UPDATE: Shelby Kayak Times & Duo Grooming Ambience

This was her first time in the kayak. She did great. Next we get a doggie life jacket and head out for a long trek.

Barb

Scruffy and Pepper enjoyed an outdoor grooming session this morning  

Scruffy really enjoyed it as he loved the breeze blowing through his hair.  I think Pepper enjoyed the change, too.  Although, you wouldn't know it from these photos.  I had a hard time getting them both to smile for the camera at the same time.

Lori

“Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.”   

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From me: I am grooming all day and won't be finished till 7pm. So tv and no blog - so forgive me but these 2 updates above are wonderful. Tomorrow I will add photos of Leo who is departing today after his bath. Dennis was taking photos so I may have Brewer (just bathed), Lila and Zoe who are next to be bathed and Dusty - Zoe's sister. Oh and I weeded and played with dogs. I know I am exhausted. No pool today :-( In case you wanted to know Leo was wonderful and I got lots of snuggles when I crawled into the lawn chair thinking a nap and then Nathan said what are you doing? I almost got away with it.

Full Daze

We started out the day running like banshees. Don't think for a second we just laze around, drink drinks, swim in the pool and watch tv. We expel energy every chance we can get. The dogs love it!

They had their strategy sessions.

They got into position.

They appeased the human.

They full out played!

They ran and ran and ran.

They play bowed.

Some chose to swim.

Some couldn't get enough. After blow drying Oscar he tried to come in the pool. So inside with Dennis he went with a few of the other dogs or mom and dad would have seen him soaked. I loved how he enjoyed. But can't have a wet dog to go home. :-)

Roxie was told off for the first time by her human Daddy as she was told not to go into the pool and what did she do? Can I say she can't help herself? But it is very important that she doesn't go into the pool till we allow.

She had her cheering crowd and due to heats gals were out at one time then the boys were. Oscar was allowed out all the time with whomever as he didn't clue into the heats. Poor Trigger was HIGHLY interested. So he only got to hang out with the boys. Levon didn't clue in either so he was able to be with the gals. Come to think of it maybe that is why he was smiling all weekend. hehehehe

We were lucky and had Gallan, Lynda, Panda and Logan swimming.

Dogs departed. Baths and grooming was done. But still we managed pool time and we already miss the busy-ness of it all. But tomorrow baths from morning till night but departing tomorrow and quiet solitude with thunder showers coming on Tuesday and Scruffy and Pepper to brighten up the day. Dusty departs Wednesday and then it is really quiet.

Just another day of pure fun and thanks to the humans that shared it with us!

Am Tired Dawgs Too

We had a full day and I also groomed quite a bit the last few days for dropins for baths. So forgive me if I am short tonight. I really am tired. I am also waking up with cramps in my legs. Time to exercise, lose weight and get more pool time. hahahahahahaha

Sparky departed today after he was groomed. We enjoyed his visit!

This was Jeannie before she was brushed up. With heats you have to take the gals out in heat separate from the boys. Good thing there is 3 of us and sometimes 4 when the son in the basement helps.

No one wanted to swim today except Roxie. They all backed up playing silly games - not today... We tried.

We also watched a bit of tv after running outside. This time we watched in the tv room.

We relaxed, we enjoyed and now we are heading back out in hopes that the mosquitoes don't eat us alive.

Happy 3rd Birthday

Stella Gal

Jenkins with his human best bro!

Miss Mia!

To Mia, Miss Molly, Jenkins, Murphy and Stella, We wish you all a wonderful happy healthy and exciting birthday.

Happy 3rd Birthday.

Darlah and Nathan

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Photos of the day later. We have our granddaughters graduation to attend. We are excited as we didn't think she would be able to graduate with all the hospital stays and sick days but she pushed on and we are excited! Dennis and Jon will be holding down the fort while we are gone for a few hours.

We also washed Bentley and Miss Abigail and here are a couple of photos of them along with a few - more later.

By the way Oscar is doing wonderful and was right after his parents left. He's having a great time! Dusy gal is doing her usual fantastic.

Dusty Gal

Here are some more photos and that is it for today...

Visits and No Sleep

I haven't slept since yesterday as I had some kind of food poisoning I think. About 5am when I planned to actually go to sleep as that is when I was better Spice decided to bathe me with kisses, Jeannie decided to body hug me. I gave up. So, if I don't make sense you know why.

Today we had Irma and Dick over and hope I was coherent enough. Nathan went in the pool and said can you do this - can you do that. I was about to kill him but I suppose it kept me awake.

Oscar also joined us today and ended up walking on the stairs in the pool and snuggling with me outside. Clearly Oscar is going to be more than fine.

Scruffy and Pepper are here for a few hours and Shady and Nora came for a bath and Shady ended up in the pool. I didn't see how that happened so Alene will have to fill you in. I came out to see him swimming after his bath. hahahaha At least he was clean.

Here are a few photos taken today.

Oh and Cali and Leti are now in heat too. Oh and Nora looks cute as a button in her short do.

Katie and Our Visitor & More

Molly and Katie get along so well!!  Better than I had imagined.  Molly is the ideal older sister and Katie copies everything she does.  The other day Molly was walking only on the curb during our walk since the grass was wet and Katie followed along on the curb as well.  A little procession.

From Ruth: You both definitely picked the right personality as a match for Molly and our lifestyle.  I was a bit wary at first to be honest....but it is another success!!

Thanks.

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We had another rainy day but we had a visit from Ozzie while it wasn't raining and then it started again at the end. Panda was really excited but as they usually do at this age they tried for the milk bar just incase it still exists.

Jebi has now departed. Cali wasn't sure of him but within an hour or two she was okay with him and then started playing full out despite the size difference. There are benefits to exposing them to larger unknown dogs.

Spice learned this trick from Jebi so we now are doing the down, treat thing. My dogs sleep with me, are on my couch etc but not on a table. :-)

Nathan did this ponytail on Roxie - oy. Well he did brush a dog so I should shut my mouth. :-)

Jebi is into the sniff game in a big way and chasing rabbits. Now I have master sniffers.

Here are my messy gals before brushing. I gave up with this rain but they say no rain tomorrow so I will be playing catch-up. Maybe I will be able to do it outside?

These two are great pals. It's interesting that when they get their first heat its like an induction in the big girls club. You do notice some differences.

Nothing like hanging out between rain storms.

Panda was thrilled to have Ozzie over for a visit. We were jazzed too. Here are a few of the photos we clicked.

Hey what is this?

Then I managed to catch Nathan acting silly!

Can't wait till next month when he comes back for a visit. Fun, fun. fun!

Severe Thunderstorms

It's coming down and the pool water is at the top. Have to laugh. Love storms only when they don't create damage.

Before then I weeded and weeded and weeded. Nathan was of visiting a friend. I was weeding. Then I gave up. I have so much weeding to do its useless but we shall try. I did get the side of the house done and I am sure all my Peonys are down on the ground ruined. Oh well.

We have Sparky that dropped in tonight. We are excited. Jebi departs tomorrow. We have only had 1 day of sun to swim in since he has been here. Is this spring? :-)

I decided to brush dogs on the couch. I drape towels over and sit with a grooming jacket on so I don't end up with hair all over me. Well, Cali went running with my rubber bands and I had them all over the room. She had such a fun time doing it despite me looking at her and saying - really?

Spice and Logan was hanging out before the rain hit. Oh well another day of not swimming. Still I didn';t have to water so there is that.

Dogs don't mind but really thank you for pads as they do not want to go out in this. Hoping it stops and we get a window to go out and have fun.

A friend in Utah got snow today so who am I to complain. Oh and it is Roger's Scruffy and Pepper's Daddy's birthday today. A huge shout out.

Tomorrow look for photos of Katie with her best friend. Tease....

Request

Been grooming all day - so no photos but I have a request (may have photos later - we shall see)

Can you send me mail in private (darlah@potechin.com) and tell me how much to neuter/spay and how happy or not happy you were? I need to let someone know and I am creating a list so I can say x was happy and this is approx what they paid.

Update on Monday, June 16, 2014 at 9:38PM by Darlah

Here's a few photos from today.

It was too cold to swim today till early evening then Jebi and Roxie went in. Dexter and Desi had a ton of fun and a bath and now they are home.

Father's Day

Happy Father's day to Nathan and Phantom!!!

John's father's day started a bit earlier than anticipated.  He had the promised sleep in going but Shady scratched  on the door with his favourite toy in his mouth ready for some Dad and me time!  Have a great day!

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From us: Glad he had a sense of humour about it and he gets a lot of pampering today!

Happt Father's Day to all the Dads that make a difference for the humans and canines!

Gloomy Day

It was another gloomy day and now that it has hit 7pm it is sunny - go figure. So 2 days in a row no pool. I really enjoy the pool. I also intended on getting Jebi swimming but as Nathan said its just not warm enough.

So we had a lot of sunning on the deck - that is when the sun was out. When it wasn't we had a lot of cooling. heh I think Spice is coming into heat. This will be the summer of 3 weeks of heat lasting 12 weeks - you watch!

Risa is my most elegant sunning dog, I swear. She just lays out there forever and watches life.

Jebi has decided he likes standing on the picnic table and surveying all.

Dexter just was so comfortable he was caught sleeping sitting up and then finally laying his head down to take a nap. Dexter is doing amazing eve with a TT in the house.

Watching the dogs they seem to sniff, explore and truly love the cooler weather. When we lay down in the chairs on the deck or at the pool they are right there draping themselves all over our bodies. It's wonderful. But this morning it was so cold that I had a jacket on and took a blanket outside and the dogs snuggled in too. It almost felt like a fall day.

I also got everyone groomed and Nathan even brushed a couple. Now that was nice.

We at Talemaker want to wish everyone a very Happy Father's Day. We are spending it with Nathan's dad for a couple of hours. As he has cancer we are trying to make memories to treasure. Hope you manage to do the same... make memories!

If you are like me and your dad passed away (mine a long time ago) remember you are the dad of a have or two. Now that is special!

No Pool Day

Last night we had the pleasure of Benji visiting. He was in LOVE with Adele.

We had a great visit and look forward to doing it again especially when Adele is not in heat. He was too focused on her when he could have been having fun with everyone.

Coops was here overnight and always is first out the door to play. I thought he would play with Jebi but Jebi had other things on his mind and today he is more relaxed and playing. Maybe the cooler weather has helped.

Cooper is always such a happy, happy boy!

He also played like crazy with Katie. Yes, Katie was here today. She is now home.

Katie had a blast and had a bath and then she was off. She went from one to the next playing up a storm. Benji would have done the same and surely played quite a bit but truly he was too focused on the Adele.

We also have a TT in the house as his mom is judging at the regional. I put his hair up and he takes it down. Hmm does that sound like any of our dogs?

I meant to do galleries and all sorts of grandiose things but here I am at 8pm doing a blog with male dogs going crazy so it is what it is.

The rest of the crew is outdoors enjoying the cool air laying all over Nathan while he reads on his ipad.

Latest News

Promise to play catchup on photos tomorrow but today here's one of Kat and Nathan jumping in the pool together.

Everyone is having a blast. Jebi comes tonight. Coops is here. Brewer is here for another half hour and Benji Panda's blonde boy is coming for a visit. I will post photos tomorrow. It's hot and muggy outdoors. It's raining off and on - so in come the cushions, out go the cushions over and over.

Jeannie's blog is now active.

In honor of the games, Barb sent her Dutch gals. How cute!

Here's a snippet from Dusty's mom about her therapy work.

Dusty just finished at Sick Kids this morning, her rounds on 7th. Amazing, child in pain...Dusty enters room, lies down beside her, doctor and nurses enter...how is pain level-surprise as patient is petting Dusty, no pain!  Doctor would really like patient to get up and walk, I suggest how about patient walks us to elevator...patient did a full loop around units walking Dusty together with me, volunteer and nurse while attached to all her IV poles etc. Patient felt great, no pain lots of smiles from everyone including Dusty girl!  Good job this morning.

Rain and Chilling

It rained, it got muggy. The dogs went out in the rain and we watched tv and I groomed. Okay, Nathan watched tv. I watched partially. But I got everyone done.

This is Fiona up on high watching tv with her Daddy.

Bonham and Tuffie was over for a visit for a few hours.

They got wet, they got dry, they got wet and then dry again. It was one of THOSE days. When it was raining lightly they all went out in it. When it rained a bit harder they sat under the gazebo and said I don't think so. I laughed.

Panda had a blast with Bonham.

Phantom keeps looking at Nathan as Nathan does the breeding as if to say - okay, I am here - where's the girl?

Each time Tuffie is here she climbs all through the weeds and well we will pretend they are plants as weeds really are plants that are unwanted. hahaha

Logan was scoping out all this wet as if to say is it still raining?

Mom and daughter was enjoying each others company. Even princess' can have fun.

Spice could care less if it is pouring rain. Does that surprise you?

This was Truffie with his Daddy Phantom before my brushing marathon. Truffie is a water dog. He goes out and sniffs, hangs out and gets soaked to the skin. I had to brush him a couple of times today.

Leti is such a silly dog. She was standing watching a rabbit and then the race was on. One wonders why that rabbit comes back. Maybe he/she likes the chase too?

This was before Logan got brushed. Guess swimming is good for his coat when its a salt water pool.

This was Panda after the Bonham attack.

Tuffie had a blast too. Too bad it was too rainy to swim. Oh well....

Life is good even when it does rain. Oh well grooming occurred and weed pulling did not. Another day of procrastination. It happens.

Two Swimmers

Logan is a truly strong swimmer as you can see with his tail. He had a swim as he was getting a bath today before he went home. I just love the Logster!

Who is the gal with the skinny wet legs? It's Panda. She went swimming as she had a bath too.

But even though Brewer, Scruffy and Pepper are here and Trigger and Levon I didn't get any photos. Sorry. But I had Logan and Panda to bathe. I then had brush outs on Brewer before he departed and brush outs on Trigger and Levon and soon I will be brushing out Pepper and Scruffy so Nathan and Dennis had all the fun playing. I was stuck grooming most of the day and didn't get a chance to click nor swim. Oh well - it happens.

Everyone had a ton of fun. I could hear the feet running back and forth inside and each time I stopped between to look outdoors I could view Nathan playing up a storm with them. We also got the magazine out today and guess who gets it all done on the website? Now you know why I didn't get to click.

I guess all that matters is they had fun!

Oh and Trigger can certainly tell there is a gal in heat. Even as a youngster those hormones are roaring. heh

And Pepper... I think she is a jack in the box. She kept jumping up on the table and off and on and off and on pouncing on the boys heads. Now that just happened a few minutes ago and where was the camera - stick in the card reader - oy. Got to get an extra one so I have no excuses not to click.

Two Updates Today

We had Odin, Katie and Shelby visiting and we had fun. All 3 are strong swimmers as you can see with their tails. That's a sign that they are really strong swimmers but Katie is like her mom. She can't get enough. She wants to swim, swim, swim and she kept trying to jump in but didn't quite have the courage yet to do so. But she would stick her face in the water, jump on Nathan's head etc.

Here are a few photos or check out the gallery I created with more photos.

Shelby has her tail up really high and used it as a rudder like Kat does.

Odin also had his tail up high and used his as a rudder.

As you can see Katie also has her tail up high.

Here's a few photos but then check out the gallery.

I can jump real high says Odin if it means getting to canine Mommy!

As Shelby is the older one she was mothering and at the same time playing leader of the pack.

All 3 had a true blast and Roxie was in love with sharing the pool with them. Katie and Roxie swam laps. Shelby got the chase game going and Odin was hilarious playing with Katie and Shelby and when they departed Odin was playing with all the adults as if he thought he too was a big guy.

It was fun and I bet that they are all tired. It was a good day. Tomorrow if it is sunny I am going to get Logan and Panda in the pool before their bath.

Nathan is now on his way to Barrie not feeling well to get Phantom.

Update on Jeannie

Just what I need another boy in the house but after discussions with Paula we will try Phantom with Jeannie. Poor Truffie - and poor Kat. But as we plan to repeat the breeding with Roxie and Panda with Kat - he will be a lucky guy. Truffie not so much. Spice is taking a break and growing some hair and playing auntie. Cold showers for him?

Jeannie will not be bred most likely till the weekend. It depends on when she peeks. It means if that timing works Nathan will just be coming back from the specialty on August 18th when she would be due. Let's hope she doesn't peak till Monday or Tuesday. Is that too much to hope for?

It looks like a glorious day outside. We have Odin visiting, Katie coming to play this afternoon and Shelby for a visit. We are so jazzed and will try to get Shelby and Odin in the pool. Katie is only here for a short visit so maybe next week when she comes for the day? We shall see.

It's a pool day for sure and Adele and Jeannie want to be with the crew. Can't wait till Adele is out of heat but not till the 18th. Wow 9 more days. She's just over a year so she doesn't quite grasp what this means nor should she.

More later.....

Departures, Rain & Things

Ringo and Ziggy really know how to have fun. We have really enjoyed their visit. What was even more comical was Cali playing with Ziggy like this but never managed to click those but wish I had. They were hysterical. Pepi also joined in and Ziggy had such a great face to capture.

Hugo and Milo and Helen and Suzie came over for a quick swim. It was rather cold so I didn't indulge nor did the dogs other than Hugo, Milo, Roxie an Kat. Heated towels would have been nice and then the rain came. I think Roxie would swim in 40f degree weather.

Even in the cloudy weather and ultimately rain some had fun and some preferred staying dry. That's okay as Dennis is an excellent snuggler too.

Hugo was so excited he was talking!

Energy was expelled.

Milo swam....

And the dawgs watched the humans swim but heated towels and a heat lamp would have been welcomed, I bet.

Now we are sitting, snuggling, watching tv and the dogs are having chews to chew on. Life is good!

Logie thinks chews are the very best he wanted me to know. :-)

What a Day Indeed!

We had a sunny day - no weeding just pool and fun, fun, fun. Here are some photos from today.

Ziggy and Ringo mucking it up!

Bonham and Tuff came to visit for a few hours.

Panda was thrilled - us too!

There was a lot of chillin' at the pool!

Then we also had in the pool moments where Ziggy swam today. Ziggy departs tomorrow.

Ziggy was a strong swimmer.

We had a great day and it hasn't ended.

Oh... and we believe Jeannie is in heat. :-)

Happy 4th Birthday & More

Happy Birthday to Monty, Tak, Red and Moxie. Wow how did the time fly by so fast?  Looks like Mommy and Daddy is making yum yum cookies for you Monty. Lucky guy indeed!

We are out at the pool chillin so maybe later we will add to the blog. Life is grand when it is a pool day!

Brrrr Cold Today

It didn't stop Nathan from laying out, reading on his ipad and fighting with the popup covers that he put partially down in case the wind ripped them. Even Dennis had taken a comforter and sat out on the furniture on the top deck with dogs and played his nexus. I can't believe its going to be warm tomorrow. We shall see.

The dogs really love this coolness. Me, I miss the pool when it is like this.

I did get a fair bit of grooming done and Leti had a bath. I had plans to weed but didn't.

Poor Adele is getting tired of being segregated but we always have dogs in with her. It is just easier when a couple are in at the same time.

I did brush Panda and she decided to do the famous head roll. Why have perfect hair when you don't have to. :-) Besides, it gives them character, don't you think?

Leti was looking to snuggle in with Dennis. They love it when you take the comforters outside on a cold day. They just tunnel right in.

Cali was caught perfecting her 'down dog' stance.

And Logan decided chewing ones face hair was better than a head roll. They each have their own thing.

Remember messy dogs are fun dogs who just embrace life!