Update on Quella

Quella in garden
Quella with her leaving bag

Quella has now left me, she left on 12th January, to go to the National Breeding Centre, for a character assessment, to see if she will be suitable to be a Brood Bitch, four days after her first birthday, so it was lovely that she was here for her birthday. She was due to be collected at 7am, which suited me, as I wouldn't be watching the clock for too long. I really wanted to take her for a nice long walk first, as she would be more likely to sleep during the journey after a long walk, so I arose at 4.30am, as they should not be walked too close to a meal, and ideally not fed too close to a journey, I therefore needed to spread it out, so she would have a comfortable journey.

I had already packed her bag, containing her health card, favourite 'Tigger' toy, a comfort blanket, impregnated with scents from home, and some nylabones, to chew during her journey. I also included a letter, that I had written, containing information about Quella, likes, dislikes, etc.

Right on time at 7am, Bill, the volunteer driver arrived to collect my little girl, although Bill had a nice comfy mattress in the rear of his car, for Quella to lay on, I still put another small blanket on top, again impregnated with scents from home, to help her to settle during the long journey. Quella jumped into the rear of Bill's car, without any hesitation, and off she went.

Later in the day my supervisor rang, to ask me if I had heard from the Breeding Centre, and as I had not, she then rang them, and then rang me again, to let me know that Quella had arrived safe and well, as my Supervisor knew that I would be worrying about Quella. Later in the evening I also rang Bill, to make sure Quella had not been a nuisance during the journey (as if she would) and of course he assured me that Quella was as good as gold during the journey, she popped her head up, a couple of times, and then lay down again.

Life after Quella was a bit strange, it wasn't quite the same without her. We always take the bus into Mold every Saturday morning, with Quella, so this week it was just David and I, as Dixie was still too young to take, as she was not fully vaccinated. People on the bus were asking where the dog was, on both the outward journey, and on the return journey, so it wasn't just me that was missing her.

On Friday 20th January, I received a call from my Supervisor, with the excellent news, that Quella has been successful, and passed the assessment, the assessors were impressed with Quella's lovely temperament, and she has been accepted onto the breeding programme, and is now a Brood Bitch. Quella will very soon be matched to a 'Brood Bitch Holder' and will go to live at their home. She will not be mated until her season, the nearest to her being two years old. I do hope the Brood Bitch Holder gets in touch with me, as I would like to know when Quella has been mated, as I am going to be at the front of the queue for one of her little daughters next year. So good luck to Quella Bella, my little princess. I am so glad now that I kept Dixie, and she is such a sweet girl, she ticks all the boxes for me.

Thank you again people, for reading my diary, best wishes from Liz.

Comments

sheila, 3:49pm Mon 30 Jan 2012:

that is a lovely story, well done Quella and good luck. you will make a lovely mum

Marie, 4:02pm Mon 30 Jan 2012:

That's fantastic news Liz. And well done to Quella. I'll miss hearing about her progress. And thank you from a guide dog owner for your continued dedication to puppy walking. Without the starting blocks, people like you put into place, I would never have been able to travel without a sighted guide. So thank you and thank you to every puppy walker who raises such wonderful guides. Their journeys are all the better because of your love and dedication. :)

Jon, 4:55pm Mon 30 Jan 2012:

What a wonderful ending to a fascinating diary!! Thank you so much for taking the time each week to keep the diary updated. I echo the sentiments re puppy walkers, without you and your time, effort, care and love, almost 5,000 blind people wouldn't have such a high quality of mobility and independence! You are all absolute treasures! Thank you! X

Mark, 5:32pm Mon 30 Jan 2012:

Well done Liz and Quella, it's been facinating reading your blog, I have to say I had a tear in my eye as I read about Quella leaving home.
I'm sure Quella will go on to make a fantastic mum and have lots of potential little guide dogs.

Craig, 9:51am Wed 1 Feb 2012:

I echo the sentiments of the other comments, a sweet ending to the story of Quella's time with you.

But, the end of 1 chapter is always the beginning of another, and I have no doubts that your current puppy will also do very well and go on to change someone's life for the better.

My very best wishes to you, and I hope your wish to puppy walk 1 of Quella's puppy's comes true.

connie, 8:20pm Sat 11 Feb 2012:

I read your diary with interest, I have recently moved here and although I have always had dogs my lovely old whippet Sam died last year at the age of 18. I have wondered about puppy walking but find the notion of parting with a dog I have reared. I know its in a wonderful cause but as a person I wonder how I would cope, there is a note of sadness in your comments. I am a widow and live alone with family nearby I. I would love to hear your comments on how you feel and how you cope with the loss.

Liz, 12:17pm Sun 12 Feb 2012:

Thank you to Sheila,Marie,Jon,Mark & Craig for your very kind comments, also to all the people that have read, and supported me during 2011's Puppy Diary. Kind Regards Liz Dale

Liz, 12:37pm Sun 12 Feb 2012:

Connie, Of course there is an element of sadness when the puppy leaves,all puppy walkers feel this when the day arrives for them to leave, because we are all dog lovers,if we were not then puppy walking would not appeal to us. I have had several lapovers, so when the older dog leaves, then you still have the younger puppy to care for. When the dog leaves to go in for training, the trainer keeps us updated on the progress of the dog, also when that dog qualifies, we are so proud of our charge,it certainly outshines the sadness, and when you hear from the new Guide Dog owner, it puts everything into perspective.I have got puppy no. 8 at the moment,and as long as I am blessed with good health,I will be a Puppy Walker for a long time in the future. Please consider becoming a puppy walker,ring 0845 371 7771 for details.I have got several framed photo's of my pups wearing a lovely white harness, hanging on my hall wall,that I regularly admire,which Guide Dogs send to us as a thank you. Regards Liz

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