Well it's been ages since I updated this blog, unfortunately with lots going on, those 'other' things in life certainly know how to get in the way!


So, my latest offering to the blog-god will begin where we left off, we as near as it can be, so we'll start off from the wonderfully successful Ollie's Fund party which we organised and which took place on the 15th June this year.

After weeks of dreary, cloudy, and somewhat rainy days, we awoke to much of the same. Damn it !
However, by midday the clouds had parted company and the sun shone - Yay !

Before my very eyes, person after person, dog after dog arrived, was let off the lead and went off to play.
Their owners enjoyed some of our home cooked food (Thanks Sarah for your help again with the cooking !) and a well deserved chin wag before the fun dog show took place. We had classes of all manner of breeds, Spinoni, Bracco, Gt. Dane, Newfoundlands to name but a few -
Rod Johnson ably chose his winners and prizes were offered to those taking part. It was a huge success, and only made more fabulous by the fact that the sun shone out the whole day through.
I remember looking out towards the old Abbey seeing dogs lounging alongside their owners, it reminded me of a huge summer picnic, a lovely sight to behold.
Now as we're almost into October, we're all busy planning the Xmas party on the 13th December, which we hope will be just as well attended and enjoyed by those planning to join us.
We're over the moon to have Max Munday (Kubear Spinioni) as our judge for the winter party.
We hope to double the monies we raise this time around too, so watch this space for updates after the day.

We also were able to help Janet Ashworth with the superb KC Companion Dog Show she organised in August. It started out in lovely sunshine, only to be rained upon for the most part of the day.
That said it certainly didn't drown the spitits of everyone taking part and organising. We all carried on regardless, brollies in the ring making new showring etiquette as being fully acceptable !
I'd like to say a huge Thanks to Janet, Yvonne, Paul, Max and all of Janet's helpful family for organising a lovely day all in aid of Ollie's Fund. Same time next year eh Janet ! :-)

Of course in the interim of updating here, we have seen Ollie's passing anniversary go by, it was a day of much reflection and promises to him that we will continue the fight to see epilepsy in our (and other breeds) decline dramatically through careful and observant breeding.
We can shout out loud for all to hear, but unfortunately can only hope that those who need to listen up will do so for the sake of the future generations being spared this monster of a disease.
There are those of course who don't listen, and carry on regardless, and to those that breed knowing epilepsy lines are prevalent I say just one thing, and that is please read Ollie's seizure diary the day before the planned mating, think about what you are doing, and deal with the consequences in the right manner if they should so arise. Those breeders who knowingly still breed lines which have born numerous epileptic dogs, I almost wish that one seizing would arrive with you so you can see and deal with first hand the invasive and life changing scenario epilepsy in an animal brings to both the dog and the owners. It's nothing short of bloody devastating, heartbreaking and soul destroying day in day out.
The fear of the unknown is like walking on a huge eggshell, hoping and praying that the delicate shell won't crack under your feet..... SO ....Please...THINK.

On happier notes....Solly is getting more and more hunky as he grows up, he's now coming up for 8 months in a few weeks time, where the hell the time goes from cute little puppy to naughty gangling teenager, (one who almost always has to answer back!) I will never know. I keep asking myself, where was the in-between stage? but I know it was there, I just have to remind myself by looking at the squillion photo's we have taken ! He's a handsome chap, very bouncy and happy go lucky, and has fitted into the routine here like he was here forever.

Clouseau celebrated his year old birthday in August, again, where has the time gone. He is very handsome, I know that's a particularly biased view, but well he is !
Both Clouseau and Jacob qualified for Crufts 2009 at the East of England show in July, which was as much as a surprise as any. We were justly proud, even though the classes were small, we came away smiling from ear to ear ! I am sure we'll go and enter them both for the sheer experience, but we'll see nearer the time !
Those that know us, know we are not avid show goers, nor is it top priority, but we do enjoy the show scene with the Spinone and Bracco gang, they generally are a nice bunch of people and have for the most part offered us much encouragement and support.
That said, I do find the want to trudge through 2 foot of mud and venture out at silly'oclock to get to a show rather bizarre ! but do fully understand that for some, the lure of the winners prize at the end of the day can be justly rewarding - if you have a fabulous dog (and don't we all!) why not want to show it off. I just don't think it's ever going to be that intense for us, but who knows !
We'll enjoy those shows closer to home and see how we do for now, for us it's just about fun, meeting friends and the dogs enjoyment rather than us coming home laden with rosettes.


After the recent expolosion that was the BBC programme "Pedigree Dogs Exposed" I am so, so pleased I am 'in' the breeds I am in. Some of the breeders shown on the programme have lost all sense of purpose as to the health and wellbeing of the dog they supposedly care about. I found it wholly shocking and even more upsetting that folks who are so openly adamanat they are doing no wrong feel they are so right.The KC seemed to come off worse for wear with the Chairman looking like a naughty schoolboy about to suck his thumb in defence of what is seeminly allowed to carry on under their rules and regulations.
I was quite shocked at what the production company had brought to our attention, and I suppose highlighted the plight of many breeds at the grip of "old time" breeders who thought they knew it all and were quite happy to defend their actions. Beverley Costello (certainly not an "old time" breeder and one who surely should know better) the CKCS breeder outrightly denying her dog was suffering with Syringemaeola was shocking beyond belief, but additionally findings that he had sired something like 35 litters since diagnosis, well, what can you say other than it epitomised all that was wrong in her breed and with her as a human being.
More upsetting I guess were the leaches that went to witness the court rulings for those trying to make things right, and the sheer willfullness that they had done no wrong was evident when they shouted to the camera crew how disgusted they were that they had outted Beverley at their club show ! The sheer front of some folks never ceases to amaze me ! I think they were her 'wiper uppers', not wanting to upset their master ! You get those in every breed I think. Fear factor 10 of actually saying no, actually I think you are wrong. It takes a lot of guts, and unfortunately their aren't that many gutsy folks around it seems, at least not ones to make a stand against what they feel is right for the sake of their dogs.

I often wonder sitting here, how are these people within the breeds 'exposed' carrying on ? are they now outted for all they have done to ruin the breed, have the owners of the puppies they have sold come back to them asking questions about their cute little bundles' heath and future - I know I would banging the door down.
I guess we will never find out. These type of breeds and breeders seems to operate behind very heavy closed doors, (but not so heavy that the production co. got their glimpses to report)
I doubt much would be said in their defence as they for sure don't have any.As with any breed, there are always the good folks picking up the peices....to those people, .....I salute you.
I just hope the KC have taken steps (albeit undercover ones) to address the findings and make them right.

A new baby arrived with us only 3 days ago - now don't go getting excited, it's not of the furry variety, but of the human variety....Tye Thomas was born to my Sister and her partner, and that of course makes us newly appointed Aunty and Uncle ! WOW !
We wish them our hearty congratulations, and lots of love.

Well, I guess this blog is already erring on the side of essay quantities, so I will leave things there today with the absolute promise for more regular updates on the gang and a more light-heated approach I promise !

It's Sunday, which for me means a lie in and then constant hassles for my morning walk. These humans just have to be ordered to do things otherwise they start to slip the net. So, I find today things are not as they should be - there are none of the usual pussy-footing about trying not to look like they are going to go for our morning walkies, (why do they do that we KNOW the routine derrr!) instead there is the humanoids waltzing around like there is all the time in the world, hell they aren't even dressed and it's 10am - what is going on ! Errrr helll-ooooo walktime tut tut tut......

I've come to the conclusion that something is going 'down' there's muttering amongst the ranks about car journeys and once i've reluctantly eaten that bowl of slop they call dog food, the bowl is washed up as normal BUT aha.... the signs start to appear - once washed up the dishes are then put into a bag with some more slop in a container. It's all I need to know were going off somewhere, so as soon as I make this evidence known amongst the ranks we can all bark continuously until we get put into the car. This of course drives the humans crazy for a good hour ! all part of the fun I feel !

So we're on the way, and i'm eager to see what bumps in the road signify where we're headed. Ah is it Nannie's ? nah - is it Catherines ? is it Paddy's nahhh- ahhhh it's Sarah's yipeee - my mate Barney lives there with his friend Daisy - allll good

So we get there after many bumps, and we go in and whilst the humans say hi, we go off to play and we don't stop running round and playing tag for ages and ages, it's great lots of mud to bring into the house and then when we run in we like to watch  the humans running for towels - we sure know how to get them revved up ha ha. We had a good time, though Tiva and my ickle Brother Clu went in after a while as they are too tired, but Barney, Daisy and me carry on doing laps of the garden and we've created a lovely new track of slosh in the mud where grass used to be -

I reckon the humans will be well chuffed with our joint efforts though there faces don't appreciate our hard graft somehow.... There's no pleasing some people and our gardening efforts are wasted on them. People pay good money for that ind of demolition. I tell you there's no pleasing some folk. The other Spins look very muddy at the end of the evening, whereas me being the good looking one of the bunch, well I keep my hair firmly in place and the slobber and mud just drop off me so I never get the blame for the mess ! There's much to be said for my sleek Italian good looks !

We eventually got put into the chariot about 10pm and we all slept on the way home, well except my Sister Tiva, she likes to watch the road passing by, and by the time she gets out at home there are candlesticks of slobber hanging from her chin urggghh -  I aways remember that before she shakes her head - the humans are not so clever of course - YUK!

Signing off for now Jacob

Well, i've been told to write something about me, and i'm not really one to shout unless there's food or a walk on offer, but I guess if there's talk about a few biscuits as a reward, where's the harm ! As you can see I am Tiva, i've lived with my human parents for nearly 5 years now. It's not bad here really, we get fed nice food, and get taken for good walks every day, and they do like nothing better than to cooo over how cute I am, which I know is all good, and of course I AM cute. I've seen those adverts with the sad dogs on them and so I know I got lucky, I count my chickens in the garden twice before I go to bed (just in case one escaped and it's a chasing target you understand!)

So what's this blog all about - well I am told that I have to feed you humans with my thoughts on the day, how I am feeling and what i've been doing....

Today is Sunday, and is officially my day of rest. I say that but most days for me are 'days of rest' if I can help it ! what's the point of exerting too much energy when a slow trot will do. I never understood dogs that are on the go 24/7 - I feel like shouting out "Hey sugar, take a chill pill"...things should be done slowly in my eyes, I rush for noone. Well I say that, if there's a whisper of the velcro on Mummys boots in earshot I rev up a notch as that means WALKIES, or if I hear the click of the dog food cupboard slamming shut, there just has to be biscuits in the offing, it's the law. Yesterday though, those biscuits were used in an unlawful way it has to be said. That is that I was told, it was time for bed (at 5pm that is a novelty for me and I was quite happy to oblige extra sleeping time on my double bed) BUT this was not quite the truth (was it Mummy) those biscuits ended up in that unholy place - the SHOWER. Oh when will I ever learn, I ended up being lathered in places a gal would rather not be lathered. It was just not decent for a middle aged laydee like me to be put through such degradation. Not only did I get a thorough washing, Mummy said I was well overdue for it as I had started to smell like a dustbin.

I took that a quite the compliment actually as I love rumaging in bins, it's become quite the hobby for me, though the humans don't seem to enjoy it so much and make much noise when I have gone through the leftovers all over the kitchen floor.........

........So what was wrong with smelling like and old bin I will never know. I have to say that after much cooing at how cute I was standing there with bubbles all over me, the dreaded moment arrived when the scissors (eeeeek!) and brushes (double eeeek!)came out - I was trimmed within a whisker of my life (okay not quite but you get the picture) and i've ended up smelling like a tarts handbag. I could only think of the next walk, and my revenge plans to find the mouldiest, smelliest place to have a good ole roll around. I think fox poo is quite a nice smell actually and don't understand what all the fuss is about, very much Eau De Stink.....

.....Yes, must find some fresh fox pooh, that'll go down a treat against odour of vanilla and aloe blooming vera..... oh the disgrace of it.

So you can tell - life here is never dull, and I have to say I quite like it's pace (slow).

I'm off to have a bark at the back fence as things are a wee bit too quiet out there for my liking.I'll do that for about 10 minutes then will come back inside and have a well deserved afternoon nap......it's hard work being gorgeous you know !

Signing off for now - Tiva x