Well, the on-going saga of medical issues keeps trundling on - I seem to have spent far too much time at the doctor's, A&E, X-ray dept and pathology just recently. As a result I know that my blood pressure is elevated and I have an infection in my finger - strangely, those are exactly the things I told all the 12 various health bods I have seen over the last 12 weeks were wrong with me. So, other than confirming what I already knew, we are no further forward. Great!
But, on another aspect of life....I traded in my Zafira for a new silver Peugeot Partner van, and it has been measured up for proper caging fitting in the back. It's lovely to drive and very comfortable. I was looking at the VW caddy, but trying out both at the same garage I was surprised to find that the Peugeot was the one I liked better. So, there we are!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Weekend Fun
Gosh! It's been a long gap!! I've been dragged screaming and kicking onto FaceBook, and most stuff goes there now rather than here.
Anyway, I just wanted to record the fabulous weekend I have just had with my darling Mum - she'll be 91 later this month, and though she has a lot of pain from an arthritic spine, she is still so lively and sprightly and such fun to be with. The weather has been kind this weekend so we have lunched out at Coughton Court and walked in the gardens and shopped in the gift shop...but didn't find anything to buy. We also enjoyed the Royal Wedding on TV together then enjoyed the spoof RW that was put on by the staff of the residential home my mum lives in now - especially the canapes, cakes and champagne!!! We went on a shopping spree at Evesham Garden Centre and lunched there too, before going back to mum's house to look through old photos from my childhood and before. Dad was never far from our thoughts and we lit candles for him and all the family when we went to church. Then we finished the weekend with a relaxing day and an excellent omelette at mum's residential home, completing the Telegraph and the Mail crosswords between us.
Thanks Mum!! You made the weekend so much fun!
Anyway, I just wanted to record the fabulous weekend I have just had with my darling Mum - she'll be 91 later this month, and though she has a lot of pain from an arthritic spine, she is still so lively and sprightly and such fun to be with. The weather has been kind this weekend so we have lunched out at Coughton Court and walked in the gardens and shopped in the gift shop...but didn't find anything to buy. We also enjoyed the Royal Wedding on TV together then enjoyed the spoof RW that was put on by the staff of the residential home my mum lives in now - especially the canapes, cakes and champagne!!! We went on a shopping spree at Evesham Garden Centre and lunched there too, before going back to mum's house to look through old photos from my childhood and before. Dad was never far from our thoughts and we lit candles for him and all the family when we went to church. Then we finished the weekend with a relaxing day and an excellent omelette at mum's residential home, completing the Telegraph and the Mail crosswords between us.
Thanks Mum!! You made the weekend so much fun!
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Bless him!
Corker tries so hard to be helpful. But eating Amber's latest vet bill (over £2K) is not the solution unfortunately. Wish it was that simple!! Bless him!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Amber update
Amber spent all day yesterday at the vets, having a general anaesthetic then having an MRI scan, X-Ray, more blood tests, but not the follow up ultrascan we had also hoped for. I think they just ran out of time with all they were doing!!
The good news - she does not have any tumours and there is no sign of cancer (No guarantee of anything, of course)
The less good news - the whole of her spine from T12 to S1 has severe spondylosis, with at least 6 protruding discs. The L7/S1 disc is pressing onto the spinal cord, which could account for some of the slight loss of reflex nerve action. At L1 the spine has a bone infection, possibly already into the blood stream, though the blood tests showed nothing as yet. This area is close to the intestines, and the infection could have spread there, causing the weight loss and vomiting. The entire length of her intestines is inflamed - should be about 0.4cm but actually is about 0.8 at the worst parts. She has Irritable Bowel Disease as a result of the intestinal infection, and is not utilising what food manages to make its way through the system, which again is why she is vomiting and why she has lost about 1.4Kg in weight. She also has a cyst near her liver which is about 5cm in diameter.
So, what happens now? She continues to take the 2 stomach medications and antibiotics and sensitivity diet in order to get the intestinal inflammation under control. She also has stronger antibiotics to take for the next 6 weeks to bring the spinal infection under control, as well as Tramadol to relieve the pain of the protruding disc(s). Meal times are fun, making sure that the ones to be given on an empty stomach are taken first, then making sure she takes all the rest and doesn't miss any!!!
She's a bit subdued still, but rallying fast. She is physically weaker than in the past as she is losing muscle tone with the weight loss. If/when the infections are under control the vet and I can begin to discuss what surgery might be appropriate. I'm hoping that, as my vet is a top key-hole orthopaedic specialist at our local vet hospital, any surgery will be as un-intrusive as possible.
The best news? My vet says that none of the conditions are lif-threatening providing they are treated - which is what we are doing.
Just love my little, feisty, red girl.
The good news - she does not have any tumours and there is no sign of cancer (No guarantee of anything, of course)
The less good news - the whole of her spine from T12 to S1 has severe spondylosis, with at least 6 protruding discs. The L7/S1 disc is pressing onto the spinal cord, which could account for some of the slight loss of reflex nerve action. At L1 the spine has a bone infection, possibly already into the blood stream, though the blood tests showed nothing as yet. This area is close to the intestines, and the infection could have spread there, causing the weight loss and vomiting. The entire length of her intestines is inflamed - should be about 0.4cm but actually is about 0.8 at the worst parts. She has Irritable Bowel Disease as a result of the intestinal infection, and is not utilising what food manages to make its way through the system, which again is why she is vomiting and why she has lost about 1.4Kg in weight. She also has a cyst near her liver which is about 5cm in diameter.
So, what happens now? She continues to take the 2 stomach medications and antibiotics and sensitivity diet in order to get the intestinal inflammation under control. She also has stronger antibiotics to take for the next 6 weeks to bring the spinal infection under control, as well as Tramadol to relieve the pain of the protruding disc(s). Meal times are fun, making sure that the ones to be given on an empty stomach are taken first, then making sure she takes all the rest and doesn't miss any!!!
She's a bit subdued still, but rallying fast. She is physically weaker than in the past as she is losing muscle tone with the weight loss. If/when the infections are under control the vet and I can begin to discuss what surgery might be appropriate. I'm hoping that, as my vet is a top key-hole orthopaedic specialist at our local vet hospital, any surgery will be as un-intrusive as possible.
The best news? My vet says that none of the conditions are lif-threatening providing they are treated - which is what we are doing.
Just love my little, feisty, red girl.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Poorly
Why do things always seem to happen at the same time, making it impossible to deal with them effectively?
Amber has started bringing up her food about 7 to 9 hours after a meal. I have done all the usual things over the weekend - starvation, withdrawing all meds etc but it is still happening. So she really needs a trip to the vet.
BUT the car is poorly too and in the garage being diagnosed. It lost all power while I was driving home on the M62 yesterday, and is making a funny whirring sound.
So the problem is: what to do? Amber seems happy enough in herself, so I guess I have to wait for the garage to tell me how long they are going to need to keep the car before I know that I can a) attend the evening vet surgery tonight, or b) book a pet taxi to get there in the morning....
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
On Sunday 23 January 2011 my dad died. I was holding his hand as it happened, but it still came as a big shock.He had been fighting against all sorts of health problems for some time - he was never one to accept the unpalatable and just give in, but this fight was finally too hard. He was my friend, my hero, my dad, and I can't imagine life without his silly songs and vigorous debates and sense of humour and quiet patience and constant courtesy and indomitable will and LOVE.
Miss you dad, more than you can ever know.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Get it sorted!!
As with all new vehicles, there have been a few glitches on the new camper since I picked it up at the beginning of June. I organised for it to go into service in December, but the Great Ice Age struck and all the plans went on hold.....until yesterday when they came to collect it.
So, when I get it back the front blind should stay in place (the screws had fallen out); the toilet door should shut and reopen without trapping anyone inside; the panel under the bed should stay in place instead of falling out; the overflow pipe to the clean water tank shouldn't be dripping all the time; and most importantly of all - the batteries should be working so that I can at least get in and out of the camper!!
This latter is caused by a Peugeot fault, apparently. The on-board computer is draining the batteries when the vehicle isn't used for any length of time (apparently at about 5 days of no re-charge this becomes noticeable) I think this is scandalous, and apparently Autocruise are 'in discussions' with Peugeot about this. Watch this space.... In the meantime the only easy solution is to connect a solar trickle charger to the battery all the time it is standing, so this is what I am going to do....let's see if it works, shall we??
So, when I get it back the front blind should stay in place (the screws had fallen out); the toilet door should shut and reopen without trapping anyone inside; the panel under the bed should stay in place instead of falling out; the overflow pipe to the clean water tank shouldn't be dripping all the time; and most importantly of all - the batteries should be working so that I can at least get in and out of the camper!!
This latter is caused by a Peugeot fault, apparently. The on-board computer is draining the batteries when the vehicle isn't used for any length of time (apparently at about 5 days of no re-charge this becomes noticeable) I think this is scandalous, and apparently Autocruise are 'in discussions' with Peugeot about this. Watch this space.... In the meantime the only easy solution is to connect a solar trickle charger to the battery all the time it is standing, so this is what I am going to do....let's see if it works, shall we??
Sunday, January 02, 2011
The Car Game
Corker has always been a wannabe car chaser. Even in a head collar, he can lunge and turn complete cartwheels in his attempt to get at the cars - not nice, not safe, but pretty spectacular to watch!
So, I decided to have yet another go at teaching him the Car Game. Corker is a reflective chap, so I reckoned that by now - nearly 9 years old - he might have sussed out the rules of the game.....and he has.
So what happens is: Corker sees/hears car; Corker sits squarely in front of me gazing into my eyes as car goes past (I would rather he was to the side but I'll settle for this as an improvement on cartwheels); Corker gets treat! Having a long Christmas break, with far fewer cars than usual on the roads, has helped a lot.
Corker has learned the game so well that he has now tried to add in another rule - Corker sees parked car; Corker sits in front of me so I can't walk past; Corker hopes he might get a treat! As the road is residential with lots of cars parked outside the houses, Corker has plenty of opportunity to try to teach me this extension of the Car Game....
Nice try Corks - but it won't work!
Happy new Year to everyone!
So, I decided to have yet another go at teaching him the Car Game. Corker is a reflective chap, so I reckoned that by now - nearly 9 years old - he might have sussed out the rules of the game.....and he has.
So what happens is: Corker sees/hears car; Corker sits squarely in front of me gazing into my eyes as car goes past (I would rather he was to the side but I'll settle for this as an improvement on cartwheels); Corker gets treat! Having a long Christmas break, with far fewer cars than usual on the roads, has helped a lot.
Corker has learned the game so well that he has now tried to add in another rule - Corker sees parked car; Corker sits in front of me so I can't walk past; Corker hopes he might get a treat! As the road is residential with lots of cars parked outside the houses, Corker has plenty of opportunity to try to teach me this extension of the Car Game....
Nice try Corks - but it won't work!
Happy new Year to everyone!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Well, we have had lots of snow.... and really cold temperatures.......and not a lot else really. My birthday came and went and I was unable to get out to visit my friends because of the road conditions. My parents had a massive flood from burst pipes in their house, with ruined carpets, wallpaper, lino etc etc. The rooms worst affected are still being dried out with dehumidifiers going 24 hours a day. The camper is still sitting immobile on the drive because it hasn't been possible to get it to the service area between the worst bits of weather - have to be after Christmas now.
I am remembering all the things I dislike about Winter.... :(
I am remembering all the things I dislike about Winter.... :(
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
What's been happening?
Almost a month since the last Blog!! I can't believe I've left it that long. probably because not a lot has been happening - not interesting stuff anyway.
We've been to a couple of shows - Wilmslow and NAWS - enjoyed both, had some lovely courses to run, but came away with nothing despite some outstanding work from Boy Bryn (and some c**p work from me...) We've had another training session with Lucy Osborne which was great fun - lots of laughter at these sessions, and lots of work too - we worked on distance handling which Bryn and I love doing, so I was fairly relaxed for a change.
The camper is supposed to be going in today to have the glitches from new sorted, but the battery has completely died (one of the glitches is the way it is losing power so quickly) and the camper has decided that it will not open its doors even for the manual key rather than the electronic one. 'They' are coming out to pop the bonnet from underneath, jump start it and take it back to the service garage to be dealt with. In theory, that is, because the country has ground to a halt with the worst November snows in millions of years - or something like that. I have to admit that I wouldn't want to try to get the camper off my drive with about 4 inches of uncleared snow on the road - it's pretty tight at the best of times, and I am used to doing it. I certainly wouldn't want to drive it down and up steep winding hills to the service garage in these conditons - it's virtually brand new!! I'd hate it to skid or slip or whatever.
My parents have moved rooms in the Nursing Home and the change seems to be going well. Weather conditions permitting, my dad's new purpose-made wheel chair should arrive this week, which should make life a lot more comfortable for him, and make getting out and about more feasible, we hope.
Snowing again now - I think the only thing to do is to take the dogs for a lovely snowy winter walk - get all of our systems operating properly!! Yay!!
We've been to a couple of shows - Wilmslow and NAWS - enjoyed both, had some lovely courses to run, but came away with nothing despite some outstanding work from Boy Bryn (and some c**p work from me...) We've had another training session with Lucy Osborne which was great fun - lots of laughter at these sessions, and lots of work too - we worked on distance handling which Bryn and I love doing, so I was fairly relaxed for a change.
The camper is supposed to be going in today to have the glitches from new sorted, but the battery has completely died (one of the glitches is the way it is losing power so quickly) and the camper has decided that it will not open its doors even for the manual key rather than the electronic one. 'They' are coming out to pop the bonnet from underneath, jump start it and take it back to the service garage to be dealt with. In theory, that is, because the country has ground to a halt with the worst November snows in millions of years - or something like that. I have to admit that I wouldn't want to try to get the camper off my drive with about 4 inches of uncleared snow on the road - it's pretty tight at the best of times, and I am used to doing it. I certainly wouldn't want to drive it down and up steep winding hills to the service garage in these conditons - it's virtually brand new!! I'd hate it to skid or slip or whatever.
My parents have moved rooms in the Nursing Home and the change seems to be going well. Weather conditions permitting, my dad's new purpose-made wheel chair should arrive this week, which should make life a lot more comfortable for him, and make getting out and about more feasible, we hope.
Snowing again now - I think the only thing to do is to take the dogs for a lovely snowy winter walk - get all of our systems operating properly!! Yay!!
Monday, November 01, 2010
The best of times....the worst of times...
Well, not quite either, but certainly a very enjoyable time once again at our NAWS show - first this season, and with a number of changes to the organisation which will, I think, make things run a lot more smoothly in future. Lovely to see old and new friends with smiling faces, and a packed cafe for the presentations.
But the bad times were in the background too. My elderly (90 & 91 year old) parents are currently living in a Nursing Home that is not, IMO, meeting its stated standards. Now, my parents might be physically frailer than they were, but they are in full possession of their faculties and know when they are being sold short! This weekend was particularly bad for them as there were so few staff on site - just 2 on Saturday for all the frail residents. And, as the Home is so far away from me, all I can do at the weekend (no managers on site either!) is worry, get angry and frustrated - as do my parents.
Sunday, show day, was supposed to be a release for me from worrying about them. Instead, next door's cat arrived in my garden at 5.45am, just as I was letting my dogs out to toilet, and in the ensuring rumpus my hand got gashed open. With a show to run I couldn't go to A&E for several hours wait, but I knew we had at least 4 nurses at the show (!) and one of those did indeed patch me up a bit later. But, unknown to me until I got him out of the car to compete, Bryn had gone lame in the rumpus too, so cage rest for him! He is going to the vets tomorrow for his boosters, so I'll get him checked over at the same time. Several of us think it is a pulled muscle in his front leg - when I hoisted him over my shoulder during the rumpus probably!
Then a really enjoyable show with lots of new dogs doing particularly well. Everyone pitched in to pack away, and the carpark was almost empty when I discovered that my car battery was flat. Luckily the few people who were still around managed to give me enough of a push to get it going, but by the time I got home I really wasn't in the mood for all the neighbourhood children to turn up on my doorstep - 'Trick or Treat!'
Things, as they say, can only get better....Can't they??
Edited to add: Bryn's lameness is down to an abscess starting from a puncture wound (!) so both of us are now on antibiotics. Must make sure they don't get mixed up! LOL!
But the bad times were in the background too. My elderly (90 & 91 year old) parents are currently living in a Nursing Home that is not, IMO, meeting its stated standards. Now, my parents might be physically frailer than they were, but they are in full possession of their faculties and know when they are being sold short! This weekend was particularly bad for them as there were so few staff on site - just 2 on Saturday for all the frail residents. And, as the Home is so far away from me, all I can do at the weekend (no managers on site either!) is worry, get angry and frustrated - as do my parents.
Sunday, show day, was supposed to be a release for me from worrying about them. Instead, next door's cat arrived in my garden at 5.45am, just as I was letting my dogs out to toilet, and in the ensuring rumpus my hand got gashed open. With a show to run I couldn't go to A&E for several hours wait, but I knew we had at least 4 nurses at the show (!) and one of those did indeed patch me up a bit later. But, unknown to me until I got him out of the car to compete, Bryn had gone lame in the rumpus too, so cage rest for him! He is going to the vets tomorrow for his boosters, so I'll get him checked over at the same time. Several of us think it is a pulled muscle in his front leg - when I hoisted him over my shoulder during the rumpus probably!
Then a really enjoyable show with lots of new dogs doing particularly well. Everyone pitched in to pack away, and the carpark was almost empty when I discovered that my car battery was flat. Luckily the few people who were still around managed to give me enough of a push to get it going, but by the time I got home I really wasn't in the mood for all the neighbourhood children to turn up on my doorstep - 'Trick or Treat!'
Things, as they say, can only get better....Can't they??
Edited to add: Bryn's lameness is down to an abscess starting from a puncture wound (!) so both of us are now on antibiotics. Must make sure they don't get mixed up! LOL!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Choices! Choices!
Out walking this morning with Amber and Corker - throwing a ball for each of them at the top of the hill where the grass is not quite so long. Corker, bless him, has only taken eight and a half years to bring the ball back to my feet rather than 10 yards away....... Anyway, I threw his ball and it bounced quite high in the air about 30 feet from me - as did a cock pheasant!
Corker is mid-air and faced with a choice - flick head left and catch ball or flick head right and catch pheasant??? What to do? Corker doesn't like choices as they confuse him, but it is all happening so fast - he has to make an instant decision or miss both. You could almost see the cogs going round as his eyes stood out on stalks!! He remembered that I would throw the ball again if he brought it back, but who knows what I might do with a pheasant (Actually Corker, I do know what I would have done with the pheasant!) And he remembered that he is not supposed to be interested in anything live and catchable - next door's cats excepted....
So, I got the ball rather than a nice supper for later in the week. Never mind - he was so pleased with himself for actually making a decision straight away all by himself that I clicked and treated.
Bless him!! He thinks he is such a macho man......
Corker is mid-air and faced with a choice - flick head left and catch ball or flick head right and catch pheasant??? What to do? Corker doesn't like choices as they confuse him, but it is all happening so fast - he has to make an instant decision or miss both. You could almost see the cogs going round as his eyes stood out on stalks!! He remembered that I would throw the ball again if he brought it back, but who knows what I might do with a pheasant (Actually Corker, I do know what I would have done with the pheasant!) And he remembered that he is not supposed to be interested in anything live and catchable - next door's cats excepted....
So, I got the ball rather than a nice supper for later in the week. Never mind - he was so pleased with himself for actually making a decision straight away all by himself that I clicked and treated.
Bless him!! He thinks he is such a macho man......
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Catching Up.
Not a lot to report from the last couple of shows.
Dog Vegas at Bakewell was dry but soooo cold!!! The last camping weekend of the year for me, and was I glad that I worked out how to use the central heating on the new camper!! Bryn managed 3 clears all weekend - worked well generally but not at his usual speed, so no places for us. :( However, the fruit wines from the Farmers' Market made up for any disappointment - lol!
Today we were indoors at Myerscough for Lune Valley Show. Always a well organised show, so, despite the noisy venue, I really like this one. Again Bryn worked well BUT insisted on snogging the judge in one jumping class, and demolished a couple of jumps in the other. Got a 6th place (yippee!) in Grade 4 Agility - looking faster than he actually was - but I over handled him in a corner of the 4/5 Agility and messed up a course that had our name written on it. Oh well! It is just a game after all....
Dog Vegas at Bakewell was dry but soooo cold!!! The last camping weekend of the year for me, and was I glad that I worked out how to use the central heating on the new camper!! Bryn managed 3 clears all weekend - worked well generally but not at his usual speed, so no places for us. :( However, the fruit wines from the Farmers' Market made up for any disappointment - lol!
Today we were indoors at Myerscough for Lune Valley Show. Always a well organised show, so, despite the noisy venue, I really like this one. Again Bryn worked well BUT insisted on snogging the judge in one jumping class, and demolished a couple of jumps in the other. Got a 6th place (yippee!) in Grade 4 Agility - looking faster than he actually was - but I over handled him in a corner of the 4/5 Agility and messed up a course that had our name written on it. Oh well! It is just a game after all....
Saturday, September 18, 2010
September weekend
Part 1: Saturday
We went to Delinquent Dogz for a nice relaxing day out. Bryn and Corker were both entered, so Amber got an intensive game of ball before we started competing to make up for No Agility. Bryn bogged off on entering the ring and did an okay round after that. His second run, though, was so fluent and fast - he won the class (equivalent of combined 3 to 7 Agility) by about 5 seconds!!
Corker was a start as well in the Veterans Jumping - he also won his class by about the same amount !! Bryn's Jumping round was less spectacular.....I got the giggles at one point, which really didn't help - no rosettes in this class!!
Had a lovely time chatting to everyone and enjoying some September sunshine. We are indoors tomorrow at Ribble. Wouldn't it be nice if we could get some simialr results there too?
Part 2: Sunday
If the sun shone yesterday it was seriously absent today! The motorway was a nightmare of heavy rain, fog, thick spray and huge areas of standing water - so dangerous. I'm so pleased the show was indoors; even so, everyone was in wet weather gear just for the trip from carpark to venue. Muddy dogs everywhere.
We had 2 jumping classes - one was Helter Skelter - and 2 agility classes. We didn't manage a clear round in any of them, though some bits were sublime from both Bryn and me - just never at the same time in the same ring.... :(
Bryn rolled the first pole in the first agility class because I set him up too close - indoors, so the start was right by the ring edge..... So I used the course to double-proof my contacts and weaves, throwing in superfluous front and rear crosses, and little unnecessary twiddles all over the place, much to the amusement of the judge. The other agility course would have been better if I had said ' back' instead of 'turn'...Bryn did exactly what I said and took an off course obstacle. Good boy Brynnie!!! (Bad Mommie!!)
The Helter Skelter was a linked series of tight bounce turns and Bryn, in common with many other dogs, knocked down about 4 poles. It was just too tight for him now that he is working faster. The standard Jumping later in the same ring was more widely spread and he was working really well BUT CHS* struck again, and I left it too late to turn him off the tunnel, so, uncharacteristically for him, he took the tunnel instead of the right angled jump. (Bad Mommie again!!)
So, we returned over the dismal wet Pennines into a somewhat drier Yorkshire and home! TV and wine tonight I think - for me anyway!!
*CHS = Crap Handler Syndrome
We went to Delinquent Dogz for a nice relaxing day out. Bryn and Corker were both entered, so Amber got an intensive game of ball before we started competing to make up for No Agility. Bryn bogged off on entering the ring and did an okay round after that. His second run, though, was so fluent and fast - he won the class (equivalent of combined 3 to 7 Agility) by about 5 seconds!!
Corker was a start as well in the Veterans Jumping - he also won his class by about the same amount !! Bryn's Jumping round was less spectacular.....I got the giggles at one point, which really didn't help - no rosettes in this class!!
Had a lovely time chatting to everyone and enjoying some September sunshine. We are indoors tomorrow at Ribble. Wouldn't it be nice if we could get some simialr results there too?
Part 2: Sunday
If the sun shone yesterday it was seriously absent today! The motorway was a nightmare of heavy rain, fog, thick spray and huge areas of standing water - so dangerous. I'm so pleased the show was indoors; even so, everyone was in wet weather gear just for the trip from carpark to venue. Muddy dogs everywhere.
We had 2 jumping classes - one was Helter Skelter - and 2 agility classes. We didn't manage a clear round in any of them, though some bits were sublime from both Bryn and me - just never at the same time in the same ring.... :(
Bryn rolled the first pole in the first agility class because I set him up too close - indoors, so the start was right by the ring edge..... So I used the course to double-proof my contacts and weaves, throwing in superfluous front and rear crosses, and little unnecessary twiddles all over the place, much to the amusement of the judge. The other agility course would have been better if I had said ' back' instead of 'turn'...Bryn did exactly what I said and took an off course obstacle. Good boy Brynnie!!! (Bad Mommie!!)
The Helter Skelter was a linked series of tight bounce turns and Bryn, in common with many other dogs, knocked down about 4 poles. It was just too tight for him now that he is working faster. The standard Jumping later in the same ring was more widely spread and he was working really well BUT CHS* struck again, and I left it too late to turn him off the tunnel, so, uncharacteristically for him, he took the tunnel instead of the right angled jump. (Bad Mommie again!!)
So, we returned over the dismal wet Pennines into a somewhat drier Yorkshire and home! TV and wine tonight I think - for me anyway!!
*CHS = Crap Handler Syndrome
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
West Lakes
West Lakes is one of my favourite shows, set next to the beach dunes on the Cumbrian coast with a panorama of lakeland hills behind the camping area.The journey there is a bit daunting however, and this year was worse than most.....
I always go a day early - Thursday - so that I can take my time, enjoy the scenery, and help set up the show on Friday. So off I went at 9.30am Thursday - very little traffic on the motorways so I even stopped for coffee at a service area en route...so glad that I did! Eventually turned off the M6 onto the A590 and hit a very long tail back from roadworks, but nothing could spoil my good mood, and eventually we were past and turning off at Greenodd onto the A5902.
Now, this is a very narrow road at the start, with no pavements and dry stone walls on both sides, and quite twisty. I had gone about 3 miles, just past Penny Bridge, when I rounded a corner carefully to see that the wall on the nearside had colapsed and there was a rock the size of a football about a metre into the road........and an articulated wagon coming towards me on the other side of the road at quite a fast speed!!! Instant decision - hit the wagon or the rock???? The rock won - BAM! BAM! two nearside tyres burst on impact. I limped about 20 metres further on to be clear of the corner and pulled as close to the nearside wall as I could and put on the hazards. I couldn't see, when I got out, if it was just the tyres that were damaged or the actual wheels as well....but there didn't seem to be any damage under the vehicle thank goodness. Fabulous service from the insurers who had a recovery vehicle to me in just over an hour, and the passing policeman who checked that I and the dogs were fine, and confirmed that we weren't in any way obstructing traffic etc.
Off to Ulverston to ATS Tyres, who said that only the tyres were damaged - thank goodness - and that they had replacements in stock - yippee!!!! So, at 5.30pm, in the starting rain, I finally arrived at the show venue and set up.
Overnight a fierce storm hit the coast with torrential rain and strong gales. In blustery conditions we set up the show rings and I set my course, pegging every jump, as I was judging on Saturday. Sadly, the dogs didn't get much of a walk on Thursday or Friday - then faced another long day on Saturday while I was judging.
And the clouds vanished and the sun shone brightly all day, and I got burned, standing in the middle of the ring. I had pitched the courses at the top end of each combination, and was worried if I had overdone it (I still think the Grade 4/5 large was a bit too tough) but I've had so many complimentary comments since that maybe it was a nice change for people to have a bit of a challenge instead of courses always being set to allow for the lowest Grade?
Saturday evening I enjoyed a lovely walk with the dogs along the beach... and norty Bryn got a good run going backwards and forwards between a couple of horse riders and me....baddog Bryn!!! They didn't seem to be too bothered though.......
Sunday was another hot day and Bryn was on fast, accurate form. Sadly I was tired and rubbish. I kept finding myself in the wrong place, and on his best run I actually sent him over the wrong fence. Long time since I have done that. :( Badhandler!!
A bit of a lie in Monday - listening to the rain again. A quick wet walk for the dogs, then pack up and hit the road. I have to admit to being relieved to get home safely and without any more incidents...and to the excellent news that my close friend had been allowed to go home from hospital! Brilliant!!
I always go a day early - Thursday - so that I can take my time, enjoy the scenery, and help set up the show on Friday. So off I went at 9.30am Thursday - very little traffic on the motorways so I even stopped for coffee at a service area en route...so glad that I did! Eventually turned off the M6 onto the A590 and hit a very long tail back from roadworks, but nothing could spoil my good mood, and eventually we were past and turning off at Greenodd onto the A5902.
Now, this is a very narrow road at the start, with no pavements and dry stone walls on both sides, and quite twisty. I had gone about 3 miles, just past Penny Bridge, when I rounded a corner carefully to see that the wall on the nearside had colapsed and there was a rock the size of a football about a metre into the road........and an articulated wagon coming towards me on the other side of the road at quite a fast speed!!! Instant decision - hit the wagon or the rock???? The rock won - BAM! BAM! two nearside tyres burst on impact. I limped about 20 metres further on to be clear of the corner and pulled as close to the nearside wall as I could and put on the hazards. I couldn't see, when I got out, if it was just the tyres that were damaged or the actual wheels as well....but there didn't seem to be any damage under the vehicle thank goodness. Fabulous service from the insurers who had a recovery vehicle to me in just over an hour, and the passing policeman who checked that I and the dogs were fine, and confirmed that we weren't in any way obstructing traffic etc.
Off to Ulverston to ATS Tyres, who said that only the tyres were damaged - thank goodness - and that they had replacements in stock - yippee!!!! So, at 5.30pm, in the starting rain, I finally arrived at the show venue and set up.
Overnight a fierce storm hit the coast with torrential rain and strong gales. In blustery conditions we set up the show rings and I set my course, pegging every jump, as I was judging on Saturday. Sadly, the dogs didn't get much of a walk on Thursday or Friday - then faced another long day on Saturday while I was judging.
And the clouds vanished and the sun shone brightly all day, and I got burned, standing in the middle of the ring. I had pitched the courses at the top end of each combination, and was worried if I had overdone it (I still think the Grade 4/5 large was a bit too tough) but I've had so many complimentary comments since that maybe it was a nice change for people to have a bit of a challenge instead of courses always being set to allow for the lowest Grade?
Saturday evening I enjoyed a lovely walk with the dogs along the beach... and norty Bryn got a good run going backwards and forwards between a couple of horse riders and me....baddog Bryn!!! They didn't seem to be too bothered though.......
Sunday was another hot day and Bryn was on fast, accurate form. Sadly I was tired and rubbish. I kept finding myself in the wrong place, and on his best run I actually sent him over the wrong fence. Long time since I have done that. :( Badhandler!!
A bit of a lie in Monday - listening to the rain again. A quick wet walk for the dogs, then pack up and hit the road. I have to admit to being relieved to get home safely and without any more incidents...and to the excellent news that my close friend had been allowed to go home from hospital! Brilliant!!
Hare 'n Hounds
What a show! As usual, H&H was amazingly relaxed and friendly, and this one is in a fabulous farm venue near Barnard Castle. Arrived Thursday lunchtime to a ringside reserved plot - thanks Chris!! - and helped in the drizzle to set the rings and put the feet on the hurdles etc. Good fun!
Friday dawned. Spent a lot of time with 'Chelle and family at their stall - Bryn thinks he's in heaven with all their dogs around and not a cattle dog in sight! He was a really good boy - first he got a Clear in Agility giving him the last 2 points he needed for his Agility Warrant (Bronze) so he is now Bryning Truly Special at Yettontop A.W.(B) That's all my dogs with letters after their names now - Lol! he then went on to get a 7th in agility - yay!!
Saturday the weather was even better and so was he. More Clear Rounds and also a 2nd Place and a trophy in Agility (He was leading the class for 3 hours but was just pipped by the penultimate dog by half a second.) Best of all (sort of) was Bryn and Wendy's Geordie winning the costume section of the Fancy Dress Pairs - "The Lost Samurai - Canin-ja Warriors" Lots of booze for me that night - and my chicken tea for supper for the dogs! Sometimes you just have to make sacrifices....
Sunday Bryn and I took a rest from agility - unintended, but Bryn clearly showed that 11 classes in the previous two days required a breather before starting again..... Monday we were back on form with a stunning 29 second agility run giving us 4th place - I just held his A-scale contact for a fraction too long to be higher placed.
And amidst all this he also had enough points to go up to Grade 5 whenever I want in the future. I'll see how he goes over the winter indoors, and make any decision about moving him up after that.
I drove home buzzing!!! Only came down to earth on Tuesday afternoon when I got the news that a close friend had been taken into hospital for immediate spinal surgery.......
Friday dawned. Spent a lot of time with 'Chelle and family at their stall - Bryn thinks he's in heaven with all their dogs around and not a cattle dog in sight! He was a really good boy - first he got a Clear in Agility giving him the last 2 points he needed for his Agility Warrant (Bronze) so he is now Bryning Truly Special at Yettontop A.W.(B) That's all my dogs with letters after their names now - Lol! he then went on to get a 7th in agility - yay!!
Saturday the weather was even better and so was he. More Clear Rounds and also a 2nd Place and a trophy in Agility (He was leading the class for 3 hours but was just pipped by the penultimate dog by half a second.) Best of all (sort of) was Bryn and Wendy's Geordie winning the costume section of the Fancy Dress Pairs - "The Lost Samurai - Canin-ja Warriors" Lots of booze for me that night - and my chicken tea for supper for the dogs! Sometimes you just have to make sacrifices....
Sunday Bryn and I took a rest from agility - unintended, but Bryn clearly showed that 11 classes in the previous two days required a breather before starting again..... Monday we were back on form with a stunning 29 second agility run giving us 4th place - I just held his A-scale contact for a fraction too long to be higher placed.
And amidst all this he also had enough points to go up to Grade 5 whenever I want in the future. I'll see how he goes over the winter indoors, and make any decision about moving him up after that.
I drove home buzzing!!! Only came down to earth on Tuesday afternoon when I got the news that a close friend had been taken into hospital for immediate spinal surgery.......
Monday, August 02, 2010
Dog Vegas at Grantham
It was only at 9pm on Thursday night that I realised that I was supposed to have driven down to the show earlier in the day, as competition started at 8.30am on Friday morning - not Saturday!! Panic!! I had been planning to go shopping for food and fuel on Friday morning then drive in a leisurely way to Grantham and take my time setting up the camper and garden etc etc etc.... Thank heavens for 24 hour supermarkets and garages! A late night and very early morning start, and, with the help of some friends, I was camped on my spot, garden up, and courses walked before 8am!!
Friday saw some nice clear rounds from Bryn, but nothing spectacular as I held the contacts to retrain myself not to release too early. It has taken far too much work to get such brilliant contacts from Bryn to allow my timing to ruin them.
A really early night on Friday - in bed by 8.30pm as I was so shattered, and so were the dogs. Got up again at about 11 to let the dogs out for a late night toilet break and....couldn't open the camper door! I hadn't heard the rain - the canopy had filled and been pulled down at one side against the door. More panic as I wondered if it was broken - how would I drive home with a broken canopy on the side? Anyway, one good push, and torrent of water and all was well. I made sure that I lowered one end before I returned to bed so that any further water would run off.
Saturday was a disappointing day. Bryn was rolling at least one pole in each class, and my handling was less than perfect. Was there something I was doing wrong? Was he hiding an injury? Was it just the wet grass on top of the concrete hard ground? The Saturday courses were all dumbed down - boring - except the final one which was pitched at about Grade 5 and great fun to run.
Sunday showed a much better Bryn and a worse me. Despite some of the most interesting courses I have seen for some time, I just couldn't raise my game at all......until our last run of the day. Graded 4 to 7 Agility, set at about Grade 7 according to the top handlers (and my opinion as well) and certainly more difficult than the same judge's 5 to 7 Agility that preceded it. Apart from a hesitation from Bryn at the penultimate fence (he was tempted to leave the ring and chase the equipment wagon that was driving past), and a couple of slightly wide turns, we went clear and came 3rd!! Over the moon, I packed up and drove home. Just 5 more points to go to his Agility Warrant as well......wonder if we can do that in the next couple of shows? Hope so.
Friday saw some nice clear rounds from Bryn, but nothing spectacular as I held the contacts to retrain myself not to release too early. It has taken far too much work to get such brilliant contacts from Bryn to allow my timing to ruin them.
A really early night on Friday - in bed by 8.30pm as I was so shattered, and so were the dogs. Got up again at about 11 to let the dogs out for a late night toilet break and....couldn't open the camper door! I hadn't heard the rain - the canopy had filled and been pulled down at one side against the door. More panic as I wondered if it was broken - how would I drive home with a broken canopy on the side? Anyway, one good push, and torrent of water and all was well. I made sure that I lowered one end before I returned to bed so that any further water would run off.
Saturday was a disappointing day. Bryn was rolling at least one pole in each class, and my handling was less than perfect. Was there something I was doing wrong? Was he hiding an injury? Was it just the wet grass on top of the concrete hard ground? The Saturday courses were all dumbed down - boring - except the final one which was pitched at about Grade 5 and great fun to run.
Sunday showed a much better Bryn and a worse me. Despite some of the most interesting courses I have seen for some time, I just couldn't raise my game at all......until our last run of the day. Graded 4 to 7 Agility, set at about Grade 7 according to the top handlers (and my opinion as well) and certainly more difficult than the same judge's 5 to 7 Agility that preceded it. Apart from a hesitation from Bryn at the penultimate fence (he was tempted to leave the ring and chase the equipment wagon that was driving past), and a couple of slightly wide turns, we went clear and came 3rd!! Over the moon, I packed up and drove home. Just 5 more points to go to his Agility Warrant as well......wonder if we can do that in the next couple of shows? Hope so.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Arrow Lake and Country Park
When I am in the area I walk my dogs in the early morning in Arrow Country Park. This is a massive park, with a huge lake (where the Redditch Racecourse used to be once upon a time) that is used for sailing and watersports, as well as for fishing and supporting colonies of wild water birds. Around the lake are surfaced cycle and walking tracks as well as bridleways and woodland and meadow walks. There are big open lawned areas, just made for ball games. Every town should have an Arrow Park!
Even in the early morning you meet quite a lot of people - cyclists, joggers, walkers, and of course other dog owners. We get chatting and discover that we even know some of the same people through agility shows and clubs!
Such a shame that there is occasionally someone to spoil all this. This morning it was the owner of two aggressive, ambushing terriers. The dogs appeared from nowhere - no owner in sight - andd came flying up to my dogs, who were on leads to keep them out of the water (relatives don't appreciate dity dogs returrning to their clean house - lol!)The dogs were growling and snarling as they rushed at us, one head on and the other flanking. I called oout 'Please call your dogs' and a woman appeared just as the dogs started their second rush. I told her again to call her dogs, and she uttered those immortal words 'They're friendly' Grrrr! Oh no they are not! I told her to get her dogs under control - mine were starting to get agitated as the dogs rushed at us again, still snarling. She did nothing, so I waved my hand at the nearest dog at told it to 'Go away - you horrible dog!' That upset her and she stormed off, yelling something at me - mission accomplished, we carried on with our walk without her aggressive dogs tormenting us. Just because they are small, doesn't make them less nasty.
Luckily we then met some lovely people, with well behaved terriers and spaniels and labradors and collies, all of whom played nicely with my dogs, who went home with laughing faces and lolling tongues.;
Even in the early morning you meet quite a lot of people - cyclists, joggers, walkers, and of course other dog owners. We get chatting and discover that we even know some of the same people through agility shows and clubs!
Such a shame that there is occasionally someone to spoil all this. This morning it was the owner of two aggressive, ambushing terriers. The dogs appeared from nowhere - no owner in sight - andd came flying up to my dogs, who were on leads to keep them out of the water (relatives don't appreciate dity dogs returrning to their clean house - lol!)The dogs were growling and snarling as they rushed at us, one head on and the other flanking. I called oout 'Please call your dogs' and a woman appeared just as the dogs started their second rush. I told her again to call her dogs, and she uttered those immortal words 'They're friendly' Grrrr! Oh no they are not! I told her to get her dogs under control - mine were starting to get agitated as the dogs rushed at us again, still snarling. She did nothing, so I waved my hand at the nearest dog at told it to 'Go away - you horrible dog!' That upset her and she stormed off, yelling something at me - mission accomplished, we carried on with our walk without her aggressive dogs tormenting us. Just because they are small, doesn't make them less nasty.
Luckily we then met some lovely people, with well behaved terriers and spaniels and labradors and collies, all of whom played nicely with my dogs, who went home with laughing faces and lolling tongues.;
Monday, July 19, 2010
As a trainer...
As a trainer, it is always good to watch dogs that you have trained - now or in the past - doing well. Even when people have moved to other clubs, and maybe forgotten their beginnings, it is still nice to watch the potential that you had spotted early on being realised. It is even nicer, of course, when they have chosen to stay with you as a trainer, and you can celebrate their successes fully. And at our club we have certainly had our share of success recently......and consequently lots of excuses for cake eating! Lol!! Well done all of you - whether it is winning out of Grade 1 or being placed in a Champ class!
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