Yorkie Doodle Dandy: Or, the Other Woman Was a Real Dog [Paperback]

William A. Wynne (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 150 pages
• Publisher: Wynnesome Pr; 1st PB Edition edition (July 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965225402
• ISBN-13: 978-0965225403
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #430,188 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Oh where do we begin when truth is greater than fiction?

Bill Wynne, of Irish descent, spent his early years in an orphanage and running the streets of Cleveland where he learned much about dogs. A poor school student, he found his way into an elective photography course in high school. That developed into his main career for 50 years as a photographer and journalist with NASA and The Cleveland PLAIN DEALER ~ eventually leading him into the nation's second largest High School's Hall of Fame (2006) and the 2009 class of the Ohio Senior Citzens' Hall of Fame (for life time achievement as a journalist author, inventor, and decorated WWII Veteran). After his acceptance speech in the State House, he was asked to tell about how he got Smoky, "YORKIE DOODLE DANDY."

This is an incredible memoir about a miraculous tiny dog. Named miraculous by the foremost dog authority of the 20th Century, Maxwell Riddle simply states, "Smoky became a miracle, the greatest dog I ever knew and far greater than any I have read about." Smoky began as a miracle find in a New Guinea jungle foxhole in 1944.

Bill Wynne, a 21 year old airman from Cleveland in MacArthur's 5th Air Force, purchased Smoky - a four lb. Yorkie - for 2 Australian pounds ($6.44) so the owner could get back in a poker game. While in Wynne's hands, Smoky became the greatest trained dog of her time. In the meantime, Smoky gained a series of untouchable titles by her wonderous ability and exploits both deliberate and accidental. More amazing, they both had to learn her training by trial and error: in New Guinea's steaming jungles; on the baking coral rock Island of Biak at the equator; and while always moving on as part of the most forward airbase stations with the 26th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron.

The little dog's training done in spare time was mixed with deadly adventures of air raids and flying on combat missions to Borneo and those islands in between, and up into the lower Philippines. During this period Smoky lost her good conduct medal for a year when she had a surprise puppy. Bill reluctantly took her along on 12 combat missions with the 3rd Emergency Rescue Squadron Catalinas. Settling arguments among his friends who questioned who'd get Smoky "if Wynne gets knocked off," Wynne declared, "The heck with you guys, if we go down, we'll go down together."

Smoky's credits are massive. Some are:
- "Champion Mascot in the SWPA" -- YANK Magazine 1944, for parachute jumping;
- "Most Useful Dog in America" -- AMERICAN MAGAZINE, 1950;"
- The first Therapy Dog of record"-- Animal Planet;
- "She is the dog credited for drawing attention to a then obscure breed with 65 AKC registered pups in 1945," -- Yorkshire Terrier, - POPULAR DOG , to the now second most popular breed in the U.S."

The 41 photos are both testimonials and sensational. Yorkie Doodle Dandy is "a keeper" among avid readers, those with military interests and dog lovers. The book has inspired six memorials nationally, two Animal Planet shows, a 3.5 minute special historical spot during the broadcast of the WESTMINSTER Dog Show, 2008 and documentary. Readers say, "You'll laugh and you will cry when reading about Smoky, who is still a true celebration of life. Bill later wonders, "Was she an angel in a foxhole?" With a smash ending you'll find it easy to decide.

(Photo of author, Bill Wynne, at the "Smoky and Dogs of All Wars" Memorial located in Rocky River Reservation in the Cleveland Metroparks (Ohio).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A NEVER-TO-BE-FORGOTTEN MEMOIR, May 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Yorkie Doodle Dandy: Or, the Other Woman Was a Real Dog (Paperback)

"Yorkie Doodle Dandy," is a heartwarming book that moves the reader from laughter to tears as the author recalls his World War II - and beyond - experiences with Smoky, a remarkable little Yorkshire Terrier. The four pound, four-legged angel was an award-winning mascot, as well as a war dog who strung telephone lines through an eight-inch drainage pipe under an airstrip in a combat area, saving several days' worth of work, and a much-loved companion. Following the War, she and Wynne entertained countless people doing a remarkable array of tricks. Readers will be grateful that Bill Wynne has chosen to share the story of his life with Smoky. Their adventures are to be savored. This highly entertaining book is one you'll want to read again and again.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review written for Amazon.com by John Sewell, February 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Yorkie Doodle Dandy: Or, the Other Woman Was a Real Dog (Paperback)

A Soldier's Dog Story by John M. Sewell

A member of the US forces stationed in New Guinea during World War II, a self-described dog-hater, was forced to stop in the middle of the jungle when the Jeep he was driving broke down. As he wiggled cables under the raised hood, a faint but distinct noise made him turn around to the sight of a puppy struggling to get out of an abandoned foxhole.

Not wanting to live with the dog, yet too compassionate to leave the pup to an uncertain fate, he tossed it in the vehicle's back seat and drove back to base where he gave it to a dog-loving buddy. This second soldier, in turn, sold it to 21-year-old American Air Force Private First Class William A. Wynne, who had been wishing for one.

Thus began a bond between sprightly dog and lonely GI that would be marked by more events that were as fortuitous as this first encounter. Wynne the Private and Smoky the Yorkshire Terrier remained together in five theaters of operation, countless smugglings through customs, military discharge, their return to America, Will's wedding, two intercoastal automobile trips, stints in various aspects of show business and more.

The entire story is told in Yorkie Doodle Dandy, an independently published autobiographical book by William A. Wynne whose campfire narrative style makes it well-paced and entertaining reading material. Born in Parma, Ohio, Wynne tells readers he "took an early interest in animals as companions" when he was separated from his family during the Great Depression.

Best-selling American author Kurt Vonnegut once said skillful story telling makes a good writer; Wynne fits the bill quite well. His conversational language gives the account of his adventures with Smoky a genuine quality. Much to his advantage, Wynne dispenses with essay paragraphs early in the book and embarks on story telling in earnest.

Like a soldier's uniform made ready for inspection, Wynne's language is clear and clean cut. Except for a few attempts at recapping and giving background information, the narrative flows smoothly and sequentially with some amount of suspense.

The average dog owner will find it easy to identify with, and learn from, young Bill- the main human character in the story - who improves his dog training skills as he spends more time with canine partner Smoky.

The book has its share of moving stories, funny anecdotes and pieces that fall somewhere - between. The question which had haunted the author for 14 years - how a purebred Yorkshire Terrier could have been found on remote New Guinea - gets answered in the end. Practical dog training tips presented in the same straight forward language that characterizes the preceding chapters await the reader in the form of an appendix, adding value to an otherwise desirable work.

Yorkie Doodle Dandy is a family book that begs to be read aloud or, at least, to be discussed with others.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, Wonderful, Heart-warming, Touching, Terrific, January 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Yorkie Doodle Dandy: Or, the Other Woman Was a Real Dog (Paperback)

"Yorkie Doodle Dandy" is a great story, obviously written with a deep love. It offers a different dimension to typical war stories. The story's heroine, a 4 pound Yorkshire Terrier named Smoky, is absolutely incredible, as is her master, Bill Wynne. They are proof positive of the deep and enduring relationship that can exist between a human being and a pet.

When you read this fantastic story, you'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll rejoice in the human/pet connection. This is a first person account of a wonderful relationship. I highly recommend it!