We will celebrate International Guide Dog Day on April 27, and eight four-week-old Labrador puppies nestled in their basket certainly arrived with a touch of American flavour.
Their mum, Zara was brought here by the Royal Society for the Blind guide and assistance dog service from the San Rafael Guide Dog School in California in late 2012 to live with Deb Tucker, a retired real estate agent of note, and her husband Barty at their Willunga home.
For Zara, a five-year-old black Labrador, this was her fourth litter here – this time seven beautiful black puppies and one yellow. You will never guess the colour of the father.
The RSB, a not-for-profit organisation, was formed in Adelaide and is celebrating its 130th year.
It services more than 11,000 South Australians who are blind or visually impaired. Traditionally, the RSB guide dogs have been used to assist only them, but in a wonderful association with the Returned Services League (SA) puppies like those whelped by Zara are now also being trained to assist disengaged people, particularly those who have served our armed services on battlefronts overseas and are suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. The theme of the campaign is: Seeing eye dogs for people who have seen too much. An absolutely brilliant theme and program.
This new litter is yet to be named, but each one will start with the letter “I” as part of an alphabet order used by those involved in the system to readily identify when the pups were whelped.
You have the opportunity to suggest names for Zara’s puppies starting with “I” by going on the RSB website.
Deb (pictured) is certainly no stranger to Labrador puppies – her parents bred them when she was little and has been tending to litters for 60 years. “I just love it,” she said. “I have looked after almost 30 litters so they have been in my home for most of my life, including when my father (John Haden) was a senior master at Victor Harbor High.
“I have volunteered with the RSB for four years now and I cannot speak more highly of the organisation. Their ethics are high, the support if you need it is always there, and their appreciation is genuine.
“I do it because I find the personal rewards are just amazing; the RSB does so much for the blind or visually impaired, and it is very satisfying knowing that you are helping them.
“When my old dog died a few years ago I was heartbroken, and my sister (Dr Margaret Trowbridge), who is a vet and a genetic specialist in veterinary science, suggested I get involved with the RSB and rear some pups. It’s one of the best things I have ever done.”
The RSB guide and assistance dog service is always needing people who have time to put into rearing these pups, preparing them until they are eight weeks old for other volunteers who educate them. Puppy educators are provided with training, and take the pups to regular classes conducted by the RSB, which also supplies equipment for the pups and covers food and veterinary costs.
The volunteer puppy educators come from vast backgrounds – single people, couples and families, retirees, workers and university students.
Deb, like every puppy educator, is constantly asked the difficulty in working so close to the pups, and then having to hand them over. “It is not hard,” she said. “In fact, I personally look forward to the handover to the educator because I feel a sense of enormous pride and satisfaction.
“There is great reward in seeing the pups develop, and to then learn of them actually going to someone who is blind or visually impaired and realise what it all means to them is just so wonderful. It has always been a great part of my life.”
The puppies really are gorgeous, and they can provide you with a challenge of a lifetime… especially trying to keep them from being their adventurous self when you want them to be still for a photograph. You can’t help but love ’em though, and admire the amazing people behind the RSB and the wonderful volunteers like Deb.
The RSB desperately needs funds and more volunteers to keep its numerous programs going. To find out more about the RSB guide and assistance dog service call 8417 5656 or visit: www.rsb.org.au