Hey everyone,

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Ash. I'm raising money to help my dog Yoko get the surgery that she needs to keep thriving!

Here is our story...

"Two Universes mosey down the street; connected by love and a leash and nothing else." - Howard Nemerov

It's not easy for me to share the story of why my dog Yoko is such an important part of my life, and why we need your help. I think first I should share a bit about myself to in turn show what a special pup Yoko is and has been.

Most of my closest friends and family don't know the extent of what I've gone through and suffered for nearly 9 years since a devastating car accident. I was a passenger in a highway accident where a negligent driver hit us. We spun out of control until we came to a sudden halt when we hit the cement median head on. I had no clue at the time how much my life was about to change. As I stood beside the highway in shock, I thought I was fine because I had walked away from the accident.

Little did I know that my body was still in shock and that 3 days later the severity of my injuries would surface. I was at work, unloading a dishwasher, when my whole body ceased. I couldn't move. I was assisted to a couch but was barely able to sit down. All I remember from there was excruciating pain and fear. I had severe whiplash and, as I now know, permanent soft tissue and nerve damage. I was also diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome much later, which I still suffer from to this day. It affects my vision, hearing, balance, focus, and ability to process things.

The first year after the injury is a blur. I know that I went through months of physiotherapy to be able to turn my head again. Throughout the years I tried every treatment possible; Physio, Massage, Osteopath, Acupuncture, Botox injections to my head, neck and shoulders - anything the doctor recommended, I was willing to try. I only ever experienced very minimal, temporary relief from the injections. However, the mild relief was gone the next day and I was back to intolerable pain, mostly in my head. There hasn't been a day since the accident that I haven't had a headache, varying in severity but never gone and never really bearable. Though I somehow got used to it and have done my best to work through it and support my little family (Yoko and my cat Ollie).

Now onto Yoko... why we are really here. Yoko has been a part of my life for nearly 8 years now. She just celebrated her 8th birthday on February 14th, 2026. A Valentine's Day pup! Which couldn't be more fitting for the love, sensitivity, and compassion she has for me and truly anyone she meets. She has become my therapy and support dog all on her own, without special training. Perhaps because she has only ever known me in pain. Either way, she took on the role of lifting my chin and supporting me through my most challenging days without even being asked. Don't get me wrong, Yoko's life has not been all work. She has had a great and very fulfilled life - from forest runs, camping, road trips and cottages, to running errands. Yoko goes everywhere with me.

Yoko is always by my side, encouraging me to keep fighting. She knows before I do when I am about to have what I call a "pain crisis" - which consists of my body shutting down and full body muscle spasms and twitches. These moments have been some of my scariest as I don't have control over what my body is doing or when the spasms will stop. This most often happens after a long day of pushing myself, when my body is finally able to "relax". But Yoko knows what to do. She lays beside me with her paws over my twitching arms - how does she know that the pressure of her on me helps calm the spasms? She kisses my hands to tell me that it will be okay, but never my face in those moments because she somehow knows that would be overstimulating. She never leaves my side until the crisis is over and I am able to function again.

Yoko knows what it means when I say the word "pain", and she gets right to work supporting me through it. She knows when i say "help" that I can't get up and gives me her neck for a lift. She truly is the most compassionate and intuitive dog I have ever met and I am so grateful that she found me when she did, about a year after the accident. I would not be here writing this if not for her support and encouragement. Years of overwhelming chronic pain have naturally taken a tole on my mental health. Yet Yoko has never given up on me and has quite literally picked me up off the floor during my lowest moments by forcing herself underneath me to get me to stand up and carry on - for those of you who know her, using her "booty bumps".

Given the level of pain that I live in, and post-concussion symptoms, it has been difficult for me to work a full-time week. In fact, I am unable to. I push myself to work a few 8 hour shifts a week, which often leads to what I call "pain days" afterwards where I am only able to do the bare minimum - which is to walk and care for Yoko. I have had to miss years of work due to my injuries and as a result experienced some scary financial times. I have sold everything I have of value to support myself and Yoko. And throughout the years have chosen to fill her food bowl instead of my own with no regrets. But now I am in a place where I have nothing to fall back on when Yoko needs me the most. Which is why I am here asking for your help to get Yoko the surgery she needs.

In general, Yoko is a healthy pup! I'll admit her stamina is not what it used to be - we all age - but she still has many moments of puppy energy throughout the day! A couple of weeks ago I noticed a lump on Yoko's hind area. After sampling and investigation of the lump, and a trial of antibiotics to see if it was some type of infection, it appears that Yoko will need to have the mass removed since it could soon affect her ability to go to the bathroom. Once the mass is removed, they will send samples to the lab to determine what the mass is.

But the first step is to get Yoko this surgery; for her comfort and hopefully many more years of love and bringing joy to anyone fortunate enough to cross paths with this silly, spunky, yet serious when she needs to be, pup.

It feels raw sharing this story and asking for money, but Yoko is worth everything to me and I know our story is not ready for a conclusion. I just want to give her, us, a chance to have more time together. Yoko's surgery is estimated to cost $1,200 and is tentatively booked for February 23rd, 2026 if we are able to come up with the funds. All funds will go towards Yoko's surgery and we will post updates.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this and anything that you can do to help Yoko, and in turn myself, will not be forgotten. Thank you for listening.

Ash & Yoko