Last Havanese Summer Moments

The last bit of warm sun is upon us and soon the pool will be closed but Nathan and crew couldn't help but capture those last stolen moments.

The sun was warm. The company was good - us and the dogs - me on camera - Nathan running around getting them excited - doesn't take much.

Well, it was a warm day and even the pool was semi-warm enough. It surely didn't bother Katsuro.

Kat's going to miss the pool. We are too. It wasn't much of a summer this year. I think it will be forever known as the summer that wasn't.

Fiona couldn't help herself. Every time that Kat went to get out of the pool, she did her intimidation thing. It's not that he listens - as he doesn't. But she just has to try.

I can just hear that brain of hers going - stay in the pool - this area is ALL Mine - don't you know?

The dogs had a blast. I think Nathan did as well. Me - well I did baths afterwards so the night was a blur. Too many dogs - too little time. hahahaha

Nah - not as bad as I sound - just last night was a comedy of errors with many things happening that added to my NO TV time.

Well, daddy is hugely busy today so we may or may not have another pool day. We shall see but we have a very busy weekend. Richmond Green has a dog event on and we will be attending that. We are also have guests over including Yvonne and crew on Sunday and on Saturday we are visiting a Wasabi pup's house.

Crazy dawg and human weekend - I tell ya.

Visiting Havanese & Humans

Exciting times at the Talemaker Home. We have our son Joe that came home for leave from the navy and his wife. Kooba took a HUGE liking to Joe and Juliana and was playing with a toy with them.

We were told she doesn't play with toys but here she is doing just that. It's quite nice.

Well, we are practicing 'no bark' and not from Kooba who seems to be silent even though we have heard her bark when she wants to initate play and the other dog is not listening.

We have people working on the house outside and the noises is driving them crazy but finally - they have stopped reacting to every single sound. It's rather hard when they see people at your windows. hehehehe

If you are getting your house painted too - it's time to teach 'no bark' as it's a useful command. The painters said they were amazed that they all listened to me. Me too with all that distraction. HA!

Kooba Making Strides

We introduced Kooba to the craziness of Kat diving in the swimming pool. It scared her at first and she ran up on the deck but shortly after that she came halfway down to watch. Then the 3rd time she sat there and watched.

The dogs do this run after Nathan thing that is a bit noisy. It can be a tad overwhelming to those not used to it.

Kooba is making great strides and is trying to figure out where she fits in. She tries to play with all and that's a great thing. She's even correcting when she is not in the mood to play. This shows she is gaining her grounding. As long as she adheres to the rules and boundaries - and it's our job to have them - well life will be good.

This week we will have one of Wasabi's pups visiting and we will see how that goes. One dog at a time that she doesn't know - slow conditioning.

As you can see - she is smiling tons!

Remember slow conditioning is a good thing with non-rescues too as there is always something new that can startle but once aware - well it's no longer an issue. Take your time - expose in small doses - applaud when they find their coping skills and you will make great progress.

Catching the Havanese in Action

Risa says: Sometimes life is too boring around this place so we play these crazy games of run after an object that we assume 'could' be out in back.

It makes for interesting scenes of togetherness and if you can figure out what was really going on with the Abs here - well clue me in. Was it collide city or she just had to be ever close to Katsuro or WHAT! But hey - it was downright fun.

We are getting ready for the rain that is coming and they say it's going to be a truly heavy one.

So those humans have been taking us out frequently just in case we decide we don't like that wet stuff.

If those humans open the door and sit at the end of the deck - well one has to open - one has to sit at the end of the deck, we just explode out the door as if we are flying.

We can't help it. It's a dawg thing you know. No matter how many photos that human Mommy takes, they would all end up different too but Katsuro is 'always' first out of the door. What is that about?
You must know some humans that say 'me first' well Katsuro is a little like that but we love him anyways. hahahaha

You can click on the photos to see a larger view.

Just when you think it is all run and play, Abigail kicks it up a notch and takes a love bite at one of her other pack mates. You may so - oh oh - what is that about but it is strictly play and she has now managed to even get the adults in the act but not me - the Risa. I make sure when they ratchet it up too much, I go in and stop them and they listen. Oh - to have that magic touch. They don't call me the 'Queen Biach' for nothing but that human daddy reminds me that it's all in fun.

Someone has to control the crew. ha!

Children & Havanese

Are Havanese good with children? We are often asked that question. Havanese can be amazing with children as long as they treat them 'right'. Just as they shouldn't tease other children, they shouldn't tease a Havanese either. Yes, they are playful but they can get hurt.

Havanese will bond to whomever treats them right and 'special' just as we tend to.

An addition of a Havanese with children in the house should take some thought. Do you have time? Will it be a welcomed addition? Will you find time to walk, train and invest cuddle time? If you do, that lifetime bond with your child(ren) can be unlike anything else.

Havanese can teach your children critical development understanding if approached the right way.

On the emotional level, pets can teach children many things:

Communication: Children learn the subtle cues their Havanese give them to indicate their feelings. They can later apply this lesson to human interaction because they are more attuned to watching for body posture.

Empathy: Children often become curious about the emotions their Havanese feel. This curiosity will extend itself to others. Animals offer an avenue for children to explore their curiosity. For a child, curiosity can lead to hope and to greater engagement with the world around them.

Nurturing skills: If properly supervised by adults, a child learns how to take care of another living being, and takes pleasure in keeping the Havanese healthy and happy.

Confidence: Children go through life under constant evaluation. They are rated by their behavior, grades and athletic performance. This is especially true of middle school children. A Havanese has no such expectations; they're delighted that the child is with them. Pets give children the sense of unconditional acceptance. No judging or rating is involved.

Resilience to change: Children who undergo traumatic experiences often cope better when they have a pet to confide in. Loneliness is very dangerous to children. Having an animal companion can make them feel a part of something. By adding a sport that they can share with their dog, junior handling etc - they immediately become part of a whole. Even without, they are now a dog owner and people love to stop and talk to those walking dogs.

A study published in 2000 explored the relationship between pets and children. Specifically, the study, conducted by a child psychologist in New Mexico, looked at the effect dog ownership had on 10- to 12-year-old children. The researcher, Robert E. Bierer, Ph.D., was surprised at the difference in empathy and self-esteem between pre-adolescences who owned a dog and those who did not.

Bierer's conclusions support the growing body of evidence that shows dog ownership has "statistically significant" impact on self-esteem and sensitivity toward others. He noted that teachers, parents and other children have expectations for a child to fulfill. A pet has no such measures of success or failure; acceptance is total, which provides a sense of self worth.

This doesn't necessarily mean that all children are ready for a Havanese. Parents should first make sure their child desires a pet before rushing out to get one. Make sure health testing is done. Don't buy from a pet store. Find a breeder who cares enough to do health testing.

Together, (you, your child and all family members) should decide what type of pet is best. Don't select one for colour. Colours can change in the Havanese and - well personalities - that fit should be right.

Moreover, don't assume your child will take care of the dog. The ultimate responsibility usually falls on the parent, not the kid, to make sure the pet is happy, healthy and trained.

Back to lovin' and playing with our gang on this rainy Saturday.

Another Havanese Puppy Fix

Just got back from seeing Lola and Kat's pups and Maggie and Oscars pups. How cool is that?

We had great food, great company and lots of puppies. Abigail thought the pups were great. Kat only wanted Flora and Fiona was miffed the focus wasn't just on her. Dear old Wasabi was fascinated too. Risa - she just chilled out and this particular pup of Wasabi's that has been with us was checking this wee one out.

Fun was had by all. We will be posting lots of puppy pix tomorrow. There's only a couple of pups available from this crew. I am going to miss them.

It was priceless to see one of them toting away a slipper larger than its body. Got to love it!

More tomorrow!

Stop the Presses: Havanese in Action

We open the back door, I sit at the end of the deck and they come running at me so I can point and click.

I look at Risa and wonder if she ever was brushed in her lifetime.

I just adore that natural look.

Oh, she is brushed daily - actually just finished doing the crew, cleaning eyes, checking ears etc but those messy moments - well I treasure them as that is when a dog is being a dog.

There's nothing wrong with those dogs that just hang out but be still my heart when you see one leap or get creative or use their brains to get what they want. That brain, if cultivated is a wonderful thing.

Kat always seems to manage to get out the door first. What is that about? Is he quicker?

Well, perhaps but he is also an alpha who thinks it's all about him. Oh yeah - we have a few of those. He is also the most athletic of the crew so far but the puppies haven't matured yet and I have a feeling he best watch out in that department.

Here's Abs in the middle of the crew looking quite like a bear these days. She's happiest just playing. She doesn't care where she fits in she just has to fit in and they all love her for that.

Funny, even she is showing assertive moments lately. She tends to do tag team stuff with Fiona if it suits her cause - meaning what she is going to get out of it.

Our crew all eats together but we are on diets - most of us except puppies as we had pups then roads we couldn't hike in the winter. Yeah excuses but we are at it again. The humans around here have that attitude so remember they are a reflection of you so they too adopt that - oh we will get to it. We are actually very active even when we can't hike with retrieve and silly games but nothing like a huge romp with some new pals or a long hike to get you downright sleepy and tired and burn those calories.

Well, Fiona was eating extra food as she needs to gain a tad bit of weight. the crew had eaten theirs and was waiting to see if she would leave it. One came up close and she gave him a warning. Abs decided she would also give a warning as that was hers if Fiona was going to walk away. See what I mean...if it suits her.

Don't ever think the Havanese aren't smart. Their little brains are churning thinking up new things. It's better than TV.

Talking about TV, I can't wait till the new shows come on so we can do body hugs together and watch TV. It's those moments I treasure!

Till later!

More Havanese Picnic Photos: Thanks, Jean!

Thanks to Jean, we have a number of new photos added to the slideshow. Her photos are noted with her name next to the filename.

Check them out.

Here's a photo Jean captured of Nathan getting his doggie lovin' in.

Would you expect anything else? Enjoy!

Katsuro & All Those Gals

Hi:

If you don't know me - bear with me and I will tell you a story...I am a boy dog and I was invited to Rita & Yvonne's picnic and there were so many gal dogs that my tongue was hanging out of my mouth.

My name is Kat and I wouldn't leave Abigail alone or anyone else that gave me a wink. My human says I need to get a life but Rita just had girls in heat in that yard and then if that wasn't bad enough, I went to Yvonne's to see my kids - yeah I get to have all the fun and Lola gets all the work. I know - you will say typical guy but give me a break. Did she ask me to help? ha!

I get to Yvonne's and I am banished from the house as Flora is flirting with me. See - it's not ALL MY FAULT!

Well, the humans met a lot of great people but the human mom was behind the camera too much. Next year when she has her own, she is going to do it with a photographer like she did last year. We wanted to do our own puppy picnic again this year but exhibiting at dog shows and watching dogs stopped life but we adore the dogs so...it is WORTH IT!

The human mom wishes she had more time with everyone and there are so many new dogs and many missing dogs from years past. Precious little ones.

We saw amazing dogs that were worth watching like the Moj - my grandpa, soaking in a pail of ice meant to cool the drinks (it was bloody hot). Such a smart dog. Many were trying out the agility stuff. Plus the run-like-hell game was a tradition that was practiced over and over.

Fiona thought she could protect the water bowls even trying to keep the Moj away from them but that human said - uh uh. Abs was leading the pack at times saying 'catch me.' No wonder she doesn't have her top hair - silly gal but fun she was having and to those humans - well that's how they like it.

On the way home the crew slept like they hadn't slept for a week. Nothing like expeling energy.

To all the people we met and all the ones we didn't have enough time to chat with - deepest apologies but we are hoping we managed to catch some of your dogs. Do try to connect with us sometime and visit us when you are around our neck of the woods.

Watch for the slideshow tomorrow after our show. Yep - we have a show in the morning.

Havanese Messy Stylin!

It's one of those days that daddy got mommy a polarized lens cover and a hood for her camera and what does she do - take a photo of my disheveled face.

I think I smash my face up against the ground just to give her texturized hair. ha! Well - it's a good line where that human is concerned.

I have 3 kids here visiting and I am having a great time - that is until Coachie thinks he thinks he is. A mom's work is never done.

Saturday is picnic time at Rita's house. Are you coming? I know I am just to see who I can play with. Hope to see you there.

PS: If that Fiona, Biona or whatever that human mommy calls her dares to scat and get in my way...well the hair will fly! ROFL! I am still quicker than that little thing.

Havanese: Leave It - Drop It!

I compare a dogs mouth to a toddler's hands and mouth. You can't keep a thing out of it. You have to take it out, teach leave it and still - the lure of that stick seems so great that they will try to step over the line if allowed.

As humans - sometimes we can't help just allowing as its so cute but watch out - when you do, they may take a mile. Be sure you can live with it. A stick my dissolve in most cases but not necessarily and the damage it can do to bowels - well we won't go there so practice - 'leave it' or 'drop it' and see how many times you have to practice to get there.

Paradise Havanese Style

It can't get better than this. The humans brought us in the pool, laid out towels on the chairs for us and we don't even have hair enough to warrant a brush other than our ears and tail.

If you simply have an active lifestyle - well cut them down. They will always grow back. This is Sassy and Coach enjoying the backyard and Sebastians over too.

We hear Louis may be coming to play too. Oh my - lots of fun dawgies to play with.

That's dawgie paradise!

Identify That Dog!

Every now and then we are lucky enough to receive email attachments containing photos of one of our puppies. I think I'll post this one up and see how many of you can recognize him. There is no prize at the end. There will be no test. Just for fun, guess who this is.

Nathan