Absolute Yorkies

I love my Mrs. Claus outfit mommy!

TODAY’S TIDBIT:  Christmas is just around the corner!  I can’t believe it’s Christmas Eve tomorrow night.  Our Yorkies’ little stockings are already hung by the fireplace waiting for Santa to arrive.  We’d like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and thank you for joining us at AbsoluteYorkies. 

We hope you enjoy our little Yorkie Christmas fashion show.  Hope bought her pretty Mrs. Claus outfit from Cheryl Keninger of Down Under Dog Designs.  Come back on Monday, January 4 for the first TODAY’S TIDBIT of 2010! 

My stocking is bigger than me!

When is Santa coming mommy?

I've been a good little Yorkie!

I love my sweater Sweetie Pie...do you love yours too?

I'm ready to help pull Santa's sleigh mommy!

Where's Santa mommy?

Has Santa come already mommy?

Santa forgot his hat mommy!

“God bless us everyone!” – Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

[Read more →]

Where's Santa?

TODAY’S TIDBIT: It’s the countdown to Christmas everyone! Fill your kitchen with the aroma of fresh baked Yorkie cookies. We’ve talked a lot about what not to feed your Yorkie this holiday season so we thought we’d share a tasty treat recipe from Adanta Yorkshire Terriers to satisfy your little Yorkie’s sweet tooth. Bon Appetite!

***DO NOT FEED WHOLE COOKIES OR LARGE CHUNKS TO YOUR YORKIE!***

Yorkies tend to swallow food whole and get pieces lodged in their throats so be sure to crumble the cookies before feeding them to your Yorkie.

Yummy Yorkie Peanut Butter Treats
1½ cups of flour
¼ cup of wheat germ
¾ cup oatmeal
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ cup of honey
½ cup of peanut butter
¼ cup canola oil
½ cup of water

Combine all ingredients until mixed. Scoop out dough with a tablespoon and roll into balls. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Using a fork, flatten balls to ¼ thick. Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Makes approximately 20 cookies. These cookies freeze well.

Four more sleeps till Christmas!  See you on Wednesday for TODAY’S TIDBIT.

[Read more →]

I'm ready to play mommy!

Being Yorkie lovers, we were interested in the Pet product test results. HealthyStuff.org, “tested over 400 pet products, including beds, chew toys, stuffed toys, collars, leashes, and tennis balls…there were alarming levels of toxic chemicals found.” Staggering! You can search your Yorkie’s toys by brand name or product type and you may be surprised by the results.

So be sure to check out this site before Santa comes to your house! Thanks Marsha for sharing. Enjoy your weekend and come back on Monday for TODAY’S TIDBIT.

[Read more →]

Look mommy. I fit in Santa's hat!

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, a gland near the stomach and small intestines. Dr. Bernhard Pukay, an Ottawa vet, says in his article, Keep fats to a minimum to head off pancreatitis, “it is seen most often in middle-aged to older female dogs, and more often in miniature poodles and schnauzers, Yorkshire Terriers and cocker spaniels.” He further adds, “Most importantly, avoid fats of any kind. You should avoid feeding table scraps, cheeses, fatty meat trimmings and even fat supplements (e.g. only use omega fatty acids on the advice of your veterinarian).”

So NO turkey or trimmings for your little Yorkie! And remember your doggie isn’t fussy about where she finds your table scraps. Dispose of your garbage in a container that can’t be knocked over or better still, take the food scraps to your outside receptacle. Join us on Friday for TODAY’S TIDBIT.

[Read more →]

Coco loves Santa!

TODAY’S TIDBIT:  Lots of folks will be “drivin’ home for Christmas” this holiday season and bringing their little Yorkies with them.  Our Yorkies go crazy when I mention the word “car.”  But car travel with your Yorkie requires some advanced preparation so everyone enjoys the ride.

The SAFEST place for your Yorkie is in a carrier.  I shudder when I think of the times I’ve seen a Yorkie teetering on someone’s steering wheel or sitting on the driver’s lap.  PetAutoSafety.com has some excellent articles to help you understand the critical importance of safely restraining your dog in the car.  Secure the carrier in the back seat so that it’s away from the front seat airbags.

NEVER leave your dog unattended in the car.  The temperature in the vehicle could get extremely hot or cold rapidly (depending on the climate).

We put a favourite Yorkie blanket in the carrier and bring bottled water so we’re not giving the Yorkies water that they’re not used to.  Sometimes unfamiliar water can cause your Yorkie’s little tummy to become upset.  Bring some doggie food with you in case you’re held up in traffic.  Roads are often closed here in Ontario in the bad weather and traffic is re-routed adding hours to your trip.

So start packing for your Yorkie!  Check us out on Wednesday for TODAY’S TIDBIT.

[Read more →]

Santa's little Yorkie reindeer!

TODAY’S TIDBIT:  The weather outside is frightful and the sidewalks are not delightful!    They’re so slippery.  My neighbours are out sanding and salting in front of their houses.  But how does all this salt and grit affect your Yorkie’s tender little paws?

Not everyone uses pet friendly products to melt the ice on their sidewalks.  Wash your Yorkie’s paws in warm water when you return from your walk because dogs will lick their paws and ingest some of these unsafe products. 

Keep the hair on her paws well trimmed to help prevent clumps of ice or snow from getting lodged between the pads.  Some Yorkie owners put dog booties on their Yorkies.  We found that they kept slipping off but if they work for you and your Yorkie that’s great! 

Wet snow and Yorkies just don’t mix.  Long-haired toy breeds are more susceptible to catching a “chill” so dry your Yorkie thoroughly and keep her warm to help prevent her from getting sick.  We cuddle our Yorkies in a big towel and carefully warm them with a blow dryer. 

I came across an interesting article, Cold Weather Checklist. You are prepared for winter…is your pet? written by Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM.  Certainly worth checking out!

Have a wonderful weekend and stay warm!  Come back on Monday for TODAY’S TIDBIT.

[Read more →]

TODAY’S TIDBIT: Santa Claus is comin’ to town and he’s bringing lots of toys for your Yorkie. No toy is 100% safe for any dog. But what doggie toys offer the lowest risk to your little Yorkie? The toys you select should be designed for small dogs. Can you imagine your Yorkie dragging around a toy larger than himself? Not a good idea. Many pet stores carry size appropriate toys.

We aren’t sponsors or endorsers of the products that we do give our Yorkies.  We just like them because there are no obvious removable parts or pieces that could splinter or break off and injure our dogs. 

Play safe!  We DO GIVE our Yorkies:

• Kong Wubba (Gideon’s favourite toy)!
• Classic Kong (without inserting biscuits inside)
• Non-Edible Nylon bones (Tiny Tinkerbell likes these best)!
• Knotted rope toys

We AVOID toys like the following because fluff, fuzz, small parts, bits, pieces, squeakers can ALL get lodged in their little throats and intestines causing them serious damage.

We DO NOT give our Yorkies:

• Stuffed animals
• Plush toys stuffed with beans
• Raw Hide
• Toys with small parts
• Tennis balls
• Toys with a bell or squeaker inside
• Toys designed for humans

Remember to inspect your Yorkie’s toys daily. If it’s worn out, throw it out. We’re so glad that your Yorkie’s on Santa’s “nice” list and will enjoy a well-deserved reward on Christmas morning! Come back and see us on Friday for TODAY’S TIDBIT.

[Read more →]

TODAY’S TIDBIT:  You wouldn’t let just anyone do your hair would you? So what about your Yorkie’s hair? Choosing the right groomer is just as important as choosing the right vet!  Here in Canada, many groomers have taken specific courses to become certified by the Groomers Institute of Canada. Take some time to do a little research before you choose a groomer for your little Yorkie. Believe me, it’s worth the extra effort!

1. Ask your vet or breeder for a referral to a groomer that they know and respect. Our vet has business cards at the reception desk and on the bulletin board with the names of several groomers in our area.
2. Do they have experience grooming Yorkies? Grooming a toy breed is a lot different than grooming a larger sized breed.
3. How do they support your Yorkie’s neck during the grooming process? Very important question here! Yorkies have extremely delicate windpipes. Some groomers use a loop to hold the dog’s head in place while they’re being groomed. Be sure to ask the groomer if she’s careful not to put unnecessary tension on the loop around your Yorkie’s little neck.
4. Is the facility clean or is there dog hair all over the floor? Is it warm enough? A cold draftee room is the last place you want a wet little Yorkie.
5. Would you feel comfortable leaving your little Yorkie with this person for several hours? IF IN DOUBT, DON’T!!!

Groomers play a huge part in the overall well being of your dog.  Take your time, and choose wisely!  Come back on Wednesday for TODAY’S TIDBIT.

[Read more →]

I need a hug mommy!

TODAY’S TIDBIT: The American Animal Hospital Association surveyed 1,238 pet owners in Canada and the United States and discovered that, “If they were deserted on an island and could choose only one companion, 50 percent would pick a dog or cat rather than a human.” That’s half the people surveyed! I guess Andy Rooney had it right when he said, “The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.”

When I’m stressed, I cuddle my Yorkies and I feel a whole lot better. Dr. Alan Entin, a psychologist in Richmond, Va. believes that, “When you are feeling down and out, the puppy just starts licking you, being with you, saying with his eyes, ‘You are the greatest.’ When an animal is giving you that kind of attention, you can’t help but respond by improving your mood and playing with it.”

Most people associate the struggle of loneliness with seniors but a study of 350 students at a Midwestern college and neighbouring members of the community provided some interesting results. Sara Staats, professor emeritus of psychology at Ohio State’s Newark Campus who conducted the study says, “We found that a lot of young adults are choosing to have an animal companion for important reasons. Many feel their pets will help get them through these difficult and stressful situations, and many more say that without their pet, they would feel lonely.”

Older, younger or in between, we all love our Yorkies! See you on Monday for TODAY’S TIDBIT. Enjoy your weekend!

[Read more →]

Bon Voyage!

TODAY’S TIDBIT:  Don’t assume you can bring your Yorkie on the plane with you like a piece of carry on luggage!  Now is the time to make arrangements with your airline for your Yorkie’s place on the plane. Only a limited number of dogs are allowed in the passenger area of the plane on any given flight. 

Follow these suggestions to avoid any unwanted surprises at the airport:

1. Call your airline’s reservation line and tell them that you’d like to bring a Yorkshire Terrier dog on the plane with you.  Find out what vaccinations the dog requires.  Some airlines don’t allow dogs in the cabin area.
2. Get a health certificate from your vet and bring it with you along with any vaccination certificates.  Most airlines require the health certificate to be issued within 10 days of the scheduled departure date but check with your airline.
3. Purchase a soft-sided carrier from your pet store with an “approved for airline travel” sticker on it.  Label the carrier with your name, address and phone number.
4. Your Yorkie stays in his carrier under your seat for the entire flight.  He can have a blanket and a toy but not any food in his carrier.  We bring a nutritional supplement like Nutrical in our carry on luggage.  Check with your vet.
5. We don’t sedate our dogs when flying.  Check with your vet if you have any concerns.
6. You’ll pay for your Yorkie’s transport before departure at your airline’s check-in counter.   

We’ve outlined travelling with your Yorkie in the cabin with you but transporting your dog in cargo is a different story. The Air Transport Association has an excellent segment on their website called, Air Travel For Your Pet. A must read before you fly with your Yorkie!  Enjoy your flight but join us on Friday  for TODAY’S TIDBIT.

[Read more →]