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I was tuning a piano today and the resident labrador was conducting his own private karaoke session, enjoying himself enormously (g and g# being particularly exciting for him). It suddenly occurred to me; what would happen if a blind tuner was given a dog who turned out to be a singer? Has it ever happened? Or do they test the dogs for singing before they leave the training centre? Or are the singy dogs weeded out anyway?
No, I don't get out much...

My ex is a tenor in Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. They often have special services on Saturday afternoons, and once a few years ago they held one for the Guide Dogs Association, and the place was full of blind people with their well-behaved dogs. Well-behaved, that is, until one of the choir started singing the solo "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills" from the bridge in the middle of the cathedral. At that stage one of the dogs decided to join in. This was a cue for several others. Admirably straight face from the soloist.

So, guide dogs are capable of singing.

It still brings tears to know that as the congregation and their guides filed out at the end of the service, the choir sang "You'll never walk alone"

I love it when the dogs join in. Their owners are always mortified though...
Lucky the duetting dog wasn't a tuner's dog. At least I hope he wasn't!

We were out in town last Saturday and an ambulance went screaming past, that usually sombering event was brightened by a little long-haired pooch that wailed in almost perfect tune with the ambulance siren, it was very, very cute!

Gizzy What a brilliant story! Thanks for that.

xx

Gill the Piano wrote:I was tuning a piano today and the resident labrador was conducting his own private karaoke session, enjoying himself enormously (g and g# being particularly exciting for him). It suddenly occurred to me; what would happen if a blind tuner was given a dog who turned out to be a singer? Has it ever happened? Or do they test the dogs for singing before they leave the training centre? Or are the singy dogs weeded out anyway?
No, I don't get out much...

Has been known.. one tuner told me his dog is a moaner manly if the piano is not on pitch as the dog knows he will be there longer. Most Guide dog take the tuner straight to the piano as they have a very distinctive smell.

As to GD being well behaved My wife's old dog Dawn use to attack collie dogs only when in harness,never bothered on a free run. She had to retire her as it got to be a problem as she started on other breads. All because she was attack by a collie in town when she was working twice, so she got in first... Pity as she was a very good worker.

Barrie

My mate's guide dog refused to proceed once, and he couldn't feel any obstruction so urged the dog on. He reckoned he felt the dog shrug, then walked into a face full of leaves from an overhanging branch. He reckoned he could feel SMUG coming off the dog!

Gill the Piano wrote:My mate's guide dog refused to proceed once, and he couldn't feel any obstruction so urged the dog on. He reckoned he felt the dog shrug, then walked into a face full of leaves from an overhanging branch. He reckoned he could feel SMUG coming off the dog!

You have to put a lot of trust in the dog which very hard with a new dog. The wife is waiting for a new one, Inca her present one is being retired early as he no longer wants to work in busy traffic he just sits down or just turns around and set off home. She keeps telling him that Mr Cameron is not into early retirement you have to work till your drop.

Barrie

Can you keep the retired dogs, Barrie?

Gill the Piano wrote:Can you keep the retired dogs, Barrie?

Yes its your call, Sandra has kept most as pets the kids get to spoil them, the vacuum has to do over tine with 2 big dogs... but this one because he is only 7 she is letting him go, as he will make great pet for someone. She is letting GDB pick the new owner.
Dawn the only other dog she let go ending up in Wales on a farm. its up to the new owners if they wish to keep in contact with us. its very hard to let them go.

Barrie