Happy New Year!! and Happy Birthday to Wilma Melville !!

Please join me in wishing Wilma a Happy 80th  Birthday ! 

She is the founder of the 

Natonal Disaster Search Dog Foundation

How much is that Doggy in the Window?

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Helpful Tips When Purchasing a Puppy 

Whether you go to a breeder or a rescue group, you should be prepared to ask a lot of questions about the puppy or dog you hope to acquire. Here are some examples of questions to ask: 

What possible health problems might this dog develop? 

How big will the dog get? 

How old will he be before he acts like an adult dog? 

How protective will the dog be? 

How often will the dog need to be groomed? 

How does he get along with other animals? 

How long can he be left alone at home? 

How much exercise does the dog need? 

What are the best training methods for this dog? 

Your contact should be willing to answer all of your questions fully. He or she should also ask questions about you, your lifestyle, and your family. If a contact doesn't respond to your inquiries, or doesn't show any interest in the life the dog will lead after it leaves his or her premises, you may want to look elsewhere. 

A responsible breeder or dedicated rescue group member is committed to making a good match between prospective owners and the dogs in their care; that's the kind of person you want on your side as you make the journey into dog ownership. 

Please refer to October post about Puppy Mills for more information !

Dog Show Supplies

Here is a list of some of the "dog stuff" I find helpful ....there is a couple of sites on FB where you can buy or trade items,  you can "put the word out' at a club meeting and newsletter, or on a bulletin board where you go for classes to find good deals on used equipment. Of course, there is also a large number of retailers that offer a range of products and price points to choose from, and it's so fun to buy new ! (but also expensive! ) If you aren't sure what to put on the wish list and what to put on the need list, or have a question about a particular product, ask your breeder , ask around at the shows, ask the vendors, and then go with your gut feeling on what will work for you.  This list is geared toward what we use for Lhasas and Cavaliers --- it will vary some with different breeds.

1. Exercise Pens!  Raining cats and dogs?? Set up an ex-pen in your garage and avoid getting yourself and your dog soaked! Want to take the dog on the family picnic in the park or the club meeting at someone's home? Take along the ex-pen and set it up so you can keep an eye on him. No fenced in yard and no time to walk the dog before you leave for work? Set up an ex-pen in the yard, on your deck or patio!



Ex-pens are sold in many different sizes to accommodate different size dogs.  The pens fold up into compact 2'x2' squares that are about 2"tall when laid flat. The 24" size works well for me because my dogs are not jumpers and because I can easily lean over and pick the dog up out . Most  of the taller pens have a door panel , which may be helpful for a larger dog or a jumper.

At shows the ex-pens can be set up outside with a plastic mat under them that allows urine to flow through and protects the dog's coat from whatever surface is under the mat ---  rough concrete, bare ground, or just a slippery or not so clean floor. In hotel rooms, when the weather is rainy, windy, or snowy and I don't want to get show coats (or myself) all wet or messy, I set up the ex-pen with a flannel-backed vinyl tablecloth under it, flannel side up. I generally put in some newspapers or piddle pads too. The flannel fabric absorbs the urine and the vinyl protects the hotel's floor. The pen can also be used as a barrier if the room is cramped and you want to allow your dog to use the hotel bathroom (cover the floor with a flannel backed table cloth, newspaper, or piddle pads to protect it). Put the partially opened ex-pen in front of the bathroom door so you can keep an eye on the dog.



 Puppies are paper trained in an x-pen   and have no problem understanding at shows what the pen is used for! 

The mats can easily be washed with soapy water and a hose, as can the tablecloths.Tablecloths can also go  in the washer on delicate, then be hung to dry. Watch for seasonal tablecloths on clearance and you can often get a great deal ! :

2. Piddle pads. Need I say more??

? and/or newspapers -- however if you have a white dog, newsprint may discolor it's feet. We have been fortunate to get large quantities of expired newspapers and remnant rolls of paper that is not printed on yet at our local newspaper office. My  grandkids love coloring on the rolls of paper too! 

3. Wire-bottomed 3' x 3' puppy play pens- not an absolute necessity, but definitely a plus! We use these for whelping pens and continue to keep the puppies in them after they are weaned until they are old enough to begin house-training. 

4.Scissors- a smaller curved blade one works well for trimming around feet. I also like a long , straight bladed one and a small straight bladed on hand. Some breeds will require thinning shears or stripping tools. This is one item where "sticker shock" can really hit a person new to grooming -- but splurging on quality blades will save you a lot of heartache in the long run! 





5. Face combs-  About 4 inches long. Great for mustaches! Great for training puppies to let you comb their faces and not nearly as threatening for them as a full sized come. A full length comb and pinbrush are absolute necessities! 

6. Latex bands-for topknots, pony tails, braids etc. Different sizes are available, choose the one that you like. The latex bands are stronger than the elastic bands you can get on the cheap for people. Some people have used orthodontic bands,they are thicker and stiffer to work with than I prefer. Barrettes, or fuzzy pony holders are ok for puppies or temporary use.

7. "Dry"Pet Shampoo- . Rinse-less shampoos are timesavers both at home and at shows. They are not used for general bathing but just for emergency use on a soiled face, butt, or feet. The cavaliers benefit from a drying jacket to keep their coat smooth.





8. A hair iron-  Excellent product for sealing the hair cuticle, adding shine to the dogs' hair, and giving the coats a lovely finished look!



9. Water bottle adapters. These are drip-less, easy to transport, and so very handy since they keep dogs from plunging their faces into water bowls and thus keep faces dry.

1o. Crate Dolly-  the wheeled cart  we stack all the show equipment on to  take into the grooming building to our grooming spot. The exercise pens, the grooming tables, the ringside tables, wire crates, plastic storage tubs, tack boxes, etc., etc. It all goes on "the wheels" and is taken to the set up. Without them, showing dogs would be a lot heavier work and a lot more complicated. Bungee cords are also a "must" for use with wheels.

 Don't forget : YOUR DOG AND HIS CRATE :) , food dishes, food, at least a gallon of water (comes in handy for a grooming emergency or to drink for people or dogs!), bait/treat/toys to keep things fun , your leashes , a small cooler (snacks and beverages can be quite pricey at show sites and you will be much more tired and likely to have a headache if you get dehydrated!) a grooming smock can be handy, a couple of towels and a roll of paper towels, a long extension cord, a couple of small trash bags,a hair dryer, a clean and empty spray bottle, and grooming products your breed requires,  folding chairs, the grooming table, also a ringside table is handy for small dogs,--- and if you are anything like me, bring your own pillow and a light weight sweater or jacket and an extra pair of nylons! It is very handy to either keep these items packed away in a rubber tote and tack box, or at least have a checklist to help you keep from forgetting something! You want the day at the show to go as smoothly as possible for both you and your dogs !

Merry Christmas Everyone !

Poodle Pandemonium !

The Grinch...Did you Know???

According to their tax returns, the Humane Society of America; which is NOT affiliated with local humane societies, gives only 1% of the funds it raises to animal shelters. Make sure your local pet shelter has a Happy Holiday by donating a gift of your time, supplies or donation directly to them !

 

What the majority of America doesn't realize, is that HSUS is primarily a  animal rights lobbying group... and what are they lobbying for ??? Like PETA, the ultimate goal is to take away individuals rights to have animals, ANY animals. No hunting, no farms, no eggs, no wool sweaters, no leather shoes....no animals on tv or at the zoo...no companion animals, no seeing eye dogs, no police dogs, no search and rescue dogs, no "interference" by humans in animals lives period. This is the root of the battle between  Animal Rights and Animal Welfare . People have the privilege of sharing this planet with animals and the responsibility of providing humane care and stewardship for these animals, whose welfare is in our hands. We are also blessed with the right to own, care for, enjoy , consume, and advocate for these animals. I am PRO animal welfare , are you??? ---- and no, I did not give the Humane Society of the United States any of my hard earned paycheck this year !

Handmade winter dog gear....Cute!

.2014 LAND O’LAKES KENNEL CLUB DOG SHOW- St Paul,MN

Saint Paul RiverCentre - Exhibit Halls A & B, Roy Wilkins Auditorium & Exhibit Hall

More than 2,000 purebred canines – from big to small, hunting to herding, working and terrier, and even lap dogs – will compete for American Kennel Club (AKC) awards when Land O’Lakes Kennel Club presents its annual dog show at Saint Paul RiverCentre from Friday – Sunday, January 3-5.

Obedience and Rally competitions will take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in addition to over 155 breeds of dogs competing for the honor of "Best in Show." Judging schedules will be posted the week prior at www.onofrio.com.

The Midwest Region Top Junior Handler competition set for Saturday will be a weekend highlight with some of the best in the region exhibiting their dogs. Junior showmanship is for handlers under the age of 18 who live and compete in a 15-state region, including Minnesota.

More than 70 vendors will showcase the hottest trends in canine apparel and accessories, quality dog supplies, collectibles and artwork. The American Kennel Club will provide information on everything about dogs, including help in identifying breeds that are compatible with different personalities and lifestyles. Behind-the-scenes tours of the show will be offered every hour from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, free with the price of admission. Dog-related goodie bags will be given to all children on the tour.

Event Hours:
Friday, January 3 – 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday, January 4 – 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, January 5 – 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Ticket Prices:
$8.50 – Adults
$4.50 – Children ages 4-12 (children 3 and under admitted free)
$20 - Family 4 Pack (2 adults and 2 children)
Tickets will be available at the door.

Parking: Attendees are encouraged to park in the RiverCentre parking ramp which is located on Kellogg Boulevard and offers skyway access to Saint Paul RiverCentre and Roy Wilkins Auditorium.

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This is one of my favorite shows! There is ample grooming space, lots of vendors, and even enough room for spectators. As always, strollers are not the best idea, but this show is set up better than some for spectators. Food typical arena prices, but excellent. A foldup chair and a small cooler are good ideas if you are going to be there all day. There is a heart clinic available for exhibitors to have their dog's examined, a special junior showmanship clinic and judging seminars also. If you only go to one show this cold winter, this would be a good pick ! Indian Hill will be represented in the Lhasa ring with two entries this year. See you there :)

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Central Iowa Kennel Club will be hosting  a show on January 18 and 19 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. I have not been to this show, so can't give you an opinion on it...there is an entry cap of 1200 dogs due to space limitations. Entries are  supported entries from the Midwest Labrador Retriever Club and the Midwest Toy Fox Terrier club both days, so if either of these breeds interests you , it would be a good bet you'd have a chance to see a lot of them here.

Cyclone Country Kennel Club of Ames will be hosting a show with obedience and rally only on Friday and conformation and obedience on Saturday and Sunday 2/14, 2/15, and 2/16. Take your sweet heart to a show for the weekend! I have not been to this show either, maybe next year....

What makes a "show puppy"?

There is often a fine line between what is considered "show" or "pet" quality, and two breeders evaluating the same puppy may come up with different answers. Some people like a refined Lhasa and will sell more heavily-boned puppies to pet homes. Some like a Lhasa with a longer muzzle, so if there happens to be a shorter-muzzled puppy in the litter, it gets sold to a pet home... Many a breeder has agonized over the "absolutely breathtaking" puppy that is a shy violet that could never withstand the rigors of the show circuit. To the average person without knowledge of canine structure or a vision of their interpretation of the the breed standard, there is often no noticeable difference . Show and pet puppies come from the same litter, with the same amount of time, vet care, socialization, and love invested in them!

Concerned breeders carefully evaluate puppies before choosing a show potential puppy for themselves or their puppy buyers. They want the Lhasas in the ring with their kennel prefixes to be as outstanding as possible. They want what they consider the best of what they have produced out there speaking well of their breeding programs. 

If you want a Lhasa Apso as your family pet and you have no intentions of  showing,  don't feel that your potential puppy is being downgraded by  the reference to "pet" quality. More important to you than a straight front, lovely movement, level bite or all those other things "show" people might admire is that your Lhasa puppy have a great dispostion and fit in with your family's lifestyle. 
                            THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS "JUST A PET" :)

And don't forget that "there is no perfect dog." There is something about every Lhasa that someone would like to change: "He's got a great profile, but he holds his tail on the off side." "His movement is to die for, but I wish he were an inch shorter!" "He has lovely straight forelegs but lacks shoulder layback." etc...

Even when a breeder keeps a show potential puppy for his/herself it's usually a matter of trade-offs. A decision is made on what quality or qualities she really wants (or needs) in her line and what traits she's willing to overlook to get them. She might say, for example, "I don't mind a bite that's a little undershot but cannot tolerate a bad topline." or "I don't mind that slight curve to his upper foreleg because he has the rear I've been looking for." or "This dog has the neck I'm looking for; I can live with his soft coat." 

Sometimes a buyer will ask, "If I buy this 'show puppy' will you guarantee that it will get a championship?" My answer? NO! Why? Because so much depends on the buyer and what he/she does with the puppy. Will the puppy be  taken places to get used to different people, sounds, and smells? Will the buyer train the puppy correctly? Will the puppy's coat be groomed and conditioned properly? There are many aspects to showing a dog that go far beyond the dog's structure....however, 

Each Lhasa was born to love and be loved, and whether that Lhasa is a family pet or top dog in the country, he deserves to be "Best of Breed" in the hearts of his owners !

Top 5 Christmas Dangers for Pets

Please do NOT buy a pet for Christmas !!! 

Give  a photo of the new pet and a stocking full of toys, treats, and supplies instead and wait

until AFTER the holiday rush is over to bring the new family member home ! Also of course

make sure that the new pet is a welcome surprise :)

The holidays are a festive time for us and our pets. However, due to ongoing activities and constant distractions, we can easily overlook potential dangers to our four-legged family members. Taking precautions with pets during these festive times can help ensure that you and your family will enjoy a happy — and healthy — holiday season!

1. Holiday Tinsel and Ornaments

Tinsel, while not toxic, is very attractive to pets, particularly cats. The shiny, dangling decoration reflects light and can move in the slightest draft — appearing to come alive to watchful critters.

The problem with tinsel is that once it’s consumed, it can cause serious injury to your pet. If not caught in time, this foreign body ingestion could actually be fatal as it twists and bunches inside your pet’s intestines. Immediate veterinary care is required.

In addition, bright and colorful tree ornaments can attract your pet’s curiosity. Place glass, aluminum and paper ornaments higher up on the tree. Pets can chew and swallow these fragile objects and not only can broken pieces form sharp edges that may lacerate your pet’s mouth, throat and intestines, they could also create a choking hazard.

2. Holiday Lighting and Candles

Twinkling, shiny and dangling holiday lights — such as the icicle, netting, garland, curtain, rope and candle varietal — may be another source of danger to your curious pets.

Got a pet that likes to chew? Electrical shock may occur when a pet chomps down on an electrical cord, causing tongue lacerations and possible death. Check your holiday lights for signs of fraying or chewing and use a grounded three-prong extension cord as a safety precaution.

If you have candles on display, place them in a hard-to-reach spot so that your pets can not access them. Not only can pets seriously burn themselves, but knocking over candles creates a fire hazard and may leave a trail of hot wax that will easily burn the pads of paws and more.

3. Gift Wrap Ribbon

You may be tempted to fashion your pet with a decorative ribbon “collar” but beware that this could become a choking hazard.

Also, it’s best to quickly discard ribbons and bows wrapped around holiday gifts so that your curious companions won’t be enticed to chew or swallow them. Ingested ribbon can cause a choking hazard and ultimately twist throughout the intestines, leading to emergency surgery and even death.

4. Food Hazards

Festive events often mean edible treats — and lots of them. Unfortunately, some of the most popular holiday goodies, such as chocolate, bones and nuts, can be extremely toxic or fatal to pets.

• Different types of chocolate contain various levels of fat, caffeine and the substances methylxanthines. In general, the darker and richer the chocolate (i.e., baker’s chocolate), the higher the risk of toxicity. Depending on the type and amount of chocolate ingested, dogs might experience vomiting, diarrhea, urination, hyperactivity, heart arrhythmias, tremors and seizures.
• Fat trimmings and bones are dangerous for dogs. Fat trimmed from meat, both cooked and uncooked, may cause pancreatitis. And, although it seems natural to give a dog a bone, a dog can choke on it. Bones can also splinter and cause an obstruction or lacerations of your dog's digestive system.
• Abundant in many cookies and candies, certain nuts should not be given to pets. Almonds, non-moldy walnuts and pistachios can cause an upset stomach or an obstruction of your dog's throat and/or intestinal tract. Macadamia nuts and moldy walnuts can be toxic, causing seizures or neurological signs. Lethargy, vomiting and loss of muscle control are among the effects of nut ingestion.

5. Toxic Holiday Plants

They may be pretty, but some holiday plants are poisonous—even deadly. As little as a single leaf from any lily variety is lethal to cats. Others to avoid:

• Christmas tree pine needles can produce oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, trembling and posterior weakness.
• Holly, commonly found during the Christmas season, can cause intense vomiting, diarrhea and depression.
• Mistletoe, another Christmas plant, can cause significant vomiting and diarrhea, difficulty breathing, collapse, erratic behavior, hallucinations and death when ingested.
• Poinsettias can cause irritation to the mouth and stomach and sometimes vomiting.

cute boots for a good cause !

Purple Paw Slouch Boots - Every Purchase Funds Food 

and Care for Rescued Animals.

Click Link To Shop ► www.shop2give.us/1eQfU6O

Charity Giving information (repost)

HSUS Alters Tax Return Data in Light of IRS Complaint

A formal complaint has been filed with the IRS over the
 Humane Society of America's tax returns.  In short,it is believed that
 HSUS was inflating its revenue in violation of IRS instructions by counting
 PSA air time as “contributions.” Bloomberg News on the matter, and quoted
 a Minnesota tax attorney who specializes in nonprofit returns  who backed 
up this position.

 CharityWatch, which gives HSUS a “C-minus” grade, 
also wrote that HSUS was violating IRS rules.

And it seems HSUS is now admitting guilt, so to speak. 

On Page 1 of its latest return, HSUS lists different—much lower—figures for 2011.

 The “contributions and grants” received by HSUS dropped $17.7 million—the

 exact same amount that HSUS was counting as PSA “contributions.”

                            In short, HSUS has 

                     some vegan egg-substitute 

                                on its face !

Despite what the  the tear wrenching ads and pleas for help lead you to believe,
 this organization blows whopping 55% of it's budget on overhead and a measly 
1% of its contributions actually reach shelters in the areas they are contributed in ! 

Please do not be taken in by slick (expensive) advertising, if you really want to 
help animals, donate your hard earned time or money directly to a local shelter !

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS ORGANIZATION SHARES ITS NAME/PARTs OF ITS NAME

 WITH MANY UNAFFILIATED RESCUES AND SHELTER GROUPS THAT ARE NOT PART OF

 THIS COMPLAINT OR EVEN ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE MAIN ORGANIZATION.

For more information, go to HumaneWatch.org 

Elwood The Ugly...RIP

Ugly Mugg with a Big Heart !

Elwood, a dog so homely that he was crowned world's ugliest dog in 2007, has died. Elwood's owner, Karen Quigley of Sewell, N.J., said he died unexpectedly on  Thanksgiving morning.  The pooch was 8 years old. The chihuahua and Chinese crested mix initially was so  "ugly" he was nearly put down, according to Quigley's website. However Elwood's distinctive looks,  became an asset when he won his  crown at  the Marin-Sonoma County Fair in California  a year after he had finished second. After his win Elwood quickly gained fans, who called him Yoda or E.T., and was  even the main character in a children's book called "Everyone Loves Elwood." Elwood traveled extensively appearing at over 200 events to help raise funds for homeless and neglected animals. His death leaves an empty place in his family's home and a lost angel for area non-profit animal organizations and rescue groups. His ugly mugg and big heart will be missed..........