Canine Partners
What happens to a Canine Partner when their working life ends? We thought we’d ask one!
Stephanie has progressive hereditary spastic paraparesis, a degenerative condition of the nervous system. For the last 11 years, Canine Partner Frodo has helped maintain her independence and quality of life. Last year, Frodo retired, but Stephanie and partner John were pleased to be able to keep him as a pet, alongside new Canine Partner Elmo…
FRODO’S TALE
I’m really enjoying my retirement – after all, I’m almost 13, now. My partner’s other half – John – took early retirement in the middle of last year, so we are having fun together. I helped Steph, my partner, select him a few years ago – and even delivered the rings to the best man at their wedding, wearing a matching waistcoat! Well, Frodo was the ring bearer in the Lord of the Rings, so it was always expected!
Last year we all went down to Canine Partners training centre, so I could look over a few dogs and select a suitable apprentice. After saying ‘You’re Fired!’ to one young hopeful, I eventually gave the ‘tails-up’ to a two-year-old Golden Retriever/Labrador cross called Elmo. He needed a bit of tuition and some polishing from an experienced professional, but that’s to be expected.
Since April last year I have been reporting to John, and he’s coming on well. I had him licked into shape by the time Steph got back from her two week training with Elmo.
Looking back I’ve had a good career. I won various awards, including Working Dog of the Year 2000 and Animal Planet Working Dog Winner 2001. I have done hundreds of demonstrations, ranging from local ladies groups to Crufts. I have appeared on television and met loads of celebs while helping fundraise – I’m going to miss my fans.
To be honest, though, I don’t really miss emptying the washing machine, although once in a while I have to show the young one how it’s done! Elmo is welcome to that job! I still like to do things for Dad, and will find things to do even if he doesn’t ask; can’t sit around all day, you know!
The ‘lad’, as I like to call him, has taken over my duties fully now. He needed a bit of guidance at first; I well remember his first week, when he didn’t know how to lift the footplate on Steph’s stairlift, having not seen one before. I was snoozing on Dad’s feet in the office when I heard the lad crying on the stairs, so I got up and figured out how to lift the footplate from above. All it took was a deft flick with the paw and I then got my nose under it; who says an old dog can’t teach himself new tricks? As one of Canine Partners’ pioneers, some of what I have developed has been fed back into the standard training for the new recruits!
The lad and I share everything, including bones and our bed; we like to cuddle up together once the day’s chores are over.
ELMO’S TALE
The ‘old boy’ has now retired after showing me the ropes, but still keeps an eye on me and will show me how it’s done if he thinks I’m not up to scratch. That said, we get on great; it feels like we have been together forever. When I first arrived Frodo was always there to help and show me what was expected but, as the weeks went by, he gradually backed off without me noticing – and let me take over the lead, so to speak! He is still the guv’nor, though, but I do all the work now so he can keep an eye on John to make sure he goes to the butchers to get our marrow-bones!
As a registered charity Canine Partners receives no government funding and is wholly dependent on public donations and legacies. There are currently more than 140 partnerships across the UK. For further information on volunteering, fundraising or applying for a Canine Partner, please call 08456 580 480 or visit www.caninepartners.org.uk.