.

This is of the form



The larger denominator is under the term that contains y so the major 
axis is vertical and the minor axis is horizontal.

The center is (h,k) = (-6,-9)
a² = 16 so a = 4
b² = 1  so b = 1

a is one-half of the major axis and b is one-half or the minor axis.

To draw the graph, we start at the center, (-6,-9), draw half the
major axis upward from it and half of the major axis below it.
Also, starting at the center, (-6,-9), draw half the
minor axis leftward from it and half of the minor axis right of it.

   
 
Sketch in the ellipse:

 

Since one-half of the minor axis is b = 1, the entire minor axis is 2.

Edwin