Costs

Unfortunately starting in the New Year, our costs will go up. Please contact nathan for updated costs.

Picnic Photos & Details

The picnic date took place on August 17, 2019 from 12pm to 5pm at Yvonne's place in Brighton. Check out the details here. Photos from the 2019 picnic can be found here. Yvonne's place is NEXT DOOR to her old place. I will try to put a havanese flag out front. Hope you can join us. Directions are here. The house # is 25. There is no picnic in 2020 due to COVID but hopefully in 2021. Stay Tuned!

Grooming 101

Want to see how I get a smooth coat and what equipment I use? I am continually learning and perfecting but I created this video Windows version) and for you Mac apple folks - here's a conversion. - not a professional one, to help you get a head start and perfect your own skill. Got questions? Ask away.

Want to know how to create a bathing machine that will save you time, product and wash your dog better than ever before? Check out Dick and Irma's instructions on how to create your own machine for a fraction of the cost.

Woofstock Is Back

Meet us at Woofstock. Dogs are welcomed. We meet at the restaurant across the street from Woodbine Park. Here is the location. Meet up happens on June 22, 2024 at 9:30 to 945am. Rain date is the next day. Look forward to seeing your havanese there and the humans too! Don't have your havanese yet? Well join us anyway! 

Award Photos
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Certified Pet First Aid

Walks 'N' Wags Pet First Aid is a recognized National Pet First Aid Certificate course for dog and cat professionals and pet owners. Talemaker Havanese now has that certificate having taken and passed the course.

Thursday
Jan232014

More Baths

Okay I did wash Spice but didn't snap a photo. By the time I got to Jeannie I said she is clean - not doing a finishing brushout. Tomorrow Bentley, Risa and Truffie. I comb out the rest other than Logan, Panda and Brewer in the recliner. The 3 mentioned here get the table job. :-)

Roxie looks so much like Logan. She also looks like Lacie in longer coat. :-)

Spice already has an obvious tummy not just a tummy that says I have been eating extra. :-)

Just before I took this photo Jeannie rolled her face all over the floor. If I felt better I would have taken a Mason Pearson to her and finished her and click another that was more attractive but I am still tuckered out, coughing and well it tells you about her personality.

I am done for today. It's not fun playing catch-up. I am considering sitting in class to watch Leti. She missed last weeks class but still not sure I am up to it. I may end up cuddling with a blanket and sleeping in the van. What is the sense of that. :-)

Everyone has been doing a lot of playing indoors. It really is cold outside.

I have decided that Kona is a ladie's man. He has Ty his brother over and they are like opposites. Ty just tries to engage where Kona just flirts. hehehehe

Wednesday
Jan222014

Need To Do List

Cali just had a bath. I didn't do her pads or trim her feet which sorely needs it but I have time. With visitors it is a must. I don't have time to do it later. :-) I usually do it at the same time but I am pacing myself. Cha Cha is next and then I will figure out if I can do a 3rd.

I need to redo my should buy list for puppy people. I do have my faves and the store I bought from - lovely gentlemen seems to not be carrying it any longer.

So, if I was to get brushes Rens has some 'decent' ones but some not worth the price or you get what you pay for ones. I will create a new list. Just give me a day or two. I will also offer other sources as well. I also have a new source for Panegenics spray which is truly the best with OMG running a close 2nd and I will include that. So many things we are able to get at shows. Why some companies one year carry x and not the next, I can only assume to know why.

Also someone pointed out to Nathan that they went back and looked at all of Fiona and Abigail's pups weights at 8 weeks old. This is how weights work:

Each line is different. Some grow fast, some grow slow and you get surprises. Each stops at different ages. You must know your lines. Some, like Spice have a mixed size range. Why? Wasabi, her mom and Risa have large in their lines but over the years we have managed to downsize - for us actually not intentionally. Wasabi's smallest pup in adulthood has been 6.5lbs. Spice always seems to throw a couple of small ones. With Truffie, who knows. Just like humans you can have surprises but Abigail has never thrown huge. Wasabi with one sire (not our own) threw large the entire litter. It seems we doubled up on the large and thus produced large.

Havanese used to be larger. Many have downsized their lines as it is popular to have pocket dogs but its a dangerous thing to do. We shoot for standard not tiny. They are hearty companion dogs. They are intelligent and so far we have been able to avoid the nasal passage issues of some breeds that decided to go the downsizing route. You can destroy a breed if you go the 'popular' route. That includes colour. I will tell you my Shoshi who is not show quality, has the coat of hell (pigs tail) has an amazingly pretty face and makes my heart skip a beat just watching her. If allowed, if you let it all unfold, these dogs are amazing. They each bring something unique and similar to the table and for me I like that they aren't a plastic mold pup. They are unique.

But yes, I have different lines that grow at different rates.

This time we are mixing Fiona's line with Wasabi's with SpicexTruffie. Will that mean more small or large as you can get throw backs. We will find out but by looking at structure you can usually tell. I do not mind surprises. It makes life interesting. Now off to wash Cha Cha.

Tuesday
Jan212014

Different Degrees?

Today I washed Logan, Panda and Leti. It was a mistake but my mind says I am well my body goes oh boy. Lynda (how I treasure her) offered to come and help me. Nathan really needs to in case I am unable to. I do love freshly washed dogs. The offer was beyond nice! I am pacing myself. Tomorrow I have Cha Cha and 2 of my own. If I keep at it spaced out I will be done my crew. If I can't, I cant.

After Leti's bath she got to do a bit of training.

I tried getting Logan perfectly groomed but he decided to roll. Instead of fixing him up again I said it is what it is. Panda is a princess and she just stays for hours looking perfect. :-) Panda looks like her mom so much. If you were able to turn her apricot they would be twins.

Leti seems to have a hard time containing herself. I need her energy. Oh a treat - oh my and she turns into an unfocused being - well focused on the treat and not listening to anything else.

The title of this blog is Different Degrees. I think when one says they are sick it means different things to different people. When you sit like a catatonic object watching pups at an 8 week visit then have to go lay down cause truly your desire is there but your body is not up to it, well you are sick and I was better than I was. But 8 week visits with new owners to be means a great deal so I did what I had to. In reality I should have stayed in bed. But to miss yet another thing is hard. This ones on me.

I am better than I was last week. I want to say all better but I am not. I washed and crashed. I have a fever. I am still sick.

So when people that aren't on the list for this crew but are for a future litter are demanding to see this crew whether I am sick or not this week, I can only assume they don't get this 'degree' business.

Nathan will be contacting people when we can entertain but it won't be at the cost of my health.

I know I don't count much in the equation as you don't see what I do. I prefer to stay out of the limelight and do. But I am a critical element for all the dogs. I need to be allowed to get well.

Enough biaching!

Monday
Jan202014

Pacing Oneself

Yeah there are eyes somewhere. Brewer had a bath. Tomorrow Logan, next day Panda - we shall see how that goes.

I look around and say who is THAT! What I mean is gee you look like a total mess. I am playing catch-up. My mind says you are ready to just blitz the crew and reality sets in and says I don't think so. Leti looks like an absolute mess. Let's not even talk about Adele who I did brush out. Everyone needs baths but I will do 1 here and there and get it done. This is life and life happens. I am not invincible after all. :-(

Leti got her rabies shot. She missed class last week as we were not up to it. Leti is now 6lbs 8 ounces.

I am still getting used to the shorn look of Trigger and Levon - more Trigger as its the first time. I like longer hair - that's just me but this is just too bloody easy so I get it! I also look at this face and go he's such a pretty boy he can pull it off. He's cute. He has such perfect markings - well they both look like little lambs - black and white lambs.

Kona's hair is at the length that it is easy care too. He has silvery brown with copper all mixed in. He is such a pretty boy. He stood and waited for his grooming and when I forgot to treat him he reminded me. hehehe The doorbell rang and I was distracted but he wasn't. Lady, are you losing your mind?

Well, that's it for today. Time for my nap. Yes, a nap as that is how I am getting well.

Sunday
Jan192014

Tidbits

I sit on the couch and fall asleep. My body is still healing. This process is crazy. But as I am sick life does go on. I groom a dog on my lap 1 here and there and stop when I can't.

We had a dusting outside so it gave the dogs traction. That traction was required with the ice underneath. This has been a heck of a 2014 so far weather and health wise. I can only think it will get better as we go.

Mabel and Cali played so full of life. It was almost mesmerizing to watch them together full out in play. Mabel is now home.

Hugo and Milo are here as mom has had a hip replacement and Hugo tends to be an active, go, go boy so that is exactly what he is doing here till human mom can handle his exuberance. They are having a ton of fun.

Kona I watched - really watched today and he is confident, agile and playing his heart out. He had no adjustment. He is a happy, happy boy. He also thinks at bedtime his spot is Roxie's spot and his desire is winning out. He's doing it intelligently. He's doing it the right way. Bravo, Kona. As you mature you are using your brains vs. your emotions. You have learned - bravo!

Saturday
Jan182014

Smiles

No matter how bad I feel Ms. Risa always does things like this to make me smile.

And another duo that brings a smile to my face is Coco and Doozie who is departing any moment. They make me smile - and thank you for that!

Reward time: Kona for leaping from the back of the couch to the recliner without missing a beat. Never saw a dog so agile and precise.

All I can do. Am out of energy. Still sick, I am afraid.

Friday
Jan172014

New Harcut

Trigger and Levon are strutting a new hardo. :-)

Thursday
Jan162014

No Update

Want to but can't. Nathan has class with Leti. I also have to figure out how to get everything ready for Nathan to take pups to the vets tomorrow as I am the one who organizes all. Am hoping tomorrow is a good day.

Wednesday
Jan152014

Clicked a Few

Nathan clicked a few photos but each time I look at any of these photos it is painful for me as it means I need to brush, brush. I brush visitors but not my own as I run out of steam. Many are overdue for baths now too so hoping by weeks end I can get them done. Here I had hoped Nathan would. I watch tv, I groom. I rest.

Kona thinks the smell of Miss Abifgail is special.

Wherever she goes he goes. ;-)

Despite it being icy the dogs seem to find their fun.

Coco gets combed out daily. When it is tv time she finds my lap. Wish I could groom standing up.

The running still occurs off and on all day.

Roxie is often found grooming Doozie. It's an interesting sight. Maybe Roxie thinks she is helping me.

And Logan - he sees me and gives me massive body hugs. He rather misses me.

I make sure I spend time with all but its better when you are feeling better. So here is to a better day tomorrow and a magic wand of grooming as its not going to be Nathan that surprises me. <sigh>

Tuesday
Jan142014

Photos Limited

Its strange what takes energy - walking upstairs, taking photos, all ways you assume are ordinary functions till they aren't or you aren't able to truly do them like you usually do. So till I get better I will do them in spurts and if my body says I am overdoing I will not do it.

We have Kona coming to visit us today. We are excited. I am hoping by weeks end that I will be more normal than not. I am better than yesterday but I have to pace myself and rest between. Bedtime will come early again tonight. Still not up to baths, blow dries etc. That isn't even remotely possible but hoping not too long.

Adele and Coco are best pals in such a delightful way. Doozie plays with most everyone.

The dogs are running around but not to the usual degree outside as its so icy out there. Look forward to being able to run with them again.

Monday
Jan132014

Gone, Gone, Gone

Nathan gave me Adele as she had knots and well all that - sort of feeling better is gone and then some.

The photo of this puppy next to Leti is a pup that Nathan spent the night at the airport to get for Paula and Tracy. 3 plus hours Dennis held down the fort while I was in bed. I tried helping but couldn't. Think everyone thinks I can. His name is Newton and he is getting picked up soon. Me, I am crawling on to the couch so I can gain energy to walk up the stairs. Yes, it's that hard to walk the stairs. Personally, I am weary of this.

The duo - her from Prague. him from the states look awfully similar but Leti - that expression. :-) I am biased even when ill. :-) Must be love!~

Sunday
Jan122014

Still Not There

It's all I can do to get from upstairs to downstairs and then have to rest to be able to go back up.

I am seeing minor improvements. I am far from there.

Know that the dogs are well. I just am not.

I will also respond to posts when I am up to it. Not up to it now.

Saturday
Jan112014

No Update

Really still sick so no update - sorry.

Friday
Jan102014

Still Sick

When I come downstairs I must do so in stages. So now I am going to demat, lay in recliner and pretend to watch tv. Good news I think Dennis and Nathan are getting better. Me not. I think I am then walk to the bathroom and realize I must crawl back to bed.

Dennis and Nathan are doing a great job but other than boarders which I am doing I am afraid I will be playing catch-up on my guys. We shall see.

Thursday
Jan092014

Still Sick

Well Nathan is brushing. I am brushing out 2 that need extra work. I have to do it in a recliner in small doses. Dennis feels somewhat better but still feels like he can't cough as his chest hurts too much. Me, I am getting serious headaches. But we are doing what we have to do. Nathan is sleeping now. We tend to rotate and unfortunately we will have to miss class tonight. Besides, you really do not want this in any way shape or form.

Dogs are getting playied with. Its as if they know we are sick and want to cuddle bigtime.

Good old Dennis still takes them out, plays with them despite being sick. I think Nathan is getting better. He did not get as sick as Dennis and I. Yes Lori maybe cause he had his flu shot and we didn't.

If I don't make sense excuse me. Its all I have in me to type.

Wednesday
Jan082014

Down for Count

I am sick round 2 of this flu thing so I am crawling into bed so I can have energy to groom. My updates may be sparse but we are still playing with the dogs, snuggling etc. Just photos will be sparse. My energy has to go to the dogs not the blogs - sorry.

Tuesday
Jan072014

Yikes Brrrrrrrr

I was getting dressed as Shoshi wanted to go out. She looked - she smelt and I gathered felt that brisk air and said NO WAY.

Levon and Trigger departed. Levon was missing hanging out with Scruffy though his pal Brewer didn't come today. Logan and Panda didn't either as the car wouldn't start. Zoe did come but only for a quick bath. She really wanted to play - next time.

Nathan and Dennis is still sick. What that means is I am doing a lot as I don't believe the dogs should have a sedate day. They just do better when they are active, inside or out. This is highly unusual weather. It's not safe for them outside for any length of time. The adults go in and out quickly. Some seem to have more endurance than others much like humans, I suppose. So its a no photo day.

Although Nathan and Dennis can lay around with the dogs they are not up to play though Dennis did try with the pups. So, I play. I groom. I clean and then do it again. :-) Everyone has been groomed except Pepper and Scruffy but they get a grooming just before they go home or it will look like I don't do a thing.

Tomorrow Coco and Doozie arrive. I am excited. But can this cold go away? There is no way Coco will think this cold is doable. :-) Smart gal!

Please - please your dogs CAN get frost-bitten - no lie. Please watch your dogs closely. If they are lifting their paws pick them up and bring them inside. No walks - just out and in. This is simply way too cold.

Stay warm and think it could be worse. Cooper's parents I heard have 50cm of snow along with the cold. So why am I complaining? :-)

Monday
Jan062014

Oh My

Here is Cali all messy. She gets a bath on Wednesday for her Total Recall Class. Anything before then would be fruitless. What can I say. I brush her out and 2 seconds later she looks crazy messy like I never take a comb to her. As you can see Brewer from Spice's first litter has that same look. It's why I brush him 5 minutes before he departs.

Look at Brewer - always a happy boy and then look at Cali's face. Usually she is happy but maybe she is reading this blog. hahahaha

Nathan is sick. Dennis is sick and I just pulled up my boot straps so to speak and did a lot so no photos - sorry. We are still having fun. We always manage that despite weather, illness etc.

Leti had her 3rd set of shots and has been sluggish all day. That's not her norm so we are watching her. Sometimes shots do this. Leti is 6lb 3 oz. Cali was 6 lbs when she had her 3rd shot. Interesting. Leti has started growing like a weed. She starts her classes next week.

I made some dehydrated hearts and some of them crystalized. Now that was interesting. The dogs loved them that way but they turned into this crystalized dust.

Trigger has been bugging Leti today to play. Cali pounces on him to say what about me. Levon finds a partner in crime with Brewer. Those two can get the crowd going like none other. It's a riot. They depart tomorrow - sniff and I hear Trigger is going to get his first haircut soon - photos when it happens please!

Holly and Missy find the pups fascinating. It was interesting to watch the interaction. Neither wanted outside for any length of time but neither did the rest. Its too cold and they say -35 tonight - ouch.

Coco and Doozie will be visiting on Wednesday - oh my such fun!

But can it warm up please and can the guys here get well? Nathan is now on the couch hugging ooops hogging the dogs - depending on the perspective. :-)

Sunday
Jan052014

Video Received

Look at how Sophie insists that her human mom continues to massage her.

Sunday
Jan052014

What a Day

Let me get the woe is me out of the way so we can get to the fun part. I had 6 dogs to wash and Maxine has the thickest coat I ever did feel - perhaps like Truffie if I didn't thin his out. But silky, silky. She was a 2 plus hour job as I had to dry so many layers. hahahaha So, I didn't take photos and Nathan didn't take photos. Dennis did and couldn't figure out the zoom. But I think he did pretty good despite not getting how to zoom.

Plus Nathan is sick - what I had and Dennis had for 10 days and he doesn't do sick well. Hes been chicken souping it, laying watching tv and drinking tea with honey. So, no stories as Dennis is not real revealing. But hes been playing with them non stop while I washed and washed. All these pix is before grooming and washing in some cases.

The day is not over so I have had time to play first but then I remembered to get this blog in. Thankfully no marathon bathing tomorrow. :-) Leti is off to the vets depending on weather, Nathan and all that.