About Harry & Helene
We both love to travel and experience this wonderful world we live in!
About Helene
I am originally from New Zealand and have also lived in the UK, Australia, and for a short time in Hawaii. Eleven years ago, I moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A few months later I decided it was time to get a puppy. My grandfather on my mother’s side was from the island of Malta, so I thought it would be fun to get a Maltese — that way he would be like his mama Helene, who is also part Maltese! (My sense of humor!) Most of my professional career has been in Information Technology. I am also a certified life and career coach, which is a true passion of mine.
About Harry
After trying unsuccessfully to adopt a Maltese, a friend at work told me about a tiny Maltese male puppy who needed a home. It was love at first sight, and a couple of weeks later that little pup came to live with me. I am a big Harry Potter fan, and with his spunky personality I knew immediately that his name had to be Harry. As the saying goes, the rest is history. Harry was born on December 6, 2014, and his “gotcha day” was April 1, 2015. Today he is an enthusiastic, happy, fun-loving, and very lovable 11-year-old. Harry has a big personality and endless energy. His holistic veterinarian, Dr. Jessie, once said he has FOMO — “Fear of Missing Out” — and that describes him perfectly! Harry only sleeps at night and loves being out and about all the time. He thinks he weighs 90 pounds instead of 9, loves racing big dogs, and acts like it’s the end of the world if we miss a trip to the dog park.
Harry’s Closet
When I first got Harry, I said I would never put him in clothes. (I was very wrong!) My previous dog, Mac, was a big Mastiff, so dressing a dog had never even crossed my mind. But when Harry was about six months old, he got his first T-shirt. I could not believe how excited he was to put it on. He pranced around like a little superstar! Since then, things may have gotten slightly out of control. Harry now has more clothes than most people — T-shirts, shirts, jackets, and costumes — not to mention accessories like sunglasses, hats, bandanas, and bow ties for when it’s too hot for clothing.
About three years ago I started Harry’s Instagram, @malteseharry. It’s been so much fun sharing dog park reviews, videos, and photos.
We especially love the holidays, and Harry has outfits and costumes for every special occasion. Through Instagram we’ve met so many wonderful pups and their humans from around the world.
Travel
As well as living in four countries, I have traveled to more than 70. Fortunately, Harry loves to travel just as much as I do! We enjoy road-tripping around the United States, and in September 2024 we completed an incredible multi-country European road trip together. In 2025 we continued exploring with several more road trips across the U.S. I’m currently planning more international adventures in 2026 and have even joined the waitlist for a dog-friendly European river cruise.
Harry’s Health Journey
Over two years ago, Harry was diagnosed with a collapsed trachea. I was shocked and devastated. Harry is such an active little dog, and I was told he should avoid running or getting excited. The medications often prescribed can also have serious long-term side effects.
That diagnosis started my mission to do everything possible to help him — even if the condition was considered “incurable.”
I’m happy to say that with a holistic approach, Harry is now thriving and living life to the fullest. His condition is completely under control.
During this journey I learned so much more about canine health. I was able to resolve his sensitive stomach issues, improve his diet, and rethink his vaccination protocol.
Why I Created This Website
I always thought I was the best dog mama, but I’ve realized there were things I could have done differently. That realization is one of the main reasons I created www.malteseharry.com. My goal is to share what I’ve learned — and what I continue to learn so that it can help other dogs and their families. Coaching is one of my passions, and animals are another. I’ve loved animals for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, I used to joke that I wanted to be Mrs. Dolittle so I could talk to animals like Dr. Dolittle. Over the years I’ve also fostered wildlife for a local sanctuary and always look for ways to help animals in need. Of course, my biggest passion is Harry. I am currently working toward a certification in holistic pet health coaching so I can deepen my knowledge and help even more pet parents. I’m excited to see where this journey takes us.
My Goal
My goal is to help as many pups as possible by sharing everything I’ve learned about collapsed trachea, nutrition, and holistic pet health — while also having fun along the way. Here you’ll also find our adventures, travel stories, and tips for exploring the world with your dog.
I hope you’ll join me on this journey to give Maltese Harry the very best life possible.
Disclaimer: I am not a trained veterinarian. My recommendations are based on my own experience and what I have learnt through many hours of research and study. Please use your own judgement and if in doubt always contact your veterinarian.
Halloween 2023
We love Halloween and we like to have our pup friends and their humans over for some fun!
Christmas 2023
Christmas is a special time, and we love our traditions!