[Teresa Ford]

more for SophieKatesMom Wilbe a huge Yorkie or Very tiny Lab ?
My Lab, Mama, made a great wet nurse. She had a huge litter of 12 puppies and raised them all herself. A few weeks after Mama's puppies were born, Lady T Had her first litter of 6 pups. Lady T was not a natural mother. We had to make her get in her litter box and feed her pups. We were not surprized when she stoped nursing her pups at 4 weeks, Mama moved the three smallest to her box and continued to nurse them. She graciously even let the bigger pups nurse when they begged. Mama looked healthy, sleek and happy. But I was worried, was nursing all those pups hurting her health ? I took her to my vet Dr. Smith when I took Lady T's pups for shots. I wanted him to check her out just in case Mama was not as she appeared. I didn't want to put her health at risk in any way. Dr. Smith assured me that she was in perfect health. He teased that my home cooking was probably why Mama enjoyed having puppies as long as possible. I laughed but thought he might be right. My breeding bitches were my princess doggies. They got vitamins, the best kibble, steamed veggies, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese and fresh meat every day.
Mama was a wonderful wet nurse and was happy to feed the little male puppy. To me, he looked so very tiny. Lab puppies grow quickly and are pretty hearty when they are born this pup was smaller than any runt I ever saw. I ask Carol what kind of pup it was. "It is a Yorkshire Terrier. His parents are show dogs." I frowned, " oh that is too bad, what happened to the bitch ? " I ask, watching the pup settle down for a greedy feed. Carol shook her head sadly, " The mother had 2 little females then got in trouble, Dr. Smith had to do a C-section to save her and this little boy." I was on my knees, watching the pup and looked up when Carol stopped talking. Before I could ask if the dog died, Carol blurted, "I can't tell you who they are, but I hope I never see that hateful woman again !" I stood up and touched Carol's arm, she was upset. I had known her for years and she was normaly so laid back, kind hearted and nice. I asked Carol, "What happened ?" She then did a perfect impersonation of someone I knew from the dog show world. I shook my head in sadness, as I listened to Carol. I thought how awful to hate this little pup because he was not going to be tiny. And so wrong to blame him for his mother almost dieing. Carol finished with, " So we will find him a home, that woman left him and said if Doc didn't put it to sleep she didn't wantit back." I gritted my teeth and said, "I hate people who call dogs it, like they are a chair or rock !" Carol nodded in agreement and sat down a big bag of puppy kibble. "Call us if you need anything and we will set up his shots and wormings to fit in with your pups." I waved her out and flopped back on the floor. I watched the puppy. Oh my goodness he was cute.
I watched the little pup grow, he was adorable. He would run full tilt with the bigger Lab puppies, play tug, rough and tumble bite me, I bite you games. He was smart and would zip under the chair when he had a toy or treat knowing the bigger dogs wouldn't fit. As he grew he began to explore the house and he decided I was his person and followed me every where. He began to spend more time with me. When a the last Lab pups was adopted he seemed confused. When we went out to the barn there were only kittens to chase now. I reminded him you are not a Lab you are a Yorkie, you are small and always will be. You are loved and always will be.
Of course I had already told Dr. Smith there was no reason to look for a home. I would keep him forever. True he was a big boy about 10 pounds, and his ears never stood up. But, he was so beautiful and perfect to me. He never realized he was a small dog. He nipped, and chased the horses to another pasture when we moved them. He killed mice and a snake in the chicken house. He followed the kids to the gate and knew when the bus came back. He laid under my desk when I worked. And rode on the tractor like a look out watching for cows, deer and wildlife. He love camping and hunting and fit perfectly into a family of teenage boys. He even chased wild hogs away from the orange grove and was almost killed by one. He lived 13 years and was my constant companion. He started my life long love of Yorkies. Wilbee my first Yorkie. He is in my heart and always will be.