Bella's Story

My name is Bella and I am a Guide Dog Puppy in training. You may have seen me on the National Nine Weekend News some weekends with my friends Georgina McGuinness, Mark Bickley, and Xavier Minniecon. It would not be fair of me not to mention one of my dear friends Kym Dillon. Kym was part of the Weekend News Team when I first began with Channel Nine, but he was given the chance to move to week night news. I still see Kym and when I do, we have lots of fun together.

How lucky was I to be chosen to represent Guide Dogs SA & NT.
Each week Channel Nine Weekend News Team followed my progress as I trained to be a Guide Dog. My friends on the Weekend News Team co-sponsored me as part of the Guide Dog Puppy Love Program a program that helps puppies like me become Guide Dogs.

Let me tell you a bit about what has happened since I arrived in my new home at Guide Dogs.

I arrived at Guide Dogs SA in June 2004 when I was 8 weeks old. I was introduced to my new family and on June 15th I joined the National Nine Weekend News Team.
I lived with my puppy raising family for about 12 months. During that time I learnt how to behave in public, travel on buses, trains, trams, cars and taxis and visit shopping centres and restaurants.

After 12 months it was time to say goodbye to my puppy raising family and begin Guide Dog School. Saying goodbye was a very hard thing to do but it was all part of my training. I needed to learn how to adjust to different situations and environments. Living with my puppy raising family was just the first step; I needed to learn how to live with another family while I was at guide dog school, and this was another stepping stone to my final goal which was to live and work with someone who was blind or vision impaired.

I trained very hard with my Guide Dog trainer Rebekah. I tried my hardest to do what was asked of me, and some days it wasn't hard but on other days I just found it very difficult to concentrate.

After a few months of training I realized I enjoyed being around people and stopping to play with other dogs that I would meet while I was on my training walks. Some days this was too much of a distraction and my trainers found that I was a little bit too inconsistent in my work to do what I needed which was to lead someone who is blind or vision impaired safely.

I have to say it was disappointing when I found out I wouldn't be a Guide Dog. After all the hard work that my families and trainers did to help me I felt like I had let them down. I was very sad, but not for long! Even though I haven't all the necessary skills to be a guide dog, I was told I had lots of great qualities and skills to help Guide Dogs. I have a new and exciting career. I am part of the Public Relations team at Guide Dogs. How exciting I have a new jacket and new responsibilities which I know I am going to love.

I will be helping Guide Dogs with their school and community visits as well as giving Channel Nine a helping paw from time to time with their TV station and school visits during the year.

Another important part of my role is to let everyone know about our Guide Dog Puppy Love Program. You can co- sponsor a puppy and help them become a guide dog. You will receive a photo of your puppy and newsletters to let you know how they are going. It is just like having your very own guide dog puppy at home.

Don't forget, I would love to come and visit your school or group. If you would like me to visit email me all the details and I will see what I can do.

In the meantime you can find out what I am up to here on my webpage and sometimes on National Nine's Weekend News Saturday and Sunday evenings at 6pm.