Older Ones Having Fun

If you watch the videos you will notice that Truffie, Roxie, Abigail and a visitor Molly was playing up a storm on the cover.

We experience that every single day - that mad, wonderful fun. It's the same or different players but everyone always manages to participate sooner or later.

It's nice to see the display of the dogs being so full of life.

I want the same energy level - please!!

We are trying to go to the All About Pet Show next week and we usually go with Helen and Suzy who own Hugo and Milo and meet up with anyone else that comes. At Woofstock we actually meet up at a designated point with dogs as that one you can bring them. The All About Pet Show doesn't allow. So its just humans looking at dog stuff together.

So if you are interested... We are thinking Saturday but are trying to coordinate.

Also, I will be posting a - must get list for the pups in a day or two. It's time I amend the one I have. :-)

No Photo Day

Molly After Her BathI am off to wash a puppy. I also have to cleanup the house and pretend I do not see the mess the grooming area is. I cut pads. I brushed and blow dried dogs and although it was clean this morning it looks like a war took place in it.

On Sunday Paula comes by to see the pups and Teaser has already left us. Phantom remains and he can stay but I doubt Paula would let him remain forever. hahahahaha But we are lucky to have him as much as we do.

Off to wash Molly so her owner can see her nice and clean and pretty. She's not one of ours in case you ask who she is out of. :-) Maybe I will take a photo after I am done.

Off to look at weather too.

Update on Friday, March 30, 2012 at 8:11PM by Darlah

Well that was fun. Molly was a wild child for her bath. What a way to end the night. Can I go to bed now?

Simba's Home

I washed up Simba and his Daddy came to get him so excited to see him. Be still my heart!

You know what I noticed about this boy? He has beautiful structure, pretty face and a wonderful personality. He's great with the pups too.

Nathan looked at him and said you know we could have shown him to his championship. He's right. hahahaha You can't keep them all, Nathan! Someone has to groom them you know. :-)

We will miss him.

Shoshi had a bath yesterday. Today she looks like the wild woman she is.

I call her my bad hair day gal. She feels WONDERFUL but her hair sticks out all the wrong ways.

Shoshi was never a dog we were going to breed. Her tail is too tight. Her hair is too thick, cottony and sticks out straight like she put a paw in a light socket.

She has a truly pretty face if you see it beyond that hair.

We love her more than life itself. She is our Shoshi Boshi. She's taught me how to deal with difficult hair. How to deal with a shy dog and how the pack can be good for the soul. She is no longer shy and she is delightful in her learning. The pack is still teaching her a thing or two and she's an old lady already. Oh and she is a duck hunter so much so that she leaps of the deck every bloody year after them and pulls a ligament that ends up healing. We put her on leads to stop her and there is always someone that opens the door (last year a visitor) come spring and she just runs and leaps.

We do everything to stop her from such craziness but she can't help herself. I think that is why I love her so - that wonderful spirit!

Staying Clean: Yeah Right

Risa had a bath today but you can't tell. I had her smooth and silky looking and then she smashed her face into the ground, rolled this way and that way. Well at least I know she is clean.

Risa has so much hair that I could cut away and you wouldn't be able to tell.

Her hair is thick, wavy and has full body but it takes a long time to dry.

Here are a few more photos. None were taken right after as I had Shoshi and Kat to do as well.

Why I do Shoshi and Risa on the same day, I don't know as both have that extra thick hair.

Tonight snuggling with them will be wonderful. I love when they feel soft and silky. :-)

Visiting & Baths

Maxine came over for a bath and running play just for a couple of hours. She has such wonderful hair.

I washed her and although I put a bathing tether on her it was really unnecessary.

I suggest a bathing tether for anyone bathing a dog. It's just easier and doesn't bother them and keeps them safe. I like to bathe in my laundryroom sink.

She just took it all in stride. I am impressed.

I then cleaned up her pads and again not a peep.

For the first time I saw Truffie too exuberant. He just chased and chased her. She has wonderful speed and it was all in fun but usually Truffie is not so focused on visitors.

I think he really liked her.

As I still have the flu I stayed away but enjoyed from afar.

I figure by weeks end it will be gone.

Nathan keeps threatening that he is sick but its not grabbing him like me. I suspect that's due to the reality that I do so much that my immune system was probably not at its best. Dennis is not getting as sick as I was and neither is Nathan. I am glad. It isn't a fun flu. I also am careful in making sure I don't pass it on to anyone else.

Baths, Visitors & Play

Rox had a bath today and so did Spice and Truffie.

I look at Rox and I see Abigail.

Tomorrow I will wash more. On Friday the pups and moms get washed.

I got some samples of a product and trying new stuff on the crew. The verdict is out.

I find I always try and wonder how is it that we spend more on our dog's hair than our own?

It's a riot.

Here's a few photos today of Simba and the pups. He remains a star in the puppy socialization department.

Snuggles & More

We had a lot of outdoor time today. Tomorrow I start washing dogs. Why? They need it and I need to get it done. I figure maybe I will be up to it tomorrow and be $%^& under my breath as I wasn't up to it earlier in the week.

My yard is starting to get green and I noticed daylilies were trampled on. Good thing they are hardy. There is so much to do in the garden. Soon peonies will be blooming. My house will be filled with vases of them. Then it will rain and ruin most of them. I will complain about the mud and puppies going home and drooping peonies.

There's that bench that needs new wooden slats or be thrown out - not sure which or if I can find slats for it or have them cut but lawsuit time if anyone sits on it so DON'T.

But as the warm weather comes we will have friends over, eating out on the deck and enjoying puppy visits. Now that's something to look forward to.

I do so love shaded areas of green and colour for the pups to romp in. Perhaps they will get it before they go. Here is hoping.

ITEMS NOW SOLD

Roxie is not for sale :-)

Lynda, Panda and Logan's Mom has an x-pen and a sherpa bag for sale. The xpen is hardly used. The sherpa bag has been lightly used. 

Roxie, who looks so much like Abigail it is unreal was hanging out today watching the pups.

The weather has dropped something terrible and I no longer feel okay sitting outside so I am back in blogging and soon to be laying back down.

I feel better, I feel worse. You don't want this and poor Dennis has it full blown now.

The Two Stooges

Panda had a bath today and what does she do? She heads out back and puts her face in the dirt.

One has to laugh when it comes to dogs.

Panda is an Abigail and Phantom pup who I so fondly called Smudge as she had a black smudge much like Abigail's boy from the present litter. See what happens to the smudge? It's a riot... It can remain and blend in or just end up as tipping.

But her housemate, best pal in the world, Logan is very busy getting messy cause he just can't help himself.He too had a bath.

I had him nicely smooth and his hair was all blended and sure he still feels soft but he's similar to Wasabi. What you want me to look like this well I will go out, drag my head all over the place and then come up for air looking like this.

You will still love me - OF COURSE!!!

In His Usual Form

Truff was making the most of the hot day playing out with the pups. Me, I am waiting till the sun goes down to take them out again so I am not sweating too much.

Is this heatwave something else? I have a tulip blooming - yikes.

Too much to do in the garden for sure.

Out to Lunch

This is how I feel today. So stay tuned to tomorrow's updates as it has to be a better day.

Don't you just love this pose?

I wish I could sleep anywhere.

Non Day

Today I got a few dogs groomed, a dog washed, a dog's undersides done and watched the pups and soon I will be crawling into bed. Nathan has visitors but they don't want this crud. So I am not being rude but wise and caring.

I really am dreadully sick and it takes a lot to knock me down.

I said to Nathan today if he had a sniffle he would crawl into bed and I would carry it all. It doesn't work the other way. It's probably why it lasts so long. :-( But the dawgs need to be groomed and take care of.

Simba Visit

Simba is over for a visit and leaves shortly and he will be back tomorrow so I am hoping I get some real quality time with him.

He's been playing with the little ones and with Roxie and Panda. He is such a lovely boy with a great personality.

He's a dream to have for a visit!

Feeling Dead

I should be doing this. Instead I am waiting for puppy food to soak and will be feeding the pups. Nathan is watching TV and draped with dawgs. Who has the life? hahahahaha

Happy St. Patty's Day

Penny's family sent this photo of her and I figured it was the best day to post it. I have to laugh at the screensaver in the background. I love it.

Give Penny a huge hug from us and can't wait to see her.

I love the teeth photo (nice teeth) and her newly acquired toy.

I want one. You will have to tell me where you got it.

Now tell me how long it lasted, please. :-)

Looks like she has her Momma's teeth and her attack for the toy enthusiasm.

Playing Their Hearts Out

Ty and Cody is visiting and they were playing their hearts out today. It's been fun watching them.

No matter how I feel just by watching the dogs I feel a tad better.

It's time to get the crew ready for bed. I had many baths and a fever and sweating that won't quit so I need to bring an ice pack to bed.

I wonder if I do if the dawgs will cuddle with me and the ice pack?

We shall find out.

Truffie & Ty

Nathan took this photo of Ty who is visiting and Truffie.

He got so many amazing photos today but not up to going through them to get them up.

The weather is good. The dogs are in their element having a great time. It can't get better than this!

Now off to crawl into bed or the couch. We will see what I get away with.

Done Grooming

Today I lined comb you don't want to know how many. I do believe I am tired. I still have Cocoa's paperwork to do, blogs to do and more.

Friday I have 2 adults and 10 pups to wash. Washing 10 pups is interesting and a lot of work. Thursday I have 2 adults. Saturday night I have Cocoa as he goes home Sunday but I won't have time on Sunday. Then we have a full weekend with visitors so I may be crawling into bed each night.

I also watched the dawgs outside and clicked some photos. I also played with pups and made sure moms were feeding. I also made food for the pups, moms etc and I took my ipad into the grooming room and watched 'The Voice" and "Smash" while I groomed for the first time and found it went easier as I was distracted to a point. It was good. I did laundry while I groomed too. hahahaha Nothing like multi-tasking.

Usually I don't get to watch TV till about now and only bits and pieces and when I go to  bed and I usually fall asleep 10 minutes into the show. So it was good to watch while I groomed. It made it more enjoyable.

I also had a great time clicking photos of visitors and snuggling with everyone.

What did you did today?

What a Day

Today I washed Truffie, Fiona and Simba. I also groomed everyone and Nathan didn't pick up a brush but mumbled he was exhausted. 

When I groom I do a thorough job. When he grooms he thinks he does a thorough job but the only way to do that is to take a comb through the entire coat to find any knots. That takes time that he doesn't have. You don't have to do it every day but you should be doing it at times to know what you missed.

Truffie's coat was a mess. Nathan has been brushing him and we have had a lot of wet, mud and well leaves and all sorts of things. So when I forgot to brush before I put him in the tub (I thought he didn't have any knots - silly me) I had some knots to get out that felted. As he has a show coat you must be careful on how you remove the knots. I spray, I pull apart, I spray, I take a brush and try to pull the knot apart, I spray, I take a comb and break it up carefully and on and on and on. Two hours later he was done. It was exhausting but his coat was in good shape when I was done  but my arm wasn't and there isn't a single knot in his hair and now I will do his hair from now on. Shhh if I say anything to Nathan he will say you can do everyone cause I can't. hahahah So we won't say anything. I just will do show coats and visitors and he can do Risa, Kat etc. :-)

Can I go to bed yet?

Truffie was a star as he laid on his back and let me remove knots in sensitive spots. I am impressed. All that hard work to get him ti lay on his back works. Now my job is easier due to it.

Just Washed

Panda Just Washed

Today I washed Panda, Logan and Katsura. Panda and Roxie are sisters to Abigail's litter right now as they share the same mom and dad.

Panda used to be known as Smudge as she had this look that she had a smudge all around her nose and mouth.

Logan in his Fave ChairPeople have a difficult time seeing what we see when the hair grows out. We have had enough that I can now visualize them as older.

The boy from Abigail's litter looks very much like the Panda.

When I wash a dog I take my time and do it right. How long it takes depends on the condition of the hair and the texture of the hair. I also am gentle and don't believe in pulling knots out or hurting a dog. Patience is a good thing.

Logan is not from our breeding and has a cottony type coat like our Shoshi. His hair takes me about 2 hours as I not only wash and condition him with extra oil added into the conditioner but today I put a product all over his hair combing it in called Protect-A-Coat Conditioning Oil w/Sunscreen, bagged him (covered him with saran wrap under a low dryer) and semi dried it in to help the coat along. I then brushed through all of his hair then used a comb to find any knots. Any knots I take Pek, spray it into the knot and pull it apart and brush it out and then check with a comb again.

I go through his hair one small section at a time making sure I coat it with Show Sheen lightly. It adds shine and coats the hair so it doesn't feel as cottony, doesn't knot as much and it protects the hair but you can only use Show Sheen when the coat is clean as it also locks in any dirt and ends up matting.

Logan actually looked grand but by the time I had finished Panda, he had already rolled in a bed or two and mucked it up. He has a riot of a personality and you just have to love him. I know I do!

It's raining and I wonder why I washed him today but it wasn't raining when I started. He also was overdue.

When a coat especially a cottony coat gets matted easily it is time to wash. You must get all the knots out before washing or they will felt up.

Panda's hair took me about 45 minutes. She has silky hair that rarely gets knots similar to Roxie.

I tell you all of this to realize that each dog is unique. You can get an odd one that has a cotton type coat if it is somewhere in the line or a whole litter with cotton coat if you breed a cotton coat to another cotton coat. I won't do that. Some people especially some show people like a thick cottony coat as it stands out and looks full but it isn't for the beginner.

You can create a cottony feel coat by over washing it and drying it out. If you are washing once a week you best have a high quality shampoo and conditioner and are adding some oil to the conditioner for that extra protection. If you are using a slicker you damage the coat and you end up with a nightmare. If you have a slicker I would only be using it on the feet for fullness. A slicker may appear to be easier at first but the damage it does in the long run is not worth it unless you are keeping the coat short.

Yanking out knots can also damage the hair. You are actually better off using thinning shears if the hair is thick and cutting into it and pulling it apart if it is felted or using a spray like pek, let it soak in and pull it apart.

There are so many grooming tips that you learn as you go. Our dear Shoshi had what I termed the coat from hell and I now am able to deal with it. Her coat taught me a great deal as I kept trying and trying and trying.

Show people rarely give you tips as they want the advantage. So you learn by trying. A low quality conditioner can change the feel of a coat.

I can now touch a coat and say it needs this or that and I am usually bang on. It takes time and a desire.

I like a long coat but a puppy coat even with a cottony coat is much easier. With a silky coat, long, short its all doable if you perfect your technique and brush thoroughly at least every few days. Me, I brush daily and take a break here and there.Brushing daily eliminates a marathon due to not brushing.

Then there is mud and stuck poo and snowballs and all that fun. With one dog its easy. I know a breeder friend who instead of washing her dogs back end if it has some poo streaks she puts corn starch on the back end, she lets it dry outside and brush it out. It works and its a show tip that you now have. :-)

This all makes it sound as if a Havanese coat is difficult. Many are not but it is easier if you learn a good technique and keep up with it and know what product to use. My only difficult coat in my house is Shoshi and even that now is easy as I tried to perfect and I did making the process an easier one. Shoshi now gets washed every 3 weeks and rarely has a knot and Nathan is not as thorough as me when it comes to brushing and combing. :-)