Larrie :: Hearing Dog
Larrie is a Chinese Crested Dog and is partnered with MK resident Doreen Monk. Doreen writes:
I was surprised to be told after not more than twelve months wait that The Grange had a dog for me, I was expecting to have a two year wait so I was pleased, I do not show my feelings very much but was quietly excited. He came to stay one night with me to see how we would get on and I liked him immediately.
Accordingly I went to stay at the Grange for five days for MY training, It was a very nice stay, I was on my own but the couple who were next door were very nice neighbours, Mark and Joan have a guide dog for the blind as Joan has Ushers, they were there to meet up with a nice black Labrador for Mark. Meals at The Grange were very nice and I was made very welcome, with training every day on sound work and information on Larrie’s needs.
Sarah, Larrie’s trainer took me in hand whilst there and is just on the end of the internet or the mobile phone for any problems I may have. I brought Larrie home on the Friday and we settled down to get to know each other. He is a very determined little dog, I have to be firm with him but I love him to bits. He is very attractive after his morning wash and brush up but gets really filthy after a run in the field near my home so has had a few baths! He is a Chinese Crested Powder Puff one of those with fluffy fur and butterfly ears, just the right size for me, walks by my side and is usually very obedient.
I must remember that he is a working dog, trained to tell me about sounds in the home and he does, not always, but he is improving and it is up to me to keep him working but even more importantly, to me he is a companion and very affectionate and I am glad that I have him.
Larrie passed his final with flying colours in March 2009 and is now a fully fledged hearing dog. Doreen writes:
I am very proud of him, he seems to know he has done something good and it is very easy to see a change in him, he trots behind me following me on the paths. We went on holiday a week or so ago, on a Warners Break, near Lowestoft, I have been there before without Larrie and it is a big difference when you have a dog with his distinctive burgundy coat. People are ready to talk to you and I was not lonely this time, many people tried guessing his breed and I was proud to say that he was a donated pedigree Chinese Crested Powder Puff (what a name) and “no” he was not half a Yorky but “yes” he was a good companion for me ! As well as being my ears in many ways.