guide dogs

 We had a message and a photo tonight from a very excited granddaughter , she wanted to tell us that she had sponsored a guide dog called Joy, she is only just 12 years old  and is paying for it from her own money bless her, she wanted to do it because her granddad needs one and she wanted to help  she is such a lovely caring  person I cant share her photo but I just wish you could see the beautiful smile on her face she looks so happy.
I can show you some photos of  the puppy that I found on the guide dog site  She is so cute
Did you know it takes  2 years to train a guide dog  at 6-8 weeks they go to a volunteer walker who introduces them to sights, smells and sounds - such as busy roads and public transport. They are taught to walk ahead on the lead and obey simple commands such as sit, down, stay and come. at a year old they leave their puppy walker and  go to school ,They learn to walk in a straight line unless there’s an obstacle, not to turn corners unless told to do so. To stop at kerbs and wait for the command to cross or turn left or right. To judge height and width so that its owner does not bump their head or shoulder and to deal with traffic. 

 Next the dog is matched with the correct owner. To do this they have to consider the length of owner's stride, their height and lifestyle. The owner and guide dog train together for 4 weeks.If successful,they will spend the next 7 working together, 
My hubby had a stroke A few years ago now and lost most of his sight we had a guide dog called Major we had him for almost 7 years  and he was coming up for retirement when he was taken ill and died, it was so sad, we miss him so much  he wasn't just a working dog he was part of our family,  We are now waiting for a new guide dog   not sure how long we will have to wait  hopefully not to long  as hubby misses the Independence it gave him, 
So I will post some photos of Joy first,  these are not my photo's just sharing them.

 Isn't she just the cutest pup. if anyone reading this could help by sponsoring a puppy like Joy  here's the link
  
Here are a few of my favorite ones of Major
  

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