Yorkshire Terrier Shares Her Love at Hospice Care

They say all it takes is a happy face to brighten someone’s day. Especially when that face is a 3-pound Yorkshire terrier named Ferrari.

“She’s absolutely adorable and the patients love having her come around,” said Volunteer Coordinator at Hospice, Marsha Grimes. “She’s so tiny and she sits right on their laps. It just gives them a wonderful feeling.”

Since the minute Joanie Kumiega put her dog, Ferrari, in her arms, she knew there was something special about her. Ferrari was very loving and kind to everyone she came into contact with. The terrier brought so much joy to people, that Kumiega thought, why not share her with others?

 That is when Ferrari was put in a special program to get her pet therapy certification with Therapy Dogs International. TDI is a volunteer organization that helps pets get ready to visit nursing homes, hospitals, and other places where people are in need of a smile. The dogs are tested to see how they interact with patients and make sure they are comfortable within their surroundings.

Ferrari passed with flying colors and the first place Kumiega wanted to take her to volunteer was Hospice Buffalo in Cheektowaga. Every Monday, Ferrari visits patients whom are suffering from illness. With the touch of her soft fur and a tiny cuddle, the little dog is able to make the patients feel relaxed and at ease.

“She has such a gentle spirit and she is so loving of all people,” said Kumiega. “The patients and their family members really appreciate her visits. It definitely gives them something to smile about.”

Kumiega also said she chose Hospice because she too has had family members who have went through health issues and she wanted to give back. She hopes to see more dog owners registering their canine friends for patient therapy.

Metro WNY

Happy Easter to Everyone big and small

The BEST Dog Poop Bags

How do you pick up your dogs poop? 

Many dog owners pick it up with a non-biodegradable plastic bag. They "recycle" (re-use) one of those plastic bags from the grocery store. They pick up the poop and throw it away. 

But then what happens? It gets sent off somewhere, to live on forever and ever and ever.
You may not think about it, but chances are if you have a dog you're creating excess waste, somewhere. There are approximately 78.2 million owned dogs in the United States. That's a lot of poop!

Paul Cannella, the owner of Chicago-based PoopBags.com, created a solution. 

Cannella’s PoopBags are 100 percent  TOTALLY biodegradable dog waste bags  —
Made from corn starch and other renewable resources, PoopBags are shelf stable products that will degrade, after use, at the same rate as the core of an apple. 




"I used to always run out of bags for my dog, May. I started grabbing extra bags when I could: my Mom would save them for me, I always asked for double-bagging, etc. I started looking for sources on the web and discovered just how bad plastic bags were for the environment." says Paul. 

In 2003, there were very few resources for biodegradable bags — and it remains true today. While many claim to be biodegradable, only a couple actually meet the ASTM D6400 specification, which allows you to legally claim your product is biodegradable."

 Check out Poop Bags.com
The ORIGINAL and the BEST Poop Bags!

Spring and Easter in Chicago

Finally!  some warm air in Chicago! 
 It's 57 and I can go out on the deck and get some fresh air! 
Happy Easter!

Dogs Will Never Judge You

Little Dogs vs. BIG Dogs

This is why I love my Yorkie!

Best Dog Photos Ever - Yorkies and Others

So cute!!  Aren't dogs the most wonderful creatures?!

Yorkie Scam Involving San Francisco Airport SFO

Warning potential dog owners,  beware of a pet scam that that may
 be using the SFO name (San Francisco airport)  to entice its victims.

SFO Airport Duty Spokesman Doug Yakel reported this week of a  Yorkie scam that begins on websites offering to give away pets and offering air transport to connect a pet owner with the new pet. The scammer then requests that the consumer pay a portion of the costs, airfare or other costs such as those related to vaccines, crates or insurance necessary for travel. 

This request is sent in an e-mail from a false agency known 
as the "Health Care Department" at SFO.

SFO Airport officials are warning that no such department or e-mail
 account exists and that the airport is in no way connected to this scam.

 For more information on Internet fraud, including pet scams,
 go to the Federal Trade Commission's website at www.ftc.gov.

Selling Everything - Except the Yorkshire Terrier

 How much is your all your stuff worth?

 And could you part with EVERYTHING, to move and start over??

How much is a life worth? If you ask Kerry Hogan, he'd say about $1.1 million, as that's the price tag he's put on his worldly possessions.

The 51-year-old Winnipeg native and owner of Gags Unlimited is selling almost everything he owns: his fully furnished house, car, boat, RV, as well as his business, on the listing website Kijiji. He's doing this, he said, because he wants a change in his life.

"I've always needed new experiences, and I've always needed new thrills, and I guess I'm a bit of a thrill-seeker, but I don't want to endanger my life doing it," he said.
So why not sell it all and leave the country ?

While he's selling everything for $1.1 million, he said he's unsure of the actual value.
"I don't know, and I don't think I want to. It's all relative. I got pictures hanging on the wall that I might have paid 400 bucks for. What is it worth? Nobody is going to pay me 400, I don't think. But would they pay me two, or would they pay me 20 bucks? I don't know how to evaluate that," he said.

His plan, he said, is to go to Mexico to buy a small bed-and-breakfast.

The only things he doesn't plan on selling are a few personal items: pictures, records, some clothes and his dog. Though the Yorkshire terrier is on sale in the listing, Hogan said the dog will either go with him or stay with his adult daughter. Everything else, people can buy.

" It's just stuff. I'd like to part with it. I'd want to know what it feels like not to own all of this and all the stuff that comes with it," he said.


"People sit around waiting for something to happen. They wake up every morning and they go to a job they don't like, shovel snow in a house they can't afford. They just do it, day in, day out," he said. "I'm single, I live in a large house by myself, I go to bed at night alone, I wake up alone, and I'm sitting there: 'Wow, what am I waiting for?' 

read more at Winnipeg Press

Miss Coco Chanel Passes Today to Doggie Heaven

All collection of photos - in no particular order - of Miss Coco Chanel who passed today at 17.

Coco was the inspiration for this site. And she stayed behind in Michigan with  my partner and I moved to Chicago and later  acquired another Yorkie,  Miss Trixie Lee.

I saw Coco every time I returned to the Detroit area. She was so precious! But it was evident in the last couple years she was really aging and slowing down.

Coco was a wonderful dog with a wonderful spirit. (Don't we all say that, about our babies?!)
In her later years she dealt with cataracts surgery and more recently dementia.  The last time I saw her she did not recognize me, which made me sad. But she still enjoyed playing with toys and lead a good life.

In the last week, it was evident she was slipping away and not eating.  We did not want her in pain or to suffer, after discussions with her vet,  my partner back in Michigan decided last night, he would release her, to go to doggie heaven.

My partner in Michigan said, " Starting on Sunday of this week she wouldn’t eat regardless of what we tried.  Last night and this morning she wouldn’t drink any water.

This morning I took her to the vet and we decided it would be cruel & selfish if we kept her in this world.

Coco was born 1/10/96.  She came into my life 2/12/96 and passed today 2/06/13.  She filled our lives with 17 years of joy.  It gives me solace knowing she’s in heaven with her big sister Molly, as I believe all dogs go to heaven."

Rest in Peace my little Coco. You will never be forgotten for all of the love you gave us.

Thank YOU, Miss Coco!

 (Coco's book is still for sale - look for the book cover at the top left. $10  donation gets the book for free. And money goes to the Humane Society and Chicago Anti Cruelty.)

Criss Angel Loses his Yorkie

Criss Angel's puppy has disappeared – and it's not a part of his act.

The magician's new teacup Yorkshire terrier was stolen from a pet store along with three other puppies in a weekend heist, according to the Las Vegas Sun, and Angel has offered a $5,000 reward for their return.

 Angel, 45, who stars in Cirque du Soleil's Believe tour at the Luxor Hotel Casino, purchased the pup several days ago from Prince & Princess Puppies & Boutique on South Rainbow Boulevard in Las Vegas and left the dog in the care of the store's owner, Gloria Lee, before leaving Monday on a weeklong vacation to Mexico.

Then the store was robbed. "I'm very upset and concerned for the well being of all four of the young puppies that were stolen [Sunday] night in the robbery, which happened just before midnight," Lee told the newspaper. "These puppies are like babies. They need special care and supervision, and, if not, their well being could deteriorate rapidly."

The illusionist – who owns at least two other dogs – has taken to Twitter to get the word out about his missing friend.

"Thanx all for your kind thoughts about the @adorablepups," he Tweeted on Tuesday. "IF U KNOW SOMETHING CALL LV Metro Police 702 828-3573 lets catch these losers RT."

$5000  reward

Dogs in Danger - Adopt, Rescue and SAVE

WHAT REALLY HAPPENS TO DOGS IN SHELTERS??


A shelter manager's letter:

"I am posting this (and it is long) because I think our society needs a huge wake-up call.

As a shelter manager, I am going to share a little insight with you all - a view from the inside, if you will.

... Maybe if you saw the life drain from a few sad, lost, confused eyes, you would change your mind about breeding and selling to people you don't even know - that puppy you just sold will most likely end up in my shelter when it's not a cute little puppy anymore.

How would you feel if you knew that there's about a 90% chance that dog will never walk out of the shelter it is going to be dumped at - purebred or not! 

About 50% of all of the dogs that are "owner surrenders" or "strays" that come into my shelter are purebred dogs.

No shortage of excuses
The most common excuses I hear are:
We are moving and we can't take our dog (or cat).
Really? Where are you moving to that doesn't allow pets?

The dog got bigger than we thought it would.
How big did you think a German Shepherd would get?

We don't have time for her.
Really? I work a 10-12 hour day and still have time for my 6 dogs!

She's tearing up our yard.
How about bringing her inside, making her a part of your family?

They always tell me:
We just don't want to have to stress about finding a place for her. We know she'll get adopted - she's a good dog. Odds are your pet won't get adopted, and how stressful do you think being in a shelter is?

Well, let me tell you. Dead pet walking!

Your pet has 72 hours to find a new family from the moment you drop it off, sometimes a little longer if the shelter isn't full and your dog manages to stay completely healthy.
If it sniffles, it dies.

Your pet will be confined to a small run / kennel in a room with about 25 other barking or crying animals. It will have to relieve itself where it eats and sleeps. It will be depressed and it will cry constantly for the family that abandoned it.

If your pet is lucky, I will have enough volunteers that day to take him / her for a walk. 

If I don't, your pet won't get any attention besides having a bowl of food slid under the kennel door and the waste sprayed out of its pen with a high-powered hose.

If your dog is big, black or any of the "bully" breeds (pit bull, rottweiler, mastiff, etc) it was pretty much dead when you walked it through the front door. Those dogs just don't get adopted.
If your dog doesn't get adopted within its 72 hours and the shelter is full, it will be destroyed.

If the shelter isn't full and your dog is good enough, and of a desirable enough breed, it may get a stay of execution, though not for long. Most pets get very kennel protective after about a week and are destroyed for showing aggression. Even the sweetest dogs will turn in this environment.

If your pet makes it over all of those hurdles, chances are it will get kennel cough or an upper respiratory infection and will be destroyed because shelters just don't have the funds to pay for even a $100 treatment.

The grim reaper
Here's a little euthanasia 101 for those of you that have never witnessed a perfectly healthy, scared animal being "put-down".
First, your pet will be taken from its kennel on a leash. They always look like they think they are going for a walk - happy, wagging their tails. That is, until they get to "The Room".

Every one of them freaks out and puts on the breaks when we get to the door. It must smell like death, or they can feel the sad souls that are left in there. It's strange, but it happens with every one of them. Your dog or cat will be restrained, held down by 1 or 2 vet techs (depending on their size and how freaked out they are). A euthanasia tech or a vet will start the process. They find a vein in the front leg and inject a lethal dose of the "pink stuff". Hopefully your pet doesn't panic from being restrained and jerk it's leg. I've seen the needles tear out of a leg and been covered with the resulting blood, and been deafened by the yelps and screams.

They all don't just "go to sleep" - sometimes they spasm for a while, gasp for air and defecate on themselves.

When it all ends, your pet's corpse will be stacked like firewood in a large freezer in the back, with all of the other animals that were killed, waiting to be picked up like garbage.

What happens next? Cremated? Taken to the dump? Rendered into pet food? You'll never know, and it probably won't even cross your mind. It was just an animal, and you can always buy another one, right?

Liberty, freedom and justice for all
I hope that those of you that have read this are bawling your eyes out and can't get the pictures out of your head. I do everyday on the way home from work. I hate my job, I hate that it exists and I hate that it will always be there unless people make some changes and realize that the lives you are affecting go much farther than the pets you dump at a shelter.

Between 9 and 11 MILLION animals die every year in shelters and only you can stop it. I do my best to save every life I can but rescues are always full, and there are more animals coming in everyday than there are homes.
My point to all of this is DON'T BREED OR BUY WHILE SHELTER PETS DIE!

Hate me if you want to - the truth hurts and reality is what it is.
I just hope I maybe changed one person's mind about breeding their dog, taking their loving pet to a shelter, or buying a dog. I hope that someone will walk into my shelter and say "I saw this on Facebook and it made me want to adopt".
That would make it all worth it."

THINK before your BUY
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Bad Haircuts for Yorkies

Why is it, I can not find a good groomer in Chicago who understands what I want??
This picture actually makes Trixie look cuter - than she is today!

They cut her body shorter than I wanted, made her face look like a schnauzer,  and now she looks like a bobble head dog!

Well, luckliy it always grows out.

Family With a Yorkie Saves a Chihuahua With Boundless Love

This site, Care to Make a Difference, has some great stories!  And  one of our regular readers, brought this to our attention. Thanks  Debbie!

Another great example of how powerful dogs and humans love can be.

A family who owned a yorkie adopts a chihuahua named Chiquita Banana!

Time for a Yorkie Haircut

So it's about time for a haircut! This is about as long as her hair has ever been. I don't know how people do it, that have the long traditional looking Yorkie hair.

So, some final pictures before the big haircut next week!

Dogs Are FOREVER

The Yorkie and the Heater

During the Winter months we use this little portable heater sometimes. And Trixie loves to walk up to it and feel the warm air in her face! And she walks around it, trying to find out how it works! - But it's funny, as she gets older, she dislikes the blow dryer in face, at bathtime.

Queen Trixie Lee - Thinks She Owns the House!

 Queen TRIXIE LEE on her thrown!

Queen Trixie Lee on the bed!

A Dogs Christmas Wish

A dogs Christmas Wish!

Doggie DEAL of Day!!

  This is the GREATEST little invention!

Does your dog squirm around and fidget  during bath time? 
NOW   a  safe and easy way to wash and groom your pet at home!

Exclusively from the leader in Odor & Cleanup products for your pet, the patented Mednet Direct Pet Wash allows you to have both of your hands free during the pet washing and grooming process right at home!  No longer do you need to wrestle with your animal while trying to wash them!  Save time and money by easily washing your pet at home!


The Pet Wash restraint is designed to withstand 100+ lbs. and can easily hold big dogs in place while you wash them!  Offered exclusively from Mednet Direct and found at your favorite retailer today!

Reduces Pet Grooming Time
Adheres To Most Surfaces
Restrains Dogs Up To 100lbs
Built-In Leash & Collar
Available In Multiple Colors 

NEW!   
Deal of the Day specials at Mednet. We will be offering Pet and Medical items at EXTREMELY discounted prices. PLEASE understand that these will be the best deals you can find on these items and availability will be VERY LIMITED. So once they are gone, they are gone! Happy Shopping!

TODAY get the PET WASH  for $19.99 and FREE shipping - but only while they last!!

see also -
 

It's A Yorkie Christmas Holiday

AHHHHHHHHHHHH it's Christmas time!

Our tree's are up -  we have 2 - and the house is all done up! It's a glittery showplace. Tigger, the cat, keeps trying to get under and in the trees!  #BadCat

I am SO LUCKY to have a home and be loved. Everywhere - Children dream of stockings packed with goodies and big boxes filled with the latest and greatest toys this time of year.

A homeless dog dreams of one thing - being loved.

There is a neat site called WISHCUIT.  Innovative ways to help dogs in need. And there are so many rescues that need help. And dogs that need someone to love them.

WATCH this inspiring video and share some love this season, in some way, whatever way you can help!