Moving House

We are very soon going to be leaving Wales for the sunny? climes of South Gloucestershire. Moving day is 18th/19th November, so it is very close now. Life is rather chaotic with most of the bits in boxes now. The poor dogs can find nowhere to rest their weary heads. Of course I want something and yes, Mike has packed it. Cant believe he is so organised. There is still quite a lot to do not least dismantling the dogs outdoor kennel. That is a massive job and has really to be left as long as possible. If the present weather continues though the dogs will stop indoors overnight as it is so wet and mucky in the field. They are not allowed in the paddock at the moment as it is just a quagmire. Yesterday made up for it though. We met up with Lesley and Andy and lovely Fizz Wizz at Cannock Chase for a three hour walk. The day was dry but a bit chilly. Not that that stopped the dogs. Fizz was very pleased to see us, amazing how they remember, and is now a lot more ladylike. She was very friendly and playful towards Luca not wanting to marmalise him one bit. Mind you, he has out grown her by quite a bit now so perhaps she realised that it would not be a good thing. Seriously though, Lesley and Andy have done a super job with her and also Missy and Holly probably played a part in it too. Fizz is very like Mum in colour and body shape but has lots and lots of naughty spots. She was like the others absolutely filthy on the walk but strangely she would not go in the water with the others to get clean. Does a lovely long jump. Talking of jumping, Luca has a lovely jumping action, yes I know he shouldn't be jumping yet, but he escaped from the garden, realised he may be in trouble and sailed back over the orange netting which is easily 3 feet high. I didn't know whether to be cross or praise him for such a beautiful jump. Needless to say I admired from a distance thinking this boy's gonna be good. He now has discovered tv and watches Dad and the others at Olympia avidly. Hope he's taking it all in. We had hoped to see Jackie this half term but poor thing she has injured a calf muscle and walking, running training is taboo for 8 weeks. Hope she's fit to run Thomas at Olympia in 8 weeks.
Ah well back to packing. Till the next post ta ta.

We have managed to have a couple of reunions. The first at Bromsgrove where Jo, Glen, Del, Betsie and two pups, Fizz and Luca all met with the resulting photo. Jenny took many with the youngsters being a bit fidgety, but Gt Grandad and Grandad just lay there thinking, hear we go again more photos. Del was quite keen to see Betsie but not for the reasons she was intersted in yet !!!! Considering they see so little of each other, it is nice to see them meet up.

The second get together was at Dashin' Dogs where all six Delbets were there. That was a real hoolie when they were let loose. It was as though they had seen each other just yesterday, took up where they left off. Their individual personalities are developing now but the one thing they do have in common is their strength of character. They seem to be very quick learners and eager to please. Also very loving and love to be with their respective packs. All existing pack members have accepted the pups and look on them as their own. Mike and I are so pleased at the outcome of our first attempt at breeding. Mind you having the good paring in the first place was the best of it.

Dad has really given the pups something to aim at. He has become Agility Club Grade 6 Dog of the Year along with all his other achievements. Well done Del.

Mum is now beginning to look a bit more like herself, getting her coat back and her strength. A small step up the ladder, she has won again at Agility Addicts, so now has gone up to Starters. The really encouraging bit is her increase in speed now. Last weekend her times were about 3-4 seconds faster than dogs she had finished behind a few weeks ago. I have to watch her though, as she has started to jump off the A frame contact in her eagerness to get on. That would have been a second place had she got the contact and she hesitated on the top. So a bit of work to do this winter, as well as speeding up her weaves.

Luca, well where do I begin. Not five months yet and fully house trained, actually asking to go out, Catches balls first time bringing them back, walking backwards, (Jackie's advice) his waits are incredible and he is just so smart, keen and gorgeous. We keep telling each other that he is "only a dog" but even so he just is so special. All our dogs are special but with him it is different. Possibly because we have known him from the moment of birth. He has gradually worn Tigi's resistance to play with him down. She now adores him as much as Mum and Zak. Kizzie is OK but is a bit stand offish with the pack generally. If it aint agility, forget it is her philosophy. Even the cat plays with him. He is a thinker and works things out in quite a subtle way. He still keeps the "I'm a puppy" submissive stance to avoid any untoward confrontation.

The agility season outdoors is finished for this year and it has been a good year for us in many ways. Hopefully next will be as enjoyable .