The training day, the rabbit and the naughty guide dog

GraceB

I laughed my head off when I heard this and as it made me smile like that I thought I'd share this with you all.

My work colleague is blind and is a Guide Dog owner. She's had the dog (who we'll call Bess for this purpose) since the dog was 2, Bess is now 8.5 yrs old and due to be retired fairly soon.

My colleague (we'll call her Karen) had to attend a two day training course last week in a rurally located centre that has been used before by our Local Authority for training. A break for the delegates came round, everyone had a cuppa and returned to the training room.

Karen became aware of a draught as she settled Bess (who had her harness off) back under the table and got involved with a conversation fairly quickly, appreciating the breeze - it was a warm day - thinking "oh good, someone's opened a window, lovely".

All of a sudden, Bess was gone out of the door that had been opened to let said breeze in. Bess had seen a rabbit go hopping past and decided it was time to give chase as all good Labradors should!!

So, Bess shoots out of the door, rapidly followed by nearly all of the delegates on the course. Bess follows the rabbit across a bit of green, and decided to take a short cut through a pond. Yup, through a pond!

Bess was caught by one of the delegates who was obviously fairly fit. I believe the catcher didn't go through the pond, but round it. I understand she spent the rest of the day - after having been wiped down - on her lead which Karen had hold of all the time.

The rabbit got clean away so I was told. I can picture words put on the feedback forms to "what was the highlight of the course for you? " question.

Now, when I was told this story Tuesday (this happened last Wednesday), Bess just sat there wagging her tail and looking at me with her big brown eyes. She also had a funny grin on her face, bless her.

I was also told that last weekend, Karen took her mum to a garden centre -with Bess guiding her. That particular garden centre now has I understand a large, chocolate L***t foil-wrapped bunny with some doggy teeth marks in. I think Bess reckons it's time for the Easter Bunny.

I have to say that Bess does a wonderful job guiding Karen and is a fantastic dog to have in the office. Normally Bess is well behaved, although a few months ago we did have "cake-gate". Someone had left a chocolate flapjack right on the edge of a desk, Bess went for a wander... She was intercepted at the second lick. Karen replaced the flapjack the following day.

The moral of the story is that you can make a fantastic Guide Dog out of a Labrador but you can't take the Labrador out of the Guide Dog.

GraceB

Sharon2960

What a lovely story, made me smile! Even working dogs give in to temptation then!

barbara12

What a brilliant story Grace..bet everyone is waiting for its next escapade..your friend could start a blog

daffy2

Even working dogs give in to temptation then!

With unfortunate results sometimes...I was at a public consultation event the other week and as I walked round the display boards I became aware of an odd noise. It was a lab in working harness throwing up on the floor. Turns out he'd been scrumping apples earlier in the day.

frogmorton

Awww!! Bless her



That was worth reading from beginning to end!!

and Daffy the scrumping guide-dog - another great story

Thank you

XX

stickywicket

Nice one, Grace.

Guide dogs are only 'working' when in harness. The rest of the time they are free to socialise. This one was clearly well aware of the union rules

GraceB

Thanks for your thoughts. I'm still smiling about this now.

Unfortunately Bess had her harness on when she was getting a little too familiar with the L***t chocolate bunny in the garden centre. Mind you, she's such a lovely dog she probably gave the shop staff one of her "smiles" and was forgiven instantly.

Such clever dogs these assistance dogs. In a previous role I was in close regular contact with a Hearing Dog for the Deaf and what he did for his handler was brilliant!

GraceB