Posts Tagged ‘Pyefleet Vision’
Holiday in England
Given the Corona vicissitudes, it was a very exciting adventure, our trip to England. We postponed booking the tests, campsites and the crossing in advance as long as possible, as there was of course the chance that we would turn ‘red’ on the English ‘Government site’ and then we would not enter England. We had already pushed our departure date forward in the hopes that the site update wouldn’t come before Monday 20th September, but the British government held a press conference on Wednesday the 15th and the chance of an update became earlier. We had to do the corona test on Thursday the 16th, otherwise we didn’t fall within the deadlines. I also had the hounds dewormed on Thursday and made sure that their passports were filled in correctly. This on the way to Werkendam where the Dutch Coursing Championship was held. On Friday I would drive back and forth home to do a few things, including putting the garbage on the road. But when I arrived, the garbage had already been collected and I could go up and down on Saturday to take it to the recycling center! Well, there was still plenty to do at home and the hounds were not bothered by the coursing noises. After I was back in Werkendam on Friday afternoon, the hounds were able to have a nice run. In the evening we would eat in the restaurant of the riding school and while we were waiting for our ‘dinner’, an update came from England…….luckily the Netherlands remained orange!! This is of course a purely commercial affair because they already have enough problems in England so putting the Netherlands on red would be very stupid but still, we were very relieved! More on this later.
Saturday at the end of the afternoon back home quickly, well that ‘quickly’ did not go, the mover of the caravan did not work! Fortunately Maarten is handy enough and managed to remove the rollers from the tires so that we could at least go home. We hoped that the mover would work again at home otherwise we would have a real problem getting off the site on Sunday morning. In the evening I put another few things in the caravan, Simon filled in all the papers and printed them (which of course was terribly disappointing and took several hours), I filled the freezers with meat for the hounds (I got about 45 kilos in it !) and we went to bed early.
Up early on Sunday morning, the last things in the caravan fridge and off. Fortunately, the mover did and we were able to start the journey without any further problems. This went very well and earlier than hoped we were in Calais and through the “Pet Control”. After this it went a little less smoothly because of the strict control of the passports, but we were still able to get on a train earlier than we had booked. Mid afternoon we arrived at the first campground, Tanner Farm Park. A campsite where Sonja and I had already been twice before and where you stay wonderfully quiet with good walking opportunities. Only we didn’t bring oversized Cranston with us then! It was impossible to pass under the gate that was part of a fence that you can go over as a human and go under as a small to medium-sized dog. Brandir and the girls crawled under it neatly but Crumbaugh and Cranston refused it absolutely. So because of this the walking possibilities were limited. But there was ‘excitement’ enough because it was bursting with squirrels and they just walked right past our hideout. Once there was one just below the open window of the caravan and I could just grab Crumbaugh’s hind legs before he started to jump out of the window! Furthermore, the hounds fortunately stayed neatly behind the fence when the squirrels jumped around. So good!!
According to the rules, we should do a COVID test on Tuesday. We also had ordered and paid for it, but the test never arrived at the campsite. Even after several emails and phone calls, we didn’t get any response. Then not, we’ll see.
On Wednesday we went to Scotney Castle. A ruin on a small island and a newer castle set in beautiful gardens many acres of sheep pastures and woodlands. We first made a big walk, between the sheep and especially Crumbaugh and Charlaigne could not resist the sheep poo. Afterwards we went to the old castle ruins to shoot a few pictures, a really nice ruin.
One of the problems that England now faces is that there are too few truck drivers to transport fuel, among other things! We experienced this when we wanted to fill up and there was no diesel (nor petrol) available at various filling stations. Fortunately we found another gas station in a small village where we could fill the tank.
On Thursday we left for a campsite near Telford where the Breed Show would take place and I would judge the Deerhounds on Sunday. Friday afternoon we went to the hotel to say hello to everyone and to give Liza and Sarah the chance to see Uther’s puppies. Unfortunately I was not allowed to attend on Saturday so we decided to go to Ironbridge. We first walked a bit with the hounds, then had lunch at a pub and then walked back towards ‘The Iron Bridge’. Well, when you walk across the bridge there isn’t much to it, it’s just impressive from a distance, especially when you consider the history.
But what we actually went for was of course ‘The Deerhound Table’ which is in the Coalbrook Museum of Iron. I didn’t think it would be this big! The Deerhounds that carry the table on their necks were really life-size. Very nice to see it in real life.
Here too, around Telford, we saw long lines of cars at gas stations waiting to fill up, only to see the next day that everything was sold out and there was no car left. After some searching on the internet Simon found a gas station where you could still fill up, but for no more than 25 pounds. Well that doesn’t work with a 90 liter tank! So after first having refueled for 25 Pounds, he drove around and filled the tank at the truck pump. In a normal passenger car, the nozzle does not fit in the tank opening, but fortunately that is no problem with us! There was no one to say anything about it and no comment at the checkout either. At a next gas station it was also said that it was allowed to refuel at such a pump. Good to know! Hopefully we can still fill up on the way back, otherwise we won’t make it to Folkestone and we won’t come home!
We also heard in the evening during dinner in the hotel (which we were fortunate to be able to attend) that various products were no longer available in the shops because they simply could not be delivered. What such a stupid virus can cause!
Sunday morning, up early and heading to the hotel. Fortunately the weather was great all week and also on this day it was great weather for a show. In total there were 83 Deerhounds entered for the show with 90 entries on the Saturday of which 30 were absent and 53 entries for the Sunday with 16 absent. Not as many entries as usual but that was to be expected in the current situation. It is a miracle in itself that a Breed Show took place with the enormous numbers of corona infections that are reported daily in England.
Anyway, I was very satisfied with my numbers and loved to get so many Deerhounds in my hands again. The quality was very different but I had a couple of very nice hounds including a young male of 23 months who made it very difficult by either not wanting to trot or to go at a pace but…..when he trotted, he showed the best movement whatever you could imagine, dancing beautifully with a long, flowing stride, low to the ground and at a good pace. The best gait of the day. Furthermore, he was a male who was really ‘Fit for function’ and could really do his job. Also a male and female, brother and sister, 20 months young, stood out in type, movement, beautiful small ears and very dark eyes. Yes, and then those adorable hounds; who really want to cuddle with you intensely or that old bitch of 11.5 years who was still so fit and trotted active through the ring, they touch you in the depths of your soul and it always brings tears to my eyes.
On Monday morning we left for Dartmoor. We had booked a ‘dog friendly’ campsite but when we arrived and were directed to our spot, it turned out that it was not allowed to put up our fence, which would mean that the hounds only had to stay in the caravan and awning. No way! So we turned around and looked for another campsite – easier said than done as it turned out that many were not allowed more than 2 dogs or that the place was flooded due to the enormous amount of rain that had fallen last night. Via, via we ended up at a campsite along a moderately busy road but with direct access to the Moors and a very cozy pub! Tuesday it came pouring out of the sky again and at one point a soaked robin flew through the awning. Fortunately we had all the hounds in the caravan and I let the bird rest for a while before opening the tent door. It stayed on the ground for a while and after about ten minutes it flew away again….. or not? More on this later.
Parody of “Wishful Thinking”.
When it would remain ‘dry’ in the afternoon, we quickly set out with the hounds. Through the gigantic meadows, where the sheep and ponies graze, ‘Public Footpaths’ ran in all directions. So plenty of walking options, you had to close the gates behind you of course. When we walked a few hundred meters on one of those fields, suddenly about 10 ponies came running towards us from very far away. Simon said jokingly; “They’re going to surround us.” Well, they did and one of them didn’t look very friendly. This mare was clearly the leader and didn’t think it was good that we were walking here with five Deerhounds. She became more and more threatening and on a few occasions she turned to us and at one point she slammed backwards. Against Brandir! Fortunately, he is no longer very stable on his legs and he immediately fell over which probably saved his life. When he got up, he squeaked and stood on three legs for a while, but that soon got better. As I was struggling with Crumbaugh and Charlaigne to contain them (they wanted to chase those ponies away!), I couldn’t do anything, just try to keep things as calm as possible and try to get off the field as quickly as possible. For the first part we were still chased by the herd of ponies but the closer we got to the fence the more they kept their distance before finally turning around and galloping away. What a terribly bad experience this was and especially for poor Brandir, that he in his old age has to go through such a thing. Fortunately it turned out to be not too bad with him, I couldn’t discover anything about him and he just walked with us for the rest of the walk. In the meantime it had started to rain again so we didn’t have much fun and after the hounds had done everything we turned back towards the caravan to drown the fright. We preferred to have a very large pony steak on our plate in the evening in the pub!! But unfortunately they didn’t have it.
We were fed up with Dartmoor right away and on Wednesday we packed up all the wet stuff again and drove to The New Forest where we had booked a very quiet campsite, The Red Shoot, in the middle of the nature reserve. Fortunately, we were also able to arrive earlier than agreed. In The New Forest the ponies, cows, pigs, donkeys and deer just run loose throughout the area and a confrontation with them is not inconceivable but we were well warned by the bad incident in Dartmoor and left the cattle behind. The weather was beautiful here and in a radiant sun we set things up again and drank a beer in the sun.
Thursday – rain – we had decided to go to Stonehenge but when we got there we could either walk 2 kilometers or take a shuttle bus. Well with 5 Deerhounds in a shuttle bus we didn’t like it so we just walk. Of course, to get a little closer to the stones you had to buy a ticket – 21 Pounds per person!! Now we are real culture barbarians and are not willing to pay for a look at old stones up close, so taking some pictures from a slightly greater distance was okay. Simon also said; “They’re probably saving up for new bricks.” Well, with such amounts that is easily saved!
Fortunately, it was dry during the walk there, but there was a strong wind. At one point a hare crossed the road right in front of us. The only one who saw him was Crumbaugh and he is the worst thing to get back in line! Only when we were far past the ‘hare pass point’ on the way back, he was able to walk a bit normally again.
We drove to Burley on Friday. This should be a nice old village but it was not what I expected. The walk that was plotted in the area and we walked, was also a bit disappointing. Large stretches on tarmac roads. There weren’t many cars driving, but if possible Brandir runs loose so he can set his own pace. That didn’t work here and then it’s a lot more tiring for him. The surroundings were beautiful and the ponies would occasionally let us go round as they were in the middle of the road or grazing next to it. We now look out for them and don’t trust them at all! When we drove back to the campsite, we ended up in a ‘traffic jam’ because of a herd of donkeys walking across the road. Yes, and then you really have to be patient.
Saturday it rained all day, and not just a little! In the afternoon we agreed with Gill and Toby to show Brandir. As one of their bitches was in season we couldn’t take him inside so all five of them stayed neatly in the car. Well neat…. when we came back to get Brandir out, it turned out that the puppies had retouched the mattress cover. The whole car was covered with foam flakes!
Sunday was a rest day, just a nice walk in the area which was already strenuous enough by meeting a lame deer that did not disappear so quickly in the forest. At the end of the afternoon, when it had cooled down quite a bit, there was a heavy downpour of rain and we had closed the awning, suddenly a robin was flying around in the awning again! Accidentally rolled up in the awning? Those animals crawl through the smallest cracks and into the tent under the caravan. That is really guts!
On Monday we took another beautiful, strenuous walk in the northwest of the New Forest. At the start of the walk there were a few cows along the path but luckily they had little interest in us. Steep, slippery slopes, overgrown with ferns, up and down in the pouring rain. Luckily we didn’t encounter any ponies or cows there!
Tuesday morning we packed up again and drove to Tanner Farm Park where we would spend the night before traveling back home. We never did our second corona test and we had already prepared ourselves for a hefty fine for this, but when we arrived in Folkestone, nothing was said or asked and after all the checks regarding the hounds we could get on the train. Once on the train we were sure that no angry Englishman with a fine would come after us and we could breathe a sigh of relief.
Unfortunately, we also received bad news from Sonja that day. In the week before, she had already reported that Vision was not doing well after she was neutered, but there was no improvement at all, on the contrary, she had to decide to put Vision to sleep. In and in sad, still so young and completely fit again after her fake pregnancy, she couldn’t get up after the operation and eventually her kidneys gave out. An unbelievably hard blow for everyone involved. But especially for Sonja of course.
Pyefleet Vision, mother of Cranston Argyll and Gallaghan Argyll, was only allowed to live to be 5 years, 9 months and 5 days.
Two pleasant weekends
After the holidays and the hustle and bustle around Cytaugh, we had the national coursing of WRV ‘t Haasje on September 19. On Friday afternoon, Cearrean was finally able to run the first course for his coursinglisence thanks to Henriëtte’s Saluki Geer. This went fine. On Saturday morning he ran the second course together with the Sloughi Gabr van Els and Frie and this also went well. So Cearrean can get to work. It was a very nice weekend, a little too hot at times and quite cold in the evenings but we survived and now know how to set up camp next time at this place in high temperatures and lots of sunshine.
After we packed our things again on Sunday, we first went to pick up 3 new chickens in Langerak. Now we have 7 chickens and 1 rooster again, they fit exactly on the perch in their ‘enclosure’. Let’s hope that some more eggs are produced.
Also when I got home I checked whether the bees were still hanging in the tree. Somewhere since April / May we have a ‘wild beehive’ hanging in the oak. Now we even saw honeycombs. I just hope the nest doesn’t come down because that could become a problem with curious Deerhounds!
The following weekend we had our CC2000 funcoursing in Coevorden. Just under 30 dogs wree entered and ran various parts of the 900 meter long parcours. Sonja had also come to give the girls a nice workout again. The organizing team, which now also includes Edith and Willem Jorritsma, thus stood with 4 units within one fence and this created a high “Nienoord” feeling. The “Nienoord” feeling was also reinforced by the presence of Nelli with her young Sloughi Tiffa and Alfred and Gineke with their Salukis and a Galgo. Within the fence, all hounds were mixed together nicely; 6 Deerhounds, 6 Whippets and 1 Galgo. Lovely !!! Especially for Cranston this was fantastic, he learned a lot but above all had a lot of fun. The weather was great and it was again a great weekend.
Hopefully we can experience a few more fun events before Cytaugh enters the whelping box. But I will only know in a week and a half whether that will actually happen. We keep our fingers crossed!
And many thanks to Sonja Koning for those beautifull pictures!!!
One day left …..
Cranston and Callaghan are doing well, they are growing steadily, are standing nicely on their legs, have both testicles in the right place, are shiny, playing, digging, listening to their name and of course they are totally house-trained.
It is unbelievable as fast as time goes by. Next Friday they are already 12 weeks old and on Saturday Callaghan will go to his new home. He is going to live in Lemele, with Henny and Betsie. They have had Irish Wolfhounds for many years and now want something sportier. Well, that will work with Callaghan!
They have already been through a lot and driving is no problem. The weekends away with the caravan did not cause any problems, they adapted immediately.
Two weekends ago we had our CC2000 party at the racecourse in Lelystad. More than 80 hounds were present to enjoy themselves again with lure-coursing. Cearrean was allowed to explore the course on Friday with his muzzle and blanket for the first time. This went fine. On Saturday he was allowed to run the first round with Troy, the Greyhound of Hervé Blaakenburg. Troy went straight and Cearrean thought he was smart by turning left, but here Troy was running and this resulted in a big collision with a header for Cearrean. For a moment he was disoriented but then went after the hare again. In the afternoon Cearrean was allowed to walk with a Saluki from Henriëtte. Here again things went wrong when Geer, the Saluki, wanted to follow the hare neatly behind the hedge, Cearrean ran a little too far, turned around and rammed Geer in his side. A huge dive of both resulted, and Geer then stood on three legs. Then we gave it up.
For Vision it was the first time after the puppies were born that she could stretch her legs again. She was quite fanatic but her condition was not yet optimal. Cytaugh was not allowed yet, her feet were not yet completely healed from very strange injuries. It was going in the right direction, but I thought the risk of her feet hurting again was too great.
The following week she was entered with Vision for the coursing of ‘t Haasje in Werkendam and luckily her feet were completely healed and remained intact! The bike training had done its job and Vision’s condition was clearly better. Cytaugh, on the other hand, who had not run free and played for weeks, was far too fat and in absolutely no condition. But she enjoyed it very much and came off the field with a big smile. Cearrean would actually go for his coursinglicense this weekend, but due to the diving and an earlier fall on his back, the osteopath, by whom he is under treatment, did not think it wise to let him run. She also had quite a bit of work to get Cearrean back into shape. Let’s just hope that he stays ‘whole’ and will soon be able to run again.
Cearrean is quite a bit difficult. Occasionally he may suddenly snap to another hound, without us being able to pinpoint a reason. Usually he is tired or suffers from his knee. But he is still very fond of the puppies and can play with them for tens of minutes. He does this extremely carefully and lovingly!
Saturday is the day, Callaghan is going to leave us, the puppy that I spent minutes trying to get life into. He has grown into a strong, beautiful puppy with his own personality; strong and sweet with a ‘will to please’. I am curious how he will develop further, I wish him a long, healthy, sporty, nice and loving life!
7 Weeks young
Last Friday, Callaghan and Cranston were 7 weeks young. How fast that time goes!
The week before they were already chipped, DNA was taken and the day after they were inoculated. This all went very smoothly and without a single beep. Driving was also fine. We had of course built this up slowly and done it more often, but not even a 20-minute ride. Fortunately no problem.
They grow well, they are more or less the same as the tables I still have from my previous litters. They mainly eat one-day-old chicks, sprats and all kinds of ground meat with vegetables, elderberries and seaweed. Meanwhile, Callaghan is almost as big as Cranston and last week the weight difference was only 450 grams. Callaghan weighed 5.65 kilo’s and Cranston 6.10. They are certainly not fat, it could be a little more but they seem to get enough because they would like to eat more. And it is actually better that they do not grow too fast, let them take it easy.
Their favourite place in the house is the large basket where Brandir usually lies. He always looks very upset when the puppies have taken his bed again. Poor grandpa Brandir!
They are 99.99% house trained. It is very rare that there is still a pee in the house. And because we consistently clean up their feces directly behind their asses, they haven’t become shit-eaters either.
We have already had exciting moments with them. Two weeks ago, Callaghan was very interested in looking at something right in front of him. When I went to look it turned out to be four oak processionary caterpillars! I was startled and snatched Callaghan from the bed. Fortunately, it turned out that he hadn’t sniffed it because he showed no strange behaviour after it that could indicate that. I did immediately wash the cover of the bed and searched the area for caterpillars. Later that afternoon we found two more caterpillars on the grass. Dead scary! But yes, there are about twenty oaks with us, many of which are very large and therefore with inaccessible caterpillar nests. It cannot be prevented.
Vision starts to play with them a bit, but would rather leave that to Cearrean. However, she regularly lies cosy with her sons on a bed and you can see that Callaghan and Cranston really enjoy themselves here. The men are allowed to drink a little with her every now and then, but I think it is minimal what comes out because they are done with it soon.
Both puppies are already beginning to wear their ears well, the fold is in it and occasionally they can already fold forward. They are also high set. Cranston will most likely have very dark eyes, Callaghan, on the other hand, will get his mother’s eye colour; quite light. This was quickly seen as he had very light blue eyes while Cranston’s eyes were several shades darker. Even now the difference is clear.
Walking on leash is also no problem. They have already been to the shopping center, the dog run-off forest (where we unfortunately did not encounter any strange dogs) and to the horses that are in our neighbourhood. To get here we have to pass a bunch of terrible barking dogs and this was of course terrifying. They also didn’t really like the horses yet. So it was a stressful walk, but once at home the tent made sure that everything was quickly forgotten.
Tomorrow Cranston will undergo a little surgery. He has a slight upper bite and his lower teeth prick his palate. These are therefore removed so that the lower jaw has free rein to grow. I am confident that it will come all right.
29 days young
Yesterday the puppies were 4 weeks young, how fast it goes! It is also very easy, 2 puppies. A week and a half ago they suddenly dipped into Vision’s food bowl, delicious… Rinti, tripe, milk and sheep fat! Since then, they regularly get some puppy milk with steak tartare from a bowl, but also regularly eat small balls of tartare. This is fun to do, they sit next to each other and take turns to get a ball. When they have enough, Callaghan usually before Cranston, they get up and start playing.
They are now almost house-trained. Callaghan is smart, he quickly realized how to get out of the whelpingbox and that you have to pee outside. He also does not mind wet grass and wind. Cranston, on the other hand, is a bit easier and sometimes pees in the whelping box. He also does not like cold and wind! And that despite its bacon layer.
Cearrean, the big half-brother, absolutely loves them! He can hardly wait to play with them but so far he is extremely careful and barely touches them. He keeps a close eye on them and shows himself as an extremely good babysitter.
And even though Cearrean is challenged by Cranston, he won’t be tempted! However, he was challenged by grandpa Brandir and the little ones find that very interesting.
Doubly unbelievable
Finally time to tell the big news; both males have Argyll Bryan from the Market Garden as father !! We really never thought this, partly because the quality of the frozen semen was not very good. So I really couldn’t believe it at first and have been looking at the DNA results for a long time. But yes, if the numbers of the DNA markers match, it will be!
I think it is wonderful and hope that both males get both their testicles so that they can mean something for the breed in the future.
Their I.C. for the first 8 generations is 0.00%, for the ninth generation 2.69% and for the tenth 5.31%. So quite interesting to do something with.
Last Friday we also decided to rename Conaughey in Cranston. There were some problems with the pronunciation and Simon had come up with the name Colossimus for the little boy. I didn’t think it was such a nice name. Cranston also suits him well and since the ears are only just open he can get used to it right away. So they are now called Callaghan Argyll O’Cockaigne and Cranston Argyll O’Cockaigne.
Weighing is slowly becoming a problem!
The resemblance of Cranston and Cearrean is striking. Cranston has a large white left frontfoot and Cearrean had that on his right hindfoot, the chest spot is almost the same, Cranston’s is slightly wider but of the same shape. Also in terms of head shape and physique, they are not inferior to each other.
Callaghan will most likely become more like Vision.
Meanwhile, the eyes are open, they start to play, both with each other and with toys.
From now on it will all get a bit busier, of course they will play more and soon they will waddle out of the whelping box. Mother Vision is also taking things a bit easier with them, so we will soon be messing with porridge!
Brandir and Bernice, 8 years young.
Yesterday Brandir and Bernice turned 8 years old and despite Brandir’s Cystinuria and mild Cardiomyopathy, he is still doing wonderfully! Every day he plays with Cearrean and is still in charge of him. He does not miss a walk and still fully enjoys life. Bernice is also still very fit and active.
Up to 9 years, must succeed.
Today the puppies are 10 days young and Callaghan has tripled his birth weight + 51 grams, he weighed 1086 grams this morning. Conaughey has been taking it a bit easier in recent days and now weighs 1390 grams. He can no longer be picked up with one hand. The colour difference is becoming increasingly clear, I wonder what this will be. Vision was very light as a puppy so maybe Callaghan will be like that, I don’t know. I have not yet had this colour in one of my litters.
In the meantime they occasionally show a bit of playing behaviour, the eyes almost open and the standing is also getting better, but they are too thick to walk, top heavy, they roll over immediately.
Vision takes good care of them, they shine that it is a sweet treat and only once a day a fat bed goes into the wash. Something different as back then with 11 puppies, the washing machine kept running!
Seven day’s young
Today has been a week since we were surprised with the birth of Conaughey and Callaghan. Surprised in this sense that we had not expected them yet. Meanwhile, both have doubled their weight since yesterday, Conaughey in the morning and Callaghan in the evening.
This morning Conaughey weighed 1073 grams and our little Callaghan 766. They are really fat! But despite that, they are already starting to stand on their feet and try to walk, which of course does not work.
Yesterday I took DNA and sent it to investigate if there might be one from Argyll. I hope to get the results next week.
Mother Vision meanwhile goes out of the whelping box without coercion and occasionally goes to my bed next to the box or to lie outside in the sun. She usually only keeps this for 10 minutes, then she wants to go to her puppies again but at least she is relaxed and tries to enjoy everything.
A few more days and the ears and eyes will open, how fast it goes!
In the meantime, personal care has also started; the nails started to get pretty sharp so they have been updated with the Pecute. A kind of dremel especially for dog nails. With cutting you always have sharp edges and with this handy, small device you can file these mini nails nicely around. Of course Conaughey was struggling and since he can no longer be held with one hand it was a difficult job. Callaghan, on the other hand, had finished the pedicure in a curse and a sigh.
They are quit different, those two.
3 days young
They were born three days ago; Callaghan (… ..) and Conaughey (… ..). I have not yet decided which name, but when I look at the characters I think that ‘the little’ Callaghan and ‘the big’ will be called Conaughey. Yes, and whether something will be added in the brackets remains to be seen. In the very near future, I’m going to take DNA to see if either has Argyll Bryan from the Market Garden as a father. I hope so!! ‘The little’ has a good chance, he has the same chest spot and amount of white on the feet, he is not so coarse and heavy and not very dark in color, but … all this says nothing. So wait and see!
The size difference was big and it still is. ‘The little’ is doing his best, but ‘the big ‘ is doing better and drinks twice as much! So they do go about the same and gain weight in proportion. ‘The big’ weighed 626 grams this morning and ‘the small’ weighed 427 grams, I wonder what they weigh tonight.
In the meantime we also have to enjoy the beautiful rhododendrons that growing in our backyard. Usually we are away during this period and we miss the best moments, not now !!
The walks with the hounds was also enjoying the past week; a large pool has been excavated in the future horse meadow, the hounds love it and with the nice weather there are many doggy-friends to run around with!
Time for the game “fishing candy”. Cearrean had some problems with it, but people learn by doing and in the end it went perfectly.
Simon is just doing odd jobs in between and is helped by Cearrean. Cearrean finds everything interesting and exciting and wants to be around all the time.
And meanwhile I sleep, hang and sit around the whelping box. Vision is a fantastic mother and keeps the puppies clean, they shine that it is a sweet treat. She is also very careful, she does not just get up and turns around on command. Fortunately, that all goes perfectly!
In short, …. everything is very enjoyable!!!
Wait a while longer … or not!!
It is quite a busy time at estate O’Cockaigne. Young life is sprouting everywhere! The trees are green again, the plants are in full bloom and three young Faverolles were added last week. It takes some getting used to for them, we still have to help them in and out, but they learn that quickly.
The tits are also busy with their nests and the blue tits that nest in a wine box are already feeding.
In the meantime, we are doing the last chores. The whelping box is standing and Sonja came last Sunday with Vision, Bernice and Lita. Cearrean loves it and regularly tries to play with Bernice, which occasionally succeeds. Lita is his stepmother, he sleeps with her as a puppy, now he often follows Lita like a shadow.
And Vision… she is in the whelping box. It takes some getting used to for everyone, especially if she is also fed there.
You can feel the puppies moving and they will probably be born today or tomorrow. Even more young life! An exciting time, I will keep you informed!
And while I have almost finished translating this post, we hear Vision beeping. We jump up and go to her. To our surprise, there is a puppy without any pressure or panic, with a minimal temperature drop!
A sturdy boy of 480 grams who immediately crawls to a nipple and starts drinking.Exactly one and a half hour later, at 1.20 pm, the second puppy is born. A small fruit of 345 grams, also a male! After a little struggle, a lot of rubbing and often putting on, the boy starts to get stronger and the nipple does not let go. The difference between the brothers is big, but the smallest does everything to catch up with his big brother! Whether it works…. ?
It is going well for the time being, Vision is also doing well and cleaning her children. She is, so far, a calm, loving mother. To be continued!
Yippie!!!
After Sonja had an ultrasound on Vision last week and only one puppy was seen, we could not be very happy about this. I saw the drama of a C-section and the growing up of only one puppy, all over again.
But… .. this afternoon another ultrasound was made on Vision and then two embryos appeared! That is already 100% better!
It was very difficult to see anything very high in the belly, so maybe another puppy will turn up in due course. Let’s hope that but it is certainly very nice that two puppies are coming. They are expected around May 7.
Despite everything, enjoy a little
The last days it was very nice to enjoy the sun again. After all that rain and cold wind, the hounds loved to lie on their stretchers in the sun. Cearrean preferred to keep scratching around, you sleep at night, not during the day!
Just like everyone, for us there is nothing to do. Everything has been canceled, the crowded agenda is suddenly completely empty. Now we hope that Vision is pregnant, then I have at least enough to do. We’ll know more in 15 days!
A new year, new opportunities.
It was already clear last year that this would be a busy and fully planned year. Also, the plans that we had with Vision, many planned events in which I would participate, could fall into the water. And so it will most likely happen.
The first event, the DWZRV-Sieger coursing in Tüttleben in the weekend of 29-2 / 1-3 was taken care of by Simon and Maarten and so we left on February 26, packed with lurecoursingmachines and an aggregate towards Warstein where we would spend the night. When we arrived at the campsite we ended up in the wet snow and mud, a cold and dirty start. But the next days the weather was not too bad and we could even occasionally enjoy the sun. Cytaugh was also allowed to participate and did so successfully! She became second of the 10 entered hounds while she is still in her afterseason. The men had laid out a nice parcours of over 900 meters and it was clear that many hounds were not yet in top condition, many slowed down after 500/600 meters. But the hounds enjoyed it and that’s why we are doing it. It was a nice weekend, a bit chilly and an occasional shower but all in all good to do.
Unfortunately Sonja could not be present with Vision as Vision was in season. And since it was intended that Vision would be covered, Sonja was very busy driving back and forth to Hannover to have the progesterone determined. Of course Vision took it easy and only after four punctures Sonja did get the green light on Wednesday 4 March to drive her to Frankfurt for the mating with Fortheringhay’s Faerwald Fable. This mating took place on Friday, March 6. Then on Saturday, March 7, Vision was inseminated with the remaining frozen semen of 29 years old from my first Deerhound male Argyll Bryan from the Market Garden.
So now we have to wait and see if Vision is pregnant, we will know at the beginning of April. So it will be an exciting time again and hopefully a few fat puppies will crawl into the whelping box in two months.
Crufts
On Friday 8 March, Sonja, Vision, Chidish and I left early in the morning for Birmingham, Crufts. The journey went well to the French border, then the misery began. The French had turned off road sections and this caused long traffic jams with similar waiting times. Extremely annoying! Fortunately we had left very early and had a significant margin. Luckily the check of the hounds at the Eurotunnel was super fast and we arrived just in time for our check. But the French were consistently bullying and every car had to open at passport control. This of course took forever and people who went through the check after us missed their train. Fortunately we were just in time and had the planned crossing. When we arrived in England we could only continue for a short while, then we ended up in one big traffic jam towards Birmingham. All roadworks made sure that we arrived an hour later than planned in the pouring rain at our hotel in Leamington. After walking with the hounds and bringing the stuff upstairs, we first started drinking a well-deserved beer. Delicious, such an English bitter!
Saturday morning we got up early again, I walked quite a bit with Chidish and Vision and Sonja lubricated the sandwiches. After breakfast we left and with half an hour we were at the NEC. First, 57 Pharaohounds were tested before it was the turn of the 98 reported Deerhounds. This gave the opportunity to greet acquaintances, to talk a little here and there and to be amazed about a non-Scottish who walked around in Scottish clothing and also showed his Deerhound in this clothing. Something that really cannot go wrong and many people were disgraced.
Our judge was Mr. Ken Aird, the judge that made Chidish BOB two years ago during the Jahresausstellung in Volkmarsen. So it was quite a bit exciting. But it soon became apparent that the inspections were very different from those in Germany; the placements were surprising to say the least. There was no line in terms of type or movement; everything was placed together. Chidish was fourth in his class (8) and Vision surprisingly second of the 12 reported bitches.
In the end, in our eyes, it was definitely not the best male and female and the veteran male, who was showing his age, won Best of Breed. That was Crufts, for the time being we are not going to go again, especially after it took us over an hour to get out of the parking lot. Fortunately the return trip on Sunday went very well and we were back at the beginning of the evening.
Donaueschingen
Since last week I got some nice pictures of Vision’s victory in Donaueschingen, now a slightly more elaborate report of this biggest sighthound show of Europe. Over the weekend of 4th & 5th August, more than 1600 hounds from 25 countries travelled to Donaueschingen. It was this year for the 25th time this show was organized and perhaps it was the last time. In recent years, Olaf Knauber had organised it, but because of all sorts of causes fewer people were left to help, and almost everything ended up on Olaf’s shoulders. Also, the opposition from higher regions has made Olaf decide to stop with it. Whoever is going to take over and whether it will continue next year, is not yet known. Anyway, we had some nice successes during this edition of Donaueschingen.
On Saturday, Chidish and Cytaugh won the couple class, of which about 17 were entered, under the Italian Judge Mr. Vittorio Passerino.
And at the competition for Dual Champion, Vision won! She showed herself exemplary and showed a super movement. As you can see, Sonja was very happy with this. In the evening, during the ‘The Eukanuba Super Best in Show Challenge’ Vision performed optimally and was finally second behind Kilbourne O Sweet Lorraine to Oelmühle. Two Deerhounds in the final battle, that has never happened before! Sunday Cytaugh was best of the working dogs under Judge Mr. Vittorio Passerino and Chidish and Cytaugh became BIS2 in the couple class. All in all we haven’t done it badly!
July & August
July was a quiet month, only during the weekend of 21 and 22 July we had the Beauty and Performance weekend of OWRV ‘t Haasje in Axel. Since I had the honour of judging the hounds on Saturday, Chidish and Cytaugh could not participate in the ‘title’. However, Sunday they had a wonderful coursing. August on the other hand was busy again; The first weekend we were in Donaueschingen. I took my ceramics with me because that sells very well over there, and we had two days of showing. It was actually was way too hot to do anything. On Saturday we had Frederic Maison as a judge and on Sunday Espen Engh. He made the unforgettable mistake by mentioning in Chidish’s judge report “Head is a little bit plain, needs more stop”. Hasn’t he had the time or didn’t he want to take the effort to go through the breed standard the evening before??? But… it can be even crazier. During the Benelux Winner Show in Amsterdam, the following Thursday, Sonja was told by a Russian judge that Vision has a Barsoi gait! We then looked at the judging of the Barsois for three days, whether we saw one with the same gait as Vision. Unfortunately, not found, so Vision is the only one with the correct Barsoi gait! André van den Broek judged the World Exhibition on Saturday, August 11th and was happy to appreciate Vision, she got the Res.CACIB. Best male was Kilbourne Kaine at Oelmühle and best bitch Kilbourne Oh Sweet Lorraine to Oelmühle, both of Jürgen Rösner. (see the exhibition results)
The following Sunday, the hounds were able to stretch the legs during the coursing of Lelystad. They found it a bit more fun than showing and they enjoyed it! On August 26th I had the show in Mechelen where Chidish became Belgian champion and 9 September we had instead of a show and coursing in Berlin that did not pass, a coursing in Gesves, Belgium. Cytaugh obtained her last CACBL for the Belgian Coursing Championship and Chidish received the reserve.
Brief overview of June
The month of June was an extremely busy month. It started with the show in Paris on Saturday the 2nd where we had entered Chidish and Vision. Sonja had arrived Thursday afternoon so we could drive to Paris on Friday. On Thursday-evening, Silva suddenly got a fever and had to cough a little later. After having given a few antibiotic tablets, she was quiet and against two o’clock and Sonja went to bed. But not for long… At half past three, Sonja woke me up with the sad announcement that Silva had died. Silva woke up and stand up, probably to turn around, and ended up on the ground. Before Sonja was out of her bed, Silva was already over the Rainbow Bridge. A very nice death but very sudden. We took Silva out of the camper and put her in my car to be able to bring her to the crematorium in the morning. We have not slept anymore.
After having handled everything and having packed the camper we left for Paris. Luckily the judging on Saturday didn’t start too early, because we were still a little confused by all the commotion. Both Chidish and Vision obtained the reserve CAC, which meant that we could go home again. Fine!
The weekend after we were in Le Touquet at the French R.A.L.I.E. Club show. Here 57 Deerhounds were entered. Judge was Joan Wragg. Chidish got the reserve CAC again behind the Finnish male Direwolf Mac Custennin of Tapio Hellman. Vision stood in a large open class of 14 bitches and got an unplaced U. Cytaugh, who now also participated, won the Working Class (3) and became Best Working Dog. Unfortunately, we had to leave after the judging, because Sonja had to return home again on Monday because she had to leave on Thursday towards Denmark where we would first go to the show in Vejen and then drive to Nørresundby for the EKC.
So on Thursday, June 14th, fully packed, we left for Denmark. We stayed at a small campsite in northern Germany and the next day we drove to a campsite in Ringkøbing where we found Sonja again. On Saturday we went to the beach to let the hounds stretch their legs and let the wind blow through their coat.
From here we drove to the show in Vejen on Sunday. Chidish became best male, BOB and also with this Danish CAC, Danish champion. Vision Unfortunately only got an Excellent.
Monday we cleared our camp again and left for Nørresundby, near Aalborg, where during the weekend of 22-24 June the European Championship coursing took place. The wide fields were adjacent to Lindholm Høje. This is the largest historical Danish cemetery from the Iron and Viking era, located on a hill opposite Aalborg. From 1952 the area was examined and at excavations 682 graves were found from the period 500 to 1100 as well as remnants of construction. All participants in the EKC got a ticket for the museum, a very nice gesture. Also on Saturday the solstice was celebrated, called Sankt Hans Aften. The feast dates from the time of the Vikings and until 1770 it was an official holiday. As a result of this, a Viking market and village was also created and the opening of the EKC was graced with a performance of fighting Vikings.
Because we, as CC2000, had given a coursing demonstration at the beginning of this century in Bjerringbro, Denmark, we still had contact with Karin Janz, who organized that at the time. Later we also met her regularly at EKC’s and when we were invited several years ago; as a judge for the show and Simon as a jury for the coursing, to come to Nørresundby, we grabbed this with both hands. Once there we were very impressed with the gigantic fields and we told Karin that it was a wonderful location to organize a EKC. And so the ball went rolling. We, CC2000, were asked to organize one field and take care of everything around it. After two years of preparation, we had a team of 20 people; 6 German and 14 Dutch coursing-lovers who, as a team in nice T-shirts sponsored by the Dutch Kennel Club, have been busy for three days to complete about 60 courses per day. From the beginning; the paddock with chip control, until the end; supervising the terrain so that no one could walk in the rope, there were constantly about 10 men working. It was fantastic and afterwards we were told that we were the most friendly and fastest field with the most beautiful trail. What else do you want!
A German team was asked to do another field and Denmark took field 3 for her account and everything that comes to mind. There was a lot of foreign assistance among other things; in the secretariat, at the entrance to give the people their papers and to point the way and when retrieving the results.
The Deerhounds ran on Saturday, 10 Deerhound males were entered and 9 were present, 25 bitches of which 21 appeared at the start. The Dutch participation consisted of the male Fiddich Forever in my Heart Caoinlan from Ingrid Weiss and Erik den Ouden and the bitches Vision and Cytaugh. Chidish was not allowed to participate yet and I was really happy, because of this I had no stress concerning the classification because Nelungaloo Untouchable also participated. And sure enough, at the end of the first run it was fighting again. Just like last year in Switzerland and on RONOstrand Untouchable from Esther Bühler jumped without hesitation on his partner Pitlochry’s Othello. Yes, and see two fighting Deerhounds get hold of. Fortunately, there was a Czech man who had experience with such animals and just popped up on top of it. Life-threatening because these muzzles really do not stop everything! Both Esther and her husband seem to find it normal because when we were recommending them to no longer do coursing with Untouchable with other dogs they became extremely angry. How is it possible for people to like fighting Deerhounds and to find it good that other hounds do not run anymore or become aggressive too. It is really time that this behaviour is radically punished. Through all the commotion Vision did not want to start with another hound and was given a Dismission For The Day. My Cytaugh was classified in the first course with the probably winner; Islay’s Luck Penny from Ira Johannsen. They ran a dazzling course and Cytaugh was not much inferior for Luck Penny. Unfortunately, the afternoon break showed that Cytaugh had a slight shoulder injury and therefore no longer participated in the second run. Very unfortunate because she was reasonably well classified.
The only remaining Dutch participant, Fiddich, was very good classified after the first course, at least one hound who kept the Dutch honour high.
In the afternoon, the Deerhounds had to run on a small, reasonably narrow terrain, where there was also a not so nice trail. All males were participating again but the number of bitches started was reduced to 16. One of these was cripple at the start but was happily so wise not to run, another bitch didn’t feel like it and didn’t start. And again, there was a fight again between Untouchable and his partner Islay’s Little John and again he was not disqualified. Outrageous! Fiddich ran a formidable course and appeared to be in the first place at the award ceremony! Fantastic! Finally, after 9 years, the Netherlands again has a European coursing champion at the Deerhounds. Next year is the EKC in Estonia, we are curious!
Deerhound Jahresausstellung and Pinkstercoursing to Tüttleben.
On May 19, Jl. The German Deerhound Jahresausstellung was held to Tüttleben. Since Simon has been providing the coursings in Tüttleben for years, this club has become our ' Home association '. For us so extra nice that the jacket was held here. As usual, the show was opened with the inmarch of the 80 reported Deerhounds. Our judge was Uli Prober, an Irish Wolfhounds breeder, born in Germany, who now lives in Ireland. Uli approved a very strict, something I did. Of the 80 reported Deerhounds there were 3 absent, 1 withdrawn (our Brandir there he limped), 33 got a U, 21 a ZG, 4 a G, the veterans were placed without qualification and the youngest were on one after a lot of promising. It was remarkable that the males were rated much lower than the bitches. Chidish and Brandir stood with 7 other males in the Championship class but we pulled Brandir back because he didn't run well. Only the first three got a U, also Chidish who became third. Cytaugh stood in the Use dog class (5 reported, 1 absent) and won this. Vision stood in the open classroom and unfortunately got a ZG. Best Male and BOB was Kilbourne Kaine to Oelmühle of Jürgen Rösner and best bitch Garamante or Bestmara of M. K from France. A bunch of beautiful hounds. The day after was the Pinkstercoursing. There were 25 Deerhounds reported and 24 present. Vision was classified in the sixth course, but did not know. Cytaugh walked in Course 9 with Islay's Hollyhock but it was injured halfway. After the first circulation, Cytaugh was on a shared seventh place with 172 points. In The Second Circuit she walked with Islay's Hyra. Hyra got 175 points and Cytaugh 184. With this, Cytaugh finally came in fifth place. And at the awards ceremony, which is always a feast in Tüttleben, it appeared that Cytaugh had won the prize for beauty and performance!!! What was I proud of her! After a year with a lot of fear and care for her foot, it turns out that all this effort was not for nothing. For the eighth time I took the "of the Scottish Highlands" Wanderpreis for the best Gebruikshound home and the since last year, for the Deerhound with the highest points number for Schönheit und Leistung, made available Quodlibet Drambui Trophy.
Breed Show at Sutton Scotney
On Thursday 19 April, Sonja and I left with Vision, Chidish and Cytaugh in the direction of the Breed Show in England. When we arrived at ‘The Tunnel’, it turned out that our ticket was on a wrong date! That meant a new ticket for a lot of money! Fortunately we were able to take the same train and we had no delay. From Thursday on Friday we spent the night at Tanner Park Campsite, a delightfully quiet campsite with huge hiking opportunities south of London, a place to go more often. Friday morning we packed up everything again and left for Sutton Scotney where the wide Show was held this year. Arriving at the hotel and having parked the camper and having walked with the hounds, I went to the reading of Emily Dutton concerning the front rings in the field of heart research. A number of interesting announcements but also some exciting issues. Later I talked to Emily about this and I hope she will contact Andrea Vollmar in the near future, because of course it has a lot of information. I have promised to send some pedigrees and medical data from the hounds that I have had with heart problems. Saturday’s wide Show, Judge Tim Finney. It was exceptionally good weather, plenty of sunshine and it would be thick in the 20 degrees. So we looked for a nice spot under a large tree so that we were in the shade all day long. The Ringmaster, Chris Arthur, came to tell us that we had to move in there, he wanted to have the ‘ collecting ring ‘ there. After some talking back and forth and what to have been shoved we could happily stay there anyway.
Chidish was in the Open Class (11 reported – 2 absent) and was placed fifth. First became the beautiful French male infidel-et-Ram du Triple Bois by Madam Vinen. Which to my knowledge for the first time on a wide show in England is with her Deerhounds. A very surprise! Vision and Cytaugh were both in the very strong Open class (12 reported) and when the judge went to select he also chose Cytaugh. Normally 5 are placed but he had selected 6 and Cytaugh was placed sixth! Despite her geëzel. Hilarity everywhere. Eventually, Infidel became best male and Hyndsight In your dreams of Hector Heathcote and Sue Finnett from the Limit class best bitch and BOB. For Sunday we had also registered our hounds in different classes. The judge was Mrs. Marie Bryce-Smith. To start all three in the ‘ Special coursing/Lure chasing dog or ‘ class (13 reported). Now, of course, we needed a third handler and we found the Council in Marjan. Cytaugh is not really the easiest but she was allowed to bring herself neatly by Marjan and was placed fifth. A whole surprise! Vision was even placed third! Then had to Cytaugh and Chidish in the torque class (14 reported). Here I was expecting nothing from the Judge Chidish in the previous class, but expected to be second! This because of their similar gait work. We also reported Vision and Chidish in the ‘ Special not bred by Exhibitor ‘ class, but both were able to leave the ring undone. Afterwards everything is packed again and left towards ‘ the Tunnel ‘. It turned out that this booking was not entirely correct, rather than for a motorhome there was a ‘ hígh vehicle ‘ booked. That meant paying back and because we were too late, we had to wait one and a half hours for our train. All in all, we were against Nines, tired but met, back home.
A few days Hermannsburg
At the beginning of March I was with the hounds again a few days with Sonja in Hermannsburg. The weather was variable and not as beautiful as previous years, but that didn't stop us from pulling out with the hounds. I've been able to make some nice pictures again.
(Just click on the picture to enlarge, they are also sharp)
Vision found that Cytaugh treated her too rough and put her in her place.
What was then taken over by Chidish.
Brandir kept a close eye on everything.
Even posing… But Bernice didn't see that and stepped out every time.
But… The Maintainer WINS!!!
Challenge and be attacked, they don't get enough of it!
It was again a few wonderful days!!
World Exhibition in Leipzig
During the week from 8 to 12 November, three shows took place in and around Leipzig. Since Sonja and I had already decided well in advance to make a nice week out of it, I left on Monday 6 November towards Camping Lübschützerteichen in Machern and Sonja had left from Hermannsburg (D) with her camper. Machern is a small hamlet about 10 miles east of Leipzig. This is such a typical East German camping site, of course in a pretty dilapidated state but quiet and in the middle of the woods so that you can walk with the hounds perfectly. When we got out of the camper on Tuesday morning to go hiking, we noticed that the lettuce of the table had disappeared and all the dog toys were also gone. After a walk around we found the broken packaging of the lettuce and a number of broken toys. From the moose we only found a paw, the rest was, we made it later, adopted. It turned out to be raccoons that had done this. But… when we drove to the show on Wednesday morning, the battery light was lit. Fortunately we were ready after the inspection because we had not made anything and we could look up a garage against threes. Here we were spoken by a very unfriendly man; They couldn't help us, too busy, we were referred to another garage. First we got a call or we could do it and after a charm we managed to do so. After arriving at this garage we were allervriendelijkst received with coffee. By now it was thick about celebrating and it started to become dark slowly. After 10 minutes someone came to tell you that there was a cable by GEKNAAGD! Since raccoons do not do that (according to Google) it would have been a marten, which is therefore known. On returning to the campsite, we demolished our gate and put in parts on beer bottles under the engine so that the marters could no longer come. What a hassle! But it worked, we didn't have any trouble for the rest of the week. Anyway, on Wednesday we were in the large, spacious and bright halls of the exhibition hall where the German Winner Show was held with as Judge Tatjana Urek from Slovenia. From the 18 Deerhounds (1-absent) she chose the male Chic choix Dhulert Arathorn by Susanna Gerkman-Hamada & Harri Hiltunen uit Finland als BOB en de BOS kwam vanuit de jeugdklas; Blixen One In A Million by Marja-Leena Arhima-Oinone & Kyösti Oinonen likewise from Finland. On Thursday a CAC show had in cramped, old, dark and noisy halls where only 8 Deerhounds were present. Here was Cockaigne Chidish of the Meirse Meadows BOB and Pyefleet Vision BOS. Friday we went after a nice piece with the hounds, stepped on the train and we visited Leipzig. A beautiful city that still has a busy work. Saturday we had ' rest day ' some content; Walking and taking pictures, playing with the ball, even more hiking and then combing the hounds again because Sunday was the world exhibition.
The world exhibition was held again in the beautiful, spacious and bright halls of the exhibition centre. As a judge, we had Mr El Babatunde from Morocco, who first approved the 45 Azawakh's and after that he would approve the 28 (1 absent) notified Deerhounds. A very disappointing number. Of these 28, only 10 came from Germany, 3 from the Czech Republic, 3 from the Netherlands, 1 from Poland and the other 11 from Finland. At the Azawakh's it was good to see that he went for the typical, correct gait but at the Deerhounds he apparently kept more of the spectacular, loose gait. He also preferred the hounds with flat rugbelijning and sheared neck-, onderbelijning above the typical. No, many people could not appreciate his inspection. Too bad, but that's to be expected if you don't have a rasspecialist as a judge. His BOB was the very strongly shaved bitch Vaikonniemen Över the Red Carpet by Sari & Mervi Oinonen from Finland and BOS was once again Chic choix Dhulert Arathorn of Susanna Gerkman-Hamada & Harri Hamada. All in all a disappointing world exhibition for our race because something we do not want to see is a shaved neck and onderbelijning and a very loose, too gripping gait. After another pleasant evening, the Monday morning was time to travel towards Rijsbergen.
September/October
They were a few busy months. In September we repainted the floor of our house, we had a fun-coursing-day with the Barsoi Club, found the NKC place in Oude Brina, Chidish had to be checked on his heart for a cover with Fortheringhay's Farrah Cailean of Cristina Wüger (DE) What took place a few days later and we had the show in Maastricht. For the latter, Sonja came a few days about what always results in more work as we invariably go to the garden centre and always find something we like to have. So days later I'm still sitting in the earth plants with my hands.
Just before the show in Maastricht I got an email from Marijn that Bibelot had become loops but that he renounced a litter because he didn't have time for his work. After a little thought I decided that I had the time and that it would be a sin to pass this opportunity. We had already talked about this in the spring to use the frozen sperm that I still have from Argyll in Utrecht, at Bibelot. So he quickly called Marijn and it has just settled that Bibelot was able to check her heart on Tuesday. So Tuesday afternoon just up and down to Eersel. For Wednesday I had made an appointment in Utrecht and after research it appeared that she could be inseminated right! Thursday back for the second insemination and then wait and see. Wednesday 1st of November we will go back to Utrecht to see if there are any puppies.
The weekend after that, Sonja and I threw each other on a mini-camping on Friday 6 October. From here we drove to the show in Zwolle the next day. Since we were only later in the morning we had all the time to chat with everyone. Nice to see Gary Boyce again with Moka or Muma, an even very young, beautiful male with a fine character who is well developed. The inspections were, to say the least, "surprising" but it had its advantage; We were able to get back to the camper in time to travel to Ostercappeln where Vision and Chidish would run a coursing the next day. Of the four reported Deerhounds there were three present. In the first circulation, Vision ran alone and got the highest number of points. Chidish ran with Fiddich Forever In My Heart Caoinlan by Ingrid Wagstaff & Erik den Ouden. Chidish cut off quite a bit but got a little more points than Fiddich. In the second turn, Fiddich ran alone and got the most points and ended up in the first place, Vision became second and Chidish third. Since Simon left early on Monday morning abroad I had to return home after the coursing.
Tuesday I had an appointment with Dr. Orange for control of Cytaugh's foot. It was half a year after surgery and he was very amazed and satisfied with the good healing. Cytaugh may run loose again and the sport in! I will always let them walk with a stocking and possibly tape around her toes, even on our own terrain.
Friday afternoon Sonja and I were back in Dortmund on the camper-parking lot in the Wischlingenpark. Saturday we had the Bundessieger and Sunday the international Show. Vision was both days forest and Chidish BOB.
On Monday I went back home after taking some of the station plates, and then packing the caravan to go to RONO-Beach for the coursing there on Thursday. During the NKC, Alfred Nada had asked Simon if he wanted to take care of a field on RONO beach with CC2000 and to do it with a closed fair, it was agreed that CC2000 can take a quad to the EKC next year in Denmark. A great deal! Since there were quite a few employees who had cancelled their cooperation, Sonja and I were asked to jump in. So we had our hands full of walking with the whole group, walking from Vision and Chidish on Saturday and the veterinary control on Saturday evening and Sunday. I also helped some of the paddocks on Sunday. As mentioned, the Deerhounds ran on Saturday. Of the 14 reported hounds there were 4 males. 1 male and 1 bitch were absent. After the first turn there was 1 bitch injured and Nelungaloo untouchable was disqualified due to attacks from his partner just before and at the shelter. He had already done this during the EKC, but the jury did not do anything with it. Now there was finally a jury panel that dared to disqualify such a dog but after the owner made the announcement of the disc. Had gotten the jury for everything that was ugly and told them that they expected this in the morning. Yes, if you know that you have an aggressive dog on the line, you can wait for it to fly out! Hopefully she sees that she is really wrong by letting that beast run. The owner of Islay's Little John was just too cancerous. After the first turn on the trail that did not virtue and after the second turn she made it completely fur! Little John walked together with Chidish and they were well-matched. They both met at the same time at the reception and went together on the hare. The owner of Little John immediately pulled this road from the Hare. In the meantime, Chidish had the hare by grabbing the muzzle and did not loose any more. I was busy getting the hare out of his mouth when Miss Little John started to rant that she didn't think her dog was allowed to be at the hare! Since I was working with Chidish I ignored her but after we got off the Coursingterrein she started again! I told her she had pulled her dog from the hare herself, but she was not susceptible to reason. What a lamb bitch! It shouldn't be crazier! I now also know why many of those dogs are aggressive in the shelter; Their owners are extremely tense and this is about their dog. That told Miss Little John me right before the course and yes, it may well be true, if you know that your dog is not friendly I would be too tense! No, coursing is not fun and we were glad we had our own CC2000 party the weekend. Such a small 30 hounds enjoyed a nice long trail, without stress, without muzzle and dumb Rendek, just wonderfully relaxed with perfect coursingweer. Vision could walk again with Chidish and she walked the stars of heaven. She always runs with Chidish much better than with another, I think it is a matter of self-confidence, she is also so young.
Anyway, the caravan is clean and empty again and can hibernate. We are still facing a busy period; Tomorrow to Utrecht with Bibelot and next week to the world exhibition in Leipzig. And then……. Who knows.
Wide Show in Crewe (UK)
England, watch out, here we come again!
On Friday morning, March 31, Sonja and I had to ask the feathers. Simon had already left, he went on a coursing in Sweden judging and so Sonja Silva and Bernice had left home and had only come to Vision. After having left the hounds and leaving the remaining luggage in the camper, Brandir, Chidish, Cytaugh and Vision could go there and we left for Calais. We arrived neatly on time and after the Pet Control we were able to drive almost the same train on. Arrived in England, it was still a good drive to Crewe, north-west of Birmingham, where the Deerhound wide Show was held. Of course we had weather files and thus arrived quite late in the beautiful old hotel. After having checked in, the hounds have taken care of and brought my stuff to my room, it was time for dinner. As always, many familiar faces but we also missed a few, such as Gill and Toby, the breeders of Brandir.
Saturday morning at nine o'clock started the inspections, judge was Mr. J.G. Phinizy. Chidish was in Open Dog but of the 12 reported males only 7 were present. To our great pleasure, Chidish was placed second! Not bad for such a young guy. Best male was Kilbourne Tyne, a daughter of Nimloth Brooke, sister of Brandir.
Vision was in Junior bitch with 8 others bitches including her sister Vita of Mary Girling. Mr. Phinizy was apparently impressed by Vision's 's work and placed her first! Second was Vita.
Cytaugh was in a huge Open bitch where of the 16 females, only one was absent. The beautiful Foxcliffe Classic Liberty Freedom at Beardswood by Sarah helps won convincingly and Cytaugh was not placed.
Vision had to come back for Best Bitch what she obviously didn't win but she was definitely not the worst. Best bitch was the Foxcliffe bitch of Sarah.
Sunday we had a busy day. The judge was Mrs. Eve Hamilton. I had reported Chidish and Cytaugh in the Special coursing/Lure chasing Dog or Bitch and Sonja would show Cytaugh. Of the 11 reported hounds there were 10 present. Above my expectation, Chidish won this strong class and became Cytaugh fourth!!! Chidish got the Pentlands coursing Trophy, which his father, Brandir, had also won in 2014!
Right after this class, Chidish and Cytaugh had to be in the Brace or torque class. For this there were 13 reported but I have no idea how many were there, at least 5 because Chidish and Cytaugh were fourth.
The last class for which we had reported hounds was the Special Not Bred By Exhibitor. Of the 22 reported hounds, 14 were present, including Chidish and Vision. Chidish was second behind Rubeus Hagrid to Kilbourne and Vision became fifth! Not bad!
When we picked up Vision in England last year, they were still three. Now they were all three present and of course a series of pictures had to be made. Vision, which was then much smaller than her sister, doesn't look like it anymore.
Then some more pictures taken in the ' Kasteeltuin'. He shot Marjan the board. Marjan still thanks!
After a few more meals we travelled south. We had agreed with Gill and Toby that we would come along with them before we would travel back again. Due to Toby's illness, they could not be present at the wide Show which was experienced for many as a tremendous loss. We had to do the greetings from many acquaintances. We had a very pleasant evening and after the next morning to have had breakfast we left again towards Folkestone. Coming here we were just 10 minutes late for our train but because of the huge chaos because of a malfunction we have to wait for at least 3 hours before we leave. We were well fed up and took us to go to England this year!
A wonderful CC2000 weekend!
During the weekend of the 24th and 25th of March we were a guest with CC2000 at Mini camping ' De Blökke ' in the Heurne, a small town in the Achterhoek. We Boften again tremendously with the weather; A lovely sun with perfect temperatures. It was for the first time that Maarten and Monique were part of the CC2000 clan and especially for this they had purchased a caravan. Unfortunately, they used to be on a regular basis with a caravan so it didn't provide much fun while building the awning.
In the course of the Friday, Simon and Maarten have laid out a nice long trail that could easily be cut into pieces so that each hound could run its own distance.
Quite unexpectedly and not planned, Sonja showed up on Friday-afternoon. This was a perfect moment for Vision to run with muzzle and Rendek, something she hadn't done yet.
For the coursing there were a z0'n 45 hounds logged in. Also the young Afghaantjes of Pascal and Martine Talia were again from the party and showed their passion for the course. Vision ran together with Chidish. She had to get used to the muzzle in the first circulation, but in the afternoon she showed that she had no problems with it and walked with surrender behind the hare. Chidish showed himself an experienced courser and cut off decent pieces!
There were several beautiful courses to be admired and everyone had a lot to his liking.
For lunch Andrea Kisser had made a delicious pan soup, thanks Andrea again!!! and also the roll ball were greatly appreciated.
Also in the afternoon there were many courses so that it was only about celebrating we were ready. It was a great success again and everyone enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, the beautiful courses and the blissful weather.
I had agreed with Iris and Marijn to judge the puppies and to take the picture on Sunday. Of course Sonja also wanted to see the puppies. They were 9 weeks old and there were clear differences to observe. Our favorite, the dog with the blue collar, still heads and shoulders above the others.
In second place came the bitch with the green collar. A very powerful bitch, looks very much like Cute Coney.
In third place the bitch came with the collar with hearts. A lot more elegant than the green bitch.
Sonja acted as a star and the next was the male with the yellow collar. Also a cracks.
Then there's another female with a red/yellow collar.
And last a female with a lot of white.
All in all, we are very satisfied with this litter and they also all have a good home. Hopefully they will grow further and we'll see them once again.
In any case, I wish the new owners a lot of fun and happiness with their new house.
March, a busy month.
After long dubbing I finally decided not to sign up for, and to travel to the show in Groningen. Afterwards well gambled there Simon on that Saturday had a jury meeting. For Sonja I had a Vision in there that needed a few more youth points. She had of course hoped that she could ride home after the inspection but, unfortunately, Vision was the only ' adult ' Deerhound and was also given a U'tje, so that she could stay and two times a round through the honour ring was allowed to run without result. But Vision has her second childhood and that's what it was about.
Tuesday afternoon 7 March, Sonja was back with us to leave for Birmingham on Wednesday morning. Simon had found a good accommodation at a half hour drive from Birmingham where we had a great time; A large park nearby, a pub and a eatery, what else do you need? We had Vision, Chidish and Cytaugh reported for Crufts and of course hoped for a nice competition. But unfortunately that was not the same; Of the three reported Deerhounds in Yearling Dog There were only two, even with the bitches there were absents in the classes of Cytaugh and Vision. Of the total of 81 reported Deerhounds, only 70 were present. Also the atmosphere was not nearly as cosy as 5 years ago. There were quite few people around the ring and we missed many familiar faces.
It's always a problem to take pictures when you show up and have several hounds with you but luckily Marjan was there and she was nine to take pictures so we still have something. Marjan Thanks again!
Chidish stood with one other male in Yearling Dog. This could just be right, at the end of March he should be in Open Dog during the wide Show, a bit screwy with his two years but then he has more competition! He won his class, not so difficult but did nothing in the inspection for best male, a pity. He had shown himself in any case, and that is also worth a lot.
Vision came out in Junior bitch against four more females, two were absent. Despite being really skinny, the judge, Joan Wragg, was able to appreciate her and placed her second. Not bad. Next, Cytaugh came into Yearling Bitch, five joined-four. Cytaugh was placed third.
After the inspections we still have some walked around and with the Barsoi's Wim, Jeanne and André congratulations on Riband Wave who had become the best veteran and later picked up the reserve CC. After this we had no more puff to walk around, it was incredibly crowded everywhere and the hounds only let us do it. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Friday morning everything packed again and after an extremely long journey, a.o. By three hours of delay at the tunnel, we arrived at whacked around seven o'clock in the evening.
The weekend next was the show in Hazerswoude-Dorp. I had only Chidish reported because Cytaugh does not like the Showen so much and she needs to develop a little further. Five Deerhounds were reported including two puppies. Chidish became BOB but did nothing in the final inspection.