A Surprise Match

On Friday 22 November my dad turned 62 years of age. On that same day I had a visit from Guide Dogs booked in, which had been rescheduled from the week before due to bad weather. They wanted to meet my partner’s pet dog Eefie. She is a lively 5 year old Collie. When I was put back on the waiting list for a second dog, I did mention that Eefie would be moving in, but this was the first time that Guide Dogs wanted to meet her to observe her behaviour and compatibility to live with a young Guide Dog.

I am not going to lie, I was nervous about the visit since Eefie doesn’t give off good first impressions. She has a bad habit of launching herself at the front door and barking crazily whenever anybody knocks. This is by far her worst attribute. She has actually come on leaps and bounds in recent months. There was a time where she barked endlessly. I couldn’t fuss Calvin, play with Calvin, spend Calvin or even utter Calvin’s name without her protesting. This has now all been rectified with the help of a dog trainer and life is much more pleasant for everyone.

In spite of Eefie’s progress, the trainer was firm in saying that Eefie’s behaviour needs improving before a new Guide dog could be introduced into the household. Whilst Calvin isn’t influenced by her outbursts, a young dog is very impressionable. This news wasn’t a surprise, but my heart sank somewhat and my eyes pricked with tears. The trainer has helpfully given some tips and advice for us to work on.

After delivering the gloomy news, I was then stunned when in the next breath they said there was a potential dog for me in the car. My mind rushed with emotions and my tummy went all funny. Guide Dogs had already informed me that I wouldn’t be matched before the year is out and I had just been told that I couldn’t have a new Guide Dog until Eefie’s behaviour was better. Now all of a sudden there was a potential dog in the car. My mind was blown.

The first thing I was told is that he is a big boy. My interest peaked immediately. Another supersize dog, how exciting. I then learnt his name. Riley. I remember hating Calvin’s name at first and whilst I didn’t hate Riley I wasn’t overly keen. I was pleased to discover he was a black Labrador cross retriever. Of course I can no longer see colours, but knowing he would look the opposite to Calvin would hopefully avoid the similarity comments from others. My hope is that my future Guide Dog can be their own canine and not live in the shadow of Calvin, but I am hyper aware that I keep making comparisons myself.

Bubbling with emotions, it was time to meet Riley. The trainer and I both quickly realised that Riley is in fact much smaller than Calvin. Never mind. Riley wasn’t particularly interested in greeting me. I think because we met outside. Before setting off on a walk, the trainer made it clear that this wasn’t a matching visit, as Riley wasn’t her dog. Riley had actually been matched with someone else and started training with them. However, after 3 weeks the person decided a dog wasn’t for them and Riley had been returned the week before.

A 20 or 30 minute walk was suggested. There is a block route I enjoy doing which takes 40 minutes. Despite being 10 minutes longer than ideal the trainer approved it. As soon as we set off I was delighted by the speed. Nice and brisk, similar to the pace of Major who I walked on the assessment day back in September.

After 5 minutes the trainer took the support lead off and let me go solo with Riley. I didn’t think much of it at the time, I was happily going along with Riley, trusting him completely. Riley was working really nicely, not distracted in the slightest, fully focussed on the job in hand. I had to smile to myself when I didn’t brush any bushes or over hanging branches on a certain section of the route. I didn’t realise it was physically possible to avoid them, accepting that Calvin had no way of guiding me away from them.

I put Riley to the test as we walked over a motorway bridge and he scored top marks as he didn’t flinch at the racing cars below. As we approached a downhill section of the route, I really began to feel the speed we were travelling. Not being used to the fast pace and not being as fit as I was before my knee operation, I am ashamed to say I got a stitch.

As we headed towards home Riley tried drifting down a couple of driveways and attempted to do a 360 degree turn on a crossing island, but other than that he was a star. I felt so confident with him that I felt I could just start working with him there and then. What Calvin lacks in guiding he makes up in personality. What Riley appears to lack in personality he certainly makes up in guiding ability.

Unknown to me whilst walking the trainer was videoing us and texting Riley’s trainer. So just like that we were declared a match and informed training would start on 6 January providing Eefie’s behaviour improved. I was over the moon.

The day was not done there. Riley now had to meet Calvin and Eefie. This was done outside. First up Calvin. It was a truly lovely moment. Calvin came bounding out forgetting he is nearly 12 and Riley became animated for the first time. The pair entangled themselves playfully as if they were long lost friends. Eefie was not so welcoming. The trainer explained that she was displaying nervousness and she reacted when Riley got in her face. After that Riley was very respectful and submissive, which Eefie appreciated.

Last Friday Riley came to visit with Jenna who will be my trainer on class. We took all of the dogs for a short free run to see how Eefie would react. She did pretty well thankfully. To be honest I had no faith in her and thought it was the end of the road. Once we returned home Riley got to come inside for the first time with Eefie kept on the lead. Naturally Calvin and Riley played boisterously and Eefie barked about it. Riley spent no time in exploring his new home as he trotted upstairs by himself to check out the sleeping arrangements. He was satisfied with the choice of toys on offer and merrily chomped on a bone. He even came over to get some fuss. Eventually Eefie was let off the lead. We do need to be on alert with her behaviour, but I am hopeful that we will all live happily ever after.

Before Riley left I was given the opportunity to walk with him again. Jenna hadn’t seen us work together in the flesh and I guess this was the official matching visit. We did a shorter block route this time and Riley impressed me once more with his guiding skills. The match was confirmed.

So here starts a new chapter. I am amazed that I have been matched with a Guide Dog that meets all of my requirements. Perfect pace, spends on concrete, clean on walks and no existing health conditions. It is sad that Riley was rejected by his first owner. I am going to do everything in my power to ensure that he has found his forever home.