When I first found YT I never joined just read all that I could. So much info her that I still find stuff to read about and I have been doing that for years now. I recently joined when I fostered a pregnant Yorkie and I debated then if I should join or not. In the short time that I have been a member I have made more friends with people who really care about animals the way that I do. YT helped us through some really hard times with the delivery and survival of our Bella and her 4 babies. We could not have made it without all the help and prayers we had from what was one time strangers to now what we call our extended family and guardian angels. Some may say that there is drama here...where is there not any??? When you are as passionate about something then you do what you can to protect that and that is what I see here. People are very passionate about Yorkies and are only here to help and PREVENT problems and do it the best way that they can. YT members are a great loving family that I am blessed to be a part of.

I think YT has a really great membership. People here are generally pretty reasonable, open minded, willing to learn and share, kind, fun, and good humored. Maybe you just have to be a great person to be up to the honor of owning a yorkie. :wink:

I found YT in December, when I was trying to keep Zoe alive. Thanks to YT, and the wonderful info, members and advice, I was able to do so. I really appreciate everyone's patience, infinite yorkie wisdom and willingness to help. I love seeing the cute pictures, reading anecdotes and searching for all the nuggets of information. And, I love the fantastic products I have found on YT. I know Zoe will be happier and healthier (not to mention dressed better ;)) because of YT.
(And, she gets lots more lap time when I'm on it! :D)
I still feel a bit like a newbie, maybe a bit out of things, and I look forward to "getting to know" more of you and your beautiful pups.
Thanks for everything!:)

I found YT doing a search for my other dog. It brought me here, I noted it was for yorkies, and having two, I came back a few days later to see what the site was about.

It's a site for Yorkie addicts & I fit right in! lol, I love the info, the pics & the Dexter videos. This site makes me cry, laugh, & think about things I never thought of before. (I have a lot of rescue sites in my favorites now)

It's full of lots of other people who feel that yorkies are the best breed out there, & if you aren't convinced, just keep reading! I love you all, and your dogs, and this site!

I came to YT on a Google search looking for information about Yorkies. I found it, to be sure, but over the years I learned more about myself on YT than I have about Yorkies.

It started when one of my YT friends spent $1,000 without flinching on a medical bill for her Yorkie. This friend was a college student on a limited budget, but there was no question in her mind what was the right thing to do.

I came from a generation where a $500 veterinary bill was a death sentence to a dog. I couldn't fathom spending more than that to save or improve one dog's life. But this friend, who I had come to respect, did just that.

Just a few months later, I bought a $200 Yorkie from a disreputable rescue operation and was looking at a $1,500 bill to fix his injured leg. If I hadn't found YT and heard from people who placed a higher value on animals than I had been raised to do, that dog would have been dead right then.

But my heart had softened. I paid for the surgery, and was rewarded with three years of a magnificent life. Jack's strength and courage changed my life. He taught me about pride. He taught me about the value of life. He taught me that you don't have to be a big dog to be worthwhile.

In the meantime, I learned about positive training techniques. My local obedience school still taught negative reinforcement techniques. I was clueless and started following them. YTers told me differently. At first, I was offended at their criticism. But I gave it some thought, and the criticism made sense. I trusted the YTers and joined an entire new generation of dog trainers who practice only positive training techniques.

But perhaps most of all, YT taught me about women. I learned to cry here and not be ashamed about it. I learned the value in supporting someone who has fallen on hard times. I learned how to give without an expectation that the gift would be repaid.

I learned all that by example. I've been given more than I can ever repay on YT, from gifts after Jack's surgeries to support during other times of trouble, including his death. I learned to feel compassion.

As for the negative stuff that goes on here, I've learned to ignore it. I can spot it a mile away, rabble-rousers who just want to stir up trouble. Disreputable breeders who refuse to admit their faults. I don't engage them because their comments aren't worth my consideration.

I wish everyone understood that. Some good friends have left YT because of the occasional negativity. I wish they could let it go. I wish they could seek out the good on YT and ignore the bad.

YT is what you make of it. If you embrace the bad, it will overwhelm you. If you seek out the good, you'll find it.

I love YT because I learn new things, make lots of online friends, share in wonderful online experiences, see sweet pictures and videos of yorkies

I love YT because of people like you Mike! I love your videos and so admire the fun things you do with your dogs! One of the high points for me when we went to the VA meetup was meeting you and Eddie.

Oh, negativity be dashed! There are strong people here with strong opinions and the honesty and passion to express themselves and to question question question. That's how we progress so I hope it doesn't change any time soon. Actually, the caring and consideration expressed on this site are its overwhelming draw to me, though, as I think I am such a softie and the 'alaskayorkie' post has me tearing up.

His wonderful post made me a little teary too. Very touching.

Mike you said this so well! It's all here for the taking - you just have to choose what you want to get from it. :love:

Beautiful post Mike. :)
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Although, you neglected to mention that you also enjoy your dictatorial powers found here on YT in the state of Banning Land. That is where the *real* troublemakers are. ;););):D

I come here to give and recieve advice! the support is great, and people are honest they don't sugar coat it!

thank you YT :) <3

I found yorkietalk when I purchased my little Rizzo.

I love it because it showed me how little I know about yorkies! lol :D

I've learned so much about the breed and what to look for in a great vet, breeder, groomer, etc.

I've learned what foods are best for my little guys health.

I've learned that it's OKAY for boys to wear bows :p

I love how this community really comes together when a person or pup is in need of help of any kind, from signs of labor, to poop problems.

It is by far the best run online FORUM that I've belonged to, the mods and admin are always on their toes making sure that threads run according to the rules. I've been on so many forums with so much trash responses, I was afraid YorkieTalk would be the same. But it really is fantastic! so far, nothing but helpful information has been given to me.

Plus I can talk about my pup without being regarded as crazy...sort of, lol :aimeeyork

I love YT. I joined after I purchased Zach last August. I think if I had joined YT before I got Zach I never would have purchased him from a pet shop. For awhile I was afraid to tell anybody I had gotten him from a pet shop because I know how everybody feels about puppy mills and pet shops but I didn't know any better at the time. Anyway Zach is the love of my life and I've learned so much about yorkies from the people on this forum. They are the best friends you can have when it comes to your yorkies and other breeds also. They make everybody feel welcome.

just letting you all know that this is wonderful and i hope we keep this thread goin. Mike's post made me tear up. great to know how much you have grown over the years here. glad to call you a friend!