My 1st Birthday

Home and Your Dog

Finally a Bed from Mama with Love 

Your Home and Your dog

When we think of architecture and home design, we generally think in human terms. Is the home or apartment big enough for the family? Is it in a style that the residents can live with? When it comes to the interior, is the furniture arranged to provide plenty of room to move around, but also make the TV easy to see from various angles and the dining table easy to sit at with no one shoved up against a wall? All of these elements are important from a human point of view, but it is too easy to forget that the design and décor of a home also have an effect on its canine residents. Not only do dogs see the home from a much different, lower perspective, but they perceive it in an entirely different way. They won’t care whether the furniture, paint and drapes are perfectly color-coordinated — but if the fabric on the sofa gives off a bad (to them) smell, or there aren’t any safe places to make a den, then your dog won’t feel at home at all.

When decorating your home, it is also very important to consider what materials you use. Flooring, fabric, and paint can cause unexpected problems if you do not choose carefully. For example, while Berber rugs may look nice, they have large-loop material that can easily snag on your dog’s claws which can unravel the rug and injure your dog. If possible, hard floors are preferable to carpet — they are easier to clean, and can provide a cool spot for your dog to lie on on hot days. If you must have carpet, select a low pile in a stain-resistant synthetic fiber or wool.

For furniture, consider tightly-woven fabrics that can resist rips and tears. Leather, ultra suede, and microfiber material are all ideal choices for dog lovers. They also make it easier to clean up pet fur. If your existing furniture is not the ideal material, then use washable slipcovers to protect the fabric and facilitate clean-up. For windows, avoid vertical mini-blinds, which can be quickly damaged as curious dogs push through them to see what’s outside. Also take precautions to tie up drapery pulls and cords so they will not be a strangulation hazard or temptation for chewing.

Large and elaborate is not always better, especially because of the recent tendency for people to have fewer children and adopt more dogs, often seeing their dogs as "practice family."

People are also shifting to leaner lifestyles with less of an impact on the environment. With this in mind, as well as with an eye to what a dog needs, architect and designer Erick Millan devised the Doghouse Cube as a simple, practical alternative, winning Best in Show at last year’s Barkitecture Austin, one of a series of annual dog house competitions and fundraisers.

Two hidden dangers for dogs are paint and plants. When repainting your home, look for brands that are advertised as having no or low VOC (volatile organic compounds) levels. These are chemicals used to quicken drying and enhance mold resistance, but they can out-gas for up to a year and a half and could cause respiratory issues for your dog. When it comes to live plants, avoid ivies, philodendrons and dieffenbachia, which all can be harmful if ingested.

The above is good advice if you’re redecorating or moving, but if you don’t have either of those luxuries, then you can always provide your dog with his or her own den or doghouse, which can be as simple as Snoopy’s famous A-frame box or as elaborate as a mini-McMansion. One company, Le Petite Maison of South Carolina, creates dog houses that come standard with recessed lighting and, typically, a heating and cooling system for the dog’s comfort. While there are no enforced building codes for dog houses in the United States, some international regulations insist upon heavy climate protection. One Le Petite Maison project in Asia even had to be typhoon proof.

“Dogs relate to space differently than we do,” Erick explained. “They approach with their sense of smell.” Following their instincts as den animals, they seek out more intimate spaces. Unlike the traditional doghouse design with a big, obvious opening in front, the Doghouse Cube’s entrance is narrow and almost hidden, with the opening to the private space inside smaller than the space itself. The former provides a challenge to the dog and an opportunity to explore, while the latter accommodates a dog’s tendency to sleep in a curled-up, fetal position. The exterior cube provides an area for the dog to lie in the sun, while its open gridwork creates complex shadow play.

A key word when planning your space for your dog is “multi-function,” and the Doghouse Cube is also designed to accommodate human needs, with room for extra storage or green space on top. When the two parts of the cube are closed together, it can function as an accent piece or even spare seating, which is ideal for making the most of limited room.

Although dogs have been domesticated for a long time, human living spaces are quite different from the natural world they would prefer. Fortunately, with a little clever adaptation by people, you can make your home feel natural for your dog, whether you live in a cabin in the woods or a high rise in the city.

Daydreaming of my own Bed

Mama Dada &Me

First Fur Cut

The Lhasa Apso is a small, hardy dog. The body length is longer than the height of the dog. The small, deep-set eyes are dark brown and the pendant ears are heavily feathered. The front legs are straight. The back legs are heavily covered in hair. The muzzle is medium in length. The teeth should meet in a level or slightly undershot bite. The feet are round and catlike with an abundance of hair. The tail is set high, well feathered and carried over the back in a screw. Some tails have a kink at the end. The dense, double coat is straight and long over the entire body, including over the head and eyes, reaching to the floor. Any color is acceptable in the show ring. Gold, cream and honey are the most popular, but the coat also comes in dark-grizzle, slate, smoke and multi-colors of brown, white and black. Puppy coats often change colors as the puppy grows. Owners often cut the dogs’ hair short in a puppy cut to make them easier to care for.

This is a hardy dog with a friendly, assertive manner. Intelligent and lively, it makes a good pet. Lhasa Apsos are spirited and devoted little dogs that are affectionate with their masters. They can be very obedient to their masters. This breed responds to motivational training. They have a keen sense of hearing, and make good watchdogs. The Lhasa Apso travels well. Sadly, this little dog often falls into Small Dog Syndrome, a human induced behavior where the dog thinks he is pack leader to humans. This causes many varying degrees of negative behaviors to come out in the dog. They become suspicious of strangers, and may not tolerate children. They will become willful with a loud persistent bark, as they try and get THEIR humans to listen to them. They will become nervous and untrustworthy with strangers and children, and inclined to fight with other dogs. Often times they will develop separation anxiety, getting very upset when left alone. Followers are not allowed to leave the pack leader, however pack leaders can leave the followers. They can become can snappish if surprised or peeved, and begin to display guarding behaviors. These negative behaviors are NOT traits of the Lhasa Apso; they are human induced behaviors resulting from the dog not being treated like the canine species it is, and due to lack of leadership, rules and the lack of limits placed on the dog. A mentally stable dog that gets enough mental and physical exercise will have a totally different personality. It is all up to the humans around the dog. As soon as the humans start being true pack leaders, the dog’s behavior will change for the better.

Baby Fur Son Pepper

3 month old pepperooney

My Lhassa Apso Pepper is a unique little watchdog who likes to play by his own rules. While he will be devoted to you, loyal and loving, he won't necessarily want to please you. The breed is intelligent and can be manipulative. They are independent souls -- some would call them stubborn -- who will be a sensitive and caring friend. They make great watchdogs because they only bark for a reason, and they are naturally wary of strangers. They should be socialized early on so that this innate suspicion does not turn into aggression. The breed is joyful and dignified, full of energy and curiosity. Thanks to their independence, they don't seem to mind waiting for you to get home from work. And twenty minutes of exercise each day should suffice. They can get the rest of their exercise by climbing things, which they like to do. As a breed, they are slow to mature, and can act like puppies until they are nearly three. They seem to gravitate more towards adult companionship than that of children, and they are usually scared of toddlers and will run and hide. So if you are looking for a loving companion who will have his own personality, who will be a challenge to train, and who will keep you chuckling, the Lhasa Apso might be your next best friend.