2018 Is The Chinese Year Of The Dog

FeaturesWagging Tales

According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2018 is the year of the dog, an animal which symbolises luck. The Chinese regard the dog as an auspicious animal that can understand the human spirit, and a symbol of fortune if one happens to come to a house.

Anyone born in an Earth Dog year is said to be communicative, serious, and responsible in the workplace.

Guide dog owner Paul Sharp from Leeds would wholeheartedly agree with all of that.

5 years ago he was  running  a successful property management company in Spain, managing holiday properties for other ex-pats.   His vision became blurred over a period of just one week and he was eventually diagnosed as having had a Transient Ischaemic Attack (mini stroke) along with retinal vein occlusion, cataracts and a rare form of macular degeneration which is not age related.   Within a week of his vision becoming blurred, he was unable to drive and within a year he had lost 90% of his sight.

He had no option but to return to the UK having lost his home, most of his savings,  and his livelihood.

That’s where Guide Dogs came in.

Paul explained “At first I resisted the offer of a guide dog.  I had always been a dog lover and did not want to go through the pain of losing another dog, but having got Peter, my Golden retriever, I can honestly say that he has given me back my independence. Having him has enabled me to become involved in campaigning for disabled people which in turn has taken me to places that I would never have thought possible, like the Houses of Parliament in London.  Every year is the year of the dog as far as I am concerned.”

So, in the spirit of the year, Guide Dogs are appealing to you to embrace the year of the dog and to heap good fortune upon yourself and at the same time help people like Paul by becoming a volunteer. Guide dogs provide freedom, confidence, courage, and hope for people who are isolated because they cannot see.

There are lots of different volunteering opportunities from puppy walking, evening and weekend boarding to fundraising – it’s not all about rattling a can outside a supermarket.  You’ll be amazed at the people you meet when you start volunteering and your input really will change someone’s life.

To find out more about what you need to do to volunteer, just visit their website www.guidedogs.org.uk or call 0345 143 0210

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