Bad Hair Day: Havanese Mothers

We love our Abigail. But puppies really wreck havoc on ones hair. That's okay. It will grow back.

If you want to see a larger photo of Abigail, just click on the photo.

Today I meant to wash Treasure but it looks like I will do that on Tuesday and I will try to take a video so you can see how I groom.

Now this depends on how well Nathan can video tape me or rather Treasure. If he/I find the time. The goal is to show you how I take knots out and wash and blow dry. We will see if I can actually turn this into a reality. I promise not to brush her tomorrow in hopes I have some knots to work with. Her hair is rather dirty so maybe this siesta from grooming on just her will work. Tuesday will tell.

Today was rather gloomy but we got to go out and about.

Tomorrow we have Archie coming for the day for daycare. We are looking forward to it. More tomorrow.

I think we are going to have rain...

Playing With Younger Set

With no boarders, it's a quiet house - seriously. One has to laugh but yes, there's not a peep in the house. The puppies are snoozing and so are the adults.

I have photos to do and I have no energy and dogs to walk. Suck it up and get to it, Darlah. Tired is a state of mind - right so why am I yawning?

I promise by Monday, I will have new photos up, videos and I will learn how to use the video on my camera. Think of the time I will save.

More tomorrow after baths for Risa, Shoshi and maybe the pups after rolling under the deck.

What a Hot Day Havanese Stylin

Well, the day got away and we can't figure out where it went but we spent a lot of it outside hanging out in that beautiful weather.

Wasabi, Abigail and Fiona had baths. Maybe tomorrow Risa and Treasure will. We shall see.

Walks will happen soon and then we will roll on to the couch and watch the boob tube. More tomorrow.

Lazy Spring Havanese Pool Cover Days

We are testing this thumbnail business to see if you like this better. The load is faster and if you want to see the larger photo, just click on the photo.

Ever wonder if those safety covers are ... well safe? They are. Look at Nathan laying on it with some of the adults and puppies. If you have a pool, it is a wise investment for kids, you, the dogs etc.

The weather was gorgeous so we spent a great deal of time outside. The pups truly enjoy that and so do our adults. My crew needs baths and I will get them done, here and there. I still want to learn the new things on my camera but have I? NO. Something always comes up.

But tonight I am either going to wash a dog or read my manual. Do you know which? Even I don't know.

Quiet Times at Talemaker Havanese

If anyone wants to see the video of Missy, Holly and Penny with the pups, you can find them on the Wasabi or Abigail's video page or on the visitor/boarding video page.  Missy, Holly and Penny was hanging out with the little guys.

NOTE: Click on the photo here to see a larger version. We will be going back to using thumbnails and clickable photos if you want to see a larger view.

If you are interested in photos, Missy, Holly and Penny was snapped before and after baths as that was the day all 3 were going home. sniff I don't have formal before and after shots but rather just clicks of that day. Check them out on the visitors and boarding photo page.

Well, it is truly quiet here. It reminds me when our kids come home, the whole house gets more active. I believe due to having 7 kids, we are used to that non-stop activity so when we have a lull, it's as if to say - now what. Sure we have a house filled with our own but it takes me so little time to groom and that should equal lots of free time but does it? No! It just means all those tasks that were not dog related gets fit in till we get another visitor and then we have an excuse - we've gone to the dawgs! Plus I get extra snuggling time and extra playtimes and everything including fitting in a PVR that is filled up. But do we miss the activity? YEP!

Next guest comes on April 28th. We can't wait!

PS: I think tomorrow I wil work on some more articles to spruce up the library here.

Change of House

Tomorrow I promise to get you photos and a video. Today I had 4 dogs to wash and I tend to be thorough so you won't find your dog drying in a crate. I have them on the table, brushing them and combing them throughout to make sure they are beautiful.

Thing is, I have absolutely no control when they just go and shake and roll about like Penny did today after her mom arrived.

Havanese are just Havanese and love to keep you laughing and on your toes. It's why I adore them.

This morning when we woke up, 5 minutes after we got up, Penny and Holly were playing up a storm. Then Missy and Treasure joined in.

Last night Holly wanted to go on 2 walks. Missy and

Penny decided one was enough. I should have taken a video of them all at the gate inside our front door jumping around like banshees saying, me first.

Photos and video tomorrow - I promise. Tonight we are down to just our own crew and its quiet.

This is Holly, one of our boarders and she leaves tomorrow. She was hanging out on Nathan today while he read. She is rather enjoying doing so.

This is Penny. She's Fiona's daughter and is visiting us till tomorrow. She played up a storm with the puppies and found them so fascinating. She really knows how to engage them in play. Wait til you see the video tomorrow.

This is Missy and she lives with Holly. She thought the puppies were Martians but its good conditioning. With ouur crew, some enjoy them more than others. They can be persistent in their desire to feed and sometimes they try to feed on someone other than the moms and that sends the adults scrambling. heh

Comings & Goings at Talemaker Havanese

Splish, Splash, they were taking a bath.

Daisy and Teddy had a bath today as they went home. Two party dogs going their separate ways. I am sure their paths will meet again here.

Teddy was also smitten with the Treasured one. Shanty also went to her forever home.

Wow, a lot of changes.

Then Missy and Holly arrived and were fascinated by the puppies. We even had one out to play with them. A video will be up tomorrow.

Did you know the more you groom, the more conditioned they get to grooming? But even when we groom, do you know what is often forgotten? The eye area cleanup and the ears and yep those nails.

Even when boarders come in the door, it would be easy to say - oh tomorrow we will start grooming but I don't. Each day is a day of grooming conditioning that hopefully helps you and helps them.

Saki-Sized Visit at Talemaker Havanese

Saki came to visit us for a few hours today and it was fun. She has a really cute puppy cut that Val did. The owners say that it is much easier to care for especially during her blowing coat stage.

Saki comes in with grand exuberance and joins Teddy, Daisy and Shanty along with our crew in running around the backyard.

We also have Emma a golden visiting us and she's an absolute sweetheart. I adore her!

Check out yesterday's video on the Boarding and Visitors Videopage. We took video today but between playing and walking and grooming and snuggling and dealing with a boy over the moon and a gal in heat - well I hope yesterday's videos is enough. I wil be glad when Fiona is finished...pretty please let it be tomorrow?

Shanty leaves us tomorrow and she gets a bath tomorrow. She has truly grown on us. <sigh> Daisy and Teddy leaves us and I will miss their bubbly personality. More baths. :-) Emma is also leaving but no bath. She's an absolute sweetheart. Then Monday or Tuesday Penny leaves.

Then we get 2 sweeties tomorrow that are regulars that we love.

More about everything tomorrow! I need to grab a couch, get warm and snuggle with draping havanese.

Oh and the camera died AGAIN - ARGH!!!

Talemaker Havanese Immense Fun

We had Hugo and Milo join us for the day. Teddy also came for a couple of days. Daisy has been here for a bit and Shanty is here till Sunday. It was a TRULY fun day today.

I got a ton of photos but I am only putting up a few that turned into a slew but still not all.

Check the photos out here.

I also placed up a video with Penny, Shanty, Daisy and the Treasured one. Tomorrow I will put up a video of the rest of the visitors. I just ran out of time. Sorry.

Teddy brings such fun to the mix and so does Hugo and Milo. You already know Daisy is a play monster.

We had such a fun crew that I spent less time cropping 247 files - yeah that's right. I have 247 photos getting uploaded and I am only putting up a sliver.

Treasure is getting back to herself. Fiona is almost done her heat. The crew was playing hard and long and delightful. Watch for today's videos getting uploaded tomorrow. Till then, wish me luck with sleep tonight as we have the moms joining us for zzzzs.

Yeah, Saki is coming for a few hours tomorrow. FUN!

Playing By My Havanese Rules

As you probably know by now, we are big on the retrieve game. It's fun. It tuckers them out and it usually teaches them the spirit of competition.

It took a bit before Treasure 'understood' the spirit - meaning it doesn't always have to be about HER.

Well, Daisy reminds me a bit of Treasure where she rather would get YOU to do the chase game - you chase her - which I refuse or she covets the toy. So, we are practicing walking away and ending the game. This method may take a few days but it DOES work. I have never had a dog that it hasn't.

But you have to laugh watching the mind clicking away waiting to see what you will do. Will she give in this time?

PS: I didn't but we are about to go back out and try it again.

Mucking it Up Havanese Style

Daisy gets brushed up and voila, you would swear I didn't touch her. Personally, I love the chaotic look. Shoshi has that look too.

Daisy has been mucking it up and if there is a mud patch in the back, well she finds it. You have to laugh at such fun. Sure it is extra work for me but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Today we hung outside, played up a storm - found mud and just enjoyed life. Then comes the walks and catching zzzzs.

Now that's a Talemaker Havanese Life. hehehehehe

Baths, Going Home & Play * ^&%$

Little by little I am getting my dawgs washed but today I got Ripley done as he was going home and Penny who is staying for a bit but I wanted to take a 4 generations photo while Fiona's mom was still here. She leaves tonight.

I intended on doing one more but I got side-tracked.

Shanty goes in to get her teeth done tomorrow. So, it's just me and the dawgs. Daisy is visiting us again and Ripley left us. <sniff>

Charlie and Kitzie came to visit us and I had video of that visit and Ripley playing up a storm and the bleepin fingers of mine pushed format vs. finalize. I could shoot myself. It's called *&^% happens. I have yet to tell Nathan but he will find out reading this. oy as it was his video. It was one of those things that you do and you go - oh no, how could I have done THAT!

But we did get photos of today so I am hoping you enjoy those on the boarders and visitors photo page.

I guess I am tired. What's new?

New Video Available

Penny & Shanty are playing up a storm. Check it out on the Boarders and Visitor's Videos page.

It Happens (Sigh)

Both Fiona and Treasure are in heat. Well, Treasure is out in a few days and so is Fiona. Treasure is a dominant dog and with hormones going and all, she went after Fiona. You see, Fiona was getting cozy with Kat and Treasure was beside herself - sounds like a doggie soap opera. When the heat cycle is over, Fiona and Treasure play like the best of friends that they are. It's crazy - truly. It is amazing what hormones can do to us humans and canines alike. Each female dog acts different. Some sleep a whole lot. Some get cranky. Some get sucky. Some get way emotional. It sounds a lot like humans, doesn't it?

Is this another good reason to get your dog spayed or neutered? YEP! 

So what is the answer? Separate the breeding duo or if no one is being bred, Kat gets to stay out of the equation and voila - no issue. I can have any amount of males here during this time and no issues but throw a couple of gals in heat, and as long as Kat is going from one to the other, well Treasure doesn't want to share THAT. Out of sight, out of mind is bang on for harmony.

If you want to know how Fiona feels about it... well look at the photo with her hair things coming out. But right now Kat's in Nathan's office and the pair is snuggled up together with Ripley.

Well, Shanty gets her teeth done Wednesday. She has a couple of canines that need to be pulled as her adult teeth didn't push the baby juveniles out.

Tomorrow Ripley leaves (he gets a bath) and Daisy comes. Ripley has really fit in playing up a storm with Treasure and Shanty. It's been a delight. He will be missed. He lays and watches TV with me on my lap with his head on the recliner. He sleeps cuddled up to Nathan at night. He just came in, fit like a perfect glove and ate up a storm. hehehehe

Oh well, tomorrow brings another day.

Treasure, King of the Retrievers

I started to write about all the dogs in the house but I think today I’m going to focus on Treasure. Those of you that have been following my wife’s blogs over these past few years must know each and every dog of ours by now. Treasure is special. I can’t say it any clearer than that. She has an attitude and a majesty about her that is unique. She earned her Canadian championship without missing a step by seven months of age. Now going on two nothing has changed. She’s all attitude and she looks wonderful. Darlah keeps her in “show coat” which means long and flowing. Sometimes it’s as if her hair is floating around her and she races around the back yard chasing whatever is thrown. It isn’t that she is the fastest but that she is "The Treasured One". So when we play retrieve, she wins. If another dog is getting ahead of her she simply projects her aura and intimidates whomever right off the ball. She retrieves perfectly. That is to say she will always bring the ball back and drop it just out of reach. When I don’t move to get it until she brings it closer she will pick it up without being told and drop it closer, a foot at a time, on purpose. It’s part of the game she plays. Mark my words, one day she will be alpha in this house, when Risa decides it’s time for her to stop worrying about such things. Until then, we all get to enjoy every minute of her.

Before I sign off, for those of you that have been waiting, the first issue of Talemaker’s Havanese Breed Magazine is going to be available tomorrow. If you haven’t already done so, it’s time to subscribe at www.havanesebreed.com/subscribe/. (Blatant plug, no shame whatsoever) I hope you will enjoy reading the magazine as much as I enjoyed doing it.

Nathan



Havanese: The Natural Look

Ripley is visiting us and is having a grand time but I brush him and voila he looks like I haven't done  a thing.

He has this Rastafarian thing going on that I adore.

He just LOVES Treasure and he can't understand why she has to wear big girl panties.

But he loves yanking on them to get her to do what he wants. hahaha

Treasure is in heat but almost finished. Still, we find it easier to put them on and not have to worry about her teasing all the boys. Yes, she teases them all and she loves the attention.

But she is not her usual bubbly self when she has them on.

No one is intact here except Kat so do we really need the big gal panties?

No, but they look so cute. hahahahaha

Doesn't she look so cute?

Well, it's been a cool day and it's time to walk dogs and snuggle and play and Ripley is a class act in the snuggle department.

Ooops, there goes Ripley and Treasure again. I do believe they are smitten with each other. heh

More tomorrow!

We had 4 Generations of Havanese Here

Why oh why didn't we take a photo? We have Risa and Fiona and we had Fiona's daughter Penny and Fiona's mom Maggie here. How silly of us not to take a photo but we have been a tad crazy around here trying to get a magazine out - well Nathan is so I am pulling up my bootstraps, so to speak with other things.

We had Penny go home and Ripley come to visit. It's downright quiet - well as quiet as it ever is here.

More tomorrow when I am a tad more awake. Had little sleep last night. Dawgs were great but Nathan had to go to the airport at the crack of dawn.

No rest for the weary but hey we are getting conditioned. ROFL!

Havanese Jay Leaves Talemaker Havanese

Well, all good things come to an end and we will be waiting for the next visit. These past few months, we have had some truly outstanding Havanese and non-Havanese.

Jay's a funny guy. He just loves everyone. It's that fun guy craziness that adds an element of fun to this place. They also help others find their fun. Each dog has their role when in a pack and we always help that along.

We also have Miss Maggie and her grand daughter visiting us. Penny has been finding fun in puppy play. Miss Maggie is enjoying Nathan and his taking her for errands. Her best time is when the pack lays down to watch tv, that's when she makes sure she cuddles right in.

Penny was born here so when Nathan says, puppy, puppy, puppies - well she reacts bigtime. It's a riot to watch. They do remember.

The crew has been running up a storm inside and outside only for short spurts as it has been heavily raining. Check out today's photos. Grooming was done early today. Shoshi was washed and so was Jay and now it is Cesar's turn as he will be going home in the early morning and Nathan will be out.

I best get started so we can all snuggle and watch TV. :-)

Penny Visits Us Today

This is one of Fiona's daughters. She looks a lot like Fiona but also like Fiona's mother. Fiona is getting bred soon and will the pups look like this? No and yes. Each time they are different and the sire will not be Kat. Will they be wonderful characters? No doubt.

Will she have all blondes or apricots like her? You never know. She could have sables or black and whites or... well it is a wonderful surprise.

It's quiet around here. It's raining! We have Yvonne's Maggie visiting. Jay goes home tomorrow, Cesar goes home Friday. Ripley comes Friday.

No photos today. Sorry but I want to snuggle with pups and dawgs and enjoy them inside while they track in mud. hehehe

It's a Havanese dawg residence - what can I say!