Guide Dogs South West

Mali meets Mandy! 🐾

Mandy, who lives in Eastleigh, Hampshire, raised funds to name guide dog puppy Mali in memory of her first guide dog, Fable, who died suddenly in 2022.

Eight-month-old Mali, a black Labrador cross golden retriever puppy, visited Mandy and her current guide dog Guide Dog Loney near their home. They were joined by volunteers from the Eastleigh and Wi******er fundraising group who supported Mandy with her fundraising efforts.

A sponsored walk along Fable’s favourite river, a tea party, and a dip in the sea on what would have been Fable’s ninth birthday, raised over £5,000 to help train future guide dogs.

Mandy says: “It was great to finally meet Mali and lovely that she got on so well with Loney.

“Fable was known as Fabulous Fable or Hippo-dog to her friends as she loved to wallow in muddy puddles. That’s why I chose to name the puppy Mali, as in the African country, as it comes from the Bambara word meaning hippopotamus.”

(Visual description 1: Mandy sits on the grass with her arms around Mali, a black Labrador cross golden retriever puppy, who is sitting beside her. Mandy is laughing and looks happy.
Visual description 2: Guide dog Loney lies on the grass to the left of puppy Mali who is sitting. Both are black Labrador cross golden retrievers.
Visual description 3: Mandy stands in a row with three volunteers from the Eastleigh and Wi******er fundraising group. Mali and Loney sit on the grass in front of them.)

Puppy in training Zainab recently went to watch 101 Dalmatians at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton 🐾

Introducing puppies to different environments is a really important part of their preparation. It helps them to feel comfortable and confident when visiting the type of places a working guide dog might go to.

Thank you to the theatre 👏

(Visual description 1: Chocolate Labrador Zainab sits on the floor in the theatre foyer. Behind her is a red banner reading ‘101 Dalmatians the musical’ with a picture of Cruella de Vil holding a Dalmatian puppy.
Visual description 2: Chocolate Labrador Zainab sits in the aisle of the theatre on burgundy-carpeted steps and looks at the camera. Behind her is the stage and rows of seating.
Visual description 3: Chocolate Labrador Zainab is standing in the aisle of the theatre wearing a ‘puppy in training. vest. She is doing a ‘chin rest’ on a burgundy seat at the end of the row.)

Happy from Vince 👅

Vince is currently training in Bristol 🐕

(Visual description: Vince, a golden retriever Labrador cross, stands on a grey floor looking up at the camera with his tongue out. A toy is on the floor in the background.)

Fireworks can be very distressing for dogs 🎆

Our recent poll suggested that more than a quarter of working guide dogs have a significant negative reaction to fireworks – 26% of guide dog owners reported that their guide dogs show signs of fear and distress when hearing fireworks, with a range of reactions such as trembling, pacing, panting or barking. A further 12% stated that their guide dogs are noticeably uncomfortable when fireworks are going off nearby.

Guide Dogs is urging people not to buy and set off their own fireworks this year, and instead attend organised local displays. Such events are at set times and dates so allow guide dog owners and other dog owners to prepare.

We also have lots of tips and advice for dog owners about fireworks at www.guidedogs.org.uk/fireworks.

Dogs and Fireworks | Tips & Advice | Guide Dogs UK How can you help keep your dog calm during fireworks? We've got you covered with these four key steps. But, if your dog has a severe reaction to fireworks, you should seek advice from your vet.

A big thank you to Lyme Regis Bowling Club 👏

Ann, the Ladies Captain, chose Guide Dogs as the club’s charity of the year and recently presented our West Dorset supporter group with a cheque for £550.

(Visual description: Geoff Hunt and his guide dog Pringle, and two members of the bowling club, stand on the bowling green in front of the club building. Ann (standing on the right) hands a cheque to Geoff.)

Here’s hoping for treats not tricks this 🎃

(Visual description: A black Labrador cross golden retriever puppy sits on a dungeon step behind a display of large, orange pumpkins.)

Guide dog puppy Christopher is one year old today! 🎂

To celebrate his birthday, Christopher's puppy raisers made an amazing cake (for the humans), while Christopher got extra toys and treats.

(Visual description: A cake decorated with blue icing and a very realistic depiction of puppy Christopher bursting out of the top, sits on a table. Letters on the front of the cake spell out 'Christopher'. To the right of the cake is a blue birthday card, with golden retriever Labrador cross Christopher sitting on the floor behind.)

Happy from Basil 👅

Basil is a golden retriever cross German shepherd who’s being trained in Bristol 🐶

(Visual description: Basil, a brown and black golden retriever cross German shepherd, sits on a path covered in fallen leaves in the woods. He is looking at the camera with his tongue out.)

Tune in to watch guide dog puppy Titch on ITV’s Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh this Sunday📺

The adorable golden retriever Labrador cross is being raised in Hampshire by Alan and Jacqui Falder. He was first introduced to viewers at the start of the month and is set to become a series regular.

Titch’s puppy raiser, Alan, said: “Titch was the first born of the litter of five, and the smallest.

“Titch has settled in really well. He’s a confident and inquisitive boy and it’s very exciting that Love Your Weekend will be following his journey.”

(Visual description 1: TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh stands in a garden holding puppy Titch in his arms. Both are looking towards the camera.
Visual description 2: Alan and Jacqui, Titch’s puppy raisers, are standing in a kitchen. Jacqui is holding Titch in her arms.)

10-month-old puppy Riva practises being checked by a vet 🐾

Guide Dogs job alert📣

We’re looking to recruit a Vision Rehabilitation Specialist to support adults with a vision impairment across Wiltshire, Hampshire, Dorset, the Isle of Wight and Channel Islands.

Vision Rehabilitation Specialists are professionals who work with individuals to develop and maintain their independence and confidence at home, work and socially, and help them adjust to new situations.

Find out more 👇
https://bit.ly/3UIM4Nh

(Visual description: A woman wearing a striped t-shirt and jeans uses a long can to walk across a paved courtyard. In the background is a building and outdoor table and chairs.)

Gorgeous puppy Gemini practises travelling in a Guide Dogs van🚚

(Visual description: Gemini, a black German shepherd golden retriever cross, lies down on a mat and looks out the back of a Guide Dogs van. There is a water bowl to the right of her.)

Seven-month-old puppy Wheeler is a happy chap🐶

(Visual description: Wheeler, a yellow Labrador golden retriever cross, sits on the floor in front of a house front door that’s being opened by his puppy raiser. He looks up at the camera with his mouth open and a happy expression.)

Say hi to little Kendrick, who’s settled in well with his puppy raisers🐕

(Visual description: Puppy Kendrick, a yellow golden retriever Labrador cross sits on a checked floor and looks up at the camera. A soft toy is on the floor to the right of him, and the legs of his puppy raiser can be seen in the background.)

Puppies in training Esther, Seymour, Riva and Ollie, along with their volunteer puppy raisers, took part in a puppy class with a difference at ✈️

The pups got to experience checking-in for a flight and transiting through the terminal building – important preparation for getting them used to the type of environments a working guide dog might encounter.

Big thanks to the airport team for hosting us and being so accommodating!

(Visual description 1: The four puppies, each with their puppy raiser, sit in a row in the airport’s check-in area.
Visual description 2: Several members of the airport team wearing high-vis jackets, the puppy raisers, and pups, stand in a row facing the camera in the airport building.
Visual description 3: Golden retriever Seymour sits on some weighing scales. His puppy raiser, who is wearing a Guide Dogs t-shirt, stands to the right of him, holding his lead.)

A massive thank you to Dauntsey's School in Devizes, Wiltshire 👏

Students and staff have raised an incredible £11,746.44 to name a puppy ‘Jayfo’ after a much-loved teacher.

Voted for by students, the name Jayfo is a tribute to James F O’Hanlon who retired this summer after 28 years at Dauntsey’s, and was widely and affectionately known as ‘JFOH’ (from his initials).

Students raised the funds to name the yet-to-be-born puppy through activities including a 24-hour runathon, non-uniform days, a comedy and jazz night, and plant, bake and seed sales.

(Visual description: A presentation-sized cheque is handed to Guide Dogs volunteers by student Arthur. Pictured from left to right are John Davies, Head Master, Arthur, a student, Janet Smith, Janice Boswell and George McCaffery, all volunteers from the Chippenham fundraising group, and Jez Barnes, school chaplain. Puppies in training Gemma, a white Labradoodle and Lisa, a black Labrador retriever cross, sit on the floor in front of the group.)

A huge thank you to John and Dianne!

WONDERFUL CHAMPION FOR SWINDON
GUIDE DOGS!

We would like to celebrate John Fisher and his wife Dianne as truly wonderful supporters of our charity.
Throughout his time as a rotarian in Swindon he has helped to raise nearly £45,000 which helped to name nine guide dog puppies.

Picture:- Is with John on the left being presented with photo of eight of his guide dogs by Alan Fletcher of Swindon Guide Dogs.
The puppies are named, Stanley, Ellie, Rory, Jodi, Phoenix, Cilla , Poppy & Skip.