THE Llyn Peninsula is proving a great place to bring up a guide dog puppy.

Sue and Mark Pedley, puppy walkers for Guide Dogs, spend much of their time at their home in Mynytho, teaching black Labrador Karen some of the behaviour she will need as a guide dog.

The couple volunteered to raise pups for the charity after their beloved pet, brown Labrador Kelly, died of old age.

“We wanted a dog in the house and this was a good way to do it,” said Sue. “It’s time-consuming and the charity expects high standards, but it’s very rewarding.”

Each potential guide dog lives with a puppy walker for the first year, learning basic obedience and getting used to a home environment, noise and the bustle of towns. If suitable, the pup progresses to guide dog school for advanced training, before being matched to a blind or partially sighted owner.

The Pedleys are currently on their fifth guide dog puppy, and all been black Labradors. “It is terrible when you have to say goodbye to them, and there are tears before, during and after, but you do get updates from the charity telling you how they are getting on,” said Sue.

“You are also invited to go and watch the pup working before it is placed with an owner. It’s a very proud moment.”

The couple’s main home is in Cheshire and they return regularly for puppy classes, but love coming back to Mynytho.

“Everyone in this area is so welcoming,” said Sue.

“People are really interested when they realise we have a guide dog puppy and they like to stop and talk. It’s a credit to the area, but it takes a while to do the shopping!”

The Pedleys also help to fundraise for Guide Dogs, which is holding an event with a difference at Pwllheli Golf Club on Friday, 26 February.

The Antiques and Curios Roadshow offers a chance to find out more about the history and value of an item in your home, courtesy of David Rogers from Rogers Jones Auctioneers and Valuers. The firm has auction rooms in Colwyn Bay and Cardiff, and specialises in Welsh art, Welsh porcelain and antiques, fine period furniture, silver, jewellery, military and maritime, coins and watches.

The event runs from 5.30pm-8pm and is being organised by Amanda Williams of March Insurance Services Ltd, a Pwllheli-based insurance broker.

Cheese and wine will be available, and all money raised will go towards helping visually impaired people in North Wales enjoy the freedom that having a guide dog brings.