Part 1

My Trip to Turkey Trip Part I - By Ed Luthy

Although I have traveled to many countries for business I always get a little nervous visiting a foreign country for the first time. I will have to say that although Onur was the only person I knew in Turkey, from the minute I set foot in Istanbul airport till I left I did not feel like a stranger as the people everywhere I went were genuinely friendly and made me feel welcome.

I began my trip on Thursday, June 18 leaving from O’Hare airport in Chicago at 22:00 (that’s 10:00 pm for civilians). The flight to Istanbul Turkey was 11 hours. I had a short layover then it was off to Ankara arriving around 21:00 on Friday evening. After arriving in Ankara I was met by a friend of Onur’s who had a sign with my name. He couldn’t speak English and I couldn’t speak Turkish and we communicated as best we could while he drove me to Onur’s in Oyaca (pronounced Oyacha). When I arrived Onur greeted me and I met his lovely wife Yasemin who prepared a meal before we all retired for the night.

We awoke early the next morning and had breakfast before we left for Onur’s farm which was a little over a mile from his home. We walked through the town and came to Uzuner Market where Onur went in to visit with some friends.

Inside the store I met the owner and another gentleman who had just stopped by to visit and talk. We drank some hot tea and visited for a while.

Friends in Uzuner Market

Onur with the Guard Dog

After leaving the market we went by a flour mill where one of Onur’s dogs provided security. The dog knew Onur but he sure let me know that he was on duty.

Onur’s Farm

Onur’s farm was only ¼ mile from the flour factory and we walked up the drive to his farm. When we arrived, we were greeted by two large Kangals which guard the entrance to his farm.

Top photo is Onur's Kangal Guardian dogs for his farm. Below is one of the farm guardians.

Both the farm guards and the dog guarding the flour factory were strong and in excellent condition. It was obvious that they are well cared for.

Lokum’s Birthplace

From the farm Onur pointed out another farm on a hill where he told me that our Lokum, one of our most prized and precious female Kangals was born.

Onur putting the collar on his Champion

I had brought Onur a dog collar as a gift which he put on his Kangal which had won the show at the Kangal festival in Turkey last year.

Onur’s Champion with his collar

Onur with his Champion

Alp, Onur and Ali with two of Onur’s dogs.

Later in the Day Alp and Ali arrived at the farm. Alp is our friend who many years ago introduced us to the Kangal breed. He drove over 300 miles to visit me for a couple of days while I was there. Ali is friend of Alp and Onur who also breeds Kangals and who brought two of the purebred Kangal pups I brought back

Rescued Fighting Dog

Onur, Ed and Alp with the rescued dog.

The day before I arrived, Onur had rescued the dog in the picture below. The dog had been abused and used for fighting. Onur is totally against any type of abuse to animals, especially dog fighting. The dog was very gentle and friendly to people.

Onur the Chef

Later that evening Onur prepared dinner for us on his grill. It was delicious.

Hungry Guys - Alp enjoying the meal with Ali.

Ali breeds purebred Kangal dogs & is the breeder of our newly imported Purebred Kangal Female - New Dawn.

Written by Ed Luthy