Washa Washa

Roxie is washed. Got Logan, Panda and Kat to do as soon as I finish typing. I am posting a photo of Roxie as she won't look this way tomorrow.

Yes, the picnic is on rain or shine but we are arriving at 10am for setup so I expect my dogs to look like ragamuffins by the time everyone comes.

So, why am I washing?

Logan Just Washed After a DrinkWell, haven't figured out that one as they will surely need baths on Sunday. hahahaha

Sparky arrived and is smitten with Roxie. He is doing really well enjoying the other dogs.

Photos of the other washed dogs later cause as I said this is the cleanest you will see them.

That's okay, they will have a grand time.

Here you will see Logan just washed and after a drink so he can wet his face don't ya know. Dawgs....

Risa and Abigail was washed yesterday. They will get brushed at 6am tomorrow as we leave no later than 8am tomorrow.

 Panda Just Washed

Update on Friday, August 10, 2012 at 9:55PM by Darlah

PS: Sparky has been brushed but he arrived clean so no bath till he gets picked up. I have a funny feeling I will be bathing Sunday. hahahaha Off to bed - and no everything is NOT done.

Crazy Long Day

It's a crazy long day today. I have to start washing a few dogs to go to the picnic starting today. Risa is first. We have Sparky coming to visit and we are so excited and Scruffy coming in a few hours - fun, fun, fun!

See Sparky links to get to know who he is.

http://www.talemakerhavanese.com/talemaker_puppy_life/2010/12/27/sparky-the-havanese.html

http://www.talemakerhavanese.com/talemaker_puppy_life/2011/11/1/sparky-agility.html

Here are some more class photos before I start washing. Plus here is a fun video of Treasure's pup playing with the baby.

Class Tonight

Got to brush 3 dogs - Panda, Logan and Roxie before class so updates will come later tonight if I just remember my camera and stick this time.

Remembered my stick but too tired to update you other than to say it went well and everyone is improving each time. It is an amazing class - so much fun.

Update on Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at 9:57PM by Darlah

 Have you seen a more attentive crowd?

Quiet House

Simba is now home and will be truly missed. His family had fun at Disneyland and Simba had his own form of Disneyland here. :-)

His hair is so silky and thick but I find it easy care. With all that he plays I am amazed he has hardly any knots. I think he had NONE daily from a thorough comb out daily.

What a good boy - I am so impressed!

Rocky also went home and Rocky is not one of ours but he has managed to go from shy to playing like a banshee.

He does a fabulous rollover too even in the middle of the rest of the crew. Can we say he got a confident boost from last to this time. These exposures are great in helping them be all they can be.

No swimming today. Just grooming, playing and Nathan had a vet visit and now he is out with the Panda at handling class.

Logie is home loving his visitor.

Ah...life is quiet and who knows maybe we will dip the pups in the water tomorrow if it stays this hot.

Anything is possible!

Remember When?

Here is a photo of Kat and Wasabi. It brings back so many memories.

It's nice to look back at old photos and remember some of the things they did and how it drove you crazy or made you smile. The stuff that drove you crazy now makes you smile so eventually....

Wish they were young things again!

Exhaustive Day

Panda, Logan and Tiger Lily went home and that meant 3 baths, lots of grooming and today I am tuckered out.

I am not sure why I am feeling it but maybe too many full bath days in a row and come Thursday and Friday I will be doing another marathon for the picnic. If I don't sound coherent at the picnic just smile and give me that knowing look. hahaha

Tomorrow Simba goes and Tuesday Rocky. Wednesday I swim - just me - no dogs to groom - Nathan best do it.

I was out of my Panegenics so I used some human stuff on Logan and oh my am I jazzed with the feel of him. I will do it again on Friday so you can feel him at the picnic.

Tiger Lily had no patience for nail clipping.

I think something posessed her when Nathan clipped but he persisted and it got done and when it was done it was as if she said oh - that's all you are going to do?

I am literally falling asleep as I type - so sorry...

If I don't make sense, you know why.

Holiday Fun

I gave a bath to Coco and Doozie and they are smart enough to know that means Mommy and Daddy is coming to get me.

Now those of you that used to think they don't have memories are clueless. It's amazing how much they remember and what they associate with what event.

In this case they went to the gate and said - hmm Mom, Dad - why aren't you here yet?

This is perfect. They get excited to come, excited to go and have fun while they visit. To me, that's perfect. That makes me feel good when they feel good!

Coco and Doozie are amazing and I mean amazing in all the commands they know. They are practicing a sister act of dance and Carol showed me a little of what they are working on and it is FUN! She'll be at the picnic if you are interested in dance - well talk to her about it.

Ty also had a bath and had some training sessions while he was here. He's in class so it's been busy, busy, busy. Ty is amazing in his obedience training. Sit, down, stay, heel he knows it all without even thinking. He just gets overly exuberant when he sees other dogs, tail wagging and vocal so we were working on that. Distraction with obedience training worked well especially when we had a loose pitt bull in the neighbourhood. This is why obedience training is so good to have solid as ever. It can help you in most any situation.

PS: the pitt bull is very friendly but shouldn't be off lead.

I am glad we are doing another class as Roxie is saying speak to the paw at times. Oh, she is her mother through and through. Abigail also found obedience BORING so we are incorporating fun into the equation and her attention holds longer. We shall see how class goes on Wednesday.

Panda - well she was unbelievable - of course. Two siblings - so different but fun in their own way.

Here are a few photos of Ty before he went home.

Tomorrow Tiger Lily goes home and by Tuesday it will be awfully quiet and then Sparky comes to visit and he will attend the picnic minus his parents as they are road tripping. Sparky's parents are interesting and talented people and he is a cartoonist. See Aislin. His mom Mary does some amazing watercolours. They do agility with Sparky. It's been awhile since we have seen them and can't wait!

Wet & Soggy Day

I posted this on Facebook but I know some of you are not on FB so I am reposting here.

I don't know who else gives baths and blow dry to other people's dogs but today I had water dripping off me and all I can say is this dawg should have been called Havanese Wild Child. If I had anymore like this I would need to place my brushes and combs anywhere but on the table and wear waterproof clothes. The end result was nice but oh to get there - I laughed and laughed and I could tell she wasn't used to THAT reaction.

Meet Sadie. :-) She visits us off and on since she was 16 weeks old. She may be coming to the picnic and she is FUN, FUN, FUN. You will like her parents too!

Roxy also went home and I really hope she visits again. She was like a flower opening up - getting better and better and enjoying the fun. She was a delight.

Tomorrow Coco and Doozie will be heading home. I will miss them immensely. You will see them at the picnic too.

Today Angie dropped in and I was taking a shower while she was here. I came down and I was too late.

I had no choice. I had to take a bath.

Everyone was thoroughly brushed by me. I did some training today, exposed Ty to a Pitt Bull but with the added training - no photos of everyone. So sorry but maybe I am spoiling all of you. hahaha

Boys Day

Here are just a few photos of Rocky, Simba and Scruffy playing.

I am very busy today. So I won't get to more photos but I will try to tomorrow.

I can't believe Coco and Doozie are going home Saturday. They have been a pure delight and the Coco kisses for me are the very best. Sadie and Roxy heads out tomorrow and will be missed. Almost empty nesting.

Ty is hanging out here while his family moves. Maybe Cooper's mom can offer some tips to Julie on making the changes easier?

Here's the boys...

Be sure to see updated photos of Tre and Stella below!

Latest Photos

Hi Nathan/Darlah:

I have some updated pictures from the park.

Stella has a big girl haircut for the summer.

I will let it grow again.

Wait till you see her, and no you cannot have her back!!!!!

Regards Valerie

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From us: Stella, I think you are cute no matter what haircut you have.

If this is easier for Mommy and you, then go for it!

You really turned into a totally beuatiful silver beauty.

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Gerda also posted photos with Tre chillin amd what a lucky guy he is.

I do believe he has Abigail's snout, nose and mouth. :-)

Can't wait to see if the twins look like twins still. :-)

Updates with the dogs here later. Roxy (not our Roxie) is heading home tomorrow in the morning so I am washing her last thing before bed. Sadie also heads home but not till night so she will get bathed in the afternoon.

Class Tonight

It's going to be fun, fun, fun again! Roxie, Ty, Panda and Scruffy are in class tonight. I just can't believe it is an 8pm class - oh my...

It means we get home and roll into bed.

Still want to do a Tricks class....

PS: We will have 2013 havanese calendars at the picnic, Nathan's magazine in printed form and for rescue the t-shirts. Calendars are limited so if you want some you best order from Nathan soon as we ran out last year.

Update on Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at 12:12PM by Darlah

No update on the rest of the crew. Just know they are having fun and the sun is shining. With class and grooming and bathing - well time invested in playing with the dawgs is more of a priority than photos but we will get back to it tomorrow, I promise.

Wet, Rainy and Chilly

It's wet, rainy in a big way and it has become chilly so the dawgs are hanging out with Nathan in the TV room - well most of them.

This one took over the entire recliner and only in this house can you spread out and get comfie in the chair that the humans like the most.

I started grooming and gave up. They go outside and come in looking like wet rags and we put all these blankets all over the couches, on the chairs, in the crates so they can get real cozy.

It's a tough life, you know. They cuddle in and catch some serious zzs.

If the rain keeps coming the pool is going to overflow for sure. No photo galleries today. It's just one of those days but besides chilling we also play a lot of games that expels their energy and gets them tuckered out - us too. heh

Envious Update

Here's a photo of Envy practicing his stack in the grass!

Can you believe how long his hair is?

The photo was taken yesterday.

Scuff's Adventures

Hi D & N,

Just though we'd share some of our photos from the Elvis festival in Collingwood.

This was sooooo silly, but I swear it was so much fun!  It was the first time Scruffs was in a large crowd and we were so proud of him.  He did a great job!  There were lots of booths set up with a variety of Elvis and non-Elvis items.  We bought some fridge magnets for our parents that read "we heart our GrandDog".  Really cute :)

He also truly loved the cottage.  He got to play with the two Dachshunds next door, Ashtown and Spangle. He also met a Cocker-Bichon named Rocky and they became best buds :-) He loves the outdoors and the company of both humans and canines alike.  He got to dance with me - he likes when I hold him and sway - and listen to us crazy humans singing karaoke.  A neighbor even heard us and dropped in for an impromptu guitar play along.  We did Hotel California.....it's the only song we all mostly knew the words to. LOL. He even got to blow out my birthday candles with me. Scruffs was an extremely polite houseguest and won the hearts of everyone there, so he will surely get another invite.  He smiled and smiled and walked around with an extra spring in his step.  His happiness was unmistakeable.  He is now thoroughly pooped and sleeping like a baby.

Doggy Elvis....who knew?

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Below is today's update from the rest of the crew!

Run, Run & Play

The fun is in the run and in the play or capturing it, I suppose but for the dawgs it's the doing.

Roxy (not our Roxie) arrived and is playing up a storm with Rocky who almost looks like her twin except for the length of their ear hair. They also play alike. Sadie jumps in and says what about me? Simba says, are you kidding - game on. Then Coco joins in and Doozie says hey not without ME!

It's been a fun-filled day just watching!

Here's a few of the photos.

Full Day

Be sure to check the post below for an update on Biggie and Kobe.

We had a very full day. Simba, Roxie, Rocky, Sadie and Coco went swimming.

Let me explain why we do x dogs on a given day. Before they go swimming I thoroughly comb them out as mats will turn to felt. We swim and after swimming I again comb them out after brushing them out fully. It's a big process but worth it but sometimes it takes me a bit to get all the knots out when one comes to visit. You DO NOT wet a dog that has knots in them unless you want to damage the coat or you want a lot of work for yourself.

Tomorrow if the weather is good I will go swimming minus dogs. :-) I haven't been swimming in days as I have been grooming. hahaha Oh, it is worth it but every now and then it is MY turn. :-)

Cooper went home after I had him looking PERFECT. Did he remain that way for his parents? Well semi so. He rather loves the play and who can blame him.

Rocky went swimming and did rather well with it but did he want to go back in after the 2nd time? NO. So we will let him have a break from swimming and see if he invites himself in a day or two. This happens more time than not and then they go oh that was fun let's try it again. We never push the experience. We want it to be fun.

Sadie went swimming and ran around like a wild child. I swear her haircut suits her. hehe I think haircuts should suit the personality of the dog.

Simba had a glorious time swimming as if he's been hanging out in a lake or something and then played like a wild man with Roxie.

Coco was great at swimming but stayed away from the pool for days. Today she decided this was the day to go and she swam and swam. Doozie, her sister said NOT I! Coco is really coming into herself even telling Doozie, no, I don't think so. Usually she says if it is important Doozie, that's okay. Doozie is accepting of this new attitude Coco. It's obvious they love each other.

Just like us dogs like to swim when they want to swim not to entertain us. :-0

We got everyone brushed and combed out and dried and now they are all hanging out watching tv or catching some serious zzzs.

Is it bed time yet?

Take a look at the photos.

Puppy Updates

People were asking about Biggie and it seems he is doing wonderful.

He got a new hairdo and it seems he is still a character.

From his mom:

Biggie spent several hours at the 'spaw' this morning and came out with this new do. Not sure about the blow out (I like his hair in its natural curl better) but its nice to see his eyes again ;).

He seems pretty happy with it.

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Now for an update from another.

Kobe, one half of the twins mommy sent us a photo.

This is from Kobe's mom:

Hi guys! How's your summer going? I am home with the pups and it has been great! Kobe went for his first swim last week and after I brought him in once he jumped back in on his own! He seemed to enjoy it and especially liked running around wet!

Then we went to the beach and he was initially scared of the waves but later was lying down in them! He is just the best! Looking forward to seeing you all soon!

Lauren, Vince, Shilo and Kobe

Strange Weathered Day

It was a better day today than yesterday - not for the dogs but weather wise. I still didn't swim but Nathan took Zack and Coco to swim before they head home shortly. If I was washing, may as well swim don't you think?

The weather got hot, got cold - it was strange so instead of taking more, we just gave up and decided outdoor running play was best and less grooming for this arm that was aching today.

I had someone stop by the other day and I was showing some tips on grooming but had to give up as my arm just is a tad more sore than I imagined and now even more so without meds. Oh well, it will be fine. I did manage to groom everyone. Just the arm could groom all the swimmers TWICE so forgive me.

Cooper goes tomorrow morning, Zack and Coco tonight. The room on the bed - well there will be tons. hahaha

Cooper is moving to Huntsville so when he gets picked up he has an exciting adventure in store. He has a new house to explore and he may be confused for the first day as he won't be going to the old one again. But he's smart and will figure it out.

After all his playing he is going to be a mellow guy, I imagine. Keeping him clean in this wet weather has been an interesting venture but I think after some cleaning under and feet he's more than fine. Let's see what tomorrow brings.

You will get to see Simba in the photos. He's visiting and well being Simba. I rather like his cut - an in-between looks now that it is growing in. Lori - YES I LIKE IT!

Also, Sadie who is not one of ours but we have known her since she was a wee pup. She is a play monkey and adds fun to the mix. I believe she is friends with Rocky as it is home week with those two.

I didn't catch everyone but I will try to play catch-up tomorrow.

Look at how Treasure's hair is getting long. So pay attention folks, hair DOES grow. Do what is best for you.

Check out the photos.

Not Many Photos

Nathan took photos today and I thought he was taking Simba, Charlie, Cooper, Sadie and Rocky playing up a storm as this is what happened outdoors an hour ago, he got instead some artistic shots.

So, sorry I thought I had a potential gallery but I do not. He was having fun, what can I say?

Flora is gone and although Kat watched her leave he is still looking frantically for her - so sad. I hope it clicks in. I guess its that wishful thinking.

I heard Lori dropped by and Nathan and I was at ribfest while Jon and Dennis was here watching the dogs. We were gone for an hour and got these WONDERFUL butterfly chips. It was good to get out even for a short period of time. You should go if you can. It's free and the food was great! We did a takeout. So sorry we missed you - a rare thing especially with me as its Nathan that runs the errands.

I managed to get everyone groomed and tomorrow I have baths as some go home. It's going to get quiet again and I do hope that the weather gets better. Looking like rain again.

Off to watch the Olympics surrounded by dogs. I can be sure that Coco will lay behind me with her head on my shoulder. This dog or that will be in my legs, on my lap, on my side and then they will shift. It really is like poetry in motion in the making.

It's Been a Day

Cooper and Scruffy was playing up a storm as if they are related. Wait, they are!

Scruffy is now home and I bet you he will be snoozin' as he played hard today despite the lack of a pool and despite the rain they still manage to go silly crazy. It's nice.

I did manage to groom everyone. Molly and her mom dropped by and we did hair talk.

Coco and Doozie rema funm fun, fun with their antics and we are still learning all their commands but it is fun trying.

Yvonne just missed seeing Coco and Zack. Coco waited for her turn for grooming. Now that's new. Hey I see you are giving out treats when you groom, lady. So groom me next!

Rocky came in the place looking forward to the fun and is really settling in well. (more photos tomorrow of everyone) Just more difficult taking photos in the house in tighter quarters so I am hoping no rain tomorrow. We shall see. Plus sitting is not so easy still.

I lined combed Cooper but he doesn't look like it. Rain and play - what can I say.

But we are managing 'some' play outside but much grooming after that!

Flora is visiting till tomorrow as she is breeding to Kat.

We signed up Roxie tp Citizen Canine in Ajax starting August 1st at 8pm. Class is almost full. Ty and Scruffy wil be joining us. It's going to be fun!

More photos tomorrow... just know fun is had by all despite this rain that has come and they say is still coming.