Category: Out and about

Doing my bit for interspecies relations

Woof woof! Guide dog Fletcher here with waggy tails (or in human speak, tales) from meeting other animals.

Now I love humans. Particularly my humans who I call human no. 1 and human no. 2. They keep me topped up with treats, fuss and cuddly toys (although I could always do with more). And I get to take human no. 1 out to places where I have exclusive access as an assistance dog. It’s great fun.

Oh and I love all you wonderful folks who support Guide Dogs. And also any friends of my humans who give me lots of fuss. But this post is not about humans.

I’ve met sheep and a bunny.

Yes, really.

Me guide dog Fletcher in front of two sheep

The sheep were a bit boring. They seemed more interested in grass than me and kept their distance. As evidenced by my photo. But we did agree that life was good. Well, least that’s what I think they said, I’m not very good at baa-speak.

Me guide dog Fletcher with bunny Bouffe

My bunny encounter was much more fun. Apparently bunnies like to rub noses and, by luck, my bunny etiquette was up to speed. We nuzzled together. I did my best to be gentle as this bunny couldn’t see very well (just like my human). His name’s Bouffe and we’re now friends. He even blogged to say so; check out Bouffe’s blog post.

Of course, we dogs like to sniff and rub noses too. Just like on Saturday, when I met 2 barking dogs who belong to my human’s osteopath. No time for play though and I was most disappointed.

Me guide dog Fletcher with 2 dogs

Now, I’ve been told that my nose looks as though I’ve spent far too much time sniffing. It’s black around the edges with pink in the middle. It appears as if I’ve rubbed out most of the black bits. What do you reckon? Must come from sniffing out all the best news from the streets and grass just for you…

Keep up to date and follow my blog. Or let me know if you like my posts by leaving a pawsome comment.

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

(c) pawsatthekerb™, October 2015.

Advertisement

A wet and wonderful week

Woof woof, guide dog Fletcher here! Glad you could join me.

Wasn’t it a wet dark start to the week with all that rain?! Seems the rain is out again today. Now I like the rain. And as a guide dog, I go out and about in all weathers keeping my human safe with paws at the kerb™. Anticipating their every need. For example, I’m very good at tracking down seats just in case they want to sit down when the rain stops. See I’ve even got a photo to prove it.

Me guide dog Fletcher by a blue seat

Mind you, I’m not so keen on puddles and will avoid them if I can. I like to zig zag round them. Much to my human’s delight because where I go, they follow. It’s been a wonderful week.

Of course, wet weather = wet Fletcher.

I don’t stay wet for long because, as soon as I’m inside, I do a great wet dog shake. But, according to my human, I’m not that good at getting dry. I need the towel treatment. I’m mean, honestly, do I have to? A towel on my head is not a great look. You’ve only got to glance at the photo to agree. And yes, I know I’ve got my cuddly toy with me. But still.

Me guide dog Fletcher under a white towel

So, my human’s keenness for towels might have something to do with wet Fletcher = smelly Fletcher.

I have a fantastic “eau de wet dog” smell. Every dog has their wet dog smell. Mine stands out.

And now for the science bit (I’ve always wanted to bark that out. Got a grand education at Guide Dogs’ school. And it’s getting topped up by my human). According to the American Chemical Society’s video on canine chemistry, I have micro-organisms in my fur like yeast and bacteria which produce “sticky volatile compounds”. They’re there all the time and giving me a bath won’t get rid of them. Actually a bath will make the smell. Because any water, bath or rain water, “liberates” these “sticky volatile compounds” from my fur enabling them to get right up your nose.

Lastly, to compensate for any possible distress that a blog post about wet dog smells might have evoked, I’d like to remind you that I’m pawsome. Quite literally. If my paws aren’t at the kerb, then they’ll often be outstretched in friendship. Like in the photo.

Me guide dog Fletcher with my paws up

Join me on my adventures and follow my blog. Hopefully you’ll find them little bursts of happiness…

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.


(c) pawsatthekerb™, October 2015. Updated November 2015.