[alaskayorkie]

I came to YT on a Google search looking for information about Yorkies. I found it, to be sure, but over the years I learned more about myself on YT than I have about Yorkies.

It started when one of my YT friends spent $1,000 without flinching on a medical bill for her Yorkie. This friend was a college student on a limited budget, but there was no question in her mind what was the right thing to do.

I came from a generation where a $500 veterinary bill was a death sentence to a dog. I couldn't fathom spending more than that to save or improve one dog's life. But this friend, who I had come to respect, did just that.

Just a few months later, I bought a $200 Yorkie from a disreputable rescue operation and was looking at a $1,500 bill to fix his injured leg. If I hadn't found YT and heard from people who placed a higher value on animals than I had been raised to do, that dog would have been dead right then.

But my heart had softened. I paid for the surgery, and was rewarded with three years of a magnificent life. Jack's strength and courage changed my life. He taught me about pride. He taught me about the value of life. He taught me that you don't have to be a big dog to be worthwhile.

In the meantime, I learned about positive training techniques. My local obedience school still taught negative reinforcement techniques. I was clueless and started following them. YTers told me differently. At first, I was offended at their criticism. But I gave it some thought, and the criticism made sense. I trusted the YTers and joined an entire new generation of dog trainers who practice only positive training techniques.

But perhaps most of all, YT taught me about women. I learned to cry here and not be ashamed about it. I learned the value in supporting someone who has fallen on hard times. I learned how to give without an expectation that the gift would be repaid.

I learned all that by example. I've been given more than I can ever repay on YT, from gifts after Jack's surgeries to support during other times of trouble, including his death. I learned to feel compassion.

As for the negative stuff that goes on here, I've learned to ignore it. I can spot it a mile away, rabble-rousers who just want to stir up trouble. Disreputable breeders who refuse to admit their faults. I don't engage them because their comments aren't worth my consideration.

I wish everyone understood that. Some good friends have left YT because of the occasional negativity. I wish they could let it go. I wish they could seek out the good on YT and ignore the bad.

YT is what you make of it. If you embrace the bad, it will overwhelm you. If you seek out the good, you'll find it.