Welcome to Fleetfire Timbers – FFT – Lhasa Apsos!

Welcome to our cyberplace for Apso Aficionados, a community built around a common love of the lion dog from Tibet. We talk about Lhasa Apsos - and a lot of other things. We laugh together. We cry together. So, grab a cup of coffee or tea,  perhaps a glass of wine. Kick back, explore, meet us, the dogs and the people that have become a part of our lives. 

Scroll down to enjoy the blog. Intended to provide information for owners of our dog and puppies, within Apsos! Apsos! you’ll find resources for training, grooming, exhibiting, nutrition and veterinary care. Covering anatomy, genetics, coat color, renal dysplasia, reproduction and the breed’s standard, Breeding Apsos is designed for serious students of the breed.  Enter the Gallery to explore the Halls. Lineage History and Champions delve into our strain of Lhasa Apsos. The Library is the centralized location for the myriad of information and resources contained in the website. Whether you’re the owner of a Lhasa Apso, educating yourself about the breed, considering the purchase of an Apso or simply surfing the web, welcome! 

Katy Swims with Dolphins

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.

Ginny’s Snowy Chloe

Wednesday night (a week ago Wednesday) I put the dogs out to potty and look what I found 5 minutes later. I had pulled the wicker furniture toward the house to protect it from the storm, Chloe jumped onto the chair, then to the table and was perusing the yard from what she apparently thought was a better position……………perhaps searching for squirrels ??????? She’s so Himalayan, loves to be out in, play in and lay in the snow.

Ginny

Mary’s Moka

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

My friends RAWK!

Last Saturday night, Halloween night, with trepidation I ventured to Cactus Jack’s Saloon. Alone. Rick was in Fort Collins. I’m not exactly a social butterfly. Or a barfly. Or a night person. But I wanted to see Cort and Dean play a night gig. Dean is an architect, owner of EV Studios. The studio right above my grooming shop, he’s also my landlord. Cort’s business, Relish Studio, was two doors down from the grooming shop. He also lives within ’bout shoutin’ distance from my house. Both musicians, several years ago they started jamming weekly in Dean’s office. Using the shop as refuge while waiting to pick up a kid from whatever keeps kids busy, Carol often heard their music. I didn’t hear them until their first gig one beautiful afternoon this summer, on the deck at Cactus Jack’s, next to Bear Creek. 

They were darn good then. They were great last Saturday night. My friends RAWK! And pick. And sing the blues…

So rock me mama like a wagon wheel
Rock me mama anyway you feel
Hey mama rock me

Rock me mama like the wind and the rain
Rock me mama like a south-bound train
Hey mama rock me

Like the wind and the rain
Like a south-bound train

Best of Breed littermates

Wishing Ginny Good Luck at the Pueblo shows this weekend. Here’s littermates Chloe and Ethan in September, winning Best of Breed. Ethan on Saturday under Norman Patton. Chloe on Sunday under Dr. Robert Smith.

Swine Flu Information

Thanks Alma!

Difference between Cold and Swine Flu Symptoms

Symptom	Cold	Swine Flu
Fever	Fever is rare with a cold.	Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
Coughing	A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.	A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
Aches	Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.	Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
Stuffy Nose	Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.	Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
Chills	Chills are uncommon with a cold.	60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
Tiredness	Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.	Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
Sneezing	Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.	Sneezing is not common with the flu.
Sudden Symptoms	Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.	The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Headache	A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.	A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore Throat	Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.	Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.
Chest Discomfort	Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.	Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

 

High Risk Groups

 Children below 5 years  
· Senior persons above 65 years
· HIV infected persons
· Diabetic patients
· Pregnant Women
· Lung & Heart patients
· Obese persons

Warning signs for children
§ Troubled or abnormal breathing
§ Bluish skin color
§ Lessened intake of water/fluids
§ Extended sleep or lack of interaction
§ Irritable
§ Fever with rash
§ Flu-like symptoms recede, but return with fever and worsened cough

Warning signs for adults
· Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath
· Pain/pressure in chest/abdomen
· Sudden dizziness
· Confusion
· Severe or persistent vomiting

* Vaccine will be available for Swine Flu the end of October.   Seasonal flu vaccines or past immunizations DO NOT provide protection against the H1N1 virus
* Please visit a qualified physician if you suspect Swine Flu symptoms. Avoid self-treatment
* Persons infected with the H1N1 virus may be able to pass it on 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 days after infection

Happy anniversary Thoughts…

(written by children)

        HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY? 
        You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. — Alan , age 10

        
        No person really decides before they grow up who they’re going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you’re stuck with. — Kristen , age 10

        
        WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED? 
        Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.       — Camille , age 10 
                
        HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED? 
        You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.     — Derrick , age 8 
        
        WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON? 
        Both don’t want any more kids.  — Lori , age 8 
        
        WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE? 
        Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.      — Lynnette , age 8 (isn’t she a treasure)

        
        On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that Usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date. — Martin , age 10

        
        WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR? 
        I’d run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.     — Craig , age 9

        
        WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE? 
        When they’re rich.      — Pam , age 7 
        
        The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn’t want to mess with that.     – - Curt , age 7 
        
        The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It’s the right thing to do.   — Howard , age 8

        
        IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED? 
        It’s better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.  — Anita , age 9 (bless you child)

        
        HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN’T GET MARRIED? 
        There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn’t there?   — Kelvin, age 8 ( just LOVE this one) 
        
        And the #1 Favorite is…….. 
        HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK? 
        Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck. — Ricky , age 10

Images from Vickie…

 Alan got my copper flag pole rigged up so the flag doesn’t tangle.  And a flyin’ it is …  along with all the snow … 
(Julie, insert Tibetan music >>>here<<<<) …

A few shots from PA …

Nice ‘do, Suds!!

And one of Mae-Mae, hanging in the bed snagged at Nationals …

Late Saturday afternoon…Halloween…

Not scheduled to upload until Sunday morning…

I don’t know how many of you (well, if you’re reading this, you obviously visit the blog) that have sent things recently join us on the blog. Please accept my wholehearted thanks! After being awol for several months – thanks to a second career as a producer and film editor – it’s great to have fun things showing up, once again, in my inbox. Blog-worthy things. Blog-sharing things. Halloweeny bloggy things. One shared Halloweeny bloggy thingy is pre-scheduled for next Halloween. After a year has passed, even I will be surprised when it shows up on the doorstep of the blog. It’s great to take a train of thought and go with it on the keyboard. Ah! I’m almost normal again. Oh! No! Not normal!

Rod sent these photos and a post…

Hi Debby, 

 I thought I would send you some recent pictures of our two little ones. It is amazing how much color change Dawa went through to where she now looks much like her older brother with the exception of some red streaks on both her ears. Another characteristic they both share is the single tooth that tends to always show when they look at you, Dawa’s is on the left side of her face and Karma is on the right. In the attached photographs Dawa is in the picture labeled “Puppy with pumpkin” and of course Karma’s picture is labeled with the 1 in the title. Personality wise Karma is much more relaxed and has let Dawa assume alpha but she is certainly lost when he is not around. Dawa is certainly our little princess who is extremely affectionate and will always come up to your face to give you kisses. They both are so much a part of our family that it is truly difficult to plan a vacation without them going. Thank you so much for such wonderful well adapted puppies.  Take care!

Rod & Olga

It is taking me some time to put National Specialty week in perspective. Expanding our gene pool…via the dream of Native Stock and via the Gompa dogs…is receiving excellent support. Greatly encouraged by particular supporters and the creativity brought to the table, I’m excited about the next year. But, that’s not what I want to share on this day, Halloween. I want to share about a long-time friend. A friend I’d never met in person, yet we go back years. Maybe I can coax her to the blog and she can share what she remembers about how we met. What I remember is that we hit if off immediately, with a similar twisted sense of humor. My ritual each night was – and still is – to take a bath after putting the dogs to bed. With anticipation, I would hardcopy her email, saving it to savor while soaking, sipping an adult beverage. Does it get any better than a hot bath and a giggle to ease into the evening? We loved Lhasa Apsos. We loved vampire lore. We loved Johnny Depp. We loved to write.

And the first time I met her in person was several minutes before the Breeders Education program began. I had no idea what she looked like, but I knew she’d be there. She came up to me, tentatively, asking if I was Debby. Yes, I am (at least most of the time I’ll claim myself). She said, “I’m Jenny.” I think that was the longest hug I’ve ever given anyone. No words were exchanged. Jenny was co-editor of The Lhasa Apso Reporter when we first faced RD. The series of articles titled “Renal Dysplasia: An Oddessy” was published in The Reporter and later received an Award of Excellence from the Dog Writers Association of America. Jenny was part of that; there from the ‘beginning’.

So, late this afternoon, Halloween afternoon, I’ll end this entry with a salute to Jenny and a recipe she shared for this special day…

Yummy. Maybe I’ll try it tonight while I’m listening to Open Space, my friend Cort’s band.

Happy Halloween

I love Kathy’s images! Never too old to carve…

Trick or Treat!

Isn’t that the truth?! What a week this has been. Up here, it seems like we went from Winter to Mud to Winter.  This Summer the evenings were too chilly to sit out on the deck, enjoy the sunset and watch that bats come out. With the first snow several weeks ago, a client optimistically noted, it’s a prelude to Indian Summer. I’m still waiting….

The Trick or Treat scene this week from Kathy’s…