Crufts

Crufts 2026, well what do I say? I think after my TV appearance I've decided on a career in the media – RADIO only! 😮 Beti was fantastic all day, full of her usual spark, fun and loveliness. She was placed 4th in PGB. I adore her and I'm always pleased with her. Huge congratulations to Jackie with Ricco, Ian with Kiaan, and Sharon and Mark with Lucca all gaining a 1st in their classes; the highlight of the day, of course was Lucca winning his 3rd CC. Tears of joy from all his fan club. The BOB "Holly," one of my favourites, she is absolutely stunning, a sound calm character and totally free from exaggeration, but as ever for the breed at Crufts, winning is a double-edged sword and their decision an insult to the female, the breed, the breeder, the breeding and the owner – and all in front of the President of the SV. As far as the rest of the GSD world is concerned Crufts is fast becoming a farce, and I do wonder who will bother entering in future if this is the way the breed is treated. What a sad end to a lovely day. 

Anyway it was great to see you all, see you again soon xxx

Sammi In The Sun

A blue sky and a warm, dry morning sure does lift the spirits, but nothing could warm my heart any more today than watching Sammi enjoying herself in the field. Every day with her is more precious than ever. Oh, don't get me wrong, she's well, as far as I can tell, very well, but I do know that we are in the twilight of our time together. I refuse to mourn her before she's gone, I will concentrate solely on enjoying her. Ok she may not run as fast as she did, but she still plays chase with Meerah. The game may not last as long, but it's still great fun for them and me. Her hearing may not be as acute as it was, and I think there are some vision changes; I only think that because she almost takes my fingers off when taking a treat in recent weeks. When asked how old she is, I always say "she's 12, but no one has told her." To be honest, I don't think I've been told either. You just can't see that she's aged, she has very little grey, and in fitness and mobility, she could easily be just eight years young. 

One thing that we did find at the weekend was this little lump/growth near the tip of Sammi's tail. I decided to leave it a week, look again and then decide what to do. 

Siska's Drooling Update

Still concerned about Siska I left a message at Deufor and asked if a vet would ring me. Beth was the first vet to ring, and I explained everything to her. Siska is still drooling, but I do believe a little less so, and I think she has a bit more of her normal spark about her today. Still, I felt happier discussing the symptoms with someone in the know, whom I trust. I explained that Siska had no temperature; was eating, be it slowly; her teeth were spotless, and that her colour was good, but my concern was the very wet mouth, the candles of drool and the quiet disposition, this giving the impression of pain or discomfort that even with pulling, pushing and poking we couldn't find. I told Beth I knew it was not MMM as we'd been there before with Kiri, and that there was no swelling like Nico had with a blocked/infected saliva gland. With everything I'd reported and taking into account Siska's past history, Beth also felt she had probably scraped the back of her mouth or throat. She told me to carry on with the loxicom, (I'd been giving her Ross' loxicom for a few days) and to use the antibiotics if there is not a drastic improvement by tomorrow. (I have antibiotics here since the last fiasco when she had the abscess – I think I asked for a second dose should I need it) I've also managed to get a pot of Manuka honey for her - Beth agreed it may help, but whatever, as she said, "she'll like it!"

About an hour later Ken rang, I told him he'd lost the race and that Beth had beaten him to it today! 

Poorly Nico

Through A Small Screen.

 Last night I wanted to double check a photo I'd put on Facebook yesterday, so I scrolled through the album and realised how shit some of the photos looked on a small screen. I've said before I take photos of the dogs and the scenery, but the focus is usually on the dogs. Getting the surrounding area shows how lucky we are, and also highlights our adventures. They look OK on the phone when I take them, and they look good on my laptop when I add them to my Facebook albums, but now seeing them yesterday, I'll have to think again. I love my phone, but I honestly would not be happy with it being my only access to the internet; I'd miss far too much detail, which is sometimes the point of the post! 

In the same light, my blog is always written on a laptop, but when looking at the post on my phone, sometimes they look awful, especially if I've put photos within the post and not just at the top. I saw even half a word next to the photos ... but I will continue to write and design my blog on a laptop, as is my preference. 

Dydd Gwyl Dewi

Concerns About Siska

Siska's not right. I was suspicious that something wasn't quite right last night and again this morning. Just some change from her usual routine and behavior; she seemed quieter than normal and was drooling a little. We did our walk and then had a lazy hour, but after that I got more concerned; Siska looked so fed up. I took her temperature, which was normal, but she had candles of drool hanging from her mouth. Her mouth opens fully, so it currently doesn't look like MMM, but I have no doubts that she is in pain, either from her mouth or throat. This isn't the first time that Siska has had issues with her mouth and throat. As a puppy she had a huge ulcer at the back of her throat, Ken the vet thought she'd swallowed something which had scraped the back of her mouth and caused the ulcer. In 2023 she became quite ill and then had an abscess in her throat. Malan the vet who saw her then thought she had swallowed something and hoped there wasn't a foreign body in her throat. Thankfully, with pain relief and antibiotics, she bounced back without further intervention. I've never known a dog swallow things like she does ... I really hope we can get this sorted at home, I have metacam and I also have clavaseptin, which is the correct antibiotic for mouth and throat problems. Siska has eaten again tonight, but if I have further concern I'll ring the vet in the morning, I'm sure this is dental or throat, what else could it be? 

Last Day Of Winter

Orin and Siska

Ross and Beti. 

Well the last day of Winter finally gave us some blue skies and sunshine, of course there were lots of people about, but we managed to avoid most of them. 

Look No Rain

The lovelies - Orin and Siska

Over the years Siska's tan has deepened tremendously; it gives her a look of her mother. 

The loonies - Ross and Beti

The girl is not for giving up the kong today.

Still no "L" title that I can think of for these three together. Any ideas?

Sammi, Meerah, Zeus.

House For Sale

Well it's the kind of day when I could easily pack my belongings and move off the mountain. Torrential rain and wind do not stop the outside jobs that needed doing. To be fair, it wasn't too bad in the yard, but I needed to get the bins and recycling down the track. I think I've mentioned that wearing a baseball cap in the rain has really helped with my eyes, it keeps a good portion of the rain off my glasses and makes life easier. I was prepared for it to blow off so I put my hood over it, but as soon as I got through the gate I realised the strength of the wind, my hood came off and my cap went flying. Ah well, bye then. By the time I got to the top of the track I'd also lost a bin bag but as I couldn't see it anywhere, I just decided to forget about it. Orin and Siska were with me, and Orin rolled in the grasss, what a knob, as if he wasn't wet enough already! I was very unhappy with the world when I got back, the group of three just had to go to the yard. I took my waterproofs off. Ok, I was dry, at least that was one thing. I bought the three back in and dried them, of course by then the clothes I'd fought so hard to keep dry were wet, happy days!

I'll now be looking again at what properties are for sale in the area, knowing full well that when it comes down to it, I haven't the cash or really the inclination to move. 

Edit - Ok I found the ideal place in Groeslon, at only £375,000!!!

Common Sense Must Prevail

There have been some tears the last few days. People with puppies, people with young dogs, confirmation of pregnancies. Saying I'm jealous, I guess isn't far from the truth, but only because I'm broody. My need for a puppy to show is overwhelming, and I've also been thinking a lot about Kaiah. When I feel like this, I'm at risk of being impulsive, but my dream has always been to continue this "kennel" through my own line and hopefully through a Kaiah granddaughter. But as I said to Steve yesterday, when the dream never comes to fruition, maybe it's time to change the rules? 

I've looked at several litters, and thought, "maybe I could," but I always seem to go back and look at this young lady. Nika is 5 months old and a Schiwago x Gamba daughter. So yeah, no doubts bred in the purple. If I knew for a fact that Siska wasn't still fertile, I'd go and get her now, but I guess I'll have to keep myself together a little longer and hope against hope that next time we get it right. 

Weight

Whilst researching preventative measures for Beti I came across a statement that really made me think. "For every 1lb of weight lost, it removes approximately 4lbs of pressure from the joints during movement."  So yes I did cut back Beti's food, just a little, she is nowhere near heavy; for me she's in peak physical condition, but the more I read into that statement, well, the leaner she is, the better. I just love this photo of her. She is such a poser, whatever we have ahead of us, my life changed for the better when I carried her in through this door. I guess I'm dreaming that Orin's next pup who will hopefully be joining us will fill my heart with as much joy.

The "statement" then made me think of myself, and more importantly, Ross. He and I both started our diets on the 1st of February. I don't know if he's lost weight, as I haven't been anywhere to weigh him, but I have cut his food down dramatically to try and reduce the weight. The fact that I neutered him is again working against him, neutered dogs often get fat and struggle to shred the pounds, but I have to try. Once a dog is neutered, their metabolic rate actually drops by about 20% to 30%. Because their body isn't spending energy on reproductive hormones, they simply don't need as many calories to maintain the same weight. The General Rule of Thumb is, start with a reduction of 10% to 25% of their pre-surgery caloric intake. I did cut him down, but I guess I've let it creep up again recently. 

Then there is me. Well, if I can do anything to help this knee and leg, then I will. I understand my weight has nothing to do with the condition, but in my mind, taking pressure off it can only help. Does that make sense? I set myself a target to lose 7lb before Crufts, and now with 8 days to go, I've lost 8lb, so 8 x 4 = 32. Well, that's lot of pressure off my knee isn't it. Let's see if I can make it 9lb before Crufts! LOL. My next target is before my birthday, I hope, the first number on the scales starts with one digit less. I would have gone to "fat club" but wasn't brave enough to go myself. I do honestly feel that part of my reason for success is down to Gemini. I've been able to research and get advice on lifestyle changes, and I don't feel I'm going without. So yeah, there are benefits to AI. Today we have a big family meal, I will eat what I like, and maybe miss the morning weigh-in tomorrow! 😱 

An AI photo posted by mistake, damn it won't delete!!!! PMSL 

Back To Two Walks

Ross said he wanted to think about Xmas and got Beti to stand next to the tree with him. 

Not a great view today, I guess you can just about make out the sea! Siska really pushing buttons, mine and O's!

A run in the field for Sammi and Meerah, Zeus still has lots of freedom, but I do wish I could take him to the office and explain to him how much better it could be for him. 

Typical Bloody Sunday

Steve was visiting Ed this morning, I was concerned about him going as his mobility really hasn't been great these last few days. The problem is Steve had pomised Ed he'd go, and with Ed being the way he is, Steve didn't want to let him down. I suggested if he could wait till after lunch that I'd go with him, but he wasn't keen on that idea. Anyway he went alone and I decided to spend my morning walking!

By about 10am the early morning sun was hidden behind the "niwl." (Fog reduces visibility to less than 1,000 meters often mist is lighter with visibility above 1,000m, and low clouds are suspended above the ground, while fog/mist touch the surface.) (We'll stick to Niwl!) I took Sammi, Zeus, Ross and Beti in the van and parked on the outskirts of the village. The noise from Beti in the van is becoming a bit much, there seems to be nothing I can do when I'm driving. At least when I walked away with Zeus and Sammi she was quiet. We had a lovely walk but even with such poor visibility, I was surprised to see so many people about. I did a circuit down towards the village and back round past the top of the donkey field, WOW the donkey field property is for sale. £475,000. 😮 I guess we will always call it the donkey field, but I'll really miss them when they are gone! 

I opted to do the same walk with Beti and Ross, keeping them on the long leads too. I've really lost confidence in having my dogs off the lead in all locations. To be honest, it's not that I've lost confidence in my dogs; as they say, it's not us, it's the others! Anyway, we enjoyed ourselves, the only struggle is as soon as Beti clocks the van on the way back she pulls so hard to get back to it. Beti loves her Blanik Bus! 

I went back home to swap dogs, I had considered taking Ross a second time with Meerah, but he was starting to limp at the end of his walk so it was safer to leave him and take Beti a second time. 

It was a typical Sunday on the mountain, there was nowhere to park to go down towards Llyn Ffynhonnau so up hill it was. People, dogs, bikes but thankfully no sheep. The girls were very well behaved apart from when Meerah tried to flatten Ian! By the time I was taking Orin and Siska, the sun had broken through the "niwl" and we actually had a bit of blue sky ... with so many about I kept them on the leads too .. Orin has never been on the lead on the mountain before and at times I think he forgot almost pulling me off my feet, so yeah, I'm a little achy tonight! 

I must admit there was a satisfaction in walking everyone today, and it does no harm for them to walk on leads, after all they get plenty of free running in the fields. 

Morning Walks For Everyone

Nursery Tremadog

I guess we had a nice walk - but my god that was some rain! Beti and Meerah loved it there; at least it was quiet, but I wasn't the only dog walker who braved it. Mum was horrified, but we live a very different life, and with only rain and no wind, well, as I've said before, you only need the right clothes! I only braved taking two photos, my phone is too precious to lose, but I absolutely love the top photo for the view and colours as much as for the dogs. Obviously the bottom one is a better one of "just dogs!" 

Fed Up Of Rain

After sulking in the house all morning, the weather clearer a little and we got some time in the fields at least. Lets hope we can have a bit more "time out" tomorrow, even if I do have to go to Tremadog straight after lunch! 

3 x 2

Walk number one today with Orin and Siska was on the path at Cwm Dulyn, I really wasn't expecting it to be so busy there, but I guess I wouldn't realise it was half-term at the schools until it was pointed out to me. I had planned to do walk number two there as well, but halfway I had a brainwave, I turned back, put the girls in the van and went elsewhere. 

I drove back towards Freshfields and walked the girls up a path in Nebo. I used to walk it with the rescue dogs, but hell, I don't remember it being this muddy! I intended doing a circuit around the block, but got caught by Lesley (Ex Boss) and ended up talking for ages at the side of the single-track road. She had been walking her dogs in Cwm Dulyn too, we could have spent hours catching up ... but Beti and Meerah were none too pleased and wanted to get on with it!

As I was loading the van to go out this morning, I heard a ruckus in the bedroom. I went to the window and saw that Zeus had pinned Sammi to the floor. I was seething. Steve was quick to defend his precious boy, "well she's not completely innocent," hell I know that she probably tried to tell him off and in the excitement, he's bowled her over, but it can't happen again! She's an old lady, his bloody mother, she deserves respect. From now on, when I'm getting dogs ready to go out, or even if I'm doing something around the van, Sammi will have to go in the kitchen. She's too precious to be knocked about like that. Steve agreed that Zeus' behaviour was unacceptable, but quick to point out that he's not "an Orin" who takes so much crap from Siska. (though it's six of one and half a dozen of the other with those two.) Anyway a short walk for Sammi and Ross on home ground... she seemed fine!

Been Playing With AI

My Beti

Such a beautiful girl doesn't need enhancing, but often the background finishes the photo, so yeah, that can be changed. 

Isn't she just perfect!

The Boncan

Whilst looking for photos of Colleen when she was here, I came across this taken in June 2015...

Well, look how it looks from the outside now!

And inside—it's just so private and sheltered.

Colleen

 The phone rang early this morning, I'm a tad confused by the name on the screen ... "Morning." I'm instantly aware that something is wrong, the voice at the other end of the line is broken, this was not going to be one of our usual calls of banter and piss-taking. He continued, "I've got some bad news. I lost Colleen yesterday, and I thought with your animals being your everything that you'd understand how I'm feeling." My heart hurt for him, I cried with him, Colleen was his everything. He'd had her for 34 years, which is over half of his life. What do I say? What can I say? It's too early for the platitudes; it's too early to say very much at all other than listen and be kind ... he's not just the guy who fixes my computer, he's a friend. I've not come across many more dedicated to his horse, and my heart hurts for him. 

Home Again

Well, now I regret not walking yesterday, unfortunately it was back in the fields for everyone again today. Though this photo was taken yesterday, it was pretty much the same disappointment today. "We want to go out in the van!"  

Last night, Steve had an angina attack, one of the most severe ones that he's had over the years. It happened at bedtime, Steve took his medication and went straight to bed. Though he was asleep quickly, for obvious reasons I was unable to settle. I listened out for every breath, and every movement for hours before eventually falling asleep.  Today Steve says he's "Fine" but it's a rest day ... and I decided to ensure he stuck to the rules and I've stayed home. I've no idea what bought it on, but the fact that the rest of the logs were put away whilst I was in Tremadog on Saturday may not have helped! 

Ross and I are sticking to our diets, though I have more choice than him, we both started on the 1st of Feb. I've no idea how much he's lost, but for his health this extra weight has to come off. I aim to get him back under 40kg - maybe to about 38kg. He's like a tank and it's doing his bad elbow no favours at all, he's stiff, not lame, but it's particularly obvious in the afternoons. He's now on 40 (on the syringe) of loxicom daily, but I'm hoping if he loses some weight and the weather improves that we may be able to drop it slightly over the Summer to get further benefits over next Winter. I had set myself a target of losing half a stone before Crufts and then reassess further with a sensible target. (2 lbs to go in 2 weeks and anything extra will be a bonus!) I am hoping that if I lose weight that my knee and thigh muscle will be less painful too. 

Sunday In The Fields

With the snow coming down so heavily last night, I hoped for some white stuff fun today, but sadly the overnight rain took it all away.  When you hope the weather forecast will be wrong - it isn't! 

For the first time, Meerah has told Zeus off today. He grabbed her by her tail as she ran past, and instead of just screaming and running off, she turned round and told him. Ok it wasn't very authoritative, but let's hope it's the start of her sticking up for herself in his company.  

Orin And Siska In Tremadog