Anyone who's ever trained a puppy knows that you go in steps and when a new variable is introduced (a change in schedule, a new rug in the kitchen, a visitor in the home) it impacts the process of training.  We at HRI have recently started working with new software for our newsletter as a way to cut the costs we once incurred with our old service. Guess what? That new variable resulted in a newsletter that went out without our being ready. Oops! Please read along with us and enjoy what has been a work in progress. We can't imagine anyone we'd rather share our experiences with than the wonderful friends and supporters of Havanese Rescue Inc and the beautiful dogs that have so captured our hearts.

Your Newsletter Committee

Winners! 2008 Rescue Quilts!

The needles are resting, members of HRI and the Forum Quilt Project are busy with their designs for next year, the figures are in, and the quilts and wall hanging have been shipped to all the lucky winners of the 2008 Havanese Rescue Inc Quilt Raffle. According to Carole Thompson, who has handled ticket sales since the inception of HRI and is a former HRI Treasurer, the total amount of funds earned is ....drum roll…$6,479.00! One hundred ten individuals purchased tickets prior to Richmond, and almost $1,500.00 of the total figure was donated to the raffle at Nationals.

The winner of the Forum Quilt is our own Susan Anthony, while Laura Cascino, the “auctioneer” for our annual upcoming HRI Auction took home the Havanese Make My World Go Round quilt.

Linda Okimoto, the force behind the beautiful advertisements for the Quilt Raffle this year (along with her wonderful and talented husband, Perry) was the first member from the quilt committee to win one of the pieces and is now the proud owner of the Havanese Delight wall hanging. Linda became involved in the quilt project as a result of a special relationship she shared with the late Sue Nelson. In Sue’s memory Linda became involved in HRI and eagerly accepted the position of co-coordinator of the Havanese Make My World Go Around quilt.

When I asked Linda to write a bit about the quilt she said it best. “We didn’t get dogs, we got a lifestyle. The whole family was involved in HRI this year. For 2009, I plan to make a square of my own for the first time.” (Below left, Daisey, Linda, Alana & Ricky Okimoto.)

Linda continued eloquently, “The quilt wall hanging we won will hang over my fireplace. We never use the fireplace, so the quilt will be safe. This quilt was dedicated to another rescue volunteer, Rosemary Leone. Her sister emailed me some time ago after reading one of the ads I posted about it, and told me how honored her sister would have been to have had a quilt made in her memory. How touching that was...and now it will be a part of our home.”

Laura Cascino, who is busily preparing for the amazing Autumn auction and still recuperating from a serious leg injury, just received a special package. She was kind enough to send this warm quote, “Shadow and Kidget were jumping up and down as I opened the box and pulled out the Havanese Make My World Go Round quilt. I was glad they were distracted by the toys and treats that were also packed inside, because I wanted to take my time and look at the detail in every single square. I will always treasure the quilt because it is so much more than just thread and fabric. It’s a true labor of love that represents our devotion to our dogs, not just those snoozing in our living rooms, playing in our yards and warming our feet at night, but also those waiting for us to free them from shelters and other unsafe situations so they can be made whole again and live life being loved and spoiled by folks who truly appreciate how precious they are.” Get well soon Laura.

A huge thank you to all that contributed their time, money, and effort to this year’s Raffle. The quilts and wall hanging were beautifully crafted and lovingly designed by many volunteers with one goal in mind, the commitment to the happiness and welfare of our beloved breed and to the Ebbie’s, Angel’s, Spike’s and Beasley’s, the Bentley’s, Bistro’s, and Bela’s, the Desi’s, the Maggie’s and Casper’s we love now and others whose memories we cherish.

Paul Hohne sells tickets while Bud Donner and Jane Hohne pose in front of the quilts at the
HRI Reception!