Sunday In The Fields

With the snow coming down so heavily last night, I hoped for some white stuff fun today, but sadly the overnight rain took it all away.  When you hope the weather forecast will be wrong - it isn't! 

For the first time, Meerah has told Zeus off today. He grabbed her by her tail as she ran past, and instead of just screaming and running off, she turned round and told him. Ok it wasn't very authoritative, but let's hope it's the start of her sticking up for herself in his company.  

Orin And Siska In Tremadog

Such A Mess

 I went to see Mum and spent a little bit of time mooching around Tremadog this afternoon. I walked through Cae Capel, up to Coed John and behind Pensyflog Farm. I must admit I was quite horrified ... Yes, I saw 2 lots of dog poo on the path, but hell I think it's the least of the worries. The amount of rubbish on the path was beyond; empty cans, empty bottles, plastic wrappers, crisp packets, a shopping trolley, an ironing board, honestly I don't think I've ever walked such a rubbish strewn path. It's easy to say, well, why don't they clear it up, but the pigs throwing the rubbish in the first place should be taken to task. Dogs and dog people always seem to be in the firing line, though there are few who let the side down. The people throwing the rubbish are probably some of the same people who left the dog shit on the path! 

The law on dogs and livestock has changed

 From March 2026, tougher penalties and new police powers are in force to protect farm animals and support rural communities. It will now be an offence if a dog:

 • Attacks livestock 

• Chases, stalks or frightens livestock

• Causes stress, injury, death, miscarriage or loss of produce 

• A dog does NOT need to touch an animal for an offence to occur. The law covers a wide range of livestock, including: 

• Sheep 🐑

• Cattle (cows, bulls, calves) 🐄 

• Goats 🐐 

• Pigs 🐖 

• Horses 🐎 

• Poultry (chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese) 🦃 

• Alpacas and llamas 🦙 

These protections apply on farmland and on public footpaths or roads where livestock are present. Under the updated law, police can now: 

• Seize dogs involved in livestock worrying 

• Enter premises with a warrant

• Take DNA and other evidence 

• Recover costs from offenders 

• Courts can issue unlimited fines. 

As a dog owner, you need to:

• Keep dogs under close control near livestock 

• Use a lead in fields with animals 

• Public rights of way are included 

• Remember, it's your dog. Your responsibility.

Ok fair enough, but I'm bloody fed up with these bloody sheep knocking our walls down, damaging the fencing and being told it's my responsibility!!!

Proof He Went Out!

Nice pic of Mr Zeus - I suppose I could remove the lead, but what the hell, it doesn't detract too much, does it? 

I just love the colour of the winter heather. 

Sammi and Zeus with Mynydd Mawr behind them. 

My girls, Meerah and Beti 

 The Nantlle Ridge and Cwm Silyn with just a scattering of snow.

Ravi

If you're an Eastenders fan then you'll get it. Really gave me a chuckle ... "Ravi" is also high on my list for a name for a future male GSD. Oh, and from an older woman, thanks to the BBC for the slightly far-fetched idea that his shirt would completely open in a fight scene. I'm glad to read on Facebook that I wasn't the only one who found it a pleasing view! LOL 

Feeling Guilty

Today it was the Lovelies and the Loonies who were going off the property. I'd decided on where I was parking and walking whilst back in my bed with a cuppa at 7.30am. 

As soon as I got Orin and Siska out of the van, he gave me a sharp pull on the lead and I felt that muscle pull in my right leg, thanks Orin. The walk was lovely, everywhere was wet, the ditches and streams were full and the "niwl" made it very atmospheric and somewhat peaceful. The mist was obscuring or softening distant views, which made me focus more on immediate surroundings like the naked trees, and the wet gorse. Rather than going on the top path and walking back along the road we turned round and came back the way we went.  Reasonably confident of no sheep I let them off, Wow we enjoyed ourselves.

Back to the van to swap dogs. The peace on the outskirts of Carmel was momentarily disturbed by an excited barking Beti and the distinctive howling bark of Ross. We followed the same route, so both were off the lead more or less straight away. Again a stunning walk with the mist gradually clearing to reveal the hills, but before clearing any further it creeped back down again, it's amazing how familiar landscapes are transformed into something different in the mist isn't it. My loud loonies had a great time, running from stream to ditch and back again. Ross lost a sensible stick in the fast-moving stream, but

no need to worry, he found something which delighted him anyway. Beti and I were not as amused by the second stick, and we were pleased when it broke! Whilst the mist had cleared a little I saw a huge tabby cat ... well, probably no bigger than a Maine Coon, but apart from the sheep that was all I saw. My knee was twinging, and the muscle was tight, but with both off the lead I had no further problems, not until I put them back on the lead to get to the van. Beti is obsessed with the van and pulled like a bloody train as we made our way back, that was when I realised that I would not be able to walk another dog on the lead today!

It seemed such an easy decision, I'll take the girls to the field and leave Zeus in the cottage. Sammi "come," Zeus "wait." Good boy well done, you see he does listen ... but leaving him behind was not easy, my heart hurt for him. Sammi and Meerah ran around like loonies, and poor Zeus watched through the bedroom window. It's not humanising to realise that it was frustrating for him, and he so wanted to be out with the girls, but what could I do? Nothing, I knew that, but it didn't make me feel less guilty. I told myself that I won't be a slave to dog walking, if I can't do it, missing the odd walk on the odd day is not a disaster ... it's only when they don't get enough regular exercise for basic physical maintenance that they struggle. It's as important as ever for me to keep up Sammi, and more importantly, Ross exercise now. I'm well aware that just 20 mins in the field on the in-between days is enough to maintain the levels of fitness and not give their bodies a shock with infrequent high-level exercise. Whilst trying to do the right thing by Beti, I've done a lot of research recently about irregular exercise patterns; ligament tears, muscle strains, and tendonitis

are the big risks. Walking her everyday in a controlled manner is far more beneficial to her than anything else ... hence she walks with Meerah one day and with Ross the next, getting less "madness" in the field, though of course I hope due to maintaining her fitness levels that some nutty fun won't do any physical harm! 

Anyway, I think I'm forgiven and tomorrow is a Zeus day to go off the property, I'll take him and Sammi first to make sure they get the best walk to suit them. 

Beauty In All Seasons

Lon Eifion In The Rain

Can you see the snowdrops? 

Sammi and Zeus in the little field

What you seen ladies? There was no one about!

Beti and Meerah with some Autumn colours in Winter!

Sammi And Meerah

Sammi is still doing really well, she's having a massive moult and a bit reluctant to stay still for too long for brushing. (Where is Linda when I need her?) I am doing a bit every night, but I think the best bet, with the right wind direction, will be to get the blaster on her. I'm not sure if she's had a big moult like this in a while, but whatever, she'll enjoy the blaster! 

She does surprise me occasionally with some strange behaviour. She's been sleeping with us since the Summer and following the same routine in the morning. Sammi and Zeus go out first, then he goes back into the bedroom for breakfast, and she goes through to the kitchen for hers. All she has to do is turn immediately left after coming through the hall and straight through to the kitchen ... but this morning she had other plans. Firstly, she lunged at Beti's crate and then went past Orin, Ross and Meerah's crates and lunged at Siska, who was none too pleased! At least I've discovered the front of Siska's new crate can take some stick ... but why? She's 12, she's never been confrontational, what the hell possessed her to behave in such an uncharacteristic manner? The older ladies in my life are both becoming a little testy! 😬

Talking of testy, Meerah is a little "sharp" after her season. I guess she's hormonal and growing up. She's being a little pushy with Beti, who so far has not reacted or retaliated, I hope she doesn't as it could make life very difficult. Decisions will be made about Meerah's future mid-Spring, I'll certainly need my big girl pants on then won't I! She's now obviously too tall for Champ shows, but I may take her to the odd open show. Though she has a lovely nature, beautiful coat and colour, as a breed enthusiast I am so disappointed in how she's turned out, she seemed to have so much early potential. I don't think I've ever had a pup go "so wrong" growing up before. Oh Meerah, where did you get those legs from?