And The Others Out

Sammi went twice, with Zeus and with Ross. Not long walks but far more mentally stimulating than the fields I'm sure! 

Orin and Siska had to slum it in the fields again today - but tomorrow is their day out!

Coed Elernion (Woods)

I've been wanting to go to Coed Elernion in Trefor for a few months. After a night of rain I'm not sure I picked the right day though. Whilst it was a beautiful place, the footpaths were a little steep in places and were muddy and slippery. Coming downhill really wasn't much fun! The narrow path leads to a lovely stream where we spent some time before going over the first bridge and then a steep, slippery incline. I was grateful I was going up and hoped I wouldn't have to come down the same way. It then opened out into a field, wow that was lovely, back into the woods and then another field. There seem to be several tracks from the fields, but I think they are for another day. I came back to another bridge, and it was eeny, meeny, miny, moe to pick a track back from there. I was lucky, as it took me back to the main gate. There is no doubt I'll be going back, especially as it looks like there will be carpets of bluebells by the stream, but I think I'll wait till there's a dry spell and hope the path will be safer ... and yes I want to try the other paths by the second bridge. 

The woodland reminded me a little of how the nursery used to be in Tremadog when we were kids, very unkempt really, but still lovely. I can't imagine it will go high on my list of new walks, but without doubt it's one to add onto the "occassional" list. 

A new place for Beti and Meerah.

 

Concerns

So hairy has a knot under his tail, I suggested the ACP (prescription sedative), but Mr S thinks he can manage it. Last night he was on the floor trying to brush him and I told him to be careful. Mr S on the floor without a plan to get up is not a good idea! Anyway, he responded with "I'm not as nervous around him as you are." WHAT??? NERVOUS? Wow, I don't consider myself nervous around him at all, but I am careful and I think Steve should be careful too. It didn't escalate to an argument, but we did have a difference of opinion. Zeus is mostly a good dog these days, but I do think that is because we manage him and we read him. If we make a mistake, then it could have serious consequences for all concerned. 

Having done my morning walks yesterday, I needed to go and get tinned cat food, it really isn't easy to get a variety of tinned cat food these days. Anyway then came the question, will you come for lunch with me? Oh bloody hell, I'm not going to make my next weight target before my birthday, but considering where we were a year ago, days to have lunch out with Steve are precious! Lunch it was! 

I've been a bit concerned about Orin and Siska, maybe I'm overthinking, but it's what I do! Following the mating on Saturday, Orin had had a few drops of blood around his willy, that continued into Sunday but he seemed 100% fine in himself. As they separated from the tie on Saturday, Orin gave a squeal. I guess as a madien bitch she was probably a little tight, anyway he mated her again on Sunday with no issues! We've had no blood since Sunday morning and again he seems full of himself, but he left two breakfasts, well in any situation that is not Orin. Anyway he's eaten normally this morning so let's hope it was just a blip. So Siska, at the beginning of the month, just about the time she was drooling, I had moved the mat from the hall and replaced it with a shorter one. As Siska ran out, she slipped. I saw both her back legs go under her, but she was up and away quickly. Over the next few days she did it three times, and I ended up having to replace the mat. She fell hard and was lame, I thought she must have pulled a muscle or something but wasn't too worried as I saw what happened. Anyway she was then on loxicom for 7 days for her mouth and the limp went away, but now it has returned, and yes I'm overthinking! So a course of loxicm and if it doesn't go this time then I'll have to take her to the vets. I know her hips are Ok, but that doesn't mean she couldn't have hurt her hip, or yeah, pulled a muscle - I sympathise with how long that takes to heal! 

Plas Braich has been sold. I'm pleased for Mandy and Steve, but not feeling great about it myself. It's always a concern to have new people about. Apparently they are brother and sister, they have grown up children who are no longer living with them, no dogs and no cats. Let's hope they can cope with some short periods of barking, and me shouting "Shut the F*ck up!"

In The Fields

Two On Lead Circuits

Well apart from Sammi!!

Getting Away From The Wind

I was so glad I was able to go down to Dinas with Orin and Siska today. Sunny, yes, but such a strong bitter wind in Fron. Yes it was still cold in Dinas too, but dramatically calmer.

First day for Beti wearing the anti-bark collar in the van - No success, she barked all the way to Dinas. I swear my blood pressure was through the roof by the time I got there. Anyway, we will try it on 6 tomorrow and see how we go! 

Names

I've been thinking a lot about names again; a lot of names have been and gone, and I'm not sure I can revisit them. Kaiah's daughter to Zalu was going to be Vixen, I saw her as a sable similar to Meerah, but obviously smaller. Siska's daughter to Reno was going to be Elle (not Ellie, just Elle), and even though that mating may happen again, I think the moment for that name has passed. I find it hard not to pre-think of names, but equally it's really hard to reuse them even if it was for a pup that never was! I can still see "Vixen" in my head, so for me, to a degree, she did exist. 

Nicola's affix is the very Welsh "Presaddfed," and if we are lucky to have puppies, I've no idea if she will be choosing a letter, a theme or just names that she likes for the registrations. I just hope she goes for the affix and a name and not silly sentences! I know that with the breeder's permission, there is the option for the owner to change a registered name, but really it would be a pain in the arse, as well as an unnecessary expense. I have a couple of pet names in mind, Ravi for a male and Sila for a female, but I'd have to give careful thought about having a Siska and a Sila. I don't like run-of-the-mill dog names, but I have to be so careful not to confuse the pack with similar sounding names. 

Mattie At Home

Video last Tuesday - so flirting but nowhere near ready. 

 

First Mating

Round one today – though I'm not sure Mattie was best keen on Orin at first, but we got there. I just love this female for her balance, unexaggerated proportions, stunning colour and beautiful head and expression. 

Combine her with this lad, well I just hope for something special... I love this boy!

Put The Leads On!

 Well it's a year since Steve broke his hip. I guess he hasn't returned to the level of mobility he previously had, but it could have been so much worse. We have to appricate where we are and hope this Spring and Summer will be better for all of us. 

Ten minutes of madness in the field for everyone before a lead walk today. Did we strick to it? Well... 

Orin and Siska on the leads 

Zeus on the lead, but Sammi was so unhappy, and there was no one about so off came the lead.

Ross off the lead and the girls on the lead, there was no way I could manage three of those retractable leads, we got in enough knots as it was!