Zavi's Critique

I was chatting with a friend about AI this morning, she was introduced to Chatgpt yesterday and was amazed at what can be done. Then I wondered if it would give me the text from a video - I use Gemini, but it's all the same thing. So I uploaded the video explaining that I couldn't hear/understand all that was being said; this was the reply ...

Here is the judge's full critique from the audio clip: 

 "Second dog, also a well-constructed dog. He has not that much ring routine. He has at the moment not the wither. He has a little bit more pigmentation, but all in all, very correct anatomy with correct structure. Congratulations, very promising."

Well that makes a lot more sense, doesn't it! 

Presaddfed Aeron Of Blanik

We were lucky to get a few photos after the judging. I've deleted the shit, but these 4 are really all very nice. Regarding the first two, to be honest, I find it hard to choose. I guess, if I had to, I'd go for the second pic simply because his head/neck is more forward than upwards. 

Photo number three is also a cracker, but for perfection, GSD's are always photographed with their mouths open. 

Another I like, but his near-side hind leg (near to the handler) is pulled in too far forward. 

Regional News

Yesterday we were playing in someone else's playground as we attended a Regional with Zavi. His class was "Baby Short Coat Male" and the boy did us all proud.

It was an early start for Zavi as I left home at 5.15am. His breakfast was in the van for him and he'd scoffed it before we got through the gate. Beti came with us for moral support – and we picked Jackie up in Groeslon. We met up with Thelmas and Louise, Errr Jane and Sarah just off the M6, everyone picking up their coffee and/or running to the loo. (Apart from me as I always bring my own flask - for the tea! 😁)

It was like a summer's day in Ellistown and we were there in good time for Zavi to see it all before judging started. He had a mooch around with Beti and as I stood looking around, I remembered a baby Ross arriving here for the first time, and I remembered the mud, OMG the mud! 

There were four baby puppy classes, 2 for females and 2 for males, between 4 and 6 months. The largest class was L/C female, with only one in S/C female, how I wished Kate had been there. After a panic from my backup team – 2 of them came to get me, as they thought all the baby puppies were going in together – I faffed and fumbled and ended up ring-side with a puppy I hadn't even brushed. Thankfully they had misunderstood, and we had plenty of time to watch the other 3 classes. 

Reacher, Zavi's brother (Blue Collar), was in the Baby puppy L/C class. Like Zavi he'd had no training for this kind of showing, but other than being a little loud, he did really well. He was VP2. He is a big-boned, heavy pup with so much potential; he is no taller than Zavi but has a huge frame, with luck and good fortune, I'm sure he'll grow into a very impressive male. 

Zavi was "abandoned" with Jane before his class, and when Mandy came to take him in, even from the other side of the ring, I saw the absolute confusion on his face. There was nothing for it; I had to leg it round and walk out in front of him till he got the hang of it ... and he did! He was pulling out a little too hard at times I guess, (maybe a different collar will help?), but he wasn't bothered by the puppy in front or behind him. Well done Zavi - VP2 as well. (VP-Very Promising - the highest grade that can be given to a puppy - and 2nd in the class) The German judge gave him a lovely critique, the negatives being that he doesn't hold his wither height, which I see and I agree with, but he also said his pigment wasn't great. Well, I beg to differ; actually, he has great pigment. Maybe the judge meant something else was not pleasing to his eye and got his words mixed up? Possible, isn't it? The puppy pulled out as the winner was only 10 days short of 6 months, making him look much more like the finished picture than Zavi and the 3rd pup, he had also obviously received much more training... a nice puppy, but looking back at the videos, something wasn't quite right! 

The journey home was fun, it's great to travel with someone who manages to eat more than you do, it's great to feel a little bit more positive, it's great to have a van like this to drive, and it's great to have spent time with Thelma and Louise. We missed Owen and Linda - but hopefully next time we can all be together again. 

During the day I saw some beautiful dogs, but I also saw one of the worst I've ever seen at a show. Surely someone close to them should tell them? If it were me, I hope someone would tell me! 

A Quick Post About The Regional

Lovely day with baby Zavi at The Midland Regional yesterday. Obviously not a clue what he was doing, but managed a VP2 in the s/c baby puppy class thanks to Mandy's kind handling. Thanks to the special people for sharing the day with us. 

Apple And Tree Again?

This is Zavi's brother Bryn, Mr Green. He looks so much like a young Nico, honestly, I just see a Nico son, no Orin. Weird, isn't it! 

Then there's Zavi. In the nest I didn't see Orin, especially as I kept seeing his eyes being closer together than I usually see in a Blanik nest, but look at him now, OMG - so much Orin! His head is still less masculine than Orin's was. (I'm not saying he's feminine – just not as strong at the moment.) Is my eye always drawn to the same look? Do I go for the same type? Hell I must do, at the moment Zavi is just so father typical. 

... and yes, this is Orin!

Sunshine In Tremadog

Another successful walk with Beti the mentor, and Zavi her student. We saw three dog walkers and a family with a bubbly, loud child; all went well. Beti is such a super star. 

The sun was beaming, and the grass was wet with dew; everywhere just looked so beautiful. 

My favourite photo today. 

Since we used the name Zavi, I've heard it twice in TV characters; one was on Van der Valk and the other just this week, but bloody hell I can't remember on what! (It will hopefully come to me!) 

This afternoon we are watching an old episode of "The Dog House" and there is someone, originally from Canada, on it called Orin! Well, that's a first. 

All Good In The Rain

Zavi seems fine today, and we took advantage of a few minutes between the showers to play in the garden. One of the big acers in a pot had been blown over, so the gardener came out to deal with it. The amount of cardboard, plastic and general "recycling" that has blown here over the last few days is crazy. I think someone has lost the lid off their recycling box, or something. Anyway, Zavi was happy with a plastic bottle! 

Did you watch Traitors last night? OMG I'm totally hooked already. It must be one of my favourite programs now ... and with a few of my favourite celebrites in it, it just makes it better. (James Blunt, Michael Sheen, and Rob and Romesh, of course!) Honestly, I sit on the edge of my seat watching it!

Should Have Gone To Specsavers

My little man is not 100% today; he's a little quiet, not like him at all. Maybe he has some discomfort in his mouth, or maybe he's eaten something he shouldn't have! Of course I'll keep an eye on him.

I spent almost 2 hrs in Specsavers today. My eyes are still individually healthy but still not speaking to each other. 🫢 LOL. My distance sight is still ok, with some deterioration in the left eye for close sight, but very little difference in over the last two years really. Anyway I've ordered new glasses, Zavi took these outside last week. Steve managed to put them back together for me, but I rely on glasses so much that I can't risk being without a pair. I didn't realise but a hearing test is now part of the standard test there, and my hearing is within a normal range. 

Gemini Help

With the breeze being, shall we say, a little fresh, I initially decided to go downhill a little on my first walks. Oh hell, never mind the wind, I'd go onto one of my favourite routes from Fron to Rhosgadfan, well, part of the way with the young and old anyway! I drove to my usual parking space and turned the van round. Just to move out of the nettles I tried to pull forward a little, but the van said "NO!" Oh hell it was slipping on the wet grass and wouldn't move forward at all, I tried to go backwards, yes, forward again, "NO!" Shit! I knew Ian was at work and really had no idea who else to call, Steve would kill me, he's always saying, "Don't take the van to stupid places!" Well I didn't think this was a stupid place, I've been there in it a fair few 

times, and the Peugeot never struggled there. I guess this is a bigger, heavier van, and everywhere was wet! I just had to sort it out myself. I got out and looked round, I couldn't go straight back or I'd have been in a ditch, but if I steered right and went back I should get back onto the track. I tried to go forwards again .."NO!"  Ok back we go, through the reads and with some scraping, it was out. I got out to look again, OMG what the feck was that? It looked like the bottom of the bumper. I put it in the van and drove to a more sensible place to park. I suddenly realised I was shaking a little - but, hopefully no harm done, and I won't go back there again. Before walking I took a photo and, telling "Gemini" what I'd done I sent her/it the photo. This was the conclusion ...

"This is the rear bumper plastic internal support carrier (or reinforcement/impact absorber frame).

It is the inner structural component that sits directly behind the outer visible plastic skin/fascia of the rear step bumper.That explains it completely! Reversing through dense tall grass, brush, or reeds is a classic way for these to get pulled off.

As you reverse, the stems/reeds slide under the back bumper, hook into the open plastic lip at the bottom, and act like a rake. As the van moves backward, the plants snag the bottom edge and tear the clip retainers free, popping the inner carrier right out of the outer bumper skin." 

As I walked I considered whether to give Steve the edited version or not. I decided that my back was broad enough and that when I got home I'd come clean. After all, it only needs clipping back! Of course I'll never take the van back there again, and I have learned that it doesn't do well on wet grass, it's going to be fun on a wet dog show day! I have to admit I am a little precious about this van, I guess I've never had anything as nice so I am trying to look after it.

Back to the first two walks, no issues at all with anyone, though Zavi was very aware of the Mastiff in the top cottage that barks continually whilst you are on the path. Ross has heard the dog bark for years, so he's completely oblivious to it, so another positive reinforcement for Zavi – who cares about the barking Mastiff? No one!

I came home to swap dogs and make my confession! It went Ok, though he had to say ... "I've told you to be careful where you go in it." Well now I know its capabilities; I won't do it again! LOL

The next 4 loaded and sulking slightly with that walk I went to Carmel. Oh great, a car in my parking space, so I drove on and parked by Capel Y Bryn. Before unloading the dogs, I had a chat with the lady on the horse who's the same colour as Isla (well, I've forgotten her name, and I've no idea what colour you call a horse like that - it's Smoke in a cat!)  The girls were excited; we'd not been here since the spring. We had a lovely walk down the path and over the bridge, but as we got onto the track, the Whippets were out in the cottage and they barked madly at the gate for the whole time that the girls were playing in the stream. Well done to Meerah for not responding. 

With Orin and Siska I walked down the same path but rather than upsetting the Whippets, I then went in a different direction, finding a path we've never walked before, and we liked it! This now makes this a better walk as those whippets really don't shut up, and no one does anything about it. Of course that won't stop me going down there, the girls and Ross love it in the stream, so we'll keep going, occasionally!!!

Tomorrow I'm at the optician for my yearly check. I think all three sets of glasses will need updating; life is a little lopsided again! Following my appointment in Llandudno last week, next Monday I have to go for a scan to YG. I must admit I'm shitting bricks. I really hoped to have walked away from Llandudno with "No there's nothing there," but it didn't quite go like that, so yeah I'm scared! On a better note, Steve has had his PSA results, and it's still below 1, so four years on and his cancer has still not returned. 

Last Day Of September