TIFFANY ANN was picked up at her interim home. Her mom had lost the ability to care for her and had gone to live in a care facility. Relatives had her and were concerned for her safety as they had a larger, aggressive dog. Tiffy was a whirlwind 8 year old, dashing around jumping on furniture and I suspect, relieving herself in the house.
She seemed to reach out her arms to me when I entered the house, as if asking to be taken away. Without questions, surrender forms were filled out and Tiffy and I rode home together.
Tiffy was alpha and was housed in a playpen amidst the other resident dogs here. It took about a month of training, both house breaking and leash, before she was integrated into the pack.

In short order I learned that Tiffy could sit up on her hind legs for treats. Tiffy did well with her training, loved to walk and play with toys, especially to fetch.
One day I received a call from a woman who had tried repeatedly to find a Yorkie at the local shelters. She was very upset that her efforts had not proven effective. Her grandchildren brought her over and it was love at first sight for Tiffy and for her new Mom, who was very gentle and loving.

Tiffy went home.

PICCHU, jokingly named for Macchu Picchu (or Macho Picchu) came from the local shelter. I must have stood there for 2-3 hours deciding whether or not to take him in. He was a mess; very old with terrible eyes, teeth and not looking much like a Yorkie. I called a fellow rescuer, far more experienced than I, and she told me to follow my heart. I sat in my car, and then went back in, grabbed his chart and put my name down. Picchu would come home with me.

I cried all the way home from the shelter as I looked at this pathetic little overweight boy in the box, who seemed to be looking at me with great relief.

After a bath and a lot of grooming, I had an odd little man on the table before me. He was beautiful, in an odd sort of a way. I had gambled on an old man, probably 15 years old and was paid back by a willful little emperor who would steal my heart forever.

Time went on. A dental was performed and then another as the first was not thorough. A tumor was successfully removed from his mouth and proved to be no problem. As with all of them, he was microchipped, received all of his inoculations and training began.

Picchu was lazy. He would walk a bit, and do "his thing", but then he wanted to be carried. I LOVED carrying him, and would squeeze and kiss him while telling this little stray who had been found near UPS, how wonderful he was. My neighbors and passers by must have thought me crazy. I figured no one would ever want this old man, and I couldn't have cared less. He became my poster boy for rescue. I dolled him up with a blue bow and paraded him everywhere and he loved going. He loved sitting in the lookout seat and yelling at anyone who had the audacity to put their car near mine at a red light.

Picchu came in not only fully house trained, but he would bark at the door when he needed to go out. This was indeed a first for me.

I took Picchu with me to a rescue fair, while working at a CABRA booth and there a fellow rescuer, who had a friend looking for a Yorkie, discovered us. Her friend looking for a Yorkie. She was convinced that Picchu would be the dog . I was sure he would not as I had had so many dreadful requests from folks who gagged at the idea of a very senior dog.

A few days later a lovely woman called and wanted to see Picchu. Her friend had met me at the fair and told her all about him. She looked at him and couldn't stop laughing. Yes, she wanted him. Picchu, my little boss, went home.

I received a call that there was a little Yorkie at the shelter, a puppy. TAHTI, named for Jacques Tati, was lying on the cold cement floor, very sweet and lonely. There was something terribly wrong with his back leg and he was emaciated. He was approximately 5 months old, and it was iffy as to whether or not he was a Yorkie, but he could pass. It didn't take me as long to put my name on his card, for rescue, this time. Picchu had taught me not to waste time deliberating too hard.

I was to return for Tahti early in the morning of his release date. In haste I had taken along a bird cage instead of the carrier, and had to get him in there as he was too large for my tiny Yorkie carriers and I suspect, though he would never admit it, that he was in pain. No tears this time, as Tahti carried on barking all the way home.

Once home and properly crated after his bath and grooming, he marched out of the crate into the playpen and left me a big surprise. He was not house trained! Having had my share of puppy training, I pulled out all of my tricks and we began.

Shortly after that first day Tahti came down with Bordatella (Kennel Cough), and being so emaciated, it turned into pneumonia. My vet was already annoyed at me for bringing an extra dog into a bird appointment, and was difficult about prescribing drugs, so I changed vets immediately, leading me to our current vet. Miraculously Tahti, made it through the illnesses but was in no shape to have his leg dealt with, and he was growing.

Time went on and we began obedience training on our walks. Tahti learned quickly, but could not restrain himself if a dog was anywhere in the vicinity and barked maniacally. He was monstrous and no one could stand him. On top of that he was getting taller and less like a Yorkie weekly. I had visions of living with this mouthy creature forever. He was loving, played with toys non-stop and irritated the rest of the pack with his puppy antics.

A friend came to my rescue, and took Tahti to fairs on Saturdays. There she would work with him with a gentle leader, which seemed to help.

To try to assimilate him, I would take him to stores and remember holding him upside down in Petsmart in an attempt to silence him. He could care less and continued barking at all the dogs.

Time went on and Tahti was taken to the vet to have the leg checked. X-rays revealed that he had a broken hip, that the ball was separated from the femur. His doctor, having seen similar injuries, believed he had been kicked in the hip, perhaps to quiet him down. Choices were to do a very expensive surgery where a replacement would be done, or a lesser surgery. Both would leave him with a shorter leg, and we opted for the less invasive one.

I sat in the office the morning of surgery with Tahti. The doctor was on a conference call with a specialist. Tahti's leg had mended well by itself. He rarely limped, only after severe exercise, and then only briefly. He was so happy. Surgery was not performed as it was believed that he would be worse for it, and as much as his doctor loves to do it she said, "First do no harm."

Tahti was placed on Petfinder.com, and calls came in and interviews were held. The bottom line was that no one wanted him. One applicant even went so far as to say that if Tahti needed surgery he would put him down! Imagine the audacity, after all the work I had put in to this dog, to tell me that!

A wonderful, loving woman emailed me. Tahti's injury was no problem for her. His mouth wasn't a problem either. In fact, she found him wonderful. Tahti went home and today she and he do foster care for me. She lovingly calls him "Big Mouth", and he looks more like a powder puff Chinese Crested than a Yorkie, but he is incredibly beautiful, graceful, and happy. He loves everyone, plays with toys and is one of my best successes.

I received a call from a neighbor that TEDDY had lost his mom and a member of the family would kill him if she didn't take him. She had taken him in but recently had gotten a larger puppy, which was too much for Teddy.

She brought Teddy over . He looked very peculiar, but was a Yorkie. His face was strange and he was misshapen around the mouth. Teddy was spoiled and very needy following me everywhere. He was pretty reliable with his house training, but sometimes would simply pee where he stood without giving it a thought.

Teddy loved walks and like Tahti was a great walker. He got along fine with everyone but keeping aloof and wanting always to be on my feet or in my lap. I was tripping over him.

Teddy had terribly infected teeth and was put on a course of anti-biotics in preparation for his dental and his many extractions. He seemed to have a spinal injury and x-rays were taken. Teddy's back was sensitive and I assume he had suffered some abuse in the interim time when the relatives had him, or perhaps he had been stepped on in his younger years. We had no records on Teddy but suspected hewas thought to be 8-9 years old. The owners told us that he was 6-7.

I received a call from a woman who had cared for her brother's dog after his death. The dog had never cared for her, and now had died, and she wanted a dog to love. She and Teddy were a match. Teddy went home.

Teddy guards her now, and never leaves her. He resents her attention being pulled elsewhere, loves his walks and is a very good boy. Teddy came close to death at the hands of the family and thanks to the neighbor has a new and wonderful life with a terrific woman.

MINDY broke my heart. I received a call from a woman whose vet recommended that she cal l me to place her dog in rescue. I drove out to meet with her and to evaluate Mindy. I was told that Mindy barked too much and did not like other dogs and that the folks at their mobile home park were growing impatient. What I found was a dog that was a schnauzer/yorkie or silkie mix. I couldn't take the dog that day and after watching her husband scream at the dog to shut up, I told her I would get back to her at the beginning of the week.

Obviously that was not quick enough because when I called I was told that her vet had put Mindy down at their request, and then she hung up on me. I cried, feeling awful that I had vacillated and that my indecision had cost this dog her life.

I just couldn't believe a healthy dog had been put down and I had this constant feeling that something was wrong. I called the vet and laced into them about killing a healthy dog, when I was stopped with the words, "Calm down, Mindy is here. You can come and get her." I thanked them and jumped in the car with a crate and leash to pick up Mindy.

Mindy was not social with my dogs and kept her distance. A week went by and one day while we were outside, one of my dogs got silly and began to dance around her. In an instant Mindy became maniacal and went for my dog's throat. Luckily he was full coated or she would have killed him. I could not get her off him and had to cut off her air through her nose to loosen her grip.

The disaster was averted, but he was very upset, not having ever had a dog attack him before. I penned Mindy and called the clinic and told them what had happened. Tearfully I brought Mindy back to them. They promised to warn any potential adoptee about the necessity of Mindy to have no interaction with other dogs.

When I called back to check on Mindy I found out that they weren't sure where she was, but thought she had gone to the Humane Society. It seemed they had called another rescuer, who could not keep Mindy and had a friend take her. Something happened and again she was off, and this time she barked too much and was taken to the Humane Society. When I called them I was told that Mindy was there and was a black small dog and a male. It seems her harness was hanging on the cage, but the reality was that Mindy had been adopted out and no one seemed to know or would tell me to whom. I wanted to call and to warn them, but they would not impart the information.

I don't know what became of Mindy, but I suspect she will not come to a good end. Hopefully the person who has her will see this page and will contact me. I will always be sad about Mindy and always will wonder at her fate.

I received a call that a woman needed to place her dog in rescue. I drove out to pick up the dog and waited for her to arrive in her truck with VETO. He was small and donning a Schnauzer haircut which made him quite unattractive. He happily was put in my arms; she signed the surrender papers and was off, leaving behind this little funny looking guy and all of his things.

I put him into his carrier and secured it in the backseat of the car. I put his large bag of belongings into the trunk and we drove home in our non air-conditioned car in the summer heat. He was quiet.

Veto entered the house quite unpleasantly wanting to fight with the canine residents. He was quickly put into a bellyband and placed in the playpen. Aggression was his middle name. He did not like other dogs, loud noises or being touched incorrectly and would bite without the least provocation.

Veto came in fully groomed in his hideous haircut, clean and perfumed. There was no need to bathe him, but I did to remove the perfume and to help him to smell like the others in our group.

Early on in our relationship, during a summer storm, there was lightning and a huge clap of thunder. I was holding Veto and in a panic he bit me twice, breaking the skin on my hand. It was evident that this dog would not be adoptable as his behavior was erratic.

Veto was really good, if you discount his aggressive behavior, walked well on a leash and seemed happy. His teeth were dreadful and the top front bottom ones were missing altogether. I managed to clean up his teeth and made an appointment with the vet.

When she examined him, at one point he attempted to bite her. He was tender and she suspected bladder stones. X-rays revealed that once again she hit the nail on the head, and surgery was scheduled, very expensive surgery. At 10 years old Veto sailed through surgery and recovered very quickly.

Veto was then placed on a low protein, vegetarian diet, in an attempt to avoid a recurrence of the bladder stones, which are known to recur within 3 years.

I decided to adopt Veto myself as now at eleven years old we are quite attached to one another. He gets on well with the pack and the incoming rescues and has developed a confidence about being a regular here. He loves his vegetarian diet, and is really good. It is difficult to believe that when he sees another dog while on a walk he goes berserk and wants to fight, becomes ferocious and tries to attack me and my dogs.

He is kept harnessed always and on a tight lead so that at a moments notice I can pull him up out of harm's way, sparing all of us from his violent attitude.

Besides the propensity for bladder stones, Veto suffers from severe cataracts, runny eyes, collapsing trachea and the early stages of luxating patellas. He has more energy than all of my dogs put together and I hope he continues to live a long and healthy life.

Veto sleeps beside me, and is always by my side. He loves to sit in the lookout seat in the car and go for rides. He never misses a moment to be close. I was told he was very needy, but he is simply loving and actually quite independent. He is our poster boy for rescue.

Veto is home.

YOCHI was waiting for me at the shelter. It was an easy decision. I wasn't sure he was aYorkie, but he was cute and was not being put up for adoption as he had been infested with hundreds of ticks and they suspected he would test positive for tick fever.

Yochi had been dropped off at the home of one of the employees of the veterinary clinic. He was brought in, inoculated and dipped. He was so noisy that he was sent to the shelter and earmarked for rescue. I took one look at him and thought perhaps he was a Yorkie/Chihuahua mix, and his name was born.

At the shelter he was dipped again, so all the ticks were quite dead when I took him home and he was covered with hundreds of scabs.

Yochi was smart and picked up on the tricks here quickly, always ready to perform, a ham and circus type dog. He had great potential, a good attitude and liked everyone, old or young. After his time in the playpen, he fit into the pack instantly, loved walks and was simply wonderful.

Once cleared for adoption, I placed him on Petfinder. That morning a woman was looking there. She hadn't planned to, but did and there was Yochi. She immediately called me, and sent an application form. Once that was approved they drove hours to get here. When she, her husband, and daughter entered the house, Yochi jumped on the husband. He was very touched and immediately in love. Yochi seemed to know this man was in pain, having lost his beloved poodle. It was a match made in heaven.

Yochi went home to live with this wonderful family and his new brother, a Boston Bull Terrier. Everything is perfect and Yochi is forever happy.

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

I was told that Petey hadn't really worked out, and that the other dog, also would be leaving but that a friend would take him. I could tell this was not the decision of this woman, but probably of the husband. There seemed to be little understanding of canine behavior, licking, marking etc.

Petey had a "thing" about his carrier. He must have spent quite a lot of time in it as when it appeared he jumped into it. I could not touch him. Prior to that, his owner put his collar on. The harnesses that I had brought seemed too small.

I left with Petey's possessions, his blanket, carrier and hard toys, and we drove to pick up my grown children who were having massages. That is a day I will never forget. I took Petey, leashed, out of the carrier, with his rescue tag on his collar. He was fine on the leash and then the train roared through the city. Before I knew it Petey had pulled out of his collar and was running down 7th. Avenue. I was in hot pursuit, and luckily had been jogging, but I could not keep up with him. I managed to get in front of him and he shot south down the street.

A man rode by on a bike and I yelled for help, "My dog, please help me save my dog!" He looked at me as if I was trash and moved on. Suddenly a young woman appeared flailing her arm before a terrified Petey, who stopped dead in his tracks. She grabbed him. It was my daughter. I could barely talk. I kept envisioning Petey splattered under a car in the street. I learned a valuable lesson that day. Only a harness and nothing else, and never take a rescue out otherwise.

We got home, and what I had with me was a terrified dog that had suffered at some point from some very harsh training. Petey was miserable, so totally devastated to have lost home and family, and so afraid of being beaten. He broke my heart.

It took much love and retraining to gain Petey's trust. Much emphasis was put on gaining his trust and teaching him to play with toys. I threw out his hard toys and bought two soft toys. Petey proceeded to have sex with each of them, but had no idea how to play. With the encouragement and help from my foster mom, Tahti's mom, Petey learned about toys and became a great player. He integrated well with the others and changed from a despondent creature to a happy dog. He loved walks and going places.

Again a lovely woman contacted me for a rescue. I took to her at once and the application was perfect. She came to visit and then returned with her husband. She had treats in her pocket and Petey was smitten. I worried as to how he would react to the home visit, but he just loved them and the house. There were new toys and people he really related to. Petey went home and when I asked how he was working out I was met with, "What a silly question!" I couldn't be more delighted for Petey and his new family.

I received a call from a woman who had found PEPPER walking along the road near her home. She had taken her in and notified the local shelters that she had found her. She got my name from the Humane Society and asked me to take Pepper in. She had no collar or tags and we did not know her name. Pepper was a bit unkempt, but otherwise in good condition. She was a happy go lucky little girl.

I no longer remember the name that I gave to her and she didn't really respond to it. I bathed and groomed Pepper and put her in a harness with a rescue tag. I don't remember how long she was here, perhaps a few days, when I received a call from the woman who brought her to me, that the owner had been found when she went to the Humane Society looking for her Yorkie.

I made arrangements to bring Pepper home, and upon arrival witnessed a marvelous reunion. Pepper was delighted to be reunited with her owner, a senior woman who had dropped the leash somehow and Pepper had run off. Pepper who had not wanted to eat with me, ran off.

Pepper's mom hadn't eaten since she had lost her Yorkie and was so upset that she had to put her toys, bed and dishes high in the closet, for to look at them brought her to tears. She had planned to take Pepper with her to California for a trip, but had cancelled her tickets not wanting to miss a chance to be reunited with her dog.

As much as I enjoyed Pepper, nothing could have been better than to see these two together. This little joy was the center of this woman's life. She was so happy that she gave me a donation for the rescue. Pepper was home, complete with her new harness. Her mom promised to take her to be microchipped and to purchase new tags.

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

Of course I agreed to take her in and named her Mila, tiny miracle, as it was indeed a miracle that she survived.

Mila's story was that she had been abandoned and found outside of the convention center by a couple that could not keep her. Another couple took her in, but let her get away, and must not have searched very hard for her. They later claimed the dog, but by then she was in rescue, saying she was on prescription meds. She had been with them, perhaps a week, was unkempt and filthy.

She came to me at 9:30 in the morning. I could hear her heart beating loudly outside of her body and she had raspy breathing, and the sounds of fluids. I called the vet immediately, and got an appointment for that day. I bathed and groomed Mila and put a bow in her hair.

Mila was so sweet, good and charming, that I fell for her immediately. The other dogs knew something was wrong, and were not curious about her.

My vet looked at her and immediately identified the problem, telling me we would have to put Mila down. I could not believe my ears and insisted on proof, that she was terminally ill.

The x-ray showed an enlarged heart, puss in the uterus and lungs pushed to the side so she was having to breathe from her abdomen. Every breath was a struggle, and not long ago someone had actually bred this dog. Her teeth were in poor condition and she had had few days of happiness, only those with the wonderful people who saved her from dying outside.

I was with Mila at 5:30 when she left her body, with her bow in her hair she was finally safe and at peace. I cried and cried and still cry at the waste of such a precious life.

I rescue in memory of Mila.

Negotiations to arrange a time to meet to pick up Brue took several weeks. Her owner was having a difficult time giving her up, and yet felt Brue needed a better life as she was very unhappy. Brue had been an only dog and very loved until marriage and children left her behind. She no longer held the important place in the family unit and responded by peeing in the house, on the bed, and finally the children were getting into it, a cause for alarm.

Finally a date was set. I picked up my foster mom, Cindy, and we drove to meet Brue and her mom halfway between the two points. En route I received a call of indecision, but it was too late to cancel, so the meeting went as planned.

We found a nervous needy little girl, signed papers and headed home with her in her carrier. She screamed all the way home. I bathed and groomed her that night and called the next morning to have her checked out by the vet.

Brue had the worse case of separation anxiety that I had seen. If she were left, even for a minute she would pee. She was kept in piddle pants, and often would mess up five pair a day. I was really worried for her future if we couldn't get her reassured that she would be safe and wanted and that I would return.

Brue loved to go on walks and to sit in the look out seat in the car. She was always ready and quickly took to the sling and Around Town bag. She was smart and learned tricks easily, but the problem persisted. Cindy suggested light pads for inside of the piddle pants and that worked well, though Brue often soaked through them, but not as badly.

Brue would ride with me on my recumbent bike and really enjoyed it. I took applications, but no one was interested in a 7- year -old wetter.

Finally I received an email from a wonderful woman who winters north of me in Arizona. She was looking for a Yorkie for herself and her husband. They were golfers and had a golf cart. They were retired and had loads of time for a rescue. Their application and subsequent calls were wonderful. When I met them I had three rescues. They took one look at Brue and the woman began to cry. I asked if she wanted to see the others and she said, "no". I put Brue in her arms and Brue, who went to very few people sunk into her chest and relaxed. When she handed Brue to her husband tears were in his eyes. Brue again melted. Brue had chosen these two. She now has a winter home in Arizona and a summer home in Washington State. She no longer wets herself, even when her parents go to play golf together. She has learned to play with her wonderful soft toys and takes great pleasure in them. Her name has been changed to ELLIE and she has taken to it just as she took to her new life. She came to visit with her family. What a treat to see this thin little girl filled out, totally confident and playing with her old canine friends. When it was time to leave she ran to her mom and asked to be picked up.

Ellie has a wonderful new life.

CHICO, now QUIDO, was at the shelter. He had eye problems so he was slated for rescue. He was a Yorkie, if you are generous, and really a sweetheart. I had him delivered to my vet and picked him up there after his neuter, microchip and dental. He was too out of it to care about much as we made our way home and luckily hadn't eaten.

It wasn't long before Chico became ill with diarrhea and managed to spread it throughout the house. It hit him hard and lasted about two weeks on and off until we found the right medicine to knock it out.

Chico was a jumper. The only thing that held him was the crate, and I couldn't crate him full time, so I purchased a 4' high playpen that held him in until I could house train him. Once he was integrated with the rest of the pack he would love hanging out in the sewing room. He would lie across the couch in the same spot that had been Petey's world months before. He even looked a bit like Petey.

Chico was a love sponge. He simply couldn't get enough and it mattered not from whom. He had been a stray, found by a woman who took him to a vet and kept him for two weeks. She then took him to the shelter, probably because he was most likely diagnosed with dry eye, a condition that requires expensive medications for his life. From the time I picked him up from his neuter, I administered the meds he needed. He was such a good boy and daily washing of his eyes and the meds improved his condition and relieved the irritation for him quite a bit.

Chico loved his toys and always had them with him. Sometimes there would be 10-12 of them on his spot on the couch, barely leaving room for him. He was a fantastic dog, a lot like a large dog, hanging out with me and totally loyal.

I received an email from a lovely woman, a nurse, wanting a Yorkie. I told her about the dogs I had and she seemed immediately interested in Chico. When she came to visit we were all outside. She pointed at Chico and said, "Is that Chico?" I asked if she would like to look at the other rescues and she did but said they were too small. Chico was perfect. Chico just loved her. It was a match. The application had been wonderful and the visitation and home visit perfect. Chico went home and has a wonderful, loving family.

As I left him I saw him looking after me, not wanting me to leave him, but he did settle in rather quickly and has a wonderful new life with attention from three people. I couldn't have asked for more. I was sadly mistaken.

UPDATE: Chico was euthanized by his adoptive family one month to the day after his adoption. Rather than return him to rescue or contact us when he had a health crisis, they opted to end his life. We are saddened greatly by this turn of events.We were notified two weeks after he had been put to death ....

FIDDLE, a female Yorkshire Terrier, arrived with her belongings one sunny day. She only had her mom for her first two years. Her dad did the best that he could with her, but sadly, it wasn't enough and Fiddle became very fearful and dependent on her crate.

She thrives on praise and tries very hard to be good. She has a preference for women, but tolerates men, however, they frighten her and she can become very nervous around them.

When Fiddle first came she refused to leave her crate and would threaten to nip when removed from it. She never bit me, but hit me with her teeth a few times. I simply lifted her with a towel, and her behavior changed once she realized I had no ill intentions. The crate provided a semblance of security for this little girl who was quite shaken up by the move.

Fiddle's health is now very good. Though she came in rather underweight, she is now a perfect weight. She is eight years young with lots of energy. She has in the past suffered chronic ear infections and needs drops put in each ear one day a week.

Fiddle smiles. When I would come home and take her outside she would actually bounce around and grin at me showing all of her teeth. I would sing to her and she loved it, as I sang about her, "Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the FIDDLE..."

Fiddle came in with no toys. She learned to play with toys and had a little squeaky white sheep that she adored. She loved to have it with her and squeak it and would try to sneak it outside into the yard with her. She also loved soft furry bedsand at night would sit on the couch with me.

Fiddle loved to ride in the sling and pocket pack and did well sneaking into stores in a Sherpa Around Town bag. She rode well in the back seat of the car and loved to go for trips. She walked very well on the leash and stops if I drop it by accident.

Fiddle learned to dance on her hind legs for a treat. She progressed well and we were very proud of her.

Fiddle weighs just 7 lbs, is small and delicate, with beautiful silky hair. Her hair grows quickly. I trimmed it shorter for easy care while she is here at the rescue.

Fiddle went home with her buddy, Mowgli, below. They had become good friends and now have each other along with their fabulous new mom and her dad.

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

MOWGLI, a five-year-old Yorkie mix, was given up because he was unhappy in his home. He was the center of attention as a puppy, but later was overlooked when children were born. His former mother said he was snapping at the children, which I can understand, due to his limited eyesight.

Mowgli was bred by a Puppy Mill in Oklahoma and was issued purebred papers and sold at a pet store in the Phoenix area as a purebred Yorkie. Due to poor breeding he has suffered from severe periodontal disease that could have been avoided most likely had he had regular dentals.

He came in with overgrown toenails that impeded his ability to walk on his pads, which are tender from under use. He is now adjusting to walking on them and developing much-needed calluses.

Mowgli also has been diagnosed with glaucoma, (increased pressure in the fluid of the eye), and may have limited sight, which would explain his behavior towards fast moving toddlers. Though my veterinarian is convinced that he does not see well as he does not track her finger, I find he can see the smallest piece of food on the floor or on his dish. He does not bump into things, but seems to have difficulty at the end of the day, and perhaps less vision in the night, outside when we are out together. His disability does not seem to affect his ability to play with me and he follows me everywhere, and is always by my side.

Mowgli is perfectly house trained and can go long periods without going out, though I did not make him do that. He is independent. He loves to ride in the car and happily shares a car seat with his buddy Fiddle.

He knows lots of commands, can come, sit, lie down, roll over and dance for a treat. He LOVES treats.

Mowgli had fifteen teeth removed when he had his dental, but in no way has that impaired his ability to eat. He was in so much pain before the dental, that he had trouble chewing and was very thin, but at the time of his departure was eating well and putting on much needed weight.

Mowgli is an unusual lap dog. He likes to lie across your chest with his head under your chin. He will stay there as long as you will allow and just wants so badly to be appreciated and loved. His fur is very soft to the touch and he has a curly butt.

Mowgli gets along well with other passive dogs, but does not interact.

Mowgli loves to walk on a leash or ride in a sling or pocket pack. He is very good. He is house trained, up to date on his shots, neutered and micro chipped.

Mowgli went home with his new mom and his buddy Fiddle. She and he were good friends here at the rescue and for both of them this is a wonderful happy ending. He is missed terribly as is Fiddle, but I know they are delightfully happy in their new home with their new mom and her father, living the lives they both so deserve.

MAGGIE , a Yorkshire Terrier, lost her mom fairly recently. Her dad was not in a position to care for her due to ill health. A caring neighbor offered to place Maggie and called requesting that she be accepted into rescue. Maggie was referred to me by a rescue in California.

Maggie suffers from severe allergies. We are working on controlling them and she has improved greatly from the little girl who came in all messy and covered in ticks, unkempt and with an upper respiratory infection.

Maggie is thought to be between 7-8 years old and weighs 9.8 pounds. She was adopted from the local shelter perhaps a year or so, ago.

Maggie has had her dental and is micro chipped.

Maggie had become extremely attached to her foster mom. She was adopted by her foster mom and lives happily with her and three other dogs, including Muffin, our rescue. Maggie is lovely and warm, extremely independent, smart and very accepting of the rescues. Finally Maggie has what she was looking for, a REAL home.

PACO, , came to us from a loving woman, who found him a bit too much for her to handle. At ten months old Paco is very healthy and happy. Paco is a Yorkie/Chihuahua mix, sporting a long tail with a delightful curl that he holds high and proudly. His vet thinks perhaps there is something else, perhaps a little Shih Tzu, in the mix, due to his cute little under bite.

Paco is a puppy, and into all the mischief he can come up with. Though he has had two homes already, the first with an 80 year old woman who just could not deal with this puppy and the second who surrendered him into rescue, he shows no signs of separation anxiety. In fact he has blended in well with the dogs here, pestering them constantly. At his previous home he ate the remote control and then buried it's remains in the backyard. He also chewed up a pair of eyeglasses.

Paco tries very hard to be good. He is potty trained and only makes a mistake if someone forgets to take him out. He adores humans and dogs, is a trusting soul and very happy. Paco is a tad hand shy around the face as the first owner apparently hit him in the face, but he is overcoming that rapidly.

Paco is neutered and his shots are current. He has been micro chipped and received his ProHeart injection (6 month heartworm preventative) on July 24th. He has been tested and is negative for Lyme, Heartworm and Tick Fever.

Paco went home!!! He has a lovely family of two adults and two young girls, along with Chico, a maltese, and his newest, best friend.

LILY was found wandering on a busy street, apparently dumped by someone who had been using her as a breeder. She is approximately five years old, and has had a very hard time of it. The folks who saved her are wonderful, caring people, who offered to meet me half way to deliver her to us.

Lily was frightened and confused, a little girl who had shown aggression with the dogs at these people's home seemed to melt in my arms. Immediately I found lumps under her arms . Only later at home when I was able to bathe and groom her did I find more lumps all in the breast area. Her lymph glands were swollen and her teeth were covered with plaque and loose, gums inflamed and she was in great pain.

Lily's hair is unusual as it is all gold. Upon closer inspection one can see the silver roots below, which are increasing as time goes on, leading us to believe that her hair has been dyed blonde. Her time with us, eating a healthy diet has much improved the quality of her hair and she is simply beautiful now.

Lily caught on quickly to house training, having some difficulty with the idea. With constant attention to getting her outside often, she is doing well, though we keep her in training panties for now.

Lily has been spayed, has had a dental, micro chip, and biopsies taken on her cysts. They were benign and she is deemed in good health. Her shots are up to date and she has also had her six month heartworm preventative injection.

During her dental it was found that she has suffered blunt trauma to the bone holding her upper teeth, and has had all but two of her front teeth and all of her canines removed. She maintains her molars and she is eating well and demanding treats which she easily chews with her molars. She is now eating dry and wet dog food combined and eating with gusto, has filled out and looks terrific.

Each day she became more relaxed and demanded that her meals be served on time. She loves to eat. Her skin condition has improved dramatically and she is maintaining a healthy weight. She is doing well and is beautiful and quite a character. We think she is between 4-6 years old, simply a victim of greed and neglect.

Lily does not get along with other dogs and will taunt them, especially females, biting at them and being generally annoying even though she cannot hurt them. . She is very possessive and wants to share nothing with another dog, especially not her human. We expect Lily to do well and she will be placed in a one pet home where she can be special and spoiled, loved and pampered for the rest of her life.

The lovely couple that decided to stop and take her from the road saved her life. They are following her progress, have been incredibly supportive of her and I have the utmost admiration for them. Lily owes her survival to them.

Miss. LILY went home to a wonderful new life with two loving parents. Not only are they very caring and nourturing people but her new dad plays the piano beautifully, so Lily's world will be full of music. Lily will be the only animal in the home, and her dreams have been fulfilled. She will be the center of attention and receive more love than she ever could have expected, much deserved after her rough start. We are very happy for Lily.

PUNK and Niki came in together from the same home where they had been well cared for. Punky is a five-year old female, approximately ten pounds. Her ears flop down and she is adorable. She is very well behaved and loves attention.

Punky used to be house trained but slid a bit when Niki couldn't quite get the hang of it. We are seeing excellent results now that she is separated from him and in a new environment. She has made no mistakes in her foster home. Punky has ben to the doctor and is up to date on her shots, has had her 6 month heartworm preventative, been micro chipped and is spayed. She likes older children and has a wonderful personality.

Punky does not like to be outside other than to relieve herself. She is an inside dog 100%. She is quick to take care of business and then waits at the back door begging to be let in. Once inside, she settles onto soft cushions, the couch etc. She joins the others at the home in guarding the house, is very happy, and is acting as if she has been there forever.

Punky has found the perfect home with a woman who loves her unselfishly. They are a wonderful and delightful partnership and are living a life dogs usually only get to dream about. We are thrilled for Punky's good fortune.

Punky did have a setback, having blown a disk in her back which left her unable to stand up. Her owner immediately sought emergency care and now Punky is up on her feet again and doing well thus far. Punky is now doing wonderfully well and she is the joy of her mother's life. We feel our placement of Punky is one of our best.

Angel Baby , my angel baby, came in having been rescued from a busy street before he became road kill. Yes, somehow this tiny boy wound up in traffic, alone and frightened. He was swooped up by a kind man who saved his life just before a car hit him, took him home to his family, his wife bathed him and removed hundreds of ticks from his infested body. Angel Baby's nails were severely overgrown, his eyes goopy, his teeth, what few there are, were covered with plaque and infection and he was distraught.

They brought him to us suffering from uncontrollable, bloody diarrhea, which we managed to get in check immediately with medication that we have here on hand.

Angel came through the transition just fine. Simply he had been neglected and discarded as he had lost his worth to his previous owner. We have no idea of his age, but feel he is10-12 years, a senior. He is alert and happy. His weight is excellent and he has a great attitude.

Angel Baby weighs in at about 6+ lbs, is very small and loves to walk on the leash. He particularly likes to smell flowers, diving in with his head and often returning covered in blossoms. He is neutered and has had a dental. All of Angel Baby's teeth have been removed, but it has not at all been a detriment to him. He loves food and within two days was eating dry dog food once again and dog biscuits. He seems to be deaf or hard of hearing, but manages well with his disability.

Angel Baby is fully house trained, utterly reliable and well behaved. We spoiled him terribly because he was such a cutie. We found an angel who has adopted Angel Baby and he has happily gone to live with her and is adapting well to his new family. Angel is a senior Yorkie, and both he and his new mom are terribly lucky. We are very happy for Angel Baby's good fortune. His mom is very interested in the health of her dogs, and will give him a life that most dogs could only dream about. Seniors are special and Angel Baby is no exception!

SOPHIE came to us from a loving mom who simply could no longer care for her due to having fallen upon hard times. Sophie is a very active 9-month old puppy, fast as lightning who can jump very high. She has boundless energy and needs training, both in potty manners and behavior.

Sophie is sweet and loving and wants to be with someone as much as possible, but should adapt well to a home that has the time to put into her. She would be a wonderful agility dog and will benefit from classes and activity that will challenge her energy level.

Sophie was doing well with her potty training before Buttons came to live with them. The younger puppy made her falter a bit on her training.

Sophie is up to date on her shots, spayed and micro chipped. She has hAd her first dental. She is in excellent health and is a very happy little girl.

Sophie went home to her mom who surrendered her to us. Her mom could not adjust to life without Sophie and loves her dearly. It was the best decision for Sophie who is re-adjusting well to her former home. Sophie will be an only dog and will be going to school with her mom. I expect she will do very well as she is incredibly smart and a lovely little girl and will become the dog that folks dream of.

Sophie has gone home and all is right with her world.

CHEWY was a big little boy...a very big big little boy. Though he is tiny in height he made up for it in width, having most likely have tasted all the food available on the planet. Yes, poor Chewy came in at 5, probably 6 pounds overweight. Chewy was surrendered into the rescue by his most recent home, having been there for two months. They were afraid the cat would hurt him. He gets along well with other animas and is good natured, understated and sweet.

Chewy's previous owner moved and decided not to take Chewy with her. The most recent owner took him when owner #1 said she would take him to the pound. Owner #2 had a pit bull, cat and two pre-teenage kids. I guess it was not a big deal when Chewy left as the kids said, "Bye Chewy. Where are we going to eat lunch?"

When Chewy needs to go out he dances in circles and barks. He does the same when he wants dinner or for a treat or a Greenie.

Chewy has done really well with his diet. He is on a reducing diet, eats well and now looks like a normal, healthy Yorkie..still with a few pounds to lose. He is good natured, absolutely sweet and seemingly happy. Chewy came to us with terrible teeth, but has had all but 4 or 5 of them removed and he still can eat anything offered!

Chewy came to us with no shots, and has gotten his rabies and is micro chipped. He is up-to date on his shots including proheart (6 month heartworm preventative).

Chewy is mostly house trained, reliable and a real love bug. He loves sitting on your lap or on the couch and if you have a low bed, he will opt to sleep with you.

When Chewy was here he had an angel couple who cared about him and has sent a donation to help with his medical expenses. This is a big deal because before Chewy came into the rescue no one EVER cared about him before. Thank you Rosemary and Robert.

Chewy had some special friends, while he was in rescue who adore him. Yi Lian could not get enough of him, and took him for walks, held him for hours and gave him wagon rides, his passion. She plans to visit him in his new home and to write him now and then.

We found a wonderful person who is willingng to take on the challenge of helping Chewy continue to reduce his weight. His mom says he can have all the friends he wants but "no parties after 11 PM!"

Chewy went home happily and is adjusting well to his new life. Chewy now knows how to play fetch. His mom tells us that on the second day in his new home he was playing ball with his new brother, Radar.He left alot of broken hearts behind. This dog has quite a following and will always be special in our hearts and memory.

BUTTONS came in with Sophie. He is five months old and had been living with Sophie for six weeks. His former Mom brought Chloe to us. Chloe did not seem to recognize him at all or have any interest in him. He seems to be quieter than Sophie but loves to have a good time in his foster home where he is living with Sophie and several others.

Buttons has been neutered, micro chipped and up to date on his shots. He is not yet completely potty trained, which is normal for a Yorkie puppy He is a lovely little boy, but he is a puppy and Yorkie puppies take two years to mature.

Taking photos of Buttons, like Sophie has been nearly impossible as he is very very busy. Here you will see Buttons from head to tail.

Buttons spent his time in rescue with his foster mom and they developed a loving relationship. She found him to be a wonderful little boy.

Buttons went to his forever home complete with his new sister, a Silkie Terrier named Pebbles and his mom and dad. They joked that he should have been named Bam Bam. All is well in Buttons' world. He is going to obedience school and living the good life that every dog deserves.

UPDATE: Finally we have a "real" photo of Buttons. From it I gather that he feels his folks should be serving dinner in a more timely manner. He sure did love to eat at his foster mom's house. Now at home he is just one of the family.

CHLOE is a little one and a half year old female Yorkie who came to us from a home where she was well loved and taken care of. Chloe is grossly underweight, weighing in at barely five pounds. She should be seven pounds but suffers from Valley Fever which is being treating with Itraconizole, twice a day. We are working to increase Chloe's weight by giving her tasty and nutritious foods. We are spoiling Chloe, giving in to her demands for lap sitting and being fed apart from the other dogs here at the rescue.

Chloe did not eat by herself. She wanted me to handfeed her. Most likely this was for attention and special time just for her, or perhaps her meds were upsetting her stomach.

Chloe loves to play ball, to chase and fetch. She is like a gazelle and jumps high and can catch the ball in her mouth.. She can get into a lap from anywhere at anytime and simply loves humans. Chloe is a very good little girl, mostly potty trained and very smart, but she does have accidents when she is excited. She listens well and is very inquisitive. She came to us with her lovely belongings, including her suitcase of toys, sweater and brushes. She knows her suitcase and gets very excited whenever she sees it.

Chloe loves humans so much that on Halloween while we were getting ready for the neighborhood children, I sat Ursula, our stuffed resident witch on the chair. Chloe lept into Ursula's lap and stayed there all evening.

Chloe has a wonderful attitude and is a happy, intelligent and spirited little girland she is now on the mend from Valley Fever, a fungal disease, which is airborne.

During the time Chloe was in rescue she had some wonderful angels to help with her medical bills. Thank you Maggie, Bob & Rosemarie!!!!

Lucky Chloe. She met Rosemarie and Bob and Rosemarie is smitten with Chloe. Chloe thought they were pretty wonderful too, so much so that she went home with them to a life of playing ball and cuddling on their laps when she wears out. She is eating on her own, is potty trained and happy as can be. She is a joy and one good girl in her fabulous, loving home. We sure miss that bundle of energy, but know she is in the best place possible. Chloe has companions, a Yorkie named Stephanie and a cocker spaniel named Susie. She also shares the home with resident cats. Best of all she has two people who really love her.

PULGA came to us from the shelter. It was a last resort. She would have been scheduled to be euthanized, however a kindly soul wanted to give her a chance at survival. She could barely walk, and at the shelter, could not walk. She peed on herself and seemed afraid as if she expected to be hit.

Her abdomen was riddled with huge tumors along the entire mammary line. Her tail was bulbous, bald, black and bumpy with what looked like dead tissue. She had heart and most likely kidney disease and obvious Cushing's Disease. Pulga was six years old. Perhaps if someone had thought to take her to a vet... but she was instead dropped at the shelter.

I took her home and shampooed and groomed her , optimistic that we could save her. To me she was beautiful and she looked at me with such unselfish love. She was able to take small walks outside to relieve herself and seemed so proud when she did. In my heart I knew she was not adoptable, but I did not want to admit it to myself.

That optimism came to an end at the veterinary office. Pulga was terminal and would live perhaps a year with a future of seizures and pain. Her death would be horrible and the quality of her life would be poor. We try so hard to keep them alive, but sometimes we have to accept the inevitable.

Pulga left us that day. She passed in my arms and I cried as if I had known her many, many years. She touched my heart with her sweetness and in the short time I had her I had grown to love her. I still cry.

GROVER lost his home. His owners were remodeling and decided that he had to go. Grover's family had him for three years and had been told that he was five years old and an albino Yorkie. Grover is a senior. He came in with terribly rotten teeth and emaciated. He weighs only three and a half pounds. Grover was rushed in to the veterinarian for a dental. Gover had all of his teeth removed as they were rotten and covered with plaque all the way into the roots. He was in tremendous pain. We almost lost Grover as his heart stopped during the procedure, but our marvelous veterinarian was able to bring him back to life. Grover may have a heart condition. He returns to the vet for a second x-ray and hopefully blood work. As he is terribly thin and compromised we will be taking it slowly as Grover is a very bad patient and must be masked down for each procedure. Grover has retained testicles and must be neutered when he is strong enough.

Grover is eating strained foods until his gums heal, but already he is much improved. He is more energetic and his mouth is no longer twisted with pain.

Grover may not be a Yorkie, or he could be a Yorkie mixed with Chihuahua and perhaps poodle. His hair is so short that I cannot yet tell what he is, but the reality is that Grover needed to be rescued. He could not have survived much longer with teeth in such terrible condition. We do not know yet if his kidneys are affected or the severity of his heart condition.

Grover is a fantastic little boy. He is house trained and has a lovely temperament, but is suffering from incontinence. To date he has not messed his panties. He is a lap dog and very devoted already to me and loves everyone. He goes to anyone and really appreciates love that he so deserves. It is easy to love Grover as he is very intelligent, loving and special.

We are taking it one day at a time with Grover. His recovery will take some time but we are very optimistic that he will do well and hopefully he will be able to find a loving home in the future. He will be a joy to someone very special. We do not know if Grover will ever find a home, but his home is here where he can be cared for until the end of his life, should he prove not to be adoptable

UPDATE: Grover is improving. His heart is improved and he is putting on much needed weight. He has broken four pounds now, is more alert and eating well. His gums have not closed up and he is unable to be masked down for surgery as surely we would lose him. He is on holistic meds for his incontinence and is mproving, no longer wetting his diaper as frequently. He seems to be housetrained and is getting stronger. From the malnutrition Grover has poor hair quality. His vet thinks that he was so starved that his body was eating itself to keep him alive. He has a great will to live, and loves to suck on a Greenie on my lap at night.

Grover has a buddy named Bob. Bob comes to visit Grover and to love him and that love is really appreciated. It isn't easy being old and dumped from your home. It isn't easy to have health problems, but it sure is wonderful to have someone who cares. Thanks Bob! Grover also has a dear friend, Rosemarie. She came by and surprised Grover with a special gift, a cradle with his name handpainted on it. I was sure Grover wouldn't have a thing to do with it, being that he is an old man, but.... he managed to get in by himself!

UPDATE: Grover has a sponsor. Thank you Rosemary!!!

Grover has gone home with Bob and Rosemarie. His official adoption was on Easter Sunday! YYYWord has it that Grover is doing fantastically well. He is running aroung the house happy as can be and living the life he never dreamed was possible.

BANJO came to us from the local shelter, a stray that had been attacked by one or more large dogs. He was picked up and shaken, and torn, arriving covered in blood. They did not think he would make it but the shelter vet managed to give him meds that turned his condition around and he was marked for rescue...us!

I went down to the shelter to check him out, and found a matted, bedraggled dog in the Sick Bay. He was well enough to go on to the vet with other adoptees for neuter, dental, tests, microchip and innoculations, but the neuter would make it impossible for me to bathe and groom him for a week. I got permission to come to the shelter and clean him up. I grabbed my grooming tools, shampoos etc. and headed back to the shelter and spent an hour working around the wounds to transform this little fellow into the Yorkie I knew was in there.

Banjo was quarantined for a few weeks thus keeping him separate from the other dogs until his wounds healed. He is a lovely, sweet, sensitive dog and will make a marvelous companion for a very lucky person. Banjo is now safe in rescue, getting the love and care he needs and deserves. So far Banjo seems to be very sweet and loving. He will remain in rescue while he heals.

Banjo has had no recurrence of the paralysis that he suffered at the shelter or the vet. He is doing very well and is a much happier dog. His blood tests came back positive for tick fever, and he is being treated with meds daily. He is now out of danger and healed from his wounds and will be available for adoption as soon as he recovers from his neuter. He is now neutered and has had his dental and is micro chipped. We are very optimistic that he will have a full recovery from Tick Fever, a disease that is treated easily with one pill a day. We have begun the search for a home for Banjo. We have found folks who love to walk as much as he does. He loves the leash and loves to walk and go for car rides. He loves to be massaged and simply is an adoring little grateful boy. Banjo needs to learn to trust, but is catching on well to the fact that never again will he be abused by humans or dogs. His world is new and he is very appreciative.

Banjo went home with a new Mom and Dad. He adores them which is a thrill for us. He fit right in to their home and schedules, and it was as if he had always been there. Everyone won in this situation...especially sweet Banjo!

SEBASTIAN is a lively, lovely little boy. He was four on March 1st and is very dependent on the company of Maddy, his buddy from his former home. He loves to cuddle up with Maddy and also to sit on human laps. Life is just wonderful for this little guy and he is very responsive, house trained and obedient. He is a joy. Sebastian is eating well. He is a good weight so we have him on a "lite" diet, which should keep him fit. He is a sturdy little boy. Like Maddy he is fed twice a day. Feedings must be supervised as both of them want to switch bowls.

Sebastian had patella surgery in December and is recovered. Sebasian is in exellent health.

Sebastian had a very severe haircut before he arrived. His hair is growing in well and he is quite handsome. He has had corrective surgery recently and will hopefully be going home as soon as he is healed and out of his Elizabethian collar.

Sebastian has found just the right people. He has a home waiting for him to recover from corrective surgery. Sebastian is a dog that needs lots of attention and his new mom has lots of love and time to give to him. He is quite taken with her and she has seen him and fallen for him big time. We are certain that this will be an excellent match.

MUFFIE , a lovely Yorkshire Terrier, needed a new home. Muffie came in with her buddy Cookie from a loving woman who rescued them from the shelter in Payson, AZ, where they wound up when their mom was placed in hospice. Now their new mom can no longer keep them, and they are looking for some folks who have the time and love to give.

Muffie is approximately 7-8 years old. She has had a rough time as she has congenital heart failure. She is a good and happy girl, but she is swaybacked. She probably hasn't got much time, perhaps two or three years, but she sure would thrive with someone brave and generous enough to help her to live out her life in a loving home. Muffie gets two medicines a day. They are not expensive and keep her living a quality life.

Muffie is charming, and beautiful. Her face is fantastic and she reminds me of our beloved Chewy who stole all the hearts around him. She is house trained but must be let out regularly. She gets along well with other small dogs and would do best if she could go home with her dear friend Cookie.

There is no greater gift than that of a home to a needy, deserving dog. I know most folks want a young dog, but my preference is these older ones. They give back much much more than you can possibly give them.

Muffie is spayed and up to date with shots. Muffie has her canines and a few other teeth, but she can eat. She is a bit fussy, but once secure in her environment, eats well.

UPDATE: Muffie continues to be happy and to enjoy life. She is a doll. Muffie went home to the woman who adopted her from the Payson shelter. It was the best thing for Muffie, who is compromised by her heart disease. Muffie is an angel.

BANDIT, ,now ERNIE came to us from the shelter. He was severely underweight but that hardly slows him down. He came in at five pounds and now has reached a healthy weight, having gained about a pound.

He is mister energy, full of vim and vigor and ready for action. He has adjusted pretty well to the dogs at the rescue. Cindy gave him the name Bandit because he has a mask around his eyes and he managed to steal our hearts.

While Bandit is not 'really' a Yorkie he is adorable and tiny. He seems to be a Maltese/Shih Tzu/Peek/Yorkie mix and sports a long tail which delightfully curls loosely. His hair is long and soft and blows in the wind when he is outside. He is an excellent eater, but is food aggressive with one of the dogs in his foster home. He has shown some mildly aggressive behavior towards two of the dogs in his foster home.

Bandit came to us painfully thin. Cindy has worked to increase his weight to a healthy weight. The results from his blood tests came back showing he is well. He is in foster care at this time and doing well.

Bandit has been neutered, up to date on his shots and microchipped. He is available for adoption now that he has reached a good weight.

Bandit needs work on his house training. Patience and attention should do the trick, but one will have to be dililgent to get the best results and experienced in positive reinforcement rather than punishment.

This little energetic fellow will be a wonderful agility dog. He is very intelligent, and probably between one and two years old. He is very small and absolutely irrisistable. He will benefit greatly from obedience training, which is a condition of his adoption.

Ernie went home with wonderful new parents. He will be an only dog and immediately relaxed with his new Dad on the couch. In our excitement over his good fortune. He is adjusting to his marvelous new life in a big white overstuffed chair and couldn't be happier. Ernie never looked back.

NIKI came from the same home as Punky. He was a five pound, one year old male and was a bit confused about the change in his life. Niki is in excellent health, having been tested for Valley Fever and has come up negative.

Niki did well with his training, and if taken out regularly does what he is supposed to where he is supposed to. He still needs supervision and encouraement. Niki walks well on a leash. He will stay in a playpen, but prefers his freedom, is crate trained, and gets along well with the other dogs here at the rescue. He is neutered, and is up to date on shots and micro chipped.

Niki has a lot of energy. He is madly in love with his little toy monkey and likes to carry it outside with him. All is well in the world if he has his toy.

Niki did not work out in his new home and came back to rescue with his monkey and his belongings. He developed repiratory problems and became withdrawn, and returned less energetic. His nasal passages are swollen shut and his nose is swollen. His weight now is under five pounds and we will be working on increasing it to a healthy weight.

Niki will not be put up for adoption until we can work out his emotional problems and get him back on track. He has been reunited with his wonderful and loving foster mom and that should help him recover.

His adoptive home was loving and wonderful, but he simply could not make the adjustment to his new life. Niki needs to have someone around and not be left for long periods of time. He needs to feel secure again and to re-learn his playing skills.

We are happy to have Niki back in our care and will be monitoring his condition, hoping to solve the mystery of his so-far unidentified repiratory distress. We are hopeful that his doctor will get on top of the problem and that his foster Mom Cindy can bring his confidence and security level back to where it was. The reunion with his foster mom was a real tear jerker. Niki was estatic to see her and would not take his eyes off her. He slept on the couch next to her and all was well with Niki's world.

UPDATE: Niki's allergies are improving. His swelling on his nose has gone down significantly and he is no longer wheezing. He happlily is playing with the other dogs at his Foster Mom's and is really a joy. He still has a nervous stomach at times, but eats like a horse. He has gained all the weight back that he lost while in his adoptive home and is thriving. I think not having to compete with a new puppy has been a large part of his recovery which is ongoing.

Niki's foster mom adopted him today. She has done a marvelous job with him. His nose is normal now with NO swelling, and he is doing very well. Uprooting Niki to a new home would be unthinkable. I am very happy for Niki who can live his life with the mom of his choosing. This is a happy ending for all involved, and Niki will be nearby.

MUFFIN, a Yorkshire Terrier, came to us from the Humane Society, where he ended up after several unsuccessful homes. He was purchased from his former owner through a newspaper advertisement. From there he went to the Humane Society, then to me, and now to his foster mother.

Muffin may have a disk problem, which we have not x-rayed as yet. He seems to be in pain, and responds by biting when he feels being lifted will hurt him. Previously a belt was tied around his mid section to lift him, which most likely contributed, if not caused the problem with his spine.

Once Muffin has been lifted his is a warm and loving Yorkie. He loves being petted and loved. If you sit on the ground he will crawl into your lap and wait for a belly rub.

So far Muffin has showed no signs of aggression with other dogs. He is not particularly social with dogs and seems to fear the more active ones.

Muffin was very spoiled by someone who perhaps loved him too much. Perhaps that person died. We will never know what this little four-year-old boy has gone through.

Muffin is coming along well. His foster mom is now able to lift him, without incident and they have become good friends. He is mad for the neighbor and very fond of me. We are hoping to be able to heal his disk and cure his biting, fear of pain problem.

Until then he will stay in the rescue and he will be given special attention as we work on overcoming his issues.

Muffin will need someone who is experienced, very good with dogs and basically fearless. He does very well with me as I do not back down from him when he is aggressive. We rather like each other and he is beginning to really trust his foster mom and now sleeps in her bed, pressed against her. His behavior is still unpredictable.

Muffin is much happier now, an altogether different dog than the angry little fellow who had all but exhausted his options. I see great change every time I see him and even though finding a home may not be in his future, he is happy in the rescue with Cindy and is progressing, perhaps slowly, but surely.

Hopefully Muffin will recover and find a loving, forever home. We will be looking for a saint to take him into their heart(s). Muffin weighs about 6.8 lbs, is house trained, up to date on his shots and neutered. He will be micro chipped. Though Muffin may not find a home of his own, he has one here in the rescue with Cindy for as long as he needs it. He is safe.

UPDATE: Muffin has been x-rayed. He does have a spinal injury and is being treated. He is sporting a new haircut. Muffin is now on steroids, which seem to be helping with his back pain. He is much happier, but still unpredictable.

Muffin found his saint!!! His foster mom signed the adoption papers today making it permanent. Muffin has a forever home where he will be safe. No one will drop him off at a shelter and no one will ever hurt him again. He can expect the best of care and tons of love from Cindy. No one wanted Muffin except his foster mom. One could say that Muffin won the lottery. He will live with Tahti, Sammy, Maggie and Niki, his friends and companions.

COOKIE has a lot of love to give. She came in with Muffie from the same home, having spent her life with Muffie. They are very attached to one another. Cookie isn't "exactly" a Yorkie. In fact she is a Lhasa Apso, and a real sweetie, but how could I say no to her? Cookie hasn't a mean bone in her body. Her body, well, it is not that of a cover girl. Cookie is VERY heavy. She is in need of a dental and needs to lose five pounds before we can safely do it. Right now we cannot hear her heart as it is surrounded by too much fat. She is thought to be about 7 to 8 years old.

We have put Cookie on a weight loss diet. We are hoping to bring the weight down and get her to where she can comfortably exercise. She is small, the size (height) of a Yorkie. She is adorable, good natured, but takes time to adjust to changes in her environment, so one has to be patient and loving with her. If Cookie does not get to a healthy weight she will die. She is our project, and I intend to win the challenge.

Cookie is spayed and up to date with her shots. Her teeth need a dental, and aside from her obeisity she is in excellent health. Cookie is house trained, quiet and well behaved.

Everytime I look at Cookie waddling about I have to laugh. She is absolutely adorable. She gets along fine with other dogs, but is standoffish at first.

If you feel you want a wonderful companion and cuddly friend, as well as a good sweet girl, please contact us. These two girls really need humans to come to their aid and give them a wam, loving forever home, together or separate.

UPDATE: Cookie has lost some weight and is scheduled for a dental in mid May!!! We can now hear a heartbeat. She is playing with squeeky toys and is much much peppier! Congratulations to Cookie's Foster Mom, Pat!!!!

Cookie was returned to her owner. Pat found she simply could not part with Cookie, so she is staying with Pat, and will spend the rest of her life with Muffie and Mollie. Cookie is very attached to Pat and to Muffie, so this is a dream come true for her and for all of us. Cookie is a marvelous girl, really well behaved and always happy. She simply needed some permanence.

All is well in Cookie's world, and all is well in ours too!

MADDY(ADOPTED) was found in Los Angeles on the freeway and taken to a shelter. She was rescued by a lovely woman from Arizona, who already had a Yorkie named Sebastian. Maddy was shy of hands near her head when she first came out of the shelter but in time has done very well and is a lovely, happy, obedient little girl. Maddy is a Yorkipoo and estimated to be between seven and eight years old. She arrived with cherry eye in both eyes and cataracts in the left eye. She may have limited vision from the left eye, but seems to see well enough, plays and actually seems to talk to me, telling me what she wants. She thrives on attention. Maddy recently had successful cherry eye surgery in both eyes.

Maddy had bladder stones removed in the fall of 2003. She is completely recovered and on a special diet. We will be moving her to a 100% vegetarian diet once her food is gone. We have done this with Veto, my almost twelve year old rescue and he is doing fabulously well. Maddy is a good eater, gets along well with other dogs and is a complete joy.

Maddy came in with her buddy, Sebastian, below and they are quite bonded to one another, yet Maddy is quite independent and likes Banjo very much as well. They bonded to me in one day, though they are still missing their mom. Their mom was forced to take a job that requires a great deal of travel and she felt they needed a more stable home environment. All three hearts were broken. She keeps in touch and is very concerned that both Maddy and Sebastian stay together and live l0ng healthy lives in a loving home. Both of these dogs have the advantage of having come from a home where they were very much loved.

Maddy went home to join Grover and Chloe, former rescues, along with Susie and Stephanie, long time residents. Bob and Rosemarie opened up their hearts to this very special little girl and are working with her and Maddie is making huge accomplishments with training. She is confident and totally happy, much loved and could not have found a better home. She is thriving as are the others in a home filled with love.