Willow

 

As I embark on the next phase of my journey with my second Guide Dog. I want to spend a little time to share Willow with you all.

Willow, my first Guide Dog, my soul mate. She has given and continues to give me so much. When I first lost my sight, my confidence was knocked into oblivion. I couldn’t bare to think what life would ever look like with my new identity as a disabled person. I didn’t want to use a cane, I didn’t want to stand out. I may not see it, but I can feel the stares, everywhere I go I’m a walking object of peoples pity. Whispers that not so discreetly tell me that people fear blindness, that my existing outside doing typical activities is shocking and unusual.  I didn’t want to carry the burden of my disability, and more than that, the more general perception of blindness that people would take from a moment with me.

Willow changed that. Willow changed everything.

People treat you very differently when your disability is represented with a dog, as a pose to another kind of mobility aid. This is a systemic issue within society. However it made me able to talk about my disability in a more open way, but also allowed me to establish my own boundaries in what I wanted to talk about. I was able to say no when strangers would ask those awful invasive questions that disabled people get regularly.

I had always wanted a dog, so when we learned that my sight would not improve and my mum suggested that a Guide Dog might be something to consider it was, to me at least the only option.

It was on 8^th July 2016 that I was matched with Willow. She was a wonderful guide, Willow is a goody-two-shoes, so when she’d do things right she was the happiest girl. We both needed each other. She made me more confident and I did the same for her. She can be a timid little thing but she always took her job seriously and that allowed us to go on some truly wonderful adventures.

She knows me so well, she senses how I feel. She has been there for every up and every down there has been over the past almost 9 years. She was always there. Her big brown eyes just blinking up at me, as if she knows, as if she understands. She is my world. 

We have lived in 5 counties.

Been to college together

Been to university together

She came with me to my first job

 

Although her working life is at its end, she is still living. With me, I am incredibly lucky to be in a position to keep her into her retirement. She is enjoying retirement too! She deserves it.

Some of you have had the pleasure of meeting Willow, but for those who haven’t just trust me she is perfect.  

I have been told, many, many times that no Guide Dog will be able to match up to the first one. I really think that is the truth. The next dog certainly has some very big paws to fill.

I can not wait to introduce him to you all and am grateful I have been able to share a little bit of Willow with you all. My precious, sweet girl.

 

  Photo is a collage of pictures, made by my much more talented sister. Showing several pictures of Willow over the years, they include:

Willow sat proudly in harness

Willow stood playfully amongst the autumnal leaves

The tattoo on my wrist that says Willow in braille

Me holding Willow’s face, sat in a bluebell patch in the woods

Willow sat in harness in a bowling alley

Willow looking excited with her tongue out surrounded by hills

Me and Willow from behind, my arm is round her and she leans into me we are sat on the end of aboard walk overlooking a lake