My Beautiful Autumn Sunshine

Sammi

Maybe her father's looks - but her mother tongue!

Go Baby Go ....

Beautiful - Even from behind!

Captured

The moment just before Monkey "fell" off the line! 

Looks like mummy Ziva is encouraging her too!!! 

Ziva

Maybe it's not as obvious in a photo, but Ziva lump/swelling has reduced drastically in thickness. I think it's half the size  it was at it's worst last week. It hasn't bothered her at all and she has really shown her true colours when having it emptied both at home and at the vets. So proud of her.
I bear in mind that as Jill the vet said, she may always have a lump there now. Well who cares? She didn't like dog shows anyway!!!!

Lokean or Loki

Ah well it's too late to change my mind now! I was lucky to have first pick of the seven lovely boys and I struggled between the now lively Green the "always has been" lively Purple and this guy ... Orange, or Mr Orange as I now call him. As soon as I made my decision the other future owners were called and went over to choose their puppies. Green was the second to be picked and is going to Rhos - On- Sea and Purple was the next lucky chap, he's off to Liverpool. So it wasn't just us that found these three so endearing. Another male is now booked too, he's coming to Penygroes and he will be chosen today. The girls have been reserved for weeks. (There was only 3 of them and Miss yellow is staying!)
The four males that are left (well three after today) are lovely boys, with dark blue looking just wonderful yesterday too. I fear light blue may be the last to find a home. Bless him, he will make a wonderful pet and there is absolutely nothing wrong with him, he just lacks coat and has less bone. To be honest he reminds us both of little Enya, and look how beautiful she is now. (Well to be honest she'd caught up within a few months!) So three boys left to sell at 6 weeks, I guess it's not too bad, I just hope another home or two comes up now within the next couple of weeks.
I've done all of my paper work, and kept it simple. I'm hoping the KC will accept the change of name to either Lokean of Blanik or Loki of Blanik, whatever, his pet name will be Loki. I'm really looking forward to his arrival, though I will be a little nervous about the mass introductions! I have my own ideas and thought on how each individual will respond and I'll be very disappointed if most of the girls don't take to him well. (Though I fear one spoiled young lady may be a little spiteful - and no I don't mean Sammi who I think will be over the moon!)
One more thing ... doesn't he look like his dad? That was the deciding factor, because if he ever comes close than we can't go far wrong can we! (Not a question, in my eye a statement of fact!)

The Future's Bright ..

... The Future's Orange ... Lol sorry couldn't help myself!!!!!!

 Is it the right decision? Oh hell I don't know!!!!

All I can say is he's a smart little lad with a good coat and great colour. 

His hind quarters don't look as angulated as they did last week, but otherwise not a lot to fault him on really. Anyway Nico has maybe a tad too much angulation so hopefully the'll be OK. 

The Puzzle

Mr Orange 5.5 weeks

Ian phoned last night and asked me which day I was going to choose my puppy. I found myself answering, "Over the week-end, what ever day is best for you!" Hang on .... I have said all along "IF" I feel a male puppy has show potential then I will consider having him. There is the possibility of loosing so much if I do take this pup. I have three people waiting for pups next year, and none of them want one now. Depending on Sammi health test results, and if I have this boy I may have to totally scrap the idea of breeding from Jezi. The first dilema is It's puppy or mating Jezi now, In 12 - 24 months time the second dilema may well be between breeding from Jezi or Sammi. So many "ifs" and "buts," but clearly no answers!
Nico has sired 23 living pups from 3 bitches in the area in the last 12 months. Other than the three I have lined up, would I struggle to sell puppies if I too had a litter early next year? I never want to be in the position I was in with the "H" litter again, that was just heartbreaking for us. Ian has had a cancellation this week, the woman has just discovered she's pregnant so they feel it's not the right time for them, best they discover that before taking the pup home I guess! Good thing he took a deposit, but he now has 4 boys left to sell. Ok they are only just coming up to 6 weeks, but still you would feel more comfortable with another couple sold at this stage wouldn't you!

I think the Stunning Mr Purple and Miss Pink

If "Orange" still looks as good as he did last weekend then I will probably have him. But in this most recent photo he seems to lack coat. Without doubt I will definitely take another look at "Purple" and "Green." Like I said at the time Green was a lovely looking pup that maybe just didn't show his true personality on the day. If for any reason neither now have potential then I will decline the offer. One thing I totally forgot to do .. and must do on the day is check their mouths. We all know so much can go wrong as the grow up, but having everything "in place" at this age sure does help.
I'm still fiddling with names too, Loki's full name is "Loki Laufeyson" and a "Lokean" is one who honours Loki as their primary God. I've never liked silly fancy names, Our dogs have always had the affix and a name. From Blanik Astra (Seffe) in the first litter through to Blanik Ivana (Sammi) it's always the way I've done it. So maybe I should stick to the  original plans ... so Loki of/at Blanik or Lokean at/of Blanik. At the moment I'm so tempted to stick to no frills and keep it simple.
So a big weekend ahead, a big decisions which I must approach sensibly .... as soon as I know then no doubt I'll be updating my blog.

Back Again.

For the third time in less than a week Ziva was back at the vets. This time I was lucky to get an appointment with Jill the boss woman. This lady doesn't suffer fools and can be blunt and abrupt, but we have always had a good relationship and I have no doubts that she is the best vet I've ever been lucky enough to see. A close second would be Caroline who sadly retired years ago from Y Ffor.
By using a stitch cutter to reopen the wound Steve and I had emptied the large swelling on Ziva's leg 4 times since Saturday. As it continued to fill up we just felt this was a pointless exercise, but we had no idea what else to do. Again today we were reassured that this is nothing other than a blood filled hematoma. A space has been created and so the body feels the need to fill it!
We were given two options, the first was for Ziva to be anesthetised and for the swelling to be drained and flushed out, the second was to leave nature to take it's course. Jill feels that her body will eventually fight it, it may take weeks, but hopefully we will get there. Gentle massage may help and contradicting her younger colleague she said to return her to normal exercise. By choosing the latter I have to be prepare for a long wait, and Ziva may always have a lump there. But really as long as she's ok, then who cares? She never liked dog shows anyway!
Ziva is totally oblivious to the fact that this lump is there, she doesn't pick at it or lick it. The only time she has taken any notice was when it was drained. So we plod on and keep an eye on it .. Obviously if there is any change in it's form or it starts to bother her then we are straight back for further treatment.

"AND"  I forgot to say, her behaviour at the vets has been faultless. Proud of you baby Zee!!!

Way To Go Finlay

About a month ago I ran out of Finlay's glucosamine and chondroitin tablets. I think I had commented that I felt they made no difference to his mobility, but without stopping them how would I really know? Anyway as soon as I finished them I started him on a a CSJ product containing devils claw. The product had sat in the cupboard for years, I can't even remember who I got it for!
Within a week to 10 days Steve commented that he had seen Finlay on the bed. Finlay had not made it onto our rather high bed in about a year. Today I found him there myself and here is the evidence! Delighted

Colour Boys Stood In Order

Orange

Green

Purple

Blue

 Brown

 Red

Light Blue

This is my personal opinion on show prospects on the day that I saw them. 7 days is a long time in a puppy's life. Next week my opinion could differ greatly. 

Orange was still hands down my favourite, beautiful balanced puppy, lovely colour, stunning head. I really couldn't ask for more at this age. I found it hard to pick between purple and green for second place. Green has lovely conformation and a stunning head with a huge jacket. But I fear he is too laid back to be a show dog, in all honesty any more laid back and he'd be asleep. I think Purple is stunning a very outgoing boy who never stopped wagging his tail. A beautiful male who just didn't have the turn of stifle of orange.

Blue is a nice puppy and on conformation could probably hold his own in the show ring. Lovely turn of stifle. But at the moment I feel the first three out class him. Brown is a balanced puppy, but he is a little straight in front and lacks turn of stifle. 

Red, Hmm, I''m not sure he should be this far down, maybe he should be above Blue, or between brown and blue. His conformation is pretty good, but I can't get passed the already paling face, I doubt he will have any mask and that's not for me.

Light blue, what can I say? A happy mischievous little man who will make a wonderful pet.  

If Green was just tired on the day and really has some go in him then he is a strong contender, but if he is the lazy boy we saw then he will never have the presence and attitude for the show ring. Purple has that in huge quantities, but he really was straight in stifle. I think for now I will give green the benefit of the doubt and leave him in second place .... 

Good News

The Kennel club have removed the endorsement off Kia registation, we are all thrilled that the puppies can now be registered. The breeder broke 2 KC rules when she endorsed her pedigree with "Progeny Not Eligible For Registration!" Firstly she did not explain the endorsement to the buyers and she did not receive a signed contract stating that all parties understood the endorsement. Secondly all puppies must be registered and endorsed whilst still in the possession of the breeder, Kia was registered days after she had already been sold. Basically, and thankfully she didn't have a leg to stand on!
Three of that litter .. Celt with his mum Kia, Margo and Indiana - aren't they looking great .....
(Click on the photos to enlarge)