Yorkies Take Nashville by Storm!
September 18, 2013 • Trends
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FIDO’s friend and Guest Blogger Deborah J. Thompson shared this FUN recap of the recent Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue (YTNR) Annual Meeting with us and we knew you'd love it too. ENJOY!
What’s more fun than a hotel full of Yorkies? A tea party at a hat shop full of Yorkies!
Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue (YTNR) recently held it’s annual meeting in Nashville, TN. The elegant Sheraton Music City rolled out the welcome pads for board members, foster parents, adoptive families and our furkids.
I became acquainted with YTNR when we adopted from this 15-year-old organization last December. They took great care to ensure that our home and family met their high standards. Little did I realize while in the process of adopting Sophie Rose, that both my husband and I, as well as our Maltese Jazz, were ourselves being adopted by this dedicated group.
Having “met” the people and dogs of YTNR via group emails for the past several months, I was excited to put faces with names. And my vision of a hotel filled with dozens of Yorkies was just too tempting.
Entering the expansive lobby with Jazz and Sophie Rose in tow, I wasn’t disappointed. Yorkies, Yorkies everywhere! Strollers filled with Yorkie faces peering out in curiosity. Yorkie greetings with get-to-know-you sniffs. Tiny Yorkies cradled in owners’ arms. As a lover of this spirited, inquisitive, diminutive breed; I had walked into paradise.
And the fun was just beginning!
After our get-acquainted dinner on Friday night, we met on Saturday at HatWRKS, where Proprietress, Milliner and Artist Gigi Gaskins, treated us to a tea party, fashion show and sheer joy as we entertained ourselves with her gorgeous selection of fine-quality, hand-crafted hats.
The Yorkies were the stars of the fashion show; modeling clothing hand-made by designer, foster mom and YTNR board member, Corrine Ellison. The fashion show finale was a breathtaking wedding gown with detachable train, worn by Yorkie Diva Aida, who I must mention, took quite a liking to our Maltese Jazz. Perhaps an actual wedding could be in the works!
We even managed to get the guys in on the act!
I have to say; this is the most fun I’ve ever had on a shopping excursion.
An awards banquet concluded the weekend where we honored various members for their selfless service to the cause of rescuing our beloved canines. We were treated to a presentation of Travel Tips by Sophie Rose–A Guide for New Pet Travelers. And our esteemed member U.S. Army Colonel Pam Mindt, brought us to tears with her story of being injured on one of her four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and coming home to heal via the Wounded Warriors Project with her family, including the unconditional love of her rescue pups. She presented each of us with a special Commander’s Coin that she designed. Our gratitude for her service to our country and our rescue group couldn’t be adequately conveyed. We salute you Colonel, and we thank you.
With tear-filled eyes, we loaded pups and scattered from Canada to Atlanta and California to New York. Until next year, Yorkie kisses to all.
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Guest Blogger Deborah J. Thompson is a life-long animal rescuer, artist, photographer and frequent contributing writer for FIDO Friendly Magazine. Additionally, she writes articles on marriage, family and spiritual growth for her website inspiredreflections.info, and also for Crosswalk.com and “The Fish” family of radio stations nationwide. She is a Stephen Minister and Stephen Leader, Founder of the Atlanta Stephen Ministry Networking group, a Marketing Consultant and regular speaker. She and her husband travel with Maltese Jazz who is the spokes-dog for Shore Dreams Vacation Rentals and recent Yorkie rescue Sophie Rose, who is working on her first book, Travel Tips by Sophie Rose–A Guide for New Pet Travelers. You can connect with them via www.facebook.com/MaltesesandYorkies , www.facebook.com/ShoreDreamsPetAdventures and www.facebook.com/DailyInspiredReflections .
Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue (YTNR) is a 501 c (3) charitable organization that has rescued over 3000 dogs in its 15-year history. They are dedicated to finding the best possible homes for Yorkshire Terriers, regardless of age, sight, hearing or other handicaps. They screen and visit every home and family. They also spay and neuter, treat for heartworms, ensure the dogs are current on vaccines and microchip every rescue before placing it in its new home.
Available rescues and adoption policies and application can be found on their website at www.yorkierescue.com .
Custom-made clothing and other accessories can be ordered through the Yorkie Angel Boutique link or directly at www.yorkieangelboutique.com.
