The Honeymoon is over!

Well I think they are finally finished! This evening Zen gave Tazz a growl for trying and he backed right down saying "Yup that's done!".

Zen and Tazz bred 6 times over 4 days! The last two days they bred both in the morning and the evening. I know "serious" breeders do not usually to let them do that; but I figure what the hell he is here, she is here...let them get the full experience!

It has come a little late to be of a great service for this breeding but this afternoon the microscope I ordered from ebay was delivered. It is a child's microscope and only cost 7 pounds with shipping included! I want to learn how to check to make sure that the sperm is alive and also to see if I can learn to check the bitches cells to see if she is ready to be bred. I remember learning this many years ago but since Pre-mate test came around most people stopped doing it. Considering Zen's last premate test cost over FIFTY Pounds; I think it is time to see if I can start doing the slides again! It will feel strange looking thru a child's microscope but I didn't want to pay for a real one!
It will be a bit different from our Histology and Pathology classes back in college! (wow I just had a flash back to one of our Histology professors; he was a typical college lab professor nerd. I wish I could remember his name as he was a cool guy).

So there ya go! Now we wait!

The weather had been pretty iffy lately. Today for my lessons I had to stake down all the jumps so that they didn't blow away! After a lesson, I took Hex out and we actually did some training! She was happy to be working again.

This week I also took her to the doggie pool down the road for some swimming. She hasn't been to that pool since she was young; but she got right back into the groove of swimming. She shared her half-hour session with two big labradors but they all ignored each other and did their own thing. Oh except for Hex who would occasionally steal the Lab's toys if they did not swim out fast enough! HA! The labs were clueless and they would just keep swimming around looking for the missing toy. Hex really enjoyed jumping in and fetching a rubber pig that was almost as big as herself. Next time I will get a photo of that. Hex is funny about getting into the pool. She could just walk in down the ramp or steps and swim out. Instead she gets part way down the ramp and launches herself in with a jump and a splash! Anyway I thought we would do once weekly sessions until Crufts to try and keep her fit. If we are able to go to Crufts (ie: Zen is not imminently due for whelping!) Hex will be doing alot of agility over that weekend. Crufts is both physically and mentally tiring for the dogs; so I want to make sure she is ready for her 1st Crufts experience! The pool is so convenient as it is right down the road and charges 10 pounds for a 1/2 hour session.

Hex and I are going to the Working Sheltie Club Heelwork to Music training day on Saturday. I have no intention of joining Johanna or Mary in taking up "Doggie Dancing"! I just think of it as a good way to work on tricks, polish our heelwork and keeping Hex and I working as a team.