Costs

Unfortunately starting in the New Year, our costs will go up. Please contact nathan for updated costs.

Picnic Photos & Details

The picnic date took place on August 17, 2019 from 12pm to 5pm at Yvonne's place in Brighton. Check out the details here. Photos from the 2019 picnic can be found here. Yvonne's place is NEXT DOOR to her old place. I will try to put a havanese flag out front. Hope you can join us. Directions are here. The house # is 25. There is no picnic in 2020 due to COVID but hopefully in 2021. Stay Tuned!

Grooming 101

Want to see how I get a smooth coat and what equipment I use? I am continually learning and perfecting but I created this video Windows version) and for you Mac apple folks - here's a conversion. - not a professional one, to help you get a head start and perfect your own skill. Got questions? Ask away.

Want to know how to create a bathing machine that will save you time, product and wash your dog better than ever before? Check out Dick and Irma's instructions on how to create your own machine for a fraction of the cost.

Woofstock Is Back

Meet us at Woofstock. Dogs are welcomed. We meet at the restaurant across the street from Woodbine Park. Here is the location. Meet up happens on June 22, 2024 at 9:30 to 945am. Rain date is the next day. Look forward to seeing your havanese there and the humans too! Don't have your havanese yet? Well join us anyway! 

Award Photos
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Certified Pet First Aid

Walks 'N' Wags Pet First Aid is a recognized National Pet First Aid Certificate course for dog and cat professionals and pet owners. Talemaker Havanese now has that certificate having taken and passed the course.

Saturday
Nov232024

Looking at You Hazel

As you can see it is wet outside and this was Jax looking at Hazel. I wonder what he was trying to say to her as she is such a funny - you got to play with me Jax kind of a gal. She insists. But his face was priceless or so I think.

In 9 days on December 2nd it is our anniversary and we looked into couple massages - no can't do them at the same time. Nathan's body is always sore so he may come out more sore. LOL So maybe not a good idea. 

We are still thinking but we need something. Ideas are welcomed. No good movies - never is at the beginning of December but there's popcorn. The little things.... Gone are the days where you visited a store to pick up the latest DVD to watch. Maybe I will dance with the dogs and Nathan can laugh as he surely thinks I can't dance nor sing. I can't.

Here is the gallery.

The dogs as you will see in the gallery played like crazy. It was wet but they cared not for wetness but decided play was in the cards.

They ate well. Dennis played some treat mind games and Brodie consistently knew where the treats were and so did Harlow. Treat motivated dogs...

Hope the weekend is good for you despite the weather. I say the dogs taught me today that sometimes you just have to make the best of it. We are trying and mostly achieving due to the dogs!

Friday
Nov222024

Drizzle

Here is the gallery.

We had a busy day today unfortunately. We visited a friend that was not walking and after a year he is finally walking with a walker. It was good to see them but especially that he was walking.

We also had to go to a get together for a death. We have had too many die as of late. Just heard my nephew died. It is a bit much to deal with so many deaths. Sometimes - not to sound dramatic - I go into the shower and the water runs down my face and wonder when will it be my turn. Not to sound ridiculous but not sure if Nathan is capable of carrying the weight without me. He jokes - my mother had alzheimers and dementia that he says if it happens to me he will drop me off at a parking lot never to find my way home. Yes, he is joking but....I am thankful for the dogs. They bring you smiles and irritations and well... they love you unconditional. We all do not know our timeline so take each day as a bonus. Be nice. Make someone laugh. Just that one laugh a day is good for the soul.

Mr. Ty departs tonight. Dennis and I are going to watch Silo that just came back with a slew of dogs all over me on the couch. Sounds like heaven - and it is. Give it a try. They give the best snuggles. 

That rain causes the dogs to play indoors and you can see Rebel gleefully doing so. 

Oreo is barking in a huge way for his dinner and so is Harlow. 

Brodie is here. Jax is on his way and I have to go brush Ty out before he departs. Nathan is off tomorrow and that means Dennis and I carrying the ball. Sounds usual. :-)

Thursday
Nov212024

Wet Face

Here is the gallery.

Logan looks at me as if to say - so I had a drink - what?

It's wet outside. Life is busy but the dogs are lounging. They ate? They looked outside and said you want me to go out in THAT? Rain and Hope did and came back to mud all over their feet and all over the floors. I had grooming to do. We had things we needed to do. The house is a mess. I am tired physically and emotionally.

The rain is depressing and work - work such as floors etc that I do not have time for. He wants vistors to come over at 1030am tomorrow and I said only if you help clean. Dennis is off today. Dennis helps me clean but even when he says he will Nathan doesn't. It is always on Dennis and I then it is my fault when I don't have the energy.  Ever have those days? Sorry - I needed to vent - me who was with just Dennis and I for a week while he was in the sun and eating out. 

So, after this blog, I need to brush some dogs. Go to an event this evening and what and come back and clean - really? 

I have finally decided that the dogs and I and maybe Dennis hate the rain as it means work in many ways. I find the activity level is lower when it is raining and it takes Dennis or I to get the dogs running inside to get them active on rainy days. I think activity is good for the dogs. 

What do you do to get your dogs active? It doesn't have to be physical but you can work their minds. I need some new things to do with the dogs - so please share.

The easiest thing would be for Nathan to say sure, I will help you clean but he won't. 

Wednesday
Nov202024

Wet Pants

Here is the gallery.

Wet pants Lachlan doesn't mind sitting in the wet as you can see here. 

Not many photos today. We had a funeral to go to today while Dennis held down the fort. We have a get together again tonight. I had groomings before the funeral and combed out those departing. 

Nathan is exhausted. He wanted to crawl into bed but he can't. Things to do. 

We stood in the rain in the cemetary with muddy wet feet. 

We had the morning till 1pm with the dogs then time with them again when we got back. Dennis was wonderful with them but he always is.

It's been a day and we want to snuggle with the dogs, if you don't mind.

Tuesday
Nov192024

No Gallery Day

It has been such a busy crazy day so no photos as it is also raining and it is supposed to be all week long. 

Nathan got a negative clear result and they want him to go in 6 months. I think he needs a new doctor. This place was an assembly line and we waited for hours to hear a test result. That is not agreeable but glad of the news. Normally Nathan would just go himself but he told me if it was bad news he wouldn't tell me. 

Dogs are quiet today. There actually is not that much playing going on. Tomorrow may be another lean day as I have 2 dogs to groom and then head to the funeral. Thursday Dennis day off and Friday we visit our friend that stopped walking. 

Too many deaths and well then Nathan. What did happen today was since Nathan had his heart surgery they left a suture in. The surgeon decided it would be worse to operate and get it out. He has been having puss daily. He saw a black something in his arm after the shower today and took tweezers to attempt to pull it out. He got a SIGNIFICANT suture out. When laid out, it was 4 inches long. How can you neglect to remove that? Hopefully it will heal now as he no longer has it in him. Maybe he needs a new heart surgeon. lol

Well, as I type Harlow is talking for her supper. She is like that and so loves her dinner. It feels normal again, if only for this moment. I celebrate!

Monday
Nov182024

Leaves

Here is the gallery.

Sorry we have Dennis still doing leaves so not many photos and not of everyone. Tuppy and Dash played up a storm today. Harlow wenr under the deck after something so Dennis literally had to crawl under the deck to get her then shower as he was a mud ball. Other that that, it was pretty much normal meanderings.

We may have to reschedule the Wednesday grooms as Uncle Gerald died and we believe the funeral is Wednesday though we do not know the particulars yet. We will send out mail when we know. Wednesday was also Dennis day off but that will have to be moved.

Since Nathan went on holiday, Yoshi has become my dog. He is miffed but really I didn't do anything. I was just the stagnant being. Oh the competition with dogs. Do you experience them?

Sunday
Nov172024

Colder Weather

Here is the gallery.

Dennis is out doing the leaves in the front. Nathan is out back laying in his chair. It is my day off - really?

I had to buy 2 hard drives for Dennis for our server. Prices have gone up but this may hold us for a bit. He will be busy adding those to the server when they come. This will set us up for our needs for the next year hopefully. There goes my idea of getting something for me as Nathan said just delete - don't buy. Can I call it his holiday gift. LOL At least he gets things that help many vs just himself. He's a good person.

The dogs like the brisk air. They are active souls - most!

Playing, playing and Dennis intends on running - if he has the energy to get the dogs moving! I know Tuppy will have the energy - Tenshi will watch or cut them off at the pass - smart gal!

Got a power salad at Longos across town so too far and it expires in 2 days. It is bad. Unusual - and I would be bringing it back if it was closer. I was so looking forward to it.

Hope you are managing to stay warm. Harlow decided to stay in my office on the couch. She sniffed - looked out and said nah - too cold. I am with her!

Saturday
Nov162024

Oh it is a Day

Here is the gallery.

Dennis got some of the leaves up after I mentioned I may have to hire someone. He is not done. I am off tomorrow so Nathan will have to watch the dogs while I chill. LOL

This is Dallas waiting to go home. 

Dogs had fun. It was damp cold out today. As it gets wetter or damper, the dogs want to stay inside.

Harlow is back to normal doing her usual hunt and find any critters. It makes me happy when they are happy. Ty is doing his usual investigating. Dash - well the man needs to play!

It is getting so dark so early. Dennis and I are about to watch Silo with a bunch of dogs. The new season is just out. 

So short blog but that's okay.

Friday
Nov152024

Leaves....

Here is the gallery.

This is Dallas and Rain. Dallas really really likes Rain. Rain is a puppy and Dallas is not but Dallas seems smitten with her as a playmate. Everything is Rain. It's a riot to watch.

Oreo departed but we will see him in a week.

Harlow finally went out to see the screaming squirrels. She seemed perplexed wondering what is going on with this loud squirrel and it was loud. She didm't chase the rabbits but was on alert with the screams. She also went into the leaves and rolled them all over. 

Rue is wherever Dennis is - game playing - well Rue gets up on the chair and watches him play. 

Ty, Dash and Oakley are having a complete blast. Seems all 3 love the leaves too. Dennis is not making headway but he is trying. We have been extremely busy this week so I get it!

Thursday
Nov142024

Here's Looking at You: 2 Blogs Today

Here is the gallery.

This is Coco looking out of the crate at me while I clicked. She is such a cutie. 

I brushed and brushed and groomed today then sat on the couch and fell asleep. Dennis woke me up to clean a dog's bum. I looked at the clock and it was 5 minutes later. I said really? I am tired today and I gather he did not even want me to take a short nap. 

The floor is a disaster. We cleaned the floors 3 times. My vacuum gerts clogged with leaves. 

Maki and Rosey (they had a blast) departed. Nava departs tonight after her combout. Tenshi comes tonight. Tomorrow Oreo and Mickey will depart. It's a busy few days but the dogs make me laugh despite how tired I am. I think the bed is calling me but no such luck. Maybe I will talk Dennis into us going to bed early tonight. Here is hoping. It's not that he decides bedtime but that we always have so much to do before crawling into bed. 

Thursday
Nov142024

Happy 1st Birthday

Happy birthday to Hazel and to all of Sage’s puppies! ๐ŸŽ‰

Wednesday
Nov132024

Cone of Shame

Here is the gallery.

Poor Jax just got the snip snip. He isn't happy about the cone of shame but he will figure it out. Boys heal faster than the female counterparts.

We are not doing many photos as we are too busy. We have dogs coming and going. I am slowly combing this one or that out. Got to do Tenshi next. Rain rolled in poo - yes in poo. Needless to say I had to bathe her fully. That was a 1st. I am wondering what will happen tomorrow. One has to laugh. 

I couldn't get to sleep till almost 4am and up at 7am. I am trashed. Dennis had me doing floors after bedtime. The vacuum kept jamming. 

Dogs did play. Dennis played games with them. 

The only thing keeping me up is pickups as Dennis doesn't do the door unless he must. LOL

As soon as Dennis is done feeding, I will do the dishes then again at bedtime. 

Harlow is barking for her meal and Dallas is looking doe eyed - are you feeding me now. Ty and Rue seem to smack their lips and well Oreo barks right along Harlow. 

Life is good for the dawgs at the Talemaker home. It makes me happy to see them happy.

Hope gives the very best snuggles at night - is all I am saying!

Tuesday
Nov122024

Crazy Tuesday

Here is the gallery.

Jax says take a photo of me - will you? 

Ignore our floors etc today. They keep bringing in leaves and dirt but we are trying. All it takes is one to go out and look out floors.

I took a break to do the floors but Tuppy just departed. Chester went earlier. Jax is about to depart after dinner. Harlow, Logan, Panda, Tenshi and Rue arrived and Ollie and Petey is here just for the day. 

It is a busy day. It is going to be so much fun at bedtime.

Then Dorothy gave us a huge surprise - corn beef and I have that warming up for a late dinner. Even in my tired state, I am not sure I gave you enough. I am going to remember next time I see you. It was wonderful to see Pixie and Leo. What a magnificent job you do with their hair. Thank you, again. 

Everyone has been playing like crazy. 

Dallas thinks she is the queen, I am so laughing and Oreo is barking for his dinner. Life is normal and Harlow chimed in too. 

Monday
Nov112024

Rainy Muddy Day

Here is the gallery.

Well it was wet out there and dear Tuppy got blacker than a black dog rolling in mud and we did put riverstones down to stop that and Dennis put grass in another area to stop that possibility. When I put him in the tub, the mud rolled off of him. I should have taken a photo as you would never believe how much mud was on him and he only rolled for the time I got off the deck to get to the back - minutes with me yelling like a crazy person. It was unbelievable. I almost gave him a bath as he departs tomorrow but didn't trust that he wouldn't do it again. I pulled the excess water off of him with this high absorbency towel. He was damp but it is warm in the house and he did dry. Tomorrow he gets a full groom just before he departs. Can you tell I so trust him? He has done this before but not quite like this and he was gleeful as this crazy person was coming for him. All I can do is laugh. 

It has been a day but easier than yesterday - somewhat. We shall see what tomorrow brings. 

Dennis is going to sleep downstairs with some dogs as we have a dog that is noisy off and on throughout the night. I will take the bulk of the dogs. 

Dogs had fun. We did a lot of laundry and they love to cuddle into warm blankets. 

Hope all of you had a good day!

Sunday
Nov102024

Toasted Day

Here is the gallery.

I am toast. Lachlan and Marli's mom and I had a good laugh at how out there I was. I groomed all day. We had rain all day. I am tired. I wonder if I can talk Dennis into going to bed an hour earlier.

Dogs had fun. I actually had the bulk with me while I groomed and had to keep putting them away when someone came to the door.

Dallas can't do stairs and she attempts to 5 times a day so Dennis says he has been chasing and curtailing it As you can see, she is trying in this photo. She is so full of life.

We had the brothers here - Lachlan and Ollie. I think Marlie was jealous as Lachlan is his.

Jax - well he thinks the neighbours dog is fascinating. Bark bark hello hello. 

None of this probably makes sense. It is 616 and I am toast. 

Saturday
Nov092024

Fall Sunday

Here is the gallery.

It is going to be a long winter for Stormy. She is on reduce her weight food and when Nathan gets back, she is going to go for daily walks with NO treats. She is going to hate this winter but I am starting to believe she is getting treats somewhere but no one owns up to it. LOL

But this week, everytime I need to go upstairs, she is coming with me so she can do the stairs. An overweight dog has a tough time running, doing stairs etc and sometimes we have to be biaches for their health. So, we begin. 

The dogs are playing like crazy outdoors. They so adore it. Dennis gave up on the leaves. Unless I keep the dogs indoors, they plow and run through them making him start again. It is such a game.We are going to try to get in bed at 930 as Nathan gets us up at 6am so he can get his uber. 

I cut down 5 dogs tonight - not washed so I can just wash tomorrow and just cut my time in half. 

Julie brought us 2 shepherd pies we bought from her and her yummy cookies. We ate one already. We got another tin of cookies - yum - thank you. We do not exactly have a fridge of food so I will have to figure that out. It will be an interesting week. Dennis is going to take some of the dogs and I will take the rest. 

I am vowing that each time I see an orchid that is pretty, I am buying so I have sunshine here in my house seeing Nathan has a week of sunshine. LOL

I had my 3 orchids on the floor while I cleaned the shelf from dripping water and get this a visiting dog peed on one - like flooded it. I did rinse it all out and attempted to repot it so it wasn't drowned. We shall see if it survives. Orchids with urine? hmmm This was a 1st. I am glad I had orchid soil. 

Already 726pm. Where did the day go? Hope yours was more relaxing!

Friday
Nov082024

What a Day

Here is a mini gallery.

It's been a really bad day for a lot of reasons and I really really needed an escape. Nathan departs at 6am on Sunday and returns on Saturday late in day. Dennis and I are it for carrying the ball so to speak. 

Dennis kept putting the leaves in a pile and Jax kept returning them to the scattered state. One has to laugh. I did not brush anyone out but did cut the bangs on Yoshi and Chai as I grow tired of them taking each others rubber bands out and chewing the head hair. Now it is gone.

Kinsey and Misty are on their way to Florida like Nathan. The dogs have a long drive. I am hoping it goes well. 

I bought 2 shepherds pie from Ty's mom. I am so looking forward especially as we do not have any other food except chicken and ground beef for the dogs. We have our priorities. 

The dogs played. They had fun and well Dennis says it is too dark too early. It means more playing games indoors and mid day. We will adjust. The dogs have not yet but made it till 630am this morning. WE got them to accept a half hour at least. Many dogs have a tough time adapting like some humans. It takes time.

Thursday
Nov072024

2 Blogs Today

Here is a small gallery.

It's been a long day but I got all the grandkids stuff done for the holidays and shipped it to the states. All I can say is it costs too much to ship stuff but I do so hope they love the gifts.

Dogs have been running inside and out and laying all over the couch as Dennis and I watched Penquin. His choice.

Tomorrow is my day off. I get to spend a breakfast with Sherry - which I so enjoy and I was supposed to go out to dinner but they just cancelled. Nathan is departing on Sunday. We get to carry the load ourselves while he lays in the sun.

I will be busy - extremely so all week. We will figure it out and get our dawg time in.

Our daughter is downsizing so if anyone is interested in stuff, let me know. She has to formulate a list. December is not the best time to move. 

We are starting to book up for the holidays and only have a few spots left so if in need, pplease let us know. I will be grooming so no worries with that.

Nathan refuses to get even a used snowblower. Every year... poor Dennis. We also will have to clean the garage when Nathan gets back so the van can go in the garage. Lots to do before true winter comes.

Hope we get some powder snow next month so the dogs can enjoy. Will it snow? Will the dogs truly enjoy? We hope so!

Thursday
Nov072024

Happy 8th

Marco turned 8. He may not be a happy camper on the election results but he is celebrating 8 years!

Wednesday
Nov062024

Short Blog

Here is the gallery.

Dark day today with elections so I need a break. I will do mini updates but that is it. This is Coco looking up. She had an amazing time with her sibling Hazel. They ran and played in this magnificent weather. Life is good for the dogs.