I was thinking the other day about names for dogs. I have a list of movies I plan to use on puppies as registered names - as I think of a movie I like I add it to the spreadsheet so that when I actually have a litter on the ground I'm not trying to spark genius with a sleep deprived brain. I usually like to name dogs in relation to the the movie they are named after ... it's just a thing I do.
Halo is actually not named after a movie, she was named after the video game HALO: Combat Evolved. Man, I love that video game. My boyfriend and I spent countless hours in 2003 fighting the campaign (and not the 'easy for girls' skill level either) and I decided that I wanted to name my first Ridgeback Halo. The name theme was what I always wanted though and I began her first litter with movies that start with the letter A.
Raimi is Army of Darkness and although I was tempted to name him Ash I decided not to because I like two syllable names for dogs. I did not see a future in which he would largely be referred to as Boy. I chose Raimi because Sam Raimi directed Army of Darkness - he also had a hand in such movies as Spiderman ... you might have heard of that one too.
My second litter went out of alphabetical order because they were born on Christmas Eve and they all got Christmas movie names. I spent many an hour wracking my brain thinking of holiday movies that people would like. Zero is named after the ghost dog in Nightmare Before Christmas - I'd actually initially rejected this name because I didn't think anyone would want to name their dog that - trust Erin to be all "Can I name him Nightmare Before Christmas??" Have at 'er!
Leeloo is obviously from The Fifth Element. She is not of my breeding but I got to name her so I chose one of my very favorite movies - it's quirky, fun, has a mind of its own, is full of surprises, the main character is perfect and beautiful and what better name that that for my pretty girl? I see lots of different spellings of Leeloo but the only one that is correct is the way it's spelt in the script and I made sure I had it right. Details like that are important to me - I have spent my life correcting the spelling of my name - if it's not spelt right it's not my name. Same applies to Leeloo.
Archer's name is straight from the movie Blood Diamond. The character played by Leo Dicaprio is named Archer, he is an ex-pat Zimbabwein and refers to his true homeland as Rhodesia. Fitting right? There is even a Ridgeback in the movie although very briefly. It is an amazing movie about African diamond trade and smuggling and although you tend not to like Archer very much through most of the movie, he redeems himself in the end. If you haven't seen it ... do.
Esme's call name is actually not from any movie although there is a movie called Everything is Illuminated. It was too long as a registered name so I had to shorten it. It suits her very well since the room lights up when she is in it - whether you want it to or not! She can be crazy annoying and a little monster but it is what makes her Esme. I hope to find agility classes to take her to next winter, I think she'd get a total kick out of that!
And so the name ideas for the next generation, should we be lucky enough to produce one, will be saddled with all kinds of movies starting with the letter 'C'. Coraline, Catch and Release, Catch Me If You Can, Crazy Heart, Clueless, City of Angels, Courage Under Fire ... the list grows and grows. Army of Darkness and The Fifth Element will soon have their chance to stamp their filmographies all over the next generation. Critics will have a heyday!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Batteries Not Included
Okay - you can stop wondering. Leeloo is now in heat. I suspected two days ago she was but didn't want to get anyone's hopes up. Tomorrow the dogs are seperated while I'm out, usually they share a pen and spend the day cozying up to each other. But now, although they get to cuddle and do all the gross dog things dogs do when they are preparing to breed, they are not allowed conjugal visits.
See, while I do want to breed them, I do not want them to do it willy nilly. They are both first timers and while the heat of the moment says YES YES YES, sometimes during the actual act one (usually the gal) can say WTF ARE YOU DOING?? Also, knowing exactly when and for how long they've bred will tell me when I can possibly expect bundles of joy. Plus, you can't expect Boy to know when to quit, he would exhaust himself in the first 24 hours. He doesn't eat or drink when 'in love' and I certainly don't want him passing out!
In case you are not familiar with dog coitus (and I'll try to keep it PG), once they are 'Plug A into Socket B' there is a muscular reaction which causes Plug A to become 'locked' into Socket B thereby preventing the seperation of said parts. Should the owner of the Socket take particular exception to a randy Plug serious damage can occur to both circuits and all kinds of mayhem would ensue.
Good stud managers who host several bitches a year do not allow unsupervised activities between the Plug and the Socket. Many will allow the dogs to get aquainted and hang out together until they are actually ready to be bred; the dogs will flirt, tease and enjoy a little foreplay so that once the action really starts it's not the first time the dogs are meeting. No one likes to be accosted by a testosterone charged Plug on the first date. You know I'm right.
So this 'get to know you' period is fine until the electricity is turned on and the Socket is ready to meet its Plug. Once ovulation occurs, usually about 10 days into the heat but it can vary widely, it is important to keep the dogs seperated and only allow them access to each other when they are actually being bred. This happens 3 or 4 times over the course of about 5 days. Do not be fooled - dogs cannot mate until the bitch is ovulating. She knows it. He knows it. Only they know when the time is right (unless you are doing progesterone testing but that is a whole other story).
Anyway, over the course of the next two weeks or so I will keep an eye on the dogs and allow them to dictate the timing of the breedings. I don't trust any breeding like I trust 'live cover', which is what peeps in the biz call Plug to Socket canine sex. What is interesting is that during this foreplay period, Leeloo will flirt with Boy, wave her bottom at him and try to get him to play. He will obviously happily oblige. Then the heat gets turned up for five days of canine coitus where they can't get enough of each other. However, once she is satisfied he has done his manly duty she's all "RAWR! Get the frig away from me arsehole!" That is how you know she's done ovulating.
The timing works out pretty well actually because both my parents will be in town for a dog show about the time my slutty little Socket will be ready to receive her Horny Plug. Yay right ... super fun quality time with the 'rents. Breeding dogs without assistance can be complicated and give the size and inexperience of the dogs here ... help is definitely going to be required.
Yes indeedy ... dog breeding is a delight for the ages.
And as a happy aside, Boy's sister Rifka in British Columbia is was confirmed in whelp via ultrasound and will expect a litter in 4 weeks! This is be the very first litter for Elyia Ridgebacks and we are so excited to see what Rifka and Akala produce!
See, while I do want to breed them, I do not want them to do it willy nilly. They are both first timers and while the heat of the moment says YES YES YES, sometimes during the actual act one (usually the gal) can say WTF ARE YOU DOING?? Also, knowing exactly when and for how long they've bred will tell me when I can possibly expect bundles of joy. Plus, you can't expect Boy to know when to quit, he would exhaust himself in the first 24 hours. He doesn't eat or drink when 'in love' and I certainly don't want him passing out!
In case you are not familiar with dog coitus (and I'll try to keep it PG), once they are 'Plug A into Socket B' there is a muscular reaction which causes Plug A to become 'locked' into Socket B thereby preventing the seperation of said parts. Should the owner of the Socket take particular exception to a randy Plug serious damage can occur to both circuits and all kinds of mayhem would ensue.
Good stud managers who host several bitches a year do not allow unsupervised activities between the Plug and the Socket. Many will allow the dogs to get aquainted and hang out together until they are actually ready to be bred; the dogs will flirt, tease and enjoy a little foreplay so that once the action really starts it's not the first time the dogs are meeting. No one likes to be accosted by a testosterone charged Plug on the first date. You know I'm right.
So this 'get to know you' period is fine until the electricity is turned on and the Socket is ready to meet its Plug. Once ovulation occurs, usually about 10 days into the heat but it can vary widely, it is important to keep the dogs seperated and only allow them access to each other when they are actually being bred. This happens 3 or 4 times over the course of about 5 days. Do not be fooled - dogs cannot mate until the bitch is ovulating. She knows it. He knows it. Only they know when the time is right (unless you are doing progesterone testing but that is a whole other story).
Anyway, over the course of the next two weeks or so I will keep an eye on the dogs and allow them to dictate the timing of the breedings. I don't trust any breeding like I trust 'live cover', which is what peeps in the biz call Plug to Socket canine sex. What is interesting is that during this foreplay period, Leeloo will flirt with Boy, wave her bottom at him and try to get him to play. He will obviously happily oblige. Then the heat gets turned up for five days of canine coitus where they can't get enough of each other. However, once she is satisfied he has done his manly duty she's all "RAWR! Get the frig away from me arsehole!" That is how you know she's done ovulating.
The timing works out pretty well actually because both my parents will be in town for a dog show about the time my slutty little Socket will be ready to receive her Horny Plug. Yay right ... super fun quality time with the 'rents. Breeding dogs without assistance can be complicated and give the size and inexperience of the dogs here ... help is definitely going to be required.
Yes indeedy ... dog breeding is a delight for the ages.
And as a happy aside, Boy's sister Rifka in British Columbia is was confirmed in whelp via ultrasound and will expect a litter in 4 weeks! This is be the very first litter for Elyia Ridgebacks and we are so excited to see what Rifka and Akala produce!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Dead Calm
While I know everyone would love for me to announce the blowing in of the gales of heat for Leeloo, such is not so. She is, ever so slowly, coming into heat. I checked back to her last heat and she did take a very long time to come in and then suddenly BAM ... she was in heat. Raimi is obsessing over her bottom (more than is standard) but not to the point where I am sure she is actually in what we 'experts' like to call estrus. That only happens when the bitch is actually spotting. I'll let that terminology speak for itself.
I gave Leeloo a deadline. She has to be bred before April 13 otherwise I will have to miss a dog show on Prince Edward Island that I really wanted to attend this year. It's the first year the show is being held and it's near Cavendish where you will find the location of Green Gables, of Anne Shirley fame. I *really* want to take an extra day and go see the highlights, do the little tourist thing and enjoy The Gentle Island. If Leeloo delays anymore I will not be able to do any of those things and while I will not lament darling puppies, should any arrive, I will have to wait a whole year before being able to go to the dog show near Green Gables.
So wait we must and in the meantime I have to try to prevent an almost in heat Leeloo from disappearing into the bushes after doG knows what with her stud hot on her heels. Deer, rabbits, squirrels ... whatever, they are far too tempting to my little huntress!
I gave Leeloo a deadline. She has to be bred before April 13 otherwise I will have to miss a dog show on Prince Edward Island that I really wanted to attend this year. It's the first year the show is being held and it's near Cavendish where you will find the location of Green Gables, of Anne Shirley fame. I *really* want to take an extra day and go see the highlights, do the little tourist thing and enjoy The Gentle Island. If Leeloo delays anymore I will not be able to do any of those things and while I will not lament darling puppies, should any arrive, I will have to wait a whole year before being able to go to the dog show near Green Gables.
So wait we must and in the meantime I have to try to prevent an almost in heat Leeloo from disappearing into the bushes after doG knows what with her stud hot on her heels. Deer, rabbits, squirrels ... whatever, they are far too tempting to my little huntress!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Father of the Bride
Since I know there are people with baited breath waiting to hear news of Leeloo coming into heat I'll put you out of your misery. She is *almost* in heat. It's like, a preview to the preview. She has spent the last 3 weeks making a meal out the process of estrus. I tell you I have never looked so often at the hind end of a dog - not exactly an exciting way to spend your time but thankfully the Universe was listening and finally decided to just accept that I was not going to let up on this obsession.
Leeloo has grudgingly put up with me checking her bottom everyday and now that she is moments away from full blown heat she will have to contend with Raimi's attention. he is welcome to it I have to say. Fortunately Leeloo is the epitome of slut when she is in heat so everyone will be happy.
I won't pretend to understand the hormonal workings and the alpha, beta nonsense with dogs - if such a thing exists - but I am going to take a stab and guess that the reason Leeloo has not only delayed her heat by 4 weeks, but added another 2 to 3 weeks to the process is because of Esme. Don't let her size fool you, Esme is a powerhouse under this roof. Leeloo may think she has Esme's number but when it comes to laying down the law - don't mess with Tiny. Her heat back in January seems to have upset the balance of hormones in the vicinity and thus we have been not so patiently waiting for Leeloo to grace us with this disgusting process.
Breeding dogs is not pretty. It is purely hormonal. The loving Boy who thinks the world of me turns into a slathering, whining, pacing, love-starved, testosterone injected, 110lb monstrosity who's only mission in life is to jam his schnoz into Leeloo's hoo-hoo and have his way with her. No drinks, no dinner, no movie ... just action.
The gal on the receiving end is no better. I guess some bitches are more demure, some want the dinner and a movie, some think they are being molested - it's all individual. Leeloo ... well, Leeloo is like a burlesque girl on acid. Even when she is not actually ready to be bred if she could have her way with Boy she would. She all about the action baby and right now. Little tramp.
And then there's another small issue which gives me no small amount of concern. Both of these dogs are, ahem, virgins. Cast your mind back to your youth ... wasn't pretty was it? Well, imagine two dogs, both insane with hormonal desire, completely uninhibited, and with a combined weight of 200 pounds. I predict some false starts and perhaps some 'prematurity' in their future.
And, I do hope you are sitting down for this next bit. Every good fiasco ... I mean, adventure ... needs a co-pilot. The most learned and reliable source of my knowledge, the bedrock of my foundation of (almost) everything I know about dogs, the anchor for my little daliance with dog sex will be ... my parents - more specifically my Dad. Imagine, if you can, spending an afternoon with your father breeding two hot and heavy dogs. It's quite a prospect no?
"Cup of tea?"
"RAIMI! You're humping the wrong end!"
"Do you take sugar? I can't remember."
"Leeloo, STAND UP!"
"What do you want for lunch?"
"He missed again, get him off her."
"We need to pick a weekend to refinish this floor."
"Hold her head! Hold her head!"
"So you are going to the new PEI shows right?"
"Ugh, Raimi is drooling all over her shoulders"
Yes ... I foresee some real quality father/daughter bonding time in our near future.
Leeloo has grudgingly put up with me checking her bottom everyday and now that she is moments away from full blown heat she will have to contend with Raimi's attention. he is welcome to it I have to say. Fortunately Leeloo is the epitome of slut when she is in heat so everyone will be happy.
I won't pretend to understand the hormonal workings and the alpha, beta nonsense with dogs - if such a thing exists - but I am going to take a stab and guess that the reason Leeloo has not only delayed her heat by 4 weeks, but added another 2 to 3 weeks to the process is because of Esme. Don't let her size fool you, Esme is a powerhouse under this roof. Leeloo may think she has Esme's number but when it comes to laying down the law - don't mess with Tiny. Her heat back in January seems to have upset the balance of hormones in the vicinity and thus we have been not so patiently waiting for Leeloo to grace us with this disgusting process.
Breeding dogs is not pretty. It is purely hormonal. The loving Boy who thinks the world of me turns into a slathering, whining, pacing, love-starved, testosterone injected, 110lb monstrosity who's only mission in life is to jam his schnoz into Leeloo's hoo-hoo and have his way with her. No drinks, no dinner, no movie ... just action.
The gal on the receiving end is no better. I guess some bitches are more demure, some want the dinner and a movie, some think they are being molested - it's all individual. Leeloo ... well, Leeloo is like a burlesque girl on acid. Even when she is not actually ready to be bred if she could have her way with Boy she would. She all about the action baby and right now. Little tramp.
And then there's another small issue which gives me no small amount of concern. Both of these dogs are, ahem, virgins. Cast your mind back to your youth ... wasn't pretty was it? Well, imagine two dogs, both insane with hormonal desire, completely uninhibited, and with a combined weight of 200 pounds. I predict some false starts and perhaps some 'prematurity' in their future.
And, I do hope you are sitting down for this next bit. Every good fiasco ... I mean, adventure ... needs a co-pilot. The most learned and reliable source of my knowledge, the bedrock of my foundation of (almost) everything I know about dogs, the anchor for my little daliance with dog sex will be ... my parents - more specifically my Dad. Imagine, if you can, spending an afternoon with your father breeding two hot and heavy dogs. It's quite a prospect no?
"Cup of tea?"
"RAIMI! You're humping the wrong end!"
"Do you take sugar? I can't remember."
"Leeloo, STAND UP!"
"What do you want for lunch?"
"He missed again, get him off her."
"We need to pick a weekend to refinish this floor."
"Hold her head! Hold her head!"
"So you are going to the new PEI shows right?"
"Ugh, Raimi is drooling all over her shoulders"
Yes ... I foresee some real quality father/daughter bonding time in our near future.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Bee Movie
Today is a special day for the 7 Ridgebacks of the 2009 'B' Litter and Halo's last stint as a Momma. On this day 2 years ago Archer, Rio, Gracie, Ella, Hunter and Tikka all made it safely to earth in short order and although Odin had to be assisted into the world he was no worse for wear.
Halo was a very good Momma for this litter and 7 seemed to be a little more manageable than her previous 12! However; this litter was *loud* and raucous ... I will never forget the 4:30am wake up calls and I don't think my neighbours will either!
The trip to the vet was a new experience for me in breeding and frankly not one I wish to repeat. I am sure Odin would have made it out eventually but he was sure taking his time about it. Never mind, he is here now and as his size in the womb suggested he has grown into a tall Ridgeback! This is Halo recovering from her Odin c-section and all the puppies safe in the warming box.
Archer - shining,wet, brand new - recently a new Champion too! It's hard to imagine they start out as small as your hand and become 90 pound lapdogs. Soon Leeloo will quit dawdling about coming into heat and hopefully oblige us with a new puppy experience to write about. For now though Happy Birthday to all those beautiful Ridgebacks who make their families so happy ... thank you for spoiling them and for being such great homes!
Monday, March 21, 2011
He Got Game
Because Archer's mom and dad took photos from the weekend I have some to share. My camera is still without a charger so until it arrives we will have to make do with highjacked photos from various Facebook profiles. Here's Archer before the competition getting his game face on - he was a little stressed out, was shedding to beat the band (with dandruff) and his sweet big eyes were saying "Dis is my game face."
Even though we practised he still ended up in a half sit a couple times. Now, I can't really blame his owners for teaching him the sit because I didn't actually tell them not to. This became his go-to move when he was feeling unsure about what he was being asked to do ... attractive isn't it?
This is in the Breed class where he finally clued in to what was required. He tried very hard to be a good boy and do the right thing ... he just wasn't always sure what the Right Thing was. After seeing these photos I realize he actually looked a lot better than he felt while at the end of the lead ... phew.
In between the Breed judging and the Hound group he started to fade pretty fast. It had already been a Very Big Day for him and all he wanted to do was go to sleep on Sandra's lap. Doesn't he look like the sweetest dog in the whole world? "I'm with my Mommy and she loves me."
We ended up in the Hound group with some less than perfect behaviour; he was tired, bored, annoyed and just sick to death of this nonsense. Not exactly a seasoned show dog is Archer. No matter, we got what we came for ...
A new Champion photo! The judge, Richard Fehler, was marvelous, jovial, interested and extremely pleasant. It is so much nicer to win under someone who obviously likes the dogs and what he's doing and I certainly would enter under him again. I think that actually goes without saying.
All packed up and ready to hit the road. Archer is the last Invictus Champion for some time to come as we wait for Leeloo and Raimi to create the next generation. Once that happens the whole cycle will start again; new babies, new shows, new people to meet - see you there! Or at the very least ... here!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Blood Diamond
Being right is a real headache. Being right and still winning is *awesome*. See, I said Archer wouldn't really remember how to be a show dog because it's been so long. The truth is ... he didn't really remember how to be a show dog but he won anyway. Chances are he won on movement and type (and his front structure which is amazing by the way) because there is no way his stacked self could win its way out of a paper bag.
He was roachy, worried, fussy, wouldn't bait, bored, tired, and generally just didn't think there was any point in working hard to get the yummiest liver treats in the world ... until he was outside the ring. Then it was the greatest food on the planet.
Also, someone, who shall remain nameless, taught him to sit for treats. I spent some time working with him to get him to stop sitting everytime we stopped moving. Down and back. Sit. Gait around. Sit. We got to the point where I would tell him "Stand. Stay." after moving and he'd do a sort of half-sit think think think and then end up standing with his hind feet mostly under his body. It was a compromise between the automatic sit and wanting to do what I asked. Such a darling little guy.
Anyway, he won. He won when it counted, when he needed it most and when I didn't really think he would. His movement was his saviour - lovely, floating, free, effortless, clean, and correct. The judge stood back to have a final look at all three entries (me, a female special and a male special) and while Archer and I dicked around trying to get a decent stack, the judge simply walked up and pointed at us for Best of Breed. This meant 2 points on top of the 8 he'd already earned in 2010 and we were done his Canadian Championship.
We had to go into group in order to keep those points and although he was game, Archer faded at the end and just got sick and tired of even trying anymore. He didn't bring the house down in behaviour. You can hardly blame him, this isn't exactly his weekly gig - mostly he spends time rough-housing with his buddy Tyson and being naughty at home. Asking him to perform in the show ring after all this time was a lot to expect and still he came up aces. What a good boy.
For the record this is the 7th Champion for Invictus, being Halo's 7th Champion as well, and the final show puppy from Halo's litters to complete this title. It's a load off my mind let me tell you!
So here's to Canadian Champion Invictus Blood Diamond - you are now among the elite, the adorned, the recorded, the exhausted. Sleep well little Buddy ... you earned it.
He was roachy, worried, fussy, wouldn't bait, bored, tired, and generally just didn't think there was any point in working hard to get the yummiest liver treats in the world ... until he was outside the ring. Then it was the greatest food on the planet.
Also, someone, who shall remain nameless, taught him to sit for treats. I spent some time working with him to get him to stop sitting everytime we stopped moving. Down and back. Sit. Gait around. Sit. We got to the point where I would tell him "Stand. Stay." after moving and he'd do a sort of half-sit think think think and then end up standing with his hind feet mostly under his body. It was a compromise between the automatic sit and wanting to do what I asked. Such a darling little guy.
Anyway, he won. He won when it counted, when he needed it most and when I didn't really think he would. His movement was his saviour - lovely, floating, free, effortless, clean, and correct. The judge stood back to have a final look at all three entries (me, a female special and a male special) and while Archer and I dicked around trying to get a decent stack, the judge simply walked up and pointed at us for Best of Breed. This meant 2 points on top of the 8 he'd already earned in 2010 and we were done his Canadian Championship.
We had to go into group in order to keep those points and although he was game, Archer faded at the end and just got sick and tired of even trying anymore. He didn't bring the house down in behaviour. You can hardly blame him, this isn't exactly his weekly gig - mostly he spends time rough-housing with his buddy Tyson and being naughty at home. Asking him to perform in the show ring after all this time was a lot to expect and still he came up aces. What a good boy.
For the record this is the 7th Champion for Invictus, being Halo's 7th Champion as well, and the final show puppy from Halo's litters to complete this title. It's a load off my mind let me tell you!
So here's to Canadian Champion Invictus Blood Diamond - you are now among the elite, the adorned, the recorded, the exhausted. Sleep well little Buddy ... you earned it.
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