Man and Man’s best friend

Symbiotic Relationship: Man and Man’s best friend

By Dave Carstensen, assisted by Yukon (German Shepherd adopted from GSSH)

A little over a year ago, Yukon and I met at an adoption event put on by German Shepherd Safe Haven.

My wife and I had a problematic female German Shepherd. We were trying to decide if a male about the same age could help her adjust and settle her down a little bit.

We attended an adoption event and met several dogs. My wife wanted a different dog than Yukon, but since the dog was to be “mine”, I pushed for Yukon. Yukon and I went for a private walk on a leash and we did a few walk, heel, sit, stay and down commands and he did all with no complaint or hesitation. I liked the dog immediately.

We were told Yukon suffers from anxiety and separation issues and can be a handful. Yukon had been to many adoption events but his luck being adopted looked poor.

I told my wife, I could relate to Yukon and his plight as I am adopted and spent several years in an orphanage. Every Friday afternoon or early evening, prospective foster parents would show up for child selection. These children would be taken home with that family for the weekend or a week whatever. The babies and very young children always were taken and the older children were left behind that weekend. I was the one left behind for many months as I was the oldest. I was in first grade at that time. It is hurtful to endure that week after week. I knew what Yukon could be going through if dogs have feelings like us. I am sure on some level they do have feelings as indicated by wagging tails, bright eyes, prancing etc. when the family comes home.

We decided to foster Yukon for a month or so to let everyone get acquainted in our home and our other dogs. Yes, he was anxious when we left the house, he cried and pranced around and barked. My wife and I would hold him close and comfort him that we were still there for him and would help him. We took him on walks and played with him. Yukon did not seem to know what to do for play. He was so serious all the time. He did not chase a ball, he would run, but only to chase our Kica or to run to us to see us.

We saw a lot of potential with Yukon and could already see his calming effect of Kica. She was not as wild with him as she was without him. We worked with him with toys and balls. My wife is actually the best trainer ever.

We decided to adopt Yukon after the month was over. My wife continued to work with Yukon and he was progressing but not real fast. We took him to a Christmas Parade with Kica and many other dogs from Safe Haven and alumni. He howled anytime Kica was near any other dog like he thought she was in danger. Kica and my wife walked in the parade and Yukon and I walked the street beside the parade route and out of sight of Kica. He did fine. He was just overprotective of his new sister.

I would take the dogs to the park in my truck and we would walk on a “Y” leader and leash. Yukon could not be calm with Kica there at all. He just howled. We actually started walking them separate and over time he has grown to be much more tolerant of her beside him and he is not as protective. He is vigilant but does not howl like a hurt dog anymore.

I am retired but I work part time on a contract basis. Yukon does fine in our absence for work or shopping and seems to help keep Kica in line as well. Since I am home a lot, Yukon and Kica spend a great deal of time with me. My wife is the real “Alpha Dog” and “Pack Leader”/trainer, but the dogs do behave with me and follow their instructions pretty well.

In my past, I was a United States Marine and was deployed to Vietnam during the war years 1969, 70 and 71. I spent 27 months in the country as a radio telephone operator and interpreter. In the mid nineties, I was diagnosed with PTSD and started treatment with meds and counseling. My treatment has continued and I still go to the VA from time to time as needed for counseling.

With Yukon around me now at home, I have found I have far fewer events of anxiousness and fear. I find I am not lashing out in verbal assaults like I once did at the smallest upset in my surroundings. He seems to know when I feel down and hurting and he comes by and sits as close as he can, up to and including on my lap. His unrelenting affection for me and soothing demeanor calms me so quickly I just feel better with him there. I don’t understand his sense or his ability to help calm me but he does. I do not understand all of my ailment, but I know it is better now with Yukon and I have not taken any pharmaceuticals for my depression in almost a year.

I do not know what has helped us heal, but I can sincerely credit Yukon for his part in our journey. We are the very definition of symbiosis. We live for each other. We help each other. We are very happy together and I feel we both know we will love and respect each other until we must part somewhere down the road.