Tiny Toy Yorkie

Back Off My Chihuahua

Though I’ve lived in other states (Ohio, New York) and other countries (Costa Rica, Texas), I’ve spent most of my life in Philadelphia. Virtually all of that time was spent east of the Schuylkill, until about seven years ago, when a friend invited me to move in with her in West Philly. “What’s it like there?” I asked, as though we were moving to a yurt in upper Mongolia.

She said it was great—gorgeous architecture; friendly neighbors; diversity in age, ethnicity and income; accessible public transportation; a lively café culture.

She was right. Every morning, I’m awakened by birdsong. When I walk to work, I smell the blooms of dozens of flowers. Every person I pass says, “Good morning,” with a smile.

Across the street, there’s a man who specializes in African instruments. Someone’s always on his porch plinking at strings or shaking a gourd. Last summer my partner gave the man some fresh-caught fish for dinner; he reciprocated by making us an instrument.

Clark Park, drum circles, community activism. I even bought Dansko clogs.

But it’s not all co-ops and puppets. There’s also a prejudice I confront every day that makes me long for Center City or the Gayborhood—anywhere the discrimination is less acute.

I speak of the bias against small dogs.

I have a 10-year-old Chihuahua who, through no fault of her own, weighs seven pounds. She is easily chilled so she shivers. She is afraid of everything larger than she is—dogs, people, flowers.

Because of her disinclination to cold (or perhaps my own), she’s paper-trained and doesn’t require walks in winter. But when it’s warm, I walk her frequently. And while I appreciate neighborly dialogue in general, I could do without the small-dog comments. You know—“Look, a rat on a leash!” Or, “Ooh, I’m scared.”

Today, for instance, I walked past a guy on his porch. I smiled and said hello. He said, “I see you’re out walking your guinea pig.”

When I walk my dog through Rittenhouse Square, it’s like I have Lady Gaga on a leash. People freak out when they see her. They run over. They try to inhale her. There is so much love that she hyperventilates in terror and I have to pick her up.

In Center City, see, people have persuaded themselves that Chihuahuas aren’t ugly. They also admire those tiny Yorkies blinded by their own frantic hair, and they love the squat, snuffling, soda-can pugs. In Rittenhouse Square my small dog is a superstar. In West Philly, she’s an embarrassment.

Teddy Bear Face Teacup Yorkies and Tiny Toy Yorkie Puppies ...

Teacup - tiny toy Yorkie puppy. This gorgeous little Yorkie will make a great purse puppy because of her submissive personality and her tiny size. She has the most adorable personality, perfect teddy bear face and she's sweet as can be. She is charting to be a teacup - tiy toy weight. Her dad is from Germany, he has many national and internationl champions in his pedigree. please email me for information on her via ( loritragger@ymail.

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