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Yorkie Times    
Newsletter for Yorkie Rescue
                                                                                  
                                                                                                              September 2018                           

"Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them, 
filling an emptiness we don't even know we have."
~ Thom Jones



In This Issue
To Be Or Not To Be - A Service Dog by Hannelie Vermeulen
Happy Endings
In Loving Memory
Looking for a Furever Home
Donor Recognition
We would Love your support!
Supermodel Athena Maria
Neeko's Joke
Many Thanks to Lifeline4Paws...
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links
To Be Or Not To Be - A Service Dog by Hannelie Vermeulen


As humans and canines learned to co-exist throughout the centuries, their now mutually beneficial relationship developed from individual survival, to cooperation (e.g. hunting), to a strong human-animal bond, as illustrated by the companion animals who share our homes and our lives. According to the American Pet Products Association, 68 percent of US families owned pets in 2017, with almost 90 million dogs, and over 94 million cats, currently living in US households [1].
 
While dogs became increasingly domesticated, varied in breeds, and loved by many, their roles in society also changed. In the 1600's, John Locke, a physician and philosopher, suggested the unthinkable - that pets can assist in the social development of children [2]. In the 19th century, Florence Nightingale noted small pets can help relieve depression in patients [2]. In 1928, Buddy became the first officially trained seeing eye dog in the US, as he assisted 20-year-old Morris Frank with independence [3]. During the 1940's, Smoky, the Yorkshire Terrier, became a World War II sensation, while initially providing war related assistance, and later therapeutic support to injured soldiers for years to come [4].
 
By the 1980's, many service dogs were providing assistance to humans with vision and hearing impairments, but over the past decade, animals in therapeutic and support services have grown exponentially [5]. They now provide assistance to people with multiple physical and mental health disabilities, as well as emotional needs. For example, they assist their humans in coping with mobility (multiple sclerosis) and sensory issues (hearing loss and blindness), medical (diabetes, epilepsy and cancer), psychiatric concerns (PTSD and autism), and can also provide general emotional support. They assume roles as service animals, therapy animals, emotional support and comfort animals, and of course as companion animals. Their roles differ, as do their training, and their rights. This can lead to confusion, and at times to misrepresentation.
Sign in Portland OR airport
 
Service dogs are well trained working dogs, who ease the disability of their owner/handler. They assist in providing independence, dignity and freedom. They serve individuals with physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disabilities. Some of their services include guiding people as they walk, retrieving items, opening doors, pressing buttons, and performing other necessary tasks, such as reminding someone to take their medication, or alerting them to a medical emergency, or a pending emergency.
 
They are trained to perform a specific task and are not to be petted or disturbed while on the job, unless OK'ed by their handler. A service dog is typically handled by its owner and lives with him or her. They are legally protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), to accompany their owner into homes, stores, restaurants, onto public transport, and they have air carrier access [6].
 
If the service the animal provides is not obvious, there are only two questions one may ask: 1) Is the animal required because of a disability? (Do not ask about the nature/extend of the ability, or for documentation/verification/proof.), and 2) What work or task has the animal been trained to perform? (Do not ask for proof of training or certification, or for the animal to demonstrate its tasks.)
 
Service dogs differ widely in task, training and rights, from therapy dogs, emotional support animals and comfort animals.
 
Therapy dogs do not necessarily have one handler, and they serve many clients. Currently pet Partners (formerly Delta Society), have more than 10 000 volunteers and their pets serving in the US and around the world [7]. These animals do not go home with their clients, they go home with their handler. They are trained to perform and/or enhance treatment, but less strenuously so than service dogs. They provide services in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, correctional facilities, and private homes, to name only a few, and need to be good canine citizens, with stable temperaments. Research shows us how calming it is to pet an animal, and how helpful it is for children to read to an animal who listens attentively without giving negative feedback. Therapy dogs are NOT considered service animals under the ADA, nor do they have the same rights [8]. Therapy Dogs International was first established in the USA in 1976, by a nurse named Elaine Smith. Since then the field has grown to include for example cats, miniature and regular horses, rabbits, llamas, and even dolphins; and several more organizations training and or working with animals in therapeutic care.
 
 
All dogs, or maybe most dogs, provide therapeutic support to their owners, and at times to others. An emotional support animal provides therapeutic support and comfort through companionship and affection. For some people they provide a reason to wake up and/or to get some exercise. For others they provide support and comfort, etc., often by just being with the person, or by assisting them in coping with their daily living activities or in personally challenging situations. According to the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, a "no pets" policy can be modified in most types of housing to allow a person with a disability to keep a pet for emotional support, because the animal is considered an assistive aid [9]. An emotional support animal typically serves one client, (their owner), versus therapy dogs, who serve multiple clients.  
 
To be safe and effective, all service and assist animals need training and a responsible owner/handler. May we be that owner, when we register our dog as an emotional support dog or therapy dog. May we not be the owner who just loves our dog and wants them to be with them all the time, who overlooks concerns through our loving eyes, or who wants to fly with them for free. May we be responsible and have our animal be trained and be safe - and allow others around us to feel safe and secure. A good start can be the Canine Good Citizen test, which demonstrates the dog's ability to behave in an acceptable manner in public situations [10]. I'm proud to say, our Palemon passed his GCC, to the delight of his proud parents!
Palemon, the Canine Good Citizen

 
 
It's hard to fault the wish of wanting to register one's dog as an emotional support, therapy, or service dog, without them meeting the standards. It can be so tempting to buy a vest or a kit on the internet. Years ago, I dreamt of one of my own dogs becoming an official therapy dog - but Eric just couldn't meet the standards. No matter how sweet he was most of the time, he was also a typical noisy terrier at times, and his early stage Cushing's disease let him to not be able to hold his urine. It broke my heart and shattered my hopes for him - but it was the right thing to not present him as what he wasn't - but to let him be who he was. It did not take away his emotional value to me or others.
 
 
I was reminded by the difficult, but good decision, when I recently walked into a store with a grooming facility. I watched a woman barely able to handle her one large dog, that had on a bright red service dog vest, and not able to handle her other large dog at all. Their leashes were hooked together, as she and her male companion dropped them off to be groomed. The couple left in a haste, as the groomer attempted to manage the cowering and resistive "service" dog, and the fearful one without a vest, while trying to avoid disaster, and keeping a semblance of normalcy. The groomer got both dogs safely to a kennel (carrying one of 60+ pound dogs in her arms). It was no easy feat. I felt uncomfortable, holding my two less than 5-pound dogs in my arms, offering to help, yet wondering if I should just flee for my own dogs' safety. This experience was out of the norm, but food for thought, and let me to do some research on the different types of assistance animals, their rights, and the responsibilities of their owners/handlers. I hope you found it helpful as well. To learn more, please refer to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Pet Partners (formerly known as Delta Society), for additional information [6,7]. Laws such as the Fair Housing Amendment Act of 1988, Air Carrier Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the Rehabilitation Act, can provide further information. I also want to thank Jonathan Jordan, LCSW, and PESI, for the informative course on Animal Assisted Interventions, and all the information gained from the seminar - which also served as a reference for this article [2].
 
 
[2] PESI: Animal Assisted Interventions. An Incredible Range of Therapeutic Benefits. Jonathan Jordan, MSW, LCSW. Copyright 2018.


Happy Endings


BOBEAR HAS BEEN ADOPTED
CONGRATULATIONS to you both!!!
BoBear our little Liver Shunt boy has gone to his new home. His new mom is very much in love with him, he is the prince of the house.



************************



Sweet Willie Wonka has  joined his new family in South Carolina.
He traveled very well on his long trip home and never offered any complaints. 
He is adjusting well and totally fell in love with his new mama's granddaughter.



************************


♥ Little Suzanne ♥
Little Suzanne entered YTNR as a possible Pawspice doggie. A dental, lots of testing, medications, baths and care later, she's a whole lot healthier. She continues to face chronic conditions, and intermittent infections, but she is loving life and living it to the fullest of her ability. She's a teeny little girl who never complains, who runs freely with her little hind legs kicking out to the side, who loves playing with her doggie siblings, and snuggling with her humans. At night time she can't wait to sleep on the softest pillow, or in the cradle of your legs. Once lost, she is now found, at home, and safe. Lucky us to now have this resilient little darling in our lives forever! You go Suzanne! We love you!



************************


♥LeeLee ♥
Lovely little LeeLee (Ellie) came with lots of baggage - literally. Toys, beds, a crate, blankets and healthy snacks - and two prior families who loved her, and still loves her. At 8 months old she joined YTNR in all her Yorkie puppy noisy glory. As she settled in, she snacked on (and demolished) 5 pairs of shoes, a fancy pair of sunglasses, and many more, less valuable items, as part of accustoming herself with the new smells and tastes of her foster home and new surroundings.   She's now mostly adjusted, eats more blueberries and apples than shoes (which we learned to not leave out), and continues to worm herself deeper into our hearts. She's getting her older siblings to play again, her parents to exercise (by running after her), and is learning that minding your manners helps, and that blueberries are seasonal. She's on the list for doggie daycare to tire herself out and improve her manners and listening skills - and everyone at Sniff Dog Hotel is excited for her to come join her 110-pound brother! But best of all, after stealing loads of hearts on the internet, she rushed deeply into the hearts of her foster parents - and her foster home became her final home. Love you little LeeLee - and can't wait for you to grow up (and settle down)!

Thank you to her families before us who loved her and still loves her. We will take good care of her, and she will always have an extended family, that will include you.



************************


♥  Lisa's new foster failure, Petey ♥
Ron with Petey 

AT YTNR we always work towards finding new foster parents and affordable veterinary care, to improve the health and wellbeing of Yorkies surrendered to us. Over the past month we were lucky to add two new foster parents - who fostered a homeless little sweetheart, with only hours of notice, in Washington state. We are happy to introduce you to Lisa and Ron, who also became instant foster failures, and are now the proud parents of Petey.
 
So by the way - should you become a foster parent(s) for YTNR, just remember, you will be the one(s) to help a little one in need, to maybe nurse it back to health, or just teach it basic manners - and to be the first on the list should you want to adopt!! Or the one to help it find the perfect home. Please consider opening your hearts and your homes to the possibilities- and contact us at www.YTNR.com. Looking forward to hearing from you!


 
 
 




Thank you for opening your hearts and homes for these 
precious rescues and for making their dreams come true! 


In Loving Memory

Maggie's story 
 
In February of 2003 a wonderful little puppy came into my life. I named her Maggie May and she was my loyal, loving companion till Monday, August 15 when she went to Rainbow Bridge.
 
Maggie's story was filled with strife right from the beginning. She came from a puppy mill. I knew from her price she wasn't from a reputable breeder and went anyway. We had already rescued Felix two years before and I knew something wasn't right. When we got there Maggie was the only puppy left. The owner said if we didn't take her she would have to drown her as she was too big. I was appalled, however, paid the money, took Mags home and called the Oregon Humane Society.
Over the years she had bladder stones requiring surgery, epilepsy, chronic pancreatitis and colitis, almost all of her teeth removed and a bout with cancer last September. She had surgery, and all went well until July of this year. She had mouth cancer and at almost 16 she wasn't a candidate for surgery.
 
Maggie was amazing as most Yorkies are. She saw me through 11 major surgeries always sleeping either on me or beside me. She even ate on the bed! She was the reason to get out of bed when it would have been so easy not to.
 
Making the decision to let her go was the hardest and most loving act I could do for her. I miss her terribly, and sometimes the small things will bring the most tears. Waking up and she's not next to me, her food dish on the counter, her dresses in the dryer and all the little things of everyday life!
 

Maggie, you made me a better person and pet owner.
 Rest In Peace my baby girl until we meet again.


♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥


                                                       
Little Dr. Seuss - you were one teeny Yorkie with a big personality. Playful, happy, and at times a little curmudgeon. You loved your blankets, your siblings, me, and life. At seven years we lost you after complications from a dental surgery. We miss you every day Seussels.
You filled many hearts in your short time with us. You brought purpose and joy to my mom when she first got you while recovering after her transplant surgery. I am glad I had the honor of having you in my life after she passed. You helped ease my grief from her loss as your life was that remaining living link between us, and I was blessed to have that little prancing and snorteling piece of fluff to snuggle with me. You were so loved and cherished, Mom and Grandma missed you so much, it was time for you to return to them in Heaven. You were my first Yorkie and I can't believe I missed out on such a wonderful breed of dog for so long!
Love you forever, mommy Summer.


♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥



In memory of Nala.
  Tanya and Dave Hartner
                            
 
We adopted Nala from YTNR on August 27, 2016 - three months after we lost our beloved Ollie. Our hearts were broken and wanted to find another little one to help us heal. She was a 12-year-old sickly little girl, with all kinds of health issues, least of which included Cushing's and kidney disease. We hadn't had any experience with any of these issues before with any of our previous rescues, however there was something about her sweet little face that just pulled us in, and we decided to jump right in and adopt her. Right from the moment we met her, we loved her to pieces. She truly was the sweetest little angel on Earth, and we knew right away that she was meant to be with us and that we would do everything in our power to make sure that she would have the absolute best that life had to offer for as long as she was with us. She immediately got along with her 3 new doggy siblings and was so silly and fun and full of life. EVERYBODY loved her. And for a 12-year-old, she had SO much energy, that I swear, if we didn't know she was 12, we would've thought she was closer to 5! Although she only had 2 teeth, she LOVED her squeaky toys - particularly her little fluffy Kong chicken. So much so, that I frequently had to buy more as they would just get so gross.. lol! One afternoon trip to the pet store, we bought 5 more... and in the 3-minute drive home, she had pulled them all out of the bag and was playing with them all in the backseat, squeaking them all at once. lol! She also loved her little Kong ball, and would - with only her two little teeth - carry it home from the park. Every day. :) She also loved the snow. She loved wearing her little sweaters, and being outside, rain or shine. This was our little Nally. Spunky and loving life, despite the hardships of her past. Oh, I forgot to mention, she was also ALWAYS hungry. She was such a tiny little girl, at 5 lbs., but she could pack away her food like our bigger dogs! On December 11, 2017, we lost her Pommy sister Sophie. This was tough for Nala, as they were quite close, and then as she got older, life got even tougher for her. She ended up with pancreatitis, we had to pull her last two teeth as they became abscessed, and as her kidneys began to fail we started on Sub-Q fluids at home every few days. But none of this fazed her. She was such a sweet, beautiful little girl, that she quickly became a favorite at the vet's office. She ended up going quite regularly in the last 6 months, and they just ADORED her, and would carry her around in a pouch every time she would come in for tests etc. She still loved chasing her siblings at the park, and still enjoyed her little squeaky chickens, in fact she ended up becoming a little toy hoarder. :) However, we ended up getting her a little doggy stroller when it started becoming too much for her, and she enjoyed this immensely as she still LOVED going out. In early July, she started to fail, and reality hit us, despite my denial, that no matter what we were doing for her, it just was not enough anymore. Her little body was just starting to shut down. We took time off work and spent 24-7 of her last few weeks of life with her. Our hearts were breaking, as we knew we were losing her, but every single extra day we had with her was a gift. She left us at 12:40pm on July 16, 2018. My heart literally shattered into a million pieces when we lost her. People always ask me why we adopt the seniors as they will never have that much time with us, but I do not regret it for a second. We had just shy of two years with her and I would not trade it for anything in the world.
It is so difficult to put into words what a beautiful gift she was to us, and how devastated we are to have lost her. But such is life when you have beloved pets, its inevitable that they will leave us. I feel that all of the dogs that have come into our lives, have been beautiful gifts, but Nala just that much more. She truly was the greatest gift of my life and I will never forget her sweet little face, or her sweet little growl to tell us that she was hungry, again, or her annoying habit of squeaking her darn chickens all day. :) Nor will I ever forget how she would curl up on my chest, right under my chin, every night. The pain will lessen with time, I hope, but the memories will always be with me, and she will forever be in my heart. Thank you, my dear sweet Nala, for being my greatest gift, and for giving me memories that will last a lifetime. Until we meet again, beyond the rainbow bridge. ♥ I love you so so dearly and I miss you so much my little dolly.

Thank you Hannelie for bringing her into our lives. We will forever be grateful to you for that. :)








"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


 
Looking for a Furever Home

 
Cutie pie, Dudley ♥
(Fostered in Northern CA)

Hello, my name is Dudley. My foster mom thinks I'm around 8 yrs old and I am a fit and trim 10 pounds. I'm a sweet and affectionate little Yorkie that was forced to live outside alone when my owner passed away. Although I am blind, I have no problems getting around. I love to take walks around the park and explore all the sounds and smells of the outdoors. I am very secure in following you around on my leash, once I have the chance to know and trust you.
My ideal home will be with a person or couple who can spend quality time with me. I need to live indoors with you, and I am not picky as long as I have a clean, comfy and familiar place to call my own. My favorite thing is to cuddle and have my head rubbed, it's the nicest thing I've felt for a long time. I have no problems being alone for a few hours at a time, but I need to be let outside to do my business (I will let you know since I don't want to have any accidents in the house). I need a calm and loving home with no children, though I would love the company of another small dog or cat that will be gentle and understanding of my condition.
Please consider giving me a safe and caring forever home, and I promise to give you all my love and loyalty. Adoption donation is $500.00, includes microchip.

If you are my "golden ticket" and want me to join your family, please fill out an application with my name on it @ www.yorkierescue.com





♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥





Special Thanks to this month's Donors 

 
Thank You to the Many Wonderful & Generous August
Contributors


General Fund

Barbara Christian
Carlyn Clement
MaryJane Sanders  for Bette
Lisa Hanson for Petey
Mahmoud Loghman-Adham
MaryElizabeth Dugmore    for Bette
Catherine MacMaster for Bette
Kathryn Schuller  for Bette
Peggy Pittman-Munke for Bette
Cheryl Strack for Bette
Janis Kuykendall for Bette
Jacqueline Wolfe for Bette
Ronee Bergman for Bette
Michael Catanzaro for Bette
Amalia Spaulding for Bette
Denise Nelson  for Bette
Sharon Trylovich for Bette
Alan & Karen Nakashima for Bette
Helen Tompkins for Bette
Kathy Shireley for Bette
Denise Rinehamer
Jeff Hoehn
Jans Neat Stuff
Constance Kleckner

Yorkie Angel Donors * 

Karin & Alan Nakashima*
Kathryn Schuller*
Pieter Vermeulen*
Hannelie Vermeulen*
MaryElizabeth Dugmore*
Bette Gae Dart*
Mary Jane Sanders*
Carla Pucket*
Betty Jo Williams*
Ron & Amalia Spaulding*
Lindsay Hardin*
Stephi Jackson*
Ann Sousa*
Joan Willner**
Roz Carella*
Paula Scott*
Lisa Ellison*
Julie Gedro*
 Patricia Johnson*
Paula Fonseca*

* monthly donor
Become a monthly donor by  visiting  our web page www.YorkieRescue.com 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...


Bette was found as a stray in a very rural area of Tennessee by 
a Good Samaritan who called YTNR for help. How could we refuse!!!!!!
At first, we did not know how to help Bette, as we had no fosters for her to stay with. This wonderful Good Samaritan agreed to foster Bette so we could get her help.
 
Bette has serious mammary tumors, a mouth of rotten teeth and she has to be spayed. As you can see from her picture she probably has never had a bath and she was so matted to her skin along with skin infections that the vet had to sedate her to groom her and give her relief. Because of that and all the matting it was $215 just to groom her. Her bill for the surgery, spaying and dentistry for her teeth will be approximately $2200. 
 
How could we not help this poor soul. By her condition, it appears that she is a puppy mill dog or a backyard breeder dog who was not useful anymore to them to make money. Was she just dumped? Did she escape from horrific conditions just trying to save herself? We will never know that answer, but what we do know is that we will not let her suffer anymore and we will get her the help she needs.

It still amazes me of the inhumane treatment of animals and abusive cruelty that people inflict on helpless creatures. They have no voice, we must be their voice.
Will you please HELP US - HELP HER
If you can help with any amount we greatly appreciate it and we on behalf of YTNR we thank you very much ♥ undefined 
or send a check to
YTNR
1065 Lewis Road
Chapmansboro, Tennessee 37035

Patti Kushnir
Secretary


 
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 appreciate your support

We are a 501 (c) (3) organization, your donation is 100% tax deductible.

We would Love your support!

Just click on the image above and you will be ready to shop 
♥ Yorkies across U.S. will Thank You, as will YTNR ♥

 
Supermodel Athena Maria Aphrodite 
The Goddess of Wisdom and Love..... 
  

Good article about Environmental Enrichment by Dr. Becker

Environmental enrichment for pets, also called behavioral enrichment, means enhancing an animal's surroundings and lifestyle so that he is presented with novelty in his environment, opportunities to learn, and encouragement to engage in instinctive, species-specific behaviors.

Environmental enrichment is used to address many behavioral disorders in dogs, including "rowdiness,"  cognitive dysfunction syndrome, storm and noise phobias, separation anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and behaviors resulting from boredom and/or frustration.

In addition to treating behavioral disorders, environmental enrichment should be viewed as an essential part of providing an excellent quality of life for all pets due to its proven positive effect on the health and well-being of animal companions.




Neeko's Joke

~Teacher: "If I gave you 2 cats and another 2 cats and another 2, how many would you have?"
Johnny: "Seven."
Teacher: "No, listen carefully... If I gave you two cats, and another two cats and another two, how many would you have?"
Johnny: "Seven."
Teacher: "Let me put it to you differently. If I gave you two apples, and another two apples and another two, how many would you have?"
Johnny: "Six."
Teacher: "Good. Now if I gave you two cats, and another two cats and another two, how many would you have?"
Johnny: "Seven!"
Teacher: "Johnny, where in the heck do you get seven from?!"
Johnny: "Because I've already got a cat!"
  ~

Wishing you All a Blessed Fall ♥




Love and Smooches,  
Neeko :o)                                                      

                                
Many Thanks to Lifeline4Paws   


 

Every time we remember to say "thank you", 
we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.  
~ Sarah Ban Breathnach


 


 

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.