Bones

I think I've well and truly fecked up. Before going any further I take full responsibility, it was my choice to give these guys the bones, my dogs, my decision. Since they had them we've had nothing but problems and if Siska is no better tomorrow I fear she'll need to see a vet. 

Initially Orin, Siska and Beti had diarrhoea and Ross had awful constipation and was off his food. Loki's poo contained dangerous shards of splintered bones, but everything seems to have passed OK. Siska is a different story, yesterday morning she didn't want breakfast, I was away till mid-afternoon and was shocked to find mucus and blood in the pen when I got home. Siska didn't eat last night either, but when she ate her bonio and carrot at bedtime I felt better about the situation. Everyone slept all night, but Siska again didn't want to eat. I made her scrambled egg for breakfast and she ate that and some treats during the day. This evening she's even refused white fish and scrambled egg. She did have a very normal looking poo at lunchtime, but I'm very very worried that she has swallowed dangerous splinters of bone. I'm so cross with myself, she won't even eat chicken tonight, I've let the team down, I have no experience of raw feeding and even if we get through this without a major disaster I will never give my dogs raw bones again. 

More About Teeth

For the first time ever little miss Meerah hasn't eaten today, though she seems fine in herself, maybe teething? I have been good and put the breakfast away. Eat it or lose it! Though her jaw seems to be correcting itself, I have a feeling she's going to have a double P1, bottom, right side I think it was, but I'm not sure, and she's asleep now so I won't go poking! In days gone by, a double P1 would have been a disaster. Kiri had it and I never bothered showing her at Champs because of it, though once I did qualify her for Crufts at an open show and decided to take her. It was a breed judge and of course Kiri was stone last. People on the outside of the ring were shocked as she was a nice bitch and of the type that the judge was going for, but of course I knew what the judge had seen and in those days it was near as damn it a disqualification. 

In recent years less importance has been given to double P1, and it's now suggested that judges do not penalise one or two double P1's, but missing teeth should be considered a serious fault.

"Premolars -Used for cutting, holding, shearing and breaking food into small pieces. Puppies do not have P1 teeth. Adults have eight (8) premolars in the upper jaw and eight (8) in the lower jaw, four (4) on each side. The premolars vary in size from the smallest (P1) to the largest (P4 upper) apart from the P1 they have a serrated crown. The most common of faults is missing or additional premolar 1 in either the upper or lower jaw, it has not been scientifically proven that these are linked hereditarily, however, there are clear bloodline connections which link these faults. While additional P1 teeth are undesirable, they should not be penalised in the show ring." 

I firmly believe there is a family link to additional P1's as I know exactly when it started here and it has nothing to do with Lucca. 

Zeus, Loki and Missing Meerah

Everyone's favourite hairy arse was better behaved today, but yesterday he well and truly had his knob head hat on! The mist was quite thick when I was out with them and everything was going fine until I got hold of the long line to bring him in. (and yes I get hold of it numerous times on a walk) He powered off from the top of the boncan and for my safety I just had to let go, he disappeared into the mist. I don't panic, the field is safely fenced. Anyway, distracted by the kite who regularly visits now I didn't clock what direction he went in. After looking for some time I saw him down by the wall, but as I approached him he ran off, and then that was the game until I was almost at my wits end! Luckily for me he eventually went onto the boncan and the line got caught up in the trees. The air turned blue for a few mins as I untied him and dragged him into the house! Anyway as I said a different day a different hat today!

I guess I didn't cope that well with Zeus yesterday as Loki was having a bad day and though I'd let him out and cleaned his bedding at 7.30am, it was a bomb site again by 8.30am. The first time he'd done it in his sleep and it was at the back of the crate on the plastic sheet, this time it was spread all over the crate, even through the bars. I get so pissed off, but never at him, just at the situation we find ourselves in. My mum didn't help, I'm not judging her for it, she seems the world through different eyes, but she was more concerned about "the smell in your house" than anything else. I guess a lot of people would see the situation as she does, but for us, looking after an older family member is just part of life and loving the dogs. 

A huge panic yesterday ... but with hindsight it's funny. When I was cleaning the yard in the morning I had the top field open. Siska and Orin were already in the pen and oldies and Meerah were toddling about. I put the cleaning stuff away and called the dogs in, one, two, three ... Meerah ... Meerah .. Where the bloody hell was she? I went to the field calling her, I ran back to the yard, calling her .. I saw the recycling lorry I ran to the top of the field .. "Have you seen a puppy?" My heart was racing, my stomach churning over ... I ran back to the yards, being calm and retracing my steps didn't come to mind .. Thankfully, there she was sitting behind the gate that I'd closed in her face ... if only she'd said something! LOL

George Michael - Last Christmas (Live at Wembley Arena, 17th December 2006)

Wow. This was released today! Well, that's me emotional. I am grateful and totally blown away, that they've released this to go with the 40th anniversary of the single, but with footage like this, why have they waited so fucking long?18 years, when there is footage like this. What were they waiting for, and what else have they got?

I wasn't at this concert, I was lucky to see him on this tour twice at MEN, but I heard this live as a lovely friend rang me and let me listen in. It was the only time on the tour that it was played. 

Family

            

 

Whilst chatting to friends last week, I'd commented that in recent photos I'd noticed that Marley looked like Callan at the same age, and why would he not? Callan is Siska's brother. In the photo of Marley sent to me today I saw a young Callan again ... (Callan on the beach) 

Comments were made when the litter were all born sable, "Where is the Blanik?" Sable is dominant over all the other GSD colours and patterns, including black and tan, this means that two black and tan GSDs cannot produce a Sable. However, sable can carry the black and tan gene and 2 sable parents may produce black and tan offspring. So yeah the "M" litter are all their father's colour, but if you want to know "where is the Blanik?" Well, regardless of colour,  look no further than Meerah and Marley ... Hoping for updates on Seren shortly.

Callan today

Beti And Meerah Visiting

Beti adores Carrie and I'm glad to say she was a little calmer today. 

Meerah chilling on the sofa, she was so relaxed and went to sleep. 

Poor Loki

Another emotional day with my old man not doing so well. Steve made a comment of please let him make it to and through Xmas. I knew his Xmas gift was in the cupboard, well what use is it there? He may as well have it. His mobility is deteriorating rapidly, as you can see from the top two photo his legs are everywhere and he's knuckling front and back. Today was the first time that he didn't manage a walk and I had to bring him back, sadly the falls onto his face have knocked some of his teeth out. I think the right front leg is the biggest problem as he continues to knuckle over on it. What can I do?  Nothing, a dogs strength is more so in the front than back end, so when the front is weak it is a big problem. 

I fear our borrowed time is running out - Quality of life has to be paramount!

KC Meetings

Well, I'm feeling honoured but a little taken aback. Last night I had a call from the breeds health coordinator, the KC are setting up a panel of up to 10 GSD enthusiasts from the UK for discussions regarding the health and welfare of the breed, and she has asked if I could be on it? WOW, little old me, WOW. These will be people from the showing and the working side, as well as pet people. She said that they want people who are singing from the same hymn sheet regarding health testing, showing and producing unexaggerated sound dogs. Apparently there is great concern within the top ranks about over angulation and character, issues which they think are more prevalent at breed events rather than at General events. "They" feel that even with all the strategies put in place that nothing has changed at some events and that some judges are still putting up unsound animals. So now they want to start by taking the judges to task. 

Obviously, I'm passionate about improving the breed, but I worry that I'm not qualified enough to speak out, but I will give it a go and see. The meetings will be held online and we will be sent information to read and digest as well as a video before the first meeting. If I find I'm out of my depth, I will let them know soon enough so they can find someone more knowledgable. 

Suddenly a post from a top handler, Mr S.C makes sense!!!!

The 7th Generation

I found this of Tali. 

Frosty But Happy