Gidget Knows How to Have Fun

Gidget visits us from time to time and truly knows how to have fun. She's one of the few dogs that gets away wrestling with Kat full on and he loves it.

Gidget doesn't overly love grooming but here we brush/comb them daily and it took her oh about 5 days before she realized this isn't bad. She doesn't hurt me. I get snuggles and cuddles when it goes on and she massages me. Plus I get a treat tat the end which is the best part but I am picky. I only like the best and that Nathan guy gives it to me.

If you are struggling with grooming, do a little each day. If you have a knot, gently pull it out or if it is too tight, cut into it with thinning shears and brush out. Then massage the area and give them snuggles all throughout. Always end with a treat at the end and they will 'get' that you aren't going to hurt them and there are many rewards to getting groomed including feeling better at the end - knot free. Each dog's hair is different. Some hardly ever knot - some seem to at touch but most likely you have a roller and one who loves to rub him/herself and the friction creates knots and tyere are solutions to that. Plus that stage between puppy and adulthood - the blowing coat stage should pass.

Give your dogs love. They deserve the best.

Dog Shows & Havanese

We finally got the photos from the show vs. the one I took and the judge was eating when we were there to take it and we really didn't want to bother him so they promised to Photoshop him in but then for some reason they couldn't.

I am posting this to let you know about the magic of photos these days though I prefer them untouched.

We are off to a dog show this weekend not to be in it but to watch and have fun.

As you can see or maybe you haven't noticed but by putting Fiona's hair back daily, I am trying to train it to go back. It is going back and staying back longer but it's not all there yet. This photo was taken rushed - no brush and after the show so considering that - the junkyard dawg looked decent.

Do you have a junkyard dawg? What is one, you ask. Well - a dawg who likes to muck it up. You brush them and 2 minutes later they look like a hurricane came through blowing everything and anything on them. That's out Fiona. It may be frustrating when you need to show her but you have to enjoy such a personality. It's a mind that is always ticking.

If you have a dawg like that - you need to cultivate it as boredom is not good for this type.

Havanese Sweaters

It's wet and damp outside and that human keeps dressing us up. Oh - please - hehe But I am getting used to clothes and I sort of look smashing in them - don't ya think?

To dress or not dress - it's all so personal but for us - its also about functional and cutting down on grooming. So - we take the extra time so we don't have to wash and brush and brush.

How are you dealing with this in between weather?

I rather like sweaters at times as they are fast on and fast off.

Puppies, Fun and Play Havanese Style

The pups and Gidget are playing today in a fast and furious session - all fun - you know. It's great when the older dogs play with the younger dogs. Wasabi was even caught in the flurry and lovin' it. There's nothing like the pups that add an element of fun into the household.

Next week we have Treasure coming and Blazin' who is staying for a week till his new mom can come get him. Where will they sleep? We are already discussing that.

We are off to Brantford show this weekend just to watch - no dogs so we can take photos and enjoy.

Exercise is back for the human after this bout of pneumonia. The dogs yawned watching it. I guess it was a yawn but have you seen those doggie treadmills? Got to love it. I say just teach them to play retrieve on miserable days so you can get their bodies and mind moving. Plus the best part is you may laugh, enjoy and spend quality time with your pal. What could be better than that?

Dog Show Patience & Mentoring

We were lucky enough to witness first hand mentoring at the Caledonia show by Dr. Robert Smith and a junior handler that was a tad young for the job. When Nathan complimented Dr. Smith on the patience he had taken with this very young girl that really did have trouble walking the Chihuahua. Dr. Smith replied that if we don't take the time and effort to invest in the juniors who will replace us when we are gone. That was most apt and of course Nathan agreed.

This is also the judge that gave Fiona her very first points. We are not mentioning this because of those points - It was simply nice to be exposed to someone that cared enough to be patient like he was.

It isn't the only time we shown to him. He's always a guy who gives owner/handlers and professionals a chance on an even keel. He also seems to have a huge love for the sport and much patience.

Bravo, Judge Dr. Robert D. Smith.

A Treasure is Coming Soon

Hi - my name is Rockhurst Treasures Talemaker. You can call me Treasure for short. All my short pack mates - well not my pack mates but my pals (I was a singleton) are all going home and I will remain with that fab guy Copper aka Blazin;.

They tell me I will be road tripping it with him to a new home at Talemaker Havanese and Blazin' will be travelling where the sun shines warm in Florida a week later.

They say my humans will be oohing and ahing over me on the 11th and taking me home on the 12th. Then that night - on the 12th I get to meet a dog that looks like my dad, who shares the same dad as me - Coolio but different mom. That Coolio guy also happens to be Wasabi's puppies 'to be' dad. Now, how cool is that? Exciting times to be had with this visitor.

Now back to having fun at Rockhurst.

Shhh - they don't have a clue that I am going to be a force that will rock their world and Abs - well she is going to be delighted to have a puppy around and so are the rest of the crew.

Exciting times are in store for the Talemaker crew. Visitors, Treasure and puppies - all this year - wow! These humans at Talemaker are over the top excited!

Fiona is One Years Old Today

What better way to celebrate Fiona's first birth date than to get a Best of Opposites and a Winners Bitch win.

More photos will follow next week.

Do you think she got the bone tonight? nah - Gidget (Paris) did and boy is that little gal grinning from ear to ear and lovin' that she got something special.

Yes, Gidget is with us for three weeks and settling in nicely - sleeping on the top of the bed on a pillow. That gal knows comfort, I imagine.

As you can see, Fiona was 'on' today which was a far cry from what she was yesterday where the banging was bothering her bigtime and I think she was inflicted with ADHD - hahahaha! But the duo persevered and did okay - just not totally on.

Sometimes it's just nice to have those moments and what better day than on a birthday!

Thanks for letting us share...more tomorrow.

PS: I think Wasabi's stomach is growing by the hour. ROFL

Wasabi and Pups

Wasabi adores the pups. There are some with that extra special touch - that awe in action when she looks at them and that pure enjoyment. That's her.

Katsuro and Abigail thus far also seem to have that extra something where all is right in the world when puppies are around. It's not that the others aren't but they seem to be that little kid peering in with wonderment. It's nice.

Wasabi is starting to show finally with a little pot belly. Katsuro knows something is different and is spending his time at the foot of Wasabi protecting her. Wasabi in the comfie bed - Kat outside of it as close as he can get. Poor Katsuro - he's not the dad but he sure takes on the role of a caring one. His pack members and their well being is very important to him. Not all Havanese have such a cohesive pack but this group does. Many male dogs do not take on the role of protecting a pregnant one but he did it the last time and he's doing it again. (So does Nathan for that matter.)

Wasabi is doing her morning sickness thing a tad later than she did the first time and sleeping a great deal. It makes me wonder if she will be due a tad later than the 24th but we won't know till x-ray time on the 19th. Good thing a canines pregnancy only last a couple of months or this human would be beside herself in waiting.

Oh well, enough pups. Today a huge storm is coming in. Ge your shovels ready. Those that live in warm climates - oh are we so jealous. We have a show then I have baths to start on dogs - argh - but Kat and Abigail is a must - Fiona done this morning and Risa and Wasabi already done then its retriever time. In between I am brushing Gidget to get her stylin' before I can bathe her. One thinks I may become an expert in this bathing stuff eventually.

There is still time to get your Havanese boarded during the holiday season. We're full up but our friend Linda still has some room in her home where your babies would be pampered like never before. Send us a note if you are in need.