Yorkie Doodle Dandy: A Memoir

Yorkie Doodle Dandy is not just another story of a man and his dog. It is a real life story of a miracle and I guess what is meant to be will be. Mr. Wynne finds his little Yorkie literally in the middle of nowhere on an island during a war. I don't want to give the story away but it shows the bonding that can take place between owner and pet and what sacrifices will be made for each other. Be prepared to laugh and cry. If you have Yorkies, like I do, run and get this book. If you don't have Yorkies, read this book and you will want a Yorkie. My deepest respect to Mr. Wynne who is one of those rare people who truly understands dogs.

"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.

Mr. Wynne has written a very, very readable and warm account of his war years and early postwar years with a truly remarkable dog. Once I began reading it, I found it hard to put the book down; you really wish you could have seen this dog perform-after 40 years, the depth of feeling the author felt for the dog has obviously not diminished.An awful lot of good information on dog training is also included. Bill Wynne is a more-than-adequate storyteller; the book flows nicely. Absolutely a must-read for any Yorkie owner.

A Soldier's Dog Story by John M. SewellA 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.

"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!