Maxine Jones took on Guide Dog puppy walking for a while. She had some interesting experiences with Zebedee, the golden Labrador puppy:

International Guide Dog Federation.

I DON’T PARTICULARLY LIKE dogs. …

I’d resisted my youngest son’s demands for a dog for years, but this was a way of giving it back when it was no longer an endearing Andrex puppy and my son had proved he wouldn’t walk it or pick up poo. …

Zebedee is always pleased to see me. And when I walk down the road, everyone wants to know me. …

Walking back with the dog after meeting [my son] from school, a lanky boy with braces stops his bike to talk to us. “I miss my dog,” he says.”My parents split up and we couldn’t keep him.” I’m moved to silence as he props up his bike to pet the dog.

Old ladies empathise most with the dog. Young mothers are wary, fearing they’ll be besieged with requests from their offspring. “I’ve enough on my plate,” one says, her brusque tone covering up a flash of longing.

Zebedee and I are spotted by a posse of 11-year-old girls who are walking past the post office, where we are in line. In one squealing mass, they make a run for her, and cover her in a cloud of pink. Zebedee loves it, licking their faces in turn. Just as suddenly, the girls take flight and flutter off, regrouping outside to discuss how sweet she is.

[Via : Dog day afternoons - The Irish Times - Sat, Sep 26, 2009.]

Guide Dog puppy walking is a great activity, available pretty well anywhere guide dogs are trained. If you think you might be interested visit the International Guide Dog Federation website to find a local organisation you can contact.

Special note: 27 October to 2 November 2009 is The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind’s annual Blind Week Appeal. Give them a donation to support not only training guide dog puppies, but all the other services they offer to blind people.