That is a very moving story. I didn't see your earlier post until just now about the car break down. It must have been scary, but human nature comes to the fore at such times and those young men were so helpful despite their appearence We cannot always guarrantee such kindness unfortunately.
I so agree with Kate. I truly admire all you fantastic puppy walkers who give so much of themselves to raise these puppies who make such a difference to other people's lives and enable them to live a full life. Puppy walkers aren't heartless, they have huge, kind, loving hearts and long may they continue. xx
What a lovely story, and a real testament to the hard work that goes into making these dogs so much a part of someone's life. It's lovely to read about Millie's "dogginess", too. I think it's easy to think that they become almost machine-like, so to hear she still gets up to mischief is just lovely I hope no-one ever makes you feel you're considered heartless; I may have said before "I don't know how you do it", and if I have, I certainly would never mean to imply that you're heartless. We know that it must break your heart and make you proud in equal measure whenever the time comes to say goodbye to your charge. I can't even begin to imagine how the owner must feel when their dog - the one that's protected them and become such an integral part of their life over the years - gets retired. Heartless? No. The exact opposite.
That's lovely! It just shows how important your part of the process is in giving a blind person such freedom.
Thank you all. It's the best job in the world, of course - a new bundle of puppy every year! Also, I forgot to say about Claire's story "posted with permission" .
I think I remember you posting something before, about how when you say goodnight to your guide-dog puppy each night you say something along these lines to her, as a way of reminding yourself. I think more than anything else that brought home to me what a very special job you do, Mags, it brought a lump to my throat. I think about it often when I say goodnight to Pongo.
Very emotional to read Claire's post. I can only imagine how hard it is without a guide dog to help. You really do do a fantastic thing for all the people who need GD's. We have an older lady who has a GD for herself, volunteer in our dementia cafe that is run fortnigtly. Her husband died of dementia a few years ago so she comes to help others who are going through this challenging time. Her GD is amazing and really is her lifeline. The GD is also really good for the people suffering from dementia.......they all love her. Her last dog was retired 2 years ago and now lives with her friend so she still gets to see her on a regular basis. You are really giving people a lifeline x
I have to say that Tatze is also a very special dog , accepting these bouncy pups and just " going with the flow " , so a big well done to you Tatze
Tatze used to come with me visiting Mum in her dementia home - they all adored her. Tatze was really good as she was only a pup. The lady who sat next to Mum used to fuss Tatze and say 'I love you' over and over again to her - she didn't speak at all the rest of the time xx Today I took Twiglet to meet a GD owner friend - Twiglet and her GD had a rare old time playing, running and hoolying. Maple's owner lost her sight very suddenly 3 years ago. She's only in her 30s. I can't imagine what that's like - but she has kept her job, thanks to Maple Here we are - . . Today
At long last the puppy has grown out of pinching and playing with shoes and socks (after many, many "leave it" lessons!) - she fell asleep next to them
Proof that she fell asleep lol! It's important that she learns to leave alone everything that's not hers as her owner won't be able to see what she's up to!
