This is my baby Kilo Page; he's 3 years old and is a champion. He is awesome with my children and loves me so much. On days when you feel like no one cares that you even exist, Kilo reminds me that I am special, LOL, even if it's only to the dog!  The story behind Kilo, is that I was given or entrusted to care for my mom's Bouvier Des Flanders, since she passed away with cancer. It's a special bond you get when someone in their dying wants asks you to love someone they love. My inherited dog had big brown cow eyes and she was human like. She thought she was small, tried to be a lap dog, and slept in the bed with me, and well, so much more. She knew a lot of English... and just was well, human like! After 2 years of being my dog, she became older and her hips became painful and she had other problems and well, Koty went to doggie heaven. I was devastated to say the least and vowed NEVER to get another dog. It wasn't until my son came to me that I even listened to the words *another pet* I even told my friends about what he said and they were on his side they told me "Just because someone you love dies doesn't mean you stop allowing yourself to love again, nor expect your children to. So, I decided that the only way I would have another pet is if I found a pet that was *perfect*! I really set myself up with my list. They had to be in love with the whole family, small, love the lap, love visitors, not nip, bite, or have major health issues associated with the breed (aka the poodle) live a decent length of time, love children, be not skittish, easy to train, have a friendly playful personality, etc. Oh, I was sure there would be NO dog that could fit this. I put in my criteria and out popped the word Havanese. I thought for sure it would be like a hairless cat, or something different that my husband couldn't look at (he claims those hairless cats are obscene) I clicked on the link and up and out popped this beautiful dog. I have to admit, it brightened my heart. So, I did tons of research and found out all I could on the havanese. I even went as far as joining some yahoo groups specifically for the havanese. I really sat down and thought it out, discussed it with my husband, children, thought about my life, what I could give, if I was ready, and then sat on the list and listened and watched, and learned. I wanted to know everything and learn. I went to housebreaking sights, I read ways to feed pets, how to groom this specific dog, oh I could go on, and I could try and show you all the info but it would make this page way to much and well, I already am going on. I then went to another stage and that was writing tons of breeders and listening to how they respond to me, what they say, and how the act. I wanted to get a breeder I trusted and felt comfortable with. I ended up with a lovely lady named Margie, and she gave me the time I absolutely needed. I read her webpage back to front and so fourth. She told me it could be 6 months or longer before she would even have a pet, I had to fill out a questionnaire and she checked me out first. While we were getting comfortable 2 of her girl dogs had litters. After about 2 months she finally wrote me and said "Shawna, I am tired and although the puppies were a joy, I am not going to breed the other girl. So, I don't want you to feel let down and I want to tell you this now so if you want you can research other breeders. She gave me another breeder but the breeder lived real far away and I wanted to drive to meet my breeder. So, heartbroken but thankful she was honest.... I sent out one last plea to my hav list. I was honest, told them about myself, and well, waited. That's when JerOme wrote me. He told me about a dog he had that wasn't a puppy but a 3 year old show dog champ and the story behind this male dog. We wrote back and fourth and well, lets say that THAT weekend I drove from Michigan to West Virginia to meet this dog who was everything I wanted, playful, loving, great with kids, and heck potty trained to boot. I will now add below the entries of my diary of Kilo and our meeting.  I wanted to say that I was talking to a breeder. He then told me that he was letting his show dog go and offered him to me, he's 3 years old (well, this June he'll be) and some of you may even know him. The more we wrote back and fourth the more I felt comfortable with him. So, my family took a trip from Michigan to Ohio, then Pennsylvania, Maryland, and last ended up in West Virginia. We had a wonderful time meeting the breeder whose name is JerOme, and his wife Zsuzsanna... You could tell that Zsuzs was going to miss her baby, she doted over him and worried and asked many questions, Jerome and I had talked questions already through the email so, and I think he was less apprehensive. His wife made us *open face* sandwiches and they were delicious and when we left they even offered us to come back and visit and stay if ever we want to be able to see the sites. I have never met such open and nice people. I was able to meet the famous momma that took in 2 kittens! She and I bonded well her name was Samba I believe, anyhow, Somba sat down under my arm laid her head on me and when would just look up into my eyes, she was the sweetest gal you'd want to meet, I don't know.. I thought maybe it was the fact that we are both mothers giving milk? LOL, but somehow she stole my heart as she unconditionally is a cat and doggie momma. Then I finally met my new doggie, his name is Kilo, as in Kilo byte, The kids practiced his name on the way down, and I told Sean, I hope no one thinks of pot smoking when they here his name and thinks we are well, you know... LOL we both laughed. This was ironic because when I met Jerome, Sean asked is it KILL-OH or KEEL-OH and he said "Kilo, like the computer, or heck like pot!" and he laughed. Jerome is a very warm personality and really down to earth and funny... so it made us all laugh! Kilo came up and snuggled too but mostly he bonded with my son. Now, my son is very energetic so it was nice to see him and Kilo bond, they bonded so well that when we left with Kilo to go home, he sat next to Nicholas the whole way home. Oh, I almost forgot, and he also liked his hair blowing in the wind coming from the back van windows. Kilo is already playing *run like hell* with me and he plays ball. We are trying to make him feel like he's home and I am hoping he adjusts wonderfully, so far he loves us and we him. He loves to sit under my feet at the computer, which is what my bouvier Koty did, and he loves to lay on the tile floor with his belly hitting. He goes to the vets tomorrow morning, the vet there though kept saying "a HAVA what?" So, I hope she gets her book out! LOL, she's one of the 4 there though. We have Kilo groomed May 30th, but I am going to really try to train myself to groom him, I don't want a horror story of the cut down dog to happen to me! Kilo's hair is beautiful :) Shawna.  Shawna JerOme, Zsu, and Kilo's in the middle. Well, it's day one with Kilo here in our house and part of the family, thought I would update! :) He had a slow start in the morning, he poo'd a couple of times in the house and then marked. I was thinking "Oh, no, Kilo don't like it here" I talked about it to Margie and JerOme and asked for some suggestions, Margie said treats and talked about showing who is boss, and so much more. Jerome, also said give him treats! Then I laid down for a nap and I remembered someone sharing a story of leash training, so I decided Kilo and I were going to become REAL close friends, so he had this belly thing on ... (I can't ever remember what it's called it keeps him from peeing) but that keeps popping off when he played *run like hell* And I had a leash, if I had to go some where my daughter held onto him but mostly, I held him next to me. There was NO more accidents after that, and I praised him *like hell* when he came in and did the treats, later when he was really good I took the pad off of him and he really seemed to be attached to me, every room I go in, he is right behind me. He even jumped into my bed and cuddled. When I go into my bedroom he runs into his cage LOL and looks at me... and then when I leave he runs out! I then later went to petsmart to pic up some things. I also went to baby's r us and bought a gate to keep him in one section of the house. Right now, Kilo gets combed on my washer like JerOme suggested, and I bought a couple different combs he suggested. Kilo is ambivalent about grooming though... LOL, I am probably way to gentle and such... but hey, I don't want to hurt him. Kilo loves the car though and was great in pet smart.  When we were home and all was silent, only me and the hub up, well, Kilo came over to me, jumped on the couch and just snuggled, when I pet him he turned over on his back as if to see "Itch the belly please" ... I really believe this morning started out different and ended blissfully bonding. Oh, except for him and the cat, when they see each other they jump in the air and run in opposite directions, they are scared of each other. LOL in due time I guess LOL  This is the long winded story of Kilo, he and I are best of friends and he howls when I go somewhere and is under my feet as I typed this. I have learned so many lessons, puppies aren't the only dogs that need love, a dog can really brighten and help you through some dark grief, and so much more.    When I received Kilo a very nice lady wrote me and told me he had come from her litter... it was the Momma's first litter, her name is Abby and he was one of 10. I don't know which one he is in here but goodness, aren't they all cute? The Breeder's name is Beth, I hope it's okay I said that, I did ask for permission to use her picture though :)   Here are some more pictures of his family Kilo's sister's Phantom & Elie and Kilo's momma Abby Megabyte Kilo's Daddy Some Links  JerOme's Link Margie's Links Beth's link Havanese info  Grooming Potty training techniques Guestbook View/sign More pictures of Kilo Dolce's page Home