WELKS Critiques

PGD (10) 1 Stanley’s Lokean of Blanik, b/g. Good head, withers, topline & croup. Nicely angulated hindquarters, more slope to upper arm needed to advantage. Strode out in movement with a long, easy stride
MPB - 2 Stanley’s Blanik Jeevanna, 6 months b/g. Steady puppy of good general appearance & type. Good forehand, topline & hind angulation, croup a bit short. Upper arm would be further improved by more length & slope. She has very clean lines & a good sound gait.

Tali's Got Vestibular Syndrome

"Vestibular disease in geriatric dogs is often mistaken for stroke. The vertigo caused by the disease can be particularly intense in older dogs with symptoms of nausea, difficulty or complete inability to stand up, head tilt, nystagmus, and circling,"
This morning at about 5am Sammi started to scream, Steve got up and let her out. 10 mins later she was screaming again, I got up, checked her over and let her out. She was fine, everyone else were watching me but seemed settled. Again I went back to bed, she then started to scream again, I was not impressed, I got up screamed at her to shut the f*** up and went back to bed again! Sammi never gets us up at night. After finding Tali poorly this morning I wonder now what Sammi knew? What she heard? What did she sense?
Though I know of several dogs who have suffered from Vestibular disease I have nothing to compare Tali with as I've never seen a dog with the condition before until they are recovering. At 8am she couldn't stand up, let alone walk, with 2 leads for assistance she can now walk. She had a wee but no poo. Bless her she still seems totally disorientated and one eye is flickering continuously, but there is definitely  an improvement on first thing this morning. As we were up and about before the vets were open today Tali had her breakfast, to see her eat did give me some encouragement.
At the vets she had a steroid injection into the vein this morning, steroid pills to start tomorrow and vivitonin today. Vivitonin is a well known "Old Dog" tablet and is used successfully  for numerous old dog elements. Providing this is just "one of those things" and not caused by an underlying problem, the vet is hopeful that we should see improvement within 48 hrs and then the prognosis for Tali is pretty good.
And breath!!!!!

Out With Kyle

And didn't they have a wonderful time!

 Just love this photo of the handsome Kyle

WHAT? No Camera!

Nope, I forgot it, much to the delight of the people on Social Media who are getting sick to death of my dog photos I would imagine! But I'm kind of hoping the audience here are here because they like the dog photos and stories. I do usually take the camera everyday, but on occasions it stays in the bag. Not having it and wanting to take photos can be so annoying.  Anyway with only two and a half walks done here's two sets of photos ... what would I do without my smart phone eh!

Loki and Kaiah are waiting for Kyle to come and join us for a walk this afternoon, the camera is already in the bag!

In The Paper

I've had 2 photos of the kids printed in the daily post now 

- the girls in 2015, and the young ones are in today edition.

I'm really proud, just point and click with a mediocre camera really. Oh Ok a nice camera but nothing professional, but I do have the advantage of beautiful subject matter don't I! 

Tali, Asha and Ziva

Sammi, Kaiah and Loki 

Walking with Friends

Pepsi

Lovely,  though damp (Or Soggy as Kaiah would say!!!) walk today with my lovely friend of 30 years .. Rosie. We chatted about the old times; she knew me before "Blanik," when there was just me and Pepsi driving around in a mark 2 Ford Escort Estate and she had Great Danes, Jack Russel's and collie. She "Baby Sat" Blade and Pepsi for me when I went to my brothers wedding, at the time I would never have trusted them with anyone else. We trained at the same dog club, use to walk together weekly and then ended up working together in Freshfields, before she had to leave to take care of her mother and partner. Now sadly times have changed again and she will have more time on her hands. Hopefully now we can see each other more often again.
The dogs got on well mostly, though Loki felt the need to stop games between Kaiah and Mici. There was no aggression, no noise, he simply moved in and stood in between them. How odd you may think, well no, it's exactly what Mikey use to do to stop Loki and Lexi playing so the boy was only doing as he was taught. Fascinating to watch!
Young Elsie has not been with Rosie for long, a failed working sheepdog she is thriving as a pet and really coming out of herself. We only had one incident when she panicked seeing Loki running towards her and bolted back to the lake. Bless her, Loki would mean her no harm, but he was just a bit much for her. Maybe next time she'll play with him!

 Kaiah, Loki and Mici

 14 year old Cofi having a swim

Elsie 

Tali Had A Fall

Following a tumble down a bank last week Tali has had a few strange episodes in the days that have followed. She seemed fine at the time and just got up and continued on her walk. But now, simply I guess, she's falling over. At times she seems very unsteady and you feel you could knock her down with a feather. I have been giving her the "No Ake" but feel now there is little improvement. It's hard to know what to do as I don't want her struggling but I don't want her stomach upset with medication either. If there is no improvement within the next few days I think we will have to at least discuss a plan of action with the vet.

Nests In The Garden

Thankfully not birds. Having cats we deter birds.

Not a lover of spiders .. but seriously aren't they great!  

Out In The Mist

Cwm Pennant

A beautiful run out in the van, but we didn't quite make it to the end of the valley. We stopped by the bridge to let the dogs have a run and a paddle and enjoy the stunning scenery. There is no doubt Cwm Pennant is one of the most remote and beautiful valleys in Snowdonia, and I hope one day to get all the way to the far end of the valley again. We spent many a Summers afternoon there as children, padding in the streams, exploring the old mine ruins and enjoying the freedom. I have no memory of my last visit there ... one day I do hope to go back!

How to pronounce 'Loki'

I still get so irritated by people who call him Lockey, which interestingly means pet form of Lucas or Lock and is of Scottish decent. Anyway I found this video and posted it on Facebook. Quite funny really ...
Whilst looking through previous posts I found this article and have decided to post it here again.

"Loki is the Norse God of trickery, mischief, and change; a major character in Norse Mythology. Blood-brother of Odin and traveling companion and friend of Thor; his wife’s name is Sigyn, his children’s names are Hel, Fenris, Jormungandr, Vali, Narfi and Sleipnir. Loki is pleasing and handsome in appearance according to the Eddas. He is renown for his cleverness and for helping the Gods out after he has gotten them into trouble as well as his great ability to make them laugh and cheer them up.
 He has domain over fire, and is a master magician, conjurer as well as shape-shifter (In some cases changing gender). Loki is bisexual, having sexual relations with both male and female in mythology. Bearing in mind Loki’s dark side as well as his good one, he is most valuable as a witty, entertaining friend, and a God to call upon.
Loki is not an evil malevolent being or the Norse version of Satan or some fallen angel. The later influence of Christianity on Norse culture resulted in changing the mythology portraying Loki as evil incarnate. This is not uncommon, Christianity often demonizes other religions gods. Loki represents both our divine intelligence and also free will whereby we can choose for good or ill, and if we make a mistake to correct it. He typifies the human mind: on one hand clever, foolish, immature; on the other hand, he personifies the elevating, aspiring traits in human intelligence. Loki is still worshiped today and one who worships or is dedicated to Loki as their primary God is called a Lokean. Compare to Odinist"

Llyn Ffynhonnau

Where else could we go in this heat? 

 Jezi and Nico

 Tali trying to get water out of her ear!

 Ziva having a cooling break

 Asha splashing

 Sammi and Kaiah

handsome Loki

Loki's Certificates Arrived Today

Beautiful Sunset

 Oliver blocking the sun - kind of nice though yeah

Mist covering the Irish sea and Anglesey. Must admit I hadn't realised whilst we baked in hot sun yesterday that most of the valley was in thick mist all day. 

 Me with my assistants starting to cut the grass in the training area

Tali sun bathing

Special Critiques

Over the moon with Loki's CC critique and baby Kaiah's first critique from WPBW. Thanks to judge Bridgette Bodle for thinking so highly of both.
 PGD [5,1abs] 1 and DCC Stanleys Lokean of Blanik SH.CM I have to be honest and say this dog took me completely by surprise as he was not what I was expecting to award a CC to but I thought he was just exceptional . With no exaggeration and of medium size, this boy was impeccably presented and handled to perfection, he has a stunning head piece with medium dark eye exuding a confident and intelligent expression, his well placed ears were constantly at attention, he has an excellent neck and lay of shoulder, body is well ribbed and chest deep with plenty of heart and lung room, muscled quarters and slightly sloping croup, hindlegs parallel with strong hocks, so very sound from all directions displaying excellent front reach, he impressed me so much and never put a foot wrong and I couldn’t not deny him the CC today.
MPB [4,1abs] 1 Stanleys Blanik Jeevana Very pretty baby with good head proportions and a lovely expression, ears set on well, lovely neck into well laid shoulders, straight forelegs into flexible pasterns, tidy elbows, impressive side gait for such a baby but needs to strengthen in hock as one would expect but easily the best mover in the class.

 I may as well put this one on too .. This is Loki's critique from the judge who favoured the "English Type" at Anglesey. Long in back? haha, in the context of how he judged that's so funny but I suppose it could be worse!
PG (5) 1 Stanley Lokean of Blanik SHCM strong dog of 3 years good head shape, correct eye & ears well muscled front, big ribcage long in back strong hind quarters moved ok

Mummy Was Not Amused!

 Little miss Kaiah has always liked to climb. If she can go up it she will.

I was not amused, and her mummy was even less amused. Mummy gave her a right telling off when she came down, I left her to it and didn't get involved!

Zooming in on her on the top of the slate mound.

Sammi, Kaiah and Loki - All looking at a white butterfly

Three Years Of Memories

My Facebook memory came up with a collage I'd made last year of Loki at The Royal Welsh in 2015 and 2016 .. so I thought, hell why not add 2017 to it .. and still I giggle this morning at the comments made in 2015 - "His head will never be masculine enough!"
So funny 

I though I'd also add this photo taken on Saturday, the "Blaniks" abandoned with a friend as I went to visit "Blanik Isko." Beautiful Barney was there for the day out with his family. 

Spot the male head ..lol

The Judges Post

From The Royal Welsh

"I'd like to thank owners and handlers too not just for their entry but for the sporting way they accepted the decisions, congratulating each other and behaved in an appropriate way for this type of show - they were very well house trained! All dogs stood freely and although one or two were 'enthusiastic' they had super temperaments and what a promising class of puppies. Really enjoyed judging them."

Well that's really nice to read. Makes a change from us GSD folk being pulled to pieces for our dogs and/or our ring etiquette. So pleased she made the comment re the puppy class .. look forward to critiques now!

A Painful Decision

For several reasons it's been an emotional day. This morning I made the decision that I would not allow my heart to rule my head and I set about messaging his breeder to tell her that I would not be having Teddy. I know it's the right thing to do, honestly I really do, but it doesn't change the fact that I am gutted .. devastated even and have cried several times about it today. There are lots of reason why Teddy is not right for Blanik's future, but through my hopes and thought he has been part of my life for weeks and it hurts to let that go. Back to the drawing board for me ... good luck with your life little Teddy pup!

Great Couple Of Shows

Not a bad collection for 2 days of showing is it? At the risk of repeating myself (sorry) At the Nantlle Vale Dog Club match Loki won BIS, Asha BVIS and Kaiah BPIS.  At the Royal Welsh Premier Show Kaiah second in puppy, Loki 1st in Open Dog and Sammi 1st in Open Bitch, BOB and Group 3.

Steve says, due to the large amount of rosettes here I should take some photos and give them back to the societies for next year .. I think not! 

Royal Welsh - The Day

Beautiful action shot of Kaiah

The Royal Welsh Show ground is about 100 miles door to door, about the furthest I will travel to an open show... though this is classed as a "Premier Show!" It takes us about 2 and a half hours to get there, it's a fantastic drive through the heart of rural Wales, which to be honest adds to the day! Though the dogs are set slightly apart from the main show with a 5 minute walk you are in the heart of the show. It was a great place to take Kaiah, but all her early socialising meant she was bomb proof with everything and anything that was thrown at her. Other than wanting to join the Gundog trials, the little lady sure did me proud.

Lovely Loki 

There were 5 GSD classes on the day and being a Premier show the BOB is Crufts Qualifier. Kaiah went into the ring with Ian and did really well. She went and stood well and she was well chuffed when the judge told her she was "such a pretty girl!" I'm pleased with her second, the bitch that beat her was lovely and what makes it better is that she's owned by a lovely lady. Maybe on a different day it would have been Kaiah's class win, but no complaints from me.
Loki, now in with the big boys was in Open Dog. Again a faultless performance and even if I say so myself he looked stunning!
Sammi and I went into Open Bitch together. (No rude remarks please) and she gave me a great steady performance but was a little reluctant to use her ears .. still another class win. But now we had a dilema. For the challenge for BOB the winners go into the ring in class order, putting Sammi and I in front of Loki which I gathered may not work! Some quick thinking and I asked Angela to take Sammi in. I hope Loki would be calmer without me there. Well it half worked, he stood well, but it kind of fell apart on the movement as he tried too hard to keep up with his best friend gaiting in front of him. In contrary Sammi looked amazing with more drive than she had show with me. So it was to be Sammi's day and the BOB and Crufts qualifier was hers!

Me and My Sammi 

I felt it was only fair that Angela then take Sammi into the pastoral group, I was proud of her performance and even prouder of Group 3 out of 12 lovely BOB winners. It sure was Sammi's day and she behaved herself so well for Angela .. sometimes she can let herself down by screaming to come to me. That something I quite accept from her, owner obsession sure is part of the breed.

The Class Winners  -  Sammi and Loki at the front, to the puppy at the back.

I've edited the colour as it was quite a dark photo - so at least now we can see the competition!