Someone Stole The Mountains

Actually they stole everything! 

We've not had mist like this here in a while, but my god it's been mild!

The only problem with walking is not know if there is anything or anyone out there,

and I usually like to know!  

Loki, Asha and Sammi 

Ziva with Loki towering over her and Tali

Tali's poo has returned to normal today, but I have to confess after another explosion last night I did start her on her emergency antibiotics and will now finish the 5 day course. Poor girl was starving this morning, still she had her fill of sheep poo on the walk so I'm sure she'll be fine now!!!

Jezi, Nico and Finlay. 

"Turning back here? You're joking?"

Good Morning Blanik!

Well that was a great start to the day, not!  When Asha started to shout at around 7am this morning I really wasn't ready to get up. Yesterday had been long and tiring, and could never have worked without the support of friends. Also Asha has taken to shouting in the mornings when Jimmy gets up .. it's the perfect excuse for a constantly hungry/greedy dog!  As she was going on and on I got up, told her some home truths and went back to bed.
About 30 mins later Asha started again .. I pulled the duvet over my head for a few minutes, Mistake!
The first smell came from Finlay in the bedroom. Ah well no choice now, I was getting up. I got him out and cleaned up .. so easy when it's a solid lump. The second smell came as I opened the door into the middle room .. and OMG what a smell, I almost gagged. No not Asha, but Tali ... and this was not something you could "pick up!" I never tell a dog off when they vomit or have diarrhea in the house, and could feel nothing but guilt as they'd been trying to tell me they needed to get out for a good 40 mins! Apart from a huge mess to clean Tali needed a wash down, which didn't go down well at all and she now has a face like a smacked shitty arse on her as well. Seriously she seems fine, and I'm hoping it's just the IBS playing up and nothing more to concern ourselves about. As there was so much mess I didn't give her breakfast today, but if all is well I will probably give her a light supper. IBS is a little different to an infection or bug and theoretically she should be OK quickly so here's hoping.
Anyway was it Tali or Asha shouting? Well I can't be 100% but I still think it was Asha unsettled maybe by her mothers discomfort. Tali tends not to shout, but scratch at the door, but she didn't as I think I would have heard her. Guess I'll never know.
The next lot of mess had no smell, well it probably did but it was masked by Tali diarrhea smell. A cat, and I think now it was Billy as he's a bit off colour, had vomited on the sofa in the middle room.
It all took some cleaning and clearing and I did it all in my PJ's .... and of course everyone else was still shouting for breakfast.
Happy days!!!!

Merlot Pups

Just had to steal these photos off Facebook

 Little Boys

Ladies

Spot the long coats .. Yes Linda I can see you smiling!!!

2 years On

Happy Birthday To My Handsome Loki.

What a Star!

I couldn't share his birthday with him last year 

so extra hugs this year to my lovable Loki

A Bit Of Info

As Sammi has not eaten the last two morning and is only on day 21 I thought I'd have a look online for more information. My memory is diabolical but I thought that previously my bitches went off their food at around day 28 after their season, whether they had been mated or not. Anyway I found this on a "Vets Corner" page. Though I'm only interested in the current time (21+ days) I found it all interesting and reassuring! I may have bred a few litters over the years (well to date 9 litters in 25 years) but there is always so much to learn, we can only gain from knowledge.
Pregnancy is divided into three stages, the first trimester (mating to day 21), second trimester (day 21-42) and third trimester (day 42 to full term). Gestation lasts an average 63 days (60-67) so it is important to note the service date so that due whelping date can be calculated. In the first trimester, the bitch may show mood changes and variable picky appetite. There is no real change in the bitch's body condition during this period. Bitches, like humans, may suffer from morning sickness. At about 3 weeks of gestation many bitches undergo a short period of transient anorexia that lasts for 3-10 days. A slight transient weight loss may occur in some bitches. This refusal of a complete and balanced diet may be a natural behavioural change in a healthy bitch during pregnancy. In the first week of the second trimester (weeks 3-4) the foetal puppies may be felt for the first time. They are gently palpated about the size of golf balls. Towards the end of the second trimester, the abdominal wall begins to sag and enlarge and the mammary glands start to develop. The third trimester is the period of maximum puppy growth and places the greatest demands on the bitch. The abdomen enlarges to its maximum size to become pendulous. The mammary glands enlarge and fill with milk and may begin to excrete milk up to 24 hours before parturition.

FInlay Had Another Moment

Last night Finlay gave us a bit of a scare. Again he seemed vacant and he would not make any effort to get up and move. Unfortunately at the time there was need to get him to move, but neither of us could convince him to try. It wasn't that he tried and failed, he simply wouldn't try. It ended up with Steve holding his collar and pulling forward and me lifting his bottom end up. As soon as we got him up and going his legs seemed fine, well as fine as they are anyway, and I feel movement can only help him.
I have no idea what's going on with him but it does seem he is deteriorating mentally and physically. Whilst he's eating, pottering about on his walks (and you try going without him!) and seemingly in no discomfort then we carry on .. and just clean up the poo!!!
A lovely photo - probably a couple of years old, of a very different Finlay out with Nico.

Mini Monster

 No chance for Junior or Jamie to have a kip in the sunshine with Jimmy Choo about! 

Confusion

I knew I had flown down the A55 in an ambulance on blue lights on a Thursday. I know that around this time on "the Friday" I was going down for brain surgery .. but I also know that was the 4th of September, Loki's birthday! Last week end it didn't dawn on me but  this week I couldn't make sense of it ... bloody hell 29 days in February! How long did it take me to figure that one out then?? dohh!
A lot of people are asking me about Sammi and whether she is different in any way? Well yeah she is, but like a lot of bitches she is always a little different after her season. More affectionate and a little clingy and this morning she's left her breakfast .. but after her season she does that anyway. I have already got "Book Of The Bitch" out and should we be lucky enough that she is pregnant,  I like to know what is going on. "Day 20 & 21 - Embryos less than half an inch in diameter begin to attach to the walls of the uterine horns. Ideally they should be evenly spaced as overcrowding leads to poor development and weak puppies at birth. At this stage the central nervous system is formed."  After day 21 there are other chances afoot.  Anyway Sammi's now play fighting with Loki so obviously feels fine. So the answer to the question ... Nope I haven't got a clue, ask me again in 2 weeks time!
I bet you've noticed I mostly like to post photos of my dogs looking beautiful in stunning locations. But sometimes you've just got to take the piss and the photo was of Sammi yesterday, and she sat there for a good 5 mins!!!

Day One Of Autumn

 Juggling the walks went well. Loki got to go out twice, Ziva enjoyed having Loki to play with and Asha got more of a walk going out with the youngsters. Yeah pleased with that. 

Tali was great, full of herself and enjoyed eating sheep poo. Yeuk! 

Here she comes licking her lips, but unfortunately for me whilst I was waiting for her and concentrating on getting a pic Ziva went and had a mud bath.

 No I was not amused, but my she looks even more like Kiri when she's in this state! 

Oldies Don't Eat

I'm quite use to Finlay not eating in the morning, it doesn't really give me cause for concern, but Tali not eating? Now that makes me feel uncomfortable, especially as both Steve and I had recently noticed that she has lost some weight. I had just hoped it was a blip as she's chucking her coat, but still I'd felt enough concern to give her a small super. With her IBS I did not want to increase her meal size or add anything, but thought a small super may help. Obviously it's going down well, and has not caused any adverse affects to date.
This morning Tali does seem a little quite, but until this morning she has been absolutely fine .. so let's hope it's something and nothing and see how the old girl does on her walk!
I've been thinking of chopping and changing the walks a little, but I'm not too sure yet. I was thinking of taking Loki twice and moving Asha to going out with Sammi and Loki. She's a little tubby so the longer walk may benefit her .. and Ziva will have Loki to play with on that walk too! (Can you just imagine it if I just took her with Tali .. they would both spit the dummy out!) This is not something I'm thinking of as a permanent move .. just a trial, and maybe a short term solution.
Tali is fast asleep now, but her breakfast has been eaten, and yes by her. I'm pleased but it's not like her to take over 2 hours to eat a meal, it's usually gone in less than a minute. Finlay's breakfast has been put away for safe keeping from naughty greedy Nico, but I'll offer it to him again at lunch time. Sometimes he likes to eat it then.
Right I'm off to the hills .....