Quincy, from Polish straydog to Dutch service dog

A month has gone by since Mhina passed. I am still so very sad and miss her so much but I have to keep looking towards the future. I need the help but also I need the company of a loyal canine friend in my life :)

And so, I slowly started looking for another dog. And since my heart is with the rescued ones, I looked at rescued dogs. Not easy since they should be quite social, not fearfull or afraid because I no longer have the time nor the energy to go that extensive route first of socialising a fearfull dog.

Well, I think I saw a possible candidate :) He's a rescue from Spain and lives in a fosterhome only 9 miles from where I live, so it will be possible for me to go visit him. And I will go visit him, this coming Monday afternoon.

He supposedly is very gentle and very friendly. Plays with the children a lot (fetch!) and loves to cuddle. He loves people, children, is social with other dogs and animals. He is familiar with indoor living (tv's, vacuumcleaners, he knows it all) and can walk on a leash :D He's stable and friendly...

He's 8 months old at the moment, will be around 50 - 55 cm high eventually and he''s named Obi :)

I will create a new album and share some of his pictures...and possible others as they come along and if needed.

Saskia.

Oh Saskia! :o :o :) :) :) :D :D :D :D

Ehmmmm, call me stupid but I can't seem to find the "upload picture" button...?

Are you wanting to add to an existing album? If so, open that album, and the "upload" button will be on the upper left-hand side above the composite page of existing album photos. ;)

This is just insane... I have created numerous albums, added loads of pictures without a problem but the upload button is really nowhere to be found. I tried it with a newly created album and with the existing albums... There's simply no upload button :(

Update! I now know why there was no upload button, my upload space was filled to the max. So I first had to delete e few pictures...and voila, there's the upload button again :D

Will now upload the pics of the Spanish gentleman :-)

I just checked your albums, and you're right! I wonder if maybe you've exhausted your allowable space, because I know there is a limit. I will check on this later today and get back with you re: expansion if that is what is necessary. Sorry for the delay, because I am so anxious to see your pics!!!

P.S. I see we were posting at the same time -- so glad you found at least a temporary fix!

Omigosh, Obi looks like a combination of Mhina and Sogno!! :) :)

Yes, Sogno is who came to mind right away :) Was wondering if you would see it too...and sure thing, you saw it ;)

Can you tell I am more than a little excited???? ;) ;) ;)

I feel like the sun is already shining brighter this morning...:)

Well, I still have to go see him on Monday and then there's the next hurdle, the medical exam...will have to wait and see how everything works out. But he looks like a good candidate and a very sweet dog :)

Oh look at Obi! Very precious and playful looking. Can't wait for the report on Monday after you meet up.
Hope he is as smart and wonderful as he looks!
Sharlene and molly muffin

Thanks Sharlene :) I'll make sure to update you all tomorrow...

Saskia :)

Well, today's a sad day. Things didn't go at all as I was expecting...and that has nothing to do with Obi. When I arrived at the place and the door opend, the most heavy air of urine I have ever smelled "embraced" me to the point I had to gag. I followed the lady in and what I saw, I can't describe it. The house was so very filthy. I was led into a small room (on my way to that room I saw at least a dozen cats everywhere..between loads of rubble) where there were 2 small brown dogs and Obi. Obi was very frightened, tail between his legs and the 2 (much smaller) brown dogs were biting Obi and the poor thing just sat there, scared and frightened. I was stunned! I quickly asked if I could take Obi out and spend some time alone with him...and that was okay. On the way to the fenced in area outside where I could spent some time alone with Obi, I heard lots of other dogs barking, coming from sheds shattered all over the place. She told me she had 47 dogs! I have not ever seen anything more appauling then what I saw today.

Well, the woman left and I spent some time alone with Obi but the poor guy was so scared, he never even came near me. I had to leave him behind eventhough it broke my heart. I cried all the way back home...but I simply can not afford financially to keep a second dog, beside the service dog that I need. The moment I came home I called the animalcops and they promissed me they will go there and have a look... I hope they can close this place down and Obi will find a very warm and safe home that will help him heal and grow so he can have bright future

Saskia.

What an arrow through all our hearts, and most especially yours. Poor, poor little Obi. What a sad world we do live in, when people will treat innocent creatures in this way.

Sas, I am again so sorry. But I refuse to give up hope for you and for the companion that is meant to be yours.

Thank goodness tomorrow will bring a new day.

I am Not giving up hope either and today while it might not have yielded the results we were all hoping for in regards to you finding a new companion, might have in fact, saved many animals from a bad situation and given them a chance to find loving homes and not be terrorized.
So, we're going to make a mark in the positive column for todays trip. :)
Your search simply, continues.
We all look forward to traveling the road with you.

hugs
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Sas, I've not posted to you with Mhina's passing, so let me just say that I'm deeply sorry for your loss.

Now, on to what happened with little Obi. Of course, when I saw you were going to meet another Obi, I got a chuckle & told my Obi that he had a kindred spirit in the Netherlands. If I had made that trip to meet Obi, I would have been absolutely devastated, & wanted to take Obi, & all of his friends home with me. I'm certainly glad you contacted the proper authorities to have this situation looked into, & hopefully, they will do something about this woman. Even better, I hope they remove all of the pups from her "care", & put them some place safe where they have hopes of finding a forever home.

I know deep in my heart that there is another companion waiting for you, & that he or she will be uncovered during your search.

Huge hugs,
Debbie

Today I got a call from the National Society for the protection of Animals. They had received the report from the animalcops and wanted to talk to me some more about what I saw. After telling them my story they said they would go there and see for themselves what was going on there. I told them there also were children living there and with that amoniumsmell it was a very unhealthy place to live in, not only for the animals but also for the children (and all humans) So they will also take the Childrens welfare organisation with them.

They will let me know what has happened, after they have visited there...

Saskia.

Good job Saskia. At least they are aware and will be sending both agencies out.
How very heart breaking for those poor dogs and poor kids too.

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Today I received a phonecall from the servicedogschool.... They have a "shrunken-in-the-laundry" size Goldendoodle :) (They know how much I want a medium sized dog...because they fit in my lap) :)

I was hesitant (but I'm afraid after all my recent experiences with canine health, I'll be hesitant no matter what dog, what breed...or where it comes from) but they said they would send me a short video of Fay (that's her name) during a training session. Well, I saw the video and ohhhhhh well....I would almost say "the rest is history" :D

They will get back to me with her exact height and weight and the results of her hips and elbows x-rays. I liked her "will-to-please" a lot, she seems rather eager to work but I also found it difficult that she looked a lot like Mhina. They told me that where Mhina had the typical curly poodlecoat, Fay's coat, once it has grown again is more like the coat of a Bearded Collie, so, the fleecy, weavy kind of coat. No curls.

Here's the short video of Fay training...

http://youtu.be/pPZMuVk4iIo

If her size is indeed not that large, then she may come and visit me next week orso...

Saskia :)

Ah yes, forgot to mention she is a bit of a handfull apparently. In a good way of course but she is not all that "obedient" if she sees a chance to have some fun :p So a little bit of a challenge...but I like that :)

Ah Sas, what focus and attention! :)

I do understand about the resemblance to Mhina, but if she does end up joining you, I'm sure Fay's own "self" will soon come shining through.

I'll be waiting so anxiously to hear more!!! :) :)

Fay has that retriever look to her and definitely the retriever tail. The hello I'm happy, you are my friend, lets do something :) (i had a golden retriever, wonderful dogs).
I think if this works out and I hope it does, that Marianne is right. Fay will just be Fay to you in no time at all. Plus she is on the training program already which is kind of nice.
Can't wait to hear more. :)

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Hi Saskia-How about an update?

Sorry I haven't posted recently. On january 21st, I had all my (remaining) molars and premolars removed. Due to my excesive bleeding and fragility of my connective- and bone tissue it was done by a dental surgeon in hospital. Unfortunately, it took me a long time to recover as there were many complications such as for example a lot of (jaw)bonesplinters and an open "passage" between my upper jaw and nasal cavity. I develloped several abcesses and in spite of a strong anti biotic it wouldn't heal. So they put drains in the abcesses and now, almost 6 weeks later, I am finally recovering from this ordeal. I now can heal and regain my strength again, since my teeth will be removed April 21st.

With this knowledge, the following will make more sense :)

I spoke with the servicedog school and Fay is 51 cm/20 inch high (Mhina was 55 cm/22 inch) and weighs 23,5 kilo's/51 lbs (Mhina weighed 18 kilo's/39 lbs)
So, Fay is smaller then Mhina was but heavier. She just started her training and so she won't be ready till at least the 1st of June. And well, with all this "teeth-stuff" going on, that suits me just fine.

Since she is "quite heavy", at least with my bleeding tendency, they will start right away with training her to be very careful when she steps onto my legs with her frontpaws when she has to hand me something. And before April 21st, (when they remove my teeth) she will come here for a visit so we can meet each other to see if we both have this "click":)

That's about all I know and can tell for now :)

Saskia :)

Oh dear Sas, it sounds like you have really been through the ringer with this teeth issue.
I do hope that you and Fay click. Do you think the weight will be an issue? I hate to think of you bonding with Fay and then it not working out. That would break all our hearts.

Wishing you a speedy recovery from here forward.
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Oh me, Sas! I've been dealing with teeth abscesses lately and when you said drains had to be put in I cringed and had sympathetic pain in my jaw! We fight so hard to keep the dang things but I gotta say, getting the bad ones out sure brings relief. Many years ago, I had a friend who had really bad teeth and got frequent abscesses. I watched her time after time take her fingers, press on her gums, and push the stuff up and out of the pockets without batting an eye! :eek::confused: I couldn't even stand for the SHEET to touch my face - I cannot imagine! I SO hope this gets better very soon and you no longer have to face any more of this.

Boy! Fay is a solid gal, huh? She must be muscular. Have they been sending her to work out in a gym? :p I hope your visit with her goes well and the "click" happens for you both.

Watching hopefully for the next update but meantime, please, please take good care of yourself. Keep plenty of soft foods ready so you can keep your nourishment up during the teeth flares. Try oil pulling with coconut or safflower oil and rinse often with warm salt water. Listen to me - telling YOU how to take care of yourself. :rolleyes::D

Prayers and healing energies flying your way!
Hugs,
Leslie

Sharlene, that is why I want to meet with Fay first :) To see if she leaves bruises on me...and of course to see if we "like" each other :) But I have no clue when this will happen, the trainer went for a wintersport vacation. I think he will be back next week so I will probably talk to him then and will know more.

Leslie, without going into gross details :eek: I did what your friend did too, twice a day I would push the stuff up and out but they would fill back up even faster then I could empty them ;) So eventually they put in the drains. That was quite the experience, trying to eat and talk with tubes hanging out of your mouth :eek: Okay, pretty tiny ones but still. Right now I have one bonesplinter sticking half out of my lower jaw...hope that when this one is gone, that will be the end of it, for now :) I will get full dentures in my upperjaw and partial dentures in the lower jaw. So in April they will "only" retract the teeth in my upper jaw. By now I am the master of soft foods with heaps of calories :p And I am proud to say I haven't lost a lot of weigth :D

And yes, Fay looks pretty sturdy. I could tell from the video that she was much more heavy then Mhina. Mhina was delicate like a ballerina, Fay is more built like a "truck" :p We'll see if this sturdy lady can be gentle....;)

Sas :)

Oh Saskia, what an ordeal for you!

I know you will be humble and deny this, but you are truly one of the strongest, bravest people I have ever had the privilege to meet. Truly!!!

In addition to the possible bruising, I am guessing there may be questions about Fay being able to ride in your lap? What a shame she is not a tinier girl. But she is meant to be herself, of course, and we will keep all fingers crossed that "herself" will be a good fit for you.

Anxiously awaiting further updates...
Marianne

Marianne, it was inevitable. For many years now I have tried my absolute hardest to safe my teeth but the EDS won :) The good thing about it was, that my dentist tried every bit as hard as I did and as a result I can, at least for the time being, keep the teeth in my lower jaw. As you will know, the jaws will "shrink" a lot once the teeth are gone and as my dentist said: "You are still so very young so we must do whatever we can to at least save your teeth in your lower jaw for as many more years as we can". And I was like "Yippieeeeee...there are still some area's in which I am considered young" :D Another funny thing was that he mentioned that since several years now, he also works with dentures made in Hong Kong and that his experiences with them are very good. (they are quite a bit cheaper, that's why he mentioned them) I was like "Sure, if you say they are good. But I don't want to end up with new teeth and smile...and then there's a stamp saying "made in Honk Kong" on my new teeth" :D

I am not looking forward to April but on the other hand, the past 5 - 6 weeks were so bad, that it can't get a lot worse. And I survived these past weeks so I will survive what's coming as well :)

Hunble...? Mmmmm, usually yes ;) Brave, strong...? No, not particularly :) I am extremely lucky to have an upbeat nature, it comes to me without any real effort. Of course I have my bad days, of course I feel like I want to die too after yet another one of my dogs died...of course. Brave and strong, to me, means a person for who it is a real strugle, for whom it doesn't come that easy. For example, both my mom and my sister suffer from severe depressions and for them, life is hard. For them, every day is a strugle. So to me, they are the strong and brave ones, to continue, to actually strugle every day... For me it's not like that. I wake up and the first thing I do is sing :) When I'm outside, I see beauty and feel peace and joy...it comes naturally, I don't have to do anything for it. But those who have to struggle on a daily base and still stand, they are the strong and brave ones according to me. I am just lucky :)

About Fay and riding in my lap. I hope, due to her size, that this won't pose a problem. Once she lies still, she won't cause bruises, I think. It's mainly when she has to step on my legs, either to hand me something or to come lay in my lap. That's why I asked that she would be especially trained in being extra careful and gentle...like anything else, it can be trained. And hopefully that will solve the bruising problem :) But for now it's wait and see.... As soon as I know more, I will let you (all) know :)

Sas :)

As promised, when I knew more, I would let you know. And I know more :) The trainer called today. He has been in contact with Fay's trainer (with whom she lives in the house, so Fay is not at the training/school's facility) and had asked her how Fay was doing. He also asked her what she thought of Fay especially her will-to-please? And it seems that, according to the trainer, Fay doesn't exibit a great will-to-please. She does do her job/training, but not overly exited :) This was not what he had expected since in the kennels (and as was to be seen on the video) Fay really seemed to enjoy "working". Anyway, we've decided that the best way to judge Fay, if she would be a match with me, if I enjoy her attitude etc is that she will come for a trial period to live with me :) I do not know the date yet but he will let me know asap. And then Fay will come to stay with me for a week orso...that way I can see/feel/sense/experience for myself what she is all about :)

Once I know the date, I of course will let you know :)

Saskia :)

Once she gets to know you, she will bend over backwards to please you, I'm sure. How could she not?! ;)

Well it will certainly be exciting to have a dog in the house again and hopefully Fay will end up being a good match for you. If not, then the search will continue. As Leslie said it's hard to imagine Fay not being willing for you. :)

We'll be looking forward to further posts.
hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Well, haven't heard from the service dog school yet and I have been looking around as well :) Right now I have my eye on a Border Collie x Frisian Stabij mix. A 1,5 year old male currently in a shelter in Rotterdam.

http://ikzoekbaas.dierenbescherming....mond-rotterdam

We'll see... :)

Sas :)

That is a nice looking dog too. Have you contacted them about personality, etc?

Do you train or does he go for training, if the personalities match, at a professional facility?

Is his weight in the appropriate range for you? Will someone go check him out and see what his personality is like? willingness to work, etc, although being a border collie, they usually Like to work, the more the better in fact. Would that be a factor that they need a lot of activity, would it be more than you could give for his breed?

I know, I always have a million questions. :)

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Sharlene, ask away :)

He and his brother went to a family at the age of 8 weeks. They have been living there eversince, He has, socially speaking, a good background. Gets along great with children, adults, dogs and everything else. They did miss some training and as a result he's pulling his leash and jumps up against humans. But nothing that couldn't be corrected with some training :) He's gentle, on the submissive side, intelligent, loves to work, cuddly, plays endlessly with other dogs and certainly needs his activities :) (more then average...of course) The reason he and his brother ended up in the shelter is (or so they said) because of healthissues of the owner. The brother was already adopted and so was Balou. But Balou returned to the shelter because he could not, absolutely NOT, be alone. Well, he never has been alone, he was with his brother always...so of course he cannot be alone. But hey...with me he doesn't have to be alone :)

His activitylevel doesn't worry me. He will have to work, during the day, he can run alongside my wheelchair several times a day, he can play with other dogs since the dogpark is just 100 yards away from my home and I want to take courses with him. First obedience but then later on fly-ball or something like that. He'll have plenty to do here with me :)

I mailed the service dog school, asking if they would be willing to go have a look at him, on my behalf. And of course, he would need a medical exam. So, it won't be easy but I really wanted to give it a try with Balou :)

Sas :)

That sounds very positive Sas. I hope they will go take a look for you.

Even the not being alone can be a positive, he would bond with you very well I think and be willing to work hard for you too.

I hope this one is the one as I hate to think of you 1) not having a dog in your life 2) not having the help that is needed or the expectation of Soon having the help you need.

So this can be good and maybe a better fit too personality wise.

Now I can't wait to hear further news. :)

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

I think it all sounds positive too Sas. I was so sad to read about Mhina's passing. I hate to think of you without a dog also, and I hope this ends up being a good match. He is beautiful, I must say. :)

Hugs,
Tina and Jasper

well, today and tomorrow Balou will be tested (at the shelter) on some critical points. If he has a natural love to retrieve, if he's afraid of loud noises (thunder, fireworks, etc) if he has a strong hunting instinct (hope not), etc. If the tests are all good, then the service dog school will go meet him (sometime later this week) and decide. So keep your fingers crossed, for me and Balou :)

Sas :)

Fingers, toes and paws all crossed Sas.

Come on Balou, we are all pulling for you to pass and be the one!!

Sharlene and molly muffin

All various body parts crossed here too!

Hugs, Lori

What a cool name! I hope they will give him a bath before he comes to see you! ;):D I've got my fingers and toes crossed!!