[harleyyorkie]

I too wanted an older Yorkie for my third. Here's my experience. I was looking at Breeders on the internet, came across Gold Dust Yorkies in Holbrook Arizona. They had a 10 1/2 month old neutered male. When I inquired, I was told he was already gone, but they were looking to rehome Rita. According to the breeder, Rita was six years old, had been in the show ring a few times but it just didn't seem to be the dog's thing so they stopped showing her. She had one litter three years ago but had a difficult time so she was spayed. Rita was potty pad trained and never a bother, gets along well with other dogs and very socialized with people. No known health problems, lost a few teeth over the years, (no biggie) and her picture was beautiful. Asking price $300.00 to cover spaying & her last dental. I would get copies of her shot records, health records, AKC papers, etc. Shipping was $350.00 to fly her in a carrier on a lady's lap instead of cargo to Florida. After speaking with the breeder both by telephone and e-mails for two months, the more I heard the more I had to have her! Finally Rita arrived in TAMPA, 2 1/2 hours away from me. They had trouble getting into Fort Myers because the lady that brings them is retired from American Airlines and flys stand by only. I knew @ this and was there waiting for her when she arrived. The lady handed me Rita, no papers, said the breeder would get them to me, she didn't want papers to change hands too much and get lost in the shuffle, and she was gone, said she had to board the flight right away for the return trip. So, I now had my Rita that I had waited so long for.

Rita was just as pretty as her picture, however that's where it ends! Rita has no bottom teeth, so I grind her kibble up for her. Upon having her vet records faxed from the vet in Arizona (couldn't get any paper from breeder) we proceeded to have her checked at our vet. The excessive tearing of her left eye is from her eyelid curling in and rubbing on her eyeball. The limp is from her left leg being 1/4 inch shorter than the right. The snorting & asthma like breathing are from an enlongated soft palate and shorten snout. The curled & twisted back leg is from being in a cramped confined space and laying on the leg for long periods of time, at least that's what my vet says.The tummy hernia was likely from spaying. For the first three days, Rita would not even look at us or the other two dogs. She doesn't run, play with toys, or do anything like normal dogs do.Everytime we would pet her or hold her, she was totally baffled as to why we were doing that. If I had let her she would of only gotten out of her bed to eat. Rita is not potty pad trained, I have bought disposable as well as cloth pads, she loves to lay or sit on them but in the three weeks I've had her, she's never peed on one! Anyway, too late to make a long story short, you get the picture.

I will keep Rita as she is making wonderful progess. I have come to the conclusion that she has never known human affection other that what was required. She very much likes attention and has started to seek it out on her own. After all is said & done, I'm not sorry I got her, we love her to pieces! I would take another rehomed dog but I will have to see it in person first. I still exchange e-mails with the breeder about Rita's progress. I don't think she is a bad person, maybe not such a good dog person. Of course if she ever reads this, she may not talk to me anymore. I wanted to share my experience so others may learn from it.