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Yorkie Times    
Newsletter for Yorkie Rescue
                                                                                  
                                                                                                                  August 2018                           

"Until one has loved an animal 
a part of one's soul remains unawakened." 
~ Anatole France



In This Issue
Thank You, Paula Fonseca!
A Foster Failure Story by Perpetua Phillips
Happy Endings
In Loving Memory
Looking for a Furever Home
Donor Recognition
A Day in The Life Of A Rescue Volunteer by Hannelie Vermeulen
We would Love your support!
Supermodel Athena Maria
Neeko's Joke
Many Thanks to Lifeline4Paws...
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links
Thank You, Paula Fonseca!

I would like to Thank YTNR's California State Director Paula Fonseca for the fantastic work she does for this organization.  She puts the rescues first and foremost. 

Last month we gave a tribute to one of our volunteers, Mick Arndt who passed away. His little yorkie Charlie Brown was placed in the shelter. As soon as Paula was advised she went right to work to rescue him. Marge and I drove quite a distance to pick Charlie up. Marge then temporarily fostered him until Paula could come down from Northern California to Orange County in Southern California to pick up Charlie Brown and bring him up North.  Then she arranged for another wonderful volunteer Ann to foster him in Nevada. Needless to say Paula arranged this transfer as well.
Paula with Charlie Brown ♥

Charlie Brown, thanks to Paula and our dedicated volunteers, is now settling in and relaxing.  It has been quite a challenging journey for adorable Charlie Brown. He is about 10 or 11 years old but the sweetest little dog. I can only describe him as delicious.

I want to thank Paula, Marge, and especially Ann who has opened up her home and is giving Charlie Brown a lot of love.   Thank you Ladies!

Patti Kushnir
YTNR Secretary

A Foster Failure Story by Perpetua Phillips

I have been a foster parent for the Oregon Humane Society for over a decade, fostering a wide assortment of cats and kittens (fondly referred to as fosterlings) needing a temporary home. Most of my feline guests stayed a week or two as they recovered from kitty colds or gained enough weight to undergo spay/neuter surgery. I didn't foster canines for two reasons - and their names are Simon and Teddy. Let me elaborate...

In 2001 I bought a new house with a big back yard and decided that I was finally ready to get a dog of my own. We had dogs growing up - two affable mutts named Dino and Bam Bam (we were Flintsones fans) but they were family pets. After poring through a book on dog breeds I narrowed down my interest to two breeds: Yorkshire Terriers and Maltese. After a little research I discovered a Yorkie breeder who was less than two miles from my house. Perfect! I'd go by and take a look at the puppies - window shopping only. An hour later I was driving home with an adorable little bundle of fluff and asking myself what just happened. He was 14 weeks old and I named him Simon. I could write an entire book about him and still not adequately convey everything he meant to me and my family. When he was just a year old he saved my mom from a fire at her house, a feat that earned him a segment on an Animal Planet show, a TV commercial, several hero dog awards and canine celebrity status in our community.


He was much more than that to us though. He was an intelligent, gentle, sweet, beautiful being who helped me connect with another species in a way I'd never imagined possible. He inspired me to help other animals by volunteering and fostering. Simon loved all animals but seemed especially fond of cats and kittens, hence my feline foster focus. I was blessed to have him for nearly 17 years and when he passed away last October I decided that I would never get another dog. Simon's pawprints were just too big to fill and our bond was so strong that nothing else would ever compare. Still, the house felt so empty and I knew that there were plenty of dogs in need. I decided that, when I was ready, I would consider fostering dogs. It might help mend my broken heart while doing good for others. Enter Teddy...

On the 6-month anniversary of Simon's passing I reached out to a woman named June who works with a local Yorkie rescue in Oregon. I asked her if she had any dogs needing foster care. She said yes, she has a darling senior Yorkie named Teddy who came up from California and has some medical needs. She described him as "very quiet, well-mannered and totally unobtrusive". Since I still wasn't sure if I was ready to foster I told myself I'd drive down just to check things out and bring some dog supplies for her. My friend Mike and I made the two-hour drive down to June's house that weekend. When we arrived, there were several other rescue Yorkies milling about happily in the living room. Teddy was hiding out in a back bedroom and had to be carried out by a volunteer. He was very quiet, reserved and a little apprehensive about being in the room with the other dogs. My friend Mike picked him up and he was soon sitting on my lap while I gave him a calming massage. I felt my heart swell a little but wasn't sure if I was ready to take on the responsibility of caring for another dog again, especially a little senior who looked like a shrunken down version of my beloved Simon. It might be too emotional for me. Before I knew what was happening June was packing up Teddy's food, blanket and leash. I couldn't back out at this point so reassured myself that this was just a very temporary commitment.

The drive home was anything but relaxing as Teddy began panting and shaking as soon as we were in the car. He was so scared, and nothing seemed to comfort him as I held him on my lap while Mike drove. We looked for a radio station to play some soft music, hoping that it might drown out the road sounds and calm him. Since we were away from any major town there was only one station that came through clearly and it was playing Over the Rainbow, the Hawaiian singer's version. Two minutes later we saw a double rainbow as we continued to drive. While this didn't calm Teddy at all, I felt a little more at ease.
Once we finally arrived at my house Mike dropped Teddy and I off while he went to get dinner for us. I wasn't sure how Teddy would react to Simon's scent, which was still throughout the house. I figured he would find a back room and hide out. Instead he purposefully marched from room to room, checking out the house. Once he realized there was nobody there but him and I he broke into a ridiculously cute "happy dance". This consisted of sprinting laps through the dining and living room areas, jumping into and out of Simon's old bed with exaggerated leaps, and play bowing with me - all with a big semi-toothless smile on his face. I couldn't' believe this was the same dog! Nobody would believe it so I took photos and videos of Teddy's celebration. When I sent the "selfies" of him and I to friends and family the string of comments came quickly: "You both look SO happy together, it was meant to be!", "He loves you already!" and "It looks like he's hugging you in the photos! You are keeping him, right?". When Mike returned with dinner he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Teddy had made himself at home and looked happy as a clam.

The day Teddy arrived at Perpetua's home - first one was within 10 minutes



It was not all fun and games though. Teddy had several health issues to contend with, including severe dental disease which required him to have 12 rotten teeth removed. When I looked through the paperwork that came with him from California, I saw that he had been picked up as a stray. He was dirty, had severely matted hair, tear stains around his eyes, a stool plug, and nails so overgrown he could barely walk. The only photo of Teddy from that time was a grainy black and white taken after they had given him a bath and shaved the area around his eyes. He was wrapped in a towel and looked so sad that my eyes welled with tears as I looked from the photo to this happy little dog sitting next to me on the couch. I vowed I would find him the best home ever, so he could get all the love and pampering he deserved. Given I had to leave for work each day I thought a senior or other person who is home during the day would be best for Teddy. He had other ideas...
From the minute he walked into my house he seemed to have decided that this was his home and I was his mom. He was so bonded to me virtually instantly that people couldn't believe he had only been with me for a couple weeks. I felt a strong connection with him as well, like I'd had him for 17 years! It was undeniable, Teddy had found his furever home and I had become a "foster failure" on my very first attempt. This is a good thing though - rescues love when a foster parent/volunteer ends up adopting one of their dogs. We are usually enthusiastic animal lovers with a good deal of knowledge gleaned from volunteering, reading about animals and spending time with other animal lovers. I reached out to Carol, the dog walker who used to visit Simon and she is now visiting Teddy every day while I'm at work. 

The cycle of life and love continues. While I am not a person who likes to fail at anything, in this case my foster failure was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I think Teddy (and Simon) would agree.



Happy Endings


Our beautiful Bebe has been adopted!
Congratulations and Thank you to Steve and Monica
 for choosing a rescue dog ♥



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








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


In Loving Memory



Sugar wasn't a Yorkie, but her best friend Bob was. Sugar joined our Bob and Beau at the Rainbow Bridge last night. 

She went peacefully, surrounded by her favorite blankie and family. 

Sugar loved YTNR, green bones, Halloween and girls on pink bikes/trikes. I have no idea how she knew the difference in bike colors. 

I rescued Sugar because Bob the Yorkie, terrorized my Standard Poodle and YTNR was my introduction to organized dog rescue.  I rescued Beau from a newspaper ad. (My how times have changed)

We called Sugar our little "trollop" because she slept with Beau during the day and Bob at night, which we still laugh about even though Beau has been gone a decade and Bob over four years. She managed that move without either boyfriend being jealous.  





Sugar hated laundry, baths, sneezes, fireworks, vacuum cleaners and when I emptied the dishwasher.  Hopefully, heaven has none of those things. 

Keep me and my husband, Jeff in your prayers if you would.  Our hearts are broken.  Fifteen years, one week and one day was not enough time.....  

-- 
Cathy Grimes







"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

 
Willie Wonka
(Fostered in Illinois)
My name is Willie Wonka, please know I get cuter every day, and I am ready to find a family that will be my "golden ticket" to a new wonderful life. I am about 8-10 years old. My first family was not so good and they neglected me. I ended up at a shelter where they said I was a "stray". My coat was so matted the kind shelter people had to shave it all off.  It is growing back now and am I am beginning to look like a handsome boy! My teeth were pretty bad too and they hurt, so the nice Yorkie rescue people took me to the vet where I had 24 teeth removed! I feel much better now and am eating my food really well. I will need to stay on canned food or dry food mixed with water because I only have 6 teeth now. I had a hernia on my side too and none of the humans know what happened. I would rather not think about it, so let's just say it was from what's called trauma. But, that's fixed now too and I am perfect again!!!!!

My foster mom tells me over and over what a good boy I am. I am very respectful of the other dogs in the house and I do not bark, bother them or take their stuff. If one of them wants the bed I am sleeping in, I just move and share it with them. I am a good eater and my bloodwork is perfect now. I had worms and was kind of skinny, but they are gone now and I have gained a pound so I weigh 10 pounds, which is right where I should be. I am neutered, UTD with all of my shots and microchipped so I won't get lost again. 

I don't mind being in a crate or x-pen if needed but I do like sleeping in my foster parents' bed. I love sitting on their laps now that I know what being loved is all about. I give my foster mom and dad kisses. I am not demanding and my foster mom tells everyone I am not "spoiled". I go outside to potty and will go by the door to go out. I like to go in the car and go out when my people go out. I love to watch the sights from the car window and never fuss. I never fuss about anything. I really am like Willie Wonka. Just grateful to have been saved.

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 July
Contributors


General Fund

Jeff Hoehn
Jody Ann Thomson in memory of Beth Steeno
Randy and Chris Steeno in memory of Beth Steeno
Anonymous in memory of Beth Steeno
Jackie Wolfe for Tina's medical expenses
Jaclyn Cosenza for Bebe
Vicki Bechtelheimer for Emma
Michael Catanzaro for Bebe
Karen Roff in memory of PeeWee
Yorkie Angel Donors * 

Karin & Alan Nakashima*
Kathryn Schuller*
Pieter Vermeulen*
Hannelie Vermeulen*
MaryElizabeth Dugmore*
Bette Gae Dart*
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

 
We couldn't do it 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 appreciate your support

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

A Day In The Life Of A Rescue Volunteer   by Hannelie Vermeulen


YTNR functions like a well-oiled machine. We have a President who started off a rescue with solid structure, bylaws and guidelines, a Board who monitors the operations, volunteers who manage behind the scenes tasks, who pick up surrendered dogs, pull dogs from crowded shelters, take over responsibility for injured dogs at veterinarians, and foster and place. Sometimes we are alerted to a Yorkie in need through e-mails or phone calls to YTNR representatives, sometimes through other rescues, or through word of mouth. We always consider the options. Often, we can take in a little soul - but sometimes we can't ...
 
Like other 501(c)(3)'s, we depend on the graciousness of volunteers who are willing to manage the administration of our rescue, are willing to foster or raise money, on donors who are willing to cover the cost, and veterinarians who are willing to provide us services at a discount. We so wish we had more foster parents, more donors, more money, and more ability to save additional little lives - but it at the same time we are so thankful for those who support us in every way possible, to save all the little lives we are able to.
 
Every little dog comes with a history. Sometimes with one we will never know, sometimes with one we hope they can forget. Occasionally from a lot of love, that we hope they can carry with them forever. No matter through which avenue they arrive, or what baggage they come with, we can always count on them being ready to love and to be loved again.
 
At times our volunteers go out to pounds or humane societies, and collect a little Yorkie, while watching the sadness of another little dog being left behind or dropped off - sometimes kindly, and sometimes not so caringly. They go home and just cry or reach out for support - all while tending to the newest little one in need.
Peter, our newest NW intake


Every once in a while, they pick up a little dog being surrendered by an owner, and share in their sadness and tears, as they let their little loved one go. They provide reassurances of good care and careful placement, but they know it's never enough. They return home and imagine how it would have felt if the roles were reversed, and they cry ...
 
Once home they typically bathe the newest foster, register them with YTNR, microchip them, and do veterinarian checks and care. They learn the little one's temperament, their personality, their likes and dislikes, and help them on the road to recovery from grief, illness or behaviors often viewed as problematic. They ready them for adoption.
Ellie assisting in her YTNR registration
 
The little foster is then placed on our YTNR website, and they and their foster parent(s) await the adoption applications to come in and review them for a good match. This is hard in itself, since sometimes we get great applications, but it may not be a great match for the little dog. Sometimes we get no applications, and an older or differently abled doggie waits forever, while we wish for someone out there to open their hearts and their homes, and see what we see ... And then the application comes in that's just right. We become excited as we review, interview, do home checks, a meet, and talk some more. We celebrate as our little one finds its own forever home. And we cry as we let them go ...
 
As a rescue volunteer you see sadness and happiness, and experience love and loss - often. Every time you struggle, wonder how you're going to let go. Every time you wonder how you're going to do it again. Every time you want to just keep that little bundle of joy who just adapted to your home and stole your heart - but through the tears of joy mixed with sorrow, you know that's how we give them all a home, one at a time. And you march on .... arms and doors wide open.
 
And then there are the times you're a foster failure - and you just cannot let go. You feel guilty for not letting go, concerned about diminishing your future fostering capacity, second guessing yourself about whether you're doing it for the doggie or for yourself - and then you accept - and live happily ever after.
 
Either way, decisions are never easy, whether for the person surrendering, for YTNR making the decision of taking in a little dog, or for the foster parent to place the foster doggie in its forever home. But at the end of the day we can go to sleep knowing there is one less hardship and want in life. And a little Yorkie can fall asleep in loving arms.

If you would like to help us make the world a happier place, one Yorkie at a time, please consider a donation to help out undefined or consider becoming a foster. 
♥ Yorkies across U.S. will Thank You, as will YTNR ♥


We would Love your support!

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♥ Yorkies across U.S. will Thank You, as will YTNR ♥

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

"Let us always meet each other with smile, 
for the smile is the beginning of love." 
~ Mother Teresa

Neeko's Joke

~A guy spots a sign outside a house that reads,
"Talking Dog for Sale." Intrigued, he walks in.
 "So, what have you done with your life?" he asks the dog.
 "I've led a very full life," says the dog. "I lived in the Alps rescuing avalanche victims. Then I served my country in Iraq. And now, I spend my days reading at a retirement home."
The guy is flabbergasted, he turns to the owner and asks, "Why on earth would you want to get rid of a dog like that?"
The owner says, "Because he's a liar! He never did any of that."  ~

Wishing you All a Blessed Summer ♥




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.