Hello,
I was a member of this forum when I first got Ellie in early 2009. I learned a lot, posted many many questions, got very comfortable with my new friend and went on to many other things. I've come back to exchange and visit but no longer have any memory of what email I used and therefore have joined again.
When I got Ellie Havanese were rarely seen on the streets of NYC. I saw one and knew immediately. I still remember being totally taken with that happy gait and curious alert face. After chasing the owner down the block to find out "what kind of dog is that" I began researching. At that time there wasn't a lot of information but it all sounded good.
Since she was my first dog I didn't know about this forum, nor did I know about buying from breeders and not my local pet store. So Ellie came from the pet store and was only 8 weeks old when I took her home. There was a birth date reversal and I was told she was 12 weeks old. She was spunky but also very fearful. Helping her with her fears was how I learned she'd actually come from a puppy mill. She was terrified of stairs, afraid to go through an open door and afraid of all men, in addition to other things. Although I'd say she's still a bit hyper-vigilant and has a few "quirks", we've gotten over most of her fears and she's a happy charming dog. Many people think she's a puppy because of her very social nature.
I'm glad to again be reading posts and will be writing as well.
I was a member of this forum when I first got Ellie in early 2009. I learned a lot, posted many many questions, got very comfortable with my new friend and went on to many other things. I've come back to exchange and visit but no longer have any memory of what email I used and therefore have joined again.
When I got Ellie Havanese were rarely seen on the streets of NYC. I saw one and knew immediately. I still remember being totally taken with that happy gait and curious alert face. After chasing the owner down the block to find out "what kind of dog is that" I began researching. At that time there wasn't a lot of information but it all sounded good.
Since she was my first dog I didn't know about this forum, nor did I know about buying from breeders and not my local pet store. So Ellie came from the pet store and was only 8 weeks old when I took her home. There was a birth date reversal and I was told she was 12 weeks old. She was spunky but also very fearful. Helping her with her fears was how I learned she'd actually come from a puppy mill. She was terrified of stairs, afraid to go through an open door and afraid of all men, in addition to other things. Although I'd say she's still a bit hyper-vigilant and has a few "quirks", we've gotten over most of her fears and she's a happy charming dog. Many people think she's a puppy because of her very social nature.
I'm glad to again be reading posts and will be writing as well.