Graceless HippoCone head. As Mr H calls him. Details in alt text.
I'm a puppy raiser for Irish Guide Dogs. If your puppy qualifies they award you a lovely and much coveted (by me) bronze figurine.
This is the bronze I was awarded when my first puppy, Yohan, qualified last year.
I've customised it to include his most memorable foibles.
(For those that don't know, his collecting and scavenging habits have been turned into assistance dog feature, as he is also a guide dog for someone with other physical disability)
<<<Measuring Quentin the guide dog puppy>>>
11 months 12 days
Health update; he improved noticeably after switching to anallergenic feed. Unfortunately he's dipped back yesterday. More sickness, pre switch levels of distraction. Back to very tight running. And the treatment the vet gave me for ears & paws aren't working. I caught myself watching him breathing last night while he was asleep. It turns out Mr H was doing the same.
Quentin update:
Results on bloods = protein levels are low. Total proteins 42, should be 52. The vet thinks this points to a gut wall absorption issue. He's been switched to anallergenic feed last night. He was still very noisy from 5.48 this morning, so no change there. However his distraction levels were reduced significantly during his first short walk.
Poor fella was not able to absorb his food.
More tests ordered.
Irish Guide Dogs are looking for puppy raisers, boarders and other volunteers. If you live in Ireland and think you would like to help please visit https://www.guidedogs.ie/ways-to-help/volunteer
11 months 5 days
I'm currently treating double* infections both ears with chanear from a previous treatment cycle (31/03/26). Also applying a leave on moisturiser dog mousse to all paws. Bloods and fecal results due Friday. Vomited Saturday 6.30 just before pm feed. After this now eating large amount of grass clippings. Nutraflora every pm feed switched from canigest 17/4.
Minimum duties, no freeruns.
*cyta cocci bacterial + yeast
Vets today for further investigations into dogs innards. Should have been done Tuesday but there was a mix up. Suffice to say I thoroughly hope that this is the second and final time I've had to keep fecal samples in the fridge.
Loads more appointments today, Mr H is dog sitting.
Dog wants his breakfast but he'll have to wait. SOMEBODY TELL HIM BECAUSE I CAN'T LOOK AT THAT FACE
<<<Measuring Quentin the guide dog puppy>>>
10 months 22 days
I bet you didn't know dogs could do THIS.
This is the dog I trained from a puppy last year. His name is Yohan.
4 separate streams of training done; basic obedience and shop work with me for 13 months. Guiding, assistance and wheelchair with 3 (and more) separate trainers in Cork since April 2025. Over 2 years total.
This video is from his trainer who did his wheelchair phase work.
Yohan begins his journey with his new forever owner soon.
<<<Measuring Quentin the guide dog puppy>>>
10 months 8 days old
