Labrador Forums, Labrador chat rooms, photos, breeders, rescue -> Guide Dogs

LouLou writes "A Special Dog for a Special Team

After nearly two year of intensive searching all around the world for the very special little Dog that is eventually going to take on the role now filled by Canine Partner Endal.... it has been announced that the hunt is now finally over! Last Thursday evening a new arrival entered the Parton Household in the form of a little 8 week old Yellow Labrador puppy called Endal Junior "EJ" and already he has started his assistance dog training in earnest to become Endal's most worthy successor.

Endal having acquired worldwide fame by being voted the world's most intelligent dog, Dog of the Millennium and is now recognized as the most decorated peace time dog ever.... his ability to operate a cashpoint machine and more recently the chip and pin machine has made him arguably the world's most famous assistance dog too. Over 300 film crews from all around the world have filmed Endal going about his daily chores and he is also half way through the making of a movie about his amazing story. For the last eleven years Endal has been faithfully at the side of his disabled human partner Gulf war veteran Allen Parton enabling him to experience a real quality of life and independence through his unconditional love and devotion.

At twelve years old the veteran yellow Labrador Endal is now becoming a pensioner and very soon preparing for a well earned retirement but not before taking on the most important role of mentor and training a junior to take over his job. "After every meal Endal will pass me up his food bowl" said Allen "and very soon EJ will twig that is what dogs do and he will follow Endal's lead and it is this learning by example which I dearly hope will enable EJ to achieve without any pressure."

"It is also so ironic that little "EJ" should have been found in Liphook a mere 15 miles from where we currently live said Allen. The breeder Joy Venturi Rose, of Leospring Labradors (http://www.leospring.co.uk), actually grew up in the house on the opposite side of the road from my childhood home, in Haslemere, and she even went to school with my older sister, Sadly though because of my head injury i have lost all memories of her and our past but I guess some things are meant to be and we have met up again through our love of a very special breed. She has bred some absolutely stunning dogs and many are prize winners, being from part show and part working stock ...EJ's pedigree is just so ideal for the intended role we have in mind.

I recently received an email from our dear friend Jo Coulson, once the secretary for the Labrador club of great Britain, saying that Joy had recently had a litter of Labradors of which three were yellow boys (Labrador + yellow + boy the search criteria). I quickly arranged to have a viewing and Sandra my wife, puppy operations manager for canine partners did the early assessment and EJ maxed out on the points ....scoring very highly. On our very first visit to see the three dogs EJ was the one that settled down right along side the wheelchair as if that was where he had chosen to be. I had a real feeling of De za vue as this was just how Endal and I first met and bonded. A period of reflexion, to consider all the effects of the changes and impact of taking on a new puppy, took place and at eight weeks old we adopted EJ Arizona (Joy named all the puppies after Royal naval warships which is most appropriate as the dad is called Anchorman and Allen had himself served in the Royal Navy for 20 years)

From pulling Allen into the recovery position to putting his bank card in to the cashpoint and chip and pin machines Endal has amazed everyone with his self taught abilities. Endal was socialized at canine partners by a puppy parent but never had any formal advanced training which makes his story even more amazing. Endal was partnered with Allen when he was just one year old and has gone on to achieve so much which Allen attribute to Endal's unquestionable ability to learn
and problem solve. It has been already been agreed by canine partners that Endal will retire to me when the time comes said Allen "and it will by my absolute pleasure to care for him in his old age and hour of need..permitting me in some small way to repay him back what is an unrepayable debt!

What are Endal's view on the new arrival? Well after a few days of the obligatory growling and barking by Endal thankfully young EJ quickly accepted his junior role and position in the doggie hierarchy and once again a sense calmness and order has descended on the Parton household. Endal now sports two shadows the newer one quite small but always at his side!

"

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Karen writes "Scott Cunningham will be setting out on his final trek on 10th May across the Pennine Way, having completed the West Highland Way, Southern Upland Way and the Speyside Way. What makes all of this so remarkable is that Scott is totally blind and is aided by his super-fit guide dog Travis.

What is Travistrek all about? - taken from www.travistrek.co.uk

"With Scotland under their belt, the dynamic duo are now looking further afield, and will this year tackle all 268 miles of The Pennine Way. They will cross the border from England back home to Scotland in 16 continuous walking days starting on the 10th of May 2007. This national trail is continually considered to be one of Britain’s most challenging long distance walks.

Scott's objective through travistrek.co.uk is twofold: he aims to raise much needed funds for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (GDBA), and also hopefully inspire other blind people to embrace challenges, big or small and experience the same sense of motivation and rewards that he has gained from his expeditions. Now in its 4th extremely successful year, travistrek.co.uk has raised over £40,000 for the GDBA to date.

The money raised so far has been used to fully train and care for 7 Guide Dog puppies that will eventually be placed with new owners. With your continued support this year, we hope to raise even more and enable more visually-impaired people to lead full and active lives."

Trek progress will be updated on this thread:
http://www.labradorforums.co.uk/ftopict-24053.html

Thanks to Scott Cunningham for allowing use of text and images from the Travistrek website."

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bradleysmum writes "Take A Look!

We've put together with one of our suppliers a clothing catalogue called The Great Outpaws and for the logo we have combined the dogs head from the Guide Dogs logo and added The Great Outpaws. All the clothing is Regatta and Fruit of the Loom as we felt it was really important to use quality products.

From Kim Adrian
http://www.thegreatoutpaws.co.uk/"

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bradleysmum writes "Guide Dogs launches a year of anniversary celebrations commemorating the 75 years since the first guide dogs began working in the UK.

Rt Hon David Blunkett MP will join guide dog owners from across the UK on the Isle of Dogs (London, Docklands) on Thursday 26 January at Guide Dog’s new interactive exhibition. The display called ‘Moving Forward Together’ will be unveiled at the event, being held at the Museum in Docklands, West India Quay. "

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bradleysmum writes "FOUR years ago, Slaithwaite woman Wendy Wood began losing her sight.

But now, she has been given a new pair of `eyes' - in the form of guide dog Leah.

Wendy, 41, welcomed two-year-old yellow labrador Leah into her home in October.

Leah was given to Wendy by The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

She says since then, her life has totally changed.

"

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lily seeing how comfy the sofa is
Yellow Labradors

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