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 2, 2009

My Hero

We were recently invited to spend a day with our previous pup Alfie and his owner – an opportunity we just couldn’t refuse. We arranged to meet up in the Lake District at the hotel we have visited with Harry on a number of occasions.

Harry was nearly beside himself with excitement when he realised that not only was in visiting one of his favourite places, but he was actually going to spend time with a “grown up” Guide Dog.

Harry was absolutely besotted with Alfie and copied everything he did, right own to the last detail – it was almost comical to watch. While we had lunch and Alfie lay down under the table, Harry had to squeeze himself into the same small place. When Alfie sat up, Harry sat up. When Alfie lay down again, Harry lay down.

Later in the afternoon, when we all went for a walk the copying continued. When Alfie made his way down to the river, then Harry went down to the river……….

Harry and Alfie in the river

Harry and Alfie in the river

When Alfie stopped running to look at something, then Harry stopped running just to be the same……….

Harry and Alfie on the woodland path

Harry and Alfie on the woodland path

And when Alfie stopped to peer over a wall at something on the other side, Harry was right beside him, looking at it too……….

Harry and Alfie looking over a wall

Harry and Alfie looking over a wall

Harry was never very far from Alfie’s side – it was total hero worship from the moment he set eyes on him and an experience we wouldn’t have missed for the world.

We are so proud of Alfie and only hope Harry turns out half as well.

April 1, 2009

Weekly update – 63 weeks

This week Harry’s world has returned to normal, the builders have gone and his bed has finally been moved back to it’s rightful position – the prime location in the kitchen from where he can see everything that goes on. He’s obviously delighted because it’s proving very difficult to get him out of it.

Harry in his bed

Harry in his bed

Harry has never been a “morning” kind of pup, he much prefers to take things at his own pace first thing in the morning. In the early days he was so pleased to see us that he would literally launch himself out of his bed as soon as we turned the handle on the kitchen door. Then he got to the stage where, although he was pleased to see us, he didn’t really want to get out of bed, so he would just lie there and thump his tail in an enthusiastic greeting. Now when we get downstairs in the morning he is all “Oh Good Grief!  Is it that time already? Please, please, please, just go back to bed and hit the snooze button.”

Harry has done all his regular training walks this week, into town and to Leeds City Centre, and travelled by train, bus and car. In fact he has spent an awful lot of time in the car as we  travelled up to the North East on a number of occasions for family commitments. He didn’t complain and was exceptionally well behaved while we were there, he even enjoyed the walks he had around an unfamiliar town, although he soon figured out where the park was and became desperate to go and play with all the new dogs he could see there as we walked past.

Although Harry appears to sleep for most of the time on long car journeys, and he’s probably had more sleep than he needs this week, when the morning sun streams through the windows in the front room (something that only happens once spring has arrived) it’s just too much of a temptation for him to resist. He claims his spot in the sun and promtly starts to snooze, occasionally opening one eye just to check he’s not missing out on anything.

Harry snoozing in the sun

Harry snoozing in the sun

His time spent cooking himself like this has probably been the highlight of his week. Now all we have to do is explain to him that the builders will be back again in a few days.