It's hard to believe it's been a whole year since I came to my new home! My first home was good but I needed a little more excitement in my life. I sure found it with my new family! My dad is the greatest and I think he is my favorite. I always tell him about my day when he gets home and I let him sit with me in my new favorite chair. He has been teaching me lots of new stuff and always gives me treats when I show him how fast I can run to the back door when he calls me. I have a big brother named Bailey. I don't think he likes having a little sister very much but he does play with me sometimes and he always waits for me when mom lets us outside.

I love to explore in my back yard and there are other dogs I talk to - mom says they are neighbors. We have some great neighbors, too. Our next door neighbor opened his van door so I could jump in with his kids - boy was he surprised when I kissed him! I'm getting to know everyone! I really like it here and I think I will stay!

Kim Tufte

Right: Nora enjoying a well earned massage after the rescue booth!

It was a busy day at the Burlington Pet Wellness Expo on April 14. Many visitors stopped by the HRI booth to meet the ambassador for our breed that day, Nora, and to talk or ask questions about the breed, rescue and our display about puppy mills. With an increasing number of commercial kennels and dog auctions in Wisconsin, the issue is becoming more of a concern to animal lovers. Many people were surprised to hear there are numerous Havanese in various commercial kennels in WI. Education about not purchasing puppies from pet stores was shared, sometimes from visitors at the HRI booth talking to each other! It's heartening to hear from children and teenagers who have already picked up on the message. Often we've heard them that point out the photos or display to their friends while reminding them, "That's why you never buy a pet shop puppy!" Education does work.

It wasn't all work and education for Nora, however. She was lucky enough to be sought out by Kristy of Animal Doctor Veterinary Clinic in Muskego, WI. Kristy is an animal massage therapist that met Nora at the Milwaukee Pet Expo. Nora got to finish out the day with a soothing massage at the Animal Doctor booth. What a great way to wrap up a long day at work!

Lu Wyland

Above: Artie hugging Lu and thanking her for her hard work at the Havanese Rescue booth!

This is going to be a new feature in the newsletter where we will answer questions that are asked by volunteers, contributors, and the general public.

Q: How does a volunteer put on a successful rescue booth?

Kathi Robertson is an HRI volunteer that has helped with many successful rescue booths so I asked her what she does to make them a success! Kathi conveyed that a successful rescue booth is in the planning. If you are able to gather a crew, that always helps! Lu, Sue, Lynne, Tony, and Angie have a regular booth in Milwaukee where they make sure to have a table and an x-pen for their dogs. Please note that the dogs there are not usually dogs looking for their forever home. The booths can often times be too overwhelming for a dog that just came into rescue. Many volunteers take their pets as a well-socialized Havanese can have a delightful time visiting and greeting.

The dogs tend to steal the spotlight and gather people around the booth. Kathi found the x-pen to be easier than having the dogs visit on the table so that way they were able to go ahead and relax and take a nap in the corner if needed. The volunteers are then able to go ahead and talk to the visitors, hand out pamphlets, and still keep an eye on the dogs. Another point that is very important is to make sure you have HRI pamphlets, cards, website information out on the table. Many of the visitors can't pass up Havie kisses (who would?), so while they are covering their faces with sweet kisses, they can take the information and visit the website when they are home. Lu also makes sure to have on the table is information about choosing a responsible breeder, and puppy mills. This can often times save a Havanese from coming to rescue if the potential family is aware of where that puppy in the pet store truly came from.

Kathi also noted that be prepared to answer the question of "A Hava What?" and go home tired but your work for the day will be very rewarding. You will get to spend time showing off your pride and joy, educating others, and helping other Havanese along the way.

Amanda Brown
I would like to thank Kathi Robertson for all her help in answering this month's Q & A.

Above: Nora working hard at a HRI education booth

HRI is always collecting letter's home, public education, and other Havanese Rescue stories. If there is a Q&A that you would like to hear about send us an email. Everyone loves to hear about foster dogs, see updated pictures also, and find out where HRI rescue booths are taking place. Please feel free to drop an email to
[email protected]

Want to get the word out about puppymills but you don't know how? You may change a life just by sporting one of these magnets on the back of your car! Let people know where those dogs in pet stores really come from!

HRI has magents available! The Havanese depicted on these magnets was rescued from a puppymill in February 2006. Although he nows lives a happy life with a family who loves him, others are not so fortunate.

Thank you for supporting HRI and our efforts to end the suffering in puppymills!