Boys In Jail

I really hate leaving them in here, but what can I do? Zeus and Loki are sharing time in middle room, crates and garden but with the girls in the living room and the yard I have to put Ross and O in the kennels. Ross makes sure that everyone can hear his objections. 

I looked back at Kaiah's tests from when she was mated, there were 6 days between ovulation and her being back with the boys - so yeah considering past records she should be Ok for the show on Sunday. 

All we can do then is wait for part 2 with Siska! 

Bath Critiques

PGD (2) I can imagine these two will change place on a regular basis as not much to separate them (Derrick was second)

1 Stanley Blanik Kyriacos, a well grown youngster with a good head and expression, strong muzzle with correct bite and alert but kind expression, clean neck to a good lay of shoulder, could have a tad more length of upper arm and stronger pasterns but well proportioned in body and balanced in hind angulation, extends out well in front and moved at a pace to show this off. Strong enough in hocks both stacked and on the move. 

2 Stanley’s Blanik Liszka another attractive young girl with good head properties and feminine traits, stands fairly straight in front and is strong enough in pasterns, not quite the front angulation of the winner but nicely angulated behind showing reasonable strength in hock, couldn’t match the winner in movement today.

*****

I suppose after all the unrest that exploded after this day that I should be pleased not to have my dogs slaughtered in these critiques.

Bath 2022 - The End

Day 17

 Kaiah is now becoming too hot to handle and the boys have had to go to the kennels, it's day 17, so early for her really but all the better to get it over and done with. I hate it when I have to put them in the kennels, but there is nothing I can do. Siska is still not showing signs of anything, but I'll keep a close eye on her in case we miss something now. 

Blackpool

I'm over the moon with Blanik Liszka's win under judge Gary Gray at Blackpool yesterday. Having no expectations, I was thrilled seeing her win her last Junior Bitch champ show class and then going on to be the best Junior in breed. Thank you as ever to Sarah for getting the best out of her, I know she can be quite a little madam! This seems to be quite a lucky show for Siska as she won BPB here last year too. Thank you so much to Bethan and Darryl for persuading me to stay for the group and to Marian and Linda for sticking it out with us too. I took Siska in the group myself and was thrilled that she was group 3, our first ever group place at a Champ show. Thank you to judge Mrs Jill Peak. Thanks to everyone for the messages and calls, we really appreciate it, but Siska and I are sad that our right-hand man and her best mate Ian wasn't there to see her do so well yesterday ... ah well let's hope for a next time.

Orin didn't fare so well, he didn't last year at this show either, ah well that's life. Though I was honestly disheartened and for the life of me never expect to win, but I've no idea what he did there at times! (The judge not Orin) The only thing that comes to mind is that the judge had loved Louis in his day, calling him a very correct sized male. Louis was no more than 62cms - Orin is 66cms, so technically Louis was within the standard, but usually looked small in a class of adult males. He also wanted the dogs to gait slowly, we've trained Orin to "go" and with his power and drive that is what he does! Still I was deflated, he seems to be having a bad run of it right now - ah well Siska sure put the wind back in my sails! 

Yarna Scan

                        

I'm over the moon to bring news that Yarna is pregnant, a baseline of six puppies, but Jane says they are usually pretty accurate. With Yarna mated a day after a test of 33 it will be interesting to see if there are a lot of males in the litter, breed early for bitches is what they say. The dam determines the size of the litter, it depends on how many eggs are there to fertilise. It was said that the sire determine the sex of the puppies, but of course it is a little more complex than that. The pH level in the bitch’s vagina makes the optimal environment for survival of the sperm, in an acidic environment the sperm who produce bitches succeed, while in an alkaline environment the sperm who produce males are more successful. If a bitch is mated "bang on" there is usually a similar amount of males and females, bitches mated early produce more female offspring, whilst bitches mated late produce more male offspring. Jill Hubbard explained it to me years ago, basically, during the early part of when the bitches are fertile the vaginal environment is more acidic and gradually changes over the days when the eggs ripen further. Research now makes interesting reading, I just wish she'd told me before Krizzie had 15 males and 2 females in 2 litters from two different stud dogs though!

Lovely To Walk

This Dog

I'm sure like me some of you have been reading about "Ruby" over the last few weeks. Katrina sold her to a lady who she had met and was comfortable with, until she got the first call to complain that the puppy had cried on the way home! After offering any help needed Katrina tried to get her back numerous times, but failed. Four years on and Ruby is now with Dogs Trust, they won't sign her over to the Katrina, but they are at least letting her go to visit her.

I've been very lucky in all but one case when a home hasn't worked out, the owners have honoured contracts and the dogs have come back to me. There was only the owners of little Ben from the "D" litter who did a moonlight flight and left him behind, but with a little help, we found him, visited and were happy that he was settled with his adopted family.  

It's funny because Zeus' owner was also concerned by her journey home, and for me alarm bells rang there too. If only they'd heard Ross coming over the Llanberis pass for the first time eh! 

At the risk of being repetitive, someone has really missed out with Zeus and I can't help but be saddened that the dog living with us was not the version he showed of himself elsewhere. A year ago he'd run like a fool around the garden when I'd call him in, now he comes straight in. He loves a cuddle and there are no issues touching any part of his body. Occasionally he still jumps backwards when I try to get hold of his collar, but to be honest that not something I often do as he usually does as he's told. He puts his head into the collar or head-collar for me, that's about the only bit of training I've done with him. Formal training was just not needed, all he needed was to learn the rules of living at Blanik, and he has. As we thrive for perfect with these dogs, we may never achieve it, but just getting better is fine by me. Hell brushing is a nightmare, he just takes the piss, but I've discovered that there are two ways to brush Zeus - happy or worried - so let's stick to happy even if it is annoying. We've seen no malice in this dog, though I've seen him worry in a handful of situations, but really they are few and far between. 

Last night we and some super friends were cutting the bottom field, oh here's Zeus. He came straight to me, but as I grabbed for his collar he took a step backwards, I called him over again and he came back to me, result. We had lots of cuddles, but he wouldn't tell me how he got out! Anyway, thankfully I soon discovered it was my fault, I hadn't shut the garden gate properly after having Loki out there earlier. The only reason I had to grab Zeus was because there were two strimmers going full pelt and I was worried they may not see him approach. He was so good, as Siska says Excellent! 

Getting Hot Out There

A bird, a cloud and a Zeus

Ross, Siska, Ziva, Sammi, Loki

Siska, Orin

Kaiah

Zeus And Siska

Having fun 

Yma o Hyd - Dafydd Iwan

A Patriotic moment 

Seasons And Walks

I'm not 100% sure what day Kaiah started her season, I clocked it as last Saturday, the 11th. She usually goes on and off for a few days, but she seems to have been bleeding a lot for the week - maybe we missed a few days. She's now becoming quite hormonal, well plain nasty with a flirting Orin to be honest. We can't take any risks now, O is a competent stud dog and she'll change her mind very quickly. As they are half siblings, it would be a disaster.  The kennels are ready for when we need them. Kaiah, along with Siska are entered at VOC on the 3rd of July, here's hoping that Miss K is over and done with by then and that Siska times her impending season well. Next weekend we are entered at Blackpool, well Orin and Siska anyway, but with my dad being so poorly we have to take everyday as it comes now.

In the middle of the night Zeus woke me up by sticking his face in mine, I told him to lie down and rolled over. The next thing he bounced on my back with his front paws - hmm something was wrong. I got up, and yes "blew" needed to go out! Good thing I didn't ignore him, mind you he was pretty insistent, Good lad. This morning I walked him with Siska. They had a great time .. if only I could let him off! 

Orin was the pratt of the day on the walk today, his macho male attitude is sometimes annoying. He must go and pee in certain places, and these places are sometimes too far for my liking. At these times his recall is piss poor, I ask very little of these guys but a recall is paramount. Hell I know he has no interested in livestock he just has to"mark" his card everywhere, but not everyone knows that. I was annoyed with him, thankfully Siska stays with me and her mum! 

All of Orin's babies apart from the two show girls have been sold now and will be leaving at the end of the week. Delwyn is keeping the Pink girl and will be calling her Nika, but that blue girl is just too nice to go to a pet home. Well at least we have to try, but the home is the priority at the end of the day, if situations were different I honestly wouldn't hesitate. 

Yarna will be scanned at the end of this week, at 28 days, earlier than we would do it here, here's hoping for good news. 

This Is How We Walked Today

Changes - Again

After we lose a dog I put the crate away, I wash the dinner bowls and put them away, I hide the collars and hide anything that belonged to that individual dog. It's not burying my head in the sand, it's a coping mechanism and something I've always done. After Nico went for some reason I left his crate as it was, I'd already changed the bedding and thought if I move this crate then the room would look bare and I'd have to move Sammi's bed, which may have caused confusion.

Tuesday night I collapsed Jezi's crate and put it in the shed, but the room looked odd, so I juggled things about and moved Siska's crate to where Jezi's had been. Siska is getting the idea, but she's still a little confused and found herself several times standing looking at the empty space. Last night she barged into her mother's crate at dinner time, two bitches and one bowl of food in a small space could have been explosive, thankfully it wasn't. This morning Siska got it right - I'm sure now she'll get there.

As I did my usual morning clean of the kitchen today, I had another thought - I could now evict Zeus out of the kitchen. He sleeps with us and now only has to share time with Loki in the middle room. He also has started to come into the living room on some of Nico and Jezi's times, so really is there any need for him to be in the kitchen? Steve took some convincing, but eventually the crate from the kitchen was taken out and I've shut Zeus in Nico's old crate for 2 x 1hr periods today, he honestly didn't seem to mind. Hopefully he'll adjust and use it as Nico did, his door was open for him to do as he liked. I'm not saying Zeus won't be allowed to go into the kitchen, just that there is no need for that huge crate in there anymore. I have a crate I can use for Zeus in the doggy kitchen, the room where his mum and grandmother sleep, and he should be flattered to be allowed to use it. He can still go in the kitchen and on the kitchen windowsill, as he loves to be there. Here's hoping it all works out without too much confusion now. 

A Full Head Count

 

                                   

George

"A new documentary about the life and career of George Michael will get a special theatrical release on June 22. George Michael: Freedom Uncut is described as Michael's “final work” in a release, and the late musician is credited as a co-director on the film along with David Austin."

Actually, it's an uncut version of the "Freedom" documentary which first aired in 2017. It was nice to see it being discussed on ITV News last night, Shirley Kemp had me in tears! It doesn't take much right now, just when I think I'm all cried out ... it happens again. 

Steve and Zeus

Steve and Zeus

When Steve and Zeus go out together, there are no photos. 

So the best idea is to get a photo of both together.

Troops In The Fields

With quickly rising temperatures this morning we took the dogs into the fields early on. No photo of Zeus as Steve took him and his ball alone. In case you think that you can't count - Siska went twice! I must admit it wasn't the best plan, with the grass so long and full of seeds, and so many flowers it really affected me. I sneezed and crossed my legs (LOL) dozens of times, my eyes were streaming and burning and I did get a little breathless. Grass cutters the ball is in your court! 

As I walked the fields I considered how I would now walk the dogs on the mountain. Zeus makes it so I still have to go three times, but who do I take with him? I have thoughts and ideas, but currently no plan! 

Last week Delwyn offered me the blue collared puppy. Things may have changed but as Steve said with nothing but illness, death and cancer surrounding us, now is not the right time. Maybe one day I can have an Orin baby - but nothing has changed, my dream is for a Zalu x Siska pup, when the time is right! 

An Explanation

 It was last Tuesday when Jezi started showing signs of ill health, but she'd eaten cow shit the day before so I kind of discounted the vomiting. She seemed Ok in herself, but then as the week went on she started vomiting more, leaving the odd meal and drinking more. I messaged Steve from Malvern on Saturday, "yes she was OK, no she hadn't been sick, yes she had eaten." Wow good news all round. I fed her on Saturday night, she ate it, but was soon sick after that meal. Sunday morning she wouldn't eat but ate sardines for dinner, Jezi was lethargic, distant and had no interest in coming to the field. Monday it was pretty much the same but with every hour she seemed to have a more pained expression, she was panting more, vomiting more and drinking more. Though Beth had suggested we try till Wednesday, by Tuesday afternoon it was obvious that there was something seriously wrong and that there was no coming back.

With Beth off we saw Bethan, she gave Jezi a thorough examination and concluded that the pain was in her kidneys. She offered to do scans and drain fluid to get a more accurate diagnosis, but when Steve asked what will you then be able to do for her? She was honest and said .. "nothing." It's highly likely that Jezi's cancer had spread pretty rapidly into her organs, thankfully none of us were aware and Jezi was able to carry on living life to the full till the last week. 

Jezi fell asleep in my arms on the warm grass at the back of the vets, Steve was unconsolable at the loss of his precious girl, his Jezi pup. Sentimentally, I'd like to say, I'd like to believe, that she is back with her soul mate, her best friend and that being apart was just too painful for both of them. Run free my lovelies, Nico and Jezi together forever ... Now we have to find the strength to carry on without you both.  Be sure, You Have Been Loved. 

Blanik Hettie - Jezi - 12/8/11 - 14/6/22

Less than three weeks ago, I wrote that the hardest part of the loving was the letting go, and here we are having our hearts broken and having to let go again. We were told in April that Jezi possibly only had 2 - 3 months, but she'd been so well until the last week that we really were not expecting this. It sure will be quiet here without our noisy lady. Thank you for always keeping me on my toes Jezi, cwsg yn dawel hefo Nico. Nos Da Jezi Baba, Nos Da Jezi Bach. 

Orin And Arya's Daughters

Puppies And Potential Buyers

 A few weeks ago I was honoured when a lady who has been involved in GSD's (almost forever) contacted me and asked when I would be breeding next. I was really flattered, as the lady and her mother before her used to show under the Gorsefield affix. Anyway the lady had used Dexi a long time ago, but now her line had come to an end and she found herself with just Lancashire Heelers. I told her I would probably be breeding from Siska next and that would not be till next year, she said she would wait. Compliment indeed. 

Last night the lady contacted me again and said she'd been to the British Sieger and seen a mutual friend, Jane. She said .. "you know where I'm going here don't you." Of course I did, but it's not three weeks yet since Yarna was mated to Orin. She said she was very excited about the combination of bloodlines and congratulated us -Wow - down to Jane really she picked Orin for Yarna. Here's hoping eh! 

Delwyn still has three pups to sell. A L/C male and 2 S/C females. One of the females is really quite special and it would be lovely to see her go into the show ring. We were splitting hairs between her and the one he has now decided to keep. It seems to be difficult to sell puppies now, especially bitches - sadly it's not the right time for us here or I'd be snapping up the female that has the show potential. I love this photo of Arya at home with her kids playing in the outdoor puppy pen. 

Jezi Today

 A chat with Beth the vet this morning has given us a plan of action. She suggests we take Jezi off the previcox for a couple of days to see if they are affecting her stomach. She said that vomiting is not a normal side effect of her condition and is concerned that something else is going on. I am very careful to always give Jezi her pills in food, she said if I need to I can give her paracetamol twice daily for 2 days. Beth also reminded me that without an X-ray there is no proof that Jezi has an osteosarcoma, it was her conclusion on the day and from what we reported, but without an X-ray she can't possibly be certain. Yes, I've always had that in my head, but it was always easier to believe she had it than maybe try to hide from it. With Jezi's lameness being less apparent now, we have considered the two options, the painkillers are doing a great job or that what was/is hurting in her leg was not osteosarcoma. People who saw her in April would agree she was in a lot of discomfort, and we expected that to increase, but it hasn't! 

So what is going on? Jezi is clearly not well. Her temperature is Ok, her colour looks Ok, but she is in obvious pain, her expression is enough to tell us that. She has vomited several times again today and has not eaten, she is lethargic and quiet. When I let her out to go to the field this morning, she came bounding out enthusiastically, but only got as far as the caravan and stopped. Loki and I continued, and I left her to decided for herself, she eventually followed but walked behind me like an old dog, oh hell I know she's an old dog, but she wasn't like this a week ago. As I set off for my second circuit, Jezi came home. I found her again lying out by the bathroom window, she'd had enough. Because dogs get tense and hide pain I suggested to Steve that we pretend to towel dry her and see if we can find the source of the pain, and we did. Jezi has a pretty serious belly ache going on there, I'd commented earlier that she looked bloated, but my sidekick didn't agree ... is it the tablets? Beth had reminded me that osteosarcoma would increase in pain dramatically, but as we "towel dried" Jezi over her legs, shoulder etc there was no pain response .. but an obvious pain response in her stomach/intestine. We'll see if coming off these pills help now and unless there is cause for concern sooner, then we contact the vet on Wednesday.

Yesterday In The Field

Decisions And Heartache

When I came home yesterday, I saw blood spots in the yard, as predicted and to the day Miss K has come in season. Siska is currently not showing anything, but they were both in together last time so it maybe any day now. Having only had one season, she's harder to predict and time frames between season wary in female to female. 

Over the last couple of days I've been seriously considering neutering Ross. Not a road I've been down before, well except with Finlay. Ross will never be a stud dog, and after yesterday I've decided not to show him again. I kind of hope neutering Ross would keep things between him and Orin on a more even keel, they are still getting on, but it's important that it remains that way. Orin is a very macho male and Ross is more the fool, but we do get the odd stand-off and uncomfortable moment between them, but as yet it's never been more than a lot of noise. They were fine yesterday at the show but there was a lot of unexpected tension when we got home. Hackles and tails raised, a lot of growling and Ross even spat his kong out! Like I said Ross will never be used at stud, and if he's not going to be shown, well why not? That is something I'd like to know, is there a reason not to? My thought are that if his testosterone was lowered/removed that the pack would fall naturally into place with O at the top of the males. Does that make sense? The negative side of course that it's so final, once it's done there's no going back! 

Sadly Jezi is deteriorating, She's eaten very little today and only came to the top of the field. She's very flat and has no energy. She has a pained expression, especially in the morning, which is when she seems worse. I guess we have to prepare ourselves for more heartache. If Beth's diagnosis is correct, then the timing for deterioration after the spread of the cancer is sadly pretty accurate. I've spoken to a friend today who's BSD also had it and Jezi symptoms are pretty much the same as Cree's were. I will either have to ring the vets tomorrow or organise a visit. There is no point dragging her there if her symptoms are text book, if they are then we just have to asses the situation daily and decide when her quality of life is too affected. With my father in such a bad way life is pretty tough right now. 

Three Counties

Not our best day's showing, with road closures and diversions on route, we got to the ring with minutes to spare. Orin had no time to settle for his class and was a handful for Sarah, but he says he's not sorry! Seriously, I was disappointed. I really hope I'm not wearing rose-tinted glasses where this boy is concerned, to me he's just stunning. Ah well another day another dog show.

Ross was last, and rightly so. He made it very clear to all that even after a 2 year break he still thinks showing is a bore and he would sooner socialise with the corgis and collies or go home! No worries Mr P you can stay home and garden with Mr S from now on as we don't show dogs who don't like it. 

Ian says that Siska was the Blanik star today, she was second to the CC winner and had to be dragged off her chair when she was called back into challenge for the RCC. She didn't get it, but we were very proud to be considered. 

With an accident, diversions, road closures and a drunk Sat Nav it took us about 90 mins longer that it should have done to get home. I'm ready for my bed! Great to see the special people, see you all again soon, and thanks for making me smile!

Update Day

Excuse the silence, but so much on my mind and not enough sleep is leaving me a tad useless. Yesterday I had yet another stud enquiry for Orin, but though the gentleman said he would health test her, his female was not registered. He said he was "gutted" when I declined, I have my principles and will not break the rules I set out for Orin as I did for Nico. Bitches must be health tested, registered, standard coloured, sound in mind and body, and of course they must be GSD's - sadly in the days of designer dogs (cross-breeds)  that is something I have to point out! 

Jezi isn't great, we've had a couple of screams in the evening. I did think that Loki had stood on her two nights ago, but it happened again last night. She's also left a couple of meals and has been vomiting in the mornings. This morning I discovered she had vomited overnight, and she's left half her breakfast, including her pill. I must get that into her at some point today. Jezi never leaves food, well not until the last few days, she always had her mothers' appetite. It's quite concerning but I don't know whether the two things are connected, Jezi still has a limp but on her pills it's a lot less noticeable than it had been before. Jezi and Loki are getting on Ok, but they are not friends, just two dogs sharing a space together. It's sad really, but she only ever loved Nico. She sits out alone a lot more than she ever did, she really must miss him so much, as do I. This unexpected loss is hard to bear. 

I have a show tomorrow in Malvern, it may be Ross' last show. The more I see Orin move the more I realise Ross just isn't right. Still, as regards to "type" he should appeal to this judge, let's just see if he can move with some power on the day. I really want to get Kaiah and Sammi back out into the ring too, but sadly it's just too expensive these days. Kaiah will soon be glorious in her full coat, though Sammi does have a couple of pounds too much on her, still easily sorted! 

Nikita

VA1 Fantom Team Ulmental

Andrea Vom Fichtenschlag-Zwinger

Anne is a lady I've known for years and years, she first visited me when I lived in Pontrug - so 1993 - 1995, and we've remained in contact ever since. She's been here, but not for many moons, and now I rarely see her at shows, so thank god for Facebook. Ian and I visited, maybe 2 years ago, I don't really recall, but when we did we got to meet her lovely young Polish import," NIKITA Z ROTUZKICH BAGIEN" or Zeeta as she calls her. I remember she was a heavily coated girl of stunning colour and I remember telling Anne, oh bloody hell I could take her home. 

A few weeks ago Anne said she was thinking of mating Zeeta, and we discussed her using Orin. "Of course, yes please," but we never know what will come do we. Anyway yesterday Anne contacted me, she's expecting Zeeta in season at the end of the month and if all is well would like to mate her to Orin. Well hell I'm so excited! With Orin carrying the l/c gene at least 50% of this litter (if it happens) will be hairy! If he didn't carry the gene, of course non of them would long coated, it has to carry from both sides. Above are Zeeta's parents and below is a photo of Zeeta from Anne, we will have to get her some better ones! Oh God this is lovely, but you know what I mean! 

Ok this is better