It’s been months since I put pen to paper so sitting here in a dreary Saturday morning, it seemed a fine time to make a fresh brew and open my notebook.

So, what’s been going on since I last wrote anything?

I’m not going to lie, it’s been a manic second half of the year what with preparing William for secondary school, a fabulous slow-train holiday to Corsica (more on that soon), birthdays, work, raising an extraordinary £5,000 for my local sight-loss charity, Berkshire Vision, during an amazing week walking the Welsh coast (again, another topic for future posts), my first ever public speaking event at the same charity’s AGM and, not forgetting, the biggest change of all – a little brother for Oswald (our hard-waring gentle giant of a golden retriever) – Chester, a one and a half year-old goldie x Labrador.

Now, for those of you who follow me online, you will know there is something quite special about Chester (my sunburst amber menace) for he has a special super-power when, with just the two words “head in”, goes from being a bat-shit crazy puppy to a hyper-focussed guide dog.

The transformation is instant – he can be looning around the garden, bouncing all over Oswald but, as soon as he sees me put my shoes on he instantly calms, tail wagging as he comes across to me. When I hold out his harness and say the words “head in” he steps forward and slides his body into the hand-made leather harness, pushing his chest against the breast strap. As I clip it in place and pop his gentle leader around his nose, he licks his lips, ready to go.

They say that Guide Dogs are a total life-changer but I have to admit I was dubious just how much of a life-changer a dog can be – I mean, I’ve been using a long cane for nearly 2 years and have a good level of independence with my trips to the pool, commutes into work and the school run among others. Don’t get me wrong, I was excited to be able to leave the cane at home and go from the constant stop-start of working around obstacles to a much smoother movement that having a living, breathing mobility aid brings with it, but will it really be that much different?

Oh yes indeed!

Since qualifying with my Sunburst Saviour in August, I can honestly say my life has been transformed. I am so much more confident going out and, in fact, I actively look for excuses to grab his harness and head out the door. Even if it’s just a short trip to pick up a takeaway coffee from the local café between meetings. It is amazing how intuitive Chester can be, all it takes is a couple of turns and he knows exactly where our target is and every single time, he gets it on the nose.

But it’s more than just mobility, Chester, like many guide dogs I’m sure, is totally tuned into me. He knows when I’m off-colour or am having a tough day and will just come and lie next to me or place his chin on my knee, looking up at me with his sorrowful eyes. This slender animal with his constantly wagging tail has changed my life in more ways than I can express. Whether we’re playing at home, out working or having a blast on a free run in the local woods, the place he has in my heart is extra special and I look forward to sharing many years of adventures.

Until next time, thanks for reading

Team Chris and Chester – Blind man with a backpack.