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! 

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Blog Archive
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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.

Entries in Sonrisas Katsuro (44)

Friday
Jul102009

Heat Again and Again: Is it OVER?

Okay - it was another sunny day so what did you expect?

Can I come to swim, Daddy? Wasabi always liked swimming but lately she just can't seem to get enough. Maybe it's her desire to cool off or just her time or it's missing time with the pack but we give her balance. We make sure she does get that 'me' time.

We are still dealing with Fiona in heat. What does that mean? Well, it means a barking boy or a whiney boy. It's not for the faint of heart but it does get better when she is no longer in heat.

To make matters worse, she teases him. I gave her a bath in hopes she would smell different. Silly me. Okay - she needed a bath so that's why I did it...hehehehe

Well, Missy goes home tonight and we will miss that gazelle. She jumps tall buildings in a single bound. Then Sunday we get to see the Zack and Coco. We are excited.

PS: You can always click on the photos to see a larger view on all of our pages.

Off to update Talemaker Puppy Life where we update you on the pups...

Friday
Jun052009

Dog Butts..and All That Havanese Stuff

You never know who you are going to meet at handling class. Last class we got to see Havanese puppies from someone we know that kept them in her car for safety. She just wanted us to have a look see and we appreciated it.

As the crew went around to practice their stuff, I kept capturing our small ones and all big dawgs. If it wasn't for us, it would be a big dawg class.

Treasure has to be going through a fear period. Oh, it's not your typical and they all go through it so you have to still get them out there and socialize. But...she started growling at the big dawgs..not in a bad way - more of a vocal chorus to let the others know who is in charge. This can happen when there is a sea of large dogs and one or two small dogs. It's how you handle it that matters. Exposure - conditioning and correcting if their response is inappropriate and proper meeting and greeting. Not all dogs are meant to get up close and personal with your little ones so it is enough for your little one to have its comfort just walking close by as you do in handling classes. To be able to walk in a sea of huge things is good enough and not all dogs in handling class want to play with your little one. One may see your small dog as prey especially if it starts to get into a game of run-like-hell.

You have to assess each situation despite what the owner says and either allow the meet and greet or allow a close proximity without the meet and greet. Both are fine and how YOU react matters. If you are fearful, your dogs will pick up on it and go into protection mode. Then you are left wondering why your dog is not friendly. You have to figure out what emotion you are sending down the lead.

Not all dogs are meant to be your little one's best of pals friend. Some - if you pay attention are sending out signals that are anything but friendly. You must learn what other dogs are saying. Not all owners understand that the reason dogs are reacting to it is what their own dog is saying to others and how you are feeling about the situation. Despite it being fun to 'get' what the other dogs are saying to yours, it's a wise thing to learn.

Think about it..would you be comfortable with everyone invading your personal space?

Saturday
Dec202008

Havanese Breeding Lessons

Sometimes life offers you things you have no clue why they unfold as they do. Yesterday we found out that Wasabi lost her pup(s). There is no reason. Could be anything from stress to wasn't viable - just have no clue why but it was highly suggested that we breed her next heat and do more than a 24 hour window. If you remember, I had pneumonia and Nathan was sick so we couldn't stay. As I said - not meant to be.

That means we will have summer pups if Wasabi's heat stays true to form. We will also breed her many times to avoid this issue.

Anyone who thinks breeding is easy - well it isn't if you really genuinely care about your dogs and we do more than you know.

Now on to happier moments. Kat had his preliminaries done - all was great and now he is doing his adults and the vets felt all was great. He also got a slew of shots and is a very sore boy today so we are hoping he is back to normal soon.

The vet loved Treasures patellas - thought her eyes were gorgeous and laughed about how compact and plump she was. Abigail is 10 and a half pounds and I swore she was heavier but she also was a plump thing and thinned out as she got older. Fiona is still a tiny thing with a good muscle mass.

This month we do cerfs (eyes) and next month Treasure gets her baer (hearing) and cardiac done. We believe in testing for us, our puppy people etc.

We had in and out white out conditions coming home yesterday and another storm coming on Sunday.

Treasure is a treasured addition. She reminds me of Fiona's spirit for life. We see her holding on to hair on one of the dogs with her mouth and them running and dragging her along. I have to get a video of it but I think I need to carry one around to catch it. It's a pure riot.

Well, I need to get coffee going. I don't have my fave bread for breakfast but I will deal and Kat is back in bed with Fiona and Nathan snoozing. You do not want to hear how Nathan was out with Kat this morning and the poor boy was in too much pain to do anything but lets just say, Nathan looked comical and had a lot of drafts, I suppose and we won't say anything more except he did have his cap on. The things we do for our dogs - but they are worth it - no?

PS: We are missing the Gidget already and hoping she has a truly great Xmas. We are having 2 Katsuro puppies coming on the 23rd. One is a steel grey, black with white sox and the other is Rufus that you saw - a myriad of tans and whites, cream.

Well hope you have a fab day. More later... Kiss the pups and really enjoy them - will ya?

Friday
Sep262008

All Female Havanese: Ah Heaven for a Guy!

Kat's really happy today. One more female came to visit till Wednesday and he rather likes this one.

Gidget is visiting till Wednesday and we are excited about it. She just comes in - says - okay all of you get it over with - get in your smell so you remember me and then let's get into investigating and playing.

We got email from Miss Abigail's full sister from an earlier breeding that she just had pups. Miss Abs sends much love to her sister Bernie and says get some rest while you can. We heard one may be Havana brown - ooooh nice.

Well, the humans got walks to bring us on, training to do and fun stuff. They even gave a bath to Fiona today but Gidget - well she will be safe till Tuesday night. heheheh

Fiona looks like a light socket got to her. hahahah Oh she does NOT like her baths yet.

This is how she looks 5 minutes after she engages in play. But mommy - I am having oh so much fun.

Well, it's walks for the crew. daddy and Dennis is doing it tonight and mommy is resting. After grooming the crew - she needs it!

We are hoping for a NO RAIN day tomorrow. We have fun planned.

Sunday
Sep072008

That Queasy Change of Food Havanese Feeling

I am not sure what Mommy did but I had a perfectly fine photo of me and she stretched it out - on purpose she says. I am Katsuro and I am the only male at the Talemaker crew.

About a week or so ago, that human mommy got a bee in her patootie that we needed to lose weight so she changed food. She was getting the idea that everyone was overweight - especially Risa with the exception of Fiona - who needs to gain weight and Miss Abs who doesn't really have abs at all but appears to be just right.

Well, we don't like it. We try to placate her and I get a downright upset tummy. Yes, we went slow but although we can eat every table scrap under the sun without this reaction, well mommy is doing too many wet bum thingies to me and I DO NOT LIKE IT!

So, she weighed the guys and yep Risa needs to lose weight so mommy thought - hmm let's start her exercise yet again with walking. We walked with daddy but he sort of does a saunter around the neighbourhood that burns about 2 calories. heh

Mommy decided to take Kat (who is 11.5 lbs and a good weight for his body) and Risa who needs tough love marathon business plan for a walk today and we walked at a fast clip. There was a lady jogging behingd us and we were doing a fast walk and we were keeping ahead of her. Risa said, "what's that about?"

About 15 minutes in, Risa had her tongue out doing this heavy breathing thing and Kat was still bouncing around as if nothing was bothering him. Mommy was dying like Risa. That's a good thing as this was her CRAZY idea and if she didn't feel what she was doing, well she may continue this craziness but no, she whispered - tomorrow - watch out - a tad further and see if you can keep up.

Risa slumped on to a pillow all wet - yeah it was raining, giving mommy the evil eye but that human knows she feels better and Risa feels better when she's not packing on those extra pounds. Still - it's not fun but when that crazy human thinks we are on a mission.

Risa:

Follow us on this goal to get fit before the white stuff flies too much. I will share if you share this craziness of getting healthy. Are you up for the challenge? What did you do today to work it? Me - I am hugging the couch and pillow for dear life.

Tuesday
Jul082008

Kat's in Havanese Puppies Waiting Stance

Well, Katsuro's head hair is starting to grow back after Rita's Opal had fun with his ponytail. heh It's about time - I say! watching hair grow is like waiting for the light to change. If you watch too close - it seems like it takes forever.

Kat's a happy boy these days. Miss Lola is going to have puppies sired by him any day. All I know is it better not happen while we are at a show this weekend so cross those paws Lola if it starts at the wrong time. ROFL!

If Yvonne is falling asleep after a long night of whelping, photos may not be forthcoming so it best be on another day as we want to be there with camera in hand. Exciting times for them and for us!

More later.>>

Saturday
Jul052008

Havanese Like to Do Run-Like-Hell

Did you ever see such a face and oh that tongue and teeth. ROFL

Abs was visiting at Rita and Willard's house today and was trying to get the crew running and after that, she laid down next to the water bowl and showed how deliriously happy she was along with how tired. This dog LOVES to play.

She didn't get any points today but she's a winner in my book as she does your heart good looking at her enjoying life.

Mojo was also running around like a banshee with her and it was a delight to catch him in action. That boy can run. Mojo is Risa's dad and Katsuro's grandfather and Fiona's great-grandfather.

It was great to spend it with good company - winding down and forgetting about the dawg shows!

More tomorrow! Break from shows till Saturday - not much time.

Follow our saga of trying to protect Abigail's hair and still get her to play. The word is possible lycra - more later when we find out more.

Wednesday
Jul022008

Motley Havanese Crew

We had Yvonne and crew over and we had a blast. Yvonne stayed in till she shrunk up and disappeared and I was the only one that decided this was not for me today - well almost - Maggie also decided such.

How do you get a Havanese to 'like' swimming?

Well, dogs are like humans - some love it - some tolerate it and some have no desire. But it does matter how you introduce them. We have the entire gamut when it comes to the water.

Katsuro is our jumping in fiend who adores it and can't get enough of it. Abs likes it but well she has her days when she says ENOUGH and Fiona well can I lay under the chair instead? Wasabi loves it but not to dive - swim and swim - yep.

So, how do you introduce a dog to swimming? Well, first thing you gently hold them, talk to them while you are in the pool with them and then show them the way out by guiding them. This is critical. You can also create a game after they gain their comfort level and that is why Kat loves it so. It's purely a game for him.

You can use lures that float. You can swim with them. The key is make it a game - go slow - and keep a positive attitude and it will come together.

Check out pregnant Lola (Kat's the dad) on top of her human mom's back.

Havanese love to sit on high spots and in the water - well for Lola - the water is no exception.

Wet - comfortable and chillin' Havanese style. Get wet with your Havanese.

Monday
Jun232008

Havanese Livin' in a Fishbowl

What's it like living in a photographic fishbowl? Snap, flash - argh not again and how many of these actually turn out, human?

Mommy is borrowing Yvonne's DSLR - she has a slow 'mo camera and she's taking photos even though the subject matter won't cooperate. Who is the subject matter? US - as I said - Havanese fishbowl. Don't I look like I am lovin' this?

I hear they have only a couple of pups - if 5 is true left of my first ever pups. Gad - I love pups. I played with Wasabi's pups as if they were all mine and you can see that in my videos. Mommy and Daddy couldn't believe that half the night, I would go in and stare into the whelping box in awe.

Hey, I can be a fun lovin pool jumpin' in guy but I don't mind saying that I can be a warm, sensitive type. Nah, not the whiny type but I am one of the hearts of the pack. They are all mine - after all - don't ya know. ROFL!

Abs is sort of hanging out saying what's all this flashing and clicking business about.

After such a hard playing, rough housing play yesterday - well snoozin' seems about right especially as tomorrow brings handling class and another show but only 1 day with just my daddy. Mommy has to work.

Yesterday, we had a roaring grand time at Yvonne and Alex' and we waited to see if Maggie (she's my half sister you know) is pregnant and oh my gad - they think they see many! Well, we shall see. So, lots of pups at the Poole residence.

Here's Flora and Abigail who had a roaring grand time together.

They ran and ran their little hearts out. They are close in age and really connected much to the irritation of Fiona who thinks Abs is all hers. ha

But Fiona also managed to get into the swing of it and run a little. She will only watch so long and then decides - my turn!

Abigail got home and crashed. It was nice to see all that enthusiasm. As a matter of fact the entire crew crashed including the old lady, Whitney.

There were many more moments and photos capturing them but I won't bore you. Just know that life is good when you are surrounded by friends - human and canine alike.

Sunday
Jun222008

Visit to Chicadoro's (Yvonne's) & Fun!

Do not tell me that dogs do not have long memories. When we opened our pool, Katsuro looked at it, looked at Nathan and said - let's go. He remembers swimming last year. He has a passion like none other for the swim.

So, today when we were on our way to Yvonne and Alex's, we turned off the freeway and his teeth started chattering, he was whining with pure excitement. He was off to see Lola in his mind.

I said to Nathan, wouldn't it be nice to be wanted THAT much. ROFL. Then I added but she's preggie and well - she will be shutting him down. Well, most of us know how that feels but he didn't.

Well, he spent half the time trying to woo the gals and Lola shut him down pronto and Maggie - well that gal flirted taking advantage of the fact that he would do anything she wanted to. Well, you know the story. Who was the smartest?

He finally calmed down and started running with the dogs and having a grand time.

It helped that Nathan started running with them and got them going.

We have much to report on our visit and some really great shots.

We got home late so tomorrow will have to do.

Wait till you see Flora and our Abigail running their fool heads off and Abigail getting the best of Fiona - yeah that happens at times and Abigail pouncing on Kat's back.

You'll also see the lovely blooming Lola, Maggie - well I - well tomorrow we find out if she is pregnant too - that little mischievous Downsey and Britney, Whitney, Wasabi, Risa and Terra.

What a day. Great food - great company and a lovely family from South Africa originally that we got to share some moments with and laugh. It was all good.

Till tomorrow....

Saturday
Jun212008

Nothing Like Havanese Wet Play - Continued

Well, we have had some real fun today fitting in pool, grand kids, shopping at the Village Market and standing in line for a Wii Rock Band that never came at both Best Buy and Toys R Us. Are we nuts or what? Well, Nathan had the grand kids and the dogs all swimming and I had the lineups. Who had the better deal? I ask myself that all the time. I hate traffic and line ups but the pool I can handle.

Anyone who knows Havanese knows that all it takes to get a Havenese in full on play is to get them wet. They pounce, run-like-hell and have all sorts of fun. Our two youngest was doing just that.

We have more photos to come and more stories to tell later today but we have to hit a pool store before we wake the neighbours due to our pool cleaner. Long story and go to Shoppers for my fave dog deep conditioner. Yes - that's right. I use a deep conditioner that is for humans in the dogs - especially on the show dogs so they still have life - full on play and can still be shown. They aren't as pristine as those segregated show dogs but hey, they are having an amazing time building tales to dream on.

More later as life gets a tad quieter or it starts pouring and we can't do the outside thing.

Well, it's later and the dogs did have a grand time. As you can see in this photo, the youngest duo was having a run-like-hell game that lasted for close to an hour. Usually it's short spurts but that wet again tends to invigorate them.

Ignore the weeds as they are many with this lovely weather we have been having.

It's hard to believe I used to be on the garden tour - well my yard was.

It's the dogs or weeds and guess which one I pick. ROFL

Well, the duo ran under the deck, over the deck, up the walkways, behind the pool house over and over.

I do believed this pair is totally bonded but Katsuro of late has been teaching them, playing with them and really investing his time with them rather like he did with the pups.

It's nice to see this side of him - that gentle soul. Kat not only jumped in and swam with Nathan today but also with the grand kids.

Nathan also took in our old lady retriever who seems to be losing the back legs again.

If you followed us last summer, you will remember that the pool exercises got her walking again. We are hoping for the same this time but we also have to realize she's aging.

She's unable to pull herself out of the pool so Nathan had to help her but perhaps in a few weeks she will be. We shall see.

Wasabi has just finished her false pregnancy. I guess she enjoyed motherhood that she wanted more pups. She's starting to get back into the funk of life and playing again. It's genuinely great to see.

Here you can see her doing the play bow to the rest of the pack - come play - come play!

It does my heart good to see Wasabi back to being full of life!

Well, the gang had a glorious time and so did the grand kids.

We are off to see Yvonne, Alex, pregnant Lola (our Katsuro is the dad) and Mags, Flora, Fiona's sister Downey & resident large Havanese Beardie Britney.

You can click on any photos to see a larger version.

Fun will be had by all, I am sure!

Friday
Jun202008

What is That Havanese Doing?

Fiona often poses for her photos and Abs - well she just is hard to catch in action. It's different personalities. But here Abigail is shaking a toy and Fiona is wondering what the sense of that is.

After going outside and getting all wet in the grass, we came back to play a vigorous game of retrieve with the duo pouncing when a toy was thrown. It's the funniest sight you ever did see as they don't run but do this run to a pounce as if they are attacking the toy and they both do it.

How did you start YOUR day? I hope it was with just as much of a laugh and fun and just the way the day should start. If not, well do something about it. It only takes a few minutes and it can put a smile on your face. More later.>>

Wednesday
Jun182008

Olga & Benny Visits

Benny came for a visit with his owner, Olga. I was a tad busy building pages and after this, I am going to get back to it. Lots of work these days - building lots so Nathan took camera in hand and snapped away.

Taking a photo of a black faced dog is an art as it is hard to see the face. But, I didn't think he did half a bad job. You can see Benny's somewhat.

Well, not much to report on today. Lots of brushing. Mommy/Daddy's tummy is upset so no walks and not sure if the dogs had training today. It happens but Abs has a show soon so we got to get back to it.

We get to go to Yvonne's this week and visit and see the preggie Lola. Knowing how pregnant woman feel - she may take Kat's head off. We shall see.

More tomorrow and we are hoping work is less and stomach cooperates. Nothing else other than work got done today. It happens.

Tuesday
Jun172008

Adventurous Havanese Times

Abs had a blast at handling class. I am not sure if human Daddy did but she sure did. She loves to chase squirrels and saw a dog that rather looked like one. Sorry but it really did. She just couldn't get over having it so close and boy would I love to pounce on THAT! Abs learned squirrel hunting from Shoshi who can catch the tail of one but doesn't want to do anything but to say - I caught you - now you can run away. The fun is in the chase and Abs certainly loves games. I am positive she could get titles in things that involved play easily.

Let's say - life was challenging tonight. Abs continues to have a true zest for play - and those aromas in the ground are just too much for her to ignore. Human daddy is doing his best to learn ways to get her to F-O-C-U-S but it may have to come with maturity or great creativity on the human part.

Here you can see Daddy trying to bait Abs with one of her fave toys. She has two and one is sadly falling apart. We need to find another. It's a little furry thing you hold in your hand, shake it and it sounds like a bird noise. This one he is using is a rattle and she likes it too. It does get her attention.

Daddy has a few weeks to find his creativity and then we will have the fun of seeing Lola and Kat pups and we will have to have videos, photos - all of it but poor Yvonne gets the work. She also gets the day to day joy.

We are already getting enquiries on the pups and will be visiting Yvonne this weekend so folks can meet the dogs.

We have grandkids coming on Friday (our oldest daughter's b-day and she owns a CAT - always one you know) and the garden cleanup and trying to get Abs swimming on a daily basis like Kat and walks and exercise and grooming and yikes - can we stop and smell the roses? Oh yeah we have plants to plant - and 2 are roses. hehehehe

More tomorrow.

Tuesday
Jun172008

The Ever Changing Havanese & Life

Here's a photo of Lola when she was a wee one. She was such a cutie - don't you think? Lola has changed colours as Havanese often do to a goldish blond. She looks like she is changing colours yet again when you look at her up close getting that richer colour back.

Havanese are such an interesting breed as you can have the looks of one colour then they grow up and get another and then they can revert again or change again. It's like having a package that keeps on evolving. To me, that's ever so much fun.

We have no clue what colours a Lola/Kat combo will produce. Ultrasounds etc. don't tell that but Kat has sable in his line, Lola has it in hers. There is also the greying gene at play. At times you can see a cocoa overcast in Kat's coat. It too is always changing.

Life is filled with surprises and we are excited to see what this one brings.

Personality is prevalent in the Mojo line - Kat has it in spades but hey we are biased. Lola is a Cuban Havanese - a strong gal filled with a genteel personality. She is a first class mom.

Can you tell we are excited?

Now on to the shenanigans of the crew here. Fiona is playing up a storm. I am back exercising doing Kenpo/Cardio X with Tony Horton. It's time I get back into it and well, Fiona was jumping on me the entire time. It made exercise a challenge but a fun one. We are back to finding what life is about - moments that you can treasure. It's why we are called Talemaker - as we bring you quality Havanese that lifetime tales are made from.

Treasure the moments and laugh at even the frustrating moments like a dog jumping on you while you exercise. Life is short and it can be amazing if YOU allow it to be.

More later...

Monday
Jun162008

Kat's Wondering Where Lola Is

Today I decided to take a photo of Kat set in the garden and take the background out to see what it would look like. It was in a 'how to' that I had sitting around and I wanted to give it a shot. I suppose I could have thrown a photo of Lola behind him as I wanted to but her photo never came. Too much to do with the dam(s) in need.

Kat's rather smitten with Lola much to the irritation of Wasabi - heh. Oh, about 30 something days ago they did the Cuban tango many times over sometimes a couple of times a day every time she came to visit. It got so bad that all Kat has to do is see Yvonne or Alex and he says - well where's my gal? Well, that's not true. If truth is to be told, his teeth chattered, he shook with desire and plain went crazy wooing her, nuzzling her neck etc. Now gals - don't you wish the human men did that - heh.

Well, those of you that remembered Wasabi's pups know that Kat adores puppies and finally he may be able to play with some of his own.

Yes, Yvonne's Lola at Chicadora will have puppies in mid July just before the picnic. There's something about that picnic - I tell you.

We are excited at this combination. If interested in pups, well let us or Yvonne know. We promise many videos and Yvonne wil be kicking us out - just watch as we just LOVE puppies!

Friday
Jun062008

Chillin' Havanese Pool Style

Human daddy is at it again shhushing the dawgie crowd and having a blast in the pool. I finally caught Katsuro mid-air as he jumps in. I never did see a Havanese that adores the water as much as he does.

We are enjoying the finally hot weather chillin' or is that sweating at the pool? The dawgs are too till we come in and they then enjoy the air much more so - hahahah But love us they do so they hang out till we can't take it anymore. I tend to put cooling blankets/mats and even bring out bean bag frozen things so the dogs can lay on and chill if desired. Us humans bring out our computers to work on. That's the beauty of wireless. I couldn't do a summer without the pool and wireless.

We also managed to get our visitors in the pool with Bailey enjoying it more than Dickens. If the weather holds up, we will try again tomorrow.

Our retriever, Terra had a blast too and even dove in - yes dove in. She's had enough of watching Katsuro and had to show him up. Who can blame her.

Well, we are off to Woofstock tomorrow with Katsuro and Fiona. We figured they need crowd conditioning. We were going to take 3 but 2 is more manageable and these two can stand to be loved up by many. Not that the rest can't be but we rotate the crew to give them that one on one attention as well. Besides - they will bring the free treats back to the rest - won't they? hehehehehe

Well - more later as the day progresses.

Monday
May262008

Dreary Havanese Day

It's a dreary day outside waiting to rain and this human mommy was going to wash a couple of dogs as she has the day off thanks to Memorial day but instead, we thinking we will comb/brush etc

Miss Fiona had her first knot after not brushing her over the weekend. It was minor so a brush/pull apart removed it. Still, that gal thinks I am killing her when I brush out the back legs. We are being persistent so she gets over it.

The pair is happy just to be playing with each other. Us, we are back at handling classes Tuesday and Wednesday this week and another show over the weekend but its local. No 4am washings. We are at our last obedience class for Fiona and then handling for her. It will be a busy - busy week.

We heard Sassy and Coach went into the pool yesterday. This is WAY exciting for us as we have some swimmers here. Katsuro was itching to do so - got to get better photos of him jumping in but our pool is still sitting at 68F. Oh well, next heat wave of a day or so we will crank it up. It doesn't look like that date is coming anytime soon though. Mother nature - got to love it!

Yesterday we hung out and slept on the chairs outside (we were exhausted) and the puppies who had never done so - well they thought mommy and daddy hanging out was cool. They snuggled and slept too. At the same time we had Yvonne in our thoughts having to drive an extra bit home and worried as she didn't sleep so well. Show life...gad...

More later...

Tuesday
May062008

Early morning antics at Talemakers. Whitney, our old lady retriever had a bath and now its Terra's turn when I have the energy.

We have a busy day. The car died so human daddy has to go pick that up today. We have handling classes with Fiona and Abigail. Human daddy has a business meeting. We have to empty a pool house as the pool people are coming this week. We have training to do with Chico, Abs and Fiona and the rest of the crew.

I also have a late night with 'Dancing With the Stars' results and 'Idol' and yep I made that 4am wake up to do a killer plyo. Sleep was not good so maybe a nap today if work is not too much.

Remind me not to take a siesta from exercise. It's awful finding the energy to get back into it but I must. I look at that reflection in teh window while exercising and validate all that sweat and exhaustion that comes. I need to figure out how to get the dogs to exercise at the same time. Ideas - anyone?

Fiona, Abs and Katsuro got up with me. They loved the fan blowing on them while I exercised. I practiced commands with them as you can if you do not have the chunk of time to train them. It's best that way as you incorporate training into real life and end up reinforcing. Remember NO FREE TREATS - make them work for it even with a sit or a down or a by me - anything but don't give it away for free. You will end up being happier with the results and they will enjoy it as well.

More later as the day goes on.>>

Friday
Apr182008

Deep Conditioning Havanese Style

Well, I had this great idea I would put deep conditioning on Kat, let him sun it in like a heat conditioner but I tried it at first with a raincoat on so he wouldn't get dirty. He soon had that off and rolled and rolled in the dirt.

You can click on the photo to see a larger version.

What you can't see as my camera is too ^%$# slow was that was Sebastian running at him to pounce on him and he did. Then Chico with his cone still on did the same. It was a - lets get the dirty boy session.

I swear Kat was laughing his ahem off. He's finally relaxing with the boys and having a grand time.

Now, I didn't have a grand time getting him clean but...well boys will be boys...won't they. HA HA!