Yunah, the service dog :) - Our beloved Yunah has crossed The Bridge

[SasAndYunah]

Let me start with a quick and short introduction. I came here, a few years ago because Boncuk, my (former Turkish stray) dog was diagnosed with Cushing's disease. Unfortunately, he had so many different health issues, he passed away within less then 6 months after his Cushing's diagnosis due to complications caused by all his health issues and medications needed for them, combined. He was only 5...

Then Sogno came into my life, meant to become my service dog. Sadly enough, it turned out he had extreme hipdysplasia and he passed away when he was only 16 months old...

And now there's Yunah, my service dog. She came into my life almost 2 years ago, July 11th, 2007. She's 17 inches, weighs 13 kilo's and was born on December 11th, 2005. Her mother is a black Labrador and her father is a Border Collie/Frisian Stabij mix She is in perfect health, extremely clever, very dedicated to her work, loving, gentle, kind and always ready to do whatever it is we're going to do

And a little about me... I am 47, live in The Netherlands by myself with Yunah, and am wheelchairbound due to a connective tissue disease, called the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Yunah and myself love to give demonstrations, show people what it is Yunah can do for me, how she helps me and just how special she is to me

On May 9th 2009, we had a demonstration for the Kiwanis International Convention in The Hague. The chairman at this time is an American, mister Don Canady, and I spoke with him for quite a while. He said he had seen quite a few service dogs but never one like my Yunah She is something else indeed...

On May 20th we had a demonstration for the children of a special needs school (ages 4 till 12), my favorite audience, children They had organised a "charity fair" and all the money earned that day, went to the servide dog foundation

Here you can see Yunah and myself... She opens a drawer, jumps on my lap (she's too small to hand me something from that drawer otherwise) , gives me a "facial" , picks an item from the drawer, hands it to me, jumps of off my lap and closes the drawer again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN_LtTqgf5Q

Saskia and Yunah

[Dollydog]

Hi to Saskia and Yunah,
It's great to see you here and get a wonderful update. Thanks for the video...she's an awesome dog and looks like she has a great time "working" for you!
Take care,
Jo-Ann & Lady

[labblab]

Oh Saskia, I'm so glad to see your new thread here!!!!!

Somehow, I had overlooked it until just this moment. It is such a treat to find our "old" friends back here with us -- just as it should be. As always, your youtube video shows us just how special Yunah is. I have to agree with Mr. Canady: I have never seen a service dog with Yunah's sensitivity and abilities. She is a remarkable girl.

I left you a Visitor's Message asking you to please start up a photo album here. I never tire of seeing sweet Yunah, and am missing all the wonderful pictures that we had in our old gallery.

How are you doing, yourself? I know that you had at least a couple of procedures scheduled during the course of the year. I am hoping that both you and Yunah are doing well...

Once again, it is so good to have your new thread posted on the forum.
Many (((hugs))) to both you girls from Marianne

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi Saskia!

Glad to see you and Yunah here with us! It is always good to hear from you and hear what new things you and your baby are into. I swear, ya'll are very busy! We could have told Mr. Canady just how special Yunah is but I am glad folks get to see it with their own eyes. You and Yunah have such a special bond I don't know how anyone could miss it!

Personally, I enjoy your input on behavior issues and find them very helpful! Just another reason I'm glad to have you back home.

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls

[SasAndYunah]

Jo-Ann and Lady,

Thanks It's great to be able to have a place again where we can all hang out...eventhough the Diabetes board did a wonderful job giving us, homeless folks, a place to stay And yes that's probably the best thing about Yunah, the one thing that makes all the difference between her and other service dogs, her love for her work, her neverending enthousiasm, the sheer joy she displays when doing...whatever

Hi Marianne and Peg

Thanks for the message. I am doing well considering. I had all my procedures done and they all went well Unfortunately, my Ehlers-Danlos is getting worse and worse and I was just asked by my specialist to please no longer give demonstrations. They are taking too much of a physical toll and with a neck that's so incredable instable, they fear I might end up paralysed when making a "wrong" move with my neck. So, that took me some time to accept but in the end, it's my health that comes first So, apart from one last demonstration, June the 20th, here at my own vetclinic, my (and Yunah's) demodays will be over. But I couldn't let the vetclinic down. They have been so amazing with both Boncuk and Sogno...they deserve the best. And the best is Yunah But I am in good spirits and still enjoying every day

Hi Leslie and your girls

Strange heh, how I keep coming back here eventhough there's no Cushing's in my life...at this time. There's not much I can say to people when it comes to Cushing's, just perhaps mention the odd differences between "the Dutch way" and the "USA way" But I have found so much love and understanding here when I first came here with Cukie...it's hard to let go of those that have meant so much to me in those days... As a "non Cush mom" at this moment, I must admitt it's difficult to keep up with all the new stories and all the new members. But I do try to at least read most and on occassion I think I can help with some comments on epilepsy, behavior or perhaps IBD. Never Cushing's though And if I miss anything, there's usually at least one person that pm's me, to ask me to have a look at a certain message...and glad they do Cause if I can help, in anyway, I still love to do so.

Sol, it's good to "be back home"...

Saskia and Yunah

[labblab]

Dear Saskia,

I very much regret learning that your Ehlers-Danlos is worsening. And I can so easily imagine your disappointment in discontinuing the demos. Yunah is such a remarkable girl, and it has been such a wonderful gift to be able to show people what she is capable of doing on your behalf.

But you are absolutely correct. Your health must come first. And for Yunah, assisting you is HER gift and her life's purpose. The demos may have been great fun for her, as well. But I feel certain that for her, nothing can compare to the gratification of being your helper and your heart's companion. Those are the two most important jobs that she can possibly have.

So do take care, and please do give "our" girl some special hugs and pats. I know that she has earned each and every one, and so many more to come!!
Marianne

[SasAndYunah]

Thanks Marianne... "Our" girl Yunah sure enjoyed those hugs and pats

I started a new album on Yunah...and saw both my Cukie and Sogno in the 2006 - 2007 album. My two precious babies, still a shock to see them unexpectedly. Boncuk's third "anniversary" was just 2 months ago and Sogno's second "anniversary" will be in only 8 days. It's like yesterday they were still here...and yet it also seems so long ago when I realise Yunah will be here 2 years in July. Glad to say that both still frequent me in my dreams, so they are never far away. We hug and cuddle, in my dreams, and yet, every time they return to where they came from....saying they are happy there but they will never be far away. And then when I wake up, I can still feel them in my arms, smell them... My oh so difficult but brave Boncuk and my softhearted Sogno, how I love them still

I will look to see if I still have that letter to Boncuk...if I can find it, I will post it again

Love to all,

Saskia and Yunah

[SasAndYunah]

Hi all,

I updated Yunah's album and added albums of both Sogno and Cukie

We're doing great and I have a funny video to share. I had to go to the dentist last week and Yunah just hates being without me. But bringing her to the dentist with me is no option since she will start howling like a wolf when the drill starts

In the video, Yunah is at home with one of my maids who she knows very well and who she loves dearly.... Yet, with me not there, Yunah is not a happy camper, hahaha... Please turn on the sound for this one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuOveOUbp-s

Saskia and Yunah

[gpgscott]

Hello Saskia and sorry that I have not properly welcomed you until now, somehow I missed your first post in early June.

I am also sorry about the worsening of your condition and hope the Drs. treating you are able to stabilize your issues.

Thanks very much for posting the Boncuk letter and the other postings here in this forum. I find you an inspiration and I know others will as well.

Best to you and Yunah, I hope you are able to continue educating people for many years to come.

Scott

[SasAndYunah]

Scott...thanks I will always find ways to educate or contribute in some way, I have no doubt at all I just applied to become a foster mom for abused dogs from countries like Turkey, Greece or Spain. Yunah is "complete, finished", nothing left to teach her, no unwanted behaviour I need to change with her And with the demonstrations now no longer an option, I had to find something else to do, right? What better thing to do then to help other dogs, socialise them, train them a little and make sure they are ready to be adopted into a good forever home... I can do all that at home....from bed even if needed And with Yunah, the perfect "dog example" helping me as well, I am sure Yunah and myself can change the lifes of a few strays from countries that have no respect for animals. So, I am now waiting to hear when a dog will be brought to The Netherlands that I can foster And of course, when that happens, I will let you all know

Saskia and Yunah