TV, Havanese & Much More

This was a lazy day as lazy as it can get around this place. I took a nap...shhh rare thing but the dawgs kept me up 2 nights in a row so I went to sleep and suddenly Ripley was here.

Ripley is a Kat/Lola pup sitting on Nathan's lap.


We all watched a romantic movie together before and after dinner, thank to the PVR.

It's nice how you can leave and come back these days.

Before that, I gave a bath to Daisy before she went home. I started too early as she looked interesting when Ripley's mom came but I just brushed her up again.

She was so pretty so I am hoping she gets to mom that way - no pressure. heh She's a hard one to calm down. She's like our Shoshi - oooh a bath, let's run and roll and get a mess NOW!

When Nathan sits down to watch TV, he has a bunch of dogs on the recliner. I usually have some on the couch and sometimes we pull up the bench so dogs can sit next to the recliner on the same level. I know it sounds crazy but we rather enjoy all of the dawgs counting and being with us.

Today, Ripley gets a reprieve and we will include him in the line up for grooming. His mom even brought chicken treats. Right now he is settling in, fitting in rather well and he LOVES the outside.

Jazzy was playing wonderfully with Katsura but where was the camera? Nathan yells, come see. They were both playing a chase each other game.

WE are going to go live with the new site this week. Watch for an announcement. When we do, we will start doing a daily thing on the puppies to come. Check back here!

February Visitors at Talemaker Havanese

I have to tell you, we have had a gloriously fun weekend. We captured so many moments. Check out more here.

We had Linda visiting with 2 of her dawgs. We had Remy that dropped by for the day. He's the dawg with the huge grin - wait a moment, they all have one - us humans too.

Here you can see Daisy and Maia (not sure of the spelling sorry) and she came in just velcro'd to me and look at her now. Now that is what makes our hearts skip a beat.
Maia went home early this afternoon. Remy came this morning till tonight. Zack and Coco went home tonight. Daisy gets a bath tomorrow and goes home and we get to see a newbie, Ripley.

The crew is out for walks 2 by two. We played tug, and retrieve and hide and seek and all sorts of fun things. The house didn't get done. I did manage to get Kat bathed and the rest all groomed but who needs the Olympics when you have the real stars here.

We are hoping to go live with our new website this week. Watch for the announcement here. After we go live, we will start updating the pregnancy/puppies blog daily. Watch for it!

Puppies are coming soon...and we are sooooooooooooooo excited!

Valentine's Day at Talemaker Havanese

What happened today? Well Marlee and Jazmyn had their baths before going home. We had many play sessions. I almost counted today how many times I go in and out with the dogs and then I forgot to count - how silly. I should remember to count one day. Let's just say it's too many to count.

The crew got groomed. I forgot to groom me. ROFL - Well the shower took place but the hair and all - well - I went to the dawgs long time ago so they don't mind. That's what I love about them...unconditional love and what better day to celebrate that then today.

Nathan is at a Collie specialty doing ring stewarding. He missed most of the day time fun these past two days. He's squeezed in as much as he can in the early morning and at night.

Here are a few photos from today.

Let's see....

Maia (spelling?) is playing up a storm today as you will see in some of the photos. She also is truly enjoying the 'see if you can get the toy' game with the crew. She started only going where I was and soon started adventuring inside and out. She doesn't mind grooming and still kisses up a storm. She wasn't sure where she was going when she went for her walk but her next one, she settled in and looked forward to it.

Jazmyn and Marlee had to go (sniff sniff) and I moved my gate back as she was having a grand time (Marlee that is) jumping over each time the door was opened. She would get her walk in and then say it's not fair and jump back to take another turn. I soon found out this doesn't help. Mom and Dad came and she was heading for the door as silly me put her on the floor vs. carrying her. So, the gate will stay back when she is here and she will get carried to the door each time. She wasn't going anywhere but I really like being extra careful. Other than Missy and Wasabi, I never saw such jumpers. But we can tell Marlee LOVES the walks and we are glad! They also get really excited to see mom and dad. We get to see them again in March.

Marlee was playing with Daisy today and with Coco. Marlee sort of looks at me as if to say - not another bath. She never complains but her body language tells me - just give me the treat and forget the rest. I smile - I give her kisses and hugs and she rather likes THAT! I truly make bath time fun. By doing so, they feel better, I feel better and they don't mind this part of their visit. I do the same with the daily grooming. Jazmyn is an even level, I know what I want gal and I rather like that!

Daisy, well what can I say about Daisy. I think if I got her together with a few more of our EverReady batteries, she would be dead tired but I think this is like Disneyland to her. She runs through the whole house and only Treasure seems to be able to keep up.

Abigail is preggie so she has an excuse. She used to be a play monster. I did catch her playing with a couple of dawgs today so pregnancy doesn't take all the fun out of her...thankfully plus she loves a squeaker toy.

Jazzy has been playing with Zack and at times with Marlee and Daisy. He's not sure what to make of Treasure's pounce methods of play that she uses on Daisy. He loves the outside and could stand and feel the wind in his face for hours if you let him. He adores the walks.

Coco has been playing quite a bit today and boy does she have Zack's number. She has him wrapped around her little paw. hehehehe

Zack - well he just loves the play. He was in the thick of it as much as he could get into it.

New Website we are looking at opening sometime this week. It's a work in progress.

New Website is Revealing

We are doing a new website and I found this shot. I had to laugh. Yes, we do sleep with all of the dawgs and the visitors.

Nathan, the English major hates when I use the term DAWGS but in my awful southern drawl - well it just seems right to ME!

Besides, this is mostly my eyes looking at this crazy life we exist in. I tend to expose and he tends to be a tad more reserve in this revealing stuff but by far the most social of us both. It's why we work.

It's also why the dawgs love us both. They get different needs filled by each of us including that son who is caught peeking in at puppies after they are born and just watching them.

The dawgs also appreciate our differences. When an unsure dawg comes to visit, they also choose their person(s) too depending on who they feel the most comfort with but then if they are here for awhile, they learn to get what they need from each human. It's how it works with the dawg crew. It's like going to a party and you don't really know anyone but with our effort, they find the enjoyment and the connection and the fun.

It's really important to us that all dawgs find that fun.

When they are having fun, we are. Now that is what this crazy dawg life is really about.

Dominance Debunked

Just came back from a seminar with Joan Weston and it validated where we were heading.

She believes in total positive training and so do we in this household.

She's a WONDERFUL speaker and I am sorry I missed her first one. But we are going to the next which will be announced next week happening in April on body language and to me that is a must.

The way she looks at thing - well I laughed and laughed and laughed. I needed that!

Abigail continues to be a struggle with eating. She's eating better but now its one meal a day if we are lucky. So - progress just not there yet.

Tomorrow I get to wash 4 dogs - yes 4. Fiona needs a bath and on Monday Kat, Wasabi and Abigail are heading to the vet. I must be a CRAZY dawg person. Oh yea - I am!

Squirrel Hunting

Do the squirrels know something we don't know yet?

Is warmer weather coming or the squirrels are just out looking for food that has surfaced from a slight meltdown?

Kat was outside today hunting them up. Oh, he is fast enough to catch them but it's all a game to him.

He does that with a ball as well. You throw it, he has to get it first but touches it and then let's the others carry it back.

Now who is lazy or smarter?

Kat did this watching for oh about 10 minutes and I swear the squirrel was having fun with him then he got bored and said, let's go in, Mommy!

Tomorrow we have day visitors, Hugo and Milo and that will surely be fun. Fiona and Treasure have been honing their play skills to get ready for this duo.

I wonder if Kat will teach them squirrel hunting?

Morning Sickness

Abigail is not having any fun lately. She is usually a fun loving dog full of life having fun with all. Now it's a chore to get her to eat.

About three weeks into the pregnancy, some may experience a little nausea and appetite loss similar to morning sickness. It usually resolves itself in a week. Abigail is on day 6 of this marvelous - oh my gad you want me to smell that food.

Wasabi is getting a round tummy but no morning sickness. She was one of the lucky ones that didn't get it her last pregnancy. This pregnancy stuff is always a guessing game till the ultrasound or you wait till later when it is obvious.

On the 8th we go in for a ultrasound for Abigail and Wasabi. Just because you assume you have a pregnancy - well you need to get a confirmation and we do with an ultrasound. Not everyone has the lack of patience we do. Some do not do ultrasounds but we do so we know if we should increase food intake or not. Then we get an x-ray the very last week to see for sure how many. Thankfully this whole waiting from beginning to end is 63 days. Can you imagine if it was 9 months?

So the wait is driving us crazy...and you?

Crazy Dawg Play

Rocky's fave gal is Abigail.

Each dawg that comes to visit tends to like Abigail.

I think it's that balanced thing she has going on making sure everyone counts.

She played a bit with him as he was following her around till she did.

But Abigail we believe is preggie so she is sleeping more than playing.

She's not herself but she likes Rocky and when she was up to it, she danced and played then slept. heh

So, when Abigail was snoozing, Treasure and Fiona enjoyed the play.

As you can see, they all got tuckered out running and jumping - tongues hanging out in a real fun play.

I wish I had more photos but they play a mad rush from one room to the next and back on the couch and off the couch and off and running they went. It was fun to watch.

Rocky really had fun and our crew did as well.

The trick today was keeping Rocky dry and clean before his mom came to get him. Now that was interesting but I think we succeeded.

The snow is melting. It's raining and the grass area is wet and muddy. All I can say is arrgh how many feet have you washed today? hahahaha

We are going to miss Rocky. He is a wonderful kisser. He's in love with Abigail but thinks Fiona and Treasure is fun.

Visitors...nothing like them.

Terra goes in for her operation tomorrow.

We have a lull of no visitors and we will be dealing with Nathan's aching back from picking up a 70lb golden all so she can sleep where she does each night - upstairs in our bedroom. Ah..the things we do for love. :-)

No More Sleeps in January 10 for Saki

Okay, that sounds like no more sleeps at the Talemaker Household but that's not what it is. It's just that Saki has gone home and we feel Saki-less. But she was over the moon to see her humans and that made us feel great!

They are really nice people so it was wonderful to see their eyes light up to see their little gal.

That's what it is about here. We are sucks. We cry when each puppy goes out the door. We miss our boarders and wonder what their day is like. We fall in love. It's a crazy cycle but we are immersed and we definitely love them all. They make it so easy - even the ones that try to make it difficult - well you see beyond that and get them through it and just fall hard.

Tomorrow Rocky is coming overnight. Zack and Coco go home tomorrow and I believe we are down to just our own crew till just before the that LOVE day - Valentine's Day.

Terra, our resident golden who helps us socialize the Havanese puppies and boarders to big dawgs will be going in for her 2nd cruciate operation on Tuesday. Nathan will be carrying her up and down the stairs all 70lbs of her so she can sleep with us. 8 weeks later we hope for success and she goes back to loving and playing with the crew which we are hoping will include lots of puppies. Then she will have to swim at least once a week to build up those muscles even after rehab has stopped. All a golden needs is a body of water and the desire. heh I think our Havanese Kat feels that way too!

Visiting With the Tiger

Hey, this is Tiger Lily and I had visitors at my house today.

My canine mom Fiona came to visit and so did my half sister Saki and of course that human, Nathan. What a great idea.

I showed off my home and backyard and we ran like crazy all over every inch of it. I was able to catch my mom, Fiona, no problem and then she'd take off again. It was way fun but then Saki would come diving in on me from everywhere.

Nathan had to finally pick Saki up to give me a chance to jump on my doggy mom. Fiona wasted not a single second and jumped on her lots. Then I showed Nathan how I run back and forth between my human Mom and Dad and my Marlaina. I was exhausted long before they finally left. I think I'll take a nap now. Nathan took lots of pictures of me and my family so maybe he'll share them. It was way fun playing with Fiona and Saki and I hope to do it again soon.

Affectionately yours,

Tiger Lily

PS: Check out a few of the pictures here.

Lots of Visitors

I can't believe I posted this in the wrong area - but I just moved it and deleted it on Havanese Life. No, we didn't forget a day - I just ooopsed on where. Sorry about that!

Today we did a marathon with visitors. Some were potential boarders, others were puppy people.

Wasabi tolerated her son trying to play dominance games on her until she had enough and corrected him. Treasure tried it out with Risa and Risa being the queen of this establishment said, "I don't think so," All is quite normal when puppies are trying to climb to the boss seat.

But Risa is the boss around here and she has yet to relinquish her role. We are glad as Treasure has much to learn before she gets mature enough to be the 'right' role model/protector.

WE really enjoyed the company but we must admit after the last one went, we all climbed into bed, dawgs and all and had a snooze for a half hour and Treasure laid in my arms the entire time - a rarity. Saki laid up against my leg, Chico up against Saki, Wasabi at my feet and Nathan had a selection of dawgs all over him. Fiona decided to check out long before the last guest went home and crawled into a bed in Nathan's office to take a snooze.

Yes, the dawgs get tired from so much activity.

Then we woke up, (I never actually slept but rested watching and enjoying) and then food time came and now I am typing away at the computer telling you about our day.

I did manage to break up some ice today and got several messages from our friends in Florida telling us about the weather. Must be nice but hey we have the ice, the snow and the dawgs so life is good.

Tomorrow I will cover washing dawgs. Some are under the opinion I wash mine all the time but when you have so many, you do 2 or 3 here and there to get them all done.

Silly Games

Saki was trying to get Jazzy and Treasure playing and they soon joined in and kept running in and out of all the paths, under the deck and anywhere she could gain an advantage but Jazzy would cut her off and Treasure would just play pounce. It was all so silly.

The games of Havanese are quite a fun thing to watch.

Jazzy is heading home tomorrow and will be getting a bath. He's no longer running the other way when Nathan uses his spray to keep his teeth clean. We have also been testing out this addition to the water to help tartar. It's still too early to figure out if it works. We know some of you find brushing not a fun thing to do so we are looking at ways to help you still keep those teeth clean in an easier and quicker manner. Of course Jazzy doesn't seem to mind the toothbrush but wasn't crazy about the spray till he finally got that it was quick, easy and no issues. It's called slow conditioning.

If you are a puppy owner and are getting your dog spayed or neutered, check out if any of their 1st teeth need removing and if they need some cleanup, this is the perfect time.

So - regarding teeth and what works - well we really like Leba III, that spray we are talking about. We will let you know about the rest.

We will post Jazzy pix tomorrow after his bath. We will miss him bigtime.

Saki-sized!

Saki joined us today in the afternoon and she had the snip/snip (spaying) last week.

Her owners ordered a 'no bite' collar but it came too late to use.

If interested, we are selling it for them for their cost. It's not available up here (Canada), only in the states. Let us know. We have it here and they got us one that we bought for Terra when her next leg is done. It will make the banging into the walls stuff non existent as those lovely cone heads you get at the vets.

Saki and Treasure have been playing up a storm. We just got a few photos today as it is simply too ^%$# cold outside though we did take a walk with the dogs. Saki walked with a purpose just like her dad side by side. It was a riot to watch them.

We found out that when Kit Kat came over, Jazzy really loves and I mean really loves puppies. It was wonderful to watch.

Wasabi and Abigail is over their heat and we are on - wait till ultrasound count down on Feb 8th.

I took our portable humidifier downstairs and will take it up each night. The dawgs are getting static in their hair and it's important for their skin, sinus' and yours too to have that extra moisture pumped in. Think about getting one.

Well, off to the couch to snuggle with the Havs and watch American Idol. Too bad Ellen isn't on yet. That reminds me, Jazzy loves to bark at all those animals on those nature programs the son likes to watch. hahahaha

Night Time Games

Last night Shoshi decided to nest in the bed. What does that mean? She crawled under the covers and moved all over while Treasure tried to pounce on her.

It was a riot!

Shoshi has come a long way with the pack. She's proactive for herself, playful and an important member of the pack.

But she's not the only one who has her part in the scheme of things at Talemaker Havanese.

Terra is one of our resident big dawgs that give our puppies exposure so they get 'slow conditioning' to bigger dawgs that aren't Havanese and Terra is amazing at this.

She gets right down at their level to play and is as gentle as anything. She is also one of the funniest dawgs teaching them snow angels.

When we have puppies, it's the pack and us that teaches life lessons along with canine mom.

Personally, we can't wait till we have puppies from birth till they are no longer ours but that love, well it is always there.

Tomorrow we get Saki-sized. What does that mean? Well the Saki is about to visit us (one of Wasabi/Kat's) pups from her last litter and we can't wait! I can't help but wonder will her next pups be like her last? They were such a joy.

I also wonder what type of a mom will Abigail be? I was worried about Fiona and she was AMAZING. With Abigail, she is a loving soul so it will be a joy when she has her pups just to watch her first time.

You see what they say about pups...nothing like them..even as they get older...be still my heart!

PS: Jazzy is playing up a storm with that Treasured one. It's wonderful to watch!

Well Balanced

Jazzy is a well balanced boy and that's what you want to achieve. It comes with training, conditioning and trust.

His parents board him so he gains exposure to other dawgs and they have a fab clothing store called 'Eye on Fashion' in Richmond Hill where many a buyer of their merchandise comes in and says hello to Jazzy and sometimes they bring their own Havanese to say hello to him.

This is great socialization.

Jazzy has been hanging out at Talemaker and this will be the first day he won't be walking. The wind chill is sitting at -25 and we take the dawgs out for short stints and have to get them in right away after doing their business.

This winter we have had really cold weather so we have had to watch the dawgs closely. I put bag balm on the feet to make sure their pads do not crack and we watch them closely. Sometimes the dawgs think it's okay to hang out longer than it is safe.

It's called the crazy kid mentality - called having too much fun.

Many of you have probably experienced it if you have kids. They think they can stay out despite they are shivering cause it's fun mom and dad... Well some dawgs will do the same.

Treasure is one of those types of dawgs. She climbs all over Jazzy and he tries to climb back but she doesn't let him.

For her it is partly dominance games as she is a young thing trying everything but Jazzy just placates her as he knows she's a youngster and besides, he rather likes her. She likes him too.

That's what we mean about well balanced - an understanding of other dawgs allowing them to play in such a way to have patience and enjoyment all in one.

Today we are playing games inside. Dawgs are all groomed and snuggling and enjoying warmth.

The key is slow conditioning your dawgs always throughout their lives to get them to be all they are meant to be. Plus love them...as we do with our hearts and souls.

Emotion and the Havanese

So is a dawg's sense of smell so keen that it can detect emotions?

When you walk in your front door and your dawg is sniffing your hands, pants or shoes, he's greeting you and investigating the unique scents you brushed against that day.

Dawgs smell each other and their secretions to monitor physiological and emotional changes. It's like getting the morning paper or a hot-off-the-press tabloid.

Tips for Taming the Psychotic Smeller

If sniffing becomes excessive for your dog, you may want to try these tips to keep his snout in sync:

•Offer a distraction, like a chew toy or an awesome-smelling dog treat.

•Teach him to use the crate, especially if smelling visitors is of high entertainment value to him.

•Clap your hands and take charge with your leash when he sniffs other dogs inappropriately or excessively. Not all dawgs appreciate this sort of greeting to that degree.

•Give him plenty of exercise and positive attention.

Jazzy is visiting us and as you can see, he's blowing in the breeze - well his hair is.

He's rather smitten with Wasabi but we are keeping them away from each other till her heat is done. jazzy is neutered but no reason to get his heart a pitter patter with excitement, is there?

Treasure also loves Jazzy and is found jumping on him and playing up a storm. He's not quite sure what to make of her at times but he's growing to be charmed. :-) The first time she jumped on him he sort of looked at her as if to say - what are you up to but now I swear he is smiling.

The dawgs all went on their walks today as usual. Nathan has been doing the daily walks with all 2 at a time. They go on a fair walk so its a marathon for Nathan but the dawgs love it and I think Nathan does too.

It's actually quiet around here with only one boarder. Quiet you say...actually yes. :-)

What a Laid Back Day

We had a long breeding between Kat and Abigail. Wasabi's boy has already gone home. We may try for one more breeding tomorrow and then we do the 63 day countdown.

Today we had walks - short play sessions outside and lots of play sessions inside.

Our TV died. I keep hoping it comes back. Ah well - who needs TV.

Check out today's fun.

Wet and Rainy Fun

Well, per usual, I started grooming and got all but 3 dogs done.

Then the crew had to go out and it is pouring rain.
Nathan was also out dripping wet making sure he does the poo patrol. It's the usual here - not the rain but the grooming and pickup after the dogs.

It's about time that the old snow goes and hopefully we will get new this afternoon.

Problem is, everyone I groomed is getting groomed again. I think I will either do it last thing before bed or when the snow hits. After the rain turns to snow, it will be easier.

As you can see, Treasure is soaking wet. We used towels to dry and a light brushing and a very warm house with warm bed and blankets till we get them all dry and then it begins again.

The crew is not doing their usual heavy play as it's simply too wet. They are playing in the house but not to the degree that they do outside. I can't wait for the snow to begin.

We have Oreo, Missy and Holly coming today plus Nathan is picking up Joker. Joker is getting mated to Wasabi who is in heat. Abigail is also in heat and getting mated to Kat. That's the plan. It means puppies late spring.

A number of you asked me to burn all the photos I do while your loved one is with us. I thought about it and if I was to include all the photos I take, that's a lot of weeding out of photos of just yours and others. I would have to go through each day, separate yours to a single folder and burn a few DVDs. The photos would be printable quality up to a huge size. You could also edit them etc. but it takes me hours to do a video and the photos daily. If you are interested, I would have to charge $25 and, at a conservative rate, that would be about 6 bucks an hour. That's not much but I would do it if you are seriously interested. I just have to get a note asking.

Most of you probably know that I got laid off from my daytime job which I did from my home along with the dogs and I am looking for ways to make $$ and still manage to keep our dawgs well taken care of - groomed, walked, loved and be able to do boarding and daycare. But I am not going to make any real $$ from the photo route. It takes a lot of work but it will be my pleasure if it is a service you desire. Just let us know.

December 25th at Talemaker Havanese

Looks like a snowy day today and yep - the snow was there on the ground but the rain came late in the day. What we will end up with tomorrow - who knows. I am hoping it's not too icy.

We had a full day today that started at 545am.

We had a play session outside and then came in and ate. After eating, that human groomed us all and back outside we went and here are some of the photos from today. I have many more but I just grab a chunk and resize and put them in a slide show. I hope when I do, I get everyone and I do try. I just don't have the hours in the day to post them all due to needing to resize all the photos. Check them out here.

Well, the crew also got their presents today and they had yum chew bones. They loved them and we enjoy it when they enjoy.

The crew played hard and seemed like they were never going to stop until the rain came. Then we came inside, played with Tiger Lily who is about to go home any second and cuddled and hugged and enjoyed.

A crazy game of retrieve is always played and Zack, Fred, Cesar, Treasure and Abigail is the - I will always play and the rest join in when they desire.

Sorry to make this short but we are tuckered out and we have a few more visitors coming tomorrow. It will surely be a ton of fun. Catch you tomorrow.

Christmas Eve at Talemaker Havanese

Well the crew will get special bones to gnaw on come Christmas after breakfast.

But today, they were in such a wonderful playful mood. I tell you.

Everyone got groomed and I had to write everyone's name on a list and check it off. I didn't do a cursory job either. Brush then comb through to make sure no knots exist and then they went on walks and got sandy dirty. I can't win.

Tomorrow we have one of Fiona's pups coming for just the afternoon. Then we have a few more dawgs that are joining us for what will be a ton of fun on December 26th.

Not much else is getting done but dawgs, dawgs and more dawgs but we love it.

Looks like Abigail is in heat now too.

Today Bailey is after Cesar big time in play. Fred's playing with everyone. Coco started playing and Zack plays with all. Of course our gang joins in especially that Abigail and Treasure that thinks play is their first name.

It's wonderful watching this play. The sand though on the walks is not.

If you want to see some photos from today - I know all of you that are leaving your loves with us want to...and that's why we do it - well check it out here.