Grooming Products

Charlie, a Wasabi and Kat PupI love a product called Pek that really gets out mats. Oh many work but not quite like this.

While I am at it, I will tell you what products I adore.

For a puppy coat I love Pure Paws Oatmeal and Aloe Shampoo and Conditioner. As an adult, it depends on the coat.

I also use a teflon comb, a face comb or some call it a part comb for around the mustache and the eye area plus a Madan Brush. I also use a Plush Puppy Brush but there are other versions of this if the coat starts matting. For finishing I have a Mason Pearson but YOU DO NOT NEED THAT. It's only for us crazy show people. The rest will be all you ever need. 

You will receive a sample of the shampoo and conditioner. I buy a big bottle and give you some. This way you know what it is like.

You also need nail clippers if you are clipping the nails yourself. Nathan will show you how.

I think that's it. :-)

Treasure Update

Yes, she is pregnant but you knew that. Check out her blog to find out what the ultrasound said.

Visiting

Today we had Gidget coming over to visit the pups with her human mom Audrey and Audrey's mom. It was fun to watch Gidget and Audrey with the pups. I remember how Gidget loves them so.

Towser and Tia with their parents is dropping in too.

It's going to be a full house and fun to socialize the pups. Tomorrow they are 8 weeks. WOW

This socialization is 'good' for the pups - canines and humans.

My all time fave photo from today is Audrey (Gidget's owner) getting loving from Spice.

Tell me if you agree.

It's not only puppies that need socialization but the big dawgs too.

It is truly important to socialize every chance you get.

Shoe Time

Spice seems a tad bored today. I will have to give her a bath and wake her up. She's starting to knot and some of that is from mad play but also when that happens it means the coat is dirty and needs to be washed. A clean coat knots less.

But don't make a mistake and wash a knotted coat. It is important to get the knots out BEFORE you wash or the knots get tight and turn to felt.

Today, due to the cooler weather the pups stayed out for close to 2 hours and now they are sleeping and sleeping. Time to give a bath during quiet time.

The adults that also played with them are taking naps.

Between Shows Mess

Spice has shows at the end of the month. Poor Daddy wil be doing it alone with the Spice while I get her ready before they go. Work is work, I suppose.

But Spice is such a play monkey that I look at her and wonder how much longer she will keep her hair.

Gad, she's just like her mom. If there is dirt, she will find it. If there is fun she will be there.

It's what makes her who she is.

Nothing Today

It was hot, muggy, and a very long day for Spice and Nathan for no points but it was more practice and that's okay too.

Tomorrow is usually a pro handler judge so not expecting a thing but hey more practice. hahahaha

I was told Spice looked stunning.

Will be glad to have Spice and Nathan back at home!

Where's the Treat?

The dawgs look forward to getting groomed - seriously. They don't run away. They stand in line and say 'my turn'. Why?

Well most of it is conditioning. Another part is the yummy treat at the end. It also must be that nice head massage I give.

I can't imagine if they were giving me a hard time how I would feel about long hair. But even if you like short hair, it makes sense to condition the dogs.

Sometimes, if they are really feisty or they scream to get you to stop, yes they can and will try anything especially if it works, it pays to persist and hold them in place and just do it. I wait till they actually relax before I let them go.

None of my dogs need a noose and they will all lay on their back to allow me to do their tummies. It's simply conditioning in a positive way and one day they actually will look forward to it. Can you imagine that? I am so glad that mine do.

PS: Truffie we are still working on doing 'on his back' but that will come. He's no longer complaining with the daily combing and brushing. Progress!

Second Class

Okay, what do they do in these classes, anyways? These two have so much fun, you wonder if they get any serious work done but they do.

Even Frannie who I want to call 'wild child' calmed down to do what she was supposed to.

Spice was more relaxed. She knew what to expect and her tail never went down.

Gee, this isn't so bad.

That doesn't mean that her car trips and conditioning stops. Nope....it continues.

Practice, practice, practice.

Check out the photos of these wild kids. Honest - they were brushed BEFORE class. hahahahahaha

A Lil' Red in One's Life

Red is heading back to his forever home tomorrow and his family is excited to see him.

It was great that he came for a visit as we really miss the guy.

Treasure, as pregnant as she is still enjoys him and it's nice to see.

It's going to be an emptier house without him.

Let's hope the weather warms up and the white stuff flies so I can go back to taking photos after much rest.

Off to sit in the recliner and get draped in dawgs.

Nah Nah Nah

Red loves to tease. He has such a personality and he can't help himself.

He found the new snow delightful and so did the rest of the crew.

I have never been to the UK but I don't think snow is the usual in England except in the mountains. I may be wrong but Raylan and Red best get their fill as soon they will be departing and learning to bark with a different accent.

We had a roaring grand time with the snow and it's supposed to snow all week but me, I fell on my head and hurt my grooming hand. Now this is going to be fun - NOT.

New Visitors and a Cooling Off Weather Wise

Didi and Tess came and although they were not sure what to think with the crew, they have now started hanging out with the crew, adventuring in the back (which they love) and they even had fun with some kids that came to visit (Chewies house). They have really gone from - what is this about to hey this is fun. Though Didi is not sure what that barking from Raylan is about and his pouncing on her back to play but she seems to know that he's just a pup. Her tail even wags at him. Tess loves to explore and I think she has found her fun.

Chewie went home today and we will miss him but he will be back for a couple of weeks soon. We surely had a lot of fun with him.

What was our day like?

We went out before the heat hit first thing at 6amish. I watered the plants. Took photos in-between and we played a bit of retrieve and then came in. The heat was coming on.

Then I started grooming one by one. That's why in today's photos you will see the ungroomed look and the groomed look. <heh> It takes me a bit to do each dog but it gets done and I feel better that they don't have any knots. Plus I get to clean around their eyes, check their ears and see if anything else is going on with them. Grooming tells you so much. It gets you to look closer.

After that Nathan had a session with them playing up a storm and only managed a few photos but I think I made up for it. He had a dog show to attend. So it was me and the dawgs for most of the day. Now he is hanging out with teh crew while I update the blogs.

Let me tell you about the visitors. Chewie is a play monkey. He adores Wasabi and loves Raylan.

Archie is not a fan of the heat and I don't blame him.

We pay attention to the dogs. They are never outside alone. So, if I am feeling it, they are and we act accordingly only going outside for short stints. What I have noticed is the play is minimum as running is hot in hot weather and inside is not enough running room though they try and we allow. We walk after the sun goes down and all the dogs LOVE the walks some begging to go twice.

Archie has been here a few times before and really has found his spot. He plays with everyone but he adores laying in your lap and oh that treat after grooming - well can I have TWO?

Hugo is a 'got to play' dog. He doesn't think about the heat so we think for him. He's busy trying to be the coordinator. You play with me and you play with me and also you play with me. Milo his housemate is more of an easy going guy who just lets it all play out and joins in when Abigail is playing. He's smitten.

Oscar came yesterday and his mom says he doesn't like the heat but he goes out every chance he gets for 5 minute stints here and there. Early morning when it was cool, he loved chillin' on the deck and adventuring in the backyard. Food - well bring it on, please! I remember the 1st time he was here when I hugged him the 1st time he was stiff. That tells me he was not sure what this crazy person was doing but now he hunkers on down and snuggles into the neck. It's so nice to see the changes. He adores his walks.

It's been a really great day with snuggles, eating, playing and just relaxing. Check out today's photos. When it cools off you will get to see more action versions but we managed to capture some.

Charlie & Daisy Goes Home

Charlie and Daisy went home and it's ever so quiet around here. What happened?

I think 2 play monkeys went home and funny I miss that when it happens but it also gives the rest of the crew a tad bit of time to play rest until the next visitor comes.

Daisy is a regular who we adore and Charlie has been here a couple of times now. He is adorable and fun and we enjoy him immensely.

They each had their baths and now are on their way home. Till next time - and we can't wait.

Archie joins us on Monday.

Gad, it's quiet with just Kitzie as the extra here.

Visitors & Pups

Today was a rather hot day.

We have been having a blast. How Daisy gets dirty while Charlie stays much cleaner amazes me. There are just some dogs that find that piece of mud. Have you noticed?

Tomorrow Daisy and Charlie goes home and Kitzie will remain till the end of the weekend. After the weekend ends, we will have Archie joining us. We can't wait!

As you can see in this photo, the pups and the adults get along just fine. Running is a regular thing at our place. It doesn't matter if it is a game of retreive or just a run and games event.

They really enjoy the walks but I tell you, they just adore the play and who can blame them. I love watching and capturing.

Catch today's photos on the Boarders and Visitors page.

No Rest for the Weary

I am way behind as we had visitors and pups are going home tomorrow so I am scrambling to do baths etc so forgive me - photos tomorrow.

Daisy is here overnight and she is playing up a storm with Charlie. It's so wonderful to watch.

We had a couple from Fiona's litter here. It was great fun.

Now to play catch-up.

Visitors & Surprise!

Well today we came back from an ultrasound and Fiona is pregnant. Check out Fiona's photo page for more news.

Keep following us for more surprises. Shh I can't tell yet what they are yet.

WE had a nice warm day.

Today we got to see Fiona's pup Mia and she is a gorgeous silver and white like Kat. She started out as a black and white. We also have Kitzie visiting us and she was from Fiona's last litter as you can see in this photo that her last litter was multi-coloured.

Charlie is also visiting us and is in love with Abigail. Abigail has found her play back with the adults and it is nice to see. I was worried after the pups leave if she would be back into the old Abigail but it looks like she will. We really enjoy how Charlie and Abigail play.

WE only have a few photos from today but I hope you enjoy.

Road Trippin' Talemaker Havanese Style

Yesterday we went on a road trip with 2 Havanese boarders, Charlie and Fiona's daughter Kitzie and 5 puppies and all of our dawgs.

Have we lost our minds? Nah..we are dawg friendly and slow conditioned. hehehehehehe

Everyone had a great time. They played their hearts out. Ate up a storm when we returned home and slept all the way home. It all worked.

This is a good social event as it helps the dogs and the pups experience other friendly dawgs.

Nathan did his usual run around the yard. They all followed after. They loved the garden - well maybe too much. Someone grumbled those 5,000 dollar plants are somehow getting belly flopped on you know but they and the pups survived and so did our 2 visitors and our crew.

Today we had Oreo come to visit to see his new pack mate (one of the pups) and we had one of Yvonne's pups come visit. He sometimes boards with us. It was great to see their daughter Gabby hanging out with the pups saying, mommy, I want that one. heh Kids...

Check out today and yesterday's photos combined on out Boarders and Visitors Photo page. I put them all together - 2 days worth. Some puppy photos are included as the big guys were in them. I also included Big Guy photos in the puppy galleries as well as they just seem t mesh together playing their hearts out with each other.

Lots of Changes at Talemaker Havanese

Let's see, Hugo and Milo went home. This morning Oscar went home. It's back to just our dogs minus two pups that also went home. We will miss them...truly!

It really changes a house like this and the back to our own for a day or 2 is great but the real fun and action is when the visitors arrive as it always adds something new to the mix.

Tomorrow Kitzie, one of Fiona's pups comes to visit and Charlie - a real party dawg Havanese. We really enjoyed him his last visit. He gets to go with us to our friends to hang out and play. They are both in for a treat.

Check out the photos from the last couple of days in the boarder and visitors photo page.

Tomorrow we will have our adventure photos or maybe the next day depending on how late we get back.

So Many Changes at Talemaker Havanese

Oscar goes home tomorrow morning so he had a bath today. So did Hugo and Milo.

By tomorrow we will be down 3 visitors and 2 puppies. Now that's a huge change.

We have really enjoyed having Oscar. He has been a delight. He's not a party monster like Daisy but are all of us humans? Instead he's just like our Risa. He enjoys lazing outside, snuggling, walks, his food and TV watching. He also likes the gals.  He's my kind of guy. hehehehe

We have truly enjoyed him and he feels wonderful after his bath. He's going to be wonderful to snuggle with in bed. We are going to miss him.

Hugo and Milo headed off tonight and they were passed out on the recliner waiting for their moms to bring them home. They too had baths and with all the baths, no time to do photos but I promise I will get some up tomorrow.

We love this duo. They challenge you daily and we scratch our heads trying to figure out who is smarter than a Havanese and Bichon?

More tomorrow...

Changes at Talemaker Havanese

Daisy just went home tonight after her bath. It's been raining off and on today so wet dawgs we certainly had.

Milo and Hugo go home tomorrow. Their parents are going to love seeing them. We got to see Hugo's littermate and boy do they look different. Do bichons actually all look the same? Nah...

If it rains tomorrow, it certainly going to be a challenge keeping this duo clean. I will deserve one of those awards. hahahahaha But we will try and we will succeed.

Rain, rain go away come again another day!

I have really been enjoying Oscar. He rather enjoys my company and I his. He also likes a few of the gals here. He goes home Saturday and we will miss him!

On Sunday Charlie and Kitzie arrive and we may be heading to our friends (weather is supposed to be good) to give the pups exposure in a safe environment and for us to relax and our adult dogs to enjoy. I am really looking forward to it after 2 of the pups going home.

No photos today. I am too tired and vowed the paperwork has to get my attention and so do the pups as they are leaving soon and I need my snuggle, watch tv time with Hugo, Milo, Oscar and our crew. You should see the dogs draped all over us at TV time.

More tomorrow.

Daisy Joins us Overnight

Daisy always enjoys it around this place and she enjoyed seeing Oscar as well. Daisy is a regular and will be here overnight once a week. This way she gets her play going on with the Talemaker crew but she will certainly miss the puppies. She also has Hugo's number and bats her eyes and he follows. hahahaha

Oscar didn't mind all the gremlin puppies around today. I swore I caught him smiling. He seems to be really enjoying himself.

Hugo and Milo has settled in a big way. They didn't like going up the staircase when they first got here especially Hugo but that soon went and now they attempt to run up the stairs. We practice walk vs. run.

The gang had time with our grandkids, our family and everyone seemed to enjoy that. Oscar really liked all the humans around. It gave him a ton of snuggles.

Daisy goes home tomorrow night after her bath and Milo and Hugo head home after their baths on Friday.

Our home is constantly changng and our dawgs and visitors are better off for it. Constants and new visitors add a good and healthy mix of socialization.

Check out today's photos.