Yorkie Doodle Dandy is Corporal William A. Wynne's original story about Smoky, a tiny Yorkshire Terrier dog found in a New Guinea foxhole during World War II. Smoky helped save the lives of many servicemen who were faced with imminent airfield attack. Wynne's own life was spared by Smoky while under a shipboard kamikaze attack. Smoky is credited internationally for her therapy work in hospitals and care facilities. Post-war, Smoky continued therapy work and performed on live television with Bill as her trainer. Smoky ultimately proved to the world the therapeutic value of dogs during war, conflict, and recovery, as well as in friendship, entertainment, and hope.
Author William A. Wynne is nationally recognized for his award-winning black and white photography. While specializing in horticulture during high school in Cleveland, Ohio, he took an elective course in photography, which changed his life forever. In 1944, the 26th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron of the U.S. Army Air Force placed Wynne directly into the Pacific Theater of WWII, where he became Smoky's best friend.
William A. Wynne was a corporal who served with the 26th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron of the U.S. Army Air Force in the Pacific Theater during WWII. He is also well known and recognized for award-winning black and white photography.
Bill trained dogs for Hollywood films after the war, and then joined NACA/NASA's Flight Icing Research Team at Lewis Laboratories in Cleveland, Ohio. He worked for The Cleveland Plain Dealer in the 1950s and 60s, where he won numerous national awards. He later received awards for lifetime achievement as a journalist, author, inventor, and decorated WWII Veteran.
Bill married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Roberts, in 1946. They raised nine children and were married for 57 years. Bill is renowned for his training of ''Smoky,'' a 4-pound Yorkshire Terrier, WWII hero, and the first therapy dog. Smoky's story is described in Bill's popular memoir, Yorkie Doodle Dandy. Bill lead an active life while honoring Smoky's many contributions to humanity, and lived to the age of 99.
Maxwell Riddle is remembered as the main in the tuxedo judging dog shows at the CRUFT'S in London, WESTMINSTER in New York, Paris, Tokyo, Sydney, or South America. The late Mr. Riddle is considered the foremost authority on dogs. When not judging, Riddle covered the major dog shows, field and tracking trials, and motion picture dogs for nearly 70 years. He personally raised 53 breeds to learn more about dogs. A syndicated columnist and author of many specialty dog books, he contributed regularly to dog encyclopedias. Riddle was Associate Editor of Dog World Magazine, and winner of The National Book Award in 1987 for his Dogs Through History book. The Dog Writers Association of America named its annual Maxwell Awards for dog columns and communications in his honor. Mr. Riddle helped found the DWAA organization in 1935 in New York City.
"That dog [Smoky] became a miracle - the greatest dog I ever knew, and far greater than any I have read about." - Maxwell Riddle
"Yorkie Doodle Dandy exemplifies the beauty of the human/animal bond. Readers can't help but fall in love with Smoky and admire the spirit of this tiny creature." - Norine Dresser
"This book is a delightful tale of life's twists and turns interwoven around a charming little dog. It belongs in every dog lover's library. It is more than a book about a dog. It is a first-hand slice of wartime history and struggle of a young man in postwar years to establish his career and care for his growing family." - Suzanne Hively
"The smallest four-footed soldier to serve in war, WWII canine-mascot Smoky proved to be a courageous companion to her handler William Wynne - who writes of their unique experiences with enthusiasm and love." - Barbara Jedda
"My favorite dog book!" - Amy Tan
