Look At The Coat And Colour

Birthday Photo

Beautiful Sammi on the day of her 11th birthday 💖👼💖

Advocate

I'd been using Advocate on my animals for about 20 years, but in recent years my vet had stopped supplying it. Having so many animals I worm and de-flea when necessary, I always used Drontal or Panacur just to worm them, but if I needed to de-flea I used Advocate knowing it also did worms, (With the exception of tape worm) fleas, lice and mites, so all in all well worth using a couple of times a year. These days my worming regime is the same, but if they had fleas I used "Advantage" and of course I used Stay Kill around the house 2 or 3 times a year. (whether I saw fleas or not!) 

In September Ross had got itchy, he was so itchy he could barely cope with me touching him. Now Ross had never been itchy, so I was concerned. I de-flead, just in case, and I spent hours searching through his coat and Archies (as he's a light coloured cat I can usually find the fleas on him). You may recall I took Ross to the vet, he was prescribed Apoquel to break the circle of itchiness. It worked, but within no time of the course finishing, Ross was itchy again. Having previous knowledge of the side effects of long term use of Apoquel I was not happy to put him back on it again so I decided to try other avenues. Sometime during this time I started to notice that Sammi was getting itchy, I had previously observed Loki's coat was getting thinner and that he was constantly rubbing his face. I mentioned it to the vet, then another vet ... both suggested it was side effects to the steroids! I got more flea product and a different house spray, I changed my washing powder, and consider messaging the dog food manufacturer, until I realised Meerah was getting itchy, and she was on a different make of food. At some point I asked at the vets again if they had Advocate, no sorry. I really didn't have any other ideas until a friend mentioned she got her metacam on prescription, so I looked it up, yes Advocate was available on prescription online. I asked at the vet if I could have a prescription, or if they could order it for me? Yes to both counts. I have an account with Animed and their price for Advocate was £36.95 for a box of six, the prescription price was £19.20. The price for the same product at the vets was £94.95. WHAT? I was speechless. I've now got 24 Advocates on one prescription, total cost £167, had I got it through the vet it would have cost me £379.80. Now in anyone's world, that is more than a bit nuts!

I've now started the course, one a month for three months, maybe I'm wrong, but I can only presume
this is mites ... after all, what else could it be? Well, if this doesn't work then I'm at a complete and utter loss and the vets will have to take skin scrapings ... or something!!!

Happy Birthday Sammi

Polly

 I'm really please to hear that after a week in her new home, Polly is doing well. "Settled and happy" were the words used by her new family. I really hope life now works out for Polly. 

Meerah And Liszka

Blanik Meerah and her mother Blanik Liszka looking fab. (Siska- looking more like her mother than ever💔) If only I'd been on the other side of Meerah, it could have been a fantastic photo! 

Siska is back to normal thank god, what a bloody scare! Again thanks to everyone who has asked about her. 

Meerah looks great, great coat, great colour, great attitude to life, though less fizz than her buddy Beti. I love her bone and substance, her mask and dark eye, and her straight strong hindquarters, of course there are things that could be better, and they still may get better, but they are for me to know and for the dog world to spot them ... if they can!

My Lovely Family Out Minus One

Ross and Beti

Orin and Siska 

Loki, Meerah, Sammi, Ross

No photo of Zeus as I talked to Linda on my mobile whilst I was out.

Anyway here he is after being told off  by his mother!! LOL

How Is Loki?

 I get so many people asking about Loki .. It's hard to reply, but I guess the best statement at the moment is "He's holding his own!"

Marley And Lucca Visit

Meerah was over the moon to see her brother and they had a super time. I still think Marley is of a similar build to Callan, Meerah certainly looked a pudding in his company! I'm sorry for Sam that people are upsetting her by commenting about his hind legs, this is an age when some GSD's look like a cross between a kangaroo and a hare, I'm sure the boy will be sound as a pound in a couple of months. 

Marley wasn't keen on me standing him, and he got a little upset about it all. I did carry on as I didn't want him to learn that his actions got results. Of course I was gentle with him, but I didn't stop what I was doing! Though he won't be going to any shows it's important he gets use to "hands on" from strangers, so hopefully he'll come to club a couple of times at least for a different kind of socialising. 

Siska Is Recovering

Well, despite the expression, Siska is much better. Thanks to everyone who has phoned and messaged, it really did mean a lot. After a light breakfast, this evening I gave her half a meal with fish and sweet potato to top it up, and I'll give her a similar supper I think. Tomorrow if all is well I'll give her normal meals, she will now need some building up again. 

Here's Seren

Well she's daddy's daughter isn't she.

How beautiful, I'm very proud. 

An Impromptu Walk

Following lunch out with friends, I convinced them to come for a walk with me. Gail wasn't dressed for the beach so we walked in the opposite direction and found a super new walk. With baby Meerah on the walk we couldn't go far ... I will be going back with Orin and Siska when Siska is feeling better. 

Yesterday Was The 15th

Louis died on the 15/12/12 - the date has continued to haunt me, but to celebrate life and be thankful that I was his everything, and he mine, I always put the Xmas tree up on the 15th. Though I don't always post a memory now, he's always in my thoughts on that day and many anothers during a year. To honour him, I "celebrate the love of the one I'm with." 

Siska At The Vets

Last night things got worse instead of better. Siska temperature went up to 39.5, she had diarrhoea and was so lethargic. Maybe I was glad of the diarrhoea, as at least I knew she didn't have a complete blockage. Unable to settle, I rang the vets for advice. Well let's be honest, I'd asked Sharon who was on call as I was considering giving Siska half a paracetamol to try to reduce the temperature, but self-doubt was playing on my mind again. I couldn't have had anyone better than Beth on call ... I explained everything, she was just so good at calming me down. She asked if I had metacam or paracetamol? I said I had both, but as Siska was not eating she felt the paracetamol was the best option. She told me to go to bed as we all needed to sleep, but to just check on Siska the once overnight and see her at the surgery at 8.30am. 

Siska had a very thorough examination and nothing untoward can be felt in her belly or bottom. Of course without xrays we can never be a 100%, but Beth felt that with her clinical symptoms they were not needed today. Siska was offered a biscuit, but declined, so was given an anti-sickness and Betamox a long acting antibiotic. She is to have bland food little and often for a few days ... so now I'm cautiously hopeful that the bones just upset her stomach and that she will not need further treatment. Good luck to all the raw feeders, I will never give my dogs bones again. 

Bones

I think I've well and truly fecked up. Before going any further I take full responsibility, it was my choice to give these guys the bones, my dogs, my decision. Since they had them we've had nothing but problems and if Siska is no better tomorrow I fear she'll need to see a vet. 

Initially Orin, Siska and Beti had diarrhoea and Ross had awful constipation and was off his food. Loki's poo contained dangerous shards of splintered bones, but everything seems to have passed OK. Siska is a different story, yesterday morning she didn't want breakfast, I was away till mid-afternoon and was shocked to find mucus and blood in the pen when I got home. Siska didn't eat last night either, but when she ate her bonio and carrot at bedtime I felt better about the situation. Everyone slept all night, but Siska again didn't want to eat. I made her scrambled egg for breakfast and she ate that and some treats during the day. This evening she's even refused white fish and scrambled egg. She did have a very normal looking poo at lunchtime, but I'm very very worried that she has swallowed dangerous splinters of bone. I'm so cross with myself, she won't even eat chicken tonight, I've let the team down, I have no experience of raw feeding and even if we get through this without a major disaster I will never give my dogs raw bones again. 

More About Teeth

For the first time ever little miss Meerah hasn't eaten today, though she seems fine in herself, maybe teething? I have been good and put the breakfast away. Eat it or lose it! Though her jaw seems to be correcting itself, I have a feeling she's going to have a double P1, bottom, right side I think it was, but I'm not sure, and she's asleep now so I won't go poking! In days gone by, a double P1 would have been a disaster. Kiri had it and I never bothered showing her at Champs because of it, though once I did qualify her for Crufts at an open show and decided to take her. It was a breed judge and of course Kiri was stone last. People on the outside of the ring were shocked as she was a nice bitch and of the type that the judge was going for, but of course I knew what the judge had seen and in those days it was near as damn it a disqualification. 

In recent years less importance has been given to double P1, and it's now suggested that judges do not penalise one or two double P1's, but missing teeth should be considered a serious fault.

"Premolars -Used for cutting, holding, shearing and breaking food into small pieces. Puppies do not have P1 teeth. Adults have eight (8) premolars in the upper jaw and eight (8) in the lower jaw, four (4) on each side. The premolars vary in size from the smallest (P1) to the largest (P4 upper) apart from the P1 they have a serrated crown. The most common of faults is missing or additional premolar 1 in either the upper or lower jaw, it has not been scientifically proven that these are linked hereditarily, however, there are clear bloodline connections which link these faults. While additional P1 teeth are undesirable, they should not be penalised in the show ring." 

I firmly believe there is a family link to additional P1's as I know exactly when it started here and it has nothing to do with Lucca. 

Zeus, Loki and Missing Meerah

Everyone's favourite hairy arse was better behaved today, but yesterday he well and truly had his knob head hat on! The mist was quite thick when I was out with them and everything was going fine until I got hold of the long line to bring him in. (and yes I get hold of it numerous times on a walk) He powered off from the top of the boncan and for my safety I just had to let go, he disappeared into the mist. I don't panic, the field is safely fenced. Anyway, distracted by the kite who regularly visits now I didn't clock what direction he went in. After looking for some time I saw him down by the wall, but as I approached him he ran off, and then that was the game until I was almost at my wits end! Luckily for me he eventually went onto the boncan and the line got caught up in the trees. The air turned blue for a few mins as I untied him and dragged him into the house! Anyway as I said a different day a different hat today!

I guess I didn't cope that well with Zeus yesterday as Loki was having a bad day and though I'd let him out and cleaned his bedding at 7.30am, it was a bomb site again by 8.30am. The first time he'd done it in his sleep and it was at the back of the crate on the plastic sheet, this time it was spread all over the crate, even through the bars. I get so pissed off, but never at him, just at the situation we find ourselves in. My mum didn't help, I'm not judging her for it, she seems the world through different eyes, but she was more concerned about "the smell in your house" than anything else. I guess a lot of people would see the situation as she does, but for us, looking after an older family member is just part of life and loving the dogs. 

A huge panic yesterday ... but with hindsight it's funny. When I was cleaning the yard in the morning I had the top field open. Siska and Orin were already in the pen and oldies and Meerah were toddling about. I put the cleaning stuff away and called the dogs in, one, two, three ... Meerah ... Meerah .. Where the bloody hell was she? I went to the field calling her, I ran back to the yard, calling her .. I saw the recycling lorry I ran to the top of the field .. "Have you seen a puppy?" My heart was racing, my stomach churning over ... I ran back to the yards, being calm and retracing my steps didn't come to mind .. Thankfully, there she was sitting behind the gate that I'd closed in her face ... if only she'd said something! LOL

George Michael - Last Christmas (Live at Wembley Arena, 17th December 2006)

Wow. This was released today! Well, that's me emotional. I am grateful and totally blown away, that they've released this to go with the 40th anniversary of the single, but with footage like this, why have they waited so fucking long?18 years, when there is footage like this. What were they waiting for, and what else have they got?

I wasn't at this concert, I was lucky to see him on this tour twice at MEN, but I heard this live as a lovely friend rang me and let me listen in. It was the only time on the tour that it was played. 

Family

            

 

Whilst chatting to friends last week, I'd commented that in recent photos I'd noticed that Marley looked like Callan at the same age, and why would he not? Callan is Siska's brother. In the photo of Marley sent to me today I saw a young Callan again ... (Callan on the beach) 

Comments were made when the litter were all born sable, "Where is the Blanik?" Sable is dominant over all the other GSD colours and patterns, including black and tan, this means that two black and tan GSDs cannot produce a Sable. However, sable can carry the black and tan gene and 2 sable parents may produce black and tan offspring. So yeah the "M" litter are all their father's colour, but if you want to know "where is the Blanik?" Well, regardless of colour,  look no further than Meerah and Marley ... Hoping for updates on Seren shortly.

Callan today

Beti And Meerah Visiting

Beti adores Carrie and I'm glad to say she was a little calmer today. 

Meerah chilling on the sofa, she was so relaxed and went to sleep. 

Poor Loki

Another emotional day with my old man not doing so well. Steve made a comment of please let him make it to and through Xmas. I knew his Xmas gift was in the cupboard, well what use is it there? He may as well have it. His mobility is deteriorating rapidly, as you can see from the top two photo his legs are everywhere and he's knuckling front and back. Today was the first time that he didn't manage a walk and I had to bring him back, sadly the falls onto his face have knocked some of his teeth out. I think the right front leg is the biggest problem as he continues to knuckle over on it. What can I do?  Nothing, a dogs strength is more so in the front than back end, so when the front is weak it is a big problem. 

I fear our borrowed time is running out - Quality of life has to be paramount!

KC Meetings

Well, I'm feeling honoured but a little taken aback. Last night I had a call from the breeds health coordinator, the KC are setting up a panel of up to 10 GSD enthusiasts from the UK for discussions regarding the health and welfare of the breed, and she has asked if I could be on it? WOW, little old me, WOW. These will be people from the showing and the working side, as well as pet people. She said that they want people who are singing from the same hymn sheet regarding health testing, showing and producing unexaggerated sound dogs. Apparently there is great concern within the top ranks about over angulation and character, issues which they think are more prevalent at breed events rather than at General events. "They" feel that even with all the strategies put in place that nothing has changed at some events and that some judges are still putting up unsound animals. So now they want to start by taking the judges to task. 

Obviously, I'm passionate about improving the breed, but I worry that I'm not qualified enough to speak out, but I will give it a go and see. The meetings will be held online and we will be sent information to read and digest as well as a video before the first meeting. If I find I'm out of my depth, I will let them know soon enough so they can find someone more knowledgable. 

Suddenly a post from a top handler, Mr S.C makes sense!!!!

The 7th Generation

I found this of Tali. 

Frosty But Happy

Bones

A treat for everyone today. They had them for a couple of hours, then we bagged what was left and put them in the shed for tomorrow, they'll be cold and safe there. 

Six Generations

When looking at dogs, don't forget they have mothers, don't ever dismiss the importance of the progeny's mother line. People seem to concentrate far too much on the sire, but when you do, concentrate on the strength of his mother line. "The strength of the sire is the power of the dam."

Meerah, Siska

Kaiah and Sammi

I remembered that Siska was smaller and that Kaiah was very leggy but there must be better photos of Sammi??? I can't find any. 

Ziva

Asha

Loki's Feet

Another upset with Loki today. His front foot was bleeding after he'd spent a little time in the yard. It's so hard to watch the predictable deterioration, and currently it's hard to be grateful for the extra time we’ve had. Thankfully, Loki is still plodding about doing his thing. I did get in touch with the vets about increasing the steroids, but Malan felt that at this stage it wouldn't be of any benefit. All I can hope now is for the best quality of life for him for as long as possible.