Hist

My history with dogs started at a very young age when at one year old the families Golden Labrador "Judy", had 13 puppies, eight of which survived. One of the pups went on to become a guide dog for a very lucky blind lady.

   Throughout my childhood, there were many dogs. As life went on there were always dogs around. Thjose i remember dearly were, Penny the Dachshund , an amazing 18 years old. Mitzi my grandmother's Poodle, who played a large part in my life. Sam my Cocker Spaniel, a completely mental dog who i loved to bits, his nickname "Sammywagglebott" suited him well as when his tail wagged his whole back end went with it.

Later, after i left home and got a house of my own, I adopted "Max" a two year old German Shephard. He became a very loyal and devoted companion who put up with many canine "foster friends". One foster friend who ended up staying was "Jasper" my brindle Great Dane, after an intitial "bundle" they became great friends. Jasper was very poorly when i got him, he was 10 months old and weighed a pitiful 4 stone, he was lame in his hind leg and had been very badly treated. Together with my vet i nursed him back to health, sitting for many nights cradling his head in my lap because of he was so poorly. Unfortunately, although he became well, this was short lived, the trauma he had been through put an enormous strain on his heart and he died just under two years old. Every year i make a new years resolution not to cry over my Jasper, it normall y lasts until i see a Great Dane then the flood gates open, this year i lasted 12 days.

   There were many other dogs that i fostered, these were usually from homes where the owner had died, partners had split up or dogs who needed to be socialised through lack of proper human contact or cruelty and various other situations. Ihad Jazz a black Boston Great Dane, Sheba the black German Shephard who came to me expecting 6 black and tan German Shephard puppies. Jenny, a poor old lady Great Dane, who came to me very wet and dirty with sore feet and calluses due to neglect. She ended her life 8 months later with me, sitting in front of the fire with her head on my lap with her big soppy grin on her face.

     Other dogs that came my way were "Bruno" an 8 month old German Shephard Rotwieller cross, who "ate" my house, brain and brawn together, not a good combination. Bruno found a lovely home on a farm, where he became a lovely man.

   Then there was "Shelley" a very fat King Charles Spaniel. "Toby" a very tall Jack Russel, "Prince" an enormous hairy German Shephard and "King" an enormous pure white German Shephard. There were many other dogs who came my way for temporary foster homes, they stayed anything from a few days to a few months, some older dogs permanently.

    My first encounter with Lhasa Apsos came after a period of a year without dogs. Ihad decided that I'd done my bit for the canine population and that i would no longer foster dogs. Until i visited the pet cemitary and met a lady who i had a lot of dealings with in the past. She said, "i have just the dog for you". I was adament that i didsn't want another dog until she introduced me to "Willie" an 8 year old Lhasa who's owner had died, a truely loveable little man who decided i was his and promtly wee'd up my leg. Willie was with us for 4 happy years and after he died i decided I'd like to get another Lhasa, so i contacted the kennel Club, went to a show, met Jay'nie and Naomi (Jayridge), visited there home, caught the Lhasa bug and, well, the story continues today.....................