Number58

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"

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!!

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’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.

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

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 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

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

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

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’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 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

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

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

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