Talemaker Havanese Crew Adventures

Hey - I have my first show next weekend and daddy needs to work with me today. Daddy is worried that Chico may ruin my coat but I like to play. We have to figure out a balance and still leave me staying beautiful. Got any ideas?

This is the first day Chico is without his cone head and he isn't going after the staples. A couple of more days and he gets to get them out. This is also his last day for his antibiotic. We can't wait to bathe him as he really needs it.

Let's see how things have changed. We have a neighbour dog that barks all the time and Chico is 98% listening to the 'no bark' on first command. Bravo! He comes 99% of the time now - another bravo. He is getting used to the grooming even though we can only just brush and comb him thus far.

As you can see in this photo, Sebastian and Katsuro are getting along famously. So is Chico and Katsuro.

He loves playing the run-like-hell game with them especially if there is mud close by so they can get rather ragged looking.

Sebastian goes home Monday and we are going to wait till then to bathe him. He's already had one bath here but we want him extra handsome and and that's tough to do with our yard till things grow in.

Well Coach and Sassy are coming over to play so we can't wait to see how that mixes things up around this place.

Remember you can click on any of the photos to see a larger view.

Fiona likes to get down and dirty too and she has such a mischievous side to her. She takes advantage of her small body to hide in nooks and crannies and then jumps out and pounces at the rest.

Fiona is a really fun lovin' dog and so is Abigail. They just add something special to our mix and we love it!

Although Fiona can't keep up with the older pups, she surely gets creative to get the advantage when playing. It's so funny to watch.

Here you can see her huddled under the plant and everyone else is too large to get to her. No - she is not afraid in the least but rather enjoying the game of hide but you can't catch me.

She even has Katsuro playing much more too due to that side of her. She had Chico going the other night where she jumped out of a window on a toy we had and then he looked around as if to say - where are you and she would do it only when he turned his head. It was a riot. Both were playing thinking and solution games.

Fiona gets to see her sister Coco again tomorrow and Downsey. I bet she is going to be really excited.

Deep Conditioning Havanese Style

Well, I had this great idea I would put deep conditioning on Kat, let him sun it in like a heat conditioner but I tried it at first with a raincoat on so he wouldn't get dirty. He soon had that off and rolled and rolled in the dirt.

You can click on the photo to see a larger version.

What you can't see as my camera is too ^%$# slow was that was Sebastian running at him to pounce on him and he did. Then Chico with his cone still on did the same. It was a - lets get the dirty boy session.

I swear Kat was laughing his ahem off. He's finally relaxing with the boys and having a grand time.

Now, I didn't have a grand time getting him clean but...well boys will be boys...won't they. HA HA!

Steamy Havanese Changes

When daddy comes home around this place the dogs rush to see him barking their fools head off so we are training them NOT to. The same goes for the warmth of teh season - that brings mowers, pool people etc in other yards and therefore noises so we are practicing 'no bark'. Sometimes it works - sometimes not but we keep trying and catching the ring leader always and eventually you gain control. It's more difficult when you have many dogs.

Chico is doing well today - falling into our lifestyle. He is even tolerating my grooming him up and even doing better with the liquid meds but I am sure he wil be glad to have that neck thing off. We will also be glad to get daddy back in our room. His stitches look great but it is amazing what he thinks he can do and what he figures solutions to with that thing on. I say good for him. He is absolutely a creative and a solution solving dawg!

The dogs are loving this weather. I am out back trying to wash the walkways/decks etc so we can get the furniture out and semi cleaning the beds. The dogs think that is delightful - ooooh she is raking that junk up so we can nose dive in it.

We are heading back out to hang out - Chico's fave place. I bet you he will love his hikes with us when he is able. Risa likes to manage the crew outside and adores the outside so I need to get everything cleaned up so they can all hang out more and I can have furniture out there so I can drag the computer out there as well. All good things take work - hahahaha

We hear Coco is taking over the bed or Yvonne's body at bedtime and having a roaring grand time. can't wait to see her again.

Hope you are having a great Havanese day. More later.>>

Talemaker Crew Bunch

We are just playing to lighten up the mood around this place but Chico just got finished getting groomed and his hair was a tad static so I thought I would have fun.

He now has 90% of his knots out and as you can see, his face no longer has that crusty stuff on it from eating in this thing. He is now eating solid food - Fromm's with chicken and cheese and even bacon thrown in - yum. We still have the face to deal with as he is on liquid meds for many more days but we are washing the area up and although he needs a bath (has to wait till stitches are out), he is making great progress.

He is adjusting to the couple of times grooming and doing well but of course he gets kisses, hugs and a treat and even a head massage all to get him enjoying - not dreading.

His stitches look great - no redness at all. He's still twitching - still on pain meds. He is now coming back in with the pack where before he didn't want to come in - just stay out back but no can do when you are recovering.

Our biggest issue is getting him to rest as he does so want to play with us, the dogs etc. I have a feeling he is going to make us laugh with his play when he is recovered.

As you can see, even at noon time when only the pups are eating, it's a hmm can I get some too affair but they learn - not at noon adults.

The crew had hamburger with melted cheese over and kibble - (Fromm's Chicken Ala Veg) and they wolfed it down. Sebastian especially likes this particular meal - warmed up and looks for everyone else's after he wolfs his down. Gad - he's such a nice dog.

Well. Abs is doing another handling class at a place she hasn't been to at 830pm tonight - late for her but she needs it before her debut at the Lindsay show.

Sebastian has been getting daily training in handling at home till his mom returns from her honeymoon - congrats - by the way. Fiona has been too. The rest get stands and stays and we will be adding Chico into this daily thang after he is a bit more healed but certainly by weekend. We are working on 'come' in the meanwhile and by gad he is getting it.

There is so much to do with a dog playing recovery. It's sort of like having pups. Plus I am spending time with Wasabi as she has been back to not eating in the morning and needing more attention. They all get it but at times you have to figure out who needs extra without leaving any of the others out except yourself. ROFL!

Now to fit in cleaning the floor from all that stuff they drag in to even work or a shower - ha! But this will change when Chico is 100%. So much to do - so little time.

We are missing Coco - and so is Abs, Fiona and Chico. We are hoping she is really having a roaring time at the Chicadoro household with her canine mom, sister and crew.

More later...

Coco's At Yvonne's & Alex's

Well, just when we thought we would have the Coco for another night, Alex and Yvonne couldn't stand another day without her so Alex came by and scooped her up.

Now we would have kept her...hehehe but friends share.

We will be looking forward to seeing her on Sunday and we are looking forward to hearing all about the next part of her adventure.

Another Havanese Day

Well, it's another day and Chico says I still have this crazy cone head on but I am eating, coping with this crazy hat and my stitches look good. That human Darlah keeps trying to comb a knot out here and there only every once in a while and only for a few minutes but once the stitches are out, she tells me I am going to look soooo good!

She even did a top knot on me and I shook my head. You almost could see me with 2 eyes but well you see one and she will try another day in trying to make this top knot withstand the shake of the head.

I don't seem to know 'come' but I know the 'chase me' game so those humans are working on that and I get lots of love when I do come.
Now the human here says, now that we have Chico's number, we have made 'come' a fun game and he gets it most of the time. He catches on real fast so it looks like he is a fast learner and a willing one at that. Our goal is to get him doing all his basic commands and then some before he is rehomed. We work with the dogs daily and have already started with Chico.

He also will be starting obedience class next week so he's going to be amazing and that human Darlah will be handling him. He'll even get to see his brother Coach in class - now how cool is that?

Chico tends to stay happy go lucky even when he is in obvious pain but we figure by the weekend, he will have his cone head off and be vastly improved. The dawgs also have managed to adapt to this ball of fur that hits the corners with this collar.

The crew got up and started mixing it up. They were having a roaring grand time. Sebastian and Coco is just like one of the family now. You should hear the racing pitter patter of feet and Katsuro has been really getting into it showing just how fast a Havanese can run.

Tonight Abigail has handling class and Coco is here tonight - til maybe tomorrow. Yvonne should just leave her here - haha

More later.

Chico's Settling In

Chico is a pup from Wasabi and had an accident this past week. It seems he swallowed a knee high nylon and had to have an operation.

Luckily it was in the stomach so he won't have any issues with his bowels but he will have this cone head for bit.

We were hoping that he would be able to sleep with our son Jonathan but he has huge tests in university so it looks like the guest room for one of us. heh

We are going to strive to get Chico to be all he can be till we find him that 'right' forever home. It doesn't look like we have too much of a job and that's nice.

Usually when you get a dawg back, you wonder if there was something else beyond what they tell you so it is hard to understand. You want to understand so you can help the dog be all they can be. For Chico, his family never owned a dog and between this operation and feeling guilty that he was home while they both worked and the kids went to school - well now we are looking for a new home for him. Chico thankfully had the stocking in his stomach vs. the bowels.

But first, we will be allowing him to heal, (no medical issues will remain from this except learn from it all) getting his staples out, taking him to obedience (yes we signed him up to be in Coach's and Fiona's class. ) and we will be sprucing his coat up and enjoying him.

What I can tell you is he is very people, kids and dog friendly. He is adapting to this cone head but our little ones reacted way funny as if he was from outer space. It's good conditioning for them as they learn to accept something they are unfamiliar with. Coco really couldn't figure it out at first but it all worked out, as you can see.

I am waiting till he settles totally in and then will be grooming him up, giving him tons of snuggles and in a few days maybe he will get to meet Coach and Sassy again. We shall see. He already has Sebastian here so it's almost like a reunion.

Yes - it's less than 2 weeks and Nathan has to whip Abs to 'just perfect' state but we will love her even if she can't get over her exuberance on a heel. Handling classes for her tomorrow and training today for her and the rest of the gang. Will I fit in a shower...ROFL Yeah when Nathan gets home. Crazy dawg life but how can you help but love them.

Rockin' & Rollin' Havanese Wet Style

We are rather tired today as Coco (name spelling correction as I found on her collar) couldn't decide - bed - crate - bed - can I go out now? But that happens at times when it's a new place and she will get tuckered out and have her bearings today. She's already playing with the crew as you can see in our bathroom. She even growled boisterous Sebastian away who tends to love the physical full on play that Abs adores.

This is great for the pack as they learn to interact with each dog and read signals. It's a bonus - even with a lack of sleep to have the visitors. Our goal is to help the pack help others and therefore help themselves. it does work.

It's really raining and we are constantly cleaning floors. It's way funny though as I take my foot and shove a towel around the floor and the dogs chase it, lay on top of it and play as if we are in midst of a game.

Here I am snuggling with a few, hair not brushed - soaking wet just enjoying.

I can't imagine what life would be without the dogs. We adore then so and we rather miss puppies. It's an amazing amount of work the way we do it but wow what you get back!

More later...

Fiona's Sister is Here!

This is Fiona's sister, Coco. You can click on the photo to see a larger version of this photo. She's a cutie.

She's settling in and starting to hang out with the crew. She had an overwhelming welcome as the dogs were upstairs and rushed the door. There goes my plan to introduce one on one but she's eaten, (no issue), is starting to get to know the crew and is really doing well. I figure by tomorrow or even tonight she will be doing run-like-hell.

More later as the dawg life unfolds.

The Jazziest Havanese

Just wanted to share this photo we received from our friends that own a really 'must see' store called 'Eye on Fashion' in Richmond Hill for any gal that loves clothes. The best part about visiting this store is you get to see Jazzy as he is often in the store greeting everyone. No, I don't make a habit of giving anyone plugs but the clothes...and Jazzy - and the owners - well it makes you wish everyone ran their business like that.

Jazzy every now and then comes to play with our gang but we will wait until its not muddy as he always looks so clean and handsome unlike a few of our dogs at the moment as every time I clean them - well they find the mud and my white tiled floors reflect that...sigh. Wasabi is the worse as she loves tunneling under the deck and teaching the pups all sorts of things.

We may be - well Nathan may be - bringing either Abigail (she needs to do her socialization stuff for the ring in 2 weeks) or Sebastian up to see the Jazz.

Cocoa comes to visit tomorrow and we hear - rain, rain, rain all weekend. We are wishing Yvonne well in the ring this weekend as she is in Harrisburg, Pa.

More later as the day unfolds.

Stoned Havanese Vegging With Fave Human

It's not a great photo as I was taking shots into the sun but dear Miss Abs came back from the vets after getting 2 of her canines pulled and she is stoned on morphine - chillin' out in the backyard on the deck with her fave human. That's okay as tomorrow she has to get show training busy. Today she has the day off. :-)

If you are getting your dog neutered or spayed, this is the time to deal with any teeth that just don't want to come out like Abs. Hers had roots that were larger than the actual tooth.

We have a great vet who let us bring in our crate so she can feel comfie.

Nathan also dropped over to Yvonnes to hang out and wait for the Abs with a few of the other dogs. He also managed to get a few photos.

Here you can see Rita's Minnie chasing Wasabi's Sebastian, Rita's Opal behind them and Downsey and Fiona behind Opal and good old Terra laying on the deck.

If I have any mistakes in this, forgive me. I will fix it tomorrow. I have a very conked out Abs laying in one arm while I try to type with the others. She never lays here for this amount of time as she is always too busy playing so I am treasuring the moment and dealing with the difficulty of typing.

Remember you can always click on the photos to see a larger version.

I asked Nathan to take photos so I could see Downsey's colour and to see if she is the same size. She looks like the same size but wow that colour. We are really getting excited to see what Cocoa looks like - their other sibling who comes on Friday. I will have to remember to charge the video camera.

Well more tomorrow. It's way too hard to snuggle and type.

Video: 2 of Wasabi Pups, Let's Go Crazy

My does time fly when you are having so much fun. Two of Wasabi's pups have been visiting our resident crew of 6 havanese and 2 retrievers. Check them out in action on this video and see how much they have grown.

They are now 6 months old. It's hard for even us to believe. Gad - we just adore the pups. We must have done something right to have them in our life! Take a look....

You should see how Wasabi lights up when they come. Hey - they all do!