H&C

“Friday was Ruby’s last day with us, and she is now acclimatising in the kennels at Dogs for the Disabled’s Training Centre. She is sharing a kennel with Usher, a Chocolate Labrador, and will be spending the first few days settling in before her training begins. Ruby is the second puppy that I have socialised for the Charity, and the last week always seems to fly by in the knowledge that the last day of the week brings to an end a twelve to fourteen month relationship. Of course, any feelings of sadness at returning Ruby to the Training Centre are easily outweighed by the happiness in knowing that she is capable of building on her basic skills and mastering all the new ones she will be taught by her primary trainer, Clare Mehmet (pictured welcoming Ruby back to the Centre), over the coming months. I have met a number of Dogs for the Disabled’s Clients, who have been helped by their trained assistance dogs to lead fuller and more independent lives, and it is incredibly rewarding to know the positive difference each puppy goes on to make. From performing practical tasks such as opening doors, helping a person undress or picking up hard to reach or dropped items such as keys, the post or a mobile phone. The dogs can even be trained to empty the washing machine. Ruby has definitely shown the aptitude to learn these tasks, and also has the character to form a strong partnership. She loves to work, loves to play, and definitely enjoys praise, cuddles and affection. I have really enjoyed socialising Ruby, and hope that you have enjoyed reading about her growth from a seven-week-old puppy to confident young dog. During that time she has taken many different experiences in her stride, and I would want to take this opportunity to thank Claire Lush, our Dogs for the Disabled Puppy Co-ordinator, for her support and advice throughout Ruby’s stay with us. Thank you for your regular kind messages sent to Ruby, including the most recent wishing her a swift recovery from her operation. Despite setting off on a couple of mad dashes through the house, Ruby’s stitches have healed well and she will be building back up to longer walks in the not too distant future. Lastly, to answer the question, “Was Friday very sad”? Of course. There were a few tears (including my husband’s), and there’s a definite Ruby-sized void in the house as I write this, but we know we will see her again at some stage and are absolutely thrilled to be able to help the Charity’s work to produce trained assistance dogs. I would recommend getting involved in any way you can. It is inspiring work and you can definitely help produce the next gem.” Editor's note: They say as one door closes another opens and we’re delighted to bring you the news that although Ruby’s socialising has come to an end, her blog hasn’t. Over the next few months we’ll continue to follow Ruby through ‘school’ as she starts her training at Dogs for the Disabled’s national training centre in Banbury.

“Ruby’s stay with us has been extended by a week, as her confirmed date to start the next stage of her training has now been moved to June 11. During the week, Ruby and I accompanied our Dogs for the Disabled puppy co-ordinator, Claire Lush, to a presentation she had been invited to give at a Careers Day at Moulton College in Northamptonshire. Claire talked to the roomful of students for around 30 minutes, about the Charity’s work and a career working with dogs. For her part, Ruby was very calm and quickly settled into her ‘down’ position, before stretching out on her side to doze, and, finally, rolling onto her back into a deep sleep with all four paws in the air! It’s fair to say that the students paid far closer attention to the presentation than Ruby did! But she did wake up for the question and answer session at the end, just as I was explaining about the rewarding role of a socialiser. I mentioned that Ruby’s intake date had changed. One of the reasons for the change was that the Charity decided to book her in to be spayed, so that she could spend a week recovering with us before being admitted to the Training Centre. So, on Friday, I took Ruby to the Charity’s vet and collected her later in the day. Of course Ruby was not allowed to eat after 6pm the night before, and, as any Labrador owner would fully understand, Ruby did not seem to appreciate missing her breakfast! However, she was fine at the vet, slept well in the evening and overnight back at home, and is gradually recovering from the effects of the operation. So, Ruby’s final week with us will be limited to time in the garden (separated from our other two dogs so they do not start a game of chase) and, if all goes well, a short walk on lead before Friday arrives.”