Will the real Susan..
Posted: January 19, 2008 Filed under: Apso Aficionados Leave a comment..please step up. Several people have asked me about Susan. Susan in the Tibetan costume. Panchen’s Susan. Susan in California. Are they the same Susan? No, although California is a commonality.
Panchen’s Susan lives permanently in California with three – now four – Gompa dogs. Susan got her original Gompa Rinchen from Ceese. Then a second, Tsante aka Sammy. Somehow, like Panchen, Raji made her way to Susan’s house. Maybe Susan will comment on her introduction to the Gompa dogs and how one dog led to another.
The Susan in the Tibetan costume lived in California for years. In the past several years, she and Bud have been transitioning to Colorado, renovating a house here, preparing to sell a house there. Great people, fun people, we wish they’d hurry up! Both Bud and Susan have bred and shown Lhasa Apsos for a number of years. Their story as a couple is heartwarming, compassionate, with a last gift of love and companionship. It’s the kind of story that restores my often cynical, jaded view on our species. With their permission, I will someday share that story with you. In the meantime, Susan wrote this piece, Like A Pebble On A Pond, about her grandaugher.
Tibetan costume
Posted: January 18, 2008 Filed under: Apso Aficionados Leave a commentWhile organizing some photos, preparing for the Library of Memories class I’ve signed up for this spring, I came across these two photos of my friends Julie and Susan. Susan wore it at Meet The Breeds, held during the December 2007 AKC Eukanuba Classic, a televised event you may have seen. I think the classic airs on Animal Planet, including select dog shows held throughout the year. Julie wore it when we presented the Gompa dogs at the 2004 National Specialty in St. Louis. Pat Keen-Fernandez is Keeper of the Costume. There are elements of it that are authentic; others simply for an authentic aura.
Ken on…Never Forget Why
Posted: January 13, 2008 Filed under: Apso Aficionados Leave a comment|
We outlive these dearest of friends, |
|
with broken hearts that will never mend. |
|
A loss so great, it wounds to the core, |
|
never forgotten, those who came before.
|
|
Relationships forged though time and trial, |
|
until they walk that last final mile, |
|
and when they pass from beyond our sight, |
|
remain close in our heart, though gone in the night. Tears come easily each time we recall, |
|
how much they gave; they gave us their all! |
|
Now waiting for us, on the far other side, |
|
they’ll be there when our door opens wide.
|
|
We cannot remain, endure on memory alone, |
|
without the true love we have intimately known; |
|
We can only be consoled by another new joy, |
|
the next incomparable canine girl or boy!
|
|
So now it’s a couple of Apso’s turn, |
|
To give great love, from whom to learn, |
|
that life is more than it appears to be, |
|
a proving ground and the truth to see.
|
|
Zooming is how our lives should be run, |
|
full-speed racing, bonzai fun! |
|
No time to worry or time to be mad, |
|
too precious to squander, just being sad.
|
|
Advice not taken, they sleep on the bed, |
|
Making a pillow of their master’s head. |
|
Demanding another backyard ‘poke’; |
|
make up the rules, or tell an Apso joke!
|
|
Yes, Adam knew just what he had done, |
|
when he named the dog, a most fitting one. |
|
God spelled backward, and that’s just in case, |
|
We ever forget this wondrous gift of grace! by Ken Widger © |
Emma
Posted: January 13, 2008 Filed under: FFT Lhasa Apsos Leave a comment
This pretty little girl’s name is Emma. Her sire is Damon and her dam is Karen’s Ritz. Here’s what her owner Margaret shared with Julie:
She is doing really well . We’ve been going to puppy school and she is making slow progress. She is very well adjusted and happy.
The Travelin’ Man
Posted: January 13, 2008 Filed under: Gompa Lhasa Apsos 30 CommentsLife doesn’t always work out the way we want it to. Gail asked me if I was going to write about it. She thought I would have to write about it. She’s right. I have to write about it. Her suggestion for the blog entry’s title is All’s Well That Ends Well. It is my sincere wish this happens. Panchen is now with three ‘of his clan’ – as Ceese would say – and Susan. He’s been there less than 24 hours. I am grateful he’s there. I’m grateful the light bulb finally went on in the empty attic that is my brain. There will be adjustments, things to work through. Panchen is 11 years old. He’s blind. He’s been passed hither and yon. I think it’s important to document this (hopefully successful) transition. It may provide ideas, answers, hope, help and inspiration for others in similar situations. I’ll be keeping the ongoing exchange between Susan and myself, along with helpful hints from Vickie (who has fostered a blind dog, penned Lessons From A Blind Dog and successfully placed Magoo in his forever home) right here on Panchen The Travelin’ Man’s Page.
Rinchen is in the dog bed, Panchen looking on. Next is Sammy and on the far right is Raji.
Kunza at FleetFire Timbers 