Dolly-Kate Byrd the Yorkie Rescue

03/01/2025

I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Seymour Tribune and its editors for highlighting the crucial issue surrounding the pet cemetery in Columbus, Indiana.

To my Facebook friends and Family-your support and kind words mean the world to me!
This situation is truly heartbreaking, but I am determined to take action at the state level and advocate for legislation that will safeguard pet cemeteries in the future. I am committed to pushing for Chelsea’s Law, and I won’t rest until it’s enacted!

What the BCHS did to this cemetery is unconscionable and inexcusable. I urge you all to continue sharing my posts about this important matter so we can work together to advocate for change. While we may not be able to undo what has happened, we can certainly strive to ensure it never occurs again.



https://www.facebook.com/share/1831Kn7tXh/?mibextid=wwXIfr

State environmental regulators say they did not ask the Bartholomew County Humane Society to remove headstones from a pet cemetery south of Columbus that was the subject of controversy last week when some pet owners discovered that their pets’ tombstones had been removed.

01/01/2025

UPDATE ‼️PLEASE READ & SHARE ‼️

This article is a follow-up to the recent piece published by the Columbus Republic regarding the demolition of the pet cemetery in Columbus, Indiana.
For Complete Article
Click Below:👇 pp
https://tinyurl.com/2uw8u6jp

A heartfelt thank you to the reporters and editors at the Republic for shining a light on this important issue!

However, it still leaves a critical question unanswered:
Why were pet owners not notified? Many of us placed our trust in the Bartholomew County Humane Society to ensure we had a place to honor our beloved pets.

I am seeking resolution and want my pet’s remains exhumed and cremated. The unfortunate reality is that I have no idea where her grave is now that BCHS has demolished the gravesites.

Additionally, I am committed to advocating for legislation that protects pet cemeteries to prevent situations like this from happening in the future. I hope to introduce this legislation as .

Please share this article to raise awareness among those of us who trusted the Bartholomew County Humane Society. Our voices need to be heard!

Thank you!!

31/12/2024

If you normally have your Yorkie’s fur clipped or shaved, keep the length longer in winter to keep your Yorkie warm.

Nails may require more frequent trimming since your Yorkie is spending more time indoor on soft surfaces.

If you bathe your Yorkie at home make sure he is completely dry before going out. You may even want to switch to a waterless shampoo for the winter.

Examine the pads of your Yorkie’s feet for signs of cracking or irritation. A pet-specific foot balm will help condition the pads.

29/12/2024

You MUST SHARE My TV interview with FOX 59 news in regards to the destruction of the local Pet Cemetery!
Please share this post!
I was recently interviewed by Fox 59 News, and the segment aired this evening.
You can watch the news segment in the link below.

Here are two separate news segments
Click below 👇

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bD9xo0V97_I0W-wHfDhSP-bIBRmU-WNN

Click below 👇

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F6yykW0BpgmVX-dF3npljWusJWLzQTrv

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t0AHInLfg5jPXTHCTJLsyBgRnggWmhKK/view?usp=drivesdk

My goal is to raise public awareness about the troubling situation surrounding the pet cemetery and the tombstones of our beloved pets.
I want Chelsea Marie’s remains removed and returned to me for cremation! I feel as if I have lost her all over again and now her grave cannot be located!
We entrusted the Bartholomew County Humane Society with the remains of our cherished animals, but that trust was shattered when they decided to remove the pet cemetery without notifying us.

Their only communication came after I made a public plea on social media, which was shared over 200 times. I want to inform the public about these events and advocate for the return of my pet's remains. Unfortunately, I have discovered that there are no laws in Indiana protecting pet cemeteries, allowing the BCHS to act as they see fit with the the graves

It is deeply troubling and inhumane that they did not reach out to pet owners to inform us of this decision. If you share my concerns or frustrations about this situation, I encourage you to help me get the information out to the public through social media and other news outlets.
Together, we can pressure the Humane Society to assist us in locating our pets, which are currently unaccounted for in a three-acre field.

Thank you for your support in this important matter!

Tombstones go missing at Bartholomew County pet cemetery

25/12/2024

Merry Christmas from the ByrdHouse and the Byrd Girls!
Dolly-Kate and Gracie May
❤️🎄☃️❄️🎁🤶

24/12/2024

The Forgotten Dog’s Christmas Poem

Twas the night before Christmas when all thru the house,
Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nick soon would be there.
The children all nestled snug in their beds,
With no thought of the dog filling their head.
And mom in her kerchief and I in my cap,
Knew the dog was cold but didn’t care about that.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window, I flew like a flash,
Figuring the dog was free of his chain and into the trash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But Santa Claus with his eyes full of tears.
He unchained the dog once so lively and quick,
Last year’s Christmas present now painfully sick.
More rapid than eagles he called the dog’s name,
And the dog ran to him despite all his pain.
Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and V***n,
On Comet on Cupid on Donner and Blitzen.
To the top of the porch to the top of the wall,
Let’s find this dog a home where he will be loved by all.
I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year,
For Santa had made one thing quite clear.
The gift of a dog is not just for the season,
We had gotten the dog for all the wrong reasons.
In our haste to think of the kids a gift,
There was one important thing we missed.
A dog should be family and cared for the same,
You don’t give a gift, then put it on a chain.

And I heard him explain as he rode out of site,
“You weren’t given a gift, you were given a life.”

—Arthur Unknown

23/12/2024

WE HAVE DANGEROUS WEATHER COMING IN THIS WEEK. If you know of an animal living outside and needing checked on, call Animal Control at 812.522.1234 (city) or 812.358.2141 (county) before the frigid temps move in!

Remember … if it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them! Please bring your pets inside tonight!

23/12/2024

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.
I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."
I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.
I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.
I want to re-assure you, that I'm not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said " it's me."
You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...
In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning
and say "good-night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."
And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out...then come home to be with me...
-Author Unknown

22/12/2024

I can’t even imagine what it’s like to be left alone, chained up in a yard without love or care. My Momma KatByrd is a real estate agent and sometimes I hear her tell stories about finding dogs and cats like me abandoned in empty houses or stuck outside with no food or water. It breaks her heart and my heart.

Let me tell you, being chained is not just uncomfortable; it’s lonely. We dogs are pack animals; we thrive on companionship and love. When we’re forced to live in solitude, we feel sad and confused. If you can’t give us the love and attention we deserve, please reconsider bringing us into your life.

And please, don’t ever give a dog or cat as a present just because it’s the holiday season. We aren’t toys or decorations. We’re living beings with feelings, and we need a forever home where we’re treated like family. Remember, our lives can last around 10 years or more, so that’s a big commitment!

If, during this time of year, you can’t care for us, please bring us to a local shelter or find a foster home. There are kind humans out there who want to help us find loving families.

This picture shows just one day in the life of a dog stuck in the backyard, and it’s really sad. We just want to be part of your family pack, where we can love and be loved in return!

19/12/2024

I would like to share a heartbreaking story with you and ask that you please help spread the word to other pet owners. We cannot allow this insensitivity to go unnoticed.

My first rescue Yorkie, Chelsea Marie, lived to the age of 17. When she passed away, I made the decision to have her laid to rest in a pet cemetery in Columbus, Indiana. I believed it was a safe and meaningful way to honor her life and memory. In a testament to my love for her, I even went to the extent of having her buried in a baby casket and vault, treating her with the same care as one would for a human. It may sound extreme, ( I know!) but after 17 years together, she was truly my baby. She had been a part of my life for so long, especially during this time when I was single and she was all I had.

Over the years, I visited her grave periodically to pay my respects and honor her memory. However, during a recent visit a few weeks ago, I was dismayed to find that the Humane Society, which had been located next to the pet cemetery, had been relocated across the road. To my disbelief, I could not locate the pet cemetery and instead sought answers from the Humane Society.

It was then that I learned that approximately a year ago, the pet cemetery had been demolished, and all the pet graves, including Chelsea Marie's final resting place, had been destroyed. The markers that held the names and important dates of birth and death of our beloved pets had also been discarded.

I was devastated and outraged by this news, and I firmly believe that others should be informed about what transpired. I questioned why the owners of the gravesites, who had paid for plots for their beloved animals, were not informed before such a drastic action was taken. The Humane Society explained that due to their relocation, all records had been lost. I am heartbroken by this situation and find it entirely unacceptable. I wish I had been given the opportunity to relocate her grave or have her remains cremated while preserving her concrete gravestone with her picture. Now, I am unable to locate her grave in what is now an empty field, and I feel a sense of abandonment. 🥲🥲

Any advice on how to handle this distressing situation would be greatly appreciated. I am considering reaching out to the Republic for a story on this matter. If you feel moved, please share this post so that others can learn about what happened to their beloved pet's final resting place. It truly exemplifies love for a pet when someone goes to such lengths to purchase a plot in a pet cemetery and have their pet formally buried.

The attached picture shows Chelsea Marie's grave during my last visit. It serves as my last memory of her and all I have left to preserve her gravesite. 💔🥲

07/12/2024

Sometimes a dog comes into your life at just the right time, slipping into the cracks without you even realizing it. They don’t announce themselves as saviors or miracles—they’re simply there, slowly weaving their way into your routine, your thoughts, your feelings, and your heart. You don’t see it then, but they’re quietly pulling you out of places you thought you’d never escape.

It’s only years later, when you’re looking back, that the clarity hits you. You remember the nights when the world felt too heavy, and they sat beside you—steady and unshaken—keeping you tethered. You see how they filled your days with the kind of simple, unfiltered joy you had long forgotten existed. They didn’t fix everything, but they gave you a reason to keep going—and sometimes, that’s enough. Sometimes, that’s all you need.

And maybe that’s the beauty of it. They don’t try to save you; they just do. In their own gentle way, they become the thing you didn’t know you needed. And long after they’re gone, you realize it wasn’t just luck that they came when they did—it was love, pure and profound, walking into your life when you needed it most. Walking into your life and changing it, as if it was meant to mend and heal everything.

Thank you to R.M. Drake 🐕 from the book Dog People

Artist Credit : Barlow & Browning

10/11/2024

Well, hello there!
Listen to my little sissy, Gracie May Byrd on this video as she tells you about some exciting news!
I’m getting a little old, so I’m letting my little sissy take the lead on some of the videos. She does a great job! God bless you all. We love you!😘

01/10/2024

Fall and spring and are mushroom seasons. While 99% of mushrooms have little or no toxicity, the 1% that are highly toxic can cause life-threatening problems in Yorkies.

Unfortunately, most of the highly toxic mushrooms are difficult to distinguish from the nontoxic ones, so the best way to keep pets from ingesting poisonous mushrooms is to keep them away from areas where any mushrooms are growing. Contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately if you witness your Yorkie eating a wild mushroom.

23/09/2024

This Monday morning, Daddio treated us to a spa day!
My little sister's hair has grown out enough to braid it now!!
After returning home, we had a photo shoot, but our hunger was a bit distracting as mom hadn't fed us since early morning.
Wishing you all a Happy Monday !
With love,
Dolly Kate & Gracie May.

20/09/2024

′′ I have chosen loneliness to defend myself. I protect myself from humanity around me, from this loud and intrusive humanity. I live surrounded by animals, trees, flowers. I have horses, donkeys, rams, goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons. Then of course dogs and cats. I don't even know how many there are...
I feel much closer to nature and animals than humans. I confess I hate most of the human species. I accepted the cause of animals to finally make sense of my existence here. I'm trying to explain to the man that cruelty inflicted on animals is unworthy, unacceptable, inhumane precisely...
I don't give a damn that the world remembers the divine B. B., that wasn't divine at all.”

- Brigitte Bardot

09/09/2024

🙌 Yes‼️👍