Amber

Amber was the last guide dog of my friend Helen Osler, who I am sure many Heath walkers will remember as she was a great character. When Helen died in 2007 Guide Dogs for the Blind - in accord with Helen´s wishes - allowed me to keep Amber. As she was 10 at the time her working life was over and she would have been re-homed. Because my other dog, Allie, was from GDB and they had interviewed me before it was a simple solution. She is possibly the laziest Guide Dog ever, but as Helen was 86 (albeit a very active 86) when she was "matched" with Amber no doubt GDB found Amber the best possible placement.

Amber has very bad osteo-arthritis in her front paws and has now retired from daily walks, but usually makes a weekend visit to the Heath. Since the loss of my beloved Allie in December I have acquired another rescue lab. (Annie, re-named Billie) and have managed to persuade her that Amber is the "alpha female". If you knew Amber you would find this concept hysterically funny but it does mean that Amber is not constantly bothered by the younger dog wanting to play.