Janet is a genetic counselor. So when I (Mirabell) met her , my very first thought was "ah great"!
Finally somebody I can learn a bit more from about genetics....
As our Havanese are our hobby, everything that comes with them, has our interest.
Genetics is one part of it; it keeps the brains working!
We started a very interesting conversation.
When Janet showed her interest in our puppies, it was the easiest decision to make.
We loved to send her one of ours!
And boy, is this big baby Busby happy to have such a funny mum!
I enjoy her -daily!- messages; they are always good for a laugh and make my day!
When you read on, you will notice her great sense of humour!

This is what Janet writes about Busby:

The Big Baby, BUSBY BERKELEY,
and how he came to live with us in the States.....

I waited through the night, on the other side of the world from René and Mirabell,
as "Usa" labored on, awaiting a baby boy to be born who would like to join our little family.
And not only did Usa have a boy for me, she had only ONE boy!
Not only was Busby the ONLY boy, he had FOUR sisters and was born second.....
and here I am, with FOUR brothers and no sisters and of course, also born second....
so here we are together now, by the San Francisco Bay, a match made in the universe (and in Schoonoord, Holland)!

I remember waiting anxiously at Los Angeles Airport on September 18 with my brother Jimmy who lives in Santa Monica.
Mirabell was on her way to the National Havanese Specialty in Southern California
and had kindly brought him to me from Amsterdam.
I thought Customs would NEVER let Mirabell through...
and then there she was, almost last, with my darling Busby in his crate
(from which he emerged, NEVER to return...)
After hurried hugs and confusion, we popped him into his brand new Sherpa bag for the last flight to the San Francisco Bay Area.

The Baby Busby goes to the vet.
What, NO shots??? Cool...

Busby was named by my cousin Barbara, who is a dancer, as there really was a Busby Berkeley,
and this little Hav Busby can dance, too, on his back feet-
his brand new trick of which he is SO proud- and which also gets him LOTS of attention, yessireee!
Also, it is so I can never forget suffering through graduate school at UC Berkeley (as though one ever could!)

Yes, Busby is BIG, and he looks like he can take on the world- but he surely loves his mom!
Mama Mirabell had pre-spoiled him for me,
and taught him how nice it is to be carried,
and the minute she put him in my arms,
he snuggled his head right into my neck on my left shoulder,
where that beautiful face has been ever since (okay, he does actually walk on a leash....)!

Yael & Busby; two beautiful faces...

"Oh, he is SO CUTE!"
quot;Is he real? He looks like a stuffed animal!"
"He looks just like he is wearing furry pajamas"

Busby gets so many wonderful comments from my many nieces, friends, relatives
and all the people he meets, and melts every heart that comes his way with his big eyes and darling face.

I am totally mad for him:
he is good and sweet, has a terrifically silly personality,
learns as fast as can be (he is in Puppy Kindergarten and loves it), responsive,
and the very best company.
He is a great traveler already, by air and by road, and goes immediately to sleep in his Sherpa bag,
the best big little boy in the world!
He has a HUGE crush on Mandy, the big 70 pound yellow Lab/Shepherd mix across the street, who thinks he is her baby.
He goes to visit the kids at nearby schools, greets all his friends and makes new ones every day.

Also in residence here, and the true ruler of the house, is Ms Emma, the Queen.
It was March 1987 and I went to the San Francisco SPCA to look for a kitten,
as I walked by, an arm extended out of one cage,
and the claws VERY firmly implanted in the mohair sweater I had knitted.
I looked in and saw those big green eyes looking out from that cat,
saying: "I am NOT a kitten, but you are going to TAKE ME!"
And so I did...and in due time, Ms Emma, also known as "Emma the Empress" and "Emma the Big BOSS Cat"
(so tall she can pull herself up to the top of the computer table and stare at what I am typing....and meow until she gets the necessary pets!)
began organizing me to meet all her needs.

I wish my food served on a golden tray,
by a person in a maid's uniform!

She is a bit baffled as to how Busby is supposed to serve her,
but since she is The Queen, ALL subjects must, and I am sure she will find a job for him!

Hey Ma, that guy is STILL here!
Okay I guess I can share - a little bit.
BUT...NOT my food, and NOT my toys, and NOT the couch, and NOT you,
and NOT and NOT.........

That SNAKE! Here it is again!
Get rid of it for me, Mom; whaaaaa...

I cannot say enough about Mirabell.
All the tributes to her, and the breeding she and René have done, are here with me,
a little ball of beautiful red sable, all curled up,
with his little face as close as possible to my feet,
just waiting for a signal from Mom that some new adventure is about to begin...
Just waiting to hear: Let's go out, Busby!
And then he runs to the door, his little tail wagging while I frantically grab the leash and the treat bag,
and off we go into the big, wide world....

Look, my mom's "red sable" too!!

Greetings from the happiest most delightful dog, the Big Baby Busby, and his Big Cat Sis Emma, and most willing Mom....

JANET BERENSON, M.S.
Genetic Counselor