Thursday, August 16, 2012 at 8:25PM All I can say is Scruffy came in as if to say, I am here and never stopped. I think he tuckered Sparky and Tia out in a big way.
Here is a few photos of Sparky and Scruffy.
And after a few runs in the mud in the backyard from all this rain, Scruffy had a bath. Now he is home I bet catching some serious zzzzs.
No toilet paper rolls for you little guy!
Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 1:00PM 
Meet Smudge. This is a Kat and Delilah puppy. Delilah is Abigail's sister who lives in Nova Scotia.
Deb (Delilah's owner) was looking for a black and white or silver and white gal she could show and this is the only black and white from this litter and so far so good.
I know I am biased but she is rather cute. It makes sense as Kat makes beautiful pups with Abigail so why not with her sister. She even has the name I originally had for Panda. :-) Deb didn't know about that either. How interesting.
Sparky had a bath today and it was hard to get a photo of him perfect. What is perfect anyways?
Each time I brushed his hair he shook or rolled or - well IMPOSSIBLE.
Here are a few photos after his bath mostly so Mary doesn't miss him so. He feels silky as ever but the perfect photo - well almost....heh
They are in the midst of letting him grow out.
Now Cody goes home so it will soon be time for his bath.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at 2:36PM 
Sparky, Socks, Tia and Cody are having a ton of fun literally. What a fun group.
Going to give Sparky a bath tomorrow. He simply can't wait till he gets picked up. Don't worry Mary he will get another. :-0
I just find clean hair knots less so he's at that point. Sometimes I can go longer - sometimes not. It truly depends on the type of the hair. Clean hair means less work for me especially since I line comb each bath. It can last for DAYS if you line comb clean hair.
Treasure had a bath today. It's been a month for her. Why so long? I guage the need when the hair starts knotting or when it simply looks dirty. Hers lasts the longest though hers looks greasy when it is dirty.
Most are about every 2 weeks. Logan is a once a week. If I don't do him once a week he will have serious knots. I can go 10 days at the max but I like him going clean for a weekend to mom. This way mom doesn't have to be fretting about his hair and I don't have to take knots out. I like him looking at me adoringly vs. giving me the evil eye.
Most people won't do a once a week bath and on a dog that has dry hair you can dry it out more if you wash it too frequently creating different types of knots. Crazy, eh?
Coating it and giving deep conditioners on dry hair not every week but every 2 weeks actually helps dry hair. Using a good grooming spray matters.
Tomorrow I wash Cody, Sparky and maybe Shoshi. We shall see. Cody for sure as he goes home. It all depends on my stamina and the weather. Good weather means outside with pups and grand kids. Inside means more time to wash.
Fiona and the pups get a wash on Friday to get ready for their visitors - puppy owners and Steven and crew after that. We are going to try to get Steven's crew in the water. Let's hope the weather cooperates.
Monday, August 13, 2012 at 6:26PM 
Socks and Jazzy have been hanging outside with Sparky. The boys just can't get enough with playing crazy games outside and who can blame them.
I am so late in updating as I had Truffie and Spice to wash today and the rest to brush.
Jazzy just came to play and will be going shortly. I am hoping his exit is before the rain comes so he can look good for his mom and dad. No bath for Jazzy but he is clean and handsome and I would like to keep him that way.
Sparky looks at his food and says - is that all there is? Yes, we feed him a bit extra but he is still saying - is that all there is. hahahaha
Sparky loves to lay on top of you while you watch tv snuggled into the blankets you have on top of you.
Socks and Sparky seem to be playing tag team with Roxie or Abigail. Abigail is not thrille with it and is now telling them off but Roxie thinks they just LOVE her and well I think they are just having fun with her. heh
Here are a few photos from the picnic taken my Lynda on her iphone.
Sunday, August 12, 2012 at 7:28PM 
It's not often that I say I am too tired to blog and do photos but I am.
I can't stop from yawning. I feel a knot or two coming in on Spice but no grooming, no photos - nada.
It's one of those days that I am totally spent.
I need to play recovery.
So until tomorrow, here is Scruffy all cleaned up after the picnic and Sophie who is heading back home to Ct after her trip to the Canada shores. Sophie looks like I feel and I wish I could be doing!
Sunday, August 12, 2012 at 8:28AM 
2012 Annual Picnic Shot - Click for Larger View
We came, we survived the sunshine, the rain, the swimming pool bathers (Kobe and Roxie). We had great conversation, food, marvelous times with the dogs that looked like wet rags going home. Each year we take a shot and never manage to get everyone in as they either leave too early, come too late or just don't want to be in photos and I GET that!
Thanks goes to Steven and May that are wonderful taking these photos each year so we can share with you. Without them I certainly wouldn't be in the photo and would be clicking instead.
Thank you to Yvonne and Alex for opening their yard, the home to all these wonderful dawg people and I am proud to say are part of our dog families. The way I see you connect with the dogs with much love actually does my heart good. It's the reason we can do this.
Thank you for all that brought yummy food! Kobe beef - wow!
Watching Maxine and her parents running around like Nathan does and playing with the dogs - WOW. Gerda coming all the way from Alberta and saying she would do it again - WOW. Scruffster's parents - the interaction and the smiles you gave me laughing about the two step dancing, Heather those clothes you wear are amazing and you and Fred's sense of humour - priceless plus Marlaina's gentleness with Risa... WOW Carol's dancing with her two dogs - Coco and Doozie - AMAZING - and I could go on and on but I would bore you I imagine. All of you - each one of you I have to say I am so happy you are a part of our lives.
Those that visit us - special. Daisy squealing in delight at Nathan and I - priceless - here I go again - enough - I may have not mentioned you but that doesn't mean I won't but let's spread the stories out and share with each other the fun in the comments so those that didn't come know what was missed.
Even the huddle wet rag experience was interesting!
Saturday, August 11, 2012 at 8:15PM Not every photo but a few - too tired to do them all...
Promise I will get to the photos by Monday. Today, I am so exhausted! Late for daughter's party too and not sure I have energy to drive there. :-(
Saturday, August 11, 2012 at 6:54AM Brushing, crazy rain outside but we are off to go to the picnic and if the dogs get wet - that's okay. We hear no rain in Brighton so maybe that far away equals dryness. We shall see.
It's really going to be fun either way!
Friday, August 10, 2012 at 12:39PM 
Roxie is washed. Got Logan, Panda and Kat to do as soon as I finish typing. I am posting a photo of Roxie as she won't look this way tomorrow.
Yes, the picnic is on rain or shine but we are arriving at 10am for setup so I expect my dogs to look like ragamuffins by the time everyone comes.
So, why am I washing?
Logan Just Washed After a DrinkWell, haven't figured out that one as they will surely need baths on Sunday. hahahaha
Sparky arrived and is smitten with Roxie. He is doing really well enjoying the other dogs.
Photos of the other washed dogs later cause as I said this is the cleanest you will see them.
That's okay, they will have a grand time.
Here you will see Logan just washed and after a drink so he can wet his face don't ya know. Dawgs....
Risa and Abigail was washed yesterday. They will get brushed at 6am tomorrow as we leave no later than 8am tomorrow.
Panda Just Washed
Darlah
PS: Sparky has been brushed but he arrived clean so no bath till he gets picked up. I have a funny feeling I will be bathing Sunday. hahahaha Off to bed - and no everything is NOT done.
Thursday, August 9, 2012 at 9:10AM It's a crazy long day today. I have to start washing a few dogs to go to the picnic starting today. Risa is first. We have Sparky coming to visit and we are so excited and Scruffy coming in a few hours - fun, fun, fun!
See Sparky links to get to know who he is.
http://www.talemakerhavanese.com/talemaker_puppy_life/2010/12/27/sparky-the-havanese.html
http://www.talemakerhavanese.com/talemaker_puppy_life/2011/11/1/sparky-agility.html
Here are some more class photos before I start washing. Plus here is a fun video of Treasure's pup playing with the baby.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at 5:32PM Got to brush 3 dogs - Panda, Logan and Roxie before class so updates will come later tonight if I just remember my camera and stick this time.
Remembered my stick but too tired to update you other than to say it went well and everyone is improving each time. It is an amazing class - so much fun.
Darlah
Have you seen a more attentive crowd?
Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at 6:37PM 
Simba is now home and will be truly missed. His family had fun at Disneyland and Simba had his own form of Disneyland here. :-)
His hair is so silky and thick but I find it easy care. With all that he plays I am amazed he has hardly any knots. I think he had NONE daily from a thorough comb out daily.
What a good boy - I am so impressed!
Rocky also went home and Rocky is not one of ours but he has managed to go from shy to playing like a banshee.
He does a fabulous rollover too even in the middle of the rest of the crew. Can we say he got a confident boost from last to this time. These exposures are great in helping them be all they can be.
No swimming today. Just grooming, playing and Nathan had a vet visit and now he is out with the Panda at handling class.
Logie is home loving his visitor.
Ah...life is quiet and who knows maybe we will dip the pups in the water tomorrow if it stays this hot.
Anything is possible!
Monday, August 6, 2012 at 6:52PM 
Here is a photo of Kat and Wasabi. It brings back so many memories.
It's nice to look back at old photos and remember some of the things they did and how it drove you crazy or made you smile. The stuff that drove you crazy now makes you smile so eventually....
Wish they were young things again!
Sunday, August 5, 2012 at 5:58PM 
Panda, Logan and Tiger Lily went home and that meant 3 baths, lots of grooming and today I am tuckered out.
I am not sure why I am feeling it but maybe too many full bath days in a row and come Thursday and Friday I will be doing another marathon for the picnic. If I don't sound coherent at the picnic just smile and give me that knowing look. hahaha
Tomorrow Simba goes and Tuesday Rocky. Wednesday I swim - just me - no dogs to groom - Nathan best do it.
I was out of my Panegenics so I used some human stuff on Logan and oh my am I jazzed with the feel of him. I will do it again on Friday so you can feel him at the picnic.
Tiger Lily had no patience for nail clipping.
I think something posessed her when Nathan clipped but he persisted and it got done and when it was done it was as if she said oh - that's all you are going to do?
I am literally falling asleep as I type - so sorry...
If I don't make sense, you know why.
Saturday, August 4, 2012 at 7:07PM 
I gave a bath to Coco and Doozie and they are smart enough to know that means Mommy and Daddy is coming to get me.
Now those of you that used to think they don't have memories are clueless. It's amazing how much they remember and what they associate with what event.
In this case they went to the gate and said - hmm Mom, Dad - why aren't you here yet?
This is perfect. They get excited to come, excited to go and have fun while they visit. To me, that's perfect. That makes me feel good when they feel good!
Coco and Doozie are amazing and I mean amazing in all the commands they know. They are practicing a sister act of dance and Carol showed me a little of what they are working on and it is FUN! She'll be at the picnic if you are interested in dance - well talk to her about it.
Ty also had a bath and had some training sessions while he was here. He's in class so it's been busy, busy, busy. Ty is amazing in his obedience training. Sit, down, stay, heel he knows it all without even thinking. He just gets overly exuberant when he sees other dogs, tail wagging and vocal so we were working on that. Distraction with obedience training worked well especially when we had a loose pitt bull in the neighbourhood. This is why obedience training is so good to have solid as ever. It can help you in most any situation.
PS: the pitt bull is very friendly but shouldn't be off lead.
I am glad we are doing another class as Roxie is saying speak to the paw at times. Oh, she is her mother through and through. Abigail also found obedience BORING so we are incorporating fun into the equation and her attention holds longer. We shall see how class goes on Wednesday.
Panda - well she was unbelievable - of course. Two siblings - so different but fun in their own way.
Here are a few photos of Ty before he went home.
Tomorrow Tiger Lily goes home and by Tuesday it will be awfully quiet and then Sparky comes to visit and he will attend the picnic minus his parents as they are road tripping. Sparky's parents are interesting and talented people and he is a cartoonist. See Aislin. His mom Mary does some amazing watercolours. They do agility with Sparky. It's been awhile since we have seen them and can't wait!
Friday, August 3, 2012 at 6:18PM 
I posted this on Facebook but I know some of you are not on FB so I am reposting here.
I don't know who else gives baths and blow dry to other people's dogs but today I had water dripping off me and all I can say is this dawg should have been called Havanese Wild Child. If I had anymore like this I would need to place my brushes and combs anywhere but on the table and wear waterproof clothes. The end result was nice but oh to get there - I laughed and laughed and I could tell she wasn't used to THAT reaction.
Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 5:29PM Here are just a few photos of Rocky, Simba and Scruffy playing.
I am very busy today. So I won't get to more photos but I will try to tomorrow.
I can't believe Coco and Doozie are going home Saturday. They have been a pure delight and the Coco kisses for me are the very best. Sadie and Roxy heads out tomorrow and will be missed. Almost empty nesting.
Ty is hanging out here while his family moves. Maybe Cooper's mom can offer some tips to Julie on making the changes easier?
Here's the boys...
Be sure to see updated photos of Tre and Stella below!