Sunday 7 December 2008


I met up with a friend from high school yesterday...in Edinburgh! Susan and her family have come for a visit with her husbands side of the family and decided to have a couple days in Scotland (with very little arm twisting on my part). I had planned taking them 'oot an aboot' the countryside and over the Trossachs to Loch Lomondd. But, they had only a couple hours in Eburgh the first day and decided they wanted to stay and see more of the city and not go galivanting in the car in the countryside, fine with me. So we walked over to Holyrood House and did the tour, really nice. I have never been able to do it before as I have always had the dog with me. then, we went back up the Royal Mile and toured the Mary King's Close, the most haunted spot in E'burgh. Anohter good sight, not overly scary, but the historical stuff was quite interesting. A good time was had by all and it was super catching up with an old friend!

The weather has been so cold, ice all over up at the yard, but at least it's been fairly dry. Arran is covered up on the mountains and Goat Fell is all white. Most of the year the sun sets behind Arran and we goet some gorgeous sunsets. Last Sunday I was up at 7 a.m. (don't ask)and the sun was rising behid Arran! I took this photo, we'll call it: WINTER SUNRISE. There was a pink halo...lovely...

I have been riding a bit, but the cold puts me right off! Remy has been really good when I have been up.

We are going to get the house tidied up and put up some Christmas decorations later today. The tree won't go up until a bit later though, it's get boring if it's up too soon. We did a bit of shopping yesterday, no pressies though, just cards, the older we get, the harder it gets to buy for everyone...ugh.

Enough for now, more later.

Sunday 23 November 2008

Show Result

Well, we (Sean, Tiva, and I) went along to the Land 'O Burns dog show yesterday. To cut a long story short, we were unsuccessful. Tiva behaved impecably, her only demerit being that when the judge ran her hands over her, she turned her head. We were beaten by a stunning Border Collie puppy and an Austrailian Shepherd Dog. I am sure it was her 'washboard abs', but am at my wits end trying to get weight on her!

Had a long chat with my sister last night...haven't spoken with her in ages. She and Bob are well, as is Mom (spoke with her, too). Mom is going to the Sr. Center a couple days a week and doing Tai Chi, etc, enjoying herself anyway. At the top of all our Christmas Lists (and Letters to Santa) is that Shannon be pregnant for Christmas! Remember her in your prayers everyone!

The weather has been really cold here lately, and it has snowed inland, up at the yard, but nothing here on the coast. Susan, a friend from high school, will be here with her family on Thursday, so we are hoping for good weather to do some sightseeing in!

More updates as they occur! Bridgit

Friday 21 November 2008

Jumping my horse

I recently wrote about taking Remy to Rowallan for clear rounds, and how, while it wasn't a totally disaster, it was also NOT a resounding success! Well, on Tuesday this week I went up to ride and Jane came out to give me a jump. Remy warmed up nicely and then we jumped...a meter!!! That's the highest I have ever jumped on him and it was fab-u-lous! Jane, as usual, is right. If I let him carry on, instead of trying to get him right, he jumps like a frog!

Yesterday Tiva went to the 'beauty parlor' and got all clean and fluffy. She came home looking twice her size and smelling like a new car! We sill be showing tomorrow, so fingers crossed.

Also yesterday, Sean and I cooked and had the neighbors over. Dinner turned out really well, appetizer of vol-au-vents with philly and either shrimp or salmon, Stilton and Broccoli soup to start, then dinner of mallard duck, potatoes dauphinoise, green beans, stuffing, and home made cranberry sauce as well! For desert? Baileys Cheesecake! Then coffee and cards.

We taught them how to play Euchre and played girls vs guys. It was one game apiece and 11 o'clock, so, hometime. The said they enjoyed it, so we'll have them over soon for the rubber match!

More after the show tomorrow...

Bridgit

Tuesday 18 November 2008

It's been too long...


Hi Everyone,

Well, once again, I am running way behind with updating my blog. So, where to start?

Since it's a 'dog blog', I shall begin with Tiva. My brother is here for a visit and on 1st November he went along with me to the working and Pastoral Breeds show in Edinburgh, at Ingliston. Tiva was in JPB. She was so well behaved. It was a benched show, but my crate wouldn't fit in the alloted space and there is no way she would sit there quietly, so we set up in the grooming area and settled in for the day.

Mostly we watched some classes and read our books, we also took the occasioal walk with the dog. And then ~ it was our turn.

There were only 3 in our class, both of whom we had met in the ring previously. Tiva was active and alert in the class and really moved well. She also stood well and let the judge go over her without a fuss. When he put us 2nd I was thrilled and pleased and excited! The dog we beat was one that has consistantly beaten us, so it was nice to have someone prefer my dog! I am looking forward to seeing her crituque in Dog World.

We have another show coming up on the 22nd. It's a local show, so we'll go for the whole day and I have entered 3 classes: AV Pastoral NSC/Post Grad, AV/Owned and Handled by a Lady, and AV dog never having won a a 1st at this show. She is going on the Thursday before to be groomed and fluffed. Fingers crossed everyone!

In other news, I was in Finland at the end of October! I went to attend a seminar in Helsinki. I had no notion of what to expect (except perhaps reindeer, but didn't figure I'd see them in the town center!)and was pleasantly surprised. A local took us to fabulous places for dinner at night and the city is immpressively clean. The first night I had a cold-smoked reindeer coldcut kind of appatizer, really good! For desert I had lingonberry soup! It was topped with cinnamon cream and the whold meal was wonderful. Night two I had the daily special...elk sausage, also fabulous. Night 3 was lamb meatballs and our last night was at a Russian restaurant called Troika. Fantastic!

As for the horse, Remy was off work with an abscess in his jaw a week ago, don't know how that happened! The vet said it wasn't his teeth, but the dentist is coming tomorrow, we'll see what he finds, his teeth need done anyway. Once he recovered (quickly and well) I had a jumping lesson and then, last Thursday, Jane took me to Rowallan for clear rounds. How did we do, you may ask? Well, we got round the very small course (70 cm) without knocking anything down, but not much style! I was taking too many pull and not letting him go for it. Once I relaxed a bit, and did let him alone, we actually did put in a couple nice jumps. Definately need to practice, practice, practice!

It is going to continue to be busy right up to the new year. Sean and I are off to shop right now. We are having an early Thanksgiving dinner this Thursday, our lovely neighbors are going to join us. Also Thursday is Tivas' appointment at the beauty shop. Next week an old friend from high school(and her family)is coming to the UK for a visit and I am picking them up in E'burgh on Thursday for a day out in the countryside(maybe up to Perthshire or Aviemore...hmmm...) Fingers crossed for good weather! And through all this, I still have to Christmas shop and ride my horse and, oh yeah, WORK!!!

So, I better hit the road, more as events unfold!

Thursday 16 October 2008

NBSDC Show in Durham

What a weekend it was! Saturday was busy getting ready for the show, cleaning enough stuff out of the car that all the necessary items for the show would fit into the car...

As Jan always has always provided lovely food in the past, I wanted to take some nice goodies for 'all the usual suspects'. To that end, one of my Saturday errands was to shop and cook! First, I went to Derby House and bought a lovely wicker picnic basket. I have always wanted one but could never justify the expense...but now, I NEEDED ONE! It's lovely...four china plates and real cutlery as well as wine glasses, napkins, and ~ get this ~ little salt and pepper shakers! How's that for tricked out? I even got a camp chair that matches the whole she-bang...and all on sale...yippee!

Anyway, I got that and then went on to the grocery store. I had decided I would make a lovely chicken salad for sandwiches, so I got a roasted chicken off the deli counter, some nice bakery rolls for it to go on, and a selection of Italian coldcuts and cheese as well. Baby potatos for potato salad. Topped it all off with some sundried tomatos, artichoke hearts, and peppers in oil, as well as some nice apple juice to wash it all down. Oh, and some Oreo Cookies!!!

Then it was off to the yard to ride Remy. While I pottered about the yard, I left Tiva in the car. She had been to the groomers on Thursday for a fluff and buff and was still clean and sweet smelling.

When I was done in the yard we went home and unloaded the car. I put the food stuff away, keeping out the chicken to make the salad with. Well, I reached into the bag and...only 1/2 a chicken! Tiva had eaten it from the ass end down to the breast without finding it necessary to take it out of the bag! She is sooo sneaky!

Suffice it to say, there was no chicken salad for sarnies on Sunday. The rest went down well and it all got eaten except the tomatios, artichokes, and peppers. But, the potato salad and Oreos disappeared as did the cheeses and coldcuts. It was an American style picnic...a tailgate party!

After our tailgate party we all headed to our respective homes. After being up at 4.30 am and being on the road by 5, it was already a long day by the time I headed back up the road. Got home about 10, unloaded the essentials and was staight off to bed. Did not even bother to set the alarm clock!

As for the show: Tiva was very well behaved, she didn't like going into her crate, but once in she laid there quietly and watched the goings on. When it was show time though ~ she did. We were 3rd in Jr PB and there was a stake class at the end of the show which she was also 3rd in! Speaking with the judge later, she said Tiva had a lovely face and she really liked her BUT she needed more leg. Well, it's not like I haven't heard that before. She did feel that she is up to breed standard height now. So, I have forbidden Tiva to grow much broader if she is not going to get taller as well. The least she can do is to stay in porportion!

Saturday 11 October 2008

A Quick Catch-Up

Hello all,

It has been so long since I have written and much has happenend...but I'll not go into details. Basically, it goes like this:

I was in the states from 17 August to 3 September. The first week I spent in Chicago with Shannon, Bob, and Mom. I was fine the first three days and then I was sooo sick. But, by the Tuesday I was on my feet again and up to Wii-ing. What fun it is! I may still be the record holder for distance on the ski jump. We also golfed and then, as it was Friday and fish-fry night, we had the fish fry at the club~yummy.

During the week we (me, Mom, and Shannon) also took a couple other wee road trips. One day we drove down to Davenport, where we lived for about 3 years while doing our undergrad studies. (Actually, we were going to go to Palmer College of Chiropractic, but changed out minds and went down to Logan in St. Louis.) We visited some old haunts, had a bite of lunch and I bought a painting, a Bev Doolittle. Google her stuff, she's great and I have coveted her work for years. And now, finally, I have one!

We also went up to Wisconsin for a day. Cant remember the name of the town, but it is quite touristy and right on a lake, really charming. They had some supurb art galleries, but the prices started at £3,500 and the canvases were HUGE! Maybe someday...sigh.

The big event on holiday was that my borther, Sean, graduated on the 23rd. So he is now a chiropractor as well and it is our hope that he will be coming over to practice with me. Anyway, we got there late in the evening and checked into our hotel (me and Mom). The next morning there was an awards breakfast, which we all attended. Then the rehersal for the graduation. Then Mom and I went back for a nap. And my Uncle John had called and it turned out that he and Aunt Carol had come out to St. Louis to surprise us all! They were even staying at our hotel.

That evening we all went to a Mexican restaurant for a nice dinner and other family joined us. Then there was the graduation the next morning...yeah! There was a lovely reception after and Sean had a really good turnout of friends to wish him well.

At three o'clock we (about 40 of us) descended on Hot Shots, where they reserved a large part of the bar, the part with lots of dart boards, for us and we partied the afternoon away. Sean got some lovely pressies and I am sure, with all the folks that came from near and far, he felt very loved and supported. We were away by about 11 and a great time had been had by all!

In the morning it was all go party again as Sean and Julie had invited us over for breakfast. So, once again, there were about 12 of us and what a great breakfast we had. John and Carol were talking about going to Busch Farm, so we decided we would all go! So, into three cars we piled and were off on anohter adventure. We took the tam ride round the park and ended up in a petting zoo for goats! It was hysterical to see Bob try to give them bottles and feed them!

After all that we went to (duh) the bar area and had a beer. It was great...we got to the counter to order and noticed a sign that said "beer sammples limited to two per customer, please". And, guess what, they were pint sized samples...whoo-hoo!

Through all of this holiday, the weather was never cooler than about 90. So, while we did have a lovely time, it was sooo hot, the beer was VERY welcome! I did, however, end up with the first tan I have had in years, without even burning, or even peeling weeks later...again, I say whoo-hoo!

Well, there is still another week to cover, but it's late and I have to leave in 6 hous, about 5 a.m., for a dog show in Durham. So, more when I get back...keep your fingers crossed...



Monday 4 August 2008

Weekend in Lincolnshire

What a weekend we just had. On Friday I worked until 11.30 and had every intention of being on the road at 12.00 ~ but you know what they say about the best laid plans. Tiva and I got on the road at 12.45 and had an uneventful trip to Jan's house, arriving (via Sat Nav directions, thanks TomTom) at 7.15, only 15 minutes later than I had said I would be there!

Ann was already there with her dogs, and Jackie was there with hers. I also met Garth, Brian and Jerri, and Martin. I got my tent all set up in the paddock and went back to the house where Jan had some dinner for me. We all sat and talked and helped Jan do stuff until at 11.00, I couldn't keep my eyes open, and begged off and went to bed.

It was windy and poured rain off and on and Tiva was very restless. She finally settled, after eating a bowl of food at 2 a.m., and we slept for two hours before getting up at 4 to set off for the show grounds at 5!

That is where things started to go wrong. One of Martins dogs jumped out of her crate in the truck and caught her chest and teat on a hook! Jan got that cleaned up and it was decided to go ahead and take her to the show. So, a 1/2 hour behind schedule, we set off in a 2-car convoy. We arrived at 8.45, later than planned, but they put the start time back from 9 to 9.30, so the immediate pressure was off.

Later, while Jan was in the ring, one of her dogs got ill! It seemed to do better after a bit but then relapsed. So arrangements were made to swap dogs and rides around and, with me still to show Tiva and one of Jans dogs in for best of BOS and BV (it won BV), I ended up riding home with Brian and Jerri and Tiva and Jans dog!

As for Tiva, she really showed well but we didn't get placed. Her critique was fairly ok and she was rated V. Good. I did go home with the best dog, but I wish everyone else knew it!

We got back to Jans and, once again, she had dinner ready for us. The two dogs had gone to the vet and were blood tested and stitched and sent home. After sharing a couple bottles of wine and (I sincerely hope NOT) boring everyone with chiropractic and health chat, I headed to my bed.

I woke with a headache, due (I am sure) to the long, rushed, stressful, day on Saturday, and the sunburn I acquired. I slept in until called for my breadfast. After a couple aspirin and a lovely omelette, I felt better and, along with everyone else, pitched in to help get food etc ready for the BBQ in the afternoon.

There was tons of food and desserts. Chris was grill meister, ta very much! Jans food was supurb: coleslaw, potato salad, kebabs, chicken, ham-, lamb- and even ostrich-burgers...wonderful. I made my special carrot cake, everyone seemed to like it, Yeah.

It was a gorgeous day (again) and folks came and went through the day. Tiva spent the whole day loose in the paddock and the yard, playing with all the different dogs and puppies that came for a visit, it was lovely to see her playing and fun to see her cousins and aunties, not to mention her siblings.

With the intention of leaving at 6, I duly said my good-bys. A half hour later, I started on my second round of good-bys. On the way out the gate, which Jan opened, I was chatting with her and ended up going back to get a bag of dogfood from her! At which point it was 7.45! Yikes. Then I ended up staying another 1/2 hour as Carol was on her way with her new, imported, American Quarter Horse...which, of course, I wanted to see! So, I finally got on the road at 8.30.

I got home, exhausted, at 4 a.m. I had to stop at the services past Penrith and lay down in the back seat for a while and then went to the pumps and filled up. My gas light had come on way before Kendall and I couldn't find a station anywhere! I was actually starting to think that I would have to get a hotel room, as I didn't want to completely run out of diesel, that's is really bad for a diesel, innit? But all was well and I filled up and pushed on. I got home at 4 and was asleep by 4.07. Up at 11 and working for 1. Now it's 10.15 and I need toothpicks to hold my eyes open, so I'll say goodnight.

And a huge THANK YOU to Jan and all her lovely guests, who made the weekend wonderful!

Until next time, when I should have some pics to post,

Bridgit

Sunday 20 July 2008

More News

It has been quite a while since I last updated, but that's because I don't have much to report!

Mom arrived on the 17th for a two week visit. We sort of just schlupoped around for Thursday then had a lovely dinner at Jane's in the evening. Friday I worked and mom went and visited with a friend.

Saturday we went over to New Lanark Village and spent the day there. It's really quite interesting and what a beautiful setting! We walked about for hours and the weather stayed quite good. We were bushed when we got back and just vegged out for the evening and watched some tv.

We are off now to the yard. I'm going to ride and give Remy a jump and then we are going to see Mama Mia! Until later then...Bridgit

Tuesday 8 July 2008

Finally getting around to an update! Friday was meant to be spent at the Eglinton Horse Trials watching the horses go cross country. It didn't turn out that way however! I stopped for diesel and ~ oop ~ filled up, to the tune of £60, with petrol! I had the sense not to turn the car on, but it still had to be towed to the garage and they couldn't drain it until later in the day, so no horse trials for me and Tiva!

Instead, I we came home and went on the beach for a while and then I came in and started cooking for my party the next day. Potato salad, carrot cake, devilled eggs, and ribs, chicken and pork shoulder on to marinade. Lots of pressure off for the next day.

So, that was Friday. On Saturday I did the rest of the cooking...smoked the pork shoulder and shredded it and made the BBQ sauce for it, smoked the ribs and made the sauce, made the baked beans, Waldorf salad, and green salads, iced the cake, and still managed to get a bet down on a friends horse.

The horse, Sacriledge, went of at 9-2 and won! So, I made £52...yeah!

Julie and Robert and the girls arrived at 5.00 and they had made all sorts of red, white and blue balloon decorations the day before and put them out about the house on Saturday. They were lovely. Everyone else started arriving about 6 and we partied til 1.30. Everyone loved the food and there were no leftovers. That is definately a first! Well, not quite true, there was Waldorf Salad left over, I guess I'll have to serve that for the next 8 years before it gets eaten...

As for Tiva, she is well and enjoying her romps on the beach. We are looking forward to going to Jan's in August, it won't be long now. Mom will be arriving next week as well, so the rest of the summer is looking busy.

TTFN...

Tuesday 1 July 2008

Rimini, Italy

WoW...Well folks, that doesn't quite cover it, Italy was great. The seminar was supurb, and Dr. D'Onofrio blew us out of the water! It was wonderful to be in Italy again and nice to hear from people who knew and loved Dad and remembered him fondly. One Dr. told me that he had the most fun ever one night and it was with Dad...and wouldn't tell me about it!


My flight home was delayed and I was very last minute for my connection at Gatwick, but did make it, though my luggage didn't. It arrived by taxi on Monday afternoon.

I picked Tiva up from kennels after work on Monday. Betty said she went on a two-day hunger strike, but a bit of fresh tripe sorted that out! She has lost a bit of weight, but otherwise seems neither up nor down with having been in kennels ~ whew.

This will be a busy week as I have my anual 4th of July party on Saturday! I have to do the shopping on Thursday and on Friday I will be out at the Eglinton Horse Trials, where I sponsor a jump every year. I am looking forward to that and hope the weather will be nice.

And last, but definately not least, Remy and Jenny were 3rd in the open at mini-Blair! I haven't gotten the details yet, but cant wait to hear the blow-by-blow.

Later...

Monday 23 June 2008

Muirmill Derby

Good morning,

Yesterday was the Derby at Muirmill and Stacey and Remy did the Derby at 85 cm. They had one pole down and were 6th. I was very pleased with both of them and really didnt expect her to do better. The rain was so hard that Shelby withdrew, everyone was soaked to the skin. But after waiting for nearly 4 hours, we werent giving up without a go!

I did tell Stacey she didnt have to if she didnt feel safe and to just go steady, not take any risks. So they went really well, it was just unfortunate that the others in the 85cm class has already been in the 55, 65, and 75 cm classes! So they already had seen all the jumps and knew the ground and all the shortcuts...I would have been shocked if Stace and Remy did any better than they did.

I am really looking forward to Italy at the end of the week, leave on Wednesday, and NOT at the crack of dawn...even better! It will be a working holiday as I am gong for a seminar, but Tom is meeting me there and An and Michael arrived Sunday night for a few days break before the seminar starts. I can't wait! Ahhhh...

Saturday 21 June 2008

Horsey News Today


Hi All,
Well, the last few days were very eventful. The highlight was that, on Thursday, Stacey rode Remy in the clear rounds, outdoors at Muirmill. He was very keen and while he wouldn't settle down in his warm up (she would have needed another 1/2 hour) he jumped lovely and she rode him really well. As it turns out, this Sunday is the Derby at Muirmill (Remy and I were 3rd out of 50, 2 or 3 years ago, the picture at the top is him in the lineup!) So we are planning to take Remy, Stacey will ride, Colin and Odin, Shelby and Onyx. However, it is raining cats and dogs, so if the ground is boggin or it's still raining, we'll not be going anywhere!



Friday was eventful. The police showed up at my door; but I must start that story on Wednesday evening...I had Tiva in the back yard and was throwing the toy for her from up in the back corner. As J. came through the (already open) gate, Tiva ran up. I called her to come back and she stopped at the end of MY bit of garden and came back.

J. came on round the drive and shouted over to me, I said I wasn't happy about what she said and then her husband came out and started shouting as well. At which point Tiva came running over, from behind me so I didn't see her to shout her to stop and I didn't hear her because she was neither barking nor growling. She ran up and stopped short of J. who reached out and swung out with her arm. As Tiva jumped back, eyes still on J., her husband drew back his leg and round-house kicked her in the ribs. I was sick. Shouted 'stop that' and he swung round and planted his foot on my raised garden and got right up in my face and growled 'I'll kill that dog'.

Then he shouted something about her being out of control. I said 'she's not out of control, she didnt bark or growl or bite'. Then J. started shouting about something on her sleeve and showing it to me saying 'what's that what's that'. I almost laughed, probably would have if i wasnt so angry and upset, shocked really. I said slobber (it was from where she swiped at Tiva, it was a small (bout an inch) of foamy slobber. He started shouting 'prove it, prove it'. I said, prove what. 'That she didnt bite her', he shouted. I said 'she didnt, show us the bite then, where's the bite mark?', he was so ridiculous, I was almost laughing. I said do you want to stand there repeating yourself or discuss this? Anyway, I eventually got into the house, shaking like a leaf. At first tho, I couldnt find Tiva. As it turned out, she had run into the house and was in the scullery.

So I spoke to my solicitor the next morning (Thursday) and he suggested I NOT call the police as it would just inflame the situation and gave me the number of a mediator. I called them and they told me what they do (didnt sound like much)and said I would think about it.

And then the police show up on Friday! They were very biased (oh, did I mention the guy upstairs is a cop???)and also suggested mediation. I said I had already considered it but didn't think they (upstairs) would go for it and they said they would go back upstairs and speak to them about it. They were up there for another 1/2 hour before I saw the car leave. So I guess I'll call the mediator 1st thing Monday. It is all very depressing.

Maybe tomorrow will cheer me up.

Thursday 19 June 2008

Well, we (me and Tiva) met Debbie Flemming and Ella and their dogs at 7.30 a.m. last Saturday and we headed down to the Champ show in Preston. Ella did really well with her Gronendal, BP dog and BP bitch were litter mates, bred by Ella, and her bitch took BPIS! Tiva showed well and had a very pleasing critique, but the judge (Mr. Sonny Strom)put a stick on her and she's 54 cm, not the required 57, and so he wouldnt place her higher than last. Other than saying that her ears were a bit big (I'm sure she'll grow into them) and she could use more charbonnage (again, she IS still a puppy, his comments were very positive... "exc head & expression. high set ear-a bit big. parallel lips. bite & teeth ok. nice mask. enough neck. gd back. well angulated. enough chest. Ex bone for size. Gd feet. Moves with v gd balance & stride. Ex coat & colour. Could do with more charbonnage" I am ok with not being better placed, but I feel she still has time to grow and it is only an inch that she needs. When are they expected to reach full height? Aside from that, we had a lovely, successful day. My friend, and Tiva's breeder, Jan, did well with her Mali's and I was torn when BPIS was being judged. Who to root for? My old friend and tivas breeder, Jan? My new friends Ella (groney puppy owner/breeder) and Debbie (handling)? Or perhaps simply the Terv? I was glad I didn't have to choose and, in the end the Gronendal was triumphant! So, the ride home was good as well!

Thursday 12 June 2008

Dr Tiva

I am learing all sorts of new stuff these days. One of them is how to load a photo show onto my blogger, so here it is! Counting down to Saturday and the show. gotta wake up hellish early to meet my ride, but I'll be there with bells on! See you all there.








Wednesday 11 June 2008

Some cute pictures

Me again,

What a lovely day we had here, sunshine, not much wind...beautiful. It seems as if Tiva isnt in season after all, so Preston is on for us. Here are some photos I took today, Dr. Tiva is IN!




And a few others of my not-spoiled baby! Just beccause she likes her pillows fluffed just-so...and fresh sheets...nope, defiantely NOT spoiled! Well, maybe....just a weeee bit...




And, finally, a bit of fun on the beach. Tiva is getting used to water!





Tuesday 10 June 2008

WEEKEND UPDATE

Hello all,

Well, I spoke with Debbie Flemming and we were in the process of making plans to ride down to the Champ show together,BUT....Tiva 'became a woman' today...in the middle of the night in fact, yuck! So it looks like we, or at least she, wont be going. I would still like to go but will have to find a dog-sitter for a long day first of all. We'll see...

No other news really, the weather has been lovely so I have bbq'd on the grill a couple of timess, it's great! A nice tip for corn on the cob ~ I cooked mine on the hob first, since we cant get it in the husk here, then I basted it with chipotle sauce and put it on the grill ~ yummy!

Camped out in the back garden with Beanie (my Godson) on Friday night. He helped set up the tent and put the sleeping bags in and figured out how to use the air blower to blow up the mattress. Then he found my new solar lights for the back garden and wanted to put them together and put them out, so we did that. Then we had corn on the cob and sausages for our tea. We went to the beach and played with Tiva for about an hour and came back and crawled into our bags and read 'All Things Bright and Beautiful' til Sean went to sleep.

I was freezing and didnt sleep a wink, and snuck into the house at 4.30! Thought I'd gotten away with it but later Sean told someone that I had come back into the house...OOps, caught out! We all had a laugh about it.

Spoke with Jane last night and Remy is sound, so I will try to ride today after work. Beanie called me as well at about 8.30 wanting help with his homework, which was on house rules. Funny that Jane had just spoken to him about it on Friday and we had made some rules.

So, he says, this is what I have so far: 'The first rule in my house is that I change out of my uniform when I get home or else my Godmother give me into deep trouble' Tee Hee.

Tuesday 3 June 2008

August Weekend Is A Go!

Another sunny day in Scotland and I am pleased that I have been able to arrange the to not work the 1st weekend in August. This means that I'll be able to join the Bonvivant BSD Family at Jan's for her annual 'do', in conjunction with the dog show! I am really looking forward to it, and to seeing all Tiva's sibs.

Yeah,

Bridgit

Monday 2 June 2008

SKC RESULTS

Woo Hoo,

Here is the critique of the puppy that won and of Tiva, not too bad I thought!

(8,1) 1 Pratten & Johnson’s Bergeau Rainbow Art, very pleasing, stylish, well balanced puppy, pleasing head, eye & expression, good outline, nice hindquarters, moved & showed well. BP; 2 Gilmore’s Bonvivant Raffine, smaller puppy, good head balance, eye & ears, nice neck & outline, well coupled, made the most of herself standing & moving 3 Crawford’s Corsini Latin Dancer. JB (5,1) 1 B Raffine; 2 C Latin Dancer, liked this puppy very much. Carrying a little extra weight which showed on the move but I would rather have her like this at her age than the other way. Pleasing head, eye & ears, good body shape, standing looked lovely & when she hardens & matures should do very well; 3 Neatham’s Zarna Apache Sunrise.

I cant wait to see what the judge at the BSD show had to say!

Bridgit

Sunday 1 June 2008

Sunday news

Hello and Happy Sunday,

Well, the weekend was a bit of a wash. Saturday was gorgeous and sunny and hot. I went down to the fun show in Ayr and set up beside the ring. We were in the first class, AV Puppy. Gladys said there were about 30 in the class. We made the cut down to 12 and then were placed 6th, so not too bad a result. The judge spoke to me at the end (I was told a number of times that he did not speak to anyone else) and said "I realy liked that, it's really nice. It was a tough class". So, that was nice. And we got beaten by some nice dogs, so I wasn't displeased. However, the dog he put first was a GSD puppy, nice head, but it couldn't stand up straight and when it walked, it was lame. How can that be good for the breed?

Today, Sunday, we went to another 'fun show'. Now, maybe it's just me, but I have put a lot of effort into going to ringcraft classes, finding out how to best handle my dog, what kind of leash to use, what grooming needs to be done, etc. Today, we entered AV Puppy and were placed 4th of maybe 12-15 or so. BUT...the winning dog, an Irish Wolfhound, wasn't groomed, when the judge looked the dogs over he was sitting, and, when his young lad handler moved him, he had him on his right side and the dog was away from the judge, she couldn't see well how the dog moved. Now, my only question is this: if all that stuff doesnt matter then why am I wasting my time going to ringcraft class and learning to 'do things right'? In the next class
1st place was a puppy that wasnt even placed in the puppy class! Whats up with that???

Honestly, I didnt mind getting beaten, but I would like to know why??? I think I'll have to call my mentor and she can talk me down!

In other news, Remy is still lame and I cant find Epsom salts in all of Ayrshire to soak his foot in...good grief!

Guess how I got woken up this morning - at 4.30 a.m. I might add? A live bird landed on my shoulder, I thought it was Tiva pawing me to get out. I turned over to ignore her and 'flap flap flap' it flew away to the top of my wardrobe! So I had to get up and try to catch it and put it out. It got behind my wardrobe and I had to pull out my dresser, to then pull out the wardrobe. At which point I caught it only to lose it again! At that point it flew into the back of Tiva's crate (that she sleeps in without a door) and settled. I went and got the door, put it on and hauled the entire crate outside and took the top off and birdie flew away...whew. I went back to bed. I think I'll just stick with an alarm clock, thanks very much!

Enough for now, gonna go nurse my sunburn...

Bridgit

Friday 30 May 2008

Slow news day

Hi again, Not much happening to day, except it was lovely and warm and sunny and Tiva and I were on the beach romping. I thought I would put on this cute video from when she was wee...she is such a sweetie!



I have just decided that tomorrow we are off to an open show in Ayr! I/we haven't been to ringcraft class or even practiced at home since we returned from NBSDC two weeks ago, so it will be interesting. I'm not even sure that I'll be able to move her round the ring because my ankle is still pretty bad. My friend, Gladys, is going with me, I may draft her in to help. I think she used to show GSD's. Fingers crossed. We'll enter AV Puppy and Prettiest Bitch! The show doesn't start til 2, so we'll have time to get there and practice a bit...I shall report back!


G'night,


Bridgit


Thursday 29 May 2008

Tiva pics

Hi all,



Just talked to my friend Jane, she takes care of my horse and has been a wonderful friend to me. I had called the farriers yesterday to pay an emergency visit to Remy to check for an abscess. Jane says that by the time they got there he was 99% sound and the farrier didn't have to do anything!



He is sounder than I am...still some serious pain in the front of my ankle. I walked Tiva to the edge of the water this morning, thank heaven she was happy enough to have the toy thrown for her, I couldn't have walked her very far. Here's a pic or two from this morning...


Go on Mom, throw the ball!
A tired, wet, dirty, HAPPY dog!



Tiva, playing keep away with the ball

Happy, happy, joy, joy...

Well, that's all for now, enjoy the pics.

Bridgit

Wednesday 28 May 2008

SKC and NBSDC Weekend


I am going to back track this entry to last weekend. On Friday, the 16th, I had the car all loaded and just had to throw in myself and the dog, Tiva, and off we set to Strathclyde Country Park to meet 5 other gals and their 13 other dogs! We were all camping over the weekend and competing in the Scottish Kennel Club (SKC) Championship show on Saturday and the Northern Belgian Shepherd Dog Club (NBSDC) on Sunday.


I arrived about 7.30 (TomTom did well) and as I set up my tent, Jan was heating chili on the stove. Sue and Jacqui had a French loaf and Ann provided the cooking facilities...thanks to all of them. Lisa was our other 'team member', she and Jan were Tiva's breeders! We had a great, open-air dinner and talked and got to know each other and hit our sleeping bags about 11.30.

It was soooo cold that I was up about 5.30 and had Tiva walked and ready for our day..NERVOUS. We left for Ingliston about 7.30 and got there in time get a good space ringside and we settled in.

I am so new at this that I can't remember all the awards that 'our gang' got ~ but we really cleaned up! I had Tiva in Puppy Bitch (PB) where we got 2nd and in Jr. Bitch (JB) which we won! You could have knocked me over with a feather! Jan made two of her dogs up to champions and did well with her others, in fact, she went into Best in Show! Ann, Lisa, Sue and Jacqui all placed well, though I cant ennumerate all the wins, as I said, it's all still Greek to me. So it was a great day for TEAM BONVIVANT.
Having placed in the top four also means that Tiva has qualified for Crufts...WOW.

Sunday we had sunny, hot, and windy weather and TEAM BONVIVANT had a repeat of all that success, except for me and Tiva. We got nothing in PB and, though we did win JB, well, we were the only entry. It's still a pretty ribbon, though! Our personal success was that, with Lisa's patient help, Tiva spent the day happily sprawled out in her new crate! Now I won't have to have her constantly attached to my wrist and will be a bit freer to move about.

I have to say thank you to the whole team for all their help, support, and kind words...thankyouthankyouthankyou! And I look forward to seeing you all again over the summer.

Bridgit

Tuesday 27 May 2008

Coursliehill XC

Hi all,

I'm gonna try this blog thing! It seem a good place to post pictures and keep everyone up to date on my doings ~ we'll see how it goes.


I'll start with the last few days.


Yesterday (Monday 26 May) was what they call a Bank Holiday Monday here in the UK. It turned out that the Coursiliehill Cross Country was back on this year! I haven't been doing enough jumping lately to be ready for it, so Jenny was going to take Remy in the Novice Class-2'9".


I rode him out on our first hack last Thursday, though, and he picked up a stone in a front shoe, I got it out but it apparently bruised pretty good first. Then I rode him in the (very hard) field on Friday and Jenny jumped him in the school on Saturday. Jane noticed that he was going a little short and they stopped the lesson, but it was too late. By afternoon he was hopping lame! Jenny tubbed it with Epsom salts and then I did it again in the evening and twice on Sunday, but he's getting worse, obviously developing an abscess. No XC for him on Monday then. Shoot.



Sunday afternoon Me, Jane, Jenny, Stacey, and Tiva piled into the Kia and off we went to walk the course as Jane was still going to be going in the Open class. There are a couple of really exciting jumps and one really scary: a row of tires to jump with a drop on the other side (probably about 4 ft down) then 1 or 2 strides to another row of tractor tires, so quite high (about 3'6") and all on a slight left hand bend! And it's only the 3rd jump on the course!



The rest of the course is much like it was two years ago, steps, a coffin, and a palisade. No water, the crick was dry with all the sun and wind we have had lately!

Here's Jane and Bart on their ride...




That's all for today, I think. Tiva and I will be going to the stable to see Remy and then to ringcraft class tonight.

Bye now,

Bridgit