HRI Dogs: Bobbie's Story

Bobbie is a very sweet ten year old dog with a birth defect called Mega Esophagus or Mega E. He can swallow food but his esophagus is so large it comes back up so he must eat sitting up in a baby hi chair so his food can slide down. He wears a collar to keep him from regurgitating. He also has kidney failure so he has a special diet. He was fortunate to have an owner who cared for him quite expertly. In every other way he is a typical Havanese who loves everyone and happily plays with toys and other dogs. He had a very good life. Sadly, his owner became ill. After her diagnosis, as she became weaker, she planned for Bobbie to come into HRI. She had been a volunteer at HRI and so turned to us. Another volunteer Cindy Butler was willing to be his foster. When the time came Bobbie joined Cindy and was put in the Golden Paws Program. Golden Paws dogs are forever fosters who cannot be adopted out. Bobbie is now a happy boy in his new home with new siblings for fun and games. He is doing well, and Cindy and her husband enjoy him.

HRI Volunteer

It's a pleasure to introduce

Cindy Butler

Cindy with Cosy and Bobby

Cindy Butler is an artist and works from home so is a perfect foster for a dog who needs special care. She does beautiful ads for HRI and has been a volunteer for over 10 years. Cindy also rescued a puppy mill-breeding female Havanese some time ago. The little female was used for breeding and had no socialization at all. She was very frightened, not used to people, or truthfully any life at all. It took a while, and lots of patience, but she now is a happy girl and runs and plays with Bobbie and their most recent addition: a Westie puppy.

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HRI Numbers

From Mary Richling Chair of HRI Intake: We have had 177 surrender inquiries since the start of 2022. Many were forced to surrender their dogs because they could no longer care for them and had no plans set in place. 28 dogs were surrendered due to owners being elderly (no longer able to care for their dogs, moving to assisted living....), 24 dogs surrendered due to unexpected health issues of owners (surgeries, chronic illnesses....), 6 owners passed away without plans in place, 13 owners were moving and unable/willing to take their dog(s) along. 71 total in 2022 alone. In most of these cases, if the owners had plans in place for their pets, should they not be able to care for them, rescue wouldn't be necessary. HRI feels fortunate however that we can provide a soft landing when these situations arise. Havanese owners can indicate HRI in their estate directives if they don't have feasible placement options for their dogs. HRI has been the recipient of several bequests as well.

FYI

Estate Planning (for your dogs)

This is a time for New Year’s Resolutions. One of them should be planning for your dog(s). Make provisions for your dogs in case of illness, accident, or death. If something happened would people know you even had dogs at home? This is important for us all but especially for those of us who live alone. Do you have instructions in your car? In your wallet? If you were in an accident and couldn’t communicate (likely with your spouse), how long would it take for someone to find out about your dog(s)? What would you want to happen to your dog if you were suddenly ill or died? Do you have written instructions on where your dogs can be found? 

From AKC Gazette, Written by Lisa Curry: The simplest way to provide for your dogs is to designate—in writing— a caretaker to take custody of them if the need arises, before or after your death. Name several backups in case your first choice is unable or unwilling to serve when the time comes. Provide a written “letter of instruction” with specific directions as to which dogs should be placed with which caretaker and the exact care each dog should receive. Identify the dogs as specifically as possible, and don’t forget to add the words “and any other dogs I own at the time I die or am incapacitated.”



If you cannot identify an appropriate caregiver, designate someone with good judgment to select one. Provide a copy of the instruction letter to each affected person and place a copy with your important papers. If you have a power of attorney, make sure that person has a copy of the letter and has the authority to make expenditures on behalf of your dogs while you are incapacitated and before a will is probated. You may want to incorporate your letter of instruction into your will. Although perhaps not fully enforceable, this may influence how your executor disposes of your dogs and your money.

A trust is another way, but a lawyer is usually needed.