[News] Pitbull Victim Yorkie Buried - YorkieTalk.com Forums

fasteddie · 10-13-2004, 05:35 AM

7 is just too early to be burying a Yorkie. Please be careful when you take your Yorkies outside.
---
You have your working dogs: Hounds that track down lost children. Sled dogs that haul diphtheria vaccine across the frozen tundra to Nome. Big, muscular search and rescue dogs that drag people out of rivers and wrecked cars and burning buildings.

Then you have your toys, primarily providing companionship.

Despite his name, Spike was one of the latter. He was a tiny, silky-haired ball of fluff who couldn't have pulled a kitten out of a creek. But he was all hero to the people who loved him.

His admirers buried the 7-year-old Yorkshire terrier on Sunday. He had been attacked by a pit bull Thursday morning in downtown McMinnville and was injured so badly he had to be put down.

Both dogs were on leashes. But the attack was so sudden and ferocious, and the attacking dog so powerful, that efforts to separate them went to no avail.

Because its owner lacked proof of vaccination, the pit bull is being held for rabies observation. Afterward, it probably will be destroyed, according to county Dog Control officers.

On Monday, Yorkie owner Steve Thompson and "Uncle" James Wilson took a few moments to remember their little buddy.

Spike entered Thompson's life at 6 months of age, bringing with him the nickname "Bad" for all the mischief he got into.

At the time, Thompson and his wife were living in Southern California. Thompson got the dog for his wife three days after her mother died of cancer.

She saw the puppy at a family-owned pet shop, Thompson said, and "like most women, fell in love." She told him she had to have the puppy.

"What was I going to say?" he asked.

The price tag was $1,100, and it took him some time to pay that off. But what price could he put on comfort for his wife's grief?

He didn't pay that much attention to the little dog at first. Spike was his wife's pet, and the two were content to lavish attention on each other.

Then, when Spike was 5, Thompson's wife died of breast cancer.

The couple had planned to retire and move to McMinnville, to be closer to Thompson's Canadian parents, but fate intervened.

She extracted two promises from him before she died: that he would make the move anyway and that he would look after Spike. He kept both, but fell into depression.

Spike may have missed his mistress, but he retained his joyous spirit.

The apartment Thompson rented didn't have a back yard, and Spike had things that needed attending to. So three times a day, he sat up alertly in front of Thompson and barked his demand to be taken out.

"All right, all right," Thompson would tell him, and reluctantly drag himself out of the morass of his grief and apathy to walk the dog.

Walking Spike forced him out among people, and Spike was a natural conversation starter. Gradually, he started making friends.

"He saved my life," Thompson said.

"My wife and I were married for 25 years," he said. "When something like that happens, it's like getting half your heart ripped out. You don't want to go on. But he made me, the little turd."

At first, it was a duty. He had promised to take care of the dog.

He hadn't promised to learn to love it. But somehow, that happened, too.

They would come home from a walk, and Spike would tear up the stairs for a gleeful game of tug-of-war or race around Thompson begging to be chased.

Thompson and Spike would drop by to visit Wilson, Spike's dog-sitter during Thompson's visits to his parents. The two would wind up walking the dog or playing with him.

Spike would pretend to bury Wilson's cat's food bowl in invisible dirt, then sneak a mouthful whenever he thought no one was looking.

He was fascinated by Wilson's hamsters. When Wilson held them down at his level to let him have a look, he'd lick their faces.

"If you were in a bad mood, he'd find a way to put you in a good mood," Thompson said.

Spike's death left an aching emptiness in both homes.

But Thompson and Wilson said they hope some good will come of it. They hope it will help bring awareness of the importance of controlling dogs in public.

"That could have been a child," Wilson said.

Veterinarian Jennifer Matthiesen, of the McMinnville Veterinary Clinic, said training is paramount for all dogs, but especially those that are taken out in public.

Despite the poor reputations of some breeds, Matthiesen said appropriate and safe behavior is more an issue of proper training and knowledge on the part of the handler than it is of breed.

Dogs have to be taught social skills, she said, and the best place to accomplish that is in a class with an experienced trainer. But she also advocated simple observation.

"Before you take your dog out in social situations, watch him. Watch how he plays and how he acts when he's really in the throes of excitement.

"If he's not listening to you when he's really excited about his ball or a squirrel, he won't listen in public."

http://www.newsregister.com/news/sto...tory_no=185894

sngglz · 10-14-2004, 08:07 AM

That poor yorkie. I just hate to here about another yorkie dying by some mean dog. I hate those mean dogs.

I wish they would not allow people to owned dogs like that.

Cookie2 · 10-16-2004, 09:44 AM

This is something that should have never happened. Unfortunately it happens too often. I cant imagine what that dog owner must be going through. Losing a spouse is something extremely painful.My dad passed away over 29 yrs ago and my mother has never remarried.She never even went out on a date. She said my dad was the love of her life and their relationship was a " Once in a lifetime" I hope this man that lost his yorkie would consider getting another one,not to replace it. But just as a companion. You ladies truly dont know how serious I am when I say that " Yorkies change your life" I have seen tons of dogs and I didnt like one of them. I just didnt like animals...or so I thought. This little Yorkie is such a love to have. If my kids are home with my hubby while I work on the weekend ,as soon as I walk through the door they let Cookie run to me and I cant say it enough how much he makes my day.
If I'm stressed out ,he calms me down. I look forward to taking a hot shower and carrying him over to my bed and watch tv with him

thanks for the story. I saved it and will show it to my hubby.
Genie

yizzl · 10-16-2004, 12:28 PM

All I can say is I agree with you cookie 100 percent...amen

Babbie · 10-22-2004, 08:53 AM

That is so sad...and revolting at the same time. Unfortunately, this can happen to any of us, we care for our little guys, but not everybody does. I do not take my dogs to walk around my house because i aways see dogs wandering around, not only pitbulls but other breeds too. The problem is not the animal nor the breed, but irresponsible owners, who don't take the time or effort to train and socialize their dogs.

I've seen pits who have a wonderful temperament and are properly trained and cared for and no incidents ever happened. I think instead of banning some breeds they should require more care from the owners, it's up to us, humans, to do what is right.

MeiMei girl · 10-23-2004, 07:56 AM

That is just so sad. I feel for this guy and I hope he pulls through everything.

FastEddie, I enjoy the yorkie news you post frequently. Something different from other forums.

Yorkie24U · 10-26-2004, 04:03 PM

I feel so bad for that 7 yr old yorkie or any yorkies that have fallen victim to large dogs with irresponsible owners. I have a neighbor that just bought a 7 month old Malamute/Husky type female pup (wow, thats the size of almost a full grown dog now) anyways it's been getting loose and I found it many times in our yard of which they have a high wooden fence between us too. My husband and I talked to the neighbor about her "big" dog running loose especially in our yard where we have two little 5 lb. each yorkies.

When we confronted her to please tie up her dog, that there was a city lease law besides, she just responded with " WHATS YOUR PROBLEM"....... we told her one jump at our little dogs and they would be dead...... She said, oh my dog wouldn't kill your dogs. We tried to explain that its not intentional that all dogs like to play, but her "Pup" was already too large to be even near our dogs let alone running loose in the neighborhood. We live on a dead end street with almost an acre or land, there is plenty of space between our houses, besides the stockade fence they put up a few years ago.

These are the same neighbors that had chickens running around this summer that the rooster attacked me and another neighbors wife. So that was another problem that they created and had to fence in their chickens.

I think its a loosing battle now. We just keep our babies inside and exercise them there, I guess its time for a " Puppy Treadmill ".....anybody know where I can get one?

The way the world is now, it isn't getting any safer for humans, lets protect these little babies as long as we can anyways.

fasteddie · 10-26-2004, 10:33 PM

That's sad that you have some disrespectful neighbors, Yorkie24U.

At least you know to keep them away from the big dogs and other wild animals out there. I actually looked up doggy treadmills before, and they are QUITE expensive, if you can get them to adapt to a human one, perhaps your whole family can use it. I've never gotten Yoda to go on the treadmill myself, he's terrified when it moves (and it is a bit loud).

Dog treadmill link:
http://www.jogadog.com/dc4.html

Yorkie24U · 10-27-2004, 03:06 AM

Thanks for that info fasteddie, but I think I'll stick to a human one if it comes to getting one at those prices. We had one before but it was too loud a motor.

We usually keep our babies inside all year round anyways and when we do take them out walking we usually keep them in a jogging stroller. Never trust those BIG DOGS to even get their face close to them either. We had one big one snap once that scared the life out of us all. Ever since then we are very much aware of what can happen, we are very over protective. But then we have to be with these little ones.

We believe in restraining them in my grandaughters old car seat, and they are used to it from pups so just sit back and enjoy the ride in the car safely. We have the same set up while they ride in our motorhome in the same car seat.
Its a strap that clips to their harness and to the seatbelt of the vehicle. We'd hate to loose them to some accident and getting lost in the process. At least we know they are safe and we can watch them all the time with one of those baby view mirrors.

charie03 · 06-30-2005, 12:26 PM

I was very upset when I read about the pitbull killing the little yorkie... I have a pitbull, a jack russell, and a Yorkie... I know that animals can turn very quick and have heard all the lectures of having a pitbull but my pit is more of a baby then my yorkie... all of my dogs get along ... they may fuss over certain toys but they never fight ... when my yorkie was pregnant my pit would get food out of the dish and bring it to where the yorkie was lying and drop it on the floor for her... he is very protective of her.... he sleeps beside my bed but will not lay down until Paige is in her bed... since she has had her puppies he lays outside my bedroom door when ever she is in the room with the puppies.... I just think that it's in the way you raise your dog.... I am very strict when it comes to my pitbull.... but I love him just as much as I do my other two .... I even gave him away once but then I cried for 3 days and my kids drove 50 miles one way to go get him and bring him home....

StewiesMom · 06-30-2005, 12:28 PM

Thanks for posting that Paige's Mommy. I think you're right about Bull Terriers.

charie03 · 06-30-2005, 12:34 PM

this is a picture of my Pit... his name is caine...

JCarlson2004 · 06-30-2005, 12:38 PM

My heart is broken for that poor man! His little dog brought love back into his life after he lost his beloved wife. What a tragic and violent way to die - I feel so sick after reading this.

red98vett · 06-30-2005, 06:04 PM

That's tragic. Really tragic. That poor man - he sounds like he had a wonderful marriage and a big heart to love that baby like that....

My grandmother had a toy poodle for years...after my grandfather died - her baby was all she had and she took her EVERYWHERE with her -

On one of her last trips - her baby was killed right in front of her ...by yes...a pitt...that broke thru a fence, charged the car...and attacked upon seeing the little poodle ..my grandmother never was the same after that. she died shortly after ...and we all think it was because she witnessed her baby being killed.

JCarlson2004 · 07-01-2005, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red98vett

That's tragic. Really tragic. That poor man - he sounds like he had a wonderful marriage and a big heart to love that baby like that....

My grandmother had a toy poodle for years...after my grandfather died - her baby was all she had and she took her EVERYWHERE with her -

On one of her last trips - her baby was killed right in front of her ...by yes...a pitt...that broke thru a fence, charged the car...and attacked upon seeing the little poodle ..my grandmother never was the same after that. she died shortly after ...and we all think it was because she witnessed her baby being killed.

I am literally crying at work right now. That is too heartbreaking. I'm so sorry.

10-13-2004, 05:35 AM	#1
fasteddie *YT 6000 Club Member* Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 6,238	[News] Pitbull Victim Yorkie Buried 7 is just too early to be burying a Yorkie. Please be careful when you take your Yorkies outside. --- You have your working dogs: Hounds that track down lost children. Sled dogs that haul diphtheria vaccine across the frozen tundra to Nome. Big, muscular search and rescue dogs that drag people out of rivers and wrecked cars and burning buildings. Then you have your toys, primarily providing companionship. Despite his name, Spike was one of the latter. He was a tiny, silky-haired ball of fluff who couldn't have pulled a kitten out of a creek. But he was all hero to the people who loved him. His admirers buried the 7-year-old Yorkshire terrier on Sunday. He had been attacked by a pit bull Thursday morning in downtown McMinnville and was injured so badly he had to be put down. Both dogs were on leashes. But the attack was so sudden and ferocious, and the attacking dog so powerful, that efforts to separate them went to no avail. Because its owner lacked proof of vaccination, the pit bull is being held for rabies observation. Afterward, it probably will be destroyed, according to county Dog Control officers. On Monday, Yorkie owner Steve Thompson and "Uncle" James Wilson took a few moments to remember their little buddy. Spike entered Thompson's life at 6 months of age, bringing with him the nickname "Bad" for all the mischief he got into. At the time, Thompson and his wife were living in Southern California. Thompson got the dog for his wife three days after her mother died of cancer. She saw the puppy at a family-owned pet shop, Thompson said, and "like most women, fell in love." She told him she had to have the puppy. "What was I going to say?" he asked. The price tag was $1,100, and it took him some time to pay that off. But what price could he put on comfort for his wife's grief? He didn't pay that much attention to the little dog at first. Spike was his wife's pet, and the two were content to lavish attention on each other. Then, when Spike was 5, Thompson's wife died of breast cancer. The couple had planned to retire and move to McMinnville, to be closer to Thompson's Canadian parents, but fate intervened. She extracted two promises from him before she died: that he would make the move anyway and that he would look after Spike. He kept both, but fell into depression. Spike may have missed his mistress, but he retained his joyous spirit. The apartment Thompson rented didn't have a back yard, and Spike had things that needed attending to. So three times a day, he sat up alertly in front of Thompson and barked his demand to be taken out. "All right, all right," Thompson would tell him, and reluctantly drag himself out of the morass of his grief and apathy to walk the dog. Walking Spike forced him out among people, and Spike was a natural conversation starter. Gradually, he started making friends. "He saved my life," Thompson said. "My wife and I were married for 25 years," he said. "When something like that happens, it's like getting half your heart ripped out. You don't want to go on. But he made me, the little turd." At first, it was a duty. He had promised to take care of the dog. He hadn't promised to learn to love it. But somehow, that happened, too. They would come home from a walk, and Spike would tear up the stairs for a gleeful game of tug-of-war or race around Thompson begging to be chased. Thompson and Spike would drop by to visit Wilson, Spike's dog-sitter during Thompson's visits to his parents. The two would wind up walking the dog or playing with him. Spike would pretend to bury Wilson's cat's food bowl in invisible dirt, then sneak a mouthful whenever he thought no one was looking. He was fascinated by Wilson's hamsters. When Wilson held them down at his level to let him have a look, he'd lick their faces. "If you were in a bad mood, he'd find a way to put you in a good mood," Thompson said. Spike's death left an aching emptiness in both homes. But Thompson and Wilson said they hope some good will come of it. They hope it will help bring awareness of the importance of controlling dogs in public. "That could have been a child," Wilson said. Veterinarian Jennifer Matthiesen, of the McMinnville Veterinary Clinic, said training is paramount for all dogs, but especially those that are taken out in public. Despite the poor reputations of some breeds, Matthiesen said appropriate and safe behavior is more an issue of proper training and knowledge on the part of the handler than it is of breed. Dogs have to be taught social skills, she said, and the best place to accomplish that is in a class with an experienced trainer. But she also advocated simple observation. "Before you take your dog out in social situations, watch him. Watch how he plays and how he acts when he's really in the throes of excitement. "If he's not listening to you when he's really excited about his ball or a squirrel, he won't listen in public." http://www.newsregister.com/news/sto...tory_no=185894

10-23-2004, 07:56 AM	#6
MeiMei girl Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Diego, Ca. Posts: 63	That is just so sad. I feel for this guy and I hope he pulls through everything. FastEddie, I enjoy the yorkie news you post frequently. Something different from other forums. __________________ Mei Mei

06-30-2005, 12:26 PM	#10
charie03 Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2005 Location: Port Huron, MI Posts: 11	I was very upset when I read about the pitbull killing the little yorkie... I have a pitbull, a jack russell, and a Yorkie... I know that animals can turn very quick and have heard all the lectures of having a pitbull but my pit is more of a baby then my yorkie... all of my dogs get along ... they may fuss over certain toys but they never fight ... when my yorkie was pregnant my pit would get food out of the dish and bring it to where the yorkie was lying and drop it on the floor for her... he is very protective of her.... he sleeps beside my bed but will not lay down until Paige is in her bed... since she has had her puppies he lays outside my bedroom door when ever she is in the room with the puppies.... I just think that it's in the way you raise your dog.... I am very strict when it comes to my pitbull.... but I love him just as much as I do my other two .... I even gave him away once but then I cried for 3 days and my kids drove 50 miles one way to go get him and bring him home.... __________________ Paige's Mommy

06-30-2005, 12:28 PM	#11
StewiesMom Stewie Rox the Sox Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 6,306	Thanks for posting that Paige's Mommy. I think you're right about Bull Terriers. __________________ Kristy & Stewie

06-30-2005, 12:38 PM	#13
JCarlson2004 Mommy To 3 Poochies Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New York Posts: 8,287	My heart is broken for that poor man! His little dog brought love back into his life after he lost his beloved wife. What a tragic and violent way to die - I feel so sick after reading this. __________________ Mommy Loves Codie, Tia & Baby Cali RIP My Precious Katie - I Love You

10-14-2004, 08:07 AM	#2
sngglz Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 246	That poor yorkie. I just hate to here about another yorkie dying by some mean dog. I hate those mean dogs. I wish they would not allow people to owned dogs like that.

10-16-2004, 09:44 AM	#3
Cookie2 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 1,568	This is something that should have never happened. Unfortunately it happens too often. I cant imagine what that dog owner must be going through. Losing a spouse is something extremely painful.My dad passed away over 29 yrs ago and my mother has never remarried.She never even went out on a date. She said my dad was the love of her life and their relationship was a " Once in a lifetime" I hope this man that lost his yorkie would consider getting another one,not to replace it. But just as a companion. You ladies truly dont know how serious I am when I say that " Yorkies change your life" I have seen tons of dogs and I didnt like one of them. I just didnt like animals...or so I thought. This little Yorkie is such a love to have. If my kids are home with my hubby while I work on the weekend ,as soon as I walk through the door they let Cookie run to me and I cant say it enough how much he makes my day. If I'm stressed out ,he calms me down. I look forward to taking a hot shower and carrying him over to my bed and watch tv with him thanks for the story. I saved it and will show it to my hubby. Genie

10-16-2004, 12:28 PM	#4
yizzl Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: winnipeg,mb.canada Posts: 96	All I can say is I agree with you cookie 100 percent...amen

10-22-2004, 08:53 AM	#5
Babbie Got Mojo? Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Miami Posts: 1,117	That is so sad...and revolting at the same time. Unfortunately, this can happen to any of us, we care for our little guys, but not everybody does. I do not take my dogs to walk around my house because i aways see dogs wandering around, not only pitbulls but other breeds too. The problem is not the animal nor the breed, but irresponsible owners, who don't take the time or effort to train and socialize their dogs. I've seen pits who have a wonderful temperament and are properly trained and cared for and no incidents ever happened. I think instead of banning some breeds they should require more care from the owners, it's up to us, humans, to do what is right.

10-26-2004, 04:03 PM	#7
Yorkie24U YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: USA Posts: 659	I feel so bad for that 7 yr old yorkie or any yorkies that have fallen victim to large dogs with irresponsible owners. I have a neighbor that just bought a 7 month old Malamute/Husky type female pup (wow, thats the size of almost a full grown dog now) anyways it's been getting loose and I found it many times in our yard of which they have a high wooden fence between us too. My husband and I talked to the neighbor about her "big" dog running loose especially in our yard where we have two little 5 lb. each yorkies. When we confronted her to please tie up her dog, that there was a city lease law besides, she just responded with " WHATS YOUR PROBLEM"....... we told her one jump at our little dogs and they would be dead...... She said, oh my dog wouldn't kill your dogs. We tried to explain that its not intentional that all dogs like to play, but her "Pup" was already too large to be even near our dogs let alone running loose in the neighborhood. We live on a dead end street with almost an acre or land, there is plenty of space between our houses, besides the stockade fence they put up a few years ago. These are the same neighbors that had chickens running around this summer that the rooster attacked me and another neighbors wife. So that was another problem that they created and had to fence in their chickens. I think its a loosing battle now. We just keep our babies inside and exercise them there, I guess its time for a " Puppy Treadmill ".....anybody know where I can get one? The way the world is now, it isn't getting any safer for humans, lets protect these little babies as long as we can anyways.

10-26-2004, 10:33 PM	#8
fasteddie *YT 6000 Club Member* Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 6,238	That's sad that you have some disrespectful neighbors, Yorkie24U. At least you know to keep them away from the big dogs and other wild animals out there. I actually looked up doggy treadmills before, and they are QUITE expensive, if you can get them to adapt to a human one, perhaps your whole family can use it. I've never gotten Yoda to go on the treadmill myself, he's terrified when it moves (and it is a bit loud). Dog treadmill link: http://www.jogadog.com/dc4.html

10-27-2004, 03:06 AM	#9
Yorkie24U YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: USA Posts: 659	Thanks for that info fasteddie, but I think I'll stick to a human one if it comes to getting one at those prices. We had one before but it was too loud a motor. We usually keep our babies inside all year round anyways and when we do take them out walking we usually keep them in a jogging stroller. Never trust those BIG DOGS to even get their face close to them either. We had one big one snap once that scared the life out of us all. Ever since then we are very much aware of what can happen, we are very over protective. But then we have to be with these little ones. We believe in restraining them in my grandaughters old car seat, and they are used to it from pups so just sit back and enjoy the ride in the car safely. We have the same set up while they ride in our motorhome in the same car seat. Its a strap that clips to their harness and to the seatbelt of the vehicle. We'd hate to loose them to some accident and getting lost in the process. At least we know they are safe and we can watch them all the time with one of those baby view mirrors.

06-30-2005, 06:04 PM	#14
red98vett Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Houston TX Posts: 33,590 Blog Entries: 1	That's tragic. Really tragic. That poor man - he sounds like he had a wonderful marriage and a big heart to love that baby like that.... My grandmother had a toy poodle for years...after my grandfather died - her baby was all she had and she took her EVERYWHERE with her - On one of her last trips - her baby was killed right in front of her ...by yes...a pitt...that broke thru a fence, charged the car...and attacked upon seeing the little poodle ..my grandmother never was the same after that. she died shortly after ...and we all think it was because she witnessed her baby being killed. __________________ Villette, Chanel & Cheri www.DesignsByVillette.net Custom Address Labels and Note Cards using YOUR Photos! Just Click HERE!