Pool Time or Not?

The crew is excited that there is no rain this afternoon. They are totally confused about it - as am I but excited. I swear this is the summer that wasn't.

Daddy's going to hang out with the crew and I am going to hog the puppies and catch up on work.

He's busy this week so he needs to get it and so do the dogs before this weather changes.

How are you coping with the rain? Better yet - how does your Havanese like the rain? Some want to get sopping wet - others don't want their feet wet. Yep - just like people. hahahaha

Treasured Pups

Treasure ADORES the pups and they seem to enjoy her too. We are just starting to introduce them to the pack. Can't wait to take them outside but it won't be tomorrow - rain - rain - and more rain.

Well, today we gave baths to Kat (greased him up) and Abigail. Tomorrow Wasabi and maybe the pups. It's not that they need it - but it's part of our conditioning. We shall see.

We had a cancellation in August for boarding. So - we still have a couple of spots open. Let us know.

We are hoping August is hot, hot hot so we can do the pool with the pups. I bet you Treasure will be jumping in for that!

What can you do when it rains? Play hide and seek with the dawgs - games of fetch - find the treat - learn a new trick or a new command. Get creative. We have had a LOT of rain so take advantage of it and get your dog to enjoy the rain. I know the puppies will love it but watch - no rain when we finally get them out - you just watch!

Treasure Visits Flurry

Treasure was at a show today and although she didn't place (she's our star always), we always try to reward her with something fun. Today it was visiting Flurry at Yvonne's house before she went to her forever home tomorrow - not Treasure - Flurry.

Boy did Treasure have a blast.

Today was the first day that we left the pups and all the dogs in the care of our 20 something old son. He did an amazing job. It was thanks to him that we were able to visit Yvonne, do a dog show and visit Penny and her pups. Penny's pups are 4 weeks Monday and ours are 4 weeks tonight and early Sunday.

We came home to many kisses - exhausted and knowing it's almost bedtime - well not really but it sure feels like it. Can't wait to snuggle and sleep with the entire crew except Wasabi who tends to stay watch on the pups. Pups..well we will fill you in on Talemaker Puppy Life.

Havenese Silly Talk

Did you know baby talk that dog owners often use when speaking to the family pooch allows the animals to be "socially stimulated" -- just like kids.

So all you men who think us females are a tad crazy when we talk to our Havanese in that cutsie fashion ought to try it themselves. I do know for a fact that when you do talk that cute talk to your dogs and forget about what others think, your Havanese reacts in such a positive way that it makes it easier each time.

When we started showing dogs in the ring, it wasn't until Yvonne took one of the crew in and started talking silly talk to her that we saw a huge difference in the way the Havanese was receptive to what you wanted them to do. Suddenly the whole body was showing happiness and that tail wagged like no tomorrow.

They are each different but dogs do benefit from 'silly' talk and so do you whether you like to believe it or not. Just releasing your silliness allows laughter - lifts your mood and gets your Havanese looking forward to spending more silly times with you. The bond is like no other.

One day I was in an obedience class with a bunch of dogs and one of our Havanese and I did my silly talk - saying how great mine was for doing what I asked. My voice was different than normal. It was a different pitch and it was totally distracting to the dog next to us. He wanted to participate in this silliness. The owner, who is one of our puppy people recognized it.

So - don't discount silliness. Humans and Havanese both need it in their lives. Laughter extends our lives and allows us to put aside all the seriousness that life has to offer. Find your inner child and enjoy life. It's about time. Your dawg and your spouse or significant other will thank you for it!

Besides, men who are able to connect with their dogs this way - well us females find them highly attractive.

When Nathan steps into the ring - rain or shine these days, the dog that is with him knows he is enjoying, relaxing, being silly and enjoying the dance with it's Havanese at the moment. So, wouldn't you want to be in the ring if that was the dance partner you had - one that found it to be fun?

Grandmotherly Times & Pups

Little by little I have been taking the pups out and letting the other dogs sniff. Risa (the grandma to the pups) has a huge fascination and knows what the pups are about.

Treasure is in awe. Fiona - when one attempts to lick her jumps back. Abigail - well she thinks wow.

Today, it rained and rained and so instead we had quick times outside getting soaked and brushed and inside times getting acquainted with the pups. Its' so nice watching the reaction.

Are we going to have fun when they are 4+ weeks old. I can't wait and neither can the dogs here - waiting till they get old enough.

It's a Dawg Day

How do you teach patience? We are still trying to do so. When it comes to eating, Treasure does flips waiting for her food. The gal adores eating. She's never first getting her bowl. She's actually one of the last ones to get hers - on purpose.

That's okay. It works to our benefit in the ring.

Treasure has started noticing Kat these days and is busy trying to tear his hair out. That's a no no on a show dog so we practice 'no bark' and 'no bite' more than the usual. The thing about Treasure is she is a dog that tests you.

You say 'no bark' and she lets out one more bark. You say 'no bite' and she grabs one more time just to say she can. She's called our 'step over the line' dog. If you like this personality - it's a true joy. If you give her rules and boundaries - she thrives but she also tries to get her last bark in - so to speak. She heels perfectly. She shows beautifully. She makes you laugh till your sides ache at times but if you didn't tell her and remind her what the rules are..she may not be so cute.

Dogs thrive with a clear understanding of what the rules are. Letting them be in charge of the house is not a wise thing. But when we see dogs of size and they are doing cute things - it's easy to laugh and ignore but you shouldn't.

I call this the two c's. Consistency is a must and courage to ignore the cuteness factor. hehehe

Messy Havanese Times

Doesn't mom ever groom us? Okay, she groomed me oh 3 minutes ago and I can't help but try to not look groomed the 2nd she finishes. It's my job, you know.

What do you do if you have this type of a dog?

One that likes to shove her head into things and tunnels all to give her that 'do that's less than ah...combed?

Well, laugh about it. It's one of the many things that you will find delightful with the Havanese.

Today the crew was playing like crazy with Louis. He has this way about him. It's a chase me game and he is good at it. He does it inside and out. At times all you can hear is the pitter patter of feet all over the house. It's a riot then they do it outside - under decks, up and down walks - every which way. They do believe in having fun!

Where's the Pups?

Terra would really like to see the pups but at this point, the usual around this place at this stage is Mom puts out a call of - I am stressed by barking when someone comes over and the troops rally around her or go into a mode to protect the pups. This is rather usual when you have a pack of dogs. They each have their supporting roles.

As the pups are not as vulnerable and walking around, Wasabi will relax and not worry they will get hurt. It's the new mom syndrome to protect her kids (pups).

After 5 to 6 weeks, the pups have been out daily, they will see various people and have had a variety of experiences and mom relaxes. Remember your own getting older and you relax more? Well, pups grow up much faster than the human kids so the process is faster.

It's going to be funny to see Kat watch the kids swim. About 7 weeks or so - we will begin the process. It's going to be fun. To learn more about the crew and their weights, read Talemaker Puppy Life.

Tail End Havanese Daze

It's the Tail end of the day. Mom has been busy washing 2 dogs before they go home - doing my usual grooming of each dog. The Zack and Coco are gone and it's a quieter place around here with just Louis and our usual crew.

Pups are growing - getting cuter by the minute. The weather is lousy but next week heat stroke time - yeah right.

But next week - maybe by Sunday we will take the pups out. Now that will be fun...in the backyard of course but still new environments.

Shhh Treasure thinks she is all that. She told me. ROFL

Shoshi just lies down and sighs...the young whipper snapper - she thinks...

News, Grooming, Photo Taking & More

Louis says to Kat - did you hear Treasure took breed in her last show? Did you hear Downsey got more points today - exciting but Mommy had to stay with us and the pups. She had to do this crazy hair tie on my head - groom all the dogs, clean the pool, do the poop patrol - yuck, pull weeds and practice 'no bark.

We have recently had many dogs introduced to the neighbourhood and if caught early with a gruff voice, you can get them to not bark but they may test you each time they hear a dog from afar. Today I practiced it throughout the day that by afternoon they looked at me pointing a finger and stopped. I don't accomplish it by anything but a gruff voice and catching it early but most of all being consistent. When I reach a level where all I have to do is point, I need to practice it when the door bell rings. I suspect that will be a tad tougher.

Our issue is Wasabi has pups so when folks come over - new dogs come in etc. - Wasabi calls the pack to protect her. How do they? - barking. I get why they are doing it but its not agreeable, So - we are practicing. Are you?

This evening I fed 12 dogs all in the same room without anyone stealing. Oh, we had dogs that tried by looking innocent and stealing a morsel that fell on the floor but beyond that - they waited in hopes I went away. I don't. I just tell them to get back to their own bowl - and yes they listen. You too can do this if you have multiple dogs.

How? By being consistent. It's human nanture not to be - so it takes work...sigh.

Havanese Louis Visit

Louis - an old time boarder came over with a new haircut. I think it looks smashing. When Fiona is done showing...hmmmm They are about the same size. What was interesting is Louis has a lot of grey overtone and grey on his face.

Louis tends to get along with everyone. He is so highly socialized that he knows how to react to all types of dogs. His parents take him to the park daily.

Louis is a Tiny/Paris pup and perhaps he will get to see his mom while he is here. He will be here til late August 2nd.

Louis is always a wonderful addition to the crew no matter who is here visiting. He's one of those calming dogs.

Treasure is off to a show this weekend just for Saturday. Nathan is taking her for one day events just to keep her feet wet before she heads to Chicago in August. She decided to jump in the pool. You got that right - jump in the pool. She needed a bath but NOT this early.

Internet Down: The Havs Life

Well, someone attempted to send Nathan a HUGE file and it brought us down. No Internet all day. We are finally back up and collecting mail and responding as fast as we can.

But that's okay. We got pool time in - loving time with the dawgs and we are enjoying the puppy breath and the pups walking better and better as each day goes by. They are also growing leaps and bounds.

Tomorrow is a busy day. Louis is coming. We have Treasure getting washed for her show Saturday. Nathan packed for the trip. He's gone late Friday till late Saturday. Zack and Coco going home Sunday...sniff.

I looked out across the pool today and said that bag of weeds and clippings HAS to go. It's been sitting there for so long - well okay just this week but that's our priorities. Plus...shh I think it's rained so it may have to be rebagged.

Check out our slide show on Talemaker Puppy Life for the latest pix of the pups.

Kat's demeanor is now as if he has had the best massage in the world. He's relaxed. Nothing to worry about - no gals in heat. Ahhh...life is back to normal...whatever normal is.

It's All Over!!

The heat's all over - Fiona's that is and I can hang out with all the rest of the guys 24/7. It's about time, eh? It's tough being a guy!

Today was a no pool day but we got to hang out and lay around at the pool and play our little hearts out. You can see many a dog draped all over that guy Nathan throughout the day.

Louis is coming on Friday. Coco has found her spot on Nathan's head at night and Zack just adores the Kat. Shoshi even lies with mom at times during the night.

The pups are getting bigger and Wasabi is letting more dogs in to look and they are so strong that 3 now have made it out into the bed out of the whelping box. Check out Talemaker Puppy Life to find out more. All those cute noises and ...well they are adorable!

Swimming Havanese Katsura

Well, now that this heat business is waning down, the Fiona and I can watch the crew and be in the same place as that swimming boy Havanese called, Kat.

Just thought I would share his jump in the pool today.

Such a RUFF life that boy dawg has!! Now to get our visitors swimming.

Treasure has an oil treatment on so the pool is out for HER seeing she just about wrecked her hair with all this playing business. Oh well - to be a dawg first is important!

Belly Rubs & More

The dogs had a great time today as our son ran around the pool like a mad man - just like his father. Then Shoshi was the recipient of belly rubs.

We had a great day with our son, his wife - the pups and all the dawgs.

Did we swim - nope - well Nathan did to show our son how Kat jumps in.

Now Nathan is off to walk along with the sons. This way everyone gets their walks in. Me, I get to stay with the pups and the gal in heat. Plus who else is going to update this blog?

Be sure to check out Talemaker Puppy Life to see what one of Wasabi's pups accomplished today. Oh boy!

Almost Over Folks

Fiona spent a leisurely day outside and inside lounging around. She's an entirely different gal in heat - clingy - lovey - well she's lovey but not clingy which is often the case when hormones are raging.

Today we have Zack and Coco visiting till next Sunday and Louis coming on Friday for 2 weeks. We thought we would get swimming in today but no go. Fiona is still very much in heat. Poor Kat can't handle it and I know you are sick of hearing it but this is what it is like when you have a male not fixed and a female not fixed. It's loony tunes time - or is the saying loony bin times?

We found a solution so Nathan and I could both be outside but it means Fiona is in the house or Kat is in the crate outside. Yep - we brought a crate outside and if covered, he calms down most times and rests - which he sorely needs.

According to my calendar, sanity clicks in on Wednesday or Thursday. Then - it is till the next time...straight jacket for me or the dawg...I don't know.

But we still love them even when they lose their brains.

As you can see, I was playing with the monochrome. Risa - when I did her - it was hard to tell the difference between monochrome and colour. heh

This monochrome photo is Nathan doing the crate walk. Kat actually finds it comforting at times like this. It's something to think about when you are training your dog. They should be comfie in a crate in case they ever need medical care. We rarely use them closed but when we do, our dogs find comfort in them by sleeping in one when left open always etc.

Thunderstorms/Rain/Play Havanese

Well, Nathan took a walk with the boy to calm him down. We are still in huge distraction mode with Fiona and Kat. Nathan thought that it would be a great way to help Kat calm down. Anyone who purposely has a gal in heat and an intact boy is NUTS unless you breed them. Okay - we are off our rockers but in a good way, I hope.

So, off to the bank on a long walk Nathan and Kat went but then it started raining - drizzling, then raining harder then downright pouring with wind and lightening and loud, loud thunder.

If Kat looked like this - can you imagine Nathan? ROFL.

So, Nathan gets back. I am sitting out with the crew under the gazebo in the back yard as Whitney, our golden is afraid of storms and I try to get her to do her business when in this state outside or we will have an accident inside. So, picture me with all the dogs other than Wasabi who was feeding the pups and Kat who just got back with Nathan drenched. Nathan goes up to change. I call him on the phone (yes from outside) to tell him get out here now as the gazebo is going to come down. He comes running out and we proceed to take down the gazebo and he's drenched yet again. The man can't win.

It was a rip roaring - interesting time but now we are inside and the dawgs do have to play. So, on the floor that was just toweled off Nathan did go playing up a storm with the crew.

What's happening with the rain? It's stopped. Go figure but no pool today. We already got wet enough!

Heat Again and Again: Is it OVER?

Okay - it was another sunny day so what did you expect?

Can I come to swim, Daddy? Wasabi always liked swimming but lately she just can't seem to get enough. Maybe it's her desire to cool off or just her time or it's missing time with the pack but we give her balance. We make sure she does get that 'me' time.

We are still dealing with Fiona in heat. What does that mean? Well, it means a barking boy or a whiney boy. It's not for the faint of heart but it does get better when she is no longer in heat.

To make matters worse, she teases him. I gave her a bath in hopes she would smell different. Silly me. Okay - she needed a bath so that's why I did it...hehehehe

Well, Missy goes home tonight and we will miss that gazelle. She jumps tall buildings in a single bound. Then Sunday we get to see the Zack and Coco. We are excited.

PS: You can always click on the photos to see a larger view on all of our pages.

Off to update Talemaker Puppy Life where we update you on the pups...

Talemaker Havanese Swim Time

Now that the kids are not feeding nonstop, we look for ways to give Wasabi balance. It can't be all kids and nothing else. It's important that she doesn't get lost in the equation. Even great moms like her need to have balance. It's the trickle down effect. What she is - well the pups end up being.

We took her out swimming today right after she fed the kids. This gives her a 2 hour + window. It's enough time to let her swim - run around and get blow dried.

When the crew swims (Kat and Wasabi enjoy it the best) the rest of the crew run around the pool like the supporting cast applauding the efforts of those swimming.

Here Shoshi is telling Treasure - stop nipping at my face. Treasure is a puppy so she thinks that is okay but Shoshi corrected her. This is okay and agreeable. It wouldn't be if she attacked her but this was simply - knock it off - will ya - Treasure. Treasure was back pouncing on Shoshi 2 minutes later.

The crew had a great time but Mom is going to go dogless into the pool tomorrow so she doesn't have to groom the afternoon away. Besides - Missy needs a bath before she goes home tomorrow night.

If you want to see the latest on the pups, check out Talemaker Puppy Life.

Havanese Heat: What's THAT

It's tough being a guy in a sea of gals. When a gal goes into heat and is not getting mated to our boy, well he has to be kept separate. That means at bedtime and all throughout the day.

It doesn't sound fun but we rotate who is where so everyone gets time with everyone except Kat and the female in heat.

How long does this last? Oh..about 3 weeks. You got it - and Fiona is the gal in heat this time and it's not over till the 15th - another week.

As you can see, Kat's not overly pleased but he does get his walks - playing and all sorts of fun. We make sure he gets time with everyone except Fiona. Bonus - Wasabi doesn't mind him being in with her and the pups so it all works.

To make matters worse, Fiona teases Kat each time I have her up on something or I am carrying her from one place to another when Kat needs to be rotated.

This is her saying - I am up here..hehehehehe

It's okay, it will be over soon.

Well, Remy just had his bath and I had to be creative getting him to calm down on the table. He just wanted to get going and when he did, well he went from handsome lad to messy lad. Not dirty - just shake and run and have all sorts of fun.

Remy goes home tonight and then we will be down to Missy till Friday then Zack and Coco come. We heard they got new hairdos. Can't wait to check them out. I hear it's going to be easier to take care of and that's great especially for an active family like they belong to.

Well - tonight we promised pics of the pups all individual. Will get to that much later tonight. Between walks and play and grooming and baths - and weighing pups - and cuddle time and..where did that day go?

Now it's raining..oh well walks done just in time...