My baby, Nala
 

[CAUTION: Very lengthy!!!]

Hi everyone. I am new to this forum. My name is Gin and I live in Fairfax, VA.

I've always wanted a pet since I was really young but my dad (coming from a third world country) was totally against it because he just wanted to provide for the family and didn't want "another mouth to feed".

I moved out and rent a house with some friends and this is the first time I've ever lived with dogs. I live with four roommates and three of which have dogs. A Maltese/Yorkie named Lola who sometimes confuses me as her owner, a Jack Russell Terrier named Kali who only really gets along with Lola, and Precious Moments III a retired English Bulldog that stays in the basement with her owner because she's a little overweight and does not get along with Kali but rather torments her. They're all female, over a year, and spayed. They're all great but that just made me want a pet of my own that much more.

I was looking to adopt a German Shepherd mix from a shelter but found out he was adopted later and was a little crushed. My boyfriend came back from a business trip from Japan and took me to a pet store where he said his friend found a cute puppy that he wanted to show me. I played with this tiny Yorkie for over an hour and fell in love with her. My boyfriend made arrangements and she came home with us.

She was 11 weeks old but very quiet. She didn't jump around like most other puppies but I thought it was because she was a calm puppy. She loved giving me kisses and would just crawl into my lap and lay down. She ignored her toys and would follow me around. She hadn't really been eating but I figured it was because she was stressed. She was with her brother throughout most of her life from Missouri, then two days at the pet store, then home with me. She pooped her first day but then only diarrhea next and she started vomiting a lot. I took her to the vet for her check up and at first he thought it was Parvo but later ruled that out with a negative test. We found out she was hypoglycemic and he brought her home with him to keep an eye on her but the next day she wasn't any better. She became very lethargic and wouldn't move. She started to show signs of Distemper and the vet was trying to be optimistic for Nala and my sake, but he made sure not to get my hopes up. She had been staying with the vet for seven days (only 2 days at my home). I visited her every single day after work until the vet closed. One day she was eating on her own (they've had to force feed her) and she was running around and giving kisses, I thought she was getting better. I was so happy. The next day, she went back to being lethargic. I still had a contract with the pet store and I didn't know what to do. Later the pet store and vet encouraged me to put her down because she was not able to do anything on her own and she was suffering. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do and I never truly found out whether it was Distemper or not.

This was my first puppy and my first Yorkie. It was not the best experience but she did teach me a lot. When I wasn't with her I was at home researching. I learned more about pet stores and puppy mills that I never knew before having her. I looked up her breeder, Jane Hawk, and only found an article.

I've spoken to a few people and my vet and thoroughly cleaned my room (that's the only place she's been).

So that is my story on how I became a Yorkie lover.


Attached Photos:
1. Nala's first night with me, you can see my BF eating pizza in the background hehe.
2. Taking a nap before her vet appointment.
3. On the day she was up and running around giving kisses at the vet.
4. Sleeping at the vet.

OMG! That is soooooooo sad!! I can't believe a vet recommended to put her down over hypoglycemia. Am i missing something???
What a little doll. I am glad you found out about puppy mills and pet stores. Buy from a reputable breeder with a health guarantee.
I hope you will get another baby and not give up.
RIP little Nala!! What a shame you had such a short sad life! :cry:

Oh no, it wasn't hypoglycemia--it was Distemper. :( He said it would be an up and down battle and since she was so tiny she would only last a month. She was hypoglycemic because she was so sick and couldn't eat..but thank you so much for your kind words.

I am so sorry for your loss. Yes these little Yorkies still our hearts.

I am so sorry for your loss. Even though you had her for such a short time I know your heart is hurting. I hope, in time you will get another, healthy yorkie. You won't be sorry, they are the best. RIP Nala.

I'm so sorry you lost your beautiful little Nala. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Sleep peacefully, Baby Girl.

I'm so sorry you had to lose her after falling so in love with her. I hope you got a complete refund and can get another Yorkie from a good breeder.

I am so sorry for your loss

This is a very sad and heart breaking story. Poor baby.

I'm so very sorry for the loss of your little one:cry: There should be a health guarantee on your pup and the store should refund you or give you a new pup when you're ready. I know you don't want to think about that right now, but you only have a limited amount of time to approach the store about this, so maybe your boyfriend can deal with the details for you.

I'm so heartbroken for you, and what a lovely girl she was too:unlove:

Nala passed away 4/23/08, it's been a little over a month. Before I used to just cry. I know it's silly, I've only had her for less than two weeks..but I was so happy to have her in my life. I'm alright now, but I'll never forget her. She'll always be my first puppy. I've been talking to breeders and searching for the right puppy.

I feel as though I have been this whole experience has handicapped me in choosing a good breeder. I always seem to have my doubts even when the person is nice as can be and can offer such great advice. I feel bad.

The pet store did refund my boyfriend the total cost of Nala as well as pay for the vet bills which amounted to roughly $600.

Thank you everyone for your kind words, I really appreciate it.

Oh, Hun- your story just brough tears to my eyes- I am so sorry you lost your sweet baby girl!
you were a wonderful Mommy to her- getting her care- and going to see her!!
hugs to you!! RIP, Baby Nala.

:(:(:(:( I'm so so sorry about your loss of Nala - she was just adorable.....and good for you researching and learning - you had to learn the hard way about pet stores and puppy mills :( but you DID learn and that's a big thing...

She really looks like a sweetheart - I'm so sorry for you. There will be a little yorkie out there just waiting for a mom like you one day....he/she will never replace your baby but it will help heal the hole in your heart.

:(:(:(

Oh, I'm sooo sorry... how awful. It doesn't matter how long she was with you, we all know it takes just a minute to fall in love with a dog. Kudos to you for taking the time to do the research now so that you can find a reputable breeder.

I wish you luck in your search for the right puppy — there's a ton of information on this site on what to look for in a breeder, red flags, etc.

I am so very sorry for your loss. RIP baby Nala.