Walking into the Guide Dog school, I spied our golden Labrador, Alissa, a mile off.
She was sprawled out on her back, her paws up in the air as she lay fast asleep, relaxing after a busy day of training.
When she finally stirred and saw us, her tail wagged furiously as she bounded over. My heart swelled with warmth and affection.
A greeting like that never gets old and I count myself lucky that we decided to become fosterers to guide dogs in training.
Because even though the day that Alissa left us came, in the brief time we had her, she filled our home with such unique joy and companionship.
It’s weird to think that, once upon a time, I was never particularly fond of dogs.
Growing up, I’d always had cats. I was actually quite scared of dogs – I’d never been around them so didn’t really know how to act.
But then I met Adam. Unlike me, he’d always been passionate about dogs as his father, who is registered blind, always had a working guide dog around – as well as a retired one.
These four-legged creatures were Adam’s best friends growing up. They provided him with companionship, loyalty and so many treasured memories.
In the early days of our relationship, I loved watching his face light up as he shared stories about his childhood pooches.
Around dogs, Adam’s joy was always plain to see. He seemed happier and at ease. Seems like, to him, anywhere is home if there is a dog there.
But it also made me realise how much he missed having a dog around. I knew how happy having a dog would make Adam, and I felt like my fear of dogs was somewhat irrational so it was something I was willing to try and overcome.
However, we work 9-5 jobs – Adam works in property, so he travels a lot and I work a corporate role in an office. We’re not often home during the day, so, for years, I made it clear that it’d be impossible to have a dog of our own.
Then, in late 2020, I discovered that Guide Dogs were looking for volunteer fosterers for dogs in Bristol.
Responsibilities, if we went ahead, would include: providing a home for the dogs during their advanced training, dropping them off at and picking them up from the training centre Monday-Friday, and ensuring they had a relaxed environment after their busy days.
We’d also get to take them on fun outings and activities on weekends when the dogs were home full-time.
Essentially, it was the ideal way to have a dog in our lives without the full-time commitment that comes with ownership. Plus, Guide Dogs would be there to support us throughout the whole process and help with training techniques and welfare.
They’d even provide the food and necessary supplies, so long as we reinforced any training they were working on while at home.
It seemed perfect for our situation and, not wanting to waste time, we signed up immediately.
We filled in an application, had an online interview and a home visit. We then underwent training to prepare us for our first dog.
During this process we learned that, like us, 36% of people are hesitant to commit to owning a dog with the most common reasons being due to financial constraints and future family plans. However, the fostering scheme in place eliminates these issues.
We received our first dog in March 2021 – a golden Labrador/Retriever called Dawson.
He came to us a bit unsettled, but within a few days he had adjusted to our home.
In fact, Dawson was so perfectly house-trained and so well-behaved that we worried we might inadvertently teach him bad habits!
His love for cuddles quickly won me over, converting me into a full-fledged dog person and I soon couldn’t imagine coming home without him being there.
Dawson quickly made friends with Adam’s dad’s working guide dog, Fabian, so we had lots of long walks in the woods with them where they’d play and chase each other. We even took them on a holiday together!
Dawson learned so much in training, but we saw how much he grew and matured while with us. Of course, as fosterers of guide dogs, that does mean we have to say goodbye eventually and that first time was particularly hard.
Find out more about Guide Dogs and fostering
To find out how you can become a Guide Dogs fosterer or puppy raiser to help raise future life-changers, please visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/volunteering/volunteer-with-our-dogs/
It was really hard saying goodbye, especially as it was the first time and we had him for a full six months. There was a real hole in the house, and it just made us desperate for another furry friend around.
But we have stayed in touch and seen him since, which has been really lovely and saying goodbye has got easier.
Three months later, Mary the German Shepherd joined us. She was a completely different dog – she had so much character and independence. It was a lot of fun having Mary in the house, she enjoyed being outside a lot and would entertain herself on an evening by throwing her own toys in the air and chasing them!
To date, we’ve now fostered eight – and they’ve all been so different.
Like Dawson, Alissa was so sweet and gentle, with such a calm temperament. She loved seeing animals on the TV and would stop anything she was doing and watch them so intently.
And while it never gets easier to part from the dogs we care for, with each subsequent one we’ve found comfort in knowing they’re moving on to do good for someone else.
Knowing we’ve played even a small part in the amazing, positive impact these dogs will have also outweighs any upset when they leave. In fact, it makes it all hugely rewarding.
Adam and I look forward to having a family one day, but for now having and training guide dogs to love and have new adventures with is really lovely.
We’ve never so much found that something was missing, but the dogs bring with them new experiences and challenges that we otherwise wouldn’t have faced.
We plan to foster for as long as we can, and if our situation ever allows for it we would love to try our hand at raising a puppy for Guide Dogs, too.
Yes, saying goodbye is tough, but the memories really will last a lifetime.
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