Tag: Shih Tzu

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Paws on the Promenade 2015

Sammy & Budha, waiting for breakfast ...
Sammy & Budha, waiting for breakfast …

Update:  Sammy and Budha were adopted this past weekend (June 20th).  Wishing them and their new owner many happy, healthy years together.  And we are just thrilled that the new owner decided to take them both … dogs are pretty darned happy too!

Always a good time to interact with the dog community … Paws on the Promenade at the Shops at Centerra!  Come on out and join the fun on Saturday, May 16th with a variety of events as noted below.  We’ll be there with our foster Tzus, Sammy (l) and Budha (r), for a meet/greet.  Hopefully, the weather will be better by Saturday … anything but pouring rain or blowing snow!

Sammy is a five-year old Tzu that would love to find a retired or semi-retired couple on which to work his charms.  He’s a cuddle bug and gets along well with other small dogs.

Budha is a two-year old Tzu, originally from Wyoming.  We think he looks like Toothless from “How to Train Your Dragon.” A sweet boy, he’d do well with with an active couple and gets along with other small dogs.

10th Annual Paws on the PromenadeSaturday, May 16, 2015
10 am to 3 pm at the Main Plaza, the Shops at CenterraIt’s a fun-filled day for you and your dog!  Enjoy giveaways, dog adoptions, live demonstrations by the Larimer County Sheriff K9 Unit and the Longmont Fire Arson Dog, Yappy Hour, dog contests for prizes & so much more!

Schedule of Events:
10:00am    4-H Agility Demonstration
11:00am    Dog Costume Contest
11:30am    Larimer County Sheriff K9 Demonstration
12:30pm    Longmont Fire Arson Dog Demonstration
1:00pm      Dog Trick Contest
2:00pm      Yappy Hour

This event is free and open to the public.
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The Littles …

Shih Tzus, Sammy & Budha

Our latest fosters have arrived and are settling in.  With new dogs, I never know what to expect out of the ordinary or what issues will arise while integrating them into the household routine.  Other than knowing that “something” always comes up.

Assessments are made as to whether or not they are crate trained and clean in their crates … are they housetrained or do we need to utilize belly bands for a while … can they be transitioned over to a new food or will they decide to go on a three-day fast when presented with a new kibble?  Kibble wasn’t the issue, it was the bowl … Budha will only eat out of a particular bowl.   Will they sleep through the night in a crate and continue to sleep quietly well past the dark hours that see hubby up/out of the house?  Can they tell me they need to go outside or should we just count on potty runs every couple hours or so?  How will Teller react to them and vice versa … what’s the best option for integrating the three males together so they get along without it becoming an indoor pissing contest (literally and figuratively).  If they don’t get along, who is the instigator?

Sammy and Budha are, at first glance, two peas in a pod.  Both small, both black and both very similar in facial expression, Hubby is having a hard time telling them apart without looking at their collars … lime green for Sammy and bright red for Budha.  Sammy is the more reserved of the two while Budha is a happy outgoing fellow.  Sammy is content just to hang on the back of the couch or nestled in the couch pillows while Budha works at getting every. single. toy. strewn across the front room from not one – but two – toy boxes.

Budha chillin' on the footstool
Budha chillin’ on the footstool

We’re finding the moment needed to make a verbal correction about something is lost as we try to figure out what dog’s name we need to be speaking in that correction.  While Hubby hasn’t resorted to calling them both “Larry” because he can’t remember their names, I suspect it’s only a matter of time.  We are, however, referring to them as “the Littles.”  At about two-thirds the size of the two male Apsos in the house, it fits them perfectly.  Can’t say “the boys” because – with the exception of yours truly – everything in the house is male!  Then it would become a question of “the big boys or the little boys?”  So, the Littles it is.

Once through the assessment period and vetting procedures, Sammy (age 5) and Budha (age 2) will be looking for a home(s) of their own here in Colorado.  Ideally, I’d like them placed together but am well aware of the realities of placing a pair.  If interested, please contact me directly at: ApsoRescue@aol.com.  Please note we require an e-application, vet and personal reference checks and, finally, a home visit.  Sorry, no out-of-state placements.

 

 

 

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Sabbatical …

After a year off the blog, it’s time to return.  Suffice it to say that a herniated cervical disc drastically limited after work computer time for most of 2014.  By a stroke of luck, acceptance in an FDA study for an artificial disc and a surgery in September finally stopped the chronic neck pain/arm numbness when nothing else worked.  So, here we are again.

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Daisy n/k/a Piper

Last year was slow for rescue with only one intake, Daisy.  Daisy came from a shelter in Aurora, Colorado via a family who quickly realized their lifestyle didn’t mesh with dog ownership.  Thankfully, they took the time to search out rescue to ensure she would be placed appropriately and find a good home.  A darling little thing at only eight pounds, she made up for her petite size with a big personality.  Daisy was placed with a family in Casper, WY who adopted Kersey from us many years ago.  Promptly named “Piper,” I have it on good authority that she’s spoiled rotten by Jan and Neal.

Christmas brought news of Lucy doing well in Westminster … Bubba n/k/a Max is living the good life … Murphy, our long-legged boy is enjoying life with his family.  Mary reported that we’d lost Kalsang to age … I know with certainty that the best years of his life were spent with Mary.  John, Neil and “the boys” are doing well in their new home in Oregon; Andy, our puppy mill survivor, has positively blossomed in their care.  As a foster home for rescue, their presence is greatly missed here in Colorado!  PippyDo and BellaToo were getting ready for a move to Covington, Louisiana to become real southern belles.  Judy advised that Magoo is doing remarkably well despite his blindness and advanced age.  Katu and Emmy are keeping Trudy amused with their antics.

Best of Opposite Sex
Best of Opposite Sex

On the show front, Teller completed his championship in August and went on to pick up Best of Opposite Sex in the Maturity classes at the American Lhasa Apso Club’s National Specialty in St. Louis this past October.  While there, we visited the Missouri Botanical Garden, the oldest botanic garden west of the Mississippi.  We could have spent the entire week wandering the grounds!  Teller is now retired from the ring, preferring to ride the couch rather than the show circuit.

Rescue is ramping up with an intake here very shortly.  Unfortunately, due to a death in the family and other circumstances, Sammy, our little black Tzu, is coming back into rescue.  And he’s bringing a friend with him … Budha, another little black Tzu!  Ideally, we’d like them to go together but are all too aware of the realities of placing a pair in the same home.  In any event, we’re off and running for 2015.

Spicewood SaltAs if all that wasn’t enough, we recently launched our e-business, SpicewoodSalt.com.  Some of you know the product as “Little Lion Dog Master Salt Blend.”  With a new name, new logo, new packaging, two new products, a website and a Facebook page, we’re officially open for business!  As part of the global community, a portion of our proceeds will be donated to rescue.  Visit the Facebook page and say hello or just browse the website.

 

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Jumping In …

… and trying  to get everyone up to speed.  Lots of things going on in the past month, including a trip to San Antonio to escort Pip to her new home and a major home renovation just getting underway.  I have a feeling that “caught up” will be elusive at best and a return to “normal” will be greatly wished for about day three of the hardwood install.  Never mind the paint and tile work afterwards.

Bella, Mazzi and PippyDo

I flew little Pip to her new home in Texas with Mazzi and Bella as well as meeting up with long-time Shuh Tzu cyberfriends.  Seven of us have been corresponding for years (some for over a decade) and we meet up whenever the opportunity presents itself.  This is the first time so many of us have gathered in one place and it was great to finally meet everyone.  Bella was ecstatic to see her little friend again and a good romp was the first order of business.

Dave with Ruffy, Max and Maggie (l-r)

Just before I headed to Texas, Ruffy (n/k/a “Kirby”) went to his new home with David and Kay in Loveland.  He joins two other Apsos — Maggie and Max — and settled in quite nicely.  Long the queen of the house, Maggie decided Kirby is a little prince and allows him special privileges.  Like sitting on the back of the couch and watching out the same window.  And playing with her toys.  Life is good!!

To top it all off, we have a new rescue coming in this afternoon … Leo … a 3-year old male that doesn’t appreciate  the 3-year old human in the house.  More on him later as we get him vetted and settled into rescue.

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Promises …

And then there were five.  Five dogs in the house.  We have three — Ali, Frankers and Dante.  The current foster makes four.  Time to make good on a promise.

After my parents’ third miniature poodle passed away (neurotic little creatures, I tell ya!), I finally talked them into a different breed.  A Shih Tzu to be exact.  Cute as a button, that became her name … Buttons.  And only after I talked them into it as they wanted to name a black/white dog “Buffy” — until I made them watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer.   Along with the gift of a wriggling puppy 10+ years ago, there came a promise … should anything happen or their health fail, Buttons would come live with me. 

Mom died 2.5 years ago, the victim of a massive stroke.  Buttons helped fill the grief-filled hours and gave my father reason to get up in the morning.  She, in turn, sought him out as never before in the past.  A deeper bond was formed in the ashes of their loss.

Buttons has been with me off and on since the end of March.  Dad was diagnosed with bladder cancer then and it was originally thought to be a “low grade” cancer.  Another procedure is performed in mid-June and we find a “fast, aggressive” cancer.  July 2nd brings the emergency surgery to remove bladder and a cancerous bowel obstruction.  The recommended post-surgical treatment — a grueling regimen of radiation and chemo — is refused (wisely, all things considered).  August runs together with two more hospitalizations in as many weeks.  For each emergency, Buttons and all her necessities are packed up and hauled to our house.  Easily done as she’s intimately familiar with our home and the other dogs. 

I suspect the doctors will move Dad to the hospice ward in days/hours as the bowel obstructions can’t be controlled or fixed.  He is drawn and frail, having lost 25+ pounds since July.  An obvious withering is present even though I see him daily.  Family has been called in — better get here while he’s still cognizant.  In short, he lies dying in a hospital bed … and his little dog sleeps quietly at my feet.

Time to pony up.  Papa … your beloved Buttons is my baby now.  Loved for who she’s been all these years and cherished as the last link to you.  ‘Til we meet at the Bridge when I escort her home …

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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!