Qashani Habwa Min Farha - 'Habwa'
1.3. 2003-22.5. 2008
Owned by Micaela Lehtonen & Minja Hännikäinen

On March first my longawaited desert litter was finally born. The last puppy was a wonderful surprise: a red girl with a white patch on her neck in the shape of a soaring bird. This of course was little Habwa.

While waiting for the pups to be born I harbored grand illusions of self-restraint: I would wait until they were 6 weeks old and then make a rational, informed decision about which puppy to keep. Yeah right... At day one Habwa was doing laps around the large whelping box, grumbling loudly as she went. I was sold and there was little doubt as to which of the six girls I was keeping.

A funny thing was also that some years before I had seriously considered importing a smooth red pup with white markings from the States, actually of partly Israeli desert lines. And here Farha was presenting me with just such a pup! Hence the name Habwa min Farha: "a gift from Farha".

At six weeks Habwa got an upset stomach, the effects of which lasted two days. I brought her into the living room to sleep with me and she expertly snuggled up next to me under the covers, making contented purring sounds like she does when she's happy. In the morning when I let the other pups stampede into the living room Habwa was there to greet them. She stood in the doorway, legs planted wide, growling as if to say "I live here, you're only visiting, so scram back into the little babies' room!"

Habwa was a substantial but sinewy, unbelievably charming gal who stole my heart utterly. She was forward and happy and seemed to return my affection with the same abandon she brought to all her interests. Still, she could certainly put her foot down as well ;) I'm so grateful for my precious Gift!

Habwa became a woman in the spring of 2004 with her first heat - amazing how fast they grow. Early in 2004 Hurra moved to England and Habwa missed her at first. Next our pack was joined by Basma, a Syrian import of the same age as Habwa - something Habwa was not thrilled with. I eventually had to keep them completely separated. About a year later, in the summer of 2005, I had to face a heartwrenching fact: Habwa was not a pack dog, and needed a home with perhaps only one other dog, preferably male.

Habwa was extremly friendly and just loved people. Strange dogs she was not as thrilled with, no doubt in part because she'd grown up in a very sheltered environment here in the woods. But as far as people went she's rarely met a stranger and was always ready to climb up in people's laps and play kissy-face. She was very greedy, the only Saluki I've had who would actually drool while waiting for her supper. She grew into a beautiful young bitch.

Habwa found a new home in Riihimäki, and had a great life with them. She got lots of kisses and hugs and LOVED the kids.

To our devastation Habwa became ill with acute auto-immune thrombocytopenia in the autumn of 2006. Thanks to Minja Habwa immediately got proper treatment. Thanks to that Habwa's cortisoid treatment was at low levels for a while and she enjoyed life and running again. We fervently hoped that she would make a full recovery, but it was not be, and had to be put to sleep in the spring of 2008. A big hug and my eternal gratitude to Minja who lovesdand cared so well for our beloved Habwa.

sire:

Zafran Asli (s)

imp. Israel

dam:

Farha al-Faifa (s)

imp. Israel