My Orin

Camera photos of my heart dog, he's at the top of the field, I'm at the bottom. WOW little camera I'm chuffed with the quality of these! 

Off The Lead In Carmel

During a meeting last night I agreed with the majority, that now with this new law coming in I would not be letting the guys off the lead off the property. So walks on lead but free-running in the fields, luckily my dogs have the avantage of getting it all. Well, best-laid plans, and as you can see Ross and Beti were off the lead. As I struggled to go through the first gate, both dogs pulled ahead into a ditch and I dropped Beti's lead. Having pulled it up and down though the ditch it locked fully open, there was sod all I could do other than throw it on the floor and leave it there to pick it up on the way back. Luckliy I always carry spare leads, but not retractables - oh feck it there was no one and no sheep about, I let them both off, I'll start tomorrow!!!

Of course Zeus was on the lead, but Sammi said as Ross had been off the lead, then so was she!!!!

My Birthday Boys

 Having made these posters Steve said "No One will get it!" Oh hell I'm sure they will ... won't they? 

 Orin is the birth name of the DC Comics superhero Aquaman, the rightful King of Atlantis and the seven seas - So Jason Momoa as Aquaman in the background. 

Zeus is the king of the gods in Greek mythology, ruling as the god of the sky, weather, thunder, and lightning from Mount Olympus. 

Now we know it's not his birthday - but hopefully you get it!

Happy Birthday K Litter Girls

Isla

Jazz

Fly

The Law Changed Yesterday

Livestock worrying can happen when a dog attacks, chases or is loose among livestock. Dogs don’t need to make contact for harm to occur. Fear and stress alone can harm livestock and, in severe cases, cause them to die. 

 In addition, the law gives police new and improved powers to improve their investigations, including the power to seize and detain a dog where they have reasonable grounds to believe there is a risk that the dog could attack or worry livestock again. The dog can be detained until an investigation has been carried out or, if proceedings are brought for an offence, until those proceedings have been determined or withdrawn. 

The power to take samples and impressions from a dog or livestock where the police have reasonable grounds to believe the dog has attacked or worried the livestock, and that a sample or impression might provide evidence of an offence. The sample or impression could then be used as evidence to support a prosecution. the powers to enter and search premises to identify, seize and detain a dog for the prevention of future incidents, to collect samples or impressions, or seize any other evidence. 

What this means for dog owners 

 Responsible access to the countryside is encouraged. Be aware of your surroundings when walking near livestock. A dog does not need to make physical contact with animals to commit an offence under the new law. Chasing or disturbing livestock can cause harm. 

 The act: is worded so that attacking livestock is treated separately from worrying livestock. This reframing helps make the violent nature of livestock attacks much clearer. It doesn’t create a new offence as both behaviours are already covered in the 1953 act, but it does make the distinction explicit extends the law to cover livestock worrying and attacks that take place on roads and paths includes camelids (as llamas and alpacas are commonly farmed) introduces a new defence for dog owners to exempt them from liability where the dog was in the charge of another person at the time of the offence without the owner’s consent, for instance if the dog was stolen introduces new powers allowing a court to order an offender to pay expenses associated with seizing and detaining a dog provides a clear deterrent by increasing the penalty from a fine of up to £1,000 to an unlimited fine.

 The Countryside Code advises that dogs should be kept on a lead around livestock. Always check local signs, as some areas require dogs to be on a lead all or part of the year. 

The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 has updated the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953. It will come into effect on Wednesday 18 March 2026. This legislation is only for England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own legislation on this matter.

Worrying mean -

 • 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.

Caeathro Walk

Another place on our doorstep that we haven't walked; well, in my case I forgot about it. In all fairness, I moved from Pontrug in 1995 and I haven't walked here since. It has changed so much, become far more accessible and obviously used a lot more. The wildlife on and around the lake was wonderful to see, I wish I'd taken my camera. 

The last time I walked here was around 1994 with Blade and a young Nikki. 

Changes

What a difference a year makes - well 10 months anyway, and like a fine wine, we'll hope the best is yet to come. 

Blanik Meerah

Love this edited photo of Meerah - just the handler removed! 

After arriving at the show today, Owen and Meerah went off in one direction, and Orin and I went in the other. We had decided that she would stay away from me till after the judging, and it worked. A surprising result under this judge, but Meerah certainly drew the attention of the judges outside the ring. Little did I know that Ian B, whom Owen didn't know, had already been over to him saying she was just stunning and that he could take her home. After the judging he came over again, heading straight for Owen to give him advice on handling, he again praised Meerah to the hilt. He didn't realise she was mine, but of course I had to stick my beak in. I asked him, "Do you know who her father is?" He said, "I don't care who her father is, she is stunning." So I said "Oh you will care," I told him, "Blaven Vom Wanakon," he replied "OMG, the L/C I gave him his second CC - well there you go!"  

That wasn't the end of it, someone else on the day was surprisingly full of encouragement and praise for my "Mwnci" and said he couldn't get over the difference in her. He complimented her natural stance and free-flowing movement. He suggested I get her out at Generals but keep her away from breed champs where she will be penalised for size. I had already decided on that, but it was good to hear his opinion, and apparently he has a female who is a tad taller! 

After arriving home I was still buzzing till Steve announced - "the youngest member of the house is in trouble." Beti? What had my Beti done? Well in his wisdom, he left her and Ross in the middle room, so she shredded the carpet, as you do! Nice looking vet bed over it, sorted! 

As I sat for the evening the messages began, one person from Ierland, I think I've met once, messaged and asked if Meerah had any brothers at stud? I said no, but pointed him towards Lucca. He said of Meerah, "I do not wish to offend especially in the current climate when people are criticising without correct understanding, but she is really what I’m trying to find in the breed, I just feel dogs like her are trickier to find."  He then asked about "Meerah's mum," I sent him the photo, "OMG has she any brothers at stud?" I said no, but sent him a photo of Callan. He said "I love your bitches I think they are the type that would unite everybody and squash this anti breeding nonsense going on!" As we continued to chat I sent him the photo of Beti from Crufts, he replied "Absolutely love that, that’s the topline the standard talks about, and she has enough angulation front and rear to power around effortlessly." That she does!!!

A short break and then there was another "Hello" on the phone,

"Meerah looks wonderful 😊 So pleased for you. It was worth keeping her out of the ring until she matured. I think you will have a lot of fun with her this year. Xx" 

Honestly, on top of the comments at club, the comments on her photos these have made my day. Fair enough; yesterday judge saw something that wasn't for her, but I accept that and I am so glad I took her out of the ring ... it seems the indefinite period was a year or two shorter than I expected!!!!

Oswestry

Not the best photo of Orin, but the best there was. We had hoped on getting a chance for a photo shoot after the judging, but it pissed it down!

Siska

The moment you realise you and your mate have the same coat - 

and a memory makes you giggle

The concentration on his face!

*****

A super day with great friends at Oswestry - Judge Amy Clinton. Huge congratulations to Jackie and Ruma on BOB and BPIB. Orin was first in open and RBOB. Thanks to Jackie and Owen for handling Orin for me. Highlight of the day, and I must admit I was overwhelmed, was the encouragement and positive comments about Meerah who was beautifully handled by Owen. It was Meerah first time in the ring since last Summer and she was 2nd in PG. I think putting her back in the cupboard and giving her time to mature a tad was the right thing to do. She was a star. Siska didn't compete but went for the day out! 

They Call It Sunshine