Yanka-Kwanita: Proof that God does answer Prayers
Love finds us in many ways and in many forms. If I could use one word to describe Yanka-Kwanita it would be love.
Earlier this year I had the privilege of meeting Yanka at Team Talk’s Family Day & Dog show. She was no ordinary Pitbull but one that stood out from the rest.
The love between her and Marizanne Kemp Ferreira was something to be admired. With the sad news of Yanka-Kwanita’s death, I asked Marizanne to share her story with our readers.
“Since her very first day with me, she was included in my prayers. I prayed for her safety. I prayed for her health. I prayed for my safety, so that she would never feel abandoned if I was no longer around, I prayed that she would pass school and so show the world just how amazing her breed can be if in the right hands.
Every time she made a public appearance or gave comfort to the elderly or allowed little children to stroke her, I prayed that she would be a good girl and oh boy, was she a good girl! When she got old and everything was no longer working as it should, I prayed that her passing would be peaceful and pain free, in my arms.
Every single prayer for my dog was answered, confirming that when you are sincerely striving to obey God's commandments, He will give you answers to your prayers. From the very first time I laid eyes on her, I knew that she was not just absolutely beautiful, but also a very special girl. A girl with a purpose. Yanka’s rescue started approximately 2 years before she was born …
It started with the rescue and rehoming of Ivan the Irresistible. Ivan was the first ever Pitbull that I rehomed. Initially I called him Ivan the Terrible, after all he was a Pitbull and the media warned the public about this terribly dangerous breed ... It took only a minute with him for me to realise how irresistibly charming and loving he is. Yep, I fell hook, line and sinker in love with this handsome and super sweet boy!
I soon learnt that prejudice and assumptions truly are the masters of all bugger ups and in the case of Pitbulls, the cause of too much sadness and cruelty. The heartache & trauma for me to find this perfect boy the furever home he so deserved, did not come easy and this is where Yanka-Kwanita’s rescue started.
Since before her birth, she was a dog with a purpose. People had such pre-conceived and misguided ideas, fuelled by the media and even Pitbull owners and so-called rescuers, what Pitbulls really were about and this made it so difficult to find good homes for the breed. I decided that "one day" I will have my own Pitbull and she will show the world what this breed really is about.
YankiPop was 5 weeks old when I got her. She and her siblings were flea infested and arrived in a huge box at my home. They were removed from an illegal backyard breeder. Yanka spent her first night sharing a crate with Rachl'tjie, a rescue lamb. Her training started when she was 10 weeks old. She started with puppy socialisation classes, then advanced puppy, basic home obedience and on to clicker training. Socialisation is big and at the age of 9 weeks she made her first "public appearance" when she was discovered in my bag, in Woolworths... 🤭
Yanka soon joined me everywhere! She went with me to malls, play schools, hospitals, hair salon, optometrist, beauty salon, road tripping, wine farms, old age homes, coffee shops, music shows & retail shops (where allowed) and just about everywhere to desensitise and introduce her to as much NEW as possible. She even went with me to church for a friend’s funeral.
Together we educated children, gave love and comfort to the sick and elderly and she even opened the ramp for the Miss PE pageant. She visited corporate companies and much more. All of this we did to educate people on Pitbulls and general pet care. I used only positive reinforcement training and this along with the fact that she was sterilized, super socialised and mentally and physically stimulated ensured a well-balanced, super well-behaved all rounder dog. She was the kindest living creature, ever! I also exposed her to as many "other" animals; ie sheep, goats, buck, horses, monkeys, mongoose, geese, bunnies, piglets, jackal, porcupine, etc. Even human babies 👶
I was often criticized by many and mostly by "seasoned" Pitbull owners and so-called rescuers. The many pictures and videos on social media and TV coverage and programs about my dog interacting with other animals was perceived as not normal. Not one of these critics ever asked me what we did differently that allowed me to walk Yanks off lead on the beach or that she can be trusted with an orphaned mongoose that weighs only 75g or that I allowed an orphaned Grysbuck to suckle on her lose skin for comfort.
Yanka-Kwanita was so well trained and socialised that she could join any pack of well-behaved and socialised dogs without any concern of aggression or fighting. If other animals were mean to her, she generally walked away or climbed onto my lap. She had impecable manners. How did we do this? Irrelevant of your choice of dog breed, it is important to do as much homework with regards to the breed, characteristics, pros and cons. Never slip up on training and socialisation. Commitment & Dedication is what it takes.
Owning any dog, but specifically a power breed as a Pitbull goes with a lot of additional responsibilities :
Sterilize your Pitbull. Thieves steal UNsterilized Pitbulls. Neutered dogs are less likely to roam
Micro chip your Pitbull and ALWAYS ensure that your Pitbull wears a collar with an ID tag
Ensure that your Pitbull is not visible to any outsiders when at home. This includes the mail man, neighbours' staff, etc.
Never ever leave your Pitbull puppy outside unattended
Pitbulls need to sleep inside. They are companion dogs and love family life.
Ideally your Pitbull's home needs to be behind 8ft walls. This is not just to prevent your Pitbull from jumping (yes! Pitbulls can easily jump over 6ft walls), but mostly to keep your Pitbull safe from thieves.
Your property gates need to lock securely. You need to keep people out. You need to protect your Pitbull from thieving, cruel criminals.
Never leave your Pitbull alone in your car or ask a stranger "to keep an eye" ...
Please take your dog for training, as a trained Pitbull is less likely to become "naughty", "impossible", "chews everything", "dig holes", etc and this will in return prevent this Pitbull becoming a statistic and end up surrended to an animal shelter
Take your Pitbull on walks, with other dogs and to playdates. Encourage people to meet your Pitbull and allow for socialisation.
Please do NOT breed with your Pitbull. The shelters are filled to the brim with illegally backyard bred and unwanted Pitbulls. There is no shortage of Pitbulls, thus really no need to breed.
Yanka had a purpose. Her kindness educated many people not just on Pitbulls, but also general pet care. Many Pitbulls have found excellent homes because of the example Yanka set of the breed.
Yanka-Kwanita missed her 12th birthday with 25 days. Her passing was sudden and tore my world apart, but I am forever grateful to God that she crossed the rainbow bridge in style, outside, in the sun, peacefully in my arms. She was my cherished soulmate, my beautiful girl. She was always more than just a pet; she was joy, comfort, and unconditional love.
From the moment she bounded into my life, and with the help of social media into so many other lives, she filled every day with laughter and warmth. Her playful spirit and gentle nature taught me so much about loyalty and compassion. Often elegantly dressed or just wearing a stunning designer collar, I felt like a bag lady next to her. It was ohk, she was my security “blankie”. I needed her.
Yanka had a purpose. She had to save and enrich many lives. She would accompany me when I was walking/working with anxious or frightened Pitbulls and other dogs. Her peaceful and gentle demeanour would often help with their anxiety. She was just an amazing foster Mom and gave warmth and comfort to so many baby orphans; be it lambs, monkeys, mongoose, buck, goats, baboons or even a crow!
The little ones would latch onto a lose piece of her skin and suckle away. She let them be. She would clean and stimulate them. She was a great comfort to my blind sheep, Angela, the elderly at the various retirement homes we visited and also to many children. She would help adults to face their fear of dogs. That was my girl, that was how she rolled. Not once did she growl, ever.
Twice she was attacked and bitten by other dogs and once a Mountain Reedbuck headbutted her. She did not retaliate. She would just look at me as if she was saying, “Momsie, why are they so mean?”
Yanka had a purpose. She was my Bestie. We were a unit. Life as known before Yanka become mundane and irrelevant. I wanted to spend every possible moment with her. She went with me just about everywhere! She would sleep between my legs when I was getting a facial, lie next to my chair at the hair salon, wait for me with the reception ladies whilst I had my eyes tested, quietly sit at my feet in church at my friend’s funeral. Coffee shops, markets, beaches, parks, were her playground. She was just THAT well behaved girl that I could take with me everywhere. She made me proud.
The only time she ever broke my heart was when her heart stopped. I miss her wagging tail, soulful eyes, and every cuddle, every moment spent together, is now etched in my heart.
As I navigate the painful void she has left behind, I am forever grateful for the countless memories we created together. She will always be a part of me, my faithful companion. May my sweet girl rest in peace, knowing that she touched many hearts and was loved by many. She was that light in my life and I will carry her spirit with me always.
My Yanka-Kwanita, friend to everyone, adored by many, feared by none.” By Marizanne Kemp Ferreira.
Photos: by Marizanne Kemp Ferreira & Professional Photographer Luc Hosten
Team Talk would like to thank Marizanne for sharing with our readers about Yanka. She was loved by many and made a massive difference.
Stella Ashworth for Team Talk.
