Lucy's Today Show Video!

Lucy is entered in the "Today Show Top Dog Contest"! See Lucy roll through the Town Park and all over downtown Berkeley Springs in her video contest entry!

Lucy and Tina attend the "Bark for Life"

This morning Lucy and I attended the American Cancer Society "Bark for Life" - a benefit for cancer research. Rain held off until the very end of the event, so a good time was had by all. Lucy walked (rolled!) a total of 1/4 of the loop course all by herself!

Sleepy Phoebe!

I couldn't resist this tiny photo from my Blackberry! On my lap is a very Sleeeeeeepy Phoebe!

Lucy & Tina at the Chantilly Super Pet Expo!

Today Lucy and I attended the Super Pet Expo at Chantilly, Virginia! Lucy was very busy spreading the Good News of Rescue!

Lucy Welcomes Spring at Highspire!

Little Lucy checks out the first Spring Crocus at Highspire!

Animal Transport - Huntington WV to Hagerstown MD

What more appropriate way to celebrate West Virginia's Birthday than by driving the whole way across West Virginia and back in one day!

Today I left Berkeley Springs (in the Eastern Panhandle) in the early morning to drive a Special Medical Transport from Huntington, West Virginia (on the western side of WV at the Kentucky & Ohio border) back east to Hagerstown, Maryland.

My passenger is a quadriplegic Yorkie puppy named "Gizzmoe". He is 7 months old and was paralyzed by spinal injury suffered after jumping off a bed. Gizzmoe weighs less than 4 pounds and is a very sick fellow; however, despite his serious condition, Gizzmoe gave me some kisses!! Gizzmoe will be hospitalized in Pennsylvania to see if the doctors can help him. If Gizzmoe's condition can be stablized and he can have a good quality of life, I will adopt Gizzmoe and he will join the Yorkies of Highspire!

After I transferred Gizzmoe to his hospital driver and I was preparing to leave, another northbound dog transport pulled into the parking lot. That driver recognized me from other transports and we ended up walking her dogs together before they continued northward to their overnight. This coonhound puppy is headed to Rescue in New England!

Muffin -- Mommie's Little (Office) Helper!

Little Muffin is feeling good and came to the office to "help" me again today! He is holding down C.C.'s pillow very, very well!

At the end of his exhausting day, Muffin was ready to go home! Can you see him?? Look re-e-eally closely at the bottom of the doorway! :) Note: In most browsers, if you "left click" on the photo for a closeup, you can see Muffin's totally impatient "hurry up already!" grumpy face -- it's adorable!

A "PupLuck Picnic"!

Today Gabby, Liah, Muffin (at left) and I drove to New Jersey to attend a "PupLuck Picnic" for Rescue Me! Yorkie Rescue! The invitees included folks who have adopted Yorkies from Rescue Me! and their Yorkies (of course!) Approximately 70 people and 90 Yorkies were in attendance! The furkids were exhausted from all the excitement of the day and slept the entire ride home.

Happy Birthday... (Now Go Away, Mom!)

Junior has no interest in my 46th Birthday! After returning home late from taking a Rescue Yorkie for much-needed surgery, Junior sought refuge anywhere he could from my after-hours effort at a party!

A Stuffing Party!

Today Miss Paras (age 19 1/2 - on left), Muffin (age 18 - on right) and I (almost 46) traveled to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania for a "Stuffing Party" to benefit Rescue Me! Yorkie Rescue. Lots of rescue volunteers come to these events several times a year to stuff empty dog beds with fiberfill so the finished beds can be sold at dog shows for fundraising. The Rescue spends the money raised for medical care for the pups prior to their adoption. Muffin and Miss Paras were Sweet and Gorgeous and quite adored by one and all! Its neat to think that together Miss Paras and Muffin totaled only 4.9 pounds, but comprised 37 1/2 years of Yorkie!

Welcome Muffin!

"Muffin", an adorable 2.6 pound, 18 year old Yorkie, has come to live at Highspire! He is looking forward to feeling better with some intensive medical rehab for respiratory and other serious medical issues. Muffin fits right in and my other Yorkies love him already. Tashia, my former Arkansas Puppy Mill momma, thinks tiny Muffin is her new "puppy"! Welcome to Highspire, little Muffin!!

Miss Paras Attends the "Mutt Strut"

This morning Miss Paras and I attended the "Mutt Strutt" - a fundraiser for the benefit of the Humane Society of Morgan County (West Virginia), held at Cacapon State Park.

In addition to participating in a short walk, Miss Paras and I won two contests! Smallest Dog (2.4 pounds) and Doggy/Owner Lookalike! ( I knew my white hair would come in handy someday!) Miss Paras won a dog bed -- which is a good prize because Miss Paras does enjoy her beauty sleep these days. They didn't have a contest for "Oldest Dog" because she would have "run off" with that category too! :)

Sad News - Arnold

This evening Arnold, my 13 year old Special Needs Yorkie, died from complications of congestive heart failure. Arnold was only given 2 to 4 months to live when he came to live at Highspire (see December 18, 2007 blog entry), but he survived 16 months...and all of it Quality Time. This is my favorite photo of "Arnie" (as he was affectionately known) taken at his 13th Birthday Party. Arnie let me tie his "Bow Hat" around his head -- and he wore it all evening! Arnie had an excellent sense of humor. He looked so handsome in his blue sweater. I Love You, Arnie and I'll miss you always.

Miss Paras Rocks Chantilly!

Today Beautiful Miss Paras joined me at the Chantilly (Virginia) Pet Expo! Many visitors and exhibitors greeted Miss Paras by name and welcomed her return! Miss Paras is hard to forget -- its not everyday that folks meet a 19 1/2 year old Yorkie -- especially one as Fabulous as Miss Paras! :)

Sad News - Skooter

Last week, an 11 year old Yorkie, Skooter, was surrendered to Rescue. During his whole lifetime, Skooter had never been to a vet. After years of neglect, Skooter developed end-stage congestive heart failure and now had very little time to live. I adopted Skooter yesterday evening and brought him home to Highspire. Skooter was comfortable, fed, warm and thoroughly loved every minute until he passed away in my arms at 4:45AM today.

Little Skooter had dashing good looks and a sweet, gentle temperament. All of the Rescue folks who worked with Skooter were touched by his soft expressions of genuine appreciation for the care he received. We are so glad Skooter entered our lives, if only for a little while.

Special Visitors!

Renown dog trainer and columnist Rick Caran and his Yorkie, Jilli, visited Berkeley Springs today to say "Hello!" Rick travels the world performing with Jilli, "The World's Only Poker Playing Dog", and with Jilli's brother, Spidey Chihuahua, a multifaceted star-in-training possessing incredible doggy basketball skills. Jilli's many credits and booking details are available at JilliDog.com. Above, Rick is smothered with Yorkieness by (left to right in lap) Jilli, Gabby, Liah, (on floor) Arnold and Paras.

At right, Rick and I cuddle with "42 Years of Yorkies" (left to right) Arnold (age 13), Paras (age 19) and Jilli (age 10).

Animal Transport - Winchester VA to Morgantown WV

An adorable Japanese Chin named "Tiki" was my "Sweet Valentine" today on the transport! Tiki is headed from North Carolina to Rescue in Washington, PA. He has already been adopted and Tiki will be in his new Forever Home by next weekend! Despite the heavy winter weather late in the day, Tiki was a gentle and wonderful passenger who either munched biscuits or napped most of the way.

Happy 1st Birthday, Gabby!

In lively style and against all odds, Gabby celebrates her 1st Birthday today! Gabby shared the occasion with her Yorkie and Kitty Pals at Highspire!



In addition to puppy cupcakes and vanilla ice cream from her Mommie, Gabby received a beautiful pink Birthday Rose from Aunt Stephi and Uncle David!

Welcome Liah!

Today Liah has joined "The Yorkies of Highspire!" Liah (left) is a sweet, 2.4 pound Biewer Yorkshire Terrier from Rescue Me! Yorkie Rescue. Liah enjoyed her car ride from New Jersey to Highspire, and promises to be a wonderful playmate for Gabby!

Animal Transport - Romney WV to Winchester VA

This morning I transported two fabulous dogs who originated in Tucker County, West Virginia. Diamond, an 80 lb. Yellow Lab (left), has a new Forever Home waiting for her in Rhode Island. Sue, a 30 lb. Treeing Walker Coonhound (below), is headed to Rescue in Pennsylvania. I drove their second leg from Romney WV to Winchester VA. The blowing snow showers and bitter winds did not dampen their spirits in the least! Both Diamond and Sue were quite affectionate and very excited to be on the transport headed to the next stage of their lives!