Last Walk Of Autumn

Yes it rained, but we had a nice time. 

Loki Today

Steve and I are feeling concerned about Loki. His is becoming more and more unsteady on his feet. He seems to be deteriorating quickly, he's wobbly and uncoordinated, we are both concerned about the immediate future. He doesn't seem to be lifting his feet, just pulling them along and the tops of his feet are scraping along the ground. He is not showing signs of pain, it just seems neurological. We have been so thankful for the last 3.5 years, but we fear what is ahead ...

Beti And Her Sister

My lovely Beti, now near as damn it back in full bloom. Both inside and outside the ring, this girl has bought so much joy into my life. Yes, She is different to other Blaniks, much more full on, which I can only presume comes from her mother line, but she is a sweet girl who loves everyone. Beautiful Beti makes me smile everyday, she's confident, clever, obedient, affectionate and full of fun. What more could I ask of her? 

Sadly, things haven't been as easy with her sister. Polly is noise sensitive, unsure of herself and very busy. Her hip score has come back at a total of 19, not a life changing score, actually only just over the mean average, but being unequal means that in this day and age it would be considered a risk to breed. It's not as high as Krizzie's was on either side, but times have changed and as we continue to try and improve on our breed, well I agree that with all the facts considered it is best not to breed from Polly.  

The situation now is that Polly needs to be re-homed. She needs a reasonably experienced person with a large, safe garden, or field. She would be Ok with a male dog, but as is often the case she may not be good with another female. I may not rehome my own, but I completely support and agree that it is in Polly's interest to try and rehome her. So if anyone hears of anything that would suit then please get in touch. 

In Daker Lights

The two sables together, she's now looking darker than him.

Lovely bit of coat there Meerah

You can see here that her knickers are now starting to grow. She is going to be a stunning colour.

Above - Beautiful Beti at the same age and Ross below.

Meerah In Stance

Not a bad photo of the baby to show who she is, as her head is turned and her front isn't right I won't post it on Facebook for the keyboard warriors to judge and criticise. I know what I see, and I know what's right and wrong. Hopefully we can get a better photo in a week or so when she's 4 months old. 

All Change

Loki had a fall again today, he doesn't seem to be  coordinated at the moment, he's quite wobbly and not lifting his front feet up too well - plod on! 

I'm over the moon with how well the Sammi - Zeus walk went, that will make life easier and it means Zeus can have some company on his walks. 

On The Doorstep

Today I found another "circuit" walk. It's shocking really that I've lived here for almost 30 years, and I'm still finding places I haven't been. I've done bits of this walk before, but never joined the dots and realised I could do a circuit. I also saw other paths to explore for other days. The only downside was what goes down has to come back up again ... I prefer to go up hill first whilst I'm still full of energy!

Anyway ... I have a plan that may make it easier! 

Thoughts

 Look at the size of her 🙈🙉🙊What do I say? Ok Maybe the angle of the photo makes her look taller .. but these changes in colour and coat are also happening before my eyes. Fascinating, and just beautiful. 

I really hope we'll be able to go to the show on the 7th as it will do her the world of good to go somewhere before the long Xmas/New Year break. I think I was a little previous saying I wouldn't go, as ever I try and think of others, but thinking of me and mine, I really want to go. I haven't been to a KC show since June, so by the 7th of December it will be 6 months and I really need a dog show day with friends that I often see, and some that I haven't seen in too long. There are no rules against showing bitches in season, and with males in first at KC shows, well there is no reason not to show. The only issue is the travelling ... here's hoping we can work it out 

Beit's Season

Well, it seems I was right that the fights were caused by the teenager's hormones, Beti has come in season today. The timing couldn't have been worse really, as I doubt I'll be able to share to go to Essex now. Obviously, I can't go on my own and I can't go for a day out without her, as leaving her at home with Steve would not be fair on him. The joys of females, Gutted as I kind of needed this! 

Busy At Home

The puppy pen is down, when you realised you haven't used it in over a week, it's time to put it away. Steve and I had planned today as a "stay at home and do jobs day."  We did quite well really, but there is still a lot to do, I guess it's never ending really isn't it. Things do creep up on us, but we've done things in both pens and sorted the shed out .. well to a degree. Steve didn't get to go up on the old shed roof, I'm glad really, but sorting the leaking roof is an obsession and no doubt he'll be there before the end of the week! 

We Got Out

After two days of wind and rain we finally got out today. It really hasn't been safe to go out here, though we have little damage and only a river flowing through the yard. 

Loki wasn't too great today, he was a little wobbly and not lifting his front as well as he should. Hopefully it's just the lack of walking over the last couple of days. We discussed leaving him in for the second walk, but he had other ideas!!!

Zeus back in the garden at the end of his walk.

This House

 The reoccurring dream came back to haunt me last night. I'm back in the house of horrors in Pontrug, (though it has been done up), and I'm desperate to get back here. It's always an emotional dream that leave me pondering for days. I guess the trigger this time was trying to sort out the house insurance. Having been with one company for years we were shock at the increase in price. Honestly, we had to re-think. This cottage and its location may not be everyone's dream but this little house on the hill is the base camp for my life. Though I fear the future, I just can't imagine living anywhere else ....

Fight No 3

Yep, on Thursday Beti and Sammi had fight number three. All three fights have happened out on walks, but I've made the decision to now keep them apart. These are not squabbles, these are fights that without intervention could result in serious injury. Bitches are evil when they fight and they hold grudges. Sammi has got to almost 11 years old and never had a fight, well she's made up for it now! I can't really blame one or the other, I can only surmise that Sammi has continued to think she is boss dog and with her young hormones raging Beti has decided she's not being told what to do! It's sad really as they had been great friends, Sammi had been Beti's mother figure but I can't risk letting them sort it out. Though Sammi seems fit and healthy, she is after all an old dog. So my options are to rehome an old dog, err No! To rehome my young female, err .. No! To make changes, that maybe inconvenient to us and may mean Beti having to spend time outside in a pen when possible, well yeah, sadly, it has to be! Keeping everyone safe is paramount ... let's hope we adjust and that human error will not be the downfall!!!

Zeus

Life with Zeus is better again at the moment, though he's taken a leaf out of a Lee Mack sitcom today! Our hairy boy doesn't like bad weather. I had a chat with Ken about him yesterday and he's happy for me to put him on a low dose of steroids, for the immediate future anyway. Zeus has been itchy since he's been here and apparently always has been. Ken isn't concerned as long as we can keep him on 5mg, that sort of dose should not affect a 35kg dog long term. I totally understand what it's like to be constantly itchy and I've tried everything else so I do think it's the right thing to do for his day-to-day comfort. 

Slow Down Meerah

There is a lot to say about Beti, but I'll leave it till tomorrow, if the forecast is correct then I'll be in all day! LOL 

Meerah was confident and happy in the waiting room at the vets, just a couple of apprehensive woofs at another dog, but she soon settled. She weighs 16kg and is now unfortunately 48cms at 3.5 months. Her mum was 46.5 at 4 Months, and Beti grew 2cms from 3.5 months to make 48.5cms at 4 months. So yeah she is currently about the size of a male at this age! Shit! Meerah has grown 5cms so far this month, I pray she slows down now, Steve has already said that if she gets too big I really should consider letting her go ... of course that's not who I am, and I've waited a long time for a sable female .. and of course she's Kaiah's granddaughter! 

I'm not bothered about her ear that will get there, but size does really matter for showing, and I really had hoped/do hope to have the whole package. No one expects perfection, well if you do you have a shock coming your way, you just hope to be good enough to be in the running. 

I will say the same thing as I have before, I know they all grow differently, but I pray she's not over 50cms in 2 weeks time!!! 

A Date With Daddy

Lucca and Meerah

Again - Shame the calenders are made!

 ... And then Mummy said to Uncle O, "Well her father will just have to take some responsibility and look after her!"

Wait daddy 

Loki News

The boy saw the vet today, he was examined top to bottom (literally) by Ken. So let's start at the top. I asked him to look at his eyes as we had noticed changes, yes he has cataracts, not dramatically thick at the moment, so they won't be affecting his sight very much yet, but of course they will with time. Ken agreed his coat/skin condition is poor. I feel I've been mentioning this to different vets monthly and getting the reply of, "well it's the steroids," from each one without any suggestions for improving the situation. Ken suggested I add oil to his diet, (logical really, but I was scared of upsetting his stomach) I said I had salmon oil, but he said corn or sunflower oil may be better as they are also rich in calories which may help with his weight too. He is so thin that it goes through me to dry/brush him. Keeping him lean is important for his poor mobility, but no matter how much he eats he remains too thin. (He has an extra meal, so gets more than the other boys.) I'll try the oil, but the last thing an incontinent dog needs is diarrhoea. So now to the bottom bit .. Loki didn't respond very much to having his bottom examined, he seemed quite unaware that he had a finger up his bottom (Well say it as it is) though Ken said there was some response there. There is no feeling at all in his tail now, obviously we've noticed it just hangs, and has done for a long time. The only concern is that he is unaware of it so we have to notice for him, on the other hand, since it just hangs close to his bottom, it hasn't yet caused any issues. Loki was total unaware that Ken had put him to stand on his knuckles, so there is very little feeling in his back feet now, thankfully the front was better, he needs his front to be stronger more so than his back end to get up and get about. His worst time was when he was knuckling on the front. I think that's it, top to bottom, his heart is strong and steady .... and he weighs 39.2kg. 

So ask me "how is Loki?" Well, despite it all, Loki is a happy boy living his life to the full, yeah Loki is still doing amazingly well! 

(I also took Sammi with me today, I was curious what she weighed - 32.2kg - I think that's spot on really. I know she's a large female, but even at 34kg she did look overweight.)

Training Night And Dog Food

Just a short 10 second video of Meerah playing with her new buddy Remy last night. 

It was an expectedly quiet night at club, 3 pups and 2 adults. Still, it was enough for the youngsters who are just seeing the world. As I was trying to get going, I did consider whether I'd made a wise decision. The van was like an ice cube, and for the life of me I couldn't find the de-icer. I managed to get the drivers door open and one side door, but as I had tried the other doors my van went nuts on the way down with "Stop" doors open flashing on the dashboard! I passed the gritter in Carmel on the way down, so I gathered I'd have a safer drive back up. To be honest I did it more than anything for the benefit of Meerah, but seriously, would I do that again just for a training class? With all the responsibilities I have, I doubt it! 

Steve and I had been down for dog food during the day, so we knew the road was clear then. With 2 Gold and 1 Titanium left from the last lot I had to get more in. The bill this time was £850 - £15 per bag of Gold and £20 for Titanium. Online Titanium varies between £21.50 and £25 and Gold between £16.50 and £20, so they do give me a decent discount. I could get it cheaper from the manufacturer, but that would mean 70 bags of food delivered to the gate in one go ... like this I can pick them up 10 at a time. I started the last lot in mid-March, so I guess if you work it out on a weekly basis I feed 7 - 8 dogs for £20 - £25, but of course that's without all the other stuff, from yogurt, to carrots to sardines and tripe sticks. Biscuits alone (Bonios and shapes) cost over £70 this week.  I'd be financial rich without these dogs, but for me life without dogs would be a very sad and lonely existence. 

Health Tests

Out of the blue today, I've had a message from one of the vets at my practice in Ffor. Malan, who I've known since before she qualified ( I worked for her family at Bwtri), messaged to say that she and Beth had been discussing doing Beti's health tests, and that they could do them under a sedation that they use regularly. She asked if I could book her in on a Wednesday, they are both there together on that day, and it will have to be done quickly whilst she's very relaxed ... though I will still be worried sick about it, it is a big relief as it's something that has to be done.

A Little More Snow

 

Photos And Beetles

Happy "nutty" puppy enjoying life.

A very messy Loki day today. I'm really not cross with him, it simply is not his fault, but the situation does sometimes get me down. 

Beautiful Baby Beti - starting to mature beautifully now. 

Do you remember me writing last year about the amount of Devil's coach horse beetles that were coming into the house in Autumn? I've seen very few this year, maybe a couple. The other morning with wellies and coat on, I was cleaning the yard when I felt a sharp pain in the top of my foot. It went as quickly as it came and I thought it was just something in my sock, a couple of steps later .. ahhh another sharp pain, I couldn't take another step and had to take my welly off where I was. OMG, You've guessed it, a very angry beetle. No harm done, I sent him on his way, but will now be checking my wellies before I put them on! I giggled last night as I saw one of the celebs in Australia checking their wellies before putting them on, good thing I live in Wales eh as I only got a nasty little bite to contend with!!!

Disappointing Snow In Fron

Shame the calendars are already done as I love this photo. Handsome hairy, snow, dark sky and low cloud - just so December! (In November)

Another Xmas feel to this pic - but as I said too late. I did try and get Loki behind Beti, but he didn't get it! Bless him! 

Baby loved the snow, I hope she gets a little more to experience the coming Winter, just not on a show day!

Well I wouldn't have used this, he has drool on his face, he's still sexy though! LOL

Seren Has Snow

We are VERY jealous - isn't she just stunning!

Height

Well it's a Monday, but I've lost track of how many weeks old she is. Yes, of course I've bloody measured her! LOL. 46 - 47 cms. I think she's slowed down a little, but I need her to be no more than 49cms at 4 months, but that over two weeks away, and she's grown 3 - 4 cms over the last 2 weeks. If she's 49 cms or less in two weeks, then I'll feel there's a chance of keeping within size for regionals, if not, well I'll have to stop feeding her, lol. I will get away with a slighter taller female at Champ shows, but I would really hope to have my options open to do both. 

What Colour Is She?

                                       

The colour obsession continues, I'm really fascinated with the changes. I wouldn't say either photo taken today show her quite as she appears to my eye, I'd say the lights in both photos are deceiving ... I think she's somewhere in-between the two. 

Out in the field today I watched her with Ross, her tan is just a tad richer than his, but if she ends up similar over the back, or darker, then I'll be happy, but there is no predicting a sable! 

These photos are just 10 days apart, the top one taken yesterday, the bottom one taken the day after she was 3 months on the 6/11/24 - I'll have to get another in 10 days time and put them all together!! I really hope I'm not becoming too boaring in my colour posts! 

Everyone Out

I have honestly never seen Siska look like this before, no skirt, no knickers and not a lot of anything in-between! I've always been lucky with her, I've been able to show her out of coat, but my god I wouldn't now! Anyway, time, exercise and food will soon bring her back to condition. And Orin? Well he's perfect, as usual! 😊

Ross, Beti, Loki and Sammi. Beti is now starting to look very impressive again, and as ever if full of energy and enthusiasm for life. She is due in season, well it's now over 6 months since her first, I'll just presume the second is on it's way!

I love this of the pensioners and the puppy. 

Sammi, Ross, Meerah and Loki

Not your best effort Zeus!