Sophie Liking Her New Digs

We have been hearing from Sophie's mom and it's wonderful.

Karen wrote:

She's a lot of fun and she's very curious.  It's so cute to watch her explore.  Her new favorite place is the lower shelf on my living room coffee table.  I still have to catch her with the camera.  She's a hoot when she tries to empty her toy box and she's loving the little Terrabones I bought for her at Global Pet Food.  She's finally figured out how to lie on the floor and hold it up with her front paws to chew.  Mind you, one will last her for weeks!!

Me again:

I have to look for these Terrabones. I love it when someone tells me what works for them then I get to try them. Thnx!!

Gad Sophie is so cute!

Windy Times

 I love the females when they watch the pups from above and let the wind blow through their hair. You would think I never brushed them but I did and do.

But I let them be dawgs too. That is ever so important.

Abigail watched Treasure and Fiona's pups with much interest. We can always count on her to mother and play and teach.

Once a mom, always a mom?

Bad Hair Day

Spice was one of the last I got to today. Yesterday I actually groomed half the dogs out thoroughly and thr other half probably as good as most new puppy owners do and time was out. I simply had too much to do and that's mighty unusual but when do I ever go away? Never, I am afraid.

PS: I usually line comb all - ratyher crazy but then they never have a knot except on rare occassions. I know how knots feel on my long hair so I try to avoid such.

So, today I got through all the crew and pups and visited our son and our daughter-in-law. They are real dawg people so that makes this socialization stuff way easy when you are visiting and socializing at the same time. It works.

What's a gal to do about a bad hair day? Enjoy it, smile and take a photo to remember.

Mother's Watch

I had Fiona out watching her pups play along with Treasures. After some real vigorous play, especially with one of Treasures she then laid down on the deck and just watched half falling asleep.

She was truly glad to see me home. That warmed my heart.

It's been a long day for both of us but tomorrow I will fill you in on the seminar.

Till then, please understand that the dawgs and my visiting son and wife is keeping my attention vs. the blog but they are out and about part of their day tomorrow so I will be able to get back to my usual.

Till then...

The Sound of Mud

It was a nice lovely day with an overcast sky that quickly turned to rain. Then it started pouring followed by a very loud banging, vibrating through your teeth kind of thunder storm. Let’s not even talk about the mud and the subsequent tracking through the house. Don't tell Darlah. Let her see for herself, tomorrow. No one was afraid of the storm but Spicy started to challenge the sound. Thunder, bark, thunder, bark. “Spicy, SHHHHH!” I said. “But daddy, someone is barking at us so I have to back them off” she responded. It was a lovely day. Meanwhile I hope Darlah enjoyed the seminar. Maybe I’ll have a big surprise waiting for her upon her return first thing tomorrow morning. In fact, I'm positive that I will. But I’ll let her tell you about it.

In the meantime, here's one parting photo of Sophie from yesterday. I'll call this Deer Caught in Headlights.

Teaka's now over at her new home playing her heart out with her half brother Dash. 

It is a beautiful day for it. I know we have been in and out since 6am. I wonder when Teaka thought it was time to wake up? Terra is just lying in the sun soaking it up. Doozie, Daisy and Spicy are doing a little run like hell.

I’ve glanced at Darlah’s list a few times and checked it off in my mind. Oh yes, Raylan and I went outside to welcome visitors from Fort Eerie. Raylan decided he was thirsty, did not recall when I asked him to come, and promptly fell into the front garden pond. No, sorry, I didn’t have the camera handy. Dennis actually rinsed Raylan off while I was out back with our guests. Add note to self, self, suggest to Darlah she do something about the garden waste smell now permeating Raylan’s legs upon her return. Anyway, Sue and her family came to visit to see Havanese and to determine if their youngest daughter will get an allergic reaction to them. Remember, there is no such thing as a dog that cannot cause allergies in someone. Sure, Havanese are one of the so-called hypoallergenic breeds because they have hair, not fur and do not shed. But all dogs have dander and all dog’s saliva might cause a reaction. These people were possibly interested in a pup next spring and doing their homework. That is a good thing and to be applauded.

Meanwhile, Darlah is attending an intensive two day course in genetics, breedings and such with Yvonne. I get the rare pleasure of being the center of the dog's attention in my wife's absence. And for an added bonus, which I know those of you that follow the blog regularly will appreciate, Wasabi is now officially in heat.

Teaka & Her Forever Home

Teaka had a bath tomorrow before I head out. Here she is under the dryer with the blown away look.

I was by myself so it was interesting to try to get photos and do everything else.

Teaka is a dream in the bath but she has had a lot of conditioning.

Today she joins her half sibling (Kat's the dad of both) and become the best of buds and they will.

There may be some jealousy with Dash at first perhaps or maybe not of 'it's mine but they will figure it out and then they will be the best pals ever.

It's going to be fun in that house to watch the run like heck game.

I will miss the Teaka as she has a real love of life attitude.

I hope they come to visit after she settles in. We don't usually do it too soon as we do not want to confuse them but after a few weeks, it would be grand to have a visit and see the duo after they have bonded.

Me, I am off to the seminar late this morning so it's up to Nathan to update from here on till Monday.

You'll enjoy his style. I do.

Graduation & Fun

Spicy had her last class of her 1st round of obedience. It was a fun night but there is a reason why they say LEAVE YOUR TREAT in your bag vs. in your hand and this is it. She grabbed the treat and kept heeling after and until I showed the photo to Nathan he hadn't a clue she grabbed a piece of the treat as it was so seamless.

She's trouble. heh

She got a ribbon last night and won a prize for getting so many dog bones from all these games we played. We were hoping Frannie would beat us but we know all the tricks like getting one to hold a down from musical mats by plying with treats. Frannie did amazing too and ran faster than Spice. Spice tends to prance and hop and Frannie runs like the wind.

Before class Spice had a bath and then suddenly she had blood on her paws and on her beard. That mommy of hers was worried and checking all parts of her and then realized Spice has teeth dropping and I bet all her siblings and half siblings from this crew do too. Happy chewing. Tell your mom and dad to give you some cool soothers and if you are not eating well, this too will pass.

The Teaka heads to her forever home tomorrow to join her half sibling Dash. They are going to have a grand time together. I just feel it. They are both so full of life.

Mommy also vacates the house for the weekend tomorrow so Nathan is it till Sunday or Monday. We shall see how he juggles it all. Me, I will be soaking in all this genetic data, sipping gin and tonics and doing nothing.

Seeing I got most of the dogs washed it should be a piece of cake for Nathan but then again, maybe not. Will he love me on Sunday? Time will tell. Yvonne says if Nathan doesn't want to come get me, I can return on Monday Oh boy...

Class and Bloody Times

I washed Spicy for class tonight and she had bloody paws and a bloody face. I went oh my gad where is that coming from and started checking her nails. They hadn't been cut recently. Hmm what did she get into?

I went over her body completely and she opened her mouth and blood drooled out.

She just lost 2 teeth. hahahaha

So, she is clean but a tad tinted on her beard and paws. I could bathe her again but.... I am all bathed out. I did take a wipe to it and it is barely noticable but I see it. But I can be picky. heh

Class tonight is games and its her last class in this session. We will miss seeing Frannie.

Tonight's Exhaustion

Let's talk about the dawgs with no photos or maybe me. What did I do today? A lot and I am exhausted. This getting ready to go away is getting crazy but can I go to sleep now?

Everyone is having a blast. I am not sure if I am totally awake but I was wise and brushed one here and there till I finished.

I also had the pups out a bunch and had to get paperwork ready for Nathan as Teaka is going to her forever home. She's from Paula's Teaser and our boy Kat. She sent her down for us to check out and find a forever home. She is heading to a home that has a Kat and Lola pup. Half siblings together - what a fun duo these two will be.

We also have Sophie from Treasure's pups heading home so there is a lot to prepare for Nathan. It will be the first time he is doing this alone. I sure hope he or I don't forget anything but if I do, or he does, I am sure it's due to all this sleep I am getting -meaning it's me.

It's bitter cold out. I have mixed feelings. I will miss Sophie going. Teaka maybe not as she goes Friday perhaps before I leave and I will miss the pups and yeah Nathan too. But a part of me is looking forward to the seminar. I never go out by my lonesome for a weekend no less so I am excited too just wish I wasn't missing Sophie. I will also be able to catch up with a dear friend and learn more about genetics. All of this is good. I hope Nathan survives but with Dennis' help I am sure he will.

He will also be updating the blog so I will be reading along with you as I will have my ipad in tow. Then Sunday night he comes out to get me with dawgs so they can run at Yvonnes and socialize till we get back in the van and come home totally exhausted, I imagine. The dawgs, they will sleep in the car. Such a life - to be a dawg especially here.

I decided due to the weather Teaka, Sophie and maybe one more dog wil be bathed but the rest when I return.

Okay, It's Tuesday and I am already talking about this but it actually took me hours to do the CKC paperwork, get the bags together and do the rest. I can be excited too - can't I?

Exhausted

Yes even older pups need to snooze after mad crazy play.

Spice loves to play with the little ones and is now quite gentle with them though she didn't start out that way but today after playing with Treasures and then Fiona's she laid down and crashed in the midst of the puppies playing. I laughed.

Would you like to be able to sleep whenever and wherever you are inclined? I wish I could. Heck, I would like to just sleep. hahahaha

Spice's hair is getting long and I have been conditioning her to laying on her back to allow me to do her tummy. She hates it. She doesn't trust me but after weeks of this she now allows. The goal is by the time she is ready to show she will just trust and lay there.

Right now I sometimes have to remind her by holding her in place. That's a far cry from when I had to always hold her in place. It works and when they relax on their back to groom, it is easy to clip their hair around their pads, shave their tummies if you wish and get rid of any knots. It's worth it to condition them even if it is a struggle at first.

Who Are You?

 It looks mighty - well strange but dawgs sniff each other to get to know where that other dawg has been, who they are and what their emotional state is like.

Sebastian came over with his humans and got to have a Hav-a-nice day moment. We rather missed his family and the Sebastian. The weather cooperated. I just wish I wasn't so exhausted after puppy visits and laundry and grooming and.... well now this blog.

But still, sometimes we need a kick in the pants and enjoy despite being exhausted. It ends up worth it.

Thanks!!

Mother's & Daughters

Miss Abigail heard that her daughter had her first zip, zip hairdo at the spa.

So, I took Abigail up in my lap and showed her the photos and she barked at it.

I had to laugh as Abigail doesn't bark but something about her visual on a screen made her.

Thanks goes to those that sent puppy cuts. I will be using them. I appreciate it!!

This way it will help others when figuring out what they want.

So, are you curious on what Breeze looks like?

Here she is. Do you think she looks like her mom above? Do you like her new clip?

Of course you can never see Abigail's eyes. They are beautiful but she loves rubbing her head and not allowing you that fresh washed photo but that's just her and that's quite okay.

Puppy Cuts

I heard today Breeze was getting a new hairdo - a puppy cut and I can't wait to see it.

I love the long hair but if you don't have the time or desire to maintain it, there are so many cute puppy cuts and hey if you don't like it, guess what, hair grows.

As soon as the weather gets nicer, I will be shaving tummies and thinking about shortening a few myself. We shall see.

Do you have a cute puppy cut? If so, please send it to me in mail. I am working on an article that I wil be putting in the tips with fab puppy cuts. This way people can see the possibilities.

So do share!

I WANT IT!!!

Here is Frannie in class with her mom. They were teaching 'leave it'. You place a treat on the floor, you allow them to pull. When they relax and stop pulling and sit you treat them from your hand. You never give them the treat on the floor.

The idea is to be able to always get them to leave something alone. It may mean their health and welfare by solidifying this command.

As you can see, Frannie REALLY wanted it.

But Mommy can I, can I please?

She's a character.

Then there is Spice. You put the treat and she doesn't pull. She just waits till you treat her.

Neither is wrong. One is an enthusiastic emotional response which is normal for a pup and well Spice is like her mom going, I get this already, just give me the treats now. I think she yanked twice and went okay, I get what you want.

It's so funny how they are each unique.

The duo had a lot of fun in class. Both are learning a great deal. Next week is games and that's the last class. Now we have to figure out what we are signing up for next. Spice will start going to handling and who knows. Is tricks in the cards or?

Saying Hello

 I have to laugh. As the two litters get more exposure, the easier it gets for them to open up to all sorts of possibilities. This conditioning business works.

It doesn't stop either when they go to their forever home. This should be only the start.

Tonight Spice goes to class. Sure she learns but she also gets exposed to dogs leaving from the class before hers and the big dawgs in her class.

By doing it this way, you expose in a safe way and it becomes natural.

It's never too late or too old to take a class or two.

It's a Mom's Perogative

Remember this photo? Moms all over the world do the same thing from canine to the human kind. What is that? Correct, correct and teach and teach.

I see this in action daily from pups to adults. Each mom has their own style. Some pups and dawgs and humans like Katsura tune their moms out if it doesn't suit them.

Talk to the paw, mom!

Snake Toy BDay Present

Thanks goes to Mary, Terri & Sparky for such a grand present. Guess who is playing with MY birthday present and what better present can there be for a human than one for her dawgs, especially this human.

Everyone is having a grand time with it but especially Abigail. Maybe it's in the genes. :-)

I just love watching them play, make music and hide it from each other. Yeah, they try to hide it in the crates thinking the others can't get it. Yeah, right.

Yes, Still Snow

Can you believe we still have snow at the back of the yard? I think just like me, Abigail is sick of this white stuff.

They say this week it's supposed to warm up but we shall see. It best.

We have a very busy week. We have a puppy person coming tomorrow, Wednesday baer testing, and much more.

It's my week to wash the dawgs again. Oh mo - hahahahaha

I heard that someone - Breeze is going to get a new haircut. I can't wait to see it. Poor mom having to worry about how she looks. Just remember - it grows if you don't like it.

I may shave tummies this week here seeing warm weather is coming. What about you?

Clean Up at Aisle 6

 Well, Tak and Saki are owned by a dear friend. their owner came back later than expected so we brought the duo to her downtown this morning. Were they happy to see mom, yep! Oh they had fun with us too but there's no place like home.

Don't you feel that way too?