SAGA - South African Guide Dog Association


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DATES TO DIARISE

Upcoming Events

Johannesburg

08th June - Charity Golf Day

25 August - Fly-fishing (Dullstroom)

15th September - Spring Ball (Montecasino Ballroom)

07th October - Family Fun Day (Guide Dog Training Centre, Bryanston)

4th November - Guide Dogs Graduation Ceremony (Guide Dog Training Centre, Bryanston)

1st December - Carols by Candlelight (Guide Dog Training Centre, Bryanston)

7th December - Car Raffle Competition Draw Date

Durban

20th May – Cars in the Park – Pietermaritzburg

25th May -3rd June - Royal Show

28th July – Street Collection - Durban

22nd -24th September - Garden Show

Cape Town

17 May: Bergvliet Cubs Club

29 May: Italian Kitchen Senses Dinner

12 June: Parow West Primary School

15 -17 June: Cape Town Book Fair

22 June: Guide Dogs Graduation Ceremony

1 August: Fish Hoek Agricultural Society

23 – 26 August: Cavendish Square Charity Book Sale

7 December: Car Raffle Competition Draw Date

2012 SAGA Cricket Challenge

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Postponed till further notice

Follow the diaries of Pasha, Guide-Dog owner and Christine, puppy raiser.

Dear Diary

It is three months and one week since Vanilla, the Black Labrador x Golden Retriever has joined me on my journey. Despite a bond of twelve weeks and four days, it seems as if she is with me a lifetime. I can say that it would be hard to imagine life without her.

At home she has become a shadow, following me everywhere I go, wherever I am beading, rearranging, baking, cleaning reading, and listening to music, you are sure to find Vanilla.

When we work, Vanilla finds places, even those not visited for a while, with the greatest of ease. While walking there is no pulling on the harness and she is not distracted. Strangely when someone else, such as a relative or friend walks next to me, she seems to share the workload with them as her eyes wander from time to time. This is easily corrected and her full attention is focused on the work again.
I guess if she could she would say: “Well, we have company now and I have some help in doing the work.”

However, I find we have the greatest fun when walking alone. In fact, I suspect that Vanilla loves her work best when we are working alone. (A testimony to that is the head held high and the gentle rhythm of her wagging tail.)

Like the three musketeers we are the awesome twosome, the same as everyone else and yet unique due to our work as a unit.

Up to this day we have survived adventures such as screams of fear, bodies on ramps and harness-grabbing (back seat drivers) of Vanilla. On the up side, we have also visited pharmacies, the bank and restaurants where Vanilla was welcomed, offered water and at times even something to eat! The latter is of course a no-no. Vanilla has also started her own fan club and we have to teach her fans that she is not to be greeted when on her harness, an on-going process as folks find it hard not to greet her.

Reflecting on the past months with Vanilla at my side, it is all been fun and who knows what further experiences await us.

South Africa is no utopia for those living with blindness. It is perhaps somewhat optimistic to think it would ever be. However, a little awareness goes a long way and could bring us a step closer to that elusive Utopia of accessibility.
It would be good if pavements were somewhat less blocked by illegally parked vehicles, ensuring the safety of pedestrians and making lighter work for the guide-dog owner in moving about safely.

Another hazard to be cleared from our pavements is broken glass, a danger to the paws of Guide-Dogs.
Furthermore, if ramps, stairs, and other entrance ways could be cleared of able-bodied occupants, seated there for a day in the sun, buildings will be accessible.

There is much work to be done in terms of creating greater awareness and I feel privileged to share this part of my life with my four-foot friend Vanilla and who knows what adventures we will write about next time.

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