Missy: A Wasabi Pup

Just got a photo of one of Wasabi's pup - Missy.

I love that hair thing she has going on. She even has Wasabi's half mustache. What a cutie!

Her mom tells me she has silver and brown coming in and it sounds like she has been playing up a storm with her Havanese housemate, Max.

This one went to a friend who lives way too far away. But luckily she pings me on instant message every once in awhile.

It's so great to see photos and hear how the crew is. We really miss the crew when they leave and always want to hear how they are doing.

Today, I gave Whitney, Kat and Abigail a bath. The big job was Whitney as she is 14 years old and collapsed a number of times and she has moments where she's not doing well and today was it.

So, every time you think a Havanese is a job to wash, think of me with 2 goldens - 1 with bad legs - another with dementia and you may laugh when you get a tad wet from that bath with your Havanese. It's not that bad - honest!

Well, Abigail - after I got her done decided to rub her body all over the place making sure she looks a mess but she smells and feels wonderful. If only I had the energy to do the rest all in one day.

Now to get some work done and groom the rest of the crew. Yep, sometimes I don't get it done til I am sitting and watching TV. What about you?

Tip of the Day:

If your puppy pees on your carpet, try this. After soaking up most of the mess with paper towel, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the area and leave it to absorb both the traces of urine and the odor.

WET Stuff

What is someone to do if it's raining outside? Keep their dawgs in and use a pad or get them outside and worry about all that dirty muck?

Here at Talemaker we prefer to make sure the dawgs are not concerned about the elements by taking them outside and enjoying all sorts of weather. It's called slow conditioning or in this case, sopping condition.

As we tend to go out with the dawgs or otherwise how could we get great moments to remember, we too get wet but we dress for it. Unfortunately, the dawgs aren't but even with the mud and guck, they dry, you brush it out and they don't look dirty.

You can also rinse their feet and under carriage and if they get in a condition that they need to, I do. In this photo, Treasure's not there yet and the dirt just fell off of her - bonus!

Here's a thought to ponder...and do give me feedback when you think it through.

Many dog owners say that they grieve more over the loss of a favorite dog than they do over the loss of a parent, a close friend, or a spouse. These owners say that losing their dog is like losing a part of themselves. That may be because parents, spouses, and friends have ego boundaries. Dogs don't. As a result it becomes easier for us to see our dogs as indivisible from our own thoughts, making us susceptible to the belief that they think more like we do.

What do you think?

Butt to Butt

Okay, what is she going to talk about with THIS photo?

Well, Wasabi really vys for Kat's attention each and every day. She tries to give him kisses over and over again and it drives Kat crazy.

When she does, he growls under his breath at her getting louder and louder but this only entices her to do it more.

Then he corrects her putting her down and she is still relentless. It's a game he acts so irritated with but seems to enjoy the attention.

It's so funny to watch and quite interesting the bonding relationships the crew has with each other. They accept they are a part of the whole except Treasure who thinks she should be the top dog always. ROFL

Another Wasaabi Puppy Visit

Saki came to visit and I was able to get a better photo of her than Chewie as she posed for me. She's a gal with atti-tude.

Chewie was high driven play cutie - always on the go type. Oh Saki can be too but she paced herself making it easier to capture a photo.

Saki is a high jetting traveller and is back to Texas for the holidays. She likes the city but something about her owner putting on flip flops with all that cruel weather there - NOT - well she thinks that is some great lifestyle. I do too...hehehehe

Everytime she wants cool, crisp air - well she just flies on back there. Wait till she sees snow when she comes back after the holidays.

Saki had her first hairdo at Valerie Weston's salon.

Chewie and Saki have that love of life and that's so nice to see. It was a delight to see them both.

We hope Saki's human mom feels better. She's under the weather so we are sending out paws-i-tive vibes her way.

Nathan ran around with the dawgs - what a guy - in his usual fashion despite he had tripped earlier today on something and really hurt his back and I mean really hurt it. Anything for the dawgs.

They adore it and I love seeing them run with him.

Now even though we play in the back and we do play with the crew - retrieve - running - fun games, we still get in a walk a day with each and every one of them.

It's important for their minds and bodies. Mine too. hehehehe

Good news, Risa has dropped her weight. She was becoming too heavy. She is now 1lb away from her goal and feeling great and active as all get out. It's wonderful to see. It's amazing what a little weight off can do to the energy level.

How did we do it? Walks - less food and only 1 treat at grooming time. She wasn't happy that first month - whining and looking for food but now she's adjusted and health wise and activity wise - she's a much happier gal and we probably added time to her life. We indeed added quality of life to her regiment

Now it's my turn as soon as the pups are gone.

This losing weight business - well it ain't easy.

Get out, rake some leaves and play with your Havanese and have someone take photos. I would love to see! We may even be able to get it into next year's calendar.

Wasabi Pup Comes to Visit

Chewie came over for a visit with his humans. It was an unexpected visit and it was fun.

He is such a happy boy going a mile a minute with his tail. It was great to see.

Tomorrow Saki comes for a visit and we are hoping it doesn't rain.

Chewie is going all silver like his dad. It's going to be interesting seeing him next summer and seeing the changes.

Here's a neat trick to teach your little one.

Flip a Treat
This trick is fun for both your Havanese and his audience. And it's easy, too.
•Hold your left hand under your dog's muzzle and place a treat on the end of his nose with your right hand. Slowly move your hands away as you give the command "Take it!"

•During the first few attempts, the treat will probably go flying over your dog's head. Grab it before he does and repeat. Eventually he'll figure out how to snatch the treat in midair.

•Teaching your dog to wait for your verbal cue before grabbing the treat requires a hold command and a release command. Place your left hand under your Havanese's muzzle and the treat on his nose with your right, then look into his eyes and say, "Hold it" in a low, assertive tone.

•Slowly remove your hand from his muzzle and say, "Take it!" If he begins to go for the treat before your command, repeat the hold cue.

Vinegar and Oil

Oh this duo is always trying to do a one upmanship.

It reminds us of two of our daughters. They either adore each other or they think the other one has to be beneath them as they are top dawg!
I just love both from the bottom of my heart but they - mostly that Treasie keeps you on your toes thinking.

The younger set actually play quite well with the older set and scramble up and down the stairs with ease. It's amazing!

Each day we take them out at least 4 times a day and then run around like banshees and sleep a deep dawgie sleep. Activity equals sleep.

Fiona's Empty Nest

They start going home tomorrow.

What's a mother to do when the pups are leaving the nest?

We make sure they do not go all at once and that makes it easier.

Ah - but we will miss them!

Havanese Calendar On Sale NOW!

Over 75 photos of beautiful Havanese
resting, playing, having fun
and doing everything that Havanese do best!

* Order your Copy Today *

You will recognize many of these dogs. It's a delightful gift for the holidays and will provide year round enjoyment. Proceeds go to the Havanese Fanciers of Canada, the national breed club for the Havanese. Both Nathan and I are members. Nathan is actually the Ontario Director.

Buy one today! If you are living local to us, visit and pick it up personally. You will get bonus kisses from many Havanese and if you bring a dog or two with you everyone wins. We call that PLAYDATE!

Funny Havanese Games

If you click on this photo, you can see a larger view. In it you will see Treasure sticking her tongue out at Abigail. These two gals have a face down all the time.

It's not Abigail. It's Treasure who wants to be top dog and Abigail says - who you - not you - couldn't be. hehehehehe

Treasure is a strong personality. She's fun. she's lovely and she will make you laugh but she needs boundaries. She's the kid that you say don't cross that line and she is edging her paw out seeing if you are looking.

This type of dawg is a huge ball of fun but you have to be boss and they have to understand that when they cross the line - no matter how cute you think it is, you have to set boundaries. Dawgs thrive with rules and boundaries - just some have to try to see what they can get away with and if allowed...well they will end up testing you to the point where you are not happy.

So, instead of playing recovery - set your rules and give positive reinforcement. Try not to laugh when they do something bad that is equally funny.

Your dawg is what you put in to them. They are worth it!!

Our Visitors Have a Great Time

When Do You Say Enough?

It's rather hard when one of our canine pals is dealing with illness or injuries. When do you say - it's time. It's different for everyone. That's okay but sometimes when you are in the thick of it, you can't see.

We would give our last meal to our dawgs. We adore them so. We fall hard for all our visitors too. It's just us.

Terra had a cruciate operation and has grade 4 hip dysplasia - not good. The vet said most would have put her down. I asked -will she be functioning again? Seeing she has 2 legs to do - he said there's a good chance but won't know till we see if she can strengthen her back end. She absolutely has atrophy from not using her leg. She must be walked around the block 3 times a day steady slow pace. It takes about 20 minutes each go around. Today she is in for her first rehabilitation on the underwater treadmill. I asked Nathan to take photos. I am hoping she does well.

Are we doing this for her or us? To be honest - both but if she had to live with constant pain, I would rethink this process. She will absolutely have arthritis. Perhaps be on Metacam all the rest of her life or maybe not.

She so much wants to be running like Treasure here and we can't blame her.

Before you read this as such a downer - it isn't. It's something we are all faced with eventually in humans and canines.

I do believe Terra is behind in her healing but she is also dealing with a hip and another bad leg - rather a tough one but if you saw her face when Nathan took just her to the car - well priceless.

Our big dawgs are a key element here - socializing the smaller sets to the big dawgs so they find that they are larger but just as friendly. That's important. Of course not all big dogs will be friendly but they must learn size is not a factor - it's about the dawg.

Gad, in our neighbourhood the dawgs must learn that even humans can be afraid of them. We try to get people over that but not always successful.

The puppies that will be 10 weeks tomorrow climb all over Terra and Whitney. They kiss them and snuggle with them. Plus the Goldens just truly know how to be a part of the Havanese pack.

We may never get a Golden after Whitney and Terra but we will always have some big dawg in our lives if we can. For us, the socialization element is critical and it is critical for people to expose their dawgs after they leave and have had their shots - to all sorts of things from dawgs to elevators to balloons etc.

Treasure the moments you have. Make the most of life and enjoy the laughter the Havanese bring - and they do - if you allow.

Always Changing

This photo begs the question, will Nathan be laying on the ground in the snow with pups? Time will tell.

The puppies start going on Friday. We will then be down to 3 till Monday when another goes and on Tuesday yet another. Then we have a boarder coming then the last one - the first born gone. Gad..no more puppies.

But come December we have boarders that will keep us busy and hopefully we will hear stories and get photos and hear all about their new adventures.

We feel like we are always in a flux of change around here but that's okay. Change is fun and good and different and it's life. :-)

Just got back from a walk with all the dogs - 2 at a time - Nathan does 2, I do 2 and so we go on multiple walks. We try to change the routes to make it interesting. Dogs and people get bored with the same old route day in and day out.

Clothing and Face Furnishings

Look at what these humans do to me.

Okay, I don't seem to mind - I just look downright funny but my face stays cleaner for the show.It's boy stuff putting my face in all sorts of places it shouldn't be...not neutered boys.

That's okay, winter is coming and Mommy will put these jackets on us when the snow is extra wet so we don't get ice balls. Yes, we get a very cold snowball tummy but if there is a jacket covering that tummy, well only the legs get it. It has to be certain type of snow and it can get washed off easily but for us its an assembly line dressing everyone.

Why are we talking about snow? It's coming - eventually... Best be prepared.

Baths: Gidget

Gidget got her bath today as she is going home tomorrow. We are at a show for part of the day while our son plays with the crew so instead of having her owner wait till after I bathe her tomorrow, I did it today and if I need to freshen her up, I will tomorrow.

Gidget is not white as some of us thought but rather a wonderful creamy beige overtone. I washed her with a whitener shampoo from Pure Paws and then conditioned her with their ultra conditioner and threw a couple of capfuls of silk in and then did a silky rinse and her hair came out wonderful. I hope it lasts till tomorrow.

Looking at this picture, one wonders what she is smiling about. Is it due to getting away with rolling all over and messing up my handiwork?

Of course it is and what a delightful ball of fun. We will miss this gal. Gidget goes home tomorrow afternoon and now I will try to keep her clean till then...right.

Off to take the puppies outside...

Frazzled Play

We had visitors over while Shanty was getting picked up to go to her new home and as you can see, the Tibetan Terrier - who won big yesterday was playing up a storm with the Bichon. She was also in the show but didn't fare as well.

That's the show world for you. You never know...

We are back at it again today - and home earlier.

Gidget goes home tomorrow and I will miss her sleeping in and cuddling up in our comforters after everyone else has decided it was time to be up. She is a comfort gal and I don't blame her and she wil be missed.

Then we are down to just our own dogs. Can you imagine that?

More later...>>

Long Day

It was a long day today and the Talemaker crew is so tired.

Kat took breed today at a show. He had to be washed yet again tonight as he goes to the show early tomorrow. I wanted to just wash his feet and call it a day but I didn't.

All dawgs got much play, groomed - loved and got to platy with a tibetan terrier and a bichon.

The humans want to sleep and it seems like the dawgs do too. I can't wait till it's time to snuggle and let the zzz's overtake us.

Sometimes there are days like this...

Shanty's Visit

We just picked up Shanty and she will be staying with us overnight.

She's fitting in really well and no worries, Paula. She's a great puppy.

The dogs are wearing her out so she can get some sleep tonight and so can we. :-)

Messy But FUN

No matter what you do at times, the dawgs look messy and that's okay. Today is one of those days.

It's busy day. They all got brushed but today we had Terra going to the vets, getting ready for the show, walks and play, play play with the pups out back. They are exhausted. I think I am too.

I am not sure if you still have leaves on the ground but we have a ton and Nathan has raked a ton. The dawgs ADORE rolling and running in them just like kids. It's a joy to watch.

The older crew really enjoy the younger set. They really help to exhaust the puppies who are fast asleep.

Here is Gidget walking step in step with KitKat... yep that's the pups name. I can see that Gidget must have been a wonderful mom. She's been really enjoying them here.

Her mom comes home on Sunday and she will leave us. We have really got used to her adding fun to the mix but she will be so excited to see her human mom. They all do and then when they come back, they have fun too. It's quite nice.

Looking around the house, the crew is completely laid out after an exhausting day getting rest till we do our night play session. They play hard and sleep deep.

Cool Brings Out Fun

Things are looking up.

It's getting cold.

You say that's looking up?

Well, us Havanese rather like the Fall chill and when we went for our walks today, everyone from Risa to Gidget was having a exuberant time. They were jumping through the leaves like no tomorrow!

The cool also brings out the play in the Havanese and Risa was no exception. The crew just had a total blast with and without the smaller set.

Click on any of the photos to see a larger view.

I put this photo up as I found it delightful. Gidget really has fit in nicely here and she always does.

She loves the puppies too and even tolerates Treasure. ha!

Gidget gets you laughing when you most need a laugh.

Well, tomorrow Terra goes in to get her stitches out.

I am not sure the leg is healed in any degree. When she toes down, she does something strange in her movement but we shall find out tomorrow.

Here's hoping for the best. We need some good news around this place.

Collision Fun

The dawgs often play a collision game all in fun and now the pups are running in trying to join in the fun. It's a riot.

It's quiet around this place with only Gidget as a visitor.

Terra, our golden with the operation tries to join in but she can't but in her mind she thinks she can. Thursday her stitches come out and her rehabilitation begins.

The crew has been wonderful with her. It's just Terra that has no patience.

Well, back to play and grooming and walks...and what about you?