Dog Day Afternoon

So, now, we were back in Iowa. Which was great because I got to spend the entire weekend with Rufus and Elsa who, you know, now live in Iowa City. And, yes, Rufus was in another dog show and he took Best of Winners on both days. In fact, this was the third weekend in a row where Rufus took Best of Winners EVERYDAY.

But, really, the best part was that I got to spend lots of time with 4 of my fifteen pups. Rufus and Elsa and Angus and Roxie. They all got along incredibly well and learned to share the Nylabones.

On Sunday, after the show, we all suited up and headed off to Thornberry off-leash dog park in Iowa City. It has three separate areas: a large small-dog area, an agility training area, and a HUGE play park which contains a pond (which is fenced separately in case your folks don't want you to get wet or completely filthy). Well, we all ran around like nuts and then sat peacefully in the shade of a tree. It was a VERY HOT day.

Anuja of Austria

I have a new friend from Austria and his name is Anuja. Anuja of Austria. Sweet and shy. They say that opposites attract.

I received a letter of introduction from his mom Melanie.

Hi Suddie,
beautiful blog, love the video from the grooming!
Anuja is the boy from my first litter. He was the second pup, born in my hands. He was special, from his first minute. He can really speak with his voice and with his eyes. At the age of four weeks, he learned the trick "give five" with his paws. I think, that he is very very intelligent.....
But I never want a male at home, but he catched my eye every minute. He has two sisters and I really want to keep a female. So I was looking for a nice family for him. We had a lot of visitors in our house, who wants to see Anuja. BUT he don't want to see the people!! Every time, If he has heard the people knocking on the door, he is running away! He was the whole time at the last corner under my couch. Has done nothing, he was just quiet and has waited, that the people go home. After that, he comes with wagging tail to me, looked at me, like he is saying "Are you okay Mommy, I'm only your boy!". So It was very difficult to find a good home for him! No one wants him. He has a beautiful face, but his behavior was awful. We've tried everything, to show him, that other people are also okay, he was at the puppy school and so on. But he never has any friends there, he was always by my side, just happy, that he is with me. I decided after that all , that I don't keep a female, because Anuja is still there. So his sister called Avani, found a nice home and also the other sister, called Anokhi found a loving home. At the age of 12 weeks Anokhi has an car accident and died. My heart was broken, but Anuja was there and gave me so much love and hope. I need long time to realize that Anuja was made for me! He is beautiful and he is special. He don't is the "perfect" show dog, because of his behavior he is not good for that. If tried to show him one time in the Youngest Class, but he was not happy with all the foreign people, who want to look at him and touch him. It's so hard to discribe him with words, he is beautiful and he give me his full trust and love. But he never show his beautiful being to any others. That makes me a little bit sad, but my heart knows, how special and wonderful he is. As yet, he never goes for a walk with my mother or good friends, never. When he is seeing, that someone take the leash, he jumps again under my couch and is waiting until I come home! For example, he prefers to wait 8 or 10 hours without going for a walk, no, he wants to wait for me! This is my boy ;-) ....
So that's his story, and I hope that he is for a long long time in my life!
Bye Suddie, thanks for reading his story and sorry for my bad english!
Melanie

Desperately Seeking Sherpa

We first became aware of it when the envelope appeared at Sherpa's door. But who knows when it started. The envelope was filled with cheap reproductions of pictures of Sherpa and dad. All grainy and stamped PROOF. Proof of what Sherpa wondered. I have never ever done anything wrong. Has dad?

The scene of the pics was a dog show in Connecticut. But we didn't know anyone there and we certainly didn't notice anyone taking our pics. Were they perched in a tree with a telephoto lens. Or sitting in the shadows in a car nearby with the window down wearing sunglasses. Now that I think of it, I do think I saw someone in a trench coat and a funny looking moustache.

But what do they want from us? Could there be other, less flattering, photos yet to appear? Sherpa and dad and Kirstie Alley in a muumuu? All of them together in one big muumuu?

Play It Again Suddie!

Do you remember the video of my dad grooming Angus? The one with the toilet in the background?

Well I received an email about it the other day.

Hi!
I love your instructions on grooming.
I have two Tibetans.
Can I purchase a dvd from you?
Enthusiastcally,
Alice from NH

HeHe! HoHo!

No. But here it is again. Part 1 of 3. Parts 1, 2 and 3 are available on youtube.com

Paw Licker?

Above: Lexie looking quite fetching in her summer cut.

Do you remember Lexie? The sweet six-year-old Tibetan Terrier who lived in a B&B? Remember I helped her find her a new home and wrote about it in my post Playing With Matches a Girl Can Get Burned?

Well, I received an email and some pics from Lexie's new mom asking for some advice.

Hi Suddie,
I hope you and all your kids are doing well!
We continue to enjoy Lexie, she's a great dog! But I have a question and don't know who to ask.
I just noticed that 3 of the pads on her back paw and one in the front are pink. I've noticed that she licks her paws, but I can't imagine she licked them enough to turn them pink! Is that normal for a TT ?
Thanks for your help!
Carole

PS. Lexie got a summer cut (not a very good one)!

I replied.

My Dearest Carole,
The color on their paws can vary. It's a pigment thing.
Did the color change to pink or has it always been pink? It is possible that she has allergies and is licking her paw(s) due to the allergy. Watch her and make sure she isn't licking. Allergies can be caused by variety of things. Grass allergies are not that unusual. Could also be a grain allergy. That is quite common and can lead to foot licking. We feed grain-free Wellness Core. If you switch Lexie's food, do so gradually as to not upset her stomach. If the redness is caused by some type of irritation, your vet can prescribe an ointment or spray.
Lexie could have also stepped on a rock or stick or something that irritated her foot. Keep an eye on it and see if it looks irritated or inflamed. If you have any worries, consult with her vet.
Suds

But Baby It's Hot Outside

Darn Hot. Especially for those of us wearing fur coats.

So I told dad that it was time to get the heck out of Dodge. Dodge? Dodge City, Kansas? Well Rufus lives in Iowa City and that is close enough. So we picked up Rufus, got in our stage coach and got the heck out of Dodge. But where were we going? Not to another stupid dog show. I sure hope not.

Well we traveled way up north where it is SUPPOSED to be cool. But it wasn't. To a little town called Sutton's Bay where Mario Batali has a summer house with a pizza oven in the backyard and Madonna's dad has a vineyard that produces undrinkable wine. It was still quite hot so we went a little bit further north and just a bit west to Leland where we dined al fresco and drank lots of water from one of those styrofoam carryout containers. Tres Chic. Well we splashed about as best we could in that little styrofoam container while our dad ate something called asparagus guacamole and downed several cold ones. And just when we were sloppy wet and covered in asparagus guacamole, this nice woman strolled in looking cool as a cucumber. Well this was Chris Converse who has a place just around the corner. We were to learn that Chris has two Tibetan Terriers of her very own. She loves them. We love her.

When we returned to our hotel, Rufus and Roxie curled up together in a big brown chair. Dad took a pic. If you squint, it looks just like the work of one of the old masters.

Guess what? There was a dog show involved in this excursion. There always seems to be. This was a gig put on by the Grand Traverse Kennel Club. Little Rufus took third in the non-sporting group puppy competition even though he was the cutest by far. But third is pretty good considering it was all the non-sporting group pups. But who wants to lose to an ugly French Bulldog? Angus took Grand Champion Select, but did not enjoy himself at all. He spit up a wee bit after his time in the ring. And yet this lovely little girl named Sophie fell in love with him and that is always nice.

We also got to meet Dash, a darling TT. Do you remember when I yammered on about Junior Handlers and shared the article about the young girl from Michigan who did so well in the junior handler competition at Westminster last year? Well Dash is her TT. Dash was rescued from some rich old Park Avenue fart who was letting his assistant care for Dash. When the breeder found out that Dash weighed only 10 pounds at 1 year of age an intervention occurred and Dash eventually safely landed in Michigan. He is a solid young man now with a very sweet disposition. A pleasure to meet you Dash! I'm free to play any time. Toby and I have what some might call an open relationship.

We were darn glad to get in the car and head to Grammy Jill's where we tootled out to the middle of her lake in a pontoon boat and took turns jumping off the side to join dad in the lake. FINALLY, we were COOL. It was Rufus' first time and he was a great little swimmer and Angus was the most enthusiastic, if least talented. His butt always seems to sink and dad has to right him with one of his hands. But back on the boat he would sing until dad would let him take yet another plunge. Enthusiasm is invigorating! You go Angus! Sadie was the best at learning to climb the steep ladder that led back to the boat from the water. Quite proficient that girl is.

We returned to be hosed off, lathered up in Pantene Pro-V, and rinsed off in Grammy's driveway. Now we were ALMOST COLD and quite charged up.

It was a perfect summer day.

TT HOT TIP: Poor Heather and Jones

Above: Jones

These two TTs near Chicago, Illinois need good homes. Some kindly dobermans have taken them in temporarily. The following info is provided by the dobies.

Jones and Heather are both purebred red/sable colored Tibetan Terriers. The lucky pair were rescued/released from a commercial breeder who apparently decided they weren't making enough money for them. It's most likely due to the fact that this breed is relatively uncommon to the general public. They are both young adults; the male named Jones is 20 pounds and will turn 2 years old in August. The female named Heather who is on the smaller side only weighing 10 pounds, (and should weigh closer to 15 pounds)--just celebrated her birthday turning 3 years old this past June 4th. Being that the two haven't lived a normal life--coming from a kennel they should only go to a home that is patient and willing to give them time to settle in. Although they already have made great progress and seem to relish the attention & care they are now receiving.
We are NOT requiring that they be placed together as they will feed off each other's fears, but do prefer that they go into a home with an existing dog--as it makes it easier for them to follow the lead of an established dog within the household.
Below is a little bit more information on the breed characteristics:
Despite its name, the Tibetan Terrier is not a true terrier, only terrier in size. They were bred and raised in monasteries by lamas almost 2,000 years ago. As the "Holy Dogs of Tibet," the breed was treasured by the lamas, who kept them as companions, good luck charms, mascots and watchdogs. They were also used for some herding and to retrieve articles that fell down the mountains.
Right Breed for You?
Highly intelligent and somewhat mischievous, the Tibetan Terrier loves his family, and his sensitivity to the moods of his owners makes him an excellent companion (although he may be reserved around strangers). An independent and active breed, the Tibetan Terrier responds best to positive, patient training and regular exercise. His profuse, thick coat requires weekly maintenance.
Currently these two are clipped down, but this is a breed that will require regular professional grooming. If interested, please email Pam at orphandobe@ameritech.net

www.ildoberescue.com