Week 38 - Its Guide Dogs Week and time to reflect

This week is 'Guide Dog' week, where Guide Dogs are celebrating their Eightieth birthday. Yes it is now eighty years since the first four Guide Dogs were partnered with their Guide Dog Owners. Back in October 1931 in Wallasey, Cheshire, UK. four German Shepherds became the first Guide Dogs, 'Flash' with Alan Caldwell, 'Meta' with G.W.Lamb, 'Judy' with Musgrave Frankland and 'Folly' with Thomas Rhys.

Across the country, Guide Dog staff, Guide Dog owners, and volunteers, will all be doing their very best this week to raise as much money and awareness to help with the cost of raising more Guide Dog puppies, and training them to the high standards required to become a Guide Dog.

I too, as a puppy walker have had an exciting week, I have heard that my previous puppy, German Shepherd Maya, has moved on to advanced training on September 13th, she has moved to Liverpool, Merseyside, UK where she will shortly be matched to a Guide Dog owner. I am very pleased that she hasn't moved too far away, as it will be more convenient to visit her, prior to starting 'class' with her new owner.

Also myself and husband David, have been to visit our puppy before Maya, her name is Rea a black Labrador cross, (she is pictured in my Introduction photograph at the beginning of this diary) We went to Nottingham to see her. We met her GDMI (guide dog mobility instructor) and after being given a welcome cup of coffee, she then demonstrated with Rea how she guides her around obstacles, then we followed her car into Nottingham town centre, where we followed Rea and her GDMI round the shopping centre, and saw how Rea guided her along the pavements and across roads. Then we got to meet Rea and say hello to her. She had a good sniff from me to David a couple of times, and then as though the penny dropped, she just went crazy, wagging her tail and prancing about like a tiny puppy, I guess she had remembered us.

Her trainer will have to do a blind folded walk around the town, while being monitored by her superior. Rea has been matched to a lady who lives in Skegness, and her neighbour also has a Guide Dog, so lots of free runs on Skegness beach for Rea, and her new Guide Dog friend. Just experiencing that lovely day, and to hear of her being matched, makes my role as a Puppy Walker so rewarding. Fingers and paws crossed that they do qualify, as a 'partnership' they start 'class' on 17th October. 'Class' is where the dog and Guide Dog Owner first start working together, they then 'qualify' together as a team.