Happy 4th

Hi Darlah and Nathan!

I hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy.

I just want to say Happy Birthday to all Archie’s sisters and brothers!!!

All the best to everyone!!!!

Let's see where this Birthday will lead us!

Have a Magical Birthday my brothers and sisters!

Ines

Moxie wishes all of her littermates - Cinnamon, Toupie, Archie, Farley, Murphy, Velvet, Secret and Ines a happy day, as well.  And of course, her mom, Spice, who produced such beautiful babies.

WOW - where does the time go?!  My perpetual puppy turns 4 today!

Farley wishes his 8 siblings the happiest of birthdays!

Another Down Day

This is memory day as we are just in recovery mode. I hope you understand.

What do you celebrate in no particular order:

1. No snow - good weather or fun storms no damage

2. Good friends, generous hearts both way and doing things with them

3. Classic gin and tonic

4. The hubby, kids and dawgs

5. Roof over our head

6. Pool waiting

7. Healthy puppies

8. Down time - really what is this?

9. A yard with privacy

10. Food

11. Cool Cold water with a twist of lemon

12. Purdy's cherry Cordials

13. A full night sleep

14. Snuggles - human and canine

15. Fresh Veggies, berries and herbs in the garden boxes to pick

16. a good movie or tv series

17. Internet and the connection

18. Great friends made via puppy people

19. Swimming

20. Car, appliances that work and a no covid house

More things but what's your twenty? No particular order.

Very Short Blog

No gallery today. I am simply too fried. This is Tenshi. Her momma is having a birthday today. A shout out to Sylvia!

I am living for 10pm when I can crash. It is sunny. It is relatively warm. I am not grooming today - so there. LOL

The Mess of It All

The girls love Stone and you can brush him out and there he is messy as all get out saying WHAT!

He has such a fabulous personality.

Here is the gallery.

Harlow departs tonight. We are on puppy watch and we still manage to get silly crazy with the dogs. MS. Tenshi is here for a play date. Yes, even the dogs go silly crazy with the restrictions.

It's a short blog today but we are enjoying and they are enjoying as you can see in the state of affair the Stone is in. Till tomorrow!

Glorious Weather

The dogs just love when it is not too hot but it is warm enough to relish hanging outdoors.

Here is the gallery.

We have Rocco and Rocky that dropped in. They played their hearts out.

I am not getting sleep as Cinnamon keeps waking me up at 4-5am as she hears the squirrels. I want to kill her - well not literally. Nathan doesn't hear a thing. maybe I should kill him? LOL He gets a daily nap - not I.

Short blog today. Till tomorrow!

Changes

Stormy's blog is being updated starting last night and the other 2 will start getting updated Xrays on.

Misty's hair has been chewed thanks to the pups and so when they said no dog shows this year and maybe next, I took the scissors to her. I didn't go short and the ear hair is still all chewed up but little by little it will get trimmed and will get back in shape if the pups stop chewing on her. If I was to shape her up completely, she would have had pixie ears. LOL

Here is the gallery.

No dog shows means the dogs can be dogs.

Tempest and Hallie received the rest of their course in video form. No more classes till? I hope soon. I remain hopeful. It is what gets me by - remaining hopeful.

Exciting times are coming with puppies.

The dogs have been playing and Cinnamon has been mothering Hallie. Yes, after all this time she still makes sure she is clean. I love our moms. They are truly special beings!

I am still learning as a past time. We are all set up for pups. I had forgotten the heat lamp. We still need 2 more in place buut one will suffice for now. 2 moms will get baths tomorrow and well maybe a couple of my own. Rocky will also get spruced up and play.

Till tomorrow. Now it is tv time!

Is This Saturday?

Ms Katie was here for the day. She played and had fun. What a cutie she is. I heard she was so happy to see Momma tonight.

Ever notice Cinnamon's collar? That's from Hallie. Cinnamon let's her do it. I trum and shape it and she does it again - like a soother. Yesterday I had actually shaped it up and it looked good and well Hallie was at it again. I give up. When she grows out of this irritating experience with her mom, then I will shape it again. LOL

Pictured above is Cinnamon, Ali and Hallie, they are both Cinnamon's pups. Ali is already all grown up and Hallie is not but she thinks she is.

Here is the gallery.

I groomed and groomed today and just finished. I am literally exhausted and the mid section of my back has a knot in it.

We are setting up the pens tonight. We will finish it off tomorrow. Dennis sterilizes it and then steam cleans it with this pro unit we have, It does a good job but we don't use it as much as we could. It's like a vacuum where you say, I can just sweep this up or I can drag that vacuum out. Which do you do? Both probably take equal amount of time but one works better.

We had some fun dogs visiting today. The pool is clear, It is too cold to swim. Starting tomorrow I will start taking Stormy's temperatures. She loves it so that she will probably hide from me. I will start updating their blogs and stop talking about them here, maybe tomorrow. Today, this is easier.

Dogs all had a treat tonight thanks to Nathan.

What a Day

Ms Roxie with attitude and Ms cutie Raven posing for the camera.

Here is today's gallery.

All 3 moms have milk in already. No concerns about that but it means Sunday we get this room ready. There is always that 3 day either way window though usually accurate from progesterone which all 3 moms had. Better to be prepared. Temps get taken and i will update their blogs when that begins - Sunday on.

Although the pool looks not as clear as usual, you can now see clearly to the bottom. We are now training the pups that no this is not a huge water dish.

It is Dennnis birthday so he decided to hibernate in bed. He knows soon he will be up all night. Life changes with pups. He does night duty and I for the most part do day duty. We have cameras on them at all times so I can watch too even at night.

Have you ever watched a havanese chill in the breeze. It is the finer things in life that they enjoy - the things we often take for granted. Their expression changes and they just enjoy the breeze. It is quite nice to watch.

Tomorrow is a big grooming day. Sunday is a big moving day - furniture out, whelping boxes in, cameras set up plus all the things we must have on hand for the big debut.

The non moms will miss being in this room. They are not allowed till they are walking. But soon we will have swimming and sun chillin and well life less isolating for humans as even if we are isolating - we will all have the pool. Something to look forward to, I say!

Short and Sweet

HalleLong day - no groom day on mine. I took a break. There is always tomorrow. They may look messy but they don't have knots so I am happy.

Here is the gallery.

Each night you are watching tv, comb out your dog. They may dislike it but they will feel better.

It's bloody cold out. I look at an open pool and say why isn't it warm and then go oh... yeah not yet.

Dogs are coming in with cedar branches in them. I think whomever is building nests are dropping branches all over.

This is some mansion getting built in our yard. Dogs are going CRAZY barking at it.

Oh and our neighbours who usually fight are into screaming matches. Windows closed and you can hear it. Dogs are stressed when hearing that - me too so we come in. Good thing its not warm. LOL

Fave Games

Some of the fave games here are the chase game - human or canine.

Here is today's gallery.

When it is raining we play this game upstairs in the hall.

The pool is already getting cleaner but its cold. It snowed today but nothing stuck. Nathan went out in his bathing-suit as a joke. The things we do during these crazy times.

Do not tell me that dawgs do not appreciate soft and clean. When I do the blankets here, which is about twice a week or when needed, the dogs rub themselves in them as if to say ahhh just like we do with fresh sheets. It is delightful to watch or maybe I am easily entertained but I must admit I find the dogs fascinating.

Did you know that some dogs watch tv and others do not? We once had an entire litter that was fascinated by the animal channel. I thought it was the noises so I shut it off and they just stopped in position and stared. We have adult dogs that react to any channel with any animal where others could care less. It is just an interesting observation.

It is downright cold out today. I have absolutely no desire to do anything outside other than be out there with the dogs. I did put my arm in the pool water trying to get the pool cleaner going and my arm was instantly red and numb and hurting. Next year remind me that I need waterproof insulated gloves.

Pool is Open

The pool is open. It needs to clear up and it is snowing - yes snowing. Dennis is busy cleaning up the paths and tomorrow he tackles the back of the yard. It is starting to look good.

Here is the gallery.

We got the dogs reacquainted with the pool. It is funny to have white stuff coming down after opening but better early than never!

Also - early days - NOT CONFIRMED YET BUT WE WILL LET YOU KNOW - but Raven and Cinnamon may be coming into heat. Can you believe it? If so, may have to breed them (in discussion) and no Ella or Spirit till next year as that will be IT! That would mean no leisurely summer pool time - yikes.

Now on to other fun things... it also means quiet September to December and who knows if there will be holidays in December. Time will tell.

Dogs loved the pool opening the leaves and debris getting piled up. Everyone got greenies today.

Poor Stormy is now having difficulty jumping up on the chair and couch as she learns to navigate life with a large tummy. Even stairs she has had to adjust to. She is the largest of the 3.

White stuff has stopped since I started to type. I am sitting surrounded by dogs, wrapped in a blanket. I refuse to put the heat back up but I may have to. The beauty of dogs is they keep you warm. LOL Here I was dreaming of warmer times.

My friend Sherry is making mats for the whelping box - 1 each that are reversible so it looks like 2 new ones. This way when pups are here, I take their first clean photo of them on it. She does such a great job too.

Dogs are now playing throw the kong and the treats spill out. Such excitement!

Windy and Rainy

It was rainy then windy and well we survived another facetime. The issue is Nathan says let me do it as I coach from behind (bad habit) and so I let him do it. LOL He hates coaching - is that what nagging is called? Just teasing!

Here is the gallery.

Spirit is the most interesting color these days. 

During facetime today the dogs until going out was just chilling. It rained enough that our pool (you may see in the gallery) has water sitting on it. Tomorrow they open it up and i suspect it is green. We will be trudging to the pool store for parking lot pick up unless I can find chemicals in the pool house. I am thankful it will be open. With this weather I suspect we have weeks to get it ready. LOL

We did manage to clean the 2 decks, We had blown debris and well it was looking grungy out there as it usually is at this time of the year. I noticed my strawberries in the pots are starting to grow. I forgot to cover them over winter so bonus. 

I have to say that I miss actual people coming over to share the dogs with them. It makes me smile. Hoping that by 6 week visit, it will come to be. Wouldn't that be nice. 

We have had 3 consecutive power interruptions. It is blowing like crazy.

The dogs are out in the wind again having a grand time!

Busy and Ooops Day

Dear Darlah, Nathan and all of Talemaker family,
Wishing you a happy Passover and happy Easter long weekend. Stay safe, stay healthy and stay happy. Tenshi puts on her bunny suit for this special day to say: it is Springtime and let’s rejoice!
Sylvia, William and bunny Tenshi

----

Now isn't she adorable? Happy Passover and Easter to all that celebrate!

Ella is found on this table and usually on the 2 arms of the chairs every time it gets warm enough to enjoy the weather. That was today.

We had a virtual meeting with 2 families. I blew zoom as we couldn't get audio working. We ended up Facetiming and let's say we are out of practice but it worked. Tomorrow's meeting will go smoother, I hope.

Here is the gallery.

Murphy and Jesse have departed. I miss them already. But Momma is happy, I am sure.

Dogs have been doing the run game today. Dennis did find the treat game and Elvis found every single one till finally said - enough and held him in place - no lie and she's heavy being pregnant. Elvis just looked at her as if to say - really?

I just love the dogs as they are downright fun and funny!

Hope in this Covid state of affairs you are making the best of it. Learn something new. Get distracted with the dogs. Tell me what you are watching - day 4 of no tv here. Maybe it will inspire me to put it on again. We shall see.

Colours

This is Spirit and Tenshi. Interesting that Spirit now has silvering coming into her coat. Spirit is a Leti baby.

Here is today's gallery.

I was busy today trying to figure out zoom. Usually I am technically inclined but we shall see if I figured it out tomorrow and Monday.

Due to these crazy times, we have had people put off getting their pup till later so we are zooming (online conferencing) potential puppy people. It's not the same as upclose and personal - which we enjoy most but hopefully it is enough to let us know if they love the dogs and to see how much we do. I am so excited about these litters. They are going to be great puppies and bonus they are going to swim. Summer pups always allow us to test their swimming abilities in the water. Plus it helps condition them.

Tuesday the pool gets open. It will remain too cold for a bit till we can swim. I am so hoping the dogs and us can get a swim in before pups come but we shall see. In the past we have been in the pool for that odd hot day in April.

I can't believe Jesse and Murphy departs tomorrow. I still need to trim Jesse's bum tonight.

Tenshi was here while mom went to Costco and she asked me if I wanted anything. Thank you!!!! Tenshi played her heart out. We forget that play is so important to the dogs - as it should be.

The dogs did a fair bit of running today. My goal is to have everyone washed and completely done before pups coming. This allows me to focus more on pups and to do less grooming on my own. So much to do before pups. For now just comb-outs and being knot free.

I am hearing from too many about knots.

It's supposed to rain for the next 2 days. That's lousy. I would like to organize the garden to be planted if I can get vegetables and if not, its an excuse to be focused on the dogs and not the garden.

It's day 3 of no tv. Even at night I watch how to videos. The dogs still lay all around me. Nathan still watches a great deal of Korean tv on his ipad off some app. He watched their version of the Good Doctor. He loved it. I am determined to learn.

It may be a gin and tonic night. I haven't had one in ages but why not.

Interactions

Stone is such a sociable being. He plays with all including the pups. Here he is with Elvis. I was able to get Dennis in midstream taking photos. As I was finishing up grooming, he was finishing up clicking so I said to him next time you go out, take photos after they are groomed. He said why? He said cause dogs get messy, mom. Well you will see in the gallery befores and afters and afters did not stay beautiful beyond minutes. But that's okay. I know they don't have knots.

As you can see, Leti is getting more wide looking. She's a small gal. They are experiencing the morning sickness vomiting thing but they eat right away after it. Thing is Stormy did it at 3am and at 6am. I sorely needed a nap but instead I washed Truffie and Spirit. Tomorrow hoping to get Saffron done. Here there... pups coming soon enough. 11 days till xrays. Will we make it in time for Stormy or not? Time will tell and we have MUCH to do to get ready. We will start the weekend of the 18th. As one of our sons has a broken leg that seems to be not healing right (haven't seen him as he's isolated at the girlfriends as she can take care of his needs lol) we need Nathan to move furniture. Not sure about that but we have to do what we have to do. Got a couch and recliner to remove and it will not go upstairs as usual but in the front room interfering with Dennis VR gaming area.  Dennis tells me he can drag it with his dad so that's what we will do.

Nathan is making banana pancakes from maui that someone gave us when they visited. It has been forever - yum. That's our dinner.  The dogs are sniffing. I tried using a thermometer that checks your temps by pushing up against your neck. It's not accurate and totally not on the dogs. That would be easier if it was. I also use it to check room temps as the puppies need to stay at a certain temp when first born for 3 weeks till their bodies can regulated.

The sun is out. Rain coming Sunday and Monday. A friend said to me, this is the 1st year I do not have to buy an Easter dress that I hate. Small blessings in disguise, I say!

Dogs are managing to play games - find the treats - hide and seek and that fabulous run game Dennis does. They are happy we are back into that!

Sleet, Rain and Sun

Jesse departs on Sunday. He kept getting matts on his tummy and that makes Jesse an unhappy dog. It was getting so bad that I was combing him out 3 times a day and still the belly knots would come even with shaving the area short. So today him and I had a bath together. As my sink is not large enough, the bathing beauty went upstairs in the bath tub. I got a bathing suit on. Brought up the forced air dryer. Dennis lifted him into the tub and out of the tub. When putting him in, Dennis forgot he had socks on and as he was placing him in, he went oh what the hey. He changed his socks while I was washing and then when he lifted him out, he did it again. Not thinking, eh?

I trimmed and cut down Jesse and will continue to do a bit more each day. As he is an older guy and has hip issues, we do not want him standing too long. Dennis supported his back legs by holding him up with his arms while I trimmed a bit. Tomorrow we will do a bit more. I took quite a bit off of him. The hair was flying. I was coughing (didn't wear a mask) and Dennis goes oh my are you sick. Yeah, I am sick of all this hair in my throat. No, I am not sick but one should not ingest flying hair.

Jesse likes to lay on one side so drying the side he rather likes to be closer to the floor was interesting but he smells good and we got it done. Not sure how anyone uses a firce dryer on a large dog as your arm sure gets too much exercise. He still looks like a collie but shorter. Tomorrow I will reduce some of his bum feathering. Now to keep him clean. I keep touching him going - Jesse you smell so grand!

So as I did Jesse early on and it took a few hours, no one got brushed so now I need to accomplish that. Of course Dennis already clicked photos.

It rained, it sleeted and now it is sunny. How can you be so busy you don't get anything done or you feel that way? Dog tv snuggling time tonight. My tv has not been on for days.

Pool is getting opened on Tuesday, I just got a call. We are to have everything they need outside including a working hose.

Hold That Thought

It feels like spring - sleet tomorrow - really? Oh the lovely feel of spring.

Here is the gallery.

I did brush everyone but hey Dennis likes to take photos of them when they are messy. To be honest he takes photos when he wants to and doesn't wait for me. I get that.

Murphy gal departed today. I took her home as Sherry couldn't get out. There was construction out fixing I think sewers and hardly any cars on the road. But I tell you the streets are an absolute disaster with potholes everywhere.

I brushed everyone out and here I am blogging and its almost 730. What happened to the day?

Sleet - seriously.....

For everyone who celebrates Passover and is attempting to do it virtually - may it be successful. For those that can't - do not fret. Money saved - less cooking... life - we can't control. This goes for Easter as well. May we all survive - and next year... but I suspect the dogs are saying - well what about the leftovers?

Indulging

We all do it. We can't help it. Each likes to be indulged in a variety of ways. Here is Saffie and Murphy - sisters eating on the chair cause it is special eating on high. LOL

Murphy was all spruced up and was making a lot of progress on undoing that. She heads home tomorrow.

It's raining. The dogs are running inside.

Today's Gallery.

We are cleaning everyone's bedding cause why not.

Everyone had a repreive from grooming today. I had a couple I needed to get done but otherwise everyone was happy with a day off.

For everone that celebrates, Passover chag sameach. I know it is a tough one but thoughts are with you on being creative in celebrations. Many are virtually doing sedars and I imagine on Easter people will be doing the same. This will be a year to remember - I guess.

Warm Day Out

Here is today's small gallery. It was Dennis day off and well I stoppd in the grocery line for 3 hours to get eggs and a few other things we truly needed and they had no eggs. It was the longest line ever. I do not have 3 hours in a day to stand and look at my phone. LOL

The dogs love this weather. It's not hot. It's not cold. Birds and squirrels and yep rabbits are out so they can chase. All is well in their world.

I am not sure about you but I am getting so very little sleep these days. The dogs are sleeping more than me.

I bought a 50% off corned beef today. Still said good for 4 more days but its in my slow cooker cooking on low till tomorrow's lunch. So trying big meals that leftovers are good from. Turkeys were also on sale I guess due to Easter. I bought one and that is thawing out in the fridge. Unlike corned beef, the turkey can be leftovers for the dogs as well. So much cooking. Maybe we need to share recipes for the dogs and ourselves?

Leti - well she is a challenge to feed at times. She gets mighty picky during this stage so we feed her extra here and there.

Like Us

You know how it starts to get warm and the sun bathes you with sun? It is a wonderful feeling - a sense of spring and summer to come. the dogs are like us. Here is Stormy relishing the sun rays.

Here is the gallery.

I need to brush out the dogs. They look like ragamuffins despite baths. Let's call the natural. I will wash the dogs again before we have pups as it gives me the window between to not worry about baths.

Nathan is on a Zoom conference call as I type with his guy pals. I hope it gives him joy and laughter.

I am going to play with Affinity today. I am all over on my learning plus I want to figure out backgrounds that I can create and do my own sublimation transfer sheets. I need to stay focused. I need to find all my dog supplies for pups and be organized and well I still have time. Are you organizing or just chilling? Have you taught your dog a new trick? I need inspiration. Too much worrying and not enough doing.

Re: pool opening - they are fighting over if it is essential or not. Most pool openings are done without interaction. Many pool companies took money in and are now saying they may delay till the end of June. We will figure out how to open ourselves if that occurs here and request it is put instead on a closing. We paid last year. Ours is supposed to be opened sometime this week. Will it happen? I do not know but if it doesn't, we will open ourselves and make sure the pool water is not a safety issue for our dogs. Algae is not safe for dogs and mosqito breeding ground not safe for humans. Stay tuned and those of you with pools - best ask as Hamilton has said despite it being a hazard to young kids and dogs, they are pushing their openings out till the end of June. Reading some of the posts online, they say no refunds to those that open themselves. It may get interesting.

Stay safe... and enjoy!