Lon Goed

"Y Lôn Goed (Tree Lane in English), is in a quiet, agricultural area of ​​Gwynedd. The road, which winds its way through the countryside for about five miles from the sea at Afonwen near Pwllheli to Hendre Cennin near Bryncir, was probably built between 1819 and 1828 under the direction of John Maughan, steward of the Talhenbont Estate, Plas Hen, to facilitate the transport of lime, coal and peat. The logic behind the trees was that they would help drain the land, making it easier for the estate farmers to carry lime from the kiln at Afonwen to the different farms and thus improve the soil. Traffic ceased on Lôn Goed in the early 1860s with the arrival of the railway to Bryncir and Afonwen." (Information "borrowed" from Facebook)

This is a beautiful walk and we park at the Bryncir end of the walk. Maybe one day we should put a vehicle at both ends and walk all the way down. Anyone up for it? 

Today we took Ross and Beti, so everyone has had a special walk this week, and I've had three special walks. After doing the walk Linda and I went exploring another section of a walk going in the opposite direction. From what I can see online further up that track takes us up towards a farm, and out onto a single track lane, but hell with a couple of dogs in tow I think we'll have to go back to find out. 

Vets And Gyrn Goch

As I wasn't completely happy with Sammi bottom we went back to the vet to see Jamie again today. He agreed that her bottom was very sore but assured me that the anal gland infection had cleared and that there was nothing more sinister going on than a sore bottom, so some cream has been prescribed to hopefully clear up anything that is causing her discomfort. 

On the way back we had a lovely walk in Gyrn Goch, my only complaint was seeing other people. We never see anyone there, and today we saw two separate women with dogs. Zeus behaved strangely towards one woman, though she was carrying her thingydoodle in case the big GSD's ate it, so maybe that spooked him, but he belted backwards as far as he could go. Meerah's recall was fab, I was so proud, but PLEASE people just stop and give me a minute to get them on the lead! Though both women were pleasant, the second lady was more patient and gave us time to get the dogs on the lead and out of her way. 

Both girls were weighed at the vets, Sammi was still 33.5kg and Meerah was unsurprisingly 31.5kg.

I don't remember walking Zeus with Meerah before, maybe I have? I don't remember if Meerah has been to Gyrn Goch either, but it all went well and I think I'd like to do more of it, it would be nice for Zeus to have a younger friend and not just spend time with his mother.

Seasons

I think both seasons are brewing, Beti is due by the calendar before the end of the month. Her coat is coming through and her behaviour yesterday was out of character. Meerah has left breakfast 2 days in a row and has a discharge, it would be good if they come in together, and we get it over and done with. With our vet now offering it, I've looked and read about laparoscopic spaying, but as I said, my fear is currently too great! 

Siska is now preparing for her impending litter, it must be so hard when their body is telling them to prepare, but nothing comes. She's eaten well after this season, though she is messing about this week.  She's been digging and bed shredding, but generally her mood is good and of course we never pander to the behaviour! What happens next with Siska will depend on how things go here, and when these females come to Orin (if they come of course!) If I'm going to breed from Siska again, it's not likely to be next time, but maybe the following season. Of course, it's a woman privilege to change her mind.

My Lovelies And I Went AWOL

Steve suggested it was favouritism, well maybe, but maybe if things go well now that I can take one group somewhere different a couple of times a week. 

I was aiming for photos from the walk of trees, views and colours, and the only way to make it all more perfect was to put Orin and Siska in them! 

Back On Our Mountain

It's been 2 months since we had "Walks," I say we because I've missed it as much as them. Oh hell we have 2 fields, more than some dogs every know, but for this breed, like many others, I consider that it's not enough. They don't need the training classes and the shows, though most of them enjoy them but they need the freedom to sniff, mooch and jump in ditches. (Beti went from ditch to ditch today to discover nothing but a dry dusty hole in the ground!)  They don't need to meet other people with other dogs for play dates they have their family and friends who visit, but for their mental as well as physical health though do need to see, hear ad smell the world around them.

I made an error of judgment before walk number one. With my continued concern over Meerah's hips I thought she may be better walked with Sammi and Ross. It's not that the distance would be different, but the madness would be! I took Beti and Zeus out of the van to a major scrap between them, all caused by hormonal Beti! She's now so close to her season and behaving like a tw*t, but honestly, though she had fights with Sammi 6 months ago, well I wasn't expecting that. Even as I tried to get Zeus back in the van she was biting at his bum. Good thing he has a big fat hairy arse eh! It's all so weird as Beti was playing with him in the garden on Friday ... I have to confess I did start thinking, well as she'll never have a litter, maybe she should be spayed, but of course the fear of that is too terrifying to consider.

It was back to plan A and the two walks went well, let's see how Meerah fairs this evening!

My Sanity

Orin and Siska

Ross, Sammi and Meerah

Ross and Beti

Photo of the day, well it just has to be this of Zeus

Beti's Ball

Falling asleep on the job!

Gazebo For The Dogs

In a lot of ways the big pen is fantastic, it gives us an extra safe place for some of the dogs whilst the others are in the garden or the yard. But, of course nothing is perfect and whilst the rubber matting is easy to clean and water drains off it, it also gets very hot and if it's too hot to put your hand on it, then it's far too hot for paws. I've tried tying blankets over the sides, but the midday sun in Fron is high in the sky and the only thing I could think of doing was to somehow put a temporary roof over part of the pen. For the last couple of days this tarpaulin has worked, but it's already starting to rip ... so plan number two, I've ordered a 3M x 3M gazebo. The pen is about 10ft by 15ft and if I'm right, then 3M is a little less than 10ft, let's hope it works and that I've got this right!!!

Some Snaps Today

My beautiful Orin out in the evening sunshine.

Sammi and Zeus are spending more time together, though I don't leave them alone together as he does still get OTT and as an older lady she needs more respect. 

Jan, a friend of over 30 years, but she still doesn't like my cats... LOL

Of course Jamie will sit with anyone!

Steve managed a walk to next-door today, though they were not home, but that was not the point. He's still using the walking frame outside and practising with the crutches in the safety of the house! There's a long way to go, but equally he's come such a long way in the 4 weeks since he's been home.

Dog Club

I've been attending The Nantlle Vale Dog Training Club since I passed my driving test in 1988, in the early 80ies I went to the Porthmadog and District DTC. A feud within the club in those early years split the club in half, with some staying in Porthmadog and the others moving to Penygroes. As soon as I could drive, Pepsi and I joined my friends in Penygroes, and in 1991 I qualified as a training instructor with the BIPDT and my had my first GSD Puppy, Blade a few weeks later. I've never left the club, though I do much less now, and I did have a break off the committee for some year, but it has always been part of my adult life and society needs it now more than ever. In the early years it ran one night a week, but in 1993 with the committee's backing I started a ring craft (Show training) evening. With great officers and committee, the club has gone from strength to strength and now runs 4 nights a week with a waiting list to join. As I mentioned earlier, with other commitments I do less now, but one thing I can do is continue the blog that Brian started ... if anyone is interested then click on the link... 

Nantlle Vale Dog Training Club