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.