Retired Guide Dogs by Pupparazzi Pet Photography

Serena Faber Nelson Founder & Pet Lifestyle Writer

Pet lifestyle expert Serena Faber-Nelson is the founder of Pretty Fluffy. A contributor to Everyday with Rachael Ray, Modern Dog Magazine, Cesars Way and more; her modern, stylized take on DIY dog treats has seen her recipes viewed millions of times over.

Serena is the author of the go-to dog mom bible, Dog Mama, and the popular dog treat recipe book, Healthy Homemade Dog Treats.

Where do Guide Dogs go when they retire? What do Guide Dogs do if they don’t make it through the intensive years of training? What sort of life do they have? These are the questions I’ve always pondered when I’ve seen those golden balls of fluff embark on their training to be assistance dogs. Well today I can ponder no more, because through this heart warming photo session by Pupparazzi Pet Photography, we get to see just what these furry heroes get up to when they take off the harness…

From Pupparazzi Pet Photography:

Marni – Gold Labrador – 9 Years Old

After early training, Marni was reclassified and never became a guide dog as she was born with severe hip displasia. Since moving in with her owner, Marni has undergone a hip replacement and  knee surgery to give her better quality of life.

She is the most gentle kindest dog you will ever meet (oh except when dog treats are involved … then its survival of the fittest and make sure your fingers are out of the way!)

Delia – Black Labrador –  8 Years Old

Delia has a severe undershot jaw which makes her look like she has just come off the set of Jaws! She was reclassified half way into her 6 months of training for being too timid when in harness.

Delia would be walking down the street in harness and if she saw another dog coming she would roll over (with harness) and put all 4 legs up in the air. Not a good look for a guide dog. She now enjoys her days relaxing and enjoying life.

Mandy – Labrador X Gold Retriever – 3 Years Old

Mandy was near the end of her training to be a guide dog when she had to undergo knee surgery. This took her out of action for 3 months. In this time she lazed away at the guide dog campus poking and picking up anything that did not run away. If we could not find something…. e.g. paperwork… grooming brushes…. clothing… we knew who had carried it off somewhere.

After Mandy’s 3 months recovery she commenced training again. This did not last long as a few weeks back into it, the vets and trainers were concerned her other knee would also need surgery. So they decided to give Mandy a break away from the kennels, that is when she came to stay with me.

The rest is history… A decision was made not to continue with Mandy’s training and she was then able to stay with me for ever. To this day we are missing objects. We often have to walk about in one shoe as we cant find the other!

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