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! 

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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.

Tuesday
Feb252020

What a Day

I am told the dogs had a delightful amount of fun. Me, I sat at an Apple store attempting to get my ipad fixed. Do you know they do not fix ipads? So, they gave me a deal, half price and said to keep the one I had. It still works but touch is iffy.  That's okay. The guy who spent the day with me said shhh just seat it properly and showed me how and said give it to the husband. So, that is what happened.

I wish it went so smoothy as it seemed to be starting out. Because I was on a beta rev as I beta test for Apple, they couldn't figure out how to transfer my data. I finally said let me log into the beta section and well we were set but then it took forever. The guy that took care of my transfer said I got him interested in beta testing. heh.

It took us till the afternoon. During that time I sat across from an old guy updating his phone, a woman that couldn't talk to her mother or couldn't hear from her, a classroom of kids learning robotics on their ipad. It was an interesting day.

I finally said I had enough before we were done and completed it at home. Then I had to wipe out my old one and set Nathan up. Then the day was over - or almost.

After Apple, I ran to Showcase to get something - Purdys to pick up some chocolate for Sherry. I love their cherry cordials and for shame they had none. Won't for a week.  

I parked a fair distance from Purdys and the food court so of course the guys in my life wanted food. So, I carried heavy bags as Dennis wanted bottles of root beer, Nathan wanted bottles of coke. When I got to the van I had to sit and just relax before I drove. Home I went. 

With all this breeding business there is a huge weight and your mind is on that and well making sure the dogs are having fun. They were so happy to see me - visitors too as if I was gone for a week. It surely makes you feel good.

They say a snowstorm for the next 2 days. It is Dennis day off so I get to click the camera in the snow inbetween grooming. I so look forward to it. I hope Dennis day off is better than mine.

Sage is out of heat. Hooray. So much stress managing girls in heat so you don't have an ooops. The rest can come out now. I know it is not time but indulge me. 

Here is today's gallery.

Here's to bedtime snuggles, kisses and genuine fun!

Monday
Feb242020

Spent?

I sent Dennis out to see if it was wet enough that he can start shovelling yellow snow. Not yet here.

Here is the gallery.

I noticed when it is extra wet the dogs aren't crazy about cold wet water on their legs. Can you blame them?

Nathan has finished his venture with success and now Willow and Nathan are on their way back. Hooray!

I am doing a ton of laundry as I am cleaning blankets, sheets, beds - whatever Dennis can find me to keep me busy. 

Tomorrow I am taking the day off as Dennis wants his later in the week. I have to get my ipad fixed. Touch works only at times and when I push the screen in. It is happening more frequently that it is DRIVING me crazy! So GEnius appt I made. What a fun thing to do on your day off. LOL

Sage who is the 1st to get the ball rolling is out of heat tomorrow. Saffron and Raven have not come into heat and Ella we give up on. 

Dogs are having fun at the moment. Dennis is running the halls with them. All I hear is many feet running on the floor. It sounds like a heard. 

Lily and Coco departed - at least very clean. Ollie boy, Tenshi and Brewer are visiting for the day. 

Normalcy arrives tonight. 

Maybe tv time tonight now that Nathan is back late afternoon. Am hopeful!

Sunday
Feb232020

What a Sunday

With Nathan gone, I get to breed Leti, groom, feed - on and on and listen to Truffie and Kat whine like babies as Leti is in prime and it is not their turn plus take photos and stand on my head. LOL Although when you do progesterone, you only need one connection but in my brain, I feel better with 2. Really you only need 1 when you know when ovulation is.

Here is the gallery.

So Nathan will be home tomorrow. I am supposed to have Tuesday off but think I will let Dennis have it. He's been busting his ahem off. I also need a day off. What's a day off? Lol

I had all the girls last night. Dennis the boys. Tempie kissed my face off and on all night long - really? Our daughter had her 2 dogs here and I had her get me a ice cap. Does it have ant caffeine in it?

Rosie last night decided to sleep with her head between my legs, About 4am I had teh start of a cramp and had to divide the path to get out of bed. It was a riot to be honest. This was about 430am and then I couldn't get back to bed. I tried. The thing about girls in heat is they flirt with each other all night - no lie and the boys whine. Who wins here?

Ty loves the back of the couch to watch out front and alert me when someone comes. LOL

I think Trouble loves Nathan more than me? Why do I say that? With him she sleeps cheek to cheek. With me she sleeps on my head. Dolly decided she wanted to go with Dennis. Is he treating her? Yes, I am laughing.

Levon and Trigger are finally non stop playing with each other after all these years. Really? Levon must have finally said I guess you are staying Trigger so we may as well play. You have to know these 2 to get this. They are now home.

Winston is playing so much that he snoozes several times a day for 5 minutes here and there and then he is raring to go. Sadie doesn't want to eat breakfast till after everyone is out with Dennis and then she has peace and quiet. She just started this. Marlee just wants to eat before you even feed her.

Pablo, Harlow and Shlomo are best buds this week. It's interesting to watch the relationships.

Lexi - I so hope I can keep her clean before she departs. I have cleaned her legs up 3 times today. We are dealing with a melt. Wet legs. Wet floors and fun. It is Sunday and life is good especially for the dogs!

Saturday
Feb222020

At It Again

Nathan is on his way to Sudbury. See both Leti and Willow's blogs.

Here is what our day has been like. We wake up at 7am. I get the girls in heat away then everyone else comes down. Out they go. While Dennis was outside with them, watching, picking up etc - well everything but yellow snow that seems to be imbedded in ice - argh. We need snow or a melt so we can shovel. I get water dishes down - 9 of them. LOL We change throughout the day. I believe in access to water - cool water all day. Nathan took a shower while we got the food ready. Dogs that need meds got them. Then girls went out before breakfast. After breakfast all dogs go out in shifts with one of us out with them.We must do it this way when gals are in heat.

Here is today's gallery.

Before we fed Nathan headed out with Willow and Leti for blood tests for progesterone. As this is the weekend the lab closes early so we waited. Nathan went for a nap and then his phone went off. Go now!

So we bred Leti, packed Nathan up, made a hotel reservation as Paula is ice fishing with her boys. I didn't have time to wash Willow. I apologized to Tracy but its not she is in bad shape. she just looks like gals have been mounting her and that they were. I asked Nathan to let me wash. He said no - I have a long drive and well that is that. Last minute hotel reservations are expensive. Oh well.

So while Nathan was breeding Leti, I was packing stuff for Willow and him. So by 130 Nathan was running out the door. 4 hours later he will arrive, meet up with Tracy and Ace. Do the deed. Eat, rest and have mass quiet. LOL I should have went instead of him. LOL What was I thinking!

Here we had Ellie the silvering pup here playing with Hallie and Tempest and boy they played. She also had a bath and trim. What a cutie!

Dennis will have the boys. I will have the girls. I have lots of grooming tomorrow. Oh boy and hoping Nathan gets home before dinner. We shall see. Till then the dogs are playing. They had their afternoon snack.

Oh and I groomed today too. How can one forget?

The sun is out. The dogs are happy and well life unfolds. We are busy so that's enough. :-)

Friday
Feb212020

Breeding and Craziness

This is Leti's baby Spirit. She is agile as ever. She is a 8lb if lucky gal. We feed the best but she doesn't like chicken if it is ground up - seriously. Give her the same chicken in chunks, she gobbles it up. I think its more moist in chunks. I so try to get Nathan to get that. LOL

She easily glides up on anything the same as Tempie and the siblings.

This is Dennis day off. I clicked. I have over 400 photos so I am sorry didn't check or have time to take out any photos that are not presentable. I tried to get photos of your cuties. I so try. I am almost out of space on Jalbum and its a pay service. Might have to look for other choices as I can't get a 3rd on Jalbum. It is way too costly.

Here is the gallery.

Dennis has been in bed all day. I should do that on my day off. Once litters come there are no days off. Nathan took his daily nap so it was just me and the dogs for a few hours so we went in and out many times.

The dogs had a blast as you can see in the gallery. Dolly thought my lunch was appetizing. She kept eying it.

Class last night was great with Coco Chanel, Tempie and Hallie. I have to get Nathan to send a few photos of them in class together and the rest were all power breed large dogs. Hallie had to say hello to all. She even pulled to say - hey I want to say hello to this one and that one. Nathan made a joke to one - these are not squirrels and everyone laughed.

Tomorrow Nathan does progesterone to see when he needs to go to Sudbury. He's going to try Leti tonight and if she connects with stone that saves one progesterone.

Our reproduction vet said to skip Ella. When they have split heats they have a normal one next cycle. She said with a split heat we will blow our bank acct to get the timing correct when and if she comes back in. So, it is Leti, Willow and Stormy. After everything calms down, I will update their pages with connections, calendar etc. Just too busy now but I will create a blog for Willow.

I am sure there is more but my brain is in a fog.

Thursday
Feb202020

Very Busy Day

We had Bailey here for a groom and play session. She is Tempest's sister - Leti baby that Raven took care of. Both moms were delighted to see her. She's a small dog.

Here is the gallery.

Nathan arrived home this afternoon and then ran to the vets for progesterone. Leti and Willow are on the cusp. Ella is at 0. So, we test Leti and Willow on Saturday morning again. This is becoming an expensive venture. See what I mean. Why test Leti if we are breeding to Stone? Well this is funny. I wanted to breed Leti for her last time and retire her. Nathan wanted to breed Ella her last time and retire her. I said let's do progesterone and see who is prime. Well, no one was but only Leti and Willow are close. Ella may be having a split heat. We will throw money to the wind and know when all is due and when to breed. Gee why not! So - stay tuned.

By the way Cinnamon is in heat but we are NOT having 4 litters. Not a chance in hey...well hell!

I want you to know having Bailey here was a delight! Tchibo - wonderful - he departs tonight and well Ollie - love that dog - a Stormy dog.

I told Dennis to take more photos of Charlie. I am in a rush and just put the gallery up not looking at photos - dangerous perhaps but it is what it is. Rocky was also here - a dream dog! Well, aren't they all?

Now we have class to go too. Oh my - shoot me now. Tomorrow Dennis is off. I get to take photos. Let me know if you can tell the difference. Dennis is getting better all the time!

Wednesday
Feb192020

Short Blog

Sorry very short blog and gallery.

Too much going on. Nathan is on his way to Ottawa to breed Stormy to Rufus - a red sable small boy. Our goal is to downsize and get an excellent health and pedigree. We got results today that she needed to breed today and tomorrow. The next progesterone to do is Willow. It is not time yet. She will head up to Sudbury. We are sitting on the fence about Ella or Leti. Ella would be to Truffie, Leti to Stone. We have time to decide which. So it all begins. We are paying a stud fee so there is no puppy back to stud owner. When you do a progesterone you only have to breed for 2 days as you know when the fertile period is. We do progesterone when you have to drive far away as there are hotel costs, progesterone costs and gas, food out etc. As we had no notice - vet DID NOT call us back yesterday despite 2 calls into them, I was busy for hours trying to find a pet friendly hotel. Nathan can't stay at family as they all have male dogs. Hotels were hard to come by for same day 1 night and I kept seeing 200 to 400 fees - oh boy. So fun has been washing Stormy as Nathan packed, pack bag, food, crate. Brush rest of the dogs. Blogging... Then I am told I forgot a blanket for the bed or panties for her. Guess he has to go buy panties at a dog store. He's having fun. I am having fun - not. The things we do to have pups. LOL

Pablo arrived - hooray a ball of fun. Reggie departed just as excited to go as come. He even slathered me with goodbye kisses. How wonderful is that! As I am typing, Tenshi is curled on my neck. Makes for interesting typing. Good thing she is a peanut.

Dennis gets to sleep with the boys - me with the girls. Nathan gets back home tomorrow afternoon.

We are all having fun despite the stress of last minute things.

Our son Jon had a serious concussion from trick skiing yesterday. He is now out of hospital but has memory gaps. They are hoping that goes soon. Life - so unpredictable. You never know... His girlfriend is at his bedside.

I feel like I am so unproductive today. I am not but it feels like I am.

I said to Dennis, let's order pizza. He said mom, I am lactose intolerent. I said oh yeah. Last night he ate a bunch of cheese and crackers. hmmm

Tuesday
Feb182020

Oh the Wet

It sure was slushy and wet out today.

Here is the gallery.

I went to class with Sherry learning the Cricut. It was a good day. Nathan and Dennis held down the fort.

Dogs had fun. I am tired. Tonight Nathan is taking the boys - I get all the girls. Dennis gets Kat. That means gals in heat keeping me up all night. If you never had this experience - don't. I am laughing! I love the havanese truly!

Photos were taken early in the day.

Tomorrow is a new day. Murphy gal has departed. I may not see her for 2 weeks. She will miss me. Yes, Sherry - I am teasing. When you show up her world is right! Happy to come, happy to go as they all are. I am glad we have that right! Couldn't do it otherwise!

Monday
Feb172020

Happy 6th

Hi

Sunday was Katies 6th birthday. I can't believe how fast time flies! Happy birthday to her brother Odin as well.

I'm waiting to get some. Birthday photos to forward to you.

Thank you for my little beauty.

Ruth xo

----

Photo received today!! Huge Happy Birthday!

Monday
Feb172020

Posing

Ever notice how some dogs love to pose? This is Winston!

Here is the gallery.

It is family day and well the dogs are family! They play, they eat, they play and give you kisses and hugs and well numb legs from piling on you. Wouldn't have it any other way!

Weather is warm. We are dealing with wet melt. Dogs are going home. Dogs are coming.

Dogs in heat. Makes for fun - not. As we have to use outside boys as those are in heat are related to Stone. Nathan will have to travel and we will have to do progesterone. Expensive but we will have pups, I am sure. It means pups will swim. Me too!

The back is better though I am still taking pills - but its working - hooray!

Till tomorrow.

Sunday
Feb162020

Family Day Weekend

The dogs are like family, pals and play mates. They really solidify relationships and sometimes they come at the same time as those they play with the most.

Here is the gallery.

Tomorrow is the end of family day weekend and a number will depart. It is nice when you get many players as it brings a whole new level of fun.

We are not dealing with frigid cold - hooray!

My back is still out of whack but better. I see improvement despite grooming today. Getting in and out of the couch - another interesting level of fun.

Dogs are playing like silly. Veal on the menu tonight! The dogs have their faces in the bowls. LOL

Saturday
Feb152020

Eating, Pups and Playing

To eat or not? He did eat as you will see in the gallery. Soon he and the siblings won't need or want that lunch meal.

It is warmer than yesterday. More playing occurred outside than yesterday.

Short blog today. Everyone is truly having a blast.

The back has been keeping me up at night and meds were downstairs. I didn't want to wake anyone so I am sitting here typing and yawning and hungry.

Till tomorrow...

Friday
Feb142020

Beating Heart of Play

Oh it is cold. Can you believe according to the news we are colder than Antarctica today. Go figure.

Each time I take the dogs out and I did so many times today. I have to coax Jesse indoors. It is simply way too cold to be out for any extended period of time beyond 5 minutes. So, we do many outdoor exits for very short periods of time.

Finn, a Hallie sibling is here and well the pups and moms are all excited. It is nice to watch. Here are the pups playing. You can also see more of them and the rest of the dogs in the gallery.

We have mostly indoor photos but just because they are playing more indoors than out doesn't mean they aren't having fun, as you will see.

It is Valentine's day. Stay warm and spread the love especially to the ones that least expect it! We are in an extreme cold alert here! If your dogs are lifting their feet, get them inside, please!

It is also Dennis' day off. I am eating salsa and chips for dinner. I am blogging and I feel like its one of those days I am not getting much done even though I have been non stop busy.

It is also family day weekend and that is why we are busy. Perfect time to escape the cold, I say! I would like to say I will just hibernate and believe me some of the dogs agree with that desire but it doesn't work that way.

Thursday
Feb132020

Holiday and Valentines and Snow Play

On days like this we have inside play and...

outside play. Weather is snowball building event but we still allow the dogs to have fun. We are just raking those snowballs out and off.

Here is the gallery.

The floors are saturated so much so that I took my socks off. Worse are wet socks vs. no socks.

Nathan decided to walk dogs 2 by two. He was doing this for hours. LOL It's his day off and I swear he is still sleeping. I have to keep reminding him that I can't lift dogs especially large ones till this back issue goes. I took less pain pills today but hurt more so who is the fool here.

As I am typing Willow is driving me nuts as she loves pistachios so I unshell and feed and it takes forever but she looks at me to say - I love them as much as you do especially those Costco ones you got and hey the bag is huge so...well unshell another - will you? I do cause - don't we all?

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and well as it is also Family weekend we are still very busy. Besides Nathan hates holiday crowds so he went and bought us lobster rolls to have today. Yum! Can we have Chinese tomorrow -- I know shut up - you expect too much. For us holidays are when we work the most.

Tomorrow we are in for an extreme cold alert. This is a warning that if you and your dog goes out as it should be BOTH of you, if they are lifting a paw - it is too cold for them. They can get frostbitten.

I have a friend that is heading out into a safari for the next 2 weeks and sleeping in tents. She does a lot of these trip. She showed me a photo from her hotel. It is lush green and she says humid as ever at 35c. Good time to be sleeping in a tent - NOT!

Yesterday I heard about a dog we dearly love - thought he had a stroke or a seizure. Turns out we think its his back but he is doing well. I am thankful but realize he must have been in pain for quite sometime as each time I combed or touched his back end - he was not happy. I always had to go slow and be creative.  I am thankful and both of us are on pain pills for back pain. The dog and I sharing our moments. LOL

Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow. May it be a happy day and not a freezing your ahem off day. Weather people as they are... well you never know. Time will tell!

Wednesday
Feb122020

Melt Away

Here is today's gallery.

It was all melting away and now it is darn cold. Dods didn't mind earlier but do now.

My back is still hurting so I am going to cut this blog short.

Stormy is now in heat. I suspect others will be soon. Love heats - not but they mean puppies. LOL

Till tomorrow....

Tuesday
Feb112020

Bear With Me

Today I had a fun day with Sherry but I woke up with a lower back pain on one side that I wondered if I could put shoes on. Drugs was and is my friend. They wear off. I hardly slept last night so I probably won't make sense here but I will so try.

Here is the gallery... thank you Nathan and Dennis.

They had fun today. No special food toppers today except for ground sirloin and baked chicken. But ate they did.

Tempest is now barking at Skylar to get her to play. It's working. LOL Is that dog speak for hey play with me? Sounds like it to me!

Here's to tomorrow. Dawgs and feeling no pain! Now it is tv time and dogs. Not sure I can sit in the recliner. Funny a straight chair feels better but not for the dogs.

Monday
Feb102020

Playing Snow

Outside is so enjoyable. Night or day its an amazing amount of fun!

Here is the gallery.

Tonight the dogs had lamb. Every dish was licked clean. Oh that human Daddy...

Snow is melting. Dogs are getting wetter than wet but still managing fun.

Benji the adult and Tia depart today. Benji the pup departs tomorrow. Lots coming for valentines day...hmmm

Sunday
Feb092020

Wild Fun Play

Here is the gallery.

The dogs truly had a fun time today. They also had fresh salmon that Nathan cooked. The dogs were in heaven. Jesse couldn't get enough of it. Hello...can I have more? It is funny when you introduce something that isn't a daily thing how much it is welcomed.

Pay attention to knots and never wash with knots in the coat or the knots get tighter.

Lots of activity in our yard today. The dogs love chasing the squirrels and have down time. We have crates everywhere - never closed and a ton of beds. Even our two crates that are end tables have a bed on top of them. But of course the couches, the chairs all have dogs draped on them throughout the say.

It's a real dawg house!

Saturday
Feb082020

Oh the Play

This is Stormy and her son Ollie. Do they know each other. YEP.

Here is the gallery.

Dogs are really a great group. The play is amazing and fun to watch.

I want snow as I want to do this in my yard! Can you imagine the fun?

The dogs said at dinner - really ground meat - where's the prime rib? Guess Nathan is hoarding it. LOL

Is this Saturday already?

Friday
Feb072020

Snowstorm

Slow and steady wins the race? I think we may have finally got more snow than Christine but then again - maybe not. I call this a heavy dusting.

Here is the gallery.

We had fun in the snow and it was powdery not snowball snow. They ran. They jumped. They simply enjoyed!

Tonight we had prime rib that I made and the dogs had a treat of prime rib too. I think they love us even more. LOL