Happy Holidays & Happy New Year

For those that celebrate the holiday - Merry Christmas from the Talemaker Crew, Nathan, myself and all the canine crew and for those that don't, and those that do - may next year bring you and your Havanese an amazing year filled with special memories. Be good to each other and great things will come from that.

For those that have our Havanese, give them extra hugs from us. Send photos that we can share and post.

The 3 remaining were quiet for a bit and so was mommy Wasabi but that Sassy gal got them all playing again and all was well. They all have to take a bit to adjust to this change but they will and then when they come to visit, they will have a roaring grand time then be ready to go home again. It all works...and we get to see them. Stay in touch...

Sebastian goes home tomorrow - Remy Monday and then I start doing serious training with the Sassy gal that I will share - the good, the bad, the funny - all of it so you can get inspired too.

Coach Goes to His New Home

Coach left today for his new home and family. They are wonderful people and clearly dog lovers. I understand in a few weeks Coach will be going skiing and snowboarding. I look forward to seeing him on his very own snowboard doing nose and tail rolls, a natural for a pup!

Did I mention the very best part of Coach's new family is that they live 5 minutes from here? :-)

I know you will all join Darlah, Wasabi and I in wishing them congratulations and best wishes.

By the way, please feel free to comment on this or any other post we place on the blog. I notice that Darlah posts every day but rarely does anyone comment. Please don't hesitate to do so.
-----Nathan

Two Goes to Their Forever Homes

Well, the Coach has had his bath along with Chico. They have been fluffed and dried and loved and played with and soon they will be on their new adventure.

Here's human breeder daddy giving snuggles to Coach and canine Mommy Wasabi is looking on.

She's done well getting them ready for their new adventure and we can't wait to hear all about it.

We will be filling you in on Chico this afternoon.

New roads to travel, many new experiences and lots to love them...nice!

Last Week Toronto Havanese Pups

The pups start going home tomorrow and this is our last video of them being together. One Sassy Girl Available to the Right Home. She's an amazing dog. Watch as we train her after the boys leave the nest.

I hope you enjoy it as we have enjoyed them!

Havanese Big Dog Socializing

Here the pups are hanging out from just coming in. What you can't see is the other retriever is on the other side hanging out with the rest.

Two of the pups are going home tomorrow - 1 in the morning, 1 in the afternoon. Another is going home Sunday and another Monday and then Sassy Lass or Sassy Fraz or whatever her name will be will get dragged to our bed begrudgingly - yeah right. You think she'll go kicking and screaming?

As you can see, the dogs have no fear around the big dogs and good old Tux that is at Rita's now was the one that used to ride on Katsuro's back like a horse and he would allow it. They have really had great socializing experiences - great memories imprinted and soon they will be on a journey to make even more solid memories to imprint and remember - new relationships to build.

We are attempting to find the time to do one more video before the crew goes with Tux and then the rest. We are hoping it will get done today. In our packet we want to include all the photos - good the bad - the what was that - ones along with the videos to CD so the new owners can treasure their start and watch the changes. This crew - and I know you think we say that about all - but really we do not - is the quickest crew - ahead of the usual development - fast to learn - an amazingly easy crew that we will miss - so you all best come and visit and let us watch them when you go away - or even visit while you go shopping. Yes, we want to see you but most of all - well we want to see Sebastian, Coach, Chico, Remy, Tux and Sassy Lass (when she goes) and we mean that. We want you to come to our yearly picnic and lean on us if you need anything.

We are going to miss these guys. After they go to their new home, we will continue to add things to this place to help you with your dog and hope you send us photos and tidbits so we can post and share so the siblings can see what you are up to.

Well - back to puppies and getting ready for tomorrow. It all comes way too soon but I imagine not soon enough for you. That, I truly understand. You are going to love these guys. I know, we do.

Havanese Tunnel Stylin'

Today we are hanging out in the tunnel and had 5 dogs - count them 5 in this tunnel. We just adore the flurry of activity that goes on with this thing. Here Sebastian is just sitting - posing right on top of Coach and Coach doesn't seem to mind a bit.

On the other side you have Chico and Remy and Sassy gal ran into the cube - the tunnel plowing right under them all. What fun they have with this fabric toy that can go into the wash and look fresh and new.

The crew was playing with Momma Wasabi and Katsuro and in a flash - after much back and forth wondering if he could do it, Coach was up on the couch after Katsuro. Oh my, two dogs that acquired that skill and that tells me how Chico got up on the couch the other day. I thought hmm climbed - had to be but no, jumped. Wow, what athletic abilities this crew has. I guess when you are motivated.

We didn't manage to catch him jumping but here Coach is on the couch playing without and appearing fearless.

We also heard from Rita that Tux is doing wonderfully and snuggled right up to her in bed the first night. Nice and no accidents. He's a smart one and glad he is adapting so well. We figure in a month or so, he may be giving Minnie a run for her money and having a grand time as the best of pals. It's hard for the pups to go for the humans here but great when you hear how they are adapting. We can't wait till our picnic when we gather them all together. Counting the days...

Well, we have visitors. This is Gidget watching the pups. She has cleaned them all, played and snuggled with them - nice to have her drop by.

Well human daddy will be adding more later.

Comfort Seeking Havanese

Well, another day gone by and already they are playing their little hearts out and Coach decided it was time for a nap. They do like the comfort of softness - I tell you.

The dogs will be getting fluffed and dried and smelling wonderful before they go home but in the meanwhile, with all this melting going on, well they are 'mucking it up' and getting that lived in look but despite the whiteness of their coat, they don't get dingy - just look at Coach in this photo and see what I mean - nice and their mom is like that too. She's got that lovely silky hair that seems to let it all glide off and that's a good thing seeing Wasabi likes to play 'catch me if you can' under the deck. heh

Yesterday we had them out of their xpen most of the day between play sessions and company coming (Linda with all her help - thnx) and Alex - well another guy that just adores the pups - nice - well they were busy.

This morning they were back out doing their duty and coming into play. Chico stood at the door to go out so he could do his duty. He's a good candidate for bell training as he sits and looks at the door and you have to see him but if you have a bell, he will tell you vocally.

They are really a smart crew and I do not say that lightly. They are fast sponges wanting, willing and fast on the uptake - ready to learn.

Our friend Yvonne just had a litter and they are right on schedule with Wasabi's - faster than usual to walk, climb etc. What's in that water lately?

Just Another Havanese Night

I was sharing this comment and a few other things with our new puppy owners but then realized it might be of interest to everyone following Darlah and Wasabi's blog that they write together each day. So here it is...

I went into the pups this morning at approximately 6:15 a.m. They had gone to sleep last night around 10:30 p.m. Although we do leave out water we have now stopped feeding them during the night so their last meal was around 7:30 last night. This morning they ate everything. We fed them the dried kibble from Fromm’s (Chicken a la Veg), sprinkles of grated cheese and sprinkles of chicken that we had baked and then put through the Cuisinart so that it was chopped up into little pieces. We didn’t even add wet food. And they ate it all up which is great. About four hours later we did it again and they ate half of it. In between they have played outside off and on for hours, played in the kitchen on the tile floor and in the rest of the main floor on either tile or hardwood .They are quite frisky. I love the classic Havanese "pounce" that some of them have taken to using. It gives them more of a chance to stop on a dime and take off at a dead run in a different direction, say like when Darlah is trying to get them to come into the house. And now they are all sound asleep in the x-pen beside Darlah's desk. Soon I'll come sneaking in and liberate them again.

We are all going to really miss these wonderful puppies but especially Wasabi, Darlah and I.

Nathan

Deep In Thought or Wait

The dogs really had a great time outside today as it's a tad warmer but wetter. Here's Sassy looking a tad wet but sitting and waiting for the others to come on in too.

When the boys came in, Sassy led them in the game of tunnel jumping where they all jump in the holes and chase her. She's our highly creative one thinking up new games to make you smile. Now where is the video camera when that happens....

Now the pups are napping. They do a fair amount of that too but they are also getting to know that we get up, go outside, do our business and eat and go outside and do our business - well there's no slouches here!

Havanese First in Our House

Here's Chico Chillin' this morning and when we woke up this morning, human Nathan found him where? Chico was sitting on the couch in the whelping room - no this is not a short couch and he was looking down at his siblings that were trying to get to him and he couldn't figure out how to get down. This is the very first time we have had a pup climb up on the couch this early. Oh my - such amazing athletic abilities.

Our couch is attached on one side as the wall on one of our x-pens. We had it set up that way to enable Wasabi to jump in and jump out early on to feed her pups in the middle of the night. Not to worry, Chico's new owners - he will be fine in an x-pen with all walls vs one wall being a couch but now know he is capable of getting up on the couch but hasn't figured out how to get down yet.

All our Havanese sit on our couch with us so maybe he just figured - hmm I can do this. It's really unbelievable what this crew is capable of. They are amazingly agile but so is their Havanese mom who flows with grace and is faster than ever.

The crew also likes to pose whenever you get the camera out. Something about - hey - they are doing that thing again so let's strike a pose. This morning, Coach was a riot as he jumped straight up to the camera and I was laughing so hard, I couldn't catch him in mid-air. I swear, he knew and was having fun with it. I can't believe how high he can jump. I am amazed at their abilities - nice to see they have mommas genes in that regard. We will have to find out if the sire also is like that. Some are better than others but this crew is amazing.

What has become abundantly obvious is this crew LOVES - no adores the tunnels. Keep that in mind. More later....

Havanese Off Day

We had an off day last night. Not sure it it was going to bed too early, the youngest human son entertaining friends at 2 or was that 3am that woke up the house or the lack of Tux so just an adjustment but at 5am, the pups needed to get up, go out, do their business and come back in for a nap and now they are back again. Do realize that changes often create an interruption in their normal schedule but they will adjust and get back to it. Just play with them before bed and their usual is to sleep through the night.

With so little sleep, human mom took photos of them going outside and there was no memory stick in it. We had a dear friend that was supposed to come today and we put that off till tomorrow.

By the time I got a stick in, only the gal we call Sassy was outside running her fool head off and enjoying life. She's really a nice dog filled with enthusiasm - that extra something that reels you in and dangerous for us as we have a full house.

The crew just ran and ran in the backyard seeing it's not as cold as it has been. Watch out though, they love the sticks and plants these days as they are going through the - if it can fit in my mouth, it must be good stage. It means the teeth are still coming in and they are soothing their mouth. Teeth soothers, bones etc will help.

Here's a photo of Chico who is sitting in the tunnel after eating. As you can tell, he is in need of a bath as he rather enjoyed his food tremendously today. He's not getting a bath till he goes to his new home as you do not want to dry their skin out with too many baths so just to note on that in-between time, buy some Waterless Bath for that in-between time and it's as easy as spraying on and wiping off. I spray it on, comb it through and use a baby wipe to remove the excess. It's not their direction but it works for me and I found out how well it did when traveling and having a bum to clean up. It gets any odors off and keeps them looking fresh in-between. I believe Petsmart, Global etc. sells it.

Also, if you buy bathing tethers, its useful as it loosely goes around their neck, sticks to the base of your washing basin and frees up your arm when you are bathing. I know Petsmart sells them. It helps when giving a bath.

The crew is quite lively now and will eat chicken in dried kibble too and do so with love so that's good too if you want to just add some cooked chicken to their dry vs. the cans here and there.

By the way, I can't emphasize enough how much they adore tunnels, caves, anything to hide and play in. The cat department usually has such things but they literally will play for hours with our tunnels and now that they are out and about at times, they also hide under our Ottoman and jump out and play. It tells me how much they like the small spaces to hide and jump out of and even sleep in. We do have a crate that is wired and they like to sleep in it when they can see out. Keep that in mind when buying your crate.

More later...

Down To Five

Well, today we are down to five. Our show potential Tux is off to Rita's house to his new home to play with new pack mates. The house is a bit emptier.

Rita came by today, Kat's brother and human dad and the dad's mom with 'Little Dickens' came by. It was a full and busy house and human mom here had to build a page on Pamela Anderson getting yet another divorce - geez.

Not much to report other than we had a ton of fun today. More tomorrow...

Havanese: You're Accusing Us of WHAT?

We really like hanging out outside of the xpen. We have had a lot of freedom today and made a couple of mistakes but all and all, we were rather good at hitting the mark.

Remember that car bed that the humans got?

Well, we rather enjoyed it but we love jumping on it, hiding in it, laying in it and smooshing it and pulling on it - oh my. Who us....you don't believe it - do you? Still, it's a mighty comfie item to enjoy and we were just having fun...really....

Remember you can always click on the photos to see a better view and this is another photo of the crew enjoying this bed. They couldn't get enough of it. It proves that the pups rather enjoy cave type beds, tunnels - things they can hide in and have fun in. Keep it in mind when your buying that holiday present or that new puppy present - think cave, tunnels - something to hide in and sometimes it can be found in the cat department of your favourite store.

Then when the crew had enough, Tux climbed on, claimed it as his own but refuses to take any responsibility. heh

The pups had their chances to go outside but found it a bit too blustery and came in quickly spending most of their time playing inside the house. That's okay as the humans were running out of steam from all this shoveling.

As you can see, they were still having a roaring good time. Here the sassy gal we have was having at it with Katsuro. She's not afraid of anything and tends to have a roaring good time with playing games - hiding, pouncing, batting the Katsuro around and he is such a good dog as he almost smiles when they do that.

These days, mommy Wasabi is playing an awful lot with the pups. She is such a great mom and just adores the little ones. It is nice to watch her show them how to play, when enough is enough.

The pups are really enjoying her and they absolutely love being with the larger dogs. Tux even kissed Whitney on the nose today and then laid right down next to her. Ah...puppies...last week for some...and they have so much to look forward to.