TV, Havanese & Much More

This was a lazy day as lazy as it can get around this place. I took a nap...shhh rare thing but the dawgs kept me up 2 nights in a row so I went to sleep and suddenly Ripley was here.

Ripley is a Kat/Lola pup sitting on Nathan's lap.


We all watched a romantic movie together before and after dinner, thank to the PVR.

It's nice how you can leave and come back these days.

Before that, I gave a bath to Daisy before she went home. I started too early as she looked interesting when Ripley's mom came but I just brushed her up again.

She was so pretty so I am hoping she gets to mom that way - no pressure. heh She's a hard one to calm down. She's like our Shoshi - oooh a bath, let's run and roll and get a mess NOW!

When Nathan sits down to watch TV, he has a bunch of dogs on the recliner. I usually have some on the couch and sometimes we pull up the bench so dogs can sit next to the recliner on the same level. I know it sounds crazy but we rather enjoy all of the dawgs counting and being with us.

Today, Ripley gets a reprieve and we will include him in the line up for grooming. His mom even brought chicken treats. Right now he is settling in, fitting in rather well and he LOVES the outside.

Jazzy was playing wonderfully with Katsura but where was the camera? Nathan yells, come see. They were both playing a chase each other game.

WE are going to go live with the new site this week. Watch for an announcement. When we do, we will start doing a daily thing on the puppies to come. Check back here!

February Visitors at Talemaker Havanese

I have to tell you, we have had a gloriously fun weekend. We captured so many moments. Check out more here.

We had Linda visiting with 2 of her dawgs. We had Remy that dropped by for the day. He's the dawg with the huge grin - wait a moment, they all have one - us humans too.

Here you can see Daisy and Maia (not sure of the spelling sorry) and she came in just velcro'd to me and look at her now. Now that is what makes our hearts skip a beat.
Maia went home early this afternoon. Remy came this morning till tonight. Zack and Coco went home tonight. Daisy gets a bath tomorrow and goes home and we get to see a newbie, Ripley.

The crew is out for walks 2 by two. We played tug, and retrieve and hide and seek and all sorts of fun things. The house didn't get done. I did manage to get Kat bathed and the rest all groomed but who needs the Olympics when you have the real stars here.

We are hoping to go live with our new website this week. Watch for the announcement here. After we go live, we will start updating the pregnancy/puppies blog daily. Watch for it!

Puppies are coming soon...and we are sooooooooooooooo excited!

Talemaker Havanese Boarding

Jazmyn and Marlee are visiting. We also had an impromptu visit with Tiger Lily and her human mom, Heather. Tomorrow I will put up a slide show. Watch for it.

Tonight Daisy comes. It's going to be a busy weekend but a truly fun one. We are looking forward to it. We live for these crazy dawg times and so much snuggling.

Both Jazmyn and Marlee came in and settled in playing right away. This duo have been here quite a few times and we just adore them.

Marlee jumps over our gate with ease and climbs tall buildings at a bound, all for a treat. Yes, she was trying to figure out how she could get more treats than the one she got when she got groomed. Jazmyn usually is not as adventurous as Marlee but she said, 'oh - this is FUN! and followed Marlee on the climb. I had to try to stop from visibly laughing and celebrate inside seeing Jazmyn being so adventurous.

We are having fun this Valentine's Day Weekend. It's only just begun.

PS: I promised someone that I would write about how to take care of a cottony coat on a Havanese and the tips I learned. I just did it tonight. Just look for this area.

New Website is Revealing

We are doing a new website and I found this shot. I had to laugh. Yes, we do sleep with all of the dawgs and the visitors.

Nathan, the English major hates when I use the term DAWGS but in my awful southern drawl - well it just seems right to ME!

Besides, this is mostly my eyes looking at this crazy life we exist in. I tend to expose and he tends to be a tad more reserve in this revealing stuff but by far the most social of us both. It's why we work.

It's also why the dawgs love us both. They get different needs filled by each of us including that son who is caught peeking in at puppies after they are born and just watching them.

The dawgs also appreciate our differences. When an unsure dawg comes to visit, they also choose their person(s) too depending on who they feel the most comfort with but then if they are here for awhile, they learn to get what they need from each human. It's how it works with the dawg crew. It's like going to a party and you don't really know anyone but with our effort, they find the enjoyment and the connection and the fun.

It's really important to us that all dawgs find that fun.

When they are having fun, we are. Now that is what this crazy dawg life is really about.

Escaping Bath Tips

I am the Treasured one and I managed to escape the bath. The key is wear Mommy out by staying out of sight and pretend you don't exist while she washes others.

I am sooooooooooooooo smart!

She washed Wasabi, Abigail, Fiona and Kat today. Fiona was really overdue. Kat, Wasabi and Abigail are off to the vet tomorrow so they got the water and dry treatment - with shampoo and conditioner thrown in, of course.

Mommy is way tired and I keep bugging her to play retrieve. She throws it. I bring it back and then I shake it and throw it with my mouth. I can't figure out why she doesn't retrieve it when I throw it. Is this a one sided game?

Dominance Debunked

Just came back from a seminar with Joan Weston and it validated where we were heading.

She believes in total positive training and so do we in this household.

She's a WONDERFUL speaker and I am sorry I missed her first one. But we are going to the next which will be announced next week happening in April on body language and to me that is a must.

The way she looks at thing - well I laughed and laughed and laughed. I needed that!

Abigail continues to be a struggle with eating. She's eating better but now its one meal a day if we are lucky. So - progress just not there yet.

Tomorrow I get to wash 4 dogs - yes 4. Fiona needs a bath and on Monday Kat, Wasabi and Abigail are heading to the vet. I must be a CRAZY dawg person. Oh yea - I am!

Milo and Hugo are Here

The duo was here for daycare. As you can see, Hugo just almost bowled Nathan over.

The crew had a roaring good time with the duo. Here are some photos from their visit.

Treasure even played 'up on the rock - who is really boss' games. Hugo just ignored her and tried to pounce up. heh Yes, I said 'up.'

We got some video of it but we have to convert and edit it. Give me some time.

Well, T.G.I.F. I think? Sometimes I forget what day it is. Tomorrow we are off to a seminar on 'Dominance Debunked' and we will fill you in when we get back.

Squirrel Hunting

Do the squirrels know something we don't know yet?

Is warmer weather coming or the squirrels are just out looking for food that has surfaced from a slight meltdown?

Kat was outside today hunting them up. Oh, he is fast enough to catch them but it's all a game to him.

He does that with a ball as well. You throw it, he has to get it first but touches it and then let's the others carry it back.

Now who is lazy or smarter?

Kat did this watching for oh about 10 minutes and I swear the squirrel was having fun with him then he got bored and said, let's go in, Mommy!

Tomorrow we have day visitors, Hugo and Milo and that will surely be fun. Fiona and Treasure have been honing their play skills to get ready for this duo.

I wonder if Kat will teach them squirrel hunting?

Progress at Talemaker Havanese

Abigail ate a great meal this morning and another one this afternoon without us going through lots of - do you want this - or that or...

It seems her morning sickness is over, for now. She is playing, as you can see in this photo with Treasure.

We are celebrating and are looking forward to her and Wasabi's ultrasound on Monday.

Abigail wasn't the only one having fun.

Wasabi was also outside having a grand time soaking up the snowflakes.

Yes, we finally have some snow but not much - just enough that the dawgs really enjoy it. I do too, I must admit.

Walks were more enjoyable without tons of sand and salt on the ground as we now we have a thin blanket of white stuff on top.

We have been literally picking up the dawgs to cross the street to avoid dirt and salt. It's interesting carrying 2 at once across the street. Nathan does it in style and easily, me I am a tad clumsy about it though they are secure, I just have to perfect my technique. Practice makes perfect.

Today is Jazzy's owner's b-day and here at Talemaker we wish him the very best b-day filled with great memories.

Tonight we are going to cuddle and love the dawgs and enjoy...oh we do that everyday...well extra ones.

Cold Outside

We are in a lull here. We do not have any visitors until Feb 5th when the Milo and Hugo comes to visit for the day. We can't wait.

We just hope Abigail gets over her morning sickness by then. Poor Abs...so she is getting fed gourmet, hand fed and selected by Nathan and Wasabi is saying what is THAT about - hey I was bred too but she doesn't get morning sickness. She did her first time and this is Abs first time.

Two of our dawgs are going in for their cerf tests. We did a bunch in December and we spread them out so we are not doing an all day marathon.

It's still mighty cold outside but midweek we are supposed to see some warmer weather. The dirt and salt is mighty thick outside so I wish it would snow. The dawgs hate it between their feet. Who could blame them. Can you imagine salt and sandy grit stuck between your toes and no ability to get it out without human intervention or your mouth? heh

Now visualize THAT folks.

Havanese Roll in the...

There's nothing like a roll on your back to scratch it. I wonder if that would work for us?

Dogs do all sorts of silly things that you wonder if you duplicated their manner, if there is really something simply common sense about it.

I know - rather silly but sometimes my mind wonders such things. I must be so immersed in dogs that I am losing it but what a grand way to lose it, I say!

Today we had our usual grooming session. Emma, the golden that stayed with us went home. It was fun to have a golden stay with us. We had a visitor that wanted to introduce their dog to ours before it came to stay and Abigail still remains with an upset tummy.

It's cold and it's Sunday and Kat had a bath. What about YOU?

Morning Sickness

Abigail is not having any fun lately. She is usually a fun loving dog full of life having fun with all. Now it's a chore to get her to eat.

About three weeks into the pregnancy, some may experience a little nausea and appetite loss similar to morning sickness. It usually resolves itself in a week. Abigail is on day 6 of this marvelous - oh my gad you want me to smell that food.

Wasabi is getting a round tummy but no morning sickness. She was one of the lucky ones that didn't get it her last pregnancy. This pregnancy stuff is always a guessing game till the ultrasound or you wait till later when it is obvious.

On the 8th we go in for a ultrasound for Abigail and Wasabi. Just because you assume you have a pregnancy - well you need to get a confirmation and we do with an ultrasound. Not everyone has the lack of patience we do. Some do not do ultrasounds but we do so we know if we should increase food intake or not. Then we get an x-ray the very last week to see for sure how many. Thankfully this whole waiting from beginning to end is 63 days. Can you imagine if it was 9 months?

So the wait is driving us crazy...and you?

The Silliness of Dogs

Terra is our resident big dawg that loves - no adores the Havanese. She teaches them all sorts of funny games with the snow. Here she is trying to catch snowflakes and Treasure is wondering what planet she is on. hehehehe

Thanks to Terra the gang has learned how to flick snow back and forth with their snouts as if they are having a snowball fight doggie style.

The Havanese have taught Terra how to outrun her by quick, short turns and they all seem to relish a snow angel game or two by rolling in snow and spreading their limbs out.

See, there are so many snow games that dogs play if you simply pay attention. If you do, you will laugh and laugh.

They are such a creative lot and they do believe in fun. We all need to embrace fun!

Tonight we have a golden coming to visit till Sunday morning. It will be the first time Terra has a visitor her size that has come to stay for a day or two. It will also be a first for the Havanese - a big dawg convention of sorts. How fun!

Oh my Gad is it Cold!

Well, there is no rest for the weary. We were going to crawl into bed to take a nap and Nathan kept talking to me about a project that I should be working on and there goes the nap for me. It's not likely that I could close my eyes after that!

So, he got to snuggle with the dawgs and I got up to try to figure out this project.

I think he wanted the dawgs to himself. tsk tsk

Nathan read this over my shoulders and confirmed this was EXACTLY true - yep he wanted the dawgs to himself!

You think I can convince him to start a fire? It's soooooooooooooo cold here in Toronto. I mean downright chilly that I am sitting with socks and a sweater on and still feeling chilly.

Check the temperature before going out. In winter, as in summer, the temperature can feel worse than what the thermometer reads. Check the temperature and the wind chill factor to keep your dog from getting a chill.

We took the dawgs for a walk today and I swore my face was going to freeze off. Can you imagine how the dawgs felt but we had them in sweaters and coats and we paid attention to their feet and body language. I think the wind chill alert set in after we got back. It surely felt cold on the walks but not as much as when we went out back an hour later.

Can we have a fire around here?

Then we have friends sitting in Florida telling us it might rain this weekend - oh poor things...we feel so very bad.

Use double layers of clothes on your dawgs during cold alerts. It is warmer than single layering and pay attention to them. Short walks is better than no walks but we believe that walks are therapy for the minds so we do them despite freezing our ahems off but we use intelligence when doing so in extreme weather and may even miss a day or two if the weather warrants it but that's due to the dawgs not us being...busy or lazy or cold... or... well you get the point!

Dirty Paws

All the dawgs went for a walk and our lovely cement walkways have that wonderful dirt and salt all over them.

Every so often I had to clean out between their pads so they could go a little further.

It used to be only the main streets were dirt strewn but now even ours is. We thought after the dusting that we would have a blanket of snow for a small window but we didn't. I think with less snow this year, they are keeping extra busy salting and sanding. I hate it. The dawgs hate it too.

So we came back and the crew ran around like banshees enjoying the salt free/dirt free environment. You can't win. Then we will complain about the rain. :-)

I rinsed feet and then just let them air dry then did afternoon grooming vs. morning.

Well, Abigail is feeling queasy these days so we are trying to feed her small meals throughout. If she is pregnant (she's showing signs she is) then this would be morning sickness. She has no fever - no other ailments. Our usual play monkey is playing much less. I miss the fun Abigail. Wasabi didn't have to deal with morning sickness last time so we await the ultrasound in February. Wasabi tends to always be more laid back unless she has puppies and then she plays up a storm with them. Life is a bunch of wait and sees, isn't it!

How are you dealing with salt and dirt or are you?

Big Dogs Count Too

We made the trek into Colborne to take Terra in for her 2nd cruciate operation. She had been limping and we were concerned. Did she blow out her other knee totally? Was it this or that?

Terra is a very important equation (excellent socialization) in boarding, puppies and part of the pack. She is a gentle soul who plays with abandonment. She has bad hips. Her other cruciate gave out and we were told by the time her first leg was healed, the next one had to get done.

But all we are seeing is arthritis. That can be managed with pain relieving meds. So, she can't run on ice or we have to manage the off the deck romp when it is slippery and we need to continue to walk her 3 times a day to continue to build up the muscles but we are on a wait and see and must swim all spring/summer/fall.

We have a very honest vet. We were also told her hair is in excellent condition thanks to wild salmon oil and Missing Link. We are seeing a difference with all with the addition of wild salmon oil.

Do Havanese also have cruciate issues? Not many but they can and do. If you do a search in google, you will find stories.

What is the Cause?

Not all cruciate ligament injuries in dogs are due to degeneration of the ligaments, that is just the most common cause in dogs. Traumatic injuries can occur in dogs just like in humans and are probably more common in very active, athletic dogs.

Does this mean you should never allow your dawg to do agility or a sports related activity? No. I truly believe that a dawg needs to enjoy his passion but your dawg is yours so the decision is yours, not mine. Enjoyment of life has to be a factor.

Does it mean that you should keep your dawg lean vs. fat? YES! Extra weight can be an issue with the entire knee area from the patella to the cruciate ligaments.

We have never had an issue with our Havanese despite their activity. They have a huge passion for running, playing etc. I wouldn't have it any other way.

But today..I am glad our Terra - our resident big dawg socializer to boarders and puppies is going to be able to play with puppies.

Crazy Dawg Play

Rocky's fave gal is Abigail.

Each dawg that comes to visit tends to like Abigail.

I think it's that balanced thing she has going on making sure everyone counts.

She played a bit with him as he was following her around till she did.

But Abigail we believe is preggie so she is sleeping more than playing.

She's not herself but she likes Rocky and when she was up to it, she danced and played then slept. heh

So, when Abigail was snoozing, Treasure and Fiona enjoyed the play.

As you can see, they all got tuckered out running and jumping - tongues hanging out in a real fun play.

I wish I had more photos but they play a mad rush from one room to the next and back on the couch and off the couch and off and running they went. It was fun to watch.

Rocky really had fun and our crew did as well.

The trick today was keeping Rocky dry and clean before his mom came to get him. Now that was interesting but I think we succeeded.

The snow is melting. It's raining and the grass area is wet and muddy. All I can say is arrgh how many feet have you washed today? hahahaha

We are going to miss Rocky. He is a wonderful kisser. He's in love with Abigail but thinks Fiona and Treasure is fun.

Visitors...nothing like them.

Terra goes in for her operation tomorrow.

We have a lull of no visitors and we will be dealing with Nathan's aching back from picking up a 70lb golden all so she can sleep where she does each night - upstairs in our bedroom. Ah..the things we do for love. :-)

The Grooming Dance

The dance between when to clean and pickup can always be interesting.

We don't use crates unless owners ask us to. We respect what they want but unless requested, they have free reign, inside and outside though we are always there. I want to know things about bowels. I want to pick up. I want to take photos and I just believe in always supervising the crew just like we did our kids.

The Coco Beans and the Zack will be going home today. They will be sorely missed but we will see them soon.

It's supposed to rain today so it may get interesting keeping them clean.

They are freshly bathed and I intend on keeping them that way till their humans come to get them. It's why I ask what time they are being picked up. I usually do it just before to keep them fresh but in this instance, it was impossible. Nathan is out for a class and I will not bathe without the kid being up or Nathan being here.

One has to stay focused on the bathing dog(s) and that means the rest could get into trouble and we actively avoid trouble. :-)

I do manage to brush and comb out daily but I do it in the main room so I can watch.

So, we do a dance of keeping them clean. It's much work with the state of things outside and rain coming. But maybe the rain will stay away till later, I much prefer white wet snow. hehehe

Soon Rocky will be here. Val's TT is here till this afternoon and Monday evening we will be back to our own just in time for Terra's operation.

No More Sleeps in January 10 for Saki

Okay, that sounds like no more sleeps at the Talemaker Household but that's not what it is. It's just that Saki has gone home and we feel Saki-less. But she was over the moon to see her humans and that made us feel great!

They are really nice people so it was wonderful to see their eyes light up to see their little gal.

That's what it is about here. We are sucks. We cry when each puppy goes out the door. We miss our boarders and wonder what their day is like. We fall in love. It's a crazy cycle but we are immersed and we definitely love them all. They make it so easy - even the ones that try to make it difficult - well you see beyond that and get them through it and just fall hard.

Tomorrow Rocky is coming overnight. Zack and Coco go home tomorrow and I believe we are down to just our own crew till just before the that LOVE day - Valentine's Day.

Terra, our resident golden who helps us socialize the Havanese puppies and boarders to big dawgs will be going in for her 2nd cruciate operation on Tuesday. Nathan will be carrying her up and down the stairs all 70lbs of her so she can sleep with us. 8 weeks later we hope for success and she goes back to loving and playing with the crew which we are hoping will include lots of puppies. Then she will have to swim at least once a week to build up those muscles even after rehab has stopped. All a golden needs is a body of water and the desire. heh I think our Havanese Kat feels that way too!

It's Time

When is it time to wash your dawg?

Today, it is Treasure's time and Kat's and Saki. It's Saki's as she is going home but between all the walks and sand - well the dawgs are feeling and looking dirty.

We are often asked how often should you wash your dawg?

For me, when they start knotting quickly, it is time. Dirty hair knots quickly. I prefer to bathe than to spend ours taking out knots. It may be different for you.

Here's Treasure in her after bath photo.

Some people think that all I do is bathe but not true. I groom daily and even have a chart that I click off to make sure I didn't miss anyone. I don't mind them being messy but I do mind them having knots. Knots hurt and I rather prefer the dawgs feeling wonderful each day without this ache out of my laziness. So, I groom daily. If you do it daily, it doesn't take long and you can do it watching TV.

I just spent a Grey's Anatomy moment with Coco brushing her out. Tomorrow a different show for her and Zack and up on the table for the rest except Saki who gets bathed in the morning for her people.

Today we have Coco and Zack coming for the weekend. Saki leaves tomorrow. We have a potential puppy people coming to visit. Then on Sunday Kit Kat is doing a handling class and Nathan is doing a stewarding class. Although he has stewarded before he is looking to hone his skills. Me, I stay at home, play and walk dawgs and relax a bit.

Today I also washed 2 goldens and Whitney, our old gal took the wind out of me. It is time where I think we need two people in the tub - 1 to wash and 1 to hold her up. The old lady is losing a ton of hair so that was interesting blowing them both out.

Good news, you can see the difference in Terra's and Abigail's coat with the addition of wild salmon oil to their diet. We are also using a product called Suzie's Tartar Remover and their breath smells so good from it. So far we are seeing nicer looking teeth but the verdict is out. We will let you know how we feel about it in a months time. So far we are happy and people do notice their sweet smelling breath.

Now off to wash dawgs.