Cesar's First Morning

Cesar arrived last night at 7:30Pm and with our dawgs we do a one on one to get the new visitor to feel comfortable. Sometimes they feel comfortable from the onset and other times it takes a bit of time - a connection in the pack to make it all work. We do our part to make it happen.

Last night was a get acquainted and check the house, humans out and gain one's comfort level. We watched TV and he laid on Nathan's lap and he slept in a crate in our room (requested by owners) surrounded by Golden's that sleep on the floor and us humans and Havanese on the bed.

Well, today, he is playing retrieve and dragging Treasure all over the floor holding on to the toy and playing up a storm. Check out some of the photos from this morning.

We are working on his shiny bowl - I don't like quirk so you will see a ceramic and shiny bowl. Slow conditioning and he's eating up a storm. No worries.

Mia is coming this afternoon - a Fiona pup so we should have even more fun.

Check out the photos below. I will add to them as the day goes on and time allows, posting a "New Photos" in the title when I do.

Nathan's School of Thought

For five weeks, Terra, the younger of our two Golden Retriever’s, has been recovering from cruciate surgery.

For five weeks she has been in rehab. That means we have been diligently massaging her foot, leg, knee, thigh and hip, doing repetitive motion exercises to her knee, initially doing ice packs to reduce the swelling and then hot packs prior to exercise.

Once a week she goes to a rehab center over an hour drive from here for underwater treadmill therapy which is excellent for building muscle tone and helping her knee to strengthen and repair itself. Back at home she walks a few times a day around the block, goes up hill and down on gradual inclines, practices standing and sitting to work the muscles, and goes up and down the stairs outside.

Two days ago we finally allowed her to go up and down the stairs inside from the first to the second floor again.

For the past five weeks I’ve been carrying her up and down that flight so I’m glad we’ve reached this point. In approximately three weeks she goes back in for surgery on the right knee providing that the left knee has healed properly, hence the diligence. How much effort we put into her rehab will affect the quality of the rest of her life especially now that we’ve learned she has grade 4 hip dysplasia.

Terra will be seven years old next month. It is this kind of avoidable genetic health issue that really upsets me as it should upset anyone.

In truth, Terra’s sire and dam, in my opinion, should never have been used for breeding but it may have been a fluke and flukes unfortunately happen. Why in a sea of kidney issues on both sides of my family am I the only one without an issue?

Thankfully we do not have this issue with any of our Havanese and hopefully never will. It is certain that we’d never leave a dog in our breeding program that could produce a pup that would blow both knees and have such bad hips.

In comparison, our male Havanese, Kat, has hips tested and rated “excellent” by OFA, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Kat’s littermate, Kemi, also has hips rated excellent. So this is not something that we worry about in our lines of Havanese but clearly this is something that the Breeder from whom we got the Golden should take into consideration.

When you are interested in owning a new puppy and you call around to various Breeders, something we do recommend, you will find different prices. Please understand the age old axiom, you get what you pay for. If something seems too cheap, it probably is. Ask what health testing has been done to the sire and damn and any other members of the same breeding line. Don’t be shy. This is important. The few dollars you think you are saving today can come back and smack you in the head down the road.

I’m off to show Kat in Orangeville. As always Darlah has done a wonderful job bathing and grooming him. Now I need to do my end and show him or allow him to show himself. If you are in the area come to Orangeville this afternoon and watch Kat strut his stuff.

Nathan

PS: Be careful out there. It's icy rain in these parts. Your Havanese can also damage their legs by slipping and sliding. It's not only genetics that can play a part.

It's a Brrrrrrrrr Day Out

We have Kit Kat visiting us for the weekend. If interested, follow her visit on Havanese Life. Plus we have some winter tips to think about.

Do you have a bell on your door?

If you do, there are days like this that they ring it 40 million times?

Why?

They want to be out but its simply too cold to be out for any long period of time. So, they come in and then want to go back out. It's their solution to being too cold. hehehe

Although we had several inches of snow, it rained and then got cold again creating a significant amount of ice. It's downright treacherous out there.

Watch yourself - walking and driving. Your Havanese need you!

We have been having a blast in the house today playing retrieve. Maybe you should stay warm and try a game too!

Wet Days at Talemaker

Well, isn't this quite the site?

It was bath day for some of us and I think that human was on a marathon. She also washed Daisy, our visitor before she went home. Check it out.

Have you ever seen Shoshi look so good? hahahaha Yeah..we are laughing. She wasn't all that pleased except she knows she gets a treat after such ventures.

You couldn't tell by this photo but Shoshi came out looking so full and soft and smelling grand.

The two Golden's had a reprieve from a bath today and so did Kat, Wasabi and Treasure but they had a full brush/comb out but that's a usual around this place. Yep - we get brushed completely each and every day.

We also go on walks each day and play like crazy all in an effort to undo the work but that's okay. We are all knot free.

Fiona was the next to get bathed. She's our delicate beauty who weighs 9 lbs soaking wet.

She dries so fast as the puppies tore out most of her hair. That's okay - it will grow back.

Soon she will be back to stylin'.

Fiona is adjusting to the no puppy - fly the nest thing.

She loves when they come back but she is also loving the extra attention.

She is also playing up a storm with her pack mates. We hope her next puppies are as wonderful as this crew is thus far.

After Fiona was finished, it was Abigail's turn.

Abigail is the type of dog that just stands there but you can tell she is not thrilled with this washing and drying business.

She just wants you to get to the treat part as fast as you can.

Abigail's hair is changing again as she starts to go darker. It's funny how the Havanese can go light then dark again and back yet again.

It's kind of like having an ever changing present of sorts.

Abigail tolerates the blower in her face and she looks rather comical while you are doing it.

She brings new meaning to the Shag look. But if you allow the hair in the eyes, you will have leakage and that will create stains. Some dogs always have it but you can control it and others hardly ever get any.

What do you mean about controlling it?

You make sure the hair is out of the eyes and you dab a bit of corn starch where the eyes would leak and voila, it solidifies it and stops any future staining.

This is especially good at times of stress or teething which is a huge culprit. Some never have any and that's quite okay too.

Risa was the last to do today. Counting our visitor, that was 5 dogs.

As you can see with Risa, she has a lot of hair on her feet.

Before the snow hits, I need to cut her hair back on her feet. I need to trim them up to look nice and clean under the pads. Hair stuck in the pads will help ice balls to form there and that hurts the dogs to walk on.

Make sure you or your groomer cleans up the pads of their feet. I will start doing mine one dog here and there all this week.

Why didn't I do it today? Well, I was out of time. I had 3 more dogs that wasn't washed to be brushed and combed through.

You do what you can, when you can. Tomorrow trim, trim, trim while brushing out and maybe Wasabi and Treasure and Kat will get a bath. We shall see.

Beyond this, we still had Audrey show up to get her Havanese calendar. Yes - we still have a few left. We had many play sessions and we practice 'no bark' when Daisy's mom came.

What did you do today?

Today's Craziness with TTs and Visiting Havs

Have to tell you, today has been such glorious fun to capture a visiting Havanese with Treasure and Treasure's face at times - priceless and Val's TTs and her Havanese and our crew. It has been such fun to capture such great moments.

Though Jebbie seems smitten with Fiona and she's not interested. It's been interesting as Jebbie has been persistent and she has been...well let's say vocal - I am not interested. Maybe it's his size. hehehehe

Charlie a visiting Havanese that Val is watching is 5 months and he has hit it off with Treasure. He plays with the rest but my camera couldn't get off those two.

Check out our fun today.

Snow is coming this week so pick up that camera and go click, click and click.

I am hoping to make snow paths and invite puppies over. I know - I can't help myself.

Enjoy today's photos. For a larger view, check the pics out here.

Winter Clothes, Tips and Today's Fun

I think the kids get too much air time around this place. Just because we oldsters - well I am not really that old, Mommy don't play like banshees as much - well we are interesting TOO!!!

Heck, check out this new hairdo. I tend to always have an interesting look despite that Mommy grooming me. Today she took a break though and I am so thankful. She just forgot to give me a treat and yeah I know I get it when I get groomed but it was her choice to have a break.

Mommy usually grooms us thoroughly every day but every now and then she takes a break and that's okay too. The dawgs like the break. On those days she makes sure the hair is out of the eyes but you couldn't tell with this photo.

Check out today's photos of the crew to see a larger and fuller view. We still have KitKat till tomorrow or Monday. Daisy goes home Tuesday and we will be puppy-less again.

We got asked by many people about winter jackets. I have a slew. It's insane how many I bought. I have some faves. But you have to understand that by buying so many, I learn what works and what doesn't.

Many times we do not use jackets but when you have a really cold brr weather and a short coat on your Havanese, you may want to think of the extra step to go to make sure your Havanese can walk comfortably.

There is also a time when the snow is wet and it sticks to their hair and it creates snow balls all over their underside.

It's not pretty and can be downright cold. Depending on the Havanese, it will be a mild irritation to - I do NOT like this!

This is a photo of a Fiona, Kat puppy stylin in one of our fave sweaters. Why do we like it? It's stretchy, comfortable - easy to put on and fast! It also is one of the warmer ones. I have a ton of sweaters and jackets. Over the next few, I will put one or the other on a different dawg and show you and tell you why I like it and why I don't.

Here is what I learned about winter coats.

1. If you can't put it on easily, do not buy it. You won't use it.

2. You need to cover the tummy and a zipper or Velcro on top is easier though Velcro and zippers catch the hair unless you have a flap to cover the opening. A thin sweater underneath works too and layers is warmer.

3. It must be washable and waterproof or water resistant is best.

4. You can get away with an easy over the head sweater at times as we do and no coat.

5. If this is your Havanese's first snow winter, it will be cold but will adapt.

6. If you get a waterproof snowsuit, get the legs shortened. They always are way too long. Any seamstress can actually do it or you can tack it yourself. Then as they grow you can let it out. That is what I did with the snowsuits I got last year.

I find it a pain to dress so many dawgs and we do take them for walks in the winter time as they do still need it. But 4 at a time - 2 on Nathan 2 on me - I can do it but if it's not heavy snow that will create those lovely snowballs that you have to brush out and/or rinse off and dry - well I will put a sweater on and that's plain easier but wet snow, well you do the work ahead of time by dressing and you save the work on the return.

If you want to show you clothes that work for us, let me know. I will dig them all out of everywhere I have them.

With the dawgs, I am always learning and looking for easier ways of doing things so I can spend quality fun time with the dawgs.

When they say we have gone to the dawgs - well it's really describing us...ROFL!

Suprises are Fun!

Well, we didn't do anything for our anniversary. We had a visiting puppy - Daisy come and one puppy go home so other than that we watched TV and played with the dawgs.

But Nathan had a surprise for me today - Kit Kat is over visiting for the night - maybe till Sunday and we are enjoying her company and so is Fiona. He also brought home Japanese - yum!

Our visiting puppy, Daisy slept on the bed with me last night and although she wouldn't settle down at first, a growling voice - firm but not nasty got her tucked up against me. All I had to do is move and oh boy I move while I sleep and she kept thinking it was an invitation to play.

We are hoping tonight she knows the drill but with KitKat visiting - who knows.

It's become very frigid outside and they say snow all week. This is when the gals will go into heat - you watch. :-)

Hope you enjoy today's photos.

To see a larger view, visit our photos here.

Daisy's Visit

Daisy (our visitor) and Mia played up a storm till Mia left for her forever home.

Daisy loves to play with Abigail and Treasure too so all is right in her world.

Last night we think she was so over the top excited that she hardly slept. We are working on the 'no bark' and tuckering her out. ROFL

I have to wash Kat tonight as he is off to a show and I am staying home with the crew. So, it will be me and the son playing and having fun and walking the crew. We have an early (5am) wake up call tomorrow as Nathan has to get out and drive. Me - I get to snooze on the couch with the crew after he is gone.

Don't worry human mom - if you are reading this, your little one is having the time of her life and then some. She didn't whimper a bit but went - oh - holiday - let's P-A-R-T-Y!

Daisy and the crew are taking their first nap today and it's really needed. Soon they will be eating and all the fun begins again.

Wet & Dreary Day

Now that you have seen Kat when he is all neatly brushed (below in yesterday's note), today he had a who cares what I do day. Still a handsome guy in our opinion but he went from that tux look to that casual look all in one day.

Mommy caught up on brushing the crew thoroughly and just let then roll and play and have fun as that is what a Havanese really should do. What fun is life is you don't muck it up when you can and that includes those human types. We all need that!!

Click on the photo to see a closer view.

Abs had a haircut months ago now and her hair is starting to come back in - so is Shoshi's and Risa's. Shall I cut - shall I keep longer?

Do you go through that too?

Well, our last puppy goes on Thursday and a visiting puppy comes on Wednesday.

We are truly looking forward to the visiting dawgs this month. They all sleep in our bed unless they are here long term and an owner needs them to stay crate trained. Then they sleep right next to the bed loved and coddled still.

We had a visiting bichon and she had an x-pen in our bedroom as that is what the owner required but play sessions before bed, cozy blankets and pillows and beds at night and first thing she was back in the mix running with the rest. Besides, she did our crazy bedtime crawl under the blankets and play on our bed before she caught some zzzs.

So, we do make exceptions to our rule - that they must sleep on the bed with us. We do listen. :-)

Can't wait till we have visitors. December will be an absolutely fun adventure. You'll just have to drop by and read the antics of everyone at Talemaker Havanese.

Dog Language

How do you know what your dog is saying to you and other dogs?

Dog play is often initiated by a play invitation like a play bow and it seems to say, "None of the biting, stalking, or humping I'm about to do is serious, this is just fun, OK?"

This picture shows Wasabi giving a semi play bow to the puppy we have here.

It's hard to figure out what your dog is saying or what another is but you should learn.

Dogs often bark in play. This will usually be higher pitched than that same dog's fear bark or warning bark. You need to observe your little one to truly understand what they are saying and go to Chapters and pick up a book on 'dog body language'.

Rolling on Back
When a dog rolls over on his back with his belly exposed and his legs in the air, he's being submissive. If done in front of another dog, he's saying, "You're the boss and I don't want to fight." When your dog rolls over for you, it could have more than one meaning. If done in anticipation of a scolding, it means, "I don't know how to please you and I'm afraid you're angry. Please accept my apology." Or your dog may be trying to avoid something he doesn't want to do. More often, rolling over is a sign that your dog is happy, trusts you and has a pleasant, low-key nature.

It just means, "Please pet my belly." many dominant dogs won't get to this stage until they totally trust you and how can they if you just met them? Trust is earned and it comes.

Havanese are one of the most loyal beings on earth imho!
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COMMENTS

Anonymous said...
Understanding our dogs is truly an amazing experience. Dogs do talk to us.My Jazzy has "many barks" tonality from highs to lows, and it took me almost 4 years to recognize it and to understand.Since this communication bridge was crossed, having a Havanese to understand and communicate with has become easy, pleasant and fun.
Do make time to listen to your Havanese.

November 26, 2009 4:55 PM