Yorkie Times
Newsletter for YTNR
June 2010
Put a Yorkie In Your Heart
Julie Gedro From the Editor

Yorkies as Social Capital
Oh, how they will chuckle at school now.  I have already created, with my esteemed Dean, an entire course framed around the concept of social capital called "Golf as Social Capital." It is a great course, if I say so myself, and it combines theories of social capital, which originated out of the sociology literature, with golf. The central theme of the course is that golf operates as a mechanism of social capital. People acquire enhanced networks and they enjoy friendship, support, and connections through the sport of golf. It is actually a bit of a handicap (pun intended) to be golf illiterate in the corporate setting, since golf is a context for so many different types of corporate endeavors.
 

So what does this have to do with Yorkies?

Everything!


Owning a Yorkshire Terrier is a joy unto itself.  However, there are numerous privileges and benefits to owning one that extend beyond the immediate. For one, I have made lifelong friendships in YTNR. Our yearly get together in Nashville every Fall is a total love-fest.  You know YTNR is in your blood when you recognize the Yorkies in the lobby. I don't mean recognize them for their breed. I mean, recognize the actual dog.  Buzzy has not been in a while (he has a busier schedule than me sometimes) but when he does, folks know Buzzy Gedro is in the house. Second, Yorkies are a great icebreaker.  I have begun orientations at school for years saying that I have four / three / two (however many are in my pack at the time) children.  Inevitably a colleague rolls his or her eyes and tells the crowd "She means Yorkies!"  And then, I am regaled with dog stories from these new students who immediately open up and relax into the day.  Third, Yorkies are people magnets.  Go ahead and confess. If you are reading this message right now, you are likely a Yorkie lover.  Tell me that you have never been at the beach, or an outdoor caf�, or a pet boutique, seen a Yorkie, and had the urge to to introduce yourself.  And then tell the owner how many you have.  And then launch into an hour long conversation and walk away with a new friend.


Social capital represents the resources that accrue to someone as a result of their network of relationships.  Owning a Yorkie, working in Yorkie rescue, and connecting with other Yorkie enthusiasts is a study in social capital.  I have friends at church who share my passion for Yorkies, and we enjoy catching up each Sunday not just about the liturgy, but about our Yorksters.  Somehow I think that God is totally good with that.  At school, it is customary for my staff, colleagues, and students to ask "How are the boys?"  Although losing one (Max's sudden death in 2007 broke my heart and I will never get over him) is pure hell, owning and loving Yorkies and enjoying friendships with fellow Yorkie lovers is social capital of the heavenly kind. 

Enjoy the Newsletter!  Now, if I could figure out a way to combine Yorkies and golf...Hmmm...J
 
In This Issue
Miracles
Tellington Touch
Mary Margaret
Member Spotlight
Contact Us
[email protected]
1065 Lewis Rd.
Chapmansboro, Tennessee 37035

Editor: Julie Gedro
Editor: Mary Elizabeth Dugmore

Technical Editors:
Laura Morrisey
Chris Dugmore
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Miracles
Teagan
Teagan came to YTNR in March of 2009 after a long battle with the breeder; she didn't want to let him go and wouldn't do anything to help.  Teagan was not able to stand or walk because of an AA Luxation of the C1-C2 vertebrae and was taken to a Board Certified Surgeon for surgery in April.
 
Teagan came home four days after his surgery when I went to feed him and he stood up for the first time, I cried like a baby with so much joy. I tried putting him in a laying position but he would have none of it he wanted to stand.
 
After 21 days of confinement we started intensive therapy of swimming and range of motion of all four legs. 
 
About a month and a half after surgery Teagan stood up and walked, it was a very funny gate but he was walking.  Another month went by and his walking was improving by leaps and bounds.  I say he was walking but actually he ran everywhere trying to make up for the 4 months he was unable to walk.  He was such a joy to watch blossom into the normal Yorkie he is today.  Today you would never know there was any thing wrong with him.
 
Thank you to Chris Hogan and so many of our volunteers and supporters whose donations made it possible for us to take this lovely little boy to an orthopedic surgeon who reduced his fee in order to help Teagan.  Thank you to Corrine Ellison who for months gave him daily physical therapy and helped him learn to walk and run and play like puppy's do. 

I'm going for a ride!! Oh, boy!  Oh joy!

Penny CaseExcitement is visible in expressions, body language, vocalizations, in every cell of a dog that loves to ride in the car. 


If, however, that does not describe your dog, excitement may be replaced by dread on your part, and reluctance, even resistance,  on the part of the dog. Even the shortest car ride may occasion car sickness and/or anxiety, raising the stress level for dog and human alike.  I've heard horror stories of dogs whining and barking for hours on end, pacing, drooling, and more.  And their loving people who accompany such dogs in the car... well, you can imagine.

There are times when we must take our dogs across town, even across the country.  In the past, tranquilizers have been the 'solution'. Prescription drugs can play  a vital role in health.  Often, the drugs do not support healing, but manage symptoms instead.  Tranquilizers  do not truly change behavior or ease fear.  They manage fear in the short term.      Fortunately, several resources are available to help animals shift into being comfortable and relaxed in a moving car.  I urge you to use all of these together. 
 
--Tellington Ttouch:  TT helps release fear, supports the dog in being present in his entire body, and promotes self confidence.   Before the trip, Ttouch your dog softly, slowly, gently all over, breathing slowing and deeply as you do.  There are now many instructional TT videos on YouTube.com... just search Tellington Ttouch.  In don't circles, imagine a clock face on your dog, with 6 being closest to the floor.  Begin at 6, using your entire hand or just the tips of your fingers  to move skin in a clockwise circle, from 6 to 9 to 12 to 3, back to 6 and then to 9..... one and one quarter circles.... pause at 9, breathe, then slowly release back to 6.  Move your hand to another place and repeat.  Include the area around the base of the tail  down the back legs.  Stay as relaxed as possible.  Imagine that you are turning on the lights in all your dog's cells.  Pay special attention to the ears, and the area around the base of the ears.     YouTube - tellington ttouch    Complete your Ttouch session with Noah's March, gently stroking your animal from head to tail, and down each leg and paw.  This brings a sense of connection and wholeness. 
Tellington Ttouch practitioners are all over North America and  27 countries around the world. To find one near you, visit Ttouch.com. 
 
--Through a Dog's Ear Through a Dog's Ear, the new book and CD series - A clinical breakthrough in the use of music with dogs  
 
This highly effective dog-calming music now offers a driving edition which includes a 20 minute preparation before driving.  You can combine playing the music with Ttouching your dog.  Then play the CD in your car to keep you, the driver, alert, and your dog calm. 
 
--Flower essences:   For immediate help for you and your dog,  Rescue Remedy and   Green Hope Farm's Animal Emergency Care  are excellent for extreme stress and acute situations.  GHF's  Anxiety blend will also help.  To support your dog in releasing fears and anxieties, I highly recommend  GHF's Animal Wellness collection.  Because each animal is an individual,  and factors contributing to car sickness and anxiety may not be the same from one animal to the next, you can call the friendly, helpful people at GHF  603-469-3662, or visit www.greenhopeessences.com   and email them for guidance in determining the most useful essences for your dog.  Or your cat.  Or your horse.  Our yourself! :) 
 
--Thundershirt    Dog Anxiety Treatment | Cures Noise Anxiety In Dogs | Thundershirt.com
I'm very excited about this  effective new stress reliever, the Thundershirt!  The feedback from Ttouch practitioners  is very positive, and Linda Tellington Jones herself  enthusiastically recommends Thundershirts!  They are much easier to put on than the body wraps we use in TT. You Yorkie people will appreciate that  Thundershirts are more fashionable than an Ace bandage wrap.  And, they work!  Dogs with separation anxiety are also benefiting, as are chronic barkers. 

--Homeopathy  This healing modality has been around for hundreds of years.  Drug free, gentle and very effective. No side effects.   Appropriate remedies, determined by professional homeopaths,  address the underlying causes of emotional and physical health issues.  Fear, car sickness, and much more can be relieved.  In Middle Tennessee, contact Carole Krones, 615-300-3639, www.HomeopathyTennessee.com.  The National Center for Homeopathy, www.homeopathic.org, has listings of  practitioners, some of whom are veterinarians.  If there is no local listing, the study groups will usually know of someone who can help.
For short term help with car sickness, give 2 o3 tabs, under dog's tongue, of the remedy Tabaccam 30 c or X, prior to getting in the car. 
 
 
--Bring a friend  I'm passing this along because a number of people have reported that dogs with car issues have made remarkable improvement when accompanied in the car by a canine buddy. 

I invite you to share your stories, suggestions and questions. 
 
Heart Hugs to you and all your wonderful dogs!
 
Penny Case
Guild Certified Tellington Ttouch Practitioner
[email protected]

Mary Margaret - The Joy of Cats
Mary Margaret
I love cats. They make good friends. They play and then they go home. They like "Hide 'n Seek", "Chase", "Peek-a-boo" and board games like "Monopoly" (not many people know that, though). My best friends are my cousin, Zooey (top), and "Silky" (bottom) who lives with one of Mom's friends.
Zooey

We have cats on our slope outside the fence that are called "Feral" cats. These are cats that attended the Outward Bound camp and they've learned to fend for themselves. They don't need anybody at all. They catch their own food and make their bed wherever they want to and whenever they want. Nobody tells them stuff like "Time for supper!" and "Come in, now. It's bedtime!". Nope.Silky

Sometimes when I'm playing with just one kitty, we both skulk along opposite sides of the back block wall and then both pop our heads up at the same time and say "Boo!". Other times when we're playing "Hide 'n Seek", I know they're right in my yard but I can't find them. Then I hear them laugh and I look up. Whoa...!! There's my friend sitting right on top of the fence.

Once, when I got home from work, I looked out and saw the white and black (maybe more smoke colored?) kitty just lounging away on top of the fence. I slipped out my personal door and raced over on my tippy-toes reeeee-ally quiet like and then said "Arf--arf--arf!", and scared the kitty so that it almost fell off the fence. One point for my side. Yayyy!!

The other day we pulled into the driveway and Mom says "Look, Mary-Margaret! Kitty!!" and sure 'nuff. There it was, on the fence, just waiting for me to come home. I kept telling Mom to hurry up and get out of the car. I wanted to play. It's times like these that she takes absolutely foreverrrrrrrrrrrrr. By the time I jump out my doggie door the cat was gone. But I could hear him laughing on the other side of the fence. Next time, I'll tag him for sure.

My very good friend, Pooka (who is my next-door neighbor and is part Chihuahua and part Jack Russell) makes a lot of noise so cats don't visit with him like they do me. This is good because I only have to concentrate on one side of my yard.

This is my good friend, Rocky Shaima, who lives in Fallbrook and HATES hats. Can you tell?Rocky

OK...I think that's enough for now. My GrandPapa likes to know about my life and CATS are a big part of it.

Love to all....

Mary-Margaret
Neeko's Jokes

A famous art collector is walking through the city when he notices a mangy cat lapping milk from a saucer in the doorway of a store and he does a double-take. He recognizes that the saucer is extremely old and very valuable, so he walks casually into the store and offers to buy the cat for two dollars. The store-owner replies, "I'm sorry, but the cat isn't for sale. The collector says, "Please, I need a hungry cat around the house to catch mice. I'll pay you twenty dollars for that cat." And the owner says "Sold," and hands over the cat. The collector continues, "Hey, for the twenty bucks I wonder if you could throw in that old saucer. The cat's used to it and it'll save me from having to get a dish." And the owner says, "Sorry buddy, but that's my lucky saucer. So far this week I've sold sixty-eight cats."~

 
Love to all,
Neeko ;-)
Member Spotlight!
Corrine
Editor's Note: I met Corrine Ellison for the first time at the 2002 Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue Ball and I was awestruck at her amazing sense of style and humor.  She was unforgettable, and we have since become very good friends.  Corrine is on of the "rocks" in the foundation of YTNR and we are truly honored and fortunate to have her contributions of time, talent, management, and leadership.
I hope you enjoy getting to know her. I sure have.

YT: Tell me about yourself. 

 I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois by loving foster parents. I moved to Indiana. in 1963, started working for General Motors Delco Electronics in 1965. I worked for General Motors for 31 years, I started on the production lines, and   I advanced to Training and Education Department, where I worked for the last 15 years of my career. My position consisted of job training classes, on the job training, and writing training manuals for specific jobs within the different plants. I retired from GM in 1996. I am loving every minute of retirement.
I live in the country on a two acre wooded lot and have been in the same place for twenty five years.  I love working out side digging and planting. I am always changing the landscape. I love to sew, make things out of wood, play  with my Yorkies, and spend time with loved ones. I have six Yorkies, one daughter Rena, and two of the most wonderful grandkids: Jenna 24, and Derek 26 . I also have four great grand kids: Porter 3, Kennedy 2, Liberty Rose 9 months, and Jaden 7.  They all bring much joy to my life.

 YT: What makes you tick?  You are the State Director for 33 states. How do you do it?

Waking up every day with a smile on my face and a good cup of coffee in my hand.
Many of the states I take care of don't have many Yorkies surrendered. In the states where we do have Yorkie surrendered, I would not be able to help save these rescues without wonderful volunteers who are willing to work with me fostering and in getting them adopted. The volunteer is very important in the process. It is very sad when there is a Yorkie in need in a state and we don't have a volunteer base. It is very hard to have to advise someone that I cannot find help.  When you have 10 to 12 Yorkies in these states to place it is really a challenge.
YT: How did you get involved in Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue?
I purchased my second Yorkie Sasha, from a responsible Breeder in Indiana.  We became fast friends.  She is the one who talked me into the possibility of rescuing. She thought I would be good at it  and told me about the need there was for rescuing Yorkies.  She also knew the Indiana State Director, Ann Stochel, and gave me Ann's phone number.  It took several weeks before I contacted Ann. I really didn't think rescue was my cup of tea.  I guess it was my cup of tea because I have been with YTNR since 2000. I had three rescues to foster right away and I don't think the paper work was even complete before Ann asked me to take on three rescues. Ann was a great mentor. Her expert mentoring has helped me to mentor many others.  In the ten years I have been with YTNR I have fostered over 100 rescues. I have no idea how many I have helped to place in other states.  All I can say is I love what I do for the Yorkies, YTNR, and all the great people who help make YTNR the success it is today.

 YT: What is a little known fun fact about you?

 I can't sing, when I sing in the shower the water turns it's self off.  So don't ask me to join in a sing a thon.

YT: Who are your Yorkies now?  Tell us about them?

I have six of my own! Tinker, a liver shunt survivor, 12 � , weighs nine pounds, and is quite the lover boy. Sasha, the diva is 10, weighs four pounds, and rules the roost. Tilly is my nine year old, three pound Rotty who often "thinks" that Mom has had to save her.  Abby weighs seven and a half pounds and is also nine years old.  Abby is very independent and only wants affection when she wants it. Harriet --what can I say-- hates me she will bite me at the drop of a hat.  Harriet weighs four pounds, is 14 years old, and loves men!  I still love her even if she does bite. Last but not least I have Jack, who weighs six pounds and is also 14.  Jack is the sweetest little guy you could ever want to meet.  But I will tell you if a female rescue comes to me in heat the sleepy little Jack comes to life and you would think he was two years old because of the way he prances around.  He is just a fun little guy. I have adopted a total of five Yorkies through YTNR.  Scooter passed several years ago.  Presently, I have three fosters:  Teagan who is a little over a year old, Gin Gin who is three years old and Izzy, who is six years old.  They are the cutest and best rescues.

 YT:  What do you care most about? 

Making sure that every Rescue in who comes to me gets the care and most loving home they deserve. Caring for these little ones gives me so much joy and touches my heart in ways I could never have imagined. I love the special needs little ones that need more care and rehabilitation than the usual Rescue. 
Of course my grand kids and great grand kids are angels sent from God.  Without the people in our lives that shower us with love it would be a lonely life.

 YT: What does it take for someone to be a YTNR volunteer?

 A lot of thought about the commitment they are about to take on when filling out the Volunteer Application. Dedication is one of the most important assets needed to be a YTNR volunteer. Equally important is someone who has compassion, patients, and a heart as big as our planet, a willingness to follow the YTNR guidelines for each rescue.
YT: If you could have one wish granted for YTNR, what would it be?
 To have enough dedicated volunteers and money and never have to say that we can't help rescue a Yorkie.
 YT: Anything else about you that you think readers would like to know?
 Other than the fact my life has gone to the dogs and my daughter calls me the crazy dog lady "said with love" I don't think there is anything else.

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