Too Cold

Our dogs here go out and come right back in. It's simply very cold especially with the fast drop.

This is Shady going for a walk in his new jacket. He seems to really like it!

Alene wrote:

Isn't shady gorgeous in his new winter wear??  we weren't going to get a coat but he starting shivering in this cold weather.  boy am i glad?  he loves his coat and want to wear it in the house, i think he's going to want pjs next!  the boots are a challenge.  i couldn't get the mutt-luk type on at all so went with these latex balloon ones.  shady hurt his paw on the salt so i realized he needed something to protect his paws.  what do you use?

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Alene: We use bag balm on the pads and rinse the feet off. I know Cooper's mom used the shoes. Maybe others can fill you in what works for them. We lost way too many shoes over the years so we don't do shoes any longer and some never adjust - others adjust fast and others just need some conditioning. Please folks tell Alene what works for you.

Snip Snip

Sounds like Tre is down for the count but it seriously won't be a week as the vet suggests. It's easier on the boys and the dogs DO heal fast.

Wasabi had her spay and if your remember by day 2 you would have never known it was done. I fretted though. I think it is harder on us humans than on them. Give him a hug and he looks stylin in his onesie!

He still has his golden copper colour on his leg I see!

Our vet now sells a dog onsie if you can believe for post surgey in all sizes.

How much does he weigh now?

Washing Times

Okay folks, I got reminded that I am not giving you real tips on how to bathe and save time.

Yes, I use a Bathing Beauty. Yes, you can build your own and not spend the big bucks like I did but do you really need one for one dog? NO. Is it great to have? YES! Does it help if you go to a cottage or a hotel or. Yes, it will work in any laundry tub or bath tub. For dog shows and grooming other people's dogs, it is a must so I CAN JUSTIFY IT but can you? Depends on how much money you have to burn. hehehehe No, I bought mine and spent the big bucks. I can't imagine going back to washing a dog the old way. But if I show you how to, I will show you the old fashioned way with time saving tips.

Do a google on Bathing Beauty to see what one is.

Why do I like it? It evenly distributes shampoo, conditioner and any other thing like a detangler etc that I want to use. I can save on the amount of product, use a minimal amount of water and mix my shampoo and conditioner together and yes the dog comes out clean and soft. BUT if I am doing a whitening treatment I do not mix.

Can you mix shampoo and conditioner together, shake it up and do it that way? Yes but you have to be good at mixing it. You see a dab in the water of shampoo and conditioner pulled and recirculated with a bathing beauty is more effective than a shaking bottle mixing but I think Lori will give it a try and let us know. :-)

But seriously to me its the drying that takes the most time. I tend to be thorough and line comb each section making it last for a few days but its more work than most do.Your dog may lok different when you do it. That's okay too. :-)

On another note, I use mini clippers to clean up the pads but do it after a bath. Why clean pads? Snow, salt, sand gets stuck in the hair, can create knots and think if you had knots between your toes how that would feel. Shaving around their private areas, including doing a scissor clip on the anus (one clean snip) and upper legs keeps them cleaner. This is called a sanitary.

Thinking about getting an Aqua Rug - has anyone used one? Do a google to see what I mean. Maybe I would like one for myself but hmm wonder if they sell them at the As seen on TV stores.

Got another dog to wash and a gallery to do - that's enough for today.

Cold Brrrr

This is Cooper, Maxine and Jeannie playing up a storm. I am not sure how many times I put Coopers hair back up but boy this trip was having a blast together today.

Scruffy best be jealous as Kona has found where Roxie is he wants to be with when its not us humans. It's Roxie, Roxie, Roxie and why not she's batting those eyes and loving the attention. Kona is a massive snuggler and even snuggles in with the Roxie when he is not snuggled up to us.

I went into the tv room and noticed that Coco was up high snuggled up to Abigail, Doozie was in the recliner, Cooper was draped on Nathan's neck and Kona was in his lap. It's a crazy dawg room, what can I say.

Our lens was also fogging up something terrible as you will see in the photos.

Its too cold for the dogs to be out too long at the moment but they say rain and muck is coming tomorrow. Joy - not!

Funny Another What a Day

I want you to know it's been an insane day. We had a lot of visitors just for today and everyone needed a brush. I also washed the pup to go home, Fiona, Logan, Panda as Friday is insane so a day early for their usual day, Spice, Abigail and Roxie. I am so exhausted its unreal.

Thanks to Nathan and Dennis the dawgs had a ton of fun and Nathan clicked a few photos. I will tell you I brushed Kona but you will see my after brush of him and after play of him. What a world of difference and yes, he is playing like crazy. He seemed to know his brother Ty.

Kona BrushedWhat happened?I swear Coco was laughing at the antics

I have many more but wow I am out of steam.

What a Day

Logan helped us tucker out the pups. Kona, who is visiting us decided the little ones were not for him but who knows what will occur when the days unfold. Kona has been amazing and he thinks Dennis shoots the moon and we can't figure out why.

Here are a few more photos of Logan. Thank you Logan for helping us tucker the wee ones out. It worked.

A few are coming to visit for the day tomorrow, a few are visiting their pups tomorrow night. I may have to put toothpicks in my eyes but I intend to have fun. Caffeine here I come. :-) Looking forward to Ty seeing his brother Kona. I promise to click with the good lens tomorrow.

A part of me says wash at least Truffie tomorrow but I don't know... I am still blogging.

Braggin Rights :-)

Your boy has yet another milestone under his fur...

Today he passed his evaluation as a pet therapy dog at the Montreal General Hospital. :-) Youngest ever.

Hugs

Mary

www.maryhughson.com

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Congrats, Mary. It's all thanks to you. I am sure he is going to put smiles on many a face that needs it!

Remember When?

This was Fiona and Truffie. My has time flown by. Truffie has become lighter. He's now older and having his own kids and Logan even chewed his head hair off but now his hair coming in is growing back dark. Havanese do that - change.

Truffie is my boy through and through. We have a special bond. He's a laid back guy who rarely lets anything get to him but was way confused when Fiona went into heat. She is finally truly over her heat and Phantom will be flying out to another place to make a connection or two. Life for the jetsetter Phantom is always interesting. One should have such a life of flying, new girlfriends and lots of pampering. heh

So, add him to my must bathe list too. We will miss him. We always do!

Actually the boys need a bath. They always do no matter how much you groom them daily - that is after a heat. <sigh> Fiona needs a bath too. :-)

Oh my gad the list is growing. Give me caffeine and marathon bathing here I come or not! Look at it outside - am I nuts?

Busy Week

We have a busy week coming up. Monday we have family coming.

Tuesday Cooper (Yvonne's boy) goes home. (baths tomorrow) Wednesday we have puppy shots. We get to see the Kona (how cool is that?) Ty comes to see his brother too. We get to see the Cooper you know well in that fab new house in snow country. We have 8 week puppy visits. Yeah Fiona's out of heat. I get caught up on washing if the rain and wet and mud stops. We may have ice... oh boy.

I am trying to buy chicken strips from a natural source - an entire box - still talking to someone about it but I should buy a dehydrator but they are hard to come by.

Risa is listening to me recite this all out loud and she is saying... well you come up with a caption.

Oh can I say life is usual? I am also letting Nathan have Jeannie, no name gal (haven't given in on a Spice gal) and Roxie cause I love him. They can't all be mine - can they? hahahahahahaha Maybe he should groom them too? It's only fair, don't you think?

Ela Update: Benji Update Below

Check out Teaser and Truffie's cutie Ela and how she looks now that she is getting older. Well not that old - but older.

Benji Update

Daughter's Amy Laundry Basket

Hi Nathan and Darlah, 

I hope this note finds you both doing well.  I just checked out your blog.  It is fun to see the fluffy clean pups ready to go home. 

A year ago Benji came home with us - so here is a little update.

 Ah the snip snip contraption - a conehead

He is a very sweet sweetheart.   Very sociable, makes the rounds saying hello to everyone.

He was euphoric over the holidays because there were so many visitors including other dogs.  He had the biggest smile on his face when my brother arrived with Clarence his canine-cousin.  In fact Benji slept with Michael when he was here - that is how much he likes Michael.

In fact he was even invited out to Christmas dinner where there were three other big dogs attending - my brother's in-laws are dog lovers - lucky for us and Benji.  

Anyways, it has been a wonderful year for Benji and our family.    Thank you for the great start.

Here are some photos.

Sending all our best wishes for the New Year.

Shirla

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Thank you, Shirla. We miss him and please do give him a hug from us. We had a fabulous time with him when you had your trip. He is an amazing boy but we may give them the start, you do the rest and you did - thank you!

Magic Came for a Bath

Okay, she came for a bath but she got a lot of play in. It was a lot of fun. She got along with Goldie that went home today quite well. We will have to do it again when Finn comes. I wonder how Joey is.

Here's a few photos of the day. Magic is now home but we really enjoyed her time with us!

Finn, Magic, Tangles - hey I need photos of Joey!!

Hey, What's Going On?

From first appearances (photos can be deceiving) it looks like Abigail flattened Goldie but she didn't. She was actually cleaning her as if she was her mom.

Even when they aren't the mom, the moms can't help but act as if they are the mom. It's okay as they get mothered in a variety of ways. :-)

Can you imagine having multiple moms and who you needed to please?

Getting grungy out there. We need a melt or a snow dump. How is your yard?

Chillin' Panda

One of Panda's fave spots to chill out is on her Daddy Gallan's legs. She even nudges him to warm him you best not move. hahahaha

Jeannie, Pups & More

Jeannie has become wonderful with the pups. At first she was very gentle then she was mauling them and now she finally has it figured out that she has to adjust her play to them. They do figure it out.

WE still have 6 more days of Fiona being in heat. It means 6 more days of boys whining quite literally. You don't know what it is like till you experience such joy - NOT!

I think Kat and Phantom whined or barked for 3 hours straight today. Truffie puts out a low key pathetic - whoa is me every now and then - that I could put up with. They don't hear you. Their focus is getting the girl and on nothing else. You do not exist except if you are a vehicle for getting the girl. It's the only time this occurs and when they go out of heat the boys bodies relax, they stop whining or barking and they return to the sweet boys they normally are. If you don't breed one would have to be totally insane to subject themselves to this.

If I won the lottery, I would take the boys out of town and leave Nathan with the gals. hahahahaha

6 more days.... oh my....

The Tiger is Napping

Heather sent this photo of Tiger Lily.

She said: Comfy and cozy while I work

Carol, Coco and Doozie

Carol is amazing what she does with the dogs. Coco is from Miss Abs and Kat and Doozie is from Wasabi and Kat. With her permission I am sharing her video. I just managed to convert it and upload it for your viewing pleasure.

I especially love the pair and what they do at the end. wow!

Here's the video!

Charlie: Wasabi's Baby

This is a recent photo of Charlie who lives in Quebec. I am so glad they sent a photo as I have been thinking about him and suddenly it shows up in Nathan's box. Funny how that happened. I am glad!

So why have the blogs been short and the galleries less? It's holiday season and we get busy during this time. We are slowly getting back to normal - a few more days.

No matter how crazy - I love, love, love the dogs. It's what gets me by. I can look like the bed head photo (human form) and I still manage to get smiles when I see what the dawgs do. They are magic for me - hard to explain but as much work and as tired as I get they also do something special to me. But there are times I also need 'me' time. There are times I don't know what that is.

My birthday is March 24th - long time off and I figured I would have a special day but Nathan is doing a judging seminar that day showing the judges the faults and attributes of dogs so they can judge them properly and guess who is supposed to groom these dogs for this event? I feel a flu coming on that day.

Now we shall see if Nathan ever reads these blogs. hahahahahahaha

PS: We are also dealing with a heat (Fiona) and have decided to breed her to Phantom for one last time to try to get a female Truffie. What a wild possibility but still possible.

So I am losing my mind with Truffie and Kat acting like fools whining and well its awful. If Lori and Irma thought it was bad the other night - it must be prime as we are into a new level of craziness. It's over in 9 more days.... oh I want to fast forward but then again I don't as the Treasure pups will start to leave. Can't bleepin win sometimes - I tell ya. Yes, I am happy for their journey - just always miss the little ones.

Here's Looking at You

Even Ty agrees - it's been one of THOSE Days. I tend to be a crazy person about cleaning around eyes. The dogs say hello, I clean around their eyes whether they need it or not. This was Ty just after I cleaned his eyes.

Now what do you think he was trying to say?

Boo Bursts On to the Scene

Scruffy says oh no not another capturing my Roxie's eye. Fickle women - I tell you!