2010 SMOKY AWARDS

One of the highlights of the YTNR's year is the announcement of the winners of the yearly Smoky Awards. All our rescues are special and we like to acknowledge them and their rescue stories. All rescues adopted between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010 were eligible for nomination.

Since new people have joined our great group since the last Ball, it might be fitting to retell the story of WHO the Smoky of the "Smoky Award" is. We turn to Bill Wynne whose heart was stolen over 60 years ago by his 4 lb Yorkie, Smoky - his angel in a foxhole.

Smoky was a four pound Yorkie that was found in an abandoned jungle foxhole in New Guinea in early 1944 by a soldier whose jeep had stalled in the jungle. The next day the Yorkie was sold for two Australian pounds ($6.44) to 20 year old PFC. Bill Wynne. Bill and Smoky flew combat missions and went through many air raids together. She lived on rugged army tropical food including at times C and K rations, while they served 18 months straight in combat. They traveled 40,000 miles overseas.

Those of you who have met Mr. Wynne have heard Smoky's praises sung.

When YTNR was planning its very first rescue ball in 1999, the first thing that came to mind was creating a special award for the Yorkie Rescue of the Year. It seemed logical to name the award after Bill Wynne's world famous Yorkie rescue. After nominations came in, it quickly became clear that each story was special and touching. Each rescue is a great rescue, just as Smoky was. She started a movement in rescue, in therapy, in obedience that showed people what a 4 lb dynamo could do.

The nominees

We receive many nominations each year. It is never easy to narrow the field; each dog has its own story, fortunately ending happily with a new and loving forever family. Some of these little dogs are senior citizens; some have health issues requiring ongoing care; some never knew human love before; some were strays; and some came from families who loved them but could no longer care for them.

This year's entries included:
Maggie Mae, adopted by Sammie Pancake of the state of Washington;
Zoey, given her forever home by Barbara Sansbury of South Carolina;
Zoe, now loved by Karen Rippy of Nevada;
Rocky, adopted by Joanne Mertens of California;
Neeko, happy now with Ron and Amalia Spaulding of Illinois;
Chipper, now beloved friend of Thelma Ross of Indiana;
Fenway, now lovingly cared for by Karen Whinnery of California;
PJ, now the special dog of Anthony Morris of Alabama.

Thank you to our committee

Special thanks are due to our selection committee each of whom diligently read and scored each nomination. Determining the Smoky Awards each year is something we look forward to, through laughter and tears. It reminds us of why we do what we do, and how much it is SO worthwhile.

Second runner-up: Fenway

My name is Fenway and this is my story how I arrived at my forever home.

On Christmas Eve 2009, my owner dropped me off at my foster mother's home. I was passed into her arms with a kiss and the parting words of, "Bye Fenway". I struggled to go with my owner as she walked out the door without a backwards glance.

My foster mother had her Christmas tree in the living room. I jumped onto the couch and sat on the top where I could look out the windows and watch for my owner's return.

I waited and waited. Finally, Archie, my foster' mother's Maltipoo, jumped onto the couch to make me feel better. He wanted to play, but how could I play. My heart was so sad, it was Christmas Eve. I was should be home with my family - not with these strangers. My foster mom set out a dish with food. I refused to eat. I only left that couch to go potty. I waited all night for my owner's return.

But, I just couldn't.

Finally, I had to face the facts. Life as I knew it was over. I began to follow my foster mom. I started to sleep on her bed along with my foster dad & Archie.

Then one day my foster mom was speaking with her sister on the phone talking about how she had posted my story on the National Yorkshire Terrier Rescue Website. Her sister went to the site, and said, "I want to adopt Fenway". I may be the shortest posted adoption story.

My new mom drove six hours to meet me. It was love at first sight for her, but it took me some time. She noticed that I was having problems with my ears. A quick trip to the Vet's office confirmed that I had a bad ear infection that required an ear wash twice a day and ointment. I was slowly adjusting to her, and then it was time for us to leave my foster mom's home. We traveled six hours to Bishop, California. I sat on my new mom's lap the entire trip. When we arrived home, I met my foster dad; I greeted him with a growl and a show of my teeth.

I had my follow-up appointment with my new veterinarian, Dr. Nicki Milici. Dr. Milici noticed my dry skin condition and prescribed medicated shampoo that leaves my skin moisturized and my fur soft. My mom also scheduled an appointment for a teeth cleaning. The assistant told my mom that she had never seen such a build-up. I had several teeth extracted. My mom now brushes my teeth and prepares special dental water for me to drink to preserve my remaining teeth. I now have a much healthier live style that includes hiking. The picture below is a photo taken at Silver Lake, California. We went camping for the week.

When I had been at my new home for about a month, my foster mom came to visit her sister, my new mom. She brought Archie along, I was so happy to see them both. I immediately had Archie follow me upstairs to show off my bedroom.

I am so happy with my new parents in my forever home. I have a special spot to sit with mom in her chair. When my parents come home, I always let them know how much I missed them. I give lots of kisses.

My mom has a special purse that I go into and can go everywhere with her. I have even gone to our local community theater production of South Pacific.

Mom enjoys quilting and I have a special spot on her quilting table that has my extra bed. The hum of that sewing machine always lulls me to sleep.

There is a saying that when a door closes, another will open. When my former owner closed that door, my new parents opened a door to a world filled with love and companionship that will last forever.

First runner-up: Chipper

My name is Augie; this is what I understand happened to me, a representative from YTNR adopted me to a family in 2004. I think I was happy there and I thought my family was happy. Something awful happened to me, I really don't know what happened or how it happened but I ended up on the streets of Calumet Illinois. I don't know how long I was running the streets all alone and very unhappy. I may have been hungry too but I don't know that either. The dog catcher found me and took me to a safe place, they said I wanted to eat everything in sight I don't remember that either. I suppose I don't remember much because I am in such a good place now in my senior years after I am about 10 years old now. Back to my story, because I had a micro chip the shelter found YTNR and that's when things started looking up for me again. The sweet lady from YTNR came and picked me up from the shelter. She said I had not been taken very good care of or I had been on the streets for a long time. I was dirty, matted, and oh boy my nails were so long they were almost into my pads. This sweet lady took me to what they call a groomer. AHHHHHHHHHH did it ever feel good to be clean again, but I was a little embarrassed I didn't have any hair left. But the lady still thought I was the cutest little old man Yorkie she ever saw. After being with her for a few days she praised me so much for being such a good boy I guess I was doing everything right.

Well let me tell you I have been with Thelma, my new Mom, for awhile now and I could not be happier. She thinks I am the greatest thing that ever happened to her, says I am the most perfect pet she has ever had. Sometimes she complains that I kiss her to death; but you know I am not going to stop because I am happy now and I want to let her know it. She loves my kisses too, she just does not want to let on. I am a spoiled, pampered old man; all is good with the world.

PS I for got to tell you my name is not Augie anymore I am proud to say my name is Chipper.

2010 Smoky of the Year -- Zoe

Every dog nominated is a winner in its own right, but after much deliberation the committee arrived at their decision in awarding the 2010 Smoky Award to the dog whose life was most improved after finding its new forever home.

Zoe, A Love Story

By Karen Rippy

I had been looking for Yorkie as a playmate for my lovely Bailey. I had made the decision to adopt a rescue as I wanted a special baby who was in dire need of loving and pampering. I had been searching for months and then I happened upon Zoe.

The first time I saw this special angel she was being sold on Craigslist for $50.00. I contacted the owner via the website to find out what her story was. Her owner told me she had been keeping Zoe in a crate for up to 18 hours a day; she was a divorced mother with 2 full time jobs. She said Zoe was a barker and she was being cited for noise so she had to lock her up. She said Zoe had such horrible allergies; she would bite herself until she bled and screamed in pain. She had most of her teeth pulled out with only 6 left. The woman didn't have the time or money to look after her properly, let alone deal with her medical needs. I offered to pay for any immediate medical needs Zoe had, as long as she met me at my Vets office, fearing she would just take my money and not treat the dog. She never showed up. I contacted the owner again and begged her to give Zoe to Yorkie Rescue instead of selling her, as I was terrified about what would happen to Zoe being sold on a website as unsuitable as Craigslist. I told her I would send her the $50.00 if she surrendered her instead.

I called the owner a couple of days later to follow up about Zoe. I had decided to take her myself. At this point I couldn't get the little darling out of my mind. The owner was furious with me; she had taken my advice, calling Yorkie Rescue. Yorkie Rescue had demanded Zoe be turned over, right away, to them or she could be charged with abuse. I was very relieved that Zoe was being put in a better environment; however I had already fallen in love with her.

I thought about Zoe night and day. I hoped and prayed she would find a loving home and she would be treated like the special angel I knew she was. My heart wasn't into looking for another Yorkie now. I was upset with myself that I hadn't just taken her when I had the chance….and then it all changed.

I had signed up for a site called Pet finders when I had first started looking for a playmate for Bailey 6 months earlier. I got an email from them and when I opened it, there was Zoe's picture staring at me. I was so excited I contacted Yorkie Rescue right away. I filled out the application and was contacted by Carla that very afternoon. Four days later I was contacted by Zoe's foster mom and we set up a home visit.

When they brought Zoe to my home it was a bond made in heaven. Bailey welcomed her and she made herself right at home. We adopted Zoe that day. Our precious baby's journey was over. I made a promise to Zoe that day; she had found her forever home. She would never be caged again. She was now going to be the pampered princess she so rightly deserved to be.

Zoe is now a happy little girl. We changed her food to a premium quality and she no longer scratches and bleeds. She almost never barks. She runs the house and plays, something she had to be taught to do. She is fully potty trained and has never had an accident. The vet says she has luxating patellas in her hind legs but you cannot tell.

My vet says they are not bothering her and I will be dealing with that once it becomes a problem. She is always happy and loves nothing more than to follow me around the house or to sit under my desk in my den in her comfy little bed. At night my husband and I have to make room for the Yorkies as they own our bed.

Recently we took them to California for a week long getaway. They loved running on the beach getting all kinds of attention from everyone. Zoe and Bailey loved riding in their new stroller. You would never know Zoe had not been in our family from the very beginning. She was a perfect little girl while we traveled all over California. We found she loves car rides and loves to stand up in her car seat and look out the window at the cars going by.

I cannot put into words how rewarding it is to rescue an animal. I feel they know and are so appreciative for being saved. Every single day I look at her and think how lucky we are to have her in our lives. Thank you Zoe, my precious little girl, for showing me how much love a rescued animal has to give.

Our heartiest congratulations and best wishes to all our adopted Yorkies and their new families! Every one of you, dog and human, is a winner.

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