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 hose 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

Friends And Teeth

Last night I had the strangest dream. I dreamt I was telling Steve that I needed to contact Phil to sort out the music for the van. (He's been ripping and burning my C.D'sonto a memory stick for me) I tried to ring Phil, but in the dream I saw him look at his phone, dismiss the call and put the phone in his pocket! He rarely answers my calls, but I'm one of the lucky ones; he always rings me back. Now you may think this is annoying or unprofessional or many things, but if you knew him, you'd understand; you just can't get annoyed with Phil. He's just a lovely, funny bloke! 

This morning, with the dream completely out of my mind, I had just parked in Aldi in Porthmadog and was talking to my brother on the phone. I was in Mum's car and who pulled up next to me but Phil. We childishly pulled faces at each other, and then he waited outside his car for a chat. His phone rang, he looked at it, pulled a face and put it in his pocket. Well, hell, the dream came back to my mind, but as he'd already screamed down the phone at my brother that I was his stalker ... I couldn't come out with, "Oh I had a dream about you last night," could I? I must admit it was all a little bit spooky!!! 

Whilst my friendship with Phil goes back about 20 years, there are people who have been around a lot longer. It's sad how some people come and go, they enrich your life or cause chaos for a period of time, then they move on. Though I say I don't care, I actually do care at the distance someone is putting between us right now. What's sad is that I really don't know why. Not a cross word between us in recent times, but though I've tried reaching out three times in a few weeks, the silence is deafening. (Of course I see on social media that they have not come to any harm!) 

 Friends are so important to me, and I don't give up easily on people who have meant something in my life. I'll never forget who was there and who wasn't, who pointed me in the right direction and walked the path by my side. It is sad that some people have such short memories, and your easily forgotten, but if I can pride myself on anything, then hopefully it will be that I never "intentionally" let my friends down. 

I've been on a spending spree online. Did I buy clothes? No. Did I buy shoes? No. Did I buy Steve an expensive birthday pressie? No. I went onto the NAW dog treats website and bought 2 bundles on their Autumn sale. Zavi needs to chew to get some strength in this ear, so he's been munching on a goat ear today, not that it took him long to demolish it. : While a puppy is teething, their body diverts a significant amount of calcium and nutrients toward developing strong permanent teeth and jawbone structure. This temporary diversion can soften the ear cartilage, often causing ears that were starting to stand to flop back down or fold over. Chewing on appropriate, firm chew toys or raw bones exercises the temporalis and masseter muscles (the large jaw and facial muscles). These strong muscle groups attach near the base of the skull and ears, providing better physical support and blood flow around the ear base. The rhythmic pumping action of the jaw muscles during chewing increases blood circulation throughout the head and cartilage tissues. Healthy circulation helps deliver necessary nutrients to harden the ear cartilage as teething finishes. Keep chewing Zavi, keep chewing! 

Feels Like Summer

Evawell Elliisa - VA1

Well what a shock, another first to go down in history. The World Siegerin this year is a British-bred, French-owned female. WOW, I wonder how the Germans feel about that? 

You may recal I wrote about Elliise after she was BOB at Crufts in 2025 - I said then that we can only dream of breeding/owning a female like this - and now she's the best in the world! 

Meerah With Zavi

All that's left of Zavi's baby coat is the mohecan; it makes him look really odd, but it'll soon be gone! 

Not a chance of catching Meerah with those little legs, but one day you will!

These two had so much fun, but she was a bit much for him at times. It's great for them to have fun in the field, but she will not be doing the socialising walks with him. Meerah can feel threatened in some situations (horses and some vehicles mainly), and picking up any negativity from her would defeat the object. I have to make sure he is taking confidence from the adult with him on the walk but also make sure he's not using the presence of family members to feel extra brave and act bossy or defensive. Whilst I think all the adults have something to give, I still think Beti is the best role model. 

After The Wind And Rain

Dog Club And Bin

(This post was started on Thursday morning.) 

I'm trying to walk Zavi with different dogs, so today Ross was in charge of the baby. We didn't see anything or anybody, but I now need places to take him so he can see lots more. 

Like I said, his behaviour at club was unacceptable, but now to help protect his confidence I need to handle it correctly. The formal fear periods are typically around 8 to 11 weeks, and then during adolescence, often around 6 to 14 months. At 16 weeks (4 months), Zavi is right in that transitional window between the two major peaks. Up until roughly 12 to 16 weeks, a puppy's brain is naturally programmed to accept new things as safe by default (the critical socialisation window). Around 16 weeks, that brain chemistry shifts, and the default flips: instead of "new things are safe until proven dangerous", the brain starts treating "new or unusual things as potentially suspicious until proven safe!" 

Yesterday Zavi decided he was scared of Carrie's Wheelie bin, he has never shown fear of anything likethat before, so I guess it was potentially dangerous until proven safe! I know it wasn't ideal for me to just drag him past it, but I did because I needed to get off the road. On the way out we let him observe it from a safe distance, reward him with treats and let him approach at his own pace. Getting spooked by an everyday static object out of nowhere (a wheelie bin, a sign, a statue etc ) is textbook behaviour for a puppy experiencing developmental fear sensitivity. As I said earlier at this age, a puppy's brain re-evaluates the environment and flags everyday items as potential threats. I have to be really careful how I handle things now, as bad experiences during this developmental phase can leave lasting impressions. 

Zavi has loved going to Ring Craft, give or take the first 30 mins of the first night, he's been happy and confident. This week as soon as we walked in a Doodle something or another from the Obedience class had a right go at him, Zavi unfortunately, responded. My low-value treats were of no interest to him. (Note to self – get high-value treats for next time.) Gladly the Doodle went out, but just as he was settling Margo the Black Russian arrived, and though she did nothing wrong, Zavi got very worried. Again my treats were of no interest, and he grumbled and growled. Zavi had never seen Margo before, and I can understand his concern, a Black Russian is a very different-looking dog and without even seeing her eyes I guess he couldn't read her. Luckily Margo is wonderful and was happy to go round the hall whilst Zavi and I stood in the middle watching. I remember telling him as she walked round, "You see, you didn't die, I don't think she's even noticed your there!" 

Happy that it had gone well and not wanting to ruine things, I was reluctant to hand Zavi over to Eifion whilst I did the class, but I had no choice, and unfortunately, it really didn't go well. Zavi was stressed and loud. A friend went over to try and calm him, he jumped at her for reassurance, but her own bitch took exception to it and came forward towards him. Zavi reacted aggressively, all teeth and hackles! At 4 months I can't imagine this was true social aggression. What looked like "aggression" toward the other dog (barking, lunging, growling) was hopefully no more than a defensive reaction triggered because he felt insecure or overwhelmed. I feel guilty for letting him down; in the future if I'm taking a class he will have to go into the van. 

As I've said before dogs don't need "friends" outside their family; all I will ask of Zavi is that he is confident and happy in the company of other dogs. To be honest, I'd be happier if he ignored them than anything else! 

Great Results.

I'm less than half way through writing about recent events with Zavi, his nervousness of a wheelie bin at Carrie's house and his behaviour at club being the main issues. Whilst I will go back to it, I am going to jump forward and write about today! 

I have decided to walk Zavi with Beti in situations where we could come across people with dogs, bikes, prams etc. I know I call Beti a nut job, but when it comes to going out and about, nothing bothers her, and I feel it would benefit him to feed off her confidence.  

Puppies look to older dogs in their "pack" to gauge whether a situation is dangerous or safe. Walking with a solid adult dog is one of the most effective ways to build a young dog's confidence. (As we did to help Meerah near horses) 

This morning we left a sunny Fron and got a bloody soaking walking in Tremadog. I walked along the narrow "lein - fach" towards the fields behind the chapel. Beti taking the lead and Zavi proudly following his mother figure. We had fun in the fields, but as we got back onto the narrow track, the heavens opened. Two men came flying past on bikes, neither dog reacted. Two people were sheltering under the flyover, no reaction, and then a young lady came towards us with a small dog. To help Zavi feel safe, I put Beti on the outside and put Zavi between her and me. With Beti there, I too was calm and relaxed, I held Zavi's collar and quietly said, "Leave it - Wait." Wow, faultless, bloody wonderful. Well done to the teacher and student. 

I rushed back into Mum's yard to shelter from the rain that was bouncing on the ground like April showers and we sheltered by the shed, only realising then that all three of us were standing by the wheelly bin! 

Beti was delighted to see Mum, and Zavi said a quick hello, she couldn't get over the size of him, and asked why Beti was so small? Small? Small? She's just perfect!

Theoretically, when Zavi encounters a spooky object (like the wheelie bin) or sees a strange dog, his immediate reaction should be to check the other dog's body language. Beti will be his ideal mentor; though she is interested in everything, she remains relaxed and completely unbothered, and that should send a clear signal to Zavi "This is not a threat; no action required!" LOL 

Having Beti there with him right now when he's at an age of seeing new or unusual things as "potentially suspicious until proven safe" provides a safety buffer, which naturally lowers his adrenaline levels and keeps him calm. Of course movement helps diffuse nervous energy, but on a narrow path like this I felt safer moving to the side and controlling the situation at my end. I was delighted with the outcome today, and as we moved off, I gave them both nice gentle praise. Zavi needs to learn to trust my leadership as well as the confidence he gets from Beti, but we don't need to go OTT, he did well, but this is only everyday life!

When I got home I told Steve about the morning, he said "Rain? What rain? We haven't had a drop!"My coat is on the line and I even had to change my hoodie!

Happy Walks