Sunny Bank Holiday Walks

First And Last Day Of Summer

Bring on the beautiful colours of Autumn

In the first photo a baby Orin nestles for safety into his mother side, now older and larger he's much more confident in his own skin and really prefers to be out with the exuberant Kaiah and Ross.

George At Blanik?

Going back years, when I get a new male animal I'm often asked "Why didn't you call him George?" My reply has always been, there's only room for one George in my life. Lots of my GM community have called their pets or even children George or Yog ... I just never wanted to use it as a pet name really, but of course there are links to George in the Blanik line. Ziva is Blanik Hippy - Hippy was George's first Yellow Lab. Asha is Blanik Georgette, Mikey was Blanik Georgios, and now we have Blanik Kyriacos - George Michael's birth name as most of you know was Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou. 

Blanik Kyriacos

Fransisco Di Casa Gregori x Blanik Ivana

Orin almost 5.5 months.

Wish I was clever enough to photo shop the Cofi's hand out 

But then where would I put it? ... LOL 

George Michael - White Light (Official Video)

Excuse me whilst on this milestone if I dwell in the past a little more. My scheduled MRI may now not go ahead, Covid has changed so many plans but I'm sure nothing has changed in my head.

Waking up in Walton was overwhelming. Whilst there I was pretty damn scared and initially very lonely. I completely lost my dignity, well, bed baths, a catheter and being lifted to poo on a commode and your dignity goes out of the window doesn't it. My family and friends were a country away from me but thankfully my sister-in-law became my rock ... whilst my husband did everything I asked of him. "Stay home and look after my dogs!"  But I'll never forget the fear I felt as we said what I feared was our last goodbye at Bangor hospital. I think throughout the whole ordeal that was the most scared I felt, or have ever felt. After that I had to put my big girl pants on and deal with it. 

After the surgery I don't remember how long I spent in ICU, or in room 3 of Dott ward but I saw things I will never ever forget and I can only be thankful that for me recovery was good. So many there with me didn't get there, or will never be the same again. 

It was in the early hours of the morning that I was moved to room 7 of Dott ward, I was reassured that I was being moved because I was doing well and someone else needed the more intensive care of room 3. It was certainly more relaxed in room 7 and I did feel they were less neurotic about our care  ... by that I mean the pils could be 15 - 20 mins late ... with 42 tablets to take in every 24 hour period I guess they couldn't be much later without causing a backlog. 

Anyway I'm finally getting to the point of my post, Steve sent my tablet over with my parents and the first thing I watched was this song. "I'm Alive" had been ringing in my head for days ... The song's video has metaphors everywhere. The black Ravens and the white doves and the black and white zebra representing the darkness of death and the brightness of life .... and the coin of life ... which way did it land? We'll never know but I'm still here, sadly my hero no longer is! 

Bright And Blustery

Actually it feels a little Autumnal .. but I'm one of those people who really doesn't care about that. Back into my big coat, wellies and a hood on- yeah we enjoyed ourselves. I found myself clock watching a little - wow that's it, it's past lunch time .. "I'm Alive!" 

Orin looks huge in the pic, don't worry, he's still little and fat! Haha Seriously he's growing up so quickly, a couple more weeks I guess he'll be as tall as Kaiah. 

I'm Not Dwelling .. Just Saying

Five years ago, at about now I suppose, (9am) I picked up Gail got some diesel and set off to a show. Just as Sammi was winning BOB life changed for me. A bang in my head meant that things would never quite be the same again. It's been a roller coaster ride and a time to find who really was there for me. Arriving home mid September there were many more downs than ups, I could not imagine then that I could be as I am now... Onward and upward (Lets not forget forward) 

When you have been that close to leaving the world your prospective on life changes, well initially anyway. You see the world through different eyes, as you struggle with normality little thing don't matter. Basically you wipe the slate clean and move on - shame someone has shit on the slate since though! Even last night the green-eyed monster had a dig, I'm not one for confrontation but last night choking on my sarcasm I did respond. For new blog readers I briefly want to explain.... the friendship went wrong a few years ago when I was blamed for something that I had no influence on. If the situation happened again today it would happen in exactly the same way, I simply could not have done anything differently. I promise you it was not my fault, it was totally their own fault, but being the type of person that they are they had to put the blame on someone else's shoulders. Actually it proves the friendship was weak if they think that I am the type of person that wouldn't have done something .. if I could! From there a catalogue of events have simply made matters worse ... call me what you like but start on my dogs and I'm in the fight. Sadly this person has put their trust in the wrong people and everything they have said has got back to me. I was told 5 times before I left the show ground on one occasion that Ross was the cause for them not winning the class, Ross who was in the van at the time I hasten to add. It's not my fault my dogs keep winning, but I sure won't be leaving them at home just to please others. 

On Our Mountain

Good thing we went in the van or we'd have never got home! 

Future Plans

Last night I had a chat with Joe who owns Sisco, I confirmed my plans for Kaiah with him. He sounded delighted and said he had only been talking about her a few days ago with John. He also said that my Facebook use was the best PR Sisco had had in a while and that actually the dog was getting more interest than he had done in a while. Great news - a dog like that should never be ignored! 

We talked about Orin, obviously he knows and sees the negative aspect and suggested as he has before that I always consider the lights when showing him ... he said maybe not show him in bright sunlight .. Well that's not many shows off the radar in the UK really is it! Like me he is generally very excited about him and asking if I was going to get him to a show this year, I wish. I really hope something goes ahead!

My decision not to have kitten William was a hard one, lots of factors to consider including the fact that some kittens stay in the kitchen for months. William is quite timid so would need work as Perry did here. If he was outgoing like Luther then maybe it would be easier as I could have mixed him in with the family sooner. Orin and I still have some one to one time in the kitchen. He keeps me company when I cook and at breakfast time. I do feel that time is very very important, a time when he has no other dogs around him, a little bit of continued bonding time between him and me without Ross or Kaiah butting in. Also if plans progress as I hope they do Kaiah will need the kitchen in January and William would be rushed out of there. Luther was out doing his own thing in no time, Perry took months to be confident enough to come and go as he pleases and I think William would be the same. Besides William is grey, he'll soon be snapped up and have a home of his own, but of course being logical and sensible didn't stop me feeling it and crying about it ... put it this way if Steve said sod it let's get him I'd off for him like a shot ... Oh look a flying pig!!!

Rainy Day

The troops at home in the rain in the fields

An extra walk for the Young Guns +1 in Cwm Dulyn. 

I delivered stuff to Freshfields and did a short walk with Gail. It was great to have a catch up and a natter. I was gutted to tell her that Steve and I had talked last night and that kitten William will not be moving in. I'm trying to be sensible and let my head rule my heart for once ... it really is not the right time. 

Mother Nature's Lake

A Bad Head Day

When I wake up and the lights around the curtain hurt my eyes I know what's coming. I find it almost impossible to wake up and I think that maybe if I get a little longer in bed I'll be better, but I never do and years of trying it proves it doesn't help anyway. Nico sounds the alarm with a daily shake of the head ... "She's awake!" Orin has taken over from Kaiah in starting the morning chorus, and the others true to form join in. Well it's 8am and I should be thankful for that! I'm so tired I can't function, I'm tireder than Jason Manford ever was in his stand up about being the most tired ... lol  My head starts to float, I'm vacant and as ever I can't find the crucial word for the sentence. Steve tries to finish my sentence, but it's the wrong word, so I get upset and start to cry. The headache as ever is not severe just annoying, but it adds to the battle of trying to function. I hit the co-odamol and wait for some improvement, which gradually comes and after an hour at least I'm able to concentrate enough to get me round tesco without many a malfunction. 

When I get home I feel so exhausted, my head is floating away somewhere and all I want to do is curl up on the sofa, but I know it won't help. So it's wellies on and off we go ... each step is a battle as I feel lethargic, exhausted and irritable ... but the more steps I take the better it gets. I breathe in the wonderful fresh air and take in the terrific views around me. Three short walks, happy dogs and a brighter me. Ok It doesn't go away ... but it will and 5 years on I'm truly blessed to be here in this beautiful place with my lovely family, my friends and these wonderful dogs that make me get up and go out on a bad day.

The yard is still swimming after yesterday, my god that was some rain. In all the gales last night I struggled to get Orin to stay in .. he loved the wind and thoght the river flowing through the yard was fascinating. Of course his buddies wanted to stay out with him, but after a while I insisted they come in and got dried off. Everything is wet here today. Though it's been a pleasant day the river is still flowing through the yard and actually we have a pool near the gate. The throws and vet beds are damp ... ah well I guess that's why we have them. 

I had a message from a friend re Sisco ... She is very interested in using him at stud and wanted to know my opinion on him.  Her concern is his age, I told her that honestly I had no such concerns, he’s not nine till February. I know that a litter was born from him in early August and I gather another is on its way ... I told her that I was that impressed that I may well use him again ... I'm excited but obviously apprehensive.

Llyn Cop Today

Two at the nearside of the lake

Three at the far side

Refusing to come out of the water again .. No he's not funny

Bye Bye Orin

Orin's Walk

Today I decided to walk Orin with the girls. As I've said I'm sure, to keep my options open I want to continue to walk him with both groups. I don't think he enjoys the walk as much as despite Ziva flying in this photo it is a much calmer walk. I think he enjoys being with Kaiah and Ross as there is much more fun to be had. Anyway I wanted to take The Young Guns a bit further and around the quarry today so it was safety first and he had to go out with his Mummy Sammi and the grannies! 

His little legs are just not quite fast enough to keep up yet, 

but they'll get there, and he will. 

Of course Asha was with us and again today I found her to be very lively, but she's not in the photo? 

No, because she was hoping for a treat!

The Three Walks

A Good Day

As you can see Asha is having a really good day. She loved her walk and today she really was on form.

To be honest the brightest she's been for a fair few walks. 

For the most part I've taken her off dog food. I cook for her, pasta or potatoes for carbs, egg, chicken or fish for protein and fresh raw veg.  I'm still adding live yogurt and occasionally a handful of the fishmongers sensitive food. I'm happy to cook for her, I'll do anything to continue giving her the best quality of life that I can. 

Dry Walks

The Boys

I'm almost scared to admit that thing have improved sightly with Loki. We both feel that he is a little less stressed. Maybe the scullcap and valerian are helping him chill? One thing is for sure I'm not taking him off them to find out.

I don't have a problem with a dog who occasionally growls. Growling often follows early warning body signals which in some cases can be missed, though not with Loki .. I often see the tension before the growling starts. Growling is not aggression, though it may develop into aggression, managed correctly it is a dog’s way of avoiding aggression. A growl is a warning. It’s the canine equivalent of them saying "I'm really not happy with this situation!"  If we are there then how we as owners deal with it then influences what happens next. Loki has bitten Ross in the past and has also bitten Orin, on both occasions we were not close enough to deal with it and help manage things as they unfolded. When I am there I may want to lash out, kick, scream and shout but I know it's totally the wrong thing to do, we always need to take charge and calm things down, not add to the tension. Forcing a dog into a situation that makes them uncomfortable will never improve things, we have to accept that like us they all have their differences, likes and dislikes. We have to accept not every dog wants to have a wide circle of friends, be they canine or human, some dogs are happy with their immediate friends and family. 

When Loki is tense and uncomfortable, when he is a proper stress head then logically shouting at him will not defuse things it will only make him more stressed. The best plan of action is to call the other males away, or distract them. It's just difficult to know how to respond when Loki starts getting tense as soon as Ross walks into the room, there is no way I'm shutting Ross out for anyone. Luckily Ross being who he is he takes little notice. We are trying to keep as calm as we can at all times, though sometimes it is hard. Ross and Orin are just best buddies and sometimes I feel sorry as Loki tries to join in the games, but they don't want him to be part of it. I guess they are aware of his unpredictable nature and never know which version of the dog he is today. 

Anyway hopefully we will continue to progress and as Orin gets older he will calm down and stop the puppy pestering, which by the way he only ever does to Loki. He treats Loki exactly as a young Ross did, but Orin does respond quicker and come away. I do wonder what they know, what they think, if only we could ask....

George Michael - This Is How (We Want You To Get High)

Sometimes nothing but George use to get me through the day - he was my drug of choice.

Crying now 

Season And Teeth

Sammi has now been in season for a week. Typically she doesn't seem to be messing about this time .. but of course she could have been spotting without me noticing, after all I wasn't watching her like a hawk this time. I do hope this will be her last season and that I can have her spayed late Autumn. If it wasn't for covid I would have had her spayed already but when the timing was right for her the vets were only doing emergency operations. 

Orin has some serious dental changes going on. Over the last 36 hrs he's lost all four of the puppy canine teeth .. and I haven't found a single one. Actually I haven't found a single puppy tooth, I usually find some laying around, mind you he's such a pig he's probably swallowed them! Here's hoping now for complete and correct dentition. 

I was so disappointed this photo of him eating blackberries was blurred. My fault no doubt!

New Sofa

So it arrived in bits, the chair and both ends of the sofa are recliners .. and now it's covered in tiger throws.

I've just had the most comfortable afternoon in years on the sofa. Happy bunny - again I say Facebook is amazing! 

So now we have two sofas and 2 chairs in the living room, plenty of seats for all!

Seriously the 2 seater will have to go!

Blanik Kamri

Isla is jointly owned by myself, Sarah and Ivylene 

Confession

Well I have a confession - this now much loved photo almost didn't make the final cut. I set up 4 dogs and the fourth walked away. I was quite pissed off with her but I had snapped it and I thought well I'll delete it later. When I got home I checked out the handful of photos that I'd taken ... and gave this further thought. I cropped it, yes you can see her, but only just! I've no idea what the boys are looking at ... but yeah I like that!

On my way home I stopped at the rescue centre to see the new kitten room. It smaller, but looks great. Of course one of the kitten got to me, a very dark grey with a white patch on his chest. With people due to visit within the hour I though he was bound to be reserved .. I've now received a message to say they didn't look at him. What a quandary ... na, not the right time for us. He'll soon go!

The K Litter

I'll Update the post as I get photos ... 

so maybe scrawl back later and see if there is any more 😀

Fly (FKA Beth)

Merlin (FKA Ken)

Jazz (FKA Spice)

Bruce (FKA Biscuit)

Ginger 

Loki (FKA Basil)