[butchpoodle]

My first yorkie was a rescue from a shelter. She and her male partner were both up for adoption at the same time, and when small dogs become available, people come early (more like late at night) and sleep in line in cars or RVs to adopt when the shelter opens. Cassidy was adopted by one of these people then returned when their free vet visit disclosed all of the care she was going to need.

In my county, any dog returned for any reason gets marked A-24 (Available for 24 hours then destroyed), so we got a call to rescue her and my friend picked her up and bathed her and sent her to me to foster. She was in terrible shape, but once she decided she wanted to live (it took a while), she was spitfire! I loved that dog!!

I only had her 2-1/2 years, but I wouldn't trade a day of those years. She was hard on my other dog (a toy poodle) so I promised her she'd never have to live with another yorkie.

Ten years later, I have my second yorkie. She was born into rescue; her mother was in the shelter quite pregnant. I met her when she was 5 weeks and brought her home at 8 weeks. She is a riot and I hope to have her for many, many years to come.

As with most things in life, quality is much more important than quantity, and when it comes right down to it - all we have it this very day. I wholeheartedly support adopting from shelters and rescues. They know that you've saved them and they love you even more for it.