Introducing temporary Red - guide dog Lydia

Hats off to you lady.

I couldnt do what you do, I'd be in bits letting them go back every time.

What you are doing is very commendable

 

Oh, we’re definitely in bits. They’re sneaky buggers though, they always have a new one lined up to distract you. We literally had to hide with Watson in the back garden whilst they brought Iris in the house and then close the door whilst they went around the back and took Watson out. There wasn’t even time for him going to sink in this time before there was a new dog to fuss!

 

I'm losing the thread of who's who !!!
You must lead such an emotional roller coaster of a life, tears one moment followed by smiles and joy.
Hope you keep going with this wonderful task. You are helping to give somebody a precious companion.

 

It’s an amazing thing you do JamDrop, it really is.

Knowing they are going to fulfill a task that will give someone some vital independence might offset the pain a little bit but I’m sure it feels like losing a limb every time you pass one of those dogs back.

I’m not blind nor partially sighted, none of my family have been either, but it still seems the right thing to thank you for doing this. So thank you. You are a lot stronger than me, I couldn’t do it.

 

This may sound daft as I've never met you, but I'm immensely proud of you and the kind, generous, thoughtful, compassionate work you do with these potential guide dogs. It's work that I'm not strong enough to do, but your invaluable work does you and your husband great credit. The pride comes from hearing of a young person from our area exemplifying all that is good about people.
Oh, and Iris is an absolute belter of a dog, especially with those eyes & ears!

 

Thanks BigLil but I can’t pretend that it’s a completely selfless deed, the dogs bring us so much joy and we’ve met lots of lovely people through doing it too. It’s a win win!

 

I can’t believe I forgot to update anyone who is still following our Guide Dogs journey. After 7 and a half months, our very loveable Iris, who ended up stealing my heart completely, has been matched up to a lady with 5% vision. They are currently completing final training together in a hotel and it’s going splendidly. The lady has a pet Labrador too and Iris and her new sister have become best friends during the long weekend sleepovers they had over the last month. It’s a good job she passed because there’s no way I could have given her up otherwise, I honestly don’t know how I could have coped, she’s my absolute favourite.

 

Aaaand here is our new trainee, Sandra, who arrived last Monday. She’s a golden retriever who turned 2 on Sunday. She’s definitely the tallest one we’ve had! So far she seems very calm and unperturbed by anything.

 

I know I'm repeating myself here, JamDrop, but you truly are a kind, caring, compassionate star.

 

I agree

 

We had the Support Dogs Charity at college today. Absolutely incredible what dogs can assist with, whether it's predicting epileptic seizures, helping with dressing,improving the social skills of autistic children. Great stuff,good to hear you are still enjoying it JD.

 

I try and think of it like dog sitting for a friend or running a kennels but with the added bonus of they go on to do something amazing. It also helps when you see updates of where they’ve gone on to and how much of a difference they are making to someone’s life. Also, we couldn’t have a dog with our working patterns and having multiple (really well behaved and friendly) dogs over a short period of time is waaaay better than having no dog at all. We did that for 16 years and hated every second of it.

 

never seen such a big dog toy, mine would be carrying it round and have every ornament off

 

It’s probably more of an outdoor toy but she’s sensible with it. She carries it around by the middle so shortest bits are sticking out and when we tug with it we’re in an open space in the living room. When we’re outside we can be a bit rougher and drag her around

 

I cant understand how they go from this to helping folk across road, everydog I ever had would have me under a bus

 

She knows that when she’s in her harness it’s work time. Basically, they know to stop at kerbs, to point to crossing controls, to ignore distractions, and to stop if there’s something blocking the pavement (including anything that’s overhanging or too narrow to fit through) and then to lead the person around it safely. The person being guided is in charge of directions and deciding when to walk on (although the dog is expected to be disobedient if it isn’t safe). They’re really clever!

 

amazing

 

I just had to share this as it makes me so happy. Lindsey is very active and Iris will get to take her to lots of places. Here she is helping Lindsey go horseriding.



Sandra will be leaving us on the 6th June to begin the two-week hotel training with her match. They met for the first time a few weeks ago and have had a sleepover which went well and they will be having another one next week.