Thank you, Pat, Judy, and Gerry from the depths of my heart.
Fidel, or Fidelito -- for little Fidel-- and I are so happy. He is a sweetheart and sooo full of joy, relishing his freedom and a new life full of affection, toys, and fun.
As for his name, which Judy didn't like too much, it means fidelity and loyalty. Like "siempre fi" for the Marines and the classic dog name, Fido. It's also a joke on Castro and the choice was sealed when my Cuban friend Carmen liked it!

Housebreaking is a challenge but he's trying. He's already great on the leash, comes when he's called and fear is falling away. He's timid with people other than me but much less so than last week. We bonded quickly and deeply. He's a big smiler and even bigger cuddler. Wonderful all around.
My friend Judy Hittman said she was going to make a donation to HALO. I also am talking with some friends who do fundraising events and am hoping to host one for HALO by and large. I would talk with you about it of course. It won't be right away but I will keep you posted.
I hope you are well and happy. We sure are -- thanks to you wonderful folks and HALO.
Love,
Victoria and Fidelito

We are so happy

June 2009

June 2009

Things are going great!  She's come a LONG way in just a short week. 
You might remember that Carol had said that Delilah couldn't go up or down stairs- by last Saturday night she was running up to our 3rd floor apartment right alongside her brother.  (it wasn't until Thursday night that she was able to tackle down them)  
She and Samson took their first trip to the dogpark today and she was thrilled to just run and run and run.  She was even more brave than Sammy when the "big dogs" wanted to sniff her. 
She is going for her first vet visit tomorrow, Samson is due for one of his shots so she'll tag along and get a little check up too.
She's coming along with potty training- not completely accident free yet, but we'll get there.  
We have been so overjoyed at how well she and Samson are adjusting to one another- he bugs her to play constantly and she puts up with him, and she steals food that he's trying to eat all the time and he doesn't give it a second thought! 
She is a huge cuddle-bug (as we call her)- she just loves to melt into your chest with her head propped up on your shoulder.   
We can't wait for her hair to grow out so she can have her first salon visit and get a cut more like her brother's. 
It's so cool to watch her transform before our eyes.  She's starting to lose some of her nervous energy and just rest in the fact that she's safe and we love her unconditionally.
Thank you so much, Kathi... we feel so blessed to add her to our family and can't wait to spend the rest of her life loving her to pieces to make up for her first two scary years!  We'll send pictures once we get them... we've tried several times but have been unsuccessful thus far at getting BOTH of them to look at the camera at the same time.  :)    
 
Warmly,
Leesa & Josh 
 

April 2009

Lola is doing so awesome. We love her to pieces! She sleeps right above my head every night. She makes sure to lay totally flat and long (like a snake) so that I still have room on the pillow. She tries so hard to please us all. We play with her a lot and she loves to fetch. The amazing thing about her is that she will automatically drop whatever you throw for her right at your feet and wait patiently for you to throw. We have never taught her this, it’s just something she did from day one. My other dog, Rocket, who is more of an alpha will NEVER drop it. Only if he gets really, really desperate after watching Lola fetch 10 or so times with her toy, then he finally kick the ball my way. Too funny.

Dana

April 2009

Just wanted to let you that our adorable Jasper arrived in California yesterday, and everyone in the family loves him already. He is a sweet, gentle dog with a wonderful disposition who is well along in his adjustment to normal life, thanks to Marisa and Tom. Our dog, Cleo, liked Jasper at once and they spent several hours together running in our backyard today.  You picked the perfect companion for Cleo and we haven't seen a hint of negative behavior - she wags her tail every time she sees Jasper (was Jersey). He is also the perfect dog for the rest of our family - he loves to be held and carried around and that's what all five of us love to do.

Just wanted to let you know how Jasper's first two weeks in California have gone. He has really defied all my beliefs about rescue dogs. He is extemely affectionate and wants to be picked up or sit on someone's lap all the time. He is a little jealous of any attention given to Cleo - you only need to start petting Cleo and he will come running to you. He sleeps deeply lying on my lap - even upside down with all his legs in the air. From the beginning, his tail was always up when he was outside but as of a few days ago, it is now usually up when he is in the house too. The speed with which he is adjusting is incredible - and largely due to Marisa's care of him, I believe.

Jasper is a delightful Havanese. Thank you both for sending him to us.

Cheryl