Relief of sorts

And a little (just a tiny bit) of disappointment.  Our accidental love liaison of Cyrus and Hazel is not going to result in pups.  An ultrasound concluded that Hazel is not pregnant.  Which is good, cause my back is only now feeling better and I don't need the strain of looking after pups next month.  But, I know a couple folks on my list were hoping that a puppy would be in their future this Fall, for that I am sorry. 

So, plans are in order now to breed the two in December (we obviously know they are not opposed to the idea) as originally planned when Hazel is next in season, which would mean pups would be ready Spring 2015 for their new homes.

Rainy day grooming

So here is Cyrus after spending a couple hours on the grooming table today.  I was pleasantly surprised to find this gorgeous new coat hiding under his shaggy one.  A little more work on the legs and his head and if my back continues to improve I just might get Cyrus out into the show ring.

Birthday bear

This is my shaggy birthday bear Cyrus who turned 2 years old on the 17th.  Isn't he adorable?  OK that isn't really a question, shaggy or groomed Cyrus is always adorable.  I particularly love the dandelion seed stuck in the side of his face in this photo.  The dogs haven't been kept in stripped out show coats with my back injury, but, they do get a brush dragged through them every few days, which, if you ask my dogs, works well for them.
What did Cyrus get for his birthday, well, on the day nothing, but, he managed to sneak a breeding of Hazel, unplanned, unwanted (on my part) and hopefully....un-fertile last week.  We will know in a month if Hazel is actually pregnant, in the meantime...Happy Birthday you randy bugger!

Boys--The Lovebugs

Many ask us about the personality difference between the gender.  Although there are always those that don't subscribe to generalization, in my experience, I find the boys to be lovebugs.  With their owners they are usually very demonstrative with their affections.  Sometimes this gets them into trouble, when owners allow them to stand up into their laps for attention, this can slide over to the guarding instinct.  But, if you are the leader of your dog, and do not have issues with dominance or guarding, then a hug from the boys is one of life's pleasures.
This is Cutter, my old fellow, sweet as they come, even after many years as the reigning stud dog at Dinsdale he has never shown me any dominant behaviour, always up for play or a cuddle.  He has been intact and used at stud his entire life, never has he attempted to lift his leg in the house, never has he challenged me, wonderful, wonderful boy.
Male dogs, wonderful, give them clear and concise rules, they are boys after all, simple souls :-) especially for the first 2-3 years and you will end up with your own lovebug.

Sweet (Shaggy) Hazel

Oh yeah, we have a grooming date penciled in.  But, come on, Hazel can really pull off the sweet, scruffy look.

Telepathic powers

We will not be denied...you WILL open the door

Royal Winter Fair visit

Cutter looking all rugged on my new cowhide purchased at the Royal Winter Fair yesterday.  Also a soft sheepskin for the dog bed beside him.

I went to view the poultry at the show and was overwhelmed by all the beauties and oddities

Mr.Cyrus

Now that is what you call a Black Standard Schnauzer!

schnauzers, so many sizes, colours and finishing touches

 Two totally different schnauzers, both Standards, one black ears cropped, one Pepper & Salt ears natural

Starting with the Pepper & Salt as I did I knew that schnauzers came in MANY different shades of grey, but who would of thought that Black could vary so much?  Trick questions, they are not suppose to, but, believe me they do!

The morning watch

Another cold 'Spring' morning

I am surprised you can't see Hexe's breath in this photo cause it was another freaking cold morning!!
This time last year we had green grass, seriously check it out 
Currently there is still snow in places around the property.  I stupidly changed from the heated chicken waterer to the non-heated and every day this week I have had to thaw it inside.  This is one of the first years of my life that I have wished I could escape to someplace warm.  Yeah yeah, come July I am sure I will be complaining about the oppressive heat :-) 

Dark thoughts

Not really, enjoying the sun and chewing sticks

Photos, blogs and Facebook

I post photos of my dogs on this blog, as well, many go on my Facebook page, be sure to check out FaceBook some time to see shots that don't always appear here, or, my Puppy Nursery Blog which is full of the cutest schnauzer puppy photos :-)  You don't have to be a Facebook member to view my Dinsdale page, only if you want to leave a comment.
Often on the blog I will get artistic with a photo, change it up a wee bit, like this one of Cyrus taken this morning.  I ran a couple of different Photoshop processors on it to come up with this desaturated photo of Cyrus enjoying a good chew.

Nom, nom, nom.....yum!

Mother Hexe looking very maternal

And then....nom-nom-nom....eating puppy heads :-)

 OK not really, Hexe is teaching her pups not to nibble so hard when nursing, guess the puppy teeth are coming in now.

Posted video of Hexe and pups this weekend on her Nursery blog, check it out, super cute

Looking good

Cyrus is growing up, eight months old now, such a handsome, fun, young guy.

Dark, handsome and (a little) shaggy

My Cyrus is growing up, six months old already.  He is maturing into a lovely young man, couldn't be happier with him.  I still adore that he is all natural, I wish more people in Canada looking for a Schnauzer were open to leaving them completely natural. 

He's a cool dude

Yep, that's our guy Cy, a casual sort of guy.  Of course as I type this he is doing major zoomies around the room. The boys got style.

Walking at the beach

I try to get Cyrus into town to walk a couple days a week, he adores meeting people and new dogs.  Today was windy and dark as we wait to see how much of the coming storm touches us in Southern Ontario.

Slow Mornings

Watching

I like the personality of Cyrus, he isn't overly clingy, he gives me space while keeping an eye on me, works for me.