the memory palace Episode 210: Smoky and Bill
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Dec 1, 2023 Learn about the history of Yorkshire Terriers and the heartwarming story of an American soldier who finds a tiny dog in a foxhole. Explore Bill's deep connection with dogs and his experiences in World War II. Discover the struggles and friendship between Bill and Smokey in the war zone of Papua New Guinea. Follow their heartwarming bond as they spread joy and comfort, and their adventures both during and after the war.
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From Rat Killer To Lapdog
- Yorkshire Terriers were bred from miners' needs into lapdogs over generations, trading function for form.
- Traits like small size and hair texture shifted from utility to desirability as people bred for cuteness.
A Foxhole Rescue
- In March 1944 a soldier in Papua New Guinea found a four-pound dog in an abandoned foxhole and named her Smoky.
- He rescued her, carried her back to base, and she became part of his life and unit.
Bill Buys Smoky For Company
- Bill Nguyen, a shy 22-year-old photo processor from Ohio, bought Smoky for half his monthly pay and trained her for war life.
- She lived in his helmet, learned strict commands, and became inseparable from him on base.