Update

The Wasabi blog got an update from Mia!

What a Day

Well it started with rain, ended with sunshine. The dogs helped me repot plants, weed out one section of a bed (got way more to do) and they LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the smelly compost, go figure.

There goes my day of leisure. Nathan got a nap after he went and got me lunch and went out and got me a calla and canna lily from someone who was selling them cheap off craigs list. The canna went into my water feature. I need more for my front pond and other water pot. I will keep looking as this is the time people are dividing their plants.

I really wanted a quiet day doing nothing but fun. My deal was when I saw these 2 mature plants I told Nathan I would wash Jlo (remember he promised to) if he would go get the plants. I should have included him repotting too but maybe they would still be sitting in bags if I did. :-)

Tomorrow if we have sunshine I will sand the picnic table.

Jlo came out great. I am pleased with how her coat came out. I hope her owner is too. Tomorrow I get back to grooming my crew and Phantom and Mugs.

We thought Phantom and Mugs would be going home but Paula got in a 4 year old Havanese that is dog aggressive. She is retraining him. Something about encouraging the dog to be a guard dog - not good.

So between 2 babies, Envy another baby and this dog she got in she has her hands full so we have a delay in the duo heading back home.

Some people complain that they are bored, me I just want to catch a breath sometimes. hahaha

I am so glad Fiona can now be in with the rest. Segregating is not fun.

Lazy Day

We went to the garden centre. We got a multi-coloured hibiscus and wait till Dennis finds out it can't stay out till the end of the month. He's already asked me for a list of the plants inside so he could see which he could place out. The answer was none.

But I bought a few gerbera daises and some petunias, a tomato plants, lettuce, green beans, bok choy - tiny plants that I am going to put and see if they ever become edible or if they outlast the dogs' curiosity.

Remember some plants are poisonous. If you like those particular plants then pot them and put them up. You can still enjoy their beauty from a safe spot.

I need to repot a few plants. I am not highly motivated. I need to do a lot of things but I am in a funk. It's that inbetween stage where I know nonstop work is coming so I need to get a lot accomplished but not today - rain is coming or so it looks like.

That's okay. I may lay on the couch and play with some dawgs and chill and maybe I will actually fall asleep. We shall see.

Right now the dogs are trying to get me to hand them a chip or two. They do look adorable trying.

Some days it's just a good thing to do!

PS: Be still my heart. Wasabi is full out playing with her daughter, Spice. Did I have a camera - well yes but did I pick it up? No!

Bath Times

I washed Risa today.

She feels and LOOKED magnificent.

By the time we got the camera she had rolled, messed up her hair 5 ways to Sunday till we gave up. Oh well, I know she was cleaned.

This was our attempt at taking her photos after her bath. It says a lot about her personality. Doesn't matter how old they get, that personality usually shines through.

Really, do you think she was trying to tell me something?

In the middle of the night when I reach out to touch a dog I usually know who I am touching by the feel. It's easy when they have had baths but not as easy when you do several in a day.

Today it was only Shoshi, Risa, Panda and Logan. Panda and Logan do not live here so tonight when I reach out and touch a dog do you think I will be able to tell the difference between Shoshi and Risa? Of course and that's not a fair one as they have entirely different hair.

They also have different personalities. This was Shoshi after her bath.

No rollovers - just what do you want mom?

Cooper is Home

Well it's a dry day - no mud. I still had to wash Spice, Treasure, Kat and Truffie. You should see the room I am grooming in - disaster city. It too will get cleaned but it's one of those rooms you clean it and 15 minutes later after grooming it's a mess. I wish I was one of those people that had a place for each thing and shelfs everywhere and a desire to be poifect. (Yes I spelt that wrong on purpose.)  Yeah right - on what planet.

I pick up this brush, that comb, another brush, this grooming spray and I am doing laundry at the same time and well it's interesting. When I wash, I throw this towel down on the floor to be washed and as towels are dried I fold them halfway and throw it on a pile. Nathan brings a pile of laundry in just because I am there. I used to roll the towels up so they looked nice but as time goes on who has time? I half fold the laundry that Nathan brings in. It never gets done but the desire is there similar to my clothes closet. HA!

I looked at myself today with my hair going every which way in a groming jacket and realized I take care of the dawgs better than me. I have to laugh.

Oh boy and tomorrow I will have Panda and Logan and as a special treat for Linda for Mother's Day Panda will get washed. Logan I do each Friday but Panda's not due till next week. But for Mother's Day I figured it would be nice to send them home smelling grand. Happy Mother's Day to a grand lady. Thnx for loving Panda and the Logie Bear.

I will see who else I have the energy to do.

Phantom returns tomorrow and I have a feeling he will need a bath too. We shall see. We have Jazzy coming to visit this weekend and we get to see Penny a Fiona daughter on Monday.

Oh and Nathan pulled out 90% of the dandelions on the front yard. That means I have to weed. Gee maybe that will be my Mother's Day.

Here are a few photos taken before party boy Cooper went home. I hope you enjoy.

Still, no matter how hard the day is the dawgs just give me a smile. I am not sure what I would do without them. It's not just ours that reside with us but all the pups and all the moms and dads and brothers and sisters and families that love them. That's what will make my Mother's Day special knowing that the dawgs are loved! Thank you all for making this year's Mother's Day special by being just you.

Cooper Arrived

This is how Roxie felt. She has been playing nonstop with Raylan and Monty and then when the Cooper arrived she played a bit, laid down and did a grouch thing - leave me alone I need some DOWN time.

She rested and played a bit more but I see even Cooper is taking a needed nap.

It's so unlike Roxie but you can see she would be very satisfied to lay on Daddy's lap and watch the end of the Voice or whatever else he had in mind.

Cooper arrived and was ready to play, play, play and Roxie has been doing that for days. But she found her fun and Cooper found his fun with another party guy, Logan.

Then the rain set in and they all took naps. It's been a wet and exciting day. Here are a few photos of Cooper playing.

 

Wet Mucky Day

It's been a wet day and although everyone got groomed they don't look like it. It's one of THOSE days. You wonder why you even try.

Simba was flying through the air having a grand old time and he didn't get dirty at all. Now what's that about?

I did wash Raylan underneath and all over his legs two days in a row as he can't help but run through the mud but Monty it just dried and glides off of him and his hair still feels clean. I want that hair. hahahaha Mac because he is dark you just don't see it. But Truffie and Spice and Roxie I would put in that category of a disaster. Roxie and Panda was so much so that they had to have a full bath. They ran through the mud as they couldn't help themselves. If that wasn't enough they rolled in the mud too. Kids you know...

Cooper comes tomorrow and it best be dry as he will get everyone running through everything and there will be more baths. hahahahaha That's okay...it's a dawg life after all!

Notice I didn't post photos of the ones that needed baths? I wasn't even up to after bath photos. I am sure you understand.

Trying to Play

We had a rip roaring play session with all first thing this morning. It was actually too early for the neighbours, I bet but they were all full of beans. But who takes the camera out at 7am? Not me so no action caught.

Alex dropped by to give us our gazebo top and Dennis and Nathan put that on.

Then after washing Fiona I told Nathan I was going outside to click some photos.

He was running, acting like a crazy person and they looked at him with mild interest but it was almost as if they were dog tired and I think they were.

Nathan put a tug toy through his belt to entice them but they just would take the bait.

Then he tried the frisbee and they thought hmmm looks fun but are you kidding? We ran around for hours already and you want us to do WHAT?

What was fun was watching Abigail and Treasure and Roxie play. They were so full of beans but even later on we found their energy just wasn't what it was early this morning.

We even fed the dogs late as they were having so much fun and when Logan and Panda arrived it was game play again.

But as I type and look around the entire crew is catching some serious zzzzs and I think I should be.

It is now sprinkling so we may be playing games inside vs. outside turning the house into a crazy stampede fun house and that suits me just fine.

Remember When

I figured I would put up a photo of Ray Ray boy when he was a pup. He has now silvered out.

Raylan and his bros are visiting us and it's ever so fun to have them.

PS: Mac fit in like a glove - no problem. They can stay longer and don't have to go home, you know. hahahaha

Abs and Raylan

Tomorrow we get to see Mac, Monty and Raylan - what fun! Raylan lived here for a year so we have a extra attachment to the guy.

It will be fun to have him here again and also to have his brothers Mac and Monty.

I am counting the hours.

Status

I pulled dandelions but there will be more today. I picked up all the piles Dennis left. He weeded more but it is not done. The front - well that is downright scary but next week not today. We are tuckered out.

Ms. Wasabi had her bath. Laci had hers. The moms played with Laci like they played with Shady when he was here. It was a lot of fun.

Now off to hose the walkways down seeing there is mud everywhere from Dennis weeding between the pavers.

Come around to the back when you arrive. We can't wait to see you. I need a rest...hahahaha especially with this heat business of Fiona's.

What a Day

Spice didn't get her haircut - no time...

Abigail and Spice got a bath, tomorrow a visitor and Wasabi gets theirs plus Panda Bear.

I spent 5 hours grooming today, 5.5 hours in the garden pulling all sorts of things where it actually looks worse than the weeds but now we have room for growth.

It's far from done. Nathan almost killed my prized Peony tree. He did break many branches but it is still alive. He's mighty sensitive about it as he - well we won't go there.

While I was gardening we were rotating dogs outside for play. Dennis is outside in the storm picking up all my piles - joy. We have thunder and lightening but no rain yet but its coming. I hope Dennis gets done before the downpour.

I was black when I came in and boy is my body aching. It felt good to have a shower.

The dogs love the extra space. But soon everything will be overgrown and I will realize all this space is not space at all and so will the dogs.

The front and side yard is well a total disaster but dogs can't sit out front with me so when I finally get to that it will be short doses.

Oh well Dennis just came in and didn't get to finish. Tomorrow is another day. hahahaha

Now to go snuggle with the crew.

PS: I think they rather enjoy the outside more than the house any old day. They truly enjoyed playing and lounging outside most of the day. It was nice to spend the day with them outside. I just wish I wasn't doing work while they were playing or lounging. hahaha

Oh amd no hard drive yet. Maybe my neighbour got it?

Gone to the DOGS

Yes, we have really gone to the dogs. We are busy making sure the dogs have more room to play in the yard - not us have more room but the dogs.

Don't you think we have our priorities right?

Can't wait till we can do this...

Simba & Scruffy & a Hairdo

Rox & Simba's New Hairdo

Simba's mom was worried about Simba's new hairdo. She asked for a trim and she didn't recognize the dog that came out. It happens.

Although I like the puppy look or longer (Scruffy has that puppy look) this hairdo is actually not bad.

It's easy care. You can see he is a tri colour boy (eyebrows) and silver brown in his face. You can see he has nice structure. I think he is a cutie but I understand the shock of getting a hairdo on one of your family members that you don't expect.

But if you don't like it - well it grows. That's the good thing about hair and you may decide you do like it. It's just an adjustment to have a new look.

Well in a minute Scruffy is getting a bath and will be picked up and Simba will be going home. Roxie played up a storm with both but I thought you may enjoy the boys - one is a Teaser pup, the short do guy is a Fiona pup. Both are cuties in their own right and I got some really great shots but no hard drive still and its a hardship to do this on Nathan's machine but I am hopeful tomorrow (hard drive should arrive) I can get to last week videos and photos on the Wasabi and Abigail pups but till them enjoy this spectacular display of what two puppies do best. Check it out.

Easier Ways to Groom

Ty as a Pup (Treasure and Kat Pup)

Some people brush while they are on your lap and that is how I started out watching the tv and grooming but these days I bring my ipad into my grooming area, put a tv show on and I use a table.

I can put a collar on a young pup and they get used to standing and getting groomed. There is a value in a grooming table but as a pet person do you need one? No.

Is it easier to have with a grooming arm or rail across (I have a rail) and a noose called a groomer's helper? Yes. It even lends a sense of comfort for you and for them.

My adults stand without a noose and lay on their backs or sides - whatever I want but they don't start out that way. You have to condition them.

Treasure was a stubborn one and these days she lays back and relaxes. I remember her going to a show with Paula and Paula asking if I was conditioning her to grooming. I said of course. She said well she won't lay down nor will she lay on her back. I said she will for me.

For her it was a trust factor. She is a dominant dog that likes to be in control. But even a pup like that learns to relax and enjoy. Just when you think they never will, they do.

Just keep at it and it all comes together.

Someone asked me about tearing during teething. To stop it from running and staining each day a dab of corn starch at the top of the leakage stops it from reoffending. When teething (all adult teeth are in) it should stop or be minimal.

Insight As We Experience It

I want you to laugh. This was Risa just brushed - yes just brushed rolling up a storm. I love a grandma that knows how to have a good time.

I just looked at her and shook my head and said so much for grooming.

Risa is going on 11. To Nathan she will always be 10 or less. I get that. She still runs around, flirts with Phantom's dad Mugs and I mean full out flirts with him. Just because you are older and spayed doesn't mean you can't have fun. I can't think of life without this gal quite literally.

When our dogs get of an age or have to be let go as it is needed, I am the one that takes that drive alone as the guys in my life can't and I cry myself all the way home and then pretend I am strong for them. But I am hoping she has another 6 years to fill my life with joy. If Nathan says she is 9 or 8 or even 7 just smile as he just thinks if you make them younger they will be with us much longer. That's okay. I get that!

Sometimes I think she is a teenager again the things she does and that makes me happy. In all her life thus far she has only had one of those harmless growths that had to be frozen off that they get like our skin tags and it only had to be frozen off as it kept getting caught in the brush. Other than that she had a blocked anal gland when we put her on a food that didn't agree with her. She carries a bit more extra weight than she did when she was younger - don't we all but she loves, jumps and last battery of tests the vet said you would swear she was still 2 years old.She still has all her teeth and still ADORES food as much as I do.

She is my no nonsense gal. When Wasabi had her first litter she went into the whelping box, sent Wasabi out and cleaned up the babies. It wasn't that Wasabi was doing a bad job but she wasn't doing a Risa job and Wasabi actually learned. Risa continued this tradition with each new mom. One wonders if she will do the same when it comes time for Spice, Roxie and Panda.

She doesn't have the patience for the pups climbing all over her anymore. She rather likes them before they are into trouble and after they get older. I guess that is true of some humans too.

Wasabi will get spayed next month probably around the time we do an ultrasound on Fiona and her hair will grow back. She will be off chasing squirrels and I wonder if she will help the new moms. Time will tell.

When I see the Havanese laying and sleeping in contentment or rolling around like a banshee, well that's what the Havanese are truly about. From young to old I love all the stages I just wish they never end.

This is Silly

I moved the Just Silly Post to Fiona's blog seeing it was about her. :-)

Phantom's Visiting

Well he is not visiting us but another gal - such a cheating boy. hahahaha

That's okay cause while he is gone Daddy will play. We will leave it at that and will be talking about that in a few weeks.

Phantom's plane was delayed but he finally arrived.

Last night I spent time washing and brushing for a couple of hours. Why so long? I could have finished him in an hour even line combing him especially as I deep conditioned him in the morning but....

He was going to a long time breeder and well I wanted him perfect so when I tied him up underneath and he peed and got some on him (still trying to figure that out when I tied him up I was immediately washing him underneath and fretting. You would think I was doing a grooming competition and getting graded on it. It was pathetic.

Then when he got up in the morning, he went out, got dirty again and I was fretting again with Nathan saying ENOUGH - he goes as he is. I ignored and finished him and prayed that he would make it intact but did I hear? No. Nathan got a note - he arrived tis all.

The things we do to ourselves but I love the Phantom, I care how he looks and how people perceive him especially those in the business, I suppose but that's silly too.

When it all boils down to it it is more important how he is emotionally than how he looks and I posted this as a 'silly me' getting caught in that trap.

As you know Phantom's dad is here. He is sporting the same hairdo as Teaser. It's not a hairdo that I love but hair grows and it is easy to care for. I am a long hair freak I guess.

Phantom's dad has an amazing personality and go figure that Phantom was sired by him. He is loving, throws the toys around and surrounds himself with them much like Phantom. He is full of life and a fun guy but he is constantly saying - so where's the gal?

Paula handed him over to us and said please take care of him. It's obvious that she loves him dearly and I know why. He is confident, fun, mischievous and loving. What more would you want. Phantom loves to hang out and chill and Mugs likes to be in the middle of the fun but that sweet nature is obvious in both.

Alfie's Visit

This is Alfie after I got him groomed up today. He's not one of our breedings but he came for a visit and to get some loving and some coat cleanup meaning knot elimination. He is such a good boy and was about it.

I have been busy in the grooming department and it hasn't stopped as just before bedtime Phantom gets done as he heads off west first thing in the morning for 10 to 14 days. I will miss him but I imagine when Phantom's dad goes back to Paulas so will Phantom.

This morning I wrapped Phantom's coat in a deep moisturizer (only stuff you do for a bad coat or a show coat) and tonight I will wash it all out and blow dry him, wrap his underneath and then redo the wraps in the morning so he stays very clean. Crazy show dog stuff. I will miss Phantom but I also miss the pups but who knows what the future will bring. I imagine more pups are in store for us in among swimming and who knows what. We shall see.

At PawsWay on Saturday June 2^nd and Sunday June 3^rd Nathan will be doing an event with a couple of dogs to show off the Havanese. Do visit him if you are close to Pawsway on those days. He will be selling the 2011 t-shirts with our Katsura on the back, tote bags, hats and a few other things to help Rescue. We may put them out on our play dates but don't feel obligated to buy any of it. It's only if you want - no pressure especially for those that won't be able to get down to Pawsway. It's just something we do for Rescue when we have too much merchandise from the specialties. It helps us to help the havanese in need.

Tip of the day. If you have too many lengths of hair like a shag cut in a havanese it will mat easier. Many do not realize this.

Another tip cause it rained today - hose off just the feet but comb the paws and let them dry so they don't get knots. I wish I had a mudroom for days like today. What do you do?

Update on Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 5:57PM by Darlah

Be sure to check Sophie's video here. This is a Treasure pup, Kona and Ty's sibling!

Today's Events

Let's look at what I didn't get done.... Started the office desk didn't finish it. Started the grooming area, didn't finish it.

Charlie and Ty came to visit so bathed Charlie today - I like bathing them as we connect and get lots of kisses but it side tracked me. I needed an excuse!

Then Molly stopped by - a delight but the light was bothering me and then it dawned on me I hadn't eaten a thing all day long. Oh, well no wonder why I was getting off kilter.

Charlie tuckered Ty out so much that he crawled on the back of the couch and I swear he said nah, nah I am now taking a nap so there. It was funny so Charlie went on to the next to play. After all he is a puppy.

I did get everyone groomed but they don't look like it.

I give up on cleaning, grooming - who cares. I am just going to snuggle with the dawgs.

Besides Alfie is coming to visit (just arrived) so I have another excuse.

Tomorrow night I wash Phantom and wrap his coat so it stays clean, pack up a crate and Nathan takes him to the airport. He wanted me to as he doesn't like shipping a dog off but instead prefers picking them up. He thinks I can do it but he's supposed to be at the airport no later than 6am so I said I love you but it's not going to be me!

Besides Friday Yvonne comes for a visit. I haven't seen her forever. Then Saturday we have a Teaser puppy get together.

My hard drive should arrive by Friday so galleries and a video on Saturday I hope and my vacuums is supposed to arrive in 2 days fed ex 2 day from Halifax. Maybe Saturday will be a fun day all day long. We shall see.

Oh and Nathan is still trying to say it is I that takes Phantom. Nope...

PS: Phantom's dad Mugs is here and he is shaved down so no grooming work per se and he has an amazing personality! He too throws chocolates with a gal that has the chocolate gene.