The Apple And The Tree???

Blanik Jeevana (Kaiah) 

and 

Blanik Liszka (Siska)

A RCC For Siska Stanley

Well, where do I start? She is only the second bitch that I've bred that has had a RCC, though Nikki my foundation bitch for the Blanik line also won a RCC. At a Championship show the top winning of each sex get a Challenge Certificate (CC) - a dog needs three CC to become a champion. This is the KC's description of  Reserve Challenge Certificate - "All unbeaten winning dogs then challenge for this award. This certificate states that the dog given this award is worthy of being awarded the CC should the certificate winner be disqualified. "

The judging of dogs had been pretty poor but I could make more sense of the 5 classes of females who had been in before Siska's class. Again I judged Siska's class from the sideline and my honest opinion was that she should be in the top three, but not necessarily the first. But after I heard a remark from Mr Grumpy from South Wales that there was only one decent bitch in the class, well I was more hopeful of beating his female, and she did! WTG Siska! 

As ever Siska looked amazing in stance, an almost perfect picture, but though she has a far-reaching gait she does lack drive and has a tendency to run down hill. (I mean her arse is higher than her wither on the move) This judge did not want the dogs moving quickly so it was possibly suitable for Siska and she did have a tendency to judge them in stance rather than on the move. I was over the moon that she won PGB but did not expect any more. 

The judge took longer over the challenge than she did over the classes. Whilst I agree these decisions are important, come on it really doesn't take that long? The bitches were getting bored and restless - we almost took Siska's chair in for her! Haha I have to admit I think the decision for the bitch CC was very much the right one, the second in open was the called in and I fully expected Ch Rowanda to get the RCC. Again another long-drawn-out decision with Siska ears going down like a bikes handlebars ... She moved the class again, and then they were stood again for an age ... she walked up and down the line over and over ... OMG she gave it to Siska. OMG Siska got the RCC. I was shocked, gobsmacked. Things like this don't happen to the likes of me often, well done baby cakes!

I have to admit it ended as it had began, Blanik Liska owned by Carol Spelman was written on her certificate, I returned it and had it rewritten - Blanik Liszka is proudly owned and was bred by Rhian Stanley

Let's Not Talk About Siska ...

... She deserves a post all to herself.

 You'll often hear me moan about poor or odd judging, inconsistent judging and judging that we just can't follow. I guess most people think this is sour grapes when we haven't won, honest it isn't. Yesterday I saw the oddest of GSD judging, somehow the judging of females was more consistent but I still don't think I could follow her plan.

We stood by the ring and watched an earlier dog class, now you judge and place these dogs in the class in your mind, and yesterday I had a valid reason for my decision ... the judge didn't agree and I didn't get it! When Orin's class went in I was honestly confident, if not cocky that we only had one dog to consider as competition - the judge seem to spend hours judging the 4 dogs in the ring, but Orin continued to stand looking proud and beautiful. She placed him last .. WTF .. you laugh or you cry, I laughed and walked away. If only I'd had the guts to walk over and simply ask why? But hell it's the game we play and I know that under most judges Orin would have walked it! 

Judge for yourself! (Orin is with Aime in the second position) 

Kaiah was in open bitch, the top winning class for bitches. She was in with 2 British champions, 2 bitches with tickets and a foreign champion, I expected nothing, and she was initially pulled out into 5th - but as the class progressed she ended up a very respectful third behind the 2 British champions. Well done Kaiah - so unexpected but she really held her own in excellent company. 

WELKS

A lovely colourful drive to Malvern for WELKS today. Stunning weather but sadly the judging was indoors in what felt like a greenhouse at times. A roller coaster for my guys in the ring, Orin was last in limit but Kaiah fared better and was 3rd in open bitch. No doubt the star of the day for our lot was Siska who won PGB and delighted me and her friends by taking a very unexpected RCC. Thanks to Amie who did a great job with Orin and to Sylvia who handled the girls marvellously. Thanks to everyone for all the support, messages and calls, I'm truly overwhelmed, - and of course a huge thanks to my buddy Ian for everything he does to support the Blanik team .... Absent and special friends, you were missed.

The Show Team

We have two champ shows coming up this next week. On Saturday we are at WELKS in Malvern and then next Thursday it's The National in Stafford Show ground. I kind of wish I hadn't entered three, it'll be hard going - but we'll get there.

Ross

I'm brushing him every day, well almost, and the next morning he looks like this again. When will it ever stop? This must be connected to neutering and hormones ... hopefully the next coat will come through soon.

Siska's Diary

Day 11 -16/3/23 - Siska is still with the boys, though Orin's interest in her is increasing. Ian asked yesterday where I thought she would be on the ovulation chart by test one. I said I hoped she'd be between 6 and 7 - after all it was day 11 and they were separated by day 13 last time.  Siska saw a new vet to the practice, - Jamie, he was pleasant and confident around her, and he took bloods without shaving her. The result came through at 6.6 - re test in 48 hrs. I really hope that by Saturday morning she'll be well over 17, that would make Sunday afternoon the ideal time for a mating. 

Day 13 -18/3/23 - A huge jump up in 48hrs, just like her mother and grandmother. Today she's on 23, not quite doubled every 24 hrs as that would have taken her to 26.4 - but not far out eh! (19 -31 -ovulation recently occurred - mate immediately or within 2 days.) We are taking her to be mated at 10 am tomorrow. So if she doubles in the next 24 hrs that takes us to 46.  (32 -64 - eggs have matured, optimal potential for fertilization, breed immediately or within 1 day.) I will be honest, I would have preferred to have gone today and tomorrow, but I have to fit in with Joe's plans too. Ringing in my head is - breed early for bitches! 

Just out of interest and to compare -Kaiah went from 4.9 to 15 in 48 hrs and Sammi went from 8.2 to 23.6 in 48hrs, so Siska has taken more of a jump. Kaiah was mated about 30hrs after the 15 test, Sammi was mated twice, the afternoon of the 23.6 test and 24 hrs later. Whilst Fransisco mated Sammi twice he would not mate Kaiah a second time. 

Day 14 - 19/3/23 - A very disappointing day. Vesco is stunning, not a huge dog but beautifully put together with a great character. Sadly we had a slip mating, which plainly means that the dog ejaculated inside the bitch but came out before the wash that pushes the sperm up to the eggs. Slip matings can have success but pregnancy is less likely as half the sperm is lost as they come apart. So we go back tomorrow, theoretically the eggs should still be viable tomorrow, even Tuesday morning, let's hope she doesn't do a Kaiah! 

Day 15 - 20/3/23 - After another near miss plan two was then set into force and we visited a vet specialising in fertility. He did a progesterone test on Siska and it was great news, after almost doubling every 24 hrs between day 11 and 13 (6.6 - 23) she had only risen to 50 by 5pm last night, so she was still within the optimal stage for mating and at the correct time for Artificial insemination. The males sperm was tested and found to be in good order (82 million per 1ml) and the vet went on to perform AI on Siska. It was a very easy procedure and though she didn't want to stand still she was excellent throughout.  When natural mating occurs the sperm reaches the eggs within a maximum of 6 hrs, with AI it is basically dropped onto the eggs. 

Day 16 - 21/3/23 - Today Vesco didn't want to try and Siska was showing uncharacteristic aggression towards him. We did give it a go, but nothing happened. Joe had been discussing AI with a friend who told him that it should only be a last result with the breed as dogs who regularly have AI lose the ability to mate naturally, so he preferred not to do it again today. His dog, his rules, and I have to respect that. All we can hope is that somehow some of the eggs have been fertilised, otherwise it's going to be a heartbreak followed by 7 long months!

Day 17 -22/3/23 - Orin is still pretty wound up, but following her natural pattern, we should now be coming to the end of the period where she is fertile and within days it should all be over .... Siska's normal belly measurement is 27.5cms, I'll measure again at 28 days. 

Day 18 -23/3/23 - Orin has eaten this morning and the house is silent. I'll keep them apart for about another 4 days I think. 

I feel so negative about this that I've entered Siska at WELKS at the end of April. If she happens to surprise us all and is pregnant then she'll stay home, but if not, at least we'll have a show to go to!

Day 20 -25/3/23 - All quiet at Blanik. 

Day 21 - 26/3/23 - Siska is back with Orin, he has no interest whatsoever in her. Is that a good sign? Seriously, I can't imagine for one minute that this bitch is pregnant. I just can't be optimistic after such a poor mating, if only they had tied or been held together for 10 mins or so on day 14, at least then I'd feel there was a chance. I know it can happen, my friend Barbara who also breeds GSD had a litter of 6 from a slip mating, but success is few and far between. I guess AI is used a lot in other breeds, I was told by a breeder of Frenchies and Bull Mastiffs that they never do natural matings and have great success with AI ... ah well, that is encouraging.

28/3/23 - I've passed on one of my puppy buyers from my list to Ann, she still had a L/C female out of Orin and Pepsi and it was what my buyer wanted. I felt that as Lyra was there and available, it was better she went than they wait for a puppy from a litter that may not happen and even if it does who can guarantee a L/C female? The buyers always have "Blaniks" - but she's still half Blanik being a baby O.

2/4/23 - Day 15 (Just for clarity I'll consider the day of the Slip mating as day 1) - Nothing to report really, well there shouldn't be one way or the other. I checked back Kaiah got moody from about day 18, not sure when Sammi did, but she did, though I don't recall that Asha and Ziva ever did. Is Siska more cuddly? Maybe. Is Siska annoying her mother less on a walk? Possibly. Are the others sniffing around her bits and pieces more than normal? Well yeah, but hormonal changes occur after season with or without pregnancy. Sammi didn't eat for a few days from day 21, Kaiah went off her food at day 24, Asha never did! lol. The pendulum is spinning like crazy, but as ever I'm very, very sceptical, particularly since I've been told by a believer that it can be influenced by the user's wishes. Of course, I'll continue to give it a go, but as I have no optimism that there is a pregnancy then equally, though I'm absolutely fascinated by it, I have little optimism in this spiritual guidance either. 

At the beginning of the walk this morning I decided to look at Siska nipples, I thought if I look today, (It was the first time I'd looked) then I can compare again next Sunday and the following Sunday (Days 22 and 29). When bitches are pregnant, their nipples become pink and point ... OMG they are already pink ... but I have fallen for that one before too! I hoped Ian would be walking so he could look today, then weekly too - but he wasn't there  .. damn.

I found this article, whatever the outcome, I think is well worth hanging on to. 

https://caninepregnancyscanning.com/pregnancybyday/dogpregnancybyday.html

8/4/23 - Day 21 - Siska only ate half her breakfast and her nipples are still quite pink - it's promising, but I'm still quite guarded, hormonal changes can affect the bitch in the same way as if they were pregnant. It's far too early to see any abdominal enlargement, if present the foetus are still less than a CM so there is a way to go before those kinds of changes. Anyway, the pendulum is still spinning like crazy for a small litter, here's hoping. If she messes about with food for a few more days now, then I'll sure feel more optimistic. Belly measurement is pushing 28.5cms today so about the same as her mother at the same stage and I'd say pretty normal. 

9/4/23 - Day 22 - She didn't eat, but poo after looking back she didn't eat three weeks after her last season either. 

11/4/23 - Day 24 - ate yesterday, but they all had lamb stew added. She hasn't eaten today, all but the back nipples are quite pink and the pendulum is still spinning. I have to do it when Steve is out of the room as he laughs at me! 

12/4/23 - Day 25 - She hasn't eaten this morning, and I had to add sardines to get her to eat tonight. No other changes, dogs still sniffing around her bottom and most, but not all of her nipples are now pink - it's still quite hard to find them under that "lovely skirt" though!!!!! Tish visited yesterday and was quiet optimistic, I'll believe it if I ever see it! 

13/4/23 - Day 26 - Siska ate this morning, I decided to check her nipples once more before deciding to enter the National - sadly they are all now the colour of her skin, they are no longer a rose pink colour. There are now no early signs of pregnancy, I'll enter the show! 

16/4/23 - Day 29 - No changes - still messing with her food - if she is pregnant she should now start to eat much more enthusiastically. No discharge, her nipples are slightly pink but not the deep pink that they were, belly measurement is the same as 7 days ago - 28.5 inches - the only bit of positivity is the spinning pendulum. 

19/4/23 - Day 32 - No changes - gutted 

24/4/23 - Day 37 - No changes, I won't bother scanning, it would be a waste of money! Though I never believed she would be pregnant, honestly I'm beyond disappointed. I was too invested in this, it was the positivity I'd focused on during the last heartbreaking 12 months. It was the light at the end of the tunnel, now somehow I have to get it together, replan and focus on Summer shows to get me through to her next season in mid to late Autumn! With everything I've been very emotional and tearful but I have to accept it, keep my big girl pants on and move on .... 

Isla - Again

With the lead trailing behind her, she was obedient, friendly and happy.

Having lived with 3 human females she is unsure around men but has really taken to Frank and relaxed quickly with Steve yesterday. Linda will have to get some gentlemen callers!!! LOL 

Isla Back On Home Ground

                                        

It's so wonderful to see Isla looking happy and relaxed in the company of Frank and Linda.

These animals are amazing - She looks far more obedient than her hairy brother, and I made the mistake of mentioning that to Steve - only to be told how wonderful his dog Zeus is ... again! 😛

Orin Poster

I'm pleased with that.

It Doesn't Get Better

Steve had been in horrendous pain over the weekend and I persuaded him to go the Doctors on Tuesday. After an examination, the doctor assured us it was in his opinion only sciatica. As painful as that may be we were glad of the news as we were concerned it was to do with his spine problems.

On Wednesday afternoon friends came up to help make the fencing around the caravan safe for Isla when she came home. I picked up a roll of fencing in Wynnstay and whilst Darryl and Ian did the hard work, Bethan and I attached the old fencing to the new fencing. A very tidy job indeed!

On Thursday I went shopping and took mum to meet the bus for Pwllheli. Though she drives she likes to go on the bus to visit my dad's sister, and she gets the train back. Having done what I needed to do I arrived home and started bring the shopping in, though I asked Steve not to help he decided he should. I was just coming out when I heard a thump and he had gone down and was on his side in the yard. Only Loki was out and I took him. I went to get Steve stick and a foot stool for him to try and get himself up and then realised the Yodel delivery man was at the top gate with 25kg of Bonios and 48 cans of Whiskas. Oh God, what to do? I told Steve to try and sit up at least whilst I went to the top gate to sort out the delivery ... when I got back we slowly managed to get him back to his feet. Last night and this morning he was understandably in agony.

This morning after walking the dogs I went to get my prescription. I got back to the van and saw a pool underneath it. Hmmm, was that there before? I drove home, the van felt fine and no light came on, but when I got home I realise that the oil was coming out underneath the van. I knew exactly what had happened, the track up to the mountain has been made so much worse by the quarry worker's attempt to make it better. I have no doubts that I've hit one of the rocks they've left dangerously sticking up on the track. It really is the worst job I've ever seen up here, it was far safer to go round the potholes than to go up and down this track now. I really pity the people who have to drive it to get to Ffarm Yard ... Oh they've changed the name of the cottage now to Bryn Derwen - Hmmm, not sure I like that, it's the name of the derelict cottage beneath it .. anyway I've digressed. On arriving home, I came in to tell Steve about the oil and I immediately saw the blood on his arm ...yes he'd fallen again, this time in the cottage, but thankfully he'd only gone down on his knees. Honestly, I'm at a loss as to what to do next, I've tod him from now on I'll have to lock him in the bedroom when I go out!!! lol

The van is now off the road and will have to be picked up and taken to the garage on Monday .. happy days, and trust me there is no good news to come re Siska so it's back to the drawing board there too!  

My Lovelies

People Are People

Lovely Isla is doing well and enjoying going out and about with Linda. She really does look like a young Sammi here. I had to giggle as the green-eyed monster commented on her photo on Facebook, I guess she hasn't realised who she is yet! 

I'm seething at the gossip regarding her return, or foster as the case could be. The ideal scenario is for things to settle with her family and for Isla to go back home. People can be so judgmental, all I can say is for the grace of god go I! (no I haven't seen the light, but it explains exactly what I mean) People in crisis need support and friendship, not gossip and judgement, and as I've said to the people fishing, sling your hook elsewhere - it's not my tale to tell. 

In between the breed judging and the veteran classes on Saturday we sat chatting about GSD folk. I was sad to hear that John had died and we talked a little about him, as I have done since with Katrina. He was such a great handler, but the demon drink sadly took its toll very early on in his life. As we chatted we were very honest about each other, I told Ian that I felt I could be totally straight with him without considering how I worded the sentence, but with others I would use much more tact. Jackie asked how I would be with her, like me she is a little sensitive so I would always consider my words and not just spout them out. We talked about others, one who winds me up but I can't help but care for her, and then of course the conversation went on to the green-eyed monster. I said that I could never understand how that incident had caused so much hurt and hatred, and that she is the only person that has caused me this kind of heartache. Truth is we were friends, I thought a lot of her, but she made a mistake and blamed me for it. I was oblivious to any ill will in recent times before this. "Well" said one of the group, "I'm sorry you are wrong, she has hated you for a long time and that incident was just her excuse to try and push you out of the group." "But what did I do to deserve that?" I asked.

"Well because Loki and Sammi kept winning, and you had other dogs in other classes who kept winning and she couldn't get hers to show." I was gobsmacked, but she continued, "and Ross, well she absolutely hated Ross and I mean HATED him." You see I'd been oblivious to most of this, but obviously I was aware of her dislike of Ross, it was her who called him "loud and annoying,"  and once said he would shut the feck up if she got hold of him. Oh hell Ross can be loud but he's an adorable idiot, a fool, and for the life of me I can never understand how anyone can hate him. 

I have often wondered how a mistake made by someone could have been my fault? I have wondered why a friendship could have fallen apart over something that I didn't do? Honestly I have spent hours thinking about it, dwelling over it, even crying over it, and wondering how it all went so wrong? Well now I know that there was nothing I could do to change the situation, it simply was down to jealousy, and actually I'm pleased that I know that I did nothing wrong. Thankfully for me the plan backfired and everyone who matters sees it as it is,  I'm still very much part of the group. Yeah, you know what after all this time I feel I actually have some closure. 

Sammi Belle

Back in the ring after almost two years - doesn't she look fab!

It's hard to believe that Sammi is now the oldest member of the family here, honestly, she hasn't aged a bit. My beautiful, special angel! 

Morning Walks

Saw This On Facebook

Well yeah of course we do, and it's probably quite insulting to a dog who can smell you from the other side of a football field. Though I do wonder why Loki can't find his toy in an area the size of a postage stamp! 

Body signals are so important when meeting dogs, Caesar's words still echo in my ears, no touch, no talk, no eye contact, it's far better to let a dog introduce themselves to you, and only then if they chose to do so. Be confident and calm, if you show any signs of fear then expect the dog to feel as uncomfortable about that as you do! 

Just In Case You Didn't Know!

He died in his sleep from cardiac arrest at the age of 53, on December 25, 2016. Hundreds of thousands of people are still alive thanks to him. 

Only after the singer's death did it become known that he had spent millions to help orphans, the homeless, the sick and foreigners in need. The contestant of the TV show "The Deal" said during the break that she needs 15,000 pounds for an invitro procedure. The next day, Michael called and secretly transferred the entire amount to her name. Richard Osman, TV presenter: "George Michael worked anonymously at a homeless shelter where I volunteered. I didn't tell anyone this because he asked us not to tell anyone. That's who he used to be." Emmeline Mondeau, actress: "A woman at a children's charity told me the only reason they're still around is because of George Michael." Kate Vogue: "Every Easter when Chris Tarrant and I hosted the 'Capital FM' children's charity event, George Michael would turn up at 3.30am and donate £100,000." DJ Mike Brown: "He gave £25,000 to an unknown woman in a cafe because cried because of the debt. He wrote a check and asked the waitress to give it to the woman after she left." ’

Vector Victoria: "He organized a free concert for the nurses who took care of his late mother." 

Andrew: "His donations have helped create a world where people with HIV can live healthy lives free of prejudice and discrimination." 

Jane Baron, Trustee of the Terence Higgins Charity: "I wrote an article a long time ago about a famous man who tipped a waitress £5,000 because she was a medical student in debt. That man was George Michael." 

Journalist Sally Hughes: "He was also the only star in the quiz "Do you want to become a millionaire?", the earnings of the stars in this game are given to humanitarian purposes, and then he said: "If I lose, I will pay the money myself."

Journalist Sally Hughes: "Since 1996, George Michael has donated all proceeds from the song 'Jesus' to children's charities. He has passed on millions that have saved hundreds of thousands of children."

Quiet Out There Today

 

John

 

It was so sad today to hear that John had died. I met John at my first breed champ show in Bolton where he handled Blade for me. He and his partner Sue also handled Nikki and John handled Dexi in the early years. So sad when someone is lost too soon. 

Wrexham C.S Show

Sammi in Veteran

Kaiah in the BOB Challenge

A beautiful drive through the stunning Welsh countryside to the venue for Wrexham C.S show today. A great time with great friends and only showing the older girls. Kaiah was 1st in open and Sammi was 3rd in pastoral Veteran. Congratulations to Jackie on BOB and Puppy Group 2 with Kai. Thank you Debbie for the lovely birthday cake and Ian for the company and these photos. Great day with Lisa, Debbie, Ian, Jackie and of course Sammi and Kaiah

Isla

Isla is now with Frank and Linda, her owners are devastated, but she's safe now until things get sorted and permanent plans can be made for her future. 

Happy At Home

So True

Archie Helping With Birthday Gifts ... NOT!