Socialize Your Havanese

Last night I was walking Shoshi and Terra (our retriever and our - had no backbone - but a heart dog Shoshi). I tell you this as it has relevance. I got to the French school about 10 minutes away from the house and a guy with 8 dogs got there just before me and proceeded to let the dogs off the leash. It is not an off lead area. It's a school yard. Granted school is over - its night etc but still 8 dogs.

Well, we had no time to see that he released the dogs and I should have went another route but I actually curtailed it as I was also going to go through the school yard and out through a park but couldn't now.

The dogs - all shapes, sizes and breeds rushed Terra and Shoshi and Terra started drooling (stress big-time) and one of the dogs this guy had started growling. Terra continued to drool and Shoshi started to growl back in a vicious voice as if she was serious. The guy yelled from across the yard - he was a distance away that all the dogs are friendly and not to worry - they will say hi and leave. Well, one was not friendly but the rest seemed to be. Shoshi - who never had backbone has become slowly empowered by the pack - her pack. For her - who came way too early to us - she has found her spot and become better for it. Not that growling at a dog is a good thing but in this circumstance it was communications and was necessary. Often people do not understand the difference betwewen aggression and communications and a dog must be able to tell another - ENOUGH!

Well, Shoshi told the other dog 'enough' and the dog did listen and leave and Terra was relieved. It was not a fear growl but a protect my pack growl and I have thus over time realized and can hear and see the difference.

You could see it in her body and Shoshi then strutted like - mommy - see what I did? It's the same strut we get when she chases the ducks and is so proud of herself.

When you have a pack that is so tight knit like ours - each with their roles, it's interesting to watch. A new visitor that comes in throws the entire pack off and it takes days to adjust fully - hours at times with some and immediately with others. It all depends on the visitor and if he/she is sending out signals that the pack doesn't appreciate.

Shoshi - who hid under the chairs at obedience class and was frightened of the world walks with confidence on walks now. It took time and many situations where she learned to feel empowered but it happens so anyone who has a skittish dog - don't give up.

Keep giving them exposure and experiences in a positive way and they will get there if you don't give up. Shoshi is still the heart dog we started with but she is not the same dog as she was. She may have been without the pack, I imagine but we will never know.

Socialize people - it's well worth it!

We are on a mission to expose the Fiona to all sorts of dogs and situations and did this with Abigail. It makes a huge difference - Home Depot you can bring them in and they hear all sorts of noises and PetSmart and any garden center etc. Do it EVERY day for weeks and you will see a HUGE difference. What's 20 minutes out of your day?

I have way too much work - been working from 5amish to 11pm many, many night and its getting old but I take breaks - get dogs walking, me walking and then I can code again without mistakes. It's called balance but oh I wish I would win the lottery. I would quit working - invest my time totally in the dogs and get de-stressed!

Beachin' It Havanese Style

Fiona and Abs went to the beach today. Good news - it stopped raining. Bad news - oh so many dogs for the Fiona. She had an immersion that is starting her road to complete socialization balance.

We couldn't find the garden gloves we were looking for but mommy did find Cotton Ginny and they have some really cool 3/4 pants that is way comfie.

Abs - well she is an old pro and goes up and meets and greets all except one dog that had a prong collar on. That mommy and daddy spent much time taking Fiona over in their arms to get her to sniff and greet. This way she gains her comfort. Next she will have to meet and greet on her own in Petsmart perhaps tomorrow.

Use moments to socialize your dog such as a visit to the beaches or a park or?

We are home. Mommy is taking a nap shortly and the sun is out. I bet you by the time mom is ready to go out, it will rain again. she did get some weeding done but hardly a dent.

More later and pshaw - or what's that term to only sun where that relative of mine lives - Mojo. We don't have mosquitoes - do you? ROFL!

Rain - Now What?

Woke up to rain so now what?

Can't romp on the beach but maybe mommy and daddy can wait till the stores are open and bring us down in our arms anyways? Maybe it will stop raining though they say rain all day today and tomorrow.

Go figure - it's the weekend.

More later...

Havanese Planning

Fiona Says:
Daddy - it was nice hanging out with you today and hanging on your back just like Katsuro does.

Someone told me that we are on an adventure tomorrow as mommy has been working way too long of hours and you and mommy and Abs and I are off to the place called the Beaches where dogs are plentiful and I get a lot of that socialization stuff. Sounds like way fun.

Think we can go to dog beach or Ashbridges park or the dog store so I can get yummy snacks?

Well, the day is almost over and mommy is waiting till the sun to go down so we can all go on a huge walk. Are you coming daddy too?

Havanese on a Mission

This is Abs yesterday when she got out of the pool.

She was a gal on a mission.

Get me out of this crazy Talemaker Havanese place.

Sure, I can swim and even like it when I do but convincing me before and after I get out - well - maybe if I learn to dive like Kat.

While Abs was dripping wet, Fiona was laying in the muck in the very back. She's a gal after my heart - a gardener - ROFL

Well - we have Coach and Sassy coming for a visit today. No swimming. It's WAY hot but daddy has been out for business and mommy took us out to weed a little bit but she's been working.

The camera goes back tonight so back to the slow mo version. HA! Thanks for sharing, Yvonne!

Dogs Will Be Kids

Okay - let me explain that title. Dogs are not kids but they sure remind you of them - at times. Here, Risa and Abs is hiding under the deck chair - in the weeds I have yet to pull saying - no - Daddy - I am NOT going swimming.

They like swimming when they get in but they don't have that passion that Katsuro has. Wasabi seems to be getting it so there is hope.

We had a very busy day and mommy is still working - can you believe? This is my break.

I did take a quick dip and sit out at the pool under our sun shade that we got for the shows

Every day is an opportunity to learn. Here you can see human Daddy telling the crew to be quiet. ROFL

We are hoping tomorrow we can create a slide show of Abs handling class yesterday. She really connected with Nathan - smiling - looking at him adoringly. It was working. It was great to see!

Abs next show is less than a week away. Guess I best deep condition her. ROFL

More tomorrow!

Havanese Pool Life

There are days that we can hang out at the pool and not get wet but those days are far and few between and then it's RAINING!

Miss Abs has handling class tonight as she will be at Lindsay on July 1st - her human daddy's brother's birthday and a celebration of this fine land. We opted out of going to any of the rest at Lindsay as its during the week and work - well mommy needs to work.

Mommy is borrowing a camera tonight so she will be taking many photos at handling class. That ought to be fun and then we are heading to Walmart to get a sun shelter for some of those outdoor shows. It's not that mommy and daddy need shade but the dogs do.

Then mom gets home and needs to work again. So much work lately - building lots of home related stuff such as clutter buster and hey no article is going to help the human mom on THAT subject. But I am sure it will help some of you that are so inclined.

More later...

Havanese Livin' in a Fishbowl

What's it like living in a photographic fishbowl? Snap, flash - argh not again and how many of these actually turn out, human?

Mommy is borrowing Yvonne's DSLR - she has a slow 'mo camera and she's taking photos even though the subject matter won't cooperate. Who is the subject matter? US - as I said - Havanese fishbowl. Don't I look like I am lovin' this?

I hear they have only a couple of pups - if 5 is true left of my first ever pups. Gad - I love pups. I played with Wasabi's pups as if they were all mine and you can see that in my videos. Mommy and Daddy couldn't believe that half the night, I would go in and stare into the whelping box in awe.

Hey, I can be a fun lovin pool jumpin' in guy but I don't mind saying that I can be a warm, sensitive type. Nah, not the whiny type but I am one of the hearts of the pack. They are all mine - after all - don't ya know. ROFL!

Abs is sort of hanging out saying what's all this flashing and clicking business about.

After such a hard playing, rough housing play yesterday - well snoozin' seems about right especially as tomorrow brings handling class and another show but only 1 day with just my daddy. Mommy has to work.

Yesterday, we had a roaring grand time at Yvonne and Alex' and we waited to see if Maggie (she's my half sister you know) is pregnant and oh my gad - they think they see many! Well, we shall see. So, lots of pups at the Poole residence.

Here's Flora and Abigail who had a roaring grand time together.

They ran and ran their little hearts out. They are close in age and really connected much to the irritation of Fiona who thinks Abs is all hers. ha

But Fiona also managed to get into the swing of it and run a little. She will only watch so long and then decides - my turn!

Abigail got home and crashed. It was nice to see all that enthusiasm. As a matter of fact the entire crew crashed including the old lady, Whitney.

There were many more moments and photos capturing them but I won't bore you. Just know that life is good when you are surrounded by friends - human and canine alike.

Visit to Chicadoro's (Yvonne's) & Fun!

Do not tell me that dogs do not have long memories. When we opened our pool, Katsuro looked at it, looked at Nathan and said - let's go. He remembers swimming last year. He has a passion like none other for the swim.

So, today when we were on our way to Yvonne and Alex's, we turned off the freeway and his teeth started chattering, he was whining with pure excitement. He was off to see Lola in his mind.

I said to Nathan, wouldn't it be nice to be wanted THAT much. ROFL. Then I added but she's preggie and well - she will be shutting him down. Well, most of us know how that feels but he didn't.

Well, he spent half the time trying to woo the gals and Lola shut him down pronto and Maggie - well that gal flirted taking advantage of the fact that he would do anything she wanted to. Well, you know the story. Who was the smartest?

He finally calmed down and started running with the dogs and having a grand time.

It helped that Nathan started running with them and got them going.

We have much to report on our visit and some really great shots.

We got home late so tomorrow will have to do.

Wait till you see Flora and our Abigail running their fool heads off and Abigail getting the best of Fiona - yeah that happens at times and Abigail pouncing on Kat's back.

You'll also see the lovely blooming Lola, Maggie - well I - well tomorrow we find out if she is pregnant too - that little mischievous Downsey and Britney, Whitney, Wasabi, Risa and Terra.

What a day. Great food - great company and a lovely family from South Africa originally that we got to share some moments with and laugh. It was all good.

Till tomorrow....

Nothing Like Havanese Wet Play - Continued

Well, we have had some real fun today fitting in pool, grand kids, shopping at the Village Market and standing in line for a Wii Rock Band that never came at both Best Buy and Toys R Us. Are we nuts or what? Well, Nathan had the grand kids and the dogs all swimming and I had the lineups. Who had the better deal? I ask myself that all the time. I hate traffic and line ups but the pool I can handle.

Anyone who knows Havanese knows that all it takes to get a Havenese in full on play is to get them wet. They pounce, run-like-hell and have all sorts of fun. Our two youngest was doing just that.

We have more photos to come and more stories to tell later today but we have to hit a pool store before we wake the neighbours due to our pool cleaner. Long story and go to Shoppers for my fave dog deep conditioner. Yes - that's right. I use a deep conditioner that is for humans in the dogs - especially on the show dogs so they still have life - full on play and can still be shown. They aren't as pristine as those segregated show dogs but hey, they are having an amazing time building tales to dream on.

More later as life gets a tad quieter or it starts pouring and we can't do the outside thing.

Well, it's later and the dogs did have a grand time. As you can see in this photo, the youngest duo was having a run-like-hell game that lasted for close to an hour. Usually it's short spurts but that wet again tends to invigorate them.

Ignore the weeds as they are many with this lovely weather we have been having.

It's hard to believe I used to be on the garden tour - well my yard was.

It's the dogs or weeds and guess which one I pick. ROFL

Well, the duo ran under the deck, over the deck, up the walkways, behind the pool house over and over.

I do believed this pair is totally bonded but Katsuro of late has been teaching them, playing with them and really investing his time with them rather like he did with the pups.

It's nice to see this side of him - that gentle soul. Kat not only jumped in and swam with Nathan today but also with the grand kids.

Nathan also took in our old lady retriever who seems to be losing the back legs again.

If you followed us last summer, you will remember that the pool exercises got her walking again. We are hoping for the same this time but we also have to realize she's aging.

She's unable to pull herself out of the pool so Nathan had to help her but perhaps in a few weeks she will be. We shall see.

Wasabi has just finished her false pregnancy. I guess she enjoyed motherhood that she wanted more pups. She's starting to get back into the funk of life and playing again. It's genuinely great to see.

Here you can see her doing the play bow to the rest of the pack - come play - come play!

It does my heart good to see Wasabi back to being full of life!

Well, the gang had a glorious time and so did the grand kids.

We are off to see Yvonne, Alex, pregnant Lola (our Katsuro is the dad) and Mags, Flora, Fiona's sister Downey & resident large Havanese Beardie Britney.

You can click on any photos to see a larger version.

Fun will be had by all, I am sure!

New Havanese Haircuts

Well, Daddy decided that Risa needed her hair gone so she could swim every day and get into shape. Between spaying her and not being able to walk her while we had pups, well - she got a tad chunky and she's ever so good at working the house.

So, now Daddy is the only food source treats and all and he's taking her for marathon walks. Next is swimming when the weather cooperates.

As you can see Risa's beard, front hair was left long and her body actually is short but done in layers.

When she stands up, she has some length hanging but not much. This way her hair is thin.

She can get fit and Mommy doesn't have to worry about all those knots. With very thick hair, and shows - well she was getting some when the gal never has before. Oh well, that middle age spread and age thang.

Remember you can click on the photos to see a larger version always.

All the dogs sniffed up Risa as if she was a brand new dog in the pack.

She indeed feels thinner and Audrey (our groomer) says that she will be able to swim without mats. That's good as we are a swimming house here.

Audrey comes to your house and I rather like that. She used to own 'Dogs in the City' and found she can make more $$ this way without the overhead of rent.

Well, then Audrey started in on Shoshi and she was so bad. She just struggled with her on her feet. It seems she really doesn't like them cut so close so she moved and moved and moved.

This is Shoshi on the table in my laundry room just before she was done.

Ignore the mess. I had just finished doing Whitney before she came. Whitney takes so long to wash and dry and oh my that hair that comes out. Retrievers are like that.

Audrey did the haircuts and I hesitated in a big way in cutting Shoshi due to her heavy ticking.

She also brought her grooming arm as she likes hers better and I can see why.

You can't see the ticking as much here due to the angle but boy does she have heavy - all over the place spots.

Take a look at this photo to the right where you can see how bad the ticking really is.

She looks like a spotted....

You don't notice the ticking so much till it is cut short and voila - the distribution is different with each dog.

Some have it throughout and some don't appear to be.

What is ticking? A parti coloured dog (black and white) with this gene will have flecks of colour throughout the white coat, giving it a salt and pepper appearance. Dogs without this gene will have a white that stays crisp and pure. In the canine world, the correct term for this is "Belton"

Not all Havanese have ticking. Actually some other breeds have ticking as well. But if you are interested in colour, check out Suzanne McKay's site.

Take a look at the left to see another view. Look at how heavy it is all up and down her legs. But the gal has straight legs. hahahaha

Well, none of us are perfect but each of us have perfection within. it's different for each and imperfection is true perfection.

As soon as Shoshi got off the table, she rolled and rolled so it was challenging to get good photos of her without her hair sticking up but at least you can see the ticking.

Well, Shoshi's out of here. She has things to do, places to sniff and fun to be had. If the weather holds up, I am sure she will be in the pool. Let the summer fun begin!

More tomorrow....

What is That Havanese Doing?

Fiona often poses for her photos and Abs - well she just is hard to catch in action. It's different personalities. But here Abigail is shaking a toy and Fiona is wondering what the sense of that is.

After going outside and getting all wet in the grass, we came back to play a vigorous game of retrieve with the duo pouncing when a toy was thrown. It's the funniest sight you ever did see as they don't run but do this run to a pounce as if they are attacking the toy and they both do it.

How did you start YOUR day? I hope it was with just as much of a laugh and fun and just the way the day should start. If not, well do something about it. It only takes a few minutes and it can put a smile on your face. More later.>>

Preoccupied Havanese

We put down - well Nathan puts down 8 bowls each morning. He's the food giver so he gains and retains the allegiance of the show crew. I have stopped doing snacks even when I brush or train and rely on them going to him after I finish.

We have only started this a few days ago but the pack has already changed ever so slightly. They are sleeping and hanging out with Nathan more and me less. Is that a good thing? Well for the show dogs it is but I miss them so I realize I was also filling my own needs. But if we are going to get the show dogs to be all they can be, they must be totally reliant on Nathan. We will fill you in from time to time to tell you if it is working or not. Time will tell.

If you look at this photo, you can tell a bit about each of the personalities. Yes, we feed all 8 together without issue except from time to time Risa wants to steal someone else's or Abs or Shoshi. But we monitor and correct and all works. Abs tends to put her face in her bowl and savour each drop without taking her head out till done and Fiona is constantly looking around seeing if anyone else has something she doesn't.

Last night Shoshi tried to sleep with me and Fiona growled her off. It's not that Fiona wanted to sleep with me. She wanted to at that moment but as soon as Shoshi went up on the pillow, the challenge was not there and Fiona moved. Cute...

Came across a photo of Sebastian and Abigail. Boy have they changed. Take a look.

Last night I walked all the dog in a pack of 2 at a time - 4 walks and had an incident with a loose sheltie who bit my pants - connected with skin but no breaking of the skin. Have no idea why it happened. I had Shoshi and Abs with me. But when I reached a certain part of the road, the sheltie turned around still barking its fool head off. I am going to go back tonight with Nathan so I do not get fearful of such an incident. I tend to think it was a loose dog that lived in the neighbourhood and was just being territorial. Did the owner let it out as a usual ritual or did it escape from the yard or? Tonight may be telling. Still, a dog that bites - not good and loose.

More later. Have to get to work.

Olga & Benny Visits

Benny came for a visit with his owner, Olga. I was a tad busy building pages and after this, I am going to get back to it. Lots of work these days - building lots so Nathan took camera in hand and snapped away.

Taking a photo of a black faced dog is an art as it is hard to see the face. But, I didn't think he did half a bad job. You can see Benny's somewhat.

Well, not much to report on today. Lots of brushing. Mommy/Daddy's tummy is upset so no walks and not sure if the dogs had training today. It happens but Abs has a show soon so we got to get back to it.

We get to go to Yvonne's this week and visit and see the preggie Lola. Knowing how pregnant woman feel - she may take Kat's head off. We shall see.

More tomorrow and we are hoping work is less and stomach cooperates. Nothing else other than work got done today. It happens.

Adventurous Havanese Times

Abs had a blast at handling class. I am not sure if human Daddy did but she sure did. She loves to chase squirrels and saw a dog that rather looked like one. Sorry but it really did. She just couldn't get over having it so close and boy would I love to pounce on THAT! Abs learned squirrel hunting from Shoshi who can catch the tail of one but doesn't want to do anything but to say - I caught you - now you can run away. The fun is in the chase and Abs certainly loves games. I am positive she could get titles in things that involved play easily.

Let's say - life was challenging tonight. Abs continues to have a true zest for play - and those aromas in the ground are just too much for her to ignore. Human daddy is doing his best to learn ways to get her to F-O-C-U-S but it may have to come with maturity or great creativity on the human part.

Here you can see Daddy trying to bait Abs with one of her fave toys. She has two and one is sadly falling apart. We need to find another. It's a little furry thing you hold in your hand, shake it and it sounds like a bird noise. This one he is using is a rattle and she likes it too. It does get her attention.

Daddy has a few weeks to find his creativity and then we will have the fun of seeing Lola and Kat pups and we will have to have videos, photos - all of it but poor Yvonne gets the work. She also gets the day to day joy.

We are already getting enquiries on the pups and will be visiting Yvonne this weekend so folks can meet the dogs.

We have grandkids coming on Friday (our oldest daughter's b-day and she owns a CAT - always one you know) and the garden cleanup and trying to get Abs swimming on a daily basis like Kat and walks and exercise and grooming and yikes - can we stop and smell the roses? Oh yeah we have plants to plant - and 2 are roses. hehehehe

More tomorrow.

The Ever Changing Havanese & Life

Here's a photo of Lola when she was a wee one. She was such a cutie - don't you think? Lola has changed colours as Havanese often do to a goldish blond. She looks like she is changing colours yet again when you look at her up close getting that richer colour back.

Havanese are such an interesting breed as you can have the looks of one colour then they grow up and get another and then they can revert again or change again. It's like having a package that keeps on evolving. To me, that's ever so much fun.

We have no clue what colours a Lola/Kat combo will produce. Ultrasounds etc. don't tell that but Kat has sable in his line, Lola has it in hers. There is also the greying gene at play. At times you can see a cocoa overcast in Kat's coat. It too is always changing.

Life is filled with surprises and we are excited to see what this one brings.

Personality is prevalent in the Mojo line - Kat has it in spades but hey we are biased. Lola is a Cuban Havanese - a strong gal filled with a genteel personality. She is a first class mom.

Can you tell we are excited?

Now on to the shenanigans of the crew here. Fiona is playing up a storm. I am back exercising doing Kenpo/Cardio X with Tony Horton. It's time I get back into it and well, Fiona was jumping on me the entire time. It made exercise a challenge but a fun one. We are back to finding what life is about - moments that you can treasure. It's why we are called Talemaker - as we bring you quality Havanese that lifetime tales are made from.

Treasure the moments and laugh at even the frustrating moments like a dog jumping on you while you exercise. Life is short and it can be amazing if YOU allow it to be.

More later...

Kat's Wondering Where Lola Is

Today I decided to take a photo of Kat set in the garden and take the background out to see what it would look like. It was in a 'how to' that I had sitting around and I wanted to give it a shot. I suppose I could have thrown a photo of Lola behind him as I wanted to but her photo never came. Too much to do with the dam(s) in need.

Kat's rather smitten with Lola much to the irritation of Wasabi - heh. Oh, about 30 something days ago they did the Cuban tango many times over sometimes a couple of times a day every time she came to visit. It got so bad that all Kat has to do is see Yvonne or Alex and he says - well where's my gal? Well, that's not true. If truth is to be told, his teeth chattered, he shook with desire and plain went crazy wooing her, nuzzling her neck etc. Now gals - don't you wish the human men did that - heh.

Well, those of you that remembered Wasabi's pups know that Kat adores puppies and finally he may be able to play with some of his own.

Yes, Yvonne's Lola at Chicadora will have puppies in mid July just before the picnic. There's something about that picnic - I tell you.

We are excited at this combination. If interested in pups, well let us or Yvonne know. We promise many videos and Yvonne wil be kicking us out - just watch as we just LOVE puppies!

Daddy & Abs Looking Good Together

Today we only got reserves but that's okay. Daddy and the Abs looked good together and we were able to meet another Havanese owner, Deb. How cool is that?

Then we went shopping at that plant place. What is it - garden centers but mommy likes them as they are cheaper than the city and good quality too.

Then we came back and two of the sons cooked dinner for the human dad for Father's Day.

Well we are going to get back in shape - mommy, daddy and the Havanese and retriever crew so we will be getting back to walks. That means every time daddy gets those leashes out, mom is in for the walk. You hear that daddy? Oh my the dawgs are going to love the walks pre-puppies that they had and Abs and Fiona are in for a treat. Not that they haven't gone on walks but there are walks and then there are walks. We will be back to the latter.

Dressed Up and Play Time

We had another day that was a bust but we came home and had a roaring grand time. But that man - he does claen up well but shhhh don't tell him THAT!

The crew went swimming and Katsuro and Wasabi laid on top of mommy while she laid in the pool on a mat. It was a sight for sore eyes but sorry - no camera.

Now daddy is out with Abs visiting jazzy and picking up Chinese food. Mommy might even do a glass of wine with raspberries in it. Yum. Now that will get her to sleep tonight.

Pray for no storms. Due to so many - Whitney is not doing well. Mommy is not either as she is not getting any sleep. Oh well, there is tomorrow late morning and afternoon to chill and we may - in that pool.

Show Crazy Buzi-ness

Well, no points today but Yvonne's Flora won big and we are hoping Downsey did great in the sanction match. Woo hoo!!

It would be easier if they gave you a report card. geez!

Well, another day tomorrow and an early one at that. We also have the puppy sweepstakes if we hang around for that.

Mommy - can I just play...please?