Blackpool Critique

Coat, Eyes And Socialising

You can easily find Zavi in this video, his orange collar stands out through his thick coat. I think his coat is longer and thicker than Orin's was at the same age – though O was quite hairy too. It's my experience from being in the breed for over 35 years that mostly well-coated puppies become well-coated adults, but as we know, nature sometimes throws in a curveball and does it differently! Of course puppies with less coat can continue to have a thick adult coat, we'll use Blanik Fitz as an example of that! Sammi was not a hugely coated puppy, but with every moult her coat seemed to come back thicker, and Ross has been the same really; when he's in full bloom he looks pretty decently coated in recent years. They say there's nothing worse than a poorly coated sable, and my word at times he's looked rough! 

If you watch the video you'll see a glimpse of Mattie and maybe understand why I set my heart on a puppy from this litter other than previous ones. Her free-flowing easy movement is so impressive, and her conformation is unexaggerated and balanced, to finish the picture, she has dark eyes and beautiful colour. Of course I understand that Zavi's eyes may well be lighter than my preference, but eye colour is never a game changer! 

Without flooding him, I'll start socialising as soon as I can; maybe give him a few days to settle in this mad house first. I need to find out who he is, is he a bold Beti, a riotous Ross or a more low-key Loki? How we socialise will have a lot to do with his personality. Kai helped Ziva recover after the disasters of her early socialising, Mikey, Sammi and Noya did wonders for Loki's withdrawn personality ... and Beti is helping me with Meerah, who sometimes reacts oddly in certain situations. Beti herself and most of the others haven't needed the backup of an adult to explore the world, but if Zavi does – well, I've got just the woman for the job! 

A Baby Orin

Zavi

OMG - I'm in love! 

Meerah and Owen

Little Miss Mwnci behaving perfectly for Owen at club again tonight. She's saving all her naughtyness for Builth!

Beti Visiting

A lovely afternoon sitting in the shade in Carrie's garden, drinking lemonade with a bit of an extra something in it and eating cake. Beti was over the moon to be there again and my favourite purple hydrangea looked better than ever! I think it's a good year for them. Not many photos, as I forgot to take her any treats for payment!

Zavi's Vet Check

A very hot and bothered Zavi and his siblings passed their health checks today. 

His bed is made for him - It'll soon be Friday

And Mother Said ...

Oh Mattie haven't you read the books? Positive training only. Go on, get your clicker out! 

Seriously the best thing we can do is observe these females and learn from them! 

I'm now on Zavi countdown. 

We were told yesterday that the carers will be starting with Mum in 4 - 6 weeks. We all considered it to be good news, apart from Mum who has thrown her toys out of the pram. Though the weather was hot and sunny in Tremadog today, the atmosphere at No. 30 was distinctly chilly! Mum does not remember that she agrees with the plans, and says she doesn't even recall the visit from the social worker. I fear this may not go very well!

Lunch Out

A lovely "light lunch" at The Newborough with my favourite person.  I've no idea what they would consider a big meal if this is a light lunch! We both bought some of it home for supper, and with it being such a big meal, there was no room for a sweet! Damn!  

We also popped to Home Bargains and got some puppy pads ready for putting in Zavi's crate. I have set the crate up in the dog's bedroom, ready for him. It's big enough to take a Beti-sized female, so it will do him for 3 - 4 months I guess. After that I'm going to have to do a rethink; with anything bigger where it is, Meerah's crate won't open, and we still hope for a puppy Kez next year!  

Dad

It's been four years - in memory of my father, please do me the honour and listen! 

This Is Reacher

 

Well now the news is out - Reacher is going to live with our friends Ro and Mark. Ro is the lady who did the crochet of Kaiah. They have Jethro from my J litter and Lyra, an Orin daughter. (They also had TJ from the H litter, and Ro's parents had Heidi from the B litter.) Let's look forward to three siblings in the ring next year.