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, 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