Loki

It's 12 Months since we lost the boy. We miss him and his odd little ways so much, but thankfully, the memories now come with a smile and not a tear. 

Breed Things

I've mentioned numerous times I'm sure that I've been writing the Welsh News for the Breed Council's GSD magazine for some years. It's now been mentioned that "maybe" I could take on the South West too? Hmmm! I have enough problems getting information from people in Wales without adding another area. When I took this on, I didn't realise I'd be chasing people, naively I thought they'd be proud of their dogs achievements and throwing their news and results at me. I guess we are all different! 

I've been subscribing to the magazine since 1994, then, before social media, the monthly edition was everything. Yes, we had to wait a month, or even two for results photos and news. Can you imagine that now?  Stud dogs were advertised there, litters and show dogs promoted .. but of course there was a chain of phone calls following any show. I realise just how much times have changed, and I love the instant access to information, but it would be such a shame to lose this magazine which now only comes out three times a year. 

I've made my poster (above) but we are lucky that NWGSD are also paying for a two-page spread for their members, so Siska is going on that. (One page - below) Normally, space is tight on it, but with so few taking up the opportunity of a free space to advertise their dogs/kennel this year there is more room for text. Such a shame though, I'd jump at the chance for any free promotion for my dogs. 

In recent years the Breed Council had stopped collating information from Champ Shows to find the top winning dog, bitch, puppy, veteran, kennel etc ... but last year they did collate and publish the top winning dog and bitch, whilst people were thrilled to have it back they did ask, "well can we have it all back?" I was approached about a month ago and asked if I could collate the Best Puppy and Best Veterans .. well yeah no problem ... such a shame it wasn't happening in 2024, with her 3 BPIB awards at Champ shows there is no doubt Beti would have been in the top 5 at least! 

Linda and I will be managing the Breed Council stall for the AM shift at Crufts again this year. My only concern will be Beti ... if the stall is in the same spot as last year well that will be great, but if it's located somewhere else by the ring it could make life difficult! 

Bald Beti

I'm the first to preach that we should never show our dogs, particularly our bitches, when they are moulting. With, in most cases, drastic moults before season, they always look worse than the males. So tell me, why the hell did I show Beti so devoid of coat? I knew she wasn't looking great on the day, (Late September) but these photos have obviously made me question my judgement! My god, I should have known better than that! 

A Walk In Penygroes

Following another appointment to see the prescribing pharmacist in Penygroes I took Orin and Siska for a walk on the paths between Penygroes and Llanllyfni. My skin is really bad at the moment, and this is the third visit since Xmas and the third lot of medication. 

Anyway ... we had more of a mooch than a march, but we all enjoyed ourselves in the sunshine, and though the wind was bitter and strong, it didn't compare to how it was at home! I am so pleased that I've discovered some places to walk when the wind is like this at home, and we've had so many blustery days so far this year. I probably should have taken two lots of dogs with me, but with Steve needing to go into Caernarfon this morning I just couldn't leave the ones at home indefinitely. 

Two Thirds Of The Way Through

The first day of the shortest month of the year, and the last month of Winter. I'd like to go somewhere to see a carpet of snowdrops, maybe on Wednesday, as Steve has another hospital appointment that day. As his appointment will be 2 hrs, I hope there may be some snowdrops in Parc Menai, or that I'll find somewhere in that area to walk rather than sit in the hospital. I've also wondered if Jan, or Rosie would like to meet me in the cafe near Treborth. I'll check the timing and see how it goes. 

Photo of Siska - just because I like it! 

Ffarm Yard

I don't remember this lovely little bridge at all, but doing the circuit in those days it would have been behind me and I doubt I'd have been as interested in my surroundings as I am now! 

The last time I walked this way was probably with Blade and Pepsi. I was looking for somewhere reasonably flat and clean to walk before going to Mum's. When I lived in Tremadog, we called this walk "Rownd Ffarm Yard." (Easily worked out I'm sure.) To do the circuit, you can start or finish going through the nursery, but today I parked at the entrance of the single track road, walked to the railway line and back again. It was a lovely change and I'm sure it won't take me 30 years to go back again!!

Not As We Hoped

There is some sadness here today, this weekend we should have been whelping a litter. Siska is absolutely fine, her hormones seem to have settled, and she's eating normally now. She's still happy to be a couch potato, but was full of fun on her walks. So yeah, just me that's feeling it! 

Beti is just Beti, after the first few weeks of reduced appetite my little explosion of happiness is back to her normal happy self. I really hope she comes in season in four months and manages to bring the other one in with her!

I've Been Playing

I'm really happy with how this has come out of Beti. 

I'll try someone else now I think. 

Bridgeview Jara

Just thought I'd share this photo of Mattie, I can't help but get a little excited. 

Trying To Escape The Wind

Ok so it was sunny, but that wind was powerful and cold. I was going to do one of the Carmel routes but it was still really windy there so I headed further down for Dinas, anyway on route I changed my mind and decided to walk Lon Eifion from Groeslon towards Penygroes. It was still really windy down there, so I went mooching into the woodland on the side of the track and into the "nature field." We were out about the same times as normal but more exploring than marching. Definitely a good place to good in this kid of weather.