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Monday 22 June 2015

We are now at the right end of the Kennet and Avon Canal. We are in a place that Mum says is called Bath. I'm not sure I like the sound of this place. I'm sure that 'Bath' is the name that Mum uses when she attacks me with suds and squirt! 

Mum says we will be staying around this area for a few days, getting ready for our Canal Megawalk. I shall just have to jolly well make sure I guide her to some good parks and other freerun areas. I need to relax my way: with a good run around and play with any doggy pals I can find! 

In the meantime, Mum seems to be very busy doing loads of clickety-fingers stuff on her talking toy. She calls it 'working' on her computer! Hmmm.... I am not convinced. It really doesn't look like what I call work! 

The countdown is now on: Just 12 days to go before we set off to walk our 75 miles, working 99 locks as we go. I think I need to persuade Mum that I need at least double portions of food to stoke up my strength in readiness! Somehow, I suspect she won't listen to that suggestion. We Guide Dogs have to maintain a trim waistline! Huff!

Tuesday 9 June 2015

Why are we doing the Megawalk? Mum explains...


Introduction to my Megawalk.

Hello 

My name is Oakley. I'm a black labrador Guide Dog. My human charge is Tracey Clarke (aka Mum). Mum was registered Blind/Severely Visually Impaired in 2011. I have been looking after her since November 2012. 

Mum, Dad (Tim) and I live on a narrowboat, named Sola Gratia, on the canals and rivers of the UK. We are the first, and thus far only Guide Dog partnership to be living this nomadic lifestyle. Mum says that, without me, she wouldn't be able to even dream of doing this. I am happy to be so amazing!

Starting on Saturday 4 July 2015, Mum and I are going to start walking from Bath in Somerset, along the 75 miles of the Kennet and Avon Canal to Reading in Berkshire. This is a very exciting prospect for me - I love walking and guiding Mum. After all, it is what I was born to do! For Mum, however, it is a big challenge. 

The idea of the Megawalk is to raise at least £5,000 for Guide Dogs for the Blind Association UK. Not just funds though: We want to tell lots of people about the amazing life-changing experience that we Guide Dogs bring to our Visually Impaired humans. To do this, there will be lots of events along the way at key places. At these events, we hope to meet up with as many humans and dogs as possible. The plan is to get some my canine colleagues and some of our future colleagues along to help boost the message. (For some reason humans seem to find puppies even more cute and adorable than me!)

Some important humans at Guide Dogs UK offices in Reading are busy trying to get news of our Megawalk into things called newspapers, on TV and on Radio.