Showing Off

This is Nico's Christmas card for his Facebook page.

I'm quite proud of it really ....

*****

These are the two photos that I used to make the card. 

Above Fron on an early December morning in 2010 (Actually Dec 18th) 

And below Nico in the snow of March 2013

A few tweaks on Pizap - and yeah I think it looks quite nice! 

Now to make my own!!!

12 Months Ago

A heavily pregnant Ziva looking fantastic. 

There was so much nervous excitement here then.

Apologies now for the reminiscing that will surely follow!

They've Crashed!

.. and actually the left one is completely flat again now too. 

It changes his expression so much ... hope he's not like this for long!

For Louis ....

It'll Have To Be a Chain

Ziva getting impossible to keep in a crate. It all started when I was trying to wean her off the pups overnight early in the year. She was put in a cheap cage and she found that she could open the door from the inside to go and check on the pups when really the were best left to sleep! Six, six week old pups were no fun for me when they were playing chase at 4am ... but still mother knows best eh!!
Anyway her own crate is a solid metal one, probably the best crate here. I remember buying it at a show in Stafford and Carrie and I carted it for what seemed like miles back to the car ... god it was heavy! Lots of dogs have slept in it since, and Steve has even tried to force open it from the outside, he couldn't do it, but Ziva can. (Well from the inside) When we are getting ready to go out she regularly lets herself out. After her breakfast she doesn't wait for me to go and get her, she joins us in the kitchen and if she's ever shut in during the day she opens the door. Don't get me wrong she doesn't hate being in it, often she's gone back in .. but the door is open and the odd cat bowl or fork has magically joined her in there! Is it a big problem? Well generally no not really. I would prefer her not to come face to face with her sister and until she's in season again I guess it's not an issue. When she does come in season then I'll have to put a benching chain around the door I guess!
So how does she do it? I've no idea, she's never done it whilst we are watching ... I intend on setting up the video camera later!!!

Tali's Results

Over the last week Tali's stool sample results have come in at the vets. She is clear of everything from parasites to campylobacter! Good news but it still leaves us wondering "Why?" I know it all started after I caught her eating something orange and quite disgusting on the mountain in September 2013. But a course of antibiotics did clear it up and it took 12 months for the symptoms to return. Taking it of course that both incidents are related which they may well not be! I do find it strange that it returned at the same time of year though.
As recommended Tali is now on a fish based food, things are reasonably calm, though not a 100% solid. At the moment we are keeping a close eye on what goes in and what comes out! Roger suggests she's is to be kept off any high fat foods though he doesn't see the harm in her getting the odd treat. What would she do without her bed time bonio? The worry is the other things that she eats, sheep shit, cat shit, mud, grass, soil ... you name it, she'll eat it. No this is nothing new,  this is Tali!
I asked if there was a risk of a a pancreatic insufficiency problem? The vet assured me this was not the case! He said that maybe the bowel upset may cause chronic pancreatitis, but there is usually some pain and vomiting associated with this condition. Tali has shown neither of those symptoms but a low grade pancreatitis is a consideration. (again related to an irritable bowel probably caused by something she's eating!) I wonder as she ages if her digestive tract is now less tolerant of all the crap she's eating?
So where do we go now? We plod on and try and monitor her eating habits. I've even considered putting a muzzle on her for walks, that would at least stop her eating crap/rubbish; but I fear it would make her miserable and at her time of life that's not something I want to do. The other consideration had been a retractable lead, but I feel that will be dangerous with the other dogs running about. If her symptoms persist or escalate then she will need blood tests to find answers. I just hope this is something we can manage without causing her further stress, but I don't hold out any hope for me stopping her eating shit!

Christmas Visiting

"Auntie Carrie do you have another biscuit?" 

"And that's what Father Xmas looks like!"

Sammi and Loki's mad dash around Carrie's garden

Do You Remember The Green Monster?

Well Sammi was not impressed! 

I washed him and put him away for the next generation. 

Whilst sorting out Xmas stuff I came across the bag of puppy toys and decided maybe a "Boy puppy" would like the monster!

Yes he "loves" it! 

But Sammi says......

"I think that could be mine!" 

X Factor

So that's why I kept voting foe Ben! 

And that smile was so infectious! 

Sammi And Loki

Not the right time of day for taking photos- but I couldn't resist.

I love watching the two together, they are so good for each other.

One day soon, I'll catch you up Sammi Belle

My toy!

Run little guy run!!!!