The Leaf-Chronicle from Clarksville, Tennessee • 37

The Leaf-Chronicle Cover Story www.theleafchronicle.com Sunday, March 21, 2004 D3 Greg Leaf-Chronicle Tinker tugs on her litter mate's face while the two wrestle. Tinker is 10-weeks old and weighs just over 8 ounces. Runt of the litter 10-week-old Chihuahua may be smallest in world By STACY SMITH SEGOVIA The Leat-Chronicle Tinker has redefined what "tiny" means. The 10-week-old Chihuahua may be the smallest in the world. One of a litter of six born to Brittney and Tar Baby, Tinker stands three inches tall and weighs just over eight ounces.

The little dog is about one fourth the size of her litter mates. Tinker is owned by Clarksville residents W.G. and Sharon Harris. Sharon started breeding Chihuahuas as a hobby nine years ago, and now has her own business, Elizabeth's Chihuahua World. In all that time, the Harrises have seen only one other runt in a litter, but even that dog wasn't as small as Tinker.

"She's a runt," W.G. Harris says. "There's nothing wrong with them, they just don't grow up, like dwarfism in Humans." Sharon Harris became attached to Chihuahuas at a very low time in her life. Her son died, and unable to process her grief, she turned to drinking for relief. After a few years of watching her dwell in such suffering, W.G.

brought home a little Chihuahua for Sharon. "I'm a recovering alcoholic, and Pets of the week Binky Oscar On the Net I www.dogsinthenews.com I www.guinnessworldrecords.com this is my therapy," Sharon says. "If you feel down and depressed, you can play with your puppies. It makes you feel better." The Harrises were won over by Chihuahuas' small size and saucy personality. "I'll tell you one thing about Chihuahuas," W.G.

says. "When that Great Dane comes by, they think they're just as big. They've got that Little man syndrome." Tinker has the apple-shaped head that distinguishes her breed, and is feisty despite her size always ready to wrestle her litter mates. Besides being small, she looks a little odd to be a 10-weekold puppy. She looks more like a 10-day-old pup.

People say she resembles a gremlin, or Gollum from the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Sharon prefers to compare her to a kangaroo mouse. Whatever creature she brings to mind, Tinker is nowhere near the typical Chihuahua, whose breed standard is up to six pounds. Until his death, caused by a tragic veterinary mistake, Ondra, a Chihuahua in the Czech Republic, held the world record for smallest dog of any breed. He weighed 30 ounces, more than three times the weight of eight-ounce Tinker.

The current world record holder is Tiny Pinnochio, who was measured May 23, 2003, in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Yorkshire terrier is 4.75 inches tall, eight inches long and weighs one pound. If Tinker continues her non-growth streak, she could be a contender when she reaches her adult size, by age 1. Many breeders try to breed Chihuahuas as small as possible, because those marketed as "teacup" or "tiny teacup" command higher prices.

However, these are not different breeds of Chihuahuas. "There's no such thing as a teacup Chihuahua. It's just a description" of the dog's size, Sharon says. When she is fully grown, Tinker may be even smaller than the tiniest tiny teacup Chihuahuas, which are generally considered to be to 2 pounds. "I guess you'd call her a demitassel" Sharon says.

Stacy Smith Segovia can be reached at 245-0237 or by e-mail at st Martin and Lewis Binky can be adopted through the Humane Society. The Humane Society also runs a pet food bank for needy pets and offers low cost spaying and neutering. They accept donations of dry and canned food, pet toys and blankets. For information, call '648-8042, or visit them online at www.clarksvillehumane.petfinder.org Martin and Lewis are neutered male German Shepherd siblings, about three years old. They are looking for a family to share their fun loving spirit.

They have always been together and need to stay together. Call Joan Witeck at (931) 232-6095 with the Humane Society of Dover-Stewart County. Brigitte can be found at Second Chance and Happy Tails, the rescue specializes in finding homes for older dogs but does have young pets. The no-kill shelter has an adoption fee of $100 to $150 includes spaying or neutering arranged in advance by the shelter. For information, call Inge Irby at 503-8300 between 9 a.m.

and 6 p.m. daily or log on at www.second- Food donations are gladly accepted. Oscar is a 7 month old male black with brown markings Terrier mix. He gets along well with other dogs and plays well with children. He can be found at Animal Control and Adoption Service, 1231 Highway Drive.

Adoption hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday. Adoption fees are $77 for dogs and $76 for cats, which include a $50 certificate toward spaying or neutering and a free rabies shot. For infermation, call 648-5750. Shorty is a 2 year old rat terrier mix that is very friendly and gets along with everybody.

Shorty can be found at St. Francis Animal Rescue, which is located in Erin. The rescue operates on donations and volunteers are needed. Adoption application and donation is required. The application can be filled on line at: www.stfrancisanimalrescue.com or call (931) 289- 4858.

Precious is a 2 year old Australian shepherd mix, with a wonderful disposition. The dog can be found at Cats Us. Adoption fees at the no-kill shelter are $50 for males, $60 for females, and include spaying or neutering. Cats Us is located at 119 Providence Blvd. For information, call 503-0053.

The shelter accepts food donations..