Moving On

The war wounds are healing nicely, I have full mobility of my fingers but I think my thumb will take longer. Today is the last day of the double whamie of antibiotics. I've done far better on metranizadol than I anticipated, but the last time they were given to me I stopped taking them. This time I've got to the end of the course without being sick, though I do feel sick and light-headed today and I've been waking up feeling sick every night! 

Ziva's behaviour continues to confuse the others, Orin now jumps on the sofa every time she's on a wonder. A couple of days ago she did 3 or 4 small circles in the middle of the room before heading off for a drink, standing on a sleeping Ross in the process! Bless him he got up gave a very confused grumble and settled again. Orin and Ross do seem more settled in each others company, but I have stopped them from play fighting together, it's not a comfortable game. I've no idea why Ross does seem to irritate Orin at times, but he's better with him the Loki is, Loki finds him annoying as well, in fairness he does nothing wrong other than bounce his way like Tigger through every day.

I'm very wary of criticising Zeus' character in any post or blog as people are quick to judge, but he has also been affected by the tension here over the last few days. We know he doesn't cope with stressful situations, and though he was three rooms away when we had the altercation, he's certainly been an odd chap since. On Friday morning when I walked into the kitchen to give him his breakfast, Zeus moved away from me. He wouldn't come near me, even for toast! As Steve re dressed my hand, he hid around the corner in the kitchen. On that morning I had a bit of a funny turn, I'll explain privately should you want to know, but nothing happened between me and Zeus. Over the next couple of days he backed away from me and cowered when I went into the room, he wouldn't even take food from my hand ... either hand! I've no idea what has upset him so much but I decided that the way forward was to totally ignore him until he comes to me. I think pandering to him and trying to call him over to be friends would be a mistake, I've done nothing to him, but for some reason he's now wary of me and behaving as if I've battered him. I wish I could ask him what is causing him to be so concerned, but as I've said we do know, and maybe understand, that he does not cope with tension or stress! 

Just Saying

 Following on from a friend's Facebook post earlier, I need to rant. I have a pack of dogs not a family of furbabies, I hate the term equally to landsharks, my dogs are neither sharks nor babies. They have a Happy Birthday once a year, it's not a happy barkday, they celebrate that every day! They are clean in the house because I house train them, no potties involved ..lol  I'm not their mother or mummy, Kaiah is Siska's mother, Sammi is Orin's mother and Fransisco is his father, so Steve is not his daddy! The best weatherproof coat my GSD's could ever get is the one they were born in and I cringe at the photos of bitches wearing knickers and sanitary pads when mother nature has already taught them how to keep clean. 

My dogs have an easy life with lots of fun and naughtinesses, but I do believe that they need to know right from wrong and if their mother doesn't teach them that there are consequences to their actions, then I will, and a lot less harshly than she would! Rant over - and just my opinion, of course! 

Pepsi Puppies

The photos are not quite clear, but I've done the best I can. I spy one l/c in this collection of photos. Do you see him/her? Second photo in the group of three.

None of these puppies are reserved yet so keep your ears open ... 

Back In The Fields

Sadly no mountain walk again, With my hand swollen and sore I would not be able to get leads on these quickly and easily should I need to, ah well needs must!

Who's Got The Voodoo Doll Out Again?

 Following our run of disasters, "I just dread what's going to happen next," I tell a friend. Well here we go, this is what happened next. Thursday evening the dogs were all relaxing chewing happily when Ziva came crashing round into the middle of everyone and landed on top of Orin. He turned on her and a fight broke out, I got hold of him by the collar and pulled him away. I felt teeth crushing into my hand but carried on pulling them apart, I got Orin outside to see Steve separating Kaiah and Ziva, of course hormonal Hannah had to join in! None of the dogs were hurt, not a single mark or scrape, so where was all the blood coming from, Oh yeah my right hand! 

I wouldn't go to court with the evidence, but I do think it was Orin who got me. Of course I know it was not his intention to bite me, I've had dogs long enough and been bitten enough times to understand "the moment." Steve is an excellent nurse and he patched me up pretty well, but following concern from my mother I did see a nurse the next day. I have one puncture wound on the back of my hand, a rip in the crease of my thumb and some wonderful bruising from the crushing grip to my wrist and hand, today my hand is also swollen, hot and red. So maybe it was a good idea to see the nurse, I've been give two lots of antibiotics, doxycycline and the dreaded metranizadol - the vomit antibiotic, though to be fair following the nurse's  advice of eating when I take it, so far I'm coping. 

So who was to blame, well to be fair no one, I can see both sides of it. Orin was happily relaxing chewing his hoof when Ziva landed on top of him, what was he to think? Am I humanising to think that as far as he was concerned she was starting a fight? Ziva can't be blamed either, her coordination on these pills is piss poor, and Kaiah? Well she's not here now, now we have Hannah! When we carefully put everyone back together, Orin was very edgy, and as soon as Ziva started to wonder about he pushed behind me on the sofa, at one point he was almost crawling up my back. I've never seen Orin behave like that before, and it continued into yesterday. There are no issues when Ziva is lying down, and no problem outside but he is now very uncomfortable as soon as she starts to wonder about. I can't help but wonder what he's sensing, as someone knowledgable said today, to them not only is she behaving oddly, but they will be smelling and sensing her tumour. To be honest, Ziva seems oblivious to her disabilities and just carries on eating everything she can find! My friend asked if her sight had been affected by the fits, Steve thinks it has, I'm not so sure. Put it this way she was asleep on the chair earlier and when she decided to get off she realised that Ross was lying at the foot of the chair, before I could do anything she walked over him, using him as a stepping stone to get to where she wanted to go. He stood up growling with a "what the f*ck?," expression on his face, but by then she'd gone. So if she can see them clearly, then why is she behaving so oddly? I can only conclude that something is affecting her logic and the common sense that she's always had, you just wouldn't walk on a sleeping male, would you?

Keeping Ziva safe is now paramount, as I've said she seems oblivious to her behavioural changes and really seems happy in her new world, the others are not so keen on this new version of Ziva and the last thing we need is a repeat or an escalation of Thursday evening!

Siska's Weight

I had Siska weighed today - I must admit I was shocked to discover that she was 31kg. I didn't expect that. When I last took Orin I was on the money with his weight at 40kg, but I never expected Siska to be over 30kg, I'd have put my money on 28 kg. She is not fat at all, she still looks very streamlined, but with age and maturity she is building in muscle tone I guess. Her brother Callan is now 36.1kg so he is also maturing well, I'm looking forward to seeing him again soon. 

You could never mistake which was male and which was female, could you?

Bont Fechan

Look at the floor .. Snowdrops - woohoo

Just the three of us - we went AWOL after going to pick up Ziva's meds.

Not sure when I was last here - last Spring with Loki maybe?

Orin - Yes Again!

Absolutely love these two photos of Orin, I can't pick between them. He had been rolling in the wet grass and stopped to watch the girls. I know I have a tendency to wear rose-tinted glasses where he is concerned but my god isn't that just a stunning dog!

 

In The Niwl

My Brothers

Walking Zeus on his own is actually working quite well, so well that at the moment I may stick to it! He's having a great time and I'm not being pulled about at the end of the lead. One odd incident today, as we were walking down the track Ian came driving up it. Ian stopped and got out of the van, Zeus got uncomfortable and I told Ian to just say hi so he'd recognise his voice. He did and Zeus approached him, Ian gave him a cuddle and again Zeus got tense, he was totally ridged. He didn't do anything wrong, he didn't even growl, but reading his body signals, the boy was really not happy. Why? He knows Ian. The only thing I can think of is that when we've previously come across Ian on walks I've had other dogs with me, dog that have been over the moon to see Ian, I can only think that that had given him self-confidence .. still it was odd as he's happy to see him at home! 

My beautiful O. 💗

Still Watching The Clouds

I still managed to admire the cloud this morning. The Nantlle Ridge which had been completely hidden was just coming back into sight here. The colours and lights were fascinating.

Siska was a little better with her mother today, I guess there was more sniffing to do so Kaiah had some peace.

Mini Me

 I wasn't going to bother with photos today, after the lovely weather we've had today is a disappointment, but then I saw Siska standing on the wall and noticed the clouds behind her - wow there is beauty in all weathers!

The memories on Facebook from two years ago bring back such happy times, that lovely family of five and my little "Geraldine" shining brightly in the middle of the brood. Siska is now coming back into full bloom, I do hope her season hold out till March, well after Crufts anyway, I'd love to get her there. 

In many ways Siska is the perfect dog, she is self-confident, though a little strong-willed. At shows she's the easiest ever, she doesn't bat an eyelid at anything going on about her, she'll sit in that chair and just relax. She has no interest in other people's dogs, and has very little interest in people, unless they are eating. So confident is she in her own skin that she can be sniffed by dogs, petted by people and gives no reaction to other dogs aggression or anxiety around her. Ok she's not the best at showing herself off, in stance she is a picture - but she sees little reason why she should put enthusiasm into gaiting. Seriously it all be part of her nature though, chilled and relaxed. 

Where Siska lets her self down is with her mother, she's an absolute witch with her. Poor Kaiah hasn't ever told her off and now lives to regret it, honestly she gives her no peace to the point that for Kaiah's sake I'm thinking of revamping the walks! We'll see! 

Dad's Birthday

Yesterday I chatted along about dogs and cats to people who have about as much interest in them as I have in football and cricket, but they politely listened! So the question came, "which do you prefer, dogs or cats?" I always answer the same way, I would not chose to live without either, but if I had to I could live without cats, life without dogs would not be a life it would simply be an existence!  

Mum said she wanted to come up to see Jamie Oliver, I've given up on telling her they were two different cats and that Oliver died years ago, sometimes it's easier to say nothing. She then said that after her cat Tammy died it had broken her heart, but she soon came to realise that the only way forward was to have another cat, but at the time my Dad was having none of it. Of course their marriage was not a dictatorship, but I guess it's a generation gap and a very old-fashioned way of living, man says no wife goes along with it for a quiet life. Steve and I don't live like that, neither of us could. To me that was not an equal partnership, there should always be give and take and the needs of your partner should be considered equally, or even above your own. Now, of course she admits there is great regret, now she is on her own, having that cat she craved a few years back would mean she would now have a middle-aged cat with her to give her the company she so needs. Sad all round really isn't it. 

Today would have been my dad's 79 birthday, it's funny how we clashed so badly when I lived at home, but we never had a cross word after I left home in 1991. I was always going to have a mind of my own, to do my own thing. Mum used to say if she told my brother not to do something, he wouldn't, if she told me not to do it then I'd do it to see what the consequences were, so I guess Dad and I were going to rub each other up the wrong way in those early years! He was such a clever academic, man. Me? Well not so but I've managed to do what I want and get where I want to be. Happy Birthday Dad, thinking about you today and every day. 

Pups

 

Pepsi and Orin pups at a week old

Orin and Cookie pups. 

The bitch at the back is staying with her breeders, the boy at the front is still waiting for his home. 

Walking And Visiting

 Having cats means I have to worm everyone here around 3 times a year at least. The last time I did them was in Oct, but I could tell from the cats that I needed to do it again. I hate putting chemicals into or onto my dogs but needs must in this case. I won't use all the new spot-ons I stick to drontal or panacur, I've used them for over 30 years and other than the odd one being off their food the next day no one has ever been ill as a result of being wormed. Yep worms passed in the morning poos, If some of these cats didn't hunt so much it wouldn't be a problem, but that is the nature of the beast! 

I had three lovely walks today, though I did find the amount of human traffic up there a touch annoying. I'm sure that it's busier than it used to be. Ah well never mind there's enough room for all of us and only one person seemed hell-bent on showing no respect for others. 

This afternoon we popped over to see mum. Steve is still not allowed to drive and wanted his car to have a run. The first time I've driven a car in about 15 years, I felt so low down .. and who put the handbrake in the middle? LOL The handbrake on my vans is always by the drivers' door. I had a long chat with my sister-in-law about her vegetarian diet, she agreed that often, particular the vegan products are really not a healthy alternative .. interesting

A Bit Of Humor

Anyone seen my balls?

We Got Out

I can't deny I spent most of my day yesterday wishing I was at the show, hopefully there will be other days, though the options do seem few and far between this year. Anyway we went to Aldi and to see my mother instead, Steve did so well but his frustration at being shattered at a few hours out is predictable but annoying. Tuesday the nurse took bloods, they called him back this morning to take more, apparently his iron levels are low. 

It's hard to know what to cook for dinner. His cholesterol is spot on and the heart attack was nothing to do with that, which kind of makes me think, well apart from his salt consumption we must have been doing OK with our diet? We were told not to eat takeaways or ready meals, hell we don't, we must get less than 10 takeaways a year and even less ready meals,A and I make my own sauces. (But we do get a pizza - home cooked - once a fortnight or so) I looked at veggie mince - but that contains over the guidelines acceptable for salt - so with his cholesterol being Ok it must surely be better to use mince than veggie mince with his high salt contents? Anyone made lasagne with turkey mince? LOL What we will do is make sure we eat the two recommended fish portions per week and have either sausages, bacon or ham once a week only.

Today it was my first walk out on the mountain in just too long. I've felt very enclosed, I'm thankfully for the fields but hell it's just not the same. With my common sense hat on, I knew I wouldn't be able to hold Zeus on that retractable lead and took him to the field for a run. He was not amused and went to stand by the top gate. Clever lad, he knew they'd been out and he wanted to go too. I felt so guilty - maybe I'll try him out on his own on the mountain tomorrow, that may work! 

New ball day!

No Show

Tomorrow we should have been going to Manchester Ch show in Stafford Show ground. I made the decision over a week ago that I would not be going, being here with Steve is far more important. Having today driven to Tesco in Caernarfon I know for sure that I could not have driven to Stafford anyway, my back is still far too unstable for any long journeys or to be dragged about by two over enthusiastic GSD's!

Hannah has well and truly returned, and though her daughter can do no wrong, no one else can get it right! She's had a go twice at Ross for being Ross and also lost her temper with a silly Orin. Though Ross stood there asking "What did I do?," Orin is a different ball game and reacted with a "You can't speak to me like that!" There was a lot of noise and no more, but I will have to watch her. She's also giving Ziva and Sammi the evil eye and dismissing Loki, well she does that anyway! I really really hope that this is the last time we have to go through this, lets all wish Siska holds onto her season a month at least and then if all is well and good then the plan that I've dreamt of can go ahead. 

The tension between Ross and Orin has escalated to a level we've not known before. I've no idea what's going on between them but it's very uncomfortable. I know it's far too early to think it's anything to do with the neutering, but I am concerned. With Zeus here, we simply have to be able to keep these lads together. 

I've had another message from the owner of Bonnie, Sammi's sister who is likely to have DM. I'm not sure if she believed me when I told her that as far as I know she is the only one with the possibility of having DM in the litter. To be honest, as far as I know she is the only Blanik bred dog that I've heard of that may have DM. I know Maya was a carrier, but she was not affected, seriously with the good of the breed in my mind, why would I lie? The problem is DM can only be diagnosed post mortem, so you have to eliminate other conditions before you can come up with a reasonable diagnosis of DM. 

With so much chat about hips and elbows recently I thought I'd add my two pens worth on that. What I believe is that while we should always practice common sense with puppies, most genetically good joints will turn out good unless there is a major trauma. If there is a predisposition for weakness, then it can easily be made worse by excess weight, poor nutrition or trauma. Makes sense to me anyway. 

Last night Kaiah and Siska started at Ziva again, Ziva slept through it, but I did give her her medication at 8pm instead of 9pm. I must admit it's unnerving - what do the sense? 

Devestating News

My heart goes out to his owner and his family. He will be missed by all who knew him and loved him. Run free of pain now young Mario.

In The House

Of course it's dry, bright and not too cold, where are we? Stuck in the house. I must admit my mobility has improved as the morning wore on, but I'm still struggling and very nervous of exasperating the situation again. This is not sciatica, I've had that before and whilst this was painfully enough to keep me awake for most of the night, it's not as debilitating as sciatica was.

I've just been given the sad news that it's likely that Sammi's sister has DM."There is no specific test to diagnose DM while a patient is living. Several tests may need to be performed to rule out other potential spinal cord diseases. Testing may include a neurological exam, blood work, X-rays, MRI or CT scan, and spinal fluid analysis." All I can do is offer support as I know this condition is progressive and some sadly progress quicker than others. The exon 1 test is now available, but it only tests for 1 of the genes responsible for DM, it's hard to know whether it would benefit her owners to test, or not. Kaiah, Orin and Siska are clear, so theoretically Sammi is not affected or Orin and Kaiah would be carriers. Of course with the test only recently available Nico and Ziva were not tested so some of Sammi's siblings could be affected, and now as the "I" litter are 9 years old this diseases could well rear its ugly head.

The situation between Ross and Orin has settled - so now we'll wait and see if there are benefits to my actions!

Happy Days! (NOT)

I can't help but wonder if the green-eyed monster has made voodoo dolls of us. I can't think of anyone else who has an issue with us anyway.😏 LOL Today I was carrying in bags of dog food and my back went. It had been a little unstable since an incident a couple of weeks ago, but this today is just a step too far, currently I can't bend or lift anything. I must admit I cried ... What the hell will we do now? 

Ross And Orin

This morning was awful. The tension between Ross and Orin was ridiculous, my interpretation was that Orin was wanting to reclaim his position as boss man and that Ross was feeling very unsure of himself, though Orin did seem to instigate it they were both as bad as each other. What ever the correct interpretation, the growling went on for hours, it was worse than I'd ever experienced between them with a bitch in season. All I could do was stand between them and push one in the opposite direction to the other. Calling Orin away also worked, but I think shouting and screaming would have only added to the tension. I guess Ross smells of the vet and may also be showing signs of weakness, Orin would have picked up on both factors and needed to restore balance in the pack.

Life has been easier this afternoon, I guess things gradually settled. I knew putting them back together would be an issue, but here's hoping the tension is over and done with. I gather it will take about 6 weeks for the testosterone to leave his body now .. here's hoping I made the right call!

Pepsi Pups

Well the family have arrived, Pepsi had been scanned at 35 days and the owner told she was expecting a "small litter," of about four. Last night when I went to bed there was 6, 3 bitches, born first, and 3 dogs, wonderful, I guess you can see how 2 puppies can hide, but the news this morning is that there are eight puppies.  For the life of me, I can't see how you can miss half a litter? I actually do also feel a little self-satisfaction, as she had told Anne (the owner) that the reason for the small litter was because we'd mated too early. I beg to differ as Pepsi tested 12 on Friday morning, she could well have ovulated late Friday, but in to Saturday at the latest, she was mated on Sunday afternoon and the sperm takes approx 6 hrs to reach the eggs - the optimal time for mating is 48 hrs after ovulation, well we weren't far out were we! 

Vet Day Results

It's great when one of your buddies works at your vets isn't it. I had to smile at this photo of Ross that she sent me. My boy was "not speaking" to anyone - and to be honest since he got home he's not speaking to us either. Hopefully tomorrow we'll be forgiven. He is currently in his bed and hasn't eaten a thing, no surprise there! 

Beth had a look at his elbow whilst Ross was out for the count, she said that it's much thicker than the left and does feel that it is already arthritic, no shock really. She agrees with Gillian's diagnosis that there is scar tissue there, but was very pleased to hear that Ross has not been lame since December 2021. I'm convinced that the Glucosamine and Chondroitin has helped him and I'm so glad I persevered with it now as we can fall back on the metacam much later on. 

Ziva's bloods have come back with a safe level of phenobarbital which means there is scope for increasing the dose if we need to. I did tell Beth that the answer I need is to the question of what is going on in her head? But I did say that I know  it's not a question I'll get an answer too - so yeah plod on! 

Rescue

 I've said before that there is always the right dog for anyone who wants to share a life with one, but finding the right one is imperative.  Well, meet Alfie, he was bought as an 8-week-old puppy by a couple in their 80ies. They very quickly discovered the error of their ways and at 13 weeks old little Alfie ended up in rescue. Luckily for him his "foster carer" fell in love with him and has now decided to keep him. Where better could he have ended up than with Gail? I look forward to watching this man young grow. 

So look at Marvin the cat, maybe up close not quite Archie, but very similar. He is a much bigger cat with a thicker coat and less markings on his body. Seeing the cat I could never mistake him for Archie, and as he's not been claimed, someone is going to be very lucky.

Vet Day

I'm tense as hell, you know, knots in your stomach and that sick feeling. Hopefully I'll hear from them soon. I did discuss it with Beth and she said there are never any guarantees but hopefully over the next few weeks as Ross' testosterone decreases things will settle down. To be honest, things had settled down anyway, but there will be another season in just a few weeks, maybe then things may be different? I was really pleased to hear Beth say that she would never neuter a nervous dog, this woman is so on my wavelength. 

Orin is back with the girls now, he was stupidly excited and ran around the field like he was being chased by the devil, well he was, otherwise known as Siska! We'll need to carefully reintroduce Ross when he comes back, he'll probably be a little grumpy and will smell differently for the other troops. Talking of grumpy, he did grumble at Beth, just a low "I'm not sure of this" grumble - funny that the last time he grumbled was probably at Beth too in 2018! 

Ziva had her bloods taken and they'll check for the level of phenobarbital in her blood, I'll get the results this afternoon. She agreed that Ziva now has a saggy belly (her description, not mine!) but on examination she couldn't find any abnormalities. Ziva still weighs 32kg, which has been her static lifelong adult weight, she's not a tall bitch, but she's stocky and always has been.

I keep looking at the clock - I hope my boy is OK!  

We Are Getting Bored

 

We are all getting bored of walking around these bloody fields. I really hope for a return to some normality soon. Whilst Ross is away tomorrow, I'm going to try Orin with Kaiah, I think she's challenging her mother for the longest season ever. 

Ziva is unsettled, pacing around the house a bit, wanting to go out then in again. She seems very normal outside in the field, but she just can't seem to settle and relax indoors. I've done a list of observations to take to the vets tomorrow .. maybe vivitonin would help?

Steve has had a phone call from the cardiac team today and now has another phone consultation and an appointment lined up. I know these next few weeks/months will be hard, but I am still going to hope for a day out at Crufts in March.  

Thoughts

I'm sitting here planing, trying to focus my attention on the positive of life. I've done a virtual breeding on winsis to check the outcome on paper of mating Vesco to Siska. Only Furbo doubled up on and in the 5th generation, which mean double Quenn there and one more line to him, but I guess far enough back in the 6th generation. Siska doesn't have lines to Vegas, but Vesco has 3, but again in the 6th generation. If this mating goes ahead, Remo will be introduced into my pedigree now too, a great dog, but another who I don't want to line breed on and we are still steering clear of Zamp. These dogs are all wonderful dogs, but breeders have chosen to line breed in excess bringing the breed into a somewhat of a bottleneck. That's why I'm really pleased that I used Fransisco on my bitches, with his open pedigree it really has given me more choice now and hopefully later.

Of course everything is subject to change, this time last week Steve was in surgery, his life at the hands of a wonderful team of people. I can only hope that he continues to improve as he should so he can potter in his garden through Spring and Summer and that I can spend some days travelling the country to shows, or better still bringing up the next generation of Blaniks at home. 

The dogs are doing just great, I'd love to try and put everyone together at the weekend, but of course we'll have to see how Ross is doing after his surgery. My poor boy, I feel so bloody guilty! Kaiah is still bleeding, but everyone is eating and silent so we must be coming to an end. The hooves I got for them have been a godsend, they are happy chewing to make up for the lack of normal activity. I can't imagine how we would have coped without them, even if the house does stink like cow shit from them! LOL