Postcard from Boca

Hi to all my Hav Rescuer friends! Life here in sunny Florida couldn't be better! Len and Bev take me almost everywhere with them, but when I know that I'm going to have to spend a bit of time alone, I'm under the bed for sure. (I prefer the top of the bed for sleeping!)

I have lots and lots of neighborhood dog and people pals, a girlfriend and more play dates than you could shake a bully stick at! There is even a waiting list of people who want to take care of me when Len and Bev are headed out for an extended time. What more could a Hav boy ask for? They've changed the expression from the "Life of Riley" to the "Life of Cooper." I've got it made.

I am in love with both my new owners, but Len and I share some great guy times. We walk to meet Bev at exercise class, You probably already heard about my own private chair in the driveway, car rides and, are you ready for this...Len doesn't even want to go on vacation anymore....I'm all that, aren't I?

I miss you all, but when my mom tells everyone that I'm a "people person" that about sums it up, doesn't it?

Love and Hav Hugs to All, Coop

A great time was had by everyone attending the Great Lakes Pet Expo in Milwaukee on February 2. HRI was well represented with numerous volunteers, both human and Havanese!

Charlie, a recent Havanese foster dog now happily adopted, made his debut at the HRI booth. He delighted visitors with his puppy charm. You can see him pictured here with Beans and Frank, both veterans to HRI booths, and Angie, another regular HRI volunteer.

HRI provides information about the breed as well as positive pet care and education about puppy mills, an ever growing problem in Wisconsin and other parts of the country. Many people stopped by our booth that day. In fact, one family is now a foster family awaiting the arrival of a young Havanese mix left in a shelter after his owner died! We thank our volunteers for giving of their time and talents to make the Great Lakes Pet Expo a success.

Lu Wyland

I guess it is only fitting that I agreed to volunteer with HRI since it was a rescue that led me to my Mirabel. It was inadvertent. I met a wonderful rescue dog when I was in a Petco. (He wasn't a Havanese, but he sure was cute!) I even applied to adopt him, but someone else was chosen. That started my search for a new family member. While researching breeds, Havanese kept cropping up. I thought about fostering a dog since I knew there was a need. Then I met Mirabel, my Havanese, and fell in love with her and the breed.

I knew about HRI before the national specialty in Denver, but after meeting so many wonderful volunteers there, I knew volunteering was something I wanted to do. I sent in my application and was welcomed into the warmest and most caring group of people you could ever want to meet. I am lucky to have had the most wonderful first time fostering experience. I was so excited to be called. It was my chance to help a dog, give him lots of love and take care of him until the perfect "furever" home was found.

It was hard to wait for the foster homecoming of Biscuit, our first foster dog. We were excited to meet him! He was immediately greeted by my fur family which can be a little overwhelming for any dog. Poor Biscuit didn't know what to make of it. He immediately took to my son though and sat curled up with him.

For the first day and a half he mainly stayed in his bed or on the sofa. He ate and went out when asked but not much more. Subsequently he became more adventurous and decided he liked the little girl dog that was a lot like him. They got along really well and enjoyed playing with each other. He still wasn't sure what to make of the bigger dogs. Everyday he became more outgoing and showed his delightful personality. We have had many a laugh over his antics.

For a dog that once had a fractured rear leg he has the highest vertical leap I think I have ever seen. I joke that he needs to be adopted by the circus because he is so acrobatic. He sits up, jumps very high, walks on his hind legs, and is one of the most charming dogs you could want to meet. With his big brown eyes looking at you adoringly, Biscuit loves to be loved on.

I can't imagine a better first time experience for fostering. It has been wonderful to see Biscuit adapt to the new routine and his new family members. There have been a few trying days but all in all it has been a very positive experience. He has added to the number of kisses and cuddles I get everyday. I know he won't be with me long because he is such a great puppy. He should find a home quickly.

Would I foster again? In a heart beat. The love and laughs Biscuit has brought into my home far outweigh a few accidents on the floor.

I am sure the hardest part of fostering is yet to come, the day we say goodbye and send Biscuit on to a new family. The house will seem too quiet and we'll be sad for awhile but we will know that he is moving on to bigger and better things. I hope he knows how much he touched us and how much he will be missed. I am one lucky person to have had this amazing dog come through my home and hope that his new family appreciates how amazing he is too. We love you Biscuit!

For those thinking about fostering, I hope you decide to give it a try. You will make a big difference in the life of a dog and make a big difference in the lives they go on to touch.

Anne S.

Make sure to check out Biscuit's information in the adoption corner!