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Een deel van deze site bestaat voornamelijk omdat ik jullie graag op de hoogte hou van wat er in ons leven gebeurt. Wat het nu betekent om een assistentiehond te hebben, zowel in positieve als negatieve zin. Mijn eerste doel was om te gaan bloggen, maar ik heb al snel moeten toegeven dat ik dat fysiek niet kon volhouden. Wat ik wel echter heel goed kan is foto’s met korte verhaaltjes plaatsen! Je kan op deze pagina de hele tijdlijn bekijken, of je kan ons gewoon direct volgen!
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FaithfulElite
BUTT TO NOSE
Yin to yang
FaithfulElite
WHEN YOU’RE BORED
And in bed
And your dog is in your bed
The dog will become a plaything
It’s universal law 🤣
FaithfulElite
NIGHTYNIGHT!
FaithfulElite
ALL IS WELL
When Evi is well. And yes I feel pain, have incisions, just had surgery and feel groggy from the anaesthesia - yes I’m in a hospital and things are different. But when Evi says it’s okay? It’s okay…
My EDS brings me (many) side effects and exception after exception. But I know I can deal with them when this little light is near. She’s not a big bright light - like you could compare Faye with a flood light 😂 but she’s the steady little flicker of a candle thats always there. Warm and gentle, soft and in the background but definitely unmistakeable.
She’s there to help and she does. The moment I was wheeled back to my room she did a full sniff around, like a bomb dog checking for issues and after a thorough inspection said to my mom (who was stand-in handler for me) she’s okay. Flopped down on the floor and wen to sleep.
When I finally fully woke up a few hours later things changed though. I had to get up, pee, sit in my chair for a bit, nurses walking in and out…and the floor no longer feit safe. The hospital bed is up high with big plastic barriers that make her first steps signalling (which are soft prods, pokes and noses) too hard. So in full on Evi style she told me, and I was prepared - even brought along her @sheddefender - luckily the staff was a-okay with just her fleecie on the bed. She keeps to it only to get off when telling me something is shifting or wrong to immediately return to it when I get the message and am safe. Hygienic dog 101 😂
She is in no way phased with what is going on and I could go to sleep with the door open now, sleep away the day and nothing would happen. There’s a reason training assistance dogs takes 2 years or more 🫣
We agreed on her not wearing her vest in the room, it’s bulky and we can’t imagine it’s nice to have to wear it for 24/7 (tomorrow is the soonest I can go home). She’ll wear it when someone is taking her potty though.
The staff here at Rijnstate has made this journey possible for me, because without Evi it would have been a no. I’m seriously grateful ❤️
FaithfulElite
UNTERWEGS!
And when the suitcase is on my lap, Evi can join in right? Time for a quick ‘sleepover’ in one of the hospitals guest rooms - saves a lot of hassle when I have to report at 07:00 for my surgery. Here’s hoping all goes well - whatever happens Evi’s there with me ❤️
Ps; yes my loved ones are there as well of course, but seeing as my wheelchair van has reached the end of an era and all the other options are a lot of f*cking hassle trying to get in the hospital in time this was the easiest option. Here’s hoping I’ll be back home this time Wednesday 😎
FaithfulElite
PARTY TIME - WEAR THE BLING
Because there’s no reason to not do it 😇
FaithfulElite
PAPER FUN IS BEST!
And I never have to be scared my paper bin is too full because everything is torn into little pieces. And Faye is mentally and physically tired and challenged with something she likes.
Win - win
FaithfulElite
WHEN YOU WAKE UP EARLY
You just sleep it off in the taxi right?
Alarm clock went off at 5:45 this morning, which is a bit early even for Evi & Faye 🫣
We’re having a ‘media training’ in Amsterdam today to prepare for interviews and local and national media outlets that might want to help spread this years message from Kruidvat & armoedefonds in their campaign about ‘verzorgingsarmoede’ (hygiëne/personal product poverty).
All new and exiting, but for now Evi is still sleeping off the early morning
FaithfulElite
EVI: BWLAAARSRAWRRRRLARGH
Faye: WTF?
#assistancedog #hulphond #Evi #Faye #eds #ptss #chronicpain #shepherds #duitseherder #herder #shepherd #doglovers #dogs_of_instagram #gsdstagram #gsd #gsdlife #gsdlovee #instagsd #fluffy #fluffyearsarethebest #fluffydog
FaithfulElite
BRAINCELLS: NONE AVAILABLE
FaithfulElite
THOUGHT I’D MAKE NICE PICTURE
But that won’t happen when Evi woke up on the wrong side of the bed…
So the artwork is here, Evi is here - the combination of the two is less here 😂
Still looking for the right frame though, that might give a better picture with an unwilling Evi 😬
FaithfulElite
SNEAK PREVIEW
Yep this isn’t the original, but I’ll be receiving that as well (and hopefully the credentials of some people, photographer is ok with me posting - I asked but credit due etc.).
Last Tuesday we had a photoshoot for a campaign that is yet to launch. However this photo of me and Evi is awesome 🤭
Small detail: all was going well, we were in the flow, shooting, makeup, hairstyling etc etc when Evi suddenly broke command and walked onto the ‘set’ (she was sleeping outside camera reach before that). I told everyone what Evi’s main jobs are before hand because of curiosity and that cardiac alert is one of the lesser frequent but most major job.
And there she was ignoring all and everyone and telling me m’am - you’ve got issues… she gave notice just in time and when I checked I felt what she meant was coming on. No fainting or feeling sick when Evi is on hand. But when that happend the place she’s sitting in on the picture is the spot she chose, my hand the place it rested when the ‘attack’ was over. And when I finally relaxed and Evi joined me where she’s ’supposed’ to be my expression on my face changed, someone made a funny noise and there it was… me & Evi.
And I love it A LOT - so even though it’s a photo of a photo: I’m sharing it anyhows 🫣
More details will come on the 17th of October when the actual campaign will be released.
FaithfulElite
YUMMY YUMMY GET IN MY TUMMY
Those three weeks at my brothers helped a lot in finding out what does ánd doesn’t give her stomach/gut problems. So Evi will be finishing the apples while Faye murders a lettuce 😂
Poes pretends to be interested just to join the club and I’m eating breakfast outside.
FaithfulElite
LOOK WHO’S BACK
Back again ❤️
Loaded into the taxi and on our way home. About 1,5 hours to go and all three girls are united again (third being Poes offcourse 🤫)
FaithfulElite
ANOTHER DAY
Another train, another terror 😂 she’s lashing out at other dogs, being a bit annoying but otherwise she’s doing fine luckily 🫣
First an appointment to see my new silversplints, then a coffee wit a bestie I haven’t seen for way way waaaay to long and then the main attraction: bringing home Faye.
But she’ll definitely go back to do more sleepovers. Because if we’re honest; our/my household just gives her way to many triggers. People coming over daily for many different reasons, parents, SO, Evi running around, noisy stuff and I lead a busy life. At my brothers it’s just her & him and maybe 2 visitors a week (in stead of at least 3 a day) and a strict schedule.
But she had a full month to decompress, which we all hope gives her the space mentally to relax a bit more at home. Because of course I can’t miss her yet ❤️
FaithfulElite
WORTKIME OVER
Even little bombs of energy like Evi eventually tire out. And we’re on our way back home from a photoshoot (which I’ll share later). And she fully fizzled out when we ‘landed’ in the intercity from Amsterdam to Arnhem. We left this morning at 09:00 so that was kind of expected. And she turns into a little bundle of tired mush when she hits that point. A little bundle that needs a safe haven herself. So up go the leg rests, down go the planks (yay for dad who made them), scarf in between and that way she can lie down sort of on my lap and feel the safety she needs while I myself feel safe because she can’t be any closer. We’re close to Arnhem by now so I’m slowly waking her up. One more train (which she knows by heart by know), 5 more minutes of walkies and we’ll be home. Where I’ll be staring at a photo of me and her that was made today that is ultra f*cking awesome. And Evi will be receiving a lot of fresh water, cuddles & a big treat.
One more night of peace and quiet before the harbinger of mayhem returns and the trifecta of bitches (Poes, Evi & Faye) is completed once again 😇 - or maybe a quartet, I do fit the description myself 😂
FaithfulElite
HOOMANS FAVOURITE HOBBY
Travelling by train…
I detest it, hate it and it’s a living nightmare to be honest. But luckily there’s Evi, who loves to stare out the window, eyes halfway closed in some sort of induced trance.
Assistance dogs can help in many, many ways. But going full zen to counter my full stress is best in this case. If she’d started stressing too I’d easily panic. And she doesn’t care about trains, moving, bridges, people, stress etc etc and therefore is a continuous trigger, reminder and anchor to try and relax as well.
And as long as she’s acting like she’s in a spa, I know I’m fine and there’s nothing to worry about. Because if there are triggers (stress, heart issues, breathing, pain, to many people brushing up against me) I know she will step in to help me. She’s my gauge, and way better at it than any machine or human trying to do the same.
FaithfulElite
WHEN YOU’RE TIRED
But refuse to give up 😂
FaithfulElite
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ❤️
She already has her new toy, I gave that on the cruise. And I can tell you she has had her fair share of literal pie and ice cream. A ‘week up to your birthday’-celebration so to say.
She’s 7 and I hope she’ll be with me long enough to go on another cruise with me.
#assistancedog #hulphond #Evi #Faye #eds #ptss #chronicpain #shepherds #duitseherder #herder #shepherd #doglovers #dogs_of_instagram #gsdstagram #gsd #gsdlife #gsdlovee #instagsd #fluffy #fluffyearsarethebest #fluffydog
FaithfulElite
SOMETIMES A PICTURE
Is worth more than a thousand words…
THANK YOU Holland America Line and the crew on the Rotterdam. There’s so much to say about cruising, good, bad (very little) ugly but most of all for me: the amazing. This journey has given a shine to my life and gave Evi & me the chance and time to re-imagine the bond we have as an assistance dog team. We literally grew stronger together on this journey.
I felt seen, loved and not once felt unwelcome by any of the staff. They went above and beyond for Evi and with that for me as well.
I know there are so many questions… I almost asked for a meet and greet on the world stage to answer them. 2700 guests on board and about 2000 of them were curious with the main attraction: WHERE DOES SHE PEE?!?!
There was much to learn for me, but even more for those on the other side who met a service dog team for the first time. You’d almost imagine a documentary would be in order on ‘the life aboard a cruise ship for wheelchairs & service dogs’ (would be too long of a name right?)
And let’s not forget my mother who had a great time but was under the ‘Evi spell’ as well. First thing she heard when she went somewhere without us was not ‘hi how are you?!’ but ‘where is Evi? 😳’. And yes we took that in positively - the way the question was meant and laughed about it.
It soon became clear many of the crew missed their loved pets at home and seeing Evi made them emotional. And Her Royal Highness Queen Evi of the Seas does love giving some of her people an audience with her. Every single one was very polite and almost didn’t dare to ask, but most did and all requests were granted with love and hugs back when she snuggled up against them with her full body to say “yes I do like you too”.
I’ve never made so many people cry in my lifetime, can tell you that.
They all know not every service dog is pettable, they all know to ask and they were all al so respectful - which made it possible for me to yes to them. And yes; the guests were told no. But they had pets at home they’d see again soon. Seeing someone who has 8 dogs at home break made my heart cry, please for the love of all that is holy come sneak in a pet
FaithfulElite
ORANGE PARTY
Orange dog, orange bow tie, orange cocktail, orange dresses = @hollandamericaline orange party 🎉
Full attire completed 🍊
#assistancedog #hulphond #Evi #Faye #eds #ptss #chronicpain #shepherds #duitseherder #herder #shepherd #doglovers #dogs_of_instagram #gsdstagram #gsd #gsdlife #gsdlovee #instagsd #fluffy #fluffyearsarethebest #fluffydog #cruise #hollandamericaline #dogscruising #handicaptravel
FaithfulElite
LOVE IN THE GLACIERS
Stories will come later today, for now I’m in total awe of our surroundings
FaithfulElite
AUCTION TIME
Did you know (service) dogs can attend @parkwestgallery auctions as well? Here’s hoping she won’t lift her paw…
FaithfulElite
I SAW THE SUN
And it opened up our eyes (because it was morning).
FaithfulElite
DID YOU HAVE A DAY
Yes I did 😎 and just like the other days the whole story is on our Polarsteps link (Loezelleke). But we’re now hanging out on the balcony while the ship is leaving port.
Faye is having a grand old time as a senior citizen; she’s 6 but because everything going on with her body she’s aging fast. And I love it, I get updates daily, pictures, stories ánd both Faye and my brother are having fun. Meanwhile I can do whatever I feel like with Evi: Best of both worlds.
We’re having a short rest after visiting Oslo today, time for our dinner reservation at the pinnacle grill tonight at 17:30