Saw a guide dog in training out and about in town today and thought of you . The dog looked just like Gypsy
That's excellent! How lovely to go to see Gypsy working before she goes to her owner. Lots of photos if you can, please, of your visit on the 8th!
What a day! We went to a hotel and met Gypsy's trainer, then followed them at a distance while she worked for about twenty minutes. She was amazing, she didn't put one paw wrong. It was a very busy town and she was as steady as it's possible to be. She's only 18 months old. She got our scent on the wind towards the end of her walk and kept looking back! Then we met her at the hotel - she knew us instantly and jumped all over us. We gave her her presents and her trainers told us about her new owner. We spent over an hour with her. Her new owner is a young woman in her 40s who has a very active lifestyle, she works afternoons and she has three children and a cat. Just what Gypsy needs, she's a busy, active dog. They will stay together for two weeks at the hotel while they train, going home at weekends. They start on the 18th of January. Then two more weeks training at home. Gypsy will be her first guide dog. It was very emotional and incredibly special. She has grown up SO much and darkened a lot in colour, she's fox red now! - while her nose has pinkened even more! I was proud and thrilled. I shed a tear as we left her, of course, but - at the same time - I can see that she's ready for an amazing job ahead of her and I wish them both all the joy in the world. Here is a short video of our day - http://vid1106.photobucket.com/album...ng%20Gypsy.mp4
Oh Mags, that's lovely - had me in tears! You must be so very proud. I so hope that her new owner stays in touch with you. You did a good job there!
So fantastic. Really glad you got to see her. She made it! She will change her new human partner's life, I'm sure.
Oh so beautiful...had a few tears myself. Gypsy looks so comfortable, you must be incredibly proud of her xx
I keep thinking of the book, Emma and I http://www.amazon.co.uk/Emma-I-Sheila-Hocken/dp/0091943361 I read this as a kid, and then Dexter Angela sent me a copy. It's about how a Labrador changes a blind person's life - it includes a long section on Shelia meeting and getting to know Emma. Very emotional. And wonderful.
Gypsy did you proud Mags, what a wonderful and beautiful girl she is, I'm so happy Gypsy is going to a family she will love it and they will love her! xx
You must be so proud of Gypsy, she is a beautiful girl who is going to make a massive difference to her new Owner's life, and that of her family. I feel very privileged to have been to watch her grow and learn through your posts and photos. Thank you for sharing x
That's beautiful - it had me in tears too! I'm so glad your day went well. You must be very proud and pleased to know that Gypsy will make such a difference to her new owner and her family.
oh Mags,tears rolling down my face reading and watching,you are so good keeping us all up to date with her progress,she really is beautiful x
Beautiful. Well done Gypsy, what a star. And what a brilliant start she had with you Mags. Best wishes for her working life with her new owner. They will make a great team.
She is just fabulous! Mags, I wonder if you would be able to give us some idea of a day in the life of a fully-trained guide dog? Obviously it will vary depending on the owner, how active they are and the level of their disability, but it would be really interesting to know how much time is spent actually "working" per day? From what I've heard, which may be completely wrong, they associate their harnesses with work time, so the rest of the time, they're off duty, and just regular pet dogs? How does the owner generally approach free runs with the dog? Does someone else usually come in to take them out, or does the owner take them to the park themselves? I'd imagine that could leave them feeling quite vulnerable (the human, not the dog)?
She is a wonderful girl. I am sure you are so proud of her Mags. It brings tears to your eyes. Have a wonderful life Gypsy xx
