Page 12 - Issue 84 Online

POPS THE GUIDE DOG PUPPY

- PART 1

Hazel has now left for the Big School at the Guide Dogs For The Blind Training Centre in
Leamington Spa. It was purchased in the 1940s to establish a permanent base and where,
under one umbrella, they could train pups and new owners who could stay on site. It has
now become the national breeding centre and the headquarters for guide dogs as well as
the training centre for the Midlands. They train on average 200 potential guide dogs per
year, so we will wait and see it Hazel is one of those lucky enough to provide a life-changing
moment for someone. I think she will be!

A sketch of Hazel Hazel and Paddington Pops and Hazel
in Peterborough
Life is different without Hazel to hide behind as I have to do things on my own I find it a
challenge at times as there is so much to learn. But I pick things up quite quickly especially
when that treat bag is around!
However, Hazel did get me into trouble before she left. It happened in January when we
were out for a walk with Mum in Gault Wood. I jumped a bank with her but didn’t see her
jump back so I got stuck on the other side, which was really frightening. Embarrassingly,
I had to be rescued by the Fire Brigade, who
were really nice and didn’t tell me off. If you
look on the local BBC News pages you might
have seen “stranded puppy”- that was me!
Oops - but I’m fine now! I’m sure that won’t be
the last scrape I get into.
We were in Suffolk in February and the
weather was lovely, so we were on the beach
most days. I played with other dogs but I didn’t
go in the sea as it was too cold but it really was
nice to go somewhere different.
Paws for thought I really will try to be a
Pops good boy! xx Pops on the beach in Suffolk

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