Merlin's Magicians April 2011 Newsletter
April Newsletter – Ferryside
Hello again, those of you that read my monthly ramblings will know that I tend to start putting pen to paper (or should that be fingers to keyboard?) early in the month, adding as and when the urge hits or anything interesting occurs to me.
We are due to do our first display of the season in a couple of day’s time and I really am apprehensive. We haven’t been able to get together and practice at all so I have had to just print off copies of ‘the plan’ and am hoping that everyone will be able to follow it well enough not to make utter fools of ourselves. The ‘starter’ dogs are, all (eight of them) completely new to public appearances and with Thistle who is one of them likely to do a couple of laps of the arena instead of bringing the ball back – bless, this could be a comedy of errors. It isn’t that she can’t do Flyball, on occasions she is brilliant, but............ quite often she is just soooooo delighted to get the ball from the box that she takes off like she’s tripping on magic mushrooms!!
I have Mike’s trailer (larger than mine). Sarah is here tomorrow, bringing the tunnel after they have finished using it for Agility, we will get the equipment loaded and the trailer hitched in readiness for Sunday.
Result: Well the towing was fine but I didn’t have to do any ‘proper’ manoeuvring, just kept going forwards so, that was alright. The first display we gave was, to put it mildly, a bit of a shambles, but in fairness to the dogs and us, the ring was way too small and people and dogs were pressed up against a single tape barrier. The ‘Starter’ dogs had a great time, Thomas deciding that he much preferred the children playing footie almost out of sight, he has incredible eyesight! Pepper was a star, not a paw wrong, Thistle managed a few runs and did actually stay in the ring (for which I was grateful) Billie, Roxy, George and Deeze are future stars. Dixie was just soooo.. excited that she forgot completely what was what, but she enjoyed herself, Micky, love him was a bit nonplussed, this was only the fourth time he’d seen a Flyball run, (been to only three training sessions) Gemma ran over the jumps with him good job she’s young and fit. Can’t say the teams were all that better first time around, least said soonest mended here.
However, things could only get better and they did, the afternoons appearance wasn’t half so bad. Here I will say that with the people and dogs being so close my Annie was almost useless at the FlyAgility, she thought she was there to socialise!
Journey home was as uneventful as the journey there, despite being somewhat tired, I had to disconnect the trailer, unload and put it into the garage, failed on the latter I’m afraid, without Sarah to help push it defeated me so, is parked up outside for now.
Anglesey next weekend, hope the sun shines the way it did for Margam Park. Watch this space.............
Didn’t win anything but we not only had fun we were a good laugh for the onlookers!
Thistle is just the most embarrassing dog ever, didn’t do too badly in the Starters but, oh dear, the Multibreed! Just the warm ups, bear in mind you only get two minutes, we decided to give her a run up, up she went, got the ball then she took off, literally off, out of the ring with William and myself in hot pursuit, I knew I didn’t stand a chance so left poor William to catch her, grabbed Rusty from the van and raced back with him as replacement. I think Thistle had decided as I hadn’t walked her in the morning, she would walk herself, William ended up rugby tackling her two fields away, ball still in her mouth!! We did give her another couple of runs, with people strategically placed to ‘field’ her. In division all the dogs except Annie, Rusty and Pip were first timers who did excellently. Pip was a little Madam. Completely blew it for the Spellmakers, but boy....did she enjoy herself, up and down, in and out! Competing with Ishka as to who could be naughtiest. (Ishka just wasn’t in the mood – Diva!!) Back to the drawing board Miss, Starters next month, with netting! The Starters came fourth, they were against some really good teams, the only thing they failed on was speed, they were good and reliable. Proud of them.
As most of you know I am having a BIG problem with my hip, am waiting for an OPD appt. At Glangwilli hospital (don’t hold your breath anyone, the wait has now exceeded 7 months!!!) and fully expect to be on the list for a hip replacement. It isn’t getting better folks; it is worse, frequently I am finding even walking difficult so you’ll have to bear with me for a while. I am not going to be able to haul equipment around will be asking for help as and when, if someone will take over just temporarily, I will still be able to manage most other things. More bad news Sarah, our rock, due to change of circumstances, is not going to be able to attend all the tournaments. Must admit with the increasing cost of fuel etc I am also going to find it difficult so, with this in mind I am wondering if we should give the June – Leverhulme – a miss. Must ask all right now as entries will be due in next week!!
June
Ceredigion – Beulah
Where has April gone? I’m sure it was only a couple of days ago I composed the March newsletter!!!
We have a new pair coming to training – gets a bit confusing as the gent is another Derek and the dog is Beau! My Bo gets confused when he is not practising and I call Beau!
We have had some poorly people - Sue with little Meg has been suffering with tooth problems , I think she is working her way through every anitibiotic known to man. My operation went very well, thank you everyone for your good wishes. The only downside was I had a spinal block, texted my friend when I got back to the ward to say that and got one back from her saying “hope you don’t wet yourself!”...... thanks Jo – I spent the next 4 hours until feeling started to return wondering and not daring to check! Oh – and the other downside is that I have to have the wound repacked and dressed every day, so the number of people who have been getting up close and personal with my left cheek has been growing! Should have had a smiley face tattooed on it!
Anglesey – well! Some did well, some (hmm Jedley Pedley) decided they were going to be perfect in practise and then refuse point blank to play in the actual competition – sorry everyone! Bo announced that actually he had brought his brain with him and would run but as he had not been declared he could not. The usual stars did their stuff perfectly – Trumps, Sadie and Alfie. Ishka did well in starters then decided Multibreed was a bit overwhelming for such a fragile little girlie.
On the Monday morning Sheryl and Del went off to flyball leaving Pete to pack up their caravan. He kindly said he would dogsit at the same time while I went to get the dressing done, poor Pete! Rang him when I came out of the hospital to hear China had got out but been rounded up. By the time I got back to the caravan the water container was barricading the steps as Madame can open the caravan door, and she, Bo and little “I’m with my Big Bruv and Sis so can be brave” Reggie had broken through the fence and been gallivanting round the campsite! Pete managed to grab China and get her back over the fence, Bo was miles away but came back when called, then Pete and a lady from one of the tents had to try to round up Reggie without scaring him! Sorry Pete! I have to put a chain round the freezer drawers at home, think might have to do the same to the caravan to stop her from getting out!
Georgina
Flea Hater's Dog Biscuits
Brewers yeast is a natural anti-flea remedy.
Makes about 5 dozen bone biscuits
1 cup flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup brewer’s yeast (available at health-food stores)
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons canola oil
1 clove garlic, chopped medium
1/2 cup chicken stock plus 3 tablespoons for basting
1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Mix flour, wheat germ, brewer’s yeast, and salt together in a medium bowl. In a mixing bowl, combine oil and garlic. Alternately add 1/2 cup chicken stock and flour mixture in 3 parts; mix until well combined. Knead about 2 minutes by hand on floured surface; dough will be sticky.
2. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out about 3/8 inch thick. Cut out bone shapes; place on prepared baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes, rotate baking sheet, and baste with remaining 3 tablespoons chicken stock. Bake 10 minutes longer. Turn off oven, leaving oven door closed. Leave pan in oven for 1 1/2 hours longer