Not 9/11 but 12/14

It's getting closer & closer

Sandy the Herricane [sic] is coming.

From the Ridgefield Press 10/27/12 

"Saturday, noon —  Hurricane Sandy’s predicted path was shifted south late Saturday morning — but Connecticut is still in its sights. [...]

While the storm may officially hit land south of Connecticut, the northern part of the hurricane, which is typically the most destructive part of a hurricane or tropical storm, is set up now to hit southwest Connecticut."

OMG, That's us!!

Sophie, the diary of a southern Belle (epilepsy)

Some of you (very few) know that Sophie (age 8) suffered 2 grand mal seizures last wknd. These were followed by a few petit mal seizures, i.e. over time the intensity of the seizures diminished. 

Sophie is back to herself & we haven't had any recurrences at any level. 

She has been to vet, all examinations including xray, urinalysis, T4, bloodwork have been within normal range for a lady of her age. 

Causes for a sudden onset of epilepsy can range from the usual idiopathic to brain tumor with change in blood chemistry, lyme & stress in between.  

I've elected not to do an MRI as the resolution to a brain tumor is a non-starter & is, in and of itself, painless.

So I've started to seek out other explanations for this sudden onset of seizures. I've settled on stress.

Within 24 hours of bringing Ziggy (a REALLY crazy, 7 mo old, fun loving, noisy, smart, FAST MOVING little thing into the house) Sophie suffered her first seizure. 

Although the cast of characters has not changed, we have gotten a handle on some of Ziggy's antics and restored some ORDER to the house. And, as I said, there have been no epileptic recurrences. 

I'm writing to ask if any of you have specifically had this kind of situation with a Bouvier and a new arrival that changed the dynamic of the household. 

If so I'd appreciate your comments, suggestions, advice. Condolences and that sort of thing are unnecessary (although the thought is appreciated). 

Sophie is a rescue. After conferring with her foster mom, we don't/can't get any more background health information on her first 7 years. We do know she was abused & basically abandoned. We do know she ran away from home & survived (feral) for 6 months, only to be returned to where she started. 

She's smart & sensitive -- especially to sticks, anger, etc. She shows some insecurity under certain circumstances & feels she must be in charge when we are out & about, i.e. very protective. She gets along famously with Stella. She may feel she lost control when Ziggy entered the picture but I am conjecturing. 

Please let me hear from you, the larger Bouvier community if you've had the experience I've described. 

I am posting this on every Bouvier group site that I know of and on my blog. 

You can respond below or to me privately.

Thanks so much. 

-- 

Jan, Stella Bella, Sophie & Sigmund (aka ZIGGY stardust) in Ridgefield, CT USA

BouvSite @ http://www.bogartsdaddy.com/bouvier

Blog: http://janrifkinson.blogspot.com

Photos: http://janrif.zenfolio.com

jan.rifkinson@gmail.com

203.431.1691 <eve>

Advance pro-activity in defense of the Bouvier

Meal Time

Sophie, the diary of a Southern Belle (Epilepsy)

10/24/12 

Sophie had two gran mal seizures over the wknd followed by a couple of petit mal seizures. 

If a dog is epileptic it is usually seen between ages 1-2. As Sophie is a rescue we have no record / information on that so we are assuming old dog epilepsy which can be caused by a number of factors: electrolytes out of whack, kidney problems, tick infection, stress, brain tumor. 

We are testing for what can be tested for up to MRI for brain tumor. Rationale being if she has a brain tumor (painless), then what? Sophie has not had a recurrence since Sat night & I am up most of the night every night watching her b/c that's when the episodes occur. 

So far nothing out of the ordinary has been revealed by the tests. She had xrays of chest, kidneys, pancreas, stomach w/o any negative results. We are waiting for urinalysis. Ticks negative. 

If Sophie has more episodes we will put her on anticonvulsants, i.e. phenobarbital or some variant. The prognosis for controlling epilepsy medically is optimistic, short of a brain tumor. If she has no other seizures it will be chalked off to idiopathic (don't know what the f**k it is) or possibly stress. 

There is some logic to the stress diagnosis as the first & most serious episode occurred within 24 hrs of bringing Ziggy into the mix. His extremely high level of activity causes stress even on us but he is sloooowly calming down, learning the routine of the house & some modicum of manners (he's +/- 7 mos old), very smart, very willing to learn, is a lover & is extremely cute. However, Sophie's health comes first so we're keeping our fingers crossed -- no more seizures & Ziggy's learning curve. 

I discussed all this w Sophie's foster mom as she has a right to know what's going on & she told me that she took in another foster shortly after Sophie came to live with her & that Sophie became so agitated that she moved the other foster elsewhere. Sophie had very little confidence when I got her (more than she had when she was first rescued) & she certainly has a lot more now but possibly not enough to convince herself of her position within the household. Stella, OTOH, could give less of a damn. 

I will update this entry as warranted. 

Human Training

This is a very simple lesson which most people don't understand. It is the Bouvier's responsibility to walk with you, pay attention to you, see where you want to go... not the other way around. Try explaining this concept to an inexperienced owner who thinks they know it all and you encounter lots of b.s. reasons why this doesn't work with their particular Bouv. Wrong.

Zigmund (aka Ziggy) in San Antonio TX, ETA Newark Int'l Airport 10/18/12 16:30

Hiking in Aldrich Park

15,000 news locusts

I've always wondered what would have happened if 15,000 journalists focused their attention on a real story of import; how history might have been changed. 

From Morning Media Newsfeed:

"At the 2012 Conventions, 15,000 Journalists Search for a Story (HuffPost / The Backstory) Scoops and valuable, legitimate nuggets of insight and information are hard to come by in Conventionland, yet reporters who swarmed the halls en masse in Tampa are all at it again in Charlotte, where the Democrats kicked off their election kabuki Tuesday [...] "

Ruminating after the RNC

I watched all coverage, speeches & commentary on MSNBC, starting at 7pm every night of the three nights of the convention culminating with Mitt Romney's speech last night. 

New to me was the sense that -- FINALLY --  there was a great crop of young and varied potential GOP leaders on the horizon &, IMO, this is a good thing for the party. I thought the women were especially impressive; women like Condolezza Rice, Nikki Haley & Mia Love. But the guys -- Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio & Paul Ryan -- were nothing to sneeze at either. 

Putting the political red meat aside, my take away was that (except for Clint Eastwood) the convention was very well orchestrated & inspirational but there were few (if any) details about what's going to change going forward. Having said that, I don't think any convention is meant for wonkiness or policy details so what are we really left with? 

Hope & change? :-)

This personal evaluation doesn't automatically put me in anyone's political column but I think this showing of young turks is important because I, for one, am tired of hearing from the same old white guys on both sides of the aisle. 

Obama was the first to offer a real choice in that department which is why I think he won the election in '08. I don't yet know about '12 but I think new people with new ideas & new energy is what we need in BOTH parties so the thinking electorate can have a real choice. 

This is such an election & I am looking forward to the debates for a change. 

Going forward, I will be watching an equal amount of coverage & commentary of the DNC on the Fox News Channel and expect a similar takeaway but we'll see. 

I'll update this blog entry at the end of next week. 

I think independents are more likely to be swayed one way or the other after the debates. 

I'd be interested in your takeaway which is why there is a comment box below. Post as anonymous if you must. 

Harem

40 years ago today > August 19, 1972

I love you even more today

Relaxing in the second decade of the 21st century

It was a beautiful day & I decided to visit my favorite cheese shop for a Parisienne sandwich (on a baguette) to be accompanied by a bottled French blood orange seltzer drink. 

With lunch in hand, I walked to a small patio area -- under two extremely old and tall white pines -- where there are a few tables with blue umbrellas. No one was else was around.

There was a gentle breeze & the grasses surrounding this little sitting area moved with the wind.

I took out my smart phone (a Samsung S3), clicked an icon, leaned in and said to the phone "listen to BB King". 

"Ding" it replied within seconds and presented me with five choices where I could listen to B.B.King. I selected the Spotify Radio service which immediately began broadcasting a B.B. King tune. 

I propped the smartphone up against my eye glasses which were on the table and listened for a few moments, then un-wrapped my sandwich, set it on a white napkin on the white table. Next I twisted the cap off the blood orange / seltzer drink & set that down next to the rest. 

And I sat for a while just listenting to the blues,  feeling the breeze. 

After a while I started munching on my sandwich, interspersing it with a few sips of red/organge colored drink. 

Half way through lunch, the music faded, an incoming phone call replacing it. It was the service center announcing that my car was ready for pickup. 

"Thanks", I said and ended the call as the sounds of B.B.King returned.

Carol called to say "hi". 

With lunch digested, 2 calls completed and a B.B. King radio concert under my belt, I was ready for the afternoon. 

I did feel the absence of Stella Bella & Sophie, my Bouv girls who are usually with me. This day I had to leave them home & I missed them. 

Is the free internet in danger?

FCI: Bouvier de Flandres Standard (translated)

From the original document that you can find by clicking HERE

Page 1

ROYAL SAINT-HUBERT Cynologic Union A. Giraud Avenue, 98, 1030 Brussels. Founding member "Fédération Cynologique Internationale." 

FCI-Standard Nr. 191 / 06.22.2001 / Dutch Bouvier des Flandres (Bouvier des Flandres) Dutch text: Dr. R. Pollet COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Belgium - France. DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD: 25.10.2000. UTILIZATION: Originally the Bouvier des Flandres used as a herding, as draft dog and as churning dog. The modernization of the equipment of the farms has initial use of the Bouvier des Flandres changed and today he is primarily a guardian of property and homesteads, as a defense and a police dog. Because of its physical and behavioral aptitudes, and great qualities of scent, initiative and intelligence, it can be used as a tracking dog and connection and against poaching. 

CLASSIFICATION FCI: Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle dogs). Section 2 Cattle dogs (except Swiss Cattle dogs). With working trial. BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BREED The Bouvier des Flandres, as evidenced by its name, comes from Flanders, both Belgian- as French Flanders, two regions which no natural frontiers separated. The Flanders cow or cattle, which are good dogs needed for their herds drive, selected the dogs they have in their region possessed solely on their behavioral and physical qualities that our current Bouvier des Flandres of them have inherited. GENERAL APPEARANCE: Subkortlijnig. The body short and thick limbs strong and well muscled. The Bouvier des Flandres makes an impression of power, but without clumsiness.

Page 2:

2 The Bouvier des Flandres position will be judged in its natural stance, without physical contact with the handler. IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS: • The body length from bow tip to point of buttock should be approximately equal to the height. • The ratio of skull length to snout length is about 3 to 2. BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT: The Bouvier des Flandres has the calm, thoughtful character of a way daredevil. Its lively look indicates intelligence, energy and fearlessness. The Bouvier des Flandres suitability as a working dog must be absolutely preserved. Everything could harm this must be punished. HEAD has a massive appearance, accentuated by the beard and mustache. It is in proportion to the body and the height. It seems good to the touch to be carved. CRANIAL REGION: well developed and flat, slightly less wide than long. The top lines of the skull and muzzle are parallel. The frontal groove hardly marked. Stop: not very pronounced, due to upstanding eyebrows become more visible, more apparent than real. FACIAL REGION: Nose: is the end of the muzzle in a slightly convex towards. The nose should be well developed, rounded edges, the color is always black. The nostrils are well opened. Muzzle: Broad, strong, bony, the upper profile straight, tapering towards the nose, but never pointed. The length must be shorter than that of the skull, in a ratio of two to three. The circumferential, just below the eyes is measured, is approximately equal to the length of head. Lips: tight and strongly pigmented. Jaws / Teeth: Jaws must be powerful and of equal length. The teeth are strong, healthy, white and evenly set. Scissor or pincer bite. The teeth must be complete. Cheeks: Flat and clean, zygomatic very protruding. Eyes: Frank and energetic expression, neither protruding nor sunken. The shape is slightly oval and horizontally. The color should be as dark as possible in compared to the coat color. Light eyes and a haggard expression must severely punished be. The eyelids are black, without trace of pigment loss. The haw must never be visible. Ears: Cropped in triangle, carried upright, set high and very motile; a cut in relation to the size of the head is recommended. Uncropped ears: Position: Set high, above eye level, flaps falling vertically. The fold must not stand higher than the skull. Shape and carriage: medium, in the form of an equilateral triangle, slightly rounded at the points, lying flat against cheeks, except the slight elevation above the ear, not bent or twisted, in proportion to the size of the head covered with smooth hair. NECK: should stand out well and sufficiently upright. Strong, muscular, the shoulders widening gradually the length slightly less than length of head. Powerful and slightly arched neck. No dewlap.

Page 3

3 BODY: Strong, stocky and short. Topline: Upper line of back and loins horizontal, tight and firm. Withers: Slightly raised. Back: Short, broad, muscled and well, no sign of weakness, but still pliable. Loins: Short, broad, muscular, must be flexible without appearing weak. Cross: as far as possible the horizontal line of the back and blend imperceptibly pass into the curve of the buttocks. Broad but not excessively so in males, more developed in the bitch. A or sloping rump is a serious fault. Chest: Broad and well let down to the elbows, but not cylindrical. The first ribs are slightly arched, the others rounded and sloped to the rear, giving the desired length of chest. Flat ribs to be severely penalized. The distance between the front portion of the sternum (manubrium) to the last rib must be considerable, about 7/10 of the withers. Underline: The underside of chest rises very slightly towards the belly, which is slightly tucked is. Flanks must be short, especially in males. Tail: the relatively high set tail is located in the extension of the spine. Some dogs are born tailless and so should not be penalized. The tail should be docked within a week after birth, with two or three tail vertebrae. A natural gift or tail is permitted in countries where caudectomie prohibited. LIMBS FOREQUARTERS: Overview: Front legs have strong bone and well muscled. They are totally straight and parallel when viewed from the front. Shoulders: Relatively long, muscular, modeately oblique. The humerus and the humerus are approximately equally long. Upper arm: moderately oblique. Elbows: Close to the body and parallel printout income or pressed down elbows, both in natural position when in action, his mistakes. Forearm: Whether seen from the side and front perfectly straight, parallel with each other and perpendicular to the ground. They are well muscled and strong boned. Wrists: Exactly in line with the forearms. Only the back of the hook leg wrist (carpus) sticks out. Strong bone. For Hocks: Strong bone, rather short, very slightly sloping forward. Feet: Short, round and compact, turning neither in nor out. The toes should be tightly closed and arched, strong and dark nails. The pads are thick and hard. HINDQUARTERS: Overview: Strong, with pronounced muscle, upright and seen from behind perfectly parallel. Must move in the same planes as the forelegs. Thighs: Broad, well muscled, parallel in direction to the median plane of the body. The femur neither too straight nor too sloping. Buttocks well let down, trousered and firm. Stifle: clearly an imaginary line from the highest point of the hip (Iliac crest) perpendicular to the ground. Lower thighs: Moderately long, muscular, neither too straight nor too sloping.

Page 4

4 Hocks: Rather low to the ground, broad, tight. In position, seen from behind, straight and perfectly parallel. In action they should neither in nor out of the axis of the limbs. Metatarsus: Strong and lean, rather cylindrical, perpendicular to the ground in natural position. Without dewclaws. Hind feet: Round, tight, toes well closed and arched, with strong black nails. The pads thick and hard. GAIT The Bouvier des Flandres must be harmoniously proportioned in its entirety, ensure free, relaxed and proud movement possible. The walk and trot are the normal gaits, although one does also encounter amblers are. In the normal trot the Bouvier des Flandres (the prints of the hind feet are exactly those of the feet for the same side). SKIN: Tight fitting, without excessive looseness. The edges of the lips and eyelids always very dark. COAT HAIR: very abundant coat. The topcoat forming with the dense undercoat a protective layer perfectly adapted to the sudden climatic changes the region of origin of the breed. The hair should feel rough, dry and matt, neither too long or too short (about 6cm), slightly tousled but never woolly or curly. The hair is shorter on the head and substantially smooth on the outside of the ear, of which the inside of the shells by moderately long hair is protected. The upper lip carries a mustache and chin covered with a full beard, giving the breed the characteristic sour expression confers. The eyebrows consist of raised hairs, the shape of the eyebrow arches accentuate the eyes but never hide. On top of the back, the hair particularly harsh and scratchy. It is slightly shorter on the limbs but remains harsh. Plane coat should be avoided, as this indicates a lack of undercoat. The under her undercoat, which consists of dense hairs that grow beneath the outer coat and together with the topcoat forms a waterproof covering. COLOUR: The coat of the Bouvier des Flandres is usually gray, brindle or black overlay (char bonne). A completely uniform black is also accepted, but not the preferred. The light colored, so-called washed-out coats are not allowed. A white star on the chest is tolerated. SIZE AND WEIGHT: Height: - males 62 to 68 cm, - Females 59 to 65 cm. Tolerance: 1 cm downwards or upwards. For both sexes the ideal size is the average of these two border sizes, ie 65 cm by 62 cm for males and females. Weight: - Males about 35 - 40 kg, - Females about 27 - 35 kg. FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault, which penalized according to its severity.

Page 5

5 SERIOUS FAULTS: • Anxious dog. • Molossoïde appearance, too heavy dog. • Body obviously too long (slight tolerance for females), too light. • Head to massive, marked stop, marked frontal furrow, strong come- zygomatic arches. • Domed skull, narrow skull, very prominent occipital, clearly lack of parallelism skull / muzzle. • Too long snout, pinched nose. • Lip Loose, thick or overhanging. • Cross bite, abnormal occlusion (bite). • Small, unhealthy or poorly set teeth. • Light or convex eyes; atypical look. • curled or folded gift ears. • Cylindrical neck with dewlap. • Strong saddle, very arched. • Clearly erroneous positions, stand very straight, sickle hocks. • Silky coat, lack of undercoat, puffed up coat, gloss or formatted. • Lack of head furnishings. • General depigmentation (nose, lips, eyelids). ELIMINATING FAULTS: • Fearful or dangerously aggressive dog. • Obvious lack of breed type. • Nasal depigmentation or anything other than black. • Pointed muzzle. • Pronounced over-or undershot bite. • Absence of teeth, except 1 P1. • Wall eyes or wild expression. • Entropion, ectropion, pink eyelids. • Coat chocolate, white, washed-out color; any other blonde color, ranging from light to reddish, even black overlay. • Height Outside the limits of the standard. Note: The FCI official French text was approved as eliminating the color error "sel et poivre (pepper and salt) are listed. For obvious reasons, this was in the Dutch version omitted. NB: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum descended.

I had fun times working with her in the early years of GMA

Queen Anne's Lace or "Wild Carrot"

Hidden Bouvier

Finding Focus

Colors