Morning Guys

 

Ideal Walking Weather

Ross and Sammi

Meerah and Beti

Zeus

Planting Trees

I'd promised to help Steve plant some of our young trees today. Honestly, I just wanted to walk, but after he gave me so much of his  time with the pen, well I had to return the favour, and I did take Beti and Ross with me.

After planting the first tree Steve realised he couldn't get up off the ground, so as I was the "gofer", up I went to get his gardening stool. Paul and Jo were ready to leave, and as Paul is a little scared of the dogs, I had to put them in whilst they made their escape. So yeah, it took me just 5 mins longer to get back down the field. As I headed down, I just couldn't believe what I saw; Steve was trying to pull himself up with the wall. Now any idiot could see that it would not end well ... I guess it could have been worse; I was thankful that only a dozen or so of the stones fell and that nothing fell on him. Yes, I did swear!!!

Ross is not the best to have with you when you are gardening, but I did manage to keep his head out of the blows of the pickaxe, (it's a stoney field) though he did stamp a New Zealand holly. 

It's been odd to have a week-end at home, though Mum did make a sarcastic remark tonight about the fact that she won't be seeing me till Tuesday, but she will see me on Thursday ... and Saturday! Anyway her brother went today and I think I've put my foot in it on the group chat. He reported in that all had gone mostly OK, but that he'd thrown the eggs out from the fridge, they were a few days over their date ...My brother thanked him and said he'd done the same last time he was up. Well, I'm afraid I got in one. Eggs are not sold with a "Use By" date they are sold with "sell by" or "best before"; they are totally different things. I never check dates on eggs here, and I worked for 10 years as a "breakfast chef", and I've never come across a raw egg that's gone off! After feeling a little outnumbered, I reminded them of my qualifications and posted this ..."Eggs typically last for 3 to 5 weeks past the pack date when properly refrigerated. The date printed on the carton is usually a "best before" or "sell by" indicator for freshness, not a hard safety expiration. Anyway, a slightly sharp reply left me feeling I'd overstepped the mark, but to be fair, in this case, Mum is right!

The pups are 5 weeks old today, 3 weeks to go ... Ravi or Kez? Kez or Ravi? I really don't know, but ideas keep popping into my head and I go from 'a bitch would be best for the future' to 'a dog would fit in better.' Bitches can be such arseholes; if they decide, 'I don't like this puppy,' then experience tells me they never will. Poor Kiri was never accepted by the other girls, and though Beti was, I would never be able to mix her with Sammi or Siska now! Anyway as Linda would say "not long now!" LOL 

Fox Glove Walk

Beautiful Orin 

I love this walk so much; I think it's one of my favourites these days. I hardly ever see anyone, except the lady on the horse, who I saw again today. 

Who's Cat Is It Anyway?

Well, he's here again this morning. I got this close and within arm's length of touching him. Jamie, Isla, Luther and Archie were sitting out with him, they are not in the least bit bothered when he's about. Perry was indoors, but Perry is always first at the breakfast bar. Choo wasn't outside, he was still asleep on the sofa. As long as there is no fighting, I don't mind him being about at all. I've no idea if he's hungry, I'm wary of offering him food, on one hand, he could be someone's much-loved pet who just comes over for some feline company; on the other hand, he could be a hungry stray! I did see he was eating the left-overs of Isla's rabbit the other morning. (Yes she still hunts; no doubts her hunting skills kept her alive a few years ago!) I'm not in any rush to grab him at the moment; slowly, slowly, catchy monkey. Let's hope that if he's still here by the time the weather does move from autumn to winter that we've made friends and that we can grab him and get him checked for a microchip. Till then I can't do much more, I have already put his photo on the village pages on Facebook with no response. 

RIP Dear Cal

Sad to see that Cal, puppy Nick from our Xmas litter of 2013 has left us today. It's 12 months since Arthur messaged to say he had a tumour and that he didn't think he'd be around for very long, I guess he was blessed to have him the extra year, though I doubt he'll get any pleasure from that today. To Arthur, Cal was everything; he often described him as "the best dog ever!" 

Cal looking so like Ziva, his mum here, as he always did!

*****

The realisation that Sammi is the only one left of the "I" litter hits hard tonight. It brings things into perspective, doesn't it? I know she's old, I know time is running out, but I totally refuse to let that overshadow the precious time I still have with her, life is for living and loving. 

My Mr Perfect

Orin

He's just stunning - Spit and all!

Saturday At Home

I don't seem to get many Saturdays at home; they are usually one of my Tremadog duty days. Today I should have been at Windsor, and having made other plans for Mum I got to stay at home. The boys are now quiet, and we had a lie-in till 8.15am. Everyone got time out in the field, and the girls got a short walk. Though the sun is still very warm, the wind has been a bit nuts and though it was warm it was still enough to cool the air so we could walk.

Having too much time on my hands, I've been spending money, I've bought two cheap puppy pens to replace the ones I pulled apart to use the panels and a slightly dear one that I'll take to Mum's for when Ravi/Kez will be with me. 

And Today's News

Another morning spent in a very hot Tremadog, lots done, including getting the new bed and bedroom sorted. It looks great to me, so here's hoping Mum likes it. The storm last night did nothing for the morning temperature, and I struggled to move the furniture and shop in a manic Tesco. Anyway, I'm pleased to say by the time I got home, it was dramatically cooler here. 

I've asked Steve to help me hang up the beautiful crochet of Kaiah. He was a little off about it and said, 'Well, you didn't ask for it!' To be honest, I gave it to him with both barrels. I don't think he realises how much this means to me. When people close to me lose a beloved animal, I try and do something positive to show love and respect to the animal and a grieving friend, even if it's only a card I try, yet I only got one card when I lost Loki. Hell I know everyone is different, but I did feel it, so this crochet, this is special to me. The fact someone did this for me, well I'm so touched, and I was genuinely speechless, and as I said, just so taken aback that someone would spend so much time and effort to do that for me!

So some of the bitchiness I mentioned after Cheshire continued and resulted in me having words ringside with one of the culprits at Blackpool. How dare she? How fecking dare she behave and speak in such a manner? Not so long ago we all welcomed her to the breed with open arms. The young around our rings need encouragement and support; they are the future of the GSD! To suggest that I would put my dogs in the hands of someone who is not responsible enough to handle them is to slander both of us, and I was seething. To be approached at Cheshire by a third party and told that my judgement had been questioned was bad enough, but for her then to approach someone else first thing in the morning at Blackpool pushed me too far. Does she not realise that, whilst she's been in GSD's for just over 3 years, I've been friends with these people since the early to mid 90s? Of course they are going to tell me, and I'm so glad they did. There simply is no room for her likes in my circle of friends, in time I may forgive, but I will never forget! I felt I'd let myself down a little by getting into an argument ringside; it's not what I do, but in order to defend my friend, I had to!

Owen has been to see the pups today. He's smitten with Mr Orange and Miss Pink and sent the photos of both. I hope to go back next Friday and give them a more serious look. Hopefully I can get videos and photos in stance and maybe go back one last time just before they are 7 weeks. I'm a little bothered that Nicola and I both have eyes on the same pup, that would be so difficult, as though on paper I have the pick – I could never take her heart puppy from her. I've been there with Aria, having to give her away absolutely broke me at the time, but I have to tell myself that if she'd stayed, none of the Blaniks I've known since the "A" litter would have existed; my line carried on through Seffe instead of Aria, Aria went to the top, Seffe became my best friend! It's funny how one decision can change the course of life's path so dramatically. Aria was a top-winning female and the mother of "Champion Lararth Houdini," and here I am still waiting for my champion, a dream which never seems to come true for me! Of course I could buy in, but the dream has always been to be a breeder, not a buyer. (Though of course an Orin pups is still 50% my line, just the top instead of the bottom of the pedigree!) 

Things are quieter here, I think finally Meerah season is coming to an end. Orin and Zeus have both eaten 2 meals today, though Orin still goes to visit her in her crate. 

Ross seems ok. There are enough antibiotics for tomorrow, so let's hope our senior man will be Ok after that. 

The Pen

 I forgot to post this the other day. 

I'm really happy with pen number 3. 

It's nice to have it back, but now with it's raised floor, it's better than before. 

Pups

This photo and simple message from Nicola really made me smile.  

"Eat, trash everything, pass out!!!"

This Season

I'm really not quite sure what's going on with Meerah - My boys are going demented. Zeus has only eaten one meal since Saturday, and Orin has left more than he's eaten. Orin is very loud and starts howling about 4am, to be honest I'm concerned that he's getting too stressed in this heat.  With this level of noise I'm getting memories of Mikey and Kai, they always got their knickers in a big knot! Anyway, I thought, the heat, as in the weather, could it be making things worse? I wondered if it may be making things worse, so I asked Gemini ... 

1. A "Super-Season" (High Volatility)

Every now and then, a bitch will have an exceptionally high hormonal surge. The concentration of pheromones can vary significantly from cycle to cycle and dog to dog. If her estrogen and progesterone levels are peaking at an unusually high baseline, she is effectively broadcasting a signal that is exponentially stronger than what your boys are used to.

2. The Atmospheric Trap (High Humidity + Heat)

If the weather is currently heavy, muggy, or humid alongside the heat, it creates the perfect physical storm for scent.

• Humidity adds moisture to the air, and water molecules hold onto pheromones, keeping them suspended at nose level rather than allowing them to dissipate.

• It creates a thick, heavy "scent blanket" that settles over the entire property. For the boys, it's the equivalent of being trapped in a room with a deafening noise they can't turn off.

3. A Multi-Male Feedback Loop

When you have multiple males in the house or kennel, they feed off each other's frustration. If one boy becomes intensely wound up, his heightened stress, pacing, and whining raise the cortisol and testosterone levels of every other male within earshot. It triggers a competitive, frantic group energy that escalates far beyond how any single one of them would act in isolation.

No Windsor

 I love Windsor Champ Show and had Beti and Orin entered again this year. I had sorted company to travel with me and my usual lovely accommodation with friends was booked ... I even bought some naughty food to binge on my bed in the shepherds' hut. But with the forecast scaring me, by lunchtime today I'd cancelled all my plans. 

A couple of hours after giving my members ticket away, phoning Anne-Marie and having a chat with Gail, my phone rang; it was Jane ringing to see if I'd seen the announcement that Windsor Ch. Show 2026 had now been cancelled. Major disappointment for many no doubts, but respect to the society for putting dogs first and making the right decision! 

Ross May Have An UTI

A year ago, Ross had some problems having a pee, and he was treated for a UTI. At 3am this morning he woke me up. It's really not like him, but I let him straight out and when he was ages coming back in I followed him out. I knew instantly that it was the same/similar problem. I gave him plenty of time and waited for him to come in. 

This morning it was my turn to go to Mum. It was too hot to take Ross with me and leave him in the van, and there is no way Mum would cope with him around the house. I rang the vets and they kindly allowed me to pick up some antibiotics, with the hope that this is nothing more than a UTI again. Obviously if this continues beyond a couple of days, then he'll have to go in. 

Maybe it's not connected, but I really do regret neutering this boy, there's just been so much that I've never experienced with my entire lads - and this is another one of them! 

Puppy Videos

Mr Green 

Miss Pink

Mr Blue

Mr Orange

Miss Purple

Kaiah Crochet

Isn't this just beautiful? It's a crochet blanket of Kaiah. I have to say, it's one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me, and yes, there were tears. Ro, who made it, has Jethro, Kaiah's brother, and must have felt it too when we lost her. It's too big for the bedroom wall - but I have an idea....

Showing And Seasons

I've been quite confused about Meerah's season. If she started when I first saw blood, then she would be finishing today. From behaviour here, that is obviously not the case and she's now in full flow, so to speak!

The switch must have "flicked" sometime Saturday into yesterday, as though she wasn't home yesterday, Zeus didn't eat, though Orin did! I had no hassle with her at the show, though she was obviously crated and under a silver sheet for protection from the sun. Beti's crate was next to her, but even with the door open, she chose to sit in her cool tent. Bali, who was camped next to us, was also in season. 

Years ago I would never have shown a bitch in season, but most people do, and there is no rule to say you can't; if you can't beat them, then join them. Males are always shown first, and on the 4th day of a show, well, there will be smell everywhere anyway! Meerah was totally out of coat, but as I know she's not going to win then the experience for her and Owen of going into the ring is invaluable. Another reason for showing her, of course was that after the Zeus x Beti mishap, I'll never leave a bitch in season at home again!

Blackpool

Miss Meerah 

Beti 

National Critiques

Meeting The Pups

Mr Blue - beautiful Long Coat male 

Mr Orange - absolutely stunning short-coat boy, really chunky with a thick coat. One thing I find odd, and I've noticed it in previous photos too, he has less distance between his eyes. I wonder if that is a factor to consider for how his head will progress and later mature?

Mr Green - another very "coated" short coat. Smaller than Mr Orange, but currently constructionally very pleasing. 

Miss Purple – a stunning long-coat female who, much like her mum, will be a glorious colour. 

Miss Pink - well what can I say? A stunning short-coat female with slightly less coat than her short-coat siblings. Maybe her colour is also a less deep tan than her sister, but her attitude and movement continually caught my eye. Already she seems to have a very coordinated gait. 

Of course it's too early to pick a puppy, but if I had to, today – it would be her!  

A Walk With Three

A lovely walk with the two girls and Ross this morning. I know I seem to start off on this path often, but I keep finding other little circuits I can do off the main track. Again, I didn't see anyone, and we had a nice hour out. 

Getting There

 Well it arrived – after initially saying they could not deliver as we were too far, the previous owners kindly bought it here for us, and along with Frank and Linda, helped us get it into the pen. It's a cozy pet kennel, and obviously only here for emergencies in the new pen. We all agreed that this was the right spot for it, anywhere else simply made it a stepping stone for someone to get out! 

Royal Cheshire Show

The Royal Cheshire Show yesterday reminded me of what dog shows are all about. OMG we had so much fun. Within our bunch of friends there was no bitchiness, no bad atmosphere and no one spitting their dummy out because they didn't win. Of course that went on, but not in our lovely group! 

A little dampener on the day was hearing about people's behaviour at other shows. Well, I'm not shocked, just disappointed that people can behave in such a selfish, childish way. You know I tend to see the good in people, and I hope the good in them shines, but sometimes they let themselves down, and it's a reminder for me of keeping the boundaries that I have set in place! It's a shame really, as they reasonably new to the game and as word gets about, they're making themselves very unpopular. 

As you can see, Meerah was totally out of coat, but look at it this way, nothing to hide here, is there? There is so much to like about her, I just wish she had less second thigh and that she wasn't so bloody tall, but all in all it's a pleasing picture that will only continue to improve. She hammered it around that ring yesterday. My word, I knew she could move, but I didn't realise she could go that fast! 

Owen had handled Orin once before in a challenge, but yesterday he took him in the class. Wow, it was amazing to watch. I know Orin knows the job, but the two of them did so well together. Owens' long legs were indeed a match for Orin's power and speed. I just wish it had been recorded - Owen came out of the ring simply buzzing and begging to handle him again. He posted on the club chat "1st Place in graduate class with beautiful Meerah and 3rd Place in the open class with handsome Orin 🥰. We are Super proud of the dogs performance in the ring… I felt like our star of the day was Orin. he made my day. It’s days like these that make it all worth it… the time I shared in that ring with Orin made the day so special. He went round that ring like a dream with me, he never put a paw wrong, and I improved on my show handling. A great day for us ❤️."  

Yes of course you can handle him again Owen.

Stretching Our Legs

Cheshire Show Today

Orin was 3rd in open

Meerah stood alone in her class. 

With no one to handle her, Beti had a day out!