- Location
- Ontario, Canada
Spencer - Guide Dog 🐾
- Thread starter Boogie
- Start date
Lisa
Moderator
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
Up close and personal with one of those lovely silky LONG ears....sigh 
- Location
- The Hague, The Netherlands
Spencer looks so content and happy
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Oh that's just the BEST 
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Just read Terry's post on FB from yesterday I think when the GD photographer was doing his shoot for a report.
A wee damp eye.
You must be so exceedingly proud of both Spencer and Terry.
It's super to be able to follow their adventures, and Terry's sheer joy of working with Spencer. Spencer is a real star.
I'm sure everyone else will agree we are so proud of you doing your wonderful job for GD puppies.
A wee damp eye.
You must be so exceedingly proud of both Spencer and Terry.
It's super to be able to follow their adventures, and Terry's sheer joy of working with Spencer. Spencer is a real star.
I'm sure everyone else will agree we are so proud of you doing your wonderful job for GD puppies.
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
Long and lovely post alert, I have permission to share it. 
...
So, on Tuesday of this week, we had a photo shoot planned. Guide dogs asked if I would mind being involved in their annual report. Our contribution would be in the form of a case study, because of the circumstances around when Spencer and I were matched, the training and qualification of our partnership during the horrendous year of Covid.
We had an ansolute blast, so much fun and so many laughs and it was great to chat.
Personally, the fact that Spencer and I are together at all, and now enjoying an amazing life with him by my side, feeling i have regained so much independance, confidence and zest for life, after loosing my sight almost three years ago is an amazing feat, and is all thanks to the wonders of Guide Dogs For The Blind, UK Charity.
Without the Charity as a whole, the breeders, brood bitch and stud dog holders, boarders, puppy raisers and of course the thousands of volunteers and sponsors, none of this would be possible. And all at a time when The World as we knew it took a dark turn into covid-19.
I call Spencer my 2020 Hero, because he absolutely is, and i dread to think what my
Life would be like now, without him.
So...... a lovely photographer called Dave arrived @ 10:00 , as did a man I hold in very high regard and integral to Spencer and myself becoming such a cohesive partnership, my GDMI ( Guide Dog Mobility Instructor ), Peter.
We had to meet, socially distanced of course, in my back garden. We were blessed as the weather was glorious. Blue skies, sinshine - total bliss
We all had a good natter and catch up, and as well as Dave meeting Spencer, and Dean, my partner, he also met Vanda and Sid, our huge Brindle Irish Wolfhound Pet dogs.
It was great to see peter again, as We havent seem each other in person for over a year, and I was so excoted for him to see Spencer, and to witness the massive difference in him workwise and us as a partnership.
There was a rough outline brief to follow in terms of what to capture on camera in an attempt to depict what a guide dog partnership is and what it brings to someone with low or no sight.
I hope you agree from the photographs that Dave captured this beautifully.
We were out and about for between 5 and Six hours, of which I would say Spencer was working four of those hours. Which was phenomenal And no easy feat.
There is a perception by the general Public that dont fully understand guide dogs and the way they work with their human partners that seeing a dog with a Gentle Leader on their heads may be cruel, or mean that the dog is vicious and many other connotations. Some of which has been said to Me By passers by in the past as we work.
For me, the gentle leader has been essential. It allows me to feel and get a sense of what spencer is doing and where his head is facing etc. It allows me, on certain new routes for example to gently focus him to the task on hand. When at rest or on public transport etc, the gentle leader is usually off
Some Public believe the dog is always in a head harness, and lots of other untrue things. So where possible, if anyone ever mentions it to me, I try to explain what it is for, and when it is used.
Im always happy to explain to someone who has a genuine interest and wants to learn. Education is a wonderful thing in all walks of life.
So, partly because of pre-conceptions and partly because I wanted to prove to myself and Peter that Spencer and I have overcome lots of distractions and work cohesively together, I didnt put Spencers Gentle Leader on - At All!! The fist time ever for us.
And let me tell you, we must have passed around 30 or so Dogs Peter said on our travels, and Spencer never once became overly distracted. I was immensly proud of him.
We walked to Shipley Glen which is near to our home, and there are so many narrow pavements with trees dotted everywhere, even in the middle Of the paths.
We then had a stroll On the glen where a lovely lady out with her dogs said hello and that she loved seeing our facebook posts.
We then made our way down to a very old little fennicular tramway that leads down towards Roberts park.
The path we walked on is lined with lots of beautiful trees and other plants and flowers, the path is very uneven with lots of pot holes and other gubbins - not a path I would choose to walk alone or with my cane!
But you can smell the flowers and the wild garlic as you make your way down. Birds singing in the trees and little streams on either side trickling down makes this such a beautiful walk. Often covered with bluebells. At the end of the path is a wooden gate, whixh I have eventually mastered how to open! Unbeknown to me, there was a huge branch in front of the hate when i opened it. Spencer of cpurse just guided me around it. Without Spencer, i would have fallen into or over it.
We then had a lovely walk into Roberts Park, Spencer navigating me to a bench so we could have a rest and a chat.
Spencer took Me around the park, found the steps for me, getting me safely down them each time. Taking me around other walkers and obstacles.
It was such a beautiful place, blue skies, beautiful sunsine, birds singing and hering laughter from children and all manner of conversations - it was sublime.
Spencer then took me over a bridge, where the river aire flows beneath , and to the Leeds/Liverpool Canal.
We walked along the canal bank, where there were lots of other people walking, lots of other dogs, as well as people on their bicycles. Spencer just expertly did his thing and kept me safe.
We had a few sit downs so Spencer could rest, and have a drink and Dave could do his tjing with his Cameras, clicking away. People being very polite watching and wondering what was going on.
We then got back to the main drag into Shipley Town Centre, having to cross many challenging busy roads, streets and crossings. Weaving our way through narrow streets and passageways into the centre.
If you follow our posts, you will know what usually happens when we are in Shipley. And today was no exception.
I asked Spencer to find Costa for me, and off we went, sat at a table outside, and the lovely staff took our order and brought coffees, cakes, and sandwiches. Of course Spencer was given fresh chilled water in his very own large costa cup that the staff reserve for his visits
It was lovely to sit down and reflect on the amazing walk we have just done. The challenges Spencer had to face to keep me safe, and never once did he falter.
I would never have the courage to have done what we did without Spencer. I would not, could not have done this just with my cane.
Spencer then found my bus stop and when the bus arrived, Dave asked the driver if he could take some photographs of Spencer and I getting onto and off of the bus, to which she very kindly agreed.
To be able to have the confidence to do these things, without sight and actually enjoy the experience, to be able to enjoy hearing everything around you, the wildlife, people, children etc and to feel the sun on your body and the slight breeze on your skin, rather than have to worry where the next kerb is, or if you are going to walk into a bin or a chair or another person is just amazing.
To be able to do these normal things without fear or trepidation that before loosing my sight, I would do without even thinking about it, fills My heart with joy, makes me appreciate life so much more rhan I ever used to, and makes me happy to be alive.
All this, because of guide dogs and their supporters. I want to thank each and every one of you that support guide dogs and follow our story - because you mean the world to me, and wothout you - i hate to think where and how i would be right now - thank you from the bottom
Of my heart.
I hope you enjoy the beautiful
Photographs, and that they depict what an amazing life guide Dogs allow people to have.
In all of them, I am wearing a grwy denim jacket with cream fur like Lining, beige chinos and black boots. Dean, my partner has a red top, red and black shorts and black trainers and Peter, my GDMI is in the Guide Dogs uniform.
Please enjoy
...
...
So, on Tuesday of this week, we had a photo shoot planned. Guide dogs asked if I would mind being involved in their annual report. Our contribution would be in the form of a case study, because of the circumstances around when Spencer and I were matched, the training and qualification of our partnership during the horrendous year of Covid.
We had an ansolute blast, so much fun and so many laughs and it was great to chat.
Personally, the fact that Spencer and I are together at all, and now enjoying an amazing life with him by my side, feeling i have regained so much independance, confidence and zest for life, after loosing my sight almost three years ago is an amazing feat, and is all thanks to the wonders of Guide Dogs For The Blind, UK Charity.
Without the Charity as a whole, the breeders, brood bitch and stud dog holders, boarders, puppy raisers and of course the thousands of volunteers and sponsors, none of this would be possible. And all at a time when The World as we knew it took a dark turn into covid-19.
I call Spencer my 2020 Hero, because he absolutely is, and i dread to think what my
Life would be like now, without him.
So...... a lovely photographer called Dave arrived @ 10:00 , as did a man I hold in very high regard and integral to Spencer and myself becoming such a cohesive partnership, my GDMI ( Guide Dog Mobility Instructor ), Peter.
We had to meet, socially distanced of course, in my back garden. We were blessed as the weather was glorious. Blue skies, sinshine - total bliss
We all had a good natter and catch up, and as well as Dave meeting Spencer, and Dean, my partner, he also met Vanda and Sid, our huge Brindle Irish Wolfhound Pet dogs.
It was great to see peter again, as We havent seem each other in person for over a year, and I was so excoted for him to see Spencer, and to witness the massive difference in him workwise and us as a partnership.
There was a rough outline brief to follow in terms of what to capture on camera in an attempt to depict what a guide dog partnership is and what it brings to someone with low or no sight.
I hope you agree from the photographs that Dave captured this beautifully.
We were out and about for between 5 and Six hours, of which I would say Spencer was working four of those hours. Which was phenomenal And no easy feat.
There is a perception by the general Public that dont fully understand guide dogs and the way they work with their human partners that seeing a dog with a Gentle Leader on their heads may be cruel, or mean that the dog is vicious and many other connotations. Some of which has been said to Me By passers by in the past as we work.
For me, the gentle leader has been essential. It allows me to feel and get a sense of what spencer is doing and where his head is facing etc. It allows me, on certain new routes for example to gently focus him to the task on hand. When at rest or on public transport etc, the gentle leader is usually off
Some Public believe the dog is always in a head harness, and lots of other untrue things. So where possible, if anyone ever mentions it to me, I try to explain what it is for, and when it is used.
Im always happy to explain to someone who has a genuine interest and wants to learn. Education is a wonderful thing in all walks of life.
So, partly because of pre-conceptions and partly because I wanted to prove to myself and Peter that Spencer and I have overcome lots of distractions and work cohesively together, I didnt put Spencers Gentle Leader on - At All!! The fist time ever for us.
And let me tell you, we must have passed around 30 or so Dogs Peter said on our travels, and Spencer never once became overly distracted. I was immensly proud of him.
We walked to Shipley Glen which is near to our home, and there are so many narrow pavements with trees dotted everywhere, even in the middle Of the paths.
We then had a stroll On the glen where a lovely lady out with her dogs said hello and that she loved seeing our facebook posts.
We then made our way down to a very old little fennicular tramway that leads down towards Roberts park.
The path we walked on is lined with lots of beautiful trees and other plants and flowers, the path is very uneven with lots of pot holes and other gubbins - not a path I would choose to walk alone or with my cane!
But you can smell the flowers and the wild garlic as you make your way down. Birds singing in the trees and little streams on either side trickling down makes this such a beautiful walk. Often covered with bluebells. At the end of the path is a wooden gate, whixh I have eventually mastered how to open! Unbeknown to me, there was a huge branch in front of the hate when i opened it. Spencer of cpurse just guided me around it. Without Spencer, i would have fallen into or over it.
We then had a lovely walk into Roberts Park, Spencer navigating me to a bench so we could have a rest and a chat.
Spencer took Me around the park, found the steps for me, getting me safely down them each time. Taking me around other walkers and obstacles.
It was such a beautiful place, blue skies, beautiful sunsine, birds singing and hering laughter from children and all manner of conversations - it was sublime.
Spencer then took me over a bridge, where the river aire flows beneath , and to the Leeds/Liverpool Canal.
We walked along the canal bank, where there were lots of other people walking, lots of other dogs, as well as people on their bicycles. Spencer just expertly did his thing and kept me safe.
We had a few sit downs so Spencer could rest, and have a drink and Dave could do his tjing with his Cameras, clicking away. People being very polite watching and wondering what was going on.
We then got back to the main drag into Shipley Town Centre, having to cross many challenging busy roads, streets and crossings. Weaving our way through narrow streets and passageways into the centre.
If you follow our posts, you will know what usually happens when we are in Shipley. And today was no exception.
I asked Spencer to find Costa for me, and off we went, sat at a table outside, and the lovely staff took our order and brought coffees, cakes, and sandwiches. Of course Spencer was given fresh chilled water in his very own large costa cup that the staff reserve for his visits
It was lovely to sit down and reflect on the amazing walk we have just done. The challenges Spencer had to face to keep me safe, and never once did he falter.
I would never have the courage to have done what we did without Spencer. I would not, could not have done this just with my cane.
Spencer then found my bus stop and when the bus arrived, Dave asked the driver if he could take some photographs of Spencer and I getting onto and off of the bus, to which she very kindly agreed.
To be able to have the confidence to do these things, without sight and actually enjoy the experience, to be able to enjoy hearing everything around you, the wildlife, people, children etc and to feel the sun on your body and the slight breeze on your skin, rather than have to worry where the next kerb is, or if you are going to walk into a bin or a chair or another person is just amazing.
To be able to do these normal things without fear or trepidation that before loosing my sight, I would do without even thinking about it, fills My heart with joy, makes me appreciate life so much more rhan I ever used to, and makes me happy to be alive.
All this, because of guide dogs and their supporters. I want to thank each and every one of you that support guide dogs and follow our story - because you mean the world to me, and wothout you - i hate to think where and how i would be right now - thank you from the bottom
Of my heart.
I hope you enjoy the beautiful
Photographs, and that they depict what an amazing life guide Dogs allow people to have.
In all of them, I am wearing a grwy denim jacket with cream fur like Lining, beige chinos and black boots. Dean, my partner has a red top, red and black shorts and black trainers and Peter, my GDMI is in the Guide Dogs uniform.
Please enjoy
...
- Location
- Argyll & Bute, Scotland
Oh Spencer what a lovely boy you are, making life easier, bringing love and fun to every single day. You are still my favourite GD of Mags. xx 
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
It has to be said - those ears!
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
That was very moving to read. The photo of Spencer showed his character, what a kind and brave dog.
Lisa
Moderator
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
- Location
- The Hague, The Netherlands
Just wonderful to read
Candy
Biscuit Tin Guardian
- Location
- West Yorkshire, UK
I Love his ears!It has to be said - those ears!
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
After absorbing that lovely read and getting all misty eyed, I have to admit that I was a bit ashamed of chuckling to myself when I got to the photos and thought, "Still got those EARS, my friend!".It has to be said - those ears!
Really, in the photo descriptions of clothing and the like, it should be included, "And Spencer was wearing his gloriously oversized ears!".
- Location
- Canberra, Australia
Sensational!!!!!!!! 
Candy
Biscuit Tin Guardian
- Location
- West Yorkshire, UK
Brilliant and Wonderful dog, brilliant and wonderful ears. Spencer, you are a 
xxxxxxx
xxxxxxx
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Humbling to read
How does Spencer know to find a bench?
How does Spencer know to find a bench?
Naya
Moderator
- Location
- Bristol, UK
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
He learns it as part of his route, his trainer (mobility instructor) does this with him and Terry until they are both confident.Humbling to read
How does Spencer know to find a bench?
I also know a GD who lives on a narrowboat and can find the bakery and station in any town by smell!
100% proud!
- Location
- SW London UK
Amazing Spencer!