Seren

Great to catch up with Seren and her family yesterday, it made my day. She still looks very much as she did as a 6-week-old pop. A very glamorous puppy, to be hyper critical, currently a little bit short in length of body with quite a steep croup, but she's not a show dog, so who cares?

Also available in the short coat variety! LOL

Videos

Regional

 With the loss of the venue 48 hrs before the show the WUSV team had very little time to find an alternative for The Valentines Regional event, but they did. I have to confess that being out in a wet muddy field at the beginning of February was pushing it close to limits of my dedication, but we went! It was all it could have been and more. Wet, misty, muddy, windy, and cold, so so cold. A show I'll never forget, and not necessarily for the best reasons, but you make your own fun, and mostly we had fun! 

Meerah was in first and she was last. Disappointed? Well yeah to a degree with the position but not with her performance, critique, or grading. I'll post videos on a different post. She seemed to enjoy herself and looked as if she had an idea what to do ... hopefully it can only get better. Her young handler was lovely, patient and kind with her and his apology for not doing well enough at the end of the class was very unjustified, he did a great job and I wouldn't hesitate to ask him again. 

Beti fared better and was SG4. In that company she was not going to get any higher up, but I was delighted with how she went and her critique. I was also delighted with compliments for her from people who matter and the praise for her character. 

Siska And Beti

Siska looking fab, apart from the mouth full of mud! Under the right judges, I'm looking forward to getting her back into the ring. She looks more like her mother than she ever did. 

Beti's hips have come back as 4/4 which is fab, but the elbow issue needs sorting. As long as Beti is Ok and can cope then I'm happy, well not happy but I can live with that!

A Day To Be Out

Head collar photoshopped out.

A disappointing walk with Orin and Siska - exploring ruined by brown cows!

Health Tests

I've finally done it, the build up has been so scary but today Beti has been for her health tests. The vet team were fantastic and though Malan denied it, I think they had a pact to help me through the day. I was able to take Beti in and stay with her until she was out for the count. Malan and Rhys did the X-rays whilst Beth stayed chatting with me in the corridor. I was even offered tea and toast! I can't thank them enough for helping me through the day. Beti was just fab, kissing Beth as she drifted off for a quick sleep. 

To my untrained eye her hips look really good. I'll be disappointed if it's not single figures. Sadly as discussed in this blog in 2023/24 there is an abnormality on her right elbow. The severity is way beyond my understanding. I can see/understand a good elbow and a horrendous one equally, but something in between is over my head. I can see a small crack, to me, I think a mild UAP, but I'm really not sure and have no idea what it will score. 

Elbows score differently to hips. Mild is 1, severe is 3. Breeding from a 1 is acceptable, but from 3 is really unacceptable. I'm not sure on 2, I guess we have to look at the over all picture. If both elbows score 1 then the overall score is 1, if one elbow is 2 and the other is 3 then the total score is 3. The overall score is the score of the highest elbow, unlike hips were 2 and 3 make 5. I've been so lucky to date, I've never had anything but 0 elbows in my breeding line, that's why I have no idea if this elbow will score 1 or 3 or something in between. 

So what for the future? Well from a showing point of view, worse case scenario a score of 2 or 3 will mean no breed survey, no regionals, best case scenario a score of 1 and life goes on as it is. At the end of the day, Beti being well and unaffected by what we see is paramount, after all she's not been lame for a year so here's hoping things continue that way. What ever the result, life at home will carry on as normal, I'll carry on showing her, walking her and loving her, just no regionals and no litter, disappointing but not the end of the world. 

Meerah is 6 Months

Where did that time go eh? She is 58CMs a 25.5KG. 

Nothing I can say - tall and heavy but lovely!

Loki

 How do we deal with it time and time again? How do we cope? One thing is for sure, it never gets easier even with so much time to be prepare as we'd had with Loki, there's never a way around the pain. Of course the others needs play an important part in my sanity, I can't imagine the pain of nothing. After a loss I usually do the same things, I wash the dinner bowl and put it at the back of the cupboard, I strip the bed, collapse the cage and change the layout of the dogs bedroom. I've hidden his toy, at the moment I don't want to see that toy. I don't now walk into their bedroom and see his bed, because it's not there, when I'm preparing meals, I don't accidentally count 8 instead of 7 .. and I write, I write this blog, a tribute to the one I've lost ... it all gradually helps me adjust to what has to be our new normal. 

Is it wrong of me to admit that I feel some relief? Watching him deteriorating was heart-wrenching. Every time he fell I swear my heart missed a beat, but I continued to try and make it fun for him, me stressing and crying was not what he needed. The incontinence was neither here nor there, it was mostly easily managed, but for the last couple of months he looked so frail. He was skin and bone, his coat was dry, thinning and coarse, and he had no undercoat to protect him from the elements. He regularly had sores on his feet and his nails bled, but seeing him fall on, and cutting his face yesterday was heartbreaking. We knew it was close, we really did, but it was still unexpected. I was I could find solace in religion and see him in my mind running again with the pack; but right now all I want is to have him back here, fit, proud and beautiful. I really hope someday that when I visualise him, that I see him again as he was at his best and not the shell that he'd become recently. My darling Loki it was time to say goodbye, but it broke my heart to let you go. Let's hope I'm proved wrong and we do have the pleasure of meeting you again, someday ...

Manchester Critiques

Nos Da Loki Bach

I guess I start at the beginning in 2014, a phone call, a mating and a large litter sired by Nico. With Sammi still being a puppy, I had no intention of having a puppy but an invitation to see the litter followed by the kindness of what were then new friends planted the seed. A lovely litter, but the puppy with the orange collar always caught my eye, he had something.

Initially, Loki was a nervous puppy, but my lot took to him immediately. For Asha he became the son she always wanted and for Sammi her new best friend. Mikey, Sammi and a Malinois called Noya helped us build up his confidence and by 6 months "little legs" as I referred to him then, was ready to hit the show ring.

Loki was a tall rangy teenager who simply needed to fill his frame, but even in puppy classes Loki was starting to make his mark. I missed his first birthday as I was in Walton hospital but I remember coming home and thinking wow this boy is maturing. 

With maturity, Loki became hard to beat at open shows and made his way easily to his ShCM, he was only 5 points short of his ShCEX when covid struck and deprived us both of that achievement. I also wonder if Covid deprived him of his Champions title, as he was at his best in 2020 with 1CC and 1RCC under his belt. Sadly, we'll never know.

Loki was a showman, a handsome, upstanding, eye-catching male of glamorous coat and colour, his movement was far-reaching and effortless. His continued success showed the true colours of a few people around me. Sadly someone was unable to be pleased for us and the green-eyed monster stuck the knife in both our backs. Yesterday I had been shattered by information that the pot was still being stirred, to be honest I felt emotional and sad all day, but I am very glad to have been told. To be hated for something I didn't do is so hurtful, but today I have it all in perspective, today I don't care. Basically you couldn't beat him in the ring, so you slated him, and that got you nowhere. 

Loki's ill health has been well documented. In June 2021 to see the boy go from what seemed to be a fit health dog to being paralysed in just a couple of hours was shocking. Everyone who helped us with Loki treatment have been amazing in his care, but I'm convinced his will, his strength and our love for each other was what gave him the determination to improve so dramatically, well that and his steroids anyway. Following a second collapse in September of that year Loki's improvement was remarkable. Until Christmas 2023 Loki was fabulous, but at that time, and for the first time he experienced great pain. We thought it may have been time to say goodbye, but the vet suggested Librella injections and that gave Loki another year of living life to the full. In December 2024 Loki deteriorated significantly again but the boy was not ready to give up quite yet ... he wanted his Xmas pressie and lots of edible goodies! 

Yesterday we walked the fields, his mobility was as it had been for the last 6 weeks or so, we plodded on. This morning I got up at 7am, he went out and  came in and had breakfast. Later in the morning our world was shattered as Loki lost his mobility as he had done in June 2021. With his toy in his mouth he staggered towards the top field, but went down. I went to help him up, but he got up before I got there, knuckled on his front and went down hard onto his face. I tried again to help him up, but somehow he found the strength and determination and took the few steps to the bottom field, where just inside the gate he sadly fell again. This time there was no getting up, he moaned in pain or frustration and chomped hard onto his toy. I tickled his belly and talked jovially to him to try not to cause him any more anguish with my emotions. I managed to get him to his feet, but he could not use his front at all. Steve came to help and between us we just managed to get him into the house. After that, Loki was not able to get to his feet unaided again. 

The journey to the vets took so long, but in my mind we were still there too soon. I sat in the back of the van saying my goodbyes and feeding him fish treats and biscuits until he drifted away to the other world. It has been so hard to see him completely there in his head, but watch his body failing him. Throughout everything Loki has been brave, strong and loyal. He has shown complete trust in us and the people who have cared for him, from the vets to the physio, which he loved. I think he relished the attention, be it treats from Beth, laser treatment or physio with Gillian.  A great dog, a true ambassador for his breed, a great friend who we'll both miss tremendously  .... Loki was such a lovely dog, aloof with strangers, yes, but with us, he was one of the best. RIP my lovely Loki 

Lokean Of Blanik - Loki

Conbhairean Danko Of Blanik x Grazias Gofferdo 

1 CC 1 RCC ShCM 

4/9/14 - 3/2/25 

The hardest part of the loving is the letting go. You fought so hard with dignity, and always gave of your all. A true ambassador for the breed both in and out of the ring. RIP our beautiful brave boy. You have been loved.

Miss Meerah

Another Sunday - and I've measured Meerah. Comments in PMs after yesterday's photo of her walking with Beti obviously had me over thinking again. These comments were from trusted friends, so not said in malice, but you can't hide the fact that at 6 months old she appears to be as tall as Beti. Anyway, she'll be 6 months on Wednesday, and she's already 58cm, not a hope in hell of being any less. Siska was 55cms, Beti 56cms, Kaiah 57.5cms and then we go to the girls that were/are oversize with Asha 58cms and Sammi 58.5cms. I know there is not a lot in it, but at 6 months she will grow a minimum of 2.5cms again. Generally the girls seem to vary in growth from 2.5 to 3.5 cms after 6 months - Siska who was always a small puppy, grew more than anyone else to make 59.5cms. If Meerah gets to 61cms and no more, then with favourable health tests we can compete at all events, if she's over it then she will probably fail the breed survey, or at best get a lower class, then she will only be exhibited at KC events under judges who don't carry a measuring stick! Breed council criteria, which is due for updates, currently reads "Class 1 - SIZE: To allow 3.5 cm above the ideal height i.e. up to and including 66 cm (males) & up to and including 61 cm (female). Class One (minus) Males which are over 66cms but below 68cms and females that are over 61cms but below 63cms but are otherwise excellent animals may be given Class One (Minus). Over 63cms in females is an automatic fail. The Kennel Club standard reads as follows - "Ideal height (from withers and just touching elbows): dogs: 63 cms (25 ins); bitches: 58 cms (23 ins). 2.5 cms (1 in) either above or below ideal permissible." Of course at K.C shows height is just part of the big picture and she is less likely to be penalised in most cases. 

The tip of the missing P1 has now broken through the gum ... so that's one thing less to worry about, as for the rest, well I'm still hopeful that with normal maturity she will be a beautiful female.  

Road Walking

A very different kind of walk today. Continuing on Meerah's training with traffic we walked along Lon Eifion from Penygroes to Llanllyfni. Nowhere better really, the safety of the fencing and areas where the road runs parallel to the track. She did well really, though she is far gobbier than her mother. For her and Beti this was a very different kind of walk, and something I should do more of. It was also great to have company to walk, being billy no mates on walks is mostly fine, but some days it's great to natter with a friend and have the company of Kiaan!!!

Jackanory

As is the norm over the Winter I got up at 7am to let everyone out and get them fed. This morning I was greeted by the usual smell and cleaning to do in Loki's bed, it is what it is, and I get on with it, but I wasn't expecting to find so much vomit in Meerah crate. I hadn't heard a thing overnight, and no one had sounded the alarm. What frightened me was the sharp shards of plastic in the vomit ... what the bloody hell was that? I was extremely stressed and of course overthinking the situation, the damage that plastic could cause was frightening. I guess I felt better when she came flying in and ate her breakfast, but she won't be going into the front garden for a while now as we think the plastic has come from a bucket smashed in the storm. With my mind elsewhere I then gave Zeus' breakfast to Orin, yes it matters as Zeus gets a steroid in his breakfast ... feck concentrate girl! When changing Meerah's bedding I took a clean one from the middle of the pile, I should know better, of course the top half of the bedding fell on my head. I really should have got the little stepladder out! I took my cup of tea back to bed with me and tried to relax as Steve snored, oblivious to it all again!

Whilst lying in bed I decided I would somehow get 5 dogs into the van and go to Cwm Dulyn. So yeah, we did it. Doubling up Ross and Meerah seemed to be the logical option. Sammi and Zeus work, she is full of it but doesn't race around like the younger girls. Especially now with my hands as they are, I really can't hold onto him with Meerah or Beti. I watched Sammi gaiting and just couldn't believe her age, my god I told myself, she's 11. I'm sure that if anyone who didn't know her saw her, they would age her at around 7 .. she is just amazing, long may it continue. Having walked the track we crossed the bridge, Sammi went down to the stream ... OMG, Zeus went down to the stream, slipping in the mud I had no control and I skidded about 2 ft down hill before landing on my bum in the mud. Nothing hurt, and I was pretty well wrapped in the big coat, but I did get soggy knees as I tried to get back to my feet. One thing I was proud of, I didn't let go of him! LOL.  I stood at the edge of the stream as Sammi watched Zeus, I imagined her saying, "Get out of there you knob!" (or was that just me? 😁) They had a great time. 

I then took Ross with Meerah and Beti. The first issue was the bridge, having been uncomfortable crossing it the last time Meerah was worse this time. I had little time or patience as I imagined Ross getting to the stream before me and dropping his kong in the fast moving water, so I just pulled her up the three steps and then let her get on with it. The second issue was that Meerah followed Beti everywhere, up the rock was OK, as "Wait" was successful but when she found herself in the middle of the gorse, well she had a bit of a crisis and remained glued to the spot as we carried on with the walk. Stop laughing Beti. So of course to get back to the van we had to get back over the bridge so another crisis. Her front end came up one step and she then put her head under the step and screamed, I didn't get chance to deal with it, Beti came back over the bridge and told her off. Maybe not text book dog training Beti, but it worked!!! 

I enjoyed my morning walks and was looking forward to telling Steve all about it when I got back, but I knew instantly that things were not as they should be when I got home. He'd had another fall in the yard, and this time he'd fallen harder, Sadly we had to change our afternoon plans of a visit to the Garden Centre (I was going to walk for home whilst he browsed) and I walk Orin and Siska around the Cwm. 

Thankfully Steve, with Isla in tow, had taken Loki around the field before his fall. He said that Loki did seem lost but sadly there is no choice now. This morning I was concerned about his expression and demeanour, dog people will understand I'm sure, but he hasn't been too bad since. Of course no photos from the walk, so I tried to get one in the house, you have to laugh at Beti and her it's all about me attitude don't you. After so much sadness and stress this young lady really has helped get a smile back on my face.

To finish our eventful day, I hope, as Steve was going to the kitchen I asked him to let the oldies and Meerah out. He did, or I thought he did, when I went to get them back in about 20 mins later, he'd let Beti out with Sammi, proving, maybe, that the fights were hormonal. Still though she doesn't know it, Sammi is old, and I won't be taking chances!

Lovely Walks

Having moaned about the weather a couple of days ago, I feel truly blessed to have had two lovely days out with the guys. That's us all happy!

Afternoon walk with Orin and Siska, a walk I hadn't done since Linda was here with me on the last day of Autumn. It's a nice change for us all. 

Sammi and Zeus

Ross, Beti and Meerah

I spent the morning in Cwm Dulyn with these 5. It was great, especially with no one about.

The Sea Says ....

I had to pop over to the vets for Loki's pills today. I stopped off for a walk in Pontllyfni with Orin and Siska, following Afon Llyfni (River) to the sea. It was lovely, I'd not been since I had Blade, Nikki and Pepsi .. now that's a LONG time ago. Sadly the tide was in, so there was very little room to walk, but smells, sights and sounds I'm sure were as beneficial as distance. Orin was a bit of a tit, I think he forgot his manners with the excitement of a new place, well that's his excuse for forgetting the meaning of "Orin come" anyway. I hope he hasn't been talking to his brother!!! I'm really disappointed with the flexi lead, in one place I had to use it and the bloody thing broke, leaving me in quite a pickle. I only bought it in October of last year, so I have e.mailed my complaint to the manufacturer. It's supposed to hold up to 50kg, and having just been weighed at 40kg this lead should be strong enough for Orin. I must point out, this is not the cheaper version that I bought in Porthmadog, this is a genuine, slightly expensive Flexi lead. 

Orin had not been weighed in 2 years, and he weighs the same as he did then. Siska was also weighed, she's back up to 31kg after going down to 28kg when she was ill before Xmas.

"The Sea Says.." A Marc Almond song.

Dog Club

Meerah had a much better night at dog club than the previous session, I was able to take her in from the start and concentrate on her all night. She was initially a touch "loud" but soon settled and seemed to take it all in her stride. During the break she found someone not far from her own age to play with, I'm sure Ricco and Meerah will be best buddies as they will be seeing a lot of each other. 

A question from someone in a different breed, "Why is she so different to all your others?" A quick explanation on colour and genetics followed .. I hope I didn't get too carried away!!

A Few Photos

Dry and cold, yes I'm happy with that!

As Billy Connolly Said ...

"It's all a ghastly nightmare ..." I really don't like complaining about the weather, I'm mostly happy to accept seasonal weather, well apart from heat which makes me ill, but really, this is just a bit much! Wind, rain, drizzle and repeat, it's honestly starting to get me down. Wet dogs, wet bedding, wet towels. A river running through the yard and pooling at the gate as it has nowhere to go with the moat around the van also full. The cottage is turning green again and there's mud all over the doors from the Blaniks opening them every time I try to shut them out. It was dry this morning at 7.30am, the sky even looking promising, but by 9am we had been swallowed by a thick damp mist, by 10am it was raining again!

Loki seems Ok, he ate as normal this morning, but oddly Beti didn't finish hers today and Orin didn't want his treats at bedtime. Meerah is really not eating enough, but I refuse to play the game and I'll leave her to it for the time being. Beti did it too and got over it with time. 

Ross and the chuckit didn't work, but we have found a solution. A floating orange kong will stay in the van for walks and I've put the rope off the broken orange one in a black kong, well so far so good, he seems to like it. The black ones are supposed to take more abuse, they've never really been a favourite here, so we'll see how long it lasts now that he has decided he likes it! 

Rough Night

Another wild night, and I don't mean alcohol and dancing, my word it's been a lifetime since those days! Photo of me literally under the table at a George Michael party in 2008. Anyway the matter in hand, wind, rain, hail and thunder. I didn't see any lightening but I guess that was because I was under the duvet! I got up at 4am and disconnected the internet and landline, good thing really as the thunderclap at around 7am was enough to wake the dead ... well it woke up the Blaniks anyway!

Breaking the normal routine, Steve got up with me and we got everyone out and in and dry before their breakfasts. We were both a little taken aback that Loki didn't seem to want to eat, now that is concerning. He has no issues with storms or weather in general, so I've no idea what the problem was. He did gradually eat it, but anything that is not "normal" behaviour needs noting. This time last year, Loki had a pretty serious chest infection, here's hoping he's not going down with anything like that again as I don't honestly think he could survive it. Though he's OK, he's no better than that, to be honest he's quite frail. Anyway, he's seemed Ok since so let's hope it was a something and nothing. 

Loki looking well in 2023

Storm Zeus

This morning was quite fun really. We all got out, the wind was strong with the gust almost taking me off my feet, but it was dry and I was dressed for the weather. 

This afternoon the wind picked up further, it was forecast at up to 76 miles an hour here, and I think at times it probably was/is. Steve had already taken a tumble in the yard this morning, he blamed Orin for running past him too quickly, but I think the wind contributed to his fall. (Well it just can't be O's fault can it!😁) Loki fell in the hall trying to go backwards, but was up and out as soon as he could. After lunch everyone took their turn to go out for toilet breaks, and Steve decided he would deal with Zeus, but just stay in hall to wait for him to come back in, after all Zeus doesn't like wind and rain!

I was sat by the fire, laptop in hand. Orin was peaking out through the window, and Siska was quite chilled. I heard Steve voice in the distance and quickly put 2 and 2 together. Mr S hadn't check and the force of the wind had opened the gate and taken the full wheelie bin flying again ... Zeus was out! 

 Steve was already in his coat and said he'd get him in, but he could hardly stand in the yard let alone the field. Sammi and I went out, but failed to get him in, after some time I came storming in saying "he can just feck off for all I care." Leaving him out in 3 acres adjoining farm land is simply not sensible or possible. Steve went back out, bad idea, I couldn't risk that, even the rubber matting was flying about what chance did he have? I left Sammi in to keep her safe. After trying with his ball for a while, I opened the front door and gate and came into the house, he came in the garden but would not come into the house. I used Beti as a distraction and Steve had to circle round the cottage and close the gate. I then had to persuade Zeus to come in from the garden, it all took about 40 mins. We were wet, upset and battered. I said nothing to Zeus, what is the point? He's a fecking arsehole of a dog, I've never experienced anything like him, and I've owned 30 GSD's since 1991. I know I've said it before, but if he'd been my first, I'd have never had another .. rant over thank you for listening.

Training

From previous experiences I'm the first to moan about Open Reach, well not this time. 24 Hrs after we reported the fault (and the line lying in the field courtesy of storm Eowyn) they have been here and fixed it. As Victor would say, "I don't believe it" but thank you. They were here between 9 and 9.30am ... the house remained in silence, other than Orin wittering a little. Zeus was in the yard, but said nothing, he's an odd chap isn't he! 

Love this photo of Beti out this morning, not quite in a perfect stance, but enough to show me what I need to see. I'm a bit bothered about Sammi, she's looking lean, which is not normal for her. I'll increase her meals and see if she puts a bit back on, but why has she lost it in the first place? She seems fit, well and happy. Hmm ... brain going into overdrive!!!

Sharon and Ian came up this morning to try and get some photos of their boys. I took advantage of the situation and asked them if they could do a bit of training with Meerah for me ... they did and now I know what I have to deal with. I must admit I was unimpressed at her attitude and have no idea why she would be so mardy at being stood. Maybe I haven't done enough with her, I've done less than I have with the others, the only time she's been stood is for photos. I also think she needs other people standing her, it's pointless for me to do it, it needs to be people who will read the situation and be firm, but fair. I'm waiting to see if there are any photos or clips of videos, if there are I'll share them later.

The Storm

24/1/24 - Well, did the storm come? Wow did it hell eh? It hit us hard this time, harder than Darrah I think, or was it just a different wind direction? We were woken up sometime after 1am to a huge bang and the hammering of wind and rain against the bedroom window. Steve was convinced his car had been hit, but it wasn’t safe to out to check. We were both awake then for most of the night but I think I got more sleep than Steve. I got up around 7am, removed my shackles and was shocked to see that even though we’d put the full wheelie bin behind the gate, it was open with the bin on its side, thankfully the car was undamaged but that was some wind! Today we have no internet or landline; I guess I’ll be waiting for days to get back online now. With the wind decreasing I got all the dogs out, it was still pretty blustery out there but a circuit around both fields for everyone was better than nothing. I wasn’t in the mood for you know who messing about so he went out on his retractable lead, so just Meerah being a bit of a diva today then! 

Talking of Meerah, I’ve decided to stop giving her supper, well it’s less than 2 weeks till she’s 6 months and for the last week or so she’s been leaving breakfast, so she is obviously ready for two meals now. I must admit I’m surprised that she’s missing meals as she likes food, but as I’ve said before, being from a small litter, she doesn’t know what it’s like to be hungry.

Seren And Marley

It'll soon be time to see Seren - I can't wait

Marley and Meerah are so alike aren't they. 

Watching me cooking!