National Critiques

Meeting The Pups

Mr Blue - beautiful Long Coat male 

Mr Orange - absolutely stunning short-coat boy, really chunky with a thick coat. One thing I find odd, and I've noticed it in previous photos too, he has less distance between his eyes. I wonder if that is a factor to consider for how his head will progress and later mature?

Mr Green - another very "coated" short coat. Smaller than Mr Orange, but currently constructionally very pleasing. 

Miss Purple – a stunning long-coat female who, much like her mum, will be a glorious colour. 

Miss Pink - well what can I say? A stunning short-coat female with slightly less coat than her short-coat siblings. Maybe her colour is also a less deep tan than her sister, but her attitude and movement continually caught my eye. Already she seems to have a very coordinated gait. 

Of course it's too early to pick a puppy, but if I had to, today – it would be her!  

A Walk With Three

A lovely walk with the two girls and Ross this morning. I know I seem to start off on this path often, but I keep finding other little circuits I can do off the main track. Again, I didn't see anyone, and we had a nice hour out. 

Getting There

 Well it arrived – after initially saying they could not deliver as we were too far, the previous owners kindly bought it here for us, and along with Frank and Linda, helped us get it into the pen. It's a cozy pet kennel, and obviously only here for emergencies in the new pen. We all agreed that this was the right spot for it, anywhere else simply made it a stepping stone for someone to get out! 

Royal Cheshire Show

The Royal Cheshire Show yesterday reminded me of what dog shows are all about. OMG we had so much fun. Within our bunch of friends there was no bitchiness, no bad atmosphere and no one spitting their dummy out because they didn't win. Of course that went on, but not in our lovely group! 

A little dampener on the day was hearing about people's behaviour at other shows. Well, I'm not shocked, just disappointed that people can behave in such a selfish, childish way. You know I tend to see the good in people, and I hope the good in them shines, but sometimes they let themselves down, and it's a reminder for me of keeping the boundaries that I have set in place! It's a shame really, as they reasonably new to the game and as word gets about, they're making themselves very unpopular. 

As you can see, Meerah was totally out of coat, but look at it this way, nothing to hide here, is there? There is so much to like about her, I just wish she had less second thigh and that she wasn't so bloody tall, but all in all it's a pleasing picture that will only continue to improve. She hammered it around that ring yesterday. My word, I knew she could move, but I didn't realise she could go that fast! 

Owen had handled Orin once before in a challenge, but yesterday he took him in the class. Wow, it was amazing to watch. I know Orin knows the job, but the two of them did so well together. Owens' long legs were indeed a match for Orin's power and speed. I just wish it had been recorded - Owen came out of the ring simply buzzing and begging to handle him again. He posted on the club chat "1st Place in graduate class with beautiful Meerah and 3rd Place in the open class with handsome Orin 🥰. We are Super proud of the dogs performance in the ring… I felt like our star of the day was Orin. he made my day. It’s days like these that make it all worth it… the time I shared in that ring with Orin made the day so special. He went round that ring like a dream with me, he never put a paw wrong, and I improved on my show handling. A great day for us ❤️."  

Yes of course you can handle him again Owen.

Stretching Our Legs

Cheshire Show Today

Orin was 3rd in open

Meerah stood alone in her class. 

With no one to handle her, Beti had a day out! 

Getting There

The pen is coming along well. The two bottom photos show where we started and where we are now! I had to include the top photo because Meerah made me laugh. Because water stands for so long where the pen is, we had to do a raised floor, like we did in the big pen. So after levelling it out, we used pallets and then covered them in the rubber mats. Still a fair few bits to do, but we'll get there! 

Pups Are Three Weeks

Green, Orange and Blue boys

Purple and Pink 

At the moment, Green looks like Orin did at the same age. Pink and blue are very typical of Blanik pups. Purple maybe looks a little bit like Siska's sister did, but Orange is not a "Face" I've seen here in the nest. Maybe his lighter forehead (As in less black not pale) is what looks different. I'm only looking at photos, and a puppy cannot be chosen from a photo or a head, but pink absolutely melts my heart here. I see Sammi, Kaiah, Siska and Beti there, a round face with soft features ... 

A Get Away To Minffordd

A nice walk in Minffordd mid-morning after making myself a little unpopular with my mum. Well, the medical profession says she needs to move more. Ok I only managed to get her to walk the length of two houses, but she did it! The girls and I had about 40 mins out, them sniffing, mooching and enjoying themselves whilst I got my head together before going back to make Mum lunch. 

I came home and with some assistance from Ross I levelled out the ground in the pen. Stupidly I tried to move one of the pallets by myself, being 6ft x 4ft of hardwood, I didn't get very far. Now I wonder how the hell we'll get them into the pen! 😔

Seasons, Pens And Memories

 Last night I dreamt about Phil and Rita Corcoran. It's funny how the mind plays these games with us isn't it? I've not seen them for 10 years, they were one of the few people who came to visit me at Walton hospital. I worked for them at the Ozanam Centre in the late nineties; they were/are just lovely people, always kind, considerate and thoughtful. The kind of people I'd like to hope I've aspired to be. (but without the religion!) Phil greeted me every morning with "Bore da cariad", and my cup of tea was ready on the table for me. He never knew, but every morning I threw it away and made a fresh one, he'd made it 10 minutes earlier when he'd been in to put the ovens on for me and it was really stewed. After working there for 9 years, going to work for Lesley was indeed a shock, a total contrast; she is a very volatile person, and the explosions were regular and ferocious. There was more chance of getting a cuppa thrown at me than made for me at Freshfields, LOL. I'm really not good at dealing with people like that and there were a few times that I almost walked away; many others did, but it's not in my nature to give up on people, though I do find that sometimes for self-preservation I have to change the boundaries. In Welsh we have a saying,  "Wrth gicio a brathu mae cariad yn magu"- Whilst kicking and biting, love develops, and yeah, the friendship and trust did grow as well as the admiration for a person totally dedicated to saving all the animals. She once said, and it's stuck with me, "don't feel sorry for the animals in rescue, feel sorry for the ones who didn't get there! 

I have jack shit idea what's going on with Meerah. Orin left half his breakfast, and I certainly won't be walking her and Zeus together after today. The boy had ideas above his station, and Sammi was livid about it all. It was so funny to watch, "No sex on my watch!" Meerah and Sammi love to play chase in the field, Sammi gives up a lot sooner than she used to but still enjoys giving it a good go! 

Orin and Siska are now playing naughty games. She is not showing any outward sign of coming in season, but Orin either knows differently or he's getting confused by Meerah's season. Siska looks great, her coat is in full bloom, but her seasons are always unpredictable, so all I can do is watch and wait. Reno is back in France, but to be honest, with other plans for Blanik, leaving Siska till her next season for her second litter would possibly be wiser!

We've progressed with the pen. I spent part of the morning clearing it out. A little bit of an emotional moment when I found one of Kai's toys under the rubbish. One of those "indestructible" toys that was ripped to shreds! He was just a star, bigger, louder and more annoying than Ross. 😄 

This afternoon Steve came with me to Anglesey to pick up some mesh panels to finish the pen. It was the furthest he'd been in a very long time, and he's suffering for it, so I doubt he'll be able to visit the pups with me next Friday, unless he thinks he can travel better in the car of course! Anyway, what a place! Wow, the guy said everything is for sale here apart from the wife and dog! I have no doubts; if I need something again, I'll message Alan! 

Caught Out

Last night I took Meerah to club, I checked her before going, no blood, and as there hadn't been any for a week, I was quite confident she was not in season. There was only one male dog in the class, the delightful Celt, he took no notice of her. 

At club I found Meerah a little flat, she did everything Owen asked of her, but she was lacking enthusiasm. When I got home Ross and Beti went straight to investigate Meerah's bits, so I did too. Yes, blood, so was yesterday day 1 or is she going to stop again? 

Pen No 3

The flooring has come for the new pen – well, the old pen that's being done up, as it hasn't been used in over a decade! LOL It needs to be ready for the dogs that are yet to come! I will never want to kennel my dogs; it's not who I am or how I live, but if I am to carry on going to shows, then making everything as safe as possible for Steve and the dogs left at home is paramount.

Of course, being black, the mats get hot in the sun, so Beti is already sunbathing! The marquee-type roof works well for shade on the big pen, so I think I'll do a similar thing in this pen if needed. I'm looking forward to getting it done now, but with tomorrow's forecast, it won't be done that soon. 

Edit – It has just been pointed out to me that the pen probably hasn't been used since we lost Kai, so 2012! 

 

False Start

Like many before her, Meerah seems to have "gone off" her season before really starting. I have checked her almost every day since I saw the blood last week, nothing. I did have her down for coming in season in July - so it looks like she'll be close to that now!

Sieger

I spent Saturday at the first day of the Sieger show near Cannock. The Sieger isn't dissimilar to its predecessor in the UK, The Two-Day Shows that used to be run under the umbrella of the Kennel Club. They were huge events with 30-odd dogs in every class. Sadly, dog showing isn't as it was, but it's nice to watch the cream of the crop battling it out in the big ring. 

It would be nice if, next year, I could camp in my new van (well, I can dream) or stay with Jane in a Travelodge like we did two years ago. Never say never, eh! 

Puppy Videos

Two Weeks Old

Now the long coats are obvious, Miss Purple is, Miss Pink isn't! 

Mr Orange isn't

Mr Blue is and Mr Green isn't! 

Not At The Show

A bit chaotic with three on long leads, I think next time I'll take the three somewhere where Sammi can go off the lead straight away. Meerah is now in season, though as she's only just begun, so it was Ok to walk her with Zeus. I'm hoping her coat comes back quickly; there's only 3 weeks till Blackpool, and she won't be going looking like that! 

Orin and Siska.

We do love a bit of cotton grass. 

Beti and Ross

We do love a bit of mud! 

Today Orin and Beti should have been in the show ring and not in the mud. The main thing that put me off was the order of judging; the breed didn't go into the ring till about 2.15pm. So possibly they were finished by 4.30pm - we would probably have not arrived home till bedtime! I do wish these shows would publish the order of judging before you've wasted your entry fee!  

As I watched the results come in, I did start to regret my decision to give it a miss. The judge seems to be sticking consistently to a nice type of dog. You can't help but wonder, "If we'd been there ...." Anyway, it is what it is, and then he completely f*cked up on type in open bitch anyway, so maybe I should be glad I'm at home! As I've said before, read the breed standard and judge to your interpretation to it, in good company, chalk and cheese simply cannot both win.

OMG - LOOK

Mr Orange is the first to open his eyes. I now predict he's a short coat, but "Zeus" hiding in plain sight at this age will never let me commit 100%. Someone once told me, if you think it's a long coat, it is, but if you have doubts, then it's usually a short coat. So I will stick to blue and purple as the obvious long coats and orange as a short coat. 

Dinas Dinlle With Four

Though the path was overgrown and the grass was wet, it was bloody lovely down there.

I've never seen so many wild Iris as there were on the path in the opposite direction to the estuary. 

The girls were good, but letting them off the lead together really wasn't wise, as a pair they just don't bloody listen, with other pack members, they are great. Anyway no harm done as there was no one about, but I'll think twice next time! 

With Orin and Siska we walked towards the estuary, The Foryd! Mostly it was great, just a woman with 4 dogs off the lead and only three of them listening. The collie was an absolute arsehole. You know, I'd be a hypocrite to moan about someone walking 4 dogs, but in her position, well, I'd have just turned around and gone the other way or at least pretended to the collie that that was what I was doing and then got hold of him. Not a word from Orin and Siska, we moved further across to where the river was wider, but at one point I did think the little shit was going to come over!  

What I like about coming down here and parking by the bridge is that there are 5 different walks that set off from the same place. From the Foryd we took the little bridge up the footpath through the trees almost to the end, then back again. 

The men met us for lunch in the airport cafe, so a lovely morning and then a lovely lunch. 

Tomorrow I'm back on Tremadog duty! 

Puppy Thoughts

Nicola's updates mean the world to me, and knowing which pup is which is also wonderful and will be invaluable later on. It's far too early for commitments, but to distract me from Mother-gate I spend a lot of time looking and thinking. My thoughts at the moment are that if there is a male and female with similar show potential, then it would be wiser to take a female. I know it's always easier to win with males, it always has been, even in the days when classes were numerically much higher there were less males, but there has to be more to it than show success. Worst-case scenario, and Siska doesn't conceive again, then if Kez is here, there is a backup plan. But of course if a male is outstanding, then different plan still needs consideration!

A Place In The Rain

A phone call, a walk, a cup of tea and biscoff cake, and an adventure with a secret. Just the change I needed!