Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 5:16PM 
Here's Nathan having a bit of fun with Abigail. She's getting ready for a show this Friday.
We are looking at this as a fun experience for both human and dawg. If it can't be fun.....
Monday, April 21, 2008 at 2:52PM 
Chico now has his staples out so he is staple-free. He's going to get a bath - probably Wednesday or Thursday so we make sure he is 100% scab free - this way he will look beautiful for class on Thursday night.
The crew is all vegging after training. I did all that I could do with all including out old lady Whitney.
We did stands for Fiona - sits for Chico, stands and heeling for Abs, everything for Katsuro, Terra and Shoshi and a mix of things for Risa.
Now all they want to do is veg from all those treats and brain testing.
This is the stand at the door - can't you hear me - let me out. We now have bells but we have yet to train them to ring them. I would like to train Fiona and Abigail to them as they are inflicted with the - don't you know I am standing here waiting till you let me out?
The gang is emptier without Sebastian and Coco.
Classes Thursday. Are you ready Coachie? I know we aren't yet. hahahaha
Monday, April 21, 2008 at 12:25PM 
The day started with a bang. They just was having a roaring grand time. I swear it is a bonus to have 2 Havanese together. Throw in our gang and doggie chaos with roaring laughter.
I have learned if I want to sleep in, one or many dawgs will give me that morning lick to say - okay - it's time. Then the play begins.
Sebastian's human mom is coming at 1pm and he had to have a bath. He was whispering to me that dawgs should always have fun and not worry about those things but something about snuggling up to a dirty dawg... he went on to say - well okay I guess I can handle that but I like smelly!
The human dad around here walked all the dawgs this morning and they had a blast. I am not sure he did walking 5 times and these aren't short walks but hey - good for that bod of his!
Here you can see them enthusiastically waiting for THEIR turn.
We are hoping Chico's staples can come out soon.
Crazy dawg week this one - Abigail's in a show, Fiona and Chico are in classes, Wasabi goes to the vet. Busy but event-filled week and Sebastian is going to handling class this week too. Me..I have to work on Fiona and Chico before their class - just the sit for Chico will help and the stay for spazz Fiona too - hahahaha.
More later...
Sunday, April 20, 2008 at 4:37PM 
This was a fun weekend with lots of people, dogs etc and we wouldn't have it any other way.
Coach, Sassy and their human dad and mom and shall I say human sibling came over yesterday and hung out - gave Chico some human interaction.
Here you can see Coach nose to nose with Chico along with Kat and Abigail. The dogs had a wonderful time.
It was nice to relax with John and his family and the dawgs before we had company in the evening, cooking, food, and all the fun that comes with a dinner. The dawgs kept sniffing for their share.
It's going to be fun going to class with John and Coach.
Then we had our 2 grand kids come over with our daughter and hubby and Chico just ADORES kids. I guess some of his best moments have been with the kids he lived with for the last 4 months. It shows as we had kids here today as well and he just lights up with the kids. He's a tad shy with the adult humans at first but once you pet him, well he warms up. Kids - no warming up - he's just excited to see them.
Chico starts classes this Thursday and tomorrow I am going to start working on sit, come, and stay to help him get a head start on class. This way, if he is not sure of the environment, knowing the commands even if he is not doing them perfect will help him make the transition to class is fun. Plus he will be in class with Fiona and Coach.
Sebastian's mom comes tomorrow so Sebastian won't get a bath till tomorrow morning so he can look GORGEOUS. We are going to miss him.
Here you can see Linda (who came to visit) lovin' him up.
Remember you can click on the photos to see a larger view.
I thought about washing Sebastian today but figured with the way he loves to play, tomorrow is a better day.
I am going to fluff and dry him then take a photo so you can see him all so handsome and all!
We got to see Coco again and she remembered me - gave me lots of kisses and snuggles and that was really nice. There is nothing like kisses from puppies and I got them from Yvonne's Downsey too.
Here you can see some of Coco's family. Thanks to Yvonne for bringing her here so we could see her again.
Well 4 days till Abigail's show debut. Got to get that grooming bag ready. ROFL. Got to get busy - ooops that's Nathan has to get busy.
Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 3:08PM 
Hey - I have my first show next weekend and daddy needs to work with me today. Daddy is worried that Chico may ruin my coat but I like to play. We have to figure out a balance and still leave me staying beautiful. Got any ideas?
This is the first day Chico is without his cone head and he isn't going after the staples. A couple of more days and he gets to get them out. This is also his last day for his antibiotic. We can't wait to bathe him as he really needs it.
Let's see how things have changed. We have a neighbour dog that barks all the time and Chico is 98% listening to the 'no bark' on first command. Bravo! He comes 99% of the time now - another bravo. He is getting used to the grooming even though we can only just brush and comb him thus far.
As you can see in this photo, Sebastian and Katsuro are getting along famously. So is Chico and Katsuro.
He loves playing the run-like-hell game with them especially if there is mud close by so they can get rather ragged looking.
Sebastian goes home Monday and we are going to wait till then to bathe him. He's already had one bath here but we want him extra handsome and and that's tough to do with our yard till things grow in.
Well Coach and Sassy are coming over to play so we can't wait to see how that mixes things up around this place.
Remember you can click on any of the photos to see a larger view.
Fiona likes to get down and dirty too and she has such a mischievous side to her. She takes advantage of her small body to hide in nooks and crannies and then jumps out and pounces at the rest.
Fiona is a really fun lovin' dog and so is Abigail. They just add something special to our mix and we love it!Although Fiona can't keep up with the older pups, she surely gets creative to get the advantage when playing. It's so funny to watch.
Here you can see her huddled under the plant and everyone else is too large to get to her. No - she is not afraid in the least but rather enjoying the game of hide but you can't catch me.
She even has Katsuro playing much more too due to that side of her. She had Chico going the other night where she jumped out of a window on a toy we had and then he looked around as if to say - where are you and she would do it only when he turned his head. It was a riot. Both were playing thinking and solution games.
Fiona gets to see her sister Coco again tomorrow and Downsey. I bet she is going to be really excited.
Friday, April 18, 2008 at 3:23PM 
Well, I had this great idea I would put deep conditioning on Kat, let him sun it in like a heat conditioner but I tried it at first with a raincoat on so he wouldn't get dirty. He soon had that off and rolled and rolled in the dirt.
You can click on the photo to see a larger version.
What you can't see as my camera is too ^%$# slow was that was Sebastian running at him to pounce on him and he did. Then Chico with his cone still on did the same. It was a - lets get the dirty boy session.
I swear Kat was laughing his ahem off. He's finally relaxing with the boys and having a grand time.
Now, I didn't have a grand time getting him clean but...well boys will be boys...won't they. HA HA!
Friday, April 18, 2008 at 8:51AM 
Oh my gad, life is grand. Miss Abigail is going to be gone, gone, gone off and on all next weekend and hey - she's taking mommy and daddy with her. What's THAT about? Oh well - another week and I will deal THEN.
This week is Passover and Talemaker's wishes all our Jewish friends, family and acquaintances many memories and eat well this sedar. Don't allow your canines to make those eyes and over-indulge. ha ha
Mommy is going a tad crazy practicing 'no bark' with all these mowers, blowers etc going on in the neighbourhood. She actually thinks we should not be so vocal so she says no bark, puts a funny face on her all scrunched up and then she starts moving all those leaves around all so she can pressure wash everything down to get rid of any residual smells etc. She's a crazy lady. It took her hours to do the deck and it will take her 5 times as long if daddy doesn't get the blower going to push those leaves at least in one spot while we nose dive in it and make it a mess again. Yeah - we do that...yikes.
Coco's mom, Yvonne, Coco, Downsey are all coming Sunday at 2pm and that ought to be fun. We figure by Sunday, Chico's hat will be off and he'll be a happy camper. He's off pain meds today - antibiotics of the liquid kind for a few more days and life will never be the same. Then Monday we may be seeing Sebastian's mom as he goes home too. It will be a quieter house for sure - hahahaha
More later as we adapt to life outside as we adore grand weather, a pool and dock diving Havanese but that's a tad too early but the rest - plants, hide and seek in and out of them - well life is grand for a Havanese come spring and when the leaves no longer stick to them - it will be grand for me too. hahahaha
Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 3:36PM 
When daddy comes home around this place the dogs rush to see him barking their fools head off so we are training them NOT to. The same goes for the warmth of teh season - that brings mowers, pool people etc in other yards and therefore noises so we are practicing 'no bark'. Sometimes it works - sometimes not but we keep trying and catching the ring leader always and eventually you gain control. It's more difficult when you have many dogs.
Chico is doing well today - falling into our lifestyle. He is even tolerating my grooming him up and even doing better with the liquid meds but I am sure he wil be glad to have that neck thing off. We will also be glad to get daddy back in our room. His stitches look great but it is amazing what he thinks he can do and what he figures solutions to with that thing on. I say good for him. He is absolutely a creative and a solution solving dawg!
The dogs are loving this weather. I am out back trying to wash the walkways/decks etc so we can get the furniture out and semi cleaning the beds. The dogs think that is delightful - ooooh she is raking that junk up so we can nose dive in it.
We are heading back out to hang out - Chico's fave place. I bet you he will love his hikes with us when he is able. Risa likes to manage the crew outside and adores the outside so I need to get everything cleaned up so they can all hang out more and I can have furniture out there so I can drag the computer out there as well. All good things take work - hahahaha
We hear Coco is taking over the bed or Yvonne's body at bedtime and having a roaring grand time. can't wait to see her again.
Hope you are having a great Havanese day. More later.>>
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 12:32PM 
We are just playing to lighten up the mood around this place but Chico just got finished getting groomed and his hair was a tad static so I thought I would have fun.
He now has 90% of his knots out and as you can see, his face no longer has that crusty stuff on it from eating in this thing. He is now eating solid food - Fromm's with chicken and cheese and even bacon thrown in - yum. We still have the face to deal with as he is on liquid meds for many more days but we are washing the area up and although he needs a bath (has to wait till stitches are out), he is making great progress.
He is adjusting to the couple of times grooming and doing well but of course he gets kisses, hugs and a treat and even a head massage all to get him enjoying - not dreading.
His stitches look great - no redness at all. He's still twitching - still on pain meds. He is now coming back in with the pack where before he didn't want to come in - just stay out back but no can do when you are recovering.
Our biggest issue is getting him to rest as he does so want to play with us, the dogs etc. I have a feeling he is going to make us laugh with his play when he is recovered.
As you can see, even at noon time when only the pups are eating, it's a hmm can I get some too affair but they learn - not at noon adults.
The crew had hamburger with melted cheese over and kibble - (Fromm's Chicken Ala Veg) and they wolfed it down. Sebastian especially likes this particular meal - warmed up and looks for everyone else's after he wolfs his down. Gad - he's such a nice dog.
Well. Abs is doing another handling class at a place she hasn't been to at 830pm tonight - late for her but she needs it before her debut at the Lindsay show.
Sebastian has been getting daily training in handling at home till his mom returns from her honeymoon - congrats - by the way. Fiona has been too. The rest get stands and stays and we will be adding Chico into this daily thang after he is a bit more healed but certainly by weekend. We are working on 'come' in the meanwhile and by gad he is getting it.
There is so much to do with a dog playing recovery. It's sort of like having pups. Plus I am spending time with Wasabi as she has been back to not eating in the morning and needing more attention. They all get it but at times you have to figure out who needs extra without leaving any of the others out except yourself. ROFL!
Now to fit in cleaning the floor from all that stuff they drag in to even work or a shower - ha! But this will change when Chico is 100%. So much to do - so little time.
We are missing Coco - and so is Abs, Fiona and Chico. We are hoping she is really having a roaring time at the Chicadoro household with her canine mom, sister and crew.
More later...
Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 8:47PM 
Well, just when we thought we would have the Coco for another night, Alex and Yvonne couldn't stand another day without her so Alex came by and scooped her up.
Now we would have kept her...hehehe but friends share.
We will be looking forward to seeing her on Sunday and we are looking forward to hearing all about the next part of her adventure.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 1:15PM 
Well, it's another day and Chico says I still have this crazy cone head on but I am eating, coping with this crazy hat and my stitches look good. That human Darlah keeps trying to comb a knot out here and there only every once in a while and only for a few minutes but once the stitches are out, she tells me I am going to look soooo good!
She even did a top knot on me and I shook my head. You almost could see me with 2 eyes but well you see one and she will try another day in trying to make this top knot withstand the shake of the head.
I don't seem to know 'come' but I know the 'chase me' game so those humans are working on that and I get lots of love when I do come.
Now the human here says, now that we have Chico's number, we have made 'come' a fun game and he gets it most of the time. He catches on real fast so it looks like he is a fast learner and a willing one at that. Our goal is to get him doing all his basic commands and then some before he is rehomed. We work with the dogs daily and have already started with Chico.
He also will be starting obedience class next week so he's going to be amazing and that human Darlah will be handling him. He'll even get to see his brother Coach in class - now how cool is that?
Chico tends to stay happy go lucky even when he is in obvious pain but we figure by the weekend, he will have his cone head off and be vastly improved. The dawgs also have managed to adapt to this ball of fur that hits the corners with this collar.
The crew got up and started mixing it up. They were having a roaring grand time. Sebastian and Coco is just like one of the family now. You should hear the racing pitter patter of feet and Katsuro has been really getting into it showing just how fast a Havanese can run.
Tonight Abigail has handling class and Coco is here tonight - til maybe tomorrow. Yvonne should just leave her here - haha
More later.
Monday, April 14, 2008 at 1:20PM 
Chico is a pup from Wasabi and had an accident this past week. It seems he swallowed a knee high nylon and had to have an operation.
Luckily it was in the stomach so he won't have any issues with his bowels but he will have this cone head for bit.
We were hoping that he would be able to sleep with our son Jonathan but he has huge tests in university so it looks like the guest room for one of us. heh
We are going to strive to get Chico to be all he can be till we find him that 'right' forever home. It doesn't look like we have too much of a job and that's nice.
Usually when you get a dawg back, you wonder if there was something else beyond what they tell you so it is hard to understand. You want to understand so you can help the dog be all they can be. For Chico, his family never owned a dog and between this operation and feeling guilty that he was home while they both worked and the kids went to school - well now we are looking for a new home for him. Chico thankfully had the stocking in his stomach vs. the bowels.
But first, we will be allowing him to heal, (no medical issues will remain from this except learn from it all) getting his staples out, taking him to obedience (yes we signed him up to be in Coach's and Fiona's class. ) and we will be sprucing his coat up and enjoying him.
What I can tell you is he is very people, kids and dog friendly. He is adapting to this cone head but our little ones reacted way funny as if he was from outer space. It's good conditioning for them as they learn to accept something they are unfamiliar with. Coco really couldn't figure it out at first but it all worked out, as you can see.
I am waiting till he settles totally in and then will be grooming him up, giving him tons of snuggles and in a few days maybe he will get to meet Coach and Sassy again. We shall see. He already has Sebastian here so it's almost like a reunion.
Yes - it's less than 2 weeks and Nathan has to whip Abs to 'just perfect' state but we will love her even if she can't get over her exuberance on a heel. Handling classes for her tomorrow and training today for her and the rest of the gang. Will I fit in a shower...ROFL Yeah when Nathan gets home. Crazy dawg life but how can you help but love them.
Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 8:48PM 
Okay, we believe in having fun around here and we mean it. Who's top dawg in this photo? hehehe
Well, we have had a busy day today. It started early and it was too wet on the deck from morning dew for human daddy to hang out on but he gave it a shot this afternoon.
Remember you can always click on a photo to see a larger version.
Talking about hanging out on decks, I take photos of decks but rarely lay my ahem down on one. The floor in the house is a different story.
Well, I managed to take a photo of our Wasabi who hasn't been cleaned now for a week and still, she is the only dog that still feels silky and looks great messy - don't you think? That gal gives stylin' a new name - I tell ya!
I gave Sebastian a bath today (yeah he needed it - as you will see below) and he has the same hair as she does. I hope he keeps it as hers never knots and is so silky.
Well, Nathan did training with the dawgs today. Miss Abs wasn't behaving so he quit on her - hahahaha and then a few hours later went back to it and she started acting up again and he got her on track. His goal is to kick ahem in handling class - well I think it is.
We also went on walks and I am not sure about these people that let us watch their dogs. We surely let them get D-I-R-T-Y. They would be flabbergasted.
Must be some of that desire in us to let them be dawgs despite having to wash them afterwards. Here you can see poor Sebastian's legs. Got to love it! He surely did chasing Katsuro and Shoshi and Risa around the playing field filled with wet and mud and oh my...
But all was not lost as some of the crew went to the forest and stayed dry and didn't have to get washed. I can't imagine washing all 10 in one day. Thanks to the little silver linings in life.
Well, Coco is surely getting along with the crew today. Here she is off with a walk with her sister Fiona. As I type, she's laying under my desk snuggling with Fiona. Life is good.
More tomorrow. We may be losing Coco to Yvonne's house tomorrow. We shall see.
Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 7:48AM 
The pups are at it bright and early today. Coco slept in the bed and slept all night. Her last feeding was at 530pm and she barked for her breakfast. That's a sibling trait - I want it now.
Fiona's been sleeping all night for quite awhile with these arrangements so we figured we would do the same with Coco. It's working and her comfortability has increased. She's doing stairs, jumping on top of the crew to play and learning that endearing pounce and then move fast so they can't get me back. Yeah - it's a game they play. It's fun to watch.
It's rather cold outside. I was hoping for warm. It looks like no more rain till I don't know when so after our walks, it may finally be time to get the crew washed up one at a time.
Coco will be heading out to Yvonne's come - tomorrow and Sebastian is here till the 21st. Sebastian tends to mix it up on a level that Abigail really enjoys. He's such a lovey even when I brush him daily and doesn't forget there is a treat at the end.
Poor Coco was not pleased with the grooming but with lots of kisses, hugs and snuggles she survived and got excited with the treat. I suspect today's grooming will be much easier. Shoshi had mega grooming as she managed to drag in sticks, leaves and anything else that would stick to her hair but after daily grooming, they just lay there and wait for their treat.
Yesterday Nathan did training with Abigail, Sebastian and Fiona for the ring but let's say - training again today as they have that jumping in excitement thing down too well at times. We are making progress but maybe with less than 2 weeks away for Abs - her training has to increase to 2 times a day. Will Nathan have the energy? Time will tell. hahahahaha
Well, I may crawl back on the couch and snuggle with some dogs. I promise you training photos later. We may even have a walk or two mixed in. slideshow coming. :-)
Oh - and Sebatian has found his way to Katsuro's heart. He was seen letting him snuggle and even playing their hearts out bigtime. Imagine that.
Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 10:48AM 
We are rather tired today as Coco (name spelling correction as I found on her collar) couldn't decide - bed - crate - bed - can I go out now? But that happens at times when it's a new place and she will get tuckered out and have her bearings today. She's already playing with the crew as you can see in our bathroom. She even growled boisterous Sebastian away who tends to love the physical full on play that Abs adores.
This is great for the pack as they learn to interact with each dog and read signals. It's a bonus - even with a lack of sleep to have the visitors. Our goal is to help the pack help others and therefore help themselves. it does work.
It's really raining and we are constantly cleaning floors. It's way funny though as I take my foot and shove a towel around the floor and the dogs chase it, lay on top of it and play as if we are in midst of a game.
Here I am snuggling with a few, hair not brushed - soaking wet just enjoying.
I can't imagine what life would be without the dogs. We adore then so and we rather miss puppies. It's an amazing amount of work the way we do it but wow what you get back!
More later...
Friday, April 11, 2008 at 6:08PM 
This is Fiona's sister, Coco. You can click on the photo to see a larger version of this photo. She's a cutie.
She's settling in and starting to hang out with the crew. She had an overwhelming welcome as the dogs were upstairs and rushed the door.
More later as the dawg life unfolds.
Friday, April 11, 2008 at 11:17AM 
These are our darling junk yard dawgs - well one is ours and one was from our Wasabi's litter and is visiting - Sebastian. It's rain - rain and more rain the next few days and little Fiona said - I don't do rain so she went running back in and started circling behind our table and I grabbed her, took her back out and she actually sighed as if to say - okay - I will take a shower and do my business - if I MUST!
Now the duo here - Miss Abs and Sebastian didn't have an issue in the least with the rain and neither did Katsuro. Our issue with them was getting them to come back in before this human was soaked to the skin. They don't get that I didn't enjoy having water drip off of me. ROFL.
Now that Fiona is getting conditioned to this rain, she's a wet rag and I am trying to get her in too. Can't have it both ways, I suppose!
Later today, Fiona's sister and family is coming to visit and Cocoa will be staying here for a few days till Yvonne comes to get her on Monday - me thinks. She may have to wrestle us for her but hey we are in for some fun this weekend - wet, dirty fun but that's what baths are for and warm fires in the fireplace etc.
Oh - and what is sleep? Sebastian and Abs has decided at every bedtime, it's time to start playing - ON THE BED and full steam, stumbling, tumbling all over me. I have to try Risa's way of dealing with it - a sharp grr and they move away ROFL but she has to keep doing it - kids...what can I say!
More later>>
Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 8:24AM 
Just wanted to share this photo we received from our friends that own a really 'must see' store called 'Eye on Fashion' in Richmond Hill for any gal that loves clothes. The best part about visiting this store is you get to see Jazzy as he is often in the store greeting everyone. No, I don't make a habit of giving anyone plugs but the clothes...and Jazzy - and the owners - well it makes you wish everyone ran their business like that.
Jazzy every now and then comes to play with our gang but we will wait until its not muddy as he always looks so clean and handsome unlike a few of our dogs at the moment as every time I clean them - well they find the mud and my white tiled floors reflect that...sigh. Wasabi is the worse as she loves tunneling under the deck and teaching the pups all sorts of things.
We may be - well Nathan may be - bringing either Abigail (she needs to do her socialization stuff for the ring in 2 weeks) or Sebastian up to see the Jazz.
Cocoa comes to visit tomorrow and we hear - rain, rain, rain all weekend. We are wishing Yvonne well in the ring this weekend as she is in Harrisburg, Pa.
More later as the day unfolds.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at 7:14PM 
It's not a great photo as I was taking shots into the sun but dear Miss Abs came back from the vets after getting 2 of her canines pulled and she is stoned on morphine - chillin' out in the backyard on the deck with her fave human. That's okay as tomorrow she has to get show training busy. Today she has the day off. :-)
If you are getting your dog neutered or spayed, this is the time to deal with any teeth that just don't want to come out like Abs. Hers had roots that were larger than the actual tooth.
We have a great vet who let us bring in our crate so she can feel comfie.
Nathan also dropped over to Yvonnes to hang out and wait for the Abs with a few of the other dogs. He also managed to get a few photos.
Here you can see Rita's Minnie chasing Wasabi's Sebastian, Rita's Opal behind them and Downsey and Fiona behind Opal and good old Terra laying on the deck.
If I have any mistakes in this, forgive me. I will fix it tomorrow. I have a very conked out Abs laying in one arm while I try to type with the others. She never lays here for this amount of time as she is always too busy playing so I am treasuring the moment and dealing with the difficulty of typing.
Remember you can always click on the photos to see a larger version.
I asked Nathan to take photos so I could see Downsey's colour and to see if she is the same size. She looks like the same size but wow that colour. We are really getting excited to see what Cocoa looks like - their other sibling who comes on Friday. I will have to remember to charge the video camera.
Well more tomorrow. It's way too hard to snuggle and type.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at 9:50PM 
Fiona: I have a huge secret to tell you. Human daddy signed me up for a show this month. That means I have to hold my tail up, get manhandled and move when I am supposed to.
Do you think I am going to have fun? Daddy promised me a huge steak if I do well. The bribes have already began. Do you think he'll go for .....?
Should I ask?