Pregnant Blues

Fiona is starting to feel morning sickness so she's a tad overdue on getting a bath.

That's okay, she looks like she feels, I am sure.

But 63 days till delivery is not so bad.

I am sure many humans wish it was that short for them but then again NOT!

Next week I will start doing the adults one at a time but tomorrow we are taking a siesta of sorts - a day off. I wish it was a day's sleep. So does the preggie gals too, I bet!

Treasure finds real comfort in hanging out in human Daddy's office. She is rather close to him and at this point they truly like to be around the ones that take care of them.

Oh I take care of her too but he just indulges her. hahahaha She appreciates it, I think. Treasure just has approximately 3 weeks to go and Fiona 5.

Puppy Updates

Sure they'reno longer our puppies but they always have a special place in our hearts and we are delighted to hear about their forever journeys.

I hear Sparky, who now resides in Montreal is sooooooo stressed that he's laying on his back and enjoying life. Yes, that was me attempting to be funny and doing a bad job at it. His owner says he is a delight and he just lays there when he gets groomed.

Pinch me cause I want Spicy to do the same. I'll keep trying.

We are also hearing great stories from Chinook's parents. They also own a sister from Abigail's first litter called Breeze.

They seem to play till they tucker out at times. They even mentioned that he bangs the bell louder than the Breeze.

Be still my heart.

As soon as we get photos we will share with you the rest of the crew.

The canine moms and the humans at Talemaker are sending out virtual hugs and kisses.

We miss you guys but we are happy that you are on an adventure that we can hear about thanks to your parents.

It's an adjustment for canine moms and humans when the nest empties but there are a lot of smiles when we see photos like this. Thanks!!

Got a Name?

We finally settled in with a name for the one that will remain. Her official name will be

Talemaker's Spicy Chipotle

Pronounciation - Chee-POHT-lay

Why? Chipotle is a ripened and smoked jalapeno. It's fiery hot with a lasting smoky flavour.

This one will silver out so smoky seems right. Spicy is after her mom and her call name will remain as Spicy.

If all turns out right (you never know) you will see her in the ring this spring.

She's as agile as her mom and seems to be as agile as Doozie.

Selecting names is so very hard. But each should have a meaning behind them that suits - well at least for us.

It's snowing here. I hope it continues. I have yet to groom the crew but I will in a few minutes.

The crew have been wet, dry, wet, dry all day long with teh inside and outs. I am glad we have floors, towels and beds and brushes. heh

Grandma and Grandson

It's funny how genes work. We often get asked, what will the pups look like. Well, they are always surprises even on repeat breedings at least colour wise. We can assume and guess but then you go oh...that's interesting. I haven't seen that colour from any of her offsprings.

Then when you breed to a male you never bred to, there are more surprises especially a chocolate. So, we are looking forward to the Fiona litter and hoping Treasure duplicates in personality and looks her first and only litter. Tme will tell.

This pup, Charlie always reminded me of a Risa pup from her last litter so when I first set eyes on him, I went wow. If he ends up with her demeanor, hair etc well he's going to be quite the dawg. I feel lucky that we get to have him hang around till next month.

It is fun to watch the pups and figure out who they look like, whose mannersism they acquire etc.

I am enjoying watching the adults with the little ones before they go home to their forever homes. But it goes by way too fast for me.

If you look real close, they are both sticking their tongues out the same exact way.

Such a Pair

Abigail and Raylan are often seen tag teaming the pups in a fun way. They love to muck it up and it is nice to see mom and son help each other out.

Wasabi is also seen teaching, playing and lovin' the pups. It's delightful.

We had a light dusting of snow and the adults and pups were out playing in a big way. It was great as it wasn't too cold.

I am going to miss the fun.

Watch out for those sticky snowballs that form on their hair. Thankfully we had none today. But boy did we get wet!

Moms Teaching Pups

It's amazing to watch moms teaching their pups. It can be quite scary at first when you don't quite understand it.

I have seen a pup misbehave and a mom hold their pup's muzzle shut to get it to stop nipping at her. If it persists and doesn't listen, they end up looking like they are swallowing their whole head.

They do not hurt them in the least but they do try to teach them manners and rightly so.

They are like sponges at this age and they soak up everything. It is up to their canine moms these last critical weeks to help them get a good start and then their humans in their forever homes continue it.

That is why you should never get a pup when they are 7 or 8 weeks old. The pups learn so much in those last 2 weeks that give them a good head start.

We got Shoshi from a breeder that sent her off way too early despite us saying no and it took her years to gain her balance. True she finally did but it took us, the pack and time to get that worked out.

So, learn from our mistakes even though those mistakes was imposed on us. I guess we could have said keep our $$ and not taken her too early but I suspect she would have been in someone else's home and perhaps not had the pack to learn from. I will never know.

Breeze Came to Visit

This is an Abigail pup. She looks so much like her mom, it is unreal. She came to visit to accompany her brother home and I suspect let him know the rules of the house.

I adore Breeze and her parents. They are such great people and I am glad they got a sibling. Once the adjustment occurs, they will be laughing and watching run like hell games and wondering how they did it with just 1. It happens. If it didn't, we wouldn't be sitting with ours.

There's nothing like the havanese and 2 are really fun to watch as there are simply things that 1 can't do without another Havanese. It's not the same with a golden or a anything. Two Havs just play in a unique way as if they are meant to be. It's hard to explain but until you watch 2 in action, well all you have is your imagination.

Visitors & Pups

We had the Tiger and Tia visiting and it was fun. It seems an emptier place now that they are home.

I rather enjoy when people come over with their dawgs so we can enjoy them and the smaller set.

I think our dawgs love having the extra dawgs to play with. It is great socialization and a great deal of fun.

Tomorrow is a busy day as 3 pups go home. I will have to fit in grooming somewhere or not. The dawgs won't die without and my hand coudl use a break.

It's rather wet and mucky outside but they say the cold is coming back. I hate cold but personally for keeping dawgs dry and dirtless - well I like the cold.

I never imagined I would say THAT - me who likes 90F water in her pool.

PS: the dawgs like it warm too - well that's my excuse.

Hope everyone had a fab New Year and didn't fall asleep at 11pm like us.

May this be the best year yet!

Treasure is Pregnant

Wasabi and Treasure was at the vet's today. Treasure is in the background and Wasabi is stage front. Click on Treasure's name to see older photos of her.

Treasure has the silkiest hair you ever did feel. She also had quite stunning pups the last time. Can't wait to see this brood.

On January 21st we go for an ultrasound for Fiona and an x-ray for Treasure to find out how many. Do I think Fiona is pregnant? Absolutely but on the 21st we will get confirmation.

Update: I can feel a tummy growing on Fiona now!

PhantomTreasure was mated to Katsura and Fiona to a beautiful wonderful natured chocolate Havanese called Phantom. We expect great looking pups from each. As this is a duplicate litter for Treasure, check out her last and only litter at 4 weeks. With Fiona we mated her with Phantom and this will be a first. We expect beautiful pups but I can't show you what she produced previously as there was no previous with Phantom. But am I expecting colour? YEP!

Then we are taking a break and we will be back in 2012 with pups as we want to hang out with our dawg friends, see the pups that are in their forever homes and use the pool in 2011.

We just have a couple of puppies available in each of these litters that we will take deposits for. If interested, let us know.

Visiting Fun

We had a wonderful visit with Max and Finnegan but they must  come again as we didn't get enough time with them with everyone that was here nor did we have enough time with their owners. Please let's do it again when it's less busy.

The pups enjoyed it and was way tired after the visit. We also had 2 families that came to see pups for future litters. We are glad that we were able to share the fun we have with the pups.

Tonight I forgot my camera and of course we had some stellar moments to capture at Helen and Suzies. Go figure. Oh well, missed moments to capture.

We had a very grand time and really enjoy this couple.

What a way to end the year - good friends, dawgs and good food and lots of laughs. Thank you.

More tomorrow. Too tired tonight. Maybe I am getting too old. heh It is bed time in a few minutes.

No Point Day

Well this was disappointing. One dog didn't show up with its handler and the other dog sat at ringside on its owner's lap and I was told she said she wasn't going to show him as he was misbehaving. That left no points for Raylan - cute - not! Yes, she knew Raylan only needed 1 point - enough said.

This happened to us once before when we won all weekend and the last day no one showed up with Treasure.

Raylan was wonderful. He showed really well. The judge liked him and said so. He's not in the least afraid or nervous in any way shape and form and shows that are busy can be a tad overwhelming even for the best balanced dogs but he thinks of it as a place to meet and greet and get treats. It can't get better than that.

Tomorrow he may get to go to Helen and Suzie's house. We shall see. We heard they are getting rater skinny so Nathan wants to bring truffles. Yeah, truffles to die for - men!

Tomorrow the Day?

Raylan is one point away from his championship and we are hoping tomorrow he gets it.

He is an amazing dog. He walks into the show without a care in the world. The big dogs come by and he wants to say hello to everyone, dog and human alike.

Do you know how many people have come up to us to say he is sooooooo cute and he is starting to believe it. hahahaha

Raylan at Elora

We thank Coco's mom Carol and Mary Lou for coming to see us. It means a lot to us. We also had many others coming to see Raylan and all we kept hearing was he has the cutest face and is ever so friendly and sociable etc. That was nice to hear. He is a special guy.

Raylan received a point today and now he is 2 points away from championship.

My hand now has shooting pain up the arm. I know I am in trouble as I have more grooming to do but we will do what we need to and have a stiff gin and tonic with a twist of lime and maybe I won't care. I am not a drinker so 1 would do it. hahahaha

Tomorrow I wash Raylan tomorrow then off to the show.

Now off to snuggle the pups... Is it only 645pm? Only?

Bathing How Often?

Fiona had a bath today and she smells ever so good. Soon we will find out if we have pregnancies with Fiona and Treasure and call it a day till 2012. Pups going home in early spring will be nice.

Treasure is already having morning sickness and I have no doubt that Fiona is pregnant too.

Today was busy. I did my usual grooming and tomorrow we are off to a show with Raylan for the next few days returning home late each day. We will still be updating but photos will be slow.

I just picked up something heavy and messed up my hand. Here I thought it was almost healed. How silly.

So, I am off to rest it and ice it. Later!

PS: I bathe approx. every 2 weeks or when dirty.

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?