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-   -   The nightmare of owning a "tiny": (https://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/general-yorkshire-terrier-discussion/48506-nightmare-owning-tiny.html)

JiggityJig 08-03-2006 07:47 PM

The nightmare of owning a "tiny":
 
I'm posting this because another member was writing, frustrated, because every person who calls about her available puppies is looking for a "teacup".

Besides all the stories of poor breeding practices and potential health problems, I just don't think that people realize just how dangerous DAY TO DAY LIFE is for these little ones, and how fragile their little bodies are.

I own a very tiny yorkie....she is almost a year old, and has yet to break 2.5 lbs. I ended up with her because her owners were no longer able to care for her.

She is incredibly attached to me, and my husband adores her, and she has just been a dear and funny addition to the zoo we have around here. But we ALWAYS have to "worry" about her. Whether it's someone going in and out of the door....or the kids tossing around a ball...or just walking across the kitchen....we are constantly having to caution: "Look out for Mazie!!!!"

Well, we had a really bad accident take place here a week or so ago. It's taken me awhile to feel like posting about it, and maybe as you read you'll see why.


My six year old and I were up late one night, just talking and cuddling, and off and on petting Mazie, who was in our laps. We were messing around with a calculator of all things, just quietly passing it back and forth while we talked. Well, at some point it slipped from our hands, fell MAYBE four inches, right on Mazie's head.

Let me repeat that....a CALCULATOR fell FOUR INCHES.

We started laughing and apologizing to her, and Elijah sd., "It didn't even wake her up!" I shook her a bit, and felt unsettled when she seemed to be a little TOO sound asleep, so I picked her up. I was initially relieved to see that her eyes were open, but then her mouth fell open, and her tongue hung out, and obviously I realized something was wrong.

I told my son, "Wake up Daddy and tell him that Mazie's unconscious!" I quickly realized she wasn't breathing, and started doing CPR. When my husband got there he took over. She wasn't breathing and her heart wasn't beating for I don't know how long. Seemed like forever, of course, but I'm sure it wasn't.

Finally, a twitch of an ear let us know she was "back" again, but it was like she was totally paralyzed otherwise. She was laying out stiff as a board, and we couldn't even FORCE her legs to bend. Then slowly over the next hour or so, with her heart beating very slowly, her body came back to "life". It was so sad because one whole side of her body stayed numb longer than the other, and for awhile, her head was twisted to the side, and all she could do was scramble in circles.

But the vet said that all this was standard when their blood stops moving through their veins so suddenly like that, and then starts again. He likened it to our foot "falling asleep", and then taking awhile to get all the mobility back once the blood starts circulating again.

She was a little shaky and tired easily for several days (concussion?), and I was very paranoid about her. The vet brought up an additional concern, which I wasn't even aware of: he sd. that often a blow to the head like that can dislodge a cornea (retina?) and lead to glaucoma (but luckily she checked out all right).

Honestly, after this happened, I felt so MAD. Mad that people are deliberately breeding (and looking to buy) babies this small. It is so unfair to them, and their quality of life.

I have something I want to say, and I want to try to word it as diplomatically as possible. I certainly don't judge ANYone for the size of their dog, however little or big. Mazie is what I think of as an "accidental tiny"---not deliberately bred for that size--and of course, that happens, and these special little babies deserve loving homes too.

But I have to admit, it has bothered me at times to see YTers here, as much information as we have been exposed to, say that they are PLANNING for their "next yorkie to be a tiny". Indulge me please in cautioning you to PLEASE THINK TWICE before taking this step, and definitely PLEASE do not express interest to breeders who are deliberately breeding for these smaller sizes.

A four or five pound dog is a VERY SMALL DOG. I really don't personally think that there is any justifiable reason for breeding them any smaller, when it is so detrimental to their health and safety, on so many levels.

So, this is my story, and my caution, and my plea. I hope I haven't offended anyone with it, but maybe our nightmare experience will justify me speaking out at this time.

God bless all the 'cups, 'pots, and in-betweens, and keep them safe!!!

txshopper73 08-03-2006 07:59 PM

Poor Mazie! I'm so sorry that you guys had to go through this. I understand your frustration toward unethical breeders that purposely breed for tinies. Hugs to Mazie. That was too close of a call. Your story is a hard one to post but thank you for doing it.

Tiger's Mom 08-03-2006 08:10 PM

Thank you for posting this . . I hope it will enlighten everyone on the dangers and heartbreak for those who have way too tiny furbabies.

Lola LaRue 08-03-2006 08:10 PM

I thank you for finally posting your experience. I am so glad that Mazie appears to be alright. As a owner of a tiny one, I know exactly what you mean. I want to caution others too. Lola broke her leg twice in a matter of a couple months. She did not do anything drastic the second time, we just don't think she had enough time to heal. As our orthopedic surgeon mentioned to us, "the tiny ones are more fragile." We have to be extra careful with Lola. I certainly would not go out looking for a small one again. My boyfriend and I get excited over every ounce she gains. We want her to be as healthy as possible, and sometimes that means, "the bigger the better.":)

ButterflyYorkie 08-03-2006 08:12 PM

Thank you for posting about Mazie. I don't think you've offended anyone. If you have they are no better than the people that are purposely breeding them down to these extremely tiny sizes. We all have our preferences and I am the first to admit that I think tiny yorkies are really adorable, but realistically people who breed for that need to open their eyes. I've seen a few "tiny" litters posted here and there lately. I hope that these breeders aren't doing it purposely. Of course I wish for world peace every day but don't seem to get that either. I wish you and little Mazie the best. And I commend you for being so sensitive with her in knowing it isn't her fault she is so fragile.

Zoey's Momma 08-03-2006 08:12 PM

Thank you so much for posting this. :thumbup:

lksdolls 08-03-2006 08:14 PM

As a breeder of small yorkies, like in the 4-5 pound range, I get very frustrated with all the inquires for the teeny tiny ones. Your story is a very convincing argument as to why they should not be breed to be that small. Accidentally small happens but to intentionally breed for that size is insane. My 8.5 pound Reggie, R.I.P., her little brother was 2.5 pounds full grown and had the misfortune of coming across a poisonous frog, was bitten and didn't survive but his 4.5 pound sister did. To this day the owner, and my dear friend, can't talk about Boomer without tears coming to her eyes. Your story should be plastered on every breeders website in hopes of getting those wanting the teeny-tiny's to think twice.

I'll say an extra prayer for your little one.

ButterflyYorkie 08-03-2006 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lksdolls
As a breeder of small yorkies, like in the 4-5 pound range, I get very frustrated with all the inquires for the teeny tiny ones. Your story is a very convincing argument as to why they should not be breed to be that small. Accidentally small happens but to intentionally breed for that size is insane. My 8.5 pound Reggie, R.I.P., her little brother was 2.5 pounds full grown and had the misfortune of coming across a poisonous frog, was bitten and didn't survive but his 4.5 pound sister did. To this day the owner, and my dear friend, can't talk about Boomer without tears coming to her eyes. Your story should be plastered on every breeders website in hopes of getting those wanting the teeny-tiny's to think twice.

I'll say an extra prayer for your little one.

:thumbup: I agree. You have some very beautiful babies btw.

ehunney 08-03-2006 08:18 PM

great posting! Thanks for the info, I've taken it to heart, and I hope everyone else does too!

SJK1113 08-03-2006 08:23 PM

That's a good post. I hope that Mazie will be okay.

SnowWa 08-03-2006 08:25 PM

Jiggity - Thank you so much for your story and your experiences.

My vet told me that he has almost given up trying to educate people about how many health problems and accidents these tiny little dogs experience.

He said, "I'm a vet -- I see it all........no one sees as much as I do. I see the sick ones."

Again - thank you. I can tell that you took a long time to write what you posted. It was well done - and ooooooooooooh so true!

Carol Jean

yorkieusa 08-03-2006 08:29 PM

Thank you for sharing this story. It makes me physically ill to see the requests for the itsy-bitsy, teeny-tiny yorkies. I've had little pups all of my life from the time I was little myself.;) Some were so dainty and we had to be careful when we brought them home. I remember one little tiny chi was so tiny at six weeks (this was about 30 years ago) that when she stepped off the patio onto the ground - a sum total of about two inches - that she was limping for awhile. Well, these things stick in your mind and you remember them, because you do constantly worry and it is stressful. It's bad enough when a bigger one is sickly or has a disease. Why add to it?

I'm so glad little Mazie is OK.

chattiesmom 08-03-2006 08:31 PM

Wow! What a horrible experience. Had you not been so alert, you might well have lost sweet little Mazie. I am so glad that you had a happy ending :)I do thank you for gathering up the courage to bear your soul and post your story. Sounds like you have a very special family, skin and fur alike.

I, agree with you 100%. I cannot imagine how anyone can look at a 5 or 6 pound dog and see "big". A five pound dog is TINY! A 3 pound dog is seriously tiny, and a 2.5 lb. dog lives life on the edge.

It is seriously looking like Izzabella will be very small. At 13 weeks she was slightly over 2 lbs. and now at 16 weeks she is 2.25 lbs. I am assuming that she has pretty much quit growing (she is a little playful chunk who is a complete piglett at mealtime). Doc says that she is extremely healthy and sound, she is just small. Izzabella will stay with me. I don't think I would/could ever trust her with anyone else. :) I keep hoping that she will have a growth spurt -- LOL maybe that's why I weigh her twice a day :)

MyTrixie143 08-03-2006 08:37 PM

I am glad Mazie is alright, I am sure she gave you all a scare.
To be honest, I have never wanted a "tiny" yorkie. Scampers is 5 pounds, he looks more like 3, but that is plenty small enough for me. I like yorkies in the 5to 7 pound range. Their are just too many risks owning a tiny. It upsets me that some people request tinies which encourages some breeders to breed tinies, if this keeps up, you will see yorkies the size of a guinea pig or hamster. What upsets me even more is those breeders who breed 3 pound females or 2.5 pound females. :eek: Look at how many little accidents can happen that could severly hurt them or kill them. I never would have thought that a calculater of all things could do any harm. It just goes to show how fragile they are. Thanks for posting this, everyone should be aware of the dangers and difficulties of having a tiny dog.

ginnysanchez 08-03-2006 08:53 PM

Thank you for posting this. I hope it is an eye-opener for a lot of people on just how delicate these little ones are, and how fragile their very lives are.

red98vett 08-04-2006 02:52 AM

Oh wow ! What a bad scare and I'm so glad she's ok !!

While I didn't look for a tiny yorkie ....no one can convince me that they aren't more fragile. I see people say how tough they are - but to be honest -any animal that small is bound to be more fragile than their larger counterparts. I remember when I started my search for a yorkie... I had gone to my vet first hoping he could steer me to a breeder and his only warning to me was 'be very careful of the extra small yorkies'....

JiggityJig....thanks for posting this - I agree with you that many people who want tinies don't fully comprehend the special care involved to keep them safe and healthy. I don't blame people for wanting one - but I sure do blame those so called 'breeders' intentionally breeding for tiny and charging outrageous prices. The ethical breeders out there would never put a tiny female thru a pregnancy.

alaskayorkie 08-04-2006 03:11 AM

This is a great post. Thanks!

magnolia 08-04-2006 04:40 AM

Thank you for taking the time to share your story with us. I wish more people who come to this site for education and research would take the time to do a search on tinies - they'd find so much about the dangers of owning one and the major responsibility of raising one. Hat's off to you for providing Mazzie with a loving home - accidents happen, I'm glad this one had a happy ending for you. If your story reaches just one person looking for a tiny, then it was so worth posting. :hug: to you and Mazzie!

BamaFan121s 08-04-2006 05:40 AM

Oh I know that must have been so scary for both you and Maize! Thank you for sharing your story with us. It is a great example of how fragile these little ones are.
I understand exactly where you are coming from regarding taking extra precaution with a tiny one--SOO different from one, say over 5 lbs or so. It is like walking on eggshells. I know that sometimes at the end of the day you feel just exhausted!:snore:
To look at a little one, it blows my mind that the thought of breeding a female could even cross someone's mind. :( Seems like to ANYONE it should be painfully obvious just by looking that is is NOT a good idea to chance it!:thumbdown

Hugs to you both!

LuvMySissy 08-04-2006 06:29 AM

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I'm glad that Mazie is okay. What a scare you must have had.

I was very uneducated when I was original looking for a baby and wanted a small one. Sissy has reached the 4 lb mark, and although she is sturdy, she is very tiny - she still scares me especailly when she jumps off furniture. I eventually would like to get another pup and am worried that one too big will hurt Sissy, but I definitely don't want one under 4 lbs.

julieg 08-04-2006 07:22 AM

BRAVO to you for having the courage to share your story. Thanks and I hope it helps those who haven't yet purchased their babies to think twice about how "cute" the tiny babies are.

yorkieusa 08-04-2006 07:28 AM

This is from the YTCA website:

An Important Message About “Teacup” Yorkies
If you are interested in purchasing a tiny Yorkie, sometimes called a Teacup,
Micro Mini, Teenie, or any other name that means “extra small”, there are
several things you should consider. The YTCA’s Code of Ethics precludes the
use of the words “teacup”, “tiny specialists”, doll faced, or similar terminology
by its members, and for good reason.
.
All breeders may occasionally have an unusually small Yorkie (hopefully healthy),
though no responsible breeder breeds for this trait. Many breeders prefer a
general weight range of 4-7 four pounds believing that size retains desired Toy
qualities while maintaining optimum health. The Yorkie Standard states weight
"must not exceed seven pounds" and as a prospective pet owner you should
realize that even at 7 pounds, the Yorkie is still a small dog. (Females weighing
less than 5 pounds are considered by most breeders to be unsuitable for breeding.)
.
Special circumstances often come with extra tiny dogs. They are extremely
susceptible to both hereditary and non-hereditary health problems, including
birth defects that may go undetected for a long time. Other common
problems may include, but are not limited to, diarrhea, vomiting, along with
extra and expensive tests prior to routine teeth cleanings and surgeries.
Small ones are more likely to have poor reactions to anesthesia and die from
it. Tiny dogs are more easily injured by falls, being stepped on and being
attacked by other dogs. These health problems nearly always result in
large veterinary bills.
.
Please take this into consideration and make purchasing a healthy pet your top
priority, not size. The “novelty” is certainly not worth the pain, heartbreak, or
extra expense. Remember, all Yorkies are comparatively small. The most
important thing is finding a healthy puppy that will grow into a healthy adult,
especially since you looking at an 11 to 15 year commitment with your Yorkie.

http://www.ytca.org/faq.html

Susanbee51 08-04-2006 07:37 AM

I am glad that your little Mazie is doing fine. What a scare. Give me a healthy 5-7 lb yorkie anytime. I would even go up in the weight, definately not lower. I worry enough with my little girl that weighs 6 lbs. I cannot imagine one smaller nor would I want that constant worry.

JiggityJig 08-04-2006 02:49 PM

Thanks for the supportive comments!

I especially appreciate those of you who HAVE tinies chiming in with your perspective. Yes, they are adorable babies, but it seems like so many of the scary and bizarre accidents/illnesses/deaths we hear about involve these littlest ones.

And actually, I'M grateful to all those before who have shared their stories, because if they hadn't, I might not have been as alert and sensitive to the dangerous possibilities at that moment...and I might not have noticed anything was really wrong, until it was too late!!!

Jaspermom 08-04-2006 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiggityJig
But I have to admit, it has bothered me at times to see YTers here, as much information as we have been exposed to, say that they are PLANNING for their "next yorkie to be a tiny". Indulge me please in cautioning you to PLEASE THINK TWICE before taking this step, and definitely PLEASE do not express interest to breeders who are deliberately breeding for these smaller sizes.

A four or five pound dog is a VERY SMALL DOG. I really don't personally think that there is any justifiable reason for breeding them any smaller, when it is so detrimental to their health and safety, on so many levels.

So, this is my story, and my caution, and my plea. I hope I haven't offended anyone with it, but maybe our nightmare experience will justify me speaking out at this time.

God bless all the 'cups, 'pots, and in-betweens, and keep them safe!!!

Wonderful post, intelligently written, and this caution should most definitly be heeded. Thank you for sharing. AND thank goodness your pup is OK.

yougetthesmiles 08-04-2006 03:05 PM

I think that was a much needed post! I'm just glad Mazie is ok, I sure hope all is well for her! Bless her little heart! I know what you mean, we are always having to look out for Lillie, when someone gets up, we say "where Lillie?" or "Lillie is right by you" it makes me so nervous, I'm so scared that something could happen to her, she is almost 5 months and only weighs 1lb 13 oz, my vet says she doubts she will even reach 3 lbs.
I hope others read your story and realizes that a tiny is not always the best!

YorkieGuru 08-04-2006 03:09 PM

I have to agree... maybe people will wake up and see that having a small one isnt worth all the headache of worrying about them all the time.

LuvMySissy 08-04-2006 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yougetthesmiles
I think that was a much needed post! I'm just glad Mazie is ok, I sure hope all is well for her! Bless her little heart! I know what you mean, we are always having to look out for Lillie, when someone gets up, we say "where Lillie?" or "Lillie is right by you" it makes me so nervous, I'm so scared that something could happen to her, she is almost 5 months and only weighs 1lb 13 oz, my vet says she doubts she will even reach 3 lbs.
I hope others read your story and realizes that a tiny is not always the best!

YIKES - she is sooooo tiny!! I know you are a great mom, but please take extra special care of her!!!!!

Lola Calhoun 08-04-2006 03:12 PM

great post!! Thank you so much for sharing your story

JRosal 08-04-2006 03:16 PM

well put and thanks for sharing. Luckily Mazie is ok. We have a 4.5 lb girl and my friend wants an even smaller one which I think is rediclous. I keep sending her articles like these...they're cute and small but they're way too fragile. my 4.5 lb is small and worries me enough with her fragailty.

Jennie


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