Qantas the guide dog proves his worth by saving Watten woman Caron Jones from being hit by a speeding car
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Registered blind woman Caron Jones (59), of Watten, said that shortly after she got her guide dog he pulled her to safety after a speeding car whizzed past her in the village.
Caron, who has had the three-year-old Labrador cross golden retriever Qantas for about 11 months, said: "I got off the bus in Watten down by the garden centre and a car came whizzing through – it felt like it was going 90mph and he literally pulled me out of the way. They would have definitely hit me."
Commenting on what it means to have Qantas by her side, she said: "Having a guide dog has made such a big difference – he is brilliant, I cannot remember a time of not having him. He comes everywhere with me – to Slimming World and sea swimming – he is such good company.
"It is just incredible the difference he makes. The only downside is – he snores loudly at night. I have to say he is a real character."
She started going swimming with the Staxigoe Selkies about four weeks ago and shortly after was able to take a dip at the North Baths in Wick. Qantas, would like to go in the water too, but he sits quietly by the side.
"Initially going into the water was a bit scary for me," said Caron. "Going swimming now – I could not have dreamt of that before, if Qantas is there I know he would come in and rescue me."
While at the North Baths recently she met Ian Hamilton with his guide dog during filming for the BBC programme My Kind of Town.
Talking about her experiences around the county, she said local hotels and cafés had been very good welcoming herself and Qantas.
"So many more people talk to me now, said Caron. "I have been very, very lucky with the places I have gone – no one has caused any problem with me going in, it is just wonderful. Wherever I go in Wick and Thurso, people stop and offer help if I need it. It has given me so much more confidence going out."
Qantas is known as Watten's guide dog, with lots of people in the village now getting to know Caron, who lives with her husband Stephen in Achingale Place.
She has been invited to take her dog along to meet the pupils of the local primary school and give a talk. Caron said: "People have taken him into their hearts."
"Life during Covid closed things down and I lost all my social contacts," she explained. "Qantas has made a big difference with the loneliness. It is lovely having company, I have never had a dog before. He gives me the confidence to try new walks – I feel safer having him with me than on my own."
Related article: Registered blind Caron to tackle Great Glen Way in aid of Guide Dogs
Before she got Qantas, Caron took on the challenge of walking the Great Glen Way in September 2019 to raise money for Guide Dogs. She broke her foot at the end of the walk which meant she had to delay training with the first guide dog she was offered so it went to someone else.
As soon as Caron got her four-legged companion she went on holiday to Fort Augustus, going back to the same place she had stayed when she did her challenge along the Caledonian Canal.
She continued: "Luckily Qantas had been to Fort Augustus before too. I said we will go to the shop now – he actually knew the route. I spoke to his puppy walker and they said he had been there. He has a very good memory and takes up things really quickly."
Caron has set routes where she goes locally and Qantas safeguards her as she crosses the road and alerts her to hazards on the pavement. "He is my eyes," she said. "I can walk safely around potholes now – since I have had him I have not broken anything. I can safely get on and off the bus, it is brilliant."
She was fortunate to receive her training with Qantas from locally-based guide dog mobility specialist Fiona McAulay. Fiona recently
launched an appeal to find foster homes for young dogs in the Wick area while they go through training.
The volunteer fosterers would keep the dogs in their own homes for up to 20 weeks and they would be picked up for training four days a week.
For more information contact Aaron Puckrin, volunteering co-ordinator, by email: aaron.puckrin@guidedogs.org.uk
Find out more at guidedogs.org.uk/boarding or call 03451430191.
