Marley

I'm over the moon to get these photos of Marley from Sharon, she was lucky to get to see him today. She described him as tall, long and narrow. So yeah, he sounds like a male version of Meerah and probably looks exactly as he should for his age. He weighs 42kg and Meerah is 32kg so when they fill their frames they will both be pretty impressive I think! 

Llyn Cop With The Girls

After a run in the fields for everyone I took the girls for a walk to Llyn Cop, it rained the whole time, but honestly today I really enjoyed myself. There was no wind and it was mild, I guess after being confined to barracks yesterday, it was one of those days when you realise the beauty in all seasons. 

Poor Beti

My lovely girl is not feeling very well, she hasn't eaten in two days, other than some chicken that I got for her today at Tesco. 

The most common side effects of Alizin (aglepristone) in dogs are pain and inflammation at the injection site, as well as general signs such as anorexia, depression, and excitation. These side effects are usually transient and reversible.  

Anorexia (loss of appetite): Reported in about 25% of dogs. 

Excitation or restlessness: Reported in about 23% of dogs. 

Depression or lethargy: Reported in about 21% of dogs. 

Diarrhoea: Reported in about 13% of dogs. 

Vomiting: Reported in about 2% of dogs.

Two Walks

A lovely time mooching and walking in Dinas with Orin and Siska this morning. A tad breezy, even down there, but we had fun. I was very limited with time as Mum had been unwell again and been taken to the doctor yesterday whilst I was at the vets. It seems the new tablets prescribed on Tuesday had affected her breathing. To be fair, she was pre-warned that there was a risk! 

I had an early lunch and went to Tremadog, Mum was still eating so I took Sammi and Zeus for a walk to give her time to get organised, she wanted to go to the chemist and to Tesco. (Again) The confusion and repetition of stories continue, but at least she now has a date to see someone at Walton in January. One remark made at home, that I do hope was tongue in cheek, " So I won't see much of you again today!"

Trefor And Jab Two - Edit for Last Photo

A quick walk down in Trefor before carrying on to the vets. Due to a later start than I planned, I really didn't get enough time down there, there seems to be so much to explore and I'll be going back ASAP.

Beti was more on edge at the vets today, but Beth was marvellous with her. She pre-warned me that the long, expensive injection is painful, and Beti did cry today. Beth then went down on her knees with her, and they had cuddles and kisses, just what was needed I think. 

Meerah weighed 32.4kg, and she got to spend a little bit of time with her father. I'll add the photo when I get it from Sharon. 

Mother And Daughter

Sky and her little one - wow she's a lump with all that food she's getting! 

So nice to see her doing so well. 

Bont Fechan After The First Jab

Today was the first of Beti's "morning after" injections. I'm not sad to be terminating the pregnancy, the health implications for any puppies born would be too great! Beti now weighs 30.6kg, I'm really happy with that. I'm less happy with Ross' weight, 44.5kg ... sorry mate but for your future health, the diet starts today! Of course I'd notice he'd put weight on, but to be fair he only needs 2 - 3 kg off.  Anyway, following the appointment I feel we all needed a treat, and we loved our walk in Bont Fechan.

I kept both on the lead till we got to the beach, to be honest, though it looks calm here, the fast moving water in the river was my main concern. Following a lovely time on the beach I came back to the river to get some photos ... big mistake ... even on the lead Ross managed to throw himself in, he momentarily disappeared under the deep water, but the boy is a great swimmer, thank god!  

I think I saw more people in Bont Fechan today than I've ever seen in all the times I've been there. Two men walking alone had nothing to say, a couple admiring the turbulent sea and a very pleasant man with a black spaniel ... wow all in one day! The Spaniel seemed to have no recall, but it was scared to pass us on the narrow track. The owner though it was a good idea to lift her, making it even harder for me to get past, and she screamed like she was being killed as Ross' stretch out and touched her back end with his nose. The owner was shocked as her best friend is a GSD apparently .. but as Nel knew, not that GSD!!!

The Sea Says - Marc Almond

 The sea says 

Come with me and whisper

 Run with me And tell me

 Why is it you're lonely 

 The sea says I gave you stories

 Adventure and mystery 

When all was not well I sung you to sleep 

Crept into the cracks 

Of your imagination 

Made you feel happy

 When things seem so bad 

 The sea says 

Please don't go to pieces

 Things can't be so bad 

Why looking so sad ...

Out And About

A lovely walk to Llyn Cop with Orin and Siska. Our lovely little lake as full as it can be, the water running down to the copse. A fair few sheep about but nothing else .. heaven with my lovelies!

Sammi, Zeus and Meerah had a wonderful time on the mountain. So much water, so much fun!

Ross and Beti had to slum it in the fields, but they have heard that they are exploring tomorrow! 

Hospital In The Storm

Well it wasn't the day for a drive, but we made it. Mum wanted to cancel the appointment this morning, but I told her not to and we braved it. Driving down from here, the road was like a river most of the way to Penygroes, the fields were lakes and the wind shook the car on route. I missed the weight of my van, but I guess the car/s were the better options for opening the doors.

The conclusion at the hospital was that Mum has a normal heartbeat, then some erratic beats, then normal again. He thinks it can be sorted with meds. It was a lovely little hospital, very "Welsh" which helped Mum as she's far more comfortable through the medium of Welsh. I'm glad I was there, as she did forget some important details. 

The journey home wasn't much fun as the wind increased even further, and though I shouldn't laugh, but I had to grab Mum and the trolley as they sailed off in Aldi car park. Again the weather was calmer in Tremadog, but I had a rough trot home. WOW that was some wind, I couldn't even open the car door when I got home! Thankfully, it's calmer this evening, so hopefully we can "do something" tomorrow! 

We Walked

The lull before the storm, and after the last one. A dry morning, I took everyone around the fields, then I took the young girls for a much-needed walk. It really does help to get out and about. Beti was a little flat, well lacking her usual Beti Fizz, but Meerah was very full on, she's such a darling.

Tomorrow I'm taking mum to the hospital in Dolgellau, the forecast is scary ... but what can I do?

More Rain

Bloody Weather

One photo today, because it pissed it down after this walk and my phone maybe old, but it's precious. 

I wonder why yesterday's storm didn't get a name? I'll give it one Destructive Dave (See photo below) Yesterday I was spending time with Mum and then had my appointment with the physio in Alltwen hospital. Good news really, my hips are great, my left knee is great, my right one? Well not so great, but with some TLC it will last me about 20 years ... well that'll do me. I've been given exercises to do. 

The left leg has had a different diagnosis to what I was told in Caernarfon, and the exercises I was given then would not have helped. It's a hamstring issue, so yeah, different exercises to do and back to see him in January. Though his diagnosis is different, he does think that a lot of my problem is the way I walk, as my right leg is shorter than the left, but an incident which I recall in March with Ross may also have contributed to the hamstring problem. (He doesn't look where he's going!)

The drive back yesterday was nerve wracking, with the car almost sailing in the wind and rain towards home. I've no idea how I got in through the top gate as I could barely stand up out there. I was thankful that I was in the car as I doubt I'd have been able to hang onto the van door. Steve was annoyed that I didn't let him come and open the gate for me ... if you know you know! LOL 

Thank Dave!

Sky's Little Star

Please excuse the colour as I've tried to edit it, the photo was taken under a red heat lamp. 

Sadly, things didn't go well for Sky, this time the vet correctly predicted the number of puppies. Carrying such a small litter is always a nightmare, and when Sky went into labour the pups were too big to pass through the birth canal. I wish the vet hadn't given an oxytocin injection and waited an hour, I wish they had gone straight in for a caesarean, but sadly they didn't. 

The caesarean went well, and two huge girls arrived home with mummy Sky, but sadly, the biggest bitch, who had probably been blocking the birth canal didn't make it, the vet suggestion she may have lacked oxygen during the birthing process. The family are devastated at the loss, let's hope and pray this little Star thrives and gives them all the love in the world.

Two Together

Thankfully, Orin and Siska are now back together. 

Let there be peace at Blanik before Xmas.

Quick It's Not Raining

There has been a very abrupt end to Siska's season. That a promising sign, but the next few weeks will see me on a roller coaster ride of emotions. I will continue with Siska's diary in private elsewhere for now. 

Zeus, Meerah, Sammi 

Beti and Ross

Just to feel safe I'll take a couple more days before putting Orin and Siska back together.

Jamie day

Happy Jamie day everybody. Photos taken 4/12/09 and 4/12/25 There are cats, there are special cats ... and then, in a league of his own, there's Jamie!

The Sound Of Silence

 Yesterday morning it was different here, no one "singing" at 6am and a calmness within the pack. Still before breakfast Orin figured he'd go to talk to a crated Siska and she told him to "Piss Off."  Orin and Zeus ate their breakfast for the first time in days. Yesterday evening, well bedtime, Orin came flying in going towards Siska, but then realised there was a carrot in his crate and chose the carrot over Siska.

Today it's quite here, both entire males have eaten  and are relaxed and calm, so I guess both bitches have gone over now, but I won't be putting Siska out with Orin for a few more days.

Beti was on day 19 on Sunday when the "accident" happened. I have booked her in at the vets for the injections next week, on Thursday and Friday. A friend suggested an alternate, which was to wait till 28 days and scan, if she was not pregnant then no injections would be necessary, yeah that sounds good, but if she was pregnant and having seen "Beti's babies" I would then find it hard to terminate the pregnancy, so plan one it is. 

Siska has gone off really quickly considering she did not ovulate till about Friday, thank god I went on Sunday as I think 48 hrs later would have just been too later. I keep doubting myself but "Gemini" says I went on the right day. I have found "Gemini" a great tool to have on my laptop, yes it's fun to play, but in this case it's knowledge is the key. 

Not Quite A Disaster

Imagine it, well actually I think it's best you don't, I was sitting on the loo in the services just North of Builth when my phone rang ... "Steve calling"  ... so I answered. 

"Rhian there has been a disaster, Zeus got out onto the mountain, I used Beti to get him back in, but she slipped her lead, they went running round and round the field and now they've mated and I'm stood in the field with them because they've tied."

"What the feck Steve?" Now if it wasn't for his stressed tone and the time of year I'd think it was an April's fool. "It wasn't my fault," he screeched, he then said "Got to go, got to go."  I went back to the van and told Ian, then I took a breath and as we talked I calmed down and gradually managed to get it into perspective. Well no one was hurt, no one missing, this can be sorted, Beti will just have to have a "morning after" injection! I called Steve again 10 mins later, he was seething and upset, so no I couldn't be cross. Accidents happen, it's how you deal with it that proves who you are, this potential pregnancy simply can not happen, it would be against everything that I ethically believe in. Zeus is not health tested, Beti has a UAP and to top it all he's her father's brother!  

There are lots of things going around in my head .. how the feck did knob dog get out again? Why on earth did Steve get an "in season" Beti to use to try and bring him in, when there was the option of Sammi or better still Meerah? I guess, a spur of the moment decision made in panic that lead to unfortunate consequences! 

Initially yesterday I was angry and upset, but I guess after a while I could see the humour in it, well I guess you have to. Beti, the little tart, had been trying to get to Zeus all week, well she was a happy bunny now then. Zeus has never been used at stud, but within minutes they'd managed to mate and tie, when we'd spent almost two hours getting it all done and dusted and my god I've spent longer than that with many a stud here too! 

Lastly, in 33 years, there have been three accidental mating here. Blade and Lia,(not health tested)  Mikey and Asha (siblings) and now these two, and no, not one of them have been on my watch ... LOL. 

Success

 After a stunning drive through the Brecon Beacons to Merthyr Tydfil we arrived at Reno's home. He doesn't live in a large breeding kennel with lots of grounds, he is a pet who lives in a terrace cottage with his owner. We drove a short distance to a small yard that belonged to the owner's friend to do the mating.  

Initially, Siska was not amused and told him about it, but to be fair to her, she was not given the opportunity to find some grass for a wee, stretch her legs and introduce herself. After being allowed that time, she was much more compliant! 

It did take a bit of time to get the mating, and we all had one break, but we eventually got there and had a 20 min tie. 

I can only hope my maths are correct now and that Siska will take from the single mating. If she had continued on the same course then she would have probably ovulated on Friday and been in the mid 40ies by yesterday afternoon. Between 32 and 64 is the optimal potential for fertilisation. If she did slow down, then I have the comfort of knowledge that sperm can live for up to a week ... theoretically it would have been impossible for her to have passed the fertile time as the ova need at least 48 hrs to ripen, and she hadn't ovulated on Thursday morning. Let's cross everything now for a pregnancy and a healthy happy "N" litter! 

Test 4

 

I'd seen from Orin that Siska's season was progressing, also as she'd started to flirt I'd had to separate them yesterday afternoon. The result of the 9am test today was 10.3nmol/L.

"7 - 12nmol/L (Approximate Range): This range typically indicates that the LH surge has happened or is happening now. The LH surge is the trigger for ovulation, and ovulation usually occurs 2 days after the LH surge."  So allowing 48 hrs for the eggs to ripen, Sunday looks like a good day. 

The eggs are not fertilizable until about 2 days after ovulation. The optimal fertility window is generally 3 to 5 days after the LH surge. So 3 days after today is the most reasonable single-mating choice. The eggs are likely just starting to ripen or are nearly ripe. Fresh sperm is very robust and can live 4-6 days, so it will be in the tract well before the eggs mature and should still be viable when they are at peak maturity. 

I am considered taking her for another test on Monday, just to make sure she has progressed normally, if there is any doubt, then maybe I could drive down to Merthyr on Monday evening for a second mating. That's a decision for another day, and bearing in mind that Siska who had keenly stood to be mated 2 and 3 days after ovulation refused the third mating with Lucca, which was 4 days after ovulation. She also got stroppy with Vesco the day after a test of 50 nmol/L. (at that time she ovulated on day 12 with a reading of 23 on day 13. We visited Vesco on day 14, 15 and 16 - but had no successful mating)

Please wish us luck. 

Changes

There are some changes afoot here today. Though I let Orin and Siska out together first thing, when I took them out again after their breakfast had settled there was some definite flirting going on. This morning is the first time that Siska has tried to get Orin's attention, but he is still far more interested in Beti! Still I didn't feel safe putting them in the pen together, with her flirting and standing, and him already wound up because of Beti's crescendo I don't think he would take much convincing!!

Beti has been quite desperate to get herself a man, even trying to climb onto the coal bunker to get to Orin who was temporally in the small pen. She has also been trying to get to Zeus, and even resorted to Ross this morning, he replied, "No, you're alright I've got my kong!" 

Siska has a blood test tomorrow at 9 am ... wish me luck for a busy weekend ahead! 

Everyone Still Together

Orin and Siska - Yes, still together!

If she is now progressing normally, and I've worked it out correctly, then by tomorrow evening she'll be between 8 and 9 nmol/L, so I've put the test forward to Thursday morning with the hope it will put her somewhere around 12 - 15.nmol/L. If that is the case then she'll be set to ovulate on Friday and Sunday would be ideal for mating ... but of course it does seem that Siska is writing her own rules!

Sammi, Zeus and Meerah

I so wish I had someone with me in the field on days like today, someone to point the phone at Sammi and video her playing with Meerah. WOW, the old lady can't half shift. I can't do it myself as I'm hanging on to knob head!!!!

Beti and Ross

My pair of lovable loonies always make me smile. 💗

Soft Cell - Say Hello, Wave Goodbye (Live At The 02 Arena, London / 2018)

Today I say goodbye to Dave for the last time. 

I want to post this memory from the 02 Arena, 3 Oct 2018. It was the first time we’d performed in nearly 17 years and it was meant to be the last... as it turned out it wasn’t to be and I'm glad it wasn't because we still had some more to do, we just didn't realise it at the time. 

I picked this memory because I think it was probably our most emotional and arguably our greatest moment. In an Arena show where there are bells and whistles, smoke and mirrors, lights, visuals, singers and added players, I felt the last moment should come down to just me and Dave, how we started, a singer and a synth player that set a blueprint for other British bands that came after. Such a nice and simple combination. Like a cabaret duo on a sea front promenade pub or bar singing current hits and standards with a bontempi organ and an over reverbed mic.

 I went and stood next to Dave so the cameras could get the money shot and the focus would just be on the pair of us. The Arena lit up with phones, over 20,000 people singing along, it was a magic moment and what it’d all been about in the first place.

Goodbye Dave and thank you, Soft Cell was yours, I was just the singer 🎤 🎹 ❤️

Marc Almond 

Back On The Mountain

With everyone back in, fed and watered, I was back in bed by 7.25am. A lovely cuppa and some Facebook snooping time before snuggling back under the duvet till Steve woke up. My God, somehow it was 9am - shit, where did that time go? Within minutes the phone rang, Katrina .. OMG, don't tell her I'm in bed, what will she think!!! 😏

Anyway, she had been thinking since I messaged her yesterday, and just had to let me know today; when she mated Anna to Zique a year or so ago she tested her on a Tuesday and the result was 1.1nmol/L, she re-tested on the Friday and it was up to 11.8nmol/L and by Sunday, the day of mating it was 45.9nmol/L. Oh bloody hell, now she did go up quickly, I wonder if I should change my Wednesday test to Tuesday? Once she gets going Siska usually doubles every 36 hrs or so meaning that by Wednesday AM she should be around 6.6nmol/L, I think I'll leave it till Wednesday unless Orin tells me otherwise.

Beti is behaving like the slapper of the house, she's desperate to get to Orin or Zeus, either will do but of course Ross now is of no interest for anything other than to play in puddles and chase the kong. I need to get him a new aqua kong, the black one sinks and was almost lost again today. 

I love the photo of Beti in the rays of the sun, just a lucky moment in time and a photo to treasure. I know some people think I'm nuts with all the photos I take, but it's the photos I didn't take that I regret, never the ones I took! Anyway, I don't have to explain myself to anyone, I can take as many photos as I like and post them all on my Facebook page. 

I walked everyone on the mountain today, it was great to see the guys excited to be back there. I guess the break has done us all good as we'd all got a little bored with the same old, though my main reason for staying away was the cattle. Just glad they were not there today.