Fab Day out with Special Friends

The mist soon turned to sunny blue skies and a fab day with Sue, Jemma and GD Millie. We met at the Filey Macular Group Low Vision event, then up to West Ayton for Millie and Scooby to spend some playtime together.

Can't wait for next time!

Bee Gees Tribute

Jive Talkin' at Bridlington Spa.  Fabulous Bee Gees tribute and great night out - loud music proved no problem for Scooby, he slept through most of it.

GD Fundraising

Collecting bucket day for Scooby. Lots of doggy fusses and lovely generous people.

Nice lunch afterwards in M & S, Beverley

4 buckets - £400.70

Friends at the beach

Link to Beach Video below

Lovely sunny day at the the beach in the best of company - our friends Carol and Retired GD Jay. Scooby and I have really enjoyed our day out with you both 🙂 ❤ Thank you for inviting us xxx

Lots of splashing and running, these two lads get on so well together. Best of friends!

Bet they both sleep well tonight 🙂

Video - two black GR x Labs playing in the sea and running towards the camera

Photo - Jay looking very comfy and Scooby wondering if there's room for him too

 Click here for Video Beach Fun with Jay

M&Co Style Party

Nice evening at M&Co Styles party with the Driffield GD Fundraising Group

Left to Right - Scooby, Shane and Bailey

GD Inter Branch Meeting

Another busy day for Scooby. We've been on the bus to Beverley to an inter branch meeting at Guide Dog's office in Beverley. Bit of a rainy day but it was good to meet up and chat with friends and meet new folks too. We'll both sleep well tonight!

Hornsea Carnival

Lovely day out with Beverley Fundraising group. Sandwiches, cake, coffee, ice cream and very good company. Even managed to raise some money. The carnival is free to attend and a huge park in the middle of town.  Friday to Sunday, live music, fireworks, fair and loads of other stuff.

Annual Vist

Our GDMI (GD Mobility Instructor) spent the afternoon with Scooby and I today. I can call for help or advice any time but they always come for an annual visit throughout the working life of your Guide Dog.

It's a chance to have a catch up, talk anything over, get to know the trainer in my case as due to changing areas I have a different GDMI now. Not a stranger though as we have met a few times. The first time was after my first assessment I asked if it was possible to have a test drive to see how it felt and whether or not my remaining useful vision would impact and affect my handling of a GD. This lady kindly arrived a couple of weeks later with an almost trained dog and we went out around town for her to assess how I did. All went well and I continued through the assessment procedures.

On the GDMI's side of things the visit gives them chance to check the GD Health Record is up to date and that six monthly visits to the vet have taken place. We also go out and work the dog around town under observation to demonstrate the dog and owner are working well and within the rules and guidelines (otherwise known as not falling into bad habits!!)

There was an opportunity on the walk for the GDMI to see Scooby's reaction to other dogs and food on the pavement, both of which cause occasional problems. I was pleased to hear that my commands and Scooby's reaction to them were definitely not a significant issue or cause for concern.

It was a great confidence boost to hear that everything is as it should be and Scooby is working very well.

Good job Scooby! Xxx

Free Running

Warm, sunny beach this evening.

Collection Day

Another session rattling buckets. Scooby was meeting and greeting, rushed off his paws in Morrisons, Beverley.

Dinner with the Rotarians

Scooby, Suzanne and I had a super evening with the Rotarians. Very warm welcome, lovely food and good company. We were there to talk about the My Guide Service which is soon to be launched in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Scooby was his usual perfect self and didn't put a paw wrong. He is however reflecting today on how the two pieces of kibble he was rewarded with compares with what everything else enjoyed.... It's a dog's life.

Since retiring I have volunteered and qualified as a My Guide Trainer and have become involved with launching the service in the East Riding.

Hot Dogs

Hottest day so far!  Bit of fun in the paddling pool, but Scooby's having none of it.

Celebrating Two Years in Partnership

It's two years today since Scooby and I qualified as a team.  Two brilliant years of being independent again.

Two Years Ago

First day of Guide Dog Owner training. We've come a long way since then.

First Day of Training

Richard is our trainer.  We talked about how I would give Scooby a daily health check and how to groom him each day.  We had a walk around town practicing left turns and then back at home I did a health check and a groom.  Finished up with some obedience training for Scooby and footwork practice for me - knowing one's left from one's right is essential for this and is always a challenge for me.  Must practice before tomorrow.

Homework - Sit and Wait, Down and Stay, Sit, Wait and Come.  Lots of footwork practice!

Scooby Moves In

Scooby arrived this afternoon and I have the weekend to get to know him, and he me, before our training starts on Monday.

Meeting Scooby

This morning was my matching visit with Scooby - to see if I liked him and if we got on together.  We went for a walk round town and it went well.  I definitely like Schooby!

Surprise Phone Call

Got a surprise phone call today from Guide Dogs.  I was assessed and went on the waiting list for a dog in December 2013.with the prospect of waiting around 2 years for a dog to become available.

They have got a dog which matches my needs and I can meet him tomorrow morning to see if I like him.