The Rejected Name

Sammi enjoying our new garden 

 Turn the clock back about 8 months and I was gutted that the KC had not accepted my first choice of name for Sammi. I had my heart set on Blanik Isis; after all the meaning of Isis to me at the time was "Mythical goddess of magic. Isis is the most powerful of all female goddesses."  I had also decided to call her "Isis" but when the KC rejected it as a registered name I somehow lost my enthusiasm to use it as a pet name. I was not overly impressed with my second choice of "Ivana" but I have to admit it's grown on me tremendously, and I don't know another bitch shown by this name. (Though there must be plenty) Choosing her pet name was so hard. What the hell could I call her? I just couldn't think of anything .. she had been "Isis" in my mind long before she was born, and I just couldn't come up with an alternative. Luckily Steve did, it would never have been my choice of name, but yeah Sammi Belle bloody suits her!

Here's hoping for Blanik's "J" litter

Now I'm  glad Isis was rejected, in the present climate it has come to mean something so different! Hand on heart, had it been accepted I think I would now be thinking of changing it, as a pet name at least!
As we move on I've done it again, I have a name in mind for Jezi's daughter ... I think of what will hopefully be very often. Though I'm over the moon with my lot we all need dreams, we all need things to look forward too.  If things work out I have my heart set on a girl next time, but I will be keeping my options open, problem with me is, other than last time, I always fall in love with a boy!

Blanik Georgette

Oh Asha - It was not suppose to be a photo of you 

 but you are funny walking in front of the camera like that! 

Blanik Ivana

Beautiful Sammi Belle

Blanik Frankie

Our Tali doesn't do photos, she always has "A Face On Her" when she has to sit and pose. Always headstrong and determined I guess there a slight resentment in having to do as she's told! She's easily the most awkward dog I've ever owned, and probably the most intelligent, I find the two things go hand in hand really. Yeah the intelligent once are usually the most trouble! 

Anyway, true to form she's not posing, she doing what Tali does best .. ignoring everyone else, (Including me!) We where all sitting in the middle of the field playing and she's sat at the edge just watching. Though she adores her own kids she has no time for the youngsters or their stupid games! 

The Boys

Jamie and Junior 

Sweet yeah - though I doubt Jamie has any choice in the matter! 

Growing Up

Sammi Belle

So how do I explain to the 9 month old puppy that some people are now afraid of her? Only a few short months ago she was greeted with "ahhh" and "Aww isn't she pretty, can we stroke her?" She's now just as exuberant, happy and friendly, she's just a little taller and has sticky up ears, but now they back away from her, some even pinning their kids to the wall as we walk past. With the unpredictability of humans, it must be damn confusing to be a puppy!

Misty and Finlay

What gets to me more is they allow their kids to throw their arms around Finlay's neck without so much as a question as to his safety. It had never been so obvious as it was to me yesterday. Mothers and kids flocked around Finlay and Sandra's Misty, very few asked permission to stroke them, they just did. Both are GSD's, both are white and long coated, people didn't know what they were they just saw white fluffy dogs. Seriously and luckily for me Sammi seemed oblivious to the fact the human race's attitude has changed towards her, she spent all day trying to find a canine friend to play with!

Nain and Sultan

I remember in the 90ies having a similar experience with Sultan. A lady and her children came over and were stroking him, as ever he loved it. She said "Oh God he's like a big teddy bear ... what breed is he?" Rottweiler ... OMG you've never seen anyone jump back so fast in your life, with hindsight It was funny! I have to admit it was at that time that the breed where receiving really bad press so to a point maybe I could understand her concern, but the worse thing Sultan ever did in his life was pee up my Nain's leg. (Grandmother) I guess that sometimes the bad reputation of some members of their breed sadly precedes them ....

Beautiful Day For Walking

 Finlay

 Nico

 Jezi

 Mikey

 Ziva and Asha

 Sammi

Tali

A Few More Photos Of Our Day

 Mr Racoon

 Oleg!

Linda facing her fear and stroking this man's python!!!!!! (sorry) 

I was unable to face my fear and kept away from the hairy spider,

This guy made my day.

The closest I have ever been to a Dutch Shepherd/Herder

A breed I have a great interest in - yeah well impressed!

Two For The Price Of One?

Sammi wanted to go camping!

It sure was a funny old show today. To start with it was not at all well publicised, I came about it on Facebook simply by chance. I contacted the organiser who told me in an e.mail that the show would be running two rings, one for pedigree's and one for novelty classes. A great idea in my mind, but by today he had had his mind changed for him and had one ring up and running. Instead of judging one section first and then the other they had 2 novelty classes followed by 2 pedigree classes and so forth throughout the day! As if that wasn't bad enough, for me the joke of the day was, they had 2 people judging each individual dog in every class both went over the dog separately, watched them move together and then discussed their thought .... What?? Why?? When?? Never  have I seen such confusion and time wasting at a dog show! Crazy idea, and I'm not sure even allowed by KC rules ... KC rules? ... well that's another story!

Beautiful Best Rescue

 But you know, to be honest there's lots of good things to say as well. There was agility and flyball outside, a couple of guys with snakes, meerkats a racoon etc. There where also lots of stalls indoors, so yeah, this has lots of potential he just needs a copy of the rule book and some organising. Here's hoping for better next year!
Sammi was second in puppy, as usual she loved her day. She loves the attention, but more than anything she just wants all the other dogs to play with her. A couple had a go at her today ... but she didn't care she just moved onto the next one!
Finlay, handled by Linda won Best Rescue, but we didn't stay to challenge for best novelty in show, the day would simply have been too long!

Sammi towering over her Mum

I didn't show Ziva, her class was far too far down the list of afternoon judging, but a well respected Champ show judge and dog trainer gave me some time and tips on how to progress with her. She also asked to see Sammi. (who was back in the van by then) She loved her, she said how much I'd improved on her mum with her, which is really the name of the game! Yeah dead chuffed, she was pretty enthusiastic about her with just one negative comment, "she really doesn't need to get any taller!" .. that I know!!!!

The Adorable Visitor

Yes I was certainly over the moon with this little visitor today. This is the stunning "Celt," Nico and Kia's long coated son. With all his siblings now gone the little guy is starting his days out and about with his mummy Kia and his family. Super well balanced puppy who loved getting up to no good in the front garden. See you again soon I hope little guy.