tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58021432183046366552024-03-06T05:32:50.826+00:00Not so CavalierAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802143218304636655.post-21152818444408040072012-08-02T22:43:00.000+01:002012-08-02T22:43:42.557+01:00My goodness it's been so long since I came on here - for various reasons, the main being on my birthday my laptop took a nose dive off of my bed and broke the screen. I've been busy out my face with uni and haven't had the chance to even come online and keep up to date with blogs!<br />
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Had a fabulous birthday. My Mum and Dad got me a new beautiful camera which I can't yet work along with tickets to see Harry Potter Studio Tour! Liam and me heading down at the start of September (when the buzz from the Olympics has calmed down, though I'm sure the para-olympics will be on then!) for a couple of days and going to be complete tourists, photos to follow.<br />
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Been having a massive crafty craving. Started knitting and sewing along with getting out the cake decorating kits. Spending too many hours on Etsy when I should be studying. Luckily I have no money to spend in order to make this a bad habit ;)</div>
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I've missed so much agility due to the weather here in Scotland. It's rainy and making the fields flood which make for no good running dogs in. Hopefully it'll let up soon as we have some competitions coming up!</div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802143218304636655.post-11049724716345392632012-05-04T10:51:00.000+01:002012-05-04T10:51:26.075+01:00George's first show he only attempted one run and sadly he was eliminated due to refusing the soft tunnel. However the rest of the run was superb! Izzie had two 2nds and a 1st - amazing start to her second season, I couldn't have asked for more.<br />
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Even better news agility wise - last weekend our Club was entered an Interclub Competition. Our dogs were split into teams of 5 and we competed against each other and the other clubs in Scotland who entered. And amazingly? <b><u>Izzie's team won!</u></b> I could honestly have cried with happiness. We won a lovely rosette along with a a plague which will be engraved.<br />
George's team wasn't placed but he ran so well in every run, he's going to be fab.<br />
They both even done a 36 pole weave!<br />
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Unbelievably proud of both of my babies. <br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">A <strike>bad</strike> sexy photo of some of our club </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45907586@N03/6995298936/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="577817_377862018922418_100000958699448_78867645_224478572_n by Autaven, on Flickr"><img alt="577817_377862018922418_100000958699448_78867645_224478572_n" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7067/6995298936_73245a9d0a.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802143218304636655.post-83729156762519882512012-03-28T11:29:00.003+01:002012-03-28T11:39:25.233+01:00Season 2 and 1<span><span style="font-size: 100%; " >Our first agility show of what will be Izzie's 2nd season, and George's 1st season is this Saturday. I'm starting to feel the nerves again - but excited to start back. </span></span><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span >George will be measured and we'll see how difficult the courses are before I run him. I've entered him in the jumping as his contacts made him nervous - but he's better at them now so hopefully going in the right direction. </span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span ><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span >I thought before this years season I would take a picture of Izzie and her rosettes from her first year. These aren't including her 6 trophies as well - very chuffed! Lets hope we have many more to come.</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45907586@N03/6981571963/" title=""><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7037/6981571963_facc35ddd2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC04094" /></a></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span ><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802143218304636655.post-32397856803951696072012-03-17T11:20:00.002+00:002012-03-17T11:36:20.368+00:00Crufts Haul<span ><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">This isn't even everything I bought - just what I had to hand while taking the picture.</span></span><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45907586@N03/6973571843/" title="DSC04051 by Autaven, on Flickr" style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7045/6973571843_991be07b97.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC04051" /></a><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div></center></span><div><ul><li><span >2 fleece lined harnesses - Due to Izzie's SM I've went off collars as they make her itch quite a bit, these are perfect. Pink for Izzie, red for George.</span></li><li><span >Variety of treats - lots of stands (Fish4Dogs, DogMonthly etc) were giving away treats or samples and I'm never one to say no. Mine aren't fussy so we use everything for Agility.</span></li><li><span ><a href="http://www.cavaliermatters.org/">Cavalier Matters</a> items - I spent a lot of time at the stall, it was very addictive! I got lovely SM Awareness wristbands, some I love Cavalier stickers and so on. I had to be stopped!</span></li><li><span >Tugs - Both Izzie and George have lost interest in a ball while at training, the horse poo is much better, but tugs have really caught their interest recently. </span></li><li><span >Dog beds - I got 3. The fluffy 'Snug and Cozy' one was £21, both dogs are in love with it. The big brown one with the paws on it I got 2 of, they were £7 each - machine washable.</span></li><li><span style="text-align: center; " >Fish4Dogs - I am so fussy with dog food it's unreal. Usually mine are on James Wellbeloved or I'm tested out raw. However these bags (which are usually £8.99 RRP) of 1.5kg Fish4Dogs were £3 each and both pups lov</span><span style="text-align: center; "><span >e the treats so it was a bargain. I also got treats and a treat bag for Agility for £1.50!</span></span></li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><span >Not photographed I also got new ID tags for Izzie and George along with my Mum's dogs. They were £2 each engraved. I got my Mum a couple of presents for looking after my pair too and a few doggy magazines for myself. I'm sure there is more but thats all I can think of at the moment.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span >All in all I spent £115 on everything mentioned. Very reasonable! Of course we had to pay for our hotel and food too, but we get free tickets into Crufts so it was well worth the 6 hour drive - we'll no doubt be back again next year.</span></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802143218304636655.post-59215794238219462562012-03-14T08:30:00.004+00:002012-03-14T08:52:16.449+00:00Crufts 2012<span style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; " >My car broke down around 8 hours before we were set to leave for Crufts. Many tears and half of our spending money later, we found a friend of a friend who could fix it at short notice and we were off. </span><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span >We stayed from Thursday - Saturday and it was as usual a lovely weekend. We cheered on our Scottish friends competing, ate way too much and spent crazy amounts on our pups. We visited the Cavalier Matters stall on average 4 times stocking up on lovely SM Awareness bands (seen below) and I was way too shy to introduce myself (felt as if I was meeting famous people!). </span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span ><br /></span></div><div><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;">We did watch a small part of the showing as I couldn't stay away from the Cavaliers for very long. Every one of them just looked beautiful. There was some contriversay as 6 of the 15 high risk breeds (Bulldog, Pekingese, Clumber Spaniel, Mastiff, Neopolitan Mastiff and Basset Hound) failed their Vet Check and subsequently weren't allowed to go on to the Group Judging. Well done to the Kennel Club I say for sticking to their guns on this, I hope it's the start of things to come and that eventually they don't </span>discriminate<span style="font-size: 100%;"> only 15 breeds, but test them all.</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45907586@N03/6973568173/" title=""><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7039/6973568173_1ee4f3337c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC04037" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45907586@N03/6835388232/" title=""><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7059/6835388232_5c1dd09d3c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC04033" /></a></span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Trying to behave as I took way too many pictures and would be here all day posting. Will update with what I bought later too!</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span><br /></span></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802143218304636655.post-29733367015203615742012-03-01T16:24:00.004+00:002012-03-06T19:19:47.828+00:00Wussy Dog?<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size: 100%; ">My poor little boy George is a nervous dog. I know - how very un-Cavalier breed standard of him? He is healthy, been with us since a puppy and never been through a traumatic experience. But sometimes personality is all it takes and he's a little wuss. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size: 100%; ">With us he's no problem, and we visit my parents house a lot (they watch him while we're off in dog free places) so he's comfortable with them. But people he doesn't know he gives a cross between a bark and a mumble and flattens himself like he's ducking until they've been around him for at least 10 minutes then he's over it.</span><br /><br /><div style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45907586@N03/6959613479/" title="DSC03994 by Autaven, on Flickr" style="font-size: 100%; "><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6959613479_4c158aca15.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC03994" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><div style="text-align: center; "><span >(can you believe it?)</span></div></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size: 100%; ">Not that really it's all that bad. He stays out of people's ways and with other dogs (unless we're on the lead) he likes a good chase around. However a couple of months ago he started being a weirdo with agility equipment. More specifically - with his contacts. Which is a great shame as we've already entered him in his first show at the end of the month. He'll do them, 2 on 2 off perfectly, but boy does he not look happy about it. So we're practicing as much as we can with him at home to overcome this - with a plank balancing on a pole to make a very small sea saw. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size: 100%; ">After his first try he would go up to it and take a treat. The next time, he's put a paw on it. Now he's sitting on it. We're getting there slowly but surely. It just goes to show you that with some extra training and a little confidence building you can get there. In time for March 31st? Hmm, that's yet to be confirmed.</span><div style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-size: 100%; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45907586@N03/6959602077/" title="DSC04008 by Autaven, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6959602077_ecb5f0ab8c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC04008" /></a></span></div><span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-size: 100%;"></span></span><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></div><div><span>However as you can see all of the pups are in a slight huff with us at the moment. Why? Because we're off to Crufts tomorrow! I'm sure they'll forgive us when we bring them back lots of goodies. Nice big haul on the way!</span></div></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802143218304636655.post-44602511119549467392012-02-29T22:00:00.003+00:002012-02-29T22:23:57.783+00:00Pedigree Dogs Exposed 2Well with all the hype I should probably put in my 2cent, what with living with a Syringomyelia Cavalier and heading off to Crufts next week.<br /><br />For anyone who didn't see it, PDE2 was the follow-up to the documentary which gave the Kennel Club a kick up the backside. It highlighted the shocking old fashioned ways of the breeders in our country and how they breed without concern over a dogs health - purely for cosmetic purposes. It's still on BBC iPlayer if anyone wants to have a watch, though brace yourself as it's not for the soft hearted.<br /><br />It was a difficult watch overall. Not as bad as the first, but then it did repeat a lot. It made me - someone who has to live with only mild SM - feel awful so I don't know how it made breeders feel. What with the dogs screaming and hearing about poor pugs and having to listen to their obstructed breathing I was once again in sobs. <br />But of course, it was one sided. Maybe the Kennel Club were silly as they didn't chose to comment (however they did run an Q&A session on their website which I took part in, waiting back for tomorrow for the answers), as it left them a lot more vulnerable to critisim. And of course, there are good breeders out there. There are those who do their health tests and love their dogs completely who cannot be forgotten and tarred with the same brush.<br /><br />It mentioned a lot about how Cavaliers have no future. And if it isn't clear my feelings are mixed as I think it had to be shown to shock but at the same time upset me into thinking my beautiful breed might not be with us much longer. A world without Cavaliers? My life would be so different. It isn't even worth thinking about.<br /><br />All I keep thinking is that I don't do enough and that I want to do more to help the breed. So anyone out there who needs or wants help with raising awareness or the likes just let me know as I want to get more involved in this cause and do what I can to help.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802143218304636655.post-66186447240405122272012-02-15T21:26:00.004+00:002012-02-15T21:38:27.576+00:00in the meantime..Although I'm back in placement we've spent a good amount of time at home due to this little girl being spayed;<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45907586@N03/6882978933/" title="tumblr_lzc21oP8Yj1roelz4o1_500 by Autaven, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/6882978933_ab057c8550.jpg" width="299" height="500" alt="tumblr_lzc21oP8Yj1roelz4o1_500"></a></center><br /><br />Really the time has been spent trying to keep her from jumping all over the place as she's completely fine. She was back at the vets today for her follow-up and she has swollen muscles, the vets say due to her being so wiggly and active. So it's another 10 days of lead only exercise. Poor girl!<br /><br />In such happy new, today we booked our hotel for Crufts 2012! We were on the fence about going as we're so mega skint - but you only live once afteral. And I decided that Izzie and George have had a difficult couple of months and deserve to be spoilt. Only 22 days to go!Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802143218304636655.post-86575119054465067522012-01-23T10:30:00.002+00:002012-01-23T10:39:20.014+00:00Our start to the New Year really has been bumpy so far.<br />On the plus side, we added a small parrot named Binx to our family, she's a lovely little bird and full of so much personality - looking forward to training her lots of birdy tricks.<br /><br />But not good, and it makes me sick even typing it out, Izzie has Syringomyelia symptoms and they've progress over the last month very quickly. She's been to the vets who are 90% sure that it's SM, but are testing for other things currently just to rule them out - but she's been started on pain relief in the meantime while we get referred to a neurologist. She has her good and bad days, and we're starting on this very long confusing road which I'm sure will be full of even more ups and downs, but I'm very confident in our vet. But who knows, there's always that 10% chance it could be something else, even maybe.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45907586@N03/6745211789/" title=""><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6745211789_d371cda387.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC03806" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; ">[please ignore her horribly fitted harness, we lost her other one and had to make do. She was off lead in the country park anyway!]</span></div></center>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802143218304636655.post-44707975603303035442012-01-15T21:36:00.004+00:002012-01-15T21:51:06.128+00:00Barking Mad BoutiqueWell I finally done it - I opened an Etsy! It looks very plain and empty just now but I've made a lot of stock so I'm going to add it slowly rather than filling it up too soon. I may start a blog specifically for updates on it or I might just continue it in here. <div><br /></div><div>If you have a moment please take a look and let me know what you think, feedback is very much appreciated. Or let me know what type of accessories you yourself would use most, I've still to add bows and collars from my stock.</div><div><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BarkingMadBoutique"></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BarkingMadBoutique/" title="."><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6702445623_d6fabe5041.jpg" width="500" height="66" alt="Banner2" /></a></div></center>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802143218304636655.post-11696533955527515502012-01-01T13:43:00.003+00:002012-01-01T13:55:52.492+00:00New Year, New Dog!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>How neglectful can someone be to their blog? Ouch. I've been off of uni now for a week or so and I can say with honesty all I've done is lay on the couch with the dogs and ate. I'm okay with this though, as in a week I'll be back on placement and not have the chance to do much else.<div><br /></div><div>However, one thing did happen a couple of weeks ago - my Dad rehomed a new dog! His name is Dexter and he is a Cavalier/Cocker spaniel who we got from a family with young children who didn't have the time to spend on him. He's settled in quickly, though George (our only unneutered male) is a bit of a grump at the moment when we're visiting.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 350px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_U5MwScKdWk/TwBkf4iVvlI/AAAAAAAAALg/jK2fIGqTCY8/s400/DSC03554.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692660427911446098" /></div><div>There is definitely more Cocker than Cavalier in him.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope everyone had a lovely holiday season and a great New Year. 2012 will hopefully be a year of getting things done for me. Along with uni, I hope to start my online venture, research my family tree and start competing with George in agility. And maybe even spend a little bit more time around here too!</div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802143218304636655.post-86021078962856476622011-12-02T20:29:00.004+00:002011-12-02T20:37:10.388+00:00belated birthdayI'm such a bad mother.<br />Imagine not even posted when it was my baby girl's 3rd birthday, especially when we had presents and tasty treats! I guess that's what happens when you need to take a short break from the internet to get your crap sorted out. Enough about me though.<br />happy belated birthday to my gorgeous girl Izzie, who was 3 on the 11th of November. I know it's such a cliche to say, but I really cannot believe how fast the time has went past. Changed my life forever and I couldn't live a day without her beautiful face and cuddles.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45907586@N03/6443204217/" title="232323232%7Ffp73459)nu=93(8)939)242)WSNRCG=35;;97 459333nu0mrj by blogwife, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7142/6443204217_7cbf48e82f.jpg" alt="232323232%7Ffp73459)nu=93(8)939)242)WSNRCG=35;;97 459333nu0mrj" height="375" width="500" /></a></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802143218304636655.post-33082016125634284962011-11-01T20:48:00.006+00:002011-11-01T21:20:56.209+00:00happy November!<div style="text-align: left;">Last week I received a lovely parcel from <a href="http://embeecav.blogspot.com/">Embee</a>. It contained one of her very own handmade snoods (modelled below!) along with a folder which was put together by <a href="http://www.cavaliercanada.com/">The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Canada</a> in order to raise money for loads of great health initiatives. Everyone in our household loves them - Thanks so much Embee :)</div><div><br /><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h27QCiIzHZg/TrBdh0p00eI/AAAAAAAAAK4/GpvUbJK2d6M/s400/DSC03278.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 475px; height: 375px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670134766510592482" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>I added the horns for a little Halloween edge ;)</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rfcLKPLt4Ps/TrBdiCUh_QI/AAAAAAAAALI/MzSxZ3DPrFQ/s400/DSC03293.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 475px; height: 375px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670134770179374338" /></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802143218304636655.post-56386828058595805622011-10-12T00:01:00.000+01:002011-10-12T00:01:01.513+01:00happy birthday george<div style="text-align: left;">Last month we celebrated George's first birthday. I'm saying celebrate loosely as basically it was me putting party hats on my dog's heads and forcing them to sit for a picture. Cruel right?</div><div><br /><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yLqZQv1_iA0/TpS2ST-W9CI/AAAAAAAAAKg/Mtv2_LK0mYk/s400/DSC03242.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 450px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662351057227281442" /></div><br />Yeah I agree. But come on, totally worth it. I did take more, but I think I'll save both of their dignity.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802143218304636655.post-21518298787821147382011-09-13T14:35:00.004+01:002011-09-13T15:00:58.522+01:00watching the days go byCan you believe that after downloading both Photoshop and Picasa, I used paint to make my new header? It barely even took 10 minutes as well, just shows you should stick to what you know!<br /><br />So everyone's slowly been pulling ourselves out of the gutter after Trixie past and trying to get on with things. I've spent the last couple of weeks at home, with some nights in at friends, and catching up on TV series. I've been looking for a hobby, something (other than my agility, preferably something slightly cheaper and warmer in the winter months) which will keep me occupied on long days like this when I'm off of uni with nothing to do.<br />So I decided on Soap Making. I'm going to give it a bash and see if I could make some nice handmade Christmas presents, since as always we're pinching pennies this year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TokK6D4F1iU/Tm9gNSZIHzI/AAAAAAAAAKA/u7tEIwMNix0/s1600/DSC03207.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 516px; height: 386px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TokK6D4F1iU/Tm9gNSZIHzI/AAAAAAAAAKA/u7tEIwMNix0/s400/DSC03207.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651841838765055794" border="0" /></a><br />I also purchased a 120 palette from eBay. I have never been a big colour person with makeup, usually it's neutrals or a black/brown smokey eye. But this palette is just so inspiring. It's occupied me for days just trying out different colours and seeing what suits me. I'm hoping to build my confidence just a bit to be able to go out in some colours. Not to mention for only £10, it was seriously good value for money. Although the shades are seriously soft (I'm a bit frightened of pressing too hard in case I break them), they are totally pigmented.<br />My Mum also got me this cute little nail art set. I've never been one for sparkly things on my nails, but then again up until last year I wasn't one for nail polish at all, so I'm not knocking it until I've tried it.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802143218304636655.post-77903155525277402022011-09-03T20:35:00.002+01:002011-09-03T20:52:55.145+01:00I've been on hiatus for a while, but for a reason. Sadly on Wednesday, Aug 31st, we had to say our final goodbye to our family's first dog, 15 year old Yorkshire terrier Trixie. Her eyesight, hearing and body in general was failing her, and as much strength and pain it took us to carry her to the vets, it was her time to go.
<br />She fell asleep in our arms and we held her when she left her tiny body behind. My Mum left the room at this point and I was left alone with the vet to give her one last kiss and take her collar as a keepsake.
<br />We're all still in a state of shock, especially Gizmo who hasn't known a life without her. My Mum says never again will she put herself through this hurt. I remind myself that 15 years of her life was worth that one day, and all this pain. Trixie was worth all of it.
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45907586@N03/5853369247/" title="26186_10150163883650442_732815441_11765844_5304571_n(1) by blogwife, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2588/5853369247_6ef2e73c63.jpg" alt="26186_10150163883650442_732815441_11765844_5304571_n(1)" width="500" height="375" /></a>
<br />Rest in peace Trixie.
<br />1997-2011<span style="font-size:85%;">
<br />I hope you're having a lovely time at Rainbow Bridge with Zara, until we see you again.</span>
<br /></center>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802143218304636655.post-76734684567873523622011-08-16T21:35:00.003+01:002011-08-16T21:55:15.263+01:00sore pawThe first night of training after Izzie's show did not end well. She clipped a pole near the end of the class (though didn't drop it) and managed to crack her nail. She didn't cry, and it only bled for a little bit but I cleaned it when we got home just incase.
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<br />The morning after I had a proper look at it and realised it was cracked at the quick, so it was off to the vets. They agreed that something had to be done, as if it was left to grow it would be infected easier. They gave the option for surgery, or pulling the whole nail out then and there. Although it was going to be sorer, I opted for doing it then and there as the idea of surgery made me sick. She was taken into the back and I was warned I would hear her squeal - so off I went with her lead into the waiting room in tears. I felt so guilty.
<br />
<br />However she was extremely brave, our vets said she only cried a little bit and that she was a very tough little Cavalier (as when his cavalier had the same procedure done, he acted like he was having his leg sawn off). He didn't dress it at all, which I agreed with. However whenever she goes outside I thought best to cover it, and then undress it again when inside. Paranoid mother I am.
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45907586@N03/6050329085/" title="sorepaw by blogwife, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6090/6050329085_e8bf06ab9f.jpg" alt="sorepaw" width="375" height="500" /></a></center>
<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802143218304636655.post-12062956772876941382011-08-11T22:48:00.002+01:002011-08-11T22:52:05.302+01:00Kingdom of Fife showOur first show back turned out to be very much worth the 1 and 1/2 hour drive, the camping in so much rain we thought we would drown and the BBQ which nearly burnt down our tent.
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<br />We got a lovely start to the morning when I texted in the radio at 6am and we got a mention! First time Liam and me had been on the radio so it brought for lots of smiles. When we got there the weather was lovely and the show was on an old airport runway, so was thankfully flat ground to camp on. Liam pitched tent while I done my runs, and we tried out our disposible BBQ and although it caused for lots of flames and smoke, the grubb was lovely.
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<br />At night however, the rain came. And boy did it pour. It lasted all night and we were lucky that in the morning all 4 of us were dry. Sadly when it's raining Izzie turns into a little princess and refuses to run, so after 1 attempt we packed up our stuff and left.
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<br />However! The show turned out to be well worth it as Izzie and me walked away with two 1sts and a 2nd! As one of the 1sts was her 3rd clear jumping 1sts, we have been promoted to Grade 2, so so proud :)
<br /><span style="font-size:78%;">
<br /></span><center><span style="font-size:78%;">Here is her agility run, it was a combined graded 1-4 and she was 2nd, she done so well.</span>
<br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SPHKMGXsjv4" allowfullscreen="" width="560" frameborder="0" height="349"></iframe></center>
<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802143218304636655.post-24712656307876084522011-08-05T19:53:00.004+01:002011-08-05T20:26:50.702+01:00holiday timeWith my 1st year of university over (well..minus 1 assignment due in at the end of the month), it is such a huge sigh of relief. I have 7 weeks off now to reminisce on all the amazing ups and downs which it has brought, and the amazing people it's brought into my life. I'm so happy to have these experiences and I'm honestly sad it won't last forever.<br /><br />Hopefully in my time off I'll be spending lots of days at home with my man and the pups. I feel as if I've been disconnected from them for so long and can't wait to be able to spend time doing nothing together.<br /><br />This starts tomorrow as we're off to an agility show in St.Andrews. Izzie hasn't been to training in a couple of months so I think it will be amusing to say the least. We'll be camping but apparently it's to be heavy rain so I'm imagining it'll be lots of reading in the car and the tent. Wish us luck!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45907586@N03/6012003049/" title="portabella beach by blogwife, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6143/6012003049_6069dd3606.jpg" alt="portabella beach" height="375" width="500" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">[Izzie and me are Portabella beach, Edinburgh)</span></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802143218304636655.post-70120185126640818332011-07-27T15:57:00.000+01:002011-07-27T15:58:24.188+01:00Wordless Wednesday<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45907586@N03/5981629254/" title="sunnydays by blogwife, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6148/5981629254_4d4b76c1a1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="sunnydays"></a></center>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802143218304636655.post-54308276751859141672011-07-06T16:27:00.004+01:002011-07-06T16:38:00.595+01:00Wordless Wednesday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FK4lOhLmeTs/ThSAaEzN8WI/AAAAAAAAAJM/S3lgupjYx2w/s1600/DSC02934.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 514px; height: 384px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FK4lOhLmeTs/ThSAaEzN8WI/AAAAAAAAAJM/S3lgupjYx2w/s400/DSC02934.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626263019946111330" border="0" /></a>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802143218304636655.post-30578364168261176782011-06-20T19:02:00.006+01:002011-06-20T20:12:54.615+01:00Is two enough?My Mum says that when our family dogs grow old, and their time with us comes to an end, she doesn't want anymore. She loves them both very much. But they're<span style="font-weight: bold;"> <span style="font-style: italic;">too</span></span>. Too noisy, too needy, too yappy, too smelly, too hairy.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVMT3EsUBpo/Tf-Z9hORunI/AAAAAAAAAI0/NjpxHvBcuNw/s1600/26186_10150163883650442_732815441_11765844_5304571_n%25281%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 550px; height: 412px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVMT3EsUBpo/Tf-Z9hORunI/AAAAAAAAAI0/NjpxHvBcuNw/s400/26186_10150163883650442_732815441_11765844_5304571_n%25281%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620380142150990450" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Trixie</span></div><br />My Dad and me laugh each time, laugh because we know she would love any dog who came to live with them. Laugh because we couldn't imagine the house without them. Laugh because we're scared she's being honest.<br /><br />Dogs and all of the things that come with them having become one of the main focal points in my life without me realising it. There when my parent's split up, there when I started high school and finished, there when I left home for the first time. I studied them in college for two years. My baby girl taught me to how to look after someone other than myself, about how the little things are most important. She boosted my confidence, she introduced me to new friends and a new world of people in Agility. She makes me smile with only a thought or a look every single day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JqHiMpSAW1M/Tf-aTV2a9oI/AAAAAAAAAI8/giPnS8iMdL0/s1600/DSC02780.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 552px; height: 414px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JqHiMpSAW1M/Tf-aTV2a9oI/AAAAAAAAAI8/giPnS8iMdL0/s400/DSC02780.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620380517055264386" border="0" /></a><br />My little man showed me that everyone is different. That while things might start off difficult (or cheeky), that in the long run they'll be so worth it. He knows you don't need perfect hair to be cute, and that greeting people with a bark just means you wanna say hey.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uz-tdforsss/Tf-apN4saaI/AAAAAAAAAJE/e4C37eMGNP8/s1600/DSC02878.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 556px; height: 416px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uz-tdforsss/Tf-apN4saaI/AAAAAAAAAJE/e4C37eMGNP8/s400/DSC02878.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620380892874434978" border="0" /></a><br />A house without a dog isn't a home. A walk without a dog is pointless. A plate that hasn't been licked isn't clean. And a life without a dog isn't worth living.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802143218304636655.post-39104355197177847962011-06-04T10:25:00.004+01:002011-06-04T10:35:37.686+01:00flitting!Liam and me - after months of humming and hawing - have finally put down a deposit on a rental flat and we're moving in next week. A little sceptical on how the dogs are going to be, bathroom break wise, but I'm not worried. When we walk them we drive to parks rather than walking so it won't be a huge change. Either way, I'm excited about us having our own place and starting to fill it with our own things.<br /><br />I've been putting off doing uni work since I went on my community placement, this whole working 9-5 Mon-Fri thing really doesn't do it for me. I'm definetly a shift person. I'm excited about going into the wards from next week and really getting back to normal, not to mention start some due very soon work.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45907586@N03/5796204058/" title="Jump by blogwife, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3481/5796204058_1e412eea08.jpg" width="500" height="348" alt="Jump"></a></center><br /><br />I've been trying to get Liam to take photos of Izzie and me at training as I don't have any good jumping pictures of her. A little blurry, but oh how cute.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802143218304636655.post-84218039809733601212011-05-28T19:01:00.002+01:002011-05-28T19:12:49.374+01:00I'm one of 'those' people<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45907586@N03/5768470951/" title="OMGG by blogwife, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2767/5768470951_8a40b2e8d4.jpg" alt="OMGG" height="411" width="429" /></a></center><br /><br />At my first ever Crufts (2009) I picked up some bows for my Mum's Yorkshire terrier Trixie, thinking it would be classic novelty value for a couple of minutes. Sadly they gathered dust until last week when I found them and put them on an unsuspecting little Izzie. She was less than content but doesn't she look beautiful! Best photo I could get, I swear she wasn't as moody as she looks.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802143218304636655.post-403977467932938692011-04-27T22:55:00.001+01:002011-04-27T23:00:09.333+01:00Wordless Wednesday<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45907586@N03/5662127189/" title="soul by blogwife, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5066/5662127189_7190280ca5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="soul"></a></center>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04402578694480743656noreply@blogger.com4