Not Eating

I forgot to mention and need to make a note of it for future reference, Meerah is hardly eating at all now. She'll eat the sachet in the morning, but not any kibble, and the last two nights she's left her meal. She'll eat any treats and is full of fun and silliness. Let's hope it doesn't last too long ... Beti was over it in a few days so lets hope this one is the same! OMG look at the size of her!!!!

Nico

Another chat about length of foreleg and the correct proportions of the overall height of the dogs got me looking for a photo of Nico in his prime. (When measuring the overall height of the dog, consider that the length of leg should be greater than the depth of chest, so the depth of chest is 45-48% of the overall height. So the chest should ideally be relatively deep, with the bottom of the brisket (the front part of the chest) reaching at least to the level of the elbow. The length of the Skirt may make a dog to be deeper than they are!)

I miss this boy so much, where would we be now without him?  

A baby Sammi with his daddy Nico.

I Wanted To Buy A Pig

 Last week I saw a large garden ornament in the shape of a pig in Bryncir garden centre. His front foot was broken and there were cracks on his back. I asked how much he was? She said, he'd been there a long time, he's £40. I asked if, due to his poor condition, they'd take £20? Apparently the boss was away and that was not her call. I wasn't paying £40 for him!

This morning I walked with Beti and Meerah to the village past Twll Braich, (The quarry hole) then across the road and cross-country to Carmel where Steve was going to pick us up. As ever he hadn't listened and was down by the donkey field, I saw him go past as I walked the narrow track behind the slate mound, and then of course he wasn't answering his phone! Some things never change. Eventually I got hold of him and he came back to pick us up.

I then drove us to the garden centre where he picked up plants from the cheap section, he'll soon have them back to life. Of course, the pig was still there and I asked the question again ... she talked to the boss .. £40. No sorry I'm not paying £40 for a broken pig, but she said "that less than half his original price." Yeah, but still too much for me. I'm kind of sad because I had a place for him, but £40 - well sadly just too much.  

Waiting for Steve!

Out With My Lovelies

I parked in the Cwm and hoped not to be seen, the last time I had Ross and Beti, so I was "heard,"  these two are quieter, but, I was seen. The door opened the gate opened, and she walked straight over her hands out to greet the dogs. I let Siska go over ... but was more wary of Orin as he's not careful of his strength, but she wasn't having it, she had to stroke Orin too. You can see she's nervous of them, which isn't great, but likes them, and she ask, "Are these related to the one who went into my house?" Yes they are related to Louis, who went into her house!!!! Long story. There was some sad news, Pat who lived in "The Lonely Light" had died, back with her husband now, yes a lump in my throat. Orin and Siska were restlessly waiting for their walk, I made my apology and got away. 

On the track we met a family walking a black dog, it really kicked off. They apologised and said he didnt like"Alsatians" as he was bitten as a pup. These two didn't say a word, but I did, well three words "German Shepherd Dogs!" I told them not to worry about the barking, we've all been there!! The track takes you down through fields with sheep who are obviously cared for, so both were on leads, he wouldn't go, but I have no doubts she would. 

It took so long to get this photo, Orin just refusing to put his ears up. I sat on the floor throwing things in the air, rattling a tic-tac box and pretending to get the treats out of the bag .. but no ... "She's watching sheep, and you'll shout, so I'm not doing it!"

 It was worth it in the end! 

Individuals And Nicknames

I know I've talked about the nicknames with previous generations, and this post may well double up on some of them, but it's nice to talk about individuals and not packs or couples sometimes, because within this family of dogs they are individuals. 

Orin - O, Mr O or Daddy O - though doubled up with Siska they are "My Lovelies!"  Orin is a powerful male who sometimes uses his bulk and strength to get his own way. Being in charge of him mentally is a must, physically there is no doubt he could over power me, but to be fair he doesn't try. Generally he's an easy dog, obedient and affectionate with us, though he's aloof and dismissive of strangers. (But not as bad as Loki was) He's good around other dogs and even when dogs have had a go at him at shows, he tends to dismiss them, though if anything made contact then I think he would defend himself. He hates Zeus and tolerates Ross, though he's very patient with Siska who likes to push his buttons, he occasionally will lose it and put her in her place. 

Siska - Sisks or Siska-Liszka - A typically female, mostly very easy but can be strong-willed and determined. Very self-confident and relaxed, sometimes lazy, and like Orin she is very dismissive of other dogs at shows, to be honest she too shows very little interest in people she doesn't know. She doesn't like being brushed, dried or blasted, but of course she puts up with it as we've always done it. I don't think I've ever seen her aggressive, though she did bully Sammi. Worst thing about her, she takes delight in bed shredding! 

Sammi - Sammi Belle, Angel and was previously Naughty Angel. Quite a headstrong puppy, but she was extremely friendly and self confident from the beginning. She can be more dog reactive at the shows, "Are you looking at me?" LOL. Generally a happy girl who is an absolute pleasure, where ever I am, Sammi wants to be. I love them all, but Sammi is one of those "special ones."

Zeus - Well, where do I start? - Knob head, Arsehole, Twat, Hairy, Blew (Hair in Welsh) and Steve calls him curly wee. Now before I say any more, please always remember, despite the bad days, I love this dog. Zeus is probably too bright for his own good. Yes he pushes my buttons, but mostly I'm sad for his sake, he's the one who misses out, he's the one always on the lead, though the retractable lead is a godsend for him. There is a lot of good in this dog, but I can't deny that he can be difficult, the main issues are his lack of recall and his unpredictable nature when you need to brush him or do something with him/to him that he objects too, and that can be as simple as drying him. I hate the fact he chases the cats, and he would kill sheep, but I honestly would have no concerns walking him around a show or down the high street - left alone in those circumstance he's fine. 

Meerah - Legs or Mwnci - Welsh for Monkey. The story so far is that Meerah is a very sweet-natured girl, affectionate, happy and obedient. In the room with us, you couldn't get a better behaved pup, left to her own devices, well she likes to steal things and shred things. She's pretty loud, which can be off putting to strangers, but she really is a sweetheart. 

Beti - Beti Bwt, Beti Boncers - Black Beti bam-ba-lam. I never call her Beti Boo, but other do and she tells me she doesn't mind. What can I say about Beti? Well I think she's amazing; she's happy, bubbly, full on, friendly, sweet, obedient and affectionate. WOW, any negatives? Well yeah full on isn't always fun, especially when she's leaping into the air and I'm trying to walk in a straight line. She can and does take offence if anything looks at her the wrong way at shows, and by now she doesn't like Sammi or Siska. Beti is very bright, and I often think she, and Ross are wasted as a pet/show dogs.

Ross - well you know he has nicknames, but not ones we use to call him.  Brown clown, mouth of the south, loud and annoying, (Which was actually originally said spitefully by the green-eyed monster, but we have found it funny.) I used to call him Mr P (Poldark) - but I haven't done for years. I guess he's the masculine version of Beti, but much much louder! Ross is never happier than when he's helping (!!) Steve do jobs. Despite being a prat of a puppy, probably one of the worst behaved I've had, he grew into a wonderful adult, yeah our Ross is a lovely, lovely boy. 

Aren't I lucky! 

Two Walks Off The Property

Type

I often witter about "type" or as I've been corrected, the appropriate word is "style." 

(I was told - 'Type' defines a breed, and 'style' conveys judges, breeders and owners 'preferences, understanding and interpretation' of the breed standard) Having used the word "Type" for 34 years it's hard to change, but this is what I mean. (I pinched the chart off Facebook) For some reason what we call "English Type" is not there, but its closest counterpart is the "American show-line." Blanik is totally based on West German Show-line, though through his mother, Loki had some working line in his pedigree. The colours of the dogs of course vary to include all breed standard colours, but we rarely find the dark and grey sables in any of the show line dogs. 

There is no doubt show line dogs did become exaggerated, but now most responsible breeder are working hard to reduce over exaggeration of angulation in the front and rear, and to produce dogs with strong but unexaggerated backlines. 

Walk Two - Orin And Siska

 After yesterday, Linda booked "an easy walk." With cattle up by Llyn Cop I suggested we drive to Glanrhyd road in Dinas and let them have a run on the footpath, then walk the single track road as we have previously done. Yes, a nice easy walk ... but what we didn't bargain on was the clouds breaking and the hot sun, so after they had a run I suggested we try plan B! 

Back on the leads for both and a short walk along the road before going over the stile, across the fields and into the copse. Well no one fell, lost anything or got stung, though Siska did get knotted! LOL. I showed Linda the little bridge, but beyond it, it was still too overgrown to go further ... shame, but I'm sure it'll be doable in Autumn, I really do want to see where the path leads. No doubt it'll be a major disappointment now. 

We stayed under the canopy of trees for a while and my lovelies both found their way into the shallow river. Though we didn't walk that far, we all enjoyed mooching in a different place and of course keeping cool at the same time. 

I've been trying hair straighteners recently - but my hair is still doing its own thing! No idea what these two are looking at, but I love the photo. 

Walk One

We set off along "Lon Eifion" from Groeslon towards Penygroes. We passed bikers, walkers and dogs, other than one swear word aimed at a black Lab from Sammi it went well. 2 Terriers thought they'd take Sammi and Zeus on, but not a word from these two. An apology from the owner and some embarrassed comments from her friend, but we all laughed it off. At least no one said "Oh the Alsatians will eat you!" One of my pet hates for more than one reason. We saw a lady running towards us and put the dogs aside, she asked from a distance if it was OK to carry on running, and then as she got closer asked if she should walk or stop. I assured her it was all good, and she carried on, but how nice of her ... maybe she was just nervous of them, but still, no one has asked before and some of the cyclists were as rude as ever!

Zeus pulled off the track and to a side gate ... it was open so we went in, we were all over the moon to find this meadow, such a beautiful spot ... and I never knew it was there! 

One last photo on the way out - isn't our Sammi stunning!

Tegid

Yesterday was such a hard day. It was my Uncle Tegid funeral. He was 78 years old but had struggled with Parkinson's disease for about 15 years. Tegid had been a teacher, then changed careers and became a Vicar. It was no surprise therefore that the service in the Church lasted a painful 1hr and 15 mins. The service was held totally through the medium of Welsh, as it should be, but I did feel sorry for my English cousins who had to "winging it" for all that time. To be honest I made the decision not to take my reading glasses, so I was partly winging it too! As I'm an agnostic I found most of the service painful and unnecessary, but the eulogy was lovely, on saying that the Church was Tegid's life, so I didn't begrudge spending that time in his honour. The Church was packed and speakers had been set up outside for the many people who didn't have a seat. He was without doubt a popular man.

Following the church service, there was a family only service at the crematorium. A photo video was played to the music of Abba, that had us all in tears ... my father, my grandparents and my mother's siblings all bought back to life on a big screen, yeah that was beautiful but hard. When we came out, I was surrounded by family, some, like Tegid's grandchildren, I didn't even know, but even with lot of people that I'm close to, I felt so emotionally alone. Through no fault of his own, the person I need most in the world at that time, my husband, my everything, was not there. Wow, a roller coaster of emotions and unbelievable feeling of loneliness even though I was surrounded by people.

We then all went back to the Royal Victoria in Llanberis and it was so lovely to catch up with family members from all over the UK who had travelled up to remember our "Uncle Tegid." It was particularly special for me to see 2 of the 4 Ipswich brothers again, Uncle Merfyn's sons, though I love them all, Ian and David have always been special to me. I tell them both they are my favourite cousin ... but hell I couldn't choose if I had too! LOL It would be great to see them all again soon, but hopefully in sweeter circumstances! 

Now promise me, if I kick the bucket soon, take me to the Crem, burn me, do the photo video thing to George music, have the tea and cake .. but no chapel, no church, no religion!