Elsa Comes To Visit

The little lady is doing well and loved her walk with Loki.

Football?

Last night I felt movement, Pixie and Dixie where playing football! As Sammi slept on the sofa I rested my hand on her side, at first I could only feel her breathing but then there was movement. What a wonderful feeling, the little one shuffled about for a few minutes before Sammi stretch out and I could feel the pup no more!
The moment was then kind of ruined as Sammi did a huge noisy man fart, got up off the sofa and left me in the smell! I guess even angels fart then ... you have to laugh don't you!

Little Belly, Big Boobs

Well you can't help but smile can you? 

Today is day 52 ... ...  45 - 55 days -  "Rapid growth of the foetus. Folding of the uterine horns occurs when a bitch is carrying an average or large litter, creating a dramatic change to her outline. This change will not bee seen if only 2 or 3 puppies are present. A waxy plug can be expelled from the teats, followed by a watery fluid. Calcification of the bones of the foetuses  now occur and the puppies can be see by x.ray." 

Since I started measuring her belly I have continued - 33" today. For interest, and education, a friend who has a bitch mated the same weekend as Sammi and caring 8 is also measuring her's. At the time of Sammi's second scan - day 44 they were both 31", but now the other bitch is at least 2" larger! There is no doubting the scan, Sammi only has a small litter, but as long as they arrive safe and well then I'll be happy. 

Cwm Dulyn

Tali, Loki & Sammi 

 Quite a jump down into there - but there's no stopping our Tali

One way traffic 

and Sammi's not letting you back up this way dear Loki

Showing Some Of The Dogs

1997 - Blade Freestanding

Dexi - as usual with a paid handler

The better you did, the more you paid!

Louis, was nosy enough to just stand there and use his ears

or I'd throw food into the middle of the ring.

Did hit a few judges!

Mikey was always reluctant to use his ears - I helped! 

Ziva attracted with food - Jezi standing behind with a handler

 Sammi with me

and below looking for me being stood by a handler!

Asha's Obsession

Asha is getting more and more obsessed with Loki. She has always loved him. Her eyes lit up the day she met him and she has washed him and mothered him since. But now it feels like she has other ideas in mind!

My Mikey 

Asha was eight in July and she's more playful than she has been in years. She never lived in Mikey's shadow but she was never the one to push herself forward like he did. If you wanted to brush anyone, Mikey was there, if you cuddled anyone, he was there, and god help you on a dog show day!!!!Bless him it was so endearing, he was just so loving, a wonderful wonderful dog. But Asha was always happy to sit back and let it all happen, well not anymore.

Beautiful Asha

Ok, Asha doesn't want to be brushed, and she's not really one for too many cuddles but she is so smitten with Loki and just pesters him to play with her. It get's a little chaotic when the door is closed and two large dogs are charging around the living room. Especially if Ziva or Sammi are getting jealous and Tali's getting cross! Having this young man around sure has put a glint back in her eye and a spring in her step, it really is wonderful to see her shine.

Curiosity Killed The Cat ..

Jimmy Choo

.. Or more a case of curiosity painted the kitten. Don't ask!!!!
Life certainly has changed at Blanik since this little guy arrived. He's such a little monkey, and yes he's sitting here on top of the log burner! Nowhere is too high, nothing is too adventurous. The ornament on the living room window sill has been moved and my lovely kitchen hedgehog has had to be glued back together and rehomed in a safe place. If he's not in a tree he's on top of the mantle piece or the fish tank. Thank god we gave up using scented candles earlier this year after Isla got singed because this bugger would burn down the bloody house!
The last 2 nights he's been shut in the utility room over night, I guess he's not best pleased, but safety first and he'll soon be old enough to do his own thing. I'd love to keep him in at night till after he's neutered, but maybe that is being too optimistic as I don't intend neutering him for 2 to 3 months yet. Without doubt I'm glad he's here, he really brightens up our days with his mischief and "naughtinesses," and deep down though he objects to the rules I'm sure he's glad he's here too!

Back At Llyn Cop

 Sammi, Loki & Asha

 Tali, Loki & Ziva

Jezi & Nico on the top path heading for the lake

Nico & Jezi

Free Standing?

 Mr Loki in the breed class

Asha was second in Veteran 

The new rules of free standing are subject to interpretation I suppose. I've decided I'm going to put my dogs in the stance as normal and then "Free Stand" them - loose lead, hands off. Until I'm official told otherwise then that what I'm doing. To be honest It's not alien to me to show this way. It's how I use to show my first GSD Blade. At the time it was frowned upon by other GSD exhibitors who were either stringing up their dogs on fine chains or had attraction from outside the ring. Blade only had eyes for me and I refused to string him up! Thankfully the judges have never penalized me/us for it! I haven't shown all my dogs this way, I'm changed the method to suite the dog but it does feel now like things have gone full circle!

Pwllheli Show

Over the moon with Loki at Pwllheli today - BOB and Group 1

And now easily enough points for his Open Show Merit Certificate - lots of writing to do now!

So chuffed with all the lovely comments from people in other breeds/other groups today; people who, probably for the first time in their lives are actually "looking" at GSD's being judged and despite what they've read/heard they actually like what they see.
And the compliments keep coming, from a Shetland Sheepdog exhibitors ".Loki looked amazing he really is a lovely handsome boy well done winning the group hunny made it look effortless xxxxxxxxxxxxx"