Woman returns to Warwickshire to care for a Guide Dogs ‘mum’ and finds new community

Helen Smith returned to Warwickshire and applied to look after a Guide Dogs “mum”, Blossom, and says the dog has brought her love, community and confidence. Smith says the idea came after she was cleaning her bathroom and heard a radio story about a shortage of guide dogs, with the pandemic having made it hard to breed puppies and one vision-impaired owner facing a two-year wait.

Smith had lived in the south of Hesse since 1998 after moving from Shropshire for her husband’s work, and after Paul’s death in 2011 the family kept dogs; she has long described dogs as “so wonderful, because you don’t need to talk to them. They just understand.” By June 2022 she had decided to return to the UK, though she worried, she says, “You live by yourself.

They won’t want you … I’m too old.” She reduced her possessions to a truckload, moved back to Warwickshire and applied to be a guide dog mum the day after she moved in; Blossom arrived within a month. Guide Dogs pays Blossom’s vet bills, insurance and food, and Smith will look after any puppies at home for seven weeks, with veterinary support “at the end of the phone”, before they begin formal training.

Blossom has also widened Smith’s social life: neighbours bring newspapers when the puppies arrive, Smith has joined Guide Dogs fundraising groups, and Blossom’s lanyard starts conversations and gives Smith confidence to do things such as go to a café alone.

Key Topics

Culture, Helen Smith, Guide Dogs, Warwickshire, Blossom, National Breeding Centre