daddy's girls

I've received an email and some photos from Chris last night. Her email really made me laugh in happiness.

She said: She is getting more and more confident every day, keeps me on the go. I have lost several pounds in weight already. Who needs to diet when you have a puppy to run around with? She is quite a little rascal. She loves to run around the garden, loves to chase the tennis ball and is also quite good at digging!! Our once flat lawn is now covered with upturned flowerpots to try to stop her digging her way to Australia!!

The above statement sounded so much like Sing when he was the same age! He loved chasing the tennis ball (and still does!) and the digging business!! Colin was teasing him by saying he dug up the tunnel for me to escape back to Malaysia, hahaha ... I remembered we have to hire a landscaper to cover the holes after a few months!

here are some lovely photos of Sadie:

having her first bath

After seeing the above photos, she reminded me so much of Sing. I think she is the spitting image of Sing at the same age. I started to dig out some old photos of Sing when he was a puppy. In the old days, we haven't have the digital camera, so I have to scan them and put together some photos of Sing around the same age to compare with his pups:

Sing and Sadie

Sing and Skye

Sing and Tiggi

Fireworks

It is getting closer to Halloween (31/10/2009) and Guy Fawkes Night (05/11/2009), so almost everynight we can see/hear the fireworks from the neighbourhood. There are so many posters about dogs/cats get very stressed about the fireworks. I am very lucky that all my boys are calm with the fireworks going above them. We bought some fireworks three years ago, Colin wanted them for his birthday, so we took the dogs (Sing, Seagull, Saturn, Titan and Skye) to the Common along with my nephews to light some fireworks for Colin. I thought it was a crazy idea taking the dogs but I was amazed how well they coped with all the banging noises and light shooting up. I started putting them on the lead, keep them close beside me when the kids light the fireworks, there were all qurious about the fireworks at fast but no stress in them, they think the fireworks more like a game than anything scarry.

For the last two years, Sing, Saturn and Titan love to sit by the french window watching into the sky for fireworks; Seagull and Skye normally lie down on the settee being comfy, they are not the type of adventorous like the others.

Sizzle saw his first fireworks last year, he again was very calm, didn't show any sign of stress or fright at all and this year, he joins the other three sitting by the french window. We only have Samber early this year (14th Feb, St Valentine's Day), she is another great dog, didn't have a fear at all over the fireworks.

One thing I dislike about the fireworks is I always found some "left over" in my garden! It is very dangerous, especially this one (photo below) I found thi morning is so close to the house! I do not mind people playing fireworks in the Common or Park but in the garden always scared me!

weekend and the bees

As Sizzle was stung by the bees on Friday, I wasn't sure if we are still able to compete at Weald on Saturday. I have entered Sizzle and Saturn, that will be their last Grade 3 and Grade 5 show. Kevin, my vet said the antihistamine & steriod jabs that he gave to Sizzle will make him feel drowsy but he should be back to normal the next day. When we got back from the vet, I used the penny to press it on the bite for 15 minutes (the swelling has gone down), then I left him and took the other dogs out for a walk; when we got home, I used the hot & cold treatment on the bite for another 10 minutes. Then, I have a good look at the bite, the swelling has gone completely! WooHoo! I don't know which one works, the jabs? the penny? or the hot & cold? Whatever it is, it's gone!

He bounced back in the evening, didn't see any different in him, he brought a ball for me to throw and we had a little play but he got tired quickly. We all went to bed quite early just in case I decided to go to Weald the next morning.

We did go to Weald at the end. Sizzle looks happy when we woke up and we haven't have an early start, so we set off casually. We got there in plenty of time, the only problem was we cannot find a car park! The parking was absolutely full, we managed to find an awkward place to park the car and thank God nobody complain.

We only have two classes each for Sizzle and Saturn. Both Combined 1-5 Agility & Jumping. Sing is Grade 6 and is not eligible to run there. I didn't know what Time, Fault and Out was, so I didn't enter, how stupid! Our day started with the Jumping first, Saturn in the Medium before Sizzle. It was a nice flowy course with a little "pull in". I thought Saturn should be able to do it perfectly but how wrong was I. He didn't give me his full attention when I set him up on the start line, he wasn't concentrate at all. I should have insisted to put him back and wait but I didn't. I released him and he took the wrong jump and eliminated at the 3rd jump! Otherwise a lovely round.

Sizzle did a beautiful round but we didn't managed the little pull in bit, I thought I have called him and he responded but when I study the video carefully, it shows I didn't hold my ground long enough for him to come in to me to take the jump, so back jump it. My mistake! Now, I have another homework with him. I taught him too much of "out around" (means go out and take the jump) and now the problem starts!

After the jumping, we have to wait a few hours for our Agility run. I have watched others did the Time, Fault and Out and I was gutted I didn't entered. It would be a good practise/experience for little Sizzle. I will learn next time.

Saturn was a little hyper in his Agility, of course he missed his DW by miles! He was very happy running across the DW and LEAP! We must get this sorted for the next season!! His A Frame is so much better, I think released him QUICK on the A Frame helps.

I did a silly mistake with Sizzle in the Agility. I didn't stop to let him take the weave entry. I ran passed the weave and hoping he will learn to pick the weave but I forgot he is only a baby. Also, on the see-saw. Last weekend, we had trouble doing front cross and me keeping him on the see-saw for it to tip. I have gone back to the square one to teach him the see-saw because I have learned that I haven't reward him enough TO STAY on the see-saw. I always reward him after he is OFF the see-saw, so he wanted to get off the see-saw as quick as possible but that is wrong because he needs to learn to wait for the see-saw to tip. I think he begin to know that he cannot come off if the see-saw is not fully tip, so we have a dodgy see-saw there but hopefully we can fix this problem soon. Also, he missed his DW!!! Arrrrggghhh ... we need more practise!

All in all, I am very happy with Sizzle, the more mistakes he made, the better we will be next time. I'd like to see him making mistake so I know where to improve. We also entered the Pay On the Day Helter Skelter. Saturn won the Medium and Sizzle was 4th but they only placed up to 3rd.

Sunday morning, I took Colin and the dogs to the Common where Sizzle got stung by the bees. From a distance, Colin and I cannot work out how Sizzle got stung because the area is absolutely flat but when was walked closer, we could see tons of bees flying around. I be braved to investigate and saw a bees nest underground, the nest is damaged; so my friend Arley is right about the digger has disturbed the nest. I think Sizzle has somehow walked into the hole where the bees nest is and no surprise he was covered in bees! Poor little soul. Since yesterday evening, he went all quiet again, I don't think he has the tummy problem because he is not stretching his tummy, he just very quiet and sleepy. I hope the infection didn't start now! I have heard the infection could come later, within 24-28 hours. Arrrrgghhh .... frustrated!

how could you imagine there would be a bees nest in there? Or am I being ignorant?

I crop from the above picture so you can see the bees next, maybe not the best quality as it was taken with my mobile phone

Colin and I went to see a piece of land near us, as we were walking around, we spotted this fox. I have never seen a fox so close before! It was taken with my mobile phone, no zooming feature, so you can see how close we were! Well, the fox found me very scarry, he was all shaken!

here is our weekend agility:

bee stings!

Poor Sizzle is the unlucky victim to this! It has never occurs to me that my dogs will be attacked by bees!

It is a bit unusual for me to take Sing, Saturn and Sizzle out for a walk today and left the other three behind (now I thought about it, I felt lucky not to take the others with me). Not long after we got onto the Common, the episode happened. As usual, I let the boys off the lead when we step in the Common, off they went and I slowly catch them up. There were a digger in front trying to landscape an area of the Common, so I called them off the usual track and hopefully we could go around from the other side.

Sing and Saturn were with me but Sizzle off to investigate the digger. We were quite a distance from the digger, I was worried that the digger might hurt Sizzle so before Sizzle get close to the digger,I called him back to me. I can see he tried to turn back and ran towards me but he kept sitting down and biting his own leg. I thought he got thorn or prickle on his pad. I kept calling and he kinda run towards me in a funny way (limping and weird), when he got to me, he suddenly lie down, like he is collapsing. I can't figure it out why but I saw him biting his back leg, so I had a look, then I saw a few bees (maybe 6 or 7) attaching to his back leg. "Luckily" it was cold this morning, so I have my winter jacket and glove on, I tried to brush the bees off his leg but there were two seems to stuck on his leg, so I had to brush harder to get them off him. Just as I thought that was it, I saw more bees on his body, I started to get a bit panic. I tried to shoooo them off but gosh, these are bees and they were flying around us. I don't know what to do, I was so worried about Sizzle, so I quickly remove my jacket to use it to brush the bees off him. It was quite a scene. Sing and Saturn thought I was playing a game with Sizzle, they barked at us and I was panic that the bees might attacked all of us. I then quickly picked Sizzle up and ran away, Sing and Saturn were good to follow me to the edge of the Common. We then quickly walk home, of course Sing and Saturn on the lead and I have to carry Sizzle. He looked shock, shaky and tremble. Believe me, I still saw a couple of bees flying out from him when we were on our way home!

When we got home, I let Sing and Saturn got into the house, took the car key and rush Sizzle to the vet. I called Kevin on the way (I know I shouldn't call while driving but this is emergency!) so when we got there we got to see him straightaway. I think I was more shock than Sizzle when we got there. Kevin gave him the antihistamine and steriod jabs. He told me to use the hot & cold treatment to help reducing the swelling. I also asked Kevin to give him a good look at, he said the most dangerous parts are the face, throat and legs where there are not much hairs but Sizzle has a big coat, he is well protected. Good news is there is no bite on his face and throat!

I remembered reading a thread about "bee stings" in the sheltie forum, it said if you get a bee stings, put a penny on the bite for 15 minutes, it will take the sting out of the bite immediately. Well, this is apply to human, I am not sure if it works on dog but no harm giving it a try, I thought. I press a penny on Sizzle's bite for 15 minutes. I can feel the heat on his leg but I also feel the lump is getting smaller! I have heard cooper in the penny counteracts many things, well it may well conteracts the bite!

I am not sure if the jabs work or the penny works or even the "hot & cold" treatment works. The swelling in his leg is obviously gone down now. Phew!

can you see the swelling (red circle), this photo was taken after we came back from the vet

this is the similar photo to the above, just to compare the swelling leg and the normal leg

poor Sizzle, needs a lot of hugs and cuddles!!

Tiggi

Tiggi, aka Posh. Sally said Posh didn't suit her, so she has changed her name to Tiggi, TIG for short. You know why? Because she spends hours running around like a loony and maybe bounce like Tigger!!!

This is what Sally said about her: She is funny, cute, naughty and very bright. We all love her to bits. Wow does she keep me on my toes, I think I've lost a stone in weight!

Skye

I am a very happy breeder! All my puppies owner always send me news and photos and tell me how much their little friends make them happy. I was sad and feeling very down yesterday (will make a separate post about it later) but these pictures of Skye brighten my day:

checking the cat out

typical sheltie puppy, tearing up the toilet roll

still loves to tug

can you find the sheltie?

for some reason, I just like this bum photo of Skye, I think she looks very cute!

hasn't she grown?

Sadie

Sing and Samber's puppies are 10 weeks old today. I am so glad that Sadie, Tiggi (aka Posh) and Skye's owners are keeping very close contact with me, so I can follow up with their progress. They all told me the girls are settling very well, full of mischief, keeping them very busy.

here are some photos from Sadie:

She is so good with children, both Sadie and Evie love each other!

I will post more photos once I have receive more from Tiggi and Skye.

wind and unwind weekend

We thought we will have a VERY relaxing Saturday, not doing anything at all other than walking the dogs in the Common as I am still not 100%. Unfortunately, everything turned upside down after 10am! We had a serious leak on the downpipe outside our bathroom and everytime someone is in the bathroom, we will have flood on the balcony and the water travels to the neighbour. The neighbour didn't really complain but she suggested we WANTED to get it fix! I know calling a plumber is extremely expensive in this country and I know a good DIY person can do the job. Colin is not a DIY person, I love DIY but I don't know how to fix it. The neighbour recommended a Polish that did a lot of jobs for them, he came on Friday, with broken English, we managed to understand each other about the job. Other than the broken downpipe, I decided to change all the gutters as well. I understand him saying he will come on Saturday to go to B&Q with me to get the material needed (but I didn't realised he will do the job the same day). He knocked on the door sharp at 10am! I sent Colin off with him and after 40 minutes later, they came back with whole lots of gutters and pipes. He amazed me with the speed his finished off the job at the back of the house. I have to say, it was very good, neat and tidy, no cowboy job! Then, we have problem coming to the front of the house because I haven't got a big ladder for him to climb up. We asked the neighbours and no one has one big enough to reach the roof of the house. I then rang Jim who lives a few streets away from us, he said he has the ladder we need, so off Colin and the Polish went in his car to pick up the ladder. Both of them came back in 15 minutes, can you see how efficient he is. He straight up with his job but Colin looked pale and weak when he came in the door. I asked him what happened, he said they came back by foot! I was shocked! It normally take us about 15 minutes to walk to Jim but I thought carrying such an heavy and big object, they surely will take longer (I thought they came back by car). I have to say, it was a very heavy ladder, solid wood and it's monsterous! No wonder my poor husband is looking ruin! He then told me he did ask the Polish if he want to put the ladder down and have a break a couple of times but all the Polish did was to jog back to our house! Hahaha ... sorry Colin, everytime I think about it, I just can't help but laugh! I must be a cruel wife!! Oh yes, after he finished the front of the house, he asked Colin to return the ladder to Jim again. I should have taken a photo of Colin's face then. Priceless! Well, I thought this could keep him fit but I think we totally ruin him! He did has bruise on his side though, poor man! Anyway, job done and no more leaking! By evening, Colin hardly moved! He just glued to the settee in one position.

To unwind our tiring Saturday, we (actually "I") did agility, yeah!

The competing season is quiet down now, this is the beginning of winter trainings and winter series time. I don't normally do winter show because it's generally very cold, wet and muddy. The only winter show I like is C-Side, now TraVal. I missed the C-Side last year because I was away visiting my brother. Due to Sizzle just started to compete, there is not many show we can enter, so it would be good to do some winter shows with him to get more ringside experience. I have entered the South Eastern October show, it was fairly local to us, only an hour's drive, not bad at all and we could have a little lie in as the show only starts at 9am. WooHoo!

I remembered entered South Eastern with Sing many years ago, well before I have other dogs. My memory for the show was very wet and muddy and we came back in thick mud. Yesterday, it was totally different. We were indoor and the flooring looks new, the sand was fine and good. I haven't run in indoor for a year and I am not used to run in a softer ground. In the morning, they have combined 1-3 classes for small, medium and large; and in the afternoon, they have combined 1-7 classes, also for small, medium and large. Colin still looked very tired after jogging with the ladder on Saturday, so our plan was to go home after Sizzle's run in the morning, after all, we just want to gain experience for Sizzle.

Our morning started off well. This is Sizzle's first indoor run. Our first class was the combined 1-3 Agility. The course looked good other than the see-saw to the weave bit which I think is a little challenge to us. There is cloth tunnel lying very close. My option is to handle Sizzle on my left, so I can block off the cloth tunnel, send him into the weave and switch behind. If you look at the video, you can see me using the wrong hand (my right hand) pointing on the see-saw (to tell him to wait until it tip), then switch to my left hand to send him to the weave and instead, he saw the tunnel because he was following my right hand! I should have used my left hand to point at the see-saw. Eventhough he thinks of the tunnel but he turned away quickly when I called him so he was lucky not to get a refusal. I was surprised when he turned away from the tunnel and look at the weave, he was actually off angle to the entry and I was impressed he finds the entry. There were many dogs got trapped by the cloth tunnel, whether the handler was on the left or right.

His jumping round was good, well I feel good because we sail through the whole course smoothly, no hesitation at all other than I have to learn to tighten the flip away (turn away from me) in the box. He took a wide turn but this is just a baby thing, I am sure we can practise that for the next season. When he went down the line in speed, I thought he will go into the 2nd pole but he did his weave entry nicely, so I am very happy! Watching other run, most dogs make mistake in the box, the dogs ran diagonal and took the wrong jump!

We finished our morning run before 10am! I was about to pack up and go but Colin was too happy with Sizzle's wins and he asked me to stay for the afternoon! Ha! I am happy to stay, so during our wait for the afternoon runs, I catch up with some friends and time just flew by. The afternoon was more stressful because I have to run three dogs in 2 different heights. They have two rings, an agility ring and a helter skelter ring. They starts one with small and one with medium. I do not want to take all the dogs out so Colin has to keep going back to the car the fetch dogs. The afternoon started off with Saturn in the Medium Helter Skelter, he wasn't the speedy self but was good enough to get a 4th place. I didn't run Sing in the Helter Skelter. Then, I've got Sizzle to run the combined 1-7 agility. I thought the course was hard for him because there is a right turn to the jump after the DW instead of straight into the tunnel; also there is a pull through from jump #15 to jump #16. I have not teach him the pull through YET, so I was hoping to do the wrap the wing (#15). With the DW right turn to the jump #3, I called him too early, so he came off and missed the contact point, now I know where I should improve; then on the see-saw, I want to stop him to wait til the see-saw tip so I did a close front cross and he didn't like it and he jump off too early and we lost each other. More wobble work! Then the wrap around wing #15, I told him left but he turned right, I think my shoulder wasn't turning left at all, so we need to practise that more.

After the agiltiy round, we ran straight to the combined 1-7 Helter Skelter ring. He didn't power on as I was hoping for, so I was thinking is it because he didn't like to be drag from one ring immediately to the other or the long wait start? I had the same problem at Suffolk 5 Rivers. He was jumping happily in the Jumping ring, then immediately after the jumping, I jog with him to the helter skelter ring. Also another wait start, he was slow in the helter skelter too. I need to find the answer to this so I can imporve it.

I ran Sing in the combined 1-7 agility. The physio still didn't reply to me, I keep Sing un-active for the last couple of weeks, doing absolutely nothing at all other than walking. I like the course and I want to run him to see if he can do the course with no faults. He did the DW to the jump beautifully, didn't miss the contact point, good start. Then he fell flat on landing jump #3. When he stand up again, I was already facing the tunnel and he back jump #3 to get the elimination. He did other bit nicely and we didn't managed the pull through.

I am glad I did stay for the afternoon runs as I know now what my homeworks are!

it is definitely autumn!

It is definitely Autumn in Mitcham. I can see our willow tree leaves/branches everywhere in the garden, trees in the park/common turning brown/yellowish, dry leaves everywhere on the grounds, it is beautiful (but not in my garden). I love autumn, I think this is the best season to take the dogs for a long walk and yet not worry about the weather. It has been wet and cold for the last few days but this morning, the temperature gone down to 8c, so it is brrrr.... COLD! I particularly feel the cold as I am not too well at the moment. I thought I had food poisoning over the weekend but the doctor said I had viral gastroenteritis, so prescribed me with lots of rest and paracetamol!

I managed to get the dogs out for their morning walk, we did a two hours walk in the Common today (am I crazy?). I can't lie in bed all day, I rather go and have some fresh air! But I need my thick winter jacket and gloves on! I didn't bring my good camera today, so the quality of the pictures aren't as good.

we got this beautiful girl posing by the only plant in the Common!

Sing just loved the pond, he doesn't care whether it is clean or dirty, this is the result:

I thought sheltie should have 4 WHITE socks!!!!!

Didn't he looks grumpy in the picture? Because I told him off being in the horrible smelly pond!!

Sing: mummy, you don't have to be crossed with me, I can clean my socks by going into the pond again!!!

I think the sheltie's coat is amazing, after a few run in the grass fetching ball, he is all clean again but I must admit, no matter how clean it looks, it stink!

my little sunshine happily chasing the crows!

I like these zooming photos of Sizzle, he loves to go out chasing crows/birds:

one from Samber

Samber and her ears!

I am struggling to tip Samber's ears. When I have her, she was about 16/17 months old and she came with her ears like a rabbit! I don't really mind my shelties' ears stick up but she is quite a petite girl with small feature and her ears are so big, I thought she looks really cute. Then, a lot of people commented that she looks exactly like a FOX!

When Sing was young, a lot of people asking me why I walk a fox!! Mmmmm ... he did look like a fox when he was in his teenage stage, leggy, not much hair but I just ignored them and he turned into a handsome young lad, even with his ears stick up.

Anyway, back to Samber. When I saw this picture I took recently with her puppies, I thought I better think about how to treat her ears. I know a lot of people will tell me it is too late as she is 2 years old now but I just want to have a go, whether it works or not, there is no harm.

I did tried to tip her ears before she has her puppies but it didn't last, I do not like to use any chemical stuff on her when she is pregnant and in whelp. Now, all the puppies have gone to their new homes, it's about time to have another go again.

Isn't she looks so much softer in expression and cuter with her ears tip properly? Well, no matter how she looks, her temperament has not changed. She is such a loving, outgoing, friendly, affectionate little girl. We all love her very much.

back to normal

I woke up at the early hours this morning to realise we are now back to normal, no tiny noises to wake me up at 4/5 am, no little waggiest tail, happy faces to greet me, no little puppies running around the house/between my legs, no puppies to care for ...

I can't believe I have raised two litters of puppies from June, it all seems like yesterday. I really missed having them around. Zap, Sadie, Posh & Skye are wonderful puppies, all of them have superb temperament, outgoing, bold, confident and happy. I hope they bring a lot of joys to their new mums and dads.

Thank you very much to Gem for giving me such a precious little boy, she is now retired from breeding and is living a luxury life in Norfolk with a lovely family that gives her all the attention and love she needs. She was a great mama to Zap!

What can I say about Samber? Eventhough I called her "teenage mum" but like Gem, she is a good mama to Sadie, Posh & Skye. She clean and feed the babies very well when they were younger and played with them when they are older. I really missed the time watching them running around in the garden chasing each other. I loved to see how they interacting with each other.

Samber is still very young and she likes to go out and be a part of my pack, everytime when I took the boys out for a walk/training and left her with her babies, she will cry her heart out just because she wants to join us. I can't risk the health of the babies and each time when I closed the door behind us, I felt sorry for her and we could only go for a short/quick walk.

This morning, we woke up to a sunny but cold autumn day. Colin and I took the boys + girl for a good long walk that we all needed. We walked for nearly three hours, all the dogs enjoyed their long walk.

The KNIGHTs Shelties on Mitcham Common

the happy Samber and the happy Seagull having fun

the evil Titan is still being evil

the youngest three are always on the move

even Seagull looks so happy

my troublesome tris!

Samber is so happy to be out to chase the boys!

Congratulations to David and ZAP!

David's mum text me with a fantastic news a couple of days ago, I wanted to wait for a photo to post together but I just can't wait to share this wonderful news ...

David and Zap WON their very first Obedience show and came 3rd in the Fastest Recall among 40 dogs; David is the only child (12 years old) and Zap is the only puppy (age 16 weeks)! What a cracking Junior pair!

Way To Go boys! I am so very proud of you!

Licosateria Mai Golden Skye

Skye (aka Ferrari) left me with the empty nest today!

She is now loved by Jolanda, you can read more about her on her blog.

Good bye my baby girls, you are a wonderful litter!

Posh and Sadie's owners has emailed/text to let me know the girls are settling in very well straightaway!