Tuesday 31st March

Back to reality, returned to work today - lots to catch up on, I do love my work, but don;t love working - must get an extra lottery ticket this week!!!! Not much dog news, puppies are coming on a treat but still early days. They are a happy little bunch. Frankie adores them and gets them to chase him for a little while before throwing himself on the floor, then rolls over on his back so they can all jump on him. Really must try to get a video. Can't wait to start their show careers - let's hope they all make it to the ring!

Monday 30th March

Another day at the races today to celebrate my (Wendy's) Dad's birthday, this time in the trackside restaurant. I really am lucky to work at a place like this!!! Had a few more winners than on our anniversary. Huge excitement in the last race with £5 riding on the 50-1 outsider. It came storming round the final bend into the home straight looking for all the world like the winner only to get bumped by another horse and drop back to last place!!!

Sunday 29th March

Tunbridge Wells Show today under breed judge Helen Merry (Tingvelle). Pleased with our results although disappointing that Frankie stood alone in puppy. He did perform well in the group but was unplaced - the first time in his puppy career. The TWDCS committee had put in a huge effort to celebrate their 125th anniversary. What a shame the venue had double booked them causing chaos to the car parking. We weren't very amused either to find out on arrival that we had been relegated to last to be judged, despite being third in the ring in the published judging order. Apparently one of the other judges wanted to get home early!!! Didn't get the day off to a great start. With two breeds still to be judged before us several rings were empty but we were told there weren't enough stewards to move into one of them! Glenn Miller had dropped in as had just finsihed a local dogsitting job and stepped in to steward for Helen, otherwise we'd have been there all night!!! We all appreciated it, and I'm sure it was a great help to Helen who had a very long journey home back to the Wirral.

Thursday 26th March

Well it couldn't all be good news this week - but then it could have been worse. Have been waiting on our Cord 1 results, pleased to report that Kizzy (Sh Ch Trimere Total Devotion to Dexbenella JW ShCM) has come back clear for Cord 1. The other three I had tested (Nellie, Frankie and Oliver) have come back Carriers so the boys will only be available at stud to tested clear bitches. Frankie has already passed clear on the BVA/KC clinical eye test including the gonio test and is hereditarily fuco clear so I guess it was hoping too much that we would get a "clean sweep". As I say, it could have been worse - and to my knowledge no dog genetically "affected" with Cord 1 has ever gone blind, so it appears not to be the most serious of problems - so a carrier status is not too bad. The advice from the AHT seems to be that producing progeny that are affected from an affected parent or parents could result in dogs going blind with Cord 1 at an earlier age, but I believe that is just a theory at the moment. Now time to bite the bullet and sting the bank account to get the rest of the girls done. The beauty of DNA testing is that it gives you the tools to breed a problem out. As soon as I can find it I will add the mode of inheritance chart to a new "Health" page on this website.

Tuesday 24th March

Can't believe we have been married THIRTY YEARS today. Where does the time go??? We had the most fabulous party at the races where 36 of our friends and family joined us for a super lunch and an afternoon of racing. Thank you everyone who came for making our day really special. There are a few pictures on the About Us page.

Sunday 22nd March

That's the way to end the week - FRANKIE GOES BEST PUPPY IN SHOW at Sutton. It was a very poor entry of dogs number-wise and with only 3 springers present Frankie was BP and Nellie was BOB - hoped in vain that Frank would get BOB to gain a point but that didn't happen! We were really pleased to win the puppy group and looking round the BPIS show ring thought the Akita would be the one to take the top spot. Frankie put in a perfect performance to take the BPIS award - WHAT A GOOD BOY! Nellie, who never enjoys the Group preferring the company of her own breed put in just enough to be shortlisted so that was another pleasing result.

Friday 20th March

HOORAH! Now have a whole 10 days with no work! Gearing up for our 30th wedding anniversary celebrations next Tuesday. We are having a day at the races in a private box for a few close friends and family, with four course lunch and afternoon tea!!!! Fingers crossed the weather is as good as it is right now and that we all manage to pick out a few winners. Can't believe this is the first proper party we have had since our wedding reception - am getting quite excited. Just waiting for Steve to get home from work with a bottle of wine and Italian takeaway from our favourite restaurant and the holiday will begin.

Thursday 19th March

Beautiful weather for today's show at Ardingly, lovely and local just 35 minutes away. Frank won the Junior class and Nellie won the Open class (thank you Anna Naylor for handling in the challenge!). Delighted that Frankie ended up BP and BOB gaining another JW point. He strode out in the group ring and made the shortlist in the "grown up" group and ended up third in the Puppy Group. Most pleasing of all were the plentiful comments about what a handsome young man he is - I am ever so slightly biased and I would have to agree!!!!

Sunday 15th March

Not too early a start for a change, left at 6.45 for the journey to Pucklechurch for the SWESSC breed club show. Frankie started the day well with 3 class wins in a row gaining another 2 points towards his JW. He was also awarded Best Puppy Dog and later in the day Best Puppy in Show, so we were very pleased with that. Ginny won her veteran bitch class, another pleasing result. The committee put on a lovely show, if you have never been to this show, you don't know what you are missing. The day starts with bacon butties, hot cooked lunch and midway through the afternoon there is always a west country cream tea (scone, jam, clotted cream and a cuppa). This year the show was again sponsored by Royal Canin, a bag for each class winner and also for BIS, RBIS, BPIS and BVIS. It's only 5 mins off the M4, so I would encourage you all to give it a try!!

Saturday 14th March

Chester is much improved, although Jason (vet) didn't find any foreign bodies there was a massive infection which is being treated with the usual antibiotics (wish I was a Synulox shareholder!!!) and he is already sound and charging around again. He had a sore on his pastern a week or so ago which I poulticed to draw out any guck, and it healed up a treat, so maybe any grass seed that could have caused the problem came out through that but the infection got in. Anyway, most important thing is that he is well on the mend, fingers crossed. Sadly he won't be going to the SWESSC tomorrow, but Ginny, his sister, will represent the OAP section of the Dexbenella kennel.

Friday 13th March

Had to take Chester into the vet today, a front leg has blown up and he got out of bed this morning on three legs and a bedpost. Waiting to hear from the vet as to what they have found.

Thursday 12th March

Took Nellie and Kizzy for eye testing today - both passed. This was Nellie's first test and we are pleased she passed the gonio test as well.

Tuesday 10th March

Took Oliver to ringcraft this evening and he lapped up the attention and even though it was his first jaunt outside of home he took it all in his stride and attempted a couple triangle (okay, more like a rhombus, but he showed willing)!!

Sunday 8th March

Well it has come and gone - Crufts that is. We had a really enjoyable day with our dogs giving us their best and joining in the fun. With it being a Saturday there were lots of people wanting to talk about springers and meet the dogs and Nellie and Frankie especially love all the fuss and attention. We were absolutely thrilled with Ginny winning veteran bitch and pleased with the other awards too, what fun showing Ross again!! Especially delighted to see Chester's grandchildren do so well winning Best Puppy and the Bitch CC. Kizzy's little brother Eric gained his title and we were thrilled to be there to see it .

Sunday 1st March

Very relaxing show today with just one dog to show (Frankie), Nellie was entered but is in season - Lesley McCourt was undertaking her first judging appointment, she looked like she had been judging for years!! I was really chuffed to win BP and BOB with Frankie, there were some lovely dogs present.

Saturday 28th Februay

Not much to report, started working on the dogs coming to Crufts with us, 6 entered but probably only 4 will come. Looking forward to catching up with friends we haven't see for a while. With Nellie just finishing her season we have a show tomorrow with just Frankie.

Saturday 21st February

Southern show today, just two dogs entered: Frankie in Puppy Dog and Nellie in Post Grad Bitch - both won their classes which was good news.

Friday 20th February

Busy day getting dogs and everything ready for the Southern show tomorrow. Year Books arrived yesterday so will be available for members to collect and non membes to buy at the show. We have now chosen a name for the puppy formerly known as Zeta!! Thank you for all your suggestions posted in the Guestbook and emailed to me. After all that effort I am sticking with Kerys - it seems to suit her. Hopefully more news tomorrow after the show. No news is bad news!!!

Saturday 14th February

Three puppies leave us today, wish them all much love and happiness in their new homes. Trying to think of a new name for the puppy I named "Zeta", current ideas are Kira, Kerys, Kayleigh, (would like it to start with a K, obviously) if you have any ideas to help me out, post them in the guest book. The puppy I called Ziva is also staying with me and keeping her name. Oliver is staying too for the time being - can't help myself, I just love boys!!! Their show names are: Dexbenella Oki Doki (named after a very famous showjumper), Dexbenella Eluzive Dream and Dexbenella Ollie Magern (two racehorses). I guess I should add their pics to the show team page, Steve will have to get the camera out again.

Thursday 12th February

Another Happy Birthday - to the Kizzy kids from her first litter: Maddie, Bertie (who I trimmed today, very smart birthday boy), Ottie and Libby. Three years old today - doesn't time fly.

Tuesday February 10th

HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY KIZZY!!  Not much news at the moment, all our time is spent playing with the puppies. First one has left us already and the rest go on Saturday. As much as I will miss the cheeky monkies I am really looking forward to concentrating on the ones I am keeping. Hope to add some pics soon.

Saturday 7th February

Set off for the Worthing show today but the roads were so icy there were two cars in ditches within a mile of the house. They say discretion is the better part of valour - I turned round and came home.

Wednesday 4th February

We've had some great pics of Annie playing in the snow with little brother. And also some great pics of snoring on the sofa! She has really landed on her feet and we couldn't be happier with how she has settled into her new home.

Friday 30th January

Annie left us for her new home today. Good luck Annie - behave yourself! She has gone to live with her little brother Bramble to a super home so we hope it will all work out.

Tuesday 27th January

So glad to report that Ginny is virtually recovered, what a relief. Not much other news, puppies are continuing to grow and develop and are become quite cheeky. Still no nearer choosing which one I am keeping but it is early days yet.

Saturday 24thJanuary

Ginny is much improved thank goodness, she has got to stay on antibiotics for a couple of weeks as the infection is very deepseated but we hope she will not lose the sight in that eye now. PHEW!!!!! Puppies are picking up speed and looking quite promising, added some new pics today. Supposed to be going to Henley tomorrow, but decided to skip it to try to complete the YB as far as I can.

Thursday 22nd January

Poor Ginny has had a very rough few days. On Monday night we notice a swelling on the side of her face and her eye was swollen. Turned out to be a huge abscess that had started in the back of her throat and the infection had spread into her jaw and eye socket. After a couple of procedures under general anaesthetic she is improved but far from out of the woods. The eye infection has taken hold and we hope all the pills and potions she is on will save her sight in that eye. She remains her bright bubbly self bless her. Added some pics of the puppies on the Current Litters page today.

Sunday 18th January

Excellent start to the year's showing, Frankie was Best Puppy and went on to win the Puppy Group. His big sister Petranella Perficky Dealt won the group and RBIS and also gained her ShCM today.Well done Christine.

Friday 16th January

Total lack of news lately, all my spare time is being spent on getting the Year Book done for sending to the printers and watching the babies. I will hopefully download some pics of them soon. Almost forgotten how, but have a show this weekend with just Frank and Nellie entered.

Monday 5th January

No news for a while on the show front, all our time is being spent either working or gazing at the puppies!! The year book is also keeping me very busy. The puppies are piling on weight and looking very promising - fingers crossed they fulfil their potential.