Picture of Harry

Hi. My name is Harry, I'm a Guide Dog Puppy in Training and this is my Blog.

Atherton Appeal

Harry supported Guide Dogs' appeal to equip the brand new training school for the North of England at Atherton. He was keen to help as he was to be one of the first puppies to train at the new school.

Harry was at the launch of the appeal on 7th October 2008 where he got to meet the Press. One of the newspaper articles can be seen here.

April 30, 2009

Bluebell wood

After our failed attempt to see all the bluebells a couple of weeks ago, we thought as the sun was shining we would give it another try.

We weren’t disappointed – they were all in bloom and the wood, which is one of Harry’s favourite foraging grounds, was absolutely full of colour. Even Harry was a little taken aback by the sight and stopped dead in his tracks at the amazing sight.

Harry staring at the bluebells

Harry staring at the bluebells

After Harry had finished exploring, sniffing and investigating everything of interest, he obligingly posed for a photograph while sitting right in the middle of a patch of bluebells.

Although he did turn and look over his shoulder like a professional model, if he’d realised his jowls were hanging so far over his collar he probably would have vetoed the whole idea of having his photo taken.

Harry posing among the bluebells

Harry posing among the bluebells

April 29, 2009

Weekly update – 67 weeks

This week Harry has been learning how to share. He has settled down well to life with another dog in the house, and no longer pesters Lacey to play with him all the time. The two of them get along really well, although Harry still bolts his dinner to try and get to Lacey’s bowl before she finishes, ever hopeful that he may get a second helping. There is little or no chance of that.

Harry loves to go out with Lacey especially in the car, when he is always such a gentleman and always allows her to jump in the back first. At least we like to think he’s being well mannered, but it’s more likely that he just wants to make sure she’s not going somewhere else and he’s not going to miss out on something more exciting.

Harry and Lacey in the back of the car

Harry and Lacey in the back of the car

For most of the week Harry has been busy with a farewell tour. He has attended his last Pilates class, made a last visit to the Girl Guides, visited the library and most of the local shops, so he can say goodbye to all the shop keepers who have been so patient and supportive over the last year or so. He’s even made one last visit to our favourite coffee shop in town, a place that he loves an awful lot, because he knows he has time for a quick power nap while we’re in there.

We’ve also had a fair few visitors who have called to see him one last time to wish him well before he sets off on his big adventure. Harry loves having visitors and has certainly lapped up all the attention.

The rest of the time Harry has spent doing the thing he loves best – chilling out, while trying to roast himself in the sunniest spot in the garden.

Harry soaking up the sun in the garden

Harry soaking up the sun in the garden

April 28, 2009

Last time

Harry’s good buddy Blaze came to visit today. She’s an awful lot more grown up now than she was when she first came to visit, and no longer torments Harry the way she used to.

They had a really great afternoon playing in the garden together, but what neither of them realised, was that today would probably be the last time they see each other.

Harry and Blaze

Harry and Blaze

April 27, 2009

Bug

Harry has an obsession with all kinds of creepy crawlies. When he jumped up onto the garden seat in readiness to be groomed he stared fascinated when a little bug crawled along the table right in front of his nose.

Harry watches a bug

Harry watches a bug

Absolutely enchanted by this tiny bug, he closely followed it’s progress along the table and continued to stare at it when it seemed to jump down on to the seat right next to him.

He was totally perplexed though, when the tiny creature continued on it’s journey and cheekily walked right between his front legs.

Harry staring at the bug between his legs

Harry staring at the bug between his legs

April 24, 2009

Partners in crime

Whenever Harry is feeling guilty about something he always hides from us at the top of the stairs. Usually, it’s because he’s been digging in the garden and has brought a stone into the house, which he knows is forbidden.

Yesterday, when the house went suddenly quiet, Harry was to be found at the top of the stairs with his new partner in crime, Lacey. We’re not sure which one of them brought the stone in, but it was well hidden under one of their toys.

Instead of one guilty face peering down at us, this time we had two.

At the top of the stairs

At the top of the stairs

April 23, 2009

Double trouble

It’s long been a habit of Harry’s to run and look out the the window every time the garden gate clicks. He’s always been a very nosey pup and he loves to see who is coming to the front door.

Now though, there’s two faces that appear at the window as visitors come up the path.

Harry and Lacey at the window

Harry and Lacey at the window

April 22, 2009

Weekly update – 66 weeks

This week has been a huge week for Harry.

It’s been all about forging new relationships – first of all he had to deal with the fact that there is now another dog in the house. Lacey has come to spend her retirement here with us and Harry was delighted to see her, he couldn’t believe his luck – a four legged playmate all of his own, someone to share his toys with and someone who always says yes to a game of tug.

Harry and Lacey

Harry and Lacey

On the other hand, when Lacey sneaked into his basket while he was elsewhere he wasn’t so sure that her being here was good thing, but he soon got over the shock and just climbed in right beside her. There was plenty of room for two, but he did sulk for a few minutes.

Harry sulks while sharing his bed with Lacey

Harry sulks while sharing his bed with Lacey

Lacey’s arrival has been a huge learning curve for Harry – he was totally flabbergasted when she strode up to his toy basket and helped herself to a bone that was hidden in the bottom of it.  Harry has never been brave enough to put his head in and forage around for himself, but he has always been quick to copy and within five minutes he was routing around in the basket himself looking for his favourite toy.

Harry’s other big adventure this week has been getting to know Jenson – the pup he will share a kennel with when he goes off to training school. They had a free run in the park together and then lay quietly while the humans stopped for a much needed coffee and a chat.

The two of them had such a grand time running around together and played so much and so hard, we’re thinking they’ll be like human “freshers” and won’t be getting much sleep when they go off to “university”.

Harry and Jenson

Harry and Jenson

April 21, 2009

Return to puppyhood

We’re not quite sure why, but today Harry reverted to the kind of behaviour he exhibited at 15 weeks old, except he’s now 15 months. It may be that he’s feeling overwhelmed by the amount of time he’s spent in the company of other dogs, or it could just be the spring weather has gone to his head, but whatever the reason he’s definitely behaving like a small puppy again.

And just to prove it, he took two of his favourite toys out into the garden and tried to bury them in the gravel under the seats,  just like he did when he was small.

Except now he weighs 36 kg and it was a pretty tight squeeze, back then he weighed about 10 kg and getting under the seat was an awful lot easier.

Harry digging under the garden seat

Harry digging under the garden seat

April 20, 2009

Room mate

When Harry goes off to training school next week we know that he will be sharing a kennel with another pup called Jenson. Harry and Jenson have met regularly at puppy class, but have never really played together.

As the pair of them will be spending lots of time together in the future, last Friday we arranged to take them both on a free run so they could introduce themselves to each other properly.

Harry and Jenson

Harry and Jenson

They got on like a house on fire and really enjoyed each other’s company – it looks as though they could turn out to be quite a double act.

Harry and Jenson playing in the park

Harry and Jenson playing in the park

April 17, 2009

Still here

Usually when we appear in the kitchen in the morning Harry will stay firmly on his bed, stare up at you with his big brown eyes and go “oh puh-leeze don’t disturb me, at least not until my breakfast is ready”. Occasionally, if we’re very lucky, we might get a few wags of the tail, but rarely does he drag himself out of his basket to greet us. He is so not a morning person.

Today was different. Very different.

Harry and Lacey are not sleeping in the same room and he had completely forgotten about her being around. So when Lacey came strolling into the kitchen his eyes nearly popped right out of his head, he jumped out of bed, quickly shook himself and then stood routed to the spot in shock. His jaw nearly hit the floor.

Lacey was as cool as a cucumber, spotted Harry’s bed and hopped straight in. There was nothing else for Harry could do – he jumped right back in beside her.

Harry and Lacey in Harry's bed

Harry and Lacey in Harry's bed