Bwana Kennel

Good Grief this rarely happens!  We are getting ready for the big Holiday, kids are out of school (and underfoot) and Caine decides to go into heat.....sigh just what I need.  Brings a whole new meaning to "Tis the Season" ! Zion, who is now 21 months old is feeling his potential. crooning and coaxing it is not blending well with the carols and Holiday music.

Our Dog Room is right off the kitchen. It was once an elegant Florida room, lots of windows and room but it somehow over the years became the" Dog Room".  Each of our hounds has a crate and then we have crates for our visitors, guests and rescues.  There are the normal dog equipment and feed bins. Tucked into one corner is the children's play kitchen . It is part of our home and life  set off to the side and out of the way.

Normally when you have a girl come in season she will draw any other intact female in with her. But this year the Raptors opted to split the seasons.... Dreamer had Halloween or as we now call it Howl-O-ween, and now Caine has Christmas ! Poor Zi ( pronounced Zigh ) will have to deal with 4 more weeks of pacing, crooning and being denied. 

Since we will not breed prior to either finishing our dogs as Champions and having the full battery of testing done he will have to learn to wait. Poor boy !  The girls are equally as funny, they alternate between flirting with him and threatening to behead him.  First thing he does when released from his crate is rush to Caine's. Jumping up he scopes it out , looking for a way to release her and bring her out to play.  She reacts to his romantic overtures by fussing at him, quick to set the record straight and assure him she is no body's  "bitch".  Her sister , Dreamer, crated to her right rushes to reinforce the female opinion that he is unworthy ...for the moment. The battle roaring rises to a peak and people race in to separate and calm the pack.  As dogs are switched in and out of crates he roars at Uncle Phelan , because he is wandering about while Zi is crated.  It is a time for great care and caution. Not only do we need to prevent an unwanted early breeding but we need to make sure the boys are never out together right now.  Without the hormonal complications they are good friends.  While Phelan is altered he is still a male and therefore someone to drive away from a potential breeding possibility.  A fight would ruin every thing , they would never be able to hang out together again.

Every one is walking on eggshells around here.  Worried that some one will allow the dogs out in the wrong combinations, worried someone will spill the beans about Santa to the younger kids, worried Zi will lose weight with his constant pacing and crooning, worried the kids will find hidden gifts.....  yippee a good time to relax and reflect on the meaning of the Season!

Happy Holidays to all of our Friends !

Bob and Bonita of Bwana Kennel