Catch Me

Did you know the Havanese are one of the most agile dawgs? They are. It is why I like taking photos of them.

I even invite them over just to click and watch them play. Then they go home exhausted. There is something special about the movement when captured and one day I want to create a collage of the best of the best that I have taken. I still have a long way to go in perfecting my art in capturing the Havanese but when I look, I say, wow - what a great memory that I can Treasure.

The dawgs today ran and ran and ran and bounced all away on and around the pool cover. It makes a thundering sounds that is rather delightful and has managed to desensitized our old lady Golden. She used to be afraid of thunder and now due to the noise sounding so similar, she doesn't react or maybe she is deaf to THAT sound as she seems to hear us alright.

Unfortunately, it is becoming a reality that she is close to the end of her journey. She's rather old for a golden at 14 plus years. But the dawgs love her and her tail wags when she sees pups. It's rather hard.

Help & Possibly Win This Havanese Quilt

This fabulous quilt is a must to have. You should buy tickets. All donations go to the Havanese Rescue in Canada, which I am on the commitee. It is a worthwhile cause.

Not too long ago we had Kooba here. We took some time, got her housetrained, loved and she found a forever home with Jean. Jean remains a dear friend and Kooba adores her and so does her Quito.

If you want to be a part of helping Havanese Rescue, there's a draw in Halifax at the National Specialty for this great quilt.

Check out the details.

Katsura's & Fiona's Daughter Becomes a Champion

We are excited that Katsura and Fiona's daughter obtained her championship at the Markham Show today taking breed again. We thank Val Weston (owner) for loving her and taking amazing care of her. It is obvious that she loves Val and that's what it is all about.

Sure it is nice to get points but when you know they are loved - well that is what it is really about.  

This one loves the ring as much as her father and mother did.

Well today was a low key day. We did play. We enjoyed the sun. We had a non grooming day. Every once in a blue moon I do that so the dawgs have a day off too. Do they appreciate the downtime? Yep but where's the treat that I get with the grooming - huh?

At the Show

Kitzie was at the Markham show and won breed today. She was so excited to see me. That was ever so nice as I haven't seen her in some time.

Now who says they forget about you? If you place an imprint on them by being good and loving them deeply, they seem to always remember.

There have been times that it took a second to click in but they do and then they get so excited. It makes my day.

Charlie and the crew have been playing up a storm. His mom and dad is on their honeymoon and will be back for him soon.

Then it is us and the dogs except those that will be hanging out in new abodes. Crazy life curves - rather sad sometimes.

If you are near Richmond Hill Green - do come to the show and say hello. Plus there are vendors that you will absolutely want to see.

Gliding Through the Air

I tell you, the Havanese is true poetry in motion. When they are having fun, they flow and their bodies go into all sorts of positions of celebrations - don't you think?

Mid Air Capture

There are days when the play is so non-stop that I have no time to upload a slideshow.  This was one of them.

We played 'find the treat' today and no one was unsuccessful. Those noses are working wonders.

More tomorrow. Tonight I am going to cuddle after walks and watch TV. Can you imagine that?

What Are They Up To?

The remaining pups are going outside with the larger crew and Tia is wondering what they are up to. Tia is heading home in the morning. Slowly people are coming back from trips, honeymoons etc. and this house is getting quiet.

I know I said that before but the kids came upstairs this morning and went oh my gad its soooooooo quiet here. Sure they play, they run but with less dogs it is quiet play even when I am playing games.

It's raining yet again. What is it about this weather? I groom and I groom and I groom and then they get wet again. hehehe

The Markham Dog show starts tomorrow. The Havanese are in on Thursday at 10:45ish tomorrow morning but there is only 1 Havanese. On Friday theres only 2 at approx 11:15. On Saturday there is 6 at approx 1:10 and on Sunday there is 5 at approx 1:15. We are going to check out a friend's pup out and Fiona and Kat's pup will be in it on Saturday and Sunday. If you are going, let us know. Love to see you there and k9groomingsupplies is there and he has all the stuff I use.

The show is at:

Richmond Green Sports Complex
1600 Elgin Mills Road East
Richmond Hill, Ontario

Let's Play

We have had some really high energy play going on. I just adore watching it. Even the pups found Charlie fun.

I also managed to put my card into my camera backwards so photos were few today. Don't ask me how I did that but I guess it happens to ME.

This guy gets along with everyone but is smitten with Tia and Abigail. He can walk and walk and walk.

Our Treasure was in a huge play mode today. It must be due to it being ever so quiet.

We practiced 'no bark' and played games and had huge snuggles. There's nothing like being draped in dawgs - I tell ya. With someone who has 7 kids, being down so many dawgs is downright quiet. Maybe it wouldn't be to someone with 1 but we are used to high activity all of the time and then we sleep. I am not sure quiet is what my life is supposed to be.

Now back to the dawgs!

Charlie, Sadie & Bissli

It's getting downright quiet here and we hope those that have gone home are catching some serious zzzs. The dawgs play so much that they get tuckered out.

Despite the rain, we have had some serious playtime. We also had a number of baths and lots of grooming.

I think we are so tuckered out tonight that we may settle into that recliner draped in dawgs and watch TV. Imagine that!

The Mommy Connection

Wet Day - Risa, Wasabi, BissliWhen Bissli eats his dinner he will growl under his breath to tell all others not to sneak his food. This is normal behavior in a pack. It's not an attack. It's a warning - not to - I don't want you to etc. You have to learn the difference. It's okay to say, please do not take mine - you already had yours.

But interesting enough, when Bissli has Momma Wasabi around, he will gladly give up his meal for her. We do not allow it but there is something truly special between them. I find the relationships with the Havanese to be complicated but quite beautiful. If you take the time to really watch and I mean really watch, you will notice special little signs of affection between certain dawgs. The relationships are beautiful. It's hard to imagine that life creates so many changes.

Sadie and Bissli heads out tomorrow. They will be missed greatly. Raylan, Sadie and Bissli play up a storm. It's becoming very quiet around here. The red bear pup thinks he is part of the big guys. He's been bought by someone in England - oh my!

The picnic was fun but I am missing a stick. What does that mean? I am missing a lot of photos with dawgs we brought and dawgs that others brought. I am hoping others can fill those in or I find that stick. Check out the photos that I did manage to find. Sorry - not many of the dawgs we brought - sigh.

I feel as if I am destined to be missing something. How sad...

Havanese Picnic

We went to the annual Havanese picnic. This year it was held at Yvonne's house. People came as far as Montreal with yummy bagels in hand. Thank you, Lillian.

We got to see Majik, Oreo, missed Sebastian it seems (sigh), Tiger Lily, Ripley, Daisy, Abu, Mojo, Lexi, Basil, Ali, Lola, Downsey and on and on and on.

We got back late but not too late as Teddy had to go home <sigh>.

No time for photos and tomorrow may be bad to resize as we have 2 pups going home but by Monday look for them.  

Let's just say Bea's dip was yummy! I want the recipe. I also want the address of the ribs, Linda.

The weather stayed till 4pm when the skies opened up and Alex was walking people to the cars with an umbrella in hand. Nathan got 2 inches away from Alex's car and ooops is it insurance time? hahaha

It was fun. The dawgs were wonderful and it was bitter sweet for me knowing that I may not see some of them for a bit.

Nathan had a slew of dawgs following him around. They adore him but I can understand why the dawgs do.

I will leave you with this photo taken at the picnic. Now what do you suppose they were looking at?

More in a day or two.

Nose to Nose

There are times when you capture special moments just by clicking at the very right time. I think this photo represents the right time to have a camera at hand.

I just adore having the dawgs as something I can click. They give me such great copy.

The dawgs had a day of play, fun and yep groming. Teddy had a bath cause after the picnic he goes home. I am going to miss having a little Teddy in my life.

Gad, I miss all the dawgs. Hope to see some of you at the picnic tomorrow. If I seem really sad, forgive me. I am.

Rain & Mud

We have a patch where the grass just won't take. No matter how much we seed or what we do, well the tree is over this area.

Where do the dogs like to go when it rains? Right to this patch to muck it up and this one is no exception.

It just means I groom a bit more but honestly, I prefer them to have fun even if it makes extra work for me.

Whitney, our old golden loves the puppies. She plays with them so gentle and she is so good for them as it helps them to socialize to the bigger set.

We had a rip roaring storm and she didn't react. She always reacts to the storms. It's rather sad watching them age. She's over 14 and that's ancient for a golden. She also has a growth that we have had looked at and no matter what we do, well they won't do anything with it due to her age. Will she make another winter? I am not sure. Our other golden who is getting way up in age too needs two hips - yep hip replacements. So, we have been saving up for that and something else threw a cog in that plan and we wonder why life at times has to be so hard. The dawgs...well they deserve the very best and we do everything we can to do that for our own and any visitors that has been here to say hello, our puppies that go to forever homes - we genuinely care more than you can imagine.

I do believe I love the dawgs more than life itself. But sometimes I feel like I am climbing a mountain and someone keeps throwing a wrecking ball splat right at me. Enough of that. Who wants to read such.... sorry!

Persistence Pays Off?

Have you ever mulled over the idea that if you are persistent enough, it will pay off?

Well, I am not sure I buy that. I think it all depends on the situation and who and what you are dealing with but this puppy just kept saying play with me, play with me and it got its wish.

Puppies can be persistent and at times you have to curb that. It can't just be about them.

They need to learn how to entertain themselves at times. You can do this with toys that make them think.

Now back to the crew. They had a really laid back day today. They got groomed, loved, snuggled and played with but I must admit I didn't take many photos today other than the puppies.

But did the crew have fun? Yep!

Dawgie Love-In

This reminds me of a 70s love-in where everyone gets together for lots of love.

I just adore dawgs - mine, everyone else's. There is something special about the unconditional love they give.

Today I washed a couple of the dawgs, brushed the rest as I do daily and just finished grooming a few minutes ago. Why did it take me so long? I groomed then played then groomed and played then groomed and snuggled and... ROFL

What a day...

One of My Fave Photos

Just wanted to share one of my most fave photos with the visitors I have had. It's not the best I have taken but it shows how much fun the dawgs have. This is a great memory for me.

When a dawg is having fun and smiling with their whole body - well I think that is rather special.

We should all try to achieve that with our dawgs. What better way to know you made a difference in this world but to see happiness through a canine.

Slowing Down a Fast Eater

If you have a pup or an older dog that eats too fast, inhaling vs. enjoying, why not try the many kong type devices - the puzzle treat dispensing toys where he/she works their mind for their food. For most dogs it will be fun and not frustating if you don't make it too hard.

Slowly the summer is waning and we are getting back to just our crew. The dogs have had walks already. The weather was cooler this morning so it felt right vs. at night. We played fetch and find the treat today. I am about to groom the crew and do some loving snuggles.

What have you done with your dogs today?

Crazy Days & Changes

Zoe had a bath before she goes home tonight. She's not crazy about the bath. Some dogs are not. This is how we accomplished it and you can duplicate it if you have a dog that hasn't been slowly conditioned to this bath business or reacts for a different reason.

Use 2 people, 1 to hold gently but firmly and the other to wash, rinse and condition. If a dog has a fear about the bath, it could hurt themselves by trying to escape. I believe in slow conditioning in a positive way. You talk and calm the dog down, you give massages and you actually wash more frequently. You might say why would you force the dog to do what it fears more frequently? If you do it right, the more you do it the more slow conditioning it receives and the more it realizes this can be fun. Arm yourself with treats. If it is too upset, it won't take them but as he/she calms down, it will. The idea is to associate good things with the experience slowly making the good outweigh the fear till it disappears. It does work - this slow conditioning stuff and we have helped MANY dogs with this. As someone who has helped a rescue or two or three or more through their fears, we don't believe in flooding but slow conditioning done right changes their coping skills and allows the fears to be minimal or completely fade.

No one and nothing should have to live in fear. Fear can make you react and keep you away from being productive and it can even interfere with living a full and good life. Fear can actually destroy on many levels. As someone who is an advocate for achieving a well balanced dog in each canine, if we can, if allowed, we will still offer tips and rah rah support to those in need to help you achieve this with your own. Fears are complicated but given time, patience and a desire from you - well you too can make a difference no matter how small the fear is or how large.

There's nothing better in life knowing you have made a difference in another. It warms the heart in a very unique way. Be good to your dawgs!!

The rest of the crew is saying what the hey - another rainy day off and on. What's that about?

No Hands Balance

Charlie is a character. His folks are off in Europe and he will be going back to his human parents as soon as they get back. Zoe heads out tomorrow after her bath tonight.

We have company tonight for dinner so no photos and a pup goes home today too so it's a short update as our guests are arriving shortly.

Someone asked us to expose their dog to the puppies to see if they can get a pup. Sometimes when they are older, have only had you and no exposure to pups, well some like the grandkids and some don't. Personally how could you not love the grandkids but some of us get cranky or have no patience when we get older or we just want to be the only one. Can I be the only one and get all the attention too? hahahahaha

Keep that in mind when you are adding a pup. Do it when they are young and full of play. Don't do it to see if you can get your older one to play again. It may or may not ever happen. Adding a dog has to be about you foremost and having the rest fall into place.

Just my food for thought worth exploring.

Water & Havanese

Get a hose out to clean up the backyard (we do this a few times a day and pickup on site) and Sadie gal will run through it, snap at the water and just get soaked, soaked and more soaked.

Everyone is doing well, playing with the pups. Visitors are starting to go home and everyone thought this treat business when groomed is the way to go, I don't blame them. Do you?

Puppy Play With the Dawgs

Zoe loves playing with the pups and I managed to get some great shots. See the latest photos.

This is good socialization for the puppies especially to a non-havanese. This way when they start going to their forever homes and see a non-Havanese, they will feel alright with the differences and that's a good thing.

Soon Zoe and the others will be going home and the puppies will start going home and this place will become a much quieter place.

Sadie has been a running banshee and so has Lucy and Charlie. We already miss dogs but hope to stay connected with those that we truly love.

Cody is not so crazy about puppies but that's okay. It is what it is. Rocky who goes home tomorrow - well we hope we have managed to help him get conditioned to other dawgs in some small way.

I do believe we make a difference getting them used to grooming, to other dogs and people, to walks, to just about anything including a metal bowl for one. We did it out of love.

Now as the summer unwinds and we go back to less dawgs, maybe we will get back into conformation and obedience and photo taking. Life and the dawgs are sure interesting - is it not? I am who I am because of each and every one of them.