I may be adopting my second rescued little lady!
 

Nothing is set in stone yet, but I might soon be able to complete my Yorkie family by adopting a 13-year-old female Yorkie who was scheduled to be put to sleep in North Dakota (a three hour drive from Winnipeg).

I want to extend a HUGE thanks to LadyJ for her advice on how to connect with rescue groups to find the right dog for my family. LadyJ's advice led me to the possibility of adopting this little old lady who is scheduled to be put to sleep because she has mammory cancer (like my former beloved Annie). I am thrilled I might be able to save her life and give her a loving home.

To be honest, I was feeling a little disheartened as I kept getting rejected from many of the well-known Yorkie rescue groups out there. The reason is because I have a six-year-old daughter (which seems unfair to me and also the dogs needing permanent homes).

The great advice LadyJ gave me was to be proactive and touch base with local animal rescue groups to have my name put on a waiting list for a particular breed. I had previously just reviewed the websites of Yorkie rescue groups and applied for dogs that available for adoption. Constant rejection after rejection almost made me give up on bringing another Yorkie into my family. After receiving LadyJ's advice, here is a simple letter I wrote to local animal shelters:

Hi,

This is a message to let you know that I am looking to adopt a Yorkshire Terrier (a mixed breed is okay) of any age with any health conditions. I am passionately in love with the Yorkshire Terrier breed and have experience in rescuing two Yorkshire Terriers (both seized from abusive and neglectful situations). Please keep my name in mind should you receive any Yorkies in your shelter in the future.

I am in a unique situation in that I can receive unlimited veterinary care, medicine and supplies because my business belongs to a barter exchange where businesses trade services with each other (without spending cash). So as an example, I build websites for $5,000 each in barter currency - which gives me $5,000 in barter credit to spend with other business that belong to the exchange. There is a veterinarian (Dr. Zheng of the Animal Hospital of Manitoba) and a pet store (Pets 101) that belong to my the barter exchange. If you are interested in learning more, please go to www.winnipegbarter.com for a better understanding of how barter works.

Currently, I have a beautiful, four-year-old, spayed Yorkshire/Chihuahua female and am looking to add one more dog to our family. I own a house with a fenced in backyard and can provide a loving, attentive home since I am self employed and work from the comfort of home during the day.

I can provide references and answer any other questions you may have. I have attached some photographs of my current Yorkie mix, Tika.

Warm Regards,

Jamie Saari

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."
- Anne Frank

Thank you for being you...a caring, loving, giving person willing to take in the unloved, lonesome babies from unloving, selfish people. There is a special place in heaven waiting for you.

Amen! Good Person...we need more like you!

Awww Thats great, i hope you can get her and give her the loving home she deserves

Jamie, you are an angel on earth to rescue that little one. God bless you.

I really don't think I'm anything special because I truly believe that if everyone just took a chance on giving one older, rescued dog a chance at life they would be hooked for the rest of their lives. There is no better feeling than the gratitude, love and appreciation an older, rescued dog shows you.

Before meeting my Annie (an older rescued Yorkie), I had the attitude that I would only ever get a purebred puppy. Now I believe puppies are cute, but never truly able to appreciate all that their owners do for them. A rescued dog has been through the ringer and knows how lucky they are to be in a good family.

It's kind of like a child born into a wealthy family. May I use Paris Hilton as an example? Then, alternatively, think of the orphan children in Africa that Oprah Winfrey is schooling through her Leadership Academies. Many of these orphaned children thrive after being given a second chance at life and an education. Someone like Paris Hilton has been spoiled her entire life and doesn't know what it's like to struggle. That's kind of how I see rescued dogs in comparison to high-end purebred puppies.

I hope this comment doesn't offend people ....

I am so excited for you!!!!

...pictures ????

I just felt compelled to wish you good luck and hope you get this
special little lady. Wouldn't it nice to give her a home in her golden
years with someone who loved her. Finger's crossed that it all
works out and you have a couple of years of togetherness.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!! I sooo hope and pray that you can become the new mommy to this little girl!! God bless you, Tika and hopefully your new furbaby!! :D

Hi Everyone,

I have sad news to report in regards to the 13-year-old female I was so excited to adopt.

The rescue organization wants me to pay an adoption fee for her in addition to taking on all her vet fees - including surgery for mammary cancer that could cost $2,000 alone.

Below is a letter I wrote to her explaining my case and that I cannot afford to do both. Although I respect the work that she does with her rescue group, I can only do so much and only have so much money.

I'm feeling pretty sad, but know there may be a reason for this happening. Maybe this just wasn't the right dog for my family.

I hope they are able to find a good home for her.

Jamie

**********************************************

Hi Karen,

I called my veterinarian (who does work on barter) and discussed with the him the general costs for removing mammary cancer by laser. He is the only vet in Winnipeg that offers laser surgery and its benefit is that it is less painful and requires less healing time.

I got a ballpark figure from my vet in regards to the cost of surgery to remove mammary cancer and it typically ranges between $1,000 and $2,000 in barter fees. In regards to how barter works, businesses trade their services 100% but must pay taxes by cash and a 10% commission fee in cash to the owner of the barter exchange (who brings the businesses together).

I need to prepare myself for the most expensive case scenario. If the surgery fee comes to a full $2,000 my cash component would be the following:

5% GST = $100
8% PST = $160
5% Commission = $200
TOTAL: $460

This will be my cash costs just for her mammary surgery.

I also need to prepare for any other services that she may need in addition to her mammary cancer. With all my rescued dogs, I get a complete diagnosis done with blood tests, x-rays, ultra sounds and a thorough examination. This cost of this alone is $500 in barter - and the same cash components added.

Examination 5% GST of $500: $25
Examination: 8% GST of $500: $40
5% Commission of $500: $25
TOTAL: $90 cash

$90 examinations + $460 mammary cancer = $550

As a single mother and small business owner, this is already a financial difficulty I was willing to take on as my small role in offering a small dog a second chance at life. Unfortunately my cash situation is limited and I can only do what I can do. An extra adoption fee above and beyond this makes adopting this little girl unaffordable for me.

My current Yorkie/Chi mix, Tika, came to me with the 100% clean bill of health from her veterinarian in Leaf River Falls and her veterinarian visit yesterday discovered she had patellar luxation and needs dental surgery to extract rotten teeth - a vet bill cost that will exceed $4,000 in barter - and cost me more than $720 in cash.

I would gladly take this older Yorkie female and cover her vet fees for mammary surgery, but cannot afford an adoption fee in addition to this.

I hope you understand.

Warm Regards,

Jamie







----- Original Message -----
From: penny
To: Jamie Saari
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2008 9:05 AM
Subject: Re: Reminder: Looking for Yorkie of any Age



Hi Jamie,
Call me at 334-7384.

Karen
-------Original Message-------

From: Jamie Saari
Date: 1/4/2008 12:24:45 AM
To: penny
Subject: Re: Reminder: Looking for Yorkie of any Age

Hi Karen,

I just received your email now as today was a hectic day. I'll give you a call tomorrow.

Is there anything I can do to help with the process?

As well, do you have any photos of her. It doesn't matter what she looks like as I pan to adopt her anyways, but I'm just curious.

Thanks,

Jamie
----- Original Message -----
From: penny
To: Jamie Saari
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2008 4:39 PM
Subject: Re: Reminder: Looking for Yorkie of any Age


Please call me at 334-7384. The yorkie is coming in late Monday night.

Karen
-------Original Message-------

From: Jamie Saari
Date: 1/2/2008 7:07:58 PM
To: penny2@shaw.ca
Subject: Reminder: Looking for Yorkie of any Age

Hi Karen,

Here is the reminder email you requested regarding putting my name on a list for a Yorkshire Terrier (or Yorkie mix) of any age with any health conditions. I am passionately in love with the Yorkshire Terrier breed and have experience in rescuing two Yorkshire Terrier (who were seized from extremely abusive and neglectful situations). One of the Yorkies died from the extreme abuse and neglect she went through in her previous home. The second Yorkie is a four-year-old sweetheart that is still a part of our family.

I am in a unique situation in that I can receive unlimited veterinary care, medicine and supplies because my business belongs to a barter exchange where businesses trade services with each other (without spending cash). So as an example, I build websites for $5,000 each in barter currency - which gives me $5,000 in barter credit to spend with other business that belong to the exchange. There is a veterinarian (Dr. Zheng of the Animal Hospital of Manitoba) and a pet store (Pets 101) that belong to my the barter exchange. If you are interested in learning more, please go to www.winnipegbarter.com for a better understanding of how barter works.

Currently, I have a beautiful, four-year-old, spayed Yorkshire/Chihuahua female and am looking to add one more dog to our family. I own a house with a fenced in backyard and can provide a loving, attentive home since I am self employed and work from the comfort of home during the day.

I can provide references and answer any other questions you may have. I have attached some photographs of my current Yorkie mix, Tika.

As well, on another note. I'm wondering if you would consider doing a trade deal in lieu of a large adoption fee. I can provide any of the services available on my website, www.pizazcreative.com, on a volunteer basis to help you out. My services include website design, newsletters, media releases (to generate positive publicity), brochure design & printing etc. In regards to the 13-year-old Yorkie, I can immediately take on any veterinary costs she needs right away.

Warm Regards,

Jamie Saari
President, Pizaz Creative
26 Carnarvan Road
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3J 0X3
Business: (204) 282-0330
Cell: (204) 979-8353
info@pizazcreative.com
www.pizazcreative.com

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."
- Anne Frank

Have they responded back to your latest letter? Maybe when they see it all written out like that, they will reconsider? If not, just know that you did your very best. I'm sure there is a wonderful yorkie for you somewhere out there.

Congratulations and I will keep my fingers crossed for you. I too find it a bit sad that the rescues would refuse a person becuase they have a child under 10.

Surely they will waive the adoption fee for you.

Jaime, I'm sorry you are having so many ups & downs with the rescues. I pray that given they were going to put this little one to sleep, that they would consider what you are able to do. I hope they didn't misunderstand & look at you like some type of salvation for the rescue. You have such a good heart. The right dog will soon be in your home. So sorry about you little one having so many newly discovered health issues.

Jaime, all I can do is imagine what a great world this would be if there were more people like you in it. You really are making a difference.

Please keep us updated on this adoption. I am more than sure they will waive any adoption fee for you... :goodluck: