Costs

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

Picnic Photos & Details

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

Grooming 101

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

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

Woofstock Is Back

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

Award Photos
Friends & Associates
Blog Archive
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 by Darlah (5833)

Wednesday
Sep182019

Blog is Here

We had sun today. No dogs went into the pool but I did and got burnt. LOL

Here is the gallery.

Tchibo is back from Russia. We are excited as we will be seeing him Saturday!

Tonight I paint the back door after the dogs go to bed. This way it will be dry by the time they get up. I am hoping for 1 coat. We shall see.

We had Desi over. Nathan was having a grand time with him as you can see above. 

I put a braid in Spicy's hair and it kept sticking up. It was so funny.

Not much to say today except all the dogs played and played and played!

Tuesday
Sep172019

Three Updates Today

Argh I am having issues with updates. I wrote a large blog and it didn't show up.

Let's see if I can remember what I said.

This is Raven's puppy, Willow. She was here for a play date and a bath.

Crosby was madly in love with her today.

I stayed up till 1am doing taping and doing 2 coats of primer on the back door. It is still bleeding through but I think its good enough to paint. I had intended on doing it tonight but I am trashed. It is dangerous to paint when you are exhausted. 

Here is today's gallery.

I was also up at 4am and then had to get up at 7am. To say I am exhausted is an understatement.

So, tomorrow starting at 945pm, I will paint the door. I have to do it at night due to the dogs.

I will be glad when the painting is done but I will be touching up baseboards and door frames with matching stain after the baseboard is replaced where the dogs chewed it. I am getting someone else to do it. I do not feel confident enough to cut tight fittings. 

I also need a system to put shelves in two closets for dog products. Anyone turned a closet into a sea of shelves and if so, what did you use?

Nathan started outlining the tv room with paint. I am so happy that's not on me. He is going to do the tv room and the living-room attached and we will open up the french doors to make it all one room. The dogs will love it and we will too. 

Dennis was off today so while Nathan was painting, it was me and the dogs. Then his nap time and then with no tv room, he is sitting outside with his computer watching a tv show with the dogs. LOL I hope it gets done by weeks end. The dogs love the tv room so. Then he can shut the french doors and do the other room. 

After that, he says he will be doing the emptying of the pool house, organzing and doing the roof? Really? It has to be done but my hubby is a computer geek, like I am but hammers, repairs are all foreign to him or so he likes me to believe. 

I will be organizing puppy stuff and dog supplies. Less than 2 weeks left. Then rest.

Dogs barked like crazy around the pool today or they swam. It was one or the other. I did get into the pool with the dogs and had a blast. I was going to lay on a raft and fall asleep till Nathan started painting. Then Nathan came in and wild and crazy running occured. It was a blast.

They say warm weather all week. I surely hope so. One needs the pool for a break. Glad it is not closed as it was last year at this time.

Tuesday
Sep172019

Happy 5th Birthday

Holly wishes all her siblings a Happy 5th Birthday! Can’t believe they are 5 already!

Ella says happy birthday to her siblings, Rusty, Hugo, Tiny, Holly and Teddy! Hope you are getting all the extra love you deserve today!

Tuesday
Sep172019

Hugo Update

Happy birthday, Hugo! We can’t believe you are 5 already.

This is a follow up to the video I put together for his 1st birthday: https://www.facebook.com/mezart/videos/10207768877840094/

Follow Hugo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hugothedivo

Monday
Sep162019

Rain Yes Again

Mabel is getting out and about between the rain sprinkles. The dogs are growing weary about this weather. My to do list is growing.

Tonight prime back door. Tomorrow paint door. I can only do it after the dogs go to bed as the door gets used too much. 

Here is a small gallery.

Considering we will have walls painted, backsplash in kitchen, new sink, desk, my closet - what else? Nathan to do the tv room, livingroom combo. We still have the pool house to do, Eaves troughs. Nathan mentioned the cabinets - not a chance this year. What else will we do? It seems we are consolidating. We will organize a bedroom downstairs with all the dog stuff for puppies - oh boy. Now it is in 2 rooms upstairs and they want it all placed neatly in a bedroom downstairs so we have our guestroom back and the puppy area they go into upstairs completely organized. I think this will be worse than my closet. My goal is to finish by end of the month so I have 2 weeks without lots of things to do before pups arrive. 

I always wash my own dogs just before pups so everyone is clean before arrival plus my usual grooming. So - not totally off but no more daunting summer off - must get done projects. We will also have to bring in plants - order more lights - yikes! I need to put my trug to bed and all my strawberries and green beans that are still producing. Yum!

The dogs think I am nuts. Thankfully I take many breaks to play with dogs and Dennis, Jon and Nathan playing with them when I am doing crazy projects. Today we tested sit. Oh boy.... some immediate. Some - are you serious - okay I will now if you treat me. 

One has to laugh when the dogs think they can pull the wool over your head. I know they all know sit. We will try it again tomorrow. Then we will move on to other things. I like to do something daily to work their minds. It is why we do find the treat, hide and seek etc We also do mind games to see who can figure out how to get treats and where they are. Running also expels energy and we do a lot of that. The dogs love it and we do it inside or outside depending on the weather. It must get them tuckered out as they come inside and take a nap. Nathan too. LOL I think its good for them. 

Jessie and Kat is really feeling this rain. Nathan too. Murphy, Kat's brother plays and plays all day without a sign of arthritis. 

Cinnamon is getting fat, Leti is rounding out - Raven to a lesser degree but she was the last to be bred. All have had morning sickness. Raven still, to a degree. It all unfolds!

The dogs have had a great day despite the weather!

Sunday
Sep152019

Rainy Sunday

Holly joined us today. It was great to see her. She played and played and played. 

Here is the gallery.

I managed to get a photo of Cooper before he messed his hair up. He has been playing like crazy. Spicy has been busy rolling and playing and chilling.

If you look in the gallery, you will see Murphy in a series of photos getting her barrette off. Why try? Spicy did keep hers in longer - much longer.

Murphy is off on a plane trip. I am always excited for her and her mom.

I heard Tenshi was busy at Pet Expo running the course. Bravo, little one. 

Just got a photo of Meadow getting arrested. Oh Oh - what did you do?

We just got a series of photos from Tegan of Pingo. This is only 1 of the photos and not even the best - well they are all best!

Tomorrow I am painting - taking a day off and it is our son's birthday - Jon.

Till tomorrow. Tonight washing door with TSP.

Saturday
Sep142019

Saturday in September

It is so interesting at how bonded some dogs become. This is Cinnamon and Ella snuggling.

Here is the gallery.

We went to Pet Expo. Not much there but reptiles - Dear Mint that I love I stopped by to get my own and Spicy and Murphy some hair ties. We also stopped at Wheatley Wares that I love. Otherwise we could have skipped it. It made for a fast experience. Then up to Stouffville we went to get paint. Nathan decided he likes the door. I guess it is growing on him as he wants the same colour on the inside backdoor. The paint experts tell me I need to shellac it.  So, I will. They told me my back door I have to sand. Lots of work. Glad for the tips for this newbie. As it is a metal door, I have to add some stuff into the paint to allow it to adhere properly. Still need to get shellac to do the front door and they say the door has to stay open for 2 hours.

The lady was talking directly to Nathan and he said she is the one that does this stuff. She said oh... and told me. I laughed. Nathan still needs to do those two rooms.

So, to shellac, this will be a trick. I also need to do this twice. Front and back door needs to be done. It means the dogs can't go in the hallway but instead in the family room, tv room and kitchen. It will work, I guess. Better than when it is cold. She said just sit outside for 2 hours. Yeah...

I brushed out all the dogs. I put pretty bows on the girls. Spicy was the worst. She had that tie out and her hair a mess as fast as I could blink an eye or so it felt. I wanted to take cute photos with bows in it but instead they said - fat chance.

Magic's human sister brought over a present for the pups to be - a unicorn bed. It's adorable. Thank you!

Murphy is back to the crate at the end. Imagine that... 

Everyone has been playing. The boys are tackling each other and having such a splendid time. Do they know it is the weekend? Not that it matters here. 

Brady, Murphy, Adele and River depart tomorrow. Velvet and Mabel arrive. 

Shlomo was laying in the tv room couch with his legs up in the air sleeping. Talk about relaxed. I went out to the kitchen to get the camera and he rolled over. It drives me crazy missing moments. I keep thinking I need to carry the camera around with me but that sounds a tad ridiculous. I know somewhere someone does this - yahoo channel stars but really....

The weather is windy but nice. I ate fish and chips and feel sick. Nathan too. Too greasy, perhaps. I need a couch and dogs all over me. That's my weighted blanket.

Have a great weekend. Can it be swimming weather, please?

Friday
Sep132019

Painting, Rain and All That

My project today was to paint the inside front door. I still have the back door and a desk. I used Fusion Mineral paint. Dry in 2 hours - actually an hour and it was cold today. Nathan dislikes it as he says it is too dark. Guess he can paint it lighter if he doesn't like it. He hasn't done the 2 rooms he said he would so.....

When will I get the desk and backdoor done? Seeing Nathan wants a lighter colour on the back door, who knows. I have to go to Stouffville to get it. So, timing is up in the air. I am hoping to get paint come Monday. painting back door maybe Tuesday and desk - we shall see but done it will be.

This is a non toxic paint so I do not mind using it with the dogs. I actually appreciate that quality.

I didn't paint the door jam or whatever you call it as it was so cold and didn't want the door open till it dries. We shall see when that gets done. I am making progress with this summer off. 

I said to Nathan you have till the beginning of October as mid October we will be having pups. He said what - really? Think time is slipping by so a gentle reminder is a good thing. We will get the handyman at the end of this month to fix baseboards. I wanted to touch up stain the rest of them but I doubt that will happen this year. LOL

It rained today. It is damp cold. Nathan said can we close the pool. I said it is supposed to be warm all next week. He said right... The dogs and I are sure hopeful!

Here is the gallery.

When it wasn't raining, the dogs lounged outside. 

Murphy has selected a new crate to lay in. We have a series of crates under our kitchen table all without doors. It's their spot to snooze and get away, if they so desire. Murphy always used the last in the row. Today she was in the center. 

Ty, Elvis, Meadow and Marco all departed and Murphy arrived. Parker also arrived for a play date and play he did. He is resting now. 

Tomorrow morning we have Pet Expo then potential puppy visitors. Due to this rain despite giving baths to many, they look like - well ungroomed dogs. We shall see if I have time to groom but at least they are cleaned. Cooper gets brushed out daily and then goes through the bushes. The bushes are wet. He gets wet and the grass is less than dry. Spicy tends to not like getting wet here. She takes every elsatic out of her head but she remains looking dry. 

We already miss the fun of Meadow but I tell you, any more time here today, she would have been a wet rag. I think she has the Misty disease.... any fun is good no matter what it does to your hair. 

Shlomo has taken over the recliner as his. Too bad, Nathan. You have competition for your seat. LOL

Everyone is having a blast. Short blog tomorrow as it is busy. Longer on Sunday - I hope.

Thursday
Sep122019

Run and Run

This is Cooper and Elvis. Elvis was doing that run like crazy thing they do and Cooper cut him off in the pass and played and played.

Here is the gallery.

The dogs have had a ton of fun. I gained control over my insanity and realized I could not paint the door today. We shall see what tomorrow brings. It must get done. 

Ty, Marco and Elvis leaves us tomorrow. Such tremendous fun leaving us. Saturday morning we head to Pet Expo. I have an order from Pet Expo to pick up. LOL The dogs get most of my money. It's a dawg life! That's what happens when you love them so. Parker comes for a play day. 

Spicy takes over the cushiest spots. She has taste. 

Wednesday
Sep112019

Warm Day

It was pool weather today but not everyone wanted to go in. Good thing as it saved my arm from blow drying all and I would have to as Nathan had the air on. Can't have wet dogs in air conditioning.  Last night we had a rip roaring rainstorm but the dogs were good. Sounds like we are going to have another storm tonight. Cooler weather returns tomorrow and rain will go away. Saturday it starts warming up and maybe while it is cooler I may get the inside front door painted. I already used TSP on it. We shall see.

Here is the gallery.

Dogs had a ton of fun today. I just finished grooming the last dog. They will look good for bed.

No news on the missing Tuesday. <sigh>

Ollie has been playing his heart out. Mind you, everyone is playing. Some just play and play. It all fills you with smiles! Dennis had them running after him like they used to run after rock stars.

It was a great day for the dogs!

Tuesday
Sep102019

2 Updates Today: Happy 7th

Hi Darlah and Nathan,

Magic turned 7 today and we thought we’d share some pictures with you. Magic wishes all her siblings a happy birthday!

Caitlin, Bill, Phyllis, and Magic

Tuesday
Sep102019

Busy Day

As you can see with the update being so late, its been a busy day. I am still sitting in my grooming jacket. 

Here is the gallery.

This is also Leti's birthday. Leti, Cinnamon and Raven are still queasy in the morning so they eat later. Cinnamon is a nutcase as she takes a toy and wags her whole body in bed and hits me with it. She is playing look mom, I have a baby. She has done this the last few nights every hour or so. Raven is also acting pregnant. 

No results on Tuesday. I am going crazy contacting everyone. I am rather sad. Not sleeping all that well but Cinnamon is also helping in that no sleep journey. 

No one swam but me today. Hoping to get a few in tomorrow, if possible. 

Sorry... dogs had a blast. They did hide and seek with Dennis. Lounged on the couch. Hoping they get wet but not so many that I groom till midnight. LOL Anyone that wants to is welcomed. 

Monday
Sep092019

It's a Day Too

The sisters have been playing NONSTOP. See the gallery. We also took some photos yesterday at our daughter's home. 

I went out this morning to get some Fusion Mineral paint but lets see when I can fit in painting this week. It looks like a CRAZY one. We will try. First day possible is Sunday. Laugh everyone!

Mickey arrived. Harlow departs shortly. I put a calendar event in wrong as I was so upset. It seems Tuesday (Ella baby) got out of his home in Mississauga on Saturday and is still missing. I found out today. I have been busy making sure info is everywhere and even paid for a service. I hope he is found. 2 days is a long time. I am so upset. So, if this is a mumble mess, please understand.

Everyone is playing and is a wonderful mix of dogs. 

It is cold today. Hoping tomorrow is a pool day though I have a ton of grooming to do. LOL

Sunday
Sep082019

Long Day

Here is tonight's gallery.

Spicy and Cooper arrived and are having fun. Spicy already took over the couch, spreading out as large as she can. It's all mine!

We went to the daughter's house for a housewarming. I washed 3 dogs plus Stormy before I left. 

Meadow, Ty amd Mickey arrive for a holiday. Gucci departed. Crosby came for a playdate and boy did he play plus a grooming.

It's been a cool day but they say warmth is coming. Hoping that means pool. 

Tomorrow I go get paint to do the desk/dog bed piece in the kitchen. Have to find a day to sand and a day to paint. Not sure which day but soon. Can't wait to try out the fusion mineral paint.

It's tv time so dogs, relax and watch. It's the best!

Saturday
Sep072019

Wonderful but Cool Day

Here is the gallery.

We went to the dog event in Newmarket for a couple of hours. We took Stone and Misty. What did I find out? Neither Stone or Misty likes very loud music. The music was too loud even for me. They also didn't like dogs that pushed themselves in their face. Those that did a proper meet and greet, they were happy, tails wagging etc. They didn't do anything when dogs were in their face and I mean in their face - no growl but their body language said they were unhappy. So, we were proactive as we want them comfortable in crowds. How did we do that? When people allowed their dogs to do that, I said excuse me, I need to go over there. People are clueless and these were all very large dogs. We only saw 2 small dogs. There was a Newfie that was so stressed and his owner was pushing him to say hello to everyone. A proper meet and greet is hello and take the dog away. People need to do classes. Slow conditioning and exposures are always best. a dog shouldn't be forced to deal with dogs that have body language that says, I am too stressed. 

All and all it was a great experience as we made it a positive experience. Then we went to Global and they were love and kisses to the owners.

Home we came and took Inula and Kat on a 4k walk after walking up and down hills between the farmers market and the dog event. The afternoon, I dematted while Nathan took dogs for walks. His legs are on fire. Mine too. 

Dogs all enjoyed the walk. Nathan is in bed reading. LOL I am blogging. Dennis is laying outside with the dogs soaking up semi good weather till the rain hit and then they sat under the gazebo and watched it come down. No one seems to be afraid of the thunderstorms. They just chill all over the couch, chairs and under the gazebo. It is chill time. 

It doesn't matter who comes even if someone is insecure, Misty makes them her pal. She is wonderful that way. 

Tomorrow Spicy and Cooper arrives - hooray! Gucci departs - such a sweetie!

We also head down to our daughters for a couple of hours as she is having a house warming party. it will be my 1st time seeing her house other than photos. Hope the weather is good. She has invited a lot of people. 

Friday
Sep062019

Rain and Cold

Very Small Gallery

Sorry with rain etc no photos - well just a handful. Ty departed. Elvis is in the house! His parents are at Tiff. His mom does documentary movies. Seeing I love documentaries, I think that is pretty cool.

Ali and Hugo departed. Ali was so excited to see her humans. That is the way it should be.

I had a long day of grooming and those that didn't come and depart just got wrecked again going out. Life....

My bench still is not cured so I can't put my cushion back. Seeing it is the end of the season wonder if I can find another one on sale. hmmm

Tomorrow is supposed to be swimming weather again?

Sunday, Spicy and Cooper comes. We are excited! Murphy girl arrived today and took over her crate and promptly took a nap. I laughed. It's that kind of a day.

Thursday
Sep052019

Swim Day

We had a swim day. Will it be the last one before closing? I am not sure but boy did we enjoy it.

Here is the gallery.

Tried to get Hugo in as he so enjoys it but I guess he wants Helen in the pool too. Those that wanted to swim, did and those that didn't watched. Everyone had a good time.

Nathan says he is going to paint the rooms and he says he is starting tomorrow. Ceilings and walls have to be painted. I guess my doing the bench motivated him. I was waiting for it to be me. LOL I am rather spent but I keep plowing on.

I did comb out everyone before the swim and well those that swam look a mess. I need to move the bench back in and clean up the front. I so want a break. Tomorrow it can be cool as I have a full day of grooming. 

I am debating on sanding and painting the unit in the kitchen. I would like to do a deep grey and black top. This one may be more work than the bench though. We shall see. I am exploring Fusion Mineral paint. 

Dogs ran and ran today. they are all tuckered out. Funny how that works.

Wednesday
Sep042019

Cold But Silly

Here is the gallery.

Hooray the dryer is working. The things one gets excited about. Even Jon said can I do laundry when I get home? LOL

We played a fun game of retreive today. Even though it is Dennis' day off he still ran around outside to get the dogs running with him. I figure there are 2 more days in the 70s coming up and then pool closing time. How depressing but maybe it will help us do chores before pups. I placed up the calendars on each of their pages. Cinnamon looked funny. I know I should have combed her out but I like the silly looks of Cinnamon and her pups are that fun personality like her.

I also finished staining the bench after sanding and sanding. It has all these little indentations so I had to do a lot of hand sanding. I then stained it, ruined a pair of pants and got stain on my face. Don't ask but the stain on the face won't come off. I look like I have a disease. Off to try to scrub it more or do one of thos gritty masks that I got ages ago from the daughter. LOL

Zoey is having a good visit. She does the run game with Dennis. Ty even cut her off and she didn't care. They all try to be first. 

Well off to get a sweater or sweatshirt on. Can you believe? I will have to add getting plants repotted and indoors along with getting an electrician to move our thermostat. Don't ask. Painting 2 rooms and a pool house roof.... so much so little time. Hoping it all gets done. It's been one hell of a summer off.

Tuesday
Sep032019

Smitten And All That

Ty is so in love with Leti. This is Leti before I combed her out this morning. You will see after the comb out on her page. Ty kept kissing her and she was ignoring him but she didn't growl. She let him pay attention to her. I just laughed.

Here is today's gallery.

I picked up sandpaper to sand down the front bench. Hoping it only takes me 2 days to do. We shall see. Then I need to start doing the last 2 rooms I am going to do. Of course I will have to do this around my grooming. LOL It may take 2 weeks.

I watched a video of how to fix the pool house roof. My eyes were starting to glaze over but that too must be done. Tick tock - time is running out. 

Ali and Hugo dropped in and Ali tried to be the boss of everyone. They said...really? She was not happy but now she has let that go and a good thing as its more fun being part of the crew vs. the one telling everyonewhat to do. It is fun to have Ali's fun. It's obvious she is very close to Hugo.

Zoey arrived and she knew her chair, her fave place outside and then she went through the Star of Bethlehem that Dennis hadn't pulled yet and had sticky seeds all through her. After an hour of combing her out, I told Dennis he best get it out or he will be combing out. I was half serious.

We have a real fun bunch here at the moment. Even Hugo is mellow and that's funny for Hugo.

Shlomo and Ollie came for a groom among a few others plus I groomed everyone here. 

Jessie and Murphy are doing well. Both Jessie and Kat had a sore day yesterday with their arthritis which is pretty normal when you get to be a senior. Today, it was dry and they were doing well. 

Tomorrow supposedly the dryer gets fixed. I sure am hoping. 

Off to go play retrieve with the dogs. Looking forward!

Monday
Sep022019

2nd Birthday

Hi Darlah and Nathan,

Today we are celebrating this special girl’s 2nd birthday! She’s already had some bacon with her breakfast and she ate one mini donut cake as dessert.

Bria was very apprehensive about the donuts at first - had check it out from afar and then slowly inch her way towards the plate.

Thank you Talemakers for helping us raise this energetic, affectionate and sometimes mischievous Bria.

She’s a pro at finding tissue in bags and jacket pockets! If there were ever a position for tissue sniffer/finder at the airport, she’d win all the Employee of the Month awards.

Happy Birthday to her to two sisters - we hope they’re having big celebrations this long weekend too.