Out With Zeus

Yesterday On The Mountain

It was just too nice not to take photos. 

Seasons And Things

Miss Sisks had been sick yesterday morning. Carrots and mud .. she still eats everything she shouldn't and often leaves me in a panic. So breakfast was left, and she wasn't quite herself for the first half of the day. This morning as we set off she barged into Orin and took a bite at him, he floored her and just stood looking down at her as she crumpled in a worried heap. I said nothing, other than, "serves you right." Having taken charge from her mother and pushed Sammi down the pecking order she really thinks she's the big I am, but it's good to know someone can still put her in her place!

Siska last came in season on the 2nd of November, so the 2nd of May it will be 6 months, but Siska has always gone 7 - 8 months between seasons. Interestingly, when she weed out this morning Orin took a long time investigating it, and then cocked his leg over it. Hmmm, now I know he takes interest in her pee for sometime before a season, but not normally for two months! I'll keep a close eye on her now, and also observe what Orin tells me! Again Siska hasn't had a dramatic moult and the new coat is now beginning to come through. Though my other bitches are coming back into coat as they come in season, Siska is usually in full coat by then. My only concern if she comes in early is that Lucca is away on holiday in Scotland on the third week of May, Siska wouldn't do that to me ... would she?  I do have a back-up plan and should things look suspicious with timing, I'll introduce you to George! 

Strangely, I had the same scenario with Loki and Beti today, her sisters have all had their first season, just Beti to go. Of course Ross isn't interested so that doesn't help, but interestingly Sammi was and she also weed next to it. Some people may find my observations odd, but living with families of dogs teaches us about their natural behaviour more so than living with a single dog. Sniffing and wee is the dogs social media! 

Last night at club as I cuddled a members dog she jumped on me, I said "Oh I don't mind," to which the owner replied "I do, we don't let our dogs jump up." Well absolutely, their dog, their rules and I will always abide by that. I'm still fighting with Beti's manners, as I've said she's very full on. Teaching her to be calm in certain situations is down to me, though of course I need the support of others if I am to succeed. Yesterday she was over enthusiastic about Linda being with us, and though it's lovely that she loves her "friends" manners are important!

Moving On?

Last night someone young took the piss again. Really it had been quite a day for it. The leg of lamb, the shredded rosette, the disappearing brush and washing basket. You name it, our Beti does it, but she sure brightens the days. Last night at 10.45pm she lay on the rubber matt in the middle of the yard and said .. "I'm sleeping out tonight!" The head tilted as I called her in, but the bottom didn't move! Well I'm sorry Miss B but it's not happening, I got hold of her by the collar and marched her to bed where her bonio was waiting for her, she looked at it, then looked at me as if telling me where to stick it. lol. We had a quick cuddle and I told her how funny she was, how lovely and how sweet and before closing her crate I thanked her for bringing such joy into my life, and then my mind went elsewhere and I cried! 

A year ago I was tucking Kaiah up for the night in that very space, you see I can't even type about her without crying. I can't really talk about her, I can't enjoy my memories because the sadness and guilt still haunts me so much. It's not a choice, I'd move on, if only I could.  Having Beti here is wonderful, but sadly I never forget why she is here. The little bright spark came to help me heal from the heartache, and my word we have such fun, but those memories still rip at my heart. In just a couple of weeks it will be 12 months since Zoe came to be mated to Orin ... and it's fast approaching 12 months since Kaiah was so cruelly ripped from our lives. I've no memory of feeling such intense sadness at loss for so long before, I've no memory of every, 12 months on being unable to speak a name without welling up with emotion. I've experienced so much loss, Blade, Louis, Kai, Seffe, the list is endless .. but this grief remains on another level. 

Leg Of Lamb

Well can you see Beti? What do you think she has in her mouth? Well, I'll tell you, a lambs leg! I've no idea what happened to it, or where the rest of it was, but there wasn't a hope in hell of me getting it off her and yes eventually she ate it! Beti is very obedient and very quick to learn, but today I saw that she can also be a Tali. I just couldn't get to her, and she forgot what a recall was, the more I tried, the faster she chewed and I was afraid she would swallow it, basically it was safer for me to leave her to chew through it as we went along. Now I'll worry, of course I will, but I had to make a decision in the moment, and as revolting as it was, I felt it was the safer option.

For The Hairy Fan Club

Nice yeah! 

Maybe one for next years calendar. 

Beti At Home

At Home Today

Sorry hairy fan club - no pic today! lol

W+PBW

A lovely day yesterday at WPBW, though an uncomfortable drive home with blinding sun, the Blanik Bus playing up and the Kamikaze pheasants. Anyway a fun day with my lovely friends. Thanks to judge Sue Forman for Beti's BPIB with the icing on the cake being shortlisted in the group by Steve Hall, how emotional was that! Thank you so much Arron Price for handling Beti today, she looked fab. I really enjoyed being back in the ring with Jackie's Kai and our Siska. Well done Jackie with his 1st place in PGD. Well done Ian Turner with Kiaan's BPD, Denise with Jimmy's BOB and well deserved Group 4, and Heulwen with Gina's Best Female. Thanks, Linda, for the picces and the sing along with "Ed" on the way home, and to Jackie and Ian for the giggles all day. Also thanks to our Judge Sue Forman for the lovely gifts. Lastly, thanks Siska and Beti - my stars ⭐️⭐️

A cracking photo of Beti in the breed ring. Collars and leads edited out and the colour lightened as it was a dark room, but Beti, as she is! 

Siska could have done better with a handler I'm sure, but we had fun!

Loki Today

Whilst searching for something else I came across this video, so just a quick update on the boy. This was him at his worst in Sept 2021, the day before he lost complete mobility and we decided to call it a day and have him PTS the next day .. Monday. But unable to sleep that night I thought I'd discuss steroids with Beth our vet. She prescribed 25mg for 10 days, the improvement was quick and dramatic. I guess Loki then had a couple of wonderful years but went down hill again before Xmas 2023... anyway the bottom video is from today ... he does his walk every day and though now he's a bit more wobbly, he still really is amazing! 

Feeling A Little Fed Up

I'm sure the weather is getting to all of us. Every day is the same, wet, windy, misty and cold. I've given up on taking photos, after all there's nothing new to see. I did intend on getting a couple of snaps today, but with sleet and sheep I gave up. I can see these three are going to be a pain in the butt! Other than intense heat, I think I'm one who tolerates seasonal weather quite well. But where is Spring? We are halfway through it, and it still feels like mid-Winter. It was better in Porthmadog yesterday afternoon, and I was hopeful we may return to something promising, but I was wrong, though it was sunny the strong wind was bitterly cold. I'm still drying clothes on the radiators for fear my knickers may end up in Carmel .. or even further afield. 😁

I've booked the rooms for us to stay over for the Scottish show, after my experience of the last two shows I fear this may be my last all breed show for a while. I gave up on them 20 years or so ago as I started attending General Ch. Shows and found a better, friendlier crowd of people at these shows, sadly it doesn't seem to have changed and Sunday was laughable in a lot of cases. Maybe I shouldn't tar them all with the same brush but I was interested to be sent this yesterday ... "Well he almost killed 2 Champion bitches here on the hottest of summer days 1st time he judged and only 2 in the class and he still couldn't make a decision. The handlers had to swap over 4 times the class went on that long. He hasn't got the knowledge or eye for a dog to be judging. He was an obedience man so when he moved to showing he thinks that if you train them to go and go it proves they can work. He's never had a great dog himself, bred a couple of good dogs but let them go and then charged the people for training classes, handling etc. He trained them to run like a train and handled them to their titles but cost him nothing, he made money from it. Put him on the never again list. He only got 6 dogs to judge here last year after his 1st appointment, and for good reason. Not even sure how he was able to award CCs as he hasn't judged the numbers to be approved. His lack of knowledge is obvious, he can't hide it. He just keeps moving dogs up and back down the line as he hasn't a clue." Enough said! 

This morning Steve and I discussed the forthcoming shows and who is going where. He has no problems with me staying over for the Scottish one and no concerns for anything else that I'm planing to do, but when he discovered that I'm still Billy No Mates for Three Counties and The Sieger his face dropped and he walked out of the room. (I think if he could walk quicker, I'd say "Stormed out of the room" but bless him he can't, no I'm not being spiteful, just continuing the humour that we live with!) Jane is going to stay over, but with her living in Staffordshire, we will be setting off from very different locations. I'm still considering giving the Sieger a miss .. but really, it's the 150 mile trip to Malvern alone that bothers him and me more. Of course I know the way, well mostly, but going it alone is just not something I've done since before the head explosion of 2015 .... Sadly, it seems too much to ask someone to come with me just for the ride and expect them to pay for a night away .. though OMG I'm shocked to discover it's half the price of the Scottish room. 

I think I may have to go back to Specsavers as I think my vision issues have deteriorated further. I'm now on the laptop wearing the right glasses ... but struggling .. and god knows what I'm sending in texts and messanger these days as I can barely see the screen! So if you can't read what I send you hell I'm sorry!!! 

The bottom photo is Sammi! lol 

Sheffield Show

Not sure what to say, it wasn't our day in the ring, but there is more to it than that. We had fun with friends, but the judging was all round beyond my understanding!!!

Tired and emotional, I cried as I went through dozens of photos of other people's dogs to find just this one of Orin, god it hurt especial as I continue to see photos of other people's dogs online. I take the camera mainly to get photos of my dogs ... and obviously photos of friends dogs to share and treasure memories, ah well!!!

Flying Solo

There are two weekends this Summer with shows that I want to go to falling on the Friday and Saturday in early June then Saturday and Sunday in late June. In both instances, it would make absolutely no sense to come home on the Saturday and go again on the Sunday, that would be a killer for me. It looks like my wing man won't be doing both shows on either weekend, so after giving it great thought the only option is to go it alone, well that or miss out. Steve is really not happy about my decision, but other people do it, so why can't I? And a friend who lives alone said .. "If I didn't do it, I wouldn't get to go anywhere!"  I know my way to Malvern and I have my sat nav to then get me to the Travelodge at Tamworth. I would probably be there late afternoon at the latest early evening, I could check in and have a lazy rest of the day in my room and mooching about with Beti and Orin. (if I was going alone for the first time, I'd only take two, so I wouldn't take Siska) It wouldn't be an early start to the second show as the venue is about 20 mins from the Travelodge. 

The second lot of shows later in the months starts me off at the same venue in Tamworth, for my confidences' sake, maybe I could follow someone there then at the end of the show drive up to that hotel in Swinton for the night. Again it wouldn't be an early start as Swinton to Blackpool is 45 mins to an hour tops. It all sounds very doable ... providing I can get my van fully serviced and get the confidence to believe that my head will be OK!

The photos are of video stills from Bolton show in Scotland ... Oops ... If you know you know!!!!

Birthday Visitors

Yesterday morning as soon as we put the guys out the coal man arrived, we got them back in and sorted out the payments etc. Unfortunately, in that time poor Loki had had an accident and pooed in his bed, the first time in weeks. We put him out, we cleaned it, changed the bedding, got his breakfast and said nothing. 

In the afternoon, within 30 mins of coming back from picking up my prescription, an unexpected visitor with birthday gifts arrived. We had tea and cake in the kitchen and Beti absolutely stole the show. She loved the visitor, though I did have to curb her enthusiasm a couple of times, especially when the friend got up to leave and Beti set eyes on the pompom hat!!!

In the early evening another friend came to see me, hell like buses, we never see anyone and two come up the same day! Ross and Beti again could not control their enthusiasm, and Sammi had to be told off too! It is nice that they love visitors, and visiting people, but manners are important with big powerful dogs. Sadly, during the enthusiastic pacing Loki had another ancient, this time in blobs on a walk between the kitchen and middle room. I told my friend, we say nothing just clean it, being a dog person she completely understood. Loki is not a dirty house dog, he is simply an older dog who has lost muscle in the relevant places. 

Anyway, a huge thank you to everyone who sent cards, gifts and messages. It's been a nice day, just Bill and Ben out for lunch in the Newborough! 

Tree Checking

Maybe it makes no sense as I'm not a gardener but I have such pride in these trees, the ones on the right in this photo have been in the ground 3 - 4 years but the ones at the bottom, fenced off behind Orin are new in from last Autumn. It looks promising that they all survived the winter, even the tiny ones which I've checked on regularly. We now need just a few more and we will have done two boundary walls. We've had sheep in two days this week, so Steve and I spent the morning patching up the fencing. 

                       

Not Going Out

Who can blame them? Wind and rain it's time to sod off now!

Beti And Orin At Bolton

We were back online this morning, that was one stormy night, but it was dry and blustery as we set off for Bolton GSD Club Champ show yesterday morning. It was a day of lovely dogs, friendship and fun with sunshine, rain, wind and flying tents!!! Neither Beti or Orin were in the top spots, but I was pleased with their critiques and performances. Thanks to Kayleigh Hoult for her lovely handling and encouraging words re Beti and thanks to Liam Henderson who handled Orin brilliantly. Well done to all who succeeded, and thanks to all who organised a lovely show.

Over medium size medium strength. Very good head and expression. Very good topline slightly short croup. Very good angulation. Good lay of the shoulder. Upper arm slightly short, slightly steep. Very good female all round. Moved reasonably well.

Over medium size medium strength, good head and expression but light eye detracts. Clean overline, well moulder croup, a bit of wavy hair over the croup. Good hind angulation - both ends. Powerful long striding side gait, but showing some softness in the back today.

*****

Some encouraging words from Kayleigh re Beti on the day and in a message this morning has helped with the slight disappointment that I feel today. Hey, you take the rough with the smooth, the knocks make the wins more special, as I've said before win with pride, lose with dignity, but when we love our dogs we can't help but feel it a little. Anyway Kayleigh said at the show that she thought she was a lovely pup with a bright future and messaged today saying "she was a tad heavy which spoils her top line but lovely little girl she is, with training she could do some great things ❤️ Anytime I will handle her and any of your gang x" So nice to get the encouragement at the right time, but I really don't think she's carrying too much weight, of course I will take the comments on board. Regarding the training, I do feel I've let Beti down a little. When was the last time we did ring training for this kind of event? I think she's lucky if we've done it twice when she was a little dot! Hopefully, some of my friends will be able to come up and do some work with her. 

As regards to Orin's critique, well I guess I can't dispute a thing, other than the soft back comment .. that implies lack of fitness .. so if it's correct that's down to me too! 

Pilgrimage

Have you been watching "Pilgrimage, The Road Through North Wales?" Bethan told me about it. Well OK as an agnostic you'd consider that this would not be on my radar, but if you want to see the glory of my homeland then please watch it, especially episode three where they come up "My Mountain" from Waunfawr. For us "Welshies" some of the pronunciations are laughable, but there you go. Anyway, if you watch, look out for these places on our daily walks....  

Isla And Feedback

 Yesterday was the anniversary of "Return Of The Cat" (sung to Mark Morrison - Return of the Mack lol). After 11 months AWOL it was three years since our Princess returned home to overwhelming emotion. Where was she? It was the not knowing that killed me/us, I could only presume she had died. The not knowing now intrigues me and many others beyond compare ... but I can safely say that she's now checked in every morning and throughout the day for the last three years! 

Around my birthday, I have three more anniversaries to deal with, the loss of Asha and Winnie; and Zeus' return to base camp. It was also on the same week, but last year, that Isla from the K litter found herself needing help. Isla's home situation had changed and her owners needed help. Frank and Linda were kind enough to foster her until a home was found for her, and after the loss of their precious Danni, Isla went to live with another Linda and family in Derby. Isla is adored and having a wonderful life, the photo below, which is one of regular updates, is of her at the pub quiz last night. I hope she didn't cheat! 

This week I've had feedback on all the L and K litter kids, bar one home. I'm not sure whether I should ask again or appreciate that not everyone wants to precipitate? It's not a criticism of anyone, but keeping breed records up to date can only be helpful in the long run. I honestly have nothing to report on the K kids, well other than Zeus, I think his character and itchy problems need reporting in case there is a connection elsewhere. In the L litter, one has had issues with digesting chicken based foods, and the same one and one male also have seasonal itching. Siska and Orin have no issues, that I can see, well other than Siska momentarily lost her hearing the other day .. Maybe I should report that? No I'm still not laughing Siska! 

Thanks to Jazz's owner and C for the feedback on my blog. It's nice to know that people are reading and appreciating what I write. I try to be honest, say it as it is in my head on the day .. which leaves it subject to changing from one day to another. I'm never afraid to learn a lesson, admit I was wrong or change my mind. Some years ago I had a phone call from a friend who told me that I should strop writing the blog, she said my honesty left me vulnerable and open to abuse/bulling. I could see where she was coming from, but I'm a 50+ year old woman writing mainly about GSD's, sometimes cats, George and yeah, sometimes my life. It's only once been used against me when screenshots were posted on social media of opinions on a L/C beating Sammi at a show. (they were different times) What the person "forgot" to add was the screenshot of my opinion on the subject, I added them, balance was restored and someone else was made to look stupid! I've also written here time and time again about the green-eyed monster. Though most of you know her, I've not once named her, and writing about her "antics" over the years has helped me deal with what otherwise could have consumed me and made me bitter. I consider myself to be very non-confrontational, I'd sooner walk away from negativity, but that doesn't mean that I don't mull over things and take them totally out of context in my mind ... writing helps!  

What Do You See?

I'm always preaching about posting bad photos. This is not a photo that I will post on social media, it actually makes me cringe. Of course he's turned his feet out more than they actually are, but the narrow chest, weak pasterns and 10 to 2 feet really can't be missed - and you can also conclude that he is cow hocked, but that is better than it was. I ask the same question, why does the L/C gene carry this abnormality?  Louis Donald has concluded that research proves they are linked, I guess I have to just accept that they are, and understanding it is well over my pay grade! 

I had to giggle today as someone commented on my photos that Zeus is so beautiful .. Yes I know he is, put aside the constructional issues, L/C's seem to appeal more to Joe Public, he has a stunning head and beautiful colour, but what made me giggle was the comment that he has such kindness in his eyes ... OMG  really? Wow how not to read a dog eh! Oh hell don't get me wrong mostly Zeus is great, we have a routine that works for him and us, we love him so keeping him safe is paramount ... but push this dog and I have no doubts he'd choose fight over flight. He is not like the others here, as I've said numerous times I can't be sure why, but dogs with a "past" often have baggage that we have to learn to work around. Re-homing Zeus would have needed care, he would have needed an experienced owner who could read his eye and body signals correctly. He's not an Orin, or a Ross, he's Zeus, our Zeus, often twat of the week but we love him and we hope we are giving him as much as we can to keep him safe and happy. 

Feels Like Spring Today

Happy 9 months

Our lovely, exuberant, happy girl - wow, she's no longer a little baby. She's bright, intelligent, easy to teach and eager to please. I'm over the moon with her. 

Ian came over at the weekend and we measure her together - our conclusion was 58.5cms, but I haven't weighed her. When I next do, I'll add it to her records. She may grow a tad more, but nothing to worry about ... now bring on the shows ... win with pride, lose with dignity! 

Pedigree Checks

For a donation of £5 per pedigree search, which goes to Welfare, the breed's health co-ordinator has been working hard for me checking out the pedigree's of prospective stud dogs for Siska. Now that we are happy with what we've found, she's going to dig further into Siska's distant ancestors. Of course we know that no pedigree is clear of issues. With my pedigree going back 30 + years I'm pretty familiar with it, but knowledge is always the key. Where breeding is concerned there is no point burying our heads in the sand, we really must do our homework, check it out, and check it out again! It's then a case of balancing everything out, and as she said, always being careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. This breeding line has served me well, and I must preserve it as best as I can. 

The last few litter have been very successful, to be honest since mixing Conbhairean and Blanik we've got to where I want to be. I've made mistakes, haven't we all? The "B" and "C" litters were really not the best, but mating Seffe from the "A" litter with Apollo Von Dakota for the "D" kept us on track. The "B" and "C" litter are not in my breeding line as they simply were not good enough, but the "E" and "K" litters are not there either, but that was because I kept males .. Louis and Orin. The dam of the "E" litter was Krizzie who was also the dam of the "F" litter, so the girls are still there, in the same way that if Siska conceives, we won't lose her or Kaiah ... and that is really important to me. The "K" litter will not be lost through Orin's offspring, but sadly neither Louis or his siblings were bred from. The "E" litter was a great litter, and I now regret that I didn't offer Louis at stud. 

Now I'm going back through previous litter looking for anything that should go onto the breed database, anything that could help the future of the breed should not be swept under the carpet. We don't breed puppies with abnormalities on purpose, we do the best we can, but sometimes nature throws a spanner in the works. As regards to problems, we haven't bred it till we have, what you do about it once it's there is what proves who you are! 

Siska's Gold Stars Go In The Bin

A walk with Zeus around Twll Braich 

Loki, Ross, Beti and Sammi having fun 

Siska and Orin - and where it all went wrong! 

I'd just taken them out of the van and was setting off, when from behind one of the slate heaps came three men on bikes. They were a safe distance away but without any warning Siska set off towards them. I called her and called her but to no avail. Orin came from behind me and set off too, I called him, he stopped and returned. I put a lead on him and continued to call Siska .. nothing. The cyclists continued, and Siska continued to follow them and bark. I was at my wits end, by then in tears ... one cyclist then came away from the others and rode up towards me with Siska on his tail and still barking. I was preparing myself for a deserved mouthful from the cyclist, and believe you me I was ready to grovel! I called out "I am so sorry, honestly she's never done that before!" (and I swear she hasn't!) His reply took me aback .. "It's Ok, don't worry, I just wanted to bring her back safely to you." He was so nice that it upset me more. It really wasn't alright was it, it was so unacceptable. I was seething with her and honestly lost the plot. Three years of trust in her, lost within minutes, how can I ever trust her again? In the interest of my sanity and her safety I decided to put her back in the van, I really didn't want to see her face, I didn't want to spend any more time with her. So yes I dumped her in the van and walked Orin alone, feeling guilty halfway through I went back to get her and then kept her on the lead.  

When I got home, I burst into tears again. I try and give them a nice life, I try to give them freedom, all I ask back is a recall and a "Wait," It's really not too much to ask is it! 

Out Of And By

Mrs S is off on a rant again. I just feel if you're going to do it, you do it right. For example, Blanik Kyriacos is by Fransisco Di Casa Gregori out of Blanik Ivana .. right?  So when advertising a litter or promoting a dog the sire is listed first. Well yeah always, or that's how it should be. Also if you ask me who is Kyriacos' by? Then he's by Fransisco, if you ask me who he's out of? Then the answer is Ivana - he can't be out of Fransisco, his sire or by Ivana his dam, can he? Maybe I'm being pedantic? Maybe I'm spending too much time on social media? Hell if people are not sure then maybe they should just ask "what's the breeding?" LOL 

The Race

To avoid the "Easter Race" we turned back and took the van down to the bottom of Mynydd Cilgwyn. For a sunny Easter weekend it was pleasantly quiet. The guys loved it so much, even Loki legged it to the lake.

Seeing all those people running took my thoughts back to Asha, sweet confident, obedient Asha and her moment of madness as she followed the runners away from us. It was when I had Sammi and Loki as youngsters .. they listened, she didn't. Maybe she thought there were butties and cakes at the end of the race!

Avoiding Moel Tryfan I took Orin and Siska past the donkey field and did some road work, not my favourite kind of walk, but it was a change. There are two places on the walk where they can safely be off the lead .. or so I thought. Both here doing a super recall .. did they see the lamb who somehow pushed onto the track? Maybe O did, but she didn't ... and breath! Never ever become complacent, it's the nature of the beast. 

Because he's on the lead Zeus went onto Moel Tryfan as the runners were heading back. He did really well, though was uncomfortable with people running up behind him. He did nothing wrong, but stopped and waited for them to pass, until he saw Ian .. then he ate chicken!