Just Faces Today

I groomed today as gad I love my husband but looking at these dogs I couldn't stand it so I may have a gin and tonic tonight - thanks Lynda! The hand is swollen again but I am learning techniques to try not to aggravate it too much. Stupid things like opening a can is deadly with an archaic can opener. Who has an electric can opener? Not I. I am laughing.

Nathan has been a lot of help. I just keep looking at dogs and saying this one needs to be done and this one. So, I had to.  Oh well at least when it comes to bath time it won't be a huge job.

So today I simply took some head shots. It was very cold out and we did quick ins and outs. They say warmth is coming tomorrow. Those of you on holidays must be doing the happy dance as this cold is not fun. Can you send us some heat please?

 Kona's mom brought these balls that all the dogs love. Kona will play for a solid half hour with the Ella and him. Thank you - great idea!!

Rush Before Class

So I am trying to get the blogs done before class. So lots of photos - less talk. 

Roxie with Tiny and Molly WatchingMolly catching TinyMolly, Roxie and Tiny played a ton today!

I love Tucker's Rastafarian look. Buddy is here too. I call this a meeting of the minds or how can we win? Everyone was playing a game of catch me if you can. Dennis took photos. I riled them up - on purpose but Dennis didn't catch everyone. I wanted him to click Kona running his fool head off. He was thinking of Larry and wanted to make sure he got the Molly. He thought photos of her will make him feel better. Dennis warms my heart at times.

Yes this is the Molly running her body here and there. It was great to see.

Tiny playing with DollyFun head shots I took before grooming. 

Everyone had fun today. We are off soon to take Tiny and Ella to class. Clarity goes to class next month. Still not up to par grooming but I am trying.

So a Night and Day

Nathan had no sleep, well he never has no sleep but he was taking care of a dog that really needed to go not once, not twice but several times. That's okay. This dog has an irritable bowel (feel bad for him) and we knew that (mom knows too) but that means Nathan needs a nap. I just struggle through the day. 

So he spent time sniggling with the dogs in my office and when he said the dogs didn't let him sleep he snuggled in the tv room and I clicked a few photos.

Nathan did a fair bit of grooming. I did a little bit till the hand said no more. Kona arrived and settled right in and no not bothered by Jesse at all. Usually there is a period of who are you but when Jesse went to do the play thing and Kona wasn't keen on it, Nathan told Jesse no and he listened. then Kona went ah my guy and settled into the back of his neck very confident he found his spot to nap too.

Inula and Jesse has this love of cold and snow. They seem to be kindred souls. 

It was a good day but not a highly active, crazy day. Sure we had runs and outdoor times etc but we also had tv time and the dogs LOVED it. 

No Clicks

This is a no photo day. Dennis took this photo when I asked him to take a creative photo of Coco and Doozie. They are 2 creative souls and as irritating as any son can be at times he is creative. Well, I think so.

Tomorrow I hope to start grooming slowly. I did Lucy, I will do Pepper and Scruffy but Nathan will do the rest.

Thoughts go out to Larry. We are thinking of you - all of you but Molly is just fine. She is playing, snuggling and doesn't even mind Jesse.

No more today as I want to save my hands for the dogs I will do tonight. I would like to leave it to Nathan but he just isn't thorough as me. It takes time. :-)

Snow Photos Plus Tre Video

We got a little bit of snow today. We did our walks. Had a stare down with a side walk plower and well got some exercise. It was finally warm enough to walk. Here's some photos from today.

Molly and Katie in winter attire and looking out. Ruth's Ms. Molly is now 7 years old today. Happy Birthday, Molly!!

It's a tad windy.

Head hair is starting to grow out, Still too short to truly put up. Sometimes we try.

Lots of snow faces today. I think they liked the new snow.

Who are you?

Everyone had a blast. Be sure to check out Tre playing with a labradoodle and then check out Jeannie's page to see the two sisters playing.

Be sure to check out the Spice blog too so you can see how Meika is turning into a beautiful lady!

Short Update

Molly is hanging out and having a great time - no worries Susan. She doesn't even mind Jesse.

Jesse and Murphy are back and to the, they acted as if they were always here.

Dolly Parton is here hanging out and having a truly fun time. Just sorry I can't do more photos today. Got to rest this hand. Nathan has been doing the grooming but shh I am finding he doesn't finish like me so just did someone cause I couldn't stand it. This way they left looking good not as if they just rolled aroudn out back. Guess I am just pickier. :-)

Just a Few Photos

Hand is still killing me. Nathan is being good to me. He is bathing, I am finishing and well I am not typing too much.

Adele is in heat (not being bred) and she is not happy. Can you tell? She is over in a week and she wants to be with her Inula.

She gets plenty of company including Risa in my office (family room). Risa thinks she died and went to heaven as she finds this room so inviting mostly due to the fact that the dogs are not allowed in when we have pups.

Spice is in heat too - just started. So now we have 3 in heat.

Roxie is thrilled that her puppy is visiting. She is very close to Ella but she is so delighted to see Holly!

Can you believe Panda was brushed. Oh she is a gal after my own heart. So there - brush me and I will make sure I look unbrushed 2 seconds later. Love it! Panda was so delighted to see Caelen and I think a tad bummed out when she left but she is back playing with Clarity.

Molly has been running her head off and she adores the pups. I have to laugh. Am hoping her human daddy is okay. Oscar's mom is now home and he departs in the morning. He gets to meet a new baby. Wow!

Don't have a photo of it but back on her legs Cha Cha was playing with Roxie. Be still my heart and the rest are indeed crazy playing but actually it is hurting to hold the camera. Now I understand why people have point and shoot cameras.

I want to add more photos but the hand is aching. I need to rest it so I can brush dogs tomorrow. Guess who is coming to visit soon? Kona and when he visits Jesse is going to be here - yes the Collie. We have a fun January and a quiet March. 

Inula thinks she can fit in anything.

More tomorrow.

Moments of the Day

The Molly and the Brewer

But I fit in here too so there!

It still feels cold...

Finn always seems to hang out with Truffie

Really its cold... time to go in

Just a few photos. My hand is really, really bad today. It is swollen and in pain. So, I am going to finish the blogs and type less though I think its only grooming that this the issue. Don't have a tensor bandage. Hoping Shoppers has a thumb spica splint or I can create one. Don't even have tape even electrical to do one and Jon has the car for work so tomorrow.

So forgive me for relatively short. Everyone is well and we are laughing our heads off at the antics of the puppies.

Too Cold Brrr

Well, Anne said it would warm up and now she is getting socked in with much snow. We wish teh snow stops and the Coops has fun in it! Us we are dealing with just cold, snow they say coming tonight.

Oscar is here as Mom had a baby and due to a c-section (unexpected) he is staying a tad longer. Molly also dropped in unexpected as her human dad is in the hospital with pnuemonia. Hoping both recover quickly and completely. Do not worry the dogs are having fun despite the deep cold. But we are thinking of you and hoping you are doing better!

The photo above is Kat smirking - yes smirking. Oh to read a dog's mind.

My crew have had their baths. Tomorrow Logan and Panda.

Caelen drops in for a visit - wow nice! Sunday many baths for others. Monday no baths - hooray. May make it my no grooming day.

The Brewski was posing today!

Let me back in. Don't you know its cold? Yeah sort of we do as we are outdoors with you.

Its just snow you know and brr cold.

Even the pups went out but no one went out for long.

Inula and Brewer would stay out forever but we won't allow.

Who is boss? Roxie thinks she is.

Snow rolling is the best!

Is it time to go back in?

Leti says I caught you Scruffy!

Where Scruffy goes....

Hey your head hair is growing. Is Scruffy being a good boy?

In the air play

Yes we went out. We played but brrr its so cold. We just go out twice as much as we can't go out for long.

Hoping for warmer weather. Not melting - just not bitter cold.... please....

You Go Mabel

Just got these in email.

This is a game our trainer showed us to help keep Mabel busy when we can't get out for a walk. We hide treats under the tennis balls in a muffin tin. We also hide treats under cups and sometimes just around a room hidden under things. We took a seek and sniff class and I was always surprised at how tired she was after sniffing treats out :) I know this might not work very well for Talemaker with many dogs but for anyone with one or two?

I hope this finds you all well and warm!!

Winter is here ... The kids already had a snow day yesterday and it looks like another one tomorrow.

Thank you again for having Mabel she was really tuckered out and she needed the socialization.

Take care xoj

Game 1

Game 2

Thanks, Jayne as this is timely with the cold weather outside. It may add an element of fun. If the younger pups can't do it yet (do try) then try it again when a bit older. These are wonderful ways to work their minds.

PS: Jayne the pastries - what were they (butter tarts) were to DIE for!

Ball Fun and More

Some of the dogs wanted to go out today despite the cold where others like Coco and Doozie and Jeannie and even Roxie said are you NUTS. So I have limited photos as Dennis took any today just of those that went outdoors when he had the camera. All went out. We just don't have a camera attached to our heads.

I was playing catchup. Grace departed and needed a bath. I also washed Risa, Leti and Spice. Then I took a 2 hour nap draped in dogs. I don't remember falling asleep so I must have really needed it. I don't do naps and I seem to have woken up more tired. Is that possible? Gee what a thing to complain about.

Tomorrow I wash more.

I rather like when the dogs are freshly clean.

Think this is the only one I clicked inside as the camera that has that lens on needed the batteries charged. Such a slacker am I.

Oscar also was just dropped in unexpected - yes they called. Seems human mom is in labor and while in labor she brought Oscar to us to make sure he was taken care of. We wish them a safe delivery and Oscar is already mingling and enjoying. Don't worry about him. Think this is a first - a drop off to play while in labor. Momma loves her dog!

Dennis was testing Inula with white on white - meaning can she see the white ball on the white snow and it seems she can.

We tried this with a really packed and watered down snowball and she found it too but so did the havs.

No Grooming Day Plus Dancing Video

Due to 3 dogs I had to demat over the holidays, my right hand is toast so today I am doing NO grooming.  I did 8 dogs for other people the other day so I aggravated it.  I washed and bathed Moseby and Murphy and Nathan combed them out before departure this morning. He will do the same with Brewer. Then I will do Grace tomorrow. Nathan had started here and there doing Coco and Doozie. Perhaps by tomorrow I can start doing my dogs and Coco and Doozie. You can't demat that many dogs and well you pay for it. I don't charge enough and it puts me out of commission in a painful way. 

Despite the deep cold the dogs have had short spurts outside and Dennis has had 3 run like hell play sessions in the halls upstairs with everyone. It's called the chase the willies out run sessions.

As usual Grace is so full of energy so it works for her as she spreads her play out with everyone.

I know they like to run but I also think it is warming them up. 

When dogs be it pups or adults lift their feet up like this and are not on alert or afraid, then it is telling you they are too cold. It is time to bring them in.

Logan and Panda remain thick as thieves. 

As you can see we even have a thick sheet of ice on the pool cover. Nathan walked on it and it didn't crack. Oh my...

Doozie and Coco are really enjoying themselves but I am not sure they like it this cold. They did runs in teh house but outside it was as if they were frozen in time.... brr and they were not the only one. Here is their holiday dancing video. Thank you Carol for sharing it with us.

Brewer is back playing with us. Dad started a job and is so excited. Brewer has been and is an expert in the run like hell game. But outdoors he wanted to do what he needed to and come in to run. It actually is too cold for an extended play session. You have to be wise ands have alternative plans. There are indoor things you can do to expel energy. We run, we do retrieve - we manage to play hide and seek. We have fun and then we snuggle into blankets and watch tv. When it is this cold I think they like that the best. hehe

Enjoy it while you can dawgs - baths and grooming soon - like tomorrow!

PS: Risa's fave toy is one given to us by Lori, Roger, Pepper and Scruffy. She rubs her body all over it. The dogs LOVE being back in the familyroom. Everyone is allowed except the boys due to Adele being in heat.

Very Busy

I am trying to get the galleries done but we shall see. It may wait for quieter times (tomorrow) and I do so apologize. Coco and Doozie has arrived and some already departed. Murphy and Moseby will get bathed just before bed for an early departure tomorrow. 

Everything has started to thaw out and they say its turning to ice. 

Things are starting to quiet down but not quite there yet. 

I need to start washing my own dogs midweek. 

Life without a litter is different but still busy and I have a familyroom back. Its nice but strange and the dogs love being back in here. 

Snow Ball Time Plus Florida Living

Blogs may be late or non existent. I still have dogs to do. I will try to post some photos but we have been having a ton of snow fun inbetween my baths and trims. Hand is hurting so using scissors is interesting and taking longer.

Holiday visitors are winding down. By the 7th it is quieter.

We also have an xpen to take down though Dennis is procrastinating and a couch to put back etc. The way things are going I gather it won't get done till maybe the 7th. hahahaha

I do have a ton of photos - snow fun, Roccos departure etc. I may just have to do them tomorrow though got baths and trims to do then too.

And while we are dealing with snow....

Laci is contemplating life and on the look-out for Geckos.

Very Short Today

How many of you have dogs that look at their reflection. Missy is one of them. I fidn those that do are highly inquisitive. They seem to be fascinated.

Missy and Chief departed today. It has been a mighty busy day and seems to be a busy night too with the vets.  Everyone got combed out. We played games of find the treat. It was a riot. Some are rather good at it or highly treat motivated.

No one wanted to stay out too long.Its cold outside and they say rain is coming - sigh.

I am trying to acquire this toy from Kitchener. Tether Tug <-- see video - Shanner Hoffer sells them. You may consider one for yourself. I have the pipes that hold our basketball net so it could fit in there. I can wire her the $$ etc if you can pick up. Let me know. Otherwise I may just wait till we have a show close to there. Shipping may be expensive due to weight. I just think its one more way we can have fun with the dogs.

Soon we get to see Mabel, Coco and Doozie and then Kona and then... 2015 is starting out to be a lot of fun with the dogs.

Rushing Into 2015

My blogs are going to be small as my hand is killing me. As we rush into 2015, I will try to seek balance whatever balance is.

Today we walked all the dogs. I had but 5 hours sleep last night so that is amazing in itself. I thought to myself as I get older I could care less how I look when walking the dogs but I care about being warm. The face was not warm. It didn't seem to bother the dogs. My legs are screaming but my hand is worse. Tylenol 3s to the rescue.

I had 7 baths to do so exhaustion is the feeling I am most familiar with at the moment and I am so looking forward to Patches coming shortly so I need to wake up.

Tomorrow I only have 4 baths to do. The next day more and then I get to do my own. heh

Miss Abs and Bentley depart tomorrow morning. Just finished their baths as they are getting picked up too early to bathe in the morning. Just one more sleep with them. I almost want to stay awake to maximize the time.

No more photos... out of steam and Patches coming shortly!

Happy New Year: 2 Updates

Ripley wanted to wish his dad, Katsura, and everyone else at Talemaker a "hair raising-ly good" New Year's! Or maybe just less static? :)

Ripley and Sue

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Oh Sue I LOVE this!! Hugs to Ripley!

Here is a puppy photo of Truffie!

Happy New Year's Eve: More Added

Barry is ready to party! 

He's like a brand new dog thanks to both of you.  The Vet had me so scared to let him do anything and now he plays and enjoys everything as he should!

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Barry is a visitor. He's not one of ours but we have had the pleasure of his company. We are so excited that he is doing much better. Hope you have a grand New Year. We hope to see you soon!

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 Miss Abs is in the house and we are excited. She doesn't depart till Friday along with her son Bentley after their bath. 

Will add photos as I can but really we wish everyone a very Happy New Year. I want to spend it with the dogs and the puppies and Nathan and all those that dropped in. So forgive me for few photos.

Here's some of Magic doing her tricks. I thought this would be a great way to ring in the New Year!

Trick 1

Trick 2

Getting Excited

We have a great bunch of dogs here playing today and Rafi goes home just as he had bonded with Bentley and Tia in a big way. Just a few photos today. I know I promised you a lot but my focus has been on recovering, grooming and spending time with the dogs.

Tomorrow I get to see Miss Abs, her son Bentley, Reggie and Rusty - 2 pups coming too. So exciting. Now if I can talk Nathan into getting takeout Japanese for lunch as it will be impossible at dinner with everyone going out, its going to be a fun ringing in the New Year!

We had fun with the dogs outside. It is cold. No mud. We had a very light dusting as you will see in the photos and they say maybe snow tomorrow. Looking forward to eventually getting a real snowstorm. Nothing like tunnels of snowed walls paths.

If anyone is in Kitchener or near, and can pick up something for me, please let me know. Someone is selling a tether ball setup that can fit into our basketball/volleyball holes we have around the pool and I would like to have a tether ball to give the dogs another fun thing to do outside. Always looking forward to fun things for the dogs.

Happy Times

There are moments that are priceless and this was one. Casey was just so thrilled at seeing momma despite playing her heart out and she jumped up and kissed her in midair. This gal is so agile, it is unreal!

Lila and Zoe was so delighted to see Daddy too but didn't get a photo.

Stay tuned tomorrow.

Nathan is done shows. Inula won 2 days in a row. First day no points as she was a baby puppy with no competition. Buddy won Winners Dog. We had a great weekend but we are tired. Wonder why the show weekend was Sat-Monday.

So tomorrow I promise we will get back to blogging and photos.