April '08
My first news is not great, unfortunately 'Kai' my G.S.D. has not been too well.  He has had an ear problem for the past six months which had been being treated with some success.  But got up one morning to find him bleeding from the ear, panicking as you do I rushed him to the vets where he was found to have a tumour in there.  He was then refferred to a specialist in Whichester to have a total ear canal ablation operation.  The tumour was found to be deep in his middle ear cavity so couldn't be removed completely and biopsy results showed a malignant carcinoma.   He was then referred to Bridgewater to a vet oncologist for possible Chemo who decided to again refer Kai to Essex for radiotherapy.  We are now on week 3 of 4 radiotherapy sessions and seem to be doing well.  Kai has been an absolute star throughout, always behaving well when he is being treated by the vets.  He will be having another C.T scan in a couple of months to see how things are doing - fingers crossed all will be well.

Elsa has had her first season so has been unable to join in with her first water rescue training with Wiltshire Wet Leos which she will love.  It's hard to believe she is now a grown up girl bless her she still acts so puppyish.

Grooming is very, very busy as the weather begins to warm up everyone thinks about having their dogs groomed for summer.  I am now booked until the end of July.  so a warning to everyone to please book early to avoid dissapointment this time of year!!

June 08'
Kai has now finished his radiotherapy treatment for his ear tumour which he coped with very well considering.  He will be having a C.T. scan the end of July which will hopefully be good news.  He is though looking very old now and his legs are rather wobbly but he does his best to keep up with Elsa and still enjoys life at his own pace.

Elsa has been doing very well with her water rescue training and thoroughly enjoys it.  She will have her first 'A' test later in the year which she should pass O.K.  To see what fun we have had check out the Wilshire Wet Leo's website on http://www.leonius.net/wwwl%20-%20home%20pagehtm 
She will be going in to be spayed the beginning of July, poor girl, but it's for the best.  I am looking into finding Elsa (and of course Kai) another Leo friend in the near future, this time a male which is very exciting.

Grooming is now booked up until October so very, very busy, I just wish I could physically do all the dogs who try to book, but I would be working 24/7!!  I also don't like to overbook so that dogs do get the individual attention that they deserve.  December is also beginning to get well booked so anyone who wants their dogs to have a pre-Christmas 'spruce-up' needs to book within the next month to avoid dissapointment.  Scary thought mentioning Christmas in June!!

August 08'

Well there has been great news about kai - he had his 'finish of radiotherapy' C.T. scan and he has been given the all clear.  At least I now know that he didn't go through all the treatment and surgery for nothing  the most fantastic news I could have.  

Elsa has been continuing her water rescue training and is doing very well, we still have a long way to go, her retrieving needs work, but just having fun.  She will have her A test probably next month which she should hopefully pass depending on how she feels on the day.  If she doesn't - there is always next year!!  Elsa has now been spayed which she recovered from in record time (she thought she was fine the next day). 
Myself and the dogs had a day on the beach which both Kai and Elsa absolutely loved despite rather rubbish weather.

Work is still manic, booked untill middle of November,  with only a few spaces left in December, so busy as ever.   

October o8'

Well another busy month gone by.  

Kai has had a few hiccups with his health again, but, touch wood, we seem to have things under control again thank goodness.  He has become extremely wobbly on his back legs but still enjoys short strolls through the woods daily.

Elsa passed her 'A' water rescue test on the 4th October , the weather was awful, very cold and windy but she done me proud - what a good girl.  To see photos from our test day please visit the website (address above, under Aprils' news) to see just how crazy we all are!!  We have just one more session before we break up until next April 09', it will seem very strange not going after the last six months - but we won't be being idle, Elsa and I will start carting lessons once a month where Elsa will hopefully learn to pull a cart.  I'm sure she will enjoy this activity especially the socialising with other leos.  I will post some pictures of this when we get started.

I am hoping that a new Leo will be joining us very shortly - so exciting -will update as soon as I know with lots of pictures & of course his name.

Work is as ever chaotic, I'm now booked for the rest of the year, but keep having to slot in extras so busier than ever.  If you need a grooming appointment I am taking names for cancellations if they come up.

February 09'

Sorry there hasn't been any updates for a long time, but I've had rather an awful couple of months.
 
On the 29th November on our walk Kai collapsed.  He managed to walk slowly back to the van where I rushed him straight to the vets.  I stayed with him while they ran tests. Unfortunately these found that he had a tumour on his heart which had suddenly ruptured, so he was bleeding heavily, it was the hardest decision ever but I had to let him go peacefully.  It has taken this long to be able to write this down.  I still cannot believe he has gone and think of him constantly.   He was my best, most loyal friend and I will never ever forget him. I am just grateful that he enjoyed life to the end and that the end although a great shock was not prolonged.  I will always love you Kai.


Elsa had a rather hard time after loosing Kai, but with the help of Wellington (our new Leo) who was really too young to be affected much, she is now back to her usual bouncy self.

Wellington is growing well and at nearly six months weighs in at 36kg.  He is at the tall lanky stage.  He's developing a lovely deep red coat and large head. 

Both the dogs are loving the snow we're getting at the moment and new photo's of them enjoying it have been added.  We have now started going to a Leonberger only agility training group, Elsa absolutely loves this and has great fun being in the same group as her brother McGregor.  They are both so bouncy, enthusiastic dogs.  Wellington is in the puppy class but is so laid back, he's hard to get motivated to do much at the moment.  He's decided he likes the tunnel, but lays down in it rather than running through, bless him!!!  To see what we're getting up to take a look at the website ;- www.leoagility.co.uk

Grooming is continueing to be very busy. 

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I thank my regular customers for their much appreciated support since loosing Kai, it has been so hard not having him with me - you've all been so kind, at least as owners of much adored dogs you understand just how difficult it has been. 

April 09'

Not much too update this time, as usual work is very busy what with dogs in need of spring haircuts.  Dogs tend to come in extra hairy this time of year after needing the warmth of their winter coats so need extra time for grooming. 

Elsa & Wellington are doing well, Elsa is still enjoying her agility & we've had our first 'Wet Leo's' water training of the season.  After a six month break, Elsa was super excited and although all handlers were very cold the dog's were very enthusiastic. 
Wellington had his first ever water training session and done very well, he'd been practising his swimming at any oppotunity ready for this.  He managed to pull me back to shore which on a first session is really pleasing.  He was a little scared of the boat to start with but with lots of encouragement he soon got used to it.  Compared to Elsa, Wellington is a not so brave with new activities, but I am sure that once he knows what to expect he will love it. 
 
Wellington is growing fast as you can see from the picture, he's looking quite grown up now.  He's suddenly grown tall and is now slightly taller than Elsa.  His weight is now 49kg at nearly eight months.   

JULY 09'

Sorry no updates been very, very busy both work and at home. 

Elsa & Wellington are both doing well at their water training, Wellington should hopefully pass his 'A' test this year & possibly 'B' as well.  Elsa has some work to go but all being well should get through her 'B' test.  It really doesn't matter though whether they pass tests or not - I just love being able to work with my dogs in an activity that they love so much.  Agility has been postponed for the summer because it was just too hot for heavy coated dogs and they were struggling, we re-start this at the end of October.  I am also hoping to start them both carting from September which is quite exciting. 

Wellington is now a big boy weighing in at 61kg at eleven months.  I am a little bit worried about possible back leg problems as he seems weaker than he should despite the amount of swimming that he does.  X-rays will be taken when he has slowed down growing if he doesn't improve - keeping everything crossed that he doesn't have anything wrong. 

Work is as busy as usual - fully booked up until October with a long list of people waiting.  Most regulars now book up for several months or even the full year ahead

The dogs, my parents and I had a great day trip out to the beach at Mudeford where we practised our water rescue in the sea.  This was Wellington's first experience of waves & after an initial wariness he had a great time splashing around.  They even had a boat trip!!

AUGUST 09

Well another month almost over - where has this year gone?

I can't believe it been nearly nine month since loosing Kai - I still think of him constantly, but now to remember the good times we had together rather than feeling so sad.

Wellington has had his first birthday, getting a grown up boy now weighing in at 63kg and still growing!!  Unfortunately he has also been castrated, poor lad.   He also had hips x-rayed at the same time and unfortunately they have confirmed that he does have hip dysplasia.  Luckily it doesn't bother him too much at the moment.  I have found somewhere nearby with a underwater treadmill which helps to build up muscles, so he's booked in for his first session beginning of September, hopefully this and glucosamine supplements will be enough to keep him comfortable.

Busy as usual at work, only a few appointments are now available for this year. 

              October 09
Been a very busy couple of months what with doggie activities and work.  Water training has now finished for the season.  Unfortunately we didn'g get to do our tests thid year due to problems with getting a judge, but had fun anyway and there's always next year.  Agility will be starting back at the beginning of November, Wellington will still only be doing puppy agility especially now we know he has hip problems, but Elsa will be able to progress hopefully.  Wellington has been going to hydrotherapy where he has been on a water treadmill which he's really enjoying, this should help him to build up good muscle to support his hips.  Both the dogs came along to Malvern Autumn show in there animal zone where representatives of different breeds were there for people to see and find out about, both dogs came home absolutely shattered from all the attention, mind you - so was I!!

Work is now fully booked until  January so very busy still.