We Walked

The lull before the storm, and after the last one. A dry morning, I took everyone around the fields, then I took the young girls for a much-needed walk. It really does help to get out and about. Beti was a little flat, well lacking her usual Beti Fizz, but Meerah was very full on, she's such a darling.

Tomorrow I'm taking mum to the hospital in Dolgellau, the forecast is scary ... but what can I do?

More Rain

Bloody Weather

One photo today, because it pissed it down after this walk and my phone maybe old, but it's precious. 

I wonder why yesterday's storm didn't get a name? I'll give it one Destructive Dave (See photo below) Yesterday I was spending time with Mum and then had my appointment with the physio in Alltwen hospital. Good news really, my hips are great, my left knee is great, my right one? Well not so great, but with some TLC it will last me about 20 years ... well that'll do me. I've been given exercises to do. 

The left leg has had a different diagnosis to what I was told in Caernarfon, and the exercises I was given then would not have helped. It's a hamstring issue, so yeah, different exercises to do and back to see him in January. Though his diagnosis is different, he does think that a lot of my problem is the way I walk, as my right leg is shorter than the left, but an incident which I recall in March with Ross may also have contributed to the hamstring problem. (He doesn't look where he's going!)

The drive back yesterday was nerve wracking, with the car almost sailing in the wind and rain towards home. I've no idea how I got in through the top gate as I could barely stand up out there. I was thankful that I was in the car as I doubt I'd have been able to hang onto the van door. Steve was annoyed that I didn't let him come and open the gate for me ... if you know you know! LOL 

Thank Dave!

Sky's Little Star

Please excuse the colour as I've tried to edit it, the photo was taken under a red heat lamp. 

Sadly, things didn't go well for Sky, this time the vet correctly predicted the number of puppies. Carrying such a small litter is always a nightmare, and when Sky went into labour the pups were too big to pass through the birth canal. I wish the vet hadn't given an oxytocin injection and waited an hour, I wish they had gone straight in for a caesarean, but sadly they didn't. 

The caesarean went well, and two huge girls arrived home with mummy Sky, but sadly, the biggest bitch, who had probably been blocking the birth canal didn't make it, the vet suggestion she may have lacked oxygen during the birthing process. The family are devastated at the loss, let's hope and pray this little Star thrives and gives them all the love in the world.

Two Together

Thankfully, Orin and Siska are now back together. 

Let there be peace at Blanik before Xmas.

Quick It's Not Raining

There has been a very abrupt end to Siska's season. That a promising sign, but the next few weeks will see me on a roller coaster ride of emotions. I will continue with Siska's diary in private elsewhere for now. 

Zeus, Meerah, Sammi 

Beti and Ross

Just to feel safe I'll take a couple more days before putting Orin and Siska back together.

Jamie day

Happy Jamie day everybody. Photos taken 4/12/09 and 4/12/25 There are cats, there are special cats ... and then, in a league of his own, there's Jamie!

The Sound Of Silence

 Yesterday morning it was different here, no one "singing" at 6am and a calmness within the pack. Still before breakfast Orin figured he'd go to talk to a crated Siska and she told him to "Piss Off."  Orin and Zeus ate their breakfast for the first time in days. Yesterday evening, well bedtime, Orin came flying in going towards Siska, but then realised there was a carrot in his crate and chose the carrot over Siska.

Today it's quite here, both entire males have eaten  and are relaxed and calm, so I guess both bitches have gone over now, but I won't be putting Siska out with Orin for a few more days.

Beti was on day 19 on Sunday when the "accident" happened. I have booked her in at the vets for the injections next week, on Thursday and Friday. A friend suggested an alternate, which was to wait till 28 days and scan, if she was not pregnant then no injections would be necessary, yeah that sounds good, but if she was pregnant and having seen "Beti's babies" I would then find it hard to terminate the pregnancy, so plan one it is. 

Siska has gone off really quickly considering she did not ovulate till about Friday, thank god I went on Sunday as I think 48 hrs later would have just been too later. I keep doubting myself but "Gemini" says I went on the right day. I have found "Gemini" a great tool to have on my laptop, yes it's fun to play, but in this case it's knowledge is the key. 

Not Quite A Disaster

Imagine it, well actually I think it's best you don't, I was sitting on the loo in the services just North of Builth when my phone rang ... "Steve calling"  ... so I answered. 

"Rhian there has been a disaster, Zeus got out onto the mountain, I used Beti to get him back in, but she slipped her lead, they went running round and round the field and now they've mated and I'm stood in the field with them because they've tied."

"What the feck Steve?" Now if it wasn't for his stressed tone and the time of year I'd think it was an April's fool. "It wasn't my fault," he screeched, he then said "Got to go, got to go."  I went back to the van and told Ian, then I took a breath and as we talked I calmed down and gradually managed to get it into perspective. Well no one was hurt, no one missing, this can be sorted, Beti will just have to have a "morning after" injection! I called Steve again 10 mins later, he was seething and upset, so no I couldn't be cross. Accidents happen, it's how you deal with it that proves who you are, this potential pregnancy simply can not happen, it would be against everything that I ethically believe in. Zeus is not health tested, Beti has a UAP and to top it all he's her father's brother!  

There are lots of things going around in my head .. how the feck did knob dog get out again? Why on earth did Steve get an "in season" Beti to use to try and bring him in, when there was the option of Sammi or better still Meerah? I guess, a spur of the moment decision made in panic that lead to unfortunate consequences! 

Initially yesterday I was angry and upset, but I guess after a while I could see the humour in it, well I guess you have to. Beti, the little tart, had been trying to get to Zeus all week, well she was a happy bunny now then. Zeus has never been used at stud, but within minutes they'd managed to mate and tie, when we'd spent almost two hours getting it all done and dusted and my god I've spent longer than that with many a stud here too! 

Lastly, in 33 years, there have been three accidental mating here. Blade and Lia,(not health tested)  Mikey and Asha (siblings) and now these two, and no, not one of them have been on my watch ... LOL. 

Success

 After a stunning drive through the Brecon Beacons to Merthyr Tydfil we arrived at Reno's home. He doesn't live in a large breeding kennel with lots of grounds, he is a pet who lives in a terrace cottage with his owner. We drove a short distance to a small yard that belonged to the owner's friend to do the mating.  

Initially, Siska was not amused and told him about it, but to be fair to her, she was not given the opportunity to find some grass for a wee, stretch her legs and introduce herself. After being allowed that time, she was much more compliant! 

It did take a bit of time to get the mating, and we all had one break, but we eventually got there and had a 20 min tie. 

I can only hope my maths are correct now and that Siska will take from the single mating. If she had continued on the same course then she would have probably ovulated on Friday and been in the mid 40ies by yesterday afternoon. Between 32 and 64 is the optimal potential for fertilisation. If she did slow down, then I have the comfort of knowledge that sperm can live for up to a week ... theoretically it would have been impossible for her to have passed the fertile time as the ova need at least 48 hrs to ripen, and she hadn't ovulated on Thursday morning. Let's cross everything now for a pregnancy and a healthy happy "N" litter!