Hello from Kentucky

[KYCeeCee]

Wanted to say welcome. So glad that Puddles is doing so good. I have my first yorkie and they are so much fun. Enjoy Puddles.

[maryeverett1]

What a story!! I have the utmost respect for you for rescuing Puddles and have the utmost respect for puddles for surviving his ordeal! I agree that breeders do not have to be evil to be bad breeders and not have the experience they need to breed! I am new to YT also and not only enjoyed reading your story, shed some tears and hugged my babies a little tighter, I believe we can all follow your lead and make a difference when we see the opportunity! I look forward to reading updates on how puddles is changing and growing under your care! Thanks for being such a fantastic example to all of us and for sharing your story today and welcome to both you and puddles to YT!

[BonBon]

Welcome to YT!!

Puddles' story brought tears to my eyes. I cannot thank you enough for stepping in and giving this boy the wonderful, loving home he so deserves. He sounds just precious!! I love the image of you down on the floor being silly and actually getting him to play.

I am so happy you've found YT! I hope you'll enjoy it and become an active member - I would love to keep updated on Puddles' progress in his wonderful new home.

[jadabug]

What a wonderful, heart affirming story. You will be blessed many times over for rescuing this wonderful little baby. I am sure you already know it though. I too had tears as I sat reading your story and picturing in my mind what life Puddles had before you saved him. Looking forward to seeing updates and also welcome to the most awesome yorkie forum in the world.

[Ivy Lucille]

Hello and Welcome to YT! Your story was a bright spot in my otherwise gray and rainy Monday. Puddles sounds like a real gem! His teeth sound a lot like my poor little Mo. He was rehomed to me when he was 3. He is 6 now and his mouth was a mess. He subsequently had 9 teeth pulled.

Congrats!

[yorkieusa]

Originally Posted by kyfirestorm

Yorkie usa, he IS a gem. Tonight, for the first time, he tried to play a little. Of course, it took me acting like a fool and doing play bows on my hands and knees in the floor

Well, Kacee has me acting like a fool everyday when I'm trying to entertain her! I'm so glad he's progressing. I'm sure it's a huge joy with every bit of progress he makes. You can probably look forward to lots of celebrations. He sounds like he is growing in every way in your hands. I don't think he could have found a better home in this world.

[kyfirestorm]

Again, thank you ALL so much for the warm welcome! Puddles has been such a blessing in our lives already that it's hard to believe he's only been here for a month.

I think the hardest part so far was the first week. We wanted so badly to cuddle and snuggle and LOVE this little guy to make up for his horrible life; but we knew (from past experience with other rescues) that what HE needed was to be ignored. The only interactions we had that first 7 to 10 days was to feed and let out to potty. He slept soooo much because he was so weak. He was actually had severe muscle atrophy from his midsection to his tail. He now has an daily exercise program to build his strength and muscle mass. He can't do the 4 miles per day that we do with Luke, but he has worked up to 2 miles and he loves it.

By the end of week two we had started to have a 4 legged shadow. Once he started showing interest in us we were able to start working with him. I used some of our horse training ways, lol. We try to attract the nose to get the horse to "hook on" to us. We used this to build his confidence, but it wasn't easy. When approached he would cower, shake, turn his head away, and cringe. It broke our hearts but we still ignored him as much as possible. What we DID do was praise him every time we saw his nose come forward and start sniffing. We showed him that we wanted him to investigate everything. He met Luke, Spanky the horse, Mr B the rabbit, and our three barn cats. The meeting with the horse was the best, lol, because he was just flabbergasted to see an animal so big. Over the next few days he would stand beside the fence and watch Spanky graze for minutes on end -- he was all eyes.

We're starting to see play this week for the first time. The extreme seperation anxiety is almost at a manageable level but we still have a way to go. We've had some growls at strangers and some guarding of food and possesiveness of ME. We know that more things will surface as we get other issues solved and that's okay. We'll work on each little thing as we get to it.

You know, IMO, working with an older rescue is sometimes easier than dealing with a pup. With a puppy you want to stop bad habits before they get started and so you're dealing with several things at once. With an older dog, those bad habits are already there and you can choose one -- deal with it -- and then move on to the next.

Happy Monday!

[Twinkie2Cute]

I'm so happy to hear Puddles is coming around. May you be blessed time and time again for taking him in to your loving home. Keep us updated!

[teacup0819]

Your story was very moving! I am so happy to hear that puddles has a wonderful home...congrats to all of you

[Princes mom]

What a beautiful heart-felt story. You are truly a blessing. Wow!!! Puddles is one lucky little boy!
I am so glad you found yorkietalk.

[yorkieusa]

Originally Posted by kyfirestorm

Again, thank you ALL so much for the warm welcome! Puddles has been such a blessing in our lives already that it's hard to believe he's only been here for a month.

I think the hardest part so far was the first week. We wanted so badly to cuddle and snuggle and LOVE this little guy to make up for his horrible life; but we knew (from past experience with other rescues) that what HE needed was to be ignored. The only interactions we had that first 7 to 10 days was to feed and let out to potty. He slept soooo much because he was so weak. He was actually had severe muscle atrophy from his midsection to his tail. He now has an daily exercise program to build his strength and muscle mass. He can't do the 4 miles per day that we do with Luke, but he has worked up to 2 miles and he loves it.

By the end of week two we had started to have a 4 legged shadow. Once he started showing interest in us we were able to start working with him. I used some of our horse training ways, lol. We try to attract the nose to get the horse to "hook on" to us. We used this to build his confidence, but it wasn't easy. When approached he would cower, shake, turn his head away, and cringe. It broke our hearts but we still ignored him as much as possible. What we DID do was praise him every time we saw his nose come forward and start sniffing. We showed him that we wanted him to investigate everything. He met Luke, Spanky the horse, Mr B the rabbit, and our three barn cats. The meeting with the horse was the best, lol, because he was just flabbergasted to see an animal so big. Over the next few days he would stand beside the fence and watch Spanky graze for minutes on end -- he was all eyes.

We're starting to see play this week for the first time. The extreme seperation anxiety is almost at a manageable level but we still have a way to go. We've had some growls at strangers and some guarding of food and possesiveness of ME. We know that more things will surface as we get other issues solved and that's okay. We'll work on each little thing as we get to it.

You know, IMO, working with an older rescue is sometimes easier than dealing with a pup. With a puppy you want to stop bad habits before they get started and so you're dealing with several things at once. With an older dog, those bad habits are already there and you can choose one -- deal with it -- and then move on to the next.

Happy Monday!

I hope we can keep your story going forever. It would encourage people to do rescue and make so many people aware of these little guys and girls that never thought about them before.

[ladyjane]

Welcome to YT!!

Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story! There are many little "Puddles" out there looking for a furever home just like yours! I always love to see people share stories about their little "Puddles" because it brings more awareness to the fact that second hand pups really do make wonderful pets!

Bless you for saving this beautiful little boy!

[cliffick]

I really loved reading your thread! You are wonderful and brave to confront your family in a non-confrontational way! Good for YOU! Good for Puddles! I wish there were more good souls out there to rescue these babies!
I fostered one cutie and he found a forever home with two awesome people. My daughter will never forgive me all the way .....she said he was her soul-mate I feel bad but she is a freshman in college and she would've been leaving him.
Good luck in your rehabilitating him and definitely keep us posted when you get the chance!!!

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Maggie, Nestle, Chester Diesel

[DaisyMom]

I relate to your story so much because I also rescued a Yorkie from a relative who didn't care for him properly. Our little Zeus never really learned to play, but he was a loving companion for many years. Please give yourself a pat on the back for doing such a great thing! I know, I know....you get as much as you give to a Yorkie. But you really did a great thing!!

Welcome to Yt!

[yorkieusa]

Puddles is a cute name and one I've never heard before, but it certainly fits a yorkie.