Memories Of Tali And Lux

I wrote in 2018 "The hardest part of loving is the letting go. Goodnight, be at peace my lovely Tali .. Blanik Frankie. 7.1.05 - 29.1.18. Thank you for keeping me on my toes for all these years .. you sure were a class act." Today we remember with a smile not a tear .. and the words "Feck off" always come to mind. She was determined, strong-willed and mostly plain damn awkward, but we loved her for it.

On this day in 2009 we also lost little Lux. The then named Lucky, came to live with me in March 1992. Her elderly owner was going into a retirement home and couldn't take the nervous skitty young cat with her. I was living in a flat with Blade and Pepsi and had been looking for a house cat to complete my family. I really didn't like her name, but she responded to it so I left it, gradually over the next year or so changing it to Lux. Little Lux was with me for a very long time, she became a very sweet adult and was so pretty. With her tortie smudges and patches, she really looked like someone had just thrown paint at a white cat. Bless her. 

Today's News Report

Today it was field exercise only, Steve let Zeus out whilst I stupidly put washing on the line, yes it blew away! Anyway the long line got caught on the car wheel and rather than wait to be untangled his lordship pulled and pulled until the line snapped in two places. Great, dog lose with ball on about a foot of line! There is no point calling him, I know better than to waste my time and energy. I walked the field keeping an eye on him until I saw him drop the ball and run along the edge of the field up onto the boncan. Now there was a dilemma, follow him in case there was a white duck up there (if you know, you know!) or go and grab the ball? I opted for the latter. Luckily, I got the ball and tied it to the longer bit of line before he came crashing down the field to get it. I considered not letting go, but decided giving him 5 more mins was wise, after all I was now back with the advantage! 

What can I say, these two were as good as ever. She maybe constructionally better, and I adore her, but he still takes my breath away. They are a beautiful pair, the mix of Fransisco, my bitch line and Nico really has given me something special. Here's hoping for the next generation this year. 

Now there was a little trouble here. Sammi being pushed to her limits, between the brown clown and the puppy she gets no peace, though as I've said before, it's mostly her own fault. Things got OTT with her and Beti and when she told Beti off, Beti decided she was not having it. Well I was this close and joined in to back up Sammi, I grabbed Beti and tipped her over onto the ground. She was instantly subservient, the pack had spoken. I held her there and growled "Ahhhh" at her before letting her go ... lesson learned ... for today! All we ask is a few manners around older pack members.

Loki back out with the troops today - happy boy. 

Some Special Toys

The photo of Blade with his cone predates Pen Y Cae and was taken outside the house of misery, so between Nov 92 and June 95, when we moved here. That was one of many that he stole, but for fear of getting in trouble I did make him put the yellow one with "Police" on it back where he got it!

A very old Nikki with her treasure cheap version of a kong, she didn't know or care did she, it went everywhere

Krizzie loved the big tennis balls, but Jay destroyed them so it put an end to that!

Kai loved toys, anything but here has the purple toy, we used to call them the purple banana, I've no idea why that started! They were a big favourite with Tali, Louis and as you can see Nico too. Sadly, I can no longer seem to get them, they were by planet dog and took some stick. 

Asha adored her pink ball, but Mikey stole it and lost it, again from planet dog but at Crufts,  we never saw another one like it. 

Ziva with one of the first gundog dummies, though I do vaguely remember a white one before it. If it was here in Dexi days then he probably ate it!

Nico with two new purple bananas. 

Loki with his kong gundog dummy, and of course our Ross with his now famous orange kong! 

Not all the dogs have liked toys, Orin is not fussed and neither is Siska. Jezi and Kiri had no interest at all in toys, though Kiri made herself ill eating plastic and ended up have major surgery at an old age ... as you do! 

Of course Zeus loves his ball ... but we'll talk about that in the next post.

Natural Instincts

I'm trying to get Beti to focus on a toy on the walk. She and Sammi are too silly together and I'm scared the games could lead to trouble, they are getting more out of hand as Beti gets older. Beti likes to carry and hold things, so I'm hopeful in time that it may work. Blade and Nikki always carried toys, Blade loved plastic boxes and bottles as well as traffic cones, and Nikki always had a kong on a rope. (though in those days I couldn't afford the actual kong, and she had cheap alternatives!) Mikey likes to carry a toy, but kept leaving it, I think he and Ziva were the first to get a gundog dummy. Ziva and Sammi used to share until Loki spoiled that and would take it off them. Even when I got him one he took theirs, until they picked his up, then he'd want that one back .. and so on. It was easier with Ross and Loki, Ross is so focused on his kong and has no interest in Loki's gundog dummy, and Loki only wants the expensive kong make of gundog dummy! This one I've got for Beti was about half the price, but it feels sturdy and is bright yellow. I tried a little play with her out in the field yesterday, but due to Sammi's interference, it was only mildly successful. 

After all the dogs have been out for a wee in the morning, everyone has breakfast, apart from Beti. Beti won't eat breakfast until all the jobs have been done, she is fascinated with cleaning poo, filling buckets (Water and coal) and follows me about with great enthusiasm, generally making it all very difficult to be honest. She jumps up my back, grabs at my sleeves, goes off with the bucket, takes the hosepipe out of the bucket, and if you think there's a chance of using the yard brush, then think again! I've tried shouting and screaming, it gets me nowhere, though to be honest I don't want to crush her enthusiasm for life, I just need a few manners. Anyway this morning I gave her the dummy, every time she dropped it, I picked it up and carried it allowing her to have it back after a short tugging battle, even Loki considered taking it ... whilst it was mostly successful, it was nowhere near as fascinating as a hosepipe and bucket .. but it did stop her grabbing at my sleeves and coat. The toy has now been put away and may come out again when we go out, or I may just try and get her to focus on it in the mornings for a while. 

Ross has amazing natural tracking instincts, with a command of "Wait" I often throw Loki's toy to get them all to look in a photo. He can't wait if I use his kong, it's too much for him. Yesterday without Loki there I decided to throw my keys, photo taken, but where are they keys? I watched Ross search and point at them, as he does with Loki's toy or anything else that I throw. 

Sammi and Orin are air scenters (is there such a word, well there should be one!)  ... and Beti does the same. Trust me if Sammi is air scenting there is something there, you may not see it yet ... but it's there! Orin does it in the ring, I have to be careful where I stand or he'll no doubt be sniffing me out! 

Anyway, we'll give this toy a go with Beti .. I do think she has it in her to enjoy carrying a toy, if it works I may even manage to walk her with Siska, but that is being a little optimistic at the moment!

Breezy On The Walks

Beautiful day

Such a shame he's on that lead isn't it.

Madness with these three. I watch too much, I still think there is an issue with Beti's front movement, it's more obvious coming down hill.

We went awol today, Orin going a little too far in front at times, but he always stops when called.

A mooch to the end of the track with my lovely Loki

Manchester Critiques

I'm really pleased with those, the spelling mistake is not mine, I did copy and paste, but I have to confess I didn't see it till Mr S pointed it out!

Pinchmill Girls

Beti and Polly at 6.5 months. These sisters look great and as I've said before I really would have been happy with either. Polly reminds me more of Nico, whilst Beti is more like her dad. I have no photos of their mother at the same age to compare too. 

As Fergal Sharkey Sang

"You Little Thief!"  I just just listened to it for the first time in years, Wow, I'd forgotten the lyrics were so angry so bitter ... great song though, and I guess it'll now be stuck in my head for the rest of the day. 

Loki Today

 The boy is quiet and calm this morning. The vet suggested rest for a couple of days ... who is going to tell him he's not walking?

Loki's behaviour at the surgery yesterday was impeccable. I guess his trust in us shone through. Apart from the examination, he didn't move as he had blood taken from his neck and was lifted onto an X-ray table and turned to lie on his side ... with that "Down-Wait" command understood he stayed where he was for the x-ray. After that unsure start what a cracking boy he grew up to be, yes he's aloof with strangers, but that nervous puppy is confident and calm adult to be proud of. 

I walked everyone then let Loki come round the top field just the once with us, I think he was happy with it, though he did go and stand by the gate to go to the bottom field. Sorry Loki, not today, but hopefully by the weekend eh!