Playing With the Pups

Panda loves to play with the pups but so does her housemate brother Logan who we have had photos of in the past playing with pups.

There is something about pups that makes us all fall madly in love with them - well most of us.

Panda jumps up, down over and has a roaring grand time with the pups. I do too. So I 'get' that!

The pups really like her too. I can understand that as she is a ball of pure fun!

Distraction of Colour

When we went out to eat with Lynda on her birthday the other night (thnx for inviting us Lynda - great food) her son Jon mentioned a black and white view of this photo. Nathan insisted that Panda looked more like Phantom and Roxie like Abigail but I thought they both look like Abigail.

Taking the distraction of colour out of the equation you can see that Abigail truly has pups that look like her no matter the colour. 

I may start doing some black and white photography just for the fun of it after the pups are gone and I have caught up on creating a mega gallery of photos just before they were one unit.

With Kat Daddy's looks rule or share both it seems but with Phantom it is a mix of mom and dad for sure and with Abigail I think its with these two mommy through and through.

Lots of Updates

Simba comes to visit us from time to time and its a great deal of fun.

He is such a bubbly puppy so filled with a ton of fun.

We have Daisy visiting and he was playing with her like she was a long lost friend. He also plays with everyone else but it was particularly fun to see him with Daisy as Nathan got some fun photos of the two that I will try to get to in the next couple of days.

Everyone's blogs were updated with puppy photos from litters that went home to of course litters about to go home. Check them ALL out.

It's a busy week with baths, paperwork, bags to get ready and well empty nesting.

Mia's Visit

Mia and her mom and grandmom came over for a visit. It was so delightful but very windy and very cold.

I hope none of us get sick from this experience but we also had the pups out and Mia was able to see them as well as some of the dogs. Some we kept inside. Spice is not feeling that well (it happens) and I figure it is her partaking of the junk in the yard as it seems to be at this time of year but I left her inside.

Fiona, Risa, Abigail, Wasabi, Panda, Roxie and Simba was outside.

Fiona really seemed to like Mia and Wasabi was very aware and seemed to follow her around sniffing and almost coddling her. It was cute.

Mia was the littlest one of the crew and she remains that way. She's about the size of what Fiona was before pups.

I call Fiona my delicate beauty but in reality she's not delicate at all but rather sturdy just smaller.

Mia was pure white in her back and now she has black and silver strands coming in all over.

One of the things I love about the havanese is if you wait long enough they change and it is rather nice.

Other than the windy cold, it was a great visit and I really enjoyed seeing her.

Thank you for taking the time to visit and for dealing with all this cold.

They say snow tonight....geez... Do you have that shovel ready?

Agility Update

Kathy didn't have the chance to take any pictures of Kona while he was participating in the Agility 1 classes but I applaud her for putting in the effort that Nathan couldn't find the energy for.

I heard he is doing rather well too!

Kathy is so amazing with Kona. I got to watch her in obedience class when she did a class with us and she works him well. I was impressed and it is obvious just how much she loves him.

That does my heart good!

Kathy said to us in mail:

Kona finished 2nd, he was 4 seconds behind the winner a large female Doberman.  All the dogs were large except for Kona.

Kona was not the fastest, but he had the fewest errors.

 It was fun for both of us.

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Nathan wrote back that he was sure the Doberman cheated and I think so too!

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Here is a photo of Molly too before she went home.

This is an easy care hair do. I rather like it. I just think the top needs to be a tad longer so it lays down vs. up like a bichon. But she rather wears it well either way and it doesn't take away from her beauty.

When you look at her face it is easy to see Kat with the silvering going on. I do love the silvering but I also see some of Wasabi in her. I also see Ty, don't you Kathy?

The silvering is evident in Kona as well and it adds something nice to the colouring. He too has such a nice compliment of looks taken from his mom and dad canine types. There's not too many silvers out there and it is nice to see Kat passes it on.

Puppy Fun

Molly is over for an overnighter and she was having a grand time with the pups. We picked Molly up from her house and she was delightfully pleased that she had all this crew to play with her.

Her mom and dad are coming at noon tomorrow after she gets a bath. Good thing I have 2 dryers as one bit the dust today. I am so upset but I also have a crate dryer so I will use that on one side and the stand one on the other. We will figure it all out. Last time I had to have a dryer fixed it took me 6 weeks. By that time I can air dry them as it will be so warm. hahahahaha

Molly is a Kat and Wasabi pup. She looks a lot like Kat to me in this photo. She came in full of life as if she was in a candy store and all the candy was for her.

It's delightful to watch.

Today we went to the show and tomorrow I have Molly to bathe and I need to play catchup on grooming. I had planned on washing Fiona but we shall see how this dryer situation works out.

I was unhappy about the dog show. Usually it is much larger and more vendors. But as Nathan said we still managed to spend money.

We got chicken strips, liver treats, a pad for one of the crates from Bowser as I couldn't resist giving them comfort and Suzie and Helen brought us this bed for the pups. It's so cute! They adore it and its large enough for all!

Best part is going to the Tim Hortons afterwards to chat with Helen and Suzy. We don't get to see them enough.

Bath Times

Nathan washed Socks (not one of ours) from start to finish. I was there giving him direction but he did all the work other than cleaning up the bum area and the pads in 45 minutes and that included my end. A short coat is easier but a long coat that is taken care of can be easy too. I can do Fiona or a number of the others in 45 minutes too.

I took a comb and went over him and I did find a few knots but it gave me an opportunity to show him where they usually are and how to find them. This is normal.

I remember when I did Val's TT eons ago having her go over his coat line by line and finding one knot and I was miffed. How the hey did she find THAT! But she added you did a really good job. I also did a bichon for her and she didn't find a single knot and I hated that coat as it was so thick and tight. I was shocked and she had no clue how much anxiety I had over her criticizing my handiwork. So, with that in mind this wasn't meant as a 'find the mistakes' expedition with Nathan. It's simply a learning experience as it was for me hopefully without the anxiety.

I washed Logan and then Panda and Roxie. When I first started doing Logan he would mat very easily. We have since gone to a once a week bathing with him and it seems to be helping a great deal. His hair is getting longer and it appears easier!. It may be the once a week bathing and the products combined.

All I know is now Logan gives me kisses while I groom him and before he used to try to stop me with his mouth. I didn't blame him and worked hard trying to make it a good experience and part of that was coming up with this new plan that thankfully seems to be working better. Getting kisses is the best especially during a time that they do not like.'

I tell you this as patience is important and making it fun is important. A good experience will help you in the long run and worth the effort. If you take them to a groomer make sure they also have that mindset.

SiblingsI would rather have the dog enjoy the experience or at least not hate it than to have it be a quick job. It takes me 45 minutes to do Roxie or Panda but at least twice that long with Logan and I can do Katsura in a little over an hour. Risa, if I line comb her, and I do, each wash takes about the same time as Logan. She has thick full body hair and the longest part is parting and going through the coat line by line to find the knots.

I am a picky nut though and just like someone who takes a rag over to see if you dusted right (that's not important to me) I tend to use a comb to find those missed knots. If you do you can actually go much longer in-between with brushing.

I am also a freak about eyes and ears. I will find an ear ache faster than anyone else as I have a golden and know ear aches and just how those things smell when they begin.

People come visit with their dogs and I clean around the eyes taking those eye boogers away. I have a friend that laughs at me as she knows when I come in I am going to clean around her dog's eyes. I can't help myself.

The last thing I do every night before bed is spray their mouths with Leba II, clean around their eyes and look at their ears.

Why am I talking about this? To each of us we have important things and things that aren't. Some of us may like a long coat and others like a short shaggy puppy cut. Some may prefer to take their dogs to a groomer once a week and get it brushed out and others prefer to brush while they are watching tv daily and take their dog to a groomer only when they need a haircut.

The bath may seem rather scary at first. Lord knows Nathan fought me long enough about doing one and then he did and it was easier than he thought. Of course the coat was short but still it was puppy coat length and much thicker. With the right set of tools and being thorough you actually make your work easier.

So when you are bathing buy a tether and do it in the laundry room sink. Tethers usually come with ridiculous plastic nooses that can't be shortened. You want that rubber part that goes against your sink but you will find more ease with a woven noose that can be tied in knots to shorten it if necessary.

I just bought another from K9grooming supplies here. If you have a grooming table it can be used there as well but just as the replacement for what they give you on a bathing tether is worth every penny. To be able to wash your dog hands free makes the experience much nicer and it was one of the things I was pleasantly surprised with when someone way back when told me that I should get this combo. It works and even buying the replacement as an add on cost still makes it cheap and worth every penny. It is something you can use even when they are an adult.

Really its not hard bathing and grooming with the right tools. But it is you that has to decide what you want to do.

In Need of a Bath

The Logan gets a bath weekly as he has a coat that mats easily. He is not the norm so don't fret. Panda is also due for her every 2 week bath and Roxie is way overdue so they get the baths tomorrow.

Socks also has a bath and I am going to show Nathan how to do it. I will fill you in on how that goes. He needs to know how to do this stuff if I am not able to. So the teaching begins. That means, in case you are not counting I have 1 of mine and 3 of someone else's. :-)

Then we have the show on Saturday and I really should bathe more when I return but it may wait till Sunday. Poor Kat is long overdue. I will brush everyone though as I like to have them mat free even if they look a mess.

What am I looking for at the show? Sometimes I look at the cat beds and tunnels as that is what the pups like. Mammoth bed also makes great beds and they are always there. I am also looking for treats, fancy ribbons, toys and lets not stop but what will I end up with? Sometimes nothing, sometimes I find a great deal.

Today we had mad running over the pool cover. We had a game of hide and seek. Yes we do play hide and seek and they do look for you. It's a riot. It helps that if they find you they get a tiny treat. Bribery - it will get you everywhere with the dawgs!

Life Changes

No more feeding pups for now. The pups totally get it now and milk is gone.

Moms get more freedom when they are not feeding. That's true of human moms too who breast feed.

But that doesn't stop the moms from playing and enjoying and having fun.

I think when we go to the All About Pet Show this weekend I will be collecting treats as the moms deserve it after such an amazing job. I may eveb look for a cooling bed so they have a nice cozy cool spot outside when we are chillin' outside.

Yes, we are already thinking outside fun. Aren't you?

Long Day

It's been a long day and there isn't much to report on with the adults. We will play recovery tomorrow and I will groom, wash Fiona perhaps as she will need it or just recover.

I want to go to bed now but the pups are calling me.

They were happy to see me and I them. :-) Logan gave me extra kisses. How special was that?

Truffie: Oh My

Here is an older photo of Truffie. I should just click one and put the latest up but I don't feel like it. ha I have groomed him and the gals enough today and they all look a mess.

Some boys mature slow. Some mature fast. Fiona's boys seem to mature slow but it seems someone shot Truffie with hormones and he is so focused on the gals and their smell that it is irritating the hey out of me.

Usually your boy is fixed before this point but not if he will be used for breeding. He is kissing the gals neck, their ears making all sorts of mats (Kat does this before he mates - a romantic soul) but its not funny when its all day and the gals like it and you are the groomer.

But you can't get mad as that will interfere with his breeding in the future. This is counter-productive to maintaining a show coat.

I love him but....

Bed Fun

It doesn't matter how old a dog is but this type of bed always evokes fun.

I didn't create this. Wasabi stacked this bed on top of the other and climbed in.

It was Dennis who caught her in action and told me to get the camera fast. I could have moved slow as she seemed to be mighty comfie in this position.

Delilah Has Pups

Abigail's sister Delilah who lives in Nova Scotia and our Katsura had pups a couple of days ago. Here's a link to her facebook page. If you can't see that, check out her website.

Older Ones Having Fun

If you watch the videos you will notice that Truffie, Roxie, Abigail and a visitor Molly was playing up a storm on the cover.

We experience that every single day - that mad, wonderful fun. It's the same or different players but everyone always manages to participate sooner or later.

It's nice to see the display of the dogs being so full of life.

I want the same energy level - please!!

We are trying to go to the All About Pet Show next week and we usually go with Helen and Suzy who own Hugo and Milo and meet up with anyone else that comes. At Woofstock we actually meet up at a designated point with dogs as that one you can bring them. The All About Pet Show doesn't allow. So its just humans looking at dog stuff together.

So if you are interested... We are thinking Saturday but are trying to coordinate.

Also, I will be posting a - must get list for the pups in a day or two. It's time I amend the one I have. :-)

No Photo Day

Molly After Her BathI am off to wash a puppy. I also have to cleanup the house and pretend I do not see the mess the grooming area is. I cut pads. I brushed and blow dried dogs and although it was clean this morning it looks like a war took place in it.

On Sunday Paula comes by to see the pups and Teaser has already left us. Phantom remains and he can stay but I doubt Paula would let him remain forever. hahahahaha But we are lucky to have him as much as we do.

Off to wash Molly so her owner can see her nice and clean and pretty. She's not one of ours in case you ask who she is out of. :-) Maybe I will take a photo after I am done.

Off to look at weather too.

Update on Friday, March 30, 2012 at 8:11PM by Darlah

Well that was fun. Molly was a wild child for her bath. What a way to end the night. Can I go to bed now?

Simba's Home

I washed up Simba and his Daddy came to get him so excited to see him. Be still my heart!

You know what I noticed about this boy? He has beautiful structure, pretty face and a wonderful personality. He's great with the pups too.

Nathan looked at him and said you know we could have shown him to his championship. He's right. hahahaha You can't keep them all, Nathan! Someone has to groom them you know. :-)

We will miss him.

Shoshi had a bath yesterday. Today she looks like the wild woman she is.

I call her my bad hair day gal. She feels WONDERFUL but her hair sticks out all the wrong ways.

Shoshi was never a dog we were going to breed. Her tail is too tight. Her hair is too thick, cottony and sticks out straight like she put a paw in a light socket.

She has a truly pretty face if you see it beyond that hair.

We love her more than life itself. She is our Shoshi Boshi. She's taught me how to deal with difficult hair. How to deal with a shy dog and how the pack can be good for the soul. She is no longer shy and she is delightful in her learning. The pack is still teaching her a thing or two and she's an old lady already. Oh and she is a duck hunter so much so that she leaps of the deck every bloody year after them and pulls a ligament that ends up healing. We put her on leads to stop her and there is always someone that opens the door (last year a visitor) come spring and she just runs and leaps.

We do everything to stop her from such craziness but she can't help herself. I think that is why I love her so - that wonderful spirit!

Staying Clean: Yeah Right

Risa had a bath today but you can't tell. I had her smooth and silky looking and then she smashed her face into the ground, rolled this way and that way. Well at least I know she is clean.

Risa has so much hair that I could cut away and you wouldn't be able to tell.

Her hair is thick, wavy and has full body but it takes a long time to dry.

Here are a few more photos. None were taken right after as I had Shoshi and Kat to do as well.

Why I do Shoshi and Risa on the same day, I don't know as both have that extra thick hair.

Tonight snuggling with them will be wonderful. I love when they feel soft and silky. :-)

Visiting & Baths

Maxine came over for a bath and running play just for a couple of hours. She has such wonderful hair.

I washed her and although I put a bathing tether on her it was really unnecessary.

I suggest a bathing tether for anyone bathing a dog. It's just easier and doesn't bother them and keeps them safe. I like to bathe in my laundryroom sink.

She just took it all in stride. I am impressed.

I then cleaned up her pads and again not a peep.

For the first time I saw Truffie too exuberant. He just chased and chased her. She has wonderful speed and it was all in fun but usually Truffie is not so focused on visitors.

I think he really liked her.

As I still have the flu I stayed away but enjoyed from afar.

I figure by weeks end it will be gone.

Nathan keeps threatening that he is sick but its not grabbing him like me. I suspect that's due to the reality that I do so much that my immune system was probably not at its best. Dennis is not getting as sick as I was and neither is Nathan. I am glad. It isn't a fun flu. I also am careful in making sure I don't pass it on to anyone else.

Baths, Visitors & Play

Rox had a bath today and so did Spice and Truffie.

I look at Rox and I see Abigail.

Tomorrow I will wash more. On Friday the pups and moms get washed.

I got some samples of a product and trying new stuff on the crew. The verdict is out.

I find I always try and wonder how is it that we spend more on our dog's hair than our own?

It's a riot.

Here's a few photos today of Simba and the pups. He remains a star in the puppy socialization department.

Snuggles & More

We had a lot of outdoor time today. Tomorrow I start washing dogs. Why? They need it and I need to get it done. I figure maybe I will be up to it tomorrow and be $%^& under my breath as I wasn't up to it earlier in the week.

My yard is starting to get green and I noticed daylilies were trampled on. Good thing they are hardy. There is so much to do in the garden. Soon peonies will be blooming. My house will be filled with vases of them. Then it will rain and ruin most of them. I will complain about the mud and puppies going home and drooping peonies.

There's that bench that needs new wooden slats or be thrown out - not sure which or if I can find slats for it or have them cut but lawsuit time if anyone sits on it so DON'T.

But as the warm weather comes we will have friends over, eating out on the deck and enjoying puppy visits. Now that's something to look forward to.

I do so love shaded areas of green and colour for the pups to romp in. Perhaps they will get it before they go. Here is hoping.