Thank you for taking the time to visit Otto's JustGiving page.

The aim of this page along with other efforts and in combination with Otto’s'extended friends and family we are wanting to raise £5.000, to name a Guide Dogs puppy called 'Otto'.

if you are already familiar with Otto from his online presence you know exactly what type of working dog Otto was and if you aren't aware, do not worry we shall tell you. 

But if you do want to know more you can look at the Facebook page that Otto shares with now working Guide Dog Diesel
here: https://www.facebook.com/ottoDeiselGD/

So, a very long story short; I went through the standard application, matching, training and qualification process like any other Guide Dog partnership before
and after us.

I was born registered blind on May 17th,
1993 and registered blind in October the same year, I was born with a rare none genetic eye condition which I was the first case for 40 years to be crowned with.

I lived a pretty standard life, learning and growing like anybody else the only difference was I had bad eyes, I rode a bike, I played football, nothing was ever different with my way of living. 

Fast forward 16 ish years and I was a cocky teenager that knew best, I mean who doesn't go through that stage? I was preparing for college, being the ever-independent person, I aimed to be until one-day, when I tried to navigate a set of stairs that had no markings on and I made a right idiot of myself navigation them, that I realised, maybe it was more than realisation, I think I accepted that I may need a little more help than I would have liked in life.

That day marked the beggining of my Guide Dogs journey!

So, I applied, I had my assessments and all that jazz that goes with it, then I was accepted onto the waiting list. Whilst on the waiting list I continued my life still trying not to let things get in my way, during the time I was on the waiting list I had started college, I made new friends, I volunteered (a lot), I started a job as a youth worker and I thought I was doing a good job of getting by in life, I think I even forgot about the Guide Dogs waiting list at one point.

But 18 months in I received a phone call from a lovely lady called Nichola who was
a Guide Dogs Mobility Instructor telling me she thought they had found a match and invited me along to meet the potential match and have a few walks with the dog.

My world was tipped upside down, 18 years of age, asking myself silly questions like; did I want a dog? do I still think I needed the extra help? Could I handle the responsibility? however I still went along to the matching day, I met the dog and there and then all my questions were answered... Yes, Yes and Yes, I could handle the responsibility,
I did need the extra help and I did want a dog, but not just any dog, I wanted Otto! 

It was just a good job I fell in love with him, because we were a match and he would be my guide dog.

We then qualified on the 23^rd December 2011 the best
early Christmas present I think I could have hoped for!

Once our partnership became established, Otto literally changed
my life, I should never have doubted how much one dog could make a difference but he did, he may be independent liked I’d never been before, yes, I rode bikes, I had a job, I went to college but all that aside Otto made it all safe, comforting and reassuring he provided something that I never really had before guiding paws, he stepped into his role and we grabbed life by the harness and took it.

Our partnership was full of success he helped me through:

• College
• Interviews
• Part time jobs
• Full time jobs
• Career changes (several times)
• Travelling the country
• Hospital visits and stays
• Holidays
• Difficult times
• Great times
• The birth of Maisie (humans baby)
• And most importantly #Life

Otto also overcame every challenge he came across in his working 

career, he was the victim of several dog attacks which he bounced back from every single time, even defying the odds when we thought his career was over at 3 when he couldn’t trust any dogs but he overcame his fear and got back in harness.

Otto’s courage, determination and willingness to please made him
the perfect Guide Dog.

However more recently Otto was retired in July 2017 due to a
rare oral cancer diagnosis and he had to be withdrawn from guiding duties and this is where you come in!

see below quoate I wrote on the day of Ottos retirement:

"Today was a big day, a special day, a magical day and a day I will never forget!

Today after Ottos cancer diagnosis months of; vet visits, guide dog assessments, tests, scans, operations, general anaesthetics and one blast of radiation. 

And after weeks of discussion, varying emotions, heartache and only Ottos best interests at heart and in mind. 

We officially retired Otto from working duty.

Words can't begin to describe what this #LifeChanger of a dog has done for me, nor will I attempt to write in words, because I would write you an essay.

But recently it hit me, Otto has been a best friend a brother and one hell of a loyal companion for well over 5 years, the guide dog partnership bond once obtained is unbreakable and unforgettable.

He has given me so much and helped me achieve so much more, I owe the world to Otto and debt I will never be able to clear. 

With him by my side I have achieved great things; becoming a father, reaching some of my life goals, travelling the country independently and ultimately giving me the confidence to succeed.

Otto has guided me not only literally but also onto a path of life I will be eternally grateful for, forever.

We qualified on 23/12/2011 and today 13/07/2017 surrounded by some of the best people on this planet my friends and colleagues from the Guide Dogs Liverpool Mobility Team, my hero received an honourable retirement, filled with treats and fusses.

Thank you Otto for everything, thank you guide dogs for providing my miracle.

Will love you forever and always.

Mr Otto!"

Due to Otto’s inspirational story and his overpowering
attributes to keep going in life I would love to name a guide dog puppy in his name to provide a legacy to my wonderful boy Otto!

Please if you can help us change another person’s life like mine
and name a puppy called Otto!

No matter how big or small your donation will help!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure.
Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send
unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So, it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

We will continue to post updates on here and on Facebook with
any developments of our fundraising efforts.

Thank you for reading.

Martin Ralfe and Otto.