Absolute Yorkies

Do I do that reverse sneeze thing mommy?

TODAY’S TIDBIT:  Our little Gideon drinks more water than any dog I’ve ever seen!  After he drinks, he makes this unsettling honking-snorting sound.  He sounds awful but he’s really ok.  Gideon is doing what vets call, “reverse sneezing” or “pharyngeal gag reflex.”  Hope reverse sneezes sometimes after she’s played with her fellow Yorkies.

Vet Becky Lundgren of Springfield, Missouri in her Spring 2009 newsletter, Creature Feature says, “The most common cause of reverse sneezing is an irritation of the soft palate and throat that results in a spasm.”  Because of the spasm, the throat narrows a little bit and it’s hard for the dog to get the normal amount of air into her lungs.  The sound can be disconcerting at best.  For further reading, I recommend Dr. Lundgren’s article.

Reverse sneezing doesn’t usually require any treatment.  We gently stroke Gideon to calm him down and normally that does the trick.  If the reverse sneezing is not just a rare occurrence and you’re concerned, speak to your vet.  Have a great weekend everybody and we’ll see you on Monday for TODAY’S TIDBIT.

[Read more →]

I love my purple bow mommy!

To tie a Yorkie Top Knot:

• Make sure the hair on her head is clean.
• Gently gather the hair from her forehead and around her eyes.
• Comb it up onto the top of her head into a ponytail. 
• Secure the hair with a tiny rubber band designed for dogs that you can buy online or at the pet store.
• Don’t pull the ponytail too tightly.
• Finish with a cute little bow.

When you remove the elastic band, carefully cut it with scissors.  Don’t pull it out as the tugging could hurt your Yorkie and break the hair.  Have fun shopping for little bows!  See you on Friday for TODAY’S TIDBIT.

[Read more →]

I love cuddling in my blanket mommy!

TODAY’S TIDBIT: I was just at the vet on Saturday for Tinkerbell and I thought to myself how glad I am to have such a great relationship with my vet. Choosing a veterinarian you feel comfortable with is critical to your Yorkie’s wellbeing. And your peace of mind!

Ask your breeder for a referral to a vet in your area. Here are a few questions to keep in mind when you’re choosing a veterinarian:

• Do they have many ‘Yorkie patients’ in their practice?
• Do they take the time to answer your questions?
• Is the staff friendly?
• Will they take you on a tour of the clinic?
• Is the clinic clean?
• Do they have enough staff for the size of the clinic?
• Are they available after hours or are you referred to an emergency animal hospital?
• Will they work as a team with you and your breeder?
• What’s your gut feeling? Can you see yourself working with this vet to optimize your Yorkie’s health?

The key word here is working “with” your vet. Veterinarians have attended school for a very long time and have experience working with all kinds of animals. If you have questions about your Yorkie’s care, talk to your vet. Mutual respect goes a long way and can only benefit your little Yorkie!  See you on Wednesday for TODAY’S TIDBIT.

[Read more →]

Any treats for us mommy?

If your Yorkie’s blood sugar becomes too low, she’ll be:

• drowsy
• listless
• disoriented
• have a wobbly gait 
• pale greyish-white gums instead of a healthy pink colour

An immediate fix for the problem is to put a little corn syrup or honey on your fingers and rub it on her gums.  This gets the sugar into her bloodstream.  Keep her warm with a blanket or heating pad.  IF YOUR YORKIE DOESN’T RESPOND, SEEK IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT FROM YOUR VET!

Feed your Yorkie regular meals and keep a bowl of dry kibble out all day.  Watch your Yorkie closely if he’s sick or stressed for any reason.  A little preventative medicine could save your Yorkie’s life.  Have a great weekend everybody and see you on Monday for TODAY’S TIDBIT.

[Read more →]

We've worked hard today mommy!

TODAY’S TIDBIT: My Yorkies snuggle, kiss and love bite each other’s faces and ears but I have yet to see them bite or lick each other’s paws. In fact, my Yorkies practically cringe when I try to touch the bottom of their feet. Why do they quickly snatch their paws away?

Well known author and expert dog obedience trainer, Stanley Coren, Professor of Psychology at the University of British Columbia explains, “They [dogs] are what we call a cursorial species, which simply means a swift moving species and their feet are very, very sensitive.” Sensors deep in the pads of their feet help them sense the stability of the ground they’re walking on.

I don’t think my Yorkies will be going for a foot massage anytime soon! Join us on Friday for TODAY’S TIDBIT.

[Read more →]

I love you mommy!

Before Tinkerbell came to live with us in January 2008, she’d suffered a serious neck injury and our Vet said she’d never walk again.  My heart was breaking for her!  Everyday for months, I’d massage her frail little legs and hug her tiny body close to mine. 

One snowy winter morning, I can remember walking into her room and changing her little bed.  Turning to leave, I heard an unfamiliar rustling sound in her cage that perked my attention.  Tinkerbell was slowly moving down one side of her crate.  She could walk! 

Miracles do happen my friends. I thank God everyday for Tinkerbell. Two years later, I look into her little face and see how far we’ve come together.  I watch her happily prance and play with her Yorkie friends, Gideon and Hope.  We love our little miracle!

Enjoy your holiday!  See you on Wednesday for TODAY’S TIDBIT.

[Read more →]

We feel safe snuggled in your arms mommy!

TODAY’S TIDBIT:  Click here for Part 1 and Part 2 of our “Bringing Home Puppy Checklist” Series.  Buying all the items you’ll need for your Yorkie puppy’s arrival is fun, but now comes the real work!  How do you protect your puppy in her new surroundings?

Part 3: How To Safety Proof Your Home for Puppy

1. Create a “safe area.”  Letting puppy have full run of the house will overwhelm her.  We put up baby gates on both entrances to our kitchen.  Your Yorkie puppy may be quite tiny so make sure he can’t squeeze through the bars.  Portable doggie pens are a great alternative. 
2. Establish a designated “bathroom area” for puppy.
3. Move household cleaners and plants to “higher ground” where puppy can’t reach them.
4. Be aware of hazards like stairs and appliance cords.  They can be extremely dangerous to your little puppy.
5. Keep the garbage can “out of reach.”  Puppies are ingenious when it comes to thinking up ways to check out all those “awesome” odours from the garbage.

Enjoy your new little Yorkie puppy!  Do you have a “coming home with puppy” story to share?  Leave us your comments.  Have a great weekend and see you on Monday for TODAY’S TIDBIT.

[Read more →]

We can't wait to come home with our new mommy and daddy!

TODAY’S TIDBIT:  Picking up your Yorkie puppy is the “big event” but like any special occasion in life, a lot of preparation goes on “behind the scenes” before the awaited day arrives!  In Part 1 of our “Bringing Home Puppy” Checklist, we prepared for the car ride but your home is where you’ll need to focus most of your energy.

Part 2 – Preparing Your Home for Puppy’s Arrival

Items you’ll need to make “puppy feel at home”:

• Baby gates
• Exercise pen
• Food
• Water and food bowls
• Chew toy
• Crate or Doggie Playpen as a bed (you may want to use the crate that you brought puppy home in)

Bringing home your Yorkie puppy can be a bit expensive so start shopping or borrowing items well in advance.  Come back on Friday for TODAY’S TIDBIT for Part 3:  how to “safety proof” your home for puppy’s arrival.

[Read more →]

I love my new home mommy!

TODAY’S TIDBIT:  I could hardly wait for the day to finally arrive for us to pick up our Yorkie puppy Gideon.  He was so tiny and we were so excited that we almost forgot to ask Marilyn (our resident breeder) what to bring with us before we left the house! 

To help make your little Yorkie puppy’s transition to her new home as comfortable as possible, we’ve put together a three-part series, “Bringing Home Puppy” Checklist:  Part 1 –  What to Bring When You Pick Up Puppy and Part 2 — Preparing Your Home for Puppy’s Arrival and Part 3 — How To Safety Proof Your Home for Puppy.

Part 1 — What to Bring When You Pick up Puppy

• Pet Carrier
• Blanket
• Paper Towels
• Wet Wipes (some puppies get car sick or have a little toileting accident)

Marilyn sends the puppies home with some kibble, a toy and a blanket.  The blanket has the scent of your little Yorkie’s mother and siblings.  Your puppy will find this blanket comforting the first night at his new home.  You still need to bring your own blanket with you because you want to keep the doggie “scented” blanket clean until you get home.

Thanks everyone for your patience last week while we were “under construction.”  Be sure to come back on Wednesday for Part 2 of our “Bringing Home Puppy” Checklist on TODAY’S TIDBIT.

[Read more →]

Psst...don't forget to come back on Monday!

TODAY’S TIDBIT: We’ll be undergoing a few “behind the scenes” technical changes this week but we’ll be back Monday, February 8 with TODAY’S TIDBIT and another very cute Yorkie pic!

We’re sorry for the interruption. In the meantime, check out a few of our favourite links that we’ve included in previous posts of some great articles that are certainly worth reading. Have a great week everyone and join us next MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8 for TODAY’S TIDBIT.

The Canadian Kennel Club Answers Questions about Microchips for Your Dog

www.healthystuff.org Consumer Action Guide To Toxic Chemicals in Pet Products

ScienceDaily.com article, Dog Tired? It Could Be Your Pooch

[Read more →]