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Ravenshead Newsletter 03/2022 - 19

Henry's television viewing is now much less docile

I have become a little worried about Henry lately. His I am becoming an anxious wreck myself as I await the
behaviour in front of the television screen has changed. advertisement breaks. The subject matter is unimportant. It
Henry, you may recall from previous articles, is my 10-year- now seems there is a dog for all items. Breakdown
old Golden Labrador and we start each day with a walk in companies, car sales, holidays, caravans, it just goes on.
Blidworth Wood. Since he grew from a playful puppy he has Now I can understand the makers of dog foods and animal
always been a gentle and obedient dog. medical aids wanting to use sprightly looking pets to
A very sociable boy, he greets humans and other dogs in the advertise their goods but some of the others make me scratch
same friendly way and always has done. The only time he my head in wonderment.
can sound a little fearsome is when someone knocks at my I have actually now started keeping a log of them, sad person
door. He has a very loud bark but soon settles down and that I am.
offers his bone or his ball to whoever is visiting. Paint companies and those who sell toilet tissue have been
He was pretty much the same when watching television, in using those with the ‘ahhh!’ factor for years of course but I
fact I often wondered if he actually watched the screen. have noticed recently that the AA, insurance companies and
Well now I know that he does. You see he has become aware banks have come in on the act.
that television advertisers seem to be making more use of Betting companies, whilst urging us to gamble responsibly,
pets (mainly dogs) in order to make their wares more have also introduced dogs to their advertisements and
attractive to we humans. holiday firms, who have pretty log cabins on offer in the
I can't really claim it has made him aggressive but there is an middle of dense forests where outsiders won't trouble you,
immediate change in his attitude to some television also like to have a dog or two running in the wilds.
advertising. A recent advertisement that appeared on my screen which
He can be relaxing on the lounge carpet minding his own included a dog which really surprised both me and Henry
business and suddenly, up pops an advert. was one that appeared to have some benefit on straightening
teeth. Well, I ask you.
He's at the screen in an instant, ball, rubber bone, even both
at the same time, in his mouth, head just a couple of There are others but I am trying to keep Henry away from
centimetres from the set, jumping up and down like a dog them lest he really does become so excited one day he
possessed. actually goes through the screen.
“Sit down Henry,” is my plaintive cry but not until the Actually Henry is really feeling more than a little pleased
content disappears from view does he obey then flops back with himself this morning. As we came to the end of our
down again with a disappointed look on his face. walk in Blidworth Wood a kind lady who was sitting on one
of the benches by the tea waggon called him over and asked
Another few seconds goes by and the exercise is repeated,
even if he's retreated into his basket in the kitchen. me if she could tempt him with a bite of her sausage cob.
Well, I replied with a little hesitation, you can but I don't
You see he recognises the music, leaps up again, despite his
advancing years and tears through into the lounge at really want him to expect it to happen every day.
breakneck speed, coming to an abrupt stop as he reaches the Of course he took it most enthusiastically and then subjected
screen. her to the big brown eyes treatment as he sat waiting for
more. I put him in the car and took him home for breakfast.
Sometimes I fear he is not going to make it. My heart is in
my throat as he skids to a halt, offering his toys at the screen
to the TV mutts.
Paul Richardson

In his own good time - Sprout the Guide Dog

When I last wrote we had been invited to go and see Sprout in action with his trainer and were waiting to confirm a date.
Before arrangements were made it was determined that a visit at that stage was not going to be right for Sprout, so it was put
on hold.
Sprout's training has started focussing very much on him making decisions for himself and his handler, as obstacles are
encountered, rather than being given guidance to follow. As you might imagine, dogs in training take to this in different
ways and Sprout has not been keen to take on the role of decision maker. Having been accustomed to closely following the
instructions and guidance given by the handler and being positively rewarded for
doing so, the transition in to the reversal of roles may take some time to adapt
to.
Sprout is now working with advance trainer, Natalie, and she will allow him
every opportunity to show that he has the desire to step in to this new role. We
will see what happens over the coming weeks. The photo goes back to when
Sprout watched guide dog Bolt on the TV advert and had an insight in to what
he might become.
If you would like to know more about the many services for visually impaired
people of all ages or volunteering opportunities offered by Guide Dogs please visit
www.guidedogs.org.uk
Chrisi Neeson Tel: 07854 439 029