Havanese Picnic 2014

Just a few small photos picked in no particular order. Hope you enjoy. Picnic was a great success but we are exhausted - humans and dogs alike. I will create a gallery with full sized versions hopefuly tomorrow.

More tomorrow......

Just a Day

One more launch for mankind... well okay one more before picnic.

Watching Nathan swim.

Let me in someone's making food. No semse staying out with the human female when there is yum stuff inside.

Well Levon says I will keep you company! I will even pose for you.

Trigger, Levon and Ringo decided play was something they would do for HOURS.

This is how Trigger and Ringo greeted each other - Eskimo style - touching noses?

Trigger is practicing - where is that rabbit hunting.

What's that pool cleaner doing?

It was a rest-filled day but also fun, fun. fun. Now it is tv time and getting things ready time.

Tidbits

Got this from Lainey, Chris and Piper. There were more photos but this is one of Piper creating a wonderful moment for a human. This is the story behind it:

From Lainey: One is of Piper watching for the pipe band to come down main street, one is Piper relaxing in Chris' parent's huge backyard after a good RLH, and one is from when we took Piper to visit my grandpa. He has Parkinson's Disease and has been in a retirement residence for the last year or so, and while residents aren't permitted to have dogs the staff encourage family and friends to bring their own dogs in to visit. Since Piper's not a therapy dog we only visit with my grandpa, but she's certainly got quite the little fan base out there as she walks along the halls, tail wagging, into his room. 

From us: How wonderful!!!! Look forward to seeing you at the picnic.

Fiona had a bath as really 2 days from now she will still look like this. She is a princess you know.

Where....

Spice looks like disaster hit her or wind but hey we didn't have wind hmmmm

Just like Momma Spice Pepper is getting her hair back after all that Scruffy munching play. We couldn't figure out what was going on till we caught him in the act. Its exactly what happened to spice with pups and now without pups her hair is growing back in too.

Lately Scruffy and Pepper when they come to visit act independently. It's actually nice.

Scruffy and Fiona spent a lot of time 'investigating'.

Don't get me wrong. They are never far away but they have their own thing.

We also had some wild play with Trigger, Levon and Pepper.

And when Sadie could she was full steam ahead in wild play.

Today Jeannie had a bath and her blog will get some new belly shots. Two days till xrays.

Ok Some Slacking

I decided a no photo day today. I am washing dogs for the weekend and teaching Nathan how to do a show wash and dry on Adele as she goes to the national next week.

Slacking you say? Well, I swam for a very short bit. We had visitors. We did walks and well we laid around. I didn't click the camera. I didn't do a thing. Well not 'nothing' as I did groom. Now I get to teach Nathan how to wash. You see he has to know how as I am not at the national and well he needs to know how. :-) It's time. Paula usually does it for him but she will have 3 dogs to wash so he is on his own.

Trigger and Cali have been playing nonstop and well Levon is totally snookered and in love with Adele. I haven't figured it out but he must be with her always and well Sadie is just a crazy, lets have fun no matter what - is it time to party gal. So, its fun... just know that!

Morning Groove

Even when it is about to rain you can see the dogs manage to have fun. How do you manage to have fun and do you wake up being enthused?

Was going to update with more photos but the blog is having issues so I think I best not. It rained - it became sunny. We watched tv and I groomed and then I groomed some more.

Got Another Water Dog

Got this photo from Ruth.

She said:

Hi:

Here is a photo of Katie "rafting" with her pal Maisie (a 11 month old toy poodle at their pool.  She loves it.  Climbs on and off the raft herself.

Ruthie

---

Thanks Ruth for making my day. I am also not going to do an update other to say the dogs are well. I have the magazine to get out so I want to concentrate on that and here you thought it was all Nathan. :-)

Thank you goes out to Ozzie's parents for giving me a present called Andiroba. I had to look it up. Still not exactly sure how to apply it but researching.

More tomorrow but everyone is sitting on Nathan watching TV as we have had once again RAIN.

Sun, Rain, Sun

It's been crazy weather but today just Nathan and I went into the pool and Roxie snuck in. Ok, she jumped in.

Roxie is really becoming amazing as she challenges herself to go higher and further.

Tomorrow the long weekend ends.It's supposed to rain. I have baths to do. People will head out to work and it gets quiet around here. Here are just a few photos I took. Hope you enjoy!

Ozzie and the ant. Yes, he's ant hunting. hahahaha

It's been a great day despite the rain and now that is is turning into evening it is sunny - of course!

I also went down memory lane with Jeannie.

No Photo Day But 1

Just started out as a horrid day and kept on going so forgive me. I did not click. Dogs are great. I brushed and bathed who I needed to in hopes that I would swim this afternoon. It hasn't worked out as its cloudy.

I don't care if it is cloudy on Sunday. I am swimming tomorrow. Enough woe is me.

We got this photo from our visitors today and the Spice tongue does it. Love, love! That's the Spicy gal!

So no swimming - guests over. Nathan rushed out to a family event. House cleaned. I am done. I am going to go out with the ipad and snuggle with the dogs.

Rafi, Toby and Ozzie are playing nonstop. I get tired just watching how much fun they are having. It's also hysterical so my day is not a bust. hehe See what the dogs do to you - they make you smile!

Magic had a bath and got a haircut about an inch all over. This way her ends would be healthier. Still has a ton of hair. Magic was so excited to see her humans.

Heavy, Heavy Rain and Pooling

Trying to stay dryAs you can see Lila already managed to get damp so she was just brushed out and will be going home if they ever get this window of less rain.

We are under severe thunderstorm alert and this time the weather people are right. It has been unreal the amount of rain this summer and I will tell you its a downpour today. We did manage to have a small window (less than an hour) to swim but then we didn't finish and the rain came and it hasn't stopped. Those getting a bath went into the pool for this small window. Now the fun begins as Zoe and Lila will be soaked departing. The trick is keeping them dry.

Here's our pool shots.

Zoe is a great swimmer and wanted to swim circles.

Lila has amazing strength in swimming.

Magic glided through the water like she always has done it.

Rafi must have been practicing as he is a pro too. No bad swimmers today - amazing.

Of course wet play was fun, fun, fun then baths and blow dries and trims.

Roxie also jumped in but you have seen her do that so much why bother to put up the same. :-)

Oh yeah and Panda is on day 3 of heat if we are counting correctly.

No Photo Day 'cept 2

That human had the audacity to give me a bath as I was simply too dirty and look what I went and did? Does she love me, does she not? Magic just can't believe such silliness.

Rafi and Magic loved playing with each other.

So, we waited for the sun all day. We got out of our bathing suits and now the sun is out. I GIVE UP!

Tomorrow they say nice. We shall see.

Everyone is well and we are getting much snuggling in. We are not getting any swimming in.

Crazy Summer

Got this wonderful photo from Alene and her son with Nora the hairy daughter. She said: They love listening to music together.

I had to share as its so cute!

I wonder if Panda and Logan do this lovefest at home. They must. These 2 are really close.

We have been meaning to swim and well its been raining and raining off and on or too cool. So instead we have had visitors come and play but only the humans have hung their feet in the water. I think the dawgs know how to have fun no matter what the weather is.

But there are some dogs that like to think out of the box so on the steps Ozzie went and he jumped right in, turned around and walked out. I have to laugh. It wasn't that hot so not sure why he decided to take a dip. Then he did the run like hey games and the play.

We humans thought about going in when the rain stopped but decided its simply too cool. We are hoping it warms up. Then we will take dawgs in and humans in. Some summer this has been. :-(

Oh well, I know everyone likes to see swimming photos but will someone tell that to Mother Nature, please?

Just know no matter what, rain or cold we still enjoy and well that's okay too but I have a feeling we are wasting $$ heating the pool. :-(

Happy long weekend everyone. Silly me didn't even realize it was a long weekend. Did you?

Dog Love!

Send me your photos of Dog Love, please for a future article for the magazine. Send it to darlah@potechin.com

We are experiencing another wet day in what is this paradise? Is this summer? Much to groom - thank you Mother Nature. :-)

Nothing new to report - well I am being lazy but seriously I am grooming as weather is lousy. We can't get back to the pool fast enough so Mother Nature send that rain away will ya?

Food For Thought

Check out this article on immunities. Now realize you must adhere to rabies laws so I am not advocating anything but reading and investigating.

On another note we had friends over and it was raining, cold and we were going to swim. Wishing we could but its not happening today.

I did manage to practice taking some shots of a dark faced dog - Oscar. It's hard to really capture a dark faced dog unless you have the right lighting. I am learning.

 Ozzie thinks Oscar shoots the moon. It's such a riot. Also Ozzie LOVE, LOVES Magic. I realized with all this Oscar's bangs are a tad long so I can't see his beautiful eyes but I hope I captured the rest.

We had to move inside due to the rain and now as I type Nathan is laying on the garden furniture with a blanket and dogs keeping him warm. Can summer come please... Ozzie and Ms. Magic has drummed up their own set of magic with each other.

And Momma Panda and Ozzie got along well. Is there a milk bar still? No, Ozzie....

Hope you are managing to stay warm. I have an article to write on short hairdos. Nathan is nagging, nagging, nagging. So, I must get back to that.

Everyone is well and enjoying. We may watch tv (if I finish the article) and brush the lone dog that I haven't got to yet - well what shall we watch :-).

Just a Few Things

What a fun photo of Bonham and his human Mommy. I just love this photo! They were here visiting and have since departed.

Their other dog Tuffie was also playing up a storm. It's always great to see the entire family. Nice, nice people. I like that they stop in, play with the dogs and we get to enjoy their company.

Not much of an update today.

Nathan forgot to turn the pool on so no one was swimming. It happens and they say rain, rain and more rain on its way. I may be weeding in a rain poncho. We shall see. Its where I am heading when the sun goes down, I think. Or maybe not. hehe

Roxie is also doing the happy dance as she is done her heat.

Be sure to send Nathan photos if you want your dog included in the magazine. I am also doing an article on short cuts and will be putting in photos that people sent me.

Everyone is fine. Everyone got brushed and well we are looking forward to snuggling times on the couches. Can't wait so maybe weeding has to wait? See, I already started that procrastination thing. But after 4 hours yesterday of weeding my body feels like an old ladies.

Exhausted

Dusty and Magic was visiting and playing their hearts out today. Me, I was weeding the side of our house for 4 hours. Just found out the next door neighbor had a stroke. The things you learn when pulling weeds and felt terrible I didn't know to help. Guess he is better now.

I am tired. Wish I had it in me to do more photos but between grooming, playing well... Plus Tuffie and Bonham dropped in and their humans brought baked goods - yum what I will be eating tonight. But I think I will be climbing on the couch and snuggling with the dogs.

Forgive me - photos tomorrow. Nathan also is naggging me to write an article and I must.

Tomorrow they say it is going to feel like 30c. Hope all of you manage to stay cool.

I also added a new article to the library which I do from time to time. This one is on car sickness.  See it here.

Such a Day

I got to see Bentley and Miss Abs (Abigail) today. They come to visit every few weeks. As you know Miss Abs retired to live with Bentley and comes to give me kisses and get spruced up every now and then. I have to say I miss her but she seems very happy and that is what it is about. They are coming to the picnic - hooray!

As you can see Bentley and Magic look so much alike its unreal. They played and played till they departed.

As promised the Cooper went swimming and then we washed and blow dried him. Can't believe that hair.

I will tell you he loved it and wanted to do laps like Roxie likes to - well not as much but certainly more than the usual. He also wanted to keep coming back in. Anne and Russell will have to take him into the lake at home but he will be spoiled with the temps in this salt water pool. He's going to be hanging out with his mom and dad and grandparents at home and then he is off to Montreal with them. Lucky him.  Yum Montreal bagels - save me some - hahahaha

Val has come home from her whirlwind trip to Japan. I can't wait to hear about her adventures including a hot spring 3 times - lucky her! Jebi will be excited to be back doing wild and crazy things downtown. Tts are more challenging than Havanese but just as lovable.

I hear rain and more rain is coming. So what do you do when it is pouring? Sit under the gazebo, play retrieve, test them on commands and cuddle and watch tv. Oh yeah and I do a lot of grooming as I like them knot free.

Yum ribfest in Richmond Hill is on this weekend at Richmond Green. It has amazing food. Best get it while you can. Come Sunday night its gone. The chips are oh my gad delicious! The ribs are award winning - no lie!

Low Key Day

Although Roxie went swimming no one including me was in the mood to swim. Roxie would swim if it was pouring outdoors. She just has that passion. Kat adores swimming too but nothing like this one.

Cha Cha who was here just to play for the day looked and went, I don't think so. She has liked swimming in the past so its not that she doesn't like it, she just decided no. Although it was a glorious day it wasn't 'I must cool off' sort of a day. I hear tomorrow may be. If it is we will get the Cooper in and maybe Maxine who will be departing tomorrow.

The crew did a lot of hanging out and I did a lot of grooming today. I tried grooming outside but I found I had more interruptions outdoors than indoors as if I wasn't working so indoors I went. Somehow I have to get the outdoor experience to work when grooming. The dogs and I enjoy it.

Charlie is a big sap. He is a love, love, love. I put him in my lap and he just melts as if you gave him the biggest present.

I swear Cooper is an intuitive dog. Jeannie lays out there and the pups try to pounce on her and well she is not in the mood for it. It's not that she is moody. She seems to be protecting her body from getting jumped on which usually she enjoys. It must be instinctive. Well each time the Leti and Cali would jump on her, she would tell them off and then Cooper blocked them. I thought at first he was just standing there but no each time they came to pounce he blocked them. It was nice.

Truffie and Cooper have been really playing. Cooper usually plays with the gals but he's really finding fun with Truffie and Maxine.

Mia's mom was moving so she was here for a bath and may be back to visit for a bit next week when the renovations begin. I would have done the renovations before I moved in but it doesn't always time out that way. I am hearing how moving is well not fun.

Truffie is such a good boy despite the stress of the heats. I am impressed with his good nature.

Risa is still the grand dam who jumps around like a maniac. I hope that continues for many more years. She is in those senior years.

Risa and Cha Cha got along splendidly but so did Cha Cha and Fiona. It was as if something clicked and she said my kid is here!

After asking Paula it looks like Charlie and Cooper are brothers from different litters.

Adele was in for a serious brush out. The heat has changed her hair temporarily so she is knotting easily. This too shall pass. It's not usually an issue unless you are maintaining a show coat, which we are. I find Leti who is in heat has the same issue. From experience when this happens during a heat it goes back to normal 2 months after the heat. It's called that once in a lifetime blowing coat stage. Not all go through it and it is truly manageable. Its just a comb out daily and more frequent washes. Adele truly has an easy coat.

The crew spent a great deal of time smelling in the yard today. We have had the smell of a skunk for 3 nights this week. It is not in our yard but it permeates the air and well doesn't smell pretty. I think they are trying to figure out where it is. During the day it seems to go away (smell wise) but remember dogs can smell things we can't. As long as it stays out of our yard I am happy.

Jebi likes to play tug with towels. Well, that is what Val does with him in the salon. He goes absolutely nuts for the towel. Jebi departs this Sunday along with Charlie. I have had to adjust to his antics like trying to eat my treats pocket and all and putting my food up high. He's allowed by his mom to jump on picnic tables at parks and does it with ease but he has learned the indoor table and counters are off and he's smart and looks at you as if to say oh well okay I will follow YOUR rules. Besides I don't want the havvies to get any ideas they can try that out for size. He's really a solid strong boy, full of fun and is a true love. He is smart enough to adjust to my rules quickly. I am sure he is going to love seeing Mommy when she gets home and Mommy will be stuck in another time zone. I hope she adjusts quickly. I hear tell Japan has been quite fun for her. I am envious!

Photos or Lack Of

I know I promised a lot of photos today but I failed - what can I say. I instead just chilled and yes I said chilled (its cold) out with the monkeys - ooops dogs. I say monkeys as they are silly at times. I usually call the pups monkeys as they are all over the place swinging here and there in motion.

This is Magic and I did take a quick photo of her. She didn't seem to mind that the cushions were indoors due to rain. I did yank out the lounge cushions but I suspect I will be putting them away as rain seems to be imminent.

I had a blanket and many including Charlie, Mia and Magic burrowed under the blankets and gave me an extra level of warmth.

I did groom. We did practice sits, downs, stays as a crowd and it was comical to say the least but some were really really good. It helps to reinforce commands every now and then.

This is the first afternoon Kat is not losing his mind as he's not with Roxie. It's sad when gals are in heat but good old Truffie is polite and just looks and says please and makes noises under his breath. Such a different personality.

Roxie is not over till the 26th, Spice the 3rd and Leti the 7th. Poor Leti is beside herself. She can't figure out why she is not allowed to just be out with everyone. Oh they always have company but she wants to play with the boys. Then watch Panda will come into heat. No sign yet but we are destined to have 4 weeks, 4 weeks, 4 weeks. A lot more work and less sleep but it is what it is.

I will update Jeannie and Roxie's page.

Tonight we are going to snuggle in the tv room, watch the end result of the Voice Australia and relax. I may even make some popcorn. heh

I also know someone that has an almost brand new Sherpa bag like we use so if you are interested in purchasing it let me know.

I am also still looking for lamaze toys, blankets and towels as crazy as that sounds. So if you are throwing it out, I can use.

Off to update the other blogs then snuggle with the dogs. The back is back hurting so I am not my usual blogger. I apologize. Maybe a gin and tonic? I say that and never have one.

Jeannie and Roxie's blogs are updated. Off to snuggle with the dawgs!

Not Talking About It!

Simba and Ozzie was playing up a storm and I took a slew of photos but I managed to take my memory stick out of the camera so I could transfer them, the phone rang and suddenly I am staring at a torn stick on the floor. How did that happen? It was Tibetan Terricized. Jebi is here till Sunday and I am adjusting to what I can and can't put down on tables and I guess a memory stick is not safe. heh

Here are Buddy and Ozzie. They look so much alike its unreal. Margaret was here with Buddy to go to handling classes with Nathan so I was able to click this photo.

We managed to get Charlie into the pool. He loves it!

I have to ask Paula but I think he is a Mugs pup.

I got him all blow dried out and he wanted to go again. Two blow dries.... no.

Spice also jumped in today. Did I catch her jumping in - nah. Did I expect it... no!

Roxie also enjoyed the ability to swim. She's almost at the end of her heat.

The rest of the photos as I said was munched so I am sorry but tomorrow I will play catch up. Back down to one stick vs. two - of course.

Chillin'

Life is grand at the pool!

Some even get extra cozie.

As you can see here.

There is always time to run and play.

It was a hot day. It's about time and tomorrow more heat so pool time it is!

Biggie and Ozzie (Ozzie departs tomorrow - sigh) rather enjoy each other!

Charlie is visiting and he rather likes the pool steps so maybe he will go in tomorrow.

Simba is here just for a bath and play. We really missed him!

Kat really likes Ozzie!

Okay, I need a brush but really must you? Everyone was brushed up today. :-)

Ozzie and Mabel had a blast today. We hope Mabel enjoyed her drive home. She comes to visit all the way from Kincardine. We appreciate the visits too! Ozzie just loved Mabel. I can understand why!

Every now and then we came in for air but after brush outs we were outside all afternoon. Mabel looks rather stunning all washed up don't you think? That closeup looks a lot like the Spice and Risa too.

Maxine was considering joining us in the pool.

The only thing that got me in tonight is needing to update the blog and the mosquitoes. Wish I had been able to swim earlier but perhaps I will groom late, swim early tomorrow and get some dogs in too.