The Others Out

We heard there were no treats?

Zeus, Sammi, Meerah

Awwww you've refilled your pockets! 

Ross and Beti

Well Done Blanik Bus

 I'm over the moon, if a little shocked, Blanik Bus has passed her MOT. I'd been dreading it, but I do love this van and unless I win the lotto I hope to get a couple more years out of her yet! Whilst the van was in the garage I went for a walk with Orin and Siska, and since they were running 30 mins late it was a longer walk than I expected, but we really did enjoy ourselves. 

Setting off from below Pant Du Vineyard again, I turned off before going over the bridge and followed the footpath along the river. We'd attempted this walk with Ross and Beti last month, but they were both too obsessed with the river and Beti pulled me down the 3ft bank. I've no idea how I came away with no injuries, but I won't be taking Beti and Ross on this section of the walk again. 

Having followed the river as far as I could, I went back up towards Penygroes, I knew there was a kissing gate somewhere, but would I be able to find it? The last time I was here was with Pat Scouse and my dogs, Blade, Nikki & Co, now that is a very long time ago ... probably the late 90ies! Anyway, we found it quite easily and walked towards the football field, turning left to get back onto the footpath. 

Through the next mystery gate, I really wondered where the footpath was. Orin headed right and Siska left, so I decided to go with him. Wrong decision! I ended up back down by the river with nowhere to go. We backtracked and found Siska's track, yes that led to another gate ... OMG I knew where I was .. I knew where I'd come out ... but as I got closer to the gate I could see someone had thrown old pallets in front of it. Nervous of nails/screws etc with my dogs feet I turned round and went back, but when I've got company I will be going again and re-opening the footpath. They have no right to block off these footpaths and now I've found it, I will be walking it! (Anyone fancy coming with me???) 

With plenty of time on my hands, I didn't mind going back the way I came. All I had to do was tell Steve to pick me up in Talysarn, not Penygroes. 

So even more photos on the way back, (They are all on Facebook) I couldn't help myself as it was so beautiful there. I did get into trouble though, I ran out of treats and was unable to pay for the last couple of photos, I'm now in  "treat dept"  and someone was not amused!LOL 

Enemies, Friends And Dogs

 Whilst walking today, some friends from the past came into my thoughts. Jill, I worked wither her for a fair few years at The Ozanam Centre, we both left around the same time, she went to Tesco and I went to Freshfields. Over the years I've looked for her, and asked about her, but she seems to have totally vanished. She used to live in Groeslon, on what was then the main road between Groeslon and Penygroes, she was divorced with grown up kids and a couple of dogs. She was my kitchen assistant on the breakfast shift, I recall she was a lot older than me, so in her 50ies then ... I'd love to know if she's OK, but no one seems to know. Then I thought of Audrey, is it wrong of me to presume that she has died? Her husband died in 2019 ... the house can be found on an online estate agent's list, but no sign of Audrey, I've even checked the deaths on The Daily Post online, nothing, but Alec isn't there either. Audrey was quite a force of nature, always right, even when she was so obviously wrong! LOL (She insisted Krizzie was sable! LOL)

Then the other one broke into my thought, she is uninvited but somehow makes her way there every single day. How crazy that a 57-year-old woman can feel like a school girl, I was scared of taking my mother's car to the garage for her the other day, scared in case we came face to face, thankfully we didn't. I hate confrontation, I hate the way she has made me feel, I wish I could shake her, I wish I could never think about her again. It's not voluntary, like I said I could be doing something as basic as washing up .. and there she is in my head again. Actually it's quite damaging, when I'm at my lowest I even think of her then... as in she'll be pleased that I'm failing! I've always tried to get on with everyone, to know I'm hated is bad enough, but to be hated for something I didn't do, well that is kind of crippling! 

Anyway with a man sitting on a rock on the hill watching me I continued on my walk. My knee has been awful the last two days, so I turned back from the narrow track to find something flatter. Meerah and Sammi were off the lead the whole time, I have to say Meerah is amazing, so well-behaved for one so young, and with a super recall, equal to her granny Kaiah. Of course, Sammi is well-behaved, but somehow that is expected of her now. I feel sorry for Zeus, especially in the lake. He wants to run with Meerah, but there is no way I can let him off the lead, if only we could have a chat eh! Looking at it another way, at least he's there and getting time out with the girls. 

Of course Zeus' lead has been photoshopped out of this photo, but it does show that he can go quite a distance. I played a little with the settings on the phone and liked the photos I got on the portrait setting. I love it when people get photos on angles, I tried that too, (Second photo down) funny how mine looks naff!!!

Fun In Cwm Dulyn

 

Owen And Meerah

Meerah is still loving it at club, and her and Owen are doing well together. The video will hopefully show him that he needs to stretch her more and notice her coat on her croup. He moved her beautifully. 

 

Carmel Today

 A lovely walk in Carmel with Ross and Beti this morning. The fields have been cut, but it was very wet, no problem for me in my wellies, and these two were predictably over the moon.  

What Do They See?

I stole this off Louis Donald's page, I found it very interesting, especially as I was told to wear bright yellow with Tali as her sight deteriorated in old age. She had nuclear sclerosis, which was described to me by the ophthalmologist as looking through frosted glass. It caused her very little difficulty, but she did struggle in poorly lit areas. So yellow is really the only colour that doesn't change much between human and dogs sight, just as I was thinking of throwing out my tatty yellow coats! Blue also looks a good colour to wear around dogs, but who would have known Ross' orange kong is yellow to him?

Critiques

There has been a lot of "chat" about critiques recently so here's my opinion, nothing is of greater value to exhibitors than a detailed, balanced, informative critique from a knowledgeable judge, but nothing is more invaluable than pointless waffle, in that case it makes you question the ability of the person writing the critique. 

For a critique to be meaningful requires a format and training, and that exists within the RKC for those who are interested. A critique requires balance, no dog is perfect, no dog is without fault, and every dog has its virtues. I personally think you should start with the head and work your way through the anatomy of the dog, finishing with character (which must be faultless in an adult) and your observations on his movement. 

A critique should be professionally written, choosing terms and phrases that best describe the dog, you are not writing a story or a text to your friend, this is an item that will be published as a representative of your opinion of the animal. If you have the know how to judge, but not to put your findings into the written word, then use charts and seek help ... we are not all academics, there is no shame in asking for help. 

Critiques are important to exhibitors, and verbal critiques when you see what the judge is seeing are educational for all, but these are only accepted at breed events. Written critiques which are published all over the dog scene should be mandatory and should be an informative, impartial, detailed description of the dog shown on the day. In my opinion, judges who fail to submit critiques should be taken to task by the RKC, entries are expensive and we get very little out of it, sometimes only a card ... Again, in my opinion, judges who are repeat offenders of not submitting critiques should be removed from their privileged positions! 

Almost Lamb For Dinner

Well, it was almost a disaster today. The dogs were all exercised this morning, and I came across wool on the barbed wire on the fencing to the track. This we'd had done professionally just a few years ago and it's kept the sheep and cattle out since then ... but not this little shit, she just jumps it! So this afternoon I decided to go out and try and do something about it, assistance was not on offer, but I was determined to try one section on my own. Anyway with my troops in tow I set off to give it a whizz, the next thing Beti and Meerah shot off across the field, "FECKING SHEEEEP!" It went flying over the wall in the bottom corner and my girls came back ... Ross was hiding behind me saying "Omg she's going to shout!" I didn't shout, this is our field, no I don't want this, the last thing I want is for my dogs to chase sheep but the fecking thing shouldn't be in their field and I have asked the farmer for help! Anyway, the girls came back, so how could I shout at them?

I've only done a small section, just from the wall to the corner, we'll have to get wire to do the longest stretch. Steve says the plastic posts will break in the wind, well maybe he can come up with something better, and it definitely needs his strength to tighten the wire ... hell I've tried!!! 

Happy To Wait Now

Siska is now in full bloom, though strangely, still the odd tuft coming out. To get us past the possibility of a Xmas/New Year birth I'm hoping she doesn't come into season till the end of the month now, I certainly hope she'll be at least another two weeks. To be honest, I've seen nothing since that day about a month ago when O took some notice of her wee. Beti and Meerah are both due in season in December, Beti the first week and Mwnci a week or so after her. Doubtful, but not impossible, if Siska is still stalling then no doubt that would bring her in. It's 7 months this week since her last season, but as we know she usually goes an average of 7.5 - 8 months between seasons, though she has also gone 6 months and 9 months.

The Lovelies, The Loonies and ???

I just can't think of anything apt for Sammi and Zeus

I'm van-less again today, I left it outside the garage with the key in it, after all, it's only an old thing!!! Our mechanic is concerned that it may not pass it's MOT without having a lot of money spent on it, we'll just have to see won't we!

Lots of fun in the fields this morning, a few bits done and fresh wool on the fencing/barbed wire along the track, It seems the only part of the fencing professionally done is not stopping our nemesis either. 

Sky's Back

Today was round two with Sky and it went better today than Friday, Orin got there within minutes and we had a LONG tie. I had wondered to myself if it was a little late today; the scale that their vets uses of ng/ml is not familiar to me, we've always worked on nmol/L. Sky was tested on Tuesday and was on 3.45ng/ml, according to my calculation that was before ovulation so about 10 or 11 nmol/L (Where ovulation is around 16) Tested on Wednesday lunchtime she was 7.38ng/ml, early 20ies nmol/L, so she had just ovulated. Sky was mated Friday lunchtime - so 48 hrs after ovulation. That should be ideal, but she did seem to have gone up quickly and I thought maybe a mating yesterday rather than today would have been better for round two, but neither the owner or Alison could do it yesterday, that's why thankfully we opted for this morning when she really did seem physically more ready. Sometimes maybe nature knows better than numbers, which after all are only as good as the person reading them. 

Of course if we were bang on on Friday then a second mating wasn't necessary, it won't affect the size of the litter, you could have 20 matings, and, for example, if there are only five eggs to fertilise then you'll never get more than 5 puppies. Anyway round two is always a good idea when you can do it and figures aside we always used to say that it's best to mate a bitch about 48 hours after she ovulates, and then again 48 hours after that. This is because a bitches eggs aren't mature when they're released, and it takes a couple of days for them to soften and be ready for fertilization. So, hopefully, mating within that window gives you the best chance of pregnancy. 

I really want this litter for these people, you may recall the pup they kept for themselves from the previous litter died of a torsion. They are obviously still devastated at the loss, torsion can happen to any of us, more often than not with disastrous consequences. The other pups, now 2 years old, are all doing well, but Martin and Claire really deserve to find the happiness a puppy brings into your life again. 

In the photo - Sky at home with her bessie mate Rex.

Hiding From The Weather

I enjoyed doing it, he's so beautiful 💓

Sky Has Been To Orin

 This post has details of matings you may not like - please pass it by if you don't want to know, but for future reference and knowledge I need to write it!  

With storm Amy erupting, the last place we wanted to be was out on our hands and knees in the fields, but when a bitch is ready for mating these things have to be done! With great difficulty, Sky was mated to Orin over 2 years ago, we were at the point of giving up then, when somehow it happened and a lovely litter followed. 

Prepared for the fight today we tried for about an hour, initially Sky was so tight that O's willy could not go in, but she relaxed a little, and we had several, "almost there moments!"  Battered by the weather, we decided to have a break - and I called in the cavalry. Alison was here within 20 mins and agreed that Sky was really tight, and as I had noticed she went up and over. (inside her) Her confirmation made me feel better as I hate to fail, and I hate for my dog to fail. Alison is experienced and has done courses, (Steve says she has Bonk-ology) qualifying to do AI when the KC allowed it. I told her I would like a natural mating if possible. With an extra pair of hands and me concentrating solely on my boy, within 5 mins he'd had done the deed, but there was noway his "bulbous"" end could get far enough in to tie, so both were held together for about 10 mins to make sure the wash pushed the sperm along on its way. Alison has offered to come back again on Sunday morning and give it round two! 

In these situations, you realise just how good Orin's temperament is, he's pulled and pushed about by us and has a female here who initially wanted to kill him. He never gives up and never questions my judgment when I pull him off or try and move him closer to the target. Alison was only here a short while but she pleased me tremendously by commenting on his character, saying that he was an excellent stud dog to manage. I love my Orin.

I'm now sat with a packet of frozen peas on the inside of my leg as I think I've pulled a muscle ... but thanks to Orin I have over two thirds of Siska's stud fee! Any money made from the dogs, goes back into the dogs! 

Eyes - An Interesting Opinion

"A dark eye blends with the surrounding hair colour, creating a harmonious and trusting, calm, steady look. A light eye, by contrast, stands out sharply. In dogs, that contrast is read by the human brain as high tension, threatening and maybe a a dog that will display aggression. Breed standards absorbed this instinctive perception. Dark eyes signal calm, steadiness and reliability, qualities we want to see reflected in a working dog’s face. A lighter eye can give an impression of unease and overt sharpness, the feeling the dog might deliver an unprovoked bite, even when the dog’s character is absolutely sound and good natured. This is why some judges, often unconsciously, weight eye colour more heavily than construction or gait. To them the disruption of harmony is too great. This helps explain why reactions vary. Some judges at a subconscious level are more sensitive to disharmony in expression and therefore penalise light eyes heavily, while others weigh it as a secondary feature behind construction and movement."

Stella

 Some sad news, Stella, Sammi's sister has been PTS this morning. Blood tests and a scan showed a tumour and internal bleeding. Stella was "little Ivy" in our Xmas litter of 2013. Her owners are understandably heartbroken.

Little Ivy

Teenagers - Sammi and Stella 

The old lady 

Richmond Critique

 You say it best, when you say nothing at all!!!

War With Livestock

Now I'm sure you can see why we are at the end of our tether. Ok, this is not drastic as it's behind the kennel, but this is just an extra bit of security to try and keep Zeus in if anything goes wrong. 

We had both spent an hour in the top field again today, I did one section on my own, I'm quite proud of myself too .. Steve and I did the top together, it's about all he can do. If finances allowed, obviously

we'd get the whole lot done professionally, but sadly they don't! Next week we are getting new glass put in the bedroom window, and we are still waiting to get the soak away done in the field. On top of that, the van is going back into the garage for more work to get it through it's MOT next week. A bit of an insult from the mechanic who said just leave it outside with the keys in it. Steve said, "She won't do that." His reply was, "Why not, it's only an old thing!" Well yeah it is, but it's all I have, and I couldn't afford to replace it, I have to look after it! 

Lets Talk About Sunday

It was an early start to The Heads Of The Valley Champ Show on Sunday - damn it was still dark. With one 10 minute stop on the way, we got there in good time. It's a 168 miles from door to field, something that could be done easily in three hours if it wasn't for the twists, turns and speed limits, but to be honest these days I much prefer these routes to the motorways. Though google maps took us off onto "new road" and didn't take us through Abergevenny like we usually do, we had no difficulties getting to the venue. 

It was a really warm day, I mean most people were in shorts and T.shirts, and I was well over dressed, thankfully I did have something lighter in the van. As I said, mostly for me, the judging was on the money, I could see exactly what he was doing, but when striving for moderation I can't see why exaggeration should be promoted. 

I saw some really nice males in the ring, 4 of which are in my list. So dog "O" impressed tremendously

in stance, but on the move he dropped on the wither and as Siska does that, well we don't want to double up on it. Dog "D" was stunning, but I'm sticking to my original observation that he is too short in body, the judge also commented on this and he said he was deep in chest for his length of foreleg. I also observed a hinge in his back and a slightly light eye. That is no dealbreaker for me, but all in all, I did see better. Dog "G" now he was very impressive but bigger, not one I've seen since he was a youngster ... my only negative was his lack of oomph in the ring, again not ideal for a lazy arse Siska. Dog "B" was also there, and though he has been dismissed for similar reasons as dog "O", the whole picture was very impressive. Reno was not being exhibited as his owner was on the committee, but we did get to meet him and spend time with him, to be honest, I saw nothing better for Siska. As I've said, he's Louis size, which is much more desirable now than it was then, his coat and colour are super and his length to height is ideal, his depth of body to length of foreleg is perfectly acceptable. His head is strong, but not overdone, his eye is dark and his character is second to none. 

I found the journey home a little more stressful, I made three mistakes, missing my exit twice and my lane once, to be honest I was thankful for the winding roads, but not the low sun. I thought about the day, the class, to be honest Beti wasn't robbed, they were quality bitches, but it didn't change the disappointment. I've been comforting myself with platitudes like, life can only get better and one day it will happen for us, all year, (or for bloody years in the latter) but it honestly it hasn't and as friends know I'm struggling. 

Last night I talked to a friend and she mentioned she'd been in touch with the green-eyed monster. They are friends again now, hell that's her call, though it does make me uncomfortable, it not my right to tell anyone who they can be friends with is it! I'll keep my head down and say nothing about it. I can honestly say that no one else has fecked up my head like she has, I'm always willing to say sorry or own up if I got it wrong, but I swear I did nothing wrong. She's got so far into my head that I now think of her pleasure at seeing me fail. If you know her, you'll know she will be reveling in it. This year has been such a negative and difficult year that everything is getting to me. It can only get better eh!!!!!! LOL

Yesterday morning the bastard sheep was back in the field, Steve and I got the fencing up from the

bottom field and were going to do it, but I just couldn't. I was exhausted after the 8 hr drive. As Sharon said, she felt like she'd been hit by a bus ... and she wasn't even driving! Every bit of me hurt and unexpectedly my head went into a post SAH state. Today I'm better, but my emotions are still shot to pieces.  

After shopping today we talked to an elderly man about his lovely van. He was 88 years old and had been all over the place in his van, he was just back from a drive to Croatia bringing back 90 litres of wine. I took the trolley back and he continued to talk to Steve, you're a long time dead, so now with his new knees he was living his life to the full. He said it's the things you don't do that you regret .. hell he's my new hero and he's right, yeah it may take me a day two to get over my drive, but no doubt if everything is as it should be I'll be going back next year and I will remember the right exit off the M4 to get home!!!! (But I'm not going to Boston!) 

Super Lucca in the bottom pic. 

The Supervisors

So one week on and that bloody sheep is back. It's doing my nut in as it's so unsafe with the dogs. If only we could afford to fence it all off from scratch eh!

Whilst we do things in the fields we have the dogs with us. They have three acres of freedom .. but look where they are. My lovelies, Orin and Siska, just chilling and waiting. 

Taking A Break

Well, that's me/us done in the show ring for a while now. I think it's been our least successful year of showing in recent memory, so taking time out seems the sensible option. I can't deny that I'm deflated, and found by chatting to people yesterday that I'm not the only one fed up with the "same old" of recent times. One person telling me that she hasn't shown since January as she's totally disheartened by it all, she came to this show without her dogs to see if she could get the bug back - I hope she does. 

I have to say the judging yesterday was very consistent with the judge mostly sticking to a favourable type, only one thing surprised, after pointing out the obvious undesirable traits in a dog he still went on to top honours when others could well have been considered. 

Beti was last again, actually three bitches, including Beti were shown out of coat, all three were last with the judge saying that at the end of the day this is a competition and questioned in one class whether a female so devoid of coat should be in the ring. (She looked worse than Beti) With hindsight, she should have stayed at home, I say it over and over, I shouldn't show them out of coat at this level, but I keep bloody doing it! So sadly the boost I need so badly didn't come, but at least what I could hear of the verbal critique was pleasing. 

"Not in the best condition today, a little underweight which shows in the underline. Very Powerful mover in the walk and gait, but a little erratic at times handler managing it well. Very nice hindquarters not exaggerate in any way, they are just right very nice topline??? (I think he says)Very nice croup."

My Man Orin

He's looking amazing and I love these kinds of photos of them, just posing without any intervening from me. If all goes to plan, there is a chance of some more Orin babies later this year, and hopefully next year. I can't wait!

Out With Orin And Siska

 Another lovely walk this morning. The weather may have changed, but we still had a nice time. Kitted out ready for rain, but it didn't come! Not the longest of walks, but still an adventure with new smells, sights and sounds for my lovelies.