Changing Weather

There is a story to tell - but another day will have to do. 

Zavi's Critique

I was chatting with a friend about AI this morning, she was introduced to Chatgpt yesterday and was amazed at what can be done. Then I wondered if it would give me the text from a video - I use Gemini, but it's all the same thing. So I uploaded the video explaining that I couldn't hear/understand all that was being said; this was the reply ...

Here is the judge's full critique from the audio clip: 

 "Second dog, also a well-constructed dog. He has not that much ring routine. He has at the moment not the wither. He has a little bit more pigmentation, but all in all, very correct anatomy with correct structure. Congratulations, very promising."

Well that makes a lot more sense, doesn't it! 

Presaddfed Aeron Of Blanik

We were lucky to get a few photos after the judging. I've deleted the shit, but these 4 are really all very nice. Regarding the first two, to be honest, I find it hard to choose. I guess, if I had to, I'd go for the second pic simply because his head/neck is more forward than upwards. 

Photo number three is also a cracker, but for perfection, GSD's are always photographed with their mouths open. 

Another I like, but his near-side hind leg (near to the handler) is pulled in too far forward. 

Regional News

Yesterday we were playing in someone else's playground as we attended a Regional with Zavi. His class was "Baby Short Coat Male" and the boy did us all proud.

It was an early start for Zavi as I left home at 5.15am. His breakfast was in the van for him and he'd scoffed it before we got through the gate. Beti came with us for moral support – and we picked Jackie up in Groeslon. We met up with Thelmas and Louise, Errr Jane and Sarah just off the M6, everyone picking up their coffee and/or running to the loo. (Apart from me as I always bring my own flask - for the tea! 😁)

It was like a summer's day in Ellistown and we were there in good time for Zavi to see it all before judging started. He had a mooch around with Beti and as I stood looking around, I remembered a baby Ross arriving here for the first time, and I remembered the mud, OMG the mud! 

There were four baby puppy classes, 2 for females and 2 for males, between 4 and 6 months. The largest class was L/C female, with only one in S/C female, how I wished Kate had been there. After a panic from my backup team – 2 of them came to get me, as they thought all the baby puppies were going in together – I faffed and fumbled and ended up ring-side with a puppy I hadn't even brushed. Thankfully they had misunderstood, and we had plenty of time to watch the other 3 classes. 

Reacher, Zavi's brother (Blue Collar), was in the Baby puppy L/C class. Like Zavi he'd had no training for this kind of showing, but other than being a little loud, he did really well. He was VP2. He is a big-boned, heavy pup with so much potential; he is no taller than Zavi but has a huge frame, with luck and good fortune, I'm sure he'll grow into a very impressive male. 

Zavi was "abandoned" with Jane before his class, and when Mandy came to take him in, even from the other side of the ring, I saw the absolute confusion on his face. There was nothing for it; I had to leg it round and walk out in front of him till he got the hang of it ... and he did! He was pulling out a little too hard at times I guess, (maybe a different collar will help?), but he wasn't bothered by the puppy in front or behind him. Well done Zavi - VP2 as well. (VP-Very Promising - the highest grade that can be given to a puppy - and 2nd in the class) The German judge gave him a lovely critique, the negatives being that he doesn't hold his wither height, which I see and I agree with, but he also said his pigment wasn't great. Well, I beg to differ; actually, he has great pigment. Maybe the judge meant something else was not pleasing to his eye and got his words mixed up? Possible, isn't it? The puppy pulled out as the winner was only 10 days short of 6 months, making him look much more like the finished picture than Zavi and the 3rd pup, he had also obviously received much more training... a nice puppy, but looking back at the videos, something wasn't quite right! 

The journey home was fun, it's great to travel with someone who manages to eat more than you do, it's great to feel a little bit more positive, it's great to have a van like this to drive, and it's great to have spent time with Thelma and Louise. We missed Owen and Linda - but hopefully next time we can all be together again. 

During the day I saw some beautiful dogs, but I also saw one of the worst I've ever seen at a show. Surely someone close to them should tell them? If it were me, I hope someone would tell me! 

A Quick Post About The Regional

Lovely day with baby Zavi at The Midland Regional yesterday. Obviously not a clue what he was doing, but managed a VP2 in the s/c baby puppy class thanks to Mandy's kind handling. Thanks to the special people for sharing the day with us. 

Apple And Tree Again?

This is Zavi's brother Bryn, Mr Green. He looks so much like a young Nico, honestly, I just see a Nico son, no Orin. Weird, isn't it! 

Then there's Zavi. In the nest I didn't see Orin, especially as I kept seeing his eyes being closer together than I usually see in a Blanik nest, but look at him now, OMG - so much Orin! His head is still less masculine than Orin's was. (I'm not saying he's feminine – just not as strong at the moment.) Is my eye always drawn to the same look? Do I go for the same type? Hell I must do, at the moment Zavi is just so father typical. 

... and yes, this is Orin!

Sunshine In Tremadog

Another successful walk with Beti the mentor, and Zavi her student. We saw three dog walkers and a family with a bubbly, loud child; all went well. Beti is such a super star. 

The sun was beaming, and the grass was wet with dew; everywhere just looked so beautiful. 

My favourite photo today. 

Since we used the name Zavi, I've heard it twice in TV characters; one was on Van der Valk and the other just this week, but bloody hell I can't remember on what! (It will hopefully come to me!) 

This afternoon we are watching an old episode of "The Dog House" and there is someone, originally from Canada, on it called Orin! Well, that's a first. 

All Good In The Rain

Zavi seems fine today, and we took advantage of a few minutes between the showers to play in the garden. One of the big acers in a pot had been blown over, so the gardener came out to deal with it. The amount of cardboard, plastic and general "recycling" that has blown here over the last few days is crazy. I think someone has lost the lid off their recycling box, or something. Anyway, Zavi was happy with a plastic bottle! 

Did you watch Traitors last night? OMG I'm totally hooked already. It must be one of my favourite programs now ... and with a few of my favourite celebrites in it, it just makes it better. (James Blunt, Michael Sheen, and Rob and Romesh, of course!) Honestly, I sit on the edge of my seat watching it!

Should Have Gone To Specsavers

My little man is not 100% today; he's a little quiet, not like him at all. Maybe he has some discomfort in his mouth, or maybe he's eaten something he shouldn't have! Of course I'll keep an eye on him.

I spent almost 2 hrs in Specsavers today. My eyes are still individually healthy but still not speaking to each other. 🫢 LOL. My distance sight is still ok, with some deterioration in the left eye for close sight, but very little difference in over the last two years really. Anyway I've ordered new glasses, Zavi took these outside last week. Steve managed to put them back together for me, but I rely on glasses so much that I can't risk being without a pair. I didn't realise but a hearing test is now part of the standard test there, and my hearing is within a normal range. 

Gemini Help

With the breeze being, shall we say, a little fresh, I initially decided to go downhill a little on my first walks. Oh hell, never mind the wind, I'd go onto one of my favourite routes from Fron to Rhosgadfan, well, part of the way with the young and old anyway! I drove to my usual parking space and turned the van round. Just to move out of the nettles I tried to pull forward a little, but the van said "NO!" Oh hell it was slipping on the wet grass and wouldn't move forward at all, I tried to go backwards, yes, forward again, "NO!" Shit! I knew Ian was at work and really had no idea who else to call, Steve would kill me, he's always saying, "Don't take the van to stupid places!" Well I didn't think this was a stupid place, I've been there in it a fair few 

times, and the Peugeot never struggled there. I guess this is a bigger, heavier van, and everywhere was wet! I just had to sort it out myself. I got out and looked round, I couldn't go straight back or I'd have been in a ditch, but if I steered right and went back I should get back onto the track. I tried to go forwards again .."NO!"  Ok back we go, through the reads and with some scraping, it was out. I got out to look again, OMG what the feck was that? It looked like the bottom of the bumper. I put it in the van and drove to a more sensible place to park. I suddenly realised I was shaking a little - but, hopefully no harm done, and I won't go back there again. Before walking I took a photo and, telling "Gemini" what I'd done I sent her/it the photo. This was the conclusion ...

"This is the rear bumper plastic internal support carrier (or reinforcement/impact absorber frame).

It is the inner structural component that sits directly behind the outer visible plastic skin/fascia of the rear step bumper.That explains it completely! Reversing through dense tall grass, brush, or reeds is a classic way for these to get pulled off.

As you reverse, the stems/reeds slide under the back bumper, hook into the open plastic lip at the bottom, and act like a rake. As the van moves backward, the plants snag the bottom edge and tear the clip retainers free, popping the inner carrier right out of the outer bumper skin." 

As I walked I considered whether to give Steve the edited version or not. I decided that my back was broad enough and that when I got home I'd come clean. After all, it only needs clipping back! Of course I'll never take the van back there again, and I have learned that it doesn't do well on wet grass, it's going to be fun on a wet dog show day! I have to admit I am a little precious about this van, I guess I've never had anything as nice so I am trying to look after it.

Back to the first two walks, no issues at all with anyone, though Zavi was very aware of the Mastiff in the top cottage that barks continually whilst you are on the path. Ross has heard the dog bark for years, so he's completely oblivious to it, so another positive reinforcement for Zavi – who cares about the barking Mastiff? No one!

I came home to swap dogs and make my confession! It went Ok, though he had to say ... "I've told you to be careful where you go in it." Well now I know its capabilities; I won't do it again! LOL

The next 4 loaded and sulking slightly with that walk I went to Carmel. Oh great, a car in my parking space, so I drove on and parked by Capel Y Bryn. Before unloading the dogs, I had a chat with the lady on the horse who's the same colour as Isla (well, I've forgotten her name, and I've no idea what colour you call a horse like that - it's Smoke in a cat!)  The girls were excited; we'd not been here since the spring. We had a lovely walk down the path and over the bridge, but as we got onto the track, the Whippets were out in the cottage and they barked madly at the gate for the whole time that the girls were playing in the stream. Well done to Meerah for not responding. 

With Orin and Siska I walked down the same path but rather than upsetting the Whippets, I then went in a different direction, finding a path we've never walked before, and we liked it! This now makes this a better walk as those whippets really don't shut up, and no one does anything about it. Of course that won't stop me going down there, the girls and Ross love it in the stream, so we'll keep going, occasionally!!!

Tomorrow I'm at the optician for my yearly check. I think all three sets of glasses will need updating; life is a little lopsided again! Following my appointment in Llandudno last week, next Monday I have to go for a scan to YG. I must admit I'm shitting bricks. I really hoped to have walked away from Llandudno with "No there's nothing there," but it didn't quite go like that, so yeah I'm scared! On a better note, Steve has had his PSA results, and it's still below 1, so four years on and his cancer has still not returned. 

Last Day Of September

Friends And Teeth

Last night I had the strangest dream. I dreamt I was telling Steve that I needed to contact Phil to sort out the music for the van. (He's been ripping and burning my C.D'sonto a memory stick for me) I tried to ring Phil, but in the dream I saw him look at his phone, dismiss the call and put the phone in his pocket! He rarely answers my calls, but I'm one of the lucky ones; he always rings me back. Now you may think this is annoying or unprofessional or many things, but if you knew him, you'd understand; you just can't get annoyed with Phil. He's just a lovely, funny bloke! 

This morning, with the dream completely out of my mind, I had just parked in Aldi in Porthmadog and was talking to my brother on the phone. I was in Mum's car and who pulled up next to me but Phil. We childishly pulled faces at each other, and then he waited outside his car for a chat. His phone rang, he looked at it, pulled a face and put it in his pocket. Well, hell, the dream came back to my mind, but as he'd already screamed down the phone at my brother that I was his stalker ... I couldn't come out with, "Oh I had a dream about you last night," could I? I must admit it was all a little bit spooky!!! 

Whilst my friendship with Phil goes back about 20 years, there are people who have been around a lot longer. It's sad how some people come and go, they enrich your life or cause chaos for a period of time, then they move on. Though I say I don't care, I actually do care at the distance someone is putting between us right now. What's sad is that I really don't know why. Not a cross word between us in recent times, but though I've tried reaching out three times in a few weeks, the silence is deafening. (Of course I see on social media that they have not come to any harm!) 

 Friends are so important to me, and I don't give up easily on people who have meant something in my life. I'll never forget who was there and who wasn't, who pointed me in the right direction and walked the path by my side. It is sad that some people have such short memories, and your easily forgotten, but if I can pride myself on anything, then hopefully it will be that I never "intentionally" let my friends down. 

I've been on a spending spree online. Did I buy clothes? No. Did I buy shoes? No. Did I buy Steve an expensive birthday pressie? No. I went onto the NAW dog treats website and bought 2 bundles on their Autumn sale. Zavi needs to chew to get some strength in this ear, so he's been munching on a goat ear today, not that it took him long to demolish it. : While a puppy is teething, their body diverts a significant amount of calcium and nutrients toward developing strong permanent teeth and jawbone structure. This temporary diversion can soften the ear cartilage, often causing ears that were starting to stand to flop back down or fold over. Chewing on appropriate, firm chew toys or raw bones exercises the temporalis and masseter muscles (the large jaw and facial muscles). These strong muscle groups attach near the base of the skull and ears, providing better physical support and blood flow around the ear base. The rhythmic pumping action of the jaw muscles during chewing increases blood circulation throughout the head and cartilage tissues. Healthy circulation helps deliver necessary nutrients to harden the ear cartilage as teething finishes. Keep chewing Zavi, keep chewing! 

Feels Like Summer

Evawell Elliisa - VA1

Well what a shock, another first to go down in history. The World Siegerin this year is a British-bred, French-owned female. WOW, I wonder how the Germans feel about that? 

You may recal I wrote about Elliise after she was BOB at Crufts in 2025 - I said then that we can only dream of breeding/owning a female like this - and now she's the best in the world! 

Meerah With Zavi

All that's left of Zavi's baby coat is the mohecan; it makes him look really odd, but it'll soon be gone! 

Not a chance of catching Meerah with those little legs, but one day you will!

These two had so much fun, but she was a bit much for him at times. It's great for them to have fun in the field, but she will not be doing the socialising walks with him. Meerah can feel threatened in some situations (horses and some vehicles mainly), and picking up any negativity from her would defeat the object. I have to make sure he is taking confidence from the adult with him on the walk but also make sure he's not using the presence of family members to feel extra brave and act bossy or defensive. Whilst I think all the adults have something to give, I still think Beti is the best role model. 

After The Wind And Rain

Dog Club And Bin

(This post was started on Thursday morning.) 

I'm trying to walk Zavi with different dogs, so today Ross was in charge of the baby. We didn't see anything or anybody, but I now need places to take him so he can see lots more. 

Like I said, his behaviour at club was unacceptable, but now to help protect his confidence I need to handle it correctly. The formal fear periods are typically around 8 to 11 weeks, and then during adolescence, often around 6 to 14 months. At 16 weeks (4 months), Zavi is right in that transitional window between the two major peaks. Up until roughly 12 to 16 weeks, a puppy's brain is naturally programmed to accept new things as safe by default (the critical socialisation window). Around 16 weeks, that brain chemistry shifts, and the default flips: instead of "new things are safe until proven dangerous", the brain starts treating "new or unusual things as potentially suspicious until proven safe!" 

Yesterday Zavi decided he was scared of Carrie's Wheelie bin, he has never shown fear of anything likethat before, so I guess it was potentially dangerous until proven safe! I know it wasn't ideal for me to just drag him past it, but I did because I needed to get off the road. On the way out we let him observe it from a safe distance, reward him with treats and let him approach at his own pace. Getting spooked by an everyday static object out of nowhere (a wheelie bin, a sign, a statue etc ) is textbook behaviour for a puppy experiencing developmental fear sensitivity. As I said earlier at this age, a puppy's brain re-evaluates the environment and flags everyday items as potential threats. I have to be really careful how I handle things now, as bad experiences during this developmental phase can leave lasting impressions. 

Zavi has loved going to Ring Craft, give or take the first 30 mins of the first night, he's been happy and confident. This week as soon as we walked in a Doodle something or another from the Obedience class had a right go at him, Zavi unfortunately, responded. My low-value treats were of no interest to him. (Note to self – get high-value treats for next time.) Gladly the Doodle went out, but just as he was settling Margo the Black Russian arrived, and though she did nothing wrong, Zavi got very worried. Again my treats were of no interest, and he grumbled and growled. Zavi had never seen Margo before, and I can understand his concern, a Black Russian is a very different-looking dog and without even seeing her eyes I guess he couldn't read her. Luckily Margo is wonderful and was happy to go round the hall whilst Zavi and I stood in the middle watching. I remember telling him as she walked round, "You see, you didn't die, I don't think she's even noticed your there!" 

Happy that it had gone well and not wanting to ruine things, I was reluctant to hand Zavi over to Eifion whilst I did the class, but I had no choice, and unfortunately, it really didn't go well. Zavi was stressed and loud. A friend went over to try and calm him, he jumped at her for reassurance, but her own bitch took exception to it and came forward towards him. Zavi reacted aggressively, all teeth and hackles! At 4 months I can't imagine this was true social aggression. What looked like "aggression" toward the other dog (barking, lunging, growling) was hopefully no more than a defensive reaction triggered because he felt insecure or overwhelmed. I feel guilty for letting him down; in the future if I'm taking a class he will have to go into the van. 

As I've said before dogs don't need "friends" outside their family; all I will ask of Zavi is that he is confident and happy in the company of other dogs. To be honest, I'd be happier if he ignored them than anything else!