   Irish Setter, Saluki
     #4   Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Newfoundland, Norwegian Elkhound
     #5   Samoyed
     #6   Viszla, Irish Wolfhound
     #7   Weim
     #8   JRT, Shih Tzu
 
Enjoy!
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News Flash from the Eukanuba National Dog Show …

Fernando (Best in Show, Seward, NE)
CH FFT Fernando

Just got word this afternoon that Dante’s littermate … CH FFT Fernando … took Best of Breed and Best Bred-by-Exhibitor at the Eukanuba National Dog Show in Long Beach, CA, with his breeder/owner/handler, Julie Timbers.

Best of Opposite Sex was CH Nothing But Trouble handled by Cindy Butsic. 

Shirley Clark and Paris picked up one of two Awards of Merit handed out.

Expertly handled by Julie, Fernando is a beautiful representation of the breed and well deserving of the placement.  Congrats to going out to Julie and Debby for this major win!

Dante says …. Go, Brother, Go!!!  And we’ll be keeping our paws crossed for a win in the Non-Sporting Group!

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Happy Howlidays … or how you can help …

Welcoming Santa Paws ...
Welcoming Santa Paws ...

Thanksgiving came late this year so, a scant three+ weeks later, Christmas will be upon us.  This is about the time I start hyperventilating as I’ve literally not done a thing for the holiday preparations.  No gifts purchased — no decorations put up yet — haven’t even started my annual Christmas newsletter or my cards that I send out every year to the adoptive families.  I consider it lucky that I’ve made it this far in the year.  Between work, the house/yard, the rescues, being elected as a Board member with the national breed club, and showing Dante as a special, it has been an unbelievably busy year.

While the rest of you are making those lists and checking them twice, I would ask that you keep rescue in mind.  Besides the ever present need for foster homes, funding is always an issue.  I understand that the economy is an issue for virtually most of the people I know … at the current rate, my “retirement program” will be working as a greeter, “Hi, welcome to Wal-Mart.”    :::sigh:::

If you are interested in fostering — making a difference in the life of a dog — please contact me directly at ApsoRescue@aol.com.  However, one does not need to foster to be of assistance … 100 Ways to Help Rescue.  Granted, a few additional foster homes would be a gift from heaven for us!!  If you’d like to make a donation of some type, please contact me at the above-noted email for details. Some folks make a monetary donation at the holidays; some on the anniversary of their adoptions; others to commerate their Apso’s birthday; and yet others in memory of a beloved companion.   Please be assured that any donation of time or money is gratefully accepted.

This post would not be complete without a “thank you” to our rescue volunteers.  If you’ve adopted from us, you’ve most likely met one or both of them … Sue S. of Parker who does our metro Denver homevisits, and Michelle R. of Wellington who has been involved with fostering and assisting/attending the various functions, i.e, pet expos and what we hope is an annual picnic.  Michelle is also our very capable webmistress.  Their dedication and service to rescue is truly priceless.  With their assistance, we’ve been able to help even more Apsos and still maintain some semblence of sanity.  Thank you, ladies …

Perhaps between now and Christmas I’ll get something up for the cat to take apart and stash down in the basement under the throw rugs.  He’s particularly fond of the little gold dingleball decorations attached to the garland that finds it way to the floor with his “help.”