Introducing temporary Red - guide dog Lydia

We give to guide dogs for the blind and our latest puppy they tell us we are helping is called Sprout.
A most beautiful retriever with loads of appeal !!

 

I think this says it all.

The work you have put in JD ultimately is to help someone else. Without your input, they may not get that

I personally couldn't do it, I'd be in bits every time one left for their new home

 

@JLWBigLil Here is the lovely Thorne. He’s very wiggly! He absolutely loves fusses, cuddles and playing tug.

 

Gorgeous!

 

He's a beauty

 

Thorne is leaving us on Monday It turns out he's a really good boy (well, obviously) and they want us to board a more challenging puppy to give him routine and to calm him down. The other dog is following his current boarders around everywhere and doesn't settle very well so they are doing a swap. The new boy is called Watson and he is an Early Training Dog. It'll be the first time we've not had an Advanced or Fully Qualified dog but he is just over 2 years old as Covid delayed his training so he's not a puppy really.

Here's the new boy (the black dog in the 3rd photo is called Dusty and is a German Shepherd who is in his Early Training group):

 

I've a feeling he will keep you on your toes, there's a hint of mischief in those eyes!

 

It’s funny you should say that as that’s exactly how his current boarders describe him! I hope we know what we’re letting ourselves in for.

 

I’m still giving this some serious thought, JD. Once old Alfie has gone to the big field in the sky.

 

Would love to draw that majestic boy..

 

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Has he found someone’s marital aid?

 

It’s a ‘Kong Safestix’. That’s just a mini one, we also have a 3ft one!

 

3ft? Wow, great work!!

 

Well done you.
Hope it all goes to plan and you have another amazing success.

 

New doggy arrived yesterday and Watson went back to his original puppy raisers. He still has extreme separation anxiety so they are going to monitor him for month just as a pet with no training and then make a decision on whether to continue his training or not. In my unqualified opinion he’s not going to make it as Guide Dog but he may get a career change as a Buddy Dog. He’s such a well behaved and fun dog and we’ll definitely miss him (although not the crying and barking through the night).

The new girl is called Iris and she is also in Early Training. She’s a 2 year old Golden Retriever x Labrador. She’s an absolute sweetheart but can be very LOUD when she barks! She’s asleep right now and dreaming and making loud noises - she’ll definitely wake us up through the night if she does that every time she sleeps. She’s due to be with us 12 weeks initially but may stay with us through Advanced Training for another 10 weeks.

Here she is, aren’t her ears fantastic?

 

Butter wouldn't melt eyes!!

 

She’s the absolute master at that already. She comes and sits really close - almost on your foot - wags her tail and looks right up at you with those beautiful eyes. Her trainers are already in love with her.

 

Oh, I definitely need to share this, too!



We’re so ridiculously proud of her! What was supposed to be 10 weeks with us ended up being 7 months so it was especially hard to give her up but we knew it was to go to help someone who needed her. All the tears at parting are worth it.

 

So worthwhile!