Wet & Dirt

Oh my - and one wonders why I give baths before the guests go home. Well, I do groom them daily but as you can see, they will go in the pool, run through the garden and look - well another colour. One wonders why we don't have carpets.

It is a HOLIDAY you know for the dawgs!

Well, Remy goes home tomorrow night and we will just be down to Missy as our guest til Friday night. Each time someone goes home, the house changes. Then the pack gets back to being their usual and then it starts again. It's great socialization for the guests and for the pack as well. Even the most hesitant dog seems to find him/herself. I rather like that!

Hide and Seek Human!

Our visitor Missy is having a great time. She loves our Japanese maple as it's a great spot that they can all hang out and you can't find them. I tell you this as I was out and turned the equipment on for the pool and hmm 4 dogs are gone.

Our yard is enclosed so I assumed they went under the deck so off I went to look. They like it under there as they can run in one side and out the other playing games with the rest. But no..not there. It was quiet too so hmm where did they go...must be in our below ground patio. So, I walked up the walkway and noticed the rustling of the leaves and thought maybe it's a bird. Just like little kids playing a game, they all pounced out and ran after each other. Ah..the crew came up with a new game and Missy taught it to them. I just love it!

Then our son came over with his gorgeous wife and they were playing with the Treasure. This cat toy - well let''s just say since she arrived in our lives and to this day - she adores this toy. She was having a total blast with it and they were too watching and participating!

Really - Treasure's hair was brushed today. hehehe

Look at Havanese Life if you want to see the latest pictures of the pups. They are growing - crawling - pigment is starting to come in on their noses. It looks so funny when it starts coming in but we will blink and it will be there - you watch and then eyes, ears - walking - all of it. It's going to be so much fun following this crew.

Guests & All That

Treasure seems to go and go and go. She's also watching Missy jump straight up on a dime. Remy loves to play and play. Treasure - well every now and then as the youngster in this crew, she needs to get some zzzzs.

I think the crew is still missing Teddy.

She's sitting here wondering - is this a swimming day, Daddy? The sun is shining... Besides maybe we can get Missy interested.

I think Mommy could use some of that sunshine too.

Overgrown But Living It

The hubby said - well you can't even walk down the walkways. But dear - I am having fun with the dawgs. One has to have its priorities you know.

We just had another visitor go home - sniff. He was one that truly liked to mix it up. We are hoping he is having a grand reunion.

The pack feels it when anyone leaves especially if they are here for a week. Throw in a party monster and they are a tad down wondering where their friend has gone but then they adjust to the change and all is well.

Well, it finally got hot again today. Nathan is draped with dawgs outside. I am inside watching the pups. His turn tonight to watch them. Check out Talemaker Puppy Life for the latest update on the fivesters.

Talemaker Love

Even when friends and family come over, they just get to have lots of dawgs to cuddle with and the dawgs don't mind a bit.

Today, our visitor Missy rolled in a plant that had seeds and boy can I say a tad bit of hair with lots of seeds? It sure felt like it. Took me ah but an hour to get it out but she didn't mind as she got some treats. Me - I am going to kill that plant when I find it.

Well, the dawgs are having a grand time running around like banshees. We have Nathan's brother and wife staying over and they tried to get pool time but off and on we had rain. That's okay - tomorrow's another day.

Off to post about the pups...at Havanese Life. Gad - they are growing!

Kat's First Show & Treasure a Seasoned Special Gal

Some of you may remember that when Kat was a youngster, a visiting dog bit off his top knot so he had a Joe Dirt look for way too long. Top hair grows slow. So, unfortunately we had to wait to show him. Today he got Best of Winners on his first day so he is on his way to his championship. WE thanks Elaine Whitney for noticing this boy of ours!

Treasure got Puppy two days in this show, Best in Breed one of the days and Best of Opposites. She only showed the first and last day.

We are proud of this duo and I am rather sad that I wasn't able to see them but I did get to see Yvonne's pups from Kat and Lola and a couple really like swimming. Oh my...slide show coming.

Pool, Visitors, Havanese & More

In the morning, I always turn on the pool, get the pool cleaner going and the dawgs watch me from various spots - some on the deck, some in the pool house and some watch the pool.

It must be a curious ritual. But today we have company coming over - Yvonne and her pups, Nathan's brother (my brother-in-law) and wife to stay over. So, I might have to skim the pool too.

Nathan will be off to a dog show for the first time without me (sniff) but someone has to watch the pups - so that's me. I am hoping he talks someone into taking a photo or two for me especially after they are groomed again.

It's going to be a strange day for me.

Fun the Havanese Way

We had 3 visitors over - 1 went home and the trio was having a rowdy amount of fun play every single minute they could. It's fun to watch.

I don't care how timid a dog is - they manage to just let loose and have fun and that's what makes us happy.

Oreo went home today and we will miss him.

We are starting to get back to what some call normalcy after pups are born and it feels much better.

No swimming today with thunderstorms coming but hoping tomorrow is the day. Instead we played retrieve, find the treat and took turns being groomed. Run-like-hell is the norm with this crew. It's great watching this crew. Plus our gang just adores the extra fun - us too!

If interested in the puppies, check out Talemaker Puppy Life.

Sleeping Arrangements at Talemaker

We are an equal opportunity family at Talemaker and tonight it is the mom that is staying up to watch Wasabi and the pups. Human Dad has been doing it.

We are updating this at this ungodly hour as who knows what will happen tomorrow when I crash. But now this human is okay and enjoying my time with Wasabi and the pups.

Kat's in bed with the human Daddy. To say the poor guy was overtired would be an understatement - not Kat - but the human Dad. We hope he is catching the zzz's and dreaming of great things.

We also have Remy, Oreo and Teddy here doing the rumble house together. Remy's parents never left him before and was afraid of how he would do and he's the boss over the other 2 - not in a bad way but more like the leader in the pack. It took him less than a half hour to start playing hard and the other 2 love him. Treasure's saying - well what is this - guys week or what?

Here's to health - great sleep and puppy breath. May you experience it all!

Checking Out the Rain

Just because we have puppies the crew isn't forgotten. They still get their exercise, loves, cuddles, brushing and games. Even at bedtime we have one on one with each. As a mom and dad of 7 kids, we realize how important it is to make sure everyone counts - visitors included.

Th red one in the picture is Teddy - a Havapoo and the grey one is a Havanese called Oreo that turned various shades of grey instead of the black and white it started out as. This is a Kat/Lola pup. I am interested to see if any of the Wasabi/Kat pups turn similar.

Then of course the one nuzzling the statue is our Treasured one. This trio is having a roaring grand time rolling around as pups usually do. It's exciting to have such activity.

Our two sons have pitched in to help with play/walks and watching pups while we do mundane things like showers. one has to do THAT...

Oh..and there is that grooming thing. I have worked my way through half of them today. I will get the rest this afternoon. Even our visitors - after the first time now wait their turn. The trick..the treat at the end. :-)

PS: Puppy Saga is going on at Talemaker Puppy Life.

Picnic - Wasabi & More

The picnic was a blast and we at Talemaker want to say to Yvonne, Alex, Rita and Willard bravo - we will have ours in August and to all those that brought food, helped out and had great conversation with - well we enjoyed it.

I suspected Wasabi was in early stages of labour. I was right. In the car she started pushing. Her labour was not hard but she wasn't pushing all that hard. Last time was a c-section so this was new to her. It was great that she went natural.

Follow us at Talemaker Puppy Life as we continue this saga. We will be updating it with pix shortly and telling you about puppies and how life changes with them.

WE are tired but enjoying those dogs that are with us and the pups and making the most of living and loving the dogs despite the lack of sleep and food but hey I can use less of THAT...

Hope you enjoy the picnic pics. It took all day as I had to edit each to reduce the size but otherwise I did nothing to them.

Check out the picnic slideshow. We hope you enjoy!

Puppies Getting Born

Stay tuned for photos and the story about it on Talemaker Puppy Life including Wasabi being in labour on her way home. Not done yet...

Mom's real tired and a total mess from delivery... but baths much later...

More tomorrow!

Back From Picnic

Stay tuned for a report tomorrow with pix (Yvonne's pups) and all the rest - and maybe something about Wasabi...

In the meanwhile - Lillian broke her foot and sprained the other and still came.

I hear that Sylvie is now grooming Lexi. Will we see pics?

Taking the Plunge

Ah...pool life - we have it so ruff...

When Daddy dives in the pool, so does Kat but there is a whole lot of activity going on when he does this.

The dogs run around like banshees till he hits the water and then they still run around till he surfaces.

Risa jumps on the diving board with him but never goes in till invited.

Every now and then another dog spills in or shall I say jumps in but not in the fashion Kat does. For him it's a passion.

Diving or jumping in even for human young ones is not always easy.

You have to be fearless about it. Not all of us are like that. Some need to work into it.

Then the crew watches as everyone comes out.

Doesn't Treasure fit nicely under Terra?

Well - is today the day Wasabi delivers? Daddy is trying to feed her..she panted though not badly all night - she's tried to nest under the deck - all signs...but follow us at Talemaker Puppy Life to see when they make their debut.

We will be posting photos and telling you how it all went.

Double Trouble

Can it happen twice? What do you mean?

When gals are intact, they come into heat usually every 5 or 6 months. Well, not Fiona - she's back in heat after 2 months.

What timing. See what you are missing? NOT!

It is what it is....

Wasabi is still in waiting... I am hoping for Sunday morning after much rest. ROFL

Again... It is what it is!

We will be posting everything puppies when they come on the puppy area at.....Talemaker Puppy Life

Just know - we are waiting too!

Swimming Observation of the Havanese

In watching Risa, I realized that she uses her tail as a rudder.

I am not sure why I didn't notice it before but Kat does the same thing.

Not all the Havanese do this but those that do tend to glide in the water as if they were meant to be in it.

Risa is on a mission to lose weight so she now has a daily ritual of swimming in the pool and now that her hair is shorter - still love long hair but short isn't so bad - well I can get Nathan to brusha - brusha - brush!

One thing I notice about the dawgs is all of them have a grand time and you can see them smile.

It's hard to explain but if you look at the photos - you can see Shoshi smiling and I have another of Kat doing the same.

They also love our dawgs and visitors alike the game of running around the pool to bark and get excited to watch Kat jump in and it is a game. All Nathan has to do is put his glasses down and they come running and Kat jumps in.

It's never a dull moment and we love it!

Wet Havanese Equals Fun

Today was a hot, hot day that hasn't started to cool down yet. We decided to pool it and the human mom will work tonight. This is how we survive - heh

Treasure, Kat, Shoshi, Fiona and Risa all went into the pool today.

If you haven't taken your Havanese swimming yet - well it sort of gets them in high drive - the wet skin and all.

Treasure was running around like a banshee up and down chairs and all around.

You can click on the photos to see a larger version, if you want.

She's not the only one that loves the wet and now that Risa and Shoshi has a haircut, well the human mom can ask the human dad to brush away and it only takes him minutes.

The mom still had to dry Kat, Fiona and partially dry Treasure but cutting out two sure saved me time. These short haircuts are nice...heh

Wasabi also hung out at the pool and did her usual snoozing. Check it out here. When will she deliver? We are taking bets....heh

After the pool was done, we pressure washed the deck now that all the weeds are gone - well gone around the pool.

We still have to weed the rest of the yard but we aren't looking if you aren't.

We are getting excited about having new little ones here. We haven't had any for a long time.

We had much to get ready but now it's all done. Even the video camera is charged.

HairCUTS: Havanese Stylin'

Shoshi was hanging out in the backyard pondering the meaning of what Mommy said about it's haircut day.

What does that mean, Mommy?

Well Daddy took Shoshi and Risa downtown to Val's while Sylvie watched how she cut the duo. This way Sylvie gets to watch 2 Havanese get cut. Sylvie is feeding her passion - learning how to groom. Our dawgs get cuts - so win/win.

I am a fan of long hair but Shoshi and Risa have thick hair. Shoshi's being cottony and Risa's silky but way profuse so we decided to cut them down.

I brush out everyone daily and this will actually help me in my grooming load. Is that why I did it? Partially but not really. I know that doesn't make sense. I like long hair - what can I say but the thickness of their hair mixed in with swimming made the decision easier. This way they can swim, shake off and I can do minimum brush out and all that hair won't weigh down Risa.

When Shoshi came home, I tried to get a photo of her and all she would do is shake her body, rub it and roll around like a banshee.

It's a tad hard to get a photo like that but as you can see, I captured her in action.

Treasure just stared at her like she lost her mind.
Oh Shoshi, can't I see how you look?

Yes, Mommy - okay - Val and Sylvie did a fine job. I have less hair. I actually look smaller though I could lose a bit..tsk tsk but as Daddy would say - it's all muscle - really it is!

Risa was a bit more accommodating letting me capture her new look before she rolled into Daddy's office and found a cool spot on the floor.

Risa really needs to lose weight but now that I see her without her hair, I realize Daddy is doing a great job getting her back to her svelte self before kids.

All of you that have had kids - especially multiples know how tough that is but we try and now without that hair, pool exercise is in the cards daily as long as the weather cooperates.

Are you cutting your Havanese down for the summer?

Wet Look Talemaker Style

The crew was swimming today - well the humans - the son that is on furlough - his wife - our daughter-in-law, our daughter and grand kids and the dawgs...

Today Terra our retriever jumped in belly flop and all - Wasabi cooled her tummy off (she's almost due to have puppies) - Kat jumped in a ton of times and you know that game eye spy x?

Well Treasure saw a noodle in the water and wanted it so she jumped in and we didn't let her have the noodle but it gave us the opportunity to show her how to get out.

We do not let our dawgs out alone without us when the pool is open. But would they go in without us - no. They wait till we get in - or more they wait till Nathan goes in. But we are careful and one never says never as it is better safe. :-)

The dogs had a roaring grand time wet after the swim and before I got to blow dry and brush them out. Daddy ran around like a banshee and they went chasing him.

They also played roll over wet style - jumping all over each other then playing the chase game. They love it!

The crew love the wet games and then Mommy ruins the fun and dries them off. I think they much prefer the air dry look but only Treasure gets that as she can. The rest rub all over the place and I have to rinse them off to get the dirt off of them.

Good news - the weeds around the pool is done - I think - now the walkways. It never ends.

With this heat wave - did you expect us to be any other place?

Hava-Dad Daze

Well, to all you Havanese Dads - a wonderful Father's Day. We had the daughter and grand daughters come up early and we took a walk to the park. A man in front of us had a white shepherd that he couldn't control - jumping on him and trying to get at us. We kept our distance.

Can I say - get that dog in obedience class please....

Well our grand daughter Danielle was throwing a ball and Treasure took off on a mad dash to get it.

The dogs ran after her but couldn't catch up. It was getting hot and only the crazy Kat and Treasure seem to keep on going despite the weather so you have to control it.

We recently saw a dog at a dog show that was getting sick from the heat. It happens - so we are really aware. Please note that we are in for a heat wave this week in Toronto. If you do not have air - I have some tips on how to keep your have cool - just ask if you are not aware of how to accomplish this for you and your Havanese.

She just loves being at the park. It usually takes us 10 minutes to get to the park where they run their little legs off and just enjoy the outdoors but she's not the only one.

Kat, Abigail and Fiona just played their hearts out too. It was great to watch. When it gets cooler, we will get the crew out again.

Our Father's day was a good one. The weeds around the pool are halfway out. Shhh..if you saw some of our photos some were a foot high - oh my...okay we have better things to do but I know - it's about time.

Our son who is heading to Iraq is home on furlough and his wife - our daughter-in-law is graduating this coming Sunday. Then we have Wasabi due anytime and oh my - so many moments to create.

We have exciting times ahead...and we hope you do too... Give your Hav a hug and treasure that dad of yours.