Friday, 10 May 2013

A new venture?

Several years ago I got chatting with a woman who was a puppy walker for Guide Dogs For The Blind. It seemed like such a lovely thing to do, but of course having Nell and other pets and working at the time it wasn't going to be for me. But after Nell died and I took retirement of sorts that conversation came back to me and I started researching it and thinking it might be something I'd like to do.

Several phone calls, questionnaires, emails and references later, I had my interview this morning, which lasted over two hours and was pretty in depth. The outcome of all this is that I passed and I'm now considered serious puppy walker material and it's all down to me. I just have to give them a date for a go-ahead!

Initially I was told because Nell was a German Shepherd I might be offered one of those, but actually labs are far easier to train, so I've opted to go down the easy route as a first-timer.

It's going to be quite a commitment, and I'm not even sure that I'll do it this year, but the thought of welcoming a puppy into my home as a job of work that offers so much back to the community brings a huge smile to my face!





3 comments:

  1. Wonderful. I so admire those who do this. I'd be useless and would end up running away with the pup! No way could I give it back. I 'support' 3 guide dog pups, it would be great if I ended up getting my 'pupdates' from you.

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    1. I know it'll be hard, but I'm hoping because it's a job of work rather than it being a pet it'll be ok. Of course all this is total speculation and the reality sometimes is wholly different from the dream!

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  2. That's a cracking idea Vee, and well done.

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