Watching the Melt

Remember this photo of the dogs watching the melt? Well, where is the snow now?

I must admit I haven't taken many photos as this computer has been a focus and so has spending as much time as possible with the pups before they go.

Nathan managed to take a bunch and he said he was trying to be creative and none came out clear. Oh well, that is how you learn the settings of a camera and he needs to do that. It's okay. You get to see an old photo and have to figure out who is who. :-)

When Does it End?

We have a goal to socialize our puppies and we do with many visitors including family extended and otherwise but the adults benefit too.

I do not think socialization should ever stop. Nor do I think you stop in teaching an old dog new tricks. There is something about stimulating the mind for us and for them that does us good later on in age.

Think about it. When you get up in age do you think you will know everything? Wouldn't you like a new hobby or something fun that you can enjoy that is new - a new challenge? Well dogs do too.

Your dog is all he can be due to his start but due to you as well! We are all in this together!

What a Day

See Fiona's blog to see why no photos are up today.

We had an exciting day with our grandkids over. It was great to see them. They are growing up way too fast.

I also washed the Panda and Logan up and I hope Lynda is truly enjoying them clean and fluffy. I cleaned up Spice and who knows who is next.

PS: Panda found the mud in our yard AFTER the bath.

Cody, Truffie's Brother

Click photo for larger view.This is Cody who I just bathed after a roaring grand time of playing with Truffie. Check out the photos Nathan took.

Cody is looking and feeling so incredibly soft. I take my time line combing to make sure any and all knots are gone and I then use a finishing brush but then they go and shake and you go, oh well.

Truffie needs a bath too but today it was just Cody and Teaser.

Tomorrow - who knows.

Brothers

Truffie has had the benefit of playing with his brother Cody. Truffie is not a big dog and neither is Cody. They are midstream in the standard.

What does that have to do with anything? Well Nathan was freezing his ahem off as it is very cold and who didn't want to come in? Cody and Truffie. Did he get a video? Nah something about being too dark.

I don't care how cold it is they think its grand outside.

The point is, it has nothing to do with body weight with these two. They are so much like their dad.

Fiona says it's raining - I don't think so! It's cold, quick out and in for me. But canine daddy loves to hang out with his toys and play out in the bleepin cold.

Do you know how many times Nathan has to gather toys from Phantom? He even climbs on crates and jumps up to get his faves.

Gad I just love the Havanese. They truly are a fun breed that you wonder how you ever did it without them.

Brrrr Chilly Times

It's so bloody cold out that even the dogs only want to be out for short periods - like out and oh &^%$ got to go back in and get warm.

Can you blame them?

They say warmer times a coming tomorrow!

Icy Conditions

 It's pretty icy out back so you have to be extra careful with the dogs. When it heats up then cools down you get slippery conditions.

We won't bring the pups out in this as their ligaments could get pulled from all the slipping and sliding. So we take the adults out a couple at a time to reduce the desire to run around like banshees.

They seem to know but the younger ones have no clue.

They seem to be running around inside much more than outside and that's okay with us. I rather them be safe vs. pulling something and hurting themselves from slipping and sliding.

It's always something.

Good Snow Rubs

I wish I could do this. I bet you I would feel better to let loose and act like a dawg!

I was in bed till noon...geez what a slacker I was but sick - feeling a tad better but not whole but Nathan and the son allowed me that extra sleep to play recovery.

So, I didn't get many photos but everyone is doing fabulous. I am pleased with the play between the crew and how they feel so meshed as if they are old friends meant to be.

TV room time is draped dawgs all over you. That's our bit of heaven and no one gets left out.

Life is good even when you are not up to par.

Dog Communication

It's interesting to watch the dogs and to see the little ways they communicate their needs.

These two are actually saying hello to each other.

It's important to know what your dog is saying so you can redirect if need be when they meet that strange dog.

The dogs have been playing outside in a big way. Did I get photos? Not many but when I sat down with my ipad in the tv room I was draped with dogs.

Now that's heaven.

Busy Day

We had a too busy day to post photos today. We had a great snow dropping and the dawgs were having a grand time, each and every single one of them. They all were groomed first thing amd all proceeded to get themselves soaken wet and messsy so I had to groom them again.

I did click some photos but its not going to happen today. Its not going to happen tomorrow either as I have the vets and I can't know if Nathan or Dennis will click and oh I take the camera - heh - but just know the dawgs are doing really fun things and I am getting wet and cold but its worth it as they love playing outside. We go out oh about 12 times a day at least - seriously. It's a real dawg holiday!

Just Photos

This is Truffie's brother, Cody. Do you think they look like siblings?

This is Jenkins in hot pursuit with Daisy. Do you think Jenkins looks like Mommy Wasabi or Daddy Katsura?

The photo that made me laugh, Panda was having words with Jenkins and Jenkins was saying talk to the paw, will ya!

Treat Daddy?

 Nathan is the treat guy. He practices recalls, sits, stays and all sorts of thing but sometimes they just dance around as if to say, don't I deserve the treat cause I am CUTE?

This is a no photo day. I have my limits and the dogs count more than photos so I hope you understand.

Everyone is playing, eating, training and catching some serious zzzs along with that daily grooming.

It's tiring but worth it!

Coat Differences

Our Shoshi and Daisy a visitor is hanging out together. They have very similar hair. It's more cottony.

Daisy is having a total blast but she always does!

The more cotton, the more you have to coat the cuticle to avoid tangles. Shoshi is our only cotton coat and she has never been bred.

I rather like her hair as I see it as a challenge plus if she has a knot you can cut into it with thinning shears easily and you will never notice it. It also makes for a very full looking coat. Just like in humans some of us like full and some of us like smooth.

There are techniques for keeping them long but some are really easy care. I know, I have many of those with Shoshi being my lone dog to teach me how to groom. I know she came into my life for a reason.

Daisy's mom cuts her hair in the arm pits and shaves the belly and keeps her shorter for easy care. You can do that too even if you have silky hair. I find you can't see a shaved belly or the clipped arm pits and it reduces any knots even on a difficult coat so why not? I do it as I find the dogs even in the winter enjoy the coolness of their skin on the tile floor. In the summer time it is extra nice!

We are on Teaser puppy watch. Forgive us if we are short or distracted. When Teaser's pups come we will be posting as they come.

Holiday Visits

I love when we have dog visitors. It appears to mix things up with our own crew and invigorates them.

It's like adding spice to the mix. It simply is better!

Check out a few of the photos we clicked. I wish I had a camera in my hand all the time as there are so many times that I go get the camera and they stop. It's as if I jinxed the moment.

Did you have fun today?

Spilling Out

 Yes we still have white stuff and a friend 10 minutes away has NOTHING. Can you believe?

I think I complained enough that someone who controls that weather says SHUTUP about it, will ya!!

The dogs like it this way. There is hardly any snow. It's cold, crisp air and it appears to invigorate them. I wish it did the same for me. WE had visitors come today and they are loving it! Everyone is happy and having fun!

We had a no brush holiday today. I may have one tomorrow too - my present to me and then get back to it on Monday.

Last night we forgot to put the heat up and I didn't clue in. It felt cold but pups had a heater in their room and I said to myself, I don't remember it feeling that cold when we had the dogs out just before bed and then I crawled into bed.

I got up and went hmmm brr it's chilly and Nathan said the same. I went in to look at my computer with a big huge note from the son asking if we believe in warmth or are we going to keep it at a balmy 47f. Yes, that is what it was. Well it was warmer than outside. hahahahaha

The dogs were piled all over me more than usual and now I know why.

Yes, the heat is now on to a balmy 65 to 68F. We are trying to do our part in conserving but it may make it to 70f soon.

No More Mud

We had a white dusting day and I celebrated that I only had to groom the crew once.

Treasure was after Truffie as he had a stick and she was relentless but he wouldn't give it up. I applaud you my sweet souled boy. Don't let that gal get the best of you. hahahahahaha

You won round 1 let's see what tomorrow brings.

Treasure never paid much attention to Truffie when younger. She likes those types that bowl her over and not let her get away with anything but now that he is getting older and realizing he can get the best of her at times, he tries and succeeds and she likes that or maybe Treasure simply likes another male being around that she can rule or so she thinks.

Truffie used to drop the toy if Treasure gave him that look, the look that says you best drop it or else. Now I swear he laughs at her. I think he has her number.

I just love how relationships evolve and it is rather nice to watch.

Cody Truffie's Brother

Cody looks way comfie with the tree in the background and I heard he is fascinated by it.

We get to see Cody soon and we are excited. I love seeing the brothers together and he will be able to see Phantom too. fun!

Today was not muddy as it was yesterday. Hooray!!

Dogs have been in and out and played a really exhausting game of get the toy a number of times today.

Looking forward to cooler times and a frozen ground. I can't believe I have to keep saying it. When will it come for good?

Wet Mud Again

 Here is Daisy a visitor that we adore and Wasabi in the back and Truffie as messy as can be from the mud and rain.

One would have thought I didn't brush them.

We had guests and Nathan wanted to let them out after I groomed them before the guests came. I won out and they used the pads. It's why I like to train outdoors and indoors.

Just when I thought this mud was done.

Shoot me, will you?

A huge Happy Anniversary to Panda and Logan's parents. We look forward to celebrating with you.

Thanks goes to our guests who brought godiva chocolate and a wonderful octopus toy for the pups. I will take a photo of that toy tomorrow. The puppies are fast asleep as I type.

Scary Face

Fiona was playing in the bed and got to be quite a mess. They love these cave type beds.

Well, one of her pups came up and tried to feed. She's trying to ween them. So here she is with her scary face. Personally I don't take that face serious as I know Fiona but I bet you Fiona was hoping her pups take it serious.

They are 7 weeks tomorrow so she is hoping to stop the milk bar.

Daddy brushed her and Shoshi today and I brushed the rest.

I am now crawling into bed for a nap as my body after this exercise just is screaming.

Now to figure out what dogs can go with me that will allow me to sleep.

People who know me know I do not do naps. But if I don't I will be sleeping when our guests arrive.

Maybe all those leaves that came in the door will disappear when I go to sleep. One can hope.... or dream!

Playing With the Pups

Truffie, Roxie, Panda, Spice and Treasure had a wonderful time today with the pups.

The pups are now actively play bowing and I just love how gentle and fun Truffie tends to be with the pups.

Play bow is something a dog does to communicate that they want to play.

Let the games begin. It's simply going to get better each day as the pups socialize with the bigger set.