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!

14/4/91 - 35 Years Ago

Thirty-five years ago, I had just returned from a BIPDT course on the Friday—which also happened to be my birthday. As excited as I was, I could hardly wait for Sunday the 14th: the day I was finally picking up baby Blade.

My original dream was a long-coated male GSD, but Marilyn convinced me to go with a short-coat so that I could show him. And show him I did! Blade came from the Laecor kennel and was an Alshvar Schults grandson. I fell in love immediately, and that dog became the start of the path I have walked ever since.

He opened up a world for me that I still love today. While some friends have come and gone over the years, most of us are still walking this path together.

Blade was truly special. He won countless BOBs and numerous BIS's at open shows, qualified for Crufts, (a big deal for me a the time) and won in both Pre-Beginner and Beginner Obedience. He even won his class at the North v South GSD two-day show. We tampered with agility, tried a bit of "man-work," (as we called it  then), and he even appeared in several Welsh TV programmes.

Blade was amazing. He wasn’t faultless or perfect, but at that time he was perfect for me. Many have followed in his footsteps, but as my first GSD—and through my affix—he continues to walk this bumpy path exactly where he always was: right by my side.

More Photos From Today

Day After Drontal

 Three breakfast not finished – but worming is a needs must. 

Walks for everyone today - hope I'm forgiven! 

Beti and Ross back on the track betweem Fron and Rhosgadfan, one thing to bear in mind: the bloody cows were on the common land adjoining it today. I was a little unnerved in places, but they did keep their distance.

I also took Orin and Siska that way too, I love to see them seemingly admiring the views. I guess the scents and sounds mean more to them than the sights. Anyway, we explored further. - Wow there is so much more to explore and see over there. 

Two walks for Meerah closer to home, one with Sammi and one with Zeus. I'm still hoping that she can eventually spend more time with Zeus, but he just gets so OTT about her, even after a walk.

On Our Doorstep.

Yesterday's new walk was just great, but today's, well, that was something more special. Yesterday we walked from the top of the Carmel to Rhosgadfan road, not far from Capel Y Bryn, downhill towards the top of Rhostryfan. Today we walked from the entrance to the quarry and came out by the cemetery at the top of Rhosgadfan. I just can't believe that I've lived here all this time and didn't know about this track. Well, I did know about it, I recall Tish posted photos from her walk on it the once, but I've never considered walking along it before. 

I loaded 4 into the van, it was breezy, but sunny. I went back in to get my coat and put my wellies on, went out, the sky was black and it was snowing. Oh hell it was too late to change my mind. It was less than a 5 minute drive and by the time I was getting the dogs out of the van the sky had clearerd and the sun was shining again. 

For the first walk I followed the track, to the cemetary and back, but I could clearly see lots of paths off the main track, and I went off a slightly different way with Meerah and Zeus. I'll be going back there as soon as I can to see how many circuits we can find. With it all being minutes away, I think I may drive up to the cemetery and see which paths go from there too. 

Our Lovely New Walk

Some Friends

 "I'm just saying it's funny how things have changed," wittered Steve. "You just no longer seem to be the priority, and it hurts me when you prioritise them over yourself, but they can't do the same for you."

Well in a way he's right, and yeah it does hurt when you have always considered yourself to be close, to be a team, you've put them first, sometimes to your detriment, but maybe now this has given me the opportunity to open another door, to have a different team? I won't now feel I'm breaking the loyalty; I can, after the next couple of shows, ask elsewhere! 

For better or worse, some friendships change, it is what it is and we can't do a thing about it. I haven't lost the friendship, but sadly it does seem to have changed.