We received this lovely email the other day.
We are gradually finding out more and more about Griff's family and the wonderful people that have contributed along the way.
Hi Everybody at Priestley Smith School,
I’ve heard that Griff is now working at your school as a Buddy Dog, I’m sure you are all having a great time looking after him and learning how to take care of a pet dog if you have one at home or may get one as you get older, I have watched the blog about him and I’m very proud of what he does, you will know all about why he was rejected as a Guide Dog but able to help in some other way.
This e mail is to let you know that I Puppy walked Griff’s Mum, her name is Donna and she’s aged four years, unfortunately Donna was Retired early because she had a problem with waxy ears and Guide Dogs didn’t want the problem to be passed on to her next litter of puppies – I hope Griff’s ears are nice and clean and you remember to check them when you examine him to make sure he’s in good health. Donna was puppy walked here in Scotland but went to England to have puppies as they are all born there, when she was Retired I asked if I could have her back as a pet and Guide Dogs brought her back to Scotland. it was lovely to get her back with me to keep. I also Puppy walked her Mum Goldie so I have Puppy walked Griff’s Mum and his Granny! my new one is called Waffle, she is a Labrador /Retriever Cross, now five months old and is learning a lot from Donna and they both enjoy playing together, I also have and older Reject Dog aged ten years called Amber.
I know you will all enjoy taking care of Griff, you are very lucky to have him at your school and I’m sure he’s a very lucky dog to be part of your school.
Best Wishes to Everyone.
Margaret Hyslop
Hi Margaret,
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear from the lady that started it all! So glad that Donna is enjoying her retirement. Paul and Jonquil told me all about you! Griff did have a few issues with his ears when he first went in for training but he is all fine now!
Monica, Griff's Puppy Walker.
And of course, Griff's sister Goldie is named after his Grandmother!
ReplyDeleteWhen a litter of Guide Dog puppies is born, most of the puppies' names start with the same letter. As the people who look after the mother dog, we have the honour of choosing the names. But some puppies have a name chosen by very generous people who pay money to name a puppy. They often do this in memory of people they have loved. So Griff's elder sisters Elcie and Doris have what we call "sponsored names". So do his eldest brothers George and Scooby.
The names of all of Griff's brothers and sister, in order of birth, are :
Elcie, George, Doris, Goldie, Scooby (then Griff), Gibson, Gus and Gilly.
Griff's friend Misty, our new dog, is expecting her first litter in mid-April. We think she is going to have between 9 and 12 puppies. Their names will mostly start with the letter Z!!!
Jonquil