Saturdays have lots of news at Regalridge

Well, you have to appreciate Airedales.  When Marilla decides it is time to get up, it is time to get up.  When you are sound asleep and a 50 pound dog lands on you with a stuffed chicken in her mouth, pushing it conscientiously into your mouth as payment to get out of bed, you get out of bed.  Asking Ken the time and being told "7:30" speed became a factor.  No wonder Marilla was anxious.  The house was opened in record time, dogs were put out, the coffee maker put on and food was flying.  Then Lee glanced at the clock - it was 6:30.  Unless she was in reverse or in a time warp, Ken had sort of erred (he doesn't make mistakes, he's a man after all).  Things went well through the day.  Lee spent her time sorting the house after a week away,writing reports for CKC to document the several meetings that were attended and generally reorienting herself to life at home.  Ken managed the kennel, worked on the lawns (after dark when it appears to be the best fun to be on the tractor) and began shoring up the puppy run in preparation for the little characters needing a play area in the not too distant future.  Logan sent good reports from the Fredericton show - instant messaging has its' advantages and Chantelle updates Lee from ringside.  Viola showed well from all reports - sparring was not for her but she is only a baby, after all. 

The kennel is rocking.  At the end of the day, Ken came in to report that our wonderful Gordon Setter-in-residence was so tired that he was fully stretched out in his double room, sound asleep as Naomi, Reese and Ruff barked him to sleep.  Ken had to wake him for his bedtime milk bones.  Roddi and Ruari had a long spin outside.  As Roddi came inside, he trotted down the boarder's side of the kennel, stopping at each run to say 'good night' and ensure all was well.   Thoughtful Bichons are what everyone needs.  Both he and Ruari are running around these days, jumping in and out of their run and having a great vacation.  Naomi and Moses are happy and enjoying their yard and the high activity level.  As Naomi so thoughtfully points out, days are never better than when you have something to bark about.  Charlie, Winnie and Reese had a busy day in the big run, playing Airedale games and keeping a close eye on the swallows as they swooped and soared over their heads.  Charlie has a plan but we haven't yet been let in on it - Winnie and Reese are right behind it, though.  Rudy and Ruff played Retriever games with great abandon.  Kirby departed with a wave and promise to return.  Bishop the Boxer arrived and settled quickly.  The kennel is busy but the dogs are all great and enjoying their time in the country, making it easy for us to manage.

The air conditioner is running and although it was not scorching hot, the dogs of the house spent much of their day in the cool room.  All are doing well although Clem is singularly unamused by Chantelle's absence.  The most loyal of dogs, she spent four hours at suppertime and another two late in the evening at the gates awaiting Chantelle's return.  It was a dispirited dog who finally came in to the house, trudging up the stairs to sleep in Chantelle's room and assure herself that Chantelle hadn't snuck in while she wasn't watching.  Lori just went to bed in Chantelle's room because she could.  If she noticed there was anyone missing, she didn't mention it.  Jessie is getting rounder and quieter.  We are looking forward to Welsh puppies in August.  Laurel continues to be the best mother in the world, looking after her dozen Airedale babies with care and attention and taking time outside the whelping box for herself.  Her system is complicated with a division of babies worked into her schedule.  We stay back and watch in amazement.  She is a very smart Airedale and is using that intelligence as she manages her nursery.  This litter has such tremendous potential.  In addition to a fantastic pedigree, these two parents are extraordinary.  Laurel is beautiful and smart - with a beautiful head, soundness and that intelligence that makes her special.  Atlas is perhaps the kindest dog on the property with good size, great coat and well put together soundness - but it is his thoughtful attitude and caring personality that sets him apart.  We are so taken with this dog as are those who have bred to him and lived with his puppies. 

Meals are returning to normal and Ken is happy although somewhere in the process he only managed two of them yesterday (lunch was a grape Popsicle and that appears to have been less than acceptable).  Still he had a breakfast of bacon and French toast at 11:45 when he surfaced from the kennel.  Dinner was grilled lamb chops, new potatoes and fresh peas, mint jelly, a salad from the garden of several kinds of lettuce and the first tomato of the season.  We aren't suffering.