Happy New Year's Eve

Here's the crew - well almost the crew. (minus Whitney our old lady retriever and we also had Oreo before he went home and Louis who goes home tonight.)

They are waiting to usher in the New Year.

I try to have fun with the camera and dogs our our passion. I went outside first - sat at the end of the deck and waiting for the crew to come running out towards me all to capture the money shot of Treasure flying in the air, pumping for all she was worth to catch up to the rest of the crew.

Here, Treasure playing catch up.

It's moments like these that make my heart beat a tad faster and my mouth curl up in a smile as I realize what life is truly about!

From the home of Talemaker Havanese to yours, we wish you the very best new year!

Havanese Relationships

Do some Havanese like other Havanese more than another? Just like people, I would say yes. They show it in various ways - getting excited about a certain dog that comes over to stay. That doesn't mean they won't play with all but there's something extra special at times.

Rufus, our visitor that went home today really connected with Treasure where he would stare at her in bed and get extra close to her watching her sleep. It was interesting to watch night after night.

Oreo and Louis goes home tomorrow and Benny on the 4th.

Then Treasure will have to connect with her pack mates and us. heh

Watching our visitors and our pack reacts makes for interesting times. You learn so much and so do pups that come to visit. By the time Rufus and Oreo is heading home, they have learned to successfully play and interact in a pack. That's a good thing and then they too will be confident and excited about that next time.

Multiple Havanese Feeding

We have another food hound in the house. She is fully prepared to eat her own food and then run right over and eat everyone else's. She has no qualms about shimmying up to someone's bowl, checking out what the competition has and going in for the grab. She'll even try to intimidate them off their own food bowl. And our little Treasure is just 3 months old.

With only one dog, it's a piece of cake but with more than one, you can't just leave the bowl down especially if one will try and eat it all.

Treasure has style with her food - or shall I say everyone else's food. She thinks life is better in the next bowl, always. It doesn't matter if she is eating the same exact thing - it's a statement of her perception of her own position in the pack and as of right now, she thinks Risa and Kat are the only two above her and that includes the two Golden Retrievers. So if she decides she wants your food the proper response in her mind is to back off and let her have it.

She tends to look around, checks out if anyone is noticing what she is doing - including us, then she goes in for the kill and depending on what dog, she may or may not get away with it until we interfere and put her back at her bowl.

Ah, the food experience of the young and fearless.

Family, Moments & Havanese

Today we are watching the melt - well the dogs are and Treasure is the very worst of the crew in coming back in next to Fiona. It's as if she says, 'Talk to the Hand' or 'I can't HEAR you!'

Isn't it wonderful when a dog goes supposedly deaf when it has better things to do? Yes, you can use that keyword, 'treat' and they will come running but they should come when they hear their name and not after you say it 3 times either.

But sometimes you aren't as interesting as what is out there so you have to up the ante and use coercion.

It's sort of necessary when your target is soaken wet like this one and hasn't had any formal training - likes running under decks and playing catch me if you can. But you have to admit she looks cute all wet and everything.

How do we get her inside when a call to her name doesn't work? We either have to go get her or use the treat tactic. School will be in as soon as she gets her next shot and the visitors go home. Training in all sorts of ways are in store for her - in a fun way.

If you want a balanced dog - training truly helps and helps them to be the dog you adore but better yet - that others adore.

Havanese & Holidays

With the hectic lifestyle we all experience around the holidays, it is important to take a breath and get in touch with your furry pal Havanese. They are what helps you realize what life is about. They have a wild abandonment in their play and they get you to find your laughter - if allowed.

They also look downright funny with those snowballs but if you are like me - it's not fun to deal with them. So, take a moment and put a coat on them when the weather is filled with wet, heavy snow and you will be glad you did.

Did you know some Havanese watch TV? Put on the pet channel and turn the sound off and watch as some react to that animal running across the screen. Not all will but some do. It's enough to make you realize as the quality of the TVs increase - so do their abilities to watch.

In the Dog House Havanese Style

There's that tongue again sticking it out daring any dog to come close enough so she can pounce and play her heart out. The problem with Treasure having a rip roaring grand time with the puppies here (Oreo, Rufus, Fiona, Abigail, Benny) is she only wants them so we make sure she has some down time.

Treasure is an absolute nut case at times. She pounces, hides, attacks and takes on 3 dogs at once. She's small - though that tummy is not but that surely doesn't stop her.

It's going to be sad for her when the last puppy goes home on the 31st and Louis who comes tomorrow also goes then. Benny will be here till the 4th and then we start training the little munchkin as we will be down to our own pack.

Oreo and Benny was a tad overwhelmed with the crew and they have loosened up quite a bit where Oreo has come into his own. It takes a day or two at times to get your bearings and that's a GOOD thing as they learn new skills. We do it in such a way to make them feel secure and get to where they need to. We think Oreo has done just that as he is now a ball of - can't get enough of this play' dawg. It's a riot to watch and Benny is playing one on one with various dogs and enjoying his moments. That's what it is all about and Rufus - well he came in not needing to get his bearings - and that's unusual. No right or wrong - we are all just different and we are what we experience. It's like going to a party and you don't know a soul. Some wing it and others have to get their bearings.

If you celebrate Christmas - I hope you got everything you wanted and if not, take a breath - look at your fur kids and realize you did.

To a very enjoyable day. We - well I will be brushing dogs as they have mats and knots from yesterdays wet experience and it may take me half the day but I will do it watching the TV and spending one on one time with all.

Enjoy!

Photoshop or Real

Someone thought we may have Photoshop'd Treasure on to that box but we didn't. She's just an interesting thang that gives us great photo opportunities. We took about 4 of these to make sure we got a good one. She's really a true Treasure.

She plays hard and sleeps hard. She's had lots of opportunities here too.

Well, Wasabi, Fiona and Abigail went in for cerf and all passed.

It's tough getting the man in this house off the floor. One would think he is a permanent fixture at times but he is outside shoveling with 13 dogs - yep - Yvonne's crew is here and there's hardly a peep out o them unless someone rings the bell or ventures through the door.

From our house to yours - may you have the very best holiday season. More tomorrow when we have less dogs. ROFL!

Happy Holidays to All

Our Treasured one reminds us to ask, what is life without laughter?

During these holidays, take a moment to watch your Havanese.

Take a breath.

Get off the busy train and really watch.

If we can learn but one thing from them it would be that laughter deserves to be in our life and it can be obtained in so many ways.

Take the time to laugh in between the struggles and it will get you through.

Then when done, find a comfie place and take a nap and feel fresh and ever so rejuvenated. You can do it most anywhere - just do it.

If you pay attention, our dogs teach us so many critical things about what is important in life.

Hug them - hug each other - stay warm and have the very best holiday season yet!

PS: This little one needs a rest as we have 2 puppies visiting us starting tomorrow. Is she in for a treat or what!

Happy Holidays EVERYONE!

New Snow Fall in Toronto

Last Monday, our friend Holly flew from Florida to pick up her pup, Blazin.

It was 8 Celsius (46 Fahrenheit for our American friends) that day. All the snow had melted and it wasn’t half bad.

The very next morning it was -8C (17F).

Holly thankfully handed me off Blazin to take outside for his morning pee and ran away from the open door.

She thought she was going to freeze to death momentarily.

Meanwhile I was wearing jeans and a t-shirt under my ski jacket, bare feet slipped into clogs. There was no snow.

On Friday we drove to our Vet located an hour and change east of Toronto. We got caught in a major snow storm and ended up spending a few hours visiting with Yvonne and Alex before heading back so that the snow plows had a chance to clear the road, a sometime reality of our Canadian lifestyle.

As always my largest issue driving back was all those drivers on the road that don’t have a clue that snow covered roads and lousy visibility calls for a different mode of driving. Not everyone was clueless but there were a few complete nutcases that made up for it.

One 18 wheeler comes to mind. I fully expected to see him overturned before we got back to town. He certainly wasn’t allowing for any margin of error in a vehicle that could not stop on a dime in any conditions let alone those.

Between Friday’s snow storm and today’s snow fall our yard is no longer snow free. Snow banks are probably two feet high and I’ve taken turns with one of my sons shoveling out paths for the dogs in the backyard. The dogs love it. They go racing round and round the paths and every now and then sheer exuberance with life sends them flying over the top of the banks right into the piles of powdered snow.

Watching their wonderful antics compensates for the pain in my arms, shoulders and back from all that shoveling. I get absolutely no sympathy though. The kids think I’m still 30 and if I didn’t go out and shovel Darlah would and then I’d never hear the end of it.

When outside in winter always watch your dogs for signs of stress, cold affecting their pads and such. They do not have the body weight and metabolism of the larger dogs and cannot stay outside in extreme temperatures for any extended period of time.

The other night it was -20C (-4F) when I took the dogs for a walk. Actually with the wind chill factored in supposedly it felt like -30C (-22F). I can tell you without a doubt that it was very cold. That’s not the words I would normally use to describe the weather but I’m trying to keep this to a family rating. I only went once around our own block and in two cases I had to pick up a dog because their pads got to cold.

Even though we have a large selection of sweaters, jackets, even snow suits, in such cold weather never spend too much time outside with your Havanese.

I have a few pictures to share with you. As you can see, they love running in the snow. Their joy of life is a constant inspiration. I hope you enjoy them and remember, comments are always welcome. Darlah and I love interacting with any of you interested in interacting with us.
I’m off to walk a few dogs.
Nathan

Off to the Vets

We are off to the vets today through a huge snowstorm that may materialize or may not.

Treasure still thinks she is one of the big guys - go figure.

Rocky loves playing with Fiona and Treasure and Benny is coming tomorrow. Benny is a pup from Risa's last litter that is all grown up now.

Back to wondering where my camera is as Fiona, Treasure and Rocky are playing up a storm while the rest of us watch.

More later.>>

Fiona & Treasure Mucking It Up

Just thought I would share how very afraid Treasure is to play with the bigger guys (Fiona) - NOT! We hope you enjoy the rollover attitide of the Treasure and see Blazin' before he went south.

Seasonal Stylin' 101

The Treasure is missing her boy toy Blazin' who just left for warmer climates earlier this afternoon.

That Blazin' guy was getting all sorts of attention so now it's my turn to shine.

I am simply an understated beauty. I'm a gal with style and I like diamonds and cashmere and all that bling and soft stuff. HA! He's a guy who I just - well liked watching him but maybe we will strut our stuff together at the nationals. We shall see.

It's rather cold. It's sort of funny as I am not all that crazy about it being this cold but Blazin - well he loves it and now he will be baking in that delicious sunny experience. Oh well, my daddy promised me snuggles and nappies and I rather adore that!

More later...

No Pictures Please

Today the snow is melting so you miss all those surprises that crop up even though you believe you picked up everything every day. Nathan came in saying - how many bags did he fill saying - I look like a X bag poo pickup guy. Can you guess how he was dressed?

Oh boy - is he going to kill me on this one...

Snow Melting Moments

The snow is melting and Rocky seems to love playing with the little ones. Our problem is he is so fast and energetic that its hard to capture him. I keep getting partial shots of him but we will try - try again. His parents are in Costa Rica missing him. But rest assured - he is having a grand time at doggy camp.

Rocky seems to be totally smitten with Abigail. He also loves snow diving on the cover but today - warm rain and snow is fast disappearing as you can see in this photo. It means much brushing.

Gidget, our other visitor will be heading home in 2 days from now and is a total lovee. She sits with me and watches TV while I groom her each night and tends to look at me cross-eyed. I am not so sure that she is happy with this grooming business but we are going gentle and treating and massaging her at the end. That she ADORES.

Holly is coming for Blazin today so tomorrow we will be down to just Treasure. Will life ever be the same?

Oh and Treasure - well she's indeed an alpha - challenging Fiona and sometimes winning. Oh my - are we in trouble or what? Well - it will surely be fun times here.

Off to get a puppy fix and get some shut-eye then work.

More later...

Balls of Hair

I think it's called Wrestlemania Havanese Style except I think they manage to be much more exciting? Try it sometime!

The pups are at it again and Blazin's new mom comes tomorrow and he will be off on Tuesday to the warmth of the sun - sniff sniff. We will all miss him. Gidget goes home to her mom on Wednesday and Rocky just started his adventure here and will be hanging out, getting into a ton of fun till Sunday.

Rocky and Gidget are here all managing to enjoy the pups and find play time like none other. It's grand but that wet snow was geting wetter and so were the dogs. So off I go to finish some pages and grom some dogs.

We also got to see another Katsuro and Lola's son - 4 white paws like grandma Risa, small, black and turning steele grey. What a face. The 2 siblings will be hanging out over the holidays here - so will Louis and Benny!

Till tomorrow - unless Nathan has something to post. :-)

Out We Go & Sleep Havanese Talemaker Style

Well, Rocky our visitor and the little ones had their first night here. Rocky is smitten with Abigail. We think he is madly in love with her - hahaha

The little ones, after a fast and furious fun game of retrieve and Treasure always seems to get the toy or steals it away - they ran up the stairs to the bed - yep - they can go up and down already and tuckered out till 530am - dry as ever. Here they are this morning running for the door. They are already getting to know the routine. It's not to say they won't haver accidents but its up to us to watch their cues. So far, they are doing well.

When they do their business outside, we praise them profusely and Blazin' gets WAY excited bouncing up and down and Treasure does a flip - yeah you got that right - a flip. They are so agile - it's unbelievable and they are adjusting more than fine. Can't wait to watch the visitors and Treasure today.

The crew is adjusting fast to small ones being around and Gidget - our other visitor - had her maternal thing going on.

Wasabi seems to have grown overnight. She went from - are you sure you are pregnant to - absolutely and she is staying close - snuggling and playing with her toys - getting way maternal. She was being so motherly so Bernie and Shimmer - know your pups are doing more than well.

Havanese Puppies

Let me share an email exchange with you. Beth owns Rockhurst, from where we got both Abigail and Treasure, located north of Ottawa. Holly owns Smile Havanese in Florida. When Darlah and I drove to Beth’s home yesterday we picked up both our Treasure and Holly’s Blazin. Holly will be flying to Toronto to pick him up in a few days. For your reading pleasure, here’s a slightly edited version of the email exchanges that followed:

Holly: How's my boy doing? How's Treasure doing?

Nathan: I am sad to say that after spending a night and a day with Blazin I feel he is totally unsuited for a life in Florida. He walks funny, he’s clearly half blind, his tail is undetectable, his teeth are simply missing and he has the most aggressive and confrontational attitude. In fact, I think it would be best if he simply stayed here with us where we will provide the poor thing with the comfort he deserves in his remaining months.

Just kidding.

Holly, Blazin is UNBELIEVABLE! What a star. You’re going to love him to pieces but if you don’t then I’m on record right now saying that I’ll take him off your hands, no problem, and I swore I’d never have another male in the house. He is absolutely delicious. Darlah and I both think Blazin is gorgeous in every way.

Treasure of course is even better! It’s a trial having two such puppies in the house at once. Abigail made sure they both realized this was her house and she was in charge. Kat made sure that at least one of them was female and he’ll keep an eye on Blazin until he’s out the door from his harem. Paris, Risa and Wasabi sniffed them up and down, decided while they were puppies they weren’t their puppies and Shoshi is ready to play with them. Fiona was neutral unless or until they got to close to her daddy and then she asked them both nicely to get back or she’d rip their lungs out through their respective throats. Blazin jumped on Terra’s head to say hello. Terra just let her, having spent 6 years as the overly Havanese in the Golden Retriever body. Almost 14 year old Whitney, our old Golden Retriever, isn’t quite sure who they are or why they are here but when she wakes up she’ll give them a sniff.

No doubt Darlah will come up with some pictures later.

Holly: Nathan, You are HYSTERICAL!!!! I started reading your e-mail and just laughed harder and harder! I especially like the fact that Blazin' has a tail that's undetectable! How did you ever come up with that? I'm really looking forward to seeing you all again and thank you so much for the play by play with how each of your dogs is reacting to their new housemates. I got my copy of Our Havanese, I love the pictures and articles you and Darlah contributed, and Beth too!! Give my pitiful boy a big kiss and hug from us, I'm sure he needs it, and check my bag when I leave to ensure I don't have 2 puppies! Just a word of caution. Holly and the gang.

Nathan: We look forward to your arrival. Your pitiful boy will be in good hands until then. I’ll give him the big kiss and hug but he’s going to think it is yet another from me. Thank you for your kind words.

Darlah has made a notation to stop you for a strip search before letting you leave the house. I, of course, will be in the other room with your puppy. I’d advise you to make a note to ensure you actually leave here with Blazin.

Darlah: Holly, he can’t help himself.

The two just ate. We put two bowls out and Blazin dug in and so did Treasure in HIS bowl. She growled at him as if to say it’s mine. Blazin didn’t take his head out of the bowl. Nathan put Treasure at her bowl and the contents vanished and then she was back at Blazin’s bowl trying to push him out of the way. The gal is a CHOW gal.

They are doing great. They truly are. No car sickness and on our way back, we stopped at Yvonne’s for a few minutes and she had serious thoughts of talking you out of him so she could have him all to herself and she only does girls. Does that tell you how she felt about the boy?

Nathan: To continue Darlah’s message about their eating habits …

They finished eating and decided to take a nap. Blazin took the tunnel, lying on top and flattening it to his comfort. Treasure took the donut bed. They slept for about an hour. When they woke up I immediately carried them both out to the backyard surrounded by “the pack”. Treasure almost immediately crouched and peed and I praised her profusely. The she started circling and 30 seconds later did the rest of her business and I congratulated her as if she was the smartest girl on the planet. Meanwhile I have no idea what Blazin would have done if Abigail would have left him alone. She was busy lying on top of him and he was loving it and coming right back at her. I tell you this so that you shouldn’t worry, Treasure will be completely house trained in no time reinforcing the effort Beth’s already put into it. Blazin, on the other hand, will be learning to do his business only while under a dog while being pushed down into the snow. Or, I’ll praise him when he pees on the carpet. Wait, I don’t have carpet. Just kidding again. Of course he’ll be totally trained to do his business in the snow. Wait, you have no snow. You’re doomed.

And so another day at Talemaker Havanese draws to a close.

Nathan

Road Trippin' Havanese Puppy Style

We started road tripping at 11ish yesterday and didn't get to Beth's (Rockhurst Havanese) till 730ish. The freeway was closed. We stopped to eat but that was about it. But was it worth it? Yep!

Beth was a gracious host. We got to be surrounded by dogs and we got to take Treasure (pictured here) and Blazin' who leaves at the start of next week. Holly is flying up to get him and will she be excited.

On our way back home, we stopped at Yvonne's for a few minutes and the pup duo had a socialization moment. Yvonne's old lady Beardie is so great with the little ones.

We got home - ate, played with pups and then Rocky came to visit. He's settling in greatly and he happens to look a lot like his dad - Coolio.

Well - we had an exciting time these last 2 days. Will the pups sleep in bed or in their play pen or? What do you think?

We will let you know tomorrow!

Snow Queen Havanese Ritual

Momma said there'd be days like this - there'd be days like this, my Momma said! That song keeps going through my head when I look at this photo of Wasabi - the snow Queen. ROFL

One would think she is never groomed but you get her all pretty and she scrunches her head in the snow in revolt, I suppose. There is a way she thinks she should look and it's completely different than I imagine. But we allow our dawgs to be dawgs around here. It's all about the fun - not the stylin' factor.

Wasabi had to try 2 times to get up on the couch. I guess she forgot she is carrying precious cargo in that tummy of hers.

WE are off today to have a sleepover at Beth's and pick up our treasured Treasure and her sidekick at the moment, Blazin'. Blazin will be heading south after the weekend with his new owner Holly from Florida. We also get to see her crew and that little black guy with colouring on his legs that is still available. I promise I will get photos.

Blazin' is also destined to be in the show ring. Maybe we may see him and Treasure in next year's specialty. Time will tell.

More tomorrow night after we arrive home with the duo.

Visitors at Talemaker

We had the pleasure of meeting Rufus.

If you remember, Yvonne's Lola and our Katsuro had a tryst and this is one of their pups. Doesn't he look like he has Kat's face. Side by side you could tell who dad is.

It was a tad overwhelming for Rufus with this crazy crew but after introducing him one on one and then opening up the house to all - he was more than fine.

We tend to do the 'one on one' with all so they can see that each are not a threat and then the crowd doesn't overwhelm. It's a good process but every now and then we forget or someone shows up when we don't have the dogs away and we have to create that environment.

He didn't even have an issue with the big guys and tried to get the chew away from Terra. It was a riot. He's going to be more than fine here when he comes to stay for a week.

You can see him saying - hmm shall I try? He hesitated and then went for it. Terra just turned away and it was impossible for the little one to get it but if we had longer with him, Terra would have played tug with him.

Rita was also here delivering her last pup to its new home. She met the potential owner here and they took the little one home. Yvonne dropped in. It was a busy house today and tomorrow we get to go to Beths to get Treasure.

One more update in the morning and not another til lFriday night when we get back with Treasure and Blazin'. Exciting times or what?