[boopster]

Hi everybody,

I'm a noob to the world of Yorkies and have been lurking for a few days, so I guess it's time to introduce myself.

I have had six dogs in my life - ranging from a pair of purebred miniature dachshunds to an Australian shepherd pound puppy -- and have been very fortunate to have them live long, health, and happy lives. Lost my most recent "child" three months ago (just a few weeks short of her 16th birthday) from CFH and kidney failure.

I promised myself I would wait a good long time before giving my heart to another pet, but in the last month I have been to several friends' homes and spending more time playing with their dogs than visiting with them. I think it's time to add a new baby to the family.

This time I know I want a toy-sized dog - one that can go with us when we are out and about. I've looked at tons of guides and on-line information and keep coming back to the Yorkies. I'm so glad I found this site, because I was going to contact some of the breeders with those oh-so-pretty websites and in the classified ads until I learned here about bad words like teacup and mini. Knew I wanted a dog at the higher end of the breed standard anyway, but I think you've steered me away from some potential heartbreak. I have emailed four local breeders I found in the AKC registry that had also been praised by several different people here, and hope to find just the right puppy for my family soon.

I'm in Ontario, California. Would love to hear from anyone else in the Inland Empire about where you have found your dogs, experiences good and bad, trustworthy groomers, etc.

Betty