The Rain Came

2 dry pleasant walks but on the third we had a soaking!

So a quick photo which I hadn't realised was blurred ... damn!

Andros Strikes Again?

GEORGE Michael’s family members have turned their backs on a Channel 5 documentary that claims to document the singer’s last days.The one-off programme – titled The Last Days of George Michael – will air on Thursday.And a family source told the Sun on Sunday: “We have nothing to do with the documentary. No one close to George has been involved in the making of it.“Some people have been asked, but have immediately declined. As far as we understand it, it must be a collection of old footage of George.“George had tight controls over material and footage of himself.“So even if brilliant unseen footage exists, I’d be very surprised if it could be released without his permission.”

God I hate that Andros - and if he sends me another Facebook request I'll .. I'll well not sure what I can do other than have a strop!

BOB At Llandudno

Siblings Loki and Bella

Just home from a hectic Llandudno show. Great atmosphere with lovely friends who after me having a bad head week managed to mostly keep me on track. Asha was entered in Pastoral Veteran, but I didn't take her as I'd forgotten there was a class. Sorry Asha! On the way I found myself on the way out of Caernarfon having forgotten to pick up Ian and had to go back for him, and then I went into the wrong class with Loki. Later I took the dogs back to the van without taking the keys with me, Linda would never have let me do that! Aww, don't feel sorry for me .. just laugh at me like my mates do!!!!
Only Loki and Bella present to represent the breed with Loki taking BOB and group 4 in a numerically large group. Proud of my boy, but equally proud of Kaiah, and Ro and Mark's Jethro who took it all in their stride and coped brilliantly with the crowded hall. (338 entries at the show) Kaiah says sorry to uncle Ian, but you must pull your finger out of her mouth faster when she's eating!!! LOL

Sibling - Kaiah and Jethro - looking alike!

Three Different Routes Today

Kaiah's Five Months

 I'm really pleased with her conformation

She has the most beautiful head and expression

But more than anything I adore who she is.. Cracking little girl!

Weigh In

Trip out for young and old this morning. First stop the vets for a weigh in. So chuffed with how well Tali is doing. She's now back up to almost 28kg - after a bad few months with her IBS she was down to just under 25kg 6 weeks ago. She now has 2 meals of Arden Grange Fish and Potato and 2 meals of white fish with pasta or mash potatoes daily and it's working a treat.
Kaiah, now 5 months old was 21.25kg today which I think is ideal. I make her 53.5cms at the wither so just a cm smaller than her mum was. (Sammi was 20.80 kg and 54.5cms at the wither) Kaiah's not impressed with her 3 meals a day and is still waiting for lunch!
We then took the girls for a nice walk along the track in Rhostryfan .. I'm in my new high viz coat so Tali can see me, with her nuclear sclerosis she can't see dark colours that well .. or that's her excuse for always going her own way anyway!

Jethro's Visit

Lovely to see Jethro today - sadly the weather wasn't up to much so the photos aren't that good.

Never mind, still lovely to get them

New Test

There is now another new health test available for GSD's. It is in it's infancy and hopefully will be successful. Kaiah's father "Merlot" has been tested and he does not carry the gene suspected to cause the mutation that causes DM  (Or as it was previously known - CDRM) 

When Joe Bloggs says he had an "Alsatian" and it's back end went, they presume and usually say the breed has bad hips. It is not bad hips that make the breed become paralysed at the back end it's this condition, DM. A test proving progeny will not be affected by the gene can only be helpful to the future health of the puppies we breed. 

"Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive, incurable, disease of the nerves of the spinal cord which causes gradual loss of mobility and loss of feeling in the limbs. Affected dogs become paralysed first in the hind limbs and then in the forelimbs. The condition, which appears to be quite common in German Shepherd dogs, does not cause pain but they are unable to behave or function normally which is likely to have a detrimental impact on their welfare."

Those of you who remember Blade will remember that he had DM .. Now I look back I know I was blessed that he was taken from me with a cardiac collapse before he lost significant mobility. Blade thank fully was never bred from. Finlay also had DM, but was in the early stages so it never really affected him that much. But I remember my vet saying, "walk him as far as you think you should, and then a little bit more, keep him moving to try and retain muscle." We did and it helped! 

Hopefully in future many less dogs will suffer with this crippling condition, and many less owners will be spared the pain of watching their dogs become paralysed from the back end up!

Move On

The arguing and bickering on the George Michael pages on Facebook are really disheartening. Some people are plain evil, even now their posts could be considered liable or at least offensive. Poor Fadi has lost his partner. I accept some people don't like him but he's innocent of any wrong doing. He was George's choice, George love, why can't they accept that? Some are even shouting "Cover up," oh yeah as if! I'm being kind, maybe they just can't accept the loss!
It's been hard, and some of my friends are unable to move on. I have found some peace after the coroners report, and for the first time that day I played a George CD. Martin Kemp had me in tears again but some how now I feel I'm beginning to accept the situation. I'm sure others will find the strength and closure with time. Right now I'm gretful to George for everything he has given me. Always proud to be a George Michael fan. X

Young Guns Having Fun

 Where's that Loki?

 GIRLS ... He's behind you!

Woohoo here she comes a flying.

No she didn't go on, but still came home like a drowned rat after mummy Sammi pushed her in a ditch! She was not amused and to add insult to injury there was no lunch!