Yorkie Times
Newsletter for Yorkie Rescue
February 2021
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“Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone - we find it with another.” ~ Thomas Merton
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Editor
MaryElizabeth Dugmore
Technical Editors
Amalia Spaulding
Laura Morrisey
Contributors
MaryElizabeth Dugmore
Patti Kushnir
Hannelie Vermeulen
LeeLee Vermeulen
Perpetua Phillips
Athena Maria Dugmore
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Hi Everyone, Yorkie lovers and friends |
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We are well into the new year, with February bringing us the month of love. We can all gain from a little love and care after the pandemic hardship and political concerns faced by all over the past year. May this month bring you happiness, and may you replay fond memories of loving relationships, and of cute little furry animals who have loved, or still love you, through thick and thin.
Let us all take the time this month to honor our loved ones, our friendships, and the animals we love as we celebrate Valentines day. In true pandemic style, let us also reach out to someone who may be lonely and need us. A note, a quick phone call or some chocolates or flowers - can mean more than we will ever know.
Over the past year Dan and I have been in lockdown on the farm. He went to work as needed, all protections in place, but I barely moved off our property. We have had limited time with our extended family, but we had each other and our animals. I am thankful for having had Karen and Adam close by, for the little (and our big girl) barkers who kept us entertained, and the farm animals who helped distract us. In many ways, I have been privileged to be able to spend time enjoying the scenery and I realize that and am thankful for it - but yet I also felt the loneliness we have all experienced. I long for human connection, to rejoin my old community, to reach out in person, and to enjoy some camaraderie and a few good laughs. Many of you share my predicament, longing for the good times hopefully we will see the return of this soon. So let’s reach out to each other to remind ourselves and those we care about that we are in this together - surviving and inching towards thriving. I feel a little less stressed having had my first vaccine, and cannot wait for my second one next Saturday! I celebrate with all of you who have had yours, and stand in support for those of you that remain waiting.
Over the years, Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue has led to lovely friendships and connections. We have shared sad times, hard times, and good times. I am thankful for all who have stayed in contact and who continue to support each other and our cause. May this month bring you happiness, allow you to celebrate joy and love, and above all... HOPE.
Please take good care of your loved ones and your animals, and treat yourself to some self-love on Valentine's day!
With love and gratitude,
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MaryElizabeth Dugmore
President and Founder, YTNR
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February brings us the celebration of joy and love. It is the month of chocolate and flowers, and cherishing relationships – all different relationships – in many different ways.
Valentines 2021 may bring you a Zoom dinner date, a care package, a fun home-made card, some cookies – or maybe just a lovely walk down memory lane. For our furry little loves, a squeaky toy, a few heart shaped biscuits, or some soft hugs may go a long way.
However you choose to celebrate love, friendship or the animals in your life this year, may you have a fun time and stay safe! Please also remember to keep chocolates and fatty food far out of any inquisitive doggie’s reach!
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POST PANDEMIC PLANNING - FROM AN EVER READY LITTLE YORKIE
by LeeLee Vermeulen
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My mommy and daddy say the last year has felt like forever. As us doggies listen in on conversations they have in person, on the phone, or via Zoom, we hear them worry endlessly about how much financial and emotional hardship so many people are facing, and how scary the health situation is for humans. Our little hearts break for everyone, because we so want people to be safe, secure, happy and healthy - and their animals to be well taken care of and loved.
Our lives, just like everyone else’s across the globe, have changed so much. My daddy has been working from home for the past 11 months, so we get to sleep in a little bit with him, then move over to the study when he starts working, to continue napping. We can watch the squirrels from his “office”, check out the birds as they bathe, listen in on serious conversations, and watch a lot of hard work - all while waiting for him to take a break and pet us. If he gets too absorbed by work, my sister Suzanne barks about her medication and her treat being late. Personally, I try to keep the household safe by my occasional perimeter checks for squirrels, and by guarding the front door against deliveries. I call the rest of our furry household to service to help me out once anyone arrives and leaves a box on our porch.
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My sister Suzanne
We have dinner earlier than usual, so that we are all done by the time mommy comes home (and so I can chase our horses in daylight when they are taken to their stalls). We have felt really spoiled, but also guilty, because for my siblings and I, it just feels like a lovely long season of treats. We know many other doggies are struggling with both their parents working long hours away from home in essential and/or healthcare jobs, or have parents who have lost their jobs and are worried about feeding their families and keeping a roof over their heads. We are hoping that the kindness and goodness in humankind will win - and that the pandemic will subside with people wearing masks, staying 6 feet apart, and now that humans have the option of vaccinations. We believe in the endurance of the hope we have witnessed over the past year, and that this pandemic too shall pass, despite the new emerging strains.
So I’m looking to the future and planning on how to adjust as life inches towards some normalcy as the scientist figure out how to safely address the new COVID-19 strains. I know the day is going to come when mommy continues her long days away from home, daddy goes back to the office, and we rush between the countryside and town. Daddy can take dogs to his office, but we are supposed to behave there, and sometimes it’s a bit difficult to live up to other people’s expectations. However, change is inevitable - so I’ve been pondering about how to cope with the pending adjustments, and how to advise you and your parents, since we will all be in the same boat.
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The innocent look
Post pandemic separation anxiety is a very real issue which many households are going to face. It is going to be especially hard for doggies who already have anxiety issues, or for doggies who were adopted during the pandemic, and thought they will always have their parents full time at their beck and call. Our sister Caroline sometimes howls and screams when my parents leave, and Suzanne cheers her on by barking. So Caroline gets a little snack to calm her nerves and divert her attention, or at times even a little medication prescribed by our vet. Some people try pheromones, or other calming sprays, or CBD specifically formulated for dogs. People also buy their dogs anti-anxiety or thunder vests, since the hugging sensation can be calming. (Mommy does not like to leave us in clothing when she is not home, so we get hot water bottles to snuggle up with in the winter, and soft toys in the summer.)
I scratch at the door going into the garage on occasion, to see if I can open it and run after them and jump into the car. I’ve also been known to chomp on the furniture legs when I got bored during my younger years. But when I have a toy, or a treat filled Kong, it distracts me from the destructive behavior, and leaves me a happy little dog. Mommy has never had to use a bitter spray (but I bet she has considered it.) Teddy, my “I wish he was my boyfriend”, has puzzles with treats hidden in them, to keep him distracted. That’s pretty fun too, his mom has had me try some of them.
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Teddy keeping his mind busy |
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On occasion we all have potty accidents. We are Yorkies after all. In our household, when us doggies spend a long time alone, we get mad about sharing the potty pad, especially when one of us fills up the better spots. When that happens, Suzanne goes potty right on the edges and causes a little pool that goes under it - so we have to have a pad under the potty pad to protect against her spills. I’m a bit sneakier, and leave an occasional little “present” under the table. Mommy and daddy are concerned potty accidents or naughty potty behavior may increase if we are left home alone for longer periods again, and are working on solutions like adding additional potty pads or containing us to specific areas, just like pre-pandemic. I’m sure you all may deal with similar issues, so it may be good for your parents to start working on the same issues, and be prepared. Some people have kind neighbors or a dog sitter that comes and spends some time and a walk with their pets while they are at work, which really helps to break up the monotony and long hours of the day. The radio can also to keep us busy, since we hear different sounds and stay up on the news. TV is not that useful in our house, since two of my siblings are going blind, and one of them doesn’t hear well either - but other households may want to turn the channel to some animal programs!
During the he pandemic, mommy and daddy also leaves us at home on occasion, to work on readjustment to reality. They sometimes go for walks or drives alone, or even just work outside and leave us inside. They say it’s to make sure we get used to them leaving and coming back, so it’s not too scary when it becomes an almost daily routine again. They also don’t make a big fuss about us when they come home (which is a little upsetting to me), but they say it’s part of “normalizing” things. I guess it is ok, since the rest of my household is mostly deaf and partially blind, and therefore misses the door opening unless I loudly inform them about it - so I still get to be picked up first.
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I know they are out there
I like that my parents are thinking about how to readjust us to changing times, since we’re all family, and should look out for each other. While the pandemic has been raging, animals around the globe decreased their humans’ stress levels by being at their side. We have been there to improve their exercise routines when their gyms closed, by going on walks with them, and to snuggle with them when they felt lonely and sad. Overall we helped them work on their mental and physical health, and we helped them cope by being supportive and by their sides. We gained from it too, and our love grew deeper. As far as the human-animal bond goes, we are all winners. And we can keep winning...
by being prepared for our future together.
We rode this emotional roller coaster with you, with loving and supporting you every step of the way. So please help us through our readjustment as life eases up for you, and forgive us our little indiscretions as we inch towards a post pandemic society. We will also forgive you for no longer being at home all the time, when that day comes, and work on being well behaved and good doggies.
With lots of love,
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from LeeLee, and every other doggie sharing my predicament.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
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Furbaby in need of donations |
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Steve is an older gentleman, approximately 10 years old. He was found on the streets of South Central LA, and is now being fostered by YTNR in Los Angeles. Steve enjoys the simple things in life like snacks, a soft comfy bed, and nice leisurely long walks. Sweet potato doggy treats are his favorite. ☺️ He is always ready and willing to explore the neighborhood, and see what new and interesting scents he can find on our daily stroll.
Mr. Steve was in terrible condition when we got him, he was so bad he couldn't even walk but after some loving care, a few baths and a haircut he started moving around again. He is being neutered and having a dental and will hopefully be ready for his new home soon. His expenses are over $1000 to date. If you can send even a small donation it will help us to continue to help these more needy little dogs.
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Our PayPal address is YTNR@bellsouth.net.
Or mail a check to
YTNR
1065 Lewis Rd
Chapmansboro, TN 37035.
Thank you for all your help and support. We couldn’t do this work without you.
love…
MaryElizabeth
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♥ Kami's new Furever family, Jennie and Reina ♥
Best wishes for a wonderful life together!
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
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Thank you for opening your hearts and homes for these
precious rescues and for making their dreams come true!
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IN MEMORY ZOE AND LILLY 2021
by Patti Kushnir
This week there are two new Angels in Heaven. Zoe and Lilly crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge.
I want to tell you all about these two beautiful little souls.
Zoe was surrendered to YTNR by a young girl who could not take care of her anymore. At that time she was only 3 pounds and had terrible separation anxiety. Zoe was adopted in February 2012 by one of our volunteers, Anne Hobbe. For the next 8 years, Zoe and Anne were inseparable, wherever Anne went, so did Zoe. Anne said that the last few days she had a terrible cough and the vet said her lungs were shutting down. She had to let her go. She was 16 years old. Zoe crossed over to the Bridge on January 27th.
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Lilly was surrendered by a woman who was sick and could not take care of her anymore and was surrendered to YTNR . Lilly had never been on a leash or even knew what grass was. On April 14th, 2016 Anne adopted Lilly. She was the sweetest little girl and would have had a birthday on the 26th of February. She would have been 11 years old. Her nickname was Lilly Belly. She was very attached to Zoe and she laid on Zoe’s bed and grieved. The very next day, Lilly’s breathing started getting very bad. She had a lot of medical issues when Anne adopted her and thought that she might lose her on several occasions. On January 28th, Lilly Belly crossed over the Rainbow Bridge.
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Zoe and Lilly are now together again! Loved very much, missed, but never forgotten!!!
“Till We Meet Again”
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♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
"It is eerily terrifying that there is no sound when a heart breaks.
Car accidents end with a bang, falling ends with a thud, even writing makes the scratching sound of pencil against paper. But the sound of a heart breaking is completely silent. Almost as though no one, not even the universe itself could create a sound for such devastation. Almost as though silence is the only way the universe could pay its respect to the sound of a heart falling apart."
- Nikita Gill, The Sound of Heartbreak
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Volunteers are from all walks of life: men and women, single professionals, married couples, retirees, business owners and just plain folks.
We need them in every State to help us foster and take care of the yorkies needing our help.
Volunteers are Yorkie-owners and Yorkie lovers whose passion for the breed extends into an active desire to serve and help the breed through rescue efforts.
No experience required to join us, we have State Directors and Helpers to walk you through the guidelines necessary to get a dog ready for its forever home. If this sounds like you, please fill out an application and we will add you to our YorkieSpice list of volunteers and supporters that will help and support you.
(Please click on the picture above to be taken to the volunteer application).
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
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We received some lovely donations to help us raise funds for our little dogs.
Please browse our latest listings.
Check back often as we are adding more things as we get pictures and descriptions.
Thank you for supporting our rescue efforts.
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We would Love your support! |
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Just click on the above image and you will be ready to shop
♥ Yorkies across U.S. will Thank You, as will YTNR ♥
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Special Thanks to this month's Donors |
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Thank You to the Many Wonderful & Generous January Contributors
General Fund
Colette ONeill
Jon Reha on behalf of Susan (Laurie) Sullivan, Rascal, and Honey
Catherine MacMaster for Mr Steve
Jean Iovino
Stephanie Maskas
Julie Gedro in memory of Jackson
Laura Bierema in honor of Dr. Julie Gedro
and in memory of her beloved Yorkies
Antoinette Lowery for Mr Steve
Cindy Miller to the greatest Yorkie needed
LeAnn Chandler
Linda Romero
Network for Good
Karen Roff in memory of PeeWee
Monthly Yorkie Angel Donors
Sandra Flolo
Karin & Alan Nakashima
Kathryn Schuller
Pieter Vermeulen
Hannelie Vermeulen
MaryElizabeth Dugmore
Mary Jane Sanders
Carla Pucket
Betty Jo Williams
Ron & Amalia Spaulding
Lindsay Hardin
Stephi Jackson
Ann Sousa
Joan Willner
Bette Gae Dart
Paula Scott
Lisa Ellison
Julie Gedro
Patricia Johnson
Jessica Damisch
Paula Fonseca
Sandra Grumbein
Carrie Unger
Karen Roff
Linda Connor
Any donation large or small helps us help those more desperate cases that would otherwise be left in the system.
We can't do the things we do without you...
The Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue Inc. is run solely on private donations and fundraising efforts made by people like you who love this Breed. We very much appreciate your support.
We are a 501 (c) (3) organization, your donation is 100% tax deductible.
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Supermodel Athena Maria Aphrodite
The Goddess of Wisdom and Love...
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5 Signs Your Dog May Be Developing Canine 'Alzheimer's'
Canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) in dogs is similar to Alzheimer's disease in humans in that it's a progressive degenerative process that occurs in aging brains and can result in noticeable changes in behavior and mood. Dogs with CCD often appear less alert and less responsive to stimuli. They can also experience changes in their ability to learn and remember.
The exact cause of CCD is not yet known. Chronic illness or stress may exacerbate the problem, but according to Vancouver emergency small animal veterinarian Dr. Gurpal Chahal, some or all of the following factors may also contribute to the condition and affect the normal functioning of a dog's brain:1
- A decrease in blood flow to the brain with age
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A decrease in neurons with age and/or the death of neurons by toxic free radicals
- Accumulation of toxic free radicals as a result of chronic illness or stress
- A decline in transmission capability of neurons in older dogs
The age at which canine companions begin showing signs of cognitive decline varies. Some dogs can experience a decline as early as 7 years of age. Clinical signs are found in 50% of dogs over the age of 11, and by the age of 15, 68% display at least one sign.
Diagnosis of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction
Cognitive decline in an older dog is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning all potential medical causes must be ruled out, because any sort of underlying disorder or disease has the potential to trigger behavioral problems in older pets.
If your dog is feeling pain or general discomfort, often from either a musculoskeletal or gastrointestinal (GI) problem, it can cause her to pace, become restless, wake up during the night, and even show aggression — all of which are also signs of dementia.
Dogs with underlying musculoskeletal problems may show aggression when lying down and forced off furniture. They may also have a tendency to slide on smooth flooring, excessively lick their feet or joints, and gain weight as a result of being less active.
GI problems can trigger sudden uncharacteristic food aggression, for example, your dog is refusing to eat but doesn't want you remove the food bowl. She may have nausea, which in dogs often takes the form of chewing things, as well as excessive swallowing and/or picky eating.
Endocrine diseases can also cause behavior changes in dogs. Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease) can cause irritability, lethargy, excessive thirst and urination, and even food aggression. A small seizure can cause your dog to stand still and stare. If she seems detached, she could be in pain. Inappropriate elimination can be due to kidney disease.
Just like older people, older dogs are more likely to develop diseases, and those diseases can lead to behavior changes. I can't emphasize strongly enough that cognitive dysfunction in dogs is a diagnosis of exclusion, and it's crucially important to rule out all other possible reasons for a change in behavior.
These disorders and many others can result in changes in behavior unrelated to cognitive decline. That's why it's so important to rule out all possible alternative reasons, especially in aging pets.
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Many Thanks to Lifeline4Paws |
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Chris Hogan,
Executive Vice President
of the Hogan Family Foundation Inc,
is the Program Director of Lifeline-4-Paws.
She is a YTNR member and has generously supported
our rescue efforts, contributing tens of thousands of dollars
to hundreds of our dogs since 2007.
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