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.

May 18, 2009

Hello from Harry

We always taught Harry to be a well mannered pup, and it seems he hasn’t forgotten.

He has remembered to send us a card, which came in the post today.

 Card from Harry announcing "I've Arrived"

Card from Harry announcing "I've Arrived"

May 16, 2009

Missed

Harry’s trainer rang yesterday to give us an update on his progress. We were out and missed the call.

The message on the answerphone didn’t give much away. Now we have to wait until next week. Arrrghh!!

May 6, 2009

Weekly update – 68 weeks – a new beginning

Harry’s last week with us was full of fun, although he still did his training walks, he had plenty of time to do all the things he loved to best and now he has moved on to the next stage of his career.

Harry was always meant to be one of the first pups to enter the new Guide Dog Training School at Atherton and was even invited to the ceremony to mark the laying of the Foundation Stone, so we were delighted that everything went according to plan and Harry was indeed included in the first group of dogs to go in.

Harry’s supervisor was kind enough to take a couple of photos of his arrival for us.

Harry at Atherton

Harry at Atherton

The lovely (and dedicated) kennel staff phoned us earlier today to tell us that, after his arrival yesterday, he has settled in well and already made lots of new friends – both the human and canine kind. At the moment he is staying in the “intake block” but will move on to his permanent kennel area in the next couple of days.

It didn’t take him long to figure out that there’s definitely some perks to being there, apart from all the fuss and attention he’s getting, there is the added bonus of under floor heating.

Harry immediately made himself quite at home and stretched out on the floor to advantage of such five star luxury. He always did like his creature comforts!

Harry tries out the under floor heating

Harry tries out the under floor heating

Harry will soon be meeting his new trainer and embarking on the next stage of his training.  We’re sure he’ll do really well as he’s a gentle and sensitive little soul, but he’s also inquisitive, respectful, friendly, patient and independent, all of which should help him to make the transition to a fully qualified and working Guide Dog.

As for us, we’re going to take a couple of months break, maybe do some decorating (not something that’s easy to do with a boisterous pup around), have a holiday and then we’ll embark on the whole adventure all over again with a new pup.

May 5, 2009

Goodbye Harry

Today is the day we’ve been dreading, the day Harry moves on to his formal training at the new Guide Dog Training Centre in Atherton.

Puppy class was on this morning, but we played truant, preferring to spend the last few hours with him at home and on one last walk.

Harry

Harry

Harry’s supervisor came to collect him about 30 minutes ago. He walked down the garden path without a backward glance.

We know he will be well looked after and cared for, but it doesn’t make it any easier.

Harry’s purpose in life is to be a loyal guide and companion to someone who needs him more than we do.

We’ve done all we can, the rest is up to him.

May 4, 2009

Reservoir dogs

Today is Harry’s last full day here with us at Number 58, so we decided to take him on his favourite walk around a nearby reservoir.

Harry standing by the reservoir

Harry standing by the reservoir

The walk is a long one and has everything a puppy could dream of – a patch of woodland to forage in, wide open spaces to run madly about in, water to paddle in and best of all, lots of muddy ditches.

Harry loves this walk and he was keen to show Lacey ropes, he pointed out all the best spots and showed her where the best ditches were. Funnily enough, by the end of the walk Harry was relatively clean and Lacey was dripping wet and filthy.

Harry and Lacey pose by the reservoir

Harry and Lacey pose by the reservoir

May 1, 2009

Bad habits

Harry has always loved mud and can always be relied upon to find the deepest, dirtiest and muddy ditch. He perfected the art of snorkelling in mud way back in August last year, and ended up looking like this………..

Harry with a black muddy face

Harry with a black muddy face

Today, in preparation for Harry going off to training school, we took him out for another run with his soon to be kennel-mate Jenson. This time, instead of the park, we took them up on to the moors where they could run and explore together, instead of just running around on the grass. And of course, there were plenty of muddy ditches.

Harry thinks the world of his new pal and thought it would be a good idea to teach him a few of his own bad habits.  After finding the biggest and dirtiest of the ditches, he showed Jenson how to go snorkelling. Jenson was quick to learn and soon surfaced absolutely covered in mud.

And for once, Harry decided to be Mr Goody Two Shoes and pretended to be horrified.

Jenson with a muddy face and Harry

Jenson with a muddy face and Harry