……as a Guide Dog. I will have a new owner and it’ll be my job to make sure she is safe. I’m going to live in London so I have a lot of responsibilities because it’s a big city and there are lots of hazards that I need to make sure don’t hurt my new owner. But it’s OK. I’m the Guide Dog puppy training school’s star pupil. I know what to do and I’m really good at it. I am looking forward to starting work, but for now, I’ll just take another nap on the floor by the sofa of my foster parents, Liz and David, who have been looking after me for the last three months of my training.

It’s all been a bit strange because they’re not allowed to treat me quite like they would a dog of their own – there are strict rules about when I can be fed, where they can take me and what we can do together – I’m not allowed to show them how much I love being with them by jumping up on them.

I (Linda speaking now) have spent a wonderful evening with an old friend (Liz) who I’ve not seen for a couple of years. I’m trying to find my way round all the people I won’t see much of in the New Year. Liz contacted me because she happened to bump into a mutual friend who told her our news and so she thought she’d better get in touch (I am still so crap as to have not told anyone we’ve gone other than those people who look at pbase or who I’m seeing regularly).

We’ve had a fabulous evening and I’ve loved being pampered by her (such a fantastic host). We’ve talked about all sorts and we’ve quaffed a few glasses of the red stuff. I’m also thrilled to have met Sparkie who is going off to live with his new owner on Friday as a rookie Guide Dog for the Blind.

It’s a huge thrill to meet a guide dog because for the last, I don’t know, maybe twenty years, I have donated money to Guide Dogs for the Blind every month from my salary but I’ve never really ‘met’ one. I see them working from time to time of course but you can’t stop them from doing their job for a fuss. Sparkie was very obliging in giving me a really lovely welcome, of the sort I really miss when I’m away from home. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but I do love to be greeted by a dog. There is something so joyous about the way they assume people are friends. I’ve had my hands licked ‘clean’, a huge paw dumped in my lap a few times (NOT allowed so a rebuke followed from Sparkie’s foster mum, Liz. I’m terrified of getting Sparkie into trouble so I’ve been careful not to let him get too raucous.

Once again, I ponder my good fortune – so far this week, nights away from home = two, nights in a grotty hotel = nil (tomorrow night will make up for that one and make me appreciate the last two even more). Last night I stayed with Ginny and tonight I’m here with Liz and David. I was determined to be independent when I started this leg of ‘the grand plan’ and not rely on my friends for shelter and companionship but now I’m beginning to see that I should have allowed more people to help me. It’s so much less painful being away from home when I’m with other people who care about me.

This week’s thanks go to Liz and David for tonight and Ginny and Kelly for their hospitality on Tuesday night. They’re heartfelt.

Last year, I was having nightmares (again) and the year before, I was at the Bell and Hare (in heaven!)