Welcome to Illinois.....

When My Aunt passed away on 4-7-11....the main topic was NOT her service arrangements BUT what would happen to Dudley - a 13 y/o Yorkie & Gracie - a 7y/o female short hair?

Now, let me share some history with you .....she purchased Dudley in the summer of 1998.  She & my other Aunt thought they could handle another Yorkie with no problem (they had previously owned 2 tipping the scales  @ 5 & 8 lbs @ adulthood).  What they didn't know was - Dud - was anything but a typical Yorkie- he was 10 lbs. by the time he was 7 mos. old.  He raved havoc from the moment he stepped inside his new abode.  Pud & Nanc had zero control & actually sent him away to a " a dogie boot camp " when he was under a year old.  This did more harm than good in the end & they were left with a very nervous & anxious canine.

I want to set the record straight @ one thing & that is THEY ADORED THIS DOG....they just weren't very good @ discipline...their hearts were too big. 

Soon to follow... my Aunt retired to take care of my Grandmother, who was no longer able to care for herself & life fell into a quiet altho very  nervous household.  Nancy continued to work and always came home for lunch - very exciting for Dudley - except when she would head towards the door to return to work ....Dud would pitch a fit & bark his fool head off.  THAT became one of his biggest issues - separation anxiety.  It was SO excessive that when one of my Aunts would go into the attached garage to take the garbage out -  his barking would become deafening to all who remained inside. Then they would try & calm him down with affection........


Last Friday ( 4-15-11) - my cousin & his wife drove to Illinois to firstly attend their son's baseball game in Chicago & secondly to bring Dudley & Gracie to their new home. My sister, brother-in-law & I flew to Ohio for her services & discovered MANY obstacles in attempts to fly them back with us.


I am an avid watcher of the Dog Whisperer & remembered a segment on taking the newest member for a walk first before entering your home.  So Dud & I proceeded down the block & around the corner where he happily moved forward.  When we returned to my yard....my Mastiff & Pug were waiting for their cousin by the door.  I backed them up - walked Dudley in & my Mastiff was immediately in his face - before I could correct her....Dud warned her w/ a snarl & she turned around & left!!! He set the tone & proceeded to trot into the back yard sans leash.  Happily, the first encounter was better than I anticipated.