Westminister Kennel Club Show - Next Week

Dog show 7 - Warrior
Originally uploaded by Tomi Tapio

When I came to Texas and found live Dog Shows on TV, I was in heaven! I would get out a big pad and pen and follow along. Hubby was amazed that I could usually pick 2 or 3 dogs placed in each Group.

I thought I would help you a little to enjoy the show even more. It will be on next Monday, Feburary 14 and Tuesday, Feburary 15th.

The dog in today's picture is Warrior, a very typical Shih Tzu. I bred, owned and showed this breed for 25 years. I called them the sweetest little dog on the face of the earth.

In United States, the Shih Tzu is in Group V, Toys (in Canada, he is in Non-Sporting, Group VI).

Now, we can see how nicely groomed this Shih Tzu is and he is very pretty. We have not yet seen him walk but the wonder of watching a fine Shih Tzu walk in the ring is that he resembles a hovercraft . . . very smooth and you really might only see the pads of his feet as he walks away from you.

Shih Tzu are still a very popular breed despite the intense grooming and they are small and compact. You can easily pick them up and take them with you. (Of course, many companion owners like to cut them down so there is not so much grooming.)

The Shih Tzu does very well in an adult home where he is the child. Sorry if you feel differently, but for me, the Shih Tzu was the child. (The more you read my suggestions, the more you know I really like Retrievers for children.)

This is just one breed you will see at Westminister and if you go to the Westminister K.C. website, you will find out more details on the entries. If you are on Facebook, you can click on W.K.C. and get lots of info there too.

Never Forgot That Dog . . .

Izzy the boxer puppy 05-05-08 (1 of 27)
Originally uploaded by Lordy99

Perhaps on New Year's Eve, we tend to reminisce. Perhaps it was the picture of my sister-in-law's granddaughter with a new Boxer puppy that triggered my telling you about this fine dog.

"Red", the Boxer, was the first dog I had and I was well into my 20s when we acquired him from a breeder up on Highway 7, just north of Toronto, a little east of Yonge Street.

I had just lost my first child - a boy named "Robbie" and we decided a puppy would be something to divert us.

We lived in a highrise apartment and Red was really good to train. I bought a book, probably long out of print, called "Training You To Train Your Dog" by Blanche Saunders.

I read and re-read that book because I had never had a dog. Hmmm . . . yes, I said it - I had never had a dog.

He was a smart little fellow with a will to learn. If anything, Red was over-trained. We took him a lot of places and always when we went away, he came along. In those days, I could take him into a card shop while I searched for the perfect greeting.

We had a Ford Galaxy 500 XL convertible and I used to anchor him on the back seat with his lead fastened to a seatbelt.

He was a kind, gentle and loving dog. He went about 60 pounds in the summer and 66 pounds in the winter. He was solid, but when he turned, you could see his rib cage.

We had another child and Red was the one who would sit with that baby and alert me if she needed anything. (Red even knew he was not to lick that baby.)

Carrie Jane died at six and a half months, the same as Robbie had. (They were both micro-cephalic, a phenomenon not often seen now, where the brain stops growing within the first trimester of pregnancy.)

Red, the Boxer only lived to six and died of cancer. I still think of him - maybe because he was my first or perhaps because he set the bar for how I have worked with my dogs over the years. (I give them a lot of love but I don't take too much nonsense! I don't yell, I generally beg them to do my bidding!)

The Boxer is a breed that I do recommend for children. They are gentle and intelligent. Like all dogs, you must work with them but he is a willing learner.

The children did not live, the marriage lasted only ten years, but the memory of that dog lives on all these years after owning, showing and breeding Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso for 33 years.

I have not yet asked but I suspect my sister-in-law remembered Red and how he was around children. Nice to know that I am not the only one who remembered that dog!

Looks Can Be Deceiving!

Elderly pair with Persian cat
Originally uploaded by Eduard Titov

I have an addendum to yesterday's blog. It was a cat; the man had had knee surgery and all's well that end's well!

The Last Climb

After arriving home and putting luggage away, our next stop is always to pick up Buddy the Lhasa at Southwood Animal Clinic.

We parked in a very tight spot, so I waited to help Hubby load Buddy into the back seat.

From my left, about three cars down, emerged a caregiver accompanying an elderly man wearing a bath robe, sturdy shoes and a knee brace. He was using a walker and worked his way carefully up the ramp where the caregiver opened a special side door to admit him.

Was this the last climb he would make up that ramp? Why was he there?

Well, as an observer of people all my life and of dogs for about 33, I think I am envisioning the scene behind that door correctly.

I feel that man was saying goodbye to his beloved dog who had grown old with him but was about to go the Rainbow Bridge to wait for his Master.

What kind of dog was it? I imagine it was a Terrier, just a small one. He missed being at his Master's side and was probably not eating well, in addition to rapidly fading from this earth.

And the man . . . well, I think he was using his last bit of strength to say "Goodbye, my beloved and trusted friend" before his own body will give up.

Perhaps I will recognize the obituary, because I know it will mention his dog. There are dog "owners" who are just meant to be with their dogs and this man will be back together with his in not too long.

Note: The Rainbow Bridge is where they say dogs wait for their masters in heaven and scamper away with them when they arrive.

Five Star Special

This story could have been posted on Yonge Street Texan or here at Fido and Fifi, but since it really happened at a Sanction Match (Learning dog show), I'll recall it here.

Back before the Shar Pei breed was recognized by either the Canadian or American Kennel Club, a fellow named Claude and his partner were breeding Chinese Shar Pei dogs. Claude used to bring his puppies to Obedience Classes at Humber College in Toronto to train them. At the end of each quarter, we would have a potluck and everyone would bring something to place on a table groaning with treats.

Claude was a chef and earned his living preparing food for still and TV advertisements. His first potluck, Claude stepped up to the table and made a rather nasty comment about the humbleness of a dessert called Five Star Special. He assured me that next time he would bring something to dazzle everyone. And so he did . . . to Obedience Class when he was just learning about show dogs.

As time passed, the Shar Pei breed was admitted to Sanction (Learning/Training) Matches and regular shows after they were recognized in the Non-Sporting Group. Claude's dogs would do some very nice winning.

One match I was at, Claude had done very well and had to keep taking his dogs back into the ring. So, Claude was one of the last people to load everything into his van.

As he was hungry, Claude went to the food concession booth where I happened to be standing.

The lady tending the booth informed Claude that she was pretty much out of food. So, Claude asked her what she had left, if anything.

"All I have, sir, is some potato salad and a few hot dog buns."

"Okay, so put some potato salad on a hot dog bun for me, would you?"

In a sport where dog is king and the human is just there, this was a great learning experience for Claude who was embarrassed to say the least!

I wanted to tell you this story today as it just happens I will be taking a bowl of Five Star Special to our Christmas Party for work. Of course, it is similar to what Texans call Ambrosia, but I bet you I will go home with an empty bowl!

Sorry, Claude!

Recipe for Five Star Special

Equal parts of Sour Cream, shredded coconut, mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple and miniature marshmallows. Blend in large bowl, stirring every few hours. Make well in advance so the flavors mingle. Simple enough!

Heavenly Paranoia - A Story of Bobo, the Lhasa

Fiammetta, originally uploaded by CamillaT. (from Flickr.)

He was a dark, short, slender fellow, with a swagger to his walk. He'd be on guard duty for over fourteen years on Centre Street in a village that became a city. His personal domain was about an acre and he had done an excellent job.

On the night he arrived Here, he was immediately put on the gate because of the experience that showed up on his resume.

That night he had just one request of the Boss and that was if he could give some sort of signal to the folks back on Centre Street that he had gotten Here safely.

"Okay, you were good at detecting an oncoming electrical storm, weren't you? Why don't we have one in honor of your arrival and you can signal the folks with a few claps of thunder that you got Here!"

So it was that the folks knew he had arrived safely. And every time they heard thunder back on Centre Street, they would be reminded of him.

Today, the little fellow had been summoned that the Boss wanted to speak to him.

"Yes, Sir, You wanted to speak to me? Did you want me up here on this carpet, Sir?"

"Yes, little fellow, you have been causing a bit of a commotion, and I thought we had better talk."

"Umm, uh, was that about the gate, Sir? You know, I love being on the gate. I already saw a few come in that I knew back from Centre Street. Even my boss from back there. And Fanny (The Shih Tzu) , she came up. I was always as nice to her as I could be: she brought a lot of food into that house on Centre, You know. (She'd win it at the practice sanction matches.)

"Well, I understand how much you like being on the gate. But tell Me, did someone tell you that you wouldn't be on the gate any more? Did you hear some rumors? You know, I make all the final decisions here and this is the first I had heard about trouble on the gate. So you might explain to Me?"

"Well, I saw this meeting down on Walton Street and I saw Dr. Sorrell, the Veterinarian who used to be near Yonge and Steeles and I saw him reading and telling the others something about him being on the gate. You see, SHE was there and I try to keep tabs on her. SHE did stick up for me, though . . . ?"

"Oh, I am starting to see it now, little fellow. Well, Dr. Sorrell and was it, Martha that you keep an eye on . . . they like to write stories and do you suppose that Dr. Sorrell might have made up a story to write?"

"I suppose so, Sir."

"And did Martha ever write a story?"

"Oh, yes Sir, especially about me and Taury: she always made up funny stuff about us."

"So, little fellow, do you suppose that Dr. Sorrell made up a story about his being up Here with Us and being in the Inner Circle, or Administration, if you will?"

"Well, maybe, Sir, but he was a Vet and you know you gotta be careful with the Vet and so I just put two and two together and figured that he was getting my job, Sir. I really like my job, Sir, and I would hate to lose it."

Well, little fellow, did you see that Dr. Sorrell is still living on Ward Street in Happy Town, about an hour from where you were posted before?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Well, then, he isn't Up Here with Us, then, is he?"

"No, Sir."

"Okay, then you are worrying for nothing and causing a disruption in our serene surroundings. Do you think you could just see that as Dr. Sorrell's story for people back there and go back to doing your job?"

"Yes Sir."

"I have good reports on how you do your job and you came here well-qualified. You ought not to be so paranoid. We have no time for worrying Up Here. You all did enough of that down there."

"Now, before I let you go, little fellow, is there anything you wanted to tell me, like why you think Dr. Sorrell or anyone else should be doing your job? Is it possible I have missed something?"

"Well, Sir, it's just that I was a Lhasa Apso dog back there and he is a retired Vet and so the Vet was always my senior back there."

"Well, is it BOBO they called you back there . . . ? Things are different here and I don't know that Dr. Sorrell can actually handle the gate as well as you. He hasn't the guarding instinct. He would likely be in Administration. But, he's not even here yet and I didn't even get word that he was expected; so you go back to the gate, BOBO . . . and off the carpet!"

"Thank you, Sir. I like it that You are an Equal Opportunity Employer!"

(Most of my readers are not used to me writing fiction. This was written about 14 years ago and I hope you enjoy it!)

Should Buddy Have His Own Facebook Page?

There has been some discussion about people building Facebook (and Twitter and MySpace, presumably) pages for their pets. So, the question is: should Buddy the Lhasa have his own Facebook page so he could interact with the Lhasa and Shih Tzu Rescue Group and his friends, especially Kathleen? Several rescue and canine support groups follow me on Twitter and I like that, so they get to read anything I write about dogs right here.

Well, lots of people write about their dogs and lots of people "put words in their mouths".

But let's look at it from Buddy's point of view.

Buddy pretty much has it made already. He does, after all, often get his picture up on the family blogs.

Also, Buddy does have a routine - and since he is almost six now - he likes his routine!

Buddy has a great yard where he can peek through the wooden slats to see what is going on in the neighborhood. Once a week, Armando Leal and his crew come to manicure our lawn. Armando's crew wait for the high sign (through the window beside the front door) that Buddy is safely inside the house before proceeding. After they have left, Buddy inspects their work. He always gives it a paws up because he likes his lawn short!

Buddy eats twice a day - in the morning around 10:15 a.m. and in the afternoon at about 3:45 p.m.

Somehow . . . and it's hard to imagine any husband doing this . . . Hubby did not strictly pay attention when I told him that Lhasas live to eat! I know from experience that the average (and of course, Buddy is above average) Lhasa can open a bag of dry dog food and chomp it down on his own.

But, Hubby, wanting to spoil this little guy as much as possible, gave Buddy various and sundry over the kibble. Hubby likes to put little pieces of ham, chicken and cheese over the top of the kibble and one . . . just one of the impressively expensive PetSmart treats on the top.

So, consequently, I have the first dog I have ever not been able to entice with Milk Bone biscuits. All my other dogs loved those in their various flavors and colors . . .

Then, there is the matter of the ice cream. Buddy loves ice cream and as long as there is no chocolate involved, that's okay with me. So, Hubby bribes Buddy with ice cream . . . well, more than once day.

This would all be a major problem . . . in the Richard Simmons sort of way, if you know what I mean . . . save that Buddy loves to exercise! Buddy saunters, walks, gaits, and runs the long width of this backyard. So, Buddy keeps trim.

Of course, a guarding breed, Buddy takes care of alerting us to all possible eventualities in the neighborhood and has a special inane barking for anyone coming right to the front door.

Buddy has a fine assortment of toys with soft and squeaking his faves. He has two rolling toy bins under the coffee table full of toys and yes, he DOES know how to roll out the bins! (You simply push it on through to the other side.)

Did I mention that Buddy takes a few naps during the day . . . especially Sunday mornings (under the buffet) when we are at church. (Yes, there is open access to under the buffet from the back . . . )

Buddy gets up at about 7:30 in the morning and goes back to our bedroom door mat at about 10:30 p.m.

So, the question today was - Should Buddy have a Facebook Page?

You tell me when he would have time for that?