Day Off
Monday, December 5, 2016 at 3:59PM 
We had snow so we got wet, messy and the human decided day off seeing she had grooming all weekend. Well almost no grooming. Moms were done. So almost a day off.
The tv died. Dennis fixed it 3 times over the years and this time not doable. It happens.
Laundry is working overtime with pups. Nathan took a nap. He's a bit depressed about Trouble - read on.
Trouble was cut down short and it appears its not working out so she is coming back tonight. So, even if we kept her it would be 2 years before her hair grew out. I will be happy to see her. Wonder if Nathan will steal all the snuggling time. We shall see. I bet you the dogs here will be delighted to see her as she is always been the life of the party.
Wednesday Emmy comes for the day. Emmy is Tucker's sister. Barney also comes. We are excited!
It's a no mud day so we celebrate that.
Also, I am looking for waterproof mats (pads) but having a tough time finding them. I bought some from Toys R Us but they are flimsy and thin. I place them outside of the pad area in case the pups do a half in and out outflow. I do not have enough so I am cleaning too often. It's not that they are having tons of accidents but it only takes one. For pups you want to keep the area clean so they get the idea that the pad is where they go not on the pads. Plus I use them under their dish so they have grip while eating. Eventually when they are really solid on their feet we increase floor space and eliminate the need. So, if you see some in your travels, let me know.
Reader Comments (21)
Have you seen the peapod mats? They are washable and last for 300 uses.
Or is there a specific pad name you are looking for?
Can't wait to see Trouble she is such a cutie with personality plus in all her photos.
Would you clip down matted legs rather than try to demat? my pup has a coat which just mats up when wet from snow, mud and general weather. Don't have mats anywhere else and pup is difficult to leg comb and I am ever so careful not to tug.
I can't wait to see Trouble also. I guess Trouble has a different journey.
Yes, she is cut short. Doesn't look like my trouble and doesn't act like her yet. Yes, I guess she has a different journey than I thought though I had suggested a puppy they wanted Trouble. I am upset with myself as I feel I let her down and I do when it doesn't work out. I will take a photo tomorrow.
Looking forward to seeing photos of Trouble also.
Sorry it did not work out.
There is a family out there!
She deserves a good home.
I am sad to hear about Trouble's return. I hope she handles the change well. I also hope she gets back to being herself soon .
Sad to hear that Trouble & Murphy did not hit it off. Some dogs are meant to be 'onlys'.
She will look quite different with a very short hair cut.
It will only take a few days for Trouble to find her place 'in the pack'.
Su:
If your dog is matting you need to cut short. Sometimes when they grow back in, it comes back more manageable. But you may decide you like it short.
You can ALWAYS take scissors and cut through a mat on the legs away from the skin and straight through the knot. It will end up thinning out the hair but it will probably make it more manageable.Then just pull it apart of tease comb it out. Is the coat you are dealing with a cotton texture? What shampoo/conditioner and grooming spray are you using?
Lately I am seeing groomers shaving around the eyes. I am not sure why but it looks severe and they do not look like a havanese.
Kathy:
I think she didn't smell like herself so the dogs were not sure who she was at first. I may have to bath her to get her back to smelling like herself. I wonder if Panda will know her tomorrow.
I bought a few peapod pads when they went on sale for the couches. This way when the dogs come in wet they don't soak everything. I got them last week on sale. Now they are $59 a piece. The issue is I need smaller ones - not one that will fit an entire twin bed or couch. I haven't found them in the smaller size anywhere close by. I do like them. The other brand I got at Tots R Us is junk.
I am sorry that it didn't work out for Trouble. But the good thing is Trouble is coming home. If other dogs are like Rusty he can't wait for the Talemaker door to open and he runs in like he has never left. Dogs don't forget and he will love seeing his friends and family. He is such a beauty. How long was he away? Can't wait to see him.
BTW my daughter Elana always asks "how did they know which dog was perfect for us?" Darlah you guys do know which family is good for each puppy. There are times when no one can predict an outcome. I give credit to the family to know that it won't work out rather than being too embarrassed to admit it. And lucky Trouble gets to come play with his pals. As Liz says there is a family waiting for Trouble.
Darlah, sorry that you feel you let Trouble down. Please don't be too hard on yourself, it's not that easy to have psychic power to forecast which family is compatible with which doggy. Don't you wish you have a crystal ball? You have raised amazing puppies, they are resilient and Trouble will bounce back to her old self really quickly!
Re mats, Farley had a BIG one across his chest from wearing a halter vs collar (I didn't notice until it was really big, and no, I don't beat myself up about it). I find I can slowly tease them apart with very little tugging if I spray the heck out of it with grooming spray. It does take patience, that's why I do it when they're really tired and while I'm watching tv.
Darlah: thank you, I will try cutting as you suggest as I like the longer haircuts. Pup has a coat which feels like a cotton ball but on legs it is or seems more course undercoat. I've been using forte by pure paws and Chris Christianson drop coat shampoo range. Is there something better out there? I use show season
de-tangler but I don't like how it smells, it makes us all sneeze but it works.
Pup doesn't like legs being messed with, I have most success with the back right one which is soft and silky. Should I bath more frequently than eight weeks?
I hope Trouble's old self returns soon. Sounds like she loves you more than a smaller family.
Will keep looking for smaller pads, sure I've seen them somewhere, small cot size.
Awe, it is sad that it did not work out for Trouble. She is so gorgeous. Will be keeping her or finding a new home? How old is she now? Can't wait to see pictures of her as I can't remember which one she was.
Su, I find bathing my two every two weeks works best. If I don't, the legs do get tangled from the environments they walk in. As Darlah explained to me, a clean coat is so much easier to groom. And, both mine are short coats but it still makes it easier on them and on me.😀
Darlah, please don't be hard on yourself. Trouble had a little get away, that is all. It is like she was sent for boarding and the experience just adds to her social skills.
I agree with Sylvia, it is so hard to match an older dog (not puppy) with a family, especially one who has a dog already. People and dog dynamics, as you know, are sometimes very hard to predict. The bottom line is that she will be in the right home soon enough.
That happened with Clarity. She didn't like it in our very busy living environment, but she absolutely loves it with Christine. That all worked out perfectly and it will for Trouble.
Thank you Angela, I will try more frequent baths. I hope the shampoos are the right ones for Pups co at type.
You are so right about dog-people dynamics.
My Pup likes her doggy friends she's known for a long time but some new dogs and bouncy puppies bring out her worst behaviour. I couldn't have another dog with her unless she had a lot of the Darlah type of conditioning and even then she could be an only furry child.
When you have the visits I do a lot of observance and pay attention to body language. It's why I rarely talk. I listen and watch. I also watch the videos over and over.
Dogs are always happier with playmates. It takes time to mesh and an allowance from the humans to let it work out. If you stress they stress.
Trouble will be a year in January.
Yes, I know you pay lots of attention to the pup/people/dog dynamic, Darlah. Radar is the absolute 'perfect' addition to our family. Patches was always a happy girl but she is beyond happy with Radar to play with in addition to us. The two of them have added such joy to our lives, I can't tell you. I know, I know, I tell you all the time hahaha
My response was a reply to Ronnie's query. But I am happy you are happy.