Autumn Sunshine

 Sammi and Loki - just a 20 min walk for our Sammi today

 Tali, Asha, Loki and Ziva

Jezi and Nico

Little Miss Belle enjoying her walk. After yesterday I didn't take my eyes off her and kept a close eye on what she was eating. She threw up 3 huge piles of shit, grass and mud yesterday afternoon. I was not impressed. 

Those Boys Again

I've been so wanting to get a photo of the three together ... and last night Jimmy decided he was pushing in and settling with the other two. No problem of course the three are really good friends. 

 Junior, Jamie and Jimmy 

The photos is a little misleading, Jimmy is still quite a bit smaller than the other two.

ZIVA

Another photo from yesterday which makes me smile ...

Now tell me again Ziva, why should I believe it wasn't you digging in the grass cuttings looking for cat poo? 

Our Dexi

I've recently replaced my knackered 90ies Brian Adams Cassette with a CD off e.bay. Having not heard it for years I got a little emotional .. I use to sing this to Dexi on a regular basis. Please listen to it! (Though someone has edited this video ... Milan? I don't know!) 

Because of Dexi's accolades at Champ Shows he was never exhibited at local/open shows. We concentrated on breed and championship shows only .. Dexi was our homebred "Blanik Alliance" - 1 CC, 3 RCC, Graded V, Breed Survey Class 1. Hip score 2 + 3 - Joint 3rd Top Sire in 1999. He just missed out on being a show Champion, 

but he was the Champion of our hearts! 

So full of emotion I posted on Facebook and turned round to tell Steve. I just couldn't believe what he was doing, he was cleaning Dexi's precious trophy from the GSD Two Day National in 1997. We were so proud that day,  Dexi was 3rd in Special Yearling Dog - out of 33 exhibits! These days we are lucky to see 33 males exhibited throughout all the classes. But what a coincidence that without conferring we should both be thinking about Dexi today!   

Good To Go

Everything is set, the bedding and towels are washed, the box is up and the heat lamp is in good working order. Convincing the others that the kitchen is now out of bounce may take a few days longer!!!
I had a strange conversation with Steve last night. He suggested that should they make it safely into the world that both puppies should stay. I told him that that was not my plan, but he then said "if there is only the two YOU'LL never be able to sell one of them!" As I told him if they are sisters or brothers then it's a ridiculous idea anyway, it could only work if they where brother and sister. He continued, "but if we spend all that time with only two puppies it's going to be impossible to let them go." Well talk about a role reversal, and of course he implies that it would be me that could not let them go. I wonder!!! Of course you never say never and what lies ahead now is anyone's guess, but I will try and do the right thing by both of us, the pack and the future of Blanik.

Three Fat Tabbies

Oh Ok .. one fat tabby and the other two! 

Jamie and Junior sleeping through the morning drizzle 

But Sleeping doesn't suit a little guy 

Jimmy "helping" to get the heat lamp put up in the kitchen.  

The afternoon brought better weather so the boys made it out for a short while! 

Beautiful Angel

Last night at dog club a friend asked how Sammi was doing? I told her other than being ravenously hungry all the time she was doing really well. I remembered I had the day 54 photo on my phone and showed it to her. Now I expected her to see the current state of pregnancy, but instead she went ... "OMG, how beautiful is she? Look at that head and expression, she's stunning." Oh hell I'm so proud of her anyway, but instead of saying "thank you" I found myself saying .. "Yes I know, she's just gorgeous!" Oh hell that's not me, but I's so proud of her .. and yeah, she is really beautiful. I often tell her, your so pretty it's sickening! LOL
 Last night for the first time Sammi went into Ziva's crate and did some digging/nesting. It didn't last very long, but I guess there is now at times a little discomfort to contend with. She's still full of energy and obviously needs her walks, but I have to watch she doesn't over do it and keep an eye on the exuberant Loki around her.
Tomorrow, day 56 we will set up the box, from day 57 live full term puppies can be born.

Hans Came To Visit

 Nico and Summer's beautiful singleton son was 12 months old yesterday. 

What a stunning dog he is, inside and out!

Baby Darci (No relation), Summer and Hans with Trefor yesterday

Nico was delighted with his gift from Hans ... 

I guess it made up for all the toys Summer steals on her visits. 

Bless her she's so funny!

Sunny Walks

This morning's breeze was so sharp here that I decided to walk in Rhostryfan. It's a lovely track with shelter from the trees and long stretches to see ahead. The first walk was OK, but it was far too busy there for me, I really don't like to see people when I'm walking! 

By the time I'd got home I decided to braise myself for the breeze and walk on home ground. I couldn't believe it, the breeze had died down tremendously and the sun was warm. 

The third walk was even warmer, I had to take off some layers or cook,

and not a soul in site!

Mostly this is the best place to walk!

Day 54 - (edited to add picture)

Sammi and Ziva

Ziva obviously showing a much bigger belly as she was caring 6 puppies. 

I have started washing the white vet beds - though they were safely wrapped and put away I feel the need to freshen them. We will set up the box at the week end and makes sure everything is prepared from the middle of week. There is a strong possibility of them arriving any day after Wednesday really, as it is normally 63 days from ovulation + or - 24 hours.. Sammi was on 11.4 on the Tuesday test, so if things were going as they should be over 22 by Thursday and ovulation occurs on 16. So there is a strong chance of her whelping on Thursday or Friday of next week. I still get knots in my stomach when I think of it, with only the two I really am so scared, I just want them here and safe now!

Ziva Day 54 

I'll try and get one of Sammi on the walk and add it to this post later.

Sammi Today - Day 54

RIP

Last night the GSD world was shocked to hear of the death of one of their own. Whilst out riding Lisa's horse spooked and she fell off, but she had her foot hooked in stirrup. Lisa broke the top of her spine instantly. Sadly it was decided to switch off her life support machine on Sunday night.
I met Lisa about 10 years ago, she was the partner of a friend who I'd met when I was starting to show in the early 90ies. As well as seeing each other at shows we kept in touch on social media .. or MSN as it was then! When Lisa and Ang split up Lisa felt uncomfortable in the company of Ang's older friends and sadly blocked us from any contact with her. What went on between the two of them was their own business, but yeah Ang was my friend! Still Lisa and I never had a cross word and I have nothing but fond memories of our friendship! I'm deeply shocked, what a tragedy. heartbreaking for her and her family .. her little son had only just started school last month!

Happy Dog Show Day 

Me with Lisa, Cliare Davies, Ang and Claire Wilson

and dogs, Mikey, Kodi and Sonny