What's Going On Jezi

Today we have concern again. Two mornings ago I could smell wee in the middle room. I checked the youngsters bedding and everything was as it should be. I came to the incorrect conclusion that it was the vet bed by the door, I thought maybe "someone" had walked through wee and had carried it in on his woolly feet. 

Yesterday morning the smell was stronger, and with a clean vet bed by the door I went to check all the crates. OMG, it was Jezi, and that was no dribble, the back of the bedding was soaked. The good thing about vet beds is that the moisture goes through to the back of the fabric, the top stays relatively dry. (That is why it is used with puppies)

Now Jezi is spayed, and has been for a very long time. Spayed bitches can develop incontinence in later life, I've no experience with these, but personally I would expect that to be a leek rather than a flood. I've said before that Jezi likes to spend time in her crate, but the crate is open and more often than not so is the door into the garden, there is really no reason that I can think of why the original accident happened, but today it's happened again and now I'm obviously concerned. As a GSD, Jezi would be classed as an old girl, different breeds life expectancies vary, but a 10 year old GSD is old. Like their mother and grandmother before them these girls have shown no signs of ageing, no worrying stiffness or loss of mobility, no slowing down or going off their food ... but this is concerning. 

What You Doing There Loki?

Well look where he is today, and doesn't he look smug about it. It's been weeks since Loki got on the bed, proving that not only is he more mobile, but he's feeling happy too. 

I know that long term use of steroids can cause complications, but I want quality of life now, day by day. I'm still hoping we can drop back further next week, but finding the balance is important. I guess we need a dose that's as low as possible without him loosing quality of life. 

Still No Camera

 

Callan Says "It Wasn't Me!"

I don't know what to say! 

 

Bloody Sheep

On the last leg of the second walk I came across 2 unusual looking sheep. Not our classic mountain sheep, finer built with almost curly wool. I respectfully asked them to bog off, they declined. I put Sammi on the lead, took the kong in my hand and walked towards them, they eventually turned and walked away. Ross would never leave the kong and walked by my side, Ziva walked behind me and Sammi was perfect .. on the lead, but perfect. As the two walked away I realised they were guys, young guys, but guys! I had to follow them quite a distance to get them out of the way for my next walk ... there was no rushing them, they just toddled back up hill.

On the last walk Siska and I had words, she has forgotten the meaning of wait, and down means nothing to her now. As I walk away she gets up and bites a waiting Kaiah in the back ... not fair! Today I attached a lead to her and strictly put her back every time she moved ... and that was too numerous to count! She is so like a young Kaiah, headstrong and determined, a proper mini me, but we got there with Miss K so we will get there with her. Dogs are just so much easier, Zeus and Orin are a breeze in comparison to these girls when they are young! 

Anyway we were on our way back up towards home, Kaiah and I were coming cross county and Orin and Siska had crossed onto the track. I don't know who saw them first, I just remember calling, "Orin, Siska .. Come." By then Kaiah was there too, "Kaiah come." Miss K and Orin came towards me but Siska stood there, tail up and barking ... there was no doubting they were the same sheep and they just carried on walking towards her ... "Siska come."  Fecking hell she came, but as she almost got to me Orin bolted off straight past the sheep and along the track for home, the girls followed him... and the sheep just carried straight on past me. I told them they were a pair of fecking twits (or something similar) and they needed to be careful where they go with that attitude. They didn't care. Haha. I was sweating and shaking inside, but proud, very proud. All I could do was call out "good kids, well done," when really they deserved more praise and reward. Maybe had the sheep run, maybe Siska would have chased .. lots of maybes, but her first run in with sheep, and I'm proud of the conclusion. 

I love this photo of Orin taken today. I've said before I see Fransisco in him, but I also see Blanik boys, Louis, and Dexi without doubt! I don't see Nico here ... but I do see what Nico has produced in conjunction with my bitch line. No getting away from your family Orin, and Siska ... yeah she still has a look of a young Tali, couple with Videx Mika/Merlot I think! 

Thing To Say

I giggle as I read the negativity. Your post didn't get enough feedback so you write another to express your disappointment. Your sick of the show report from people on your friends list, well you both are! Well hell scrawl past it, don't look, unfollow, unfriend. I love reading people's reports, I'm happy to share in their success, surely that is where you should be commenting. With so much doom and gloom in this world at least you can try and be pleased for others. If nothing else, it proves "the" someone is still moaning, but of course we knew that anyway! For me the shows have been among the best ever this season. I guess they were so sorely missed, as were the friendships. It's been great to be out there again but I fear Sheffield next month may be the last of the season for me, I really don't fancy the idea of indoor shows just now ... but we'll see.

Last night's storm was a bit of a surprise, though nowhere near as powerful as the one a couple of weeks ago I still switched off my router to protect my internet. This morning we were greeted by hail, the season surely have changed this week! That wind is bitter this morning. I guess I'll be walking in full Winter regalia! I must get this camera out with me again, or there will be no photos for the calendar! 

Yesterday we went to Aldi, and I'm glad we went too, their shelves were far better stocked.I got sardines for the troops, first time in weeks ...lol Even with my bottle of gin it was cheaper ... but damn it still no tinned cat food. I guess no one could have predicted covid, but I do believe that a lot of this is down to Brexit, and of course that could easily have been avoided! 

Kaiah's diet doesn't seem to be going well, she's been on half portions for over 2 weeks and hasn't lost an ounce, proving yet again how much we over feed these animals! She has to get the weight off by Sheffield show or she may as well stay at home! In the level of competition she now faces, there is no room for fat ladies! Oh hell she's not obese, I could never live with myself if she was ... but she does need a little off, not just for showing, but for her health. How sad it is to hear that the fat bitch I've mentioned here before is so ill, and only 8years old. Killing with kindness ... actually no, it's not kindness and ignorance is no excuse these days. So very sad.

Little Siska could not be accused of being fat anyway. All of a sudden she seems to have had another growth spurt, she's gone longer, taller and leaner. I'm so tempted to measure he, but I'll wait till she's nine months, maybe she hasn't got taller, maybe her change of overall shape just gives that impression. Whatever height she will be at 9 months is close on where they end up, generally there is possibility of a cm of growth after that, but with bones fusing at 11 months, well there isn't much chance of another huge growth spurt. Anything after that is muscle and maturity and not skeletal. 

Photos - Orin at a dog show ... Maybe I'll post it on Facebook again, lol. Ziva - 10 years old and still as fit as a flea. Siska looking tall and lean, or is it just me? 

Everyone In The Water

A brand new kong came out of it's packaging, went for the walk, but didn't come home. I threw it across into the reeds, and there it disappeared. Ross looked for it, I looked for it, but the aqua kong was nowhere to be seen. A very disgruntled and unhappy Ross eventually realised we'd have to give up the search and go home, his new aqua kong had sunk! 

On route to the same spot I took a walking stick and searched for the kong, again no joy! It's not often I complain about Nico, I've always said he's as close to perfect as you can get. Today he was a knob! I know he's getting old, and I do find older dogs do get awkward, but really that tends to be the bitches. Is he staring to lose his hearing? I doubt it, it's far more likely that a very smelly female had been walking the mountain. 

Mini me threw herself into the water with as much enthusiasm as the rest of the gang. She loved it! She said grandad Nico said she didn't need to listen, so she didn't! Puppy privileges will soon be running out Siska!

So off we go with rake in hand to look for the fecking aqua kong that sank! 

We decided to take Loki, his first time up here since June. It takes two to get him in and out of the van, but to see his delight, well it was well worth it. Of course I let him go in water, of course I let him do what he wanted. Was it sensible? I don't know, but as I always say quality of life is paramount!

Steve was right, the kong was wrapped up in the reeds. I eventually saw the tip of the rope sticking out in the reeds, the kong was well hidden.

Now we can take it home for Ross - Oh and my frostline wellies leak!

Happy Days

Tomorrow I have to ring the vet and let them know how Loki is doing. 

I'll be telling her that I'm over the moon to see the improvement. A week ago Loki was really struggling, on the Sunday in the field he lost the use of his legs. It took three of us to carry him home on a blanket, we honestly thought it was the end. Ian came up to say goodbye and we all cried thinking of what was to come the next day. But a week later, a daily dose of steroids and Loki is doing really well. We may be buying time, but as long as it's quality time, then we can live with that. Loki may never be who he was again ... but it's wonderful to see him so mobile and so happy. Every day is a precious bonus. 

Gotch Ya

One photo in the field. Luckily, my phone was in my pocket and I managed to catch this of Orin and Siska. The camera would have got a better close up, but I'm happy just to have caught it today.

Hairy Fans Are At It Again

 Here we go again. At General Ch. Shows long coats and standard coats these days go in to the show ring together. Judges should judge the animal on its merits, regardless of coat! Then why is it when they are not placed highly do people assume .. "Oh that judge doesn't like long coats!"  Come on guys, 6 were presented  in an entry of 67 dogs, two were second in good classes, one was behind Callan, one was behind Siska ..I am very critical of my own, but I honestly feel he judged the classes correctly. One lovely male was last, but he was stood so badly, left in a rocking horse stance and ten to two front feet, I can understand that seeing that picture the judge could not put him higher up. Another bitch was last, exactly where she should have been on conformation, colour and movement. Like I said, one was second in limit, the other in open, bitches second to quality bitches, and having quality behind them. Come on Long Coat people, see the true picture and judge for the animals merits, and don't hide behind the coats! 

I'm not "anti" Long coats in the ring, though I confess I once was. I have moved with the times. I look at photos of Elka (Siska's sister) and think my God that is what along coat puppy should look like, that is quality. It's not rose-tinted glasses, and I know I'm only looking at photos, but she really looks the part. Zeus is also stunning, though he does have that classic L/C weakness in his pasterns, and he would be penalised for twisting his hocks .. if you could see that with that huge tail! LOL 

Siska needs to strengthen in her pasterns too, I'm sure she will, well I hope she will. Looking at the video from Friday I can understand why she wasn't Best Puppy Bitch, she really has got a long way to go. I think sometimes it takes a video or a photo to show you what you have.  It's funny because at one time she did seem to have it all in the right places, now she does look a raw and out of proportion. Maybe it's a good thing that we only have one show left, hopefully given time she'll come together again.

My Kids Today

Zeus

Jezi and Nico

Orin, Sammi, Ziva, Ross, Kaiah, Siska

Loki

She's A Star

Videos

Short snippets from the classes.

Orin showing power and drive

Siska plodding around with me!

Our National

Orin Air Scenting For Me

Though the three "Blaniks" exhibited at The National gained the same places as they did at Darlington, the judging was a world apart. Hats off to our judge on his first appointment at this level in the breed, in most cases he sure got it right! 

Callan and Orin looked wonderful. Darryl taking Callan into the ring for the first time himself, a super job by both to win MPD. Proud breeder. With Sarah absent, Ian took Orin in for me. Wow, what can I say? I actually got emotional watching Orin change gear and power around the ring. He is becoming a stunning young male and his movement is powerful and far-reaching. Ian did a super job of steering him to win the class. He is too young for greater honours, but with luck and good fortune, maybe, maybe one day his time will come. 

Siska 

Siska did nothing wrong, she stood well, moved well and enjoyed her day dozing on my chair, as she does! But as I look at the photos and video, I really feel she has gone off. When she's gating she is higher in her back than her wither, of course that is not helped by the fact I was handling her and that she did not pull out. I enjoyed handling her, though I've removed some photos this morning as I was in tears with the remarks, not about Siska, about me. Because they were, shall we say, very unflattering of me I had considered not putting them on, but I thought Siska looked better in them than some others. Hell I know I'm fat, ugly and unfit, I don't need it spelling out to me. Mostly I don't care, but tired and emotional, well it got to me. People mean no harm, but they are thoughtless!!!! Anyway, Siska will be just out of minor puppy by her next show, and I don't think she's ready to compete against 11 month old puppies. There is such a huge difference in that age gab anyway and to add to that Siska has always been a little behind. I have entered her, but we'll see nearer the time, she is very raw and immature but hopefully given time will come together again. 

Three Firsts At The National

Not such great photos of Siska today.

I think she needs time to come together now - and a better handler.

 

Orin looking Fab in this photo

Young Callan looks super too. 

What Next?

 Now we have another predicament, Loki has responded really well to the steroids, but today he has diarrhoea. The advice given was to stop them if he has sickness or diarrhoea. What the hell do I do now? The improvement in his mobility is so dramatic that I feel like maybe I should try and settle his stomach, to see if he gets use to them, but honestly I just don't know right from wrong. Since the dose is quite high at 25mg, maybe half would be enough to help him without upsetting his stomach? What would you do? LOL, I don't know who I'm asking, as there seems to be little interest in the blog these days. I guess it's more for me for reference now, as it was in the beginning. I get no feedback here now, and I don't put everything on Facebook  as everyone and his dog has an opinion there. Sorry feeling concerned, worried about Loki's future, and had little sleep from being up with him. Ah well I feel another telephone consultation coming on!!!!

Playing King Of The Castle

Orin

Siska

Orin and Siska

No, I didn't put them there. 

I was chatting to Ian and took advantage of their natural posing! 

Same here, I went out to the garden and found Zeus and Isla in a great position for a photo!

Everyone Out

Critiques For The Blanik Gang From SWGSD

JD 1 Stanley Blanik Kyriacos, 17 months strong head good ear placement,lovely neck and shoulders good topline and croup moved well (2 Hill & Hill Sonarly Derrick16 months good head and expression nice outline preferred movement of one on day)  

MPB 1 Stanley Blanik Liszka. 7 months old very much a baby, but well put together, lovely head neck and shoulders moved well, very promising puppy 

VB 1 Stanley Blanik Ivana 8year old, lovely head neck and shoulders very sound on move.

Sadly no critique for Kaiah as she was third, and only the first 2 generally get a critique. 

Orin's Critique From Bath

I've left the second dog's critique attached as it gives the reason why Orin was first over Derrick. 

Interestingly, both dogs were first and second at SWGSD, and that judge gave the same reason too. Shame they are so short from both shows, ah well never mind, short and sweet in all cases!  

That Streak Of Evil

This morning Jezi let herself down badly. Whilst having a quick run in the field before we went shopping, she attacked Zeus. He was on his Flexi lead and he went over to her and play bowed in front of her. She snarled, and I thought to myself, fair enough, she's told him it's a no go .. being a young male he tried again, this time she snarled and flew at him getting hold of him between his shoulder and neck. I've known this bitch all her life and I knew this could escalate out of control in seconds. Please don't criticise me, it was all I had, but I wacked her over the head with the flexi lead, twice, but she was not for letting go. Somehow I managed to prise her mouth open and Zeus moved away, but again she was not for backing down, luckily this time I managed to block and stop her from moving forward. There then followed a torrent of vocal abuse aimed at her from me, what the feck is her problem? A 10 year old bitch should not consider it a good idea to attack a young, fit male, should they? But Jezi has always had a steak of evil ... she always goes from green to red without amber! 

Thankfully Nico did not get involved, as is his nature I guess. Zeus is not injured, he has a big coat, and he proved who he is yet again. His manners were impeccable and he was immediately happy to live and let live. Jezi on the other hand will no doubt have come in and written all about it in her grudge book! Bitches hold lifetime grudges with other bitches, hopefully Jezi will go easier on Zeus as he is a male. All I can do is thank god I have never tried her with the other bitches, I'd hate to see the consequences of her actions. These days there is no doubt she'd be the one coming out worst. 

Jezi is Asha's daughter, but I really hate it when people say that she is like her mother. Asha was a darling, a kind, confident female. Jezi couldn't be further from her mother in character, the only thing they have in common is colour.  Asha even had a soft, kind expression, Jezi has a harsh, hard expression. I often wonder why she turned out this way, why is she so different to the others? I can only be grateful that I never bred from her, and Ok really I'm grateful she's here, at least we've kept her safe! 

Loki Videos

As you can see Loki is back on his feet. Beth the vet has prescribed 25mg of steroids for 10 days ... I guess this really is a last course of action. Yesterday was hard, heartbreakingly hard. I can only hope for improvement now. 

There really can be no definite diagnosis, but it's likely that the piece of spur that has broken off has moved and is putting more or different pressure on the nerve, or maybe another piece has broken off. Alternatively maybe a twist, a stumble or a fall could have caused further inflammation. Truth is we don't really know! 

You Have To Laugh

Cwm Dulyn

As we walked in Cwm Dulyn I decided to take some photos. It seems Miss Siska thought she had far more important things to do with her time and I've made a collage with all her naughty bits!

Maybe I need to get back into the habit, at least it means they practice "Wait."

Kong was forgotten at home - huge crisis? Actually he did Ok without his dummy!

Ziva, at 10 years old still had to lie in the bloody stream! 

Loki

We've had another very difficult day with Loki. He totally lost his mobility in the field, thanks to Frank the three of us were able to carry him home on a blanket. Of course we were not expecting that as he has had reasonable mobility since this first began. Had the vet been open I think I'd have gone straight over, but maybe luckily it's a Sunday and it's given us time to re-evaluate and think. Loki is back on his feet now, but can only walk a few steps, still it's progress from lunchtime. I've no idea what happens next, Loki is the priority, we'll just have to see what tomorrow or the next day brings. 

A photo from happy times - Loki out with Ross 

My Brothers

                                      

Orin and Zeus

18 Months today - Both have a fascination with being on top of things, though I think Mr Z is pushing his luck here! They are stunning males, very much of the "Blanik" stamp, though I do see more Francisco in Orin. They are both fun-loving and friendly boys, cuddly and mischievous. Though I do think Zeus takes the first prize for the class clown! 

Baby O broke this table - lol