Shakin' and Rollin' Havanese

Well today is almost weekend time and Jazmyn, Lola and Marlee are going home and Risa is coming home. Lots of baths and sad Havanese but Rufus will be here for the weekend starting tomorrow and then Gina goes to her handler - sniff and Ruby and Louis will be coming. We even get Lil' Man now known as Milo back next month for a visit. We can't wait.

There's never a dull moment around this place. Treasure can attest to that as she shakes her head after coming off of a huge play session.

Catch you tomorrow with purty photos of our clean Havanese visitors going home.

Kat and Mystery's Pups Have Arrived

Beth from Rockhurst Havanese was kind enough to send over pics of Katsura and Mystery's puppies.

Mommy Mystery is doing well and the pups are eating and snuggling in and competing for 'it's my turn' when it's feeding time. Oh they have plenty of room but it shows their enthusiasm.

We can't wait to see how they have develop. Two girls and the rest boys.

Check out the slideshow.

If interested, send mail to Beth at Rockhurst.

Equal Opportunity Havanese

Abs is an equal opportunity player. She doesn't care who it is but she plays her little heart out with all from visitors to pack mates. Her enthusiasm for the play is noted but it doesn't help her hair any. hehehe

But how can we take the play away? We can't as that spirit is important. So we try all sorts of things to try to keep her hair intact including - no biting the head Treasure but will it work - time will tell.

Our visitor Marlee's fave pal here is Abigail and Treasure where Jazmyn prefers mostly just Abigail but has been caught playing with a few others. It's grand to see but I have to get MORE photos. argh.

It's Still Icy Out There

Well, it's still icy out there and do we have exciting news or what - Rockhurst's Mystery just had 7 pups - 5 boys, 2 girls. Why is it so special to us? Well Kat is the dad.

We will be sure to post photos as soon as Beth gets rest. Look for them tomorrow.

Back to playing with our guests and the gang - Marlee, Jazmyn and Gina. Soon we will be seeing Rufus and Louis. Fun to be had at the Talemaker house.

Visitors, Baths & More

I don't know what it is about this place but I go and get dirty and mommy has to clean me.

After all this time, I still don't get this bath thing.

Mommy thinks I look pretty all cleaned up but I sort of like that disheveled look. What about you?

I have been spending much time playing with our new visitors. I rather like them!

My new two buds now (visitors) called Jazmyn and Marlee (this is Marlee) that are mucking it up right along with me but mommy won't be bathing them till just before they go home. They adore the walks but come home from them less than pristine so its waterless bath, run with a towel and brush, brush brush. Marlee even clears our gate at the front door in excitement for the walks. Can I say - a great agility future? heh

Do you have a jumper in your house? Got any fun stories about it to share?

Dog Show Reports

Fiona won Winners Bitch so closer to her championship. More tomorrow after the show.

We are EXHAUSTED but everyone judges alike oohed and ahhed over that Treasure. I can't blame them but hey I LOVE her. She just thinks she is a daddy's gal.

No points today - Fiona was too excited. She was so excited she just couldn't contain herself.

It happens but hey she's enjoying the shows now at least. hehehehehe

We have a virtual ice skating ring outside. It's muck, ice and all sorts of fun outside and Fiona loves it.

Fiona was so happy to be home as she was able to muck it up in the wet and dirt. We believe in allowing our dogs to be dogs.

Mommy - don't tell me you are going to clean me again - please. heh

Treasure loved being at the shows too but she wasn't crazy about 2 pugs that growled at her and the owner/handler was clueless. Oh well - it didn't seem to bother her much.

Tomorrow handling class with who knows who. :-)

Getting Ready for the Show

It's tough being a show dog. It's wet and mucky outside and Fiona has a show tomorrow so on a lead she must go if she has to go out to do her duty, waterproof jacket and booties. Not fun but the reality and it's supposed to be like this all weekend - joy - not.

Can you hear her - Mommy - I just want to play but Fiona is starting to really like the shows. She gets her Daddy time and she rather likes it. Plus after Sunday, she wil be back to playing like a banshee.

Most 'specials' which she is not is kept in this mode always. We can't do that as I want that play more than the show so we seek balance.

The noises aren't bothering her so much anymore but this will be a new environment and not much time to adjust as we have to do setup. Good, bad - whatever it is.

Fiona did a bit of practicing with Daddy today as she usually does and now she is vegging in Daddy's office.

Is it tomorrow yet?

We have visitors and we promise by Monday we will do a slideshow of the crew if the muck doesn't get them. More later.>>

Handling, Games & More

We were busy last night says, Treasure. There were a ton of big doggies and I got to strut my stuff. Not sure about these people man handling me but I am getting used to it but tonight I get to go to a Games class and that is surely bound to be fun.

Mommy is going to handle me tonight. The verdict is out on if I give her a hard time or perform wonderfully. I can't let Daddy think I prefer her. ROFL!

Ooops I think Mommy stole the computer and typed THAT Daddy. No worries - I wuv you the best.

We will fill you in on games, games and riding in with Sebastian who is also taking the class later.

We have Jazman and Marlee visiting and Gina too. Wonderful full house and lots of love. Feeding time so we have to go...

Bathing Woes of the Havanese

Well Daddy said I smelt dingy smelly dirty. It must be all the mucking around that I do in the backyard. A gal has to do what a gal has to do.

So Mommy had to give me that B word. You don't know what that was? Well, it's a B-A-T-H and it's a mighty dirty word.

Well, Daddy was kind enough to buy Mommy a Groomer's Helper so she can leave her hands free and I don't do the struggle on the drying. Am I not going to play the wriggle game with Mommy? How will I ever survive?

While Mommy was at it she bathed Fiona much to her disgust. Now Mommy can stop apologizing for me looking so dirty. hahahaha

Well, we have another handling class somewhere out in lower slabovia - a drive away that makes Mommy get the GPS thang going. We hope we can find it and we have more large dogs to get conditioned to.

I try to play with dogs - these great big huge things and sometimes they growl at me so I growl back. Mommy says I need to learn my manners - whatever THAT is. It's okay. I figure it's a new game they are playing but Mommy whispers something about doggie communications. Gad - if she only knew what those doggies were really saying. Oh yeah - she can read their body language but I am a d-a-w-g and I know best! See you at class!

Lil Man Now Known as Milo the Bandit

Lil' Man (now known as Milo the Bandit) is off to his forever home. As you can see in the photos, he is doing the last dance with Treasure one last time till he comes to visit when his humans take a holiday they haven't had for eons.

Milo will get to come to doggy camp and have his own holiday and they will get one too. Plus bonus - we get to see him too and that is very special to the humans here! We can't wait to hear all the stories that little wonderful ball of fur will bring to their lives.

We have two visitors that are coming to stay for the week starting Thursday and we are way excited.

Treasure says - mom what's this handling thang you are taking me and Kat to tonight and then Fiona gets to go again on Tuesday with me yet again. Something about me learning the show ropes. Do I get to eat? Can I play with the Great Dane? OOOH these and many more questions I have.

Fashion Statement: Snood Stylin

Abs says: What is that thing on my neck??? Is mommy totally crazy? Geez mom - let me play. I will finish my championship - I promise and hey anyway - I am a star despite my moments of roughhousing - okay - I am actually cute doing THAT too.

Oh - it's tough being a show dog. I just want to play...Life's ruff!

Today we have a couple of people coming over to see Lil' Man. We have Gina going to her handler (Beth's dog) and Zack and Coco going home this morning. Wow - busy times and then the mom has to finish work and finish grooming and maybe take a nap - heh right. Handling class with Treasure and Fiona tomorrow. Fiona's in the show again this week and Treasure has to get ready for her debut in a month or two.

Total Recall Class: Lone Havanese

Did we have a blast or what in class! Treasure was the littlest dog in the class next to the Jack Russell Terrier pup who put quiet in someone else's conversation. What a high charged dog - heh

Treasure came in - looked around - saw a couple of - almost can't control this enthusiasm dogs - well more than a couple - a Samoyed - a Bernese mix, a lab - and some more puppies and some more even keel dogs such as retrievers and who else did I miss? Her tail was down as she went - oh my but daddy took her for a walk by all the dogs - quiet and rambunctious and immediately the tail went up and it stayed up as you can see in this photo. Nathan brought his all into it and Treasure reacted wonderfully to his emotions that obviously ran down the lead.

She was amazing in the class going through dogs without issues, retrieving when she was supposed to and even coming past me to daddy when he called her. The games were fun. The energy was fast paced. The barking and the distractions was great slow conditioning. Perfect for the show ring distractions that we deal with.

Then the Jack Russell did a play bow to Treasure. She play bowed and barked back. She's not a barker so this was funny. Then he challenged her. She challenged him back and did a full out - let me have him not in an aggressive way - it was bark - bark bark - don't you think you are going to intimidate me - little man.

As you can see, Nathan after laughing inside had to correct her and get her to stop but for the whole night, she was having a grand time across the room (yes they moved this duo apart) trying to get the Jack Russell going as if she was a kid teasing. We took the opportunity to keep her enthusiasm up but direct her to the fun at hand. The Jack Russell was wanting to play with her and then challenging her - just because. These pups are learning dog communication so all was grand in what we wanted to achieve.

We did play this game where I held Treasure and Nathan called her but I wasn't supposed to let go till it was her turn. Oh my gad was that funny. I never saw a stronger willed Havanese wanting her own way and beside herself that I wasn't letting go. She barked, she pulled, she jumped. She was so filled with excitement - I have never seen her quite like that ever before. It was all great as when I did, it heightened her enthusiasm in getting to daddy even more.

Katsuro also took this class a year ago and did amazing going through dogs without fear. But Treasure - I have to admit - the spunkiness - well it's all hers. She plays quick recovery after she checks out the room and puts her little heart into it. She's got her very own grand personality.

Anyone who is in the Durham or Toronto area will benefit from this class. The goal is to get your dog doing a total recall no matter what the distraction is but the class is more. It is a slow conditioning to dogs of all personalities, sizes, being able to walk through them to you, passing by in different directions and focusing on you etc. in a very fun and safe environment. The class was run extremely well and with a ton of fun that you can continue at home.

We can't wait till the next as we will take yet another dog and have just as much fun - and fun we had!! Can't wait till next week's Games class. Hope that is as fun!

Well, everyone is still sleeping. I just checked my work pages and I think I am going to eat, have some coffee and then get back to work.

I am still on that 'oh my gad, Treasure you did wonderful' high. I remember feeling that with Kat too. I believe this class is geared for success and your dogs love it and are better off by taking it. Hope to see you in the class next time. We could use another Havanese or two. We hear there are 5 in the Games class.

Running Like a Banshee Havanese Style

Nathan does a pick up patrol each day several times a day and after he does, he runs around the yard like a crazy banshee and the dogs run after him. It's a riot to see.

Here, Wasabi and Lil' Man is sitting on the deck in wait til he is done anticipating the run. Even Lil' Man now gets into it though he's not as fast as the others but he makes up for it with the pounce and jump.

We have a few people coming by on Sunday to see the 'all personality' Lil' man. We are looking for a really good fit and I am positive anyone who sees this guy will laugh and thoroughly enjoy him. I can't wait to see him as an adult and I do hope they visit and let us take care of him when they go on holidays but here I am getting ahead of myself.

Tonight we are off to a class with Treasure and Yvonne and her crew including hubby will be staying over due to a family situation. We look forward to seeing them.

Tomorrow we will fill you in on the class and how the Treasure does - all of it - the good - the bad - and the awful! Will there be an awful... Time will tell. I am told she'll be the only small one in the crew - me thinks.

Secrets, Lil Man & Class Tomorrow

I have a secret says, Fiona - no more baths daily for awhile. Abs sighs with relief.

Mommy says: When the girls are doing the shows - bathing each daily is the norm but poor Abs had enough of THAT! Plus - if you do something like that - the dog's hair can get brittle and dry. Today was a Vellus day..hehehe Guess who does this bathing and grooming business?

Today was a clean Wasabi and Katsuro day. Tomorrow is a Risa and Shoshi bath day. Lots of dogs equals lots of baths.

But tomorrow night Treasure gets to have fun, fun, fun and so do we going to Total Recall Class at Who's Walking Who. We did this class before and it's bound to be as fun as it was the first time. We'll tell you how it went on Friday. We just love what obedience and these seminars bring to us and getting the dogs to be all they can be with fun.

Well, Lil' Man is getting way comfie playing his little heart out and tuckering himself out. He goes to bed at 10 and wakes up in the morning with us. He sleeos all night long. He wriggles his little tail telling you he's having a grand time. I swear he embraces life in such a way that he puts a smile on your face.

Gad this puppy is delicious!

Lil Man Available to RIGHT Home

We just spent a very long and exhausting 4 days attending a dog show. The only reason we entered all 4 days is that the show was held at the Markham Fairgrounds about 15 minutes from the house. Abigail got 2 more points towards her championship, Fiona got 3 more towards hers.

It’s a race.

Meanwhile, back home we had a little pistol waiting to greet us, tail vibrating his entire body, frantically eager to say hi in true puppy style. L’il Man is a real pleasure. He is full of life, enthusiasm, curiosity and intelligence.

That means he plays with everyone here, flies up and down the smaller steps, pokes his head into everything and figures out ways to have fun. I happen to love this personality type. I’m surrounded by them. This is not a laid back quiet little boy. Here he is looking back over his shoulder at me.

I managed to capture a great shot of him tearing after Treasure. She has an unfair advantage being a month older but he doesn’t let it slow him down at all. And finally here is a close up head shot. Notice he’s staring right at me, posing.

As I write this in the background I hear the pitter patter of little feet. Treasure and L’il Man are tearing all over the main floor of the house. You can hear them scrambling to get a grip as they go sliding across the wood or tile floors. I love it. By the way, he plays an excellent game of retrieve which includes tugging the toy away from anyone else that got to it first, if they'll let him.
Nathan

Shows, Lil Man and More

Well, we are having a blast with Lil' Man but looking forward to the dog shows being over so we can spend even more time with him.

He's going to make someone an amazing member of their family. I never saw a dog whose tail wags so much. He's so full of personality.

Well, back from the show and Abigail got another 3 points - 3 points to go to championship. Bravo - Abigail!

But does she look happy - nah - she just wants to stop getting bathed and go back to having fun. A show dog is often bathed daily - can you believe that?

I don't blame her. If I wash another dog - I may scream - oh I do have to wash more dogs but later in the week.

I do LOVE how they look clean.

More tomorrow...

Treasure is Showing It

Well, Treasure's not showing but she's off to the show for some show noise conditioning and we have lots of people to help her get exposed. Here's hoping she has fun and we get some points.

Abigail's Brother from an earlier litter got 3rd in the Best of the Best.

More later. We are exhausted as shows go...

Nothing is Safe With THIS Havanese

Well we are off to the show this weekend and this little Treasure will be staying home everyday except Sunday when she will be visiting the show too.

Will we have any plants to come home to after she gets to stay home? Not sure...heh But we love her anyways.

If you are in the Toronto area, do come by and say hello to us. We are socializing the Treasure on Sunday to everything show related and we can use all of you putting your hands on her. I promise - she won't chew your buttons off.

The show is at the Markham Fairgrounds at Elgin Mills and McCowan. We are on in the ring on Friday around 3, Saturday 930ish - same Sunday and Monday. Hope to see you there!

Big Dogs and Little Dogs

One would think in this photo that Terra, our golden was going to eat Treasure up but this is not true. For those that know the dogs or know body language - you would realize that nothing but faces and Treasure getting the better of Terra goes on here.

Treasure is a puppy and is relentless with her play. She is seen many times hanging off Terra's hair and Terra gives her that grr but its not a grr that says leave me alone but a grrr in play.

Shoshi does something similar but hers almost sounds like a mixture of a purr and a growl together.

Next to Abigail, Terra seems to be Treasure's best pal. Perhaps that is due to the reality that she was born in a house (Rockhurst) that has a golden as well.

Can a dog distinguish between breeds? Yes! Due to our Golden's, our dogs gravitate to other Golden's. It's interesting to see their comfort level with a strange dog if its a golden. With others, they take the time, read the body language and meet and greet. All of this happens in a minute or two but it is a process they go through. They tend to skip this process with a golden.

Take the time to open up your dog's world to larger but safe and friendly dogs. It will help them to become more balanced.

Show Conditioning: Havanese

All wet and no place to go? Well Fiona has a show next weekend for 4 days, Abigail too and Treasures going to hang out to get show conditioned. It's always a good thing to expose them to different environments.

I don't know about you but its been mighty mucky out there and it's called - clean, clean and then clean again.

Well we are off to the vet tomorrow to get a calcified growth dug out of Risa and to get a Rabies shot and kennel cough for Treasure so she can start showing. We want her protected from the possibilities.

So off I go - brusha, brusha brush and then wash Risa and play with the dogs. It's a long weekend and I am sooooo excited to have a day off. How about you?