Havanese Changes

The crew is a bit off today as Sebastian is not here and neither is Coach but they are working it out.

It brings up our observations that whenever there are changes, there is always an adjustment. When we have visitors, the dogs get so excited and then when they go home - they go - now what?

Havanese are a highly sociable dawg. It's not that you can't just have one but 2 play differently with more enthusiasm. It's just a fact.

Now one would say but you have all those dawgs - but puppies bring a high level of enthusiasm to the mix and that's what the crew is missing. We know this is a temporary thing but as we are so in tuned with our dawgs, we watch and digest what is going on. Changes are always a 'good' thing. It helps your dog adjust to life as life is not stagnant.

We suspect by tomorrow, the crew will be back to themselves and Miss Abs will find her own needs met by the adults learning what she can get from which.

On Saturday, we are going to visit Yvonne's crew and stay over with the dawgs this way Miss Abs can really mix it up, deal with another change, have yet another car ride (we are giving her as many as we can) all with the goal to be very balanced so she can deal with anything life throws out at us.

For now, Miss Abs is playing with Nathan, trying to play with the Shosh and Katsuro and even trying to get Terra going. They play but not with enthusiasm. But as we know from experiences in the past, this too will pass and we will be back to crazy Havanese times.

So do, follow our journey.

Camera Lovin' Havanese

Sassy is having a bit of Sebastian rub off on her or is that the other way around? The camera comes out and it's strike a pose - such a runway gal.

The crew is up and the 'no bark' is working so well that I pointed my finger - said no bark this morning when a dog in the distance was barking and they are finally getting it. Good one!

Sassy, Wasabi and Sebastian are playing their little hearts out this morning having a roaring good time. After my breakfast, I will bathe her, brush her, Nathan will do her nails and get her ready to be stylin.

Well, it's cold outside. The crew is rolling around having fun and I need my coffee. More later!

Havanese Morning Stroll

This is Sebastian and Sassy coming in from their morning stroll out back. They love the layer of snow and Sebastian hasn't stopped making that tweety sound yet with that stick we can't find anywhere. I may hide that toy and Sassy wants it back.

Off to do breakfast. Boy are they full of it this fine morning.

More later...

Remy Comfort, More on Video & Exercise

Here's a photo of Talemaker's Remy that his new owners sent us. He has 3 kids to play with and I am positive that makes him WAY happy. We hear he is fitting in well. There is always that first few days of - where am I - but then they seem to be falling into the rules of their new home and finding their grounding and comfort. We LOVE hearing from the puppy owners and can't wait till the picnic this year. There's nothing like seeing all the siblings together and we will have Risa's crew, Wasabi's crew and some of Paris (Gidget) crew plus Gidget herself as we always watch some of the Paris (Gidget) crew. Plus if we are really lucky we may have some of Yvonne's crew. How wonderful will that be to see so many Havanese.

We start out - well I start out my day taking the doggies downstairs and outside before I do my exercise. Usually Sassy will go back upstairs and kiss up Nathan's face (hope his new owners love a kissy face) and settle back in with Risa who never deigns to get up. Every now and then if we take Sassy out last thing, she does the same but today the crew all came down minus Risa and its wet and rainy as you can see how they look in this photo but I started exercising. I do p90x - waiting to do p90X+ when it comes to stay in shape, keep my energy up and de-stress if I ever need it. I was erratic while puppies were here as they are our focus but now with less pups, I can get back at it and boy the body is feeling it and the dogs love it. Pounce time on me...

During puppy time, the dogs don't get the walks as a precaution to catching anything and due to Yvonne having pups that we visit, we will stay in that head space till hers are vaccinated. It's important not to take your dogs to dog traffic places till after their shots. But you can do many things at home and socialize them with dogs you know well.

Today the crew, while I did Ab Ripper X - well let's just say I wish someone else was up as the dogs - when I got on the floor saw it as an invitation to play and Sassy was draped on my neck, Shoshi was pouncing on me, Wasabi was trying to pounce on Sassy on my neck all while I was doing abx exercises. It was a riot and I needed it as taking a break from exercises, it almost is like you are starting again falling asleep early - trying to get the body adjusted but well worth it in the long run. It's an amazing program and if you stick with it - 90 days later - wow what a HUGE difference in everything.

Now while I was doing it today, I had to set them aside to actually do it but that was after I was done laughing and laughter is the best medicine. Havanese fill you with laughter and to me that is precious.

If you watched Sebastian and Sassy yesterday, did you notice that Wasabi was still playing mommy and corrected Sassy? If you watch where Sebastian went under the couch, watch what Wasabi did to Sassy. These puppies are both potential alphas but siblings work out their relationship and it gives them a lifetime of understanding how to be the politician when one needs to be. When Sebastian comes to visit, I suspect Wasabi will continue those lessons with the 2 and that will be a huge bonus for both and fun for us to watch. Plus, it gives Wasabi a job. Havanese love having a job - something they can get fulfilled from.

Well off to eat, feed doggies and argh work today. More later.

Sassy Frazzled or Top Dog?

We visited Sassy's new forever home (she goes next week) and she got to meet her cat-mate and her retriever-mate (retriever-mate she met previously) - her new human mom and dad and her sibling Josh - no darts Josh - I am part of the family now - ROFL and was able to look around. She even got to check out the bedrooms. We whisper Sebastian's name in her ear and she perked up - knowing she will be doing visits with him sometimes. We know she is going to love it there.

When she got home, Wasabi and her got into it in Terra's bed and you can almost not tell where one body starts and the other ends but what you can't see is that stick to the right - well it makes a gad-awful sound of birds tweeting and they LOVE this thing and yep - it's a cat toy.

Well, guess who won? We will tell you tomorrow. Today, well you will have to guess. Back to watching the play!

Havanese Crate Time

Some people think that a crate is not a fun place for us but if done and used correctly - as a time to relax, veg, play, enjoy - then it is a *good* thang! You see, sometimes we may need to be transported in one and a slow conditioning to one is a positive thing. Plus my gang rather likes sleeping in one with a cushy, soft pad. But...they are not spoiled.

Ha -human mommy says!

Positive experiences are a must! We use a crate inside the x-pen so they can climb in and out.

Never use a crate as a punishment and it will remain a comfort to them. Everything we get exposed to and find enjoyment in, makes us better dawgs. Daddy says our goals are always to make our pups balanced and happy and as you can see in our videos and photos, we are that for sure.

Well, today we are expecting snow but we are still too young to go outside so human mommy says if it really snows like they say it will, then she's going to bring some into the house so we can get familiar with it. Now that ought to be interesting!

Looking at this photo, mommy is noticing our looks are changing. The mostly white one is thinning out - still teddy bearish but way handsome and he's such a character - well they all are Wasabi says but each are clearly different these days and as the week goes on and we hit week 6 and 7, well personalities will continue to unfold but not a skittish one in the bunch. Some are quieter than others but none are off the wall spaz cases or human mommy may be working to change that. They all seem to have mommy's calming demeanor but some more playful than others. The job - well it's easy this time around as they are all so equal - but as we say unique and that's quite nice!

Well, it's playtime so off the keyboard I go and we get to tucker the little ones out. They play and drop dead asleep and are now eating at least a full meal instead of me - Wasabi so I get a break! As time goes on we will make that 2 meals then three etc...

I couldn't be in yesterday's video as they wouldn't leave me alone. Sometimes they just think I am the milk factory - sigh!

Well....more tomorrow!

Havanese Thoughts to Ponder

How many pups can you count enjoying their play?

A wise person said - "He never bit anyone, which is more than you can say for most of us." The dogs are getting teeth and I - Wasabi are starting to correct them and so are the humans by saying yeoch in a louder voice and they are catching on FAST.

Another wise person said... "People love their dogs." "People have the relationship with their dog that they expected to have with their spouses or their kids. Dogs never stab you in the back, probably because they don't have opposable thumbs. And they lick your face when you cry. You can't say that of anyone else. Nor would you want to."

Wasabi says: My pups are now at the age where they are licking your face, running to you when you near the x-pen, playing joyfully even with the other Havanese but when they try to feed off the other Havanese, well they are correcting them . We must do a video as soon as time allows.

We had a rather full weekend and are trying to wind down from that. Life is amazing with the little ones, human daddy says but they now need an x-pen upstairs vs. a whelping box. Although some of us a a tad under 2lb and some a tad over 2 lbs - we feel the need to spread out unlike Risa's crew. No one stays out of the play these days and all are highly curious. We change the environment to slowly condition them to feel comfort in change. This makes it easier when they go to their new homes. We are also walking them around the house, getting them used to water running on them if they need a bit of cleanup and praising them when they hit the pee pad.

More later...and look for a video soon!

Havanese Weekend Almost Over

Well, we had a full weekend so far. We had many visitors, grandpa and his wife, Tracy and the girls, Tal, Jonathan and Dennis - a number of folks to look at the pups and now we are waiting for Yvonne and mommy may lay on the couch with all of us and take a nap as the pups are now snoozing too. Here's one of my cuties just hanging out in dreamland.

We were all out back playing retrieve - without the pups, of course. They are still too young but soon for them too. I have a ton to teach them and wow that will be fun! They had a wonderful play session in the kitchen and many snuggles today and now they are having Havanese dreams. Nice..it's my turn too - so human mommy get off the computer will you?

Day 8 Havanese Motherhood

Well, a week has gone by and tonight it will be day 8. I do believe I have this motherhood thing going on. Mommy thinks other than the cute havanes puppies chomping on my hair, it's doing quite well.

I am eating well, snuggling with the pups but these havanese pups don't seem to play with the toys I give them. Mommy says to be patient. They will.

Mommy is going out to the land of the living and getting my photograph of me preggie matted that Maureen and John were so kind to give to her as a present. She's also going to get a photo reframed in mahogany to match our others from Pepi and Teddy's mom - their thanks for watching them this summer. Can't wait to see them on the wall.

Mommy's been busy uploading new photos to snapfish all the time. Look at the menu on the right and click on Wasabi's Puppy Photos to see the latest. Mom's not editing. She's putting everything up - me a mess after I nest in my box and shake my hair into the place I want it to be to mom after combing me. When the pups get older, we will take videos to share as well. This way we create some memories. After all, this is my first crew and there's always something special about the first but shhh don't tell that to any others. Something special about the last too - yeah - they are the LAST.

Well, other than my escape past mom and dad last night to gad knows where in the back to nest, things have been going rather well. Tails are wagging so I know they are happy and life - well its rather special and precious with a havanese or two on your life and I have 6 - WOW!

Day 4 Havanese Motherhood

I am getting more comfie these days jumping in and out to eat and drink and nest in my other box. Mommy even took some of me with just my head sticking out but they aren't great quality. I am really enjoying watching the pups and seeing them move but when mommy puts them in that sling to weigh them or does that program to help them be all they can be, well let's just say I am learning to let mom play with them too!

Day One Havanese Pups

Mommy found this on her camera stick that she forgot was taken the night we got home - brand spankin' new.

We haven't named any yet but mommy keeps calling one tux as it looks like it has a tux with tails on and how so appropriate for a Havanese - a class act!

Mommy says tomorrow, after we weigh everyone including me, that we will put up individual photos. She's been saying that every day - geez!

Attentive New Havanese Mom Wasabi

Well day 2 and I am still taking catnaps but I just can't get enough of these miracles I had. They are lively. They eat and snuggle with me and those snuggles - well they are really what makes it all worth it.

As you can see, I have an incision that is healing nicely and pink hair from the operation but all and all mom is doing her usual taking care of me. She has yet to comb me today but she wants me to sleep. She even put in a thin mat so I can lay my head down but I am too excited to do anything but snooze for a few minutes.

Mom is going to take individual photos of us later today when we are all rested. We figure you don't mind that we get rested first. Mom and dad says my pups and I count the most.

This Havanese Creates Tales or Tails (Ha!)

Well, I like to keep everyone on their toes to make sure they are exhausted when my puppies make their debut.

Last night I went into panting for 1.5 hours and then I stopped and said - nope - it's not time yet. So, everyone focuses on me and nothing happens except I get all the attention. The humans act really strange and I shake my head saying - well we have to have drills don't we? I have to be sure YOU are ready.

Are the humans ready? I think they are more than ready and me, well I am just hanging out all bloated and getting pampered and enjoying it. Wouldn't you? Mommy looks like she hasn't had sleep for eons but maybe she will take a nap instead of lunch and I will snuggle with her and make up for keeping my mom and dad and other mom up all night.

We shall see.

Havanese Wasabi Can Swim Too!

Hey, this is me - Wasabi who happens to be a swimming maniac. I jump in too when I have my druthers and swim with grace.

See, Katsuro is not the only one that knows how to swim around this place. All Havanese can swim but it's all in how you introduce them to it that makes a difference. Some totally love it like Katsuro (see his video below).

The video is when he first started jumping in but by summer's end, he was AMAZING) . He was jumping without prompting, running and jumping halfway across the pool and loving every minute of it but mommy found this video and just started to learn how to convert the Sony video file to an .avi and splice and edit. She'll get better and find better copy.

Some love it when they want to like me - Wasabi and some tolerate it like my packmate Shoshi. Just like humans, we are all different but have a pool - we can swim!

Best part is when my pups come, mommy can take videos and edit them. Mommy just put this video up to show you we can jump and swim and she had to figure it all out before the pups come. I am still holding on. Any takers for the weekend being the big day?

Havanese Crowding Scene

Every whimper, every feeling of 'oh, my gad what are they doing in there' Katsuro is there watching, making sure I am okay. He's not sure what is wrong but he's a sensitive soul and he makes sure I am okay always. I guess that's what a 'want to be alpha' does when one of his pack members is not themselves. Besides, he thinks I am simply the best. Ha!

Today the puppies were moving all over. First thing I didn't keep my food down - just too much indigestion. No fever, no other signs just the pups aren't giving me all that much room. Daddy finally hand fed me yet again and I kept it down. Mom was worried at first but when she saw that I can eat small meals vs. a good sized usual one, well she understands.

This is my last week. Mom still thinks Friday but we shall see. I don't tend to do anything like anyone else so I will have to surprise the world. All great things come to those that wait!

Paris & Cleo Visits Day 50 of Pregnancy - Wasabi's Puppies Coming Soon

Today Paris now known as Gidget came to visit me. She was my very best friend. I used to play with her endlessly but alas today I didn't feel like playing. Katsuro was the one wanting to play. I was really happy to see her though. A day without Gidget is a day without a best friend!

We were also blessed with having a visit with Cleo. Shoshi has begun to think in my delicate state that she needs to protect me so she decided to bark at Cleo and mom and dad had to correct her. It reminds you that no matter how well trained any dog is, if changes occur that sometimes one of the pack will take on a new role not desired. Training is an ongoing thang! I expect to be doing that a lot with my pups with the help of mom and dad.

Cleo is one pretty dog and we were glad to meet her. We hope to see her again!

Mom and dad took us for a walk this afternoon through the forest. I had to stay on leash and so did Shoshi as the Shosh wasn't acting her usual self and me - well I am preggie so mom and dad don't want me getting into anything I shouldn't. So, I had to watch Katsuro and Risa have a roaring good time chasing the squirrels. I was green with envy. Still, it was fun to watch. Gad day 50 - it's all going so fast and mom and dad have to finish my whelping room - that desk has to go!

Well, mommy mentioned to some of her friends the neat toy that Kitty Braund got for her doggies and lo and behold this one showed up for them. Now mommy is trying to figure out how washable it is. Ha! I think I will play with it - forget the doggies.

Another friend got me waterproof pads for whelping and 2 toys. Wow - it's nice being preggie. Mommy told me she wasn't going to let me play with this one as I did with the duck. I think I mauled the duck beyond recognition and it was supposed to be for the pups. Tsk, tsk mom!

Well off to watch TV and snuggle with daddy and mommy. Life is good...for now...

Mom & Dad Are Sick

Gad - what a day. We just hung out and did very little. Mom and dad was really not feeling well but mommy still took me on a walk and just finished working on 2 huge pages a few minutes ago. She wanted to crawl into bed but she took us out back, on a long walk, brushed us and worked - crazy lady! Now we may go to bed and try to do something exciting tomorrow to write about.

I have about 2 weeks to go till puppy time so I decided to practice games with Shoshi. Besides, she's a pushy little thing. I don't think she knows the word no even though I know mommy taught it to her. Oh, she knows it with mommy but with me...well I am glad we played. It's been awhile. When you are preggies, you just don't feel like jumping all over the place.

Well off to catch some serious zzzzzzzzzzzzs Catch you tomorrow!

The Snow is Coming - Not a Chance!

Mommy was talking on the phone to her friend in Utah and they had SNOW. Oh my! Well here I am just enjoying that crisp air last year in our yard.

The pool people closed the pool today. Wow they already did and did we run on the cover big time. Something about this safety cover is sort of like bathing a Havanese. It invigorates us and we 'run like hell' all over it bouncing all the way. Mom promised to get a photo of it the next time we are out on it. Watch us not run then. We will wait till Quito comes (ooops he has rescheduled) and that will give us new reason to go C-R-A-Z-Y! He's now coming next week!

It's cool outside now - not snow weather yet or mom would be dragging the sweaters and coats out. A girl has to be be stylin' you know. One must think we are 2nd class citizens. When mom fills that reading - oops bathroom with reading material, she has these fashion mags but where are the dog fashion magazines?

Mom took me for a walk but I am not in the mood today. She spent eons in the kitchen cooking up a storm and I didn't want anything but the leftover satay chicken and steak - not enough to feed this growing tummy. I guess I will wait till daddy comes home and wait to see what he has.

It's dawned on me that in all likelihood, unless we have a dry winter, I will be able to play with my pups in the snow. Wow, will that be fun. Mom is creating a file that will list a bunch of things to do to stimulate your dog and when she's finished, I am going to put my paw print on it or I won't. First requirement is the games had to be something she's done with us - so mom find some more creative ideas in that cobweb of a mind cause - well no one likes a bored dog - an active mind and body is a healthy one.

Just got email - well mom got it. It said Mags is on her road trip. Some gals get to travel to exotic places to have their fun in the sun - me, I get to go to Yvonne's house to a puppy picnic that I could only watch from the house. Now what was THAT about. A girl in my condition can't have fun? Next time we will have to have an all girls' puppy picnic. ROFL! Okay - what fun will that be?

Well signing off for now - more later...

Havanese & Rain

It's raining again and this gives me the opportunity to address this mother nature thang. There's something about wet paws and soaking wet grass tickling our feet that our humans just don't get. Sure, some of us don't mind it where the others are found lifting their paws out of all that wet.

I tend to be one of those dawgs that appreciate a raincoat on a rather wet day on my walks but when it's warm, I don't mind not having one - still that grass - well I don't like it all sopping wet where my pack mate Katsuro will plow through the grass as if he owns the world (today he is rejoicing as Maggie is a faded aromatic memory - and relishes everything in it. Read about it in 'A Dog's Sense of Smell') It's not that I don't. I just don't like all the cleaning I will have to do when my feet get muddy - him, he will just allow it to dry and then cleans it off. Ha! We are all so different.

Yesterday - well I know today's another day but yesterday Maggie came by and we found she's going to meet her connection soon. Maggie is Yvonne's dawg who is going all the way to - well read about it! If everything works out alright and she likes this hook-up, well then babies will come to their house again. First Lola and then the Mags - how much fun is that? Do you think it's right that these humans pick our boyfriends? Do they know something WE don't know? I mean, are we supposed to meet them and then fall totally in love or is it okay that we have one night, two night stands? Ha!

Today we have Rita from Sonrisas coming for a visit and maybe Linda with her crew. It sounds fun. More after it all happens. Now the mom has to woo me and show me how much she loves me by giving me something good to eat - yeah right - only daddy knows how to do that!

Another Monday

It's just a lazy day today. Mommy created another page for the Havanese crew events and the 'Food For Thought' info. This way you know what my mom and dad are all about. Even their human kids think they are crazy - crazy in love with us furry crew.

Mom was bored and decided to see what I would look like with my hair standing up straight. My - she needs a life. I had to tell her to take it out. She had this idea she was going to leave it that way till daddy got home and parade me on my walk like that. I told her to do that with HER hair and we have a deal - knowing full well she would never go there. Still, the thought of her with her hair on end...well I won't tell you what thoughts that conjures up.

Well, it is now approx day 44. I can't wait till I see them. I have never been this big before in my life and wow can you hear those heartbeats. In 11 days I go to the vet to see how many they see.