After Maggie’s sister, Shieka, passed away (not to be morbid), I made a promise to take Maggie everywhere with me. Whether it was running errands or going on trips, Maggie became my constant companion. Maggie and Shieka were two peas in a pod, always together, and I could tell Maggie felt the loss deeply. Even though no dog could ever replace Shieka, I knew Maggie needed a new playmate. Secretly, I think she wanted one too.
The Search for Maggie’s New Friend
Back to petfinder.com I went, determined to find a friend for Maggie. Living in New Mexico presented a bit of a challenge. The state seemed to have an abundance of Chihuahuas but not a single Pomeranian in sight. I searched high and low, from shelters to newspapers, even calling the local humane society to see if there were any Poms in need of a home. No luck. So, I expanded my search beyond New Mexico and scoured the entire country. To my surprise, there are thousands of Pomeranians waiting to be rescued across the U.S. On petfinder.com alone, there are roughly 350,000 animals looking for homes on any given day!
Finding Yoki (Formerly Twitter)
Yoki’s original Petfinder.com Photo
In my search, I stumbled upon an adorable little dog named Twitter. Weighing in at just 5 pounds and five years old, she was listed in Kokomo, Indiana, at a rescue for “Smaller Paws and Pomeranians.” I contacted the foster mom right away, eager to adopt this little girl. I assured her that I had experience rescuing Pomeranians and was more than willing to fly out to pick up Twitter (still not sure why she was named after a social media platform). After several phone calls and emails, the foster mom agreed to the adoption, even though most rescues won’t allow out-of-state adoptions.
The Journey to Meet Yoki
Two days later, I found myself boarding a plane with an empty dog carrier. Walking through the airport with nothing but a pink blanket inside the carrier was quite the spectacle—people kept sneaking peeks, expecting to see a dog or a cat, only to find it empty! After a long flight, I arrived in Cincinnati, where my dad picked me up, and we drove to Kokomo, Indiana, to meet the new addition to the Pommy Mommy household.
A New Name for a New Life
Before leaving New Mexico, I brainstormed names for this cute little ball of fur. While “Twitter” was cute, I knew I didn’t want my new girl to be named after a social media platform! I came across the Japanese name “Aoki,” meaning “free spirit.” But in the spirit of freedom, I decided to call her Yoki—it just seemed like a great fit.
Meeting Yoki
When we arrived at the foster mom’s home, a mile-long gravel driveway led us to a large log cabin surrounded by green grass—a paradise for dogs. As I was greeted by a pack of foster dogs, the foster mom’s son ran off and returned with what looked like a puff of fur—Yoki. She was so small and shy at first, but she quickly warmed up to me and nuzzled her little nose into my hand. It was love at first sight.
Yoki’s Rescue Story
Yoki’s shyness was understandable once I learned about her past. She had been found in a breeding trailer, confined with other toy-sized dogs. These poor animals spent their lives in cages, never seeing the outside world, sunshine, or grass. The breeder, or as I like to call her, the evil witch, suffered a stroke, and her husband had a heart attack shortly after. Their son brought all the dogs to a shelter, and that’s how Yoki ended up with her foster mom—and eventually, with me.
Bringing Yoki Home
After spending the night with my parents in Cincinnati, Yoki and I flew back to New Mexico. She didn’t make a peep on the flight, sleeping peacefully the entire time. When we arrived home, I introduced Yoki to Maggie. They sniffed and circled each other, almost like they were performing a dance—the Tarantella! To this day, Maggie is the leader of the “Pommy Pack,” and Yoki looks to her for reassurance, especially when trying new treats.
Yoki’s New Life
Now, Yoki is living the good life at the Pommy Mommy home. She’s learning how to play, something she never experienced during her time in the breeding trailer. Every day, we work on having fun, and she’s much happier. Yoki’s transformation is a testament to the power of love and rescue. Ahhh, vita bene!
Share Your Rescue Story
Thanks for reading Yoki’s rescue story! If you have a similar story or want to share your experience, please leave a comment below.