Friday 31 October 2008

Thanks everyone for making me feel welcome once again. First of all Elspeth, my weight loss is a walk up a mountain 6 days a week that is an hour round trip, which includes of course down the mountain ... I love that part! Ab exercises every 2nd day weights alternate days and of course the night time walk which is only about 25 minutes and alot of sidewalks no bush involved, we live right on a mountain so no matter where you walk it will be uphill for half the walk. Also minimal Carbs, lots of homemade veggie soup, smaller portions but no denials.
Lins, I'm glad that Louis is fine now, don't you wish Dogs could talk! Well sometimes any ways. I don't think i'd want to hear 3 dogs saying" let's go for a walk" every 2 seconds all day! I wish I could have a new puppy, I am so jealous! Raycris showstopper is Duchess' dad, Leah, god bless was her mom.
John.. I live in Kelowna, British Columbia 4 hours North of Vancouver. Kelowna is in the Okanagan Valley and is a semi arid desert, shich is why this is wine country. There are many many vineyards and orchards, and there are a few around these neighborhoods, so if you happen to get tired or hungry on a long walk you can enjoy a nice glass of wine or steal and apple or peach from a tree! The Okanagan Lake is a view out of our window, it is 90 some kms long and 3 kms wide. I do love it here, it is very breathtaking. If anybody comes my way feel welcome to call me!
Ali... poor Tarka, they sure fall into routines fast and they do not forget anything! I hope she is doing better!
I'll post some pictures soon
All my best Jo
Joanne, glad you’ve decided to stay. I did think your last picture was lovely. It made we wish I had two dogs so they could have a cuddle together like yours :)

Ali, sorry to hear Tarka has not been well. I must have missed that. I remember her having a kidney problem recently, is that what is causing her poor health at the moment?

Lindsey, I am delighted for you. Have a great day tomorrow visiting the pups and please put up some photos. I looked at the Raycris site a month or so back and saw the parents of the pups you are going to see. I was so tempted because both parents looked beautiful to me. However I decided it was too early for me to be getting another munster. I’m having so much fun with Brodie. Is it a boy you are looking for?

I’m heading back home tomorrow after a two week (painting) holiday in France. I’m so looking forward to seeing Brodie, I’ve really missed him.

The LMC newsletter was great. Thanks Ali for putting it together and thanks to those on here who wrote articles for it.

Have a good weekend all.

Must try harder!

Joanne, it's great that you've decided to stay. I think you've given all a wake up call and that's a good thing. It must be so hard for you being away from friends and family, and with Andy working away so much. I know exactly what you mean about conversations with the dogs, my two are exactly the same, yawning in the middle of a juicy bit of gossip - doesn't do much for your self confidence! If you're ever in need of a human ear feel free to let me know, we can always exchange numbers and talk on the phone.

Thank goodness

Glad it's all sorted and no Joanne no need to apologise, as Judith said it is easy to feel hurt when posts aren't replied to and now we have all been made aware it will not happen again.

Sorry I didn't get on till now had to be in Basingstoke early with James and then a trip to vets fr Tarka's pills and now just got back in, it's the first time have left Tarka e and she wont speak to me now, don't get me wrong she was left in the lounge with a roaring fire, the TV on and some of the others for company, and Andrew was home with her until just after 2pm, but no she has definitely put me in the dog house! Maybe her roast chicken dinner will help!!! It's just too cold to take her in the car with me, she does feel the cold now though bless her.

Anyway Elpseth can you put up your pictures of Ceilidh in the snow, it would cheer us all up, Joanne you post as much or as little as you want but never feel lonely we are all here and if you ever want a natter I'm at the end of the phone.

As I said.......

Joanne, feel free to contribute pics to www.photos.thelargemunsterlander.com Ali and I are working together on calendars thesedays (sadly have to admit - she is doing most of the work!!!) and we choose from photos that come in via the joint address which is munsterlandergroupie@hotmail.co.uk we do it to support the Animal Health Trust in this country and our breed club and breed rescue organisations. Sorry - I don't join in "chat" - decision I made some time back!

Joanne etc's

Hi Joanne, so sorry to hear you were going to leave and DELIGHTED to hear you are going to stay. I so hope that all goes well for your daughter and she has a wonderful wedding and future. I sympathise with you having to be on your own so much. I know how it feels as all my family and Frank's are away in England and we don't see them very often. our dogs are our life and I don't know what we would do without them. I think Duke and Duchess are gorgeous, I fell in love with them ages ago when I first saw them on the Blitzan site.I have not posted much lately but avidly read what everyone else is doing. I guess I felt that people would not be very interested in non-munster bits. This situation will change soon, I am going to see the Raycris litter tomorrow and I have been offered the pick dog...I am so excited. They are four weeks old so I am hoping to take loads of piccies...watch this space!!!!
This is really not my favourite time of year..all my collies are terrified of fireworks and so out come the dap diffusers, collars, anxiety wraps and a multitude of homeopathic remedies. We usually end up sitting up a mountain somewhere on bonfire night as the country park next to us has a huge display.
Hope that Ali and Tarka are getting better. Ali I just love those piccies of Logie in the snow etc.
Well the prospect of a new pup has inspired us to a massive sort out session outside. All my dogs now live indoors and my old kennel has been completely overrun and destroyed by the neighbours ivy so we have been dismantling it and trying to do something about the ivy which is everywhere and has already killed one of my trees. I think we are fighting a losing battle but will have to keep trying. I have even been in her garden trying to dig some of it up and spray it with root killer. If anybody has any ideas on ivy destruction, I would welcome all advice!!!
Guess that is it for now. Take care everybody.
Love and hugggzzz Lindsey

Glad

Glad you are staying Joanne, i think sometimes we get a bit down and see things move along so fast that what we said gets missed and we get abit emotional about things.We all must make a better effort with each other.

Sunny here today but no dog walking this week. Had a very bad experience afew years back, when i had a bitch in season. I had taken Ben out for a run and he decided to take himself back home to check on the bitch (not munsters) but just put me off taking out after.
Keisha and Stella have both turned into first class tarts, if the boys aren't crying to get to the girls. The girls are crying to get to the boys !!!!!

Good

Joanne, Glad that you decided to stay here. Don't feel anything but welcome here.
I, for some reason, know that you are in Canada but not exactly where. One of my staff left work and returned to Canada, she is from Labrador and at present is living in Nova Scotia. Another member of my staff is here currently working and raising money to buy a house at home. Where abouts in that lovely country are you?

Thursday 30 October 2008

Joanne, that's great that you've decided to stay here. I would love to visit Canada, so you never know one day we might get the chance to meet. Don't feel foolish, we all like to know that our posts are being read, it's not easy when the blog gets busy to keep up.

Welcome back!

So glad you are sticking with us. It must be so difficult being away from your family and friends, are you quite rural where you are now? Don't worry about foot in mouth, no reason for it to be there, I have been dreadful for keeping caught up on here recently so I feel awful that i missed your post because I do love your stories and pictures when you do.
Glad your back Joanne - don't feel foolish - It's only natural to want to hear comments on what you have posted and you were quite right to raise a flag. Love to see more pictures of your dogs when you have time.
FOOLISH

Now I feel foolish and self centered, maybe it's the peri menapause I don't know! Thank you all for your kind words and maybe i'll stay, after all it's my only Munster thing I can do from here. I'm sorry it just felt like..." I will never meet you in person so therefore why should We get to know you". I do know everybody has their own busy lives and problems but I would still like to be freinds with you too. We moved away from my family and friends 2 1/2 years ago, and I don't have the friends and family here, and Andy works out of town and is gone long periods of time so I guess I get lonely, talking with the dogs only goes so far, they look interested in what I have to say but eventually their heads stops cocking they yawn and go back to sleep.
I didn't mean to blame anyone, I just wasn't having fun anymore. So I guess i'm back! With my tail tucked between my legs!
Can someone help me get my foot out of my mouth?
Joanne

Joanne

Please don't leave Joanne, sorry if I haven't replyed to anything I've been caught up in school work and haven't gone on the blog in the half term (now) which is my fault. I will try my best to keep up to date with it now and will reply to anything as soon as i see it.
Sorry
I really enjoy listening about sooty pup and duke, also the lovely pictures.
I hope one day Mum will bring me over to see you, I keep on asking!

Joanne

Sorry from me too, I'm sure none of us meant to miss replying to your post. I don't have time to post loads at the moment, very busy here and it's school holidays this week. By the time I post, trying to make sure I have commented on all posts below mine is hard, the blog moves on so quickly. Please don't stop posting, it's lovely to see pics of your dogs and hear about life in Canada. Be sure that your posts are indeed read and appreciated.

Joanne

I am so sorry you have felt ignored. I feel an idiot because I do remember seeing your post and the picture of your two beautiful dogs lying together in fact it made me think, because of one being Maggie's colouring, that when I have my next one hopefully she will be dark like your other one and they will look similar lying there together. I also read about you losing the weight and thought at the time how well you had done and of your daughters wedding. I thought I had commented and when I read your post I had to go back to see, but realised for some reason I hadn't. Sometimes when I go to post I forget what I have read and what to comment on - but I totally understand you feeling left out. It's not like that though - I haven't met a lot of people that post on here and some only once but still feel I know them from their posts. I am truly sorry and would hate for you to stop posting because of that. I did enjoy reading your last post and seeing the photo. Please keep posting. Congratulations to your daughter and wish her all the happiness in the world. I'd love to see more pictures of your dogs and hear about how your are doing with the fitness training and how your daughter gets on - so keep posting cos we're still reading.

You need to come back on now just to say you forgive us )lol

Joanne

Firsly, let me apologise to you. I tend to respond to those I have met, and unfortunately for all us it is unlikely that we will! I joined the site to be able to get info and make friends with other owners, exactly as you have done. Pleasedon't drop out, your last post was an adorable picture - please keep them coming.

Louis is now fine, I think it must have been either a bug or food poisoning as I am now exactly the same. He did have some of my left overs, perhaps it affected him quicker than me!

Chat...............

Having run a blog myself - and quit it down because of the work involved! I can understand what you are saying!!! sometimes things do get "missed" and then it moves on - and we lose track - sorry!!!

I don't post much myself at all at the moment, but do read it and do enjoy your photographs - and - hope you can forgive us - not rude - just absent minded perhaps? or maybe in my case = another senior moment? Do I not remember you from photos years back? would you like to start to send them in for next years calendars etc.,? we choose from those sent in throughout the year - the remainder being used on www.photos.thelargemunsterlander.com - again - sorry - but then - I don't really reply to anything anymore so did not intentionally ignore anyone!!! oh God - am I explaining this right? maybe this is why I don't do chat LOL lost the power to express myself!!!

Joanne

Sorry if i have not replied to some of your post, but I dont spend much time postings when i am working only reading.
It would be a great shame if you stopped posting and i for one would miss the stunning pics and stories of bears !!!!!
Please have a rethink.

Joanne

Hi Joanne, I'm so sorry and can see exactly why your fed up and feel the way you do, I feel very much to blame no matter what you say, we missed your birthday, the fantastic weight loss (actually very jealous of that!!), the planned wedding, all in all very wrong, I have been ill and so has Tarka which I know everyone one has been quite concerned about but still i should of got my finger out and replied to you, we would hate to lose you and funnily enough when you were busy I was often asked how you were doing, I wont go on to more detail here and now but will e mail you in more depth.

I love all the photo's you send of Duke and Duchess, and all the lovely stories of life in Canada, please give us a second chance and a very belated Happy birthday. x x x

Joanne

Please do not go Joanne, I love seeing your pictures and hearing your stories when you come on! I have just looked further down the page and I missed your last post and am so sorry for doing so! The picture is very sweet, how old were Duke and Duchess when it was taken? Also, congratulations to your daughter on forth coming wedding! And huge welldone for losing 20lbs, that is a great achievement! If you don't mind me asking how did you do it? I bet the dogs are all loving the extra walks you must be giving them. Have there been anymore disappearances recently? I remember a while back they had gone off and I think it was Duke that hurt himself.
And also happy belated birthday!!! So sorry again!
Good morning, this will be my last entry. I have enjoyed all the pictures and stories on this chat and it was especially nice for me to see other Munsterlanders especially the ones related to mine as I live here in Canada and have yet to see another Munsteror anyone who has heard of them. Ali has been great to me but the rest of you seem to be in your own little world and wont let me in... this may seem childish but every time I have contributed to the chat, no one has responded to me except Ali, yet any of the regulars get the ohhh and ahhhhs over one picture of a dog running in a field or advice etc. I am invisible. Well carry on and have fun with your dogs and take care.
Joanne and Munsters in BC

Morning

Glad to hear Louis is on the mend Lins. Do you know what caused it? It's always worrying when the get sick like that - sounded really nasty.

Lovely pictures of Logi - he's a handsome boy.

Sorry to hear about Kaia, Sarah - hope the long term prognosis is good. Maggie after going lame two days ago is now back to her old self after a couple of days rest and arnica - which seems to work wonders.

Wednesday 29 October 2008

Louis

Great to hear he is getting better, eating a little and playing must be a good sign!
Looks like you have had a lot of fun with the dogs Ali, especially rolling Logi! I am hoping to head up to the snow on the hills on Friday with my sister and the dogs so should get millions of pictures! Will try to get some tomorrow too.

Louis

Louis seems better today, a little lethargic but that's to be expected after last night. He ate a litte but not his normal amount, and has played with Cassie today. No snow here in Bristol, just bitterly cold!

What news of Kaia?

Logi enjoys the seasonal??? weather!
















Enjoying snow in October!












Just a dusting but then frozen on top the dogs have been out and come home CLEAN wahoo!!!!

Sickness and soreness

Hi all back on line, Sorry to hear about Louie and Kaia, sounds like a nasty tummy bug, he's doing the right thing by starving himself and giving his tummy a rest, has he got a temperature?

Kaia, I hope she is OK good luck with her.

Tarka is on the mend again, much more comfortable, trying very hard to keep her warm and cosy, it's so cold here this morning -3 at 7am when I walked the dogs, James stayed home with Tarka and then we swapped as he wanted to take his dogs out so I Tarka sat. Haven't left her for over a week now as she gets upset if I'm not there with her which is totally out of character but this morning she lay in front of the open fire and slept which is good.

Pictures to follow.

Tuesday 28 October 2008

Louis

I don't think he's eaten anything whilst out, that's normally Cassie's role in life! Warning to those of weak stomachs!!! The sick was very liquid, brown, slimy and contained what looked like mushrooms (hope everyone's already had their dinner), and there was a tremendous amount of it. He's laying rather limply in his bed at the moment, curling his lip whenever Cassie tries to get him to play, which is not like him. Hopefully it is just a dicky tummy and not some sort of bug which will be picked up by Cassie and my Sister's dogs.

Good luck with Kaia tomorrow Sarah, let us know how you get on.
Oh no, I hope Louis is alright?! Lots of cuddles for him! Any further forward as to what is wrong with him? Maybe he has eaten something out on a walk?
Good luck with Kaia tomorrow, it must be worrying for you watching her limp like that. I hope they can give you some answers and a way forward for her. I cannot believe the size of Loki!!!!! What a lovely boy he is.

Specialist

Firstly - poor Louis, i hope you find out what is making him sick and it's nothing too serious.

Kaia is off to the specialist vets tomorrow to have further investigation on her left elbow to see if we can find out whats going on with it. She had an elbow score of 1 but limps terribly after exercise, more than a score of 1 would suggest. I will let you know how we get on.

Loki is 20 weeks old now and is alot taller then Kaia and Megan, he is such a chunky monkey!

Very Sick Dog

Currently like a scene out of the exorcist in my house at the moment. Poor Louis has just been very, very violently sick. I noticed he was a bit "loose" on our walk this afternoon but it didn't seem too bad. I thought there was a problem when he didn't want my left over pizza crusts, but didn't expect this! Don't wish to go into details but I have never seen sick like it. I will have to watch him closely and decide whether a trip to the vets is necessary. Poor old thing! Unfortunately Cassie doesn't seem to realise he is under the weather and is still insisting on playing with him - me thinks there could be tears before bedtime!
Well done Hudson to get an award you are a clever puppy :) Ringo does still have his teddy and its been in and out of the washing machine more times than I care to count. His favourite toys are tuggy's that he can play with Stig with, although Lucy's pop sock's make an equally good tuggys. :) Sharon I bet you are missing Brodie all them cuddles and kisses We have never had such an affectionate dog as Ringo, Did the change of clocks upset any one elses dogs like Ringo ? he was awake and ready to go out at five am yesterday a bit better today it was about 5.30 when he started

Monday 27 October 2008

Well Done

Well done Zoe and Hundson. Bet you were really pleased with him Zoe.

I keep meaning to ask, do Hudson and Ringo still have their teddies from Judith? Its Brodie's most treasured toy and he still sleeps with it. Apart from one slightly chewed ear it's still in perfect condition. When playing "give" he rarely wants to give teddy up. He's obviously much more attached to it than any of his other toys.

Looking forward to getting home from France this weekend to get a cuddle from Brodie. I'm really missing him but at least I can see him and Jim every evening on the webcam. He does look like he's still growing!

Well done Hudson!

Well done Zoe and Hudson, you must be thrilled - great achievement and so young too! Are you going to go on to do the Silver?

This morning the sun is shining after a very wet Sunday and Maggie and I were out at 8am. I think we must have been one of the first as there were pheasants everywhere and I think Maggie has cleared Holton of them this morning! I called her back to me once and showed her the ball but she looked at me as if I was crazy - couldn't I see she was having much too much fun chasing the pheasants?! Think she was in hunt overdrive this morning and I left it too late before getting her attention with the ball!

Hope everyone had a good weekend

Sunday 26 October 2008

Well done

Well done Zoe, all your hard work as paid off and to Hudson of course, whens the Silver ???
Having trouble getting on= line again at the mo and my e-mails aren't getting to me either, may need to change provider me thinks.
Hope you feel better soon Lins.
And i have just p**d Ali off by telling her that Keisha and Stella are both in season, she said that Diva and Prima are on their way up by mega bus to see if it will kick start them.Going to lock the doors and pretend we are out !!!!!!

Saturday 25 October 2008

Well done Hudson

Clever boy and to Zoe for handling him. Hope you had a special treat tonight.

Hudson

Well done Hudson, extra special tea for you today!

Hudson Passed!

Hudson passed his Bronze today!
So proud of him, we did it! Heres the piccies...



Crufts

Seeing as how I just missed my last chance to get Cassie into Crufts (not that it is very likely she would have been placed today) I'll need to get a ticket. Before I order one, any chance that anyone has a spare?
Had to drag myself away from the fire earlier to take the dogs out. I'm dog sitting again for my sister's two and her youngest and Cassie just don't stop so in order to get any peace I had to go out! All worn out and sleeping now, no room for me on the sofa!

Ditto

Lins - same happened to me, wanted to go to Midland Counties to see everyone, take some photos and get some treats, but had a dreadful night of sickness and feel awful today.
I hope everyone had a good day though and so disappointed i couldnt go.

Midlands Counties

I should have gone today with Cassie, but woke up full of cold, sore throat etc and just couldn't fact the drive up there. I shall miss not seeing everyone, but having just returned to work after 6 mths off sick I daren't risk needing more time off for a cold! Hence a day under a blanket in front of the fire is in order and plenty of hot toddys later! Wish everyone who did make to the show the very best of luck.

Canadian Munsterlanders


I haven't been on the blog for so long it took me 45 minutes just to get caught up. Everybody looks great, happy birthday to the puppies, I still think they are puppies till they reach about 3 years old, when they finally mature and start taking things seriously! But I do miss the puppy days! Duke, Duchess and Elly May are doing well, actually doing great! I am on a fitness program and the dogs are benifiting from it also. I dropped 20 lbs so far and am feeling wonderful. The dogs love the 2 hour a day walking and running! I wanted to compare Dukes measurements to the others as I think he is quite tall, he is 26 1/2" at the shoulder and 80 lbs. Duchess is quite a bit smaller at 23" . We have quail here in Kelowna British Columbia and the dogs love to point and then flush them all out. Love must be in the air... My daughter Andrea is getting married this spring and Andy and I are so happy for her. Although it makes me feel really old, it is my birthday tomorrow and I think I shall stay 43 from now on! I don't need to be any older! Any ways keep the entertainment going and I will try to keep up on the readings. I love all the pictures and videos and the stories. Bye for now....Joanne

Friday 24 October 2008

Happy Birthday

Happy belated birthday wishes to all the puppies. I love the pics one of the pups lying on his back with a great pink belly is gorgeous :).
Ringo is being weighed next week so I will let you know how much the beast weighs when he stands on you in the morning to get you up it feel like half a ton.

When we went to the LMC show the other week Troy who is Ringo, Hudson and Brodies brother was there. He was a lot slighter than Ringo and not quite as tall , Ringo looks like a big woolly sheep with curly hair. He was a lovely chap and Ringo would have loved to have played with him and Jiggy but it was to wet and muddy outside and Troy had another go in the Ring. Judith took a photo of all three of them together I forgot my camera. I will ask Judith if it came out if she could post it so you can see Troy as well.

Thursday 23 October 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to all the one year olds, not puppies anymore. Love the pics Ali, I want a puppy like one of those!
Happy 1st birthday to Diva and Jiggy's pups. I hope Ceilidh enjoys her special birthday dinner.

Zoe, it's a week since I last measured Brodie and I think he was 25 1/4 inch and 29.6kg. I'm in France right now but Jim and Brodie are together in Scotland and Jim reckons he's been growing this week, so it sounds like the boys are a similar height.

Elspeth, let me know if you want to get together for a walk sometime soon. I'm back from France in a week and a bit. I think Brodie's probably bigger than Ceilidh now but looking at the video of her bouncing around in the garden I think she's still more agile than him. You were asking about passports; a summary of the process is; microship; rabies vaccine; 2 weeks later rabies test (a reasonable % fail (varies depending which vet I spoke to) and you can either wait and get the test again or get another vaccine); you can then take dog out of country but to return into UK you need to wait 6 months (hence the reason I'm in France and Jim and Brodie in Scotland). As long as you keep the rabies vaccine up to date the passport remains valid - the frequency of the vaccine can vary per country, more info available from defra.

Puppy pictures

Gorgeous Puppy pictures!! So sweet, Not bothered about Hudson being 65 cms either he just surprised me that he got so big so quick but you don't notice it when you are with them,

Hope Maggies elbows clear up soon.

Elbow sores

Are they looking a bit pink and orangey? If so they call it kennel elbow, it's meant to be where the dogs lie on hard cold floors, and go down with a bit of a bump, it's very common, Zeta's are bald, Diva has one orange one, the best thing is to rub a little baby oil into the bald bit and surrounding area, just a bit regularly, but you may find the hair never grows back properly, they go orange or pin from the dogs licking them. Look in the Newsletter at Diva's photo for winning CC at club show, you can see her orange elbow, not too bad and since she has moulted out and growing her coat back now it's gone. Baby oil stops it cracking and drying out any more.

Sophie Ilka is a good size for a bitch, nothing wrong with 63cm, all good for the beautiful girlie.

Happy Birthday

Sorry so late in the day, having one of those days......







Happy birthday to...........
Ilka, Ceilidh, Tally, Georgia, Maud, Genna, Stanley, Raich, Yetti and Diamond

1 year old today - We remember it well, especially Mummy Diva. Lots of love and hugs from Mum, Diva, Uncle Logi, Great Granny Tarka, Aunty Zeta, cousin Prima, cousin Summer, Aunty Maddie, Granny Ali, Andrew and James!!!!!!!!!
Thanks to all owners for giving my Truly beautiful litter, Truly wonderful homes, I'm very proud of them all, and thanks to Jiggy for siring a Truly lovely litter. Diva did a Truly good job!

Happy Birthday...

To Tally, Genna, Georgia, Yetti, Nancy and Stanley, and Ceilidh and all other Diva and Jiggy Truly babies. Will put up an Ilka slide show later. And Ilka says thankyou for all birthday wishes.
Good luck with the whistle training Karen. And well done Maggie and Karen.
Ilka is about 63 cm and weighs 29kg, I'm not fussed how big she is the main thing is want to enjoy working her which I can't wait to do but be interesting to copare with Ceilidh as her sister though think Ceilidh is slightly smaller?
We're going on hols next week going to do lots of long walks and lots training.
Think that sounds about right for boys Zoe - they are bigger than girls I think, which is why I like little girls )lol

Happy Birthday from Hudson!

Hudson and the Wilkins familiy wish Ceildih, Ilka, Tally and all the Diva & Jiggy babies a Happy birthday too!

Hudson does seem huge but maybe i haven't measured correctly will try again at some point!

Not sure how to prevent Maggies sore Elbows but when Hudson had a sore tummy Ali recommended Sudocreme and it cleared it up straight away!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Ceildih, Ilka, Tally and all the Diva & Jiggy babies (big babies now!)

Love the photos of Ilka, Hudson and Sid and the videos of Ceilidh are great - looks like she is very happy to be home with you Elspeth!

Hudson is huge Zoe - a whole two inches bigger than Maggie who is only 23in.

Well done Karen with getting the whistle and book - you'll have loads of fun teaching her if nothing else )lol Good luck - would love to hear how it's going. One thing that's been working for me instead of treats, which quite honestly she isn't interested in on walks anyway is a play with a ball. I keep one in my pocket and when I call her back instead of a treat she gets a throw of the ball, then it goes back in my pocket. - This morning I was thrilled with her. She ran off into a field next to the woods into a flock of pheasants. I heard a whole commotion of pheasants flying up and Maggie yipping. I blew the whistle and she came back - on first whistle! THRILLED to bits with her!

SORE ELBOWS
On another note - I have noticed Maggie has sores on her elbows. Not sure what is causing it but think it might be lying on the carpet in evening chewing her bones - sort of like carpet burns. She has soft beds to lie in and sofas but often will lie on the floor in preference - anyone any suggestions - don't want them getting any worse - one elbow looks quite sore.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL OF DIVA AND JIGGYS TRULY LOVELY BABIES!!!!!!!!!
CEILIDH SENDS BIG BIRTHDAY KISSES TO YOU ALL! xxxxxxxxx

Taking a trip to the butcher today to get some especially tasty treats for her today. The write up is now up for her first first place and for her sister Genna and Mathilde too, all excellent write up so Ali should be very proud of her breeding! Also daddy Jiggy and Strider (Older brother)

Wednesday 22 October 2008

Hudson's height

Hudson is 65 cm to the shoulder. How tall are your's ? Will he keep growing? He'll be taller than me soon lol!

Lovely photos and videos - also whistle training

They are great, especially Ceilidh's video. Domino would love to come and play with Ceilidh too. Domino used to charge round the garden like that when she was younger, now she stands still and lets the other dogs do the chasing.

I've got our whistle and the beginners gun dog training book, which looks great and starts right back at the basics, so we've been practising sitting instantly on command today, just indoors, but it's shown me that Domino will only sit quickly if she knows there is a treat nearby, so have to work with no rewards just praise for doing it right. I won't try the whistle until we've got this bit right. The book is primarily aimed at training puppies, but does cater for an older dog too. I'll post our progress (if we make any!!)
Well he will be taller than Ceilidh I am sure. I will get a measuring tape today. They can grow up to 18 months but most grow much more quickly than that, he will maybe take up to 18 months to gain a full manly body but height I don't think he will get too much taller, I may be wrong. What is his weight? I am weighing Ceilidh this morning so will pop her stats up here this afternoon.
I have a video to put up later of a deer and Ceilidh in the distance chasing it. She covered a huge field sniffing it out then chased it up the field toward me. Going to get a good whistle today and get her deafness sorted in the next few weeks, I say weeks because there are so many distractions her for running off to hunt that it may take a while! Though to be honest I think no matter how well trained a dog is there is always going to be that one day every so often that they become deaf again.
It is to the top of the shoulder. I can't find a measuring tape just now but will try to measure Ceilidh later. She would have the best time playing with Hudson, chasing games are her absolute favourite.

Great Photos and Video

Video and photos of Sid and Ceilidh are great, Hudson would love to play with Ceilidh! Its dificult to compare there sizes from the pictures, I'd like to measure him, where should i measure up to his shoulders or head ??

He is pretty big and towers over Sophie the other Munster in our training class!

Sid

Did someone call?
Coming...
Thanks Sophie, I think she was trying to fly. There were so many birds she didn't quite know what to do! Paddy normally chases her but that was early this morning that video and he had just woken up so not quite ready for play time.
Brilliant pics and videos Elspeth in the second pic down it looks like shes flying and the top video reminds me of Ilka and Sid playing only Sid would give as much enthusiasm back!
Will put a couple of pics of him up.



Just a few pics from over the weekend. Got a video or two aswell. I cannot believe how big Hudson is now! Must be bigger than Ceilidh!

Tuesday 21 October 2008

Photos

Load of pics from the walk on Exmoor at the weekend.

Great photos and videos...

Ali love the 'muddie' ones and great one of Hudson too.
Decided not to go to sw gundog on sat, we went to exmoor which was great as went to a part Ilka has not been to before it was very open and she was in her element quartering the ground but there was nothing which was a little disappointing, but she did say hello to a cow, stood on her back legs and had a little bark at it so called her back, got some pics they just need sorting out.

Monday 20 October 2008

Muddy Maddie & Sunday Walk

Maddie has certainly mastered the art of mud bathing! Hudson found a few muddy puddles on Sundays walk but so far has only walked through them! I'm sure this won't last for long!

Finally remembered to take camera out on our walk, Pictures quality is poor may be its time for a new camera!




Muddy Maddie

Well Ceilidh is very proud of Maddie for that wonderful mud coat she made and she would love to know where she can get one that looks that thick and smelly.
I have got a few pictures but need to get batteries for the camera so will pop them up tonight. I would do the 4 mile walk to nearest shop but the wind is howling here and rain is on and off so I will just wait for mum to get home with some instead.
I loved the newsletter again, you have done a brilliant job Ali. Ali, can you email me the details of foreign breeders/studs that we spoke about before. Got the vet a week monday for Ceilidhs first eye test and I will book her in then for her hips and talk to them about pass port too. Really must get it organised sooner rather than later. How long do the dog passports last for?

Sunday 19 October 2008

Maddie

That's a great video, I did wonder how she got to look quite as muddy as the photo. Domino used to wallow in muddy ditches, but she hasn't done it for ages.

What a lovely pic of Logi and the calf, I agree that has to one used for a calendar or such like.

Karen (Maggie), there is definitely some pheasants around here I think, I haven't taken Domino back to where she ran off, but she was still nose to the ground on another walk and I had to clamber through a hedge to get her back. I've ordered a whistle but it hasn't arrived yet, when I think she is recalling in the garden, I shall take her back to the offending field and do some training there.

I have a video from yesterday when we went down to West Bay, needs editing though, will do that and post it here tomorrow.

Muddie Maddie!!!!!!

Hi

Two litters at the same time sounds like an awful amount of hard work Ali - hope you do get lots of help! Glad you are beginning to feel a bit better. If you do end up having two litters together will love seeing all those puppy pictures - hope the puppies don't get confused as to whose mum is who )lol!

Maggie went out this morning for a walk, well mad chase really - pheasants gallore and she ran from one flock to another getting them all up in the air - she looked back at me a few times as if to say 'thanks for all the toys mum!'

Glad you got your lights on John! I don't take Maggie out in the dark but if I did they do look good. Maggie actually hates the dark and in the evening when I let her out into the garden for a wee she won't go unless I go with her - big baby!

Puppies

Thanks all, I'm OK and hopefully on the mend BUT I don't think Prima is being considerate just unfashionably late! She will end up coming in with Diva at the end of this month and I will then have to girls to mate - Oh what fun, at the end of the day I have had lots of offers of help so never had two litters at the same time but looks like I will be this year!!!!

Not going to dissapoint the puppy owners waiting patiently for my girls to oblige!!!!

They will come into season and I will being mating them both! - God I hope Diva isn't late too......

I agree!

Lovely pictures - and work on your health!!! LOL

if you have a look at todays news page - I am appealing (begging?) for all you "artists" to send stuff to munsterlandergroupie@hotmail.co.uk at the moment I am especially looking for small - almost cartoon like - but recognisably munster images!!! can anyone help??? what for? err "future projects" is all can say at the moment LOL.

Fantastic Piccies

What wonderful pictures Ali, particularly the one of Prima standing and Logie with the calf....the latter has to be one for a future calendar. Glad you are improving now but do take care and rest, rest, rest. I think Prima knew something we didn't; it must be a major relief that you do not have to worry about puppies etc at the mo. They can always come later, but it is imperative that you get yourself well before even considering going down that road. Love Lindsey

Saturday 18 October 2008

Blinking Lights

Thanks for the links to the site via the Munster MAG.
It seem that the site is shut from September for 2 months.
I have however managed by asking around the gundog owners here
to find some German LED collars I was desperate for some after last night.
Five flashing leds visibility up to 300 metres but sadly not waterproof.
So they went out with them on.
Pheasants were put up and rabbits fled as the two hounds of hell with the five pulsing red eyes ran them down.
Villagers fled in superstitious awe as Padfoot, the Barguest and Black Shuck all rolled into one careered round the fields howling at the full moon, and there were 2 of them, as usual having a good time and ignoring the whistle.
I cannot wait to get some white lights like the pup light and then we can have a symphony of light in the field with the red flashing lights as well.
It should really get the locals going home from the pub mystified especially as the grass is still so long they keep disappearing.
All in all a good time tonight.

A midday amble

Zeta's favourite pasttime, that is after eating of course....... Digging

Prima has lift off!!!!

Maddie or should that be Muddie One of the reason we went tho this particular walk was to find a missing calf, guess who found it, washed it guarded it and then refused to come home!!!!!!! Logi would not let any of the other dogs get anywhere near the baby, but he washed his face and when I finally got Logi to come away with me the calf came trooting up behind Logi mooing!!!!
Prima still keeping us all waiting
Tinker joins us


Collars

John there are alot of light up collars on ebays as last year several sellers were selling them in bulk. Lots of buyers bought them and are now offereing them singly. I have one for each of my dogs and they are really good in dark conditions - not too expensive off ebay either, you could afford 2/3 of them!
here is an example of them - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SAFETY-LED-LIGHT-UP-DESIGNER-DOG-COLLAR-MEDIUM-GREEN_W0QQitemZ140166368289QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item140166368289&_trkparms=72%3A1296|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Pheasants Everywhere!

Just got back from a walk with Maggie. There were flocks of young pheasants everywhere! Maggie ran into the middle of the first one we came accross, took me by suprise and her too I think! She sent them all up into the air, running after ones that hadn't flown up to make sure they did too - all the time me whistling her to come back and being ignored. Once all up she came back and I did some hide and find with the ball to get her focus back on me as she was quite worked up by now. We walked on but soon realised that these pheasants were all over the fields and had a hard time trying to keep her attention on me. She did only seem interested in getting them up in the air though and didn't run off too far, but if this is what I have to come over the next few months going to be hard work I think! The sound of the pheasants gets her so hyped up - I should put her on the lead but my back is still weak so I will either have to walk her somewhere else for a while or try to keep control of her - which should be a challenge!

Visiglo

are one of the ones mentioned - but they are not guaranteed waterproof - whereas one of the others advertised (if you scroll down you will see they have several choices) are more so (water resistant - not proof!!) found the direct link it is http://news.thelargemunsterlander.com/ and I think it is the pup lights one that used to be recommended.

Flashing Collars

Visiglo Collars

Not sure if this is the sort of thing you're after John, they are very popular on the Springer Spaniel forum I visit.

Links

if you go to the front page of www.munstermag.homestead.com and then go to the box in the middle of the page and click on the bottom of the links - it will give you the news page - and on there there is a link that says something about getting ready for Autumn? that is a whole range of different lights, and reflecting collars - all from Ultimate Animals.

Friday 17 October 2008

I do love the way you write John, it has a certain poetry to it - you should definately write a book. I have seen a light up collar advertised somewhere on the web I'm sure - I will have a look tomorrow to see if I can find it.

Zelda goes walkabout

This evening as usual we went walkies on the fields where the pheasants play.
Not usual was the fact that I was alone with the memsahib laid low with sore throaty things.
Off and away they went in the glooming light but they all come back after a quick jogg. Well in fact it is a manic munster charge all over the field for about 20 minutes.
Tonight it is different as dark falls very quickly and I see them pogo dancing about 200 yards away. 3 blasts on the whistle and a this way and they begin to work back to me. It is getting really gloomy now and hard to see. Zelda comes to within about 5 yards of me and then all hell breaks loose as Zeb hits into a mob of pheasants about 100 yards distance. She takes off like the wind in their general direction and disappears. 20 minutes later she has not reappeared and Zeb has been back for 15 Whistling and calling does no good so I ring home to see if she has gone there. No says the sickly one. So I carry on calling and cannot see much at all now. Suddenly Zeb sits up and yips and she is there. One very relieved person praises her for the return and slips her lead on. We call home again to let memsahib know all is in order but no answer. Setting off back we meet a coughing figure in the gloom. She has come through the pitch black woods to find Zelda. In spite of her worry about the dark.
Can you get some form of collar light so I can see the beasts in the darkness. Not a tiny dangly thing but something like an angler's headlamp. Has to be waterproof and shockproof though. Anyone know where?

Congratulations

Congratulations Tor!! 6 months will fly by once you start organising things!! I help my friend out in a Bridal shop on occasional saturdays so if you are ever near Bracknell let me know!!

RE: Congratulations

Thanks Lins!  and Sophie too -  I like the idea of the munster arch!  It was a complete surprise - so much so that it took half an hour of him convincing me that he wasn't joking!  Still,  believed him in the end and we're getting married on 17th April next year - 6 months today in fact.  Sooo excited!
Congrats Tor
And Elspeth let us know how you get on with the training.

Thursday 16 October 2008

Congratulations!

Tor, wow! Was the proposal a complete surprise? Congratulations, when's the wedding? We could organise a "munster arch" for you, like they do with soldiers....

Scottish Shows

I picked up a schedule for the Hunt,Point, Retrieve Club of Scotland. The show is on 20th December and entries close on 1st December. 3 classes scheduled for munsters- Special Yearling, Limit and Open and lots of variety classes. It is held at Aytoun Hall, Auchterarder. Secretary is Mrs M Waddell, 2 Auchengree, Glengarnock Ayrshire KA14 3BU. Tel 01505 685539

Hope everybody is ok. Sorry not been posting very much...not much news at the moment except I am pining away and desperate for a munster pup. I have started browsing sites all over the world...how sad is that???


Take care everybody. Love to Ali.

Lindsey

Love is in the air / dating

I know people too who have met online and are now hitched!  Good for you.  Love must be in the air as Andy decided to take the plunge and propose on my birthday - still can't quite believe it!  Now all he wants is a munster puppy to be my bridesmaid!!

Bath / Dating

Well Ceilidh used to get a lot of baths but then it truned into daily mud baths so the hose is in heavy use. But if it is smelly then she gets a bath which she hates but that is what she gets for rolling. Hudson is so big now!

Lins, good for you joining the dating site. It is never easy, especially finding someone potty about dogs. I have never joined an agency or site but I do hear that they can be really successful as long as you are careful which you are being. Let us know how it goes!

Really looking forward to the weekend, taking Ceilidh out with a friend who has trained her dog for shoots so we can do some training with Ceilidh, retrieve is the main thing. After reading about whistles I am going to get the louder one because when something catches her eye like a bird she goes part deaf and goes for miles after them and I do not think the normal whistle works for this.

Does anyone know of any open shows near or in Scotland between now and Crufts? I know the club one is Feb which I might try to get to but it depends on her season and if I fancy the big drive down. Got the Gundog breeds of Scotland in November which will be interesting since she has not been to a show since Richmond.

Spoiling Hudson

I don't think it will last for long! I am having difficulty lifting him into the bath! He's definately not keen enough to jump in by himself! Also means having to clean the bathroom afterwards!

Nothing wrong with internet dating its a good way to meet people i know a few people who met and got married through internet dating

Morning all!

Beautiful morning too!

Firstly Sarah - what a lovely picture of Kaia and Loki - so sweet! It's lovely that they are getting on so well.

Zoe, Hudson is very spoilt having a nice warm bath after he has rolled in fox poo - Maggie gets the hose pipe I'm afraid )lol She just does it too often to have to take her upstairs to the bath everytime! Connie is a gorgeous little girl - seems a long time ago when my daughter looked that sweet!

Lins, don't think it helps breeds like German shepherds when you get some people owning them and then keeping them tied up in the back yard all day! We used to live next to one and it did used to frighten me cos all it did all day was bark - but entirely the owners fault I'm sure. I woudn't have dared go near it. My uncle though had two large males when his children, two girls were very young. The dogs were so lovely and gentle. When my nan used to babysit for the girls the two dogs used to lie on the end of the little girls beds, one on each protecting them until mum and dad came home! They had a fixation on stones and would contantly look at your feet when you were walking just incase you kicked one and then they would chase it )lol

As for dating - seems a long time ago when I was out there - would frighten me to death now I think. Don't know a thing about internet dating - but good for you for making the effort!

Been busy on hear

Whistles, funny I would never consider not using one even if the dog was just pet, I use a buffalo horn whistle which is quite small and easy to hold in you mouth for a long time I find after a little while a plastic one makes my jaw ache, another thing is with a horn whistle is most are slightly different so when picking up / beating with others who might have the same plastic whistle the dog can still tell who whistling, and think 'stop whistle' getting your dog to stop is the most important command as dog could be one side of the road and you the other so if he/she was coming to you and there was a car stopping him/her would be quite useful.
GSD's I've always loved them (well only the strait backed ones) Dad has had 2 (though I didn't know the first and was too young too remember the second) the first he rescued from a racing yard where he was used as an ash tray and was not getting fed very often and he would not leave Dad if he left him in the hostel he would jump though a window after him weather it was open or not and he got the second when, well long story, any way there's a lovely one at dog training (well there was but haven't been for ages)

Whistles etc

Think we may try a whistle at some point too it makes sense Karen what you say about them understanding the tone in your voice!

Lins I know what you mean about people being a bit scared of the German shephard i was untill a while ago, its just about not actually knowing what they are like, we are finding people are a bit scared of hudson they don't know what he is and are put off by his size and energy! People don't realise he is still a puppy!.

Connie takes after both of us i think! She is a real character and is definatley going to grow up a dog lover!

Whistles etc

Thank you Karen, I've printed all that off and will order a whistle today. We went out this morning and she wasn't too bad at recall, but the ground is so smelly at the moment, she just can't concentrate, so I'll start training in the garden with the whistle. She picked up clicker training quickly.

Lovely pic of Connie reading the newsletter, she is lovely.

Fancy Hudson taking a fancy to a German Shepherd, it was a 5 month German Shepherd dog that was trying all sorts with Domino on Tuesday. He was a gorgeous dog.

Wednesday 15 October 2008

Love is in the air

Connie looks really cute, very pretty. Does she take after mum or dad? Looks like German Shepherds are a hit everywhere. I'm so pleased as they were always my favourite breed, Louis is my 4th, although I'll be sticking with Munsters now. Too many people are scared of GSD's it makes walking them a pain and they tend to miss out on a lot of play with other dogs. I use a whistle with Cassie, although currently only for recall. It does seem to work better than voice, your tone can convey so much. I am now inspired to start training for sit, stay and direction change etc. On a subject different to dogs, I split with my husband about 18mth ago and just joined an internet dating site. Currently emailing a guy from Notts, took a while to find someone as mad about dogs as me. Anyone had any experience of "internet dating"? Before all the words of caution come flying in, I am being careful!

Junior Matters....

Connie found the copy of the previous newsletter much to her delight, full of pictures of her favourite thing!!! I think she thinks they are all pictures of Hudson though!!
She is so funny whenever we see a dog of any breed large or small she gets excited wiggles her legs points and trys to say doggy!

Love and Pictures..

Hudson met an 18 month old German Shephard bitch at training last night who he seemed quite keen on also met Sophie an 8 month Munsterlander who he was also interested in, she seemed tiny in comparison to Hudson, it was lovely to see another Munsterlander at training class.

Hudson had a roll in fox poo Monday and had to have a shower Charlie took controll of the camera!!





Whistles

Karen, I use an Acme gun dog whistle, 210, they come in three different pitches, don't think it matters which one you get as long as you take note of the number and if you lose it you can get the same one again. My mother has a 211 and she doesn't respond to that so it does make a difference. You can get them in some pet shops or the gun dog club do them for about £5 (with landyard) - http://www.thegundogclub.co.uk/

Think you might even get them from the Munsterland club site too.

I use three short pips for recall, 1 long blast for stop and two short pips to get her attention or change direction. It's amazing how quickly they catch on to the different sounds and it's a lot more effective than your voice I think. One being I think if they have run off and you are feeling particularly cross when you call Domino back she may sense you are not very happy by the sound of your voice and not want to come. Maggie definately is more willing to come back if I sound happy )lol - with a whistle they don't know what mood your in )lol

Start off with the recall. Call her back to you like you normally do and then add the whistle too for a while so she associates the three short pips with come back, eventually you won't have to call her just pip the whistle.

I found the stop and sit a lot harder. I started off with asking her to sit when she was next to me. I gave my command for sit and then blew the whistle. After a while I just used the whistle. When she knew the long blast meant sit I started doing it a bit further away. If she starts coming to you instead of sitting where she is, run towards her at the same time so she knows you don't want her to come to you but you are going to come to her. If you use a hand signal too use that at the same time. Once she has sat tell her to stay walk over to her and praise her. She will catch on quickly cos these munsters are bright!

With the change direction which I don't use as often, if I am walking in one direction and I want to got the other way, I just turn round and pip twice on the whiste so she knows it means I'm going another way. Then you can start getting her attention and putting your hand out in the direction you want her to go, which Maggie will often ignore cos she thinks I'm useless at hunting )lol!

Hope that make sense. There are some great gun dog training books out there that will teach you the basics of whistle training.

Must be something in the air....

Same here, Louis is in love with one of the whippets we went walking with on Saturday (Lucy - the one who is a little scared of him). No pictures but Louis is being so careful and gentle with her, kisses when shys away, that sort of thing. He saw her tonight when I was on the top (new) part of the sea wall and she was down below, on the old sea wall walking in the opposite direction. He turned tail and ran all the way back to get to her! Aint love grand? Cassie on the other hand was more interested in the decomposing sheep carcass that has been washed up on the beach,

Must be something in the air....

Same here, Louis is in love with one of the whippets we went walking with on Saturday (the who is a little scared of him). No pictures but Louis is being so careful and gentle with her, kisses when shys away, that sort of thing. He saw her tonight when I was on the top (new) part of the sea wall and she was down below, on the old sea wall walking in the opposite direction. He turned tail and ran all the way back to get to her! Aint love grand? Cassie on the other hand was more interested in the decomposing sheep carcass that has been washed up on the beach

Karen - Maggie

Thank you for posting your videos, it would be lovely if Domino would sit/recall to the whistle like that. I need to get a whistle (what kind do I get?) and get started. We went to a social group on Tuesday, there were 17 other dogs there all different kinds and Domino had a great time. A 5 month old German Shepherd dog fancies Domino, I think she quite liked him too. She was almost playing with him, and Domino doesn't play with other dogs usually. The group meets every other Tuesday, so that's where we're going now, then we can join a training group in January too. It'll be a great place to take the new puppy too.

I love you

Firstly - Karen Maggie is doing brillinatly, i have to admit she seems better at it than her renegade sister, lol!

Secondly - my brother phoned last night from his 6 week holiday in Vietnam to tell us he and his girlfriend have got engaged. My mum is over the moon and it seems that love is in the air here too...