Our dogs Ford, York and Peg 2005
Dora, a cross Lab/Gold retriever was our first Guide dog puppy. She qualified as a Guide dog for the Blind and is working with a blind person in Gloucester. Dora is pictured at 5 months age when she was judged best puppy in the South West.

York, (Mighty York) is a big handsome cross Lab/Gold Retriever. His laid back attitude has been a bonus in bringing up Quinn and Ford and he welcomes other Guide dogs that come to stay from time to time. York was rejected at an early stage of his training because of hip problems but an operation by Exeter centre corrected the problem and he's now very fit. We jumped at the chance to adopt him when it was clear he wouldn't be accepted as a Guide dog.

Quinn, a cross Lab/Gold retriever was rejected at the advanced training stage when he developed a habit of chasing cats (blind owners might have had a problem because he was a big strong dog!) but he'd never exhibited this problem as a puppy.  He's been re-homed with a loving family in Penzance and is very happy. Quinn's call to fame came when he met HRH Queen Elizabeth when she visited the Guide Dog centre in Exeter.

Ford, (Mister Shifty) would have made a wonderful guide dog and was about to be allocated to a user but unfortunately a laser check revealed a small cataract forming in one eye. Dogs less than perfect are rejected and we were very happy to adopt him. He's a pure black Labrador, very agile with a wonderful shimmering boot polish black coat. Having been with York from the age of six weeks, they are great mates.

Peg,  we had her at six weeks old and she is progressing well.  Her and Ford are great mates.

If you would like to know more about Guide Dogs for the Blind or the puppy walking scheme then please contact http://www.guidedogs.org.uk

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