Blanik Kyriacos

 When you think you have a lovely photo

something better comes along. 

Being super pedantic, front is an inch or so out - but what a photo - what a dog!

Last Day Of Autumn

With my route mapped out in my head I set off into the sunshine. Now this is perfect walking weather but the photos were harder to get with lots of shadows and orange looking dogs.

Within minutes I had to change my route as I almost walked into a Vizsla. I must admit I did panic, especially as I could see Sammi question, "Who the Feck is that?" But everyone listened, all the Blaniks deserved a gold star, as did the Viszla who also returned to his owner. 

I must admit I didn't enjoy this walk, being dragged around is really no fun at all. 

Great walk with these three, I walked further than usual and really enjoyed my time out with them.  

I have plans for tomorrow. 

New Photo

I like this photo of a soggy Orin at the end of a walk, but when someone else whose opinion matters is not so keen on it, then the seed of doubt is sown. Do I post it, or not?  Well, I did - not a tremendous amount of feedback, but I need to try and be more confident in myself and my ability to know when my dog is looking good, and he does!

Rainbow Day

In various degrees of clarity, this beautiful rainbow was in the sky for almost all the time that I was out walking - nature can be so beautiful. 

Sunday Pics

Sunday Stuff

Gary died at 4.55pm yesterday. I'm so very sad for all his family, especially Claire. I was privileged to know them well, and though many many years have gone by and the friendship only rekindled by Facebook, I feel such sadness at the loss of someone who was once so very special. Just too young - please "friend" stop smoking. 

Loki got me up just before 3am, with everything whirling in my head, it then took hours to go back to sleep. I'm not at all cross with him for getting me up, if the man needs to go out he needs to go out. I'd prefer him to get me up than make a mess any day. In recent times it only seems to be Loki who needs to get up at night, before then it was Asha with her SIBO.

Luther wasn't best pleased with yesterday's weather and stayed in most of the day, though by early evening he'd had enough of our company and ventured out into the gales. He wasn't out more than a couple of hours but returned like a drowned rat! He arrived home 30 mins late for breakfast this morning, as is the norm for him, but he couldn't make it more obvious that he's here and that he's hungry. No doubt he'll sleep the day away in the clean dog bedding. 

The guys only got to run in the fields again this morning. I do feel guilty but realise that for so many it would be fantastic, it's just these are used to more. Mini me had it on her but Orin put her in her place, as I've said before only he does and can, though her mother did tell her once today too! This photo shows clearly the differences between the sexes in the breed, who could ever get them the wrong way round?  I'm hoping to get some new photos in stance of Orin this week - it's 12 months since that lovely photo was taken at training - my the boy has matured! Weather permitting, watch this space! 

Rewind

Tomorrow we are re-attempting a Sunday lunch with family to celebrate Steve's 70th which was on the 4th of November. On the actual weekend, Steve was ill and we had to cancel. We've started in the same way, with a steak and red wine for Steve tonight... and just diet coke with my steak for me. I think I may have had two or three alcoholic drinks since April when Dad became very ill. I was too scared of drinking in cases I needed to drive to theirs late evening or overnight. Now I've got out of the habit of drinking, and I'm not missing it at all. Anyway, the steak was nice, but I've had better ... and I suddenly burst into tears as I realised my eating buddy was no longer there. Momentarily I looked from the fire to the floor, but there was no one there and just sleeping cats elsewhere. Steve shared his with Zeus ... but there was no one there for me. I used to argue so much with Junior, threaten him and swear at him, but of course he always got something, so he was not going to stop. I've been doing so well, but that hit me hard tonight and now I'm really emotional again. In a house so full of life, loosing one leaves a big impact. 

Siska

With gusts of up to 62mph again today we stayed in the fields. I'm really sick of the non-stop wind, though yesterday was an exception, we are hardly getting a break from it. Pics of Miss Siska sitting pretty, so to speak - but she must have had an ulterior motive, she always does!

Her coat is really coming out thick and fast now. I'm pulling out the tufts, and brushing her a little, but I'm not sure what she'll look like for LKA in 2 weeks time. It will be her last Yearling class, but I don't want her looking a state in it. 

I can't help but watch Orin in the field, he is just so impressive. I tried to get a photo of him too - less impressive, but funny! 

More Sad News

Sadly, Gary will not get his wish to see Christmas. Gary's condition has worsened now to the point he is on a syringe driver, he is being cared for at home which is what he wanted. I really am at a loss for words, all I can think of is his poor family, poor beautiful Claire. 

From a personal point of view I can only regret what I didn't say, back then I was too young, in later years I thought it was too late. I only wish now I'd been able to say what really should have been said! 

I Think We All Really Need To Consider This ...

"Just a generation ago if you went near a dog when he was eating and the dog growled, somebody would say, 'Don't go near the dog when he's eating!, what are you crazy?' Now the dog gets punished or put to sleep! Back then, dogs were allowed to say, NO. 

 Dogs are not allowed to say no anymore!!! They can't get freaked out, they can't be afraid, they can never signal 'I'd rather not.' We don't have any kind of nuance with regard to dogs expressing that they are uncomfortable, afraid, angry, or in pain, worried, or upset. If the dog is anything other than completely sunny and goofy every second, he goes from a nice dog to an 'AGGRESSIVE' dog." - Jean Donaldson 

Listen to your dogs people, they are trying to communicate with you in the only way they can!

Oh Ziva!

After all the rain, of course the puddles and ditches were full. I often get great photos here, especially when I kneel at the edge of the ditch and get all the reflections and background colours. So "Stand ... Wait" I walked away, but when I turned round our Ziva swore she only heard "wait" and not stand and wait! Hmmm. Of course I took the photo and went closer to get one of her on her own. She's been doing this all her life, I guess she thinks she's not too old or that it was not too cold! Seriously, I must resist the temptation to wrap her up in cotton wool, I have to let her live her life to the full. All it takes is a towel and a warm room when you get back! 

Sunshine

A beautiful day to walk the troops. I had to grab Ziva by the collar to stop her going into this derelict building. Well she's been doing it all her life she so no reason not too .. she said! LOL I on the other hand saw several reasons why she shouldn't! 

Someone told me when I first started using the retractable lead that after a while a dog gets used to the distance they can go and that you don't get jerked about ... Wrong!

This walk as usual was longer, lots of fun with "Orin, wait there, " being called out more often than anything. I must walk far too slowly for him as he hammers it ahead. Mind you I think they all thought I was too fat and slow to keep up at times but it gave me a lovely photo. 

Pups - 2 Weeks

 Orin and Cookie's pups are now 2 weeks old. Of course it's early days but I would say there are no obvious long coats in this litter. 

Miss Green and Mr Pink - Miss White and Miss Red

 Mr Yellow and Mr Brown -Mr Orange and Mr Blue

Lights

A late afternoon run in the field for the guys gave us fantastic lights as the sun came close to setting. 

Luckily for me something caught Orin and Siska's eye as they stood on the wall. I wasn't sure it would work having the lights behind them but yeah, different and nice.

Today's Natter

My intelligence has surpassed itself today. I managed to permanently delete the second group photo and the photo of Zeus outside. I have looked in the bin, nope not there. I'm blaming the phone, it updated yesterday and seemed to have flicked from one google account to the other, which initially confused me .. but it's a poor work man who blames his tools eh!

The wind and rain has been horrendous again at times today, but at least we all got safely out into the field, even if Zeus did come home before me. Wimp! 

I think I cried for most of the day yesterday, but this morning, rightly or wrongly, I felt some relief. For the last few nights I hadn't been able to sleep worrying about Junior, would he still be there in the morning? What if he went out and suddenly became too poorly to come home? Would I ever find him again? So yeah, knowing that he was no longer at risk of what was likely to be a disastrous outcome probably helped me this morning. 

Yesterday was a day of mixed emotions, Steve had a call from his radiotherapy team who told him his PSA level was now lower than 0.1 - that score suggests the treatment has been successful. He needs one more hormone injection, then gradually as his testosterone returns we will know for sure if he is cancer free. Another 6 months now to wait before the next scan but as I said indications are promising. You have to laugh, everyone is thrilled for Steve and he has really appreciated all the texts and PM's but his son reply was priceless .. "Oh Mam has a cold now!"  My mother also found the news very emotional and was unable to talk through tears, but I guess she will always wonder why she wasn't as lucky? Early diagnosis could well have saved my father, but covid sadly stopped all routine checks at the time. 

I saw Sammi lick at her bottom earlier and with the paranoia of AF I instantly looked. Hmm she has a tiny spot/sore on her bottom, but though it irritated her at the time it doesn't seem sore and I've not seen her struggle to go the loo either. I'll keep an eye on it over the weekend, wash it with hibiscrub and put fusiderm on it. If it doesn't improve we'll go to the vets on Monday. I don't fear AF now as much as I used to, I know it can be treated successfully... but obviously I do really hope it's not the case. 

Cats

With hindsight, I should never have taken another kitten from the farmer that Riley had come from, but Mr Roberts was inundating the rescue centre with litter after litter and to be honest I didn't really put two and two together back then. I did everything I could to try and help, even organised free neutering vouchers for all his cats. Other than go there trap them myself and take them to the vets I couldn't have done any more, but there is no helping some people. Riley was a mess when he came in, tiny, skeletal and matted, my heart just went out to him. He arrived at Blanik on the 3rd of July 2012 and blossomed into the most stunning young cat. Sadly following surgery to remove a tumour in Jan 2013 Riley died. A bill of over £1,000 and no cat was hard to take. Riley's death will haunt me forever, in his short life he's gone from rags to riches ... but honestly, he hadn't started to live yet! 

Through Sharon at the vets Isla had arrived here in Feb 2013 - her story is well documented and thankfully now she's always home! 

In June of 2014 Mr Roberts arrived at Freshfields with another litter of manky, snotty kittens. The kitten

room was already full and the family initially had to go into a small pen. No matter how many times you told him about phone calls and waiting lists, well he never listened and we'd end up trying to juggle kittens. Sending him away with the kittens was just not an option. So there is Junior, bang smack in the middle - he was here two days later. 

Junior grew into a beautiful cat, long, tall, slender and sleek. He never carried much weight and as he grew out of kitten hood and forgot about the hungry days of his youth be became quite fussy with food, well cat food anyway. Junior was a thief, he'd take anything off your plate, and if you left the kitchen door open, well the consequences were predictable.  When there was chicken, or worse still Turkey in the house, Junior was like a man possessed, though to be fair he wasn't much better around any meat, or anything that he grabbed off my plate. I've never fallen out so many times with any cat over thieving in my life, so when he rejected chicken I knew there as no coming back. 

Jamie will no doubt miss his cuddle buddy, they always squashed in on the chair together - Jamie washing Junior and Junior getting stroppy before peace prevailed and they slept the day away. My neighbours will miss their barn rat hunter, but I won't miss the bodies he bought home with him ... well done but leave them where you killed them please. Dave recently told me that Junior shredded his bin bags too - he knew it was him not Jamie or Choo - but he said, well I don't mind! 

It's hard to believe that it only took 20 days for that tumour to grow from something you could only just feel to the size it was now. I'm not sharing the photo of it on here .. well not now anyway, but I will keep it for reference and information. We will miss our little odd ball so much - RIP  "R Junior" - You Have Been Loved. 

Nos Da Junior

 Goodbye little Junior, never has there been a more peculiar funny little cat, never have I argued so much with a cat in my life, but I expected to continue the bickering for at least another 10 years. 

That last journey to the vets plays with your mind, it takes longer than normal, but you still get there too soon. I felt such a b**ch, I felt I was taking him to his death and I apologised to him, but there was nothing I could do to help him but say goodbye. The tumour had grown so quickly that there was no room for food and the poor little chap was a light as a feather.

I kissed him on his forehead and cradled his little head in my hands until he stopped purring. Again, I apologised to him. 

Nos da Junior bach, diolch am fod yn gradur bach mor ddoniol, mi fydd y turkey yn saff dolig yma! 

May 2014 - 23rd November 2022

Day By Day

Junior's tumour is still growing and he's very thin over the back now. He doesn't show any sign of pain, though we are poking and prodding it quite a lot he doesn't flinch. He has eaten a Felix soup this morning and a lick thing this afternoon, but he doesn't want white fish now. He's been out for a toddle twice in the sun and is now sitting on the fire. I offered him some of my chicken at dinner time and he ate a few bits, but not all and not with the enthusiasm that he normally would have. I don't know what is going on with his eye, it's not as black as it appears in the photo, but it's very odd. I've tried cleaning it, but he gets stroppy, which is normal for him!  I know I'm repeating myself, but all we can do is take it day by day.

This Morning And This Afternoon

And The Problem Is?

Well Junior toddled in about 10.15am, he was soaking wet and screaming the place down about the fact he'd missed breakfast. I dried him with a towel and he ate a felix soup which I was pleased about. This is a product I've never used before but it really is ideal for poorly and elderly cats. As you can see it caused great interest, but I made sure he got all he wanted to himself. He's now back sitting on the fire warming up and drying out. With no treatment available, it has to be day by day now, but today is not the day and the dreaded plans have been cancelled.

He's Not Here Again

We had more or less made the decision to have Junior PTS today. He'd hardly eaten over the weekend and has looked pretty sad since Friday. Sadly this morning he's not here. Last night he was asleep on the wood burner, I offered him chicken and a tin of Sheba, he declined. This is doing my head in, I'm so scared that he'll take the decision away from us and not come home again. 

With 6 other cats here there is no way we could block the cat flap overnight. Who would be in?, who would be out? These cats are used to freedom, and they don't use litter trays. I'd be so scared if anyone was out that if they were being chased or they panicked and couldn't get in, well where would they go? With all the cats we've had over the years none of them have gone further than the garden when they've been ill or old, but god knows where Junior was on Friday, we looked everywhere. He was probably hidden in plain sight. This morning we have a howling gale, where the bloody hell is he? He simply would not normally be out in this kind of weather. 

Almost Dry

The other side of our special little bridge, Ziva doing so well again.

Zeus and I had words - serious words - he will not get away with speaking to me like that. 

Kind of put a dampener on the day!

Love the expression here. We had a bit of a soggy time but I think we were lucky to miss the worst of it. Ian gave me a hand to cut Siska's nails - sadly she's another Asha and Steve just can't seem to hold on to her. If anyone saw us or heard her you'd have thought she was being murdered. She now hates her uncle Ian, but hates me more!

Junior Today

 As you can see no doubt Junior is really not great, he has deteriorated a lot since Thursday. He's licked the tomato sauce off some sardines, but that is all. Sharon has recommended some "lick food" which I'll try for him over the weekend, but if things don't improve them I'm afraid I'll have to make a vets appointment for Monday morning. I will not let this carry on, especially as I know the cause and know there is no coming back,  allowing him to suffer just so we have him here, well it's not happening. The last act of kindness and love is to let them go with dignity, better a week too early than a day too late. 

Archie

Getting photos of Archie is so difficult. He loves being outside with me, but he is always around my feet or chatting so his gob is open in the photos. If he is a distance away and I call him to get his attention, he runs straight over to me. Indoors is pretty much the same, other than he seems to squint and look grumpy in every photo, and grumpy Archie is not! He is such a good-looking cat but what makes him very special is his fun-filled personality, he's so naughty, funny and entertaining - and when he wants a cuddle, he's having a cuddle despite what you thought you were doing! 

I'm thrilled with this photo, but because I said his name I only got this one, he then came flying down the gate to my feet - thankfully you only need the one don't you. 

Around Home

Well no 5 is there, though not where I hoped she would be! 

Kaiah and Siska both now moulting

Zeus and his ball! 

Where Is Junior - Edit

We've spent the morning looking for Junior. He ate chicken just before 9pm and was asleep on top of the log burner when we went to bed, but we haven't seen him since. All our neighbours have been informed and hopefully they'll check around their properties for him. I'm very concerned, as you know he has this abdominal mass ... I know we are on borrowed time but this is what I'd been dreading.

2.30pm - He's home but obviously not well as he doesn't even want chicken