19 Months

Waiting requires an indefinite amount of patience. It has now been 19 months since I was put back on the waiting list for my second Guide Dog. Around this time 10 years ago I had a similar wait time for my first Guide Dog and then I got the call to say a match had been found. Of course that was Calvin who at 11 and a half is amazingly still working for me. His workload has been significantly reduced, but whilst I wait for a new dog, I really appreciate him giving me my freedom.

I have kept it no secret that I have been dreading the day Calvin has to retire. However, my perspective on that has changed somewhat recently. Last month I was invited to an assessment day at Guide Dogs with 5 others who have also been waiting a long time for a new dog. I was surprised and a little embarrassed to be the only one still working a dog.

At the start of the day we were advised that nobody would be matched that day, but the potential Guide Dogs would be ready for training around November. Some of us walked the same dogs and not everyone walked the same amount of dogs. I walked 4 lovely canines.

First up was Vicky, a pure retriever. She was such a calm sole. She walked at a similar pace to Calvin and didn’t seem to put a paw wrong. It was a bit of a novelty walking with a dog that didn’t appear to get distracted. Whilst walking with her I was told she wasn’t a fan of buses, was quite submissive and spent on gravel. Ideally I would like a dog that could spend on concrete. I’m no expert, but I can see her being matched to a nice old lady or gentleman. Her characteristics just didn’t seem to fit my lifestyle. Nevertheless I was impressed with her work ethic.

Next up was Holly, a tiny pure black Labrador. Now, if you asked me what kind of dog I would like next I would have told you I want another male giant. Holly dispelled all of my previous desires. I absolutely fell in love with her instantly. She oozed personality and I could see Calvin adoring her and she him. Again she walked at a similar speed to Calvin and also worked more like him too. She has had some inconsistency with trainers and so wasn’t the cleanest of workers. I was told her training might be extended because of this. I enjoyed the wild walk, it was just what I was used to. If I could I would have taken her home there and then. She has the potential to become a great Guide Dog and even better she spends on concrete.

After being sold by Holly, I thought there was no way another dog could top her. Then I met Major, a yellow Labrador cross retriever. Again if you asked me what kind of dog I want next, I would have said one that isn’t similar to Calvin. In my bias opinion Calvin is the world’s best dog, so why wouldn’t I want another? Major came over all waggy tailed and straight away picked up a stick off of the pavement. Smaller in stature to Calvin, I immediately nicknamed him MC, mini Calvin. Won over by his personality, I was then wowed by his work. Calvin and I get to places in good time, we stride out down the street. I have never thought Calvin is too slow. Calvin gives me everything I want from a Guide Dog. I have never wished for more. Major gave me a taste of what I am missing out on. The ability to not stride, but sprint through the streets. The feeling was truly euphoric as he whizzed through Leamington town centre, slowing where necessary. Major was majorly awesome. I don’t know what he spends on. In a way I don’t even care. A dog that can work like that is worth a compromise on something like spending.

Finally, poor Quinka, another yellow Labrador cross retriever (darker than Calvin and Major) had to follow the performance of the day. Perhaps she sensed the pressure as she messed around at the beginning of the walk not settling at all. Then suddenly she stopped and had a busy on the pavement. Slightly stunned by this, as Calvin is clean on walks my estimation of her plummeted rapidly. When I look back I probably judged her quite harshly. It must be confusing and stressful for all potential Guide Dogs at times as they have so many changes in their early years. Once Quinka got the busy out of the way she actually did some really great work. Her speed may have been close to Major’s as well.

All in all it was a thoroughly enjoyable and thought provoking day. It was useful walking different dogs and made me realise that gender, size and breed are far from important attributes. What is key is having a dog that can work well with me. Although having a dog that can walk at Calvin’s speed would be adequate, the prospect of being able to navigate places even faster fills me with excitement. I have always been under the impression that Calvin will be jealous of a new dog, yet now I believe he will love having a new playmate.

The assessment day has made me more optimistic about getting a new Guide Dog. Whichever people are matched with Vicky, Holly, Major and Quinka are all going to be given the gift of independence. A recent email from Guide Dogs informed me that I won’t be matched before the year is out. This means that I will have to wait longer for dog NO.2 than I did for Calvin and there is a strong possibility that there will be a time where I will be left without a working dog. It is disappointing news, but I have to remind myself that owning a Guide Dog is a privilege and not a right. I have to trust the process.