We hope you enjoy reading Charlotte’s story written from Rusty’s perspective on what it’s like to be a Canine Partners assistance dog in training.

Rusty’s adventures

By Charlotte Watson aged 10

Hi my name’s Rusty and I’m a chocolate Labrador in training with Canine Partners to eventually help transform a disabled person’s life.  I’ve got lots of difficult everyday human tasks to learn like emptying the washing machine, handing over money in shops, picking up dropped items and even using a bank cash card and collecting the money from an ATM.  These jobs are all very difficult and although I do enjoy doing them it helps when I’m given tasty treats!

I’m going to tell you about some of the adventures that I share with my friends, both dogs and humans, and my trainer Cat. When I first heard her name I ran around the room five times – but it turned out she was a person not a moggy!

Let me introduce you to my friends. There’s Brenda, the sensible golden retriever, Murphy the playful yellow Labrador, and my very best friend, Ike a fox red Labrador, the most mischievous of us all.  In my training I have to be really well behaved but it’s hard not to join in with Ike’s games sometimes.  Like the day we went to the park and Ike ran round and round with a ball. As Cat called for him to come back, I sat smirking whilst Brenda just rolled her eyes.

But enough of the cheekiness we get up to, I’m going to tell you about my life training to become a Canine Partner.

The first rule of being a Canine Partner is that you have to be extra good and obedient. Because my owner will be in a wheelchair most of the time, the first thing I had to learn was to sit and wait at the door when we arrive home, and only come in when I am told to. I love my food and at first I thought that it was ridiculous that I had to sit and wait whilst it was ready for me in the bowl, but now I am further into my training I understand why. It’s because if I go straight to the bowl I might knock my poor partner over.

In order to graduate from puppy training and go on to ‘big school’, otherwise known as advanced training, I had to show Cat what a clever and responsible dog I really am. Now I’m in this higher level of training I have learnt how to pick up the post, pull the bed clothes back and help someone get out of bed. My favourite task of all is handing my owner’s purse to a shopkeeper because they always says “what a clever dog” when I do it right.

Now that I am an advanced dog I get the chance to live with the Watson family at weekends. I love this because they always play with me and take me on amazing walks. Other than Cat they’re my favourite human friends.

Last week Cat took me to meet a lady in a wheelchair to see if she would like to have me as her assistance dog. She said yes she would! Now I’m even more excited than before, all my hard work in training is coming to life and soon my adventures with my partner will really start!!

If you loved hearing about Rusty’s Adventures with the Watson family and in training and would like to become either a volunteer puppy parent or fosterer for one of our dogs, we’d love to hear from you.

Visit our volunteering pages for further information and when you’ve found what it is you’d like to do, fill out one of our enquiry forms on the relevant page.

We’re asking our followers to see if they can guess who Radley and Doyle are dressed as. Make sure you check out the pictures and let us know what you think.

We thought we’d also share with you on World Book Day the two books we are proud that our canine partners feature in.

The first is the funny, heart-warming and almost true story of Labradoodle puppy Harvey. The book tells the story of his adventures and journey to become a Canine Partners assistance dog … as dictated to his human partner, Lizzie Dyche.

Lizzie says: “This book is based on the real life of Harvey my Canine Partners assistance dog. The events Harvey has put in his
book really happened, although some of the timings and details have been changed.  As to his thoughts about them… they are his and I can’t comment on them!”

This book is suitable for all ages, especially the young at heart! You can purchase this book on our online charity shop.

The second book we’re proud to feature in is the recently published and amazing story of canine partner Ted and how he has saved his partner Wendy’s life time after time. The book, written by Wendy, is called My Life in His Paws.

Wendy Hilling has a rare skin condition which means her skin is very delicate. Every moment is difficult and causes pain. It affects the body inside and out: her throat is very narrow and she can stop breathing at any time. But eight years ago Wendy’s life changed forever. She met Ted, the Golden Retriever, and he became her full-time carer. Wendy and Ted showcase the unique relationship between a human and animal and the extraordinary things animals are capable of.

You can purchase My Life In His Paws on Amazon or for more information visit mylifeinhispaws.co.uk.

The narrator was a talking French poodle called Felix so used Rio to get to grips with the movements and gestures of a dog, as well as tips on how to look the part!

Advanced trainer at the Midlands Centre and Rio’s demo handler Cat Howourth was also in the sell-out Derby Guildhall theatre show as the local blacksmith Cappuccine.

Canine Partners were grateful to be able to have a free advert in amateur dramatic group’s programme urging people to become volunteer puppy parents.

Lindy (Lab x golden retriever) from our Gloucester satellite

Lindy is an incredibly affectionate and fun loving dog. She adores cuddles, loves playing with her toys and is a definite foody. All the things a Lab type should be! Lindy loves learning new things and is particularly good at tugging! She is so keen to please that in fact she is a bit of a speed demon and so sometimes we need to slow our training down.

Dalton (Labrador) from our West Scotland satellite

Dalton is a very loveable lad whose favourite thing in the entire world is food! This makes him very willing to train and so he is continuing to progress well through advanced training. Having his back rubbed and tickles come a close second and it is definitely hard not to love this sweet boy.

There’s Fleur, a black Labrador who looks like a little princess but is really a tomboy!  Her favourite thing is having cuddles. She gives her trainer Gemma proper hugs by putting her paws around her neck.  Fleur loves to play with the other dogs and run about. She carries her soft toys around in her mouth and still manages to give you cuddles!

Then there’s Freya. She is also a black Labrador who is super eager to learn new things.  She has the fastest recall her trainer has ever seen!  Freya just loves to please. She loves human company, and her favourite activity is playing in the paddling pool when it is warm.

Meet Jagger – a big lad with a young puppy personality! Jagger can be silly from time to time, but he does work hard. He absolutely loves using his nose to push doors open and closed.  As he is quite tall, he has no issues with the switches, he just pushes them with his nose.

Here’s Hattie – a bubbly girl who loves her toys, and particularly likes a game of hide and seek with her toys when in the park. Hattie has picked up task work very quickly learning to press the pedestrian switch in one 5 minute session. She works well in town, and will greet people enthusiastically when allowed. She is a relaxed girl at home and enjoys to settle down on your feet in the evenings.

By Jiminy, it’s Jiminy!  Jiminy is a gentle giant, he plods through town at a leisurely pace but can sometimes not look where he’s going as he is too busy looking at his handler. He is a placid boy most of the time, being relaxed around all animals and distractions. However, if you get toys out his puppy side really shows; he will bounce and play-bow around a squeaky toy, much to everyone’s amusement.