have named this dog after his appear- ance, he would have been named Strag- gly, Smelly or Skinny. If they chose a name based on his demeanor his name could have been Grouchy or Scaredy. There was no point in naming this dog, he was unadoptable. The shelter had given this dog some flea medication, but the damage had been done. He had bald spots from scratching his filthy, flea ridden body. He was being fed, but with no teeth and two badly infected ears he didn’t feel like eating much. The shelter did some blood work, but his eyes were cloudy with cataracts and his ears could no lon- ger hear. There was no point in doing any more for him, he was unadoptable. Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue exists for the dogs like ID #925509. They pulled this nameless dog. They bathed him, groomed him and fed him good, nutritious food. They got his shots up to date and his ear infec- tions cleared up. YTNR spent time and money on him and he became less fear- ful. His skin began to show a healthy color and his hair began to grow in soft and shiny. He was petted, loved and he grew to crave the attention. He would bark and howl when he felt alone; try- ing to make up for the time that he was ignored, unloved and neglected. Hold- ing him and cuddling him were the only way to make him feel secure that he was not alone again. He yearned for the loving touch of a human. A touch he got plenty of while being fostered. YTNR could not bring back his hear- ing or his sight, but they gave him back his dignity. Not long after putting this little fella on the website for adoption, an applica- tion came in for him. The couple who was interested in him was specifically looking for a senior dog with special needs. Well, when it came to special needs, he had many! At 12 years old, this dog couldn’t see, couldn’t hear, didn’t have any teeth and was inconti- nent! That didn’t deter Louisa and her husband. They adopted him and made him a part of their family. They didn’t give up on him when he became needy and they didn’t turn him away because he has to wear diapers that need chang- ing. He sleeps well at night, even though he naps most days. He has his favorite spot in front of the fireplace with a blan- ket and toy. Teeth or not, he can really ‘chew’ on a rawhide.
He was adopted. He is loved. His name is Tucker. Tucker has recently passed over to the Rainbow Bridge in the loving arms
of his mommy, Louisa. 1 ST rUNNer UP
RUDOLPH (RUDY) VALENTINO By Lisa Ellison (assisted by Rudy) Once upon a time, there was a mov- ie star named Rudolph Valentino. He was very famous and very handsome. Rudy was named after him. This is Rudy’s story. He was living in very poor conditions and had lived most of his life in a small crate and was used for breeding. He told me he did not feel loved. In fact, he said he was barely noticed at all; he never felt special or that anyone really cared about him. Nobody ever played with him or took or too him out for walks. One day, Rudy ended up on Craigslist. org. Soon, this couple came along and bought him for $500. Rudy told me he heard them say they were going to use him for breeding. They took him to their home and cut his fur off because it was matted. Then they held him down and took an emery board and tried to clean his teeth with it. They also pulled one of his teeth. That really hurt him! He was so scared; he did not like these new people at all. When their landlord saw him, they said he had to go. So Rudy ended up on Craigslist again. But this time, a wonderful rescue volunteer saw the ad and came to see him and she paid them $500 and then turned him over to YTNR. That was Rudy’s lucky day! For the first time, he felt loved and safe. He received his first bed ever. What a joy! No more sleeping in a cold metal cage. Then he got to go to the doggie doctor. He took out 6 of my teeth and made it where he could not be used for breeding anymore. He felt so much bet- ter! The next thing was I filled out an application to YTNR, I spoke with his foster mommy and I was approved and I was going to pick up my Rudy. Rudy’s foster mommy was very sad, but she said he was going to a wonderful home. Rudy’s new mommy told him that he was going to get to go on a big airplane. He did not know what that was, but it sure sounded fun! Rudy, will you finish your story for me? “Two weeks later, my foster mommy put a little shirt on me. She said she bought it just for me. It said ‘California’
on it. She said my new mommy was going to be there soon. I was so excited! And then I finally saw her. She took one look at me, said she fell in love with me and I would be going home with her to live forever. That sounded good to me. She said I already had 2 sisters waiting on me at home. And a daddy too! So the next day we got on the big airplane and went to Alabama. Daddy picked us up at the airport really late that night when our flight landed. He seemed so nice! I thought that I was really going to like my new mommy and daddy. When we got to my new home, my sis- ters took turns smelling me. Then the fun began. I have a sister named Rosie. She is a Chiweenie. She is so much fun! She likes to run and play and we have such a good time. Then I have another sister named Lily. She is a little older, but she is also fun to play with. I also have a new granny. She is such a nice lady. We all played for a while that first night, then mommy said it had been a
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