 Tiny dog puts breeder on stars' radar screen Sunday, July 16, 2006 JOE BLUNDO It's a long way from Rabbit Ridge Road in Knox County to a red-carpet runway in Hollywood, but Junebug made it. The tiny Yorkshire terrier from Ohio was developing into a 26- ounce paparazzi magnet until death took her at a tender age. But Junebug's short, glamorous life has put her breeder, Renotta Oliver, on the radar screen of beautiful people who like to accessorize with diminutive dogs. She could become the Yorkie breeder to the stars. Oliver lives in a mobile home on 10 acres near the Knox-Coshocton county line. A few years ago, her husband, Kevin, a plumber, installed a waterline and accepted a Yorkshire terrier as payment. He knew his wife would love it. "I about fell over," she said. One dog led to another. Soon, she was breeding Yorkies - a long-haired toy breed that can weigh as much as 7 pounds. Oliver specializes in turning out smaller models. "The smallest I've ever had was just a hair over a pound, and she's full grown. If she'd been just under a pound, I'd have had the world's record." By chance, one of her tiny pooches was spotted at a pet industry trade show in Chicago by Jake Dynnis, a Los Angeles woman who's well known as "the dog tailor to the stars." Dynnis designs canine couture. She makes cashmere sweaters, spa robes, blankets, gowns, tuxedos, crystal-studded T-shirts and other items that sell for as much as $700. Clients have included Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Demi Moore, Bruce Willis and Paula Abdul. As soon as Dynnis saw the well-mannered Yorkie in Chicago, she knew she wanted a dog from the same breeder. She traveled to Knox County in December to pick up Junebug. (Oliver's dogs sell for up to $3,000 each, with the smallest being the most valuable.) Thanks to Dynnis' show-business connections, Junebug showed up on Hollywood runways within weeks. She was photographed with Dynnis at the Golden Globe Awards, did a turn on CNN and E! Entertainment and was caught giving Paris Hilton a smooch at a museum-exhibit opening. A career in show business was on the horizon, Dynnis said. "She w well on her way to being the next Benji." Unfortunately, Junebug - just a year old - died during spaying surgery last month. Dynnis suspects the dog's grape-sized heart couldn't tolerate the anesthetic. It takes an expert veterinarian to care for such small dogs, Oliver said. "They're fragile little creatures." She should know. Oliver has 23 Yorkies, which sounds like an astounding number until you consider that their combined weight is probably less than that of one Saint Bernard. Oliver knows every one by name: Mikka, Wittle Man, Cuddle Bug, Evie, Sugar Pie, Rascal, etc. They bark when visitors arrive but soon quiet down, refuting the slander that Yorkies are yappy. "Well-bred ones aren't yappy," Oliver says. Her next brush with Hollywood might not be far away. Hilton asked for Oliver's Web address (www.yorkiecity1.com), and Dynnis wants Oliver and Mikka to come to the Emmy Awards. Despite reservations, Oliver plans to go. "I'm scared to death to fly." Of course, if word of her diminutive dogs continues to spread, Hollywood might come to her. Joe Blundo is a Dispatch columnist.
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