Snowflake Time With Havanese

Tia, Sydney and TreasureThe trio, Tia and Sydney 2 of our boarders and Treasure have been playing up a storm. It's been delightful to watch them. It hasn't been that long since we had multiple puppies here but it is easy to forget the non-stop fun till you are immersed in it when you see 2 play. Add a bonus of a 3rd and wow, explosive fun.

Nathan has been attending a dog show with a friend, not showing and he has been missing this non-stop fun but he's back and now that the snow has come and gone I might add, then he can run like a banshee outside and get the crew going.

It's been a blast today playing retrieve in the snow and trying to hold the camera still from all the laughing I was doing.

When we came in and rested, everyone tried to get the couch bed. It seems it is the most favourite bed around this place. If I had known, we would have bought more than 1. Maybe just having one makes it ever so popular. From goldens to the puppies, well that's the bed they want.

Sitting watching TV in a recliner sets a dawg draping experience in motion. Fiona wants the spot near your feet. Abigail wants one of the arms, the puppies want any spot they can nuzzle into and so it begins, the blanket of dawgs keeping me warm while I peer over their heads trying to see some program or other. It's a riot.

In case you didn't notice, we always place all our photos of our visitors and boarders on their own page as well as add a pointer to them in one of the blog messages. I hope in that way if all you want to do is see how your little one looks and not read my words, well it's easily found.

Check out today's snowflake fun.

Sunny Times at Talemaker Havanese

Coco One of Our VisitorsWe have had a truly fun weekend filled with way exciting moments. But unfortunately, Zack, Coco and Jessie are on their way home.

Tia and Sydney are still with us playing up a storm.

In the middle of Tia and Sydney going home, we have party guy Jay Jay, Jasper (one of Wasabi’s pups), Charlie and Weaver coming.

It’s really a lot of excitement and it always is something new with each bringing their very own personality to the mix.

Zack, Coco and Jessie all had baths. Tomorrow I will get in a couple of baths with our resident Talemaker guys. They get groomed daily but with all this dirt from the walks, well they look a tad dingy no matter how hard you try. So, with snow coming, we will spruce them up again.

Are any of you sick of all this sand you are bringing in from walks and visitors? Will they stop sanding the sidewalks and streets?

It was a fantastic warm and sunny weekend,  as warm as any winter day can be. I almost felt spring in the air and then they say snow is coming.

I guess it is mother nature keeping us on our toes.

Let’s see, Jessie loved his bath – yes loved it! Zack just wants the treats and Coco doesn’t seem to mind a bit.

Sydney One of Our VisitorsSydney is a stick monster. No matter where she is, she finds them and we have tons in the garden. She just thinks it's a delightful game to take one and run with it while Treasure chases her.

We really had a great time running around. The little ones found fun running under the deck from one side to the other side. Yes, it is safe.

The visitors, Tia and Sydney taught themselves. Maybe it had a lot to do with watching Wasabi run in and out.

 If you want to see a few photos taken today, well check it out here.

Boogie Woogie at Talemaker Havanese

Jessie & the CrewHey, that's not a Havanese. No, that's a Jessie! We started taking non-Havanese for boarding and it surely added some fun to the mix. It also helps the rest of the crew to be exposed to a variety of small dogs. Plus we have the 2 Goldens to help the visitors get used to the big dawgs.

This is Jessie a Cavalier King Charles, who is a ball of fun. He loves to snuggle. He runs like the wind and he fits in really well with everyone. He doesn't even mind his grooming.

Check out some of today's photos.

We also have our regulars Zack and Coco here who happen to be friends with Jessie and are rather fond of him. As usual, Zack and Coco really know how to mix it up here and enjoy their holiday.

Tia & Sydney Playing Up a StormWe also have 2 puppies visiting (Tia and Sydney) and it's a sickness, I tell you. They are having so much fun with each other and with Treasure that I go --- oh we need puppies in this house. There is nothing like the rolling around of a pair. They play hard and drink together then start again then take a few zzzzs till they start again.

Everyone is playing retrieve, eating well, snuggling like...ohhh it feels good and the crew at Talemaker is really clicking and having a great time.

Till tomorrow.

Havanese Changing of the Crew

Ripley after bathRipley has been visiting us for a few days.

I managed to get some really good video fun of him playing - 17 minutes but had to just cut it down to a few minutes. I also added a few more videos to our Boarders and Visitor's Videos page.

Check them out. Ripley's video is there as well.

I wish I could show you the long version as there was so much good copy on it that it was hard to cut it out.

For those of you that prefer photos, we also included those on the Visitors and Boarder's Photo page.

We had Jessie, Coco and Zack drop in. Sydney just came.

It's starting out as a truly fun weekend. I am not sure how I could ever do it without the dawgs.

When they do something they didn't or open up or play, well it tells me that this is what we were meant to do.

Ripley Meets JessieJust before Ripley went home tonight he was sleeping under my desk. He was introduced to Jessie a new visitor and Zack and Coco, one of our regulars.

We always practice proper meet and greets.

Sydney just arrived, Ripley just went home. Jessie and Sydney are adapting quite well.

We just had an outdoor session and now we wil settle in with some games and watching TV and snuggling. Ahh... dawgs...nothing like them.

Already missing the Rips but I am enjoying the crew here quite a bit. It's going to be a fun weekend for sure!

Be sure to check out Talemaker Puppy Life for news about our pregnant gals. It will be updated daily from now til the pups go home.

Havanese Boarding Talemaker Style

Jazzy Just BathedJazzy was just bathed today and he feels WONDERFUL, if I might add. Now to keep him that way till his humans come to get him.

Immediately he just jumped in one of the dawg beds and rolled all over the place.

I just have to laugh at moments like this as you try to take a photo and you just laugh and the camera bounces all over the place from your laughter.

Still, I managed to capture the moment.

Let's see what we were up to today. We played retrieve in the kitchen with Jazzy, Ripley, Treasure and sometimes Fiona. Each joined in but the dear old Treasured one just tried to hog it all. So, we had to take her out of the equation. Ripley just LOVES squeakie toys.

I brushed all the dogs and EVERYONE is knot free. We cuddled, we played we went out for a stroll and then we played again.

Jazzy stirring up his hairRipley is a sweetheart. He lays on his back and lets me brush him out despite the reality that I know he isn't crazy about it. He is such a wonderful soul.

He wriggles and wags that tail and gives me a kiss though more reserved than his playmate Daisy that was here but still a kiss and a body wave of delight. What a cutie patootie.

Fiona's foot seems to be vastly better and we will fill you in on the preggie gals on Talemaker Puppy Life tonight. I think there is an explosion in the mid-section going on.

Welcome to the New Place

Fiona Stylin' in Pink BandageWell, we are excited. We thought we had more time to clean up the place but scrambling can be fun too.

 Fiona had an accident which has her stylin' in her pink bandage. She was out running in and out of the garden and caught her dew claw on a plant and yeouch it yanked the nail hard due to her trying to pull her leg away.

So, off to the vets we went and they had to pull the nail out. (I have it) It was black at the base and was just hanging there but she wasn't crazy about you touching her. Think what a demon child looks like and you may come close. I don't blame her.

It was fast to remove but hurt. Yes, the nail will grow back.

Our vet still frowns on removing dew claws and after all these years, and all these dogs, this is the first time this has happened to one of ours ... well when she explained the pain, that removing them when they are 3 days old hurts, well it gives you pause. Is the pink bandage still on? Nope...but that's okay. It had to be there till it stopped bleeding.

Jazzy and Katsura have been playing up a storm. When Treasure tries to hog Jazzy, Kat just gives her a look. It's so funny to see their body language.

Jazzy gets a bath tomorrow and heads home. We hope to see him again soon.

Most of the crew got brushed today. You did notice I said MOST.

I have to update the puppies blog, which we will be updating daily from now to the birth till they go to their new homes. I didn't get hardly any photos in today but I promise I will tomorrow. I apologize.

We just been way busy playing, brushing, vets etc. I hope you understand.

RipleyI have been enjoying really special moments with Ripley. He's been playing some with Treasure.

He played with Kat today and he's been enjoying his walks. He is not enjoying having me brush him but I am still his fave person - I think. hehehehe

We share TV time together on my lap but when that brush comes out, he's okay but he would rather just watch TV so we are doing that too.

More tomorrow about this cutie.

TV, Havanese & Much More

This was a lazy day as lazy as it can get around this place. I took a nap...shhh rare thing but the dawgs kept me up 2 nights in a row so I went to sleep and suddenly Ripley was here.

Ripley is a Kat/Lola pup sitting on Nathan's lap.


We all watched a romantic movie together before and after dinner, thank to the PVR.

It's nice how you can leave and come back these days.

Before that, I gave a bath to Daisy before she went home. I started too early as she looked interesting when Ripley's mom came but I just brushed her up again.

She was so pretty so I am hoping she gets to mom that way - no pressure. heh She's a hard one to calm down. She's like our Shoshi - oooh a bath, let's run and roll and get a mess NOW!

When Nathan sits down to watch TV, he has a bunch of dogs on the recliner. I usually have some on the couch and sometimes we pull up the bench so dogs can sit next to the recliner on the same level. I know it sounds crazy but we rather enjoy all of the dawgs counting and being with us.

Today, Ripley gets a reprieve and we will include him in the line up for grooming. His mom even brought chicken treats. Right now he is settling in, fitting in rather well and he LOVES the outside.

Jazzy was playing wonderfully with Katsura but where was the camera? Nathan yells, come see. They were both playing a chase each other game.

WE are going to go live with the new site this week. Watch for an announcement. When we do, we will start doing a daily thing on the puppies to come. Check back here!

February Visitors at Talemaker Havanese

I have to tell you, we have had a gloriously fun weekend. We captured so many moments. Check out more here.

We had Linda visiting with 2 of her dawgs. We had Remy that dropped by for the day. He's the dawg with the huge grin - wait a moment, they all have one - us humans too.

Here you can see Daisy and Maia (not sure of the spelling sorry) and she came in just velcro'd to me and look at her now. Now that is what makes our hearts skip a beat.
Maia went home early this afternoon. Remy came this morning till tonight. Zack and Coco went home tonight. Daisy gets a bath tomorrow and goes home and we get to see a newbie, Ripley.

The crew is out for walks 2 by two. We played tug, and retrieve and hide and seek and all sorts of fun things. The house didn't get done. I did manage to get Kat bathed and the rest all groomed but who needs the Olympics when you have the real stars here.

We are hoping to go live with our new website this week. Watch for the announcement here. After we go live, we will start updating the pregnancy/puppies blog daily. Watch for it!

Puppies are coming soon...and we are sooooooooooooooo excited!

Valentine's Day at Talemaker Havanese

What happened today? Well Marlee and Jazmyn had their baths before going home. We had many play sessions. I almost counted today how many times I go in and out with the dogs and then I forgot to count - how silly. I should remember to count one day. Let's just say it's too many to count.

The crew got groomed. I forgot to groom me. ROFL - Well the shower took place but the hair and all - well - I went to the dawgs long time ago so they don't mind. That's what I love about them...unconditional love and what better day to celebrate that then today.

Nathan is at a Collie specialty doing ring stewarding. He missed most of the day time fun these past two days. He's squeezed in as much as he can in the early morning and at night.

Here are a few photos from today.

Let's see....

Maia (spelling?) is playing up a storm today as you will see in some of the photos. She also is truly enjoying the 'see if you can get the toy' game with the crew. She started only going where I was and soon started adventuring inside and out. She doesn't mind grooming and still kisses up a storm. She wasn't sure where she was going when she went for her walk but her next one, she settled in and looked forward to it.

Jazmyn and Marlee had to go (sniff sniff) and I moved my gate back as she was having a grand time (Marlee that is) jumping over each time the door was opened. She would get her walk in and then say it's not fair and jump back to take another turn. I soon found out this doesn't help. Mom and Dad came and she was heading for the door as silly me put her on the floor vs. carrying her. So, the gate will stay back when she is here and she will get carried to the door each time. She wasn't going anywhere but I really like being extra careful. Other than Missy and Wasabi, I never saw such jumpers. But we can tell Marlee LOVES the walks and we are glad! They also get really excited to see mom and dad. We get to see them again in March.

Marlee was playing with Daisy today and with Coco. Marlee sort of looks at me as if to say - not another bath. She never complains but her body language tells me - just give me the treat and forget the rest. I smile - I give her kisses and hugs and she rather likes THAT! I truly make bath time fun. By doing so, they feel better, I feel better and they don't mind this part of their visit. I do the same with the daily grooming. Jazmyn is an even level, I know what I want gal and I rather like that!

Daisy, well what can I say about Daisy. I think if I got her together with a few more of our EverReady batteries, she would be dead tired but I think this is like Disneyland to her. She runs through the whole house and only Treasure seems to be able to keep up.

Abigail is preggie so she has an excuse. She used to be a play monster. I did catch her playing with a couple of dawgs today so pregnancy doesn't take all the fun out of her...thankfully plus she loves a squeaker toy.

Jazzy has been playing with Zack and at times with Marlee and Daisy. He's not sure what to make of Treasure's pounce methods of play that she uses on Daisy. He loves the outside and could stand and feel the wind in his face for hours if you let him. He adores the walks.

Coco has been playing quite a bit today and boy does she have Zack's number. She has him wrapped around her little paw. hehehehe

Zack - well he just loves the play. He was in the thick of it as much as he could get into it.

New Website we are looking at opening sometime this week. It's a work in progress.

Valentine's Eve Small Dog Boarding at Talemaker in Toronto

We have just one more visitor coming tonight and that's Jazzy. We just adore the guy.

We have had a very eventful day and it is far from over. I will try to highlight it while Wasabi gets her rest. Her belly keeps growing so she needs more rest that usual these days.

Nathan has been doing ring stewarding today and tomorrow so it's just me and the son till tonight. It's a local show and he is a fill-in as the guy scheduled had an emergency.

Let's see if I can highlight some of the day. Here's a few photos but no time to go through them all - sorry.

We have had our walks, our play sessions, our grooming - yep each and every one thoroughly. We had our snuggles. Maia (spelling?) is a new boarder here and she's fitting in quite well. She drank from my water glass with delight, jumped up on my lap. Explored the house and back yard and is NOT hanging out at the door so she's happy here. She's also a mad kisser. I never had so many kisses except by Daisy. ROFL She loves sitting on my lap.

Daisy has been playing up a storm with Zack, Coco, Treasure, Fiona and anyone else she can coerce into playing. Then she jumps in my lap when I sit down and nods off for a few minutes till the next play session.

Coco has been playing with Kat - yes KAT who rarely plays with the gals unless they are in heat. Oh, he does every now and then but they have to talk him into it. Coco did just that. Coco also gives some of the best hugs.

Zack has been playing with Marlee, Treasure, Daisy and anyone else that will play. He seems smitten with Treasure. Treasure eats it up.

Marlee is well Marlee. She is one of the most happy go lucky beings. Her attitude is infectious. She adores her walks and had to put up with me walking when she really is in love with Nathan, well at least at bed time. I manage to get my time during the day.

Jazmyn is a dear soul who cuddles up on me and rests and thinks the Treasure and crew playing hard is crazy. She runs with them but if it gets too physical, she says...you got to be kidding. Our Wasabi is the same way. She's quite happy though as she has an air about her that is way confident this visit.

Got to start organizing dinner plates for the crew. Will fill you in more tomorrow.

We promised you Tiger Lily photos from her visit yesterday. Hope you enjoy.

Talemaker Havanese Boarding

Jazmyn and Marlee are visiting. We also had an impromptu visit with Tiger Lily and her human mom, Heather. Tomorrow I will put up a slide show. Watch for it.

Tonight Daisy comes. It's going to be a busy weekend but a truly fun one. We are looking forward to it. We live for these crazy dawg times and so much snuggling.

Both Jazmyn and Marlee came in and settled in playing right away. This duo have been here quite a few times and we just adore them.

Marlee jumps over our gate with ease and climbs tall buildings at a bound, all for a treat. Yes, she was trying to figure out how she could get more treats than the one she got when she got groomed. Jazmyn usually is not as adventurous as Marlee but she said, 'oh - this is FUN! and followed Marlee on the climb. I had to try to stop from visibly laughing and celebrate inside seeing Jazmyn being so adventurous.

We are having fun this Valentine's Day Weekend. It's only just begun.

PS: I promised someone that I would write about how to take care of a cottony coat on a Havanese and the tips I learned. I just did it tonight. Just look for this area.

Learning as You Go

Really mom, I am not a bulldog.

Shoshi had a bath and she has hair that is thick and stands on end. It's a tight wave. It doesn't look that way when you blow it dry but it does when it is wet.

Poor Shoshi looks like she has no neck but really she does.

I used to have someone thin her out but I haven't and probably will do it myself come spring. She's one that you can take out half her hair and she still would look like she has a ton.

Yes, they do have various types of hair from silky to cottony. Shoshi is our only cottony type dog. A cotton type coat is more difficult to maintain except when it is thick, if you use thinning shears in knots, well you can't tell. But I have learned a lot of tricks with taking care of Shoshi's hair. I figure if I can do her hair and keep it mat free, I can do any Havanese on a regular basis. Besides, I have learned brushing her daily thoroughly keeps all the knots away.

I do not find the silkier coats hard to maintain and thanks to Shoshi, I learned how to take care of cottony coats.

So, she is more than just our heart dog but a learning experience. Those of you that have children - more than one child knows that as you go along you learn, you get better and the last one is easier as you are either so conditioned or you simply have the confidence that you may not have that first moment they entered your life. This Havanese business is a truly exciting learning experience and what you give, well you get it back 10 fold. They are truly special beings.

Woof! It Snowed

It's been almost a snow-less winter here at Talemaker Havanese. We are really looking forward to puppies come March but we are sad not having mobile pups in lots of snow. It's a fun experience as you can see in some of our videos.

When I took the crew out this morning, there is a bounce of excitement seeing new fallen snow. Me too but we aren't getting enough of it.

This weekend we have some visitors and are we excited. We are hoping we have more snow so we can get the video camera out. There's going to be a whole lot of snuggling going on, I tell you!

Nathan took the crew up to the forest 2 by two first thing this morning ahead of the sand trucks. The dogs stayed sand-less and that makes me happy. Nathan should have taken the video camera as he said a few of them were so delighted over the top to be chasing squirrels after a fresh snow. It makes me wish I had gone too.

New Website is Revealing

We are doing a new website and I found this shot. I had to laugh. Yes, we do sleep with all of the dawgs and the visitors.

Nathan, the English major hates when I use the term DAWGS but in my awful southern drawl - well it just seems right to ME!

Besides, this is mostly my eyes looking at this crazy life we exist in. I tend to expose and he tends to be a tad more reserve in this revealing stuff but by far the most social of us both. It's why we work.

It's also why the dawgs love us both. They get different needs filled by each of us including that son who is caught peeking in at puppies after they are born and just watching them.

The dawgs also appreciate our differences. When an unsure dawg comes to visit, they also choose their person(s) too depending on who they feel the most comfort with but then if they are here for awhile, they learn to get what they need from each human. It's how it works with the dawg crew. It's like going to a party and you don't really know anyone but with our effort, they find the enjoyment and the connection and the fun.

It's really important to us that all dawgs find that fun.

When they are having fun, we are. Now that is what this crazy dawg life is really about.

Vet Visit

The vet saw pregnancies but we won't know till the 26th on how many when we do x-rays. I know, even we don't like to wait.

But we are going to have puppies and that is way exciting!

Kat went in for his kennel cough as he does an odd dog show here and there and we need to be careful plus with boarders, we tend to keep up with such things.

Getting cracked pads? Do you ever check them? Use Bag Balm.

Escaping Bath Tips

I am the Treasured one and I managed to escape the bath. The key is wear Mommy out by staying out of sight and pretend you don't exist while she washes others.

I am sooooooooooooooo smart!

She washed Wasabi, Abigail, Fiona and Kat today. Fiona was really overdue. Kat, Wasabi and Abigail are off to the vet tomorrow so they got the water and dry treatment - with shampoo and conditioner thrown in, of course.

Mommy is way tired and I keep bugging her to play retrieve. She throws it. I bring it back and then I shake it and throw it with my mouth. I can't figure out why she doesn't retrieve it when I throw it. Is this a one sided game?

Dominance Debunked

Just came back from a seminar with Joan Weston and it validated where we were heading.

She believes in total positive training and so do we in this household.

She's a WONDERFUL speaker and I am sorry I missed her first one. But we are going to the next which will be announced next week happening in April on body language and to me that is a must.

The way she looks at thing - well I laughed and laughed and laughed. I needed that!

Abigail continues to be a struggle with eating. She's eating better but now its one meal a day if we are lucky. So - progress just not there yet.

Tomorrow I get to wash 4 dogs - yes 4. Fiona needs a bath and on Monday Kat, Wasabi and Abigail are heading to the vet. I must be a CRAZY dawg person. Oh yea - I am!

Milo and Hugo are Here

The duo was here for daycare. As you can see, Hugo just almost bowled Nathan over.

The crew had a roaring good time with the duo. Here are some photos from their visit.

Treasure even played 'up on the rock - who is really boss' games. Hugo just ignored her and tried to pounce up. heh Yes, I said 'up.'

We got some video of it but we have to convert and edit it. Give me some time.

Well, T.G.I.F. I think? Sometimes I forget what day it is. Tomorrow we are off to a seminar on 'Dominance Debunked' and we will fill you in when we get back.

Squirrel Hunting

Do the squirrels know something we don't know yet?

Is warmer weather coming or the squirrels are just out looking for food that has surfaced from a slight meltdown?

Kat was outside today hunting them up. Oh, he is fast enough to catch them but it's all a game to him.

He does that with a ball as well. You throw it, he has to get it first but touches it and then let's the others carry it back.

Now who is lazy or smarter?

Kat did this watching for oh about 10 minutes and I swear the squirrel was having fun with him then he got bored and said, let's go in, Mommy!

Tomorrow we have day visitors, Hugo and Milo and that will surely be fun. Fiona and Treasure have been honing their play skills to get ready for this duo.

I wonder if Kat will teach them squirrel hunting?

Progress at Talemaker Havanese

Abigail ate a great meal this morning and another one this afternoon without us going through lots of - do you want this - or that or...

It seems her morning sickness is over, for now. She is playing, as you can see in this photo with Treasure.

We are celebrating and are looking forward to her and Wasabi's ultrasound on Monday.

Abigail wasn't the only one having fun.

Wasabi was also outside having a grand time soaking up the snowflakes.

Yes, we finally have some snow but not much - just enough that the dawgs really enjoy it. I do too, I must admit.

Walks were more enjoyable without tons of sand and salt on the ground as we now we have a thin blanket of white stuff on top.

We have been literally picking up the dawgs to cross the street to avoid dirt and salt. It's interesting carrying 2 at once across the street. Nathan does it in style and easily, me I am a tad clumsy about it though they are secure, I just have to perfect my technique. Practice makes perfect.

Today is Jazzy's owner's b-day and here at Talemaker we wish him the very best b-day filled with great memories.

Tonight we are going to cuddle and love the dawgs and enjoy...oh we do that everyday...well extra ones.