Some of you know that 6 years ago this month I came home from a
training course at Canine Partners with my amazing Assistance Dog,
Mclaren.
Since then he has totally changed my life, for the better. 
Having given up working due to Chronic pain and fatigue some years ago, I
 had begun to struggle with finding a reason to get up and about every
day.  It's very hard not to have a routine, but having Mac gave me just
that.  Now despite being tired I know that I have to get up because he
needs me.  As well as him helping me with tasks such as getting dressed
and undressed, picking up dropped items, he helps lift my legs into bed
and the bath.  Those things I find exhausting, but to him it is just a
game that he loves to play! 
After being on lockdown at home, having
 had to stop my PA/Carers coming in for my own safety so as not to catch
 Covid19, Mac has been my one constant, there with me, when I'm scared,
in pain or just feeling alone.   He looks after me, and keeps me sane!  I
 don't know where I would be without him.  He is now going for walks
with my Mum, rather than me as I am not able to leave the house at all,
but once he is back home, Mac and I have kept busy with playing games,
learning new tasks and dancing around the living room together when
energy permits!

Canine Partners would have received donations from
 events like the London Marathon and other summer events, which
unfortunately, due to Covid19 have had to be cancelled.  This means that
 they stand to lose an anticipated million pounds worth of funding this
year.  Unlike some other charities they do not benefit from Government
funding, so are unlikely to receive any of the 750 million promised by
the chancellor to aid charities.  This is Canine Partners 30th year, and
 it makes me feel very sad to think that they also are being greatly
affected by this horrible virus.  Unfortunately the training centres
have been shut for now and courses cancelled until it is safe to re-open
 again. 

Mclaren and I have decided to do our bit and play
one of his favourite games, Hide and Seek.  I will be hiding 26
vegetables or treats around the house and the idea is that he will have
to find them in under 2.6 minutes!  As he is a Labrador I suspect this
wont be a hard challenge for him, and so we may do more challenges over
the coming days, including videos of tasks that he does for me on a
daily basis.

Please if you can donate to this brilliant cause
which is so close to my heart, then do so.  If you cannot donate please
share so that if others are able to then they will have the chance. 
Many thanks from Mclaren and I.

Vicky, and Mac

If you want to know more about Canine Partners, go to their website at: https://caninepartners.org.uk/

If you want to read more about the 2.6 challenge, go to this link:https://caninepartners.org.uk/event/twopointsixchallenge/