Who is The Geek squad and what do they do?
After a dog is voted in by Intake, the Dog Management Team sends a notice to the Geek Squad, and The Geek Squad posts the dogs to our website and also does updates when more information about a dog is discovered by their foster home. Members of the Squad are Evangeline Kelly, Jennifer Jablonski, Susan Curtis, Munnu Jacob, Starr Jow, Julie En, and Diana Brooks. Their favorite updates are changing the status of a dog from Available for Adoption to Happy Beginnings.
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HRI Volunteer
Chairman of the Geek Squad
It is a pleasure to introduce Diana Brooks
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Mike holding Clyde and Diana holding Hunter |
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I lived in Singapore with my husband for three and a half years, starting in 2004. I created a blog while we were there to remember our experiences. On Facebook, I saw beautiful Havanese, and I fell in love with the breed.
I was desperately missing having a pet, and so was my husband, Mike. We've always had rescue dogs in our lives, but it was too hot in Singapore, and there were restrictions on bringing pets. Mike promised me that we would get a dog when we repatriated in 2008.
Once we were settled in our home, I looked into adopting a Havanese. I heard all about HRI and the website, and I was off!
I spotted Hunter and Clyde listed separately. I decided that since Havanese like companion dogs, we would adopt both of them. No sooner had I submitted my adoption application than my phone rang, and it was Michelle Burke. She was fostering both of them in FL.
Long story short, we adopted both, and they rescued me from loneliness! I felt so good with them in our family I decided to become a volunteer with HRI. I submitted my volunteer application, and Michelle got back to me to see if I would like to become a Geek for our website.
My years as a blogger came in very handy when working on our website. Michelle coached me, and we found ourselves becoming very close friends. When she retired, I became her heir apparent with the Geek Squad and the Technology Management Team.
I thoroughly enjoy working with our fabulous Geeks who are the BEST at keeping our website looking professional. The Geeks also teach our volunteers "techy stuff" and mentor our State Contact with their online duties. I've also been fortunate to serve on the BOD, Dog Management Team, Intake, and as State Contact over the years. I've learned from others every step of the way. My very first job was on our Assistance Team.
Due to pancreatitis, we helped our beautiful Clydie to the Rainbow Bridge a few years ago. His little brother, Hunter, is still with us at 16. I love HRI and everything I've learned over the past 14 years. We also have Buddy Barker, Gibbsy, and Ernie Bernie Mac, all HRI rescues! We have also fostered at least ten other rescues for HRI.
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Buddy Barker (left) and Jethro Gibbs/Gibbsy (right) |
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Join Us at
The Havanese National Dog Show
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August 9th-13th
Louisville Kentucky
"Springgait & Isles"
Our take on the classic Morris and Essex Dog Show.
(Instead of being named after two NJ counties,
our take has been named for our
Havanese's movement (springy gait),
and their namesake location (the island of Cuba)
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There's something for everyone... it's more than just a dog show.
Come in costume in the spirit of Spinggate & Isles (vintage attire).
Games, contests, raffles, dinners, desserts and more! Come to see the many Havanese in attendance competing in conformation, agility, rally and obe events and maybe some HRI pups too!
Meet new Havanese friends and catch up with old ones.
Click here for more information.
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FYI
Havanese - Local Breed Clubs
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Interested in meeting other Havanese owners? Here are some local clubs. Some have activities and parties and most put on dog shows, so get in touch!
Cascade Havanese Club - The Greater Seattle, Washington Area
Central Carolina Havanese Club - North and South Carolina
Delaware Valley Havanese Club
Upper and Lower Delaware Valley (PA) including NJ
Great Lakes Havanese Club - Lower Michigan and Upper Ohio
Greater New York Havanese Club New York and New York City
Havanese Club of Northern California - Bay Area and Sacramento
Havanese Club of Southern California
Mid Florida Havanese Club
New England Havanese Club
North Star Havanese Club
Minnesota, Western Wisconsin and Northern Iowa
Red River Havanese Club
Dallas Texas Area
Southern Magnolia Havanese Club
Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee
Western New York Havanese Club
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From the Greater New York Havanese Club:
Mats and a Wet Dog
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This is a picture of a Havanese matting. |
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Perhaps when your Havanese returns from a walk or a run in the yard, they are not quite this wet, but even just a set of wet feet can cause mats --- and in all the wrong places.
Winter walks on city streets or treated steps or sidewalks are the most problematic, as chemicals or salt, even animal-friendly applications are caustic to hair. As you return home your Havanese eventually plops down and places moisture on the surface they are laying on or tucks their feet underneath their body wetting the hair on their belly, inner thighs, armpits, and inside their front legs. All areas that are tough to see and difficult to groom. Those areas will, as they dry, become the beginning of mats. As time goes on those areas will mat, and the mats will grow or multiply.
There is a quick and easy solution. All the ingredients needed probably are already in your home or inexpensively purchased at a chain drugstore.
WHAT YOU NEED
Cornstarch - Covered small container. large enough to hold about a cup of cornstarch and wide enough to be 2 times the width of your brush.
Brush - my favorite is a large makeup brush, but a boar bristle brush or even a baby brush will work as well.
Towel - A bath towel is fine, but I prefer a swimmer's towel or a hair wrap sold in most drug stores
Hairdryer
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WHERE TO DO IT
I find the kitchen sink the easiest (if it's empty LOL!), or a raised surface such as a counter or table, covered with a towel. The place should be one where the dog’s undercarriage is at least as high as your waist.
HOW TO DO IT
1- Place the dog in the sink or on the surface and dry to damp with a towel or hairdryer. In many cases, you can skip this step.
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2- Dip the brush about an inch deep into the cornstarch container, then gently tap the handle on the edge of the container. |
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3- Paint all the damp areas with the brush, refilling the brush as necessary. The wetter the spot the more cornstarch to use. Pick up the hair and get underneath as well.
4- Smush and rub the cornstarch in with your fingers.
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5- Shake the paws at the end and brush off the belly with your fingers.
AND YOU’RE DONE!
Put the dog back on the floor. Tell them they are wonderful (which of course they are) which will make them shake off the loose powder. I usually have a towel on the floor where I put the dog down to grab any excess, but the cornstarch is harmless to floors or rugs, or carpet.
You can check the previously damp spots in a half hour or so and repeat, if necessary, but once you get the hang of how much cornstarch to use, it should be fine. If there is remaining cornstarch or white cords of hair, just brush with your regular grooming brush.
-Pat Ross, Alison Brackman, and our wonderful model Brie …
The Greater NY Havanese Club
has this and other informational articles on our website
Sign up and join us!
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CONTACT INFORMATION LINKS
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Newsletter Staff
Editor - Joan Ambrose, Past President
Production - Jen Jablonski, President
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