Bindi Fund

Bindi came into Yorkies Inc. on Sept 16th 2006 as a tiny 2.7 lb, 6 month old Yorkie puppy, she was a “failure to thrive” pup and was having trouble gaining weight and seemed to be a fussy eater. She did not exhibit the classic signs of Liver Shunt, but with nowhere else to look for an answer she was Bile Acid tested and worst fears were realized. A Bile Acid test is a series of blood tests to determine Liver function, this is the first step in diagnosing Liver Shunt. Once her Bile Acid test came back very high she was scheduled for an ultrasound, this then confirmed the diagnosis. The ultrasound showed she had what is called Portosystemic shunt (PSS). But in an ironic sense, we felt that she was actually lucky as she had just a single extra-hepatic shunt which can be corrected surgically. This is the most common type of shunt seen in Yorkshire Terriers. She was scheduled to have her shunt repaired as we had done in the past with two other shunt pups...both very successful. Bindi would follow the same course and see the same surgeon at the same hospital. Like the other two, she came through the surgery fine just as expected. Then, after just two days, complications set in and she died suddenly without any explanation. It was an extreme shock that we will never forget. Her passing left us empty and numb. Such a sweet little pup that everyone had done everything in their power for, and still this was not enough to keep her here with us. 

We still have so many unanswered questions but we strongly believe everything is for a reason and what happened to Bindi is no exception. She did not pass this way to simply be forgotten. She had a purpose to have been with us. Maybe that purpose was to help other Liver Shunt pups that may come this way. And so the Bindi Fund has been established in her memory. This fund will be used to pay for the life-saving Liver Shunt surgery of pups coming into Yorkies Inc. in the future. When we took in Bindi, we had just done 2 Liver Shunt surgeries within 7 months. With our very small budget, we had no funds left and had to resort to pleading for help and/or use a credit card. Our hopes are that with this fund in place, the monies will be set aside for just such surgeries in the future. Bindi is our reminder of just how precious and fragile these little lives can be, and how much they need our help to have a chance. Many, many tears were shed by those who cared about Bindi the days following her untimely death.... we wanted to give her a chance to LIVE in our memories and in those pups she will now have a chance to help!