By chance my wife had seen a photo of a Lhasa once and five years ago nearing her birthday I to by chance seen a litter of Lhasa's advertised in the paper. After much deciding which of the beautiful puppies to take home I finally decided on a multi colored female named Porsche. My wife was overcome with joy at the sight of her, the best birthday of her life she said.

At the time we were managing a home for the elderly in Melbourne, so she fitted in well in the apartment that we lived in attached to the home. It did not take long for her to start to show us the special traits of a Lhasa, at the time we thought we had something special on our hands till I learnt that most Lhasas were like this, anyway Porsche seemed to know all of the 45 residents, though she did not meet them all face to face, she never barked when one of them passed our door, but be a stranger and all hell broke loose. Everyone adored her, from friend to family. She soon learnt that when the buzzer sounded in the room it meant someone needed us and she was at the door tail wagging ready to go, we even found that at times she would awaken us barking at the door at early hours of the morning, after going into the residence we would find that someone had fallen and could not ring the alarm to call us, this at times was life saving to the resident concerned. Because she ate inside she hid her food at times and always had a titbit at the ready for when someone called in for a visit, she would greet them with her titbit or even her favorite toy and drop it at their feet.

We moved to a country town two years ago to manage a smaller home for the elderly. Porsche fitted in faster than we did and soon had us set to the minute on all our jobs of the day. We had no need for clocks or alarms, come medication time or whatever the task and she was there waiting to do her rounds, comforting and giving her love to others. A couple of special things I must mention was her sitting up and begging to her loved ones and her singing, yes singing! She started this once when we gathered for a chorus of Happy Birthday. Whenever it was sung she would break into her call. She would even do so if it was on the TV. This was much loved and enjoyed by all who witnessed it. I could write page after page of her wonderful little exploits, but you the Lhasa owner would only be reading what you already know and experience.

The move to the country meant that she had a lot more space outside, our concern for her safety grew as we seen a few kangaroos visit our yard. After much thought we decided on getting a larger breed for both being a companion to Porsche and to help protect her. So we got a Golden Retreiver, this was a wise choice as she fitted in so well with Porsche and being a tolerant breed by nature, she learnt to put up with the Lhasa's traits and was as we predicted very protective against the native animals for Porsches sake.

Now as I write this it is five days ago that tragedy struck us, a serviceman left the backyard gate open and our sweet little girl ventured out and was struck down and killed by a car. We are heartbroken, I have never felt such a loss of a life like this human or animal, it brings tears to my eyes as I now write. To not have her in our bed, to not hear her bark, to not feel her nudge my leg with her nose as I walk the corridors as she did just to let me know she was at my side, no more titbits in my shoes of a morning, no more reminders of what time it is. Our Retriever is crying day and night, pacing the yard looking for her, searching all the places where Porsche hid her food, in hope that she has returned or left her message somewhere. "Oh Porsche my friend my mate where are you", is all that is in her mind at this moment.

All that the three of us and all those who had the pleasure of her presence can do now is mourn this great loss in our life and we thank this wonderful breed of dog for giving us such precious moments and years of joy. We know that she can never be replaced, but thanks to the Lhasa people of the world for keeping to standard with proper breeding and care, for I know in the back of my mind that when my heart has softened and I feel it can find room for another dog that I can be rest assured that some of those things we three cherished so much in Porsche may be ready and waiting in our next Lhasa Apso.

Neil Madden
Cathryn Lodge
Smythesdale Victoria
Australia 3351