Telling tails of a puppy walker

KEZ is only nine weeks old and absolutely adorable.

The cross Labrador/German Shepherd is already au fait with basic commands like ‘Sit’ and ‘Stay.’

Come the New Year, this gorgeous little puppy will be attending proper obedience classes – the next step on his path to becoming a fully trained guide dog.

Barbara Halliwell, 69, of Westbury Farm in Offley was looking for something to do – “preferably with animals” – when she took early retirement 15 years ago.

A supermarket ad for puppy walkers caught her eye and the former laboratory assistant applied.

Kez is the 13th puppy she has loved and looked after – and then had to give up.

“They stay with you until they’re about 14 months old,” she said. “You gradually introduce them to traffic, travelling on buses and trains, going up escalators and into shops – anything they’ll need when they’re matched with someone who’s visually impaired.

“They bring you lots of joy and open up your social life. And you learn to step back when you’re given their leaving date.”

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