Vivi, whose new name was derived from superViviente (the Spanish word for "survivor") is a very special 7.6 pound, chocolate sable Havanese born on Dec.15, 2009. She has hydrocephalus ("water on the brain" - a congenital birth defect) and just to make sure she earned her "Special Needs" designation, at 6 months of age she presented with a non-functioning pyloric sphincter which required major abdominal surgical revision.
Vivi, whose new name was derived from superViviente (the Spanish word for "survivor") is a very special 7.6 pound, chocolate sable Havanese born on Dec.15, 2009. She has hydrocephalus ("water on the brain" - a congenital birth defect) and just to make sure she earned her "Special Needs" designation, at 6 months of age she presented with a non-functioning pyloric sphincter which required major abdominal surgical revision.
This "fluid on the brain" prevented her brain from developing normally and kept her fontanel from closing. She has what sp
ecialists termed "the largest opening we've ever seen". This means her large soft spot, right up on top of her head, leaves 
her brain extremely vulnerable to trauma.
On a routine follow-up in late November fibrous material spanning the openings was discovered, much to everyone's surprise. It is now thought that with the reduced swelling, Vivi's body is somehow healing itself resulting in a much better surgery-free prognosis. Her steroid dose is low enough that she could actually live close to normal lifespan.
While Vivi has overcome many obstacles, she will remain developmentally “stuck” in puppyhood. Her fears and reflexes, the way she plays, walks, eats, goes potty, etc. will forever resemble those traits of a young puppy. She won’t have the confidence of a normally developed Havanese and will always require some degree of supervision.
Vivi spent her first 4 months in a cage at a vet office down south, where she only had one little view forward out into the big world. She was being advertised for sale, not having been spayed and an alert Good Samaritan notified HRI Intake. Upon investigation it was obvious that Vivi needed to be rescued, evaluated and either given a chance at some semblance of a normal life or kindly let go. At that time she had a very flat affect and volunteers were told her tail “didn’t work”… It is up and wagging now!
Well, little Ms.Vivi has surprised many out here in the real world. She has her own little routine down pat, is a great traveler, and is showing a little curiosity for new experiences. The vet doctors at Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital, University of Pennsylvania have taken particular interest in her unique condition and commend HRI for giving Vivi a chance to become all that she can be.
Vivi was adopted and much loved in PA for 7 1/2 wonderful years until nothing could be done to keep normal pressure in her brain. It was difficlut to let her go but she was promised only good days. She was a wonderfully happy dog who delighted everyone who knew her!