Catch up

Elsa was spayed on Friday and is doing well. She is on lead walk only for 10 days but judging by the last couple of days she is not a problem on the lead. I have to say with Maggie it was different and I was pulled all over the place. Elsa does forget now and again she is on a lead and takes off - this morning pulling me over when she saw a herd of deer. I get no sympathy though - just an odd look. Most of the time however she knows she isn't allowed to pull. I don't ask her to walk close to heal - she is on a fairly long lead and is allowed to wonder a bit in front and sniff around.

Maggie who is three in a few days has become a joy to walk. I remember someone telling me a while ago that it takes three years for a Munster to grow up. This morning I was very proud of her and glad Elsa was on the lead. First Maggie took off after rabbit and I blew the stop whistle and she stopped dead. I then asked her to come back to me and she did! A little while on we turned into a field and a whole heard of deer lifted their heads and started running towards the woods. Again Maggie gave chase and again I blew the whistle and she stopped and came back. I feel so much more confident walking her now and am very proud of her. Elsa on the other hand, well I'm glad I had her on the lead or there would have been a dead bunny and a disappearing Munster. On the way home Maggie was ahead, Elsa with me on the lead and a pheasant came out of the hedge and walked right across our path! I told Elsa to sit, but couldn't get her focussed on me, she was shaking with excitement. I gave up in the end and we walked on. It doesn't seem too long ago that Maggie was like this though so there is still hope for the future.

Izzy is growing fast Jean and is very pretty. I love her white whiskers.

Tasha, Knobby looked like a lovely boy - so sorry you lost him. I hope you find a Munster soon.

Sandra they are great videos of Dee Dee swimming. Who is it she is swimming and not reaching the sides - do they swim against a current? Sorry for sounding stupid but I've never seen on of those pools before.

Well done Kody in his first training class - lovely walk to heal.

Happy Birthday Ali! Hope you're having a lovely day. Lots of Love, Lins, Louis, Cassie and (last but definately not least) Bailey xxxxxxxxxxx

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday dear Ali,

Happy birthday to you

Hope you have an amazing day

Love Kat, Neil & Dodger

xxx

Happy Birthday Dear
From
Tony, Judith & all at Rixbriar
xxxxxxxxxx

WISHING YOU A VERY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALI

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALI
Hope you have a lovely day!!

Sandra I have emailed Tasha as you may remember I have got 4 Munsters over the pond!! I also have two going this year. Thanks for the birthday wishes. x x x Gorgeous pictures can't beleive though how quickly they grow up though. I can see Daddy in his girls as well as Mummy!!

Happy Birthday Ali Very Best Wishes from Sandra H and the Gang !!!

Hi Tasha lovely to hear from fellow Large Munsterlanders across the pond.
I know it is hard if you are not wanting to hunt to obtain a Large Munsterlander in the USA I have a friend who lives in New York, Helene who had the same problems, she has a lovely boy called Boog who was featured on Dog of the Day fairly recently, he was imported from the UK.
If you email Ali we can put you in touch with her as you will probably have a lot in common, and I know Boog would love some Large Munsterlander company.
I have some schedules for Goyt Valley Gundog Open Show, Denton, Manchester. On 28th March 2010. There are 3 classes for Large Munsterlanders, Judge Mr Mark Slimak. I know it is too far for most people, but if anyone nearer to hear is interested please email me at the above and I can post you a schedule. I like to support them if I can as they always put classes on for the breed.

IZZY GROWING FAST

Hi

Just a couple of pics of Izzy taken this morning, boy is she growing up fast.

She also started training on Tuesday, the rest of the class started on 05/01/10 but she was not behind them at all (apart from heeling!)

Hi to All

My names Tasha and I have been an avid watcher and reader of everything munsterlander you post. Your pictures have provided me with hours of smiles and memories and your blog spot has kept me feeling included in the munstie world since my precious boy passed away. I grew up in England and got my first Munsterlander in 2002, his name was Grangeshot Jordan, Knobby to his friends, he was already 5 years old and had lived in the boarding kennels where i worked for most of his life. He was the last munstie that belonged to the wonderful late John Wagstaff and needed a home to call his very own. I agreed to try him for the weekend but it was all over from the minute we got home. From that time on he became my best friend, my shadow, my protector, my confidant, my world. Where I went he went (and vice versa) everyday until his time came to move on 6yrs later.
There is something very special about this breed that only the people that have let them bless their lives can relate to. Both me and my husband serve in the US Military, myself the Army and my husband the Marines. I have tried in vain to find another munstie to share our lives with since Knobby died in April of 2008, every breeder in the states i contacted wouldn't consider us for a puppy as i didn't at the time want to hunt with our new family member.

I want to thank you for your blog world of munsterlanders and their families as it's kept me smiling with their pictures of typical antics and stories of crazy days. My hunt will continue and we hope one day to add a munsterlander into our lives again.

I have included 2 pictures of Knobby the way everyone who knew him would remember him, his cheeky happy face covered in dirt (as all munsters must dig with all 4 paws and their mouth) and all curled up in his fave bed with his ball like always.

Thanks Tasha

Thank you so much Tasha for joining in, we love to hear from Munstie people from all over the world and I hope you one day get the Munsterlander you so desperately want. It is nice to know that our ramblings and musings make you smile and I have to say Knobby was a very handsome boy.

Hi everyone, lovely videos of Dee dee and Kody, gorgeous babies I must say!!!!

Summer is positively blooming and feeling quite uncomfortable already, she is still eating well though which is good. Won be long now before we have another litter to watch on here!!!

I am still having trouble with my phone and broadband line, been over a week now and sometimes one line works and not the other and sometimes neither works, BT are coming out on Monday having spent all week saying it was fixed their end!!!!! So frustrating but if you are trying to get hold of me leave a message and I will return your call as soon as I can, I am not ignoring anyone just may not get your messages or my emails for a day or two.

Had a lovely email form a lady in the USA who enjoys the blog and sent me in some info and lovely pictures to share with us all, I will post them on here in a moment. I have been finishing off paperwork all afternoon and was very surprised when I got up and looked out the window to find it all white again outside!!! Not sure how long the snow will last for but it's back for the moment! Dogs are happy again!!!

Anyone who has sent in membership renewals for the LMC and are awaiting cards, I have sent them all out today 2nd class, so if you don't receive it by this time next week give me a shout as some of my post got spoiled in the wet snow and it seems not all post made it through to it's destination. Anyway am up to date so far so just drop me an email if you are unsure. Thank you.

From now on all renewals are to go to Donna Kirkwood as I am no longer doing it. Donna's details are on the LMC web site.

Dee Dee Takes The Plunge

Dee Dee had her first swim yesterday I am not sure which way round these videos will come out but on the first one she was splashing about quite a bit, but after a few minutes she settled down into a nice rhythm.

They have to go on the pole to start with in case they panic, but next time she will be allowed to swim freely.

Narla was keeping a close eye on her daughter, you can just see her in the corner, she had already had her swim, I think she was a bit disgusted as the rules have changed since our last visit, and all the dogs have to wear life jackets now for Health & Safety Reasons !!!

No way does Narla need a life jacket !!!

The lakes near here have all been frozen, and even though they have now thawed, it has been too cold for them to swim, but they both seemed to enjoy their swim at the pool.

Belated Happy Birthday Wishes to all the Eternal Litter, such a gorgeous bunch, and I can't believe they are are year old already, I loved all the photos.

Thanks to Kathy for putting up the video of Kody at training class, it is lovely to see Logi's and Narla's babies all growing up into such lovely puppies. All the owners have kept in touch, and I am really enjoying the photos and updates they send and post on here, so thanks so much for sharing and please keep them coming.

Sorry I haven't been posting much recently, but I have been busy trying to make up for lost time after the snow and ice.

We have also had a few things breaking down, my car needed a new battery, kept letting me down and Dave's car broke down in Kent this week, he is working away from home at the moment, also the computer has been doing some strange things, but it appears to have righted itself now, fingers crossed.

jumble

Hi,
Sorry we havent posted for ages just so busy. WE cant believe Jumble is 1 already. She is great and the love of our lives. We had a super day on Sunday. Jumble had a cake and lots of pressies.Now she is 1 I can start competing with her in canicross races. I think she will be good.
Glad everyone had a good day.
Take care and love from us all.

Happy Belated Birthday to all of Diva's babies all of which are gourgeous.

Happy Belated Birthday

to all the Eternal litter, what a gorgeous bunch, cannot believe they are a year already!!!

That was Kodys first class? Looks like enjoying it! Ceilidh is sleeping off her mornings walk and play time, my dads chair seems to be her favourite place at the moment, all to herself but able to watch my every move.

Kody's first training class

This is Kody at her first training class- not bad for a beginner I think!

Happy Birrthday Eternal babies

Diva would like to wish all 12 of her Eternal babies a very happy first birthday, she is very proud of you all and looks forward to seeing you all throughout the year and the the 9 going to Crufts. What a gorgeous bunch they were and what a stunning bunch they have grown into.

Tetra - As a baby she was a huge character and a big madam, nothing has change except she is the most submissive dog in the world and even submits to the cats, she is however a big girl now having started her first season only yesterday, definitely the baby of the brood!!!!!

Sitting on the sofa using the footstool to put her front on!!!!

The wonderful Mr Darcy!

Always a mellow poseur!! Nothing has changed except his size and he is oh so hairy!!

Funny it's Summers back he is lying on, and now he and Summer will soon be parents!!! A true love story!! He spends hours washing Summer and bringing her presents.

Well just got back on line now, so going to go and wade through all my emails. I would like to say thank you again for all the lovely words, cards and flowers sent to me and my family about Tarka. One person wrote ' Tarka will be greatly missed but her legacy is to be proud of and we are lucky to share in it' This meant the world to me as yes she is a part of a lot of dogs who are all adored by their families, sorry if I was a bit tearful post judging yesterday but it was a little tough to be there so soon after losing my shadow - Tarka. Thanks again and I am trying to be thankful not sad and looking forward to having Tarka's great, great Grandchildren arrive in a few weeks time. I will always miss her but I must celebrate her and try not to mope.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JED AND ALL HIS BROTHERS AND SISTERS

Happy 1st Birthday to Jed and all his brothers and sisters. What a good looking bunch, Diva you should be very proud.

News from Connecticut

May I first add my belated condolences for the loss of your beloved Tarka. Our dogs are true friends with their unconditional love for their owners. They are so much part of our extended family and are sorely missed when they leave us.

**************

News just received from Connecticut - Cosmos is in great form and continues to thrive in his new home as can be seen from the photographs. He still retains his most endearing characteristic of sitting on your feet, which he has had from the moment he could walk. I get the impression he is being thoroughly spoilt over there! He has started puppy school and is apparently making good progress - more than I can say for Tansy, his sister, whose progress can, at best, be described as moderate!! The fault, I hasten to add, is of course entirely mine!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELSA AND ALL YOUR ETERNAL BROTHERS AND SISTERS

Where did that year go!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DUDLEY AND ALL THE ETERNAL LITTER

Happy 1st Birthday

Happy birthday to all my brothers and sisters, the Eternals, with love from Gertie

Happy Birthday!!!!

Happy Birthday Ludo and all Eternals! xxxxxxxxxxxx

Where did that year go?

Mazy has a new bed!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAZY AND ALL THE ETERNAL LITTER

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Bailey, and all his 11 siblings! One year old today

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Just spoken to Ali and her broadband has gone down and may not be back on for 48 hours. So if you have sent her any e-mails, she will get back to you when she is back on-line.

Thank you everyone

Thank you all so much for your kind words and for the lovely things you have said about my girl Tarka. I am lost without her as I have shared my life with her for more years than I have had James, she has been through so much with me and we have shared so many moments, it is very strange not to have her lying next to me or sat behind me in the car. Everything we love about the breed is what I miss about Tarka, and yes whilst the other dogs comfort me they can no where near fill the void Tarka's passing has left, they are all so different and individual. For so many years I have planned my life around my elderly lady and just at the moment it seems like life will never be the same again. James said to me last night he feels like he has lost a big sister.

I have been asked if I will still be judging at Manchester and the answer is yes, Judith said something that sunk in and that is if I don't go I probably never would again, at the end of the day, Tarka was never a miserable girl and always hated it if I were upset, whilst I can't switch off how I feel I will go on Sunday and enjoy seeing all those beautiful Munsterlanders. I am not going on my own and Judith will be there for support, and it will be nice to see some friendly faces.

Someone please put up some pictures life does go on and if there was one thing I could change about having dogs it would be that their life span matched ours. Many thanks for all your emails, messages, cards and everything, it all means so much to all of us. This all makes Summer's babies extra special, Great, Great Grannies babies. Summer was chosen as she reminded Andrew so much of our Tarks. Tissue time again.

Oh Ali so sorry to hear about Tarka. I've just had a good cry for her and you all in your grief. She's at peace now, hope she didn't suffer too much. Very sad, but please be comforted by happy thoughts of her in better times. xx Sarah, David and Jed

Ali So sorry to hear about Tarka, although we never saw her or know you well we feel your pain.There will always be good memories and something that will make you smile about little things she did. Take care Pauline Norman and Troy x.

Tarka

So sorry to hear about Tarka. Best wishes to you all. We will be thinking of you.

sad news

So sorry to read this sad news Ali. You will always have your memories of her.

So sorry to hear about Tarka, our thoughts are with you.

A new star shines tonight... one specially for Tarka

So sad to hear about Tarka, she will be missed but never forgotten. Big hugs to you all at this time x

Tarka

So sad for you Ali - I know how upset you must be feeling right now. My deepest sympathy to you and all your family. xxx

So so sorry to hear about Tarka Ali. Thinking of you all.

So sad to hear this news. Thinking of you all, Sharon and Jim

So Sorry

Ali, we are so very sorry to hear about Great Granny Tarka. We wish her Bon Voyage. Our love & sympathy to you, Andrew, James and all the furries, especially Logi as I know how special his Granny was to him. Beecham sends Daddy Logi much sympathy.
with love from Sue & Ian

Tarka

Sorry to read such sad news. My heart goes out to you all, she was a gorgeous dog. Love and hugs from us all here. xxx

We are all so sorry for you but remember Ali she will always be at your side xxxxxx

Ali, and family, I am so saddened to hear about Tarka, she was the most special girl and all those who met her will remember her. Lots of love, my thoughts are with you all xxxxxx

My Grand Old Lady has gone

It is with great sadness and a very heavy heart that I write this. We lost our darling Tarka this morning, she hasn't been well for the past 8 weeks but we had hoped we had got her on an even keel. However this morning she told me she was too tired to battle on anymore and we did the only thing we could do for her. I feel like I have lost a part of myself. She was my one in a million girl. She was always 'my girl'. I don't think we have ever had to tell her off and she has been an absolute joy to live with and it's been a privilege having her as part of our family.

There will never be another Tarka but I am so glad we have her Grand children and Great Grandchildren Children and in those she lives on.

One very special lady who meant the world to me, Sleep well my darling girl I will always miss you x x x x x x x

Gentle Zephyr Of Home Von Blitzan - My Special Lady Tarka.

Congratulations Summer and Darcy!!
Some more lovely pics on here, Sharon, how is Brodie getting on with not being the only man of the house? What a great picture of the two of them. The Snow has gone up near me too, Ceilidh is not very happy about that but is making do with all the mud that has been left behind. Currently in a huff with me after having a good long shower and making her shiney and new. Though the second mum gets home from work it will be, "look how pretty I am after my shower, don't I smell lovely" Bless her.
Will try to get some pics up later on in the week. Was lovely talking to you this morning Ali, look forward to finishing the catch up on thursday, poor Eamonn's ears will be burning!

The Boys

A belated happy new year - been a bit busy lately and not had time to post yet this year. I have enjoyed all the snow photos. The snow has gone from here now and I must admit I'm missing the dogs coming home clean.

Here's a picture of the boys taken at the weekend down in Staffordshire. We were down there for a presentation on the Deutsch Langhaar (GLP) by "Gerd Hornbergs( Auwelt )Vice Chair Club Langhaar ( DLV ) , internationally renowned breeder, trainer handler and DLV prufung and conformation judge". It was an excellent day, we learned a lot, not just about the GLP but the testing and breeding of dogs in Germany.

In the afternoon we got the opportunity to have our dogs tested. Louis at 4 months was too young to be fully graded but was given a "very promising". Dogs need to be 18 months for testing. We were pleased with Brodie who got a Very Good/Very Good/Excellent for Type/Conformation/Coat. Judith, if you want the full results let me know and I'll email them to you when I receive them as they are seemingly being sent along with his certificate.

Recommendations Anyone?

Hi everyone, I have had a friend call me who has a LM bitch and lives near Bournemouth, she is looking for a recommendation for a good kennels somewhere en route to Heathrow, so ideally somewhere off the M3, anyone have an ideas please. Lily her bitch has had a nasty experience in kennels, where a nasty dog attacked her and Lily is now very nervous amongst other dogs, also she came out poorly from the last kennels, so anyone got any good suggestions, or alternatively do you know of someone who would have Lily to come to stay for the week, the down side is she wouldn't cope with other dogs. Any suggestions would be great, thank you.

HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY TONY

FROM US ALL AT THE BLITZAN HOME

Congratulations to Summer and Darcy - should be some lovely babies on the way from those two!!! Not the right time for us unfortunately - I still have a lot of work to do with little Evie this year.
All our snow has gone now just lots of slush and large puddles. Have really enjoyed the snow but would very much like it to be spring now.

Darcy the Polar bear!!

Thanks Karen, As you can see Darcy is very happy and like most males he's forgotten what he should be stressed about!!!! The way the dogs have enjoyed the snow I think we should emigrate to the Antartic, maybe the North Pole!!! Well Santa can always do with another Blitzan!!!!!!

Congratulations to Summer and Darcy! That's great news. I expect Summer is one happy Munster - she was right all along then! Tell Darcy to calm down and not to panic - like most men they don't have to do an awful lot except stand proud!)lol

Blitzan babies confirmed!!!!

Just a quick pop in as out today, but I know some of you are dying to know! Summer was scanned yesterday and is confirmed in pup!! Several little wriggly blobs seen!!! So Summer was right as she has been convinced she is pregnant since day 1!!!! Darcy says he's not sure about all this responsibility, Logi has said not to worry as Grandad he will help!!

Hardly any snow here after all, it's slushy on the road, it's bad half an hour up the road though. Never mind, would like it to melt so we can get back to normal now. I'm very jealous of the snow Karen and Ali have had.

This morning in the snow

Put my camera on sports setting Ali and got a couple of action shots, did work better than the snow setting I had it on before but a lot of the pics I took were just tails or heads as I didn't snap quick enough or too early! I'm sure I have lost weight this week as walking is hard work, it's quite deep in places, the dogs seem to glide over the top at speed though.

Lovely pictures of Darcy Ali - your snow is very deep, not surprised you are unable to go anywhere.

Darcy

As I said yesterday the boys are all so similar, Jed, and Dudley and Darcy - peas in a pod! So handsome all 6 of them. Well we have another lot of snow last night and no way are we getting out today. Still very grey in the sky too so not sure if even more on the way. James managed school yesterday and the school was open today until 0815 when they closed, which if James had managed to catch the bus would of been a disaster, as he leaves at 0800!! So yes Karen James is the same as Lydia and loving it!!!!