:Happy Valentine’s Day
Posted: February 14, 2008 Filed under: Apso Aficionados Leave a commentEarly – and I do mean early! – this morning, as I walked past the library I noticed my computer didn’t look normal. Something was bouncing and jumping and swirling about the screen. What the heck, I thought, drawn in for a closer look. It was a Valentine’s greeting from Rick. What a nice fuzzy way to start this snowy day!
Here’s Kathy’s crew…
Leader of the Pack
Posted: February 13, 2008 Filed under: Gompa Lhasa Apsos 2 Comments
With Susan’s permission, I am bringing this to the blog. From several of her comments and my responses you may be aware that there’s been some …ummm…can’t think of the right word. Issues seems too strong. As does incidents. To me, Dog Woman of Mountain Pet Grooming And Many Lhasa Apsos, these are normal dog ‘things’. To those that have never lived with a pack, these dog ‘things’ can be quite disconcerting. By her own admission, Susan has had a laissez faire approach with her dogs.
The addition of another dog to the pack often creates a shift in the pack. Dog ‘things’ during this shift can include spats, more posturing between the dogs including those that get along relatively well, as well as other behaviors that may appear to have nothing to do with the introduction of another pack member. As Susan has discovered, it is essential to replace laissez faire with strong leadership. I applaud Susan’s learning spirit and the effort she is expending to become Leader of the Pack.
To bring you all up to date I have selected excerpts from our writings. The excerpts aren’t in immaculate order, but you’ll get the gist. Comments will follow in upcoming days. Please feel free to join us, ask questions or give input!
And so, for about two years now there were the three of us. And now four….
I am having some difficulties with Sammy (as Debbie can attest, as she has received several panicky emails from me) and am afraid that my to-date laissez faire attitude towards the house full of dogs is coming back to bite me. Yesterday I took Sammy to the vet to get some tests done to rule out any problems with his thyroid, etc. Today I will start working him — walking him — to see if I can help him with whatever his “issues” are.
2.7.2008
She has also given me the names of two local trainers that
she thinks are very good, since she suspects our major issue may well be
“too many dogs”…..
2.7.2008
Thanks very much. I don’t either think that “too many dogs” “caused”
his behavior. But I think perhaps I haven’t handled the addition of the
new pack member as well as I might have. Tonight I will make Champ
sleep at the bottom of the bed instead of tucked up under my arm, for
example.
I have never had his back x-rayed.
I will be interested in the results of the tests which I should have by
Saturday.
If there is no chemical reason for his issues, I will definitely get in
touch with a trainer.
AND, I have two of Cesar Millan’s books on request at the library.
More as it develops…
LhasaLhady@aol.com wrote:
> Susan, I don’t think too many dogs would make a dog behave the way
> Sammy did. Has his back been x-rayed?
>
> Sammy has always had a tendency to respond to being poked at by *biting
> and growling (for example when I try to pull a burr off of him);*
> apparently, however, he gives the groomer no trouble..
> Over the past month *he has started erupting out of sleep when I have
> gotten back into bed and jostled him; he startles awake, biting and
> growling and thrashing about;* I have always been able to reach over and
> calm him.
> This morning all of a sudden he and Raji were fighting — hard — I
> suspect Sammy had tried to take a chew away from her. When I separated
> them, Sammy was crying. I tried to soothe him, but he has refused to
> have anything to do with me. *If I pick him up, he starts biting and
> growling.* I have put him in the bedroom where he is separate and safe,
> but when I go in there to make nice with him, *he treats me like the
> enemy and starts biting and growling. *He’s obviously terrified of
> something….and I am too now…..
>
> I have an appointment with the vet at 9:40 tomorrow morning.
> It took Sammy about 2 hours to stop shaking after the episode this
> morning.
> I am thinking there are two possibilities: *One is that there is
> something physically/neurologically/chemically out of whack with him*.
>Perhaps Sammy would respond to some minor pharmaceutical
> tweak?
>
> *The other is that Sammy is just a full fledged brat and that I have not
> trained him correctly*. Ah, I’m thinking Cesar Milan would tell me to
> put his harness on, leash him up, and run him for 45 minutes a day????
>
> I’m definitely scared for him. *I’m scared that he is hurting, and I’m
> scared that I may not be tough enough if the issue really is that I have
> to be more assertive than he is.* And I’m scared that figuring out the
> real problem may be hard. I’m not good at hard.
>
> Sorry if I’m whining. It’s just that I’m…..scared for my poor boy.
> Something is haunting or hurting him and I don’t know how to slay the
> dragon for him.
> Susan, I’ve bolded the items that need to be examined. I would also
> ask his groomer for input, as she knows him and should be able to tell
> you if you’ve allowed him to be a brat or if she thinks the behavior
> could be caused by physical pain. If his tests are normal, then he and
> you need a trainer, a good trainer, preferably one that has some
> training in animal behavior. I disagree that his behavior could be
> caused by ‘too many dogs’ because you wrote:
>
> Sammy has always had a tendency to respond to being poked at by *biting
> and growling (for example when I try to pull a burr off of him);*
> **
> *he has started erupting out of sleep when I have
> gotten back into bed and jostled him; he startles awake, biting and
> growling and thrashing about;*
> **
> I certainly wouldn’t respond to this behavior – or any of the other
> shabby behaviors you mention – by comforting him. I would kick him and
> his shabby behavior out of *MY* bed. The more I think about this…the
> more I’m inclined to think a visit from Cesar is in order. <g> But,
> first start with eliminating any physical contributors.
>
> Keep me posted.
2.8.2008
Thank you so much for all of the references.
I really am sorry to take up so much of your attention.
I will download and or get each of the references you sent and READ a lot.
I have also started working on being firmer and clearer about everything
that I expect/want/need from the dogs.
When the doctor calls me — probably tomorrow — I will ask her what
she thinks about x-raying his back. I know Gigi’s Dom has had extensive
trouble with his back, so it wouldn’t be unreasonable. I am leaning
towards thinking maybe something is awry with his thyroid; he does
weigh 20.4# which seems like too much; except of course Raji weighs
just about the same; but Rinchen weighs more like 14 on the very same
input….
Anyway, the sun is shining, I had a good night’s sleep, and my anxiety
has subsided to reasonable levels.
THANK YOU AGAIN AND AGAIN.
Susan
LhasaLhady@aol.com wrote:
> The reason I asked about his back…was with his sensitivity maybe
> there’s a disc slightly out of whack.
>
> Life is a constant learning experience. Perhaps the course you’ll be
> taking this year is Leader of the Pack. I can even hear the theme song
> in my head! We’ll design a leather jacket with a Gompa dog head in the
> center of the medallion… <g> There’s a couple of good articles in
> the training area of the website that should be useful as you become
> Leader of the Pack. I’ll go to the site right now and forward them.
> Establishing your pack leadership in no uncertain terms doesn’t
> necessarily mean THINGS ARE GOING TO CHANGE AROUND HERE! LISTEN UP!
> It’s more subtle than that. Doing some of the things – the things that
> you can do, that you’re comfortable doing – will go a long way. You
> will find conflicting things as you read the various authors and work
> individually with a trainer. Feel free to ask me for input. I can
> perhaps – or not – provide insight into the conflicting opinions,
> giving you information to help you make the right choices for your
> situation. As my yoga teacher says, “take what speaks to you, leave
> the rest behind.”
>
> Keep me posted!
2.8.2008
While sitting in the chair reading the paper this morning, Sammy came
— as usual — after he had gone out to pee and poop and climbed into my
lap. Rinchen chuffed at the front door and I got up to let him in.
Sammy got growly with me, so I cuffed him and told him to “stop it”.
Now, 30 minutes later or so I came in from outside and he’s lying on the
couch tremoring. His little body (well not so little body) just keeps
trembling in these waves. It’s very much like the reaction he had when
he was poisoned with the Frontline last year. Doc says he just might
need a med to deal with his anxiety….?
Susan
2.8.2008
My county library doesn’t have this book available. I may try ordering
it later on. Meanwhile, I did bring three books home from the library
today: the _Dog Who Loved Too Much_ (Dr. Nicholas Dodman), _Be the Pack
Leader_ (Caesar Millan) and _Dogs Never Lie about Love_ (Jeffrey
Moussaieff Masson). If you have any opinions on any of these, lemme
know. I have, so far, read the first chapter of the Dodman book and am
already blown entirely away. Who would have thought that my silly
sluggish Sammy could have “dominance” issues, but there they are laid
out in black and white….textbook case as they say. I’m happy to say
that I started the more exercise and better discipline parts of the
program even before reading that, but….I’m looking forward to solving
this problem for all our sakes.
Susan
LhasaLhady@aol.com wrote:
> This would be an excellent book to either purchase or reserve at your
> local library. It’s very helpful to understand your dogs’ body
> language when living with a pack. The photos are excellent, including
> the ones where she’s being Leader of the Pack. Those, often, are
> simply her sitting in a chair, not interfering with pack communication.
>
> Click here: Canine Body Language
> <http://www.fleetfiretimbers.com/FFT/Articles/Books/Canine%20Body%20Language.htm>
2.9.2008
More later….we just got up and had a very well supervised, well
behaved morning period of sits before chicken strips, comes for
breakfast, sits before chews, etc….
I took Sammy for a good walk yesterday. Today I will try to take all of
them.
Susan
2.9.2008
Permission granted, of course.
More later….we just got up and had a very well supervised, well
behaved morning period of sits before chicken strips, comes for
breakfast, sits before chews, etc….
I took Sammy for a good walk yesterday. Today I will try to take all of
them.
Susan
LhasaLhady@aol.com wrote:
> I’m probably the wrong person to ask about meds for canine anxiety.
> I’m not a big meds fan to start with. Without seeing the episodes
> you’re describing, if all his tests are normal, then my current
> conclusion is to agree with your suggestion that he’s a …how did you
> describe him…spoiled, pushy brat. In which case, with your current
> endeavor of devouring all you can about becoming Leader of the Pack,
> incorporating techniques you’ll learn CONSISTENTLY!! …well, I’d give
> all of that a long, good try before I medicated him. The trembling may
> very well be coming from your change in leadership. He got growly, you
> cuffed him and told him to “stop it”, which was the appropriate thing
> to do. However, if Sammy isn’t used to being reprimanded for shabby
> behavior, this could very easily throw him off. He received an
> unusual, unexpected message from you and he could be uncertain what
> the next message will be. DO NOT comfort or soothe that behavior.
> Ignore it.
>
> I would definitely find something Sammy likes and can succeed at while
> this transition is happening. Does he do any tricks? You might ask him
> often to do the trick. Reward him with treats (lo-cal, it seems would
> be appropriate). Reward him with praise. Ah! Sammy what an EXCELLENT
> beg!! Good boy! You are so clever! Speak in a higher pitched, silly,
> happy voice.
>
> Susan, I think this conversation should go on the blog. With your
> permission, I would like to do a synopsis and go from there. The
> purpose wouldn’t be for input from others (although that may happen).
> The purpose would be to educate others. This is a very important issue
> for a number of reasons, including contentment of ordinary life for
> you and the dogs. A lot of people live with less than desirable
> situations with their animals that they could resolve, often quite
> easily.
Regarding the books I got from the library: The Dodman book gave me
everything I needed in the first chapter, simply because it addressed
what happened to be my problem with Sammy right there. Whew. The Cesar
Millan book is….another CM book….good information, preachy and
somewhat annoying but worth it as reinforcement I guess. The book
called “Dogs Don’t Lie about Love”, or some such thing was basically
unreadable.
I did order the Canine Body Language from Amazon and am eagerly awaiting it.
Another Cesar Millan book is waiting for me at the library today.
Everything has gotten better already, however. As with all relationship
issues, and of course the pack is just a multiple relationship issue,
just the smallest amount of change my my part causes a change in the
whole dynamic. We’ve been walking at least every other day (yup 3 dogs
on leashes and one in his pouch), earning treats, and being ignored
commandingly enough to have gotten the respect back to where it
belongs. Yesterday Sammy had a burr on his tail and when I went to
wriggle it off he started to growl at me. I just told him to STOP THAT
and he did; he really had to struggle with himself, but….he did and I
got it off and told him he was a good boy. He’s feeling much better to
know that I’m sturdy enough to take care of him.
Champ? Gee, he’s sort of a non-issue here. He’s just completely
absorbed into the household. I haul him outside a few times a day just
to be sure he doesn’t ever need to pee or poop when he’s confined; when
I leave the house in the car I either take him or I leave him on the
front porch with the porch door open so he could get outside; and we
have had no accidents since whenever we started the discussion of how to
train him.
All in all….
All is well….
I’m spending more time learning more about the dogs eye view of the
world, and really understanding that better really does make it easier
to live with them….for them and for me…
Susan
:S. T. R .
Posted: February 12, 2008 Filed under: Apso Aficionados 4 CommentsS. T. R. The first three letters of the word stroke. Remember that. It could make a difference in someone’s life.
I had a client, Ann Jennings was her name. Winston, a Lhasa Apso, was her dog. Winston and Ann were referred to me by an instructor at the training center I use. Winston was a star in his puppy class. I suppose the instructor thought he should be groomed by someone familiar with the breed. Every four weeks Ann and Winston would make the trek up the mountain to my shop in downtown Evergreen. Ann, the picture of health and well-being, led an active lifestyle, caring for her grandchildren, catering parties. Mandy, one of her granddaughters devoured dog books, wanted to be a veterinarian and had visited my kennel with her grandmother.
One day Ann came into the shop with her arm in a sling. When I asked her what happened, she replied, “Oh, Debby. I’m so clumsy. I was hiking along Bear Creek Trail and I fell. I went down so clumsily that I’ve really gone and done it to my arm and wrist. Silly me.”
A few months went by, Ann never missing an appointment with Winston. One day I received a phone call. A strange voice inquired if this was the shop where Winston had his hair done. It was Ann’s daughter. Ann had suffered a stroke, a massive stroke. Ann’s husband brought Winston up after that…at least until they moved into a house in southern Colorado, where it would be easier for him to care for Ann.
It was discovered Ann hadn’t been clumsy on that hike. She’d had a small stroke. That’s why she hit the ground so hard, unable to catch her fall. Maybe if one of the hikers that assisted her right after fall had known S.T.R., Ann would have been aware she’d had a stroke and that could have been addressed in addition to the surgery and physical therapy for her arm and wrist. She was one of my favorite clients and I’d like to dedicate the following to her and her beloved Lhasa Apso, Winston.
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
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.
New Sign of a Stroke *Ask the person to ‘stick’ out his tongue.. If the tongue is ‘crooked’, if it goes to one side or the other , that is also an indication of a stroke.
If the victim has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, get him/her to an Emergency Room ASAP or call 999/911 immediately.
I’m going to add the fourth letter in stroke. S.T.R.O. Smile. Talk. Raise. Out. Ask for a SMILE. Ask the person to TALK. RAISE the arms. OUT with the tongue.
: Five lessons about the way we treat people
Posted: February 10, 2008 Filed under: DRambles on Black Mountain 1 CommentIndulge me. This is one of those forwards we all sometimes receive.
Indulge me. You’ve probably even seen this one before.
Indulge me.
Within this community, this one right here at What’s New, there are a number of spiritual beliefs. I think it’s important to honor each and every one of those beliefs. I am an atheist. I have been an atheist since second grade. Yep. You read that right. Second grade. But that’s another story and not the purpose of this post. The reason I brought it up is The Golden Rule. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” That’s the way I learned it in the Methodist Church (yes, I went to church my entire childhood). While George Bernard Shaw criticized the golden rule (“Do not do unto others as you would expect they should do unto you. Their tastes may not be the same.”) all in all, it’s a pretty good way to live your life. Enjoy these example of The Golden Rule…or..
Five lessons about the way we treat people
First Important Lesson – Cleaning Lady..
During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one:“What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?”
Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall,dark-haired and in her 50’s, but how would I know her name?
I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.“Absolutely, ” said the professor. “In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say “hello.”
I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.
Second Important Lesson – Pickup in the Rain..
One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rain storm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960’s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him.
Seven days went by and a knock came on the man’s door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached.It read:
“Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband’s bedside just before he passed away… God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.
“Sincerely,
Mrs Nat King Cole.
Third Important Lesson – Always remember those who serve. .
In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.”How much is an ice cream sundae?” he asked.
“Fifty cents,” replied the waitress.
The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.“Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?” he inquired.By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient.
“Thirty-five cents,” she brusquely replied.
The little boy again counted his coins.“I’ll have the plain ice cream,” he said.The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.
When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies..You see, he couldn’t have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.
Fourth Important Lesson. – The obstacle in Our Path..
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.
Fifth Important Lesson – Giving When it Counts..
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.
I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, “Yes I’ll do it if it will save her.” As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded.He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, “Will I start to die right away.”
Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.
Most importantly…. “Work like you
don’t need the money, love like you’ve never been
hurt, and dance like you do when nobody’s watching.”
:Vickie is appointed..
Posted: February 10, 2008 Filed under: Lotsa Lhasa Info Leave a comment.to the American Lhasa Apso Club’s Board of Directors!
Speaking from experience, Vickie gets the job done, on time, with precision. She has worked hard along side me with the Gompa Lhasa Apso Preservation Program since its inception. This past year GLAPP, working with retired tax attorney, AKC judge and ALAC delegate to AKC, Edmund Ray Sledzik, she has done all the paperwork required for 501(c)3. So, while I’ve been busy trying to get Gompa puppies into this world, she’s been working on an equally difficult task. The IRS!
Vickie has opinions, formed from her own experience which includes an in-depth study of the breed, a zestful quest of information. Vickie will voice her opinion, but the unique thing about Vickie is she doesn’t let a difference of opinion necessarily stand between her, her friends and fellow club members.
Congratulations Vickie. You will be an asset to ALAC’s Board.
Kunza at FleetFire Timbers 