It's All Over!!

The heat's all over - Fiona's that is and I can hang out with all the rest of the guys 24/7. It's about time, eh? It's tough being a guy!

Today was a no pool day but we got to hang out and lay around at the pool and play our little hearts out. You can see many a dog draped all over that guy Nathan throughout the day.

Louis is coming on Friday. Coco has found her spot on Nathan's head at night and Zack just adores the Kat. Shoshi even lies with mom at times during the night.

The pups are getting bigger and Wasabi is letting more dogs in to look and they are so strong that 3 now have made it out into the bed out of the whelping box. Check out Talemaker Puppy Life to find out more. All those cute noises and ...well they are adorable!

Swimming Havanese Katsura

Well, now that this heat business is waning down, the Fiona and I can watch the crew and be in the same place as that swimming boy Havanese called, Kat.

Just thought I would share his jump in the pool today.

Such a RUFF life that boy dawg has!! Now to get our visitors swimming.

Treasure has an oil treatment on so the pool is out for HER seeing she just about wrecked her hair with all this playing business. Oh well - to be a dawg first is important!

Belly Rubs & More

The dogs had a great time today as our son ran around the pool like a mad man - just like his father. Then Shoshi was the recipient of belly rubs.

We had a great day with our son, his wife - the pups and all the dawgs.

Did we swim - nope - well Nathan did to show our son how Kat jumps in.

Now Nathan is off to walk along with the sons. This way everyone gets their walks in. Me, I get to stay with the pups and the gal in heat. Plus who else is going to update this blog?

Be sure to check out Talemaker Puppy Life to see what one of Wasabi's pups accomplished today. Oh boy!

Almost Over Folks

Fiona spent a leisurely day outside and inside lounging around. She's an entirely different gal in heat - clingy - lovey - well she's lovey but not clingy which is often the case when hormones are raging.

Today we have Zack and Coco visiting till next Sunday and Louis coming on Friday for 2 weeks. We thought we would get swimming in today but no go. Fiona is still very much in heat. Poor Kat can't handle it and I know you are sick of hearing it but this is what it is like when you have a male not fixed and a female not fixed. It's loony tunes time - or is the saying loony bin times?

We found a solution so Nathan and I could both be outside but it means Fiona is in the house or Kat is in the crate outside. Yep - we brought a crate outside and if covered, he calms down most times and rests - which he sorely needs.

According to my calendar, sanity clicks in on Wednesday or Thursday. Then - it is till the next time...straight jacket for me or the dawg...I don't know.

But we still love them even when they lose their brains.

As you can see, I was playing with the monochrome. Risa - when I did her - it was hard to tell the difference between monochrome and colour. heh

This monochrome photo is Nathan doing the crate walk. Kat actually finds it comforting at times like this. It's something to think about when you are training your dog. They should be comfie in a crate in case they ever need medical care. We rarely use them closed but when we do, our dogs find comfort in them by sleeping in one when left open always etc.

Thunderstorms/Rain/Play Havanese

Well, Nathan took a walk with the boy to calm him down. We are still in huge distraction mode with Fiona and Kat. Nathan thought that it would be a great way to help Kat calm down. Anyone who purposely has a gal in heat and an intact boy is NUTS unless you breed them. Okay - we are off our rockers but in a good way, I hope.

So, off to the bank on a long walk Nathan and Kat went but then it started raining - drizzling, then raining harder then downright pouring with wind and lightening and loud, loud thunder.

If Kat looked like this - can you imagine Nathan? ROFL.

So, Nathan gets back. I am sitting out with the crew under the gazebo in the back yard as Whitney, our golden is afraid of storms and I try to get her to do her business when in this state outside or we will have an accident inside. So, picture me with all the dogs other than Wasabi who was feeding the pups and Kat who just got back with Nathan drenched. Nathan goes up to change. I call him on the phone (yes from outside) to tell him get out here now as the gazebo is going to come down. He comes running out and we proceed to take down the gazebo and he's drenched yet again. The man can't win.

It was a rip roaring - interesting time but now we are inside and the dawgs do have to play. So, on the floor that was just toweled off Nathan did go playing up a storm with the crew.

What's happening with the rain? It's stopped. Go figure but no pool today. We already got wet enough!

Heat Again and Again: Is it OVER?

Okay - it was another sunny day so what did you expect?

Can I come to swim, Daddy? Wasabi always liked swimming but lately she just can't seem to get enough. Maybe it's her desire to cool off or just her time or it's missing time with the pack but we give her balance. We make sure she does get that 'me' time.

We are still dealing with Fiona in heat. What does that mean? Well, it means a barking boy or a whiney boy. It's not for the faint of heart but it does get better when she is no longer in heat.

To make matters worse, she teases him. I gave her a bath in hopes she would smell different. Silly me. Okay - she needed a bath so that's why I did it...hehehehe

Well, Missy goes home tonight and we will miss that gazelle. She jumps tall buildings in a single bound. Then Sunday we get to see the Zack and Coco. We are excited.

PS: You can always click on the photos to see a larger view on all of our pages.

Off to update Talemaker Puppy Life where we update you on the pups...

Talemaker Havanese Swim Time

Now that the kids are not feeding nonstop, we look for ways to give Wasabi balance. It can't be all kids and nothing else. It's important that she doesn't get lost in the equation. Even great moms like her need to have balance. It's the trickle down effect. What she is - well the pups end up being.

We took her out swimming today right after she fed the kids. This gives her a 2 hour + window. It's enough time to let her swim - run around and get blow dried.

When the crew swims (Kat and Wasabi enjoy it the best) the rest of the crew run around the pool like the supporting cast applauding the efforts of those swimming.

Here Shoshi is telling Treasure - stop nipping at my face. Treasure is a puppy so she thinks that is okay but Shoshi corrected her. This is okay and agreeable. It wouldn't be if she attacked her but this was simply - knock it off - will ya - Treasure. Treasure was back pouncing on Shoshi 2 minutes later.

The crew had a great time but Mom is going to go dogless into the pool tomorrow so she doesn't have to groom the afternoon away. Besides - Missy needs a bath before she goes home tomorrow night.

If you want to see the latest on the pups, check out Talemaker Puppy Life.

Havanese Heat: What's THAT

It's tough being a guy in a sea of gals. When a gal goes into heat and is not getting mated to our boy, well he has to be kept separate. That means at bedtime and all throughout the day.

It doesn't sound fun but we rotate who is where so everyone gets time with everyone except Kat and the female in heat.

How long does this last? Oh..about 3 weeks. You got it - and Fiona is the gal in heat this time and it's not over till the 15th - another week.

As you can see, Kat's not overly pleased but he does get his walks - playing and all sorts of fun. We make sure he gets time with everyone except Fiona. Bonus - Wasabi doesn't mind him being in with her and the pups so it all works.

To make matters worse, Fiona teases Kat each time I have her up on something or I am carrying her from one place to another when Kat needs to be rotated.

This is her saying - I am up here..hehehehehe

It's okay, it will be over soon.

Well, Remy just had his bath and I had to be creative getting him to calm down on the table. He just wanted to get going and when he did, well he went from handsome lad to messy lad. Not dirty - just shake and run and have all sorts of fun.

Remy goes home tonight and then we will be down to Missy till Friday then Zack and Coco come. We heard they got new hairdos. Can't wait to check them out. I hear it's going to be easier to take care of and that's great especially for an active family like they belong to.

Well - tonight we promised pics of the pups all individual. Will get to that much later tonight. Between walks and play and grooming and baths - and weighing pups - and cuddle time and..where did that day go?

Now it's raining..oh well walks done just in time...

Wet & Dirt

Oh my - and one wonders why I give baths before the guests go home. Well, I do groom them daily but as you can see, they will go in the pool, run through the garden and look - well another colour. One wonders why we don't have carpets.

It is a HOLIDAY you know for the dawgs!

Well, Remy goes home tomorrow night and we will just be down to Missy as our guest til Friday night. Each time someone goes home, the house changes. Then the pack gets back to being their usual and then it starts again. It's great socialization for the guests and for the pack as well. Even the most hesitant dog seems to find him/herself. I rather like that!

Hide and Seek Human!

Our visitor Missy is having a great time. She loves our Japanese maple as it's a great spot that they can all hang out and you can't find them. I tell you this as I was out and turned the equipment on for the pool and hmm 4 dogs are gone.

Our yard is enclosed so I assumed they went under the deck so off I went to look. They like it under there as they can run in one side and out the other playing games with the rest. But no..not there. It was quiet too so hmm where did they go...must be in our below ground patio. So, I walked up the walkway and noticed the rustling of the leaves and thought maybe it's a bird. Just like little kids playing a game, they all pounced out and ran after each other. Ah..the crew came up with a new game and Missy taught it to them. I just love it!

Then our son came over with his gorgeous wife and they were playing with the Treasure. This cat toy - well let''s just say since she arrived in our lives and to this day - she adores this toy. She was having a total blast with it and they were too watching and participating!

Really - Treasure's hair was brushed today. hehehe

Look at Havanese Life if you want to see the latest pictures of the pups. They are growing - crawling - pigment is starting to come in on their noses. It looks so funny when it starts coming in but we will blink and it will be there - you watch and then eyes, ears - walking - all of it. It's going to be so much fun following this crew.

Guests & All That

Treasure seems to go and go and go. She's also watching Missy jump straight up on a dime. Remy loves to play and play. Treasure - well every now and then as the youngster in this crew, she needs to get some zzzzs.

I think the crew is still missing Teddy.

She's sitting here wondering - is this a swimming day, Daddy? The sun is shining... Besides maybe we can get Missy interested.

I think Mommy could use some of that sunshine too.

Overgrown But Living It

The hubby said - well you can't even walk down the walkways. But dear - I am having fun with the dawgs. One has to have its priorities you know.

We just had another visitor go home - sniff. He was one that truly liked to mix it up. We are hoping he is having a grand reunion.

The pack feels it when anyone leaves especially if they are here for a week. Throw in a party monster and they are a tad down wondering where their friend has gone but then they adjust to the change and all is well.

Well, it finally got hot again today. Nathan is draped with dawgs outside. I am inside watching the pups. His turn tonight to watch them. Check out Talemaker Puppy Life for the latest update on the fivesters.

Talemaker Love

Even when friends and family come over, they just get to have lots of dawgs to cuddle with and the dawgs don't mind a bit.

Today, our visitor Missy rolled in a plant that had seeds and boy can I say a tad bit of hair with lots of seeds? It sure felt like it. Took me ah but an hour to get it out but she didn't mind as she got some treats. Me - I am going to kill that plant when I find it.

Well, the dawgs are having a grand time running around like banshees. We have Nathan's brother and wife staying over and they tried to get pool time but off and on we had rain. That's okay - tomorrow's another day.

Off to post about the pups...at Havanese Life. Gad - they are growing!

Kat's First Show & Treasure a Seasoned Special Gal

Some of you may remember that when Kat was a youngster, a visiting dog bit off his top knot so he had a Joe Dirt look for way too long. Top hair grows slow. So, unfortunately we had to wait to show him. Today he got Best of Winners on his first day so he is on his way to his championship. WE thanks Elaine Whitney for noticing this boy of ours!

Treasure got Puppy two days in this show, Best in Breed one of the days and Best of Opposites. She only showed the first and last day.

We are proud of this duo and I am rather sad that I wasn't able to see them but I did get to see Yvonne's pups from Kat and Lola and a couple really like swimming. Oh my...slide show coming.

Pool, Visitors, Havanese & More

In the morning, I always turn on the pool, get the pool cleaner going and the dawgs watch me from various spots - some on the deck, some in the pool house and some watch the pool.

It must be a curious ritual. But today we have company coming over - Yvonne and her pups, Nathan's brother (my brother-in-law) and wife to stay over. So, I might have to skim the pool too.

Nathan will be off to a dog show for the first time without me (sniff) but someone has to watch the pups - so that's me. I am hoping he talks someone into taking a photo or two for me especially after they are groomed again.

It's going to be a strange day for me.

Fun the Havanese Way

We had 3 visitors over - 1 went home and the trio was having a rowdy amount of fun play every single minute they could. It's fun to watch.

I don't care how timid a dog is - they manage to just let loose and have fun and that's what makes us happy.

Oreo went home today and we will miss him.

We are starting to get back to what some call normalcy after pups are born and it feels much better.

No swimming today with thunderstorms coming but hoping tomorrow is the day. Instead we played retrieve, find the treat and took turns being groomed. Run-like-hell is the norm with this crew. It's great watching this crew. Plus our gang just adores the extra fun - us too!

If interested in the puppies, check out Talemaker Puppy Life.

Sleeping Arrangements at Talemaker

We are an equal opportunity family at Talemaker and tonight it is the mom that is staying up to watch Wasabi and the pups. Human Dad has been doing it.

We are updating this at this ungodly hour as who knows what will happen tomorrow when I crash. But now this human is okay and enjoying my time with Wasabi and the pups.

Kat's in bed with the human Daddy. To say the poor guy was overtired would be an understatement - not Kat - but the human Dad. We hope he is catching the zzz's and dreaming of great things.

We also have Remy, Oreo and Teddy here doing the rumble house together. Remy's parents never left him before and was afraid of how he would do and he's the boss over the other 2 - not in a bad way but more like the leader in the pack. It took him less than a half hour to start playing hard and the other 2 love him. Treasure's saying - well what is this - guys week or what?

Here's to health - great sleep and puppy breath. May you experience it all!

Checking Out the Rain

Just because we have puppies the crew isn't forgotten. They still get their exercise, loves, cuddles, brushing and games. Even at bedtime we have one on one with each. As a mom and dad of 7 kids, we realize how important it is to make sure everyone counts - visitors included.

Th red one in the picture is Teddy - a Havapoo and the grey one is a Havanese called Oreo that turned various shades of grey instead of the black and white it started out as. This is a Kat/Lola pup. I am interested to see if any of the Wasabi/Kat pups turn similar.

Then of course the one nuzzling the statue is our Treasured one. This trio is having a roaring grand time rolling around as pups usually do. It's exciting to have such activity.

Our two sons have pitched in to help with play/walks and watching pups while we do mundane things like showers. one has to do THAT...

Oh..and there is that grooming thing. I have worked my way through half of them today. I will get the rest this afternoon. Even our visitors - after the first time now wait their turn. The trick..the treat at the end. :-)

PS: Puppy Saga is going on at Talemaker Puppy Life.

Picnic - Wasabi & More

The picnic was a blast and we at Talemaker want to say to Yvonne, Alex, Rita and Willard bravo - we will have ours in August and to all those that brought food, helped out and had great conversation with - well we enjoyed it.

I suspected Wasabi was in early stages of labour. I was right. In the car she started pushing. Her labour was not hard but she wasn't pushing all that hard. Last time was a c-section so this was new to her. It was great that she went natural.

Follow us at Talemaker Puppy Life as we continue this saga. We will be updating it with pix shortly and telling you about puppies and how life changes with them.

WE are tired but enjoying those dogs that are with us and the pups and making the most of living and loving the dogs despite the lack of sleep and food but hey I can use less of THAT...

Hope you enjoy the picnic pics. It took all day as I had to edit each to reduce the size but otherwise I did nothing to them.

Check out the picnic slideshow. We hope you enjoy!

Puppies Getting Born

Stay tuned for photos and the story about it on Talemaker Puppy Life including Wasabi being in labour on her way home. Not done yet...

Mom's real tired and a total mess from delivery... but baths much later...

More tomorrow!