Rescue A Havanese if You Please!

Serving as a dog rescuer is one of the most rewarding parts of my life. If you love animals and want to invite a dog into your life, I strongly recommend becoming a foster parent for a rescue group.

Mixed breeds, or ‘Heinz 57' pups, as they are referred to, make wonderful pets All of our dogs are rescue dogs and are quite a mixture. George is a Beagle with a little Daschound in the family somewhere. We rescued him from the side of the road where a hunter left him, probably because he didn't measure up with the rest of his litter on training day. Gracie, a Yellow Lab and Great Dane mix, was one of nine puppies that a our son's rescue dog gave birth to exactly 9 weeks after he adopted her! That's the gestation time for a dog - what a Fourth of July surprise that was! We've also had a Lab and German Shepherd mix who was so beautiful, she looked like a wolf and had a wonderful temperament. She ended up on our doorstep at six-weeks old during a blizzard. So, don't feel you must have a purebred dog for a family pet, mixed breeds are wonderful.

If, however, you prefer a certain breed, don't lose heart. Many pure breeds have rescue groups who focus on only toy sized dogs, or a special breed. Poodles, Bulldogs and many other specialty dogs are up for adoption every day through these wonderful groups.

We wanted a small dog and after a bit of research I decided I wanted a Havanese. They are toy dogs related to the Bichon family. There were two problems facing us, however. Havanese are a rare breed and very expensive. They can cost between one to three thousand dollars! Also, I am aware of all of the homeless animals out there and felt I really should rescue one of them. So i became a foster mom for Havanese. I take them from the rescue group and give them a good home and love until they are placed in a permanent home with their adoptive family. People ask me how I can give them up after keeping them for several weeks, and I tell them it's a little sad the day they leave, but that sadness is eclipsed by the joy of knowing one more pup had a loving home and will be spayed or neutered. There is also the joy of knowing a new puppy or two will be with me soon and I'll save another dog from a puppy mill or the pound.

If you decided to adopt a rescue dog, know that they are given a full bill of health and all of their shots before you take them home. This also includes flea and tick treatments. Also, their personality is assessed and the shelter will tell you which animals get along well with children or other pets. An elderly person should probably adopt an older dog. My Dad is in his eighties and, against my suggestion, adopted a Beagle puppy. It was not a good match, as Beagle pups have more energy and curiosity than a room full of preschoolers. Happily, he found a good home for him before both of them ended up disabled in one way or another.

Shelters or rescue groups will often be able to tell you the genetic strengths and weaknesses of a particular breed, as well as give you some idea of the blend of a mixed breed dog. The pets are clean, groomed and healthy when you take them home. Sadly, this cannot be said for many Pet Shop puppies, as they often come from puppy mills where their nutrition and over-all care has been neglected and they may have even been inbred, which can lead to all sorts of problems.

After a bit more internet searching I found a Havanese rescue group online named HALO. They focus on rescuing only the Havanese breed. Unsure about what I was getting into I decided to become a foster Mom first. We were delighted with Tanya and kept her with us and loved her for three weeks until her adoptive family took her home. During that time I realized what a wonderful breed Havanese are and felt even better that I was helping to save puppies from a life worse than death in puppy mills. HALO also takes in dogs that must be surrendered because their owner is moving into a place where dogs aren't allowed, like an extended care facility, or they are too elderly or ill to care for their pets. Adopting a dog from one of these situations is wonderful feeling. Not only do you end up with exactly the kind of dog you've always wanted, but you're saving a life. Also, the adoption fees are much lower that purchasing a pet from a pet store. HALO asks for a four-hundred dollar donation (a bargain) and all of that money goes toward saving more pups.

If you're considering adopting a dog, please look through the many animals at the Humane Society, SPCA or your local shelter. Also, be sure to look up a breed that seems right for you and find a new furry friend through a rescue group. A good place to start is petfinder.com.