From Ayla

and of course the rest of us here at Abbeyton, we would like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who left comments, emailed and telephoned to see how Ayla was doing. I am absolutely delighted to say that she is almost 100% her old self. Another few visits to the vet to make in the next few weeks but she now goes in with her tail wagging and takes everything that comes her way with a lick for all.

We don't seem to be any closer to finding out what exactly has caused this hicup in Ayla's health, maybe we never will. But for sure you will all see her soon. Probably Crufts in March.

Licks and wags from AYLA

Ayla on Thursday

Went to the vet on Wednesday afternoon and they couldn't believe it was the same dog walking in the door, she had her tail up ran to meet everyone making sure she didn't miss giving anyone a kiss. She got her injections and didn't make a sound. Her temperature is still at normal and she now has some new food to try. Getting a dog to eat when it doesn't want to takes quite a bit of manipulation, so she got her new biscuits soaked in chicken stock and some chicken put in with it and though she ate a wee bit it wasn't as much as I would have liked. But hey every wee bit is a bit more than last time. Can't believe that on Monday / Tuesday both the vet and myself thought we were going to loose her, absolutely amazing how resilient dogs can be. Vet is at the other end of the phone anytime we need her but watching Ayla this morning I think we will get to her allotted appointment next week for her third and final hormone injection and the first of vitamin b injections she is to have to help her body absorb the protein's from her food rather than whatever is draining it away. Ayla is sleeping in our bedroom and loving every minute of it. The others have taken the hump about this but I'm sure they will get over it. Just so good to see Ayla with a her spark back.

And so it continues

After getting home from the show on Saturday all the dogs were quite happy to tuck into there dinners, that is all but Ayla who has been a wee bit picky lately about if she would or wouldn't eat. Unusually for Ayla she wasn't interested in playing with her toy with Jim which is her usual routine, she just snuggled in beside him and went to sleep. I had been putting her lack of appetite etc down to recently having had her first season, but on Sunday she wasn't much better to the point where she was actually looking depressed and wouldn't leave her bed and again refused to eat anything. Monday morning when she refused to even drink water we were straight to the vet where both the vet and I agreed that as she had a raised temperature, was dehydrated and tender about her abdomen there was a chance of her having a pyometra (womb infection). She has stayed with the vet and been put on a drip for fluids, antibiotics for her temperature and has had an ultra sound scan to look for signs of pyo. As she was possibly going to have an operation the vet done the normal pre op blood tests to check that all was ok with Ayla before operating. And aren't we glad she did, as Ayla's blood had low proteins this meant that if she had been operated on she would not have been able to stop bleeding and therefore would not have survived the operation. The vet has sent bloods to Glasgow vet school for a 2nd opinion as some of the other results were not what she would normally expect. Ayla stayed in the vets on Monday night on a drip she was given a hormone injection and antibioticsto treat the suspected pyo, she was also given something similar to zantax and vitamin b to help her digestion as some of the blood results indicate problems in that area as well.

Ayla came home late Tuesday evening and ate a huge dish of chicken and even asked for more, she picked up her toy and lay with it in her paws and she even picked her tail up off the floor and wagged it at us. She's not keen on being with the other dogs at the moment but when I'm in the kitchen she goes in to a bed with her mum Flame and cuddles in to her. She is off to the vet today at 2.30pm for a 2nd hormone injection and antibiotics. I'll update as we find anything out.

Highs and Lows

We went to the Scottish Papillon clubs open show on Saturday the 28th and the day seemed to be the start of things not going so good. Firstly the car wouldn't start so arrived at the show an hour or so late. Jim who was coming with me with all the dogs had to back out as he was needed to do the judges marking at a pigeon show. So off I went with a car full of excited and some nauseous pups for the hour and a half's drive. Took the big pen with me and I'm glad I did as it gave all the dogs a chance to stretch there legs and see what was going on round about them.

First in the ring was Indy who went unplaced in open dog, little Grace was up next in Minor Puppy Bitch and came a very respectable third on her first outing at a show. Daisy was entered in Puppy bitch but I decided not to take her in as she is not carrying her tail just now and that just makes it more difficult. Ayla was next in the Junior class and though she came second she was missing her usual bounce and sparkle. My star of the day was Flame who was placed second in open bitch, in the past if Flame didn't want to show you had no chance of changing her mind, but today she showed her socks off just seemed to be so happy to be there. Jessica, Jenni and Jack had a wee wander round the venue and stopped for cuddles from some of the other exhibitors, would have had them out walking round a bit more but some of the Papillons there today were a little bit noisy and some even a bit nippy and I was not willing to risk the pups first experience to some grouchy dogs.

Jack will be going to live with his new mum Alison from Friday and we will miss him buzzing around with everyone else and then sneaking in under everyone else for a cuddle. A new and exciting time for Jack.

Time marches on

Doesn't time pass quickly. All the pups have been registered at the Kennel Club and growing up nicely. Here are some snapshots to introduce them to you.

Abbeyton Spirit of the Wind (Jack)

tri colour Phalene dog .

Abbeyton Spirit of the Sun (Jenni)

red sable & white Phalene bitch

Abbeyton Spirit of the Moon (Jessica)

black and white Papillon bitch

We're still here

LOL!!!!!

Bet you all thought I had deserted??? To be truthful I didn't realise just how much work it would be having a house full of youngsters.

Daisy is 8 months and an absolute heart breaker, her nature is fantastic, so soft and amiable. I suppose just like the rest of them really.

Grace is 5 months and belongs to Debra who was unable to take her home to France (long story all to do with a stupid port official) so she is staying with me meantime. She started her ringcraft training on Monday and took an instant liking to all dogs HUGE, mastiffs, retrievers and dobermans to name a few that she made friends with.

On Tuesday evening Jessica and Jenni joined Grace at the class for a wee while, they sat in there crate watching everyone going about there business and took it all in there stride. Everyone next week will start getting out and about on there collar and leads and see how they go.

Jack will stay with us and will go to training while we wait for his new home to come up. Such a shame about the markings on his face as he is such an outgoing and very confident pup. Hopefully he won't have to wait to long for his new family to come along.

I'll post some photos when I get my computer and camera to start talking to each other again.

A most enjoyable day

was spent stewarding at the Maltese Club of Scotland's open show in Gretna, right opposite the old Blacksmiths where I married my husband Jim 25 years ago.

Some pictures from the day, courtesy of Brian and Carol Lees of Lafford Toydogs

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