Visitors & Pups

We had the Tiger and Tia visiting and it was fun. It seems an emptier place now that they are home.

I rather enjoy when people come over with their dawgs so we can enjoy them and the smaller set.

I think our dawgs love having the extra dawgs to play with. It is great socialization and a great deal of fun.

Tomorrow is a busy day as 3 pups go home. I will have to fit in grooming somewhere or not. The dawgs won't die without and my hand coudl use a break.

It's rather wet and mucky outside but they say the cold is coming back. I hate cold but personally for keeping dawgs dry and dirtless - well I like the cold.

I never imagined I would say THAT - me who likes 90F water in her pool.

PS: the dawgs like it warm too - well that's my excuse.

Hope everyone had a fab New Year and didn't fall asleep at 11pm like us.

May this be the best year yet!

Treasure is Pregnant

Wasabi and Treasure was at the vet's today. Treasure is in the background and Wasabi is stage front. Click on Treasure's name to see older photos of her.

Treasure has the silkiest hair you ever did feel. She also had quite stunning pups the last time. Can't wait to see this brood.

On January 21st we go for an ultrasound for Fiona and an x-ray for Treasure to find out how many. Do I think Fiona is pregnant? Absolutely but on the 21st we will get confirmation.

Update: I can feel a tummy growing on Fiona now!

PhantomTreasure was mated to Katsura and Fiona to a beautiful wonderful natured chocolate Havanese called Phantom. We expect great looking pups from each. As this is a duplicate litter for Treasure, check out her last and only litter at 4 weeks. With Fiona we mated her with Phantom and this will be a first. We expect beautiful pups but I can't show you what she produced previously as there was no previous with Phantom. But am I expecting colour? YEP!

Then we are taking a break and we will be back in 2012 with pups as we want to hang out with our dawg friends, see the pups that are in their forever homes and use the pool in 2011.

We just have a couple of puppies available in each of these litters that we will take deposits for. If interested, let us know.

Visiting Fun

We had a wonderful visit with Max and Finnegan but they must  come again as we didn't get enough time with them with everyone that was here nor did we have enough time with their owners. Please let's do it again when it's less busy.

The pups enjoyed it and was way tired after the visit. We also had 2 families that came to see pups for future litters. We are glad that we were able to share the fun we have with the pups.

Tonight I forgot my camera and of course we had some stellar moments to capture at Helen and Suzies. Go figure. Oh well, missed moments to capture.

We had a very grand time and really enjoy this couple.

What a way to end the year - good friends, dawgs and good food and lots of laughs. Thank you.

More tomorrow. Too tired tonight. Maybe I am getting too old. heh It is bed time in a few minutes.

No Point Day

Well this was disappointing. One dog didn't show up with its handler and the other dog sat at ringside on its owner's lap and I was told she said she wasn't going to show him as he was misbehaving. That left no points for Raylan - cute - not! Yes, she knew Raylan only needed 1 point - enough said.

This happened to us once before when we won all weekend and the last day no one showed up with Treasure.

Raylan was wonderful. He showed really well. The judge liked him and said so. He's not in the least afraid or nervous in any way shape and form and shows that are busy can be a tad overwhelming even for the best balanced dogs but he thinks of it as a place to meet and greet and get treats. It can't get better than that.

Tomorrow he may get to go to Helen and Suzie's house. We shall see. We heard they are getting rater skinny so Nathan wants to bring truffles. Yeah, truffles to die for - men!

Tomorrow the Day?

Raylan is one point away from his championship and we are hoping tomorrow he gets it.

He is an amazing dog. He walks into the show without a care in the world. The big dogs come by and he wants to say hello to everyone, dog and human alike.

Do you know how many people have come up to us to say he is sooooooo cute and he is starting to believe it. hahahaha

Raylan at Elora

We thank Coco's mom Carol and Mary Lou for coming to see us. It means a lot to us. We also had many others coming to see Raylan and all we kept hearing was he has the cutest face and is ever so friendly and sociable etc. That was nice to hear. He is a special guy.

Raylan received a point today and now he is 2 points away from championship.

My hand now has shooting pain up the arm. I know I am in trouble as I have more grooming to do but we will do what we need to and have a stiff gin and tonic with a twist of lime and maybe I won't care. I am not a drinker so 1 would do it. hahahaha

Tomorrow I wash Raylan tomorrow then off to the show.

Now off to snuggle the pups... Is it only 645pm? Only?

Bathing How Often?

Fiona had a bath today and she smells ever so good. Soon we will find out if we have pregnancies with Fiona and Treasure and call it a day till 2012. Pups going home in early spring will be nice.

Treasure is already having morning sickness and I have no doubt that Fiona is pregnant too.

Today was busy. I did my usual grooming and tomorrow we are off to a show with Raylan for the next few days returning home late each day. We will still be updating but photos will be slow.

I just picked up something heavy and messed up my hand. Here I thought it was almost healed. How silly.

So, I am off to rest it and ice it. Later!

PS: I bathe approx. every 2 weeks or when dirty.

Downsizing

Recently Risa was at Jeans house and did splendid. She liked it so much she cried when Jean left. I think Jean must have been feeding her treats or Jean is just so nice that one on one they bonded. Jean is amazing in our books.

Risa is 8 years old, always healthy, loves walks, fully house trained of course and enjoys sleeping in bed late. She's a dream dog...truly, and as much as it pains us, we must find the 'right' home for our older dogs. We can't just keep adding dogs. We have a limit per our bylaw and if we are to continue breeding, we must place our older dawgs and continue the lines.

It's one of the hardest things we have ever done. Jean is alone and already has 2 dawgs so we are looking for someone that is as special as she is.

So, if you think you are that special person, someone that can give Risa that one on one attention that is so difficult for us but that she so richly deserves, come visit. Risa knows true dawg people and only true dawg people need apply. You must be willing to give her lots of love, walks, sleep in your bed with you and brush her daily though her hair is silky and gorgeous and easy care. She loves car rides and you must limit her treats as she LOVES to eat.

Please understand that this is NOT an easy process for us and we may be very picky but if she connects with you, then we know it is right. If she doesn't, then we will continue to look. It's not you but her choice. We owe her that.

Getting Older

Abigail is no longer feeding her babies but she is playing with them in a big way, so is Wasabi.

With puppies growing up, changes occur. Moms are fed with the other dawgs once again and they are fed less food - back to the usual.

Why does that happen? Moms would get fat and this also allows for a transition time for the pups giving moms time to teach vs. feed. It's a critical time.

Moms enjoy this time and they know it is transition time.

Now that Red is gone Abigail is playing up a storm with Raylan. Then soon Raylan will be off to England and Abigail won't have any pups hanging out here.

They leave the nest too early, I say but maybe moms realize it's time but they do seem to miss them.

It's sort of like us humans becoming empty nesters. It's an adjustment but we also enjoy the quiet and less work aspect. Miss then we do though till they make more work for us. hahahaha

Happy Holidays to All

It means a great deal to us that you take the time to read our site. We do this for the dawgs. We never miss a day of sharing or giving you a glimpse into what we are all about. No matter how tired or sick - well we feel as if we let you down if we allow life to get in the way of connecting, sharing and celebrating the Havanese dawgs.

We have had so many changes this year. Some we celebrated, some we cried about and we also recognized that life threw some of you some curves that were unexpected. For that we are disapointed with this thing called life.

Those who adore and love dawgs should be given a break and good things should always come your way. People who totally love their dawgs are special and you deserve the very best.

May next year bring everything you and your dawgs deserve - all good and wonderful memories that you will Treasure.

This is our Treasure in this photo celebrating life in her fashion. If we simply take the time to look, be receptive and listen, we may find that the Havanese bring smiles even to the most crabby person. You just have to stop, pay attention and allow. Click on the photo.

From us and our dawg crew at Talemaker Havanese, we wish you all the VERY best!

Now start creating memories to Treasure!

Red With His New Family

Red's family shared with us some photos and I hope they don't mind but I chose this one due to the smiles on BOTH of them. Red's not sharing his teeth but smiling he is.

He's getting used to car rides, an active family, alarm clocks (we don't use them) and walks plus much more.

It's wonderful to hear about his adventure.

By the time he will visit us he will be bonded and our home will be a visit and theirs his home.

That's what it is all about.

Red Adair Goes to His Forever Home

I already miss the Red but he's going to a home with a number of kids that he will enjoy.

Yes, he will have an ajustment as he hasn't a clue where he is going but he will have so much fun - I just know it!

He became my heart dog always sleeping up against me and as a breeder you say keep your distance but how can you?

But when I hear about his adventures and I know he is enjoying his forever life, I will be more than happy as that is what it really is about - not us but them.

Listening to how much they wanted Red right from their first visit - well he is absolutely wanted and hey you can't help falling hard for the Red Adair. I tried not to. heh

So, we wish him well. Take care of this little guy as he is truly special and let us know about his adventures.

We are wishing we were a fly on the wall at their house tonight. :-)

Treasure's Vet Visit

Treasure has an ear ache and had to go to the vets today. Our vet is in Colborne. With her potentially being pregnant we can't use the normal way of dealing with it so they cleaned it out. I am drying it daily and they will look at it again on the 31st.

It was a long drive. She's still not up to par but she's a tad better. How did she get  an ear ache? We are not sure.

I have to admit I came back and took a nap in the room with the pups and a variety of some of the dawgs draped all over me and I didn't feel it. I was very tired as Kat and Raylan has been keeping me up.

I am typing this and yawning. What does that tell you? Can I go to bed now? 

Remembering Fairer Weather

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow... But I want some of that green stuff and Treasure adores the white stuff but loves mucking it up in the leaves. Fall just slipped by so fast.

Well, Treasure is off to the vet tomorrow. She has an ear ache that we have to get looked at. It means our son will be taking care of the pups while I am driving in that white stuff. They say we are getting a storm. I hope not. I am not crazy about driving in anything slippery - who is.

So photos may be sparse tomorrow but hopefully the vets will fit me in early enough that I am back in the morning but we shall see.

The crew enjoyed our visitors today especially Coco and Breeze. We humans enjoyed the dawgs and the human visitors. Thanks for coming!

Heat, Marking & All That!

 When gals are in heat and the boy is not mating with her, he does this continual marking. They mark to say this is mine but I also think it releases some stress. They do get very stressed when they are not being bred and there is a gal.

To make matters worse, they drip down their legs forcing many baths, rinse offs and that is why some breeders actually place leg protectors on. If I see the lady at the show that makes them, guess what I am going to buy. heh I want 2 sets. One to wipe off and wash daily and the other to replace.

At this point I am washing Kat every 4 or 5 days and rinsing daily and sometimes twice a day. I will be glad when Fiona is done her heat. She's being mated with a different male and its a bit much for Kat to take. Do you understand? I do.

I just gave him yet another bath. This morning he had a rinse and underneath bath but he was so bad that even though I washed him a few days ago, well he had to have another. I am now trying to figure out how to protect his legs. I may put a snowsuit on him. hahahahaha

Some would be upset but I 'get' that this is temporary and it too will pass and that hormone surge is something difficult to control. He's not whining or crying as some do so I best count my blessings.

Those that do not want to neuter their males though have to be crazy cause all it takes is a gal to be in heat up to a mile away and you will suddenly have all this wonderful behavior when they reach puberty. The reality is, it makes sense to neuter unless you are breeding and if you breed and the boy is connecting with the gal, the marking doesn't occur.

Now off to find solutions to keep him clean. (PS: I just tried plastic bags with hair ties on them - let's see how long that lasts. I will take them off at bedtime and put them back on in the morning and then off when we have guests or maybe not)

On a Mission

Tonight when Nathan gets home he will be reading email and returning calls about Red.

It's been a busy day as Yvonne came to send one of her pups to his forever home and the new owners met here.

What does that mean for the crew? Well, just a different routine. Dawgs appreciate consistency but they also should have things mixed up so they have the ability to go with the flow. It's also important to socialize.

Red Adair Looking For a Home

Red Adair was heading to England next year but due to his structure (he's compact and shorter than expected but full bodied) we are looking for a pet home instead of a show home. There is nothing wrong with him. He's healthy as ever and loves his food! He's pad trained. He's loving, gorgeous and needs another dog or one on one attention. He's way smart!

He sleeps in the bed. He's still a puppy. He's had all his shots and it will kill us to see him go but he needs a forever home. He's been in a holding pattern waiting for England too long.

If you need more info or you are interested, send Nathan mail.

Balanced Dogs

From time to time I write a few articles to help you get your dawgs from one point to the next. You have a great deal, after the breeder that is, in getting your dawg to be all they can be.

Read 'Getting Your Dog Balanced'

Too often life gets busy and we don't take the time to take our dawgs for play dates, out to Petsmart or your local dog store or to classes. Then suddenly you are wondering why your dog is nervous at new things.

Conditioning is VERY important. The more your expose your dogs to new things the more he takes changes in stride.

Think about it. If you never went out of the house and suddenly you were dragged out and you had no clue where you were going, how do you think you would feel?

Sure you need to do slow conditioning in safe environments but exposure is important.

I remember talking to someone that does agility and their dawg stops when someone has a hat on. If you started putting various hats on or had someone else each time that dawg would train, eventually the dawg wouldn't react but that takes effort. Is it worth it? YEP!

You have the ability to have an amazing time. They are what you put into them and as breeders, we give them the best start possible and you bring them in for a homerun.

Hunting Squirrels

I have to tell you the Havanese love to chase the squirrels. Wasabi can even catch one but what does she do if she does? She lets it go. It's simply the fun of the game. Kat just loves to look.

Shoshi used to be our top duck chaser, squirrel hunter with Risa not too far behind. They do adore a game of chase.

What does that tell you? If you ever have a dog loose that is heading the wrong way and he/she won't come to you, run the other way. Get her/his attention and run and the chase will be on and the dawg will come to you. It sounds counter productive but it does work.

We were at a gas station one time and a dog got out of the  car and was running towards the road. The owner was frantic. Nathan stepped into action and the dog was chasing him away from the street till the dog got close to the owner where she could catch him.

Remember, take advantage of their natural desire to chase. Be creative. Play games and get that recall down as it could save their life.

Ease of Grooming

I find 4 adult pups a breeze to room even to line comb. I think the more you do, the faster you get and the better you get. So don't give up if you are frustrated as it really does come.

Today we finally got our teak furniture in and room made for it to come in. Talk about doing things late.

The dawgs adore the snow and Kat is now sleeping up against me as if I am a second skin. We have had way too many changes and the dawgs are feeling it as if they are worried they will go and won't come back too. <sigh> I wish you could tell the dawgs things in a way that they would understand the changes.

They moped around after we lost Whitney and as our dawgs were placed other places, they are rather off kilter and I 'get' that. So am I if off kilter means down right sad. But we are pleased to hear the stories.

We love the dawgs so. Something special about unconditional love from a dawg, don't you think?

Have any of you experienced the wet snowballs that appear on their tummies from a walk?