“Our first child, our Dachshund, Yosya, was born eight years ago in Russia, and then immigrated here with us,” said Olga. “As the crow flies it is a 4,602 mile (7406 km) journey, but by airplane it includes a four hour flight to South Korea, a seven hour lay over, and then an 11 hour flight
across the Atlantic - an emotionally and physically exhausting trip!
Our dog’s name, Yosya, is one that my husband, Alex, and I associate with highly intelligent people and it paws-itiviely fits her purrs-onality. She understands Russian, but is now learning some English words.
Yosya was four years old when our first human child, Polina, was born. Little Polina’s birth was ‘a bit of a shock’ to Yosya, as she realized she’d just lost her
first place standing in our family. But she quickly got over it because she loves Polina.
Polina is absolutely in love with her older four-legged sister, Yosya. They spend hours playing together, talking and cuddling. Polina is learning English and the words she learns she teaches to her eager Pup-il.
Polina has only known life with her favorite dog by her side. She lives for her dog and doesn't go anywhere without her. I can relate
because as a child I had a dog who I deeply loved.
Just like I was to my childhood dog, Polina is to Yosya. She is so devoted that even when Polina goes to the community swimming pool, she assumes that her dog should come too.
Our family invented a pretend game of ‘Dog Family’. We laugh while playing it and Yosya loves it too! She barks and jumps around us as we all bark and move like dogs. It is one of her favorite
games!
Her other favorite game is tennis. Well, not exactly, but still, she responds like a champion tennis player that never misses a ball tossed her way.
And here is the endearing part. When we toss a ball, Polina competes with Yosya to see who gets it first - and our sweet dog lets our daughter claim the prized ball.
Yosya has the most curious habit for a long dog with short legs! She can sit up and rest on
her two hind legs. She looks like a Meercat or a Prairie Dog as she quietly poses in that position.
The only thing missing is the prairie or African desert scenery. It is amazing how she can balance, with her odd body structure, and sit like that for any length of time.
Being our first child, Yosya has always slept in our bed. Now that Polina is here, we often can't come to agreement whose turn it is to sleep with the dog - everyone
loves and wants her. The dog eventually decides, by starting in one bed and ending in the other bed, sharing her sweet spirit with each of us.
My hope, in including our daughter on our daily walks with her dog, is that it teaches her about the responsibilities of having a dog companion, and the invaluable lessons of kindness and compassion for all living beings.
So far it seems to be working! Polina thinks that Yosya is just like her -
not more or less than a human - and doesn't see much of a difference between us and our dog.”
