Practical pooch Helping her see - A guide dog allows Rosamund van Leeuwen live a

[responsiblek9]

Practical pooch Helping her see - A guide dog allows Rosamund van Leeuwen live a more active lifestyle. Daniel Pi photo

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Now on her fourth dog, the energetic woman says she'll never go back to the white cane. With Janey, after all, she has the freedom to do things she couldn't as a young woman: saunter through parks, navigate through shopping malls and locate the exit/entry doors to her favourite boutiques and stores.

She speaks excitedly about the influence guide dogs have had on her life, and is more than willing to exhibit Janey's wits during a short jaunt around the neighbourhood.

As the yellow-white pooch marches up 15th Street, van Leeuwen stays to its left, using the dog as a measure of where the curb drops off. At Mathers Avenue, Janey stops, waiting for her owner to give her a direction.

"Left," van Leeuwen commands, and the pair turn left and head towards West Vancouver secondary school where, on command, Janey shows her owner the location of the schools' entrance doors by stopping and positioning her nose near the handle.

Later, on command, she walks van Leeuwen to the nearest garbage can and, after crossing the street safely, she positions her two front paws on the first step of many leading up to a pathway neighbouring a wooded area.

"Good girl, well done," says van Leeuwen as she rewards the pup with vigorous petting.