Betsy and her boys

Its not everyday that 2 of Betsys' sons are together, in fact its been nearly 2 years since they last met. Luckily both boys are very good natured, and were pleased to see each other. Betsy took it all in her stride, and Bobby thought it was his birthday as he loved Remy (a possible playmate in his eyes as the girls now are a tad boring unless they are on heat) and he knows Mr Bentley and they normally tear around the garden together.
A lovely day with good company, thank you to my visitors and see you soon.

Mr Bentley

Mr Bentley on a visit yesterday.
A really lovely dog, fantastic to trim as he is so patient. He is now over three years old, and his naughtiest moments are being a little deaf on his recall in the forest, but as most of us accept, there is no such thing as perfect!

Ooli again sporting his working trim

This photo shows that you can take a barbet short, and they still look like a barbet.
Ooli has very strong,thick bone so he is easy to take short as he still very much in proportion.
Luckily barbets do not smell, my hands yesterday were black and greasy after grooming him, he has a very oily coat, yet when I bathed him, the water ran clear as he now swims in his leisure time.
Next job is to bathe my gang, Bepop is going to the game fair on Sunday, so she is my priority.Betsy will be next, short back and sides for her due to her condition

Novaforesta Enid aka Ellie

This is Ellie, sister to Esme and they are best friends as owned by two sisters. They look quite amazing together, and look good, both of them trimmed short.
Always makes me think of Effie, when I see them, but Effie is in Holland and doing very well in the showring (and fantastic health test results).

Betsy and the treadmill

I thought we were making progress with Betsy and the treadmill, but she has now learnt that if she puts her feet on the edges, she doesn't have to even walk. When Betsy makes her mind up about something then there is little one can do about it other than smile!. If you saw the size of the edge that she places her feet you would say its impossible, I must try and get a photo. Luckily Betsy does love running and this weekend she managed a staggering 16 miles over 2 days with my husband. The consequence of owning 4 dogs and walks in the forest, is the amount of dirt in the house, the forest is just mud and my outside tap is out of action so they are drying off inside at least I am thankful I don't have carpets, but my dustpan and brush is working overtime.

Dogs and Treadmills

Another New Year Resolution was to get fit, so when the opportunity to buy a canine/human treadmill came about, how could I resist. The good news is that its being used by all 6 humans and all 4 dogs, and the only injuries have been the human dismounts. Betsy featured above is coming round to the idea it might be fun, she hates anything new. I don't consider it a substitute for a walk, although it will come in handy when the girls are in season, and for Bobby who is never tired, he loves it, in fact we cannot keep him off it. At the moment its in my kitchen, so a redesign of our house is on the cards!   

Eton and grooming

Eton is only 14 months,

Eton as a pup.

He was the largest pup,weighing in at 530g when born, in fact he is the pup that fails to climb up on the bed in the youtube video, when you were as large as he was everything was too much effort, he liked food and sleep! He now is about 59/60 in height and weighs about 23kg, and is Mr Lively, loves everyone, tail never stops wagging and just makes you smile. However Eton has proved his calmness by passing his TAN in the UK, he currently attends gundog training and will shortly be taking his grade 1 gundog test, he also achieved his silver KC good citizen award and believe he is working towards his gold. Eton has a clear eye certificate too. All in All, a good allrounder.

Bepop and Betsy broke my New Years resolution

2011 and I decided I needed some normality to my life, less cleaning, more fun, so first rule, no dogs on chairs. Both dogs feigned sleep, followed by chronic deafness. Am I bothered? No not really, when I get my new chairs I will enforce my rule. Today I shall groom, with 5 hairy dogs its quite a chore to keep them all matt free, so  my old poodle Jazz can have his first 2011 make over.