Sunday, August 4, 2019 at 8:53PM 
Sorry so late. Tons of grooming. Here is the gallery.
They ran, they played but we didn't go next door as their grass was cut by their gardeners and we didn't want green feet. Tomorrow is a new day.
Lexi, Amy and Thunder departed. Bria and Parker arrived. It's a truly fun long weekend. Lots of brushouts and I just finished.
More tomorrow!!
Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 8:08PM 
I won't bore you. Look at the photos.
Dennis brings some of the dogs over but doesn't take photos as he is watering the plants. Usually I do this but he took on this job. I am so glad as I have been busy staining baseboard in the garage to replace the chewed ones in the house. I have been forever embarrassed and have been spending tip money to paint and stain. I am doing this here and there as I can in hopes that it is done before deep fall.
Thunder and Lexi depart tomorrow. Boy Murphy departed today.
Shoshi gained .04 ounces this week. We believe with tylan powder we are able to control her loose bowels and therefore she is gaining. Not huge but I will take that. Shoshi is so incredibly spoiled now and that's okay.
I find that taking the dogs for a run next door, playing games have deepened bonds with the visitors. It's wonderful. There is something about racing around that expels energy and increases the enjoyment. We are enjoying being a part of and capturing moments.
I hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend. Gone are the days when everything was closed. Home Depot was busy telling everyone they are open Monday.
Friday, August 2, 2019 at 7:37PM 
Run, run, run some of the dogs did next door. Some not. we saw passion in movement as you will see in the gallery. Some appreciate the find the treat game played in the house and which hand has the treat etc. Fun was had by all.
In a few we will have tv time and chilling. They so look forward to that - me too. Love the snuggles.
I bought 2 floats for the grandkids that couldn't come. As they do not have a pool, they said to keep them. So, today I blew them up and some of the dogs reacted and some did not. It was fun to watch. Shoshi was hysterical and with her cataracts (old age), one wonders what she saw.
We have a full house due to the long weekend. It's so much fun! I hope the humans are having fun too.
Sherry and I went to Costco this morning and I got 2 bags of lobster claws and I spent an hour cracking them, cleaning and draining and then I made a lobster salad for Nathan. It was worth it for him to enjoy it but it surely is too much work. LOL He has enough for tomorrow. I expected more meat.
PS: the dogs had 1 piece each. Can't help myself but they wanted MORE!
Friday, August 2, 2019 at 8:51AM 
NikeHere is a photo of Nike on his third birthday, July 24. Nike has become a real blessing for the residents of my wife, Norma’s, Long Term Care. He is known as the unofficial therapy puppy for our Village. Nike is now greeting residents at the adjoining Retirement Phase where we now live. As Nike has only know the Village life, he feels that he owns the place and let’s all visitors know that he is here - gently of course. Visiting children get to know Nike as my PeePee Poopy Puppy. Nike has a special acquaintance with Thumper, a middle aged rabbit living here in our pet room. They actually touch noses when they meet.
Congratulations on your new pups.
Ernie, Norma and Nike
Thursday, August 1, 2019 at 4:20PM 
Rusty had a bath today as I have errands to do tomorrow. Prayers for Rusty's dad.
Good news, Coco's human sister is now home today. Her heart gave out at camp and she was flown to Sick kids. It was scary times for them. She is getting better.
Raven's Willow was here for the day. Happy Anniversary to her human parents.
Brewer also had a blast next door though Rusty and Brewer do not run like the wee kids. I have to laugh. They gallop vs the wee ones running like their life depended on it.
We are off to dinner with our son and girlfriend so can get to know her. Life...
Oh and Tenshi would run up next to me making photos impossible but I still managed to get Tenshi mid air. Lexi was also screaming fast. It was great fun. We take different dogs at different times. They love the run!
More tomorrow.
Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at 7:29PM 
Some of you that have been around for quite awhile know that we watch our neighbours yard next door when they go on holidays. I weed. I water the plants and in return we can let the dogs run in their yard. We took some over today and each day we will be doing the same. This is Louis enjoying his run time next door. Louis was here for a grooming and a play day.
Here is the gallery of the running and play. Unfortunately one of my memory sticks is unreadable or I would have had more. Tomorrow we will do it again and catch the rest that are not in the gallery. Guess I best buy a new stick.
We have plenty of space to run but until we close the pool, we don't have that ability to race up and down quite like this. They loved it!
I had lots of grooming today. I have a ton tomorrow. To be honest I have a ton for the long weekend. I am hoping I get pool time and I also must stain my baseboards so they can be cut and installed. Tomorrow I hope Dennis starts working on getting our landscape lighting working. We bought an outdoor wifi plug so we can control it from an app. They are cheap but how good they work - well we will see. It's slow getting progress around here. LOL
Dog's are curious when I weed. I try to get some time in each day but feels like I make progress and in less than a week the weeds are growing. It is summer and August tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at 8:42PM 
Willow and Misty are doing great in class. Misty is getting blck at the roots of part of her coat. Her coat will change like Murphy's did.
Having Lennon and Jesse here made Misty a better dog. How so? As they were here for an extended time, she got familar with larger beings. So, when she entered the class this week, she went to greet all the big dogs. LOL Before she said hi but not like this week. She thought even the Dobie was a pal - so let's play. I was impressed. The things you take for granted but conditioning works.
The son and family is no longer coming but I am still taking Friday off. It seems our grand daughter didn't have a valid passport and no way to expedite it so I will be shipping out their presents tomorrow. We are sad that we won't see them
Cinnamon is still in heat and she is no longer sitting for Stone but not quite ready. I am hoping she waits till the end of the weekend as that gives me till October vs September. No one else is in heat yet.
I need to get the walls painted - at least started. If we can get the entryway, hallways and kitchen done, I can wait till next year for the rest. We shall see. I also need to get the baseboard pieces stained. each day I put one box of grooming stuff away. I am so trying!
I got everyone combed out.
I keep getting matted dogs for grooming. It is killing my hands literally.
We have a busy long weekend. It's going to be fun!! Success - Saffron kept her hairband on all day and she can see. I smiled!
Monday, July 29, 2019 at 4:13PM 
Was so busy today, I felt overwhelmed. Too many knotted dogs. We have class tonight. Soon we will be feeding. No pool day today or tomorrow as it's a very busy week. Then we have the long weekend. We have grandkids, son and daughter-in-law visiting us from Las Vegas.
I also have to fit in staining baseboards that dogs chewed then taking off the old and cutting it to size to put a fresh one up. If the dogs chew it again - argh. Have to do this staining and painting before pups.
Dogs departed. Dog's arrived for grooming or to stay.
It's really hot outdoors - steamy. No wonder the dogs love indoors vs outdoors today.
Sunday, July 28, 2019 at 2:00PM 
Raven and Gucci attempting to swim race. :-)
Hello! We brought home our new baby last night and Marcie has been super excited! She would lick her skin raw if we let her 😝
-Lorraine
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Huge congrats!!!
Pablo the Pool Puppy!
He had a good day swimming today!
-Marianne
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Another swimmer, so exciting!
We had a full day. Goldie, Coco, Lennon, Cody, Crosby and Oliver departed. Tomorrow Gucci, Scruffy, Pepper and Chester departs. I almost thought it was the long weekend. LOL It was great to have a Leti puppy visit and to have a first visit with Crosby. He's not one of ours but he fit in nicely right from the start. It was a pleasure to have him.
Leti was beyond happy that she has a baby here. Moms... so special!
Please folks, consider having the ears a bit longer. I am seeing grooming jobs where they cut the ears like a bichon - so short. I won't cut them like that so don't ask me. I like a havanese to look like a havanese and lately I am seeing so many with the little pixie ears. If you like them short, look at Gucci's ears. They are not long but not cropped to the ear. Maybe you like it this way so sorry if I am going on and on about it. I just happen to like the look of the havanese - short or long leave tail and ears and they will look like the breed they are. If you like them with pixie ears, ignore me and tell me - I LIKE IT THAT WAY, DARLAH. I will shut up.
Misty has yet another class tomorrow and did I put up the videos from last week? Not yet. Thought I was going to have a leisurely summer. As dogs has chewed baseboards, this week I am busy staining new ones and will be cutting them to replace. 30 years ago we put them in and they still had the same design. One must laugh. Everything changes and some stuff does not.
Nathan looked at the kitchen cabinets and said maybe it is time to paint them. I said, I am NOT painting cabinets. Do you see a theme here?
Tomorrow new dogs to groom, new memories. I can't wait!
The dogs, since Lennon are now looking for sticks to play with, covet and attempt to create games with and that they do.
Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 7:58PM 
This is Rocky swimming. He was a very strong swimmer with his tail up. We are going to try to take Gucci in tomorrow. We will see how the day goes.
Tomorrow Lennon and Coco departs. No more huge splash into the pool from the big one. Plus a slew of grooming is on my plate. Leti's boy Oliver arrived and boy is she excited! Well, they both are! Cody also leaves us. We so miss them when they depart and we get so excited when they arrive.
It was a good day. Lots of play and lots of chillin the shade and in the air conditioned house. Some go outside and say really... this heat... and you can't blame them as we deal with yet another heat alert!
Plus Murphy was chillin with me and smelling my breath!
Friday, July 26, 2019 at 7:31PM 
This was a no groom day and boy did it show. I had to get dresses for the grandkids as they are coming to visit on August 2nd and then Sherry and I headed off to Ribfest and came home to swim while the dogs watched.
Ribs vanished faster than I could blink my eyes and I got apologies for them vanishing. Oh well....
Dogs are having a great time. I am back to grooming like mad and hopefully get some pool time.
Catch up time tomorrow!
Friday, July 26, 2019 at 8:49AM 
Join us at
25 Powerline Road, Quinte West, Ontario, K0k1h0 on August 17, 2019 at noon till 5pm. Bring your own chairs, a potluck dish, your havanese and yourself. This location is next to Yvonne's last residence for those that came previously. She has moved next door building a new place.
We will be serving a variety of water and drinks but if you have special requirements, bring your own. Ice furnished. Bring your camera and be ready to enjoy the havanese.
Oh, and yes mosquitoes are thriving in Ontario at this time so bring spray if desired. Bring a swimsuit, if desired as she has an enclosed pool. If you do want to swim, bring a towel too.
Thursday, July 25, 2019 at 6:07PM 
Beau (lovely, lovely fun pup) already departed after grooming and Chloe (equally fun and playful) just finished her grooming and is soon to depart. Tomorrow Jesse and Murphy departs and girl Murphy and Gucci comes.
I am spent. I simply had too much time intensive grooming today. I am looking forward to Ribfest with Sherry tomorrow. I need a day off sorely.
Had a dog here that I didn't get a photo of and it looked like Edward Scissorhands got a hold of it but not in a nice way. They also have a schnauzer that belongs to the daughter and he's chewed his hair up, ears, body. This happens to Cinnamon as she plays so hard with Inula but we cut him down and his mom called me to say she can't believe how good he looks. She says he looks like a normal dog now. She says she can't stop staring at him. That felt good. So silver linings in all this work.
Pepper and Scruffy arrived. I love when they come! Brewer just departed. Everyone loves the Brewer.
No swimming except Lennon. No down time. Stick play with Lennon. No more scratching his back on the Japanese maple. I trimmed it up so it doesn't look all that bad. LOL
Time to crawl on the couch and fall asleep. Too early for that. But boy do I want to!
Cinnamon is now away from the boys and when it is time she will be bred. It means fall pups. Thank you for cooperating and giving us the summer off. We shall see who else comes in.
Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at 6:00PM 
Oh my Chester, you are so cute! I also noticed that Murphy is looking more and more like Risa.
Today was busy. You can look in the gallery. We had a blast with the dogs - always manage to do that no matter if you are tired, down, depressed etc. The dogs lighten your load, if you allow. I seriously mean that. I have Lennon hell bent in trying to ruin my japanese maple. Yes, we are correcting him but I also shake my head knowing I will be talking about this one for years.
Plus I had a lot of work done today at home. I also had a lot of grooming. Thank you, Lynda and Gallan for yum food. It was great to see you!
My extra pegboard went up but not filled. The backsplash behind the sink went up. Oh my I love the backsplash. Now I want one for the kitchen. The electrician came back and for the 1st time in 30 years, I have a switch inside to control the outside lights in back vs. having to go outside in winter to turn them on each night before letting the dogs out. It is the little things that count. Now we can turn them on from outside and inside. Now to get all the landscape lights working and installed.
I bought the itune cards and they went missing. I say the cashier never gave them to me and they insist she did. Upsetting as it was expensive. Life...
We also heard of a family that boards with us, their daughter had a serious accident at camp. Our hearts go out to the family. I am complaining about itune cards and look... life. We pray she recovers. I know 3 people dealing with cancer - and they are people I care about. F$%^ cancer.
But no matter what... dogs truly lighten our load if we allow. Thank you for them! I am blessed to share in your dogs and my dog's lives.
No swimming today. Oh and we got our guest bathroom painted. One room at a time... before mom's are pregnant and if you listen to Kat, Cinnamon may be coming in any time.
Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at 4:24PM 
The Collie, Jesse wanted to see what the havanese was watching.
I will be uploading a few videos later tonight of Willow and Misty in class. Well, I hope to get to it. LOL
It was a nice day. It wasn't too hot. Tomorrow is an exceedingly busy grooming wise. Pixie and Leo's mom came today. It was nice to see her! I am hoping for a day of rain and no grooming so I can get my front room reorganized. We are going to extend the tv room but it needs to be rearranged, painted and all that fun.
Friday Sherry and I are going to Ribfest - yum. then we will go swim if teh weather cooperates.
I tried iced coffee today - black. It didn't taste how I remembered. LOL
Lennon is in and out of the pool. Jesse is chilling. They are the big dogs here.
Murphy left and Harlow, Siopao and Dimsum arrived.
Soon we will have heats and then puppy watch but till then we are feverishly trying to get projects done. What a time off period this is. LOL
Monday, July 22, 2019 at 4:33PM 
First of all, here at Talemaker we want to say Happy Birthday to Anne. Hope you are having a wonderful day!
We had a busy day today so no pool except for Lennon. We had the electrician here, an arborist here and I had lots of grooming. I meant to do errands but it didn't time out. We have class with Misty and she won't do down. LOL
We have to adjust our feeding as Lennon counter surfs and steals food. LOL So he is now out in the hall till we are ready to put dishes down as he keeps trying to push the dishes off. You should have heard Dennis as he's not used to a dog that counter surfs. Jesse doesn't but Lennon is a puppy. Got to laugh.
I do not want to go to class tonight. Relaxing sounds better but off we go in an hour.
Sunday, July 21, 2019 at 5:59PM 
Earlier the dogs wanted to stay inside as they may have remembered it was hot outdoors but then when they realized it was cooler, they did a bit of sunbathing. Some of them are true sun lovers,
Then it kept getting hot and we were under a heat warning so back inside we went. No one went swimming except Willow who jumped in when I went in the pool and Lennon who doesn't quite understand that someone needs to be in the pool for him to go in. That's okay. The dogs are NEVER out there without one of us.
Both Jesse and Murphy say.... you are not taking me in. I bet you it would be great for Jesse but then that brushout. LOL We shall see.
Dennis is going to play his hide and seek game. They love it so but we are doing it inside. Time to play!
Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 5:55PM 
Charlie was over for a swim and grooming. We had 3 Charlies here in the past few days. One Charlie is going home tonight. Then we will have no Charlies. LOL
We have 2 large dogs in the house. One is a golden doodle called Lennon that lives with Coco the Havanese and the other is Jesse the collie who has come many, many times and he lives with Murphy, the havanese.
Lennon loves the pool though we have yet to get a photo of him till after the fact. Good thing his parents saw him jump in. We have not had the camera outside due to the heat except when we carry it around then put it back. But we will get him swimming on camera, yet.
Jesse got reacquainted with everyone and met a few new ones. Lennon has never been here so he got acquainted one on with with each dog. This is how we get them to feel comfie. Everyone has become comfortable. Lennon and Coco are sleeping with Dennis and enjoyed it completely.
We had ball time downstairs in Jon's place - the basement. When Jon moves out, I am going to make the area dog friendly so when it rains, we have a wonderful play area. We still use it now but there is carpet down there in parts of the basement. They love to go upstairs and play in the halls and downstairs as its so nice and cool downstairs.
A good tip comes to mind. If you dog has knots, never wash them till the knots are out. Water will make the knots tighter.
We have a full house this week. I almost thought it was a long weekend. Cali, Fenton, Teddy and Barney departs tomorrow. Monday, Adele, River and Benny departs and then we have class with down and well not sure Misty will do down. We shall see.
Looking forward to it cooling down so the dogs can hang out and swim. It's even too hot for me.We are watering our plants twice in a day. We do it early in the morning and late at night. Time to pick some celery before it over ripens.
Friday, July 19, 2019 at 7:47PM 
Benny says - time to go back to that lovely air. It has been way too hot today - stifling. We are supposed to get a break come Sunday. I so hope so as today was too hot.
Dennis took most of the photos and due to the humidity, the lens kept steaming up. I could have corrected them but I have too much on my plate. So - apologies.
Short blog tonight. Dogs are still coming and departing and I need to relax. I so need to relax. LOL
I did get a bit of weeding done so the electrician that never showed could walk down the paths. Wish I knew he wasn't coming today.
Thursday, July 18, 2019 at 6:02PM 
Ollie and Mabel played and played and when he was done with Mabel, he played with Chloe. I think we need to call Ollie an everready battery. LOL
Here is the gallery. It also includes class night.
Charlie was here for a groom today. Charlie is a gal. Charlie came yesterday but he was a boy. Do you have that straight?
It was a very hot day again. It was out and in all day. We watch for heat issues with dogs and water is run on the deck and around the pool often to cool it off.
9 dogs perished at a kennel that does boarding in King City due to a fire. No one was there. Please folks, ask a boarding facility or your vet if they have someone there for the dogs 24/7. Some assume but do not ask. We are here for the dogs always. They are never alone. If you use someone else, know what you are paying for and 24/7 care should be it. Just saying...
Tonight Chewie comes. Tomorrow a 55 lb Golden doodle comes with Coco the havanese. The golden doodle is a puppy. We also have Jesse... the collie. We have missed the duo. He comes with Murphy the boy havanese. We are in for some grand fun as Murphy the gal also returns.
I need to weed. I need to put all my supplies back so the piano can go. So many - I needs. I have so many berries, veggies, tomatoes ripening - I think I overdid it. electrician was supposed to return but did he... nah.