Before this editorial takes some shape or form, I first want to say that there is no intention to make specific product or people endorsements. However, to not include such particulars would, I think, detract from the overall impact of the message which I will try to humbly convey. I have a preoccupation with learning, and for good or for bad, virtually everything I do involves learning. Several months ago, I was at the boys' groomer. Cindy Myrdeck, at who is the owner of Bark Avenue in Syracuse New York, asked me (with a tone that implied that she assumed that I was well aware of this event), if I planned on representing Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue at Wayne Mahar's Canine Carnival in August. Rather sheepishly, I confessed to Cindy that I knew nothing about the Carnival. I had a peripheral knowledge of the amazing work of Wayne Mahar, who is a local weatherman (a very highly esteemed and respected and loved weatherman) - in the Central New York area and of his work with a variety of rescue organizations. Wayne has a foundation, named after his mother, called the Priscilla Mahar Animal Welfare Foundation. According to its website, which is http://www.pmawf.org/, the "Priscilla Mahar Animal Welfare Foundation is a New York nonprofit raising money through annual events to help Central New York animal rescue and welfare organizations give our animal friends a second chance." Even though I was unaware of the Canine Carnival, Cindy's enthusiasm was wonderfully inviting and I overcame my insecurity around being a non-experienced booth hostess. I went with the flow of the day that day, several months ago, and it led to a series of magical and delightful events, and relationships. I will let my baby boy Leaky and his good friend Piper Leshnower provide our report on the Canine Carnival itself. The point of my editorial this month is about what can happen in one day. In one day, it is possible to have one conversation that leads you in the direction that you didn't imagine the day before. That conversation at Cindy's office led me to contact the event organizer and to let MaryElizabeth Dugmore (our President) know that I was committing to hosting the event. Making Mary Elizabeth aware of my commitment, committed me. Does that make sense? I then filled out the application, mailed it and was led to the right people, knowledge and resources. Even though I was admittedly a bit nervous about traversing unchartered terrain, I did it anyway. I trusted that the resources would come along, and that I would find my will find the way. Thank you to Corrine Ellison for making and sending such gorgeous crate liners and beds, which we had on display and for sale in the booth. Thank you to Paula Fonseca for making the banner that graced our booth, and gave us a very polished yet welcoming presence. And long story short, everything came together and surpassed anybody's expectations. As a matter of fact, you might be reading this Newsletter because you stopped at our booth and signed up to receive it. I would like to thank Laura Serway, a good friend and YTNR enthusiast, who took such good care of YTNR at the event. I would like to thank Elaine and Piper Leshnower, who travelled from Rochester and worked (heck, played, too!) with us all day. I would like to thank Maria Boyle and her Mom for coming and celebrating the booth and the carnival with us as well. You know you are with your good friends when you can eat a drippy ice cream cone in front of them and get it all over your face and your shirt, and know that they love you anyway and will still claim you as "their own."

Speaking of new territory, as I dictate this editorial, I am one week ago today in postoperative mode from ligaments and joint surgery that has sidelined me until around December of this year. Even though it is probable that the array of impact and endurance types of sports that I love have to change in deference to my aging physical architecture, I am more excited about life than ever. Even though I have this temporary mobility issue and a sketchy prognosis, I feel that my hand has been forced to learn new ways of being fit. Even as I write this message, I have a loving and fond memory of the trepidation that I felt when I was bringing my first Yorkie, Maximilian, home from the breeder and I was a first-time Yorkie mother. On some level, I knew that with the right attitude, an open mind, great relationships, and the willingness to learn and to try and study and to apply that knowledge, that things would work out just fine. They did, and they still do!

I will resist the urge to celebrate, once again, the people who have transformed this Newsletter not only in the way that we write it and produce it but in the way that we distribute it. The organization gets better, stronger, more impactful, and more educational as we go along. Truly, I hope you enjoy this month's Newsletter. I think we have a winner.

Think about the difference that one day can make. It's awesome!