Hello Everyone, this is the story of the Guide Dogs for the Blind or Seeing Eye Dogs as they are sometimes known. The UK Association mostly breed their own dogs. The brood bitch and stud dogs live with their owners as pets, meeting whenever necessary. When the puppies are born the brood bitch holder rings up the Breeding Centre and they are given a letter of the alphabet [Geralds 3rd dog Tilly was born in the T litter. Her litter mates are TASHA, THOMAS, TOBY, TIFFANY AND TAYLOR] People sponsor dogs by giving them a name. We sponsored one called Scout. The pups stay with their mum for 6 weeks then they go to the centre and they are allocated to people throughout the UK called puppy walkers. PUPPY WALKERS are people who apply to be puppy walkers and they are checked out to ensure the puppies will be well looked after. They have to teach the puppies the life skills they will need. This entails socialising with everyone, going into shops etc., they [the pups] wear a kind of coat bearing the words GUIDE DOG PUPPY and on the lead is a yellow flash with the same words on it. The pups then have to be taught to only eat on the command of 2 toots of a whistle. Sitting at curbs, not jumping up, not sitting on chairs or furniture, not stealing food. Also only going to the toilet [called spending] when the command "Busy Busy" is used. All these commands will be needed in the life ahead. Puppy walkers get regular visits from their puppy walking supervisor. The pups are registered with a vet and receive free health care for life, paid for by the assocation. Their food is also provided. The puppy walker sends in monthly reports on how their pup is doing and any traits it shows. It has to be not scared of noises or flashing lights, used to buses, tubes, trains planes, cars, ferries etc. The pups get used to be groomed whilst still enjoying doing things pups do! At the age of 1 year the puppies go back to the center. The puppy walker gets another 6 week old bundle. The trainee guide dogs are then put through their paces at the Dog Supply Unit for 6 months. The skills they will need to use on a daily basis are honed. Here they either make or not the grade. They are taught obstacle avoidance that is anything from an overhanging branch to a vehicle parked on the pavement.[sidewalk] They get used to the harness they have to wear. The commands they will hear they have already heard for the past year. These commands are: "Forward" when they are sat at the curb, and by now they are used to having to wait till its safe to cross. They know they must not cross if a engine is running or traffic including bicycles are zooming past. Slapping the leg and thus turning round giving the command LEFT RIGHT is used. S-T-E-A-D-Y going through people on pavements, avoiding any obstacle and weaving their way around. All this is done with the dog wearing a light harness and the trainer holding onto the handle. Then they go to a trainer for 3 months. By now the various traits of the dog have been formed. Here the trainer who by now knows his possible clients spend 3 months training that dog for that client. NEXT STAGE GETTING A DOG. When a blind person applies for a guide dog, they are interviewed in their home so the trainer can see the home environment and also if applicable any work environment. Are there other pets [sometimes dogs do not get on with cats Our Frank hated ginger cats but ignored other colours] Sometimes, the trainers need to be aware as in if there are young children so then they would need to teach the blind mothers to use a guide dog and a stroller [pram] at the same time. They match the clients and dogs up as much as possible. Various breeds used include: Labradors, Retreivers or a combination of the two breeds. Labradoodle [Lab crossed with standard poodle for asthmatics] Collie Cross, German Shepherds, Newfoundlands [I would love one of those!] TRAINING . There used to be several training centres throughout the UK now the training is done in residential hotels or in the clients own home. The latter Gerald prefers. The person has to learn to bond with the dog, groom and pick up when the dog spends. feed the dog [not easy when you cannot see] and then dog and man learn the routes to the various places the person will go. The dogs get a wage at present its 70 pence a day [about a dollar] this pays for their food. You get their harness, grooming kit, lead given you together with the first woollie fleece for the dog to lie on. All vet bills are paid by the assoication and you take your dog minimum twice a year for checkups. You agree to frontline [flea control] each month and to worm the dog twice yearly [these two items are also paid for by the assoc.] When the dogs retire they still get their 'pension' You can elect to keep the retired dog if you have a partner or the dogs go to good homes and are adopted. No government funding is available and the association relies on voluntary contributions. PRAYER OF A GUIDE DOG. If I can be my Master's sight and through his darkness be a light To understand his every plead always mindful of his need. To take him out for nice long walks and prick my ears up when he talks. To be alert, and make a rule on my harness not to pull when another dog I see or a cat up a tree. To be his loyal, constant friend, ever ready to defend; Always eager to obey his every wish from day to day. And if my masters steps grow slow to measure mine where he would go. If I can but do these things with the help my instinct brings I know Dear Lord, that when I die you'll take me to your heavenly sky. Author unknown. We have had endless laughter with our dogs. Gerald was not a dog person before we got Frank but, Frank made him human and give me back the young man I had married. We were once sat on the beach Gerald was laying in a deck chair wearing his shorts and a sun tan Frank was laying by his side, when up came this dolly bird, skirt like a pelmet, legs up to her armspits and bust that was stuck out and would do justice to a scaffolding firm when she said "Oh are'nt you gorgeous [to Frank] may I tickle your tummy?" Instantly the reply from Gerald came "Certainly dear but do not forget the dog!" Frank and Gerald got into so many scrapes I just cannot begin. Gerald worked with his guide dogs for 15 years before he took ill health retirement. Please if you see a working seeing eye or guide dog DO NOT DISTRACT THEM, if the owner is standing, ask if he/she needs help and let them take YOUR arm. Do not frog march them across the road - they may not wish to go!! The Guide Dogs for the Blind and America Guide Dogs Incorporated both have good web sites. All our dogs can find the Chemist, supermarkets, a pub [bar] another crossing, bank shop, post office pet shop. Tilly finds the button on the crossing so Gerald can press it and cross in safety. Angel Care! Next is Meditation Page Back to Index Page Special Thanks to: