Downsizing

Recently Risa was at Jeans house and did splendid. She liked it so much she cried when Jean left. I think Jean must have been feeding her treats or Jean is just so nice that one on one they bonded. Jean is amazing in our books.

Risa is 8 years old, always healthy, loves walks, fully house trained of course and enjoys sleeping in bed late. She's a dream dog...truly, and as much as it pains us, we must find the 'right' home for our older dogs. We can't just keep adding dogs. We have a limit per our bylaw and if we are to continue breeding, we must place our older dawgs and continue the lines.

It's one of the hardest things we have ever done. Jean is alone and already has 2 dawgs so we are looking for someone that is as special as she is.

So, if you think you are that special person, someone that can give Risa that one on one attention that is so difficult for us but that she so richly deserves, come visit. Risa knows true dawg people and only true dawg people need apply. You must be willing to give her lots of love, walks, sleep in your bed with you and brush her daily though her hair is silky and gorgeous and easy care. She loves car rides and you must limit her treats as she LOVES to eat.

Please understand that this is NOT an easy process for us and we may be very picky but if she connects with you, then we know it is right. If she doesn't, then we will continue to look. It's not you but her choice. We owe her that.

Getting Older

Abigail is no longer feeding her babies but she is playing with them in a big way, so is Wasabi.

With puppies growing up, changes occur. Moms are fed with the other dawgs once again and they are fed less food - back to the usual.

Why does that happen? Moms would get fat and this also allows for a transition time for the pups giving moms time to teach vs. feed. It's a critical time.

Moms enjoy this time and they know it is transition time.

Now that Red is gone Abigail is playing up a storm with Raylan. Then soon Raylan will be off to England and Abigail won't have any pups hanging out here.

They leave the nest too early, I say but maybe moms realize it's time but they do seem to miss them.

It's sort of like us humans becoming empty nesters. It's an adjustment but we also enjoy the quiet and less work aspect. Miss then we do though till they make more work for us. hahahaha

Happy Holidays to All

It means a great deal to us that you take the time to read our site. We do this for the dawgs. We never miss a day of sharing or giving you a glimpse into what we are all about. No matter how tired or sick - well we feel as if we let you down if we allow life to get in the way of connecting, sharing and celebrating the Havanese dawgs.

We have had so many changes this year. Some we celebrated, some we cried about and we also recognized that life threw some of you some curves that were unexpected. For that we are disapointed with this thing called life.

Those who adore and love dawgs should be given a break and good things should always come your way. People who totally love their dawgs are special and you deserve the very best.

May next year bring everything you and your dawgs deserve - all good and wonderful memories that you will Treasure.

This is our Treasure in this photo celebrating life in her fashion. If we simply take the time to look, be receptive and listen, we may find that the Havanese bring smiles even to the most crabby person. You just have to stop, pay attention and allow. Click on the photo.

From us and our dawg crew at Talemaker Havanese, we wish you all the VERY best!

Now start creating memories to Treasure!

Red With His New Family

Red's family shared with us some photos and I hope they don't mind but I chose this one due to the smiles on BOTH of them. Red's not sharing his teeth but smiling he is.

He's getting used to car rides, an active family, alarm clocks (we don't use them) and walks plus much more.

It's wonderful to hear about his adventure.

By the time he will visit us he will be bonded and our home will be a visit and theirs his home.

That's what it is all about.

Red Adair Goes to His Forever Home

I already miss the Red but he's going to a home with a number of kids that he will enjoy.

Yes, he will have an ajustment as he hasn't a clue where he is going but he will have so much fun - I just know it!

He became my heart dog always sleeping up against me and as a breeder you say keep your distance but how can you?

But when I hear about his adventures and I know he is enjoying his forever life, I will be more than happy as that is what it really is about - not us but them.

Listening to how much they wanted Red right from their first visit - well he is absolutely wanted and hey you can't help falling hard for the Red Adair. I tried not to. heh

So, we wish him well. Take care of this little guy as he is truly special and let us know about his adventures.

We are wishing we were a fly on the wall at their house tonight. :-)

Treasure's Vet Visit

Treasure has an ear ache and had to go to the vets today. Our vet is in Colborne. With her potentially being pregnant we can't use the normal way of dealing with it so they cleaned it out. I am drying it daily and they will look at it again on the 31st.

It was a long drive. She's still not up to par but she's a tad better. How did she get  an ear ache? We are not sure.

I have to admit I came back and took a nap in the room with the pups and a variety of some of the dawgs draped all over me and I didn't feel it. I was very tired as Kat and Raylan has been keeping me up.

I am typing this and yawning. What does that tell you? Can I go to bed now? 

Remembering Fairer Weather

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow... But I want some of that green stuff and Treasure adores the white stuff but loves mucking it up in the leaves. Fall just slipped by so fast.

Well, Treasure is off to the vet tomorrow. She has an ear ache that we have to get looked at. It means our son will be taking care of the pups while I am driving in that white stuff. They say we are getting a storm. I hope not. I am not crazy about driving in anything slippery - who is.

So photos may be sparse tomorrow but hopefully the vets will fit me in early enough that I am back in the morning but we shall see.

The crew enjoyed our visitors today especially Coco and Breeze. We humans enjoyed the dawgs and the human visitors. Thanks for coming!

Heat, Marking & All That!

 When gals are in heat and the boy is not mating with her, he does this continual marking. They mark to say this is mine but I also think it releases some stress. They do get very stressed when they are not being bred and there is a gal.

To make matters worse, they drip down their legs forcing many baths, rinse offs and that is why some breeders actually place leg protectors on. If I see the lady at the show that makes them, guess what I am going to buy. heh I want 2 sets. One to wipe off and wash daily and the other to replace.

At this point I am washing Kat every 4 or 5 days and rinsing daily and sometimes twice a day. I will be glad when Fiona is done her heat. She's being mated with a different male and its a bit much for Kat to take. Do you understand? I do.

I just gave him yet another bath. This morning he had a rinse and underneath bath but he was so bad that even though I washed him a few days ago, well he had to have another. I am now trying to figure out how to protect his legs. I may put a snowsuit on him. hahahahaha

Some would be upset but I 'get' that this is temporary and it too will pass and that hormone surge is something difficult to control. He's not whining or crying as some do so I best count my blessings.

Those that do not want to neuter their males though have to be crazy cause all it takes is a gal to be in heat up to a mile away and you will suddenly have all this wonderful behavior when they reach puberty. The reality is, it makes sense to neuter unless you are breeding and if you breed and the boy is connecting with the gal, the marking doesn't occur.

Now off to find solutions to keep him clean. (PS: I just tried plastic bags with hair ties on them - let's see how long that lasts. I will take them off at bedtime and put them back on in the morning and then off when we have guests or maybe not)

On a Mission

Tonight when Nathan gets home he will be reading email and returning calls about Red.

It's been a busy day as Yvonne came to send one of her pups to his forever home and the new owners met here.

What does that mean for the crew? Well, just a different routine. Dawgs appreciate consistency but they also should have things mixed up so they have the ability to go with the flow. It's also important to socialize.

Red Adair Looking For a Home

Red Adair was heading to England next year but due to his structure (he's compact and shorter than expected but full bodied) we are looking for a pet home instead of a show home. There is nothing wrong with him. He's healthy as ever and loves his food! He's pad trained. He's loving, gorgeous and needs another dog or one on one attention. He's way smart!

He sleeps in the bed. He's still a puppy. He's had all his shots and it will kill us to see him go but he needs a forever home. He's been in a holding pattern waiting for England too long.

If you need more info or you are interested, send Nathan mail.

Balanced Dogs

From time to time I write a few articles to help you get your dawgs from one point to the next. You have a great deal, after the breeder that is, in getting your dawg to be all they can be.

Read 'Getting Your Dog Balanced'

Too often life gets busy and we don't take the time to take our dawgs for play dates, out to Petsmart or your local dog store or to classes. Then suddenly you are wondering why your dog is nervous at new things.

Conditioning is VERY important. The more your expose your dogs to new things the more he takes changes in stride.

Think about it. If you never went out of the house and suddenly you were dragged out and you had no clue where you were going, how do you think you would feel?

Sure you need to do slow conditioning in safe environments but exposure is important.

I remember talking to someone that does agility and their dawg stops when someone has a hat on. If you started putting various hats on or had someone else each time that dawg would train, eventually the dawg wouldn't react but that takes effort. Is it worth it? YEP!

You have the ability to have an amazing time. They are what you put into them and as breeders, we give them the best start possible and you bring them in for a homerun.

Hunting Squirrels

I have to tell you the Havanese love to chase the squirrels. Wasabi can even catch one but what does she do if she does? She lets it go. It's simply the fun of the game. Kat just loves to look.

Shoshi used to be our top duck chaser, squirrel hunter with Risa not too far behind. They do adore a game of chase.

What does that tell you? If you ever have a dog loose that is heading the wrong way and he/she won't come to you, run the other way. Get her/his attention and run and the chase will be on and the dawg will come to you. It sounds counter productive but it does work.

We were at a gas station one time and a dog got out of the  car and was running towards the road. The owner was frantic. Nathan stepped into action and the dog was chasing him away from the street till the dog got close to the owner where she could catch him.

Remember, take advantage of their natural desire to chase. Be creative. Play games and get that recall down as it could save their life.

Ease of Grooming

I find 4 adult pups a breeze to room even to line comb. I think the more you do, the faster you get and the better you get. So don't give up if you are frustrated as it really does come.

Today we finally got our teak furniture in and room made for it to come in. Talk about doing things late.

The dawgs adore the snow and Kat is now sleeping up against me as if I am a second skin. We have had way too many changes and the dawgs are feeling it as if they are worried they will go and won't come back too. <sigh> I wish you could tell the dawgs things in a way that they would understand the changes.

They moped around after we lost Whitney and as our dawgs were placed other places, they are rather off kilter and I 'get' that. So am I if off kilter means down right sad. But we are pleased to hear the stories.

We love the dawgs so. Something special about unconditional love from a dawg, don't you think?

Have any of you experienced the wet snowballs that appear on their tummies from a walk?

Risa at Jeans

Risa is enjoying Jean, Quito and Kooba I am told by Jean and she is fast when it comes to squirrels.

We miss her but my heart does good when I hear from Jean and how she is doing. Risa is an amazing dawg. She's the grand dam and Kat's mom.

Thanks Jean for being you.

I am missing our dawgs as we have now arrived at our limit per our bylaw. <sigh> Who knew and how unfair that there is one when there are so few really good dawg homes. Yes, someone reported us - not for barking, not for care - but the number of dawgs.

This hurts my ability to help the rescues. Instead I have to manage and try to help in ways that I can.

Crazy as we groom our dawgs daily, love them, exercise them, snuggle with them and totally adore them!

But we are happy to hear about their adventures. Thanks everyone - you know who you are! Give the dawgs extra snuggles - will ya?

Good Things Come to an End

Teaka came to visit with her sister so she could get her Baer test. Teaka's sister went to her forever home and is much loved!

Teaka was born in Sudbury. In the dawg community many of us really try to help each other out. Sudbury doesn't have testing abilities except for clinics so we took Teaka to her appointment and tomorrow, freshly bathed she's off to Sudbury straight from  a dog show.

In the past we have been known to pick someone's dog up that is heading to Europe and being the overnight delivery people. We try to help and in return people help us.

It reminds me of the barter system that used to be so prevalent and I wonder how we got away from helping each other.

Teaka is a force to be reckoned with - an alpha in the making but I suspect she will be excited to be back at home and knowing that she lent us some enjoyment by hanging out with us. She also did a fine job riling up our crew. We will miss her!

Bathing & Raw Bones

 The problem with bones that are raw is it gets stuck in their beard even if its frozen as their face and love for it warms it up and all that wonderfulmarrow gets stuck in the beard as I saw with Risa and Raylan. So, it was wash the face time today and Raylan had a bath. So, be prepared to wash the face if you use raw bones even frozen ones. Showing and raw bones don't go together.

Tomorrow Raylan gets a bath so he can be shown.

They are threatening to have a whopper of a storm come Sunday. We know how often the weather people are wrong so...time will tell.

The dawgs will adore something more than a dusting.

When we take the dawgs out back, we are always carrying around bags in our pockets for cleanup. It's best to pickup on site. Besides, come spring you will be glad you did.

Here's Looking at You

Did you ever notice your dawgs look at you with adoration in their eyes? You can tell you are loved. It's genuine and quite nice.

If you are sad they try to take care of you. It's amazing.

I find the Havanese so intuitive.

They are also great troubleshooters and sometimes too smart for their own good or is that our good. hahahaha Can you tell, I love them!

Cuddles & Snow

The dawgs are missing Whitney. It's strange. They sniff her spots as if to say where is she. I miss her too.

I wish I lived somewhere that dawgs live as long as humans and you could have as many as you want as long as they don't irritate the neighbours, are loved, groomed and well taken care of.

Too many dogs don't have homes. Good ones are not always easy to find.

Grooming is difficult. I need to wash a few dogs but keep waiting for the hand to get better. I am a tad crazy. I look at the dawgs and I can't handle them not being brushed and knot free.

Well, I am going to rest the hand and hope tomorrow is a better day. Catch you then. Dawgs are really enjoying the cuddles and the snow!

Hard to Groom

It was a hard day to groom as I slipped and fell yesterday and I believe I sprained my wrist. Needless to say, I did a half job but I bet you that you couldn't tell. Hopefully tomorrow my hand cooperates and we get back to doing what we normally do or I will be shaving them down....nah

Catch you tomorrow!

Nah Nah Nah

Red loves to tease. He has such a personality and he can't help himself.

He found the new snow delightful and so did the rest of the crew.

I have never been to the UK but I don't think snow is the usual in England except in the mountains. I may be wrong but Raylan and Red best get their fill as soon they will be departing and learning to bark with a different accent.

We had a roaring grand time with the snow and it's supposed to snow all week but me, I fell on my head and hurt my grooming hand. Now this is going to be fun - NOT.