July 2022
HRI Dogs : Kiki's Story
Kate Spade (Kiki) came into HRI as a 5-year-old mess! Two badly luxating patellas, a heart murmur, and chronic ear/yeast infections caused her former owner to surrender her. They couldn’t afford, nor could they manage her medical care. Kiki was surrendered to a Virginia county shelter that reached out to HRI because they could not afford to treat her either. Jen Jablonski was chosen to foster her. Jen took her immediately to a primary care vet who confirmed her conditions plus extensive dental issues as well.
The next appointment was a cardiology evaluation so we could determine if anesthesia could be considered an option to help Kiki with her various health issues. Thankfully she was cleared for anesthesia. Appointments were then made with an orthopedic surgeon to correct her luxating patellas and a dental to help what was most likely a very uncomfortable existence for Kiki

On top of these dental and orthopedic challenges, Kiki was also dealing with terrible ear and yeast infections on both ends. Allergies were suspected so she was immediately put on a single ingredient food and prescribed antibiotics and antifungals to help her with this. Things cleared up with this approach.

Kiki's dental surprisingly did not require extensive extractions because most of Kiki’s teeth were fractured and just came out during the process of trying to scrape them. The teeth that remained were so calcified that they had attached to her jaw bone. Extractions were not attempted for these teeth because they were afraid of breaking her jaw if this was attempted. Her veterinarian said she was most likely left in a crate for long periods with nothing to do except chewing on an antler leading to these fractures.

After her ears and yeast infections cleared up, and her mouth was feeling better, Kiki was scheduled to have surgery to correct her grade 4 luxating patellas. She had both done at the same time and came through like a champ.

Through all Kiki’s ailments, she remained such a sweet, funny girl and her personality only flourished as she recuperated and clearly felt better.
After some further time spent at her foster home to heal, and over $5000 in medical costs, a forever home was chosen from the applicants. She is now happily reported to be living a great life in New Jersey and has been renamed Poppy.
HRI Volunteer
and President
It is a pleasure to introduce Jen Jablonski
Jen Jablonski is our current President. One of her first undertakings as an HRI volunteer was updating and redesigning HRI’s website. Currently, she serves as our leader, serves on the Geek Squad, designs social media content, administers our website, and performs countless other tasks that HRI asks of her. One of the favorite things she does is fostering and transporting HRI pups.

Jen was first introduced to our beloved breed when she added Timmy, her first Havanese, to her family over 10 years ago. Through her breeder, she was introduced to other local Havanese owners and was eventually introduced to Donna Rotoloni (and HRI) at a Havanese holiday party in 2014 and has never looked back.

Jen says that HRI is a labor of love, and the friends she has forged through volunteering have made her efforts worthwhile, and helping Havanese in need is just the cherry on the top. Relationships with fellow HRI volunteers through the years have created lifelong friendships, all originating because of a shared passion, a love for the breed.

Currently, Jen shares her home with Timmy, her husband David, two other Havanese, Mae and Lucy, and her cat Zuzu. Havanese are like potato chips, and we can never have just one. Jen keeps busy with her HRI duties, various other volunteering duties, and keeping on top of her daughters who live in Chicago and Washington DC. Jen enjoys sewing, knitting, cooking, gardening, and heading to the beach on weekends.
2022 Derby Quilt is here!
And it could be yours!
For information on how to enter to
win the quilt click the button below.
FYI
Dental Disease
Oral disease is the number one problem diagnosed in dogs, according to the State of Pet Health 2016 report. In a survey of Havanese done some time ago, it was the number one concern of both breeders and owners.

Although there is a genetic component to healthy teeth, daily brushing is recommended. Canine toothpaste is best as human toothpaste has ingredients that can be harmful. Mine like the Petrodex Poultry flavor. There are many toothbrushes available including one that fits on your finger.
I like the two-ended one as it reaches back teeth.
A list of products that are proven to reduce plaque and tartar is published by the Veterinary Oral Health Council, a link is included here.
CONTACT INFORMATION LINKS
Do not "reply" to this bulletin
Choose an appropriate contact below.
Click to request assistance for a dog needing rescue.
Click to complete adoption application
 Click to volunteer with Havanese Rescue.

Click if you have a question or suggestion for this newsletter.
Newsletter Staff
Editor - Joan Ambrose, Past President
Production - Jen Jablonski, President