Xmas Day In The Field

The guys love boxes and presents. One of the highlights of the day was watching toy mad Nico getting OTT with all the new stuff coming out of the bag and seeing Jezi staring at him like he'd lost the plot. Jezi has no interest in anything that isn't edible. 

With the tier 4 lockdown throughout Wales our Xmas plans had to change last minute. Having done all her food shopping Mum was devastated to learn that we couldn't go for our traditional second Xmas dinner on the 27th. We all agreed that we should stick to the rules and hopefully have a meal sometime in the future. As I always do I cooked the turkey on Xmas Eve, but yesterday I prepared the veg early on Xmas morning, and we made a surprise trip for a mid-morning cuppa and cake to my parents house. They were so emotional, mum even cried. It was without doubt the right decision as it may be weeks before we see them again. Anyway the point of this as regard to "Blanik" was that the usual walks were cancelled, but we did have 30 mins of fun in the fields! There are plenty of days for plenty of walks - but that hour yesterday  with my parents was priceless. 

Cooking At Xmas

Not quite 7 weeks, but I had to take the opportunity to take this photo of the baby belly today on Xmas day. Kaiah is still doing well - Just over 2 weeks to go. 

George

Nadolig Llawen

A Couple Of Blaniks

 TJ from the "H" litter, sister to Ziva and Jezi, in the basket.

 Jethro from the "J" litter, Kaiah's brother in the chair. 

I Was Brave

Last night I decided to leave Archie loose around the house overnight. With it being windy, cold and drizzly I thought it would be a great night to try it as I knew he wouldn't want to go out. Steve got up once to check on him, he was on the mantle piece, I got up about 7am, and he was still asleep on the sofa. He had used his litter tray which I'd left in the utility room for him, yeah I think it went well.

Xmas Eve

The Young Cats

I put the last of the cans in the fridge and suddenly the box became the best ever toy. 

"Has anyone seen Luther? "

Peepo Luther

There he is! 

Sammi Belle

 "I know" says Steve, "we can call her Sammi."  Sammi?  Really? Sammi I thought? Well my plan to call her Isis had gone out of the window. Until that year I'd loved the name, Isis and its meaning.  "Isis is a goddess in Egyptian mythology. She was known as the goddess of the moon. As goddess of life and magic, Isis protected women and children, and healed the sick." How sad that such a beautiful name had now begun to mean something sinister. So, Sammi I thought, well Ok .. why not as long as she was NEVER Sam, Samsam or Samantha .. it had to be Sammi. Scousers are awful for shortening names, after working with them for 10 years I'd got quite use to being Rhi, but there are far too many Sam's in the dog world, but to be honest I didn't know then and don't know now of any other "Sammis!" To be fair Steve has stuck to his word, she has always been Sammi or Sammi Belle of course!

Ziva went into labour on the evening of the 23rd of December. Four were born on the 23rd with Barney and Sammi the last to come at just after midnight. Being so close to Xmas they all inherited Xmas baby names The two LSH girls were Holly and Ivy, the 2 boys were Nick and Noel and the two SC girls were Jingle and Belle. Baby Belle (Don't call me that I is not cheese!) caught my eye at about 3 weeks old. I tried not to be influence that early, but I was already smitten with her. I had to keep the right bitch for the future of Blanik and I remember saying to a friend that if it wasn't her then I would be heartbroken. Never have I fallen so hard for such a young puppy before, even with Louis it was later. 

So now that precious Xmas puppy is a veteran, my most special of girls. The naughty Angel became the Angel. Where has the time gone? Having her ShCM and Stud book number she is the top winning bitch here since Nikki and currently the top winning Danko daughter.  But really she is still the puppy who stole my heart, still the bitch that I fell in love with .. still my very special girl. 

Happy 7th Birthday

Where did the years ago?

 All recent photos apart from Barney. Still there's a chance we may yet still get some.

Aren't they all lovely.