Orange And Pink

The two top photos are of Mr Orange and Miss Pink in stance and with her sister Miss Purple in the bottom pic. A visit yesterday really didn't make the decision any easier. Is this the best Orin litter to date? Quite possible, as I don't see a "plain" puppy there and there have been some in other litters. 

I left, telling Nicola that I will confirm next week between Mr Orange and Miss Pink. 

Mr Orange is an impressive chunk and I'm quite smitten.  A.C messaged me last night and said he was a quality puppy and for him he stood out. Anyway I told him it was between Orange and Pink and I asked if I could send him pics and videos next week - he said, "Absolutely!" 

Then today someone else sent a PM saying Orange had nice head, front, topline, short hocks, nice tail length and that look-at-me attitude in the videos. 

Miss Pink is without doubt neck and neck with him. I love her tidy, unexaggerated proportions and her cute, cheeky expression. She's very feminine and a stunning colour, but currently has less coat. She has a typical "Fransisco" expression, and the high-set small ears are also very typical of him. But what I like most about her is her sassy carisma. There really is something about her that makes you keep looking!

A decision needs to be made, I know it's mine, and only mine to make, but input from people who know also does help! 

Lovely Morning Walks

A super walk with these three, again, only seeing the lady with the horse that's the same colour as Isla! 

These three couldn't stop looking at the divers. I hope they are careful; people have died in there. 

Dnkey - woohoo. All four were there, but the property is still for sale. We talked to the owner, who said that they are now moving back to Yorkshire to be nearer family. That's the two of them, four donkeys and three sheep. He told us all the donkeys are rescues: 2 male, 2 females. I'll miss them so much when they are gone, but this will always be the "Donkey Field Walk"!   

Happy Birthday Beti

Without question, I've loved every single Blanik dog (bred or adopted), but some stars shine just a tiny bit brighter than others. Happy 3rd birthday to the very special Beti at Blanik. (Pinchmill Adira of Blanik)Thank you for being the bright spark, the bundle of happiness and joy that three years ago I so badly needed. 

Zoe was mated to Orin just a few days before we lost Kaiah, my life was totally shattered, and I couldn't see a way forward. Zeeta then lost her singleton pup and I knew two of Zoe's girls were booked. But through the kindness of friends and the breeder, I was blessed to have Beti. As I've said before, I now look at this from a different prospective, I now consider that I've been lucky to have both these extraordinary females in my life, but the grief still remains. I cry more for Kaiah's cruel loss than any other ... I don't think I'll ever forget the pain of her loss. 

But today is Beti's birthday, a day to celebrate this special young lady. Beti, you are amazing; thank you for being you and for continuing to be by my side, my special, sweet, exuberant little friend. 

Penblwydd Hapus Beti Bwt!

The Walk And The Field

Ross, Beti and Meerah on a walk 

Orin and Siska had time in the field

and so did Sammi and Zeus

Siska Season

Due to Orin's behaviour over the last few days I've been keeping an eye on Siska. Of course I was well aware that Meerah had only just finished her season and that that could be confusing the boy, but this evening I checked again - yep the boy is right! 

I messaged Mike to tell him that Siska was in season but that due to circumstances at home at the moment it was not the right time to mate Siska. Mike replied and informed me that Reno was not coming home this early anyway, so really it's worked out better for both of us. I guess it'll be February/March now by the time Siska comes back in season - that will give baby Kez/Ravi plenty of time to grow up! 

Jamie's Day Out

A visit to the "Doggy Doctor" for Jamie today, and then he went to visit Mum. Some widespread arthritis, (joints and spine) but for a "Geriatric overweight cat" (Vet Beth's words, not mine!), he's in pretty good order. Thankfully, the noisy breathing is in his throat, and his chest is clear. He tried to bite Beth a couple of times, and paws and claws came out at times as he felt she was taking liberties! LOL

We discussed loxicom, but at Jamie's age there are risks of long-term use without checking his kidney function. To do that they would need to take blood, and Jamie was not having that. Beth said she could do it under sedation, but she believed that as he's not ill, the risks are too high. She's given me a small bottle of loxicom for him, she said, 'Trying it for a few days wouldn't do any harm, and we could at least see if there were any benefits for him.' 

Anyway, Jamie, who has never been in anyone else's house, was very happy to go and visit Mum, and after a good look around he relaxed and settled on the sofa. Now we are home; Jamie has had his dinner and is now chilling after a very busy day! 

When I Said Short Walks

I was out for about two hours ... that would usually mean 2 walks; today it was three.

Siska watching the bus coming into the village.

Orin watching - er just watching! 

A great wait and a nice pic of Sammi and her Knobhead son. (Yes we love him) 

"You Can't Park There!" How strange, say Ross and Beti - Meerah said "nothing!"

A Little Time

Not long walks for anyone, but happy I got them all off the property. I do worry when we miss more than a couple of days walking, it's really not good to have lots of lazy days then madness. Ok, last week it couldn't be helped; it was just too hot, but this week there is no excuse. There are mental and physical risks from inappropriate exercise, and though I worry more about the oldies who need it to keep their joints mobile, it does apply to all.  

When a dog is relatively quiet for days, their muscles lose tone, their tendons and ligaments tighten, and their cardiovascular fitness drops. Suddenly asking an unconditioned body to do a workout is a recipe for disaster, with risks of paw injuries, muscle strains and sores and, more worryingly Cruciate Ligament tears.  

Dogs don't just exercise to burn physical calories; they do it for mental stimulation. Going days with minimal activity and scent-work (sniffing) can lead to pent-up energy and anxiety. Then of course there's the weight problem. Consistent daily movement keeps a dog’s metabolism steady. When exercise is erratic, it is much harder to maintain a healthy weight. Extra weight puts even more stress on unconditioned joints when they do go for a run, creating a vicious cycle.  So I believe a better approach is to follow "Consistency Over Intensity" and stick to the "20-Minute Rule." Even a brisk 20-minute walk, or in my case somedays, walking around the fields, keeps joints lubricated, muscles active, and provides crucial mental decompression for the gang. The last thing I want is for too many of  my lazy days now to catch up with them later, well actually much earlier than later and more severely than it would be for a dog with a steady, daily routine. I do worry more if Sammi and Ross miss too many walks, I'll never forget Ken the vet telling me how important it was that Loki continue his daily walks, and Jill Hubbard said with Finlay, walk him as far as you think you should, then a little bit more. Of course, at the end of the day, it does me as much good as it does them, but I'm not obsessive about it, somedays the odd walk has to be missed. Sadly, sometimes life gets in the way of dog walking! 

That Cat

Hi Rhian This cat turned up around 3/4 years ago, i feed it a couple of times a day, can just about get close enough to give a quick rub on the head.. i have tried asking villagers who owns it but no joy.. Ali 

*****

I think it’s a he also ( i call him Hazel cat )! He sleeps in my house some nights/day and around with my cats it seems 24/7, i have 4 and only 1 the bengal is male and they are only now just about tolerating each other 😵‍💫 I am happy to feed/keep a look out.. 

We are just down the road from you..

If an owner comes forward that would be good but if not i am happy to let him be, he seems in good health.. We are were the yellow vw van is parked.. ( we have just sold it actually)

I'm so pleased he has a warm place to live and sleep in the winter, but he's welcome to visit us anytime he likes! 

Morning Guys