the people of the fairytale world

Some people drive me nuts.

THere's a lady in Borzoi, who is otherwise a very sweet lady, whom I LIKE, but she insists on things that are dangerous for the breed as a whole. She thinks all Borzoi can be trained to live in peace & harmony, intermingling with goats, and chicks, and
cats, all outdoors, because her small family of Zoi do. .and it's a load of horse crap.

We have a situation right now where two Borzoi got out of the owner's yard and killed two neighbourhood dogs, in two different escapes. Beyond this info, all we have is speculation. And this person pipes up that it's because of improper socialization that these dogs did this, that if they'd been properly socialized, they'd've never killed these dogs.

Bull crap.

And the fact she keeps pipping up with this is scary, some ignorant novice who doesn't know anybetter is going to trust her, and have a dead animal.

I socialized the hell out of my dogs. Gossip is more than cat safe, that cat can beat the crap out of her and she lets him, he steals her bones and food from her, and she lets him. But I wouldn't trust her further than I could throw her 70 lb hairy butt if he was outside and bolted on her. Nope, no way no how. You can not train instincts away. Nor would I trust her not to chase after Uncle Laser if she was loose with that Basenji and he bolted from her(he's not likely to, he's likely to bolt at her and she'd roll over submissively LOL)

Obie was great with cats, even when Cleo was sick, he was great with her, but when that white cat the week before he died appeared on our porch and bolted, he bolted after it. .instincts kicked in. If he'd caught her, I'd've been mortified, but I wouldn't've blamed him, I would've blamed the idiot owner who allowed her cat to wander the neighborhood.

I don't trust my two currents boys with my cats, period, and Umbra grew up with them. He's funny, as he's terrified of small dogs, but would I expect him to not run after one if it bolted from him? Not on your life.

More this and that

Blech, just got done making an appointment for Umbra for a dental. . one of the few bad things he inherited from his father, and bad peridontal health is one of them. I've had other breeders with dogs of the same lineage mention the same problem. . .hopefully most of his pups'll get Storm's teeth, not his. . even Bonnie'll admit some of the families in her own yard have great teeth, and some of them have horrid, so it's definitely familial. . .Umbra is only one of two dogs since I went out on my own in 91 that I've ever had to have teeth cleaned on, that's including my Greyhounds & nonsighthounds. Heck, Touchet's teeth barely need a light scaling, and I've never ever done a thing to her mouth.

It doesn't help he won't chew hard like the others will. Gossip & Dei come in the house, grab a knuckle bone, and go to town on it so hard it makes MY teeth hurt. OMG! But not him, even the chicken quarters he's dainty on, and Grins'll finish two before he's finished the one. So off to the vet's he goes. . and there goes my pocket book :P

The weather has been HOOOOOORRID!! OMG. . I did nothing yesterday i didnt' have to, the AC in the living room broke, so I'd do some stuff, then go cuddle with the kitties in their AC, once I cooled down, go do some more. Ick ick ick, even the storm last night didn't help. I had to make huge ice buckets for the salt water tank, the temp in that had risen to almost 90, and my poor little Duncan coral wasn't very happy.

Just saw a wonderful note that Boo(Mielikki's Twilight Taboo) was RWB at a specialty this weekend! Darnit, always the bridesmaid, i can't count the number of RWB to majors she's had. . she lacks one point, hopefully it'll come soon for Sara, who despite everything, hasn't given up on her. .

this & that

So this girl I was so hoping for, so looking forward to, gets to my friend's house, and is a freaking spook. terrified of her own shadow, terrified of the other dogs, hid in her crate all weekend, not coming out even when nobody but the hubby was home, and Al's not a loud guy. so scared of Gossip's brother, she attacked him and he hid in his owner's room all weekend.

OH well, it happens. . knowing the situation she came out of before going to this woman's house, knowing she hadn't even been leash broke by 10 months, I had wondered if she'd be ok mentally. I know of other dogs who came from the same situation who never were ok. So when the owner changed her mind because her daughter hadn't stopped crying, I had no problem letting her go back. . I don't have the time or energy to deal with a dog like that. .did it once before, and it was a pita and a long process. And I don't need to put all that time in a dog only to find out she's unfixable, then what do I do? Or even worse, think I fix her mind, and find out it's genetic. Temperament's too important to me, and that's a nightmare I don't need.

Oh well, back to the drawing board LOL. Fern offered me a girl to replace Touchet,so not like I don't have other options! Wish I could afford to fly out and hand pick a girl like Marie did. May have to check into that. It's unfortunate Touchet's look alike sister never got bred, I really like what Touchet X Races gave me, only one of them is truly a pet, and it doesn't matter to his owner, Ashley loves him. I warned them when they picked him out as a baby I couldn't promise anything, and they understand.. . but Fern's got two nice young girls I really like. May have to call her tomorrow.

I got photos of Raven (Mir son bred by Terry Steele & Billie Thibeaux) at his new home: Hawaii! It's so neat to see him in his army uniform. From what Billie told me, he's got his grandmother's temperament. One of the reasons I refused to give up on Kyra's get, is that wonderful temperament. May he do his breeder proud :) From the pics, looks like he's settled in quite well, the ham.

May or may not decide to be masochistic this weekend and take Grins to a funmatch. . he has two speeds, dead asleep and full speed ahead. Basically depends on how much energy I have lOL I also plan to take Chantilly as they're having a LGRA practice, need to know if I have a new dog to run this fall :) NOw if I could only get her to agree to letting me take out Tip or First. . .I'm afraid i'm conditioning Reba for just sprints, and she'll be hitting coursing this fall :P AM may be tehre to see if he'll run :)

Other than that, may try the agility place again: )

Agility

Whoot, I drove by that agility place, it's not far(15 miles) and if luck is with us, we'll be starting intro to agility next week(The lady replied to my email saying intermediate started, but her website says intro . .)

It also looks to be air conditioned, even better :) We're going to go to a practice tomorrow. We don't really need the intro, as Dei knows all the obstacles except weaves, but I'd feel better. .and if we missed out on Intro, they start a rally class later this month :) Be nice to have a class under my belt so I can help Bonnie with her fall classes here.

I am so glad I finally got over my procrastination and got things rolling :) Maybe I can add a few titles to Ms Dei before she gifts me with babies next spring(tho she could be nice and come into season early!)

An enlisted Borzoi

I am a proud military brat. Everyone who knows me well knows that. . .I grew up with the Air Force, married into the Air Force, my grandmother & step grandfather on my father's side were in the military(Which branch I can't remember, maybe Navy), my step father is retired Air force. Personally, I think it should be required that all healthy bodied youths do a mandatory tour in the military, but that's a different story, and not what I started this for.

I got a wonderful email this morning, that a Kyra grandson, by DC Mielikki's A Kind of Magic SC, LCM, ORC, SGRC out of a Ch Teine Slight of Hand, by the name of Raven, AKABorchis Glorfindel Numenesse" Nka "Kolchak XIV" will be going to Hawaii to be the Mascot for the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry “Wolfhounds”.

What's sad is the uproar his owners/breeders got from people who were aghast they'd do this. It's an honour, maybe that's what some of the uproar was about, jealousy LOL. But others just boggled my mind, automatically assuming that a well adjusted properly bred dog would have problems living the lifestyle Raven's going to live. Sage didn't have my normal prostitute dog temperament(I didn't raise or breed her), but she walked out of the Lufthansa airport into my life like she belonged there, and from the continental flight into my sister's life without a problem. .and that's going to a complete stranger, Raven will get to know everyone in his platoon.

But a number of these people who got their panties in a bind, are also the ones who complain about not enough good homes. Maybe their expectations are a bit too high? They complain about people who buy show pups and then return them when they don't turn out, well, don't sell the puppies so young then. I've only sold one guaranteed show pup, and Secret was almost 2, so I knew what she'd develop into. I don't sell guaranteed show pups, which is why most my pups go into pet homes. . if they're so darn good they need to be shown, they stay with me. That's why both Secret & Races stayed on with me, they were too good to let go. There's only been one neutered that I truly wish I'd had collected before then, and that was Larry. He's in a wonderful home, and that's what's important, and his owner did offer to send him back to me when I lost Races because he is so damn nice, but oh well. . .can't keep 'em all. Someone wants a guaranteed show pup, they can go elsewhere, or they can wait until they're 6 months old.

These people are also the same people who look down on anyone who sells to people they deem unworthy. I had one of them tell me not to sell to Hecate's owner, because they thought she was strange. Well, I could've asked for a better home. . how many other homes would've done multiple MRIS then hired a specialist to take the mass out of Hecate's spine? Thankfully not cancer, thankfully she's back to normal. Thank heavens for doggy insurance, but still, I know it cost her a bit of a fortune!

have to tell ya the truth, I'd rather deal with the openly 'different' than those who act normal but aren't!

Anyway, Congrats Kolckah FKA Raven and his breeders Billie Thibeaux & Terry Steele!!

July

I hate July

It's too damn hot to do anything
Too damn humid to move much

Granted, we don't get as hot as Vegas, but it's too damn hot for me. Watching the work on my computer last night had me sticky just standing there. . ick ick ick.

Could do dog shows, if ANYTHING I owned had coat, HAH! LOL Dei jumped up on a dog house in a puff of white hair this weekend

Started to Spray paint the contacts on the agility equipment last night, not going to be a quick job LOL Aframe has 42 inch contacts on both sides. glad I bought 3 cans of green. Was waiting for BOrzoi Bob and wife Sally to show up, he had a program to help my computer run faster. They requested a quick show, so Dei did everything but jumps & weaves for them. . .Silly hairless white girl. If I can get to bed at a decent time(We were up til 10:30 running the program on the computer, found 1600 little things in the registry that got deleted, wowza), I'll start working on it in the early A.M. when there is no humidity, only DUMB DEER! There's three sets of moms, and 6 babies(1-2-3, yes triplets) on the grounds, and they're not afraid of humans.

Had to take the Zoimobile in yesterday to get a tire patched, guy asked how old the tires were, that the tread was great, but the sidewalls were dryrotting. .I told him considering the car only had 35K on it in 11 yrs, I'd wager they were the original tires LOL. Get that done, and get it a checkup. Guess that's one reason to be glad July is a down month, LOL. . I have the money to do this.

Trying to figure out if I can travel this fall . .I would really like to pit Gossip against Sammy, but unless I can get another driver just no way in hades. .. I can't do that kind of driving on a Friday or Sunday night. . .other dog I want to see her against is way out West, but his owner told me last year he didn't think he was as fast as Gossip. IT'd still be nice to see in person. I'd also like her to run against Bartleby and a few others in his area. Would also like to run her against a few of Sally Barron's dogs. Quite a few of these dogs are way impossible due to distance :P Let alone the fact I don't want to do that to my little car. It's gotta last me a few years :) Wish Bonnie had more energy to do things more.

the tiers of the dog world

Was thinking last night about the people in the dog world due to the shit someone close to me is going thru because of one of the EVIL people in Borzoi. .and realise most of them are not evil or nasty, quite a few of them I wouldn't trust further than I can throw them for various reasons, but most of them are good.

Only two Breeders are truly evil. .both have wished evil things on others. .funny, they both purport to being religious, and the golden rule there is "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you" as well as "Let He Who Is Without Sin Cast The First Stone". The one wished my good friend Pat Hardy had died on the table when she had her cancer surgery, the other has been caught numerous times laughing over my misfortune and the misfortune of any others who she has whatever cause to dislike. They both lie to suit their fancy and to fit their bill, both are used cars salesman. . .sickening sweet as long as you do what they want you to do.

Then there are those who I don't respect or trust. . the reasons there are a myraid, from admitting to breeding 10+ litters a year in order to get a certain colour out there,to breaking their word, to treating their puppy buyers like crap or not caring at all when they respond with a health issue. This group is bigger than the first, but not a huge population in Borzoi.

Then there are the "Good" people. Overall they are decent, you may not agree with their principals or their breeding philosophy, or maybe you do, but they themselves are good people. They stand behind their dogs, they are respectful, they don't fall into the BS the first two do. . . They are here to breed their ideal, they don't do the political bullshit of trashing all others dogs. They're just good people.

Then there are the Angels, bigger than the 1st, smaller than the 2nd & 3rd. They reach out to those in need, always have a good thing ot say to anyone, never try and stir up crap, just very sweet, loving people. I am so tickled to have two of them in my life. . .and love them both dearly. . but others have dipped into my life in the last 2 yrs to help out, to give a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on. . .All but the 1st group has this in them, just doesn't show up as often as the last group.

Just some thoughts on a hazy Tuesday morn

life & karma & movies

Well, as those of my good friends know, we lost Touchet's puppies. Am I disappointed? Slightly, but ya know, it just wasn't mean to be. She is fine, healthy, and didn't have any problems, they just didn't make it to term. . oh well, she's spayed and will be the silly girl she has been. . .I have her lovely daughter to go on with, and her other lovely daughter is also available. .life goes on, you get knocked down, you dust yourself off and get back up. Marie & I are just glad that Touchet didn't have any problems, and that she's healthy, and alive! I've dropped the owner of the stud dog I want to use with her in 2010 a line, and have my fingers crossed.

When I needed it people came out and helped me, and I am so thankful for all those who helped me, truly helped me, not help me then stabbed me in the back. . yep, had a few of those. . anyway, what comes around goes around, but you gotta keep it going. When I mentioned to a truly sweet lady that I had no idea how to repay all those who reached out a hand to help me, and she said to return it to someone down the road who needed it. This weekend I helped my ex roommate(Those of you who've read my other blog know the one, the one with THE KID) move into her new apartment, she's been living with her sister since January. . omg, carrying stuff up steep stairs is a killer on your thighs LOl Then Bonnie & Miranda & I went out for dinner, and had a lovely night.

My summer reviews:
Hulk-Go see it, this is coming from someone who was never into the hulk growing up, it's GOOD!
Kung Fu Panda(or whatever it's called), again, go see it, made me laugh my ass off lOL
Hancock-WTF. .that's what it left me thinking
Wanted-interesting, but not what I thought it would be.
Get Smart-LOVED IT! OMG did I love it.
Indiana Jones-Again< LOVED IT!! :) Even if the ending is CHEEEEEEESEY!!!
You don't mess with the Zohan-funny, but not something I'd go see again LOl
Narnia-Better than the 1st one!!! :)

Think that's everything so far LOL I can't wait for the xfiles one to be out later this month

Weather's been strange this year. .some days cool, some days hotter than hell. . woke up last night with a 70 lb dog and 30 lbs of cat on me when the heavens opened up and rained down. . .don't blame them, i think I left a dent in my ceiling!

Otherwise, doing nothing but fooling with my salt water tank and working on Dei's agility :)

puppymills

What is a puppymill?

I am sitting here chuckling as I was accused of being a puppymill. Me, who's had all of 6 litters since 1997, five of which were born into my hands.

Why am I laughing? Because of the source. The most recent information shows this breeder having had over 50 litters since 1/1/00. She also dumps her excess puppies on a disreputable 'rescue' out west. Routinely breeds her girls back to back to back(same information shows at least one having four litters in a row, no break), often before they're 2. Does no health tests (supposedly tested her foundation stock and they were clear, so she 'doesn't need to test'.), has been at least partially responsible for four different rescue situations I can think of. .

In that same time, I've bred 5 litters. Yep, that's it. . .I do health checks, may not submit them to CERF or OFA, but I have the paperwork to prove to anyone who wants it. Rescue has never had to pick up after me, has never had my dogs dumped on them. .

so, consider the source.

Her reasonings behind my being a puppymill?
1) because I said I'd love to breed a bitch(Funny, she refuses to say the word on her webpage, guess she's trying to make herself look so family oriented, which I know is beyond false LOL) to a dog in europe, and would if I could do so without mortgaging my soul(it would cost $2000+ to do so, without studfee)

2). I planned to breed Sage a second time. OOOOH, what a sin(considering she's bred one of her girls 4 seasons in a row!)

3). I hoped to have puppies out of Touchet, and she was OMG, 9. . .Yep, a young, very healthy, 9. . .She has seen 2 vets this year who refusd to believe she was 9. Both her parents lived to their teens, she got a clean bill of health and all her health tests came back perfect, why wouldn't I? Only way to increase the longetivity of the breed is to breed dogs like her. I sure the heck wouldn't've bred the dog this woman sold to me at this age, she was OLD by the time she was 9. . And I know numerous GOOD breeders who've bred their older girls! I don't need to explain myself, but her thinking is just BIZARRO!!!

Had someone else do this years ago. .funny, she also bred way more litters than I had at that point lOL

And there are a large number of breeders who breed a whole heck of a lot more than I do, getting around admitting it by not counting those who were not born in their own yard. With the introduction of the internet, it's easy to find this info out anymore. AKC's website is a wonderful source for this. And people looking for breeders should utilize both of these, as well as ask questions. A good breeder'll ask you a crap load of questions, be willing to do the same. Anyone who balks at answering your questions, is not someone you want to buy a dog from.

Sad thing is, to try and drag me down, she's now moving to extortion by posting some nasty half ass facts about a horrid incident that happened within my family years ago. . .so much false, and incorrect information. . waiting to hear what the FBI has to say about it :)