Guide Dog Puppy : meet Maggie

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Discussion

Nice But Dim

Original Poster:

456 posts

206 months

Saturday 11th January 2014
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My good lady wife has taken upon herself to be a Guide Dog Puppy walker whereby we look after a puppy until they are about a year old and then return them to the next step of their training. TBH I was a little skeptical but Maggie has settled in very well and our Springer Spaniel is very tolerant. The cat less so!





Edited by Nice But Dim on Saturday 11th January 22:17

Shaw Tarse

31,543 posts

202 months

Saturday 11th January 2014
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Awww cute!!!!

Wheat

505 posts

129 months

Saturday 11th January 2014
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Lovely looking dawg. Do you not think that when the year is up it will be so hard to let go? I suppose it will make it easier knowing it's going to live the rest of its life making someone's life from near impossible to a lot better. Good on you.

mrmaggit

10,146 posts

247 months

Sunday 12th January 2014
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Heart.

Melted.

ali_kat

31,988 posts

220 months

Sunday 12th January 2014
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love

Pesty

42,655 posts

255 months

Sunday 12th January 2014
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Cute smile

Nice But Dim

Original Poster:

456 posts

206 months

Sunday 12th January 2014
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I am sure it will be difficult (especially for my 10 yr old son) to say Goodbye

But we are all aware that we are just temporary guardians; but hopefully it will be rewarding to know that we will have helped someone else's quality life significantly.

I have never had a labrador before.... Its quite comical when it comes to food time. Its all gone in well under 45 seconds !

Wheat said:
Lovely looking dawg. Do you not think that when the year is up it will be so hard to let go? I suppose it will make it easier knowing it's going to live the rest of its life making someone's life from near impossible to a lot better. Good on you.

Mobile Chicane

20,735 posts

211 months

Sunday 12th January 2014
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If, for whatever reason, she's unsuitable for Guide Dog training, you're going to keep her, aren't you?

I just know it.

Nice But Dim

Original Poster:

456 posts

206 months

Sunday 12th January 2014
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Well if she fails they get offered up as helper for disabled or deaf folk. Then comes buddy dogs going into Hospitals etc. She may also be bred from..... And then as a last gasp offered back to us.

They way she seems completely unfazed by anything and settled into the house routine I would think the poetnial of us getting her long term is remote (unfortunately!)

Mubby

1,236 posts

181 months

Monday 13th January 2014
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ahhh just lovely! I too have been a puppy walker and still have friends that puppy walk and its a very rewarding way of volunteering, although heart breaking to give them back!! good luck with it!

FW18

243 posts

140 months

Monday 13th January 2014
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We look after guide dogs in the last 12 weeks of their training. It is hard letting them go, but knowing that you are doing something to help make somebodies life better makes it easier handing them back.

SPR2

3,182 posts

195 months

Monday 13th January 2014
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She is lovely.

Nice But Dim

Original Poster:

456 posts

206 months

Tuesday 25th February 2014
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She is now 13 weeks old and growing fast ! Its all seems to be very natural for her ..... Here waiting patiently in line at the Post Office


JFReturns

3,693 posts

170 months

Tuesday 25th February 2014
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What a good girl!

Chilli

17,318 posts

235 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
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Mobile Chicane said:
If, for whatever reason, she's unsuitable for Guide Dog training, you're going to keep her, aren't you?

I just know it.
Yeah, I think she may fail you know.....Not quite up to scratch.

Grandpad58

12,543 posts

180 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
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Chilli said:
Mobile Chicane said:
If, for whatever reason, she's unsuitable for Guide Dog training, you're going to keep her, aren't you?

I just know it.
Yeah, I think she may fail you know.....Not quite up to scratch.
She's beautiful, and she might fail.

Mubby

1,236 posts

181 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
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Nice But Dim said:
She is now 13 weeks old and growing fast ! Its all seems to be very natural for her ..... Here waiting patiently in line at the Post Office

awwwwww lovely smile

Mubby

1,236 posts

181 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
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Nice But Dim said:
I would think the poetnial of us getting her long term is remote (unfortunately!)
not that remote... My boy Chip went out to work with a gentleman, went to work with him etc, and suddenly decided he liked chasing cats! which was never a problem as a pup in training! so he had to be retired and I was offered him back but unfortunately was not in the position to take him at the time.

Also a puppy walker friend has one of hers, as he had tumour grow on his chest which was removed and he is absolutely fine 6 years on, but it was enough to remove him from the training! she has went on to train a fair few since (including David Blunkets current dog Cosby!)

Nice But Dim

Original Poster:

456 posts

206 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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Maggie is now 4 months old and bigger than our tolerant 7 y.o. springer !


JFReturns

3,693 posts

170 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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Awwwww, such a cutie smile