Changing Times at Talemaker

Treasure has this 'attitude' that she thinks she is 'all that' and it's fun to watch.

She's not all that crazy about the bathing thing but she is dealing each time better than the last.

She just had another bath today and it's Rufus' turn in a few. Yesterday, Wasabi, Abigail, Fiona and Kat had theirs.

Treasure's been going to handling class as she is debuting next month for the first time.

She gets way excited when Daddy says, "Treasure let's go to class" that she jumps all over the place hardly able to contain herself. It's really nice to see.

Today we have Rufus going home and Treasure ADORES him. She rolls all over him like no other dog and despite him being an older man, she keeps up with him and doesn't back down.

When Rufus 'off switch' doesn't go off, she growls and looks at him with eyes half open and he didn't quite get it the first time but he does now. The growl is doggie communication - leave me alone - can't you tell I really need some sleep? Have you ever done that yourself - growled at another - well not literally that you need to have the lights off and need your sleep?

Everyone needs a different amount of sleep to function properly - whatever properly is.

Treasure plays VERY hard and sleeps deep but Rufus plays very hard and until the newness went, he just didn't want to sleep. hehehehehe

Treasure is going to truly miss Rufus as he goes today. He was her boy toy. She felt like that with Marlee to but Rufus is just a tad larger and easier to roll around and hide in things with.

Well off to bathe him so she can get him dirty before he goes home - as she will certainly try and we will try to keep him clean. Wish us luck.

Gina goes tomorrow and we will be down to our own dogs till Thursday when Louis comes. Then Remy comes for an overnight visit - not Wasabi's Remy but another and the dogs will be having a grand time again and so will we.

Catch you later...

Visitors Going Home

Yvonne and Alex came over to pick up their crew last night so in a blink of an eye, 4 dogs were gone. Poor Abigail laid out in the hallway saying - hey where did they go? The rest came clamouring in to find the room on the couch they didn't have before.

The dynamics change with each addition and when each goes home. The house is quiet again. Only one visitor remains and she slept on top of my pillow.

How can you be quiet with 8 dogs? Well it is. With a huge crowd, one gets one barking or one is trying to say - this is my spot or that's my person. Then when that goes and I gather they have gone through it enough, well the crew gets quiet - relaxes and goes back to their usual.

WE hope the Chicadoro crew had a wonderful return home. They will be missed.

Well, we have family coming over today, a show to go to with a dog that refuses to stay clean and all these dogs and humans want to do is sleep. Fiona got Reserve yesterday but today - it will be a struggle t get her coat clean as no energy for a bath today. We will do our best and forget the rest.

Owner/Handler Showing Havanese

In this photo, you can tell the difference between groomed and not groomed. Fiona, on the left is not groomed and Abigail on the right is. Nothing wrong with either - but an entirely different look.

Abigail is doing shows - not getting her points but was told by the judge that she had excellent structure, beautiful hair and she is positive we will finish her fast. ha!

More to these shows than you ever want to know but we are in for the long haul.

What have I learned? Professional Handlers have the edge with many judges. It is their day job after all.

I have also learned - not just in our breed, that a dog can win that is not within the standard and that boggles me. A huge winner in another known breed just got thrown out of the World event, disqualified due to a teeth issue but yet it has huge wins elsewhere in the United States and in Canada. It was the talk of our handling class. Go figure.

I could go on but just know this is not for the weak at heart.

What positive things have I learned? I have perfected my skills at grooming. I have learned how to allow a puppy to play and find balance for the dogs. I have placed the love of my dog over my desire to win. I allow her to play and live and enjoy and what will be will be. Doesn't make it right or wrong with those that keep their dogs separate - just this is what is right for 'us.' And yes, we realize this will take longer than it would if we completelyt seperated Abigail from her best friend in life, Fiona, so that they weren't jumping on each other and playing all day long which can affect her hair. Oh well, so it will take us longer.

We did have a Professional Handler tell us they could finish her in a week or two but it would be their win and hers not ours so we will plug along and you may get bored with this insight that I am bringing to light to those that may never show or are thinking of showing.

If Abs wasn't enjoying it (she does wait at the door to go and knows when we are) well - then we would say - this is WAY crazy. Our dogs matter more than any goals we may have.

Till who knows when - we will continue to fill you in and now I am afraid I must wash Abs yet again. Two more baths over the next two days and then a real break.

PS: Heard the pups at Yvonne's house are doing ever so well. Can't wait till we can see them.

More tomorrow>>

Dog Shows - Woodstock 2008

Well, I woke up in serious pain - actually been up half the night. My back hurts terribly and not sure why. I did manage to get the Woodstock dog show videos up on You Tube. You can find them here:

I couldn't match music - too long and you can't put it up as one file as You Tube has its limits so I had to do 4. I didn't make them slick - just way too much work when I have other things on my plate but it does allow you a view. I didn't not erase ANY copy so its crude. Sorry but the owners get to see what their handlers were doing and the owner handlers get to see what the other are doing in all their glory. The only thing I did was take out the audio. Sorry, Kathy - I did not get that winning face. Enjoy!
Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snqXqp0MikE
Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmT-eLDiHD0
Part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsdrGK2JCmw
Part 4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KTvMYCzGoI UPDATED

More later on the Talemaker crew after rest.