[T_R_A_C_I]

Good Afternoon,

I'd first like to offer my condolences to everyone experiencing the loss of a beloved pet, I truly understand. I'd had my Yorkie less than two weeks and he was not quite 3 months old. I purchased him from a reputable breeder in Utah and he was shipped to me in California on a very long flight. After I did what I thought was a tremendous amount of research to understand what to look for in a quality breeder, I am comfortable that this is indeed the case and do not at all fault the breeder for my puppy, Winston's passing. Instead, I can't help to feel that I dropped the ball somewhere and his death was the result of my ignorance.

When I picked Winston up from the airport after a flight of almost 8 hours (for whatever reason the breeder did not send him on a direct flight and there was a layover), I was excited and nervous to finally see him. He looked so tired and scared and it was clear he'd gotten sick in his crate. I cradled him on the drive home and stayed up all night to make sure he ate, drank and used the bathroom. The next day he seemed better as he tried to familiarize himself w/his new home and adjust to life away from his mom. The following day I took him to my vet where he weighed in at 1 1/2 pounds and was given a clean bill of health along with a distemper shot. I began the process of attempting to potty train and tried three different types of food since he'd eat, then not, then eat, then not. I read and understood about hypoglycemia and had everything necessary in the event that should arise.

Winston was never left alone but still seemed to be good one day and somewhat listless the next. I was careful not to take him outside because he had not gotten all his shots yet and he was still so young. While I'd never posted until now, I was constantly on YT learning everything I needed to know to make certain he was happy, healthy and safe. But somewhere I dropped the ball because just 10 days after receiving the joy of my life, he was gone.

I woke up early to go do laundry and left Winston sleeping (at least I thought he was sleeping) w/my 23-year old daughter who also adored him. I returned a couple hours later and both were still asleep as I put laundry away. I then left to run a few errands and returned and asked my daughter where Winston was, she said he was still in his crate asleep and that she had just woke up herself, said she was concerned because it was already late morning and he'd not made a peep (typically he'd whine when he was ready to go potty in the morning). When we went to get him from his crate he was completely limp and his breathing was very shallow (mind you the night before was one of his better nights and he'd been just fine - Eating, playing, running around). I immediately thought he was in a hypoglycemic coma and rushed him to the vet but he didn't make it there and passed away in the car, there was nothing the vet could do.

My heart is broken and the guilt is overwhelming. I've had dogs (including another Yorkie before) w/out a single incident of any kind. However, this was my first time having a puppy this small (teacup). I instantly fell in love w/the photo of him on the website and I'm still in love w/him to this day. I just wish I'd done more or knew more or had stayed up longer or whatever was necessary to save him... I'm crushed and the pain is like losing a child, my prayer is that my heart will eventually mend but for now I only grieve.

My apologies for my lack of brevity and I will always be grateful for this forum.

All the best to each of you Yorkie lovers.

Traci~~~