A Pictorial

The handmade paper invitation designed by my sister Lori, with an original sketch drawn by Kari Roberts under vellum paper inside invited you to be transported to Tibet. "To begin your journey, come early, grab a glass of wine. As the prayer flags flutter above, meander down the path, enjoying the old Tibetan artifacts. Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smell so our breed's Tibetan culture. Make it a trip to remember!"

The presentation was held in the Great Hall. Its high walls, invisible ceiling and longer than wide layout set the stage for the transformation. My two sisters, Lori and Kelly, along with Pat Keen-Fernandez, did an extreme makeover suitable for any television show.

Prayer flags were fluttering in the breeze, the smell of incense burned several hours prior was lingering in the air. Just outside either side of the double doors were planters inviting you into the entrance. On one of many easels sat a print of prayer wheels. As you entered the space, the path defined by lattice screens draped and hung with Tibetan artifacts, curved past several tables with more artifacts, along with the large prayer wheel that usually sits just outside my kennel. Tibetan music was playing. Wine was served. Six draped empty tables sat in the front of the room.

While Leslie was talking, I rehearsed one last time.

ALAC President Leslie Baumann spoke first, showing historic photos, many never seen before. She interwove political intrigue with the early 1900 history of the Lhasa Apsos. Politics brought westerners to the Roof of the World, not travel and adventure. She ended with 'the bamboo curtain slammed over Tibet but the story of our Lhasa Apsos doesn't end." Focused on three basic areas I spoke; the path of the gompa dogs from the Roof of the World to Canada to Virginia to Colorado; day to day life and observation of the gompa dogs; the Gompa Lhasa Apso Preservation Program, briefly spelled out the program and introduced the directors.

The final slide of my talk was a photo of my above-mentioned prayer wheel, covered by a bit of snow. I spoke about how I believe we, as western breeders, have been given a gift, a gift of being able to peek into the past seeing the breed as it was before being bred to a western standard, a gift of knowledge. My final sentence was "as I was gifted these dogs, as was Ceese, as was Gerald, as was Lama Gyen Yeshe in 1941 from the Drepung Monastery I share this gift with you.

Julie Timbers in elaborate Tibetan clothing and a headpiece led six of us back into the room, down the center aisle. The music was dramatic and solemn. Each of use wore Tibetan clothing, many of the pieces including the jewelry given to me by Madame Yolande de Zarobe for this event. As we walked down the aisle, myself last, except for the music there was silence. Silence. Each of us went to a table and sat our dogs on the table. The energy in the room was palpable. I hadn't expected this. No one had. The music played. Cameras were going off. Other than that, it was silent. I don't know how long this went on. I expected unrest from the audience. I expected questions. I didn't expect the energy. I didn't expect the silence. Pat finally whispered, "how long?" I replied, "you decide." Even when she stopped the music and turned up the lights to make an announcement the energy didn't dissipate. People still didn't leave. I was asked to share the names of the dogs. Dharmapala Lotus Ponya, Dharmapala Drepung, Dharmapala Lotus Dorje, Dharmapala Katu, Dharmapala Tamdin, Dharmapala Nyalu. Finally, it seemed like the thing to do was for the dogs and the six of us to leave the room. As we came around the final turn in the path, cameras stopped us. We remained there in some semblance of a reception line because people wanted to touch the dogs.

A few people were curious about bites or some other characteristic, but mostly people wanted to touch them. Gently, reverently, as though they were holy relics, described a friend later. I heard there was hardly a dry eye in the house. I wouldn't know, being the verge of tears myself the whole time. Not only did the crowd embrace the dogs, the dogs themselves were unbelievable. The audiences had been instructed to respect that the dogs hadn't been conditioned to crowds, strange places or to being examined by strangers. I specifically chose experienced dog handlers to present the dogs. With incredible presence the dogs handled the evening with calm and dignity.

Outtakes

The handmade paper invitation designed by my sister Lori, with an original sketch drawn by Kari Roberts under vellum paper inside invited you to be transported to Tibet. "To begin your journey, come early, grab a glass of wins. As the prayer flags flutter above, meander down the path, enjoying the old Tibetan artifacts. Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smell so our breed's Tibetan culture. Make it a trip to remember!"

The presentation was held in the Great Hall. Its high walls, invisible ceiling and longer than wide layout set the stage for the transformation. My two sisters, Lori and Kelly, along with Pat Keen-Fernandez, did an extreme makeover suitable for any television show. Prayer flags were fluttering in the breeze, the smell of incense burned several hours prior was lingering in the air. Just outside either side of the double doors were planters inviting you into the entrance. On one of many easels sat a print of prayer wheels. As you entered the space, the path defined by lattice screens draped and hung with Tibetan artifacts, curved past several tables with more artifacts, along with the large prayer wheel that usually sits just outside my kennel. Tibetan music was playing. Wine was served. Six draped empty tables sat in the front of the room.

ALAC President Leslie Baumann spoke first, showing historic photos, many never seen before. She interwove political intrigue with the early 1900 history of the Lhasa Apsos. Politics brought westerners to the Roof of the World, not travel and adventure. She ended with 'the bamboo curtain slammed over Tibet but the story of our Lhasa Apsos doesn't end." Focused on three basic areas I spoke; the path of the gompa dogs from the Roof of the World to Canada to Virginia to Colorado; day to day life and observation of the gompa dogs; the Gompa Lhasa Apso Preservation Program, briefly spelled out the program and introduced the directors. The final slide of my talk was a photo of my above-mentioned prayer wheel, covered by a bit of snow. I spoke about how I believe we, as western breeders, have been given a gift, a gift of being able to peek into the past seeing the breed as it was before being bred to a western standard, a gift of knowledge. My final sentence was "as I was gifted these dogs, as was Ceese, as was Gerald, as was Lama Gyen Yeshe in 1941 from the Drepung Monastery I share this gift with you.

Julie Timbers in elaborate Tibetan clothing and a headpiece led six of us back into the room, down the center aisle. The music was dramatic and solemn. Each of use wore Tibetan clothing, many of the pieces including the jewelry given to me by Madame Yolande de Zarobe for this event. As we walked down the aisle, myself last, except for the music there was silence. Silence. Each of us went to a table and sat our dogs on the table. The energy in the room was palpable. I hadn't expected this. No one had. The music played. Cameras were going off. Other than that, it was silent. I don't know how long this went on. I expected unrest from the audience. I expected questions. I didn't expect the energy. I didn't expect the silence. Pat finally whispered, "how long?" I replied, "you decide." Even when she stopped the music and turned up the lights to make an announcement the energy didn't dissipate. People still didn't leave. I was asked to share the names of the dogs. Dharmapala Lotus Ponya, Dharmapala Drepung, Dharmapala Lotus Dorje, Dharmapala Katu, Dharmapala Tamdin, Dharmapala Nyalu. Finally, it seemed like the thing to do was for the dogs and the six of us to leave the room. As we came around the final turn in the path, cameras stopped us. We remained there in some semblance of a reception line because people wanted to touch the dogs.

A few people were curious about bites or some other characteristic, but mostly people wanted to touch them. Gently, reverently, as though they were holy relics, described a friend later. I heard there was hardly a dry eye in the house. I wouldn't know, being the verge of tears myself the whole time. Not only did the crowd embrace the dogs, the dogs themselves were unbelievable. The audiences had been instructed to respect that the dogs hadn't been conditioned to crowds, strange places or to being examined by strangers. I specifically chose experienced dog handlers to present the dogs. With incredible presence the dogs handled the evening with calm and dignity.

The Gompa Lhasa Apsos Preservation Program is a labor of science, love and hope. Science is the underpinning of the Program and the foundation of all the activities to preserve the lineage. Three of the four directors were present; Program Director Ruth Gerath, Kennel Without Walls Director and Cultural Advisor Cecile Clover and myself, Breeding Program Director. The fourth, Elizabeth Anderson, is the Program's Communications Director.

To clarify the terminology regarding the gompa dogs. They are Lhasa Apsos. Gompa means monastery. Gompa Lhasa Apso simply refers to the lineage of Lhasa Apsos that dates back to Lama Gyen Yeshe's breeding. Dharmapala was the kennel prefix used in Canada. Lotus is the kennel prefix of the dogs born in Virginia under Cecile Clover's direction. Kunza - which means fire, a Tibetan tweak on my Fleetfire kennel name - is the kennel prefix of dogs born in Colorado. We honor the dogs' past and continue to use either Dharmapala Lotus or Dharmapala Kunza, depending on where the dog was born.

I'd like to give special thanks to those that made the night possible. Leslie Baumann and Pat Keen-Fernandez came up with the concept and arranged the evening. My friends and family helped with moral support and work, both before and at the presentation. My sisters Lori and Kelly put their hearts into the presentation, hoping to make the night memorable. From the invitations, to organizing the jewelry and clothing, including Madame Yolande de Zarobe's numerous contributions to transforming the room into another world with Pat's endless help, my sisters were there. My chuba, a traditional Tibetan woman's dress, was made by Bobbie Smith, a dear friend. Pat and Cecile supplied artifacts from Foo Dogs to prayer flags. Pat generously supplied the wine. Faye Nemirsky, wearing the shawl, spun of gompa dog hair, woven by Eve Davila and Julie Timbers greeted people. Kendall Brooks and Vickie Kuhlmann made sure everyone had water, wine and a chair. The dog handlers were Julie, Arlene Miller, Vickie and my sisters. Mary Schroeder and Ronnie Crowder filmed. The list goes on and I've surely missed someone very important. Than you all!

It was a night to remember. It was a night that can't be duplicated. It was far more than I expected. I would like to thank everyone that took the time to attend. I hope it was a night you also will remember.