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"In The Dog House"
by Sharon Fernleaf

"There's no place like home.
There's no place like home."
Dorothy - Wizard of Oz

The show runs are 6′ x 2′ with a working gate on the end, divided by fencing that’s 1″ x 2″ and a bed at each end. While the show dogs can’t dogpile, like the rest of the dogs, they often sleep side-by-side.

Inside there are groups that change, depending on which dogs are here with me. Currently, all the females (five) are housed together and all the males (four) are housed together (except for the show dogs). Each group’s inside area is 10′ x 9′, attached to outside covered runs.

Here's what the inside area, pictured in the above two photos, looks like when the area is divided into six runs.

With the exception of the Fleetfire competition dogs, every dog has a living companion. In the house within the house every dog has a bed within a bed - a snuggly lamb's wool rug in beds raised several inches from the floor. Comfy!

The kennel building offers safety and comfort for the Gompa Kunza dogs as well as the Fleetfire dogs. It is designed to provide an enriching life for all the dogs, including their social life. One of my favorite daily pleasures is simply sitting and observing the dogs and their interaction with each other.

Kennel in the snow, with overhanging verandahs protecting the exterior runs against the elements.

There are two large play areas, allowing all the dogs - including the show dogs - to be outside together, yet keeping the males and females separated.

Here's an example of one of the rock walls. The dogs use the walls daily for creative play. The flat area above this wall provides a nice spot for a puppy playpen. Look near the upper right for the gate to the second dog yard.

And here's the gate up close. Prayer flags hang from an aspen tree.

The puppy pen. Puppies are born in the whelping room in my house. Later the puppies and their dam are moved to the puppy pen. Mothers are allowed to wean their puppies at their leisure, often living with their puppies for months.

The dogs using their outdoor runs. The runs are protected with the overhanging roof. Runs are fenced up to the roof providing protection and safety for the dogs.

... and with the arrival of the Gompa dogs, came Tibetan Prayer Flags affording protection to them and all living beings around.  They flutter in the wind, sway majestically in the breeze and drape colorfully in the snow.

My Apsos enrich my life.  And I only hope that I enrich their lives. 
 My Apsos bring beauty and solitude into my life.
Everyday I'm reminded of that far away place they came from. 
I think of the culture their ancestors lived in
and the  centuries these little shaggy dogs have been in existence. 
 I love looking into their eyes and seeing their souls and  their heritage. 
My Apsos make me feel connected with time and history and the earth. 
In return for the joy they  bring into my life,
I simply want to honor each of them, caring for them to the best of my ability,
letting the  uniqueness of each personality bloom.