Yorkie Rescue, Tucson wasn't planned. It just happened and I slid into it after the loss of a very special second hand Yorkie, named Fuji. Fuji entered my life at four years old, and left a year later when his heart gave out unexpectedly and suddenly. He simply died instantly and my life was never the same.

Fuji and I had a special bond. He was always there, always watching me, always wanting to accompany me anywhere and we lived for each other. That day in June, years ago, my heart was torn out.

The impact of that short relationship changed my life and my focus and I wanted to help others achieve that relationship with Yorkies that had been, like Fuji, in need of a new home.

I had two little Yorkies after that, Futu (the second Fu) and Katie and they give me so much joy that I began rescuing Yorkies. I notified all shelters and veterinarians in Tucson of my intention in this area and later joined our state group, Coalition of All Breed Rescue of Arizona (CABRA) , http://cabra.org/

The first rescue was Tiffany Ann, a lovely little girl whose person could no longer care for herself or Tiffy, and the rescue since then has grown as more and more Yorkies lose their homes for a variety of reasons.

I wish it were simple, that one could simply take in a dog and find it a home quickly. It isn't. The dogs that come in enter the rescue with a variety of issues from behavioral to medical, and all issues must be addressed before they can be placed. Yorkies stay here a minimum of one month, but often six months or more, until a suitable home is found. First the little one is bathed, trimmed and groomed as well as evaluated, looking for possible problems. An appointment with a veterinarian is scheduled. This can sometimes take one to two weeks.

The new intake is taken to the vet for evaluation and necessary treatments are begun, and further appointments are made. Many of the rescues need dentals and extractions of infected teeth, nail clips, treatment for a variety of problems from tick fever to glaucoma and occasionally surgeries to correct illnesses.

The rescue is separated from the other dogs here; crate trained if necessary, and later moved on to a playpen. Once his/her health is deemed to have no contagious diseases the dog is slowly integrated into the pack. This can take several weeks. Some of the rescues are social and some are not. Each dog is treated individually, concentrating on the dog's positive traits, and working on the negative ones, to overcome problems, some which are behavioral from neglect, abuse or a lifetime of struggle.

Change comes slowly, but each little step is a giant celebration and each backslide, sends me back to the drawing board to work on alternative procedures.

Some dogs come in eating everything, some refuse all food, some were spoiled, others were harmed, some are filthy, tick covered and matted, some are frightened, some are delighted at the change and some cry for several days for the very people who brought them in. All of them soon begin the road to their new life and the beginning of adjusting to change.

Once dentals have been performed, and dogs have had all inoculations, been neutered and micro chipped, behavioral modification training begins. The dogs are taught to walk on a leash, to ride in carriers, slings, bags and travel bags, to behave in public and to value themselves and their worth. I look for behaviors that I can turn into tricks so that each dog can perform for a perspective parent.

Each rescue has a story. Each is a beloved creature and each deserved a chance at a loving, caring home with someone who desired t to spend much needed time with them.

Often these little guys make fantastic companions as they have suffered the loss of all that they knew as their homes. Being older, they can be evaluated and I can tell the perspective owner all about the dog, what are his/her strong and weak points. My rescues really want to please, and work very hard at being good. They love the praise they get and the kisses, lap time and time out in the car going places and the attention they generate wherever they go.

One never has to wonder what the dog will be like when he/she grows up. The rescue is grown up.

One of the concerns folks have is the lifespan of these dogs. Yorkies, being small dogs, can live a long life, often into their teens and beyond if well taken care of. Another way of looking at it is that if you are successful and manage to be chosen by one of our rescues, you are first in line for another when your dog passes on. There are always more rescues, always another lost soul looking for a start, and each one is so unique that they take the pain of the loss away.

Rescues have adapted to change. They have made a new start here at the rescue, often a very difficult transition. They learn to trust again and learn to like humans. The next move was very positive as no longer was there a need for the dog to compete for attention.

Rescue Yorkies are individuals. As yet no two have been alike. They are not particularly good with small children and tend to threaten or bite them to protect themselves. Many have suffered broken bones at the hands of young children. They simply are too small to be in that situation.

RescueYorkies require weekly bathing and grooming and daily tooth brushing. Their eyes can be gooey and need to be washed daily.

Rescue Yorkies require daily exercise as most enjoy walking.

RescueYorkies are NOT outside dogs. They can easily be snatched up by preditors from coyotes to large birds of prey. They should not be outside unattended, and should not be off leash except when in a safe, enclosed space.

Many Yorkies meet their fate in swimming pools. They simply cannot get out and can drown.

A rescueYorkie is not a gift for you or someone else. A commitment is required on the part of the new owner, who will be evaluated to make sure a permanent, loving, forever home is found and that this dog will not suffer the loss of yet another home in the future.

RescueYorkies are high maintenance dogs. They require yearly vet visits and immediate attention to any medical problems. They require a lot of attention from humans and want to be part of everything that is going on.

Rescue Yorkies often have issues due to the losses that they have suffered. They need to be eased in to the transition into their new life and a great deal of patience is required. It is recommended that close contact be kept with the rescuer, so that I may help with this.

Most importantly, a rescue Yorkie is not just a pet, but is a family member.

The adoptee must be willing to be patient and loving while working with the dog, helping him/her adjust to the new life.

One must realize that these dogs are not perfect, that some have come from dedicated, loving homes, and because of death, divorce or illness. Others come from abusive and neglectful backgrounds. Some suffer from separation anxiety, some from fear and some are perfectly well adjusted.

As a rescuer, I am looking for a safe, loving home, where the rescue Yorkie gets the life he/she so much deserves, one where the dog will not be taken for granted after the novelty of newness wears off.

CAN YOU HANDLE ALL THAT LOVE???? Cindy was our foster mom. They loved her