Caper has a new bed--well two --no expense spared! He likes his banana boxes and has some toys in one and has taken a couple of toys into the one he likes to sleep in. He has modified the edges a bit but they are nice and draught proof.

Another wet soggy weekend and it is really cold too-looking forward to the woodburner being fitted maybe before Christmas!

Well done to a Cliche/Csara daughter-Belsharose Oklahoma (Yana)- on her BPIS at Lichfield, and BP BOB Gp2 at West Torrington this weekend.

Congratulations to Kate with Megan, Bonvivant Wish Me Luck, for passing the Bronze Good Citizens test tonight. Megan is by Bonvivant Kronik x Bonvivant Habibi.

Sadly I lost my two old this weekend-they must have been about 8yrs old which is old for Guinea Pigs.

Caper is 6 weeks old now and a cheeky chap. He insisted on trotting through some stinging nettles and then held his paw up to say how much it hurt. Celine is very tolerant but he is starting to play a bit rougher now and she does put him in his place.

Yesterday was the meeting to discuss Inter Variety mating between Groenendael and Tervueren. It was held at the new KC building at Stoneleigh with Jeff Sampson.

Cross registration(Groenendael in Tervueren litters/Tervueren in Groenoendael litters) has now been allowed indefinitely.

A Breeders Commission will be formed with three candidates from each of the three clubs (BSDA,NBSDC and WBSDS) which will assess each individual claim for IV matings and then submit them to the KC. A letter will be printed in the dog papers shortly inviting anyone who wishes to be put forward to stand on this committee to submit a CV, detailing their interest and knowledge of the breed, to one of the breed clubs for consideration.

Wet, windy and blustery this week but Yaz and Chic enjoyed a game of tug with an old strap they found in the garden. They spent ages racing around.

The chickens nearly got blown away and have decided it is just too miserable to lay any eggs.

Training went really well with Cello and Cruz and I must get some competitions organised for next year.

Christmas party the first week in December and we are having a competition drawing each others dogs name and then have to do some basic exercises. I don't think many people want to draw Cellos' name out of the hat--can't think why not :)) he gets a bit enthusiastic about the treats and does the Mali snap which sounds far worse than it is (as long as they don't use liver cake Lol!)

Caper is growing so fast now and he will start his training in the New Year. I am really looking forward to training him as he is so like his dad Zippy. Weaning him may pose a bit of a problem as Celine shows no sign of discouraging him and he eats his dinners as well as having the milk bar. He is into everything now and likes watching daytime TV crashed out on a duvet. I found him lying on top of Celine today chewing her ears and she is too tolerant really.

News from Belgium that Chiraze should be mated this week to Strike, so maybe she will be home soon.

STOP PRESS!!!!!!!!!!

Deepha got her last 2 points at Open Shows today and has now gained her Show Certificate of Merit--the first Malinois to do so--I think Ann is making a habit of firsts this year !!!!! Congratulations Ann I'm so proud of you both !!

Saturday was the first day of Discover Dogs at Earls Court in London. I took Cruz,Brizo and Psyche along and met up with Karin and Iris and Martin. Karin had made a fabulous display board of Indi and Lowland Search Dog information. Karin took Indi and Yukon and they were brilliant, real ambassadors for the breed, meeting the general public, along with Cruz who would get a good job at Asda as a meet and greet employee. Martin took Antar and Zinka and were joined, periodically, by Brizo who was working the crowd and booth hopping along with Psyche. Cruz was especially good as he got almost sat on by a very enthusiastic young Guide Dog, and a terrier whose owner had no idea what her dog was doing at the end of a flexi lead. Children were duly washed and hugged and we had a lot of comments from people at how they always get a good welcome from the Belgians.

Caroline was there with Otto, Bonvivant Hazur, and was the only Belgian running in the Starters Agility Finals that day. He was just pipped to 2nd in the Jumping by a Kelpie, and was 4th in the Agility and overall 4th. Well Done Caroline, I know you were very nervous but you did us proud.

The booths all looked lovely, adorned with Belgian flags and beautiful photos and lovely Belgians of all four varieties.

What a tiring day, I don't know how people do both days or maybe I'm getting old. Thankfully I travelled with Jacqui and Sue, but it took us hours to get out of London. I have done"not a lot" today and the dogs were really tired too.

David, Candice, Grace and Alex volunteered to do Sunday and I can't wait to see the pics as they had leaflets, stickers and t-shirts made especially and were taking Kiah, Rusty and Tia.

Thankyou to all of you for volunteering, it is nice to see such enthusiasm and pride in your dogs, and putting something back into the breed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9jzT1rA440

video of Bonvivant Yvre in Estonia having a whale of a time in the shower.

I have been offline for a while but found lots to keep me busy!

Caper is now 5 weeks old and has had his first explore outside today. He is a very good puppy but has learnt how to get out of his playpen and is usually found asleep on a vetbed near Celine or eating (his favourite pastime). He is good during the night but then Celine opens the gate for him and he climbs up the duvet to wake me up. The photos start at 4 weeks where he was making himself comfy on the settee and watching a bit of TV (shades of his Great Grandma Cachet), He hasn't a spare bit of skin due to the full cream milk diet Celine is giving him. She plays nicely with him and he is quite the timewaster when he is pouncing on her tail or hanging off her ears. He is learning to come when called and does a little sit too--he is already enrolled on his first puppy course along with Cello and Cruz. Zippy loved obedience when he was a youngster so hopefully he will follow in his pawprints. He has had his collar on already and, although it makes him walk like a crab at times, he isn't too bad about it.He is definitely a character and, hopefully, will be of real use to the breed too when he grows up. I have started his little black book already :)) .