Costs

Unfortunately starting in the New Year, our costs will go up. Please contact nathan for updated costs.

Picnic Photos & Details

The picnic date took place on August 17, 2019 from 12pm to 5pm at Yvonne's place in Brighton. Check out the details here. Photos from the 2019 picnic can be found here. Yvonne's place is NEXT DOOR to her old place. I will try to put a havanese flag out front. Hope you can join us. Directions are here. The house # is 25. There is no picnic in 2020 due to COVID but hopefully in 2021. Stay Tuned!

Grooming 101

Want to see how I get a smooth coat and what equipment I use? I am continually learning and perfecting but I created this video Windows version) and for you Mac apple folks - here's a conversion. - not a professional one, to help you get a head start and perfect your own skill. Got questions? Ask away.

Want to know how to create a bathing machine that will save you time, product and wash your dog better than ever before? Check out Dick and Irma's instructions on how to create your own machine for a fraction of the cost.

Woofstock Is Back

Meet us at Woofstock. Dogs are welcomed. We meet at the restaurant across the street from Woodbine Park. Here is the location. Meet up happens on June 22, 2024 at 9:30 to 945am. Rain date is the next day. Look forward to seeing your havanese there and the humans too! Don't have your havanese yet? Well join us anyway! 

Award Photos
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Certified Pet First Aid

Walks 'N' Wags Pet First Aid is a recognized National Pet First Aid Certificate course for dog and cat professionals and pet owners. Talemaker Havanese now has that certificate having taken and passed the course.

Saturday
Jun302018

We Are Busy

Way too hot to be outdoors for any length of time. So the dogs are doing a lot of playing indoors. we do take them out many, many times but for short periods of time. I walked outside in bare feet to be sure the tiles were okay on their feet. The crazy things you do for the dogs but best to be safe.

Here is the gallery.

As you will see they bit a hole in one of my cushions. 

Got 2 more dogs to bathe, do haircuts on so blogs will be short. Taking a break to feed the dogs. Is that a break? LOL

This is Sage's sister. She got her first haircut today. She is so bloody cute. You will have to see the gallery for the before look. I am adding the photos of the play now.

We ended up having Nathan's brother - my brother-in-law and sister-in-law over. I picked lettuce, green beans, onions, chives, tomatoes, kale, cucumbers - a variety of herbs to make a salad dressing and made a salad, egg rolls etc. I have not stopped today except to do this blog. heh

It is a busy weekend but the dogs are having fun!

Friday
Jun292018

Sure is Hot Out There

We went swimming today and Willow jumped off the side for the 1st time. She did it so quick, I didn't have a chance to capture it but once they do it once, they do it again. I was very impressed. Even though she is a Jeannie baby she certainly has that swimming gene similar to Ella.

Here is the gallery.

Ella also went swimming after she fed the pups. After she swam, I gave her a bath and rushed to get her dried. I think I was fretting in case she was late for a feeding but when she came in to see the babies, they were sound asleep. I think I was fretting. Ella was not. Go figure. Kat also joined in. I tried to get others to come in but nah - air was what they wanted today. I must admit, 10 minutes outside you get that feeling of too much heat. Tomorrow more of the same, I suppose. 

Hope everyone is surviving this heat. It's even too hot to weed. Well, that is my excuse!

Thursday
Jun282018

Hotter than Hey

As you can see the dogs eat in close proximity without issue. Facing the camera is Magic and Dusty. 

Here is the gallery.

It is really hot outdoors. It isn't going to get cool at night either. Thank gad for air. I can hear the dogs say that otherwise we would be taking over Jon's room as the basement is always cool. 

Today the dogs went out then back in. they are not fans when it is this hot. I watered the plants and they already look like they are drooping. Tenshi and Murphy chased the hose around and would drink each time I put it down. We have water with ice in a bowl outside always and nah - give me that hose. 

For some reason I thought today was Friday. Have to laugh. 

Wednesday
Jun272018

Rain, Rain, Rain

This is what we look like when we go outdoors to do our duty and its raining. This is Amy that I just clicked. I need to brush her out again - 3rd time today and I have a heavy grooming schedule today. 

We do not have a gallery today. It is getting way too busy. Sage has her last puppy class and she will start another in August. 

So many are going away for the holiday weekend last minute. Could it be that it is supposed to be warm?

Dani gets her surgery tomorrow. I am told no visiting as she will be on morphine and Tracy our daughter will be taking care of her. I said we will go when it gets quiet. Otherwise we will show her the dogs on facetime as Adele and River are here. 

That's it for today!

Tuesday
Jun262018

Lazing

This is Magic sitting on her chair. Her parents were afraid she wouldn't eat as she can be rather picky but no concerns as she is licking her bowl clean. Magic is rather comfie here. She sits up on the chair in case Dennis sneaks her a treat. He thinks we don't know.

Here is today's gallery.

As a matter of fact EVERYONE is eating rather well. I guess its all that energy they are expelling. Somehow it creates an appetite.

The dogs truly love this weather as they are able to enjoy outside moments to just chill. Then it starts getting warm and they say - air conditioning please. Oh they prefer outdoors but not when its gadly hot. That gadly hot heat is not here yet. Hooray!

Murphy decided to sit on my lap and jumped up quickly blocking Saffron from leaping up. I have to laugh. Yes, she did that and then looked at her as if to say - guess who the winner is!

The puppies and Farley have found the dirt under the Japanese Maple. I guess its cool, secluded and well messy. So there!

Monday
Jun252018

Entertainment

This is Nathan running with the dogs. Have to keep them inspired to have fun. It's warmer out but this is Dennis day off so no pool for me. Tomorrow - and maybe someone will go in with me. Dogs are truly enjoying this.

This is the gallery.

This week blogs may be short. We are playing it by ear. Our grand daughter goes in for her surgery this week. 

The dogs are truly enjoying this warm but not too warm weather. They say a feel like 43c by weekend. Now that is scary. It will be too hot to run outside with them. That's okay. That is why we have halls etc. I may also get some pool time if we are not at the hospital during the weekend. We shall see. We have yet to get a schedule. That's okay - as the kids say - we can be fluid. LOL Well - to a degree.

I got everyone groomed and Nathan did errands today. I went to pull weeds and well... should have done it in the rain. Sage thinks weed pulling is fun. You pull a weed and she grabs it and runs away with it. The others just look oh so tiring at her as if to say really? They just wanted to sunbathe while I attempted.

Everyone eats around here. No picky eaters despite what they do at home. You see they are so active, they need to eat. heh Now that is a good thing. I suppose that is why you can catch them sunbathing between craziness.

Sunday
Jun242018

Another Rainy Day

The dogs are tired of the rain - us too but bonus no watering plants. LOL Now that it is getting to be the end of the day, the sun is trying to come out. I have had 2 days of no watering. In exchange -  a heck of a lot of grooming. heh

I do not think any of the dogs are fans of the rain and can you blame them?

Here is a small gallery.

We have started getting bookings for the winter break season - Christmas - Chanukah, New Years. Be aware that we limit the amount so if you are intending on going away, let us know soon. I know that sounds crazy but some book a year ahead. 

Here's no a rain free day tomorrow.

PS: Everyone is playing indoors despite the weather. As I type, they are all tuckered out from running with Dennis - yes, running with Dennis. They love it!

Saturday
Jun232018

Cold, Rainy But Summer

Despite the off and on rain, Sparky managed to stay dry - hooray and not totally messy. :-0 He is now home. We miss him already.

Rocky arrived and I listened to his dad say he doesn't play with anyone. Rocky's not one of ours but he has been visiting us for quite sometime. They have an outdoor wedding to attend - poor them as they are certainly going to get wet and boy is it damp. Well, back to Rocky. Rocky has been playing nonstop. I didn't even get the best of his play sessions but he even plays with Stone. Sometimes I think we live in a magical bubble as the dogs always end up playing here even if they are nervous at first. I feel good that they have a good time. We cultivate it, introduce them to dogs we feel they will enjoy and do one on ones. It works.

Here is the gallery.

Think about yourself. If you are on holidays and the holiday is going simply terrible, you most likely miss being home. But if you are having a great time, eventually there is no place like home but you had a great time and created great memories. You most likely will want to go back. If the dogs are not having fun - well I am not. So, we make sure they are. 

I hear - does he sit at the door and worry - does he ever want to come back home?

There is no place like home but holidays are pretty darn fun and that's okay for you and for them.

Today it was wet off and on. We have gone in, gone out. Magic was sitting on the top of the cushions outside that I have piled up. I was sitting with a tv tray table out there with water, chips and my ipad. She jumped on my table to get down. She knocked over my glass of water and chips. Chips went flying. water and ice cubes everywhere. No broken glass as we have a wood deck but the dogs went yum chips. hahahahaha

Magic didn't miss a beat and didn't even react. it was as if she said - oh - what a mess - you should clean that up. So, we did and then came inside as it started to rain yet again. 

Nathan is home and we are looking forward to tv time. He even brought egg rolls - best in Canada. Nathan and his dad spent real quality time together. It was worth the craziness I had to deal with here so he could have that time. I had expected him to stay longer but he thought the dogs missed him - yes, I am laughing. He probably thought I was working my magic with the puppies. 

More rain tomorrow.

Friday
Jun222018

Sibs and Pals

No matter what goes on, Murphy and Saffron are tight as ever. They are sisters through and through. They mutually get excited to see each other and as you can see they body hug too. It's a genuine relationship and its great to see.

Here is the gallery. 

As you know all night long I got to sleep with all the dogs by my lonesome. I had 3 pups tucked in close to me. I had Farley between my legs, Mia on my head and the rest up and down my body. I couldn't move. Inula decided the bathroom was easier. heh

I managed to get everyone brushed out early then they proceeded to say nah, nah and messed themselves up royally. 

We had fun. I had 10 minutes in the pool in the afternoon when Dennis woke up. The dogs helped me water the plants. I have wonderful green beans and yellow wax beans. I have been eating them raw. Have to save some to cook. heh

The dogs love the new path. They are forever investigating. They seems to be excited about more space for them. I so have to finish it but not now. :-)

Rain tonight - rain tomorrow - rain Sunday - joy - not. But we will still manage to have fun!

PS: 1 year ago Spicy moved to Montreal with Anne, Russell and Cooper. It is hard to believe it has been a year. We are quite pleased with the love they give to this pair!

Thursday
Jun212018

Juggling Fun

The dogs think I am nuts. We juggled a lot. I finally got them all groomed. I stopped them barking at Angelo working on his shed. Over and over again a few barked each time he used that nail gun. Here I was trying to keep them quiet so Dennis could sleep. 

Here is the gallery from not done yet to done - grooming that is.

This is, of course a no pool day. Not that it wasn't warm enough. I did get all the plants watered - front and back. I did get several dogs washed and cancelled those tomorrow as the term impossible comes to mind. Tomorrow Amy comes and Finn departs. Radar and patches are here till Saturday. We hope Angela feels better real soon!

I need to finish the blogs so I can help Dennis, finish laundry, get ready for bed. LOL

Wednesday
Jun202018

Two Blogs Today

Elvis is off to go home anytime now. Someone cut his hair I believe with a razor as it was all split ends so we are clipping the ends each time, shaping it up so the hair comes in nice again. His hair growing in is gorgeous. He's back to being soft and looking good. He is such a good boy.

This blog will be short today.

Here is a small gallery.

It's our last class for Sage tonight and we signed up for Family dog at 7pm starting on August 9th. I hope you can join us.

Nathan is making a run into Ottawa to see his dad first thing tomorrow. He thinks he will be there for 2 days. We shall see. Six years ago they diagnosed his dad with inoperable cancer and gave him 4 months to live. His tummy has twisted on him at times and they can't operate. He was told by the siblings to come in. So off he goes. I wish I could go too but someone has to hold down the fort. Hard but maybe we will do facetime.

I am hoping the daughter comes over as I have a present for her as it is her birthday but I am not home till 730. We await a verdict.

Dogs are doing well. I put down flagstone in my middle bed and just about killed myself while the dogs laughed. That is my way of dealing. I have to level some and put some stones down between but I want to shoot myself and Dennis thinks it looks like junk as it is too wide. That's the point. He said you want me to lie? Nathan says nice - much better than the weeds and opens it completely up and gives the dogs more space to hang out on. It's not done but a start. Nathan has a rotator cuff issue so he can't do it, so it's me. I say, if you don't like it - do it yourself plus I really want it wide as I want room for the dogs come fall to hang out. More room the better, IMHO.

Tomorrow I am it till Dennis gets up in the afternoon. The dogs will have to watch me groom as that is on my plate. We will make the best of it and miss Nathan. 

Oh and poor Leti is having morning sickness. Poor thing.

That's it for today!

Wednesday
Jun202018

7 Years Old

Molly is wishing her siblings a huge happy birthday - Stella, Mia, Jenkins and Murphy!
From Val:

My sweet little girl is 7, it will be a bittersweet birthday without her grandpa. Every day I celebrate her.

From the Talemker Crew... Hugs to you and Stella. We miss your dad too and we celebrate Stella's 7 years - today!

Tuesday
Jun192018

Cool But Not Too Bad

Sparky is in the house playing his fool head off with Finn and Spirit. It's nice to see. 

Here is the gallery.

Got to love the play when the weather cools off a bit. It is still hot enough to give me a benedryl moment - sunburn but still it was better!

Dogs are enjoying the weather. They are back chasing the squirrels. The squirrels are so very fast! Elvis departs tomorrow. Barney was here for the day! Koko loves to sit on high even outdoors. Miss Mia is enjoying the Clarity. Everyone was combed out early and well some rolled and tried their hardest to mess themselves up as Havanese simply look better as a mess. :-) 

I am tired and well I am just tired. 

Tomorrow is our daughter Tracy's bday so we celebrate it with a swim. Dani is coming too as this is just before her surgeries so this is her - make the most of the swimming time. 

Monday
Jun182018

Too Hot Then Wet

It was so hot out there at 7am that the dogs said - really - you want us to go out in that. Off we went out. They sat there as if to say - REALLY? 

Here is the small gallery.

Then I started grooming Finn and the rain came down sideways. Yes - sideways. They said 2pm. This was 9am.

All the towels and cushions got soaked. When it stopped, I went into the pool for 15 minutes or so and the mugginess came and stayed and it is still so muggy. Interesting as they said it would cool off. Do the weather people really know?

The dogs HATE the muggy - hang in the air feeling. But they love the air conditioning. I can't imagine what people are experiencing without. 

Thunder and Harlow goes home tonight. We are going to watch tv and enjoy the air. What about you?

Sunday
Jun172018

Hotter Than Hey Father's Day

Short blogs today. Nathan is having terrible issues with his iritis and rotator cuff tendonitis. So, he wants to watch tv to get distracted and he wants company.

Here is the gallery.

All dogs are doing well but the pavement is way too hot and they want air conditioning. I can't imagine not having it.

But Willow - oh my gad she loves swimming as much as Ella.

Happy Father's Day to all!

Saturday
Jun162018

One Hot Day

It's a truly hot day. They say tomorrow - Father's day is going to be even hotter. 

Here is today's gallery though I will tell you I missed a lot. Harlow was playing with Sage and Saffron running like banshees. I was in the pool and was trying to give nathan hints to get the camera but he didn't move from that gravity chair. 

Here is the gallery.

Our son went and got Lobster cooked from Longos. Tomorrow, after I groom 2 dogs, I get to crack it all open and create lobster salad just the way Nathan likes. I hate cracking lobster open so I will tell you I must love him. LOL I really, really hate opening lobster - ooops I said that. But he really really loves lobster salad sandwiches. 

Then we are hoping to get some dogs in swimming. All the dogs love to watch but swim... nah except Ella who thinks she is missing out. She longingly looks at us swimming. Poor thing!

Remember humans are also dad's to their havanese.... I hope they do something special for you!

Friday
Jun152018

Fun Day

This is Nala, a Leti pup. She just had her first full haircut. I took about 3 inches off of her. Isn't she adorable. I have to laugh. You have Spirit and then Nala - equally beautiful but entirely different colours. I love that about the havanese,

Here is the gallery.

It was ever so hot out today and tomorrow and Sunday is supposed to be equally hot. 

We took a quick run to Aurora for the Rens tent sale and I bought a corded clipper as my cordless was - well the battery is lasting about 10 minutes and then I have to charge. Good thing I can cut with scissors but doing pads is interesting with just scissors. :-) We also bought a ramp. We made a makeshift one for the last crew and wanted to get something that they can go up and down to the upper and lower decks. I hope it works. It is meant for a car but we have enough time to make it work.

The dogs hung out on the furniture but more than anything they enjoyed the cool kitchen floor. They did chase a rabbit. Odin loves to sit on the table up on high. Odin is a Treasure puppy.

The dogs had fun but as soon as I finish we are going to try for tv time.

Thursday
Jun142018

Messy and Not

I just love this photo of Sadie. She's smiling. :-)

Here is Pepper this morning. She just now had a bath. I thought about doing one just before her parents come to get her but I seriously need some down time. They do not come for another 3 hours. Today, Scruffy, Pepper, Clarity and Farley depart. Harlow arrived. 

Here is the gallery. As usual some are brushed - some not yet. But they all got done.

It's been a really windy day. Our pool is a reflection as Nathan takes out leaves over and over. The dogs don't mind. They just watch him. 

We blocked off our bottom deck as we had a visitor not far back that kept peeing on my waterproof cover for the outdoor couch. Thank gad it was covered. When he went home a couple of boys continued the process as the smell seems to be there. So now I have to figure out how to get the urine smell off this big cover. With the deck area open I had this cover on the couch constantly so you could not use it. With it blocked, I can actually use it. It is frustrating as I want the dogs to be able to use both decks but not if they think the couch is a pee zone. They do not make this couch any longer and it was a birthday/mothers day present from all the kids a few years back. It is very comfie as it has a serta mattress and it is modular so you can life certain portions up or down depending on your needs. This is the first year I have an issue. I think I will steam it all and use the pressure washer first. Now to fund the time. Today I didn't even find the time to water my plants. LOL

When I sit on the upper deck, the dogs climb up, lay all over me and we all enjoy. Today with the wind blowing, it was an experience.

Wednesday
Jun132018

Early Blogs and Fun Times

Well rain was here in the morning and its coming again. Here they are saying - LET me in. I hear it is going to rain and well some of us do not like the rain.

Here is the gallery.

I am in the midstream stage of grooming all dogs. Some will appear to be groomed - some won't as when I clicked I hadn't got to them.

We took Inula into the vet today for a pregnancy xray. Yeah, you heard that. Although we never saw any connection and she was kept separate, we figured best as nightmares can happen. You see Inula has been nesting, carrying toys. She has leaking milk and she has this tummy which led us to believe we may be losing our minds. Best to know. Even though my mind says impossible, her body and nesting was saying... we best check. I was SOOOOOO stressed last night as Dennis kept thinking she was and feeding the thoughts. Well, she is not pregnant but she is having a full blown false pregnancy. The poor vet took xrays from all sorts of angles and well its not cheap. I almost told Dennis she was having 16 pups just to get back at him but I didn't. Not in my makeup. What brought on the false pregnancy? Perhaps Cinnamon and Ella. I will tell you that she has enough milk for 16 puppies. hahahahaha 

So that was my day - and last night. Tonight we have class with the monster - ooops the sweeties Sage. She was a compliant thing for her bath as long as I fed her treats. Wait till she finds out she is not having supper. 

The dogs found the rabbit that is seriously as large as them and they chased that rabbit all over the place and getting them not to was hard. Guess who was leading the pack? Farley, Clarity, Brewer and Sadie. They were all working with each other to corner it. I never saw a working team so tight. It was as if they said you go there, I will go there etc. I do believe they thought this was grand fun. I doubt the rabbit did. Maybe it will leave my tomatoes alone. Fat chance....

I want to go in the pool but I want to take a nap, Poor Nathan slept with Inula in the other room just in case so he could watch her.  I said now you know how I feel when I do this with the mothers. 

I need a break from possibilities. 

Tuesday
Jun122018

Routines

Sadie loves to walk right on the edge of the pool. She circles it, leans over but refuses to go in. One has to laugh. I will get close but close enough.

Here is the gallery.

The dogs love the cushions and lazing in comfort. I took out some of those nasty weeds that sets seeds that get caught in their coat. I want to avoid that. I only got an hour in and 1 large lawn bag filled packed but the weeds will grow and tomorrow is another day. The dogs seem to enjoy watching me getting all sweaty. Maybe they don't get these human preoccupation with things. 

Nathan was playing with Leti's baby, Spirit and she is a riot. See Leti's blog and the gallery here. 

Elvis arrived and that brat Sage is barking at anything that moves to engage anyone who will engage with her. It's a typical evening - of course.