Just over a week ago I noticed Dolly making the occasional sort of grunting noise and coming to the end of last week, it was obvious that something was obstructing her airway. When running about she was constantly making a grunting noise and I decided I would take her to the vets the beginning of this week, but on Saturday morning she was making so much noise just running a short distance I decided to get her to the vet that morning, as I had forgot it was a Bank Holiday and the vets would be shut until Tuesday. She was not fainting or showing any bluing of her tongue, but I was concerned how a dog that does snore a bit when sleeping, but has never made any noise and shown any difficulties breathing when out and about, could suddenly be making so much noise when breathing. I was concerned she might be heading for a Laryngeal Collapse
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​The vet examined her on Saturday morning and agreed there was obviously something going on and thought it might be Everted Laryngeal Saccules, but also thought like me with how suddenly that she had gone from a dog making no noise breathing to a dog making a considerable noise, that it could possibly be some sort of growth. She felt that she would be okay until Tuesday though, as she was not passing out or showing any bluing of her tongue.

So back to the vets this morning to further investigate what was going on with Dolly's breathing. I dropped her off and waited for the phone call to hopefully know what we were looking at and whether she may need to be seen by a specialist vet. Well. I got the phone call just before 2 pm and it seems that my thoughts on a growth were right. When they put her out to investigate further, they opened her mouth whilst she was lied on her front they could see nothing that could be causing the noise, but then they rolled her on to her back and as they did this, there it was. A lump dropped down between her Epiglottis and Trachea. The vet thought it had probably been there for a little while growing causing no concern, but then had got in the last weeks or so big enough to start causing problems. So they could easily remove it and it has been sent off to be seen if it is benign or malignant. So fingers crossed and we will cross that bridge when we come to it.

Dolly is home now a little drowsy, minus noisy breathing though, For a nine year old girl she has done remarkably well and sitting in the vets this morning with her on my lap waiting to hand her over and sign a consent form, a lady beside me with a rather rotund Bichon Frise dog said, "Ahh!, she is so beautiful and she looks very young." She was surprised when I told her she was nine years old.

With one of the three pups available from Primrose's Brittany/Cavalier litter chosen and named now, that just leaves Clifford and Rose to find their forever homes. So this evening my son, Alfie and me put together a little sales pitch for them. Alfie was a little close with the camera and Rose was in running around mode, not cuddling mode, but I think we nailed it. 

Lovely update arrived yesterday from Heather in my email inbox for Ernest and Lily's brother, Albey who was born back in April Thankfully all is safe. He is a F1b Cavapoo, being 3/4 Cavalier/ 1/4 Poodle.

"Hello Jane,

As promised, here's an Albey update! 

The photo of the little bottle has 2 of Albey's tiny baby teeth inside! We were so pleased to find them. His new teeth are coming in really well, straight and shiny white! 

I've sent you a few photos from his puppy class, which he passed earning himself his first rosette and certificate! He had the best recall in the class and we're all very proud of him.

You can see a few photos of him out and about - crossing his first bridge over flowing water, chilling in a big field and going for evening strolls. When the weather was hot he had fun in his paddling pool and when it was cooler he played with his new rope toy, he just loves chasing it!

In the photo where he's sitting on the grass with his mouth open, looking up, he's barking. He's found his voice and has even acted like a little guard dog at times. He's quite a vocal thing, he'll whine when he's excited or worried, such as in a new situation. I wondered if his siblings are the same? 

There's one photo I added of my Mum cradling a sleeping Albey because it reminded me of a photo you posted on your blog of Ernest recently. He's so sweet when he's sleepy!

He seems like he's really settled in now, it's great to see him so happy. I'm always greeted with a waggy tail and a lick, it's so lovely 

I hope you're all well, enjoy the rest of your bank holiday weekend,"

Around six weeks pups reach what I jokingly call, "Maximus cutiness." Just one more day to go for Primrose's pups to go into the Maximus cutiness zone, although they are pretty cute already. The other day I forgot to say on making pups available from this Brittany/Cavalier litter, the pup we have decided to keep. The one we are keeping is Bertha. I have someone visiting me this weekend to view the litter and meet the Poundlane pack, and as someone has just let me down on the other girl, there are two of these pups available at the moment. For more details of getting a puppy from Poundlane, please read the website page Buying A Puppy From Poundlane 
If interested and want to know more about Primrose's litter, you can contact me, Jane by email at  howarthmurch@btinternet.com or phone for a no pressure friendly chat on 01769 560969.

Yesterday evening I loaded up the children along with Millie and her daughter, Smudge and headed out to Instow beach. We hit the beach just after 6 pm, so not to busy. I try to avoid the beach when it is busy, as often or not the busy time is at the hottest time of the day and I'm not keen on to many people about either. I go to the beach to walk and give the dogs a good run out, when you got a lot of people about that is harder to do at a good pace.
Then our son, Bert got a phone call from Dad, David home from work and wondering where we were and more importantly, wondering what was for dinner." A few phone calls later we got ourselves a table for eight at The Hunters Inn, Newton Tracey to meet David at and have a bite to eat.
The video is of Millie and her daughter, Smudge, showing at nearly 9 years and and Smudge at 6 years old, they both still love to run. Smudge was spayed earlier this year and she is a chunky type Cavalier, you can though easily feel her ribs, although she may appear to look more covered to the eye. If a dog is really over weight it can easily me seen with the eye, but on the cusp, running the hands over the back of a dog will give you a better idea of their condition. I find spaying older bitches after they have bred, although the coat can become less lustrous, it does seem to help tighten a bitch back up more.
You will hear me in the video comment about a dog barking, as we went along the water line we could here a dog incessantly barking, it would stop for a few seconds and then resume. We eventually passed the source. At first I thought it was someone line fishing on the shore, but as he was hauling his line in I realized it was an extending lead and on the other end was a terrier/pitbull looking dog, who was the dog that had been barking incessantly and was still barking.

Bertie on the left of each photo in the slideshow below is from our Brittany/Cavalier litter from last year and has been staying with us while his family are on holiday. He has certainly fitted right back in the fold of the Poundlane pack.