Studs And Puppies

 As I'm sure you know, I pay a yearly subscription for my dog to be registered on Champdogs. It's a great site, and it's strictly monitored; they check pedigrees and need proof of health tests before they add them to your dog's page. Last week I had a puppy enquiry; I replied and told them I would not have a litter this spring but that a female had been mated to Orin, I suggested they get back in touch should they require more details. I heard nothing. 

Last night I had two more emails, one from someone else looking for a puppy, but they wanted lines back to "Balko." No can do, but as he was Idol's sire (Ross' grandfather), I suggested they look at his progeny. Balko was a significant sire of his time, but he wasn't the dog for me – though all these years on, I don't remember why! 

The other e.mail was asking if Orin was at stud; I sent out my standard reply and was shocked to get a response this morning. Most people who email are only fishing, and more often than not, nothing comes of it. They said the female was health tested and well-bred; of course, I then asked for proof. They asked if they paid my fuel money, would I go to them? ... Hmm 2 hrs ish away, yeah I guess, though it's not the done thing; I have done it before ... and then they asked if they could pay at confirmation of pregnancy? Well, hell no, sorry, as I explained to them, you pay for a service, not a result, and I didn't know them from Adam or his aunt. Of course I have done it in the past; I proved Nico on Ziva, but I didn't charge Kevin, who had the next litter from him, until we knew Kia was pregnant. Similarly with Orin, no money exchanged hands before confirmation of pregnancy till the 3rd or 4th female. Also if there is one or no puppy, then a free mating is obviously on the table. Orin now has nothing to prove as a stud dog or sire, he will mate even difficult bitches and usually produce quality puppies, but getting those first few females below his belt was paramount before thinking about stud fees, and after all, I didn't want to put people off using him by pricing myself out. At the time there was a fair bit of interest in him as he was proving himself in the ring, he was hardly beaten till he moved into limit, but proving himself as a sire of quality puppies, well that's not just a different story, it's a different book! 

Anyway, I've digressed, as I do. Having been given the female's name, I checked her out on the RKC website, breeding was Ok I suppose, but an elbow of 2, no sorry. My dog, my rules, sorry Orin, no stud! 

Yesterday In Tremadog

Following another "medical meeting" at Mum's, I took Sammi and Zeus for a walk around "Cae Capel" and back through the nursery. A lovely day, a lovely walk through carpets of my favourite flowers with mother and son. It was good for the mind and the body. I guess what made my day was hearing the cuckoo when I got home, I was jealous that Steve had heard him on Saturday whilst I was at the show, but I'm happy now! 

Bryngwyn Slate Trail

Todays walks were colourful and enjoyable. A short drive down and we parked at where Hafod Lwyfog kennels ued to be, above Maes Tryfan. Two beautiful walks down to Rhostryfan, great to see the fencing has been fixed on most of the walk, only one area still left open where there could be a risk of cattle I suppose. 

Poster

Mattie And Mum

 I thought I'd be bouncing with excitment when I announced the news that Mattie was pregnant, but I'm not. Oh I'm really pleased that she is, it gives something to focus on - but at the moment I'm totally consumed with my mother and her health issues. It seems Mattie is only carrying a small litter, 4 clearly seen, but of course there could be couple more which would be nice. 

Mum had been in so much pain that she feels life is not worth living. She can't get out of bed in the mornings and is really struggling to even move about the house. We do feel like we are back to square one and I feel like everything is currently on my shoulders. My brother lives near Manchester, and Mum's brother and family are currently away. 

I can't deny the fact that I'm stressed and after losing the weight of last years comfort eating I'm already starting to crave the wrong calories!

Scenic Walks

Beautiful Walks

Just what we need to clear our heads - and I saw the first Swallow of the season. 

WPBW

 The GSD entry yesterday at Working and Pastoral Breeds Of Wales was dismal. A beautiful venue and a breed judge, but todays hugely publisised breed show and SV judge no doubt greatly affected yesterday. There was no point in me entering Beti in a limit class in her current stage of undress. In a class already above her pay grade she would have had to look her best, so I decided early on that she was not going and therefore neither was I!

Yesterday was mostly great fun. I had only entered Sammi and Meerah, and Sammi again proved to be our star on the day. A very mixed day for us, so proud of Sammi who as you know, was 12 at Christmas. Like a pop star, out of retirement for one more day in the limelight. So many GSD's don't make it to that age, let alone be fit enough to make it into the ring. Sammi was first in the Veteran class, best Veteran in breed and amazingly Reserve Best Bitch in breed. She went so well, I was delighted. The judge said how lovely she was and wished she'd had the chance to judge the younger version. Lol.

Meerah, on the other hand, was such a handful, initially going into the ring on two legs, she was totally OTT and I can only thank Owen for working so hard and not giving up on her. The judge told me afterwards that she basically threw the class because she was so unsettled. I have to admit, having watched the videos, she wasn't as bad as I thought and was settling, but the stewards put pressure on the judge to get on with the judging. 

Lyra, Orin's daughter, won PG and looked the best I've ever seen her look. This has to be one of the best photos of her in the ring, ever. Very proud. 

A day out for the hairy Blanik. Can I say, honestly, Zeus was such a good boy, faultless behaviour in an environment that wasn't familiar to him.

Dinas Dinlle

Two lovely walks in opposite directions in Dinas Dinlle. Though it's probably best known for its beach, I much prefer these country walks along the river. It looks like the walk we did with Orin and Siska circles back to the beach ... and the walk we did with Beti and Meerah comes out at Sain Records. Rather than walking along the road, we turned back and walked the pretty path back the way we came.  

A meet up and a belated birthday lunch with Gail in the airport cafe before coming home. Yeah a lovely day. 

After The Morning Rain

So pleased to have our mate Linda back with us for a few days – we've got a lot of new walks to show her, starting with the one on our doorstep!