Fiona's Little Surprises

Check out Talemaker Puppy Life to find out what Fiona had in the way of pups - that is!

More later..after sleep!

Fiona Pups Coming

One pup born so far...more later as it progresses.

Boys Will Be Boys

Before Missy went to her forever home today, our visitor Jay Jay was flattening her and the look on her face - it was as if to say - okay - what do you think you are doing Mister?

In reality they were playing.

We are down to just Jay Jay as a visitor now.

Fiona's temp went down to 97.8. It means it *should* be within 24 hours. But Fiona never does things the way they are supposed to be done.

We will keep you in tuned on when they debut here and on Havanese Life. (pup pics will be on Havanese life) just the announcement will be here.

I might try to get a swim in before they debut. Ten it's work and waiting.

But while we are doing that - we will play with the dogs and get a nap in. They may come at 2am if it is up to Fiona.

Max's New 'Do

Max took a trip with Nathan to Valerie's place to get a haircut and a cleanup. His hair feels to die for and I hope I manage to keep it clean or he will be getting another bath before his mom arrives. ROFL.

Max will be excited to see his Mom and Dad. They all are. They have their holiday and then they go home.

Remember your own vacations? You love them - can't wait to go again but there is NO place like home.

Here it is party hearty and then go home and rest. ROFL

Cookie had a bath as she goes home tonight. She will be sorely missed. She just loves to play. When she first got here she had a look - oh my gad - what did I get into and that went away and she was playing like a banshee.

Jay Jay is having a ball following Wasabi's leads into all sorts of trouble. She's good at that - not bad trouble - just investigating trees, decks - just having fun.

Max is back home now. He's off to take a nap with the Treasured one. Missy is figuring out what is going on and I am going to wash another dog. I have Cookie done, Kat done and Treasure. Now it's Wasabi. Looks like I don't get to Risa, Abigail or Shoshi till tomorrow.

Fiona - well she's going to have babies so no bath till much later.

That's okay. They'll all get brushed and combed.

Tomorrow rain. watch all those clean coats go to....

Mixing it Up

The crew was really having a relax, can't stop playing session today. It was nice to see. There were more dogs involved but I just captured this group at this particular time.

The crew had a quiet day till the grand kids and family came over and then they were having a grand time enjoying the activity. It's great for the older dogs and for the pups.

Then Wasabi taught the crew...something awful?

What was that?

Well - to muck it up.

Well, take a look at Max so delighted with himself learning how to muck it up Wasabi style.

She's great at that sort of an adventure and Max really enjoyed it.

Then Coach and Sassy came over and wanted to steal Missy. They mumbled - they wouldn't even notice or can't they wait for Fiona's? Hers are going to be born any day?

Oh - not to worry, Linda - she's still here.

Oh, and I forgot to tell you that Teddy went for a great swim before he got his bath. He's going home tonight and he had a roaring grand time swimming.

Now we are all sitting - watching TV and vegging waiting for Teddy's folks.

Our daughter is now on her way with her husband and two kids back to North Carolina...

What a weekend this has been so far.

Long Saturday But Fun

Kat couldn't help himself so off into the pool he went. It didn't matter who was on it - he thought he deserved it.

It's been a very busy day with family (last day to visit tomorrow) and with dogs. We had one pup go home and lots of people to play and snuggle with dogs.

As soon as Missy wakes up, we are going to do a one on one walk with Max and Missy.

Our guest Jay, Jay, Teddy and Cookie are also having a roaring grand time. As a matter of fact, as I type Max, Teddy, Cookie and Jay Jay are all playing for all they are worth. The gals with the exception of Cookie are all snoozin' and so are the pups.

It's so good that we have this crew as it stops me from thinking about missing pups.

More tomorrow...

Bonding Time

Missy and Max have times in the day where we just have the two of them together.

Missy is joining Max's home on Tuesday and their relationship is developing quite nice.

Though Max enjoys Treasure more - they all know she is in heat and we have to keep them apart, it's for different reasons. All the males like Treasure now fixed or not.

Even neutered males act funny when a gal is in heat. Once a boy - always a boy?

But Max is starting to find the fun in Missy when there aren't so many distractions and so many playmates to choose from.

We have many too with Teddy, Cookie, Jay Jay and Max all visitors having so many relationships to build and so many walks to take. By Tuesday, Jay Jay will be the only guest and we will be down to just Saki. It will be great to have Jay Jay as he is a pup himself to hang out with the Saki.

We have had a full day with grooming, walks (Teddy can't figure out why he can't have 5) and play sessions. Teddy is the dawg that says - let's party guys and he gets them all going. Cookie is a good match for him too rising to his level.

Oh, it's been a full house this week and Fiona - well no walks for her - lazing around enjoying the moments before she has kids in tow - so to speak.

Grand kids had other things to do so tomorrow we have relatives - Jasper going home and crazy times here. It's going to be fun and it's great for the dawgs - I tell you. Conditioning is the best medicine if done right.

Wait til you see a picture of Jay Jay. He too is a cutie patootie!

Fiona hasn't started labour yet so no extra pups. I got a nap in as Cookie thought last night was party time. heheh

Much more tomorrow after crazy dawg sleeping arrangements. Will Treasure get out of heat - please. hehehehehe

Lazy Daze

It was one of those days. We had the sun shining bright - a puppy person who is also a dear friend and her husband who we are getting to know come over to drop off their dog so it can get acquainted with their new addition.

As you can see, Wasabi thought this was a grand proposition as she rather likes this Max character and we do too.

We also got another visit from Teddy who I think of as the party guy. He just knows how to have fun and doesn't stop till he falls fast asleep.

Then Cookie came a few days ago and took her time deciding who she would hang out with. She liked me the best. Nathan swears they all love him the best but shhh they don't. Cookie is Remy's brother and really found a great liking to Teddy and Max.

The whole pack is gelling. We had a marathon grooming session. Kat went swimming. No one else shown an interest and that meant wash for him.

Gad..it's exciting and we have a puppy going home tomorrow and no signs of pups for Fiona yet. We are in waiting.

You know what is interesting? Max looks like a male Fiona. Wow... We haven't seen him for quite sometime so it was great to have him stay.

More on Talemaker Puppy Life>>

Anytime, I Suppose

We found out a bit ago that our Fiona is pregnant.

We had intended to have a litter with her when she next went into heat. In spite of our best efforts, which I thought were most diligent, Kat and her had other ideas and beat us to the mark.

Wasabi’s litter of five start leaving on Friday to their new homes and Fiona is most likely going to grace us with 4 more before they even get out the door. Timing wise this comes as an unexpected surprise but we know we’re going to love them to pieces nonetheless.

So, we will be continuing Talemaker Puppy Life with the progress of Fiona's pups. We expect small pups from this crew as Fiona is a tiny thing. She's had a haircut and belly shave. Pics to come later.

Changes for Wasabi

Wasabi had her first experience without the pups and she acted okay. The pups went to get their hearing test without her.

When they returned she did stand on guard but she is starting to make the moves of - 'they are flying the coop' soon. They know and she will be fine.

Wasabi is an excellent Mom and tends to truly enjoy motherhood. As she will be bred next heat, she will have that experience again soon and wil relish it.

Her only fault is teaching the little ones her fun and games such as going behind the pool house - through the plants and under the deck. But Wasabi - her care free attitude and her way agile body - well she's a special gal.

I expect her to be enjoying long walks with her human mom while they both get into shape - her for another pregnancy and the human mom - just because it is overdue. Then the white stuff hits and paths will be made and all sorts of fun begins and hopefully we will be able to get some of her pups back for a play session or two through those white paths we dig out.

Grand Kids and Pups & The Talemaker Crew

The grand kids are here from North Carolina and also our 2 grand children from Toronto. It's been a bit of an adjustment for the dogs and each reacted differently.

Risa tried to jump on the diving board with one of them as that is what she does with her Daddy and Wasabi barked when Luke cried. Shoshi had a grand time watching and being wonderful where she usually is not fond of sudden movements.

The house noise level has increased 10 fold. The pups were taken aback for a second when they saw so many people - so much noise but off they trotted to the grass and had a rip roaring time. So - they survived.

Daddy will be remaining home tomorrow where human Mommy will be doing the ex for a bit of the day. The thought...I don't know how the daughter does it comes to mind - or I am way too old and forget and the they give you a hug - make you laugh and the you know.

It is indeed a crazy dawg house here today. Peel me off the floor next week. Pups going home. Lots of activity. Well at least the dogs will get their conditioning in for sure.

Now tell me, what are you doing? Don't tell me you are relaxing with your Havs.

Messy Times

This is a photo I took today.

We have the Treasured one in heat so Kat tends to get to be a messy boy frequently. It's nothing pet people have to deal with when they neuter their males but us breeders - well we look for new ways to keep them clean and looking good if they are showing and are exposed to gals in heat but can't have them.

Most breeders will cut them down but we are a glutton for punishment or I am.

It is NOT fun.

The crew has fun despite the busy-ness of the day.

They walked and ran and had a grand time. It's important to get quality time with all many times throughout the day and we manage to do that. Wow what a week this will be...

Pool Time and Hanging out

It's just pool hang out time today. It's too cold to swim and human Daddy is helping out stewarding at the show amongst anything else they need.

It means the human mom is all alone waiting for family to come over and doing pups and all that fun stuff.

Poor Treasure is in heat so we are juggling dogs and Kat is - well not happy without being with one of his gals. Guys...they just have to deal. Good things com to those that wait.

Puppies love the kitchen but they adore outside.

Gad can they run up and down the stairs these days.

We heard from our friends at Chicadoro that a couple of her dogs got nice wins in the Maritime. We are so excited for them.

Pups and human may take a nap and the big dawgs too. It's one of those days before the crowd hits.

Puppies Exhausted

We just had one of our puppy people over and the crew is mighty tuckered out but look who is still awake (first born).

Oh, he is sleeping now but I think he thought....one more game...perhaps. Then his little body couldn't muster any more spirit and he is fast asleep. I expect the crew to sleep for hours.

Fidel had them running like banshees and it was a delight to watch. Fidel is a Havanese!

Tomorrow we have our grand children coming and we will be socializing the crew with wee ones . Going to be a full week for sure. Now to get some food into us while the little ones nap.

Follow the gang at Talemaker Puppy Life. Soon they wil be going to their forever homes and then what will we do...

Havanese Smiling

Play sessions are really important with the crew. If anything, they can't wait till the moments appear where they can run-like-hell, roll around like banshees and just smile and smile.

Do Havanese smile? YES! All dogs do. You just have to give them something to smile about.

It's easy to do and if you make them smile you end up smiling too...win/win!

Get out your camera and find that smile.

Food Time

You have to understand that some dogs would eat and never stop eating and others you have to figure out what they like.

Our Treasure is one that would eat and eat and eat and waddle out the door. She's my kind of gal. I like to eat too but I would not be showing her how much I love her if I allowed it.

A Havanese can clearly get over weight fast without you noticing.

How can you feed your Havanese less if you have been indulgent? Count the treats as part of their diet in the day. All calories count.

Go to the dollar store and get a dog bowl. The new ones that they have are smaller. Why smaller? Well, when you put that 1/4 cup max into that bowl twice a day (puppies excluded as they need more calories), it will look like you are filling the bowl to the brim and YOU will feel better about the amount. It's all about your eye.

Now our Risa has been on a diet and has been slowly losing. She looks at you with those baby eyes saying - but Mommy but you can't go there. It's tough. Gad I can't do it with myself yet but I will after the pups are gone but love is having rules, boundaries and guidelines. Love is more than giving in to your Havanese. You must learn to say no when it is for their own good.

If we don't, it may mean we are shortening their lives unintentionally - out of the goodness of our hearts.

Now what do you do if you have a Havanese that doesn't eat so well? We had one of those but when she matured, she eats quite fine. For her, we fed her twice the amount everyone else had as her metabolism would burn off everything in sight. We also got creative and fed ger many things nixed in with her kibble. Now, she had gained and needs to maintain at her weight. That means back to that 1/4 cup twice a day and then monitor her weight. If she starts losing again, add a slight amount more till you get it right for her.

As your Havanese gets older, you also need to watch and monitor.

Food hounds are wonderful as they perform well for treats but if they are in obedience class once a week, take into consideration how many treats you are feeding and either skip their meal class night or reduce. You will be glad you did. A hungry dog will work for you and strive to get what you want him/her to do for that treat and the upside is you get a perfectly behaved dog and they relate belly filling times with class and suddenly that class isn't half bad but it's FUN!

Then you can make that transition to having fun without the treats.

Emptier House

Fred, one of our guests is going home tonight. He's just had a bath and decided to go outside and roll. Is he telling me something or WHAT?

Fred had a really great time with the pups. He wasn't totally sure of them at first as Wasabi - like any mom will do till she knows you are okay - well she guarded them and got the pack barking - rallying them around her but that went rather fast and Fred was out playing with the pups, the other dogs including Kat, Shoshi and Abigail and the last couple of days - Treasure.

He's become so comfie that you can find him relaxing on his back a great deal. It's rather nice.

We had Missy and her mom come to visit for a grooming session and I don't think her mom needs me any longer. hehe It was good to show her what I use so she can try it. She also got down on the floor and played with the monkeys. Did I take pictures - sigh wasn't thinking about it.

It's hot - want to swim. We had all the dogs out for runs etc. but Daddy has to go set up for the Richmond Green Dog show in Richmond Hill and we will be there Thursday and Friday at 10am. If you are around, stop by and say hello.

Puppies are snoozing and we have increased the x-pen space. More on Talemaker Puppy Life.

Chase Me Game

The first things puppies learn is the chase me game and they find it immensely fun. It's okay for them to play it with each other and even you but they need to know the rules that you control the game.

What does that mean?

When the game is over, you shouldn't have to chase them to get them to come back in.

At first you have to learn to be creative as even 8 week old puppies will find that running to stay outside is more fun than anything else you have in mind so you may have to get them to chase you and then you stop the game by picking them up - giving them all sorts of snuggles, perhaps a treat and making the game fun to come to you.

Obedience classes are very important as you learn to get a strong recall. That's important for many reasons.

Today we had swimming, chasing, and rolling around and mucking it up fun. The pups were finding solutions on how to get from one point to the next. Find out more about their adventures at Talemaker Puppy Life.

Long Day

Ever feel it's a dawg day some days? Ever wonder what that means? I think dawgs would wonder if it was a human's day - don't ya think?

The weather was downright cool this morning and the dogs LOVED it and then it heated up. When we get Fall like weather- it somehow invigorates them but when it gets hot - well they lay right down like this and try to cool off.

When the puppies go to their forever homes, I will start weeding and get the dogs working helping me - yeah - right!

It's good to dream..dawg dreams!

Specialty and Home

Here's Daddy at the Specialty and Treasure. They rather look good together.

They were in great company when they made the cut of a large class and came in 4th but that wasn't what this was about. Honest!

Why did I tell the Treasured one and Daddy to go to the show when we had puppies and I could have used the help?

Well, it was to meet new Havanese people, find potential stud dogs for our gals and get the Treasured one bonded to Daddy and not me.

It worked.

She came in - gave me a kiss and then was all over Daddy.

It's tough being the mom around here in a sea of show dogs as the handler takes priority - them and their relationship with the dogs but I love them both so that's okay.

PS: I have my Fiona back since Daddy was gone but she's in a state of false pregnancy - tummy and all. They get sucky and cuddly then.

Yes, you got it right - they change allegiance at times. They love you both but rely on one more at times - usually the food server. :-) So - share that duty.

We are really glad the Treasured one and Daddy are home. That means we can get the pups swimming and do lead training this week. How cool is that?

Our visitor Fred is having a rip roaring time with the pups and with Kat, Abigail and now Treasure.