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Yorkie Doodle Dandy: A Memoir
Yorkie Doodle Dandy is Corporal William A. Wynne's story about Smoky a tiny Yorkshire Terrier found in a New Guinea foxhole during World War II. Smoky helped save the lives of servicemen who were faced with imminent airfield attack. Wynne's own life was spared while under a shipboard kamikaze attack--led by Smoky. 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 trainer. Smoky ultimately proved to the world the therapeutic value of dogs to people during war conflict and recovery as well as in friendship entertainment and hope.
150 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 20, 2014
A lot of improbable stories come out of an event as sweeping and epic as World War II, and this is one of them. Imagine the situation on New Guinea in 1943, one of the remotest locations in the world, where American and Australian soldiers were locked in savage combat with dug-in Japanese defenders all along the high, rocky, jungle-covered Owen Stanley Mountains. One day a GI is driving his jeep along a narrow jungle trail behind the lines, through an area pocked by enormous craters from a recent artillery bombardment. His jeep breaks down and he pulls to the side of the road. As he's looking under the hood to assess the problem, he hears a sound from a nearby shell hole. There in the crater is a tiny Yorkshire terrier pup, struggling to get out. With no time to wonder how in the world the little creature got there, and not being particularly fond of dogs in the first place, the GI nonetheless scoops the little pup out of its predicament and puts it in the jeep. Once he gets back to camp he gives the Yorkie over to another soldier who, as it happens, has some experience training dogs in civilian life. Thus a minor legend was born.
The soldier who took charge of the pup was Bill Wynne, an Ohio native. And the Yorkie came to be known as Smokey to thousands of servicemen and civilians alike. Partly out of boredom Wynne began to train Smokey to do some simple tricks, and she proved a very quick study. Before long she was executing acrobatics and complex tasks like spelling her name with cut-out letters to amazed audiences in the jungle camp. As word of her performances spread, she and Wynne were putting on shows for wounded men at field hospitals, and serving as the warm-up act for movie nights. Soon, to Wynne's surprise, Smokey was named Southwest Pacific Theater Mascot of the Year and got her picture in LIFE magazine. Wire services back home picked up on the news and ran Smokey's photos in newspapers all over America. By the end of the war two years later, Wynne and Smokey had delighted thousands of servicemen from New Guinea to the Philippines, and from Okinawa to Korea.
After the Japanese surrender, Wynne managed to smuggle Smokey back to Ohio (bringing in animals from overseas was strongly discouraged) where, when not at work at his day job testing aircraft de-icing techniques for the precursor organization to NASA, he continued training Smokey and making appearances at parties and small gatherings. Soon they were traveling all over the Northeast on weekends, performing at circuses and in theaters, and soon they were regular fixtures on local television station morning shows for children. Wynne and Smokey continued performing into the mid 1950s, when Smokey entered a well-deserved retirement.
I liked this book as a dog lover, because Wynne has a real knack for describing Smokey's personality and attitude in a way that anyone who has ever lived with a dog can identify with. You can't help but fall for this sweet, clever pup and admire her athletic prowess (walking a tightrope while blindfolded?!) and can-do attitude. I also enjoyed the book from a military history perspective, as Wynn gives a great account of camp life and air missions in the Pacific Theater through the course of the war. His prose is simple, direct, and compelling.
And since this book is, of course, a biography of a little dog who lived almost 70 years ago, written by a man who loved her deeply and was her companion for 14 years, I defy anyone not to cry a little at the end.
The soldier who took charge of the pup was Bill Wynne, an Ohio native. And the Yorkie came to be known as Smokey to thousands of servicemen and civilians alike. Partly out of boredom Wynne began to train Smokey to do some simple tricks, and she proved a very quick study. Before long she was executing acrobatics and complex tasks like spelling her name with cut-out letters to amazed audiences in the jungle camp. As word of her performances spread, she and Wynne were putting on shows for wounded men at field hospitals, and serving as the warm-up act for movie nights. Soon, to Wynne's surprise, Smokey was named Southwest Pacific Theater Mascot of the Year and got her picture in LIFE magazine. Wire services back home picked up on the news and ran Smokey's photos in newspapers all over America. By the end of the war two years later, Wynne and Smokey had delighted thousands of servicemen from New Guinea to the Philippines, and from Okinawa to Korea.
After the Japanese surrender, Wynne managed to smuggle Smokey back to Ohio (bringing in animals from overseas was strongly discouraged) where, when not at work at his day job testing aircraft de-icing techniques for the precursor organization to NASA, he continued training Smokey and making appearances at parties and small gatherings. Soon they were traveling all over the Northeast on weekends, performing at circuses and in theaters, and soon they were regular fixtures on local television station morning shows for children. Wynne and Smokey continued performing into the mid 1950s, when Smokey entered a well-deserved retirement.
I liked this book as a dog lover, because Wynne has a real knack for describing Smokey's personality and attitude in a way that anyone who has ever lived with a dog can identify with. You can't help but fall for this sweet, clever pup and admire her athletic prowess (walking a tightrope while blindfolded?!) and can-do attitude. I also enjoyed the book from a military history perspective, as Wynn gives a great account of camp life and air missions in the Pacific Theater through the course of the war. His prose is simple, direct, and compelling.
And since this book is, of course, a biography of a little dog who lived almost 70 years ago, written by a man who loved her deeply and was her companion for 14 years, I defy anyone not to cry a little at the end.
July 31, 2020
This is a heartwarming tale about Smoky, a lost little Yorkshire Terrier who becomes the beloved mascot of WWII airmen in Papua New Guinea.
My uncle, Karl Maesor Booth, Jr. was briefly mentioned in this book, as he was a pilot in the unit that Smoky was a part of. Unfortunately, Maes did not make it home. But the kind words included in this book, about his popularity among the men, were warmly appreciated by our family.
Smoky was an amazing little dog who did her part for the war effort. Besides boosting morale, she learned key tasks that were invaluable to the Army Air Corp. She received a great deal of notoriety throughout the armed forces and with civilians on the home front upon returning stateside. Smokey is so endearing, you don't have to be a dog lover to be won over by this little girl.
I read this book because I thought I might gain some insight into what my uncle might have experienced during the war. I am recommending it because it is a captivating story of love and loyalty.
My uncle, Karl Maesor Booth, Jr. was briefly mentioned in this book, as he was a pilot in the unit that Smoky was a part of. Unfortunately, Maes did not make it home. But the kind words included in this book, about his popularity among the men, were warmly appreciated by our family.
Smoky was an amazing little dog who did her part for the war effort. Besides boosting morale, she learned key tasks that were invaluable to the Army Air Corp. She received a great deal of notoriety throughout the armed forces and with civilians on the home front upon returning stateside. Smokey is so endearing, you don't have to be a dog lover to be won over by this little girl.
I read this book because I thought I might gain some insight into what my uncle might have experienced during the war. I am recommending it because it is a captivating story of love and loyalty.
January 23, 2024
I got this from my sister in law. I don't remember the story of how she found it but it was a nice find. The author signed the inside cover for another reader in the early life of the book. It is a true story of a man and dog who encountered one another in the second World War in New Guinea. The dog is a Yorkshire Terrier who was lost in some kind of mishap and ended up with the author, Bill Wynne. Anyway, the book tells the story of their experiences in the war. There were some wild happenings going on as you can imagine. I was surprised to read on and find that about half way through the book the experience changes from wartime when it was over, to life in the U.S. where the dog gets involved in show business. The author has that ability to make you feel like he's talking to you in an informal manner and he just goes on about the times they had. It is remarkable.
December 16, 2016
I am dog lover and I have two yorkies. This is an amazing story about a relationship born out of such improbable situation, the WWII. Smoky, a tiny Yorkshire Terrier, was found in the middle of this mess and became an uplifting encounter to so many servicemen. The unconditional love and companionship between Bill and Smokey will melt your heart. They found each other in the middle of war… How lucky is that? “Some things just fill your heat without trying.”
<3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdfYf...
<3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdfYf...
March 11, 2018
Today, I strangely mourn for a tiny dog who passed away months before I was born.
What an endearing, unforgettable little book!
Thank you, Bill Wynne for sharing your little angel with us; all these decades on, Smoky is still brightening lives.
What an endearing, unforgettable little book!
Thank you, Bill Wynne for sharing your little angel with us; all these decades on, Smoky is still brightening lives.
July 20, 2020
I happened upon this book by accident. I throughly enjoyed it. The fact based history mixed with the storytelling of Smoky’s adventures make it a delight to read. This is a story that needs to be shared!
July 23, 2023
Great book about a wonderful dog and her owner who bought joy to numerous people. The author, William Wynne, gives a first hand account of the amazing life of Smoky, a talented, intelligent and brave Yorkshire Terrier. I highly recommend this book for all dog lovers, especially those who own a Yorkie. I also recommend this book for all who enjoy reading about World War Two. I also recommend this book for all the people who enjoy reading and learning about the history of Cleveland, Ohio and its surrounding areas.
March 22, 2021
A sweet tale, written in a factual tone. Interesting life lived by the author and well worth the read from that perspective alone! No doubt Smokey's presence led him to the Hollywood/ showbiz areas of the time but that aside, he was still in the thick of pioneering research post war too.
Not overtly sentimental to read and clearly written to reflect his joy and delight in his years with and pleasure taken from this talented, smart little dog.
Not overtly sentimental to read and clearly written to reflect his joy and delight in his years with and pleasure taken from this talented, smart little dog.
April 15, 2022
A fun history book to read --- such are rare these days. Plus, it is history written by one of the hoi polloi and their dog living through one of the major events and historical periods in history --- not by one of the ruling class winners and their intelligentsia historians; even rarer.
March 20, 2023
Great story about a soldier and his war-time canine companion. The fact that he just found a pure-breed Yorkie in the jungle middle of a war is fascinating, and she turned out to be quite a useful and entertaining dog!
January 23, 2019
WWII true story amazing dog and heroic US forces in South Pacific
May 17, 2020
True story about a yorkie who was a true heroine in World War II
September 21, 2020
Wonderful, true tale of Yorkie lost on New Guinea during WWII, the soldier who found him and the joy of their bond and the delight they brought to others.
June 19, 2023
A cute memoir about a a tiny dog’s companionship with a solider during a terrifying time in history. No one expected for a Yorkshire Terrier to have such a large impact on so many lives.
April 8, 2012
Bill Wynne's book is a great read about his time in the Pacific with his dog Smoky. It is a wonderful story about finding a long time companion in the least likely of places, the jungle on the other side of the world. Through the book you learn all about Bill and Smoky and their adventures together in the Pacific all the way back to Ohio and even to Hollywood.
The thing I enjoyed most about it was that the author was also in the 5th Air Force, the same as my Grandfather, and he was in several places that were near where my Grandfather was too. So it was nice to learn a little something about what was going on around him at the time. And I love hearing about old Hollywood, so that part was really interesting too.
So if you like dogs or WWII or both this book is an entertaining and informative read.
The thing I enjoyed most about it was that the author was also in the 5th Air Force, the same as my Grandfather, and he was in several places that were near where my Grandfather was too. So it was nice to learn a little something about what was going on around him at the time. And I love hearing about old Hollywood, so that part was really interesting too.
So if you like dogs or WWII or both this book is an entertaining and informative read.
June 28, 2007
Even small dogs can be war heroes. I picked this up athe Dog Museum in St. Louis during their Dogs in War exhibit. Good read for dog lovers.
August 28, 2007
This is a wonderful book about a war hero Yorkie. I loved this book, and proves that even the smallest pets can be heros too!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews