Emotion and the Havanese

So is a dawg's sense of smell so keen that it can detect emotions?

When you walk in your front door and your dawg is sniffing your hands, pants or shoes, he's greeting you and investigating the unique scents you brushed against that day.

Dawgs smell each other and their secretions to monitor physiological and emotional changes. It's like getting the morning paper or a hot-off-the-press tabloid.

Tips for Taming the Psychotic Smeller

If sniffing becomes excessive for your dog, you may want to try these tips to keep his snout in sync:

•Offer a distraction, like a chew toy or an awesome-smelling dog treat.

•Teach him to use the crate, especially if smelling visitors is of high entertainment value to him.

•Clap your hands and take charge with your leash when he sniffs other dogs inappropriately or excessively. Not all dawgs appreciate this sort of greeting to that degree.

•Give him plenty of exercise and positive attention.

Jazzy is visiting us and as you can see, he's blowing in the breeze - well his hair is.

He's rather smitten with Wasabi but we are keeping them away from each other till her heat is done. jazzy is neutered but no reason to get his heart a pitter patter with excitement, is there?

Treasure also loves Jazzy and is found jumping on him and playing up a storm. He's not quite sure what to make of her at times but he's growing to be charmed. :-) The first time she jumped on him he sort of looked at her as if to say - what are you up to but now I swear he is smiling.

The dawgs all went on their walks today as usual. Nathan has been doing the daily walks with all 2 at a time. They go on a fair walk so its a marathon for Nathan but the dawgs love it and I think Nathan does too.

It's actually quiet around here with only one boarder. Quiet you say...actually yes. :-)

Planning and Visits

Yvonne came to our house with her dogs including Twiggy and met a potential buyer here. So, all of you that was vying for that Twiggy gal - well she's now taken - sorry about that!

Treasure had a grand time with Twiggy as you can see here. I think when it is her turn, she is going to have wonderful pups.

Well, Yvonne is off to the land of the frozen oranges next week - yep Florida. They say they are in a deep freeze there - lucky them but it will warm up by the time they go. They are off to holidays for 6 weeks I think with the dawgs. So, as a good friend, she brought me some supplies in case we have 2 litters before she gets back - like an extra whelping box, lamp, hemostats that we share back and forth, towels etc. even a soldering gun so our son can fix the TV - well attempt to - oh oh

Yvonne is a great friend. I am going to have to buy a web cam just so I can talk to her online and she can make faces at me telling me how beautiful it is away from the land of the snow. I can then show her beautiful Abigail or Wasabi pups as they happen - yea right - who am I kidding. A web cam is the furthest thing from your mind when you are delivering pups but maybe after cleanup. hehehe

Poor Kat was surrounded by gals and one of Yvonnes was in heat too. But we are seeing an end. Abigail is starting to tell Kat off and he's calmer then he has been for days. Wasabi should be almost finished too.

No one understands this heat business or the issue with it unless you have gals and boys unneutered. Boys lose their minds - stop eating and all they can think of is the gal. As soon as it is over, you get your boy back. hehehehe We make sure Kat eats but it is trying.

Puppies are worth it though and to have spring pups - maybe we can condition them to rain. hehehehe

Ultrasound booked and now the long wait. 63 days from conception to birth - wow!

A Little Slice of Cesar

Cesar goes home tomorrow morning after a long visit with us and I bathed him tonight. Why tonight vs. tomorrow? He was out for a walk and got rather grungy and well - he needed it. If I have to touch him up tomorrow - well that's the chances we take. heh

He's now snuggly soft and we will miss this guy.

Cesar knows how to party hearty and his attitude has been infectious for our guys and visitors alike.

We will be down to our guys and Jazzy and then when Jazzy is about to go, the Saki comes to visit.

We just heard that Saki got the snip snip (spaying) yesterday. We hope for a fast recovery and can't wait to see her.

Wasabi is getting to the last week of her heat. She has approximately 5 days to go and Abigail has 7. Then we go back to normal - whatever normal is.

Wasabi gets rather tired during this phase but Abigail doesn't seem to be affected thus far.

Jazzy, we have known forever since he was a little guy and we adore him. He is hanging out and was caught playing hard with Treasure on their walk.

Tomorrow Yvonne and her crew comes in for a visit and it will surely be fun. More tomorrow...stay tuned!

Countdown to puppies - booking an ultrasound tomorrow for an appointment for Feb 8th.

Sensing Your Emotions

Almost every Havanese owner has found out that when they are really sad, their dog acts differently toward them.

A Havanese may approach its disturbed owner with a concerned look and, quite out of character, hunker down next to them as if to provide some emotional support. It is as if they are saying, I know there's something wrong, I don't know what it is but I'm here for you, anyway.

Are there other explanations? Of course, there are, but none make as much sense. You could argue that your Havanese observes your posture and appearance as submissive and, almost reflexively, approaches to investigate or respond to the new situation. Perhaps, seeing you in a submissive posture, the dog feels it has to grovel to remain below you in rank. YEAH - RIGHT!

Most likely your Havanese is in tune to your emotions. The old line that your emotions follow down your lead appears to be correct. Anyone who is stressed out and shows their dawg will tell you that when they aren't together - neither is their dawg.

Pay attention to your mood when attempting training.

Well, here at Talemaker Havanese we have had a number of breedings with our Wasabi and Abigail. We are hoping to have fun with 2 litters at the same time. Seeing Abigail is my dawg, I guess Nathan gets Wasabi and I get Abigail. Let's see if I get away with that...nah - selfish me.

We are exciting counting the days in hopes of having pups come 2 months time. Nothing like puppies.

What a Laid Back Day

We had a long breeding between Kat and Abigail. Wasabi's boy has already gone home. We may try for one more breeding tomorrow and then we do the 63 day countdown.

Today we had walks - short play sessions outside and lots of play sessions inside.

Our TV died. I keep hoping it comes back. Ah well - who needs TV.

Check out today's fun.

Let the Fun Never Stop

When it snows, the dawgs really find their sense of true play. It's fun to watch.

Today I took some of the dawgs for a walk and our son took the rest. While I was walking Shoshi and Risa, I watched them do snow dives - yes snow dives where they jump head first into the snow then they roll back and forth with great glee.

I remember when our kids was young I was caught in a blizzard with them at a hotel. I had the sense to get off the PA turnpike with all the kids in tow. Nathan was at home. I was being my more adventurous self visiting our daughter in Leesburg, Va. (She now lives in Toronto) where they never have blizzards...yeah right. We were stuck at the hotel for days and people were sleeping in the hallways. Well, we went out that first day and we did snow dives - yes even me. I taught the kids to do it and they laughed and laughed and so did I.

I didn't teach the Havanese. They do it naturally. It's that fun that we seem to lose as we get older but the Havanese allow us to relish their own sense of play and somehow remember when we played with our own abandonment. We either live through our Havanese and their sense of play or they allow us to capture it again. Who knows - I may do snow dives yet this year. Will you?

Jazzy is visiting us. He's an absolute delight and is enjoying a quieter house. We still had a number of dawgs yesterday and 3 more are supposed to go home today. Oreo went this morning. Benny's owners plane is delayed and so was Louis. We just heard Louis will be picked up tonight and the verdict is out with Benny. After Benny and Louis leave, we will have Cesar (nickname party guy) till the 7th and Jazzy till the 11th.

It's been a way busy holiday season but I have to say we absolutely loved having the dawgs even with all the walks and grooming. The snuggles and the cuddles made it a delight. Just imagine a sea of dawgs keeping you warm.

During this time Wasabi and Abigail was bred in hopes for pups to go home in spring pups. It's been a really exciting holiday and it starts again during March Break but usually not as busy as March break really is different for everyone - expanding from March to April. But people are booking already. If you need a fun time for your dawg while you laze away somewhere cold or warm, let us know. Your dawg deserves a holiday too. :-)

We really miss the activity and all the dawgs. It's almost quiet - well quieter.

Check out today's photos.

Visitors are Going Home

This photo shows two of the dawgs that went home today, Remy and Bailey. Both played up a storm. As you can see, Remy is going in for the front and Fiona has Treasure's tail and Bailey is saying - are you crazy? But Bailey joined in. You will see in the slide show. You will have to go day by day to see all the photos.

Tomorrow we have Louis, Oreo and Benny going home and then we will be down to ours and 1 new one that came today and that play demon Cesar.

We have had a lot of visitors. We did walks, play sessions - I groomed all. I even moved my grooming table into my family room so I could watch TV and groom. Nails got clipped. There were a to of snuggles and lots of body warmth at bedtime.

We even had 2 gals in heat and a male brought in to mate with Wasabi. Kat mated with Abigail.

I do believe the dawgs know we love them immensely and it comes through. The play - the fun - the interactions and the snuggles - well what a holiday we had.

Looking forward to Saki coming near the end of the month. Lots of changes and fun around Talemaker Havanese. May the new year be filled with puppies that we can love and ooh and ahhh over.

Happy New Year 2010

If you were silly enough to stay out late and get a tad under the sheets or so they say with too much to drink - well you might look like Shoshi who I captured just before she had her daily grooming.

I rather enjoy the dawgs in their natural shape. It doesn't mean I want any knots on them but that disorganized look gives them character - don't you think?

Did you know that knots hurt them? I have long hair and my hair will mat underneath and it bloody hurts. My hair gets that way if I wash it and forget to brush it and let it air dry - tsk tsk. If I never did that, I suppose I wouldn't have the empathy that I do for knotted dawgs.

Today started early. We are often outside first thing when it is dark and then finish the night in dark. Usually Nathan is the big walker with our son but Nathan had a road trip to do today and a bad hip so it was our son and me that did the walks tonight. Everyone fared well except Fiona who kept lifting her paws. It told me she was cold - all 8 lbs of her. So, I kept checking her feet, picking her up to make sure she didn't have ice in between and warmed her up and placed her down again. Treasure, who was on the walk with her - we only do 2 at a time was oblivious to the windy cold but they do adore the walks. We believe in the walks for their mind and body.

Tomorrow we have Remy, Bailey and Joker going home. We also have one coming in and after the 3rd, we will be down to simply 2 boarders. Then on the 7th down to 1. After the 11th we will be down to our own pack.

The crew had a cold but brisk fun filled day. They love the powder snow and we got a light dusting. We were actually hoping for more. I kept forgetting to bring the camera outside as Nathan was away and I was doing cleanup but I did manage to get a few. Hope you enjoy.

PS: Till pups come, we wil be adding puppy/dawg tidbits to help you in getting your dawg to be all they can be on Havanese Life. We will be updating it tonight.

It's Way Fun & Crazy Around Here

I am Fiona and they say sometime in February, I am going to have a new beau and have more puppies. My human mom and dad was going to wait but my new boyfriend is getting the snip, snip so it's Feb/March or never. ROFL That means I could be having pups at the beginning of the summer. Maybe they will swim?

Well, we are having a great time around here. Unfortunately, Fred went home and so did Zack, Coco, Holly and Missy. But Remy came and he's way fun too! Check out today's photos.

We are ringing in the New Year's with a few pals that really know how to have fun. It's wet. That crazy human keeps brushing us and we are hoping for white stuff tomorrow.

We had a roaring great game of retrieve and as you will see, Benny came in from his walk soaking wet and then one after another wet, wet, wet. Ah - but it was fun....

Hope you all ring in the New Year right. We are doing it right with the dawgs. May 2010 be a better year for us all...

Hugs to all the Havanese and dawgs all over the world. They deserve hugs and kisses!

CU next year (tomorrow)

Fred Goes Home

Fred had a bath as he is going home tonight.

I at first put him on a ringside table but that was futile and just waited after he played a bit and he just decided to lay down. Sometimes if you want a photo with dawgs you simply have to wait and have the camera ready.

Fred is such a good boy. He will be missed greatly.

It's warmed up a bit so the dawgs have been able to play up a storm outside. I have been washing/grooming so Nathan got to be out with the dawgs taking pictures and enjoying them.

Tomorrow we have 4 dogs going home and 1 coming to stay for a few days (Remy). Remy is a regular and we are looking forward to seeing him again.

We will add a link to the photos of today - when I find the time to resize them. We shoot raw very large so it's not so simple as just upload but this also allows us to have quality that we could print. Here they are.... Nathan was the photographer today while I did a number of bathings. It's a team effort.

The crew is busy having fun. Fred, I am sure is enjoying his humans and 4 more go home tomorrow...sniff sniff...

Such a Character Pup & Today's Events

Our good friends Yvonne and Alex have a puppy for sale available to a great home a week from Thursday.

They fondly call her Twiggy and she is 9 weeks old on Thursday. Born October 29/09 and she is getting her 1st shots & chip tomorrow and BAER on the 7th. Lola is the dam and Rowdy is the sire.

She's sold now and has a new name - Jazzy!

Well, today was way cold. It was hard to get good photos from today. Between me chattering, the dawgs were lifting up their paws so it was a quick out and in. The little puppy we have boarding - well we put her on the pad. It was that cold. brrrr...
This is a few photos from today.

It was a busy day today. Nathan took Terra in for rehab then took 4 dogs in for cerf this afternoon. Cerf is the eye exam. All passed.

Benny came to stay for a few days and Fred is going home tomorrow. We will miss him big time. Then Remy comes for a New Year's visit. Then on the 31st, we send a number of dogs home just in time to spend New Year's with their owners. By the 3rd, it will be downright quiet around here with only 2 visitors.

I tell you, there is nothing like snuggling with a bunch of Havanese. It's a little slice of heaven.

I am just hoping it warms up some as walks are for short stints and playtime outside is shortened. Here's to snow and warmer weather. Is that possible?

Cold Alert

We are under a cold winter alert and as we walked dawgs, we could feel it was coming on. Feet was starting to lift. It's way too cold to have your dawgs out for any length of time except a quick pee break. Please be careful when bringing your dawgs out in this cold - short visits only.

We had a real busy day today. All the dawgs have been playing well but I think they want the outside to more of a degree than they are getting so we are playing retrieve and all sorts of fun games inside just to expel some energy.

They are also playing with each other. Tomorrow Nathan has to take Terra in for her rehab then take 4 dogs in for eye tests - our usual that we do on all breeding dawgs.

Mia went home today so no puppy snuggle time with her. But Holly gives amazing snuggles so I rather like that!

Relationships are going strong. The dawgs are enjoying each other. Check out some photos from today, here.

Abigail and Wasabi are being bred. Hoping for puppies in late February, early March. Fiona we are hoping to come into heat in February and due to who we are mating her with, we will be doing so in February/March. This particular male we really want to use won't be available after that. So - puppies - puppies and puppies then a break. :-) If all works out - it's going to be a really fun filled puppy house around this place. Can you imagine?

PS: Remy is coming for New Years and we have several of our dawgs that are boarding going home before the New Year to celebrate at home. We are going to miss them - BIGTIME!

Sunday Fun at Talemaker Havanese

Well we are a full dawg house at the moment. There's never a dull moment.

The dawgs all got thoroughly groomed as usual but I did it in my office/family room so I got to watch TV while I did my marathon. They liked it too as they were able to look out the window.

Mia came for an overnight visit. Nathan's father and wife came over too. He must really think we went to the dawgs.

It's still mucky sandy so the dawgs undersides gets dirty. We had snow flurries but not enough to make a difference - for shame.
Per request, we had Joker, Holly and Cesar in crates all lined up against each other so they were close in the bedroom with me. Holly hardly slept a wink and has been trying to catch up during the day. I tried too with a couple of dawgs but that didn't work. Tonight's a new night and maybe we will get a full night set of zzzs.

Mia will be in bed with me and I am looking forward to that as she snuggles into my neck. Bailey no longer sleeps in her bed next to my head but instead up against my body. That's been going on for quite a few days now - nice.

Louis has been here so many times that he just settled right in on the top pillow and Risa just allowed. She is rather fond of Louis.

Nathan is in the other room. We do this during the times when we have a lot of visitors or gals are in heat. We prefer one bedroom but we do what works temporarily. He got Fred, Abigail, Kat and a few more while I got the rest. It all worked except Holly wasn't crazy about crate time.

Big tip - do not leave a SD photo card in your port in your computer with a puppy around. All it took was one quick bite and a 4 GB has bit the dust. It happens. Live and learn and I should know better.

Let's see - my observations today - Fred has become such a lovee. He listens really well. I tell him no and he stops. Way nice.

Zack, Cesar, Bailey and always some of ours tends to play up a storm. Cocoa gets into it when she wants. She is so much like Fiona before Fiona had pups. She plays hard when she wants and watches when she just wants to observe.

Missy had a grand amount of fun playing with Oreo today. She also is quite nice with her pack mate Holly - making sure she is okay.

Joker has fit in here nicely. He is a lovee to the max. He also lays on his back so nice letting you groom him.

Everyone played hard today despite it being too icy. We find that they are settling for running up paths where it isn't slippery when it comes to big play. The pool cover is a bear to get up and out of at the moment but they manage to without issue. I even found the deck slippery but they seem to be more sure footed than us.

As I type this the crew is all splayed out all over the place catching some zzzs after another round of going out. With all this outside time, I find I am also getting conditioned to this cold.

Snuggles - the dawgs are getting them - each and everyone a number of times a day. As someone who had a brother who thought his sisters (2 of us) got all the attention - well we make sure we distribute it equally.

Here's a few photos from today's fun.

Off to snuggle with a dawg or two or three or four. 6 fit on the recliner with me and the rest all over the couch while we watch TV and I rotate dawgs. It's a crazy way of living but fun!

2 COMMENTS:
Claire said...
darlah,
who is on slide 55? the little black and white hav? reminds me so much of my Petey!
enjoyed the pics, as usual!
Wish we lived closer so our dogs could play!

December 27, 2009 9:21 PM
Darlah & Nathan Potechin said...
Claire - that is Joker from Paula who did so well in the ring. He's a small boy and he's getting mated to Wasabi. With both of their attributes, I am hoping for outstanding pups. We shall see.

Yes, wish we lived closer. It's always a crazy dawg house here and I am sure you would enjoy that! If we ever win the lottery, we will have to send you a ticket to come play with your dawgs.

December 28, 2009 10:28 AM

Just a Few Photos of Today

No time to do a slide show today. We are having way too much fun. But here is a highlight. Louis just came tonight and Louis is a regular and we just adore him. We also appreciate the wine and chocolates - yum! Louis is having a great time.

Cocoa is Zack's pack mate. they live together and you can surely tell. They play as if they love each other and you can tell. Cocoa also plays with the rest of the crew but truly enjoys Nathan and Zack above all else.

Zack lives with Cocoa and is a party boy. He just loves all of the dawgs. If you are wiling to play - well he's your guy.

Fred adores playing with everyone and tends to like the gals the best. Sure he plays with the boys but those gals - well they smell nice. hahahaha

The crew got wet and more wet and was brushed and dried and brushed and dried as it has been raining non stop here. Now do you understand the lack of the slide show? Besides, the dawgs are priority - don't you think? Here a couple are snoozing after hard play.

Oh my - well Bailey found mud. She was so delighted it was so funny. She went under our Japanese Maple and ran like a banshee and got so muddy, it was unreal. Yes, we cleaned her up. But I know what floats her boat now more than anything.

Cesar is another party boy who plays nonstop with all takers. He is up and down the stairs outside, in out below ground patio, across the pool, under the deck - anything that gets those guys chasing him and he loves it.

So, can we come in - go out, come in - go out? Who cares if that crazy human has to clean us up. We LOVE this game.

Missy came this afternoon with her packmate Holly who is a little puppy gal who you can see playing with Treasure on Talemaker Puppy Life . She's not one of ours but we highlighted her on our puppy pages. Missy has been here before and makes herself at home. She jumps up and down on everything with ease and surely remembers most of the crew and shows it.

If I forgot someone - sorry but it's been a dawg wet day. Hope you understand. More tomorrow.

Wet and Rainy Fun

Well, per usual, I started grooming and got all but 3 dogs done.

Then the crew had to go out and it is pouring rain.
Nathan was also out dripping wet making sure he does the poo patrol. It's the usual here - not the rain but the grooming and pickup after the dogs.

It's about time that the old snow goes and hopefully we will get new this afternoon.

Problem is, everyone I groomed is getting groomed again. I think I will either do it last thing before bed or when the snow hits. After the rain turns to snow, it will be easier.

As you can see, Treasure is soaking wet. We used towels to dry and a light brushing and a very warm house with warm bed and blankets till we get them all dry and then it begins again.

The crew is not doing their usual heavy play as it's simply too wet. They are playing in the house but not to the degree that they do outside. I can't wait for the snow to begin.

We have Oreo, Missy and Holly coming today plus Nathan is picking up Joker. Joker is getting mated to Wasabi who is in heat. Abigail is also in heat and getting mated to Kat. That's the plan. It means puppies late spring.

A number of you asked me to burn all the photos I do while your loved one is with us. I thought about it and if I was to include all the photos I take, that's a lot of weeding out of photos of just yours and others. I would have to go through each day, separate yours to a single folder and burn a few DVDs. The photos would be printable quality up to a huge size. You could also edit them etc. but it takes me hours to do a video and the photos daily. If you are interested, I would have to charge $25 and, at a conservative rate, that would be about 6 bucks an hour. That's not much but I would do it if you are seriously interested. I just have to get a note asking.

Most of you probably know that I got laid off from my daytime job which I did from my home along with the dogs and I am looking for ways to make $$ and still manage to keep our dawgs well taken care of - groomed, walked, loved and be able to do boarding and daycare. But I am not going to make any real $$ from the photo route. It takes a lot of work but it will be my pleasure if it is a service you desire. Just let us know.

December 25th at Talemaker Havanese

Looks like a snowy day today and yep - the snow was there on the ground but the rain came late in the day. What we will end up with tomorrow - who knows. I am hoping it's not too icy.

We had a full day today that started at 545am.

We had a play session outside and then came in and ate. After eating, that human groomed us all and back outside we went and here are some of the photos from today. I have many more but I just grab a chunk and resize and put them in a slide show. I hope when I do, I get everyone and I do try. I just don't have the hours in the day to post them all due to needing to resize all the photos. Check them out here.

Well, the crew also got their presents today and they had yum chew bones. They loved them and we enjoy it when they enjoy.

The crew played hard and seemed like they were never going to stop until the rain came. Then we came inside, played with Tiger Lily who is about to go home any second and cuddled and hugged and enjoyed.

A crazy game of retrieve is always played and Zack, Fred, Cesar, Treasure and Abigail is the - I will always play and the rest join in when they desire.

Sorry to make this short but we are tuckered out and we have a few more visitors coming tomorrow. It will surely be a ton of fun. Catch you tomorrow.

Christmas Eve at Talemaker Havanese

Well the crew will get special bones to gnaw on come Christmas after breakfast.

But today, they were in such a wonderful playful mood. I tell you.

Everyone got groomed and I had to write everyone's name on a list and check it off. I didn't do a cursory job either. Brush then comb through to make sure no knots exist and then they went on walks and got sandy dirty. I can't win.

Tomorrow we have one of Fiona's pups coming for just the afternoon. Then we have a few more dawgs that are joining us for what will be a ton of fun on December 26th.

Not much else is getting done but dawgs, dawgs and more dawgs but we love it.

Looks like Abigail is in heat now too.

Today Bailey is after Cesar big time in play. Fred's playing with everyone. Coco started playing and Zack plays with all. Of course our gang joins in especially that Abigail and Treasure that thinks play is their first name.

It's wonderful watching this play. The sand though on the walks is not.

If you want to see some photos from today - I know all of you that are leaving your loves with us want to...and that's why we do it - well check it out here.

Exciting Day Today!

First thing this morning, Fred came to visit. I was busy grooming dawgs so when I was done the crew, Fred went up on the table and got a thorough brushing and complete comb out. I groom the crew daily - visitors and my own crew.

I like a knot free dawg and the dawgs seem to like that too. Though some like grooming more than others - they do like the hugs, snuggles and kisses but most of all the treat at the end.

Late today Zack and Cocoa came. Their grooming comes before they head to bed. We had play and walks - yep they all walked and puppies visiting. We had a full day of play and fun.

Check out some of the photos from today and if you want to see more, soon I will be posting puppy pics on Havanese Life.

Fred fits in really well - playing with all but really loves playing with Bailey and Cesar. They muck it up bigtime.

Zack and Cocoa are hanging out and playing with Abigail, Fiona an Risa.

What a full day we have.

Due to Wasabi being in heat, we are splitting up the crew. Some will be sleeping with Nathan and some with me. Usually we are in the same room but she's being bred to someone other than Kat so it is what it is. We are hoping this brings in Abigail. Miss Abs will be bred to Kat. It's starting to look that way...stay tuned.

Ah..the life of crazy dawg breeders that love the dawgs and thank gad the humans share this passion as it is way crazy!

More tomorrow.

What a Day & Night

The day started out early with Nathan going down to get Val and her TT and Bichon and Havanese. The Havanese, Kit Kat was coming for a visit and her Bichon and TT was going to the vets with Nathan who had to take Terra for her standing Tuesday rehab visit.

Yesterday Nathan thought he had flooded the van and I told Yvonne about it but it started fine today She was coming in for a doctor's appointment and I offered to watch her 4 Havanese and her puppy who is a cutie and still available - almost ready to go to a new home.

Well, I had Kit Kat and Bailey one of our visitors was not too crazy about this miniature Havanese. Kit Kat never bothered her but something about her - well Bailey wasn't crazy about so, I tend to expose the dawgs slowly when they have a reaction like that. I placed Bailey up high with me while I groomed all the dawgs. I do this daily. They may not look that way midstream but I feel better that they are knot free. I then washed Fiona as she was getting cut down due to the puppies mangling her hair.

Then Yvonne called to ask if the van was okay and I said call Nathan. I am glad she did. She came by the vets, picked up Val and the dawgs to bring them here and Nathan waited for CAA.

While Nathan was waiting for a tow truck in lovely Colborne, Yvonne dropped off her dawgs including a puppy and Val with her TT and her Bichon.

It was a sea of dawgs here and Bailey eventually adjusted and so did Cesar who looked around and I swear was counting.

The dawgs played and played. Check out the photos from today, here.

The car's in the shop. Nathan is tuckered out - me too and so are the dawgs. It's 9:30 at night and I am typing away.

Tomorrow brings Fred, Zack and Coco and the 4 Fiona pups will be coming for a short visit in the afternoon. What fun tomorrow brings.

Off to snuggle and play with the crew. I need it!

Christmas & New Year's Eve Safety

As you know by now, everything new, shiny, crinkly or with an interesting smell, will at some point or another attract the interest of your Havanese.

Try to imagine Christmas or New Year's Eve from a dawg's point of view. Furniture is moved around to make room for the tree or accommodate guests. Decorations are on display.

All sorts of people are coming and going and some are even sleeping over. There are sounds that are unfamiliar and you are busier than usual.

PS: We know this as our two sons have come and gone back to school.

How do you both cope?

Stay calm. You can get stressed out during the holidays, and your Havanese picks up on your stress. He looks to you as the alpha leader. If you are calm, he is calm.

Make sure you spend quality time with your Havanese. A bored dawg can equal trouble. It's not that your dawg intends on creating trouble but if you are too busy, well there are things to do and places to be that maybe your Havanese shouldn't. Some of those can be toxic or deadly.

Play with your dog before your party. If you tire him out, he’ll be too tired to get into any mischief when your guests arrive. If that is not possible, hire a dog walker or take him to doggie daycare.

Try not to use toothpicks for hors d’oeurves because your Havanese can eat the toothpicks if they are dropped on the floor and they can get stuck in his throat or puncture his internal organs.

Be especially careful opening your front door when you are greeting guests and also with delivery people so your dog doesn’t dash out.

Block off your Xmas tree or place it on a table. Keeping the water, tinsel, lights and bulbs away from your Havanese is important. As an extra protection, Keep your dawg from drinking the water by covering the tree basin with a tree skirt.

Ask your guests not to feed your dog or let him drink any of their drinks.

To prevent your dog from knocking over your holiday tree, anchor it with cord or wire to the ceiling directly above the tree's trunk. Don't attach it with wire to a wall behind the tree because your dog could get caught in the wire if be darts behind the tree.

Hang your ornaments with ribbons rather than hooks to keep your dog from accidentally swallowing something that could get lodged in his throat.

Do not use tinsel or angel hair on your tree. Angel hair, made of glass fiber, and tinsel, made of metal, can cause internal damage if your dog swallows any.

There are so many other safety tips I could cover but use your common sense. Our Havanese are precious beings that deserve that extra attention to safety that you should give. They also deserve quality time.

We, at Talemaker Havanese hope you have a safe an amazing Christmas and Happy New Year.

Our celebrations will be entirely dawg related with family, friends and visitors alike but it's as usual in this house where the dawgs count!

We have had a full day with Bailey playing heavily with Cesar, Abigail, Fiona and Treasure and Cesar playing with everyone. Tomorrow we have many dawgie guests just for the day. Kit Kat is coming while Nathan and her owner goes to the vet, Yvonne and crew will be coming while she goes to the doctor. Full house indeed but then they will be gone by mid afternoon.

Watch for photos tomorrow after our busy day is done. I am truly adoring watching and playing with the dawgs. It's a slice of heaven - I tell you!