Happy Birthday Ali…

Posted: November 12, 2009 | Author: | Filed under: Apso Aficionados | Leave a comment

Sent by Vickie in June

… hard to believe she’ll be 12 in November.  She’s been such a joy all these years.  Oh, what we would have missed out on had we insisted on a female puppy (well, besides the infamous potting soil incident lol).

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Happy 80th Alma!

Posted: November 11, 2009 | Author: | Filed under: Apso Aficionados | 3 Comments

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In honor of Alma’s birthday! Her 80th birthday!

We – Alma and I – have never met face-to-face. Wouldn’t that be fun! I admire Alma’s spirit. A business she started years ago, she continues to sell Mary Kay products. She still has some of her original customers. Alma, I’m not sure why you originally contacted me. Or how you found me. The website, probably. Roadie went to live with Alma in December several years ago…the same month Seth went to live with Caroline. Caroline’s former son-in-law was able to fly Seth, in cabin, to Florida. Weather, December wasn’t a problem. Roadie, on the other hand, was flying air cargo to Alma. She arranged a ride to airport with a neighbor and let me know which day and what hours were convenient for her neighbor. Okay. Remember, this was December. Airlines have weather restrictions on flying live animals, which are reviewed daily. I thought we’d be lucky to get Roadie out of Denver before February, given the restrictions. But, I went along with Alma’s plans. And guess what?! United lifted the ‘fly live animals’ restriction for FOUR hours on the very day, the very hours, that worked for Alma’s neighbor.

When I sent Roadie, he was wearing a relatively short coat. He wasn’t in long, show coat. Alma takes him to the groomer monthly and his coat is, once again, long. She’s promised to take recent photos. I’m looking forward to seeing them.

I love that Alma updates me via the blog. My father-in-law turned 81 in April. He uses his computer for card games. That’s it. Alma communicates using the FFT blog. Wouldn’t it be fun to meet Alma! Age is a state of mind. I’ve always said that. Sometimes, especially while driving, I remind myself…don’t drive like an old person, don’t drive like an old person. I also realized, years ago, that as time marches on, as the years go by, I’m still me. I’m the same person I was growing up. I’m the same person I was as a young adult. I’ll be the same person when I’m 80.

Today, Alma, celebrate 80 years of life!

Happy Birthday Alma!

 

Blood clots and Stroke

Posted: November 10, 2009 | Author: | Filed under: Apso Aficionados | Leave a comment

I know this isn’t about dogs. Or dog people. But it’s an important message…one I’ve covered before on the blog. Winston’s owner Ann…if only people realized she had a stroke instead of being ‘clumsy’ while hiking. I want to cover this again, in her honor. Thanks Alma for sending.

Blood Clots And Stroke
They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, 
The Tongue
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STROKE: Remember the 1st Three Letters… S-T-R  

 

STROKE IDENTIFICATION: 

 

During a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall – she assured everyone 
that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. 

 

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food.  While she appeared 
a bit shaken up, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening. 

 

Jane’s husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to 
the hospital, (at 6:00 pm Jane passed away.)  She had suffered a stroke at 
the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with  us today. Some don’t die. They end up in a  helpless, hopeless condition instead. 

It only takes a minute to read this 

 

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke…totally.  He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough. 

 

RECOGNIZING A STROKE 

 

Thank God for the sense to remember the ‘3’ steps, S-T-R  

 

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The  stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage  when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. 

 

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three 
simple questions: 

 

S – *Ask the individual to SMILE. 

T- *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK

A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) 

(i.e. It is sunny out  today)

R- *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS. 

 

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency
number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. 

 

New Sign of a Stroke — Stick out Your Tongue 

 

NOTE:  Another ‘sign’ of a stroke is this: Ask the person to ‘stick’ out
his/her tongue, If the tongue is ‘crooked’, if it goes to one side or the other,  
that is also an indication of a stroke. 

 

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people;
you can bet that at least one life will be saved..  

 

Katy Swims with Dolphins

Posted: November 9, 2009 | Author: | Filed under: Apso Aficionados | Leave a comment
Hi Debby,
Ken and I just got back from a short vacation to Cancun! First time we’ve had a real vacation in over ten years, and first time for me to go anywhere I needed a passport! 
The highlight of our trip is shown on the little video link attached. Ken has edited out the other six people in our group from the professional video of the event that we bought from the organization, Dolphin Discovery.  This was on Isla Mujeres, off the coast of Cancun.
It was an amazing experience and one I’ll never forget.  I used to slalom ski “back in the day”, but never like this!
This vacation was made possible for us by a dedicated, professional pet sitter and three well-behaved Apsos, thanks to Ana Melara.
Be sure and turn on the sound:  http://www.zeketheapso.us/cancun%20video.html
—
Katy
PS LOVE your beautiful photos! You are getting to be a very accomplished photographer.

Mary’s Moka

Posted: November 7, 2009 | Author: | Filed under: Apso Aficionados, FFT Lhasa Apsos | Leave a comment

Hi Debby, thought I’d send a couple pics of the puppy I have from Melissa’s/Josie’s liter…….you probably know but she’s Shot in the Dark, AKA Moka.    A moka is an Italian coffee pot used on a stove, makes shots of expresso.  “all is moka,” means all is good.   I searched hard for an appropriate name.   Too much for me.

She is a happy girl and has learned the rule of Lhasa seniority very well.   It is amazing to watch how the very old can teach the very young.   She bows to Taz when he crosses her path as he doesn’t tolerate young hyperactive movement.  She’s all over Roman; he is just starting to chase, play with her.  Taz will occasionally give her an arthritic chase; she’s learned not to run into his face!!   She does a fast reverse run.  It’s funny to watch the 2 males, the relationship reminds me of a general and his soldier…………Roman often looks to Taz for direction on how to interact with her……….he doesn’t give the correction, Taz does.  I have learned how strong their bond to each other is.  She hasn’t quite figured out the role of a cat but has learned not to torment too close.  I have 2 ragdolls, about 20 lbs.  who will turn and correct her and a 6 lb. domestic short hair who will give her a verbal tongue lashing for bad behavior.  She doesn’t quite get cat lingo but knows a hiss is a warning and it’s time to change direction.

Moka’s a lot of fun and adds some smiles to the day.

Mary

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