Grand Kids and Pups & The Talemaker Crew

The grand kids are here from North Carolina and also our 2 grand children from Toronto. It's been a bit of an adjustment for the dogs and each reacted differently.

Risa tried to jump on the diving board with one of them as that is what she does with her Daddy and Wasabi barked when Luke cried. Shoshi had a grand time watching and being wonderful where she usually is not fond of sudden movements.

The house noise level has increased 10 fold. The pups were taken aback for a second when they saw so many people - so much noise but off they trotted to the grass and had a rip roaring time. So - they survived.

Daddy will be remaining home tomorrow where human Mommy will be doing the ex for a bit of the day. The thought...I don't know how the daughter does it comes to mind - or I am way too old and forget and the they give you a hug - make you laugh and the you know.

It is indeed a crazy dawg house here today. Peel me off the floor next week. Pups going home. Lots of activity. Well at least the dogs will get their conditioning in for sure.

Now tell me, what are you doing? Don't tell me you are relaxing with your Havs.

Messy Times

This is a photo I took today.

We have the Treasured one in heat so Kat tends to get to be a messy boy frequently. It's nothing pet people have to deal with when they neuter their males but us breeders - well we look for new ways to keep them clean and looking good if they are showing and are exposed to gals in heat but can't have them.

Most breeders will cut them down but we are a glutton for punishment or I am.

It is NOT fun.

The crew has fun despite the busy-ness of the day.

They walked and ran and had a grand time. It's important to get quality time with all many times throughout the day and we manage to do that. Wow what a week this will be...

Puppies Exhausted

We just had one of our puppy people over and the crew is mighty tuckered out but look who is still awake (first born).

Oh, he is sleeping now but I think he thought....one more game...perhaps. Then his little body couldn't muster any more spirit and he is fast asleep. I expect the crew to sleep for hours.

Fidel had them running like banshees and it was a delight to watch. Fidel is a Havanese!

Tomorrow we have our grand children coming and we will be socializing the crew with wee ones . Going to be a full week for sure. Now to get some food into us while the little ones nap.

Follow the gang at Talemaker Puppy Life. Soon they wil be going to their forever homes and then what will we do...

Food Time

You have to understand that some dogs would eat and never stop eating and others you have to figure out what they like.

Our Treasure is one that would eat and eat and eat and waddle out the door. She's my kind of gal. I like to eat too but I would not be showing her how much I love her if I allowed it.

A Havanese can clearly get over weight fast without you noticing.

How can you feed your Havanese less if you have been indulgent? Count the treats as part of their diet in the day. All calories count.

Go to the dollar store and get a dog bowl. The new ones that they have are smaller. Why smaller? Well, when you put that 1/4 cup max into that bowl twice a day (puppies excluded as they need more calories), it will look like you are filling the bowl to the brim and YOU will feel better about the amount. It's all about your eye.

Now our Risa has been on a diet and has been slowly losing. She looks at you with those baby eyes saying - but Mommy but you can't go there. It's tough. Gad I can't do it with myself yet but I will after the pups are gone but love is having rules, boundaries and guidelines. Love is more than giving in to your Havanese. You must learn to say no when it is for their own good.

If we don't, it may mean we are shortening their lives unintentionally - out of the goodness of our hearts.

Now what do you do if you have a Havanese that doesn't eat so well? We had one of those but when she matured, she eats quite fine. For her, we fed her twice the amount everyone else had as her metabolism would burn off everything in sight. We also got creative and fed ger many things nixed in with her kibble. Now, she had gained and needs to maintain at her weight. That means back to that 1/4 cup twice a day and then monitor her weight. If she starts losing again, add a slight amount more till you get it right for her.

As your Havanese gets older, you also need to watch and monitor.

Food hounds are wonderful as they perform well for treats but if they are in obedience class once a week, take into consideration how many treats you are feeding and either skip their meal class night or reduce. You will be glad you did. A hungry dog will work for you and strive to get what you want him/her to do for that treat and the upside is you get a perfectly behaved dog and they relate belly filling times with class and suddenly that class isn't half bad but it's FUN!

Then you can make that transition to having fun without the treats.

Visitors Leave, Visitors Remain

Well, Daddy is at the Nationals in Chicago. That means it's Mommy and the crew and our son Den that helps mom maneuver things and walks the dogs.

I am not sure how I would do it without him but I would - I gather. Just nice to have the extra hands to help. I get sleep that way.

Well, Lucy went home. She had a bath today - her 2nd one while here and it was a chore keeping her looking nice. She just is such a beautiful tomboy. I had to laugh after the umpteenth time of trying to fix that head hair. She sure plays up a storm.

The camera - Nathan's STINKS - well that's a statement - I know but it sure isn't my camera but our visitor Fred remains. He was a tad concerned with the crew but soon got into settling in as soon as he figured out the crew was fun to have around. He runs like the wind and plays retrieve amazingly beating out most everyone to get the toys.

He's not crazy about grooming but we are working on it with massages and treats while getting it done and extra snuggles too. Yes - he is allowing me to snuggle him big time - how nice.

It's been a busy day and this mom - human has a major headache and can't figure out why so may lay down with the crew and snuggle till it goes away. Pups are sleeping - so perfect time. Stay cool - folks!! We are lovin' the dawgs for sure!!

PS: Thank you for everyone at the nationals that said they like our site. We just have a huge passion for the dawgs..can you tell but we appreciate that others think so too. I am honestly not sure what we did without the Havanese in our lives. There's nothing like them!

Nationals & New Food

Daddy is off to the Nationals. Treasure had a bath last time and was raring to go, Kat's in a miff that he isn't going. Human mom too would have liked to but she has the pups and is finding out how much Daddy does. ROFL

We are going to try to get in pool time with Yvonne's crew.

Pups are sleeping now so where are they?

Check out Talemaker Puppy Life to see the pups adventures maneuvering down the stairs. You tell me who did it smoothest!

Oh well, we are missing Daddy - juggling work, cleanups and all that stuff. Had to get my play session in with the pups and adults - big and little and I did. I have my priorities.

Lucy goes home tomorrow at 10am so she will be getting a bath late tonight before bedtime.

Wish Nathan luck and 200+ dogs and a sea of dogs...just do your best and forget the rest!!

Older Dawg Time

Just because there are puppies in the house doesn't mean that the rest of the crew does without.

They go on walks daily - play games - play with the puppies - get pool time if they desire and play that run like hell game with each other.

The crew - all gets groomed daily. We spread baths out so it's not a marathon but depending on who is going home and who needs it - its who gets the bath but all get ears checked, nails checked, brush and a comb out and a clean up around the eyes. I even manage to give them a mini massage. Those that can't relax - well they get a tad more than a mini. I want them to enjoy the grooming.

Then at bedtime we do silly games in the bed and then go to sleep. Sounds rather counter productive playing the silly games in bed but really - it tuckers them out - they have a rip roaring time and then they sleep.

Human Daddy is off to Chicago tomorrow. He won't be back till late Sunday.

Lucy goes home on Thursday - gad will we miss her playfulness. Fred - well he is fitting in really well once he figured out this crazy crew was totally friendly.

Well - off to get things ready for Nathan to go travelling and get some work done. Pups are snookered after our play session in the kitchen. Looks like rain is coming.

If the weather cooperates, Yvonen and crew are coming for a visit and that ought to be a blast.

Puppies and the Pack

The puppies are really getting scrumptious to watch and love.

They are at the stage where you go - oh my gad - you did THAT?

This was one of those moments I captured - where he was on two back legs trying to get the attention of the rest of the crew.

It's amazing what you can capture from a good camera. My camera is heading to Chicago come Wednesday though so you'll have to put up with what I can get from Nathan's. :-) It's not THAT bad.

The puppies get along with everyone here including the visitors. I rather enjoy that.

This week we have Lucy - who goes home on Thursday morning and Fred who is here till the 26th and then Max comes to visit us on the 3rd and Jay Jay on the 4th. It's a crazy dawg house and we love it.

The human mom will be without the human dad till late Sunday night so we are having a party - not. :-)

Cutting the Hair Short

This is Abigail's haircut that she got today. She plays hard and loves to muck it up so I went short to see how it would look and to make it easier and allow it to come back in glorious shape. Just like humans, their hair can use a haircut every now and then to get off those dead ends.

Now when Abigail has puppies hopefully this fall, she will have a short, easy care do to get her through the pups wanting to feed and chew on her.

This was Abigail getting ready to pounce on our visitor Lucy. They take turns enjoying each other. Nothing like two havs playing together.

Visitors at Talemaker Havanese

Our visitor Lucy is way comfie. It didn't take her anytime settling in. She sleeps with her head on my stomach or shoulder when going to sleep at night. Life's so ruff for the Havanese. heh

Well, Shoshi and Risa had a bath and now we are getting a rip roaring storm. Poor Nathan is outside scrambling to take our canopy down. It's turning into some storm. Glad the dogs already had their outings including a swim. Lucy - she likes her feet wet but no swimming yet.

Abigail plays up a storm with Lucy. They seem to be two peas in a pod.

I just felt Risa and she feels like a dream. One wonders why I wash the dogs more frequently than most. I just love cuddling with softness.

Hope you are inside enjoying the cool air wherever you are and giving some love to the havs. They deserve it - don't ya know?

Run, Run Havanese

I think the crew is missing Teddy but they are getting walked as I type and they have been playing with the pups and each other nonstop.

We figure we better get in as much as possible before the thunderstorms come.

Oh, oh - the rain started. Nathan has 2 dogs out for a walk - our son has 2 others - the last two. Nathan even took Whitney as she wanted to go but it's obvious she's not making it even around the block these days. Pool exercises for her in hopes it will help her. It's hell getting old.

What do you do if you have a Havanese that dislikes the rain? Take them out ANYWAYS. Many enjoy snow more than the rain by far.

Neck Deep in Puppies

This is the first born - son of Wasabi and our Kat. He's a true character and each one of these pups just cease to amaze me.

I know we have a puppy page at Talemaker Puppy Life but we just got in from running around outside and get this - the crew was already chasing Nathan. I had to laugh.

Not quite 6 weeks and already in a full run after him. I just love it!

Treasure wasn't sure what to make of the pups at first. She was highly curious but when they started trying to feed - she went oh oh. But now she is out there playing like a banshee. It all evolves. It's truly fun to watch!

How they go from drunken sailor to this so fast - well it's amazing!

The pups has added a grand amount of fun for our visitors and resident dawgs alike.

But Teddy will be going home tomorrow and we will miss his fun.

Play Time With the Little Ones

The adults are now playing with the pups as a usual thing at least once or twice a day. It tuckers the little ones out. They eat more - they sleep more and they are happy - happy - happy.

Abigail just finds the pups so delightful.

To check out their antics, be sure to check out Talemaker Puppy Life.

The crew has been hanging outside seeing the weather is good but brace yourself - rain is
slated AGAIN for the Toronto area for the weekend. Don't ya just LOVE this summer - NOT! I will tell you my weeds love it!

Well our old lady golden loves the pups too. She doesn't play with them like Terra but she sniffs and comes to life when they are around. It's nice.

Socialization is Very Important

The littlest pup was socializing with all the rest of the dogs.

Well all of them were.

Terra was not quite sure what she should do but old habits kicked in and she started watching her feet and enjoying the little ones.

Some of the pups hung out and watched.

Some guarded to make sure they were okay (Risa did the guarding).

Some just had a grand time with them. I am working on a video of the days events right now. I am hoping to post it to Talemaker Puppy Life tonight. They loved being out with the other dogs and grandkids.

The Martians Arrived

I swear that is what Treasure looked like in this photo but she relaxed fast - not as fast as Abigail but check out Talemaker Puppy Life to see their 5 week video.

The pups are growing up fast!

We had them in the kitchen today as we had a down pour and they will be acquainted with the entire house and outside by the time they go home.

The pups are hitting the pad quite a bit now. It sure makes cleanup easier. We tend to drape pads etc on the x-pen so we have quick cleanups. Don't ask us how much laundry we are doing now but times 5 and learning - well it happens.

They really enjoy the cuddles now and the puppies here are really enjoying getting to know the pack. We do this slowly - one on one - two on two. This is how they get conditioned and find the fun.

The pack is down to just them plus 1 - Teddy who has been here before. He is having a roaring grand time with Treasure. He also wants to know what these gremlins are.

Lucy comes this week. We can't wait!!

Piling Out

My favourite photos are dogs in action and I keep trying to get the right photo of them piling out the back door.

It's like taking a family photo and someone always is not smiling or is making a face or? But it's fun trying.

The crew is missing Marlee and Jazmyn who just went home. I will miss part of my doggie blanket (they surround me in bed).

No swiming today but walks and baths and Fiona is greased up and I am making up a gallon batch for the next time. Don't worry folks. This is just show stuff.

We are looking forward to Lucy coming this Friday.

The answer to blow drying a dog that doesn't want to be? Have treats on hand. Snuggle - kiss and talk baby talk to them. Hold firmly but gentle and stay in a good mindset. It works - really!

Well - my dryer has died. So I am back to 1 and drying the slow way. sigh...

Bath Time

Abigail is my dawg who dislikes the bath the most. Oh she doesn't mind the drying or even swimming but stand her in the sink and she just stands there stiff as a board. Is she afraid - well that's a good signal that she is but no - she doesn't shake - she just says - get that soap out of me.

She used to shake - arch her back and hide on me but she's over that stage now. They do get better and not all of them act like that. She's one of two that has - the rest doesn't seem to mind.

The point is - just do it as a matter of fact - give them kisses - keep your voice upbeat and cutsie pieish and give them a treat when they act like you want them to.

When I have a guest that is frightened, I give them treats and cuddles and play with them as I am washing and drying and it actually gets them enjoying.

The point is, help them find the fun. By helping them - you find your own fun.

Choice of Beds

Louis is visiting and as most visitors, they gravitate to this double layered high bed. What's interesting is all of them yank out the cushion to lay on the base and hang their head out using the cushion for a head rest.

It proves to me that there are beds and then there are beds. This one happens to get more use than most of our other beds with a couple of exceptions.

Tomorrow Nathan is travelling for 3 days - only home late at night and it is me - the puppies - our son and the crew. Friday night he will come back to the land of the living - Talemaker Style. hehehehe

We had the puppies out for the first time. Check out the photos on Talemaker Puppy Life!

Now to wash a dog - help Nathan pack and do some work. Puppies are fast asleep from a 20 minute stint outside. They sleep and sleep after such.

Pool Time or Not?

The crew is excited that there is no rain this afternoon. They are totally confused about it - as am I but excited. I swear this is the summer that wasn't.

Daddy's going to hang out with the crew and I am going to hog the puppies and catch up on work.

He's busy this week so he needs to get it and so do the dogs before this weather changes.

How are you coping with the rain? Better yet - how does your Havanese like the rain? Some want to get sopping wet - others don't want their feet wet. Yep - just like people. hahahaha

Treasured Pups

Treasure ADORES the pups and they seem to enjoy her too. We are just starting to introduce them to the pack. Can't wait to take them outside but it won't be tomorrow - rain - rain - and more rain.

Well, today we gave baths to Kat (greased him up) and Abigail. Tomorrow Wasabi and maybe the pups. It's not that they need it - but it's part of our conditioning. We shall see.

We had a cancellation in August for boarding. So - we still have a couple of spots open. Let us know.

We are hoping August is hot, hot hot so we can do the pool with the pups. I bet you Treasure will be jumping in for that!

What can you do when it rains? Play hide and seek with the dawgs - games of fetch - find the treat - learn a new trick or a new command. Get creative. We have had a LOT of rain so take advantage of it and get your dog to enjoy the rain. I know the puppies will love it but watch - no rain when we finally get them out - you just watch!