Siska's Drooling Update

Still concerned about Siska I left a message at Deufor and asked if a vet would ring me. Beth was the first vet to ring, and I explained everything to her. Siska is still drooling, but I do believe a little less so, and I think she has a bit more of her normal spark about her today. Still, I felt happier discussing the symptoms with someone in the know, whom I trust. I explained that Siska had no temperature; was eating, be it slowly; her teeth were spotless, and that her colour was good, but my concern was the very wet mouth, the candles of drool and the quiet disposition, this giving the impression of pain or discomfort that even with pulling, pushing and poking we couldn't find. I told Beth I knew it was not MMM as we'd been there before with Kiri, and that there was no swelling like Nico had with a blocked/infected saliva gland. With everything I'd reported and taking into account Siska's past history, Beth also felt she had probably scraped the back of her mouth or throat. She told me to carry on with the loxicom, (I'd been giving her Ross' loxicom for a few days) and to use the antibiotics if there is not a drastic improvement by tomorrow. (I have antibiotics here since the last fiasco when she had the abscess – I think I asked for a second dose should I need it) I've also managed to get a pot of Manuka honey for her - Beth agreed it may help, but whatever, as she said, "she'll like it!"

About an hour later Ken rang, I told him he'd lost the race and that Beth had beaten him to it today! 

Poorly Nico

Through A Small Screen.

 Last night I wanted to double check a photo I'd put on Facebook yesterday, so I scrolled through the album and realised how shit some of the photos looked on a small screen. I've said before I take photos of the dogs and the scenery, but the focus is usually on the dogs. Getting the surrounding area shows how lucky we are, and also highlights our adventures. They look OK on the phone when I take them, and they look good on my laptop when I add them to my Facebook albums, but now seeing them yesterday, I'll have to think again. I love my phone, but I honestly would not be happy with it being my only access to the internet; I'd miss far too much detail, which is sometimes the point of the post! 

In the same light, my blog is always written on a laptop, but when looking at the post on my phone, sometimes they look awful, especially if I've put photos within the post and not just at the top. I saw even half a word next to the photos ... but I will continue to write and design my blog on a laptop, as is my preference. 

Dydd Gwyl Dewi

Concerns About Siska

Siska's not right. I was suspicious that something wasn't quite right last night and again this morning. Just some change from her usual routine and behavior; she seemed quieter than normal and was drooling a little. We did our walk and then had a lazy hour, but after that I got more concerned; Siska looked so fed up. I took her temperature, which was normal, but she had candles of drool hanging from her mouth. Her mouth opens fully, so it currently doesn't look like MMM, but I have no doubts that she is in pain, either from her mouth or throat. This isn't the first time that Siska has had issues with her mouth and throat. As a puppy she had a huge ulcer at the back of her throat, Ken the vet thought she'd swallowed something which had scraped the back of her mouth and caused the ulcer. In 2023 she became quite ill and then had an abscess in her throat. Malan the vet who saw her then thought she had swallowed something and hoped there wasn't a foreign body in her throat. Thankfully, with pain relief and antibiotics, she bounced back without further intervention. I've never known a dog swallow things like she does ... I really hope we can get this sorted at home, I have metacam and I also have clavaseptin, which is the correct antibiotic for mouth and throat problems. Siska has eaten again tonight, but if I have further concern I'll ring the vet in the morning, I'm sure this is dental or throat, what else could it be? 

Last Day Of Winter

Orin and Siska

Ross and Beti. 

Well the last day of Winter finally gave us some blue skies and sunshine, of course there were lots of people about, but we managed to avoid most of them. 

Look No Rain

The lovelies - Orin and Siska

Over the years Siska's tan has deepened tremendously; it gives her a look of her mother. 

The loonies - Ross and Beti

The girl is not for giving up the kong today.

Still no "L" title that I can think of for these three together. Any ideas?

Sammi, Meerah, Zeus.

House For Sale

Well it's the kind of day when I could easily pack my belongings and move off the mountain. Torrential rain and wind do not stop the outside jobs that needed doing. To be fair, it wasn't too bad in the yard, but I needed to get the bins and recycling down the track. I think I've mentioned that wearing a baseball cap in the rain has really helped with my eyes, it keeps a good portion of the rain off my glasses and makes life easier. I was prepared for it to blow off so I put my hood over it, but as soon as I got through the gate I realised the strength of the wind, my hood came off and my cap went flying. Ah well, bye then. By the time I got to the top of the track I'd also lost a bin bag but as I couldn't see it anywhere, I just decided to forget about it. Orin and Siska were with me, and Orin rolled in the grasss, what a knob, as if he wasn't wet enough already! I was very unhappy with the world when I got back, the group of three just had to go to the yard. I took my waterproofs off. Ok, I was dry, at least that was one thing. I bought the three back in and dried them, of course by then the clothes I'd fought so hard to keep dry were wet, happy days!

I'll now be looking again at what properties are for sale in the area, knowing full well that when it comes down to it, I haven't the cash or really the inclination to move. 

Edit - Ok I found the ideal place in Groeslon, at only £375,000!!!

Common Sense Must Prevail

There have been some tears the last few days. People with puppies, people with young dogs, confirmation of pregnancies. Saying I'm jealous, I guess isn't far from the truth, but only because I'm broody. My need for a puppy to show is overwhelming, and I've also been thinking a lot about Kaiah. When I feel like this, I'm at risk of being impulsive, but my dream has always been to continue this "kennel" through my own line and hopefully through a Kaiah granddaughter. But as I said to Steve yesterday, when the dream never comes to fruition, maybe it's time to change the rules? 

I've looked at several litters, and thought, "maybe I could," but I always seem to go back and look at this young lady. Nika is 5 months old and a Schiwago x Gamba daughter. So yeah, no doubts bred in the purple. If I knew for a fact that Siska wasn't still fertile, I'd go and get her now, but I guess I'll have to keep myself together a little longer and hope against hope that next time we get it right. 

Weight

Whilst researching preventative measures for Beti I came across a statement that really made me think. "For every 1lb of weight lost, it removes approximately 4lbs of pressure from the joints during movement."  So yes I did cut back Beti's food, just a little, she is nowhere near heavy; for me she's in peak physical condition, but the more I read into that statement, well, the leaner she is, the better. I just love this photo of her. She is such a poser, whatever we have ahead of us, my life changed for the better when I carried her in through this door. I guess I'm dreaming that Orin's next pup who will hopefully be joining us will fill my heart with as much joy.

The "statement" then made me think of myself, and more importantly, Ross. He and I both started our diets on the 1st of February. I don't know if he's lost weight, as I haven't been anywhere to weigh him, but I have cut his food down dramatically to try and reduce the weight. The fact that I neutered him is again working against him, neutered dogs often get fat and struggle to shred the pounds, but I have to try. Once a dog is neutered, their metabolic rate actually drops by about 20% to 30%. Because their body isn't spending energy on reproductive hormones, they simply don't need as many calories to maintain the same weight. The General Rule of Thumb is, start with a reduction of 10% to 25% of their pre-surgery caloric intake. I did cut him down, but I guess I've let it creep up again recently. 

Then there is me. Well, if I can do anything to help this knee and leg, then I will. I understand my weight has nothing to do with the condition, but in my mind, taking pressure off it can only help. Does that make sense? I set myself a target to lose 7lb before Crufts, and now with 8 days to go, I've lost 8lb, so 8 x 4 = 32. Well, that's lot of pressure off my knee isn't it. Let's see if I can make it 9lb before Crufts! LOL. My next target is before my birthday, I hope, the first number on the scales starts with one digit less. I would have gone to "fat club" but wasn't brave enough to go myself. I do honestly feel that part of my reason for success is down to Gemini. I've been able to research and get advice on lifestyle changes, and I don't feel I'm going without. So yeah, there are benefits to AI. Today we have a big family meal, I will eat what I like, and maybe miss the morning weigh-in tomorrow! 😱 

An AI photo posted by mistake, damn it won't delete!!!! PMSL 

Back To Two Walks

Ross said he wanted to think about Xmas and got Beti to stand next to the tree with him. 

Not a great view today, I guess you can just about make out the sea! Siska really pushing buttons, mine and O's!

A run in the field for Sammi and Meerah, Zeus still has lots of freedom, but I do wish I could take him to the office and explain to him how much better it could be for him.