Costs

Unfortunately starting in the New Year, our costs will go up. Please contact nathan for updated costs.

Picnic Photos & Details

The picnic date took place on August 17, 2019 from 12pm to 5pm at Yvonne's place in Brighton. Check out the details here. Photos from the 2019 picnic can be found here. Yvonne's place is NEXT DOOR to her old place. I will try to put a havanese flag out front. Hope you can join us. Directions are here. The house # is 25. There is no picnic in 2020 due to COVID but hopefully in 2021. Stay Tuned!

Grooming 101

Want to see how I get a smooth coat and what equipment I use? I am continually learning and perfecting but I created this video Windows version) and for you Mac apple folks - here's a conversion. - not a professional one, to help you get a head start and perfect your own skill. Got questions? Ask away.

Want to know how to create a bathing machine that will save you time, product and wash your dog better than ever before? Check out Dick and Irma's instructions on how to create your own machine for a fraction of the cost.

Woofstock Is Back

Meet us at Woofstock. Dogs are welcomed. We meet at the restaurant across the street from Woodbine Park. Here is the location. Meet up happens on June 22, 2024 at 9:30 to 945am. Rain date is the next day. Look forward to seeing your havanese there and the humans too! Don't have your havanese yet? Well join us anyway! 

Award Photos
Friends & Associates
Blog Archive
Certified Pet First Aid

Walks 'N' Wags Pet First Aid is a recognized National Pet First Aid Certificate course for dog and cat professionals and pet owners. Talemaker Havanese now has that certificate having taken and passed the course.

Monday
Jun302014

Oh My So Very Hot

Montuno was just washed and he is off to the show. Nathan is also off and I am destined for the pool. There may be just a small addition to this post tonight but I am going to take dogs into the pool as it is so very hot and I can't take photos and take them in the pool by myself.

So no clicking - sorry.

Molly and Zoe just departed - they will be missed. Now that Pippin is knot free she will be my first to take in.

Till later...

PS: This cutie got his championship today and this weekend Paula's cutie from this litter got hers as well. Adele got her points bringing her closer to her championship.

Sunday
Jun292014

Too Crazy Day

Sorry this is short but I had grooming to do, pool to jump in. Roxie was in trouble as she jumped in without Daddy while we were all out there. He told her no. She said talk to the paw. Oh my!

Dusty departed after another bath. Pippin is knot free and such a great gal for putting up with my grooming.

Finn finally recognized that there were gals around to play with that played like him vs. trying to get at Cali.

The daughter came up to chat and veg. I didn't get anything done that I planned other than grooming, trying a tele-extender and cuddling with dawgs. But there are days like that plus Adele had knots just looking at her as her heat concluded. That happens at times. I will have to go to a wash every 5 days till that passes.

Tomorrow Nathan is at the show, Zoe and Molly depart (oh boy have they been fun) and I have baths for the show and grooming. I may skip the pool. heh. They say rain anyways tomorrow. We shall see.

If I don't make sense, I am tired!

Saturday
Jun282014

Dawg Daze With Friends

We had a wonderful time in and out of the pool. Gracie is here (not one of ours) but she has the energy - well I want her energy. She is so full of life. We were lucky to have Mac, Monty and Raylan plus Pippin - such a sweet little one Pippin is and the duo Zoe and Molly - so much fun and oh yeah Finn - what a blast and of course the humans! More humans and dawgs coming to swim tomorrow. Plus the daughter and grand daughter. Weather best cooperate.

Here are a few photos today and tomorrow I will put up a few videos that Steven did in slow motion - great fun!

Nathan tried for the 2nd day to try to get the duo to swim in sync. It is not happening. One goes on way, the other goes her own way.

Two Treasure pups - Dusty and Monty

Pippin - Think Steven wanted to steal her. :-)

It was a great day and thank you humans for sharing your little ones with us.

Friday
Jun272014

Hot Day

It's been a hot day. Here are some of the photos from today with one set comedy hour trying to get Zoe, Cali, Molly and Spice in one photo. We are talking Spice pups so that was INTERESTING.

Finn, Spice, Molly and Zoe all went swimming. Finn has no hair so he could live in there but he didn't want to. They all did well swimming but they wanted to laze and chill.

Fun was had by all... and it hasn't come to a conclusion yet! Tomorrow we get to see Monty, Mac and Raylan. Looking forward to seeing the humans they belong to as well. :-) Pippin and Gracie are going to drop in. Can I say pool time?

Thursday
Jun262014

Sun Baked

Despite me saying I do not want to groom today Nathan tried to get every dog to come into the pool. Only Kat and Roxie ventured in.

We are sunbaked. We have Finn here shaved down - photos tomorrow.

Other than that we are now relaxing. I even got some weeding done out front, I bet my neighbors thank me. :-)

Hoping for another pool day tomorrow after grooming. :-)

It was nice to be able to regroup after my marathon sessions.

Wednesday
Jun252014

Oh Well

Dusty had a bath and then we found out she wasn't going for a couple of days as mom extended her trip.

Roxie and Truffie are playing a lot!

Yvonne's pups were here and if you want to see a few more photos do so here. They are really, really lovely pups. Nice structure, bites, great vet check. They all swam too. This blog is short as Yvonne just left and well we were wrapped up in pups. So much so that I missed a note on my ipad from Lynda... sigh.

Yvonne has a couple of pups that are ready to depart in a couple of weeks. These are our chocolate Truffie's pups and her Flora's pup. Flora is related to Spice and Wasabi. I really like these pups.

Tuesday
Jun242014

Fun Was Had

Been grooming all day so hardly any clicks. Plus its been raining so click click today is not happening despite all the Scruffy and Pepper kisses.

Dusty and Zoe got to play. They knew they were sisters as soon as they saw each other. It was a riot!

Today we got to spend time inside more than what we desired but sniff snigff its raining - do we really?

Jon was getting soppy kisses.

Leo and Brewster had a grand time.

Today torrential rains and more coming.

We had a puppy in the house - Lila

She is so attached to Zoe

The Leo

Lila and Brewer

Lila before bath

Lila After Bath

Lila and Spice

Zoe after bath

Dusty and Adele

Adele Lounging

Spice jumps over Lila

Adele out with the crew now

Just a few.... Sorry about rain drenched dogs and a lack of photos but it happens in the rain.

Tomorrow Yvonne comes with the pups so I get to see what the Truffsters kids look like with Flora. If it doesn't rain Yvonne and I will swim. We will set up an xpen on the deck for the crew to play. I am excited! Then they will go home but I promise I will click.

Monday
Jun232014

UPDATE: Shelby Kayak Times & Duo Grooming Ambience

This was her first time in the kayak. She did great. Next we get a doggie life jacket and head out for a long trek.

Barb

Scruffy and Pepper enjoyed an outdoor grooming session this morning  

Scruffy really enjoyed it as he loved the breeze blowing through his hair.  I think Pepper enjoyed the change, too.  Although, you wouldn't know it from these photos.  I had a hard time getting them both to smile for the camera at the same time.

Lori

“Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.”   

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From me: I am grooming all day and won't be finished till 7pm. So tv and no blog - so forgive me but these 2 updates above are wonderful. Tomorrow I will add photos of Leo who is departing today after his bath. Dennis was taking photos so I may have Brewer (just bathed), Lila and Zoe who are next to be bathed and Dusty - Zoe's sister. Oh and I weeded and played with dogs. I know I am exhausted. No pool today :-( In case you wanted to know Leo was wonderful and I got lots of snuggles when I crawled into the lawn chair thinking a nap and then Nathan said what are you doing? I almost got away with it.

Sunday
Jun222014

Full Daze

We started out the day running like banshees. Don't think for a second we just laze around, drink drinks, swim in the pool and watch tv. We expel energy every chance we can get. The dogs love it!

They had their strategy sessions.

They got into position.

They appeased the human.

They full out played!

They ran and ran and ran.

They play bowed.

Some chose to swim.

Some couldn't get enough. After blow drying Oscar he tried to come in the pool. So inside with Dennis he went with a few of the other dogs or mom and dad would have seen him soaked. I loved how he enjoyed. But can't have a wet dog to go home. :-)

Roxie was told off for the first time by her human Daddy as she was told not to go into the pool and what did she do? Can I say she can't help herself? But it is very important that she doesn't go into the pool till we allow.

She had her cheering crowd and due to heats gals were out at one time then the boys were. Oscar was allowed out all the time with whomever as he didn't clue into the heats. Poor Trigger was HIGHLY interested. So he only got to hang out with the boys. Levon didn't clue in either so he was able to be with the gals. Come to think of it maybe that is why he was smiling all weekend. hehehehe

We were lucky and had Gallan, Lynda, Panda and Logan swimming.

Dogs departed. Baths and grooming was done. But still we managed pool time and we already miss the busy-ness of it all. But tomorrow baths from morning till night but departing tomorrow and quiet solitude with thunder showers coming on Tuesday and Scruffy and Pepper to brighten up the day. Dusty departs Wednesday and then it is really quiet.

Just another day of pure fun and thanks to the humans that shared it with us!

Saturday
Jun212014

Am Tired Dawgs Too

We had a full day and I also groomed quite a bit the last few days for dropins for baths. So forgive me if I am short tonight. I really am tired. I am also waking up with cramps in my legs. Time to exercise, lose weight and get more pool time. hahahahahahaha

Sparky departed today after he was groomed. We enjoyed his visit!

This was Jeannie before she was brushed up. With heats you have to take the gals out in heat separate from the boys. Good thing there is 3 of us and sometimes 4 when the son in the basement helps.

No one wanted to swim today except Roxie. They all backed up playing silly games - not today... We tried.

We also watched a bit of tv after running outside. This time we watched in the tv room.

We relaxed, we enjoyed and now we are heading back out in hopes that the mosquitoes don't eat us alive.

Friday
Jun202014

Happy 3rd Birthday

Stella Gal

Jenkins with his human best bro!

Miss Mia!

To Mia, Miss Molly, Jenkins, Murphy and Stella, We wish you all a wonderful happy healthy and exciting birthday.

Happy 3rd Birthday.

Darlah and Nathan

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Photos of the day later. We have our granddaughters graduation to attend. We are excited as we didn't think she would be able to graduate with all the hospital stays and sick days but she pushed on and we are excited! Dennis and Jon will be holding down the fort while we are gone for a few hours.

We also washed Bentley and Miss Abigail and here are a couple of photos of them along with a few - more later.

By the way Oscar is doing wonderful and was right after his parents left. He's having a great time! Dusy gal is doing her usual fantastic.

Dusty Gal

Here are some more photos and that is it for today...

Thursday
Jun192014

Visits and No Sleep

I haven't slept since yesterday as I had some kind of food poisoning I think. About 5am when I planned to actually go to sleep as that is when I was better Spice decided to bathe me with kisses, Jeannie decided to body hug me. I gave up. So, if I don't make sense you know why.

Today we had Irma and Dick over and hope I was coherent enough. Nathan went in the pool and said can you do this - can you do that. I was about to kill him but I suppose it kept me awake.

Oscar also joined us today and ended up walking on the stairs in the pool and snuggling with me outside. Clearly Oscar is going to be more than fine.

Scruffy and Pepper are here for a few hours and Shady and Nora came for a bath and Shady ended up in the pool. I didn't see how that happened so Alene will have to fill you in. I came out to see him swimming after his bath. hahahaha At least he was clean.

Here are a few photos taken today.

Oh and Cali and Leti are now in heat too. Oh and Nora looks cute as a button in her short do.

Wednesday
Jun182014

Katie and Our Visitor & More

Molly and Katie get along so well!!  Better than I had imagined.  Molly is the ideal older sister and Katie copies everything she does.  The other day Molly was walking only on the curb during our walk since the grass was wet and Katie followed along on the curb as well.  A little procession.

From Ruth: You both definitely picked the right personality as a match for Molly and our lifestyle.  I was a bit wary at first to be honest....but it is another success!!

Thanks.

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We had another rainy day but we had a visit from Ozzie while it wasn't raining and then it started again at the end. Panda was really excited but as they usually do at this age they tried for the milk bar just incase it still exists.

Jebi has now departed. Cali wasn't sure of him but within an hour or two she was okay with him and then started playing full out despite the size difference. There are benefits to exposing them to larger unknown dogs.

Spice learned this trick from Jebi so we now are doing the down, treat thing. My dogs sleep with me, are on my couch etc but not on a table. :-)

Nathan did this ponytail on Roxie - oy. Well he did brush a dog so I should shut my mouth. :-)

Jebi is into the sniff game in a big way and chasing rabbits. Now I have master sniffers.

Here are my messy gals before brushing. I gave up with this rain but they say no rain tomorrow so I will be playing catch-up. Maybe I will be able to do it outside?

These two are great pals. It's interesting that when they get their first heat its like an induction in the big girls club. You do notice some differences.

Nothing like hanging out between rain storms.

Panda was thrilled to have Ozzie over for a visit. We were jazzed too. Here are a few of the photos we clicked.

Hey what is this?

Then I managed to catch Nathan acting silly!

Can't wait till next month when he comes back for a visit. Fun, fun. fun!

Tuesday
Jun172014

Severe Thunderstorms

It's coming down and the pool water is at the top. Have to laugh. Love storms only when they don't create damage.

Before then I weeded and weeded and weeded. Nathan was of visiting a friend. I was weeding. Then I gave up. I have so much weeding to do its useless but we shall try. I did get the side of the house done and I am sure all my Peonys are down on the ground ruined. Oh well.

We have Sparky that dropped in tonight. We are excited. Jebi departs tomorrow. We have only had 1 day of sun to swim in since he has been here. Is this spring? :-)

I decided to brush dogs on the couch. I drape towels over and sit with a grooming jacket on so I don't end up with hair all over me. Well, Cali went running with my rubber bands and I had them all over the room. She had such a fun time doing it despite me looking at her and saying - really?

Spice and Logan was hanging out before the rain hit. Oh well another day of not swimming. Still I didn';t have to water so there is that.

Dogs don't mind but really thank you for pads as they do not want to go out in this. Hoping it stops and we get a window to go out and have fun.

A friend in Utah got snow today so who am I to complain. Oh and it is Roger's Scruffy and Pepper's Daddy's birthday today. A huge shout out.

Tomorrow look for photos of Katie with her best friend. Tease....

Monday
Jun162014

Request

Been grooming all day - so no photos but I have a request (may have photos later - we shall see)

Can you send me mail in private (darlah@potechin.com) and tell me how much to neuter/spay and how happy or not happy you were? I need to let someone know and I am creating a list so I can say x was happy and this is approx what they paid.

Sunday
Jun152014

Father's Day

Happy Father's day to Nathan and Phantom!!!

John's father's day started a bit earlier than anticipated.  He had the promised sleep in going but Shady scratched  on the door with his favourite toy in his mouth ready for some Dad and me time!  Have a great day!

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From us: Glad he had a sense of humour about it and he gets a lot of pampering today!

Happt Father's Day to all the Dads that make a difference for the humans and canines!

Saturday
Jun142014

Gloomy Day

It was another gloomy day and now that it has hit 7pm it is sunny - go figure. So 2 days in a row no pool. I really enjoy the pool. I also intended on getting Jebi swimming but as Nathan said its just not warm enough.

So we had a lot of sunning on the deck - that is when the sun was out. When it wasn't we had a lot of cooling. heh I think Spice is coming into heat. This will be the summer of 3 weeks of heat lasting 12 weeks - you watch!

Risa is my most elegant sunning dog, I swear. She just lays out there forever and watches life.

Jebi has decided he likes standing on the picnic table and surveying all.

Dexter just was so comfortable he was caught sleeping sitting up and then finally laying his head down to take a nap. Dexter is doing amazing eve with a TT in the house.

Watching the dogs they seem to sniff, explore and truly love the cooler weather. When we lay down in the chairs on the deck or at the pool they are right there draping themselves all over our bodies. It's wonderful. But this morning it was so cold that I had a jacket on and took a blanket outside and the dogs snuggled in too. It almost felt like a fall day.

I also got everyone groomed and Nathan even brushed a couple. Now that was nice.

We at Talemaker want to wish everyone a very Happy Father's Day. We are spending it with Nathan's dad for a couple of hours. As he has cancer we are trying to make memories to treasure. Hope you manage to do the same... make memories!

If you are like me and your dad passed away (mine a long time ago) remember you are the dad of a have or two. Now that is special!

Friday
Jun132014

No Pool Day

Last night we had the pleasure of Benji visiting. He was in LOVE with Adele.

We had a great visit and look forward to doing it again especially when Adele is not in heat. He was too focused on her when he could have been having fun with everyone.

Coops was here overnight and always is first out the door to play. I thought he would play with Jebi but Jebi had other things on his mind and today he is more relaxed and playing. Maybe the cooler weather has helped.

Cooper is always such a happy, happy boy!

He also played like crazy with Katie. Yes, Katie was here today. She is now home.

Katie had a blast and had a bath and then she was off. She went from one to the next playing up a storm. Benji would have done the same and surely played quite a bit but truly he was too focused on the Adele.

We also have a TT in the house as his mom is judging at the regional. I put his hair up and he takes it down. Hmm does that sound like any of our dogs?

I meant to do galleries and all sorts of grandiose things but here I am at 8pm doing a blog with male dogs going crazy so it is what it is.

The rest of the crew is outdoors enjoying the cool air laying all over Nathan while he reads on his ipad.

Thursday
Jun122014

Latest News

Promise to play catchup on photos tomorrow but today here's one of Kat and Nathan jumping in the pool together.

Everyone is having a blast. Jebi comes tonight. Coops is here. Brewer is here for another half hour and Benji Panda's blonde boy is coming for a visit. I will post photos tomorrow. It's hot and muggy outdoors. It's raining off and on - so in come the cushions, out go the cushions over and over.

Jeannie's blog is now active.

In honor of the games, Barb sent her Dutch gals. How cute!

Here's a snippet from Dusty's mom about her therapy work.

Dusty just finished at Sick Kids this morning, her rounds on 7th. Amazing, child in pain...Dusty enters room, lies down beside her, doctor and nurses enter...how is pain level-surprise as patient is petting Dusty, no pain!  Doctor would really like patient to get up and walk, I suggest how about patient walks us to elevator...patient did a full loop around units walking Dusty together with me, volunteer and nurse while attached to all her IV poles etc. Patient felt great, no pain lots of smiles from everyone including Dusty girl!  Good job this morning.

Wednesday
Jun112014

Rain and Chilling

It rained, it got muggy. The dogs went out in the rain and we watched tv and I groomed. Okay, Nathan watched tv. I watched partially. But I got everyone done.

This is Fiona up on high watching tv with her Daddy.

Bonham and Tuffie was over for a visit for a few hours.

They got wet, they got dry, they got wet and then dry again. It was one of THOSE days. When it was raining lightly they all went out in it. When it rained a bit harder they sat under the gazebo and said I don't think so. I laughed.

Panda had a blast with Bonham.

Phantom keeps looking at Nathan as Nathan does the breeding as if to say - okay, I am here - where's the girl?

Each time Tuffie is here she climbs all through the weeds and well we will pretend they are plants as weeds really are plants that are unwanted. hahaha

Logan was scoping out all this wet as if to say is it still raining?

Mom and daughter was enjoying each others company. Even princess' can have fun.

Spice could care less if it is pouring rain. Does that surprise you?

This was Truffie with his Daddy Phantom before my brushing marathon. Truffie is a water dog. He goes out and sniffs, hangs out and gets soaked to the skin. I had to brush him a couple of times today.

Leti is such a silly dog. She was standing watching a rabbit and then the race was on. One wonders why that rabbit comes back. Maybe he/she likes the chase too?

This was before Logan got brushed. Guess swimming is good for his coat when its a salt water pool.

This was Panda after the Bonham attack.

Tuffie had a blast too. Too bad it was too rainy to swim. Oh well....

Life is good even when it does rain. Oh well grooming occurred and weed pulling did not. Another day of procrastination. It happens.