The Sound of Mud

It was a nice lovely day with an overcast sky that quickly turned to rain. Then it started pouring followed by a very loud banging, vibrating through your teeth kind of thunder storm. Let’s not even talk about the mud and the subsequent tracking through the house. Don't tell Darlah. Let her see for herself, tomorrow. No one was afraid of the storm but Spicy started to challenge the sound. Thunder, bark, thunder, bark. “Spicy, SHHHHH!” I said. “But daddy, someone is barking at us so I have to back them off” she responded. It was a lovely day. Meanwhile I hope Darlah enjoyed the seminar. Maybe I’ll have a big surprise waiting for her upon her return first thing tomorrow morning. In fact, I'm positive that I will. But I’ll let her tell you about it.

In the meantime, here's one parting photo of Sophie from yesterday. I'll call this Deer Caught in Headlights.

Teaka's now over at her new home playing her heart out with her half brother Dash. 

It is a beautiful day for it. I know we have been in and out since 6am. I wonder when Teaka thought it was time to wake up? Terra is just lying in the sun soaking it up. Doozie, Daisy and Spicy are doing a little run like hell.

I’ve glanced at Darlah’s list a few times and checked it off in my mind. Oh yes, Raylan and I went outside to welcome visitors from Fort Eerie. Raylan decided he was thirsty, did not recall when I asked him to come, and promptly fell into the front garden pond. No, sorry, I didn’t have the camera handy. Dennis actually rinsed Raylan off while I was out back with our guests. Add note to self, self, suggest to Darlah she do something about the garden waste smell now permeating Raylan’s legs upon her return. Anyway, Sue and her family came to visit to see Havanese and to determine if their youngest daughter will get an allergic reaction to them. Remember, there is no such thing as a dog that cannot cause allergies in someone. Sure, Havanese are one of the so-called hypoallergenic breeds because they have hair, not fur and do not shed. But all dogs have dander and all dog’s saliva might cause a reaction. These people were possibly interested in a pup next spring and doing their homework. That is a good thing and to be applauded.

Meanwhile, Darlah is attending an intensive two day course in genetics, breedings and such with Yvonne. I get the rare pleasure of being the center of the dog's attention in my wife's absence. And for an added bonus, which I know those of you that follow the blog regularly will appreciate, Wasabi is now officially in heat.

Teaka & Her Forever Home

Teaka had a bath tomorrow before I head out. Here she is under the dryer with the blown away look.

I was by myself so it was interesting to try to get photos and do everything else.

Teaka is a dream in the bath but she has had a lot of conditioning.

Today she joins her half sibling (Kat's the dad of both) and become the best of buds and they will.

There may be some jealousy with Dash at first perhaps or maybe not of 'it's mine but they will figure it out and then they will be the best pals ever.

It's going to be fun in that house to watch the run like heck game.

I will miss the Teaka as she has a real love of life attitude.

I hope they come to visit after she settles in. We don't usually do it too soon as we do not want to confuse them but after a few weeks, it would be grand to have a visit and see the duo after they have bonded.

Me, I am off to the seminar late this morning so it's up to Nathan to update from here on till Monday.

You'll enjoy his style. I do.

Graduation & Fun

Spicy had her last class of her 1st round of obedience. It was a fun night but there is a reason why they say LEAVE YOUR TREAT in your bag vs. in your hand and this is it. She grabbed the treat and kept heeling after and until I showed the photo to Nathan he hadn't a clue she grabbed a piece of the treat as it was so seamless.

She's trouble. heh

She got a ribbon last night and won a prize for getting so many dog bones from all these games we played. We were hoping Frannie would beat us but we know all the tricks like getting one to hold a down from musical mats by plying with treats. Frannie did amazing too and ran faster than Spice. Spice tends to prance and hop and Frannie runs like the wind.

Before class Spice had a bath and then suddenly she had blood on her paws and on her beard. That mommy of hers was worried and checking all parts of her and then realized Spice has teeth dropping and I bet all her siblings and half siblings from this crew do too. Happy chewing. Tell your mom and dad to give you some cool soothers and if you are not eating well, this too will pass.

The Teaka heads to her forever home tomorrow to join her half sibling Dash. They are going to have a grand time together. I just feel it. They are both so full of life.

Mommy also vacates the house for the weekend tomorrow so Nathan is it till Sunday or Monday. We shall see how he juggles it all. Me, I will be soaking in all this genetic data, sipping gin and tonics and doing nothing.

Seeing I got most of the dogs washed it should be a piece of cake for Nathan but then again, maybe not. Will he love me on Sunday? Time will tell. Yvonne says if Nathan doesn't want to come get me, I can return on Monday Oh boy...

Class and Bloody Times

I washed Spicy for class tonight and she had bloody paws and a bloody face. I went oh my gad where is that coming from and started checking her nails. They hadn't been cut recently. Hmm what did she get into?

I went over her body completely and she opened her mouth and blood drooled out.

She just lost 2 teeth. hahahaha

So, she is clean but a tad tinted on her beard and paws. I could bathe her again but.... I am all bathed out. I did take a wipe to it and it is barely noticable but I see it. But I can be picky. heh

Class tonight is games and its her last class in this session. We will miss seeing Frannie.

Tonight's Exhaustion

Let's talk about the dawgs with no photos or maybe me. What did I do today? A lot and I am exhausted. This getting ready to go away is getting crazy but can I go to sleep now?

Everyone is having a blast. I am not sure if I am totally awake but I was wise and brushed one here and there till I finished.

I also had the pups out a bunch and had to get paperwork ready for Nathan as Teaka is going to her forever home. She's from Paula's Teaser and our boy Kat. She sent her down for us to check out and find a forever home. She is heading to a home that has a Kat and Lola pup. Half siblings together - what a fun duo these two will be.

We also have Sophie from Treasure's pups heading home so there is a lot to prepare for Nathan. It will be the first time he is doing this alone. I sure hope he or I don't forget anything but if I do, or he does, I am sure it's due to all this sleep I am getting -meaning it's me.

It's bitter cold out. I have mixed feelings. I will miss Sophie going. Teaka maybe not as she goes Friday perhaps before I leave and I will miss the pups and yeah Nathan too. But a part of me is looking forward to the seminar. I never go out by my lonesome for a weekend no less so I am excited too just wish I wasn't missing Sophie. I will also be able to catch up with a dear friend and learn more about genetics. All of this is good. I hope Nathan survives but with Dennis' help I am sure he will.

He will also be updating the blog so I will be reading along with you as I will have my ipad in tow. Then Sunday night he comes out to get me with dawgs so they can run at Yvonnes and socialize till we get back in the van and come home totally exhausted, I imagine. The dawgs, they will sleep in the car. Such a life - to be a dawg especially here.

I decided due to the weather Teaka, Sophie and maybe one more dog wil be bathed but the rest when I return.

Okay, It's Tuesday and I am already talking about this but it actually took me hours to do the CKC paperwork, get the bags together and do the rest. I can be excited too - can't I?

Exhausted

Yes even older pups need to snooze after mad crazy play.

Spice loves to play with the little ones and is now quite gentle with them though she didn't start out that way but today after playing with Treasures and then Fiona's she laid down and crashed in the midst of the puppies playing. I laughed.

Would you like to be able to sleep whenever and wherever you are inclined? I wish I could. Heck, I would like to just sleep. hahahaha

Spice's hair is getting long and I have been conditioning her to laying on her back to allow me to do her tummy. She hates it. She doesn't trust me but after weeks of this she now allows. The goal is by the time she is ready to show she will just trust and lay there.

Right now I sometimes have to remind her by holding her in place. That's a far cry from when I had to always hold her in place. It works and when they relax on their back to groom, it is easy to clip their hair around their pads, shave their tummies if you wish and get rid of any knots. It's worth it to condition them even if it is a struggle at first.

Who Are You?

 It looks mighty - well strange but dawgs sniff each other to get to know where that other dawg has been, who they are and what their emotional state is like.

Sebastian came over with his humans and got to have a Hav-a-nice day moment. We rather missed his family and the Sebastian. The weather cooperated. I just wish I wasn't so exhausted after puppy visits and laundry and grooming and.... well now this blog.

But still, sometimes we need a kick in the pants and enjoy despite being exhausted. It ends up worth it.

Thanks!!

Mother's & Daughters

Miss Abigail heard that her daughter had her first zip, zip hairdo at the spa.

So, I took Abigail up in my lap and showed her the photos and she barked at it.

I had to laugh as Abigail doesn't bark but something about her visual on a screen made her.

Thanks goes to those that sent puppy cuts. I will be using them. I appreciate it!!

This way it will help others when figuring out what they want.

So, are you curious on what Breeze looks like?

Here she is. Do you think she looks like her mom above? Do you like her new clip?

Of course you can never see Abigail's eyes. They are beautiful but she loves rubbing her head and not allowing you that fresh washed photo but that's just her and that's quite okay.

Puppy Cuts

I heard today Breeze was getting a new hairdo - a puppy cut and I can't wait to see it.

I love the long hair but if you don't have the time or desire to maintain it, there are so many cute puppy cuts and hey if you don't like it, guess what, hair grows.

As soon as the weather gets nicer, I will be shaving tummies and thinking about shortening a few myself. We shall see.

Do you have a cute puppy cut? If so, please send it to me in mail. I am working on an article that I wil be putting in the tips with fab puppy cuts. This way people can see the possibilities.

So do share!

I WANT IT!!!

Here is Frannie in class with her mom. They were teaching 'leave it'. You place a treat on the floor, you allow them to pull. When they relax and stop pulling and sit you treat them from your hand. You never give them the treat on the floor.

The idea is to be able to always get them to leave something alone. It may mean their health and welfare by solidifying this command.

As you can see, Frannie REALLY wanted it.

But Mommy can I, can I please?

She's a character.

Then there is Spice. You put the treat and she doesn't pull. She just waits till you treat her.

Neither is wrong. One is an enthusiastic emotional response which is normal for a pup and well Spice is like her mom going, I get this already, just give me the treats now. I think she yanked twice and went okay, I get what you want.

It's so funny how they are each unique.

The duo had a lot of fun in class. Both are learning a great deal. Next week is games and that's the last class. Now we have to figure out what we are signing up for next. Spice will start going to handling and who knows. Is tricks in the cards or?

Saying Hello

 I have to laugh. As the two litters get more exposure, the easier it gets for them to open up to all sorts of possibilities. This conditioning business works.

It doesn't stop either when they go to their forever home. This should be only the start.

Tonight Spice goes to class. Sure she learns but she also gets exposed to dogs leaving from the class before hers and the big dawgs in her class.

By doing it this way, you expose in a safe way and it becomes natural.

It's never too late or too old to take a class or two.

It's a Mom's Perogative

Remember this photo? Moms all over the world do the same thing from canine to the human kind. What is that? Correct, correct and teach and teach.

I see this in action daily from pups to adults. Each mom has their own style. Some pups and dawgs and humans like Katsura tune their moms out if it doesn't suit them.

Talk to the paw, mom!

Snake Toy BDay Present

Thanks goes to Mary, Terri & Sparky for such a grand present. Guess who is playing with MY birthday present and what better present can there be for a human than one for her dawgs, especially this human.

Everyone is having a grand time with it but especially Abigail. Maybe it's in the genes. :-)

I just love watching them play, make music and hide it from each other. Yeah, they try to hide it in the crates thinking the others can't get it. Yeah, right.

Yes, Still Snow

Can you believe we still have snow at the back of the yard? I think just like me, Abigail is sick of this white stuff.

They say this week it's supposed to warm up but we shall see. It best.

We have a very busy week. We have a puppy person coming tomorrow, Wednesday baer testing, and much more.

It's my week to wash the dawgs again. Oh mo - hahahahaha

I heard that someone - Breeze is going to get a new haircut. I can't wait to see it. Poor mom having to worry about how she looks. Just remember - it grows if you don't like it.

I may shave tummies this week here seeing warm weather is coming. What about you?

Clean Up at Aisle 6

 Well, Tak and Saki are owned by a dear friend. their owner came back later than expected so we brought the duo to her downtown this morning. Were they happy to see mom, yep! Oh they had fun with us too but there's no place like home.

Don't you feel that way too?

Late Update

Spice had her shots - remember we separate rabies from the 3rd shot and a checkup. She's 7lbs 3 ounces.

More later after I settle in, clean up some dawgs and try to stay awake.

I did a cleanup of Tak and Saki for their mom and we are delivering them downtown tomorrow. This is Treasure's son from her other litter. He's had a few haircuts but you can tell he is a Treasure son. His hair is silky and he has her eyes.

By doing this, I get to play with the duo for a bit - well till early tomorrow morning. Then their mom gets to snuggle with them for a couple of weeks till they head back to Texas with their human dad.

Thanks, Lyndall and Joe for letting me see them.

Class & Socialization

Classes are important. They teach heel, down, stay, recall etc but they also offer conditioning in a safe way to a variety of dogs. This is very important.

We had a bad drive into the class last night. There was a lot of quick stops due to people not being able to deal with snow and drive at the same time. So, Spice started shaking showing some concern when she was getting thrown around a tad. When things got smoother, she stopped shaking. That was the depth of her display of concern. Eventually she will be able to deal with that too.

But when she got upstairs at class, she looked around and went oh, this is the place I get TREATS and I have to do all those crazy things with daddy and mommy takes photos of me and then there is Frannie. Well, she came in with enthusiasm. Big dogs, littler but still bigger than her, she greeted them all. Their over enthusiasm didn't bother her a bit. It's funny what doesn't bother them and what does.

Then there were moments where Frannie ran to play with Spice and found her more interesting than anything else.

Spice never did the same as if she knew Frannie would come to her. What does that say about their personalities?

But Frannie is doing rather well learning her commands and her mom says she does so great in the store - she's calm - just gets crazy when she sees other dogs as she wants to play. Can you blame her?

We learned down, perfected a finish, staying, sit, recall and for us if Spice is going to get shown, she has to learn to look ahead vs always up to dad for the treats. I think treating during doesn't work. But we shall see.

As you can see, Spicy's hairdo didn't stay clean long. She looks like a disheveled cutie but that's a pup and that's okay!

Bath and Class

Okay, I had a bath - so what! It's a piece of cake now. I have no issue now that I have had a number of these wet things and hey I get a massage and a treat.

But its class night and I don't get my dinner. What is THAT about? Well, in reality I do get it just a little at a time during class. heh

I have had 2 weeks to practice. Did I? How did Frannie do? I can't wait to see her!

Hey, it's snowing amd it's my human mom's b-day tomorrow. Will she groom me on her day?

Dirty Spice

Well we have mud in the yard and Spice found it. Her nice white paws was black. She's just like her mom. See wet dirt under the deck will crawl. That's okay. I will give her a bath tomorrow and pray for snow as her feet will then stay white. hahahaha

I have to wash another dog so it will be a 2 dog washing day.

Then we are heading to class to see what we remember.

Do you think I will be a star? Stay tuned. We will let you know Thursday.