Belated Birthday

I had to put this photo up as it was way too cute not to.

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Hi Nathan and Darlah,

Just wanted to send an update pic of Griffin on his second birthday. This time he actually waited until we sang happy birthday. Both dogs loved the kibble cake I made.

If you put this on you site please also send Birthday wishes to Bailey and Tuffy from Griffin.

Thanks!

Tania

Two Updates Today: Another Birthday Photo

Oh my Raylan you turned 5 years old - wow!

Darlah,

Happy Birthday to Raylan, Breeze and Coco's other litter mates.

Here is Miss Coco practicing her new routine "Putting O The Ritz" on her Birthday.  It is hard to believe that it has been five years,  it seem like only yesterday she was born.

Darlah and Nathan thank you so much for the joy that you have brought to us.

LOLTA

Carol

No updates tonight as I am going out but here's a few to get you through till tomorrow.

Chief tuckered out after all that play.

Celebration of Play

Don't you love the way Havanese play. You get 2 together and they do the 'run like hell' game or they appear they are in their first dance class with a partner and they stand on their back legs playing forever or so it seems.

Havanese are incredibly agile.

Well, I am going to bake a doggie cake for the 9/9/9 crew. Fiona will say - what for me? But it is a celebration for her babies.

It's a cold day out. We are off to the daughter's tonight for dinner.

For all our Jewish friends we wish you a sweet New year filled with only good things.

Today I may crawl into the bed or watch some tv after washing a couple of dogs and then I am done to laze around and snuggle. It can't get better than that. I call these moments ones to treasure and etch in that memory bank in your brain. I will let you know how the dawgs like the cake. Here is the recipe.

Dawgie Cake - Yum!

• 3 cups flour
• 1 T. baking powder
• 1/2 cup margarine, softened
• 6 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup corn oil
• 2 jars strained chicken baby food
• 2 cups finely shredded carrots
• plain or vanilla yogurt
• 2 or 3 strips of bacon, fried crisp, then crumbled, or use bacon-flavored jerky strips, cut into bits.

Generously grease and flour two 8" round cake pans; set aside. Combine flour and baking powder; set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat softened margarine until smooth. Add eggs and corn oil; mix well. Add strained chicken, and shredded carrots and mix until smooth. Add flour mixture and mix thoroughly. Pour batter into the 2 prepared 8" cake pans. Bake at 325° for 60 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes before removing from pans. Cool completely on wire racks.

Place one layer on a serving plate and spread yogurt over top. Place second layer on top, then spread yogurt on top and sides of entire cake. Sprinkle crumbled bacon or bits of jerky strips over top. Use "Pupperoni" sticks instead of candles.

It's Heating Up

Despite the record breaking heat, we had short bursts in the backyard. We couldn't go out for long as it was hot, hot, hot and it isn't safe to do heat for an extended period of time.

I took advantage of the 100+F weather and washed the goldens outside. I was wearing hair (goldens shed) and the old lady can't stand up for a long time and neither can Terra with her hip issues so it was a roll over experience. It's a HUGE job.

I made a joke that washing 1 golden is similar to washing 4 Havanese. That's without drying them and just letting the sun dry them after much brushing and shedding and putting hair in bags.

Aren't you lucky that you chose a Havanese? But the goldens - well they are gentle souls. We just happened to have a 14+ year old lady (a rescue) that probably won't make it to winter and another that has serious hip issues. But still their heart remains. Rather hard to say - it's time with such a heart. <sigh>

Now back to the Havanese... make sure they have plenty of water in this weather. Don't leave them in a car or outside even in the shade. It's just too hot.

One of My Fave Photos

Just wanted to share one of my most fave photos with the visitors I have had. It's not the best I have taken but it shows how much fun the dawgs have. This is a great memory for me.

When a dawg is having fun and smiling with their whole body - well I think that is rather special.

We should all try to achieve that with our dawgs. What better way to know you made a difference in this world but to see happiness through a canine.

So Little Time

So much to do, so little time. I am taking a break from the blog to concentrate on things I have to do. Dawgs are getting lots of love. They are getting groomed and played with. As people come back from holidays, we will kiss them goodbye and we will miss them madly. This dawg stuff is so emotional, isn't it?

Our Visitors Know How to Garden in Style Too

 Here's a bit of humour from Suzie who is a regular writer for Havanese Breed Magazine.

This duo are regulars at our home for visiting and boarding and we just adore the sense of humour.

From Suzie:
A little outing to plan the garden...of course we needed input from the boys as to which plants they really would enjoy eating and or peeing on....

Hugo says....”Nothing like a double decker bus pushed through the garden centre by my personal staff”

Notice the seating arrangement......we had them side by side...not a good idea.

Enjoy

Visitors & Surprise!

Well today we came back from an ultrasound and Fiona is pregnant. Check out Fiona's photo page for more news.

Keep following us for more surprises. Shh I can't tell yet what they are yet.

WE had a nice warm day.

Today we got to see Fiona's pup Mia and she is a gorgeous silver and white like Kat. She started out as a black and white. We also have Kitzie visiting us and she was from Fiona's last litter as you can see in this photo that her last litter was multi-coloured.

Charlie is also visiting us and is in love with Abigail. Abigail has found her play back with the adults and it is nice to see. I was worried after the pups leave if she would be back into the old Abigail but it looks like she will. We really enjoy how Charlie and Abigail play.

WE only have a few photos from today but I hope you enjoy.

Adventuring Talemaker Havanese Style

What a funny looking Havanese THAT is. Okay, it's not a Havanese but one of our Goldens who helps us with the big dog, little dog socialization.

Shoshi was Terra's first Havanese and she adores her but she finds all the smaller set quite fun. It's great for the pups to get to know a gentle big dog too and that she is. She lets them crawl all over her and she gets down to their level to play. They can yank on her and she doesn't ever do a thing.

She also helps with our boarders who have fears of larger dogs. No matter what they do, she remains calm and gentle. Eventually any boarders that are concerned do 'get' that she is a truly gentle being.

Today all the crew is going to our friends Yvonne and Alex's place.

We probably won't be able to update till tomorrow as the remaining pups are going with us, 2 visitors, our goldens and our Havanese on a 2 hour journey each way. It's warm so the dawgs can run and play and hang out and enjoy. It's probably Whitney's last trip out there as she is now 14 plus years old. But she adores their yard so how could we not bring her. The car will be crowded. It will feel like a long trip but come the return, they will be exhausted and will be sleeping on the way back. That's how it always works.

So, more tomorrow. We have Kitzie (Fiona's daughter) and Charlie staying here this week. We look forward to it!

Havanese Grooming Video

We hope this free Talemaker Havanese grooming video offers you some tips on how to wash and maintain a Havanese coat.

Yes, it's long. Yes, it looks like a home video - a videographer, I am not but this should give you an idea of one method of grooming. I am a bit strong in my method of brushing but I actually don't break much hair but do get a full and silky look and feel. It does depend on what the dog has to begin with but you can improve on any coat. Check it out  here or below. It's large so Youtube would not allow a video of such size. Then tell us what you want here. Maybe we will do shorter ones that give you ideas to make a method that is your own.

Havanese Soaked Fun

Wasabi & Katsura Watching the CrewToday was a totally soaked day filled with so much fun. It was a in and out event. They came in, we dried, they went back out and on and on and on. It was worth it to see them so happy.

Check out today's photos.

Last night we split up the crew. Nathan with some, I with some. We found it works when you have a full house, as we do.

Nathan had a LONG night as Jay and Charlie kept him up doing the Eveready battery thing. It happens when they are excited to be here. We hope for a more restful sleep tonight. My crew seem to all sleep well and most needed as I still have this awful flu bug.

Today, Zack and Coco came for an overnighter so we had a full crew to feed. We manage to get it all done without any squabbles and everyone eating their own food but sometimes when you look around, it's rather comical. This one jumping and waiting for their food and yet another and another. Treasure seems to get them all jumping for their food.

Tomorrow Weaver comes to join us and Tia, Sydney, Coco and Zack go home. We will miss them tremendously. They bring fun to the crew but so do the crew that remains. It's an ever changing canvas ... that we enjoy.

Before & After Havanese Snow Fun

Charlie & JasperCharlie and Jasper joined us today for some terrific snow fun. Charlie is a bouncy, can't get enough play kind of guy and so is Jasper.

Kat started out as a grump today but he ran and played and did a proper greeting. I say, there is no room for grumpiness here.  What a great fit this crew will be. When Weaver joins us it will be total boy madness fun.

Yikes, I thought Tia was going home tonight but looks like she's going home Sunday. Nathan looked at his notes and went oh yeah, it's Sunday. I guess she will be getting 2 baths. hehehe That's okay. She's crazy fun and worth the extra work.

Coco and Zack are coming for an overnighter tomorrow. Fun, fun, fun!

We added 2 new videos and a slide-show. As always you can find them on their respective pages on the top of the list. Although I am still not well, I got my ahem in gear and took a ton of photos and videos as I know that when away, it's nice to see the holiday your furry kids are having and what better way than photos and videos. We hope you enjoy.

Charlie spreads his love around to everyone. Jasper too. This is going to be a great deal of fun having so many boys in the house as the gals usually rule around here. That's okay, they will still think they rule. heh

The snow was blustery. The dogs played hard and ate well and now they are snoozing to start again.

I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Talemaker's Nathan's Clicks

Treasure is quiet. Can you believe?Yes, good natured Treasure does get thoughtful and quiet at times. She's just a play monkey most hours of the day.

Although sick, I did get most dogs groomed and Nathan did the rest. Most appreciated!! I also got 2 washed and dried.

Tomorrow we have the Tia going home at dinner time. We will miss this puppy play monkey. She just added a great amount of fun to the mix. But Sydney and Tia think the plants are theirs to chew on. Puppies....heh

Due to my illness, Nathan was out taking photos. You can check them out here. There's not my usual 50 million but a few as he was also taking video. I will try to get to the video tomorrow. Just not up to it tonight. Sorry...

Jay is fitting in really well. He's still smitten with the love bug for Treasure but humans are too. They just really play well together and every now and then Shoshi has been joining in. Fiona also finds her time with the younger set.

I guess Tia is not afraid of big dawgs in the least as she walked over Whitney's body to get out of the room. Whitney has a terrible habit of blocking a room. She's old so usually we just move her but Tia said, you didn't move her on time so up and over I go and Whitney didn't seem to mind a bit.

Tomorrow we have Jasper and Charlie coming. Are we excited. Then Weaver comes Sunday. It's going to be a Havanese Love Fest. Look for video footage tomorrow if this bug leaves me.

Havanese Twins?

Jay & SydneyBoth of these guys are boarding with us and it's like a double take to see them together. They aren't even from the same breeder. It's a riot.

Well the Jay has arrived and he loves his Treasure. He gravitated towards her like...well let's just say he's in love but he is spreading the love playing with Tia and Sydney as well and even at times with Shoshi.

Jay was shy for about 5 minutes figuring out who everyone was and he hasn't stopped playing since.

I am still sick with the flu but Nathan managed to get a few shots. Check them out. Our slide shows are always found on this page. You can find the newest on top to the oldest.

Tia, Sydney, Jay and Treasure think the outside is their playground. Outside, in, outside, in, outside, in...well you get the point. That means today Nathan is doing the same. Me, I am trying to stay inside and get over whatever I have.

You should see this place at feeding time. Plate goes down, woof it's gone. I think that's due to burning energy Havanese style. Nothing like pups.

If you have a chance, check out our 2 pregnant gals and their expanding tummies.

Snowflake Time With Havanese

Tia, Sydney and TreasureThe trio, Tia and Sydney 2 of our boarders and Treasure have been playing up a storm. It's been delightful to watch them. It hasn't been that long since we had multiple puppies here but it is easy to forget the non-stop fun till you are immersed in it when you see 2 play. Add a bonus of a 3rd and wow, explosive fun.

Nathan has been attending a dog show with a friend, not showing and he has been missing this non-stop fun but he's back and now that the snow has come and gone I might add, then he can run like a banshee outside and get the crew going.

It's been a blast today playing retrieve in the snow and trying to hold the camera still from all the laughing I was doing.

When we came in and rested, everyone tried to get the couch bed. It seems it is the most favourite bed around this place. If I had known, we would have bought more than 1. Maybe just having one makes it ever so popular. From goldens to the puppies, well that's the bed they want.

Sitting watching TV in a recliner sets a dawg draping experience in motion. Fiona wants the spot near your feet. Abigail wants one of the arms, the puppies want any spot they can nuzzle into and so it begins, the blanket of dawgs keeping me warm while I peer over their heads trying to see some program or other. It's a riot.

In case you didn't notice, we always place all our photos of our visitors and boarders on their own page as well as add a pointer to them in one of the blog messages. I hope in that way if all you want to do is see how your little one looks and not read my words, well it's easily found.

Check out today's snowflake fun.

Sunny Times at Talemaker Havanese

Coco One of Our VisitorsWe have had a truly fun weekend filled with way exciting moments. But unfortunately, Zack, Coco and Jessie are on their way home.

Tia and Sydney are still with us playing up a storm.

In the middle of Tia and Sydney going home, we have party guy Jay Jay, Jasper (one of Wasabi’s pups), Charlie and Weaver coming.

It’s really a lot of excitement and it always is something new with each bringing their very own personality to the mix.

Zack, Coco and Jessie all had baths. Tomorrow I will get in a couple of baths with our resident Talemaker guys. They get groomed daily but with all this dirt from the walks, well they look a tad dingy no matter how hard you try. So, with snow coming, we will spruce them up again.

Are any of you sick of all this sand you are bringing in from walks and visitors? Will they stop sanding the sidewalks and streets?

It was a fantastic warm and sunny weekend,  as warm as any winter day can be. I almost felt spring in the air and then they say snow is coming.

I guess it is mother nature keeping us on our toes.

Let’s see, Jessie loved his bath – yes loved it! Zack just wants the treats and Coco doesn’t seem to mind a bit.

Sydney One of Our VisitorsSydney is a stick monster. No matter where she is, she finds them and we have tons in the garden. She just thinks it's a delightful game to take one and run with it while Treasure chases her.

We really had a great time running around. The little ones found fun running under the deck from one side to the other side. Yes, it is safe.

The visitors, Tia and Sydney taught themselves. Maybe it had a lot to do with watching Wasabi run in and out.

 If you want to see a few photos taken today, well check it out here.

Boogie Woogie at Talemaker Havanese

Jessie & the CrewHey, that's not a Havanese. No, that's a Jessie! We started taking non-Havanese for boarding and it surely added some fun to the mix. It also helps the rest of the crew to be exposed to a variety of small dogs. Plus we have the 2 Goldens to help the visitors get used to the big dawgs.

This is Jessie a Cavalier King Charles, who is a ball of fun. He loves to snuggle. He runs like the wind and he fits in really well with everyone. He doesn't even mind his grooming.

Check out some of today's photos.

We also have our regulars Zack and Coco here who happen to be friends with Jessie and are rather fond of him. As usual, Zack and Coco really know how to mix it up here and enjoy their holiday.

Tia & Sydney Playing Up a StormWe also have 2 puppies visiting (Tia and Sydney) and it's a sickness, I tell you. They are having so much fun with each other and with Treasure that I go --- oh we need puppies in this house. There is nothing like the rolling around of a pair. They play hard and drink together then start again then take a few zzzzs till they start again.

Everyone is playing retrieve, eating well, snuggling like...ohhh it feels good and the crew at Talemaker is really clicking and having a great time.

Till tomorrow.

Havanese Changing of the Crew

Ripley after bathRipley has been visiting us for a few days.

I managed to get some really good video fun of him playing - 17 minutes but had to just cut it down to a few minutes. I also added a few more videos to our Boarders and Visitor's Videos page.

Check them out. Ripley's video is there as well.

I wish I could show you the long version as there was so much good copy on it that it was hard to cut it out.

For those of you that prefer photos, we also included those on the Visitors and Boarder's Photo page.

We had Jessie, Coco and Zack drop in. Sydney just came.

It's starting out as a truly fun weekend. I am not sure how I could ever do it without the dawgs.

When they do something they didn't or open up or play, well it tells me that this is what we were meant to do.

Ripley Meets JessieJust before Ripley went home tonight he was sleeping under my desk. He was introduced to Jessie a new visitor and Zack and Coco, one of our regulars.

We always practice proper meet and greets.

Sydney just arrived, Ripley just went home. Jessie and Sydney are adapting quite well.

We just had an outdoor session and now we wil settle in with some games and watching TV and snuggling. Ahh... dawgs...nothing like them.

Already missing the Rips but I am enjoying the crew here quite a bit. It's going to be a fun weekend for sure!

Be sure to check out Talemaker Puppy Life for news about our pregnant gals. It will be updated daily from now til the pups go home.

Welcome to the New Place

Fiona Stylin' in Pink BandageWell, we are excited. We thought we had more time to clean up the place but scrambling can be fun too.

 Fiona had an accident which has her stylin' in her pink bandage. She was out running in and out of the garden and caught her dew claw on a plant and yeouch it yanked the nail hard due to her trying to pull her leg away.

So, off to the vets we went and they had to pull the nail out. (I have it) It was black at the base and was just hanging there but she wasn't crazy about you touching her. Think what a demon child looks like and you may come close. I don't blame her.

It was fast to remove but hurt. Yes, the nail will grow back.

Our vet still frowns on removing dew claws and after all these years, and all these dogs, this is the first time this has happened to one of ours ... well when she explained the pain, that removing them when they are 3 days old hurts, well it gives you pause. Is the pink bandage still on? Nope...but that's okay. It had to be there till it stopped bleeding.

Jazzy and Katsura have been playing up a storm. When Treasure tries to hog Jazzy, Kat just gives her a look. It's so funny to see their body language.

Jazzy gets a bath tomorrow and heads home. We hope to see him again soon.

Most of the crew got brushed today. You did notice I said MOST.

I have to update the puppies blog, which we will be updating daily from now to the birth till they go to their new homes. I didn't get hardly any photos in today but I promise I will tomorrow. I apologize.

We just been way busy playing, brushing, vets etc. I hope you understand.

RipleyI have been enjoying really special moments with Ripley. He's been playing some with Treasure.

He played with Kat today and he's been enjoying his walks. He is not enjoying having me brush him but I am still his fave person - I think. hehehehe

We share TV time together on my lap but when that brush comes out, he's okay but he would rather just watch TV so we are doing that too.

More tomorrow about this cutie.

TV, Havanese & Much More

This was a lazy day as lazy as it can get around this place. I took a nap...shhh rare thing but the dawgs kept me up 2 nights in a row so I went to sleep and suddenly Ripley was here.

Ripley is a Kat/Lola pup sitting on Nathan's lap.


We all watched a romantic movie together before and after dinner, thank to the PVR.

It's nice how you can leave and come back these days.

Before that, I gave a bath to Daisy before she went home. I started too early as she looked interesting when Ripley's mom came but I just brushed her up again.

She was so pretty so I am hoping she gets to mom that way - no pressure. heh She's a hard one to calm down. She's like our Shoshi - oooh a bath, let's run and roll and get a mess NOW!

When Nathan sits down to watch TV, he has a bunch of dogs on the recliner. I usually have some on the couch and sometimes we pull up the bench so dogs can sit next to the recliner on the same level. I know it sounds crazy but we rather enjoy all of the dawgs counting and being with us.

Today, Ripley gets a reprieve and we will include him in the line up for grooming. His mom even brought chicken treats. Right now he is settling in, fitting in rather well and he LOVES the outside.

Jazzy was playing wonderfully with Katsura but where was the camera? Nathan yells, come see. They were both playing a chase each other game.

WE are going to go live with the new site this week. Watch for an announcement. When we do, we will start doing a daily thing on the puppies to come. Check back here!