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! 

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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.

Tuesday
Jul162013

It's So Hot

It's so hot the dogs were lifting their paws. That's a sure sign they need not have their pads on the hot ground. Watch your dog. Their pads and lifting will tell you a great deal. They will lift them in the dead of winter when too cold or snow is stuck between their pads (that's why you NEED to trim their pad hair always) and they will tell you when it is too hot.

We took Boo swimming as he will be going home. I have to get him bathed up so figured we would try him in the pool. He's a very strong swimmer. He swam and swam and swam.

When he wasn't swimming he was standing on the stairs staying cool. The stone is too hot. I tried to get many others in cause I am a glutton for punishment. But only the Boo was adventurous today. It's interesting to see who wants to swim and who doesn't.

I had to wash Fiona and Shoshi and figured I would get them in. Neither was interested. Fiona got washed. Shoshi is still on my to do list. I got some pool time for just me. I am trying to do this in case I am down for the count and doing pups 24/7 at least I had my time. I am also trying to rest my hand as its still doing me in. I can tell I am headed to trouble when I can hold something in it and half the time the brush falls out. It's time to rest.

But there was common sense in the crew today. Although they kept trying outside for size and 5 minutes later wanting to come in, they had wonderful play inside.

It isn't just these 2 but everyone. Now I have to groom up Brewer, Logan and Panda then wash Shoshi before I can say I am in great shape for pups coming.

Be sure to check out Steven and May's video. I want to be able to do that.

Monday
Jul152013

Eating Hair & Heat

 & BathsRisa can't help herself as she eats her hair. I almost want to ponytail it away from her mouth. We tried to spend sometime outside. I had some vines to cut back as Nathan said they will catch on fire on the BBQ if you don't. The dogs didn't want to stay out long. Even at 9am it was hot.

No one swam as I was not up to grooming. My hand was tingling. I had already brushed everyone and did several baths. I have 2 more to do if I can talk myself into it. We shall see.

The Tia was one of the baths. We haven't seen her in a bit. It was wonderful to see her. She really connected with Boo, Brewer and Benji. I find if I get bathing Nathan doesn't click enough so you don't get the action photos even though they are acting silly crazy in the house. After all there is air. Next year I vow I am going to get an underwater camera just so I can take some interesting photos. Can't do it this year. I may also figure out a sling system so I can carry a camera around with me. Obsessed? Perhaps.

So when I bathe a dog Nathan is always caught messing them up. I have to brush them yet again. This is Zoe. She was so perfectly groomed too. hahahaha

I wonder what she is dreaming of? Time to eat and then go home. So fast of a visit. We enjoyed it immensely!

Sunday
Jul142013

Early Morn Till Night

When I say the dogs start playing early morning, they do and it seems to never stops with cat naps inbetween. Here was the early morning play of some this morning.

As you can see Truffie is right back into playing like he used to when he was younger. The key - no gals in heat.

Nora is a scallywag. I get her freshly bathed and she looks like she is a mess two minutes later. Oh well she will get brushed just before pickup - Shady too. They will be missed!

Maybe swimming today - we shall see!

Saturday
Jul132013

Swimming

We are swimming so no video today - no photos today. We are humans. No dogs want to swim. Go figure.

Tomorrow we have Hugo and Milo and their parents over so we will be swimming again and Shady and Nora will look beautiful to go home. I need to get my ahem in gear and wash some of my own before Spice has pups. Oh they are groomed but after washing Terra today - well I can't imagine having 4 goldens to wash. Glad we only have 1. Oh my are they a back breaking job to do.

Friday
Jul122013

Check it Out

Bailey playing with the pups and Truffie. Check it out. Gallery is now in the Fiona blog.

Friday
Jul122013

Fast and Furious

Nathan is home early - no points today so we get pool time maybe with DJ before he goes tomorrow morning. We shall see. I have baths as a few are here for them today and will go home nice and pretty. Grace is one of them and wait till you see how the Grace plays with the pups. I will be posting it on Abigail's blog. After you see it tell me if you think Adele can handle the larger dogs.

Well, Boo, Cooper and Brewer were such a lively bunch this morning. I have to laugh. They started early. We said shh, they listened and then well they started again. Our son Dennis said well mom when you get OLD you are supposed to sleep less. He has such dry humor, I tell you!

Cooper had departed but I thought 10am, it was 930, Gracie arrived at 930. Cooper's parents were out back, I was out front and all the dogs were chaos in the kitchen with Dennis herding them. It was funny and you had to be there. But I think Boo, Brewer and Benji are missing Cooper.

I will tell you that Cooper played with Adele much like Gracie did but it was out in the yard and I ran for the camera up on the deck and then they stopped. argh!!!! Well, it was time to brush Cooper anyways. Can't catch all life. Sometimes they have to be stories on paper or in your head and you get to use your imagination. It's sort of like what TV used to be like.

Look at these two saying to Cooper so you think you want to play?

This is how we do it!

No, this is how we do it!

Early morning play can be so much fun!

Thursday
Jul112013

Good Friends

We are blessed to have wonderful friends that enjoy the pups and the older crew and make them so much better than they would be without them. Thank you, Lynda and everyone else that takes the time to say hello to this and that one!

I didn't take many photos today as we were concentrating on pups departing. Sure, we played. I think I have a comatose garden - meaning flat on its back in sections as the dogs are running through it and rolling over it with each other. They managed to laugh and play dawg style.

But we couldn't do this without special friends.

I wanted to get Cooper into the pool. It didn't happen. Life sort of just happens at times. We will the next time.

Ringo is coming tonight and he will be a fun play monkey. Gracie is a riot truly enjoying the boys more than the gals, at least the last few days. She comes tomorrow for a bath and we have enjoyed thoroughly her day visits. Boo is like a terminal play monkey and between Cooper, Benji, Boo and Brewer they ran their hearts out and the others joined in but petered out way before they did.

Tonight they will sleep.

Wednesday
Jul102013

Oh My Gad

This is why you do not want Star-of-Bethlehem 'Ornithogalum umbellatum' in your yard. The son is pulling it out - although lovely flowers when it sets to seed - oh boy! After brushing it out and pulling it out of so many dogs, no thank you very much.

Figures I have pups to wash, puppy stuff to get ready and now seeds to do so no swimming or last swimming day for pups (sigh).

Can someone shoot me and put me out of my misery? These buggers are hard to get out.

Tuesday
Jul092013

Crazy Weather

Side view of Daddy Truffie Dad to the Abigail pups. His head hair is slowly all coming back after it was chewed off. His chocolate seems to fade in summer and getting darker in winter.

Benji must love his forested area at his house as you can often find him trampling the garden and mucking it up. I have to laugh. He always is having a great time with everyone from Boo to Scruffy, to Truffie and anyone else that will play.

We have wet garden times and more play inside than out due to off and on rain. Will you stop please!

Monday
Jul082013

Just Some Photos

Please let me play recovery. But fun was had by all and Brewer had a bath and then it rained of course. Here are a few photos taken of the dogs jumping at the camera.

More fun was had...

Panda and Spice hanging out.

Jeannie and the puppy

Grace and the pup

Tiger Lily saying oh my its raining!

Brewer and Adele

Brewer had a bath and then it rained....

The fun hasn't stopped but I am running out of steam. After a 7pm visitor I am climbing on a couch!

Sunday
Jul072013

Lack of Photos Day

I think I am playing recovery but I snapped a ton of the pups but didn't get to the adults except this one. Roxie will swim with me, Kat refuses to swim with anyone but Nathan.

Today I tried to get Benji, Jlo and Tiger Lily in but they decided playing with the crew was better than a swim. They also decided inside in air was better than 87% humidity but not Roxie. Without Nathan I didn't try too hard plus I have to brush everyone out again (brushed them all this morning) when they go swimming and then dry them and well I am out of steam. So, I did try. They weren't interested and I didn't push it. Not even Kat wanted to be out.

We had to take the pups into the pool just so they could play outside for a short bit. It was too steamy hot.

But we have been having fun inside and everyone got a yum reindeer antler. Okay, I couldn't help myself. :-)

Saturday
Jul062013

Not a Single Photo Except...

I got other photos but seeing I was up from oh about 5:15 (was late supposed to have gotten up at 5am) well I am out of steam. We also had the 4 pups in swimming but that gallery will come on their blog tomorrow.

Nathan got home from the show after 5pm and headed straight for the pool with my suggestion.

I even missed a shot of Kat and Roxie jumping in together side by side. Oh well....

I am exhausted but Benji is having a grand time. Nathan is exhausted. Mia headed home after having a blast from a short visit today. Till tomorrow. I hope you understand!

Friday
Jul052013

Indoor Fun

It's raining, it's pouring the old man is snoring...

Front to Back Goldie, Roxie, Rocky, BenjiGoldie arrived for a bit of play today. Rocky departs tonight and Benji is having a roaring grand time. We are in and out but doing much indoor play today. Nathan had them in the hall upstairs running back and forth like crazy dogs earlier. You can still have fun despite the rain but will this rain ever go away?

People ask has my dog swam today? We haven't swam today. I am heating the water to pay the electric and gas gods, I suppose. Will summer truly come? It's July?

Thursday
Jul042013

Just Some Fun

I have limited time today and didn't get many photos. I will tell you why.

I woke up this morning to find out Nathan and Dennis didn't bring any of the dog stuff in and it rained so I got to do laundry all day and I mean all day. Then Nathan is doing an outside show so we had to get ready for that. That meant he wanted my big grooming table (he's picking up someone to go with him and this big table means he doesn't have to drive downtown) so I got to disassemble that, reorganize that room (its not done) and groom a slew of dogs before they left. I get the little table.

Shady and Nora is up at the cottage. Benji arrived. Plus we were supposed to go to class and that is impossible - sorry folks. You see I have to wash Jeannie tonight and class would mean at 9pm when I arrived home I would have to bathe her. I just don't have the energy today so I apologize.

But Nora, Shady, Rocky is knot free, Brewer is and so is Logan, Panda and Benji. I started in on my own but haven't finished and I suspect it will wait till tomorrow.

Here are a few photos of Rocky and Benji playing. This does my heart good.

Now to update the other blogs and get back to setting up everything in my grooming room and then washing Jeannie.

Wednesday
Jul032013

Fun Day

We had a really fun-filled day! We laughed, we played, we relaxed and snuggled. Shady, Brewer and Levon was like the Ever-Ready batteries though. Logan who usually joins right in decided they were too rowdy for him and decided to do some search and rescue expeditions with Kat finding all sorts of sticks and even a toy that was buried. Amazing...

We will now see if the toy survives the wash.

Rocky decided Dennis was worth following and he played mostly with Roxie today though he was fascinated with the smell of Spice.

Here are a few photos taken today.

Nora was fascinated with the big water dish. We have water in the 2 offices, 2 in the kitchen, 1 outside, 1 in the tv room. We change them frequently. A dog should always have access to fresh water but what did she want - the huge water bowl outside. What I didn't catch was her bending so far over her face wenton the 1st step and she got soaked. She looked as if I had done it to her. That's okay Nora as grannie Risa has done that one before. :-)

For awhile there where Dennis went, Rocky followed. He rather likes Dennis in a big way.

They were all waiting for me to put them in shade as I had to put the cover on the popup. I think they know the routine and rather enjoy hanging out on the pads in shade just watching the world inbetween heavy play.

Logan makes me laugh. Sometimes he clears the diving board and other times he jumps on it only to jump back off.

Panda prefers meandering over the diving board.

Brewer watched me water the pots and proceeded to try to drink as the water was coming out not really drinking but playing. What can I say, it was a water day without the pool.

Tuesday
Jul022013

Exhausted Just Watching: More Photos Added

5 minutes after arrival the Brewer was like this.

Inside, outside play is wild and still going on. They will be picking up one tired pup tonight when they come for the Brewster. Another sibling is coming for the day, Pepper. Let the games begin... oh they already did!

Brewer's EyebrowsLogan wanted up for a cuddle!Scruffy Says: It's ONLY an IPAD 2Nap Time - yeah right!

Monday
Jul012013

Tired but Tomorrow

Seems I missed Lynda not intentionally. I went out to the backyard and think I fell asleep for 10 minutes or so. I am exhausted but you see all these weeds? Thanks to Dennis the area around the pool is now weed less at least for a day or so. :-)

Nathan never turned on the pool so I can't swim not that I am up to it but maybe drifting in the water would have felt good.

This holiday weekend has been crazy busy.

No photo taking, no real puppy time but we will play catch-up tomorrow.

Hope all the rest of you had a relaxing day. I think I was dreaming about wrapping Jeannie's hair so it stayed well for Nathan and then dreaming about him ripping out the elastics along with her hair. Such a dream.... or nightmare.

Tomorrow Brewer comes for the day just as Nathan is departing. Am I excited or what! Nathan will be home early afternoon so maybe he will get the air fixed then or get his Brewer time again. Me, I get to wash Jeannie daily - 6 days in a row.

Pepper gets to play with Brewer tomorrow - fun time to take photos.

Sunday
Jun302013

Few Photos of the Day

Thank you to Irma, Dick, Timmy and Lilly for coming over. Not everyone went swimming. (I Didn't) but it was great to see them. I just wish it wasn't holiday weekend so it could have been for longer.

Tomorrow I have mega washes to do and Nathan and Jeannie to get ready for the shows. Yikes can Tuesday comeand go and guess what the air condition is not working again in the car and as his show schedule won't allow he may not get the car in till Wednesday. I hope it won't be too hot during that time.

Chewie swam. Riley wouldn't have any of it. Risa jumped in or fell in? My camera says jump.  One second she was in the pool and we looked and went oh did she jump or did she fall in?

Dick and RoxieRoxie just wanted to swim and swim.

Notice the Risa KissKat's lazy jumpBetter JumpIrma and LillyNathan and LillyTimmy and Lilly Sychronized ExitTimmy SwimmingChew and NathanChewy SwimmingWalk on Water Routine?It was a fun time but not long enough. As I said not everyone wanted to swim but those that did had fun!

Sunday
Jun302013

Happy Canada's Day

Thanks to Anne and Russell we have a wonderful photo of the Coop and we get to say we hope you have a wonderful day. It's finally NOT RAINING today. Happy Canada's Day everyone!

PS: We are looking forward to Timmy, Lilly, Irma and Dick getting some pool time in with us! I will be clicking!

Saturday
Jun292013

Just Some Moments

It's not everyone - just a few moments caught!

The Rocky

Riley the Coton

Rocky and Riley

Rocky, Riley and Shady

And the rest are Truffie and Shady mucking it up.

Now off to feed the dawgs and brush Simba before he goes home. They may have sold their house! Good thing as their new house they already purchased. While they were going through this transition we got to see Simba some.