Sunday, 14 December 2008

Mr Big Writes Again

This dog is just so darn cute. He is a poser'holic. Just look at him using the lap top and sticking his head over to pose for the camera. He now has learnt the following on cue, sits, downs, target. He has a real zest for joining in everything that the collies do, something he picked up from Zev no doubt, as Zev cannot be left out of anything or he is most miffed. Despite his tender age and tiny size, he is clearly part of the pack. And he loves walking. He cares not if its wet or muddy, running he must go (restricted to a suitable time duration for a youngster). On a soppy note, we really feel so lucky and blessed that this year both Zev and Big, have joined us in life's journey. They never fail to make us smile and keep us entertained with their enthusiasm for life and exploring everything they come across even if to us it is gross as finding a dead rabbit on the field, yuck! ;-) P.S Rivi continuing to improve:-)

Thursday, 11 December 2008

Babyoli doing ok :-)

I know the blog has been pretty focused on Rivoli, but boy has she needed lots of attention. 48 hours on from her spay, she seems to be doing ok, the wound is neatly done and today joy of joy she wagged her tail. Which is a hugh relief, I do like to see waggy tails of the happy kind. Marc, was super on the first night and kindly slept in the guest room, so that Rivi could be on the bed right next to me. She stayed in the same spot all night, and it was reassuring to have her so close.
Zev, has been oh so good as a maturing male, he has had to cope with living with a bitch that was rumbling/false starts since May and then a full season in Oct/Nov and another in Dec. Whilst he has clearly been frustrated and many bits of furniture have been humped, he has never been over the top. That is one of the things I love about him, his ability to communicate his feelings in a way that is to me is a fascinating and intelligent use of canine body language both body and vocalisation. And as the photo from the summer shows, Rivi and Zev are so good together, and have great fun.

Monday, 8 December 2008

Botheroli!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Poor Rivi :-(

Poor Rivioli, took her to the vets today, as I was thought that she was coming back into season and my concerns were confirmed. This was really disappointing as she only finished her last season, on the 10th of November and I had arranged after much research for her to have an ovariectomy in the New Year, at a practice near Norwich. Which despite being a considerable distance to get to, seemed to offer the best solution. (As far as I can work out.) However, that has all changed as today my vets are concerned that she has polycystic ovaries and that they need to investigate what is going on immediately. So tomorrow she is booked in for surgery and its in all likihood she will end up being conventionally spayed. Poor Rivi has struggled with the hormones having rumbling starts on and off from May until October this year. She was 18 months and 2 days when her first proper season occurred. Poor thing, she must feel like she has semi-permanent PMT. Hopefully, she will be all sorted out tomorrow and no more hormones that are going 'haywire'.

Sunday, 7 December 2008

Crapioli!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Went to UKA yesterday, and it was really good, as it told me where the missing link was in my A-frame training. Rivi's dw & s-s are coming along a treat, but I always felt the a-f was bult on air, nice but how far can I push it. The UKA course was perfect to try, sent Rivi to a-f and cut across to pick her up on the jump wing that followed. Rivi said 'hang on I'm coming' which is lovely but from a technical view point I want her driving down the a-f. not looking at me. Then clarity rained upon me so hard, it was really hard not to be cross with myself. Poor Rivi, what a crapioli moment by me of cause. But "dont worry Rivi I have seen the light" so to speak. Generalisation training for the a-f coming up, I am on a mission.Yahoo to yoga mats and simulation of contacts.

Raz and Marc did perfect training round for agilty, as you can see. Although actually watching the vid you can see he should run harder when training, it is all to easy to fall into 'training mode'.

Wednesday, 3 December 2008

Big is Now officially Vanitonia Mister Big

Marc & Big
Its cool, Big's KC papers arrived from the breeders, he is now officially known as Vanitonia Mister Big. Well for a tiny man, he sure has had a big impact, he is so bold and feisty it is great taking him out and about. In fact he is 'me, me, me' . Zev has a play buddy who is smaller than him and the collies are very indulgent and gentle. Marc, is really smitten, which is great as he was starting to take way to much interest in Zev. I thought no way is he having my Zev, but who can blame him, Zev is so super! So I launched my action plan to get him a toy poodle. Nothing like the persistence of a Wynne in action. The action plan was successful executed in the form of Big. Mind you, Big was so cute when Marc met him, I did not need to convince him at all. I had always said when Jigs was 10, it would be time for Marc to have another little 'un, and the little 'un has arrived well and truly.