[Jinger]

HI MTC,
Just thought I'd chime in here with my two-cents worth. I am a new yorkie owner, and came by my Zoe in an unusual "rescue" way. She was taken from her litter at 8 weeks, or so we were told. According to her breeder she, too, was eating solid dry food and doing just great. In addition, her breeder ALSO has been breeding for over 10 years and doesn't have a history of any problems or unsatisfied customers. (Although, I'm sure I wouldn't be privy to that information, even if she had.) Here is the list of problems Zoe has had, and currently has, due to the fact that she was soooo young and small, her immune system wasn't strong, she wasn't strong enough to chew her food once she wasn't feeling good, and on and on:
--fleas, and scabs from where she scratched them, and that hair is now growing in abnormally
--tape worm, a horrible case
--extreme hypoglycemia; I had to feed her by syringe, once every hour, twenty-four hours a day, for a couple of weeks, and after that continue to monitor her feeding very closely
--giardia
--lethargy, weakness
--couldn't chew dry food once she was weak, so we had to mix up formula, cottage cheese, baby food and various wet foods to get her to eat something
--abnormal blood tests; which caused a lot of stress, worry and heartache
--ringworm; HORRIBLE and we are in the midst of a very tedious and extensive protocol for getting ride of this...could take 2-6 months I'm told
--weight loss to the point that every day was risky
--clearly had not had the opportunity to learn much from her doggy mommy
--hair loss; she's very nearly bald, therefore she freezes and looks soooo pitiful
--We have spent well over $2000 on this puppy AFTER receiving her, as well as many, many, many sleepless nights and days of non-stop care. We love her, and will continue to. I do, however, wish so very, very much that she (and we) had been given the opportunity to have a healthier, less traumatic and less painful start to her time with us.
This is just our experience, but I really hope it can help you as you decide how to handle bringing your puppy home.
Good luck, and I hope you have many, many happy and wonderful years ahead with Ellie.