Havanese Moments

There are moments that take place where you realize life no matter how difficult it becomes - well a snuggle with a Havanese makes everything alright.

Well, we are off to bed. Louis has gone home.

We promise pics of Sebastian tomorrow stylin' and we will tell you how those gorgeous eyes are showing.

Sleep well and snuggle with a Havanese or two. You will be glad you did.

Havanese Benny & Canine Mom Mixing It Up

Just had to share a couple of photos of Risa mixing it up with her son Benny (Katsuro's Brother). They were playing non-stop.

Benny came to us way hesitant with mixing it up with the pack and that's unusal around here so we were hoping by pick up, his owners could hear how great of a time he had with us.

We strive to give the dawgs the very best time while they are here. Having them find their balance is really important to us. If they are happy - well it surely makes us happy.

Yesterday Abigail was mixing it up with Benny and this fine morning, Miss Risa - who doesn't play unless she really feels she likes the dawg was having a roaring good time with him.

Here's a shot of Risa pouncing at Benny getting him to engage in play. She's flying through the air at him. They did this nonstop and it was a back and forth and I do believe Benny was really having a grand time, as was Risa.

It's hard to get good photos with my camera with lots of movement but we try so ignore the blur and enjoy.

Did you ever get that camera, Beth? If so, gad I envy you. To get clean photos in action...ah well. Nathan's going to tell me to stop whining and I deserve THAT! ROFL

Well, we try. These are Nathan's attempts at capturing these really special moments and they are to us. Woudl have loved a closer photo of Risa in mid-air but you still get the point.

Here you can barely see Benny reciprocating doing a play bow back. He was full out and out playing with the grand dam - his canine mommy. It was fun to watch.

Rememember you can click any photo to enlarge them.

This photo of Benny was taken by Nathan through our window. We had just came back in and they wanted to stay out and then the play began and we didn't want to interrupt it. So, we got the photos we did and the memories - well are keepers.

So, some play last night - Jonathan becoming his person and Risa engaging him in play. All is right in Benny's world and therefore ours.

The Havanese Day Begins

The trio is at it and the rest of the dawgs are sleeping in including Benny and his dawgie mom Risa, Benny took a real liking to our youngest son Jonathan. He's actually still sleeping in late with him as we so type. Something about Jon, he just wanted to be with. All the dawgies love Jonathan and Dennis.

Soon we will be waking the rest of the crew up, feeding them and going to the 'All About Pet Show' while Dennis watches them.

Louis goes home tonight or tomorrow, Benny is with us till the 25th - the day after the human female's b-day. Another day older...no smoke meat sandwiches from Center Street Deli, dear. ROFL

Will fill you in more as the day goes on and the camera clicks away. We even will post a photo of Sebastian stylin' where you can see his eyes. What eyes he has!

Grand Dam Risa Plays

Risa is usually stuck in that mode of playing protector, controller that she often doesn't just invest the time in play.

She usually spends so much time correcting that she doesn't let loose but today is different for whatever reason.

Click on the photos to see an up close look at anytime.

Today, with Louis, she got riled up. It was great to see and it was also great to see that Louis found that play in her.

Then as the equal opportunity dawg that he is and his dawgie mom tends to be, he started in with Abigail and she just adores all the new dawgs.

Miss Fiona does too but doesn't play initially - right from the start with wild abandonment that Miss Abs does with all new comers but instead, watches and then plays.

I call Miss Abs the mediator - the one that pulls the group together with play. She's always the first to engage the new dog and always the one who ropes them in to relax and enjoy themselves.

Louis is really a black Paris (Gidget). Hard to explain but his mannerisms, his sense of play, well he absolutely takes his genetics from his dawgie mom. That means he's rather a truly fun filled dawg.

We have yet another addition today, one of Risa's pups who is Katsuro's brother. Nathan is out walking the duo (the siblings) now. If you ever have a dog that is unfamiliar with his surroundings, showing any hesitancy - well a walk is the best thing you can do for them.

Now he is back out walking Benny with Louis. Benny or Nathan will either or both be totally exhausted but in a large pack, all it takes is connecting with one dog and the rest always come.

We try to create that via the walk. It helps them to achieve their balance. It's like medicine in motion. We expect that Benny is in for a fun filled 5 days.

We expect to have more photos as the day goes by.

Training Never Stops

If you think of it, if you add something new at least once a month in the lifetime of your dog, can you imagine how you could wow your friends and you too?

Here is Miss Abs looking quite smashing getting ready to do some one on one lead time outside. What that means is she has to stand on the correct side, walk beside and not everywhere she wants. We have stopped doing long leads - play and do what you want. Next week or two handling classes will begin.

Fiona is a tad more reluctant to do the heeling practice but she is younger and has less practice. She has yet to get really excited about this lead business stuff.

It tells me how important it is to be consistent. Life gets in the way and we often don't make the time to do this daily but we must.

Here's an idea:
Let's teach our dogs to do a wave.

1. With the dog in a sit position hide a treat in your hand. Hold it down low.

2. Encourage the dog to 'get it' and give the command 'wave.' Reward the dog when his foot comes off the ground.

3. When the dog starts touching your hand with his paw, stand up and start moving further away each time.

4. Once the dog is doing well, stand far enough away so the dog can't touch you. Give the signal and command then reward when it is done right.

Let me know how it goes.

Big Dawg Play

We always manage to mix it up each day and make sure the crew really get their one on one time and play. At times we even manage to catch it on camera. Nathan was good enough to capture this shot this fine, chilly morning.

As I am standing outside, the thought - this is spring chillingly comes to mind.

Remember that you can always click on the photos to see a larger view.

Then I turn around with the camera now in my hand and Nathan is telling the Abs to STOP eating the plants.

Come spring like weather, those lovely shrubs that Nathan hates but really needs to be there to have some backdrop to the pool - well they won't be there.

Risa and Fiona was out riding the rails of the fence ignoring the rest - perhaps scavenging for hidden treasures. argh

As the snow melts, make sure you clean up as the snow fell fast and you may have missed something. We tend to always go out with ours, praise, clean-up and plain just have fun.

Today we have Louis till Saturday night late or Sunday. Tomorrow Bennie comes. It's exciting times. We may even go to the Pet show for a short jaunt. (hint hint to Nathan)

Louis has really found his nitch with the puppies. As usual, Abigail always persists till they relent - in a good way. Here you can see Louis on top of Abs. They have been playing for hours already.

We had mushy snuggles last night in bed where Abigail tunnels under the blankets and Fiona pounces and now Louis pounces too. What fun...and we love it. Someday I have to remember to bring the camera to bed with us - hahahahaha

More later as the day goes. Keep warm. We have training, heeling and all sorts of things to do.

A Louis Havanese In Our Life

We just adore having Louis visit. As you can see, he adores being here too. One should all have a little Louis in their lives.

He's going to be with us till Saturday late or Sunday so we will have a lot of tales to tell.

Louis is a Paris' (now known as Gidget) son.

Do dogs smile? Oh yes and they can smile in different ways to mean different things. The photo below is Fiona's - oooh am I going to have a bit of fun trouble here - and gee I relish doing so.

While out back, Fiona was seen smiling her mischievous little smile waiting to pounce on the newcomer - wanting to play her heart out. She can't help herself - lending delight to the moments we derive from the Havanese antics.

Nothing like more than one and if you pay attention...wow!

What - Havanese That Reads Ahem Paper

Really mommy, I am a treasure - really! It's 530am when I took this photo - (in the dark, I might add and that's why it's so flash exposed) of Fiona doing her part in digesting the newsprint. We want her to bring the newspaper to us but funny thing, it just can't seem to make it.

Havanese ADORE paper and sometimes we indulge. If a toilet paper or paper towel is down to the cardboard - we sometimes throw it down to let them have fun in tearing it apart into millions of pieces. We also throw down an empty water bottle as they like the noise that makes. It's funny the ones that they naturally like and others they don't.

I know it doesn't feel that way but the thunderstorms will be coming and I truly believe in 'slow conditioning' so I will be finding storm bytes online (just search on Storm sounds in google) and playing them low in the background and slowing raising the level. You probably think that's nuts and how could you stand doing such a thing or how do you have time? Well, not every dawg is sensitive to storms but those that are - well, I do not believe anything should be trapped in fear. If you can slow condition it out, well, you've done a great thing, imho.

More later from the stormy, paper strewn Talemaker Havanese home.

Visit to Chicadoro's (Yvonne's)

Well, the siblings got together and I will have to let Nathan fill you in on that.

He did tell me the snow was almost at the top of their fence - yeouch!

We hope the Wasabi woo isn't missing us as much as we miss her already but Katsuro is calming down and soon we shall see her.

Here's a picture of Fiona's sister taken today at Yvonnes. Look at those colours. I hear tell she also has Fiona's personality so watch out!

Remember you can click on the photos to see a larger version.

Wasabi Goes On Holiday

Miss Abs likes to mix it up with Fiona every chance she gets. Take a look at this face in midstream of doing just that.

The duo has gone to visit Yvonne with Nathan and Wasabi but Wasabi will remain till she is past her heat. It became intolerable - yet again - sleeping separate, whining, crying for her and panting, not eating nor sleeping. It meant I didn't get a heck of a lot of sleep. Next place we live, there has to be a live-in solution - such as a different wing - ROFL. Get that lottery ticket, dear!

I asked daddy to take photos of Abs, Fiona and her sister so I could post something. Good thing I called as he was about to leave and not take a single photo. Men...I tell you. Well, I am hoping I see a good photo out of what he takes but I suspect I get what I will get.

It's back to being quiet again after 98 minutes of panting, searching, jumping, whining and now he is sleeping. It's much quicker than the last frustrated time for him. Perhaps he is improving or getting conditioned - sigh. His time will come. ha!

Well, more later after we hear about the visit hoping Yvonne is feeling better than she has in the last 2 weeks. You are a gem for doing this, lady!

Wasabi and Kat

I was just flipping through a few pictures we've accumulated over the years and I came across this one of Wasabi and Katsuro when Kat was about 5 months old. They are both lying on the security cover we have on top of our swimming pool, which is bolted down in about 50 places. I can walk on it. When there is no snow on it, the dogs bounce over it as if they are on a trampoline. For those of you with dogs and a pool I strongly recommend you get this kind of security cover for the winter.

Nathan

Remy Graduates

Well, we just got back from watching Remy at class but they finished early. Arrrgh - wouldn't you know it!

We were told he did everything perfectly and we expected he would. I do believe that Wasabi is proud of the little ones and we are too!

It's amazing hearing and watching their milestones.

It was great seeing the entire family. It was also great to see Katsuro out and about with a distraction.

We will have to connect after Wasabi comes back from her lazing in the snowdrifts at Yvonne's place. Maybe we can convince John to bring the fierce-some twosome over as well.

Lost My Brain Dawg

Well dear old Wasabi is in heat again and she will soon be taking a holiday at Yvonne's. We can't show a photo of Katsuro as he looks worse than that sandy photo. Those boy dawgs lose their minds at this time and that's an understatement. They don't eat, they don't sleep - nada if the gal is around.

The moral of this story is get your dogs fixed and you won't have to deal with such craziness.

We are going to take him to Remy's class just to get his mind off ...well ... maybe a cold shower?

We will fill you in when we get back. We also have a CD of all our last 2 classes for Maryanne. Drop by and get it.