Among the families celebrating Mother’s Day in the UK on Sunday (March 30) was one comprising four generations of guide dogs.
Labrador Retriever Connie was part of a breeding program for guide dogs, giving birth to four litters before retiring in 2017. A number of her offspring have gone on to work with the Guide Dogs charity, too, as well as some of her grandchildren. And, in February, her granddaughter Coco gave birth to eight puppies, making her a great-grandmother.
Connie lives with her daughter Sophie, granddaughter Coco, and two of the new puppies, along with owner Linda Atkins in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon in England, meaning that four generations will celebrate Mother’s Day together.
Atkins said, “Connie is truly the queen of the household. She may be a little whiter in the face nowadays but she can still spring around the garden with the puppies.”
Linda is a breeding dog volunteer, and has cared for Connie and her offspring since 2012. For the first eight weeks of their lives, guide dogs spend time with their mother. They then begin their training and work as guide dogs, before they retire and usually get adopted by their volunteer.
She added, “Volunteering for Guide Dogs and looking after my lovely girls and all their pups is a fantastic experience. It's hard work at times but so rewarding, knowing each one has a great chance at becoming a guide dog one day. With four generations under one roof, this Mother's Day is going to be a very special one indeed."
Janine Dixon, Breeding and Welfare Operations Lead at Guide Dogs said, “Connie’s impressive age is testament to the love and care she’s received throughout her life, as well as her excellent genetics – critically important to produce healthy pups that go on to have long working lives in partnership with blind or partially sighted people.
“We have such reverence for this esteemed older lady. Every guide dog is given the best start in life when they have a mum – or indeed, great-grandmother – like Connie.”
If you’d like to find out more about guide dogs and other service dog breeds who help people with disabilities, why not take a look at our list of 32 things to know about service dogs? For more info about the Guide Dogs charity, visit guidedogs.org.uk
