After The Morning Rain

Well the fencing posts came, so Steve and I have had a bit of a go at the gap in the top field, the bit that I did a temporary job on over a week ago. We haven't seen sheep in that field since my botch job, so securing that was definitely plan one, now we wait. Plan two, I've done the same in the bottom field, put a temporary fence up. If the sheep try and come in there now, they will either fail or knock it down. So if they come in without knocking it over, there is another gap to find. There are large areas to fence, but doing them bits at a time is all we can currently do.  

Where Do The Colours Come From?

Krizzie (Blanik Deeanna) like her mother Seffe before her had a faded saddle, this is very common in females, but is not distracting providing they are a rich tan. 

Tali (Below), Krizzie's daughter was also very faded, she is 13 years old in this photo. 

Beti, like her mother is also fading, but she is also a lovely colour so it won't go against her. 

Sadly for Asha's (Blanik Georgette) show career she was what we consider a poor colour as well as faded, she was a lovely female, but her colour did her no favours.

But for her one litter Asha was mated to a dog with bloodlines carrying strong colours and that did come through in most of the progeny. 

So Ziva, (Blanik Hippy) Asha's daughter was mated to our Nico, now he carried strong colours and a dark mask through his mother Kiara Vom Conbhaireon. Mostly we have darker saddles now - but my god it is interesting to see sisters like Jaz and Isla looking like their ancestors, and knowing where it's come from. Jaz obviously taking so much from my first 4 - 5 generation of bitches and Isla with her dark face and dark saddle taking a lot from Nico and Ziva. 

My males have always had dark, full saddles, for example Mr Amazing - Louis. (Blanik Excentrik) 

But Orin and Zeus have got receding saddles, something I'd never seen here before, just a little bit of homework found that it comes strongly through Fransisco's lines, Peppe della Valle del Liri,  Zidan Della Valle Del Liri, Oregon degli Arvali  and of course VA - Sieger Ulk Von Arlett himself. Weirdly you don't notice this on a day to day basis with my K boys but in photos in stance, and at certain times of coat changes it is very obvious.

K Kids And MalaKai

Some photos of some of the K Kids over the last few days (Fransisco x Sammi kids)

Jazz - her red colour and fading saddle must come through from Tali/Krizzie lines.

Isla - She's very dark with a solid saddle, the saddle strengthened in the H litter when I used Robbi on Asha. 

MalaKai from the L litter with Merlin from the K litter, the Black masks that came from the Conbhairean line. 

MalaKai looking so typical of his family - Siska's brother, Kaiah's son

... And Orin?

 Well he looked fab, always! LOL To be honest as did Louis and Dexi. I recall Mikey wasn't too bad, and Blade OMG, poor Blade looked awful, but then as he turned about 18 Months he flourished. 

Orin at his first Champ show - 15 months old 

Sorry Ross but at that age he out classes you! 

Blade winning BOB from a junior class - He was the most "German" there - hard to believe how he matured too. Males are often much slower - too much too young doesn't always work does it! 

Changes

 The other day it was a Loki memory - but I think this, today, is more dramatic - Ross!!!

15 Months - Did I realise at the time that he looked that shit?

The Adult Brown Clown! 

Confidence

Oops, I think I pissed somebody off by not reading my messages last night, but hey-ho it's not often I ignore "devices" to watch TV is it! I've replied this morning, let's see if I'm ignored!!!! 

Watching that documentary really got to me yesterday. How people come to conclusions about someone without really "knowing" them. How we judge on outward appearance or, as in this case how we judge on the showman that goes onto the stage - or in my walk of life into the show ring. Robbie said last night that he had huge meltdown in Leeds, he experienced a severe panic attack before and during his performance. After that he was not able to go back on stage for 3 years, but when he did on the X Factor, "Robbie didn't come" so exposed and nervous it was "Rob from Stoke-On -Trent" on stage. 

Interestingly to me, I talked to one of my handlers about exactly the same thing last year. The guy often seen as overconfident, arrogant and cocky in the ring is none of these things when you take time to get to know him and talk to him outside the ring. Though ridiculously knowledgeable of course, he is a little nervous, but kind, yes generally a nice guy, but so many dislike him on the persona he portrays in the ring! 

I really hope I'm not judgmental, but of course I have found some of these people unapproachable for years, but I think that says as much about me as it does about them. Sometimes, I too lack confidence, especially when it comes down to speaking to "The Big People" in the breed. Strangely though, over the years, as your confidence builds many of these people become friends and you wonder why the hell you found them unapproachable in the first place? 

Robbie

Having been feeling off colour, I've watched more TV than I usually do. I've sat through 4 hours of "I Am Robbie Williams" and watched his movie "Better Man." I have to admit, it's been a lot, a very emotional ride. I've always been team Robbie, he's always made me smile ... but from now on, I will realise just how much he went through to "Entertain," to make the likes of me smile. The way he was treated by the press and other in the industry was shocking ... he had it all, but as he said he was far too young to manage it. It all made me think of Caroline Flack and "Be Kind," how close did the press and their likes come to killing Rob Williams or the persona we all know as Robbie Williams, how easy it is to forget that with every knock, every unkind remark there is a person who despite outside appearances may not be coping. Thank God "Rob" met Ayda, without her, I guess he would just be a memory by now. 

Thoughts of The Day

They take up most of my time, they steal my seat, and if I'm not careful my food, but from the beginning of Blanik, my dogs also stole my heart, and they mostly continue to relieve my stress and replace it with love and laughter. Some days are hard, some days are stressful, some dogs are hard, but despite words spoken in anger at times, they are worth it; and now as shorter days and wilder weather approaches I know with our numbers it will get harder, but these are the choices I've made, and I wouldn't change it for the world. The plan is to reduce numbers, says she, who wants another Siska daughter, maybe an Orin son and wants her veterans to live forever! It's said that the only time a dog truly break your heart is when they leave us, well trust me, as someone with vast experience of it, it is true. 

A friend of many years lost her husband a month or two ago. She has multiple dogs, maybe 5 or 6 ... and now she realises she can't afford to stay in her home. I honestly don't know her age, but I think she is a fair few years younger than me. She now has a fight on her hands to find herself a house, for her and her dogs of course, knowing her as I do there is no future for her without her dogs. I've had a pretty shit year, but I don't have to look very far to find lovely people who have had it much, much worse. I do worry about the future, what if in March this year things had gone devastatingly wrong? What would I be doing now? I know I have a "paid for" roof over my head ... but the thought of living life here without my better half, well I fear it.

I had a message from the owner of one of the stud dogs that I've enquired about. They wanted to let me know that they were away for a week in mid-September. Though I really appreciated it, I kind of felt uncomfortable as I haven't made a commitment to anyone, I made it clear that I was only asking around and even told one of them who else I was interested in. I am leaning towards one dog, but until Siska is in season, I have every right to reconsider and change my mind. Of course as soon as she comes in season then I have to commit. 

This evening, Beti's blue ball game has been getting on my nerves. I've had to put blankets to block it from going under the chair and under the units. She plays football with it, as well as pushes it around with her nose, but nothing delights her more than when she scores a goal and it goes under somewhere. She then scratches and digs until she either gets it or some idiot (me!) goes to get it for her. So it was a case of either confiscate the bloody thing or block to goals! Tonight I chose the latter. I love my Beti.

As you can see  Mr Pig arrived in Fron. I'm glad, his smile makes me smile. A friend kindly offered to pay half the fee as an early Xmas pressie. Steve has fixed him up and painted him ... he looks great and of course I'm already thinking of getting him some other piggy friends. 🐖

Right paracetamols and bed it is ... Nos Da. 

Fencing

I woke up at 6am ish with a horrible sore throat, but I convinced myself to try and sleep a little bit longer. It was around 7.15am when I next looked at the clock, I decided to get up, get everyone up and fed then have a cuppa and some paracetamol. Yeah, that helped. I honestly didn't feel as bad as I envisaged I was going to, but relaxed until around 9am when Steve got up. 

Glad of the fields, I took everyone out. The fencing posts still haven't come, they say it will be Tuesday now. We ordered them with Wynnstay, it must be 6 weeks ago now, but up to last week they still hadn't come in. Over a week ago we gave up and ordered some with Huw's Gray, they took payment and said they would deliver on Wednesday, but instead I got a phone call to say they hadn't come in, and they'd be delivered Friday! Friday came and went and Steve has rung them this morning, apparently they still haven't come in, hence we now hope to have them on Tuesday! 

Sometime last week I got fed up with the sheep and decided to try and block one of the obvious holes they'd created in the wall of the top field. (Top Photo) I carried a piece of mesh up there and secured it to two posts, then built the wall up around it. I'm not stupid, I'm no fence builder, I know with one shove that will be down, but I hoped that if they saw it was blocked they wouldn't try, so far success. Not only that, but I also thought if they get into the field without moving that mesh, then we need to consider elsewhere to fence first. Well it's been about 5 days and so far so good, I haven't seen sheep in the top field ... but of course they still come and go from the bottom one as they like. 

The cattle are around again today, I saw one black and white bastard squashing the fencing at the back behind the pens. I screamed and shouted and threw things, she took no notice, I can easily understand how that chain link fencing got broken at the gable-end of the cottage now. Siska and Orin were seething with her too, but she didn't care. So now that's another weak spot should someone hairy get through to where he shouldn't be! Highly unlikely to be honest ... but when Winters Storms come we'll have to make sure we check all the gates before letting him out! If only we could win the lottery, then we'd get the whole bloody property fenced off, yeah that would be great! 

Before The Rain

A Loki Memory

This photo came up in my memories a couple of days ago. It was Loki 10 years ago taking his first BOB. I remember the day so well, I remember being so proud of him, but I don't remember how raw he looked. To be honest I was quite shocked ... but it's all there and this is when we first said, "he needs to fill his frame," and my god he did just that! 

March 2022 

Covid???

Not the best photos, and I can't be arsed to photoshop the lead out! I started feeling unwell on Tuesday afternoon, but it was nothing really, well until yesterday when I really started to feel ill, though I have to admit I'm not as bad today.  Mum has heard that one of my cousins who was at the funeral has covid ... Please no! Three years ago I organised to stay away for Richmond Ch show, I had Siska and Orin entered under a judge that really liked Siska, I got covid and couldn't go! Next weekend I've organised to stay away for two night so I can go to Richmond Ch Show with Orin and Beti.  Frank and Linda are coming back so Steve's not on his own, and my brother is coming to be with Mum.  

 Please no, not covid again, I can't be that unlucky, can I?

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 appear 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!