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<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) Dayna Culbertson and Sassy appear on a big screen in New York City's Times Square.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Wednesday, July 9, 2008 Marysville dog makes it to Times Square By Kristi O'Harran, Herald Columnist Many folks have been to New York City and marveled at Times Square, but how many can say their face was shown on a big screen in what is billed as the busiest intersection in the world? Sassy can say her photograph was shown there. So can her owner, Dayna Culbertson of Marysville. Sassy, a 2-year-old Yorkshire terrier, won the Purina Dog Chow "Picture Your Dog in Times Square" Sweepstakes grand prize trip. It included a five-day stay in New York -- with spending money. Ten years ago, Culbertson, a passionate animal lover, began researching breeds she could train as therapy dogs. She said she fell in love with Yorkshire terriers and became an advocate for the breed. The mother of a grown son volunteers for Delta Society and visits senior care centers where residents get to hug a dog. "Every time I see what a dog can do for others in need, it just makes my heart smile," Culbertson said. "They bring out conversations. The first time we were at Regency Care Center at Monroe, a lady talked who hadn't talked in three months." As director of the Washington and Oregon Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue organization, she both fosters and owns Yorkies while finding good homes for rescued dogs. Culbertson said she entered her dog to put the spotlight on Yorkies. She learned that she won through an e-mail. When Culbertson, her husband and Sassy went to New York, Culbertson's parents watched the house and the other dogs. The trip included a limo ride from the airport and dinner at a Bobby Flay (Food Network star) restaurant in New York. Culbertson, and her husband, Geoff, who works at the Boeing Co., were front and center with Sassy when her picture flashed in Times Square. "Seeing Sassy on the big screen was very exciting," Culbertson said. "It was a lot to take in." More than 9,000 dogs entered into the contest had pictures splashed on the Reuters/NASDAQ Digital Tower Billboards in Times Square. Viewers couldn't detect that Sassy was born with a malformed front leg. Culbertson adopted the 6-week-old puppy in Portland, Ore. "Sassy has become vivacious and her disability never once slowed her down," said Culbertson, 45. "She has touched the hearts of many with her personality and unconditional love she gives to everyone. If a person was to watch Sassy run, they wouldn't even realize she uses only three legs." At Sassy's house, Bear, a black Labrador and chow mix, is part of the canine gang. He was the only survivor from a dozen puppies born in Portland, Ore. All the others died 11 years ago from canine parvo disease. They share the couch with Bailey, a 6-year-old Yorkie, and Baxter, a 3-year-old Yorkshire terrier with a doll face. "Baxter has attitude," Culbertson said. The other dogs seem oblivious to Sassy's stardom. In New York, her picture flashed every eight minutes for 24 hours. "Wow," Culbertson said about watching the screen. "There we are again." All of her dogs seemed to be equal apples of her eye, but she has competition. "Sassy is daddy's girl," Culbertson said. Columnist Kristi O'Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.

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