Im back!!!

Hello Everyone

We are back I have been meaning to update my blog for so long now but has never got round to it after being so busy we thought we had to sit down and tell you what we have done over the past few months.

In January after we did the talk to Pupils at St Pauls School in Milton Keynes they had guide dogs as their advent charity and they did lots of different activities to raise money for the branch and on Monday 15th March A Puppy Walker and his puppy and myself and Pearce went back to the school to accept a cheque for a massive £3000 we were gob smacked and couldnt believe how well they had done!

On March 6th Pearce was 3 Years old time has flown by he has now spent two birthdays with me I just cant believe it really but I cant live without him now everybody loves him and he is just so adorable and so laid back and so we took him for a walk up the woods he had fun with water and sticks and all sorts.

Then on 16th March me and Pearce did another talk to Loughton Manor First School in Milton Keynes and the children loved Pearce and he was just so good until I bought out the Guide Dog Andrex pup he wanted to play with it and all the children started laughing, I couldnt get it off him, he did clam down in the end and I showed the children the harness and explained about guide dogs and they asked lots of interesting questions too so a successful few months with the talks which I really enjoy.

I was officially made Branch Organiser on 23rd February 2010 after our former one had to step down as she had taken on too much, so now its up to me to organise different events for us to go to and to manage a branch of volunteers! We did a collection at Tesco on 26th and 27th Feb 2010 and raised £1009.86 in total another amazing amount!

We have a few more events lined up too for the year ahead and I have written a letter which is to go out to all supermarkets in the area to see if we can get collections at the stores and I am sure more talks will be coming up now that I have been on a speaker training course and in June me and Pearce have been invited to go along to a Pets Thanksgiving Service at a Church in Bedford.

Me and Pearce are getting along fine together and are now a partnership, I hope to be back more regularly and I do enjoy reading other people's blogs too.

Hope your all well

Monday's talk

I am back to let you all know how my talk went to the Pre school children who were only 3 and 4 year olds.

I have to say they were all very good indeed and throughly enjoyed our visit. We first showed them braille alphabet sheets which they were really fascinated by and they apparently went home excited to tell parents what they had been given, they were also able to try out my long cane which some children did and enjoyed trying it out and having a go to see how it is like to be visually impaired. We then went onto the guide dogs and I just said a little about pearce and did a demo which he did very well including showing me the way out lol! and then the puppy walker spoke a little about his role as a puppy walker and then it was time for them to be able to stroke the dogs and even some children who were scared came and touched and stroked Pearce even though the little pup was still to exuberant for some children, they both enjoyed all the fuss they were given. Afterwards we said our good byes and the lady kindly wrote an evidence letter for me to show that I had done the talk and how it had benefited both staff and children.

Also went round a friend's house this evening and enjoyed a cup of aero hot chocolate and a chat while her dog and Pearce played silly games together.

Another Talk on Monday

Hello Again I have not been blogging since Christmas I cant believe it I just really havent got round to it but I thought now would be a really good idea as I am doing another school talk on Monday Morning to a Pre School sounds interesting.

I have to talk about braille books and how we read as visually impaired people and also I have to talk about the long cane and then the guide dogs and we are also having a guide dog puppy in training come along so alot to go in to these little children but we will just have to make it short and sweet, if anyone has any suggestions let me know.

I am really looking forward to it and I am sure Pearce will enjoy all the fuss and attention he will be getting.

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year and I will let you all know how it goes when I get another chance to do another post.

For now have a lovely weekend, Pearce is fast asleep after a good free run in the woods

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Hello All

Me and Pearce just want to take this opportunity to say sorry for not updating as often as I would like but we have been very busy getting lots of pressies for all our friends and we still have got to go into work on Christmas Eve and have been told that we have to stay in all day how cruel is that at least half day but no it has to be all day.

Have a lovely Christmas and a wonderful new year!!!

Lena and Pearce

1 Year on

A year ago on Saturday 28th November me and Pearce celebrated our 1st year together and what a fantastic year its been.

We went to London on Sunday to Hyde Park where they have winter wonderland which has all kinds of different stalls, christmas markets, fair ground and we really enjoyed it until the rain came down and we had to take shelter but we all did get a German Sausage in a roll including Pearce as a special treat for giving me the independence that he has and a wonderful boy wouldnt have him any other way, I cant say there werent any problems because we did have a few issues but was all resolved and both of us used to walk at a snail's pace but now people call us speedy gonzalez we have gone from 0 - 100 in a few seconds even!!! thats how pleasing my boy really wants to be and he is such a handsome chap as people call him and cant resist stroking him and today was a nightmare was trying to put his handle onto his harness and people were talking to him and about him and he knows it and he was wagging his tail and he wouldnt sit still but fortunately the people stopped talking so i could get the handle on and then what do I get, he's in training we mustnt distract him but i had already got up and walked off lol, i get that all the time as I wear glasses doesnt bother me though.

We did have quite an eventful week last week beginning on Tuesday 24th Nov when Pearce got attacked by another dog but fortunately wasnt hurt but the next day we had to report it to the police and big issue who have hopefully sorted the problem out. Then on Thursday evening mum noticed a red lump on Pearce's hind leg so took him vet friday evening after trying to get hold of guide dogs dog care and welfare team and they think it is just a hot spot which could have been caused by a bite of some sort and he has aggravated it by licking it so he is on antibiotics for a week and got some cream to put on it so fingers crossed thats all it is.

My friends on that Tuesday were also told to leave a restaurant in MK city centre because of the guide dogs and now that is really not good for a city like Milton Keynes, mind you they ddid not shift but didnt give them their service either apparently a customer complaint but I do feel like walking in there and giving them what they deserve, it has been reported and hopefully should be sorted soon.

I did two talks one on fri 20th and another on mon 23rd November and both really enjoyable I was nervous but apparently i did very well by not showing it and I went to this school a few years ago and teaching assistants that helped me are still there and they all said how I have changed so much and grown in confidence I know that a few years ago I would never have been seen dead in front of 5 people let alone 300 and I am really proud of myself and everyone was really impressed and Pearce was a star performer and even bowed at the end of the assembly what a show off!

Today Nov 24th Pearce was attacked by a dobermann didnt get hurt fortunately but i am going to talk to someone within the council to see if we can get these people sorted out as there is no way of getting past them and I was nervous before but even more so now it ran across the road at us so scary but we are both ok I am pleased to say.

Well Today was another day but this afternoon we had a funny experience. Pearce likes to wander around the switchboard and today he went into the little office next to us and a lady from another culture was there and Pearce sniffed her apparently and my supervisor was there and this lady said to her "he sniffed me" and my supervisor goes "hes not going to bite" and then she walked back towards me Pearce in tow and then the manager of that team came round to speak to me and my supervisor and she said this lady usually prays at around 3 every day and now she cant because your dog touched her and now she is unclean so keep your dog away and we said "ok we will try to" and then this lady walked away and then as i was on the phone once i had gotten off the phone my supervisor told me all about it and I was so shocked and told some others and we just thought what rubbish I just cant believe some people, they can say things to us but we are not allowed to say things to them as it would be classed as racist, I get it all the time on the bus and I find it so unfair that I cant say anything but they can say what they like, I would like to know how others think about these issues because I really dont understand.

Nov 11th 2009

Today my mum, sister Rebekka, Pearce and myself went to London Kensington to have a look at a sight village exhibition for visually impaired people. We left at 8:45 for the station and took the 9:17 train to London Kensington, we arrived at 11am and everyone was standing outside the hall for the 2 mins silence and so we decided to join before going inside and then suddenly we heard this weird noise which sounded like a train but in fact it Pearce grumbling right in them middle of the silence and all because another guide dog had walked outside with its owner to join the silence and I was so embarrassed but couldnt stop laughing fortunately I was able to stop and tell Pearce to be quiet and then after the silence we went into the hall to have a look at all the different things that are available for visually impaired people a lot of things I knew about but still fascinating stuff and we met 3 people I knew my RNIB rehab worker, the guy I trained with during training and the lady who runs VICTA whom which I am a member, there were also lots of guide dogs there including a flat coat retriever and a german shepard. Once we had been around everything we went out into Kensington high street and had a Macdonalds and were served but my mum could not understand what was being said, we asked for 2 chicken wraps and a mac chicken sandwich and chips and coke and the lady asked well it sounded like "do you want 2 chicken selects 3 or 5" and I just burst out laughing I could not help myself and I know it was not the best and nicest thing to do but I really couldnt help myself and in the end Rebekka had to tell her what we wanted slowly which solved the problem and we then finally got our meals and we got sat down downstairs and a lovely lady came over to us and asked if Pearce wanted water and I said "yes please thats very kind of you and excellent service". After we had eaten we walked all the way to the Royal Albert hall and we let Pearce have a free run in the park which he enjoyed as there were lots of squirrels and pigeons for him to chase but he was actually very good and came back every time I called him, we then had to make a decision as to whether to carry on to Harrods or to head back and he thought it was too far to walk still as my legs were aching so much so he did head back and went to TKMaxx to look for party clothes without success even though I tried on trousers and 2 tops, the trousers were too long and did not suit me as they were skinny and one top not glitsy enough and the other I just did not have any clue how to put it on even with mum's help and again I was in fits of laughter and finally we got it on and it was to low cut for my liking afterwards we headed back to the station and got on the train for Milton Keynes and then got home and a quiet evening in such a hectic day but very good and I had a good sleep as I was so tired.

22nd Oct 2009

Today was the day me and Pearce were going to have a photo taken for the company newsletter as my supervisor for the switchboard and reception work was really impressed how fast I had picked up the switchboard and she was really amazed at what I had achieved and wanted to give me recognition for the hard work and effort that I put in to achieve what I have, we had a lovely morning and what lovely photos I will enclose a few in this blog. Pearce also got an ID badge to show that he works for the council and is now a full employee and he was strutting his stuff with it on this afternoon and showing it to everyone and we all found it extremely funny but he did look so proud with it on and the headset as if he really works on the switchboard a real poser and great worker.

Thursday 05^th March 2009

Today was the big assembly about Guide Dogs, at 8:30 me my mum and Pearce all went to the school signed in and sat in the staff room. People were coming back and forth saying hello to Pearce telling their stories and making lots of fuss of him which he really enjoyed. Then at about 08:55 we were taken to the hall got chairs and sat down while the children came in and sat down all eyes on Pearce and then when all the children and teachers had settled down the assembly started and they sung a hymn which went like this God gave me eyes so I can see, God Gave me Ears so I can hear, God gave me Lips so I can speak, God gave me hands so I can touch God gave me feet so I can walk God made me. Then the teacher spoke about the hymn saying some people aren’t as lucky and some parts of their bodies don’t work properly and then finally the talk commenced. Me and Mum were interviewed by being asked lots of questions about Guide Dogs and we had to answer them to the children and at the end the children got to ask questions not all were answered as the assembly went longer than planned and at the end we were given a beautiful bunch of tulips and a compliments card saying thank you very much for coming to talk to us about Guide Dogs and What a good boy Pearce was just lying there and doing what was asked of him when we asked.

06^th March 2009

Today was Pearce’s big day his 2^nd Birthday and we went to Crufts for the day me my sister and mum. What a great day we had and it was still full after all the controversial things happening with Pedigree dogs I bought two T-shirts one Border Collie to represent my Toby and a Black Lab one to represent Pearce. For his birthday I got Pearce a chew bone and a dumbell as he loves his food and his doggy girlfriend Bella got him a sqeaky toy some chews and another squeaky bone and he also got from another doggy friend a rope bone and he also got a card from the school we visited to do the talk wasn’t that nice and what a famous boy Pearce is.

Thursday 20th Nov 2008

The Day before returning home - I got up went for breakfast was served by a lovely waitress as always and me and my friend got a lovely box of chocolates from the cleaning supervisor how lovely is he a really lovely man, we then went out for a walk and the guy was taken first and then me and my friend did tandem walking which was so much fun and was a real success that we did the same that afternoon. Before the afternoon Tandem walk the dog care and welfare advisor came along to talk to us and another guide dog owner about dog health and welfare and then we all sat and had lunch before the second walk of the day which again was really successful and then before the evening our trainer spoke to us about going home, the do's the dont's etc and then it was time for dinner which was really nice as our trainer came along for the last meal, we had a nicely laid table with hearts and balloons and a celebration cake and we also gave her some chocolates to show our appreciation and again we had a lovely waitress then got to my room watched im a celebrity then took Pearce to the spending pen but he refused to go so tough wait till morning and off to bed we went.

Friday 21st November 2008

Today we went home and glad to be home I was and I saw my Toby again as I missed him so much and my mum was glad to have me back and I was glad to be back but what a wonderful hotel experience I would do it all again. Good Luck to all those waiting to train I hope you enjoy reading about my experiences.

Wednesday 19th November 08

We did traffic training again in the morning till about 12ish and afterwards we headed to pets at home to buy a few things for our dogs, i bought a little pocket toy for after Pearce has worked as a reward for good behaviour and an assorted pack of chews. Then we got back and had our lunch a well deserved ham, cheese and tomato pannini, then the trainer took the guy first and me and my friend are going out at around 3:30pm. We went to Abington park again and did a walk around the shops and back again first me then my friend and then we headed back at about 5:30 and chiilled till dinner at 7pm and I had chicken breast with new pots and cabbage delicious lol, starter was melon and afters fruit salad very nice. I then went back to my room watched a bit of football i must have been bored to watch football lol and then decided to ring home to find that the washing machine had broken and mum had just spent £275 on a new washing machine just after sending off the deposit for our annual holiday to Cornwall I knew this would happen I was shocked but mum said we cant live without a washing machine then put the phone down took Pearce to the pen and went to bed.

Monday 17th Nov 08

Its a new day and we went to do buses today which I thought would be so much fun, Pearce was very well behaved and we just did a short journey there and back before heading back to the car so that my friend and her dog could give it a go so in the car I just played games and started off the diary for that day.

Then we had lunch before heading off to do Off Kerb Obstacles which are obstacles that block the whole path which means the dog has to take you round on to the road to get around it using initiative.

Then we did obedience which is very important but very boring and everything has to be done in steps such as down you have to make them sit first and it got me in a total muddle, then we did stairs which was a little more interesting and they all excelled at it, then came back for dinner.

Tuesday 18th Nov 08

This morning we had breakfast before heading off to Milton Keynes to do traffic training with the dogs which is learning how to deal with near and far traffic in the worst case scenarios, a very scary experience but we all did really well and stayed calm and we also got to meet our DM before heading back for lunch all very interesting and after lunch we did another new route before finishing for the day, i was so tired but i decided to ring my mum to find out how her day went as the kids were off school that day and everything fine but I was missing the dogs at home I have to say my wonderful boy Toby and couldnt wait to see him but only a few days left.

Saturday 15^th November 2008

Today I got up at 7am took Pearce out to spend him then washed, cleaned and beautified myself before breakfast and I also fed Pearce before my friend came and knocked on my door to say “Are you Ready” I said “Yes coming in a minute” and we both went down for breakfast together as Andrew was away we took both Pearce and my friends and our GDMI was looking after Fairway at home. At 9:30 our GDMI came to collect us to do a new route with us and we went to Wolverton and went through the Agora shopping centre which was different and a lot more interesting and after we had finished we went to a field to free run Pearce and her dog and they had such a great time splashing through the river and playing with sticks and even Pearce stole a stick off a Border Collie Bless the poor Collie was lost without it what a bully he is. Then we came back Michela took Fairway out for a free run and then we had lunch together and then work was finished for the day and we could have a restful afternoon until dinner and then it was time for bed.

Sunday 16^th November 2008

I got up, fed Pearce and spent him and then took him down for breakfast and I had Bacon and eggs. At 9:30 our GDMI came to take me and my friend out to do the shop route in Wolverton again and we then had lunch but my friend wasn’t feeling right so she didn’t come down to lunch and the guy returned and I met his friend. Then we had a lazy afternoon and my family came to visit at 2:45, My mum, dad, sister Jenna 13, and brother Daniel 16 came to visit and they took me out for some fresh air and then when we got back my friend came to visit with her dog not at first but mum wanted to see her so my friend brought her in and at 6 they disappeared and I watched Tv for a while until dinner, then had a bath watched I’m a celebrity get me out of here until 10 and then went to bed.

Thursday 13^th November 2008

I woke up and fed Pearce then spent him and then took him down to have breakfast and the guy took his dog. After breakfast the GDMI came to take my friend and me on the first walk and Andrew on the second walk and then it was lunch and after lunch again she took Elsie and me on the first walk and the guy on the second and we went to the same place to practice the route again. Michela went home, we spent the dogs went on the treadmills in the gym and then I watched Simpson’s and then fed Pearce, spent Pearce and took him to dinner with Elsie taking Yazmin and this time Andrew also brought Fairway and everything went well no problem caused, came back watched TV had a bath and spent Pearce then went to bed.

Friday 14^th November 2008

Today we went for 2 walks in harness and in the morning we went to a different area to do some work around a mini shopping area in Wolverton where we walked through the Co-op and Pearce knew where he was going I was very impressed and In the afternoon we went back to Abington Park to do a walk in the dark and we came back around 5:30pm so me and my friend went onto the treadmills for 30mins came back rested for an hour and then went down for dinner Pearce and her dog in tow then watched some TV spent Pearce and went to bed for the night.

Wednesday 12th Nov 2008

First went down to have breakfast took Pearce with me and the guy had his dog and both were very well behaved.

At about 9am our trainer came to collect me, my friend and our dogs to go back to Abington Park to do another walk and as it was bin day it would be a big test to see how well Pearce would do in leading me around all the green wheelie bins and as it was autumn alot of leaves were on the floor too and what a fantastic job he did, my trainer was laughing histerically as Pearce was trying to lead me around every bit of litter, every single leaf and anything and everything that was on the floor how cute is that, he certainly was looking after me, he got lots of encouraging words and I know he listens because my trainer told me that his right ear goes flat against his face and the left ear is turned slightly so that he can listen to every word I say and he also loves me to tickle his back every so often which tells him he has been a good boy.

We then came back for lunch and me and my friend went into the wrong bit of the restaurant as we were meant to be in the Cafe but as someone moved the tables for us we were allowed to stay there because the dogs were settled and then after lunch we were taken out for another walk before dinner and then we were so tired we all went to bed.

Thursday 13th Nov 2008

Went for two more walks today nothing exciting happened just the same route again but tomorrow apparently we will be doing a longer route through the Agora shopping centre in Wolverton.

Tuesday 11th Nov 2008

An exciting new day of starting training and the relief that now your life will be changed forever is exhilarating and you just know that now you will be able to go out and be free and not have someone with you all the time,

We did some obedience work before lunch and then at lunch I was sat next to the older lady and my trainer was sat next to the gentleman and we had a good laugh that day I was laughing histerically at the stories I was being told about her, her dogs and her previous experiences during training.

After lunch the trainer, the lady and myself and Pearce and the lady's dog drove to abington park in Northants to do our first walk of the day, its an amazing experience your first walk with a guide dog, life changing and people may say its difficult to trust a dog and at first it is but now I trust my Pearcey completely and can count on him to take me where I want when I want and know he wont let me down. Thats the end of day 2.

hotel training

Monday 10th Nov 2008

I got up feeling very nervous but excited all at the same time as today was the day I was to start training with guide dog Pearce. I packed my bags and then sat down with mum to say a prayer that the training would go well and that I would enjoy it. Then Dad came at around 11o'clock to pick us up and to take us to the Hilton hotel in Northampton where we would be met by our trainer and the 2 other clients I would be training with. We arrived and said our hello's and then went to my hotel room with mum and dad to sort everything out before coming back to the cafe for lunch, mum and dad then left us and we all sat down to have our lunch and to get to know each other a bit more, Pearce was an absolute darling throughout this lying quietly beside me without any fuss. After lunch we went into my bedroom where the trainer talked about the training and what it involved and we were given lots of equipment such as lead, 2 collars, the harness body, a sash which said "guide dog please do not feed me", 2 bells so we know where they are when they are free running and a whistle, we were given the "do not distract me, im working sash and the handle on another day. Pearce was demo dog during the talk and he behaved impeccably and listened even when he wasnt supposed too, we all burst out laughing. After the talk we had a few hours to ourselves until 7pm when we all went down for dinner and I again took Pearce as the others had only just been given there dogs who needed time to settle in and again what a star he was. After Dinner we all went back to our rooms, I spoke to mum and told her all about my first day and then I ran a bath for myself and watched TV until 10pm when I took Pearce out to do his business and then it was time for bed and at first pearce wouldnt settle down but in the end I moved the bed closer to my bed and he settled for the night but in the morning of Tues 11th Nov he had a wobbly tummy and had a big accident on the carpet by the door, I was soooooooooooooo embarrassed that it had to be me and I knocked on the trainer's door and she kindly came and picked it up for me and we got a cleaner to clean it up properly and she was really nice and said "we get a lot worse" so that made me feel a little better but it still worried me but I was told not to take him out too often. Tuesday the beginning of training.

Thursday 06th November 2008

Today was the day Pearce was to arrive home for the weekend, All the kids and dad had gone to school and work apart from my youngest sister Jenna who was ill and mum and me of course who cleaned the house and sorted out last minute things, baked cakes and then the phone call came at 2:16pm saying that she was bringing Pearce round for 3pmish and so mum started rolling with the vacuuming cleaner, I washed and dried the dishes from making lasagne and Jenna cleaned the cooker as she was feeling brighter and then Jenna wanted to go on my DS but couldn’t find a game so I had to go upstairs to help find it and the doorbell rang and mum answered and when I came downstairs they were inside talking about the parking at school picking up time and they went on for hours and I was just waiting for her to bring in my Guide Dog, she told us what we must do and not do and then she brought him in took him in the garden and then she left us with him and he took to us immediately no problems whatsoever a bit wild at the beginning just wanting to play with Toby and Pip but them not wanting to but then he settled, unfortunately we can’t take him for walks until training is over with so that was a shame but he was ok overnight as well just a bit of howling but mum said “NO” from her bed because she couldn’t be bothered to get out and he was quiet.

Monday 13th October 2008 - the big day

On Monday morning the kids and my dad went off to work and school and again I was here at home with my mum clearing the house ready for Guide dogs who are coming at 11am. First thing I did was clean up the utility vacuumed the floor and cleaned out the kitten pen then I vacuumed mum and dad’s bedroom because one of the foster cats had made a mess with litter on the floor. Then I went out to get some Milk from the local shops came back was welcomed by our two lovely dogs Toby and Pip and then Mum said I should take them for a walk so that they don’t get so hyped up when meeting Pearce. By this time mum had cleaned the bathroom vacuumed the rest of the house and then we sat down to pray together that this matching visit would go well. Then there was a knock at the door and it was the Guide Dog mobility instructor who I spoke to on Friday and we shook hands and went into the front room, she told us all about Pearce, his character, his working style, what breed, colour and size dog he is and then we went outside to do a trial walk with him to see how we both got on with the instructor by my side and mum a few metres behind because she wanted to see how it all worked. She taught me the different commands to use with Pearce such as Forward with hand signal (arm swing forward), Find right or left with a tap on your leg, straight to kerb, steady if you want them to slow down, hup up if you want them to carry on or walk faster and they can learn many, many more commands. Then the decision was taken that he would be a perfect match for me just the right size, right speed and right character. So we then took him into our garden through the back gate and let him sniff around but instead he went straight to the bird feeder and ate every single piece of bread that had fallen to the floor and then he started looking around, sniffing, marking the garden and he even went twice into the front pond. After he had taken to the garden we decided to bring Toby our 11 year old border collie outside to meet him and they checked each other out but Toby made sure he was top dog, while inside Pip our 3 year old Bearded Collie cross was whining and scrabbling at the door wanting to come out so my mum let him outside and tails were wagging and again they checked each other out Pearce wanted to play but Pip wasn’t so sure as Pearce was much bigger than Pip so they just sort of played in the garden following each other around and then we left Toby and Pip outside and took Pearce inside so he could meet the cats and again he was absolutely no problem whatsoever and so when that was over we let our two dogs back in and went into the front room so that she could read the consent form and me sign it and then they left at 1pm and we went straight out to little fishes at our local church to help out and everyone there wanted to find out so we had to tell them the news.