After
nearly two year of intensive searching all around the world for the very
special little Dog that is eventually going to take on the role now filled
by Canine Partner Endal.... it has been announced that the hunt is now
finally over! Last Thursday evening a new arrival entered the Parton
Household in the form of a little 8 week old Yellow Labrador puppy called
Endal Junior "EJ" and already he has started his assistance dog training in
earnest to become Endal's most worthy successor.
Endal having acquired worldwide fame by being voted the
world's most intelligent dog, Dog of the Millennium and is now recognized as
the most decorated peace time dog ever.... his ability to operate a
cashpoint machine and more recently the chip and pin machine has made him
arguably the world's most famous assistance dog too. Over 300 film crews
from all around the world have filmed Endal going about his daily chores and
he is also half way through the making of a movie about his amazing story.
For the last eleven years Endal has been faithfully at the side of his
disabled human partner Gulf war veteran Allen Parton enabling him to
experience a real quality of life and independence through his unconditional
love and devotion.
At
twelve years old the veteran yellow Labrador Endal is now becoming a
pensioner and very soon preparing for a well earned retirement but not
before taking on the most important role of mentor and training a junior to
take over his job. "After every meal Endal will pass me up his food bowl"
said Allen "and very soon EJ will twig that is what dogs do and he will
follow Endal's lead and it is this learning by example which I dearly hope
will enable EJ to achieve without any pressure."
"It is also so ironic that little "EJ" should have been
found in Liphook a mere 15 miles from where we currently live said Allen.
The breeder Joy Venturi Rose, of Leospring Labradors (http://www.leospring.co.uk), actually
grew up in the house on the opposite side of the road from my childhood
home, in Haslemere, and she even went to school with my older sister, Sadly
though because of my head injury i have lost all memories of her and our
past but I guess some things are meant to be and we have met up again
through our love of a very special breed. She has bred some absolutely
stunning dogs and many are prize winners, being from part show and part
working stock ...EJ's pedigree is just so ideal for the intended role we
have in mind.
I
recently received an email from our dear friend Jo Coulson, once the
secretary for the Labrador club of great Britain, saying that Joy had
recently had a litter of Labradors of which three were yellow boys (Labrador
+ yellow + boy the search criteria). I quickly arranged to have a viewing
and Sandra my wife, puppy operations manager for canine partners did the
early assessment and EJ maxed out on the points ....scoring very highly. On
our very first visit to see the three dogs EJ was the one that settled down
right along side the wheelchair as if that was where he had chosen to be. I
had a real feeling of De za vue as this was just how Endal and I first met
and bonded. A period of reflexion, to consider all the effects of the
changes and impact of taking on a new puppy, took place and at eight weeks
old we adopted EJ Arizona (Joy named all the puppies after Royal naval
warships which is most appropriate as the dad is called Anchorman and Allen
had himself served in the Royal Navy for 20 years)
From pulling Allen into the recovery position to putting
his bank card in to the cashpoint and chip and pin machines Endal has amazed
everyone with his self taught abilities. Endal was socialized at canine
partners by a puppy parent but never had any formal advanced training which
makes his story even more amazing. Endal was partnered with Allen when he
was just one year old and has gone on to achieve so much which Allen
attribute to Endal's unquestionable ability to learn
and problem solve. It has been already been agreed by
canine partners that Endal will retire to me when the time comes said Allen
"and it will by my absolute pleasure to care for him in his old age and hour
of need..permitting me in some small way to repay him back what is an
unrepayable debt!
What
are Endal's view on the new arrival? Well after a few days of the obligatory
growling and barking by Endal thankfully young EJ quickly accepted his
junior role and position in the doggie hierarchy and once again a sense
calmness and order has descended on the Parton household. Endal now sports
two shadows the newer one quite small but always at his side!
The Royal Air Force endorses Canine Partners for Independence
In
conjunction with the assistance dog charity's Canine Partners move in to
Scotland, the fundraising programme is now in full swing to raise much
needed funds to create more partnerships in Scotland. The famous duo and
the veteran partnership of Allen Parton and Endal lent their support to
the proceedings. The Scottish Aero club held an air display at Perth
airfield where canine partners was the chosen charity to be the
beneficiaries of the profits from the day.
Helicopters, vintage and more current aircraft of the
day gave displays through out the day thrilling the audience young and
old with daredevil stunts and flying.
Having recent achieved a flying milestone by
completing their 50 flight with British Airways Allen and Endal flew up
to Scotland on Friday this time with Easy jet from Gatwick airport.
Originally the aim was to hold a fly in fly out barbeque but the rules
and regulation became in surmountable and the offer to be the chosen
charity of the Scottish Aero Club fitted the bill appropriately.
Allen said "I was delighted and more than comfortable
to attend with Endal who is not at all fazed by the noise of the
aircraft or the hustle and bustle of a busy airfield. An air ambulance
used as a static display was suddenly called in to action due to an RTA
on the Forth road bridge and Endal just calmly sat watching it take off
whilst quite close and just wagged his tail as it took in to the sky
despite the down draft and dust.
After a very full day, of meeting, greeting and
awareness raising, Endal and Allen set off back South to their Hampshire
home " most appropriate to fly home after such a day" said Allen "and I
think think it really is Endal preferred way to travel as he is always
so relaxed and totally spoilt by the flight crews and the airport staff.
Attached image of the Royal Air force Chinook
detachment, in attendance, with Allen and Endal and Canine Partner's
Scottish fundraising team
After
nearly two year of intensive searching all around the world for the very
special little Dog that is eventually going to take on the role now filled
by Canine Partner Endal.... it has been announced that the hunt is now
finally over! Last Thursday evening a new arrival entered the Parton
Household in the form of a little 8 week old Yellow Labrador puppy called
Endal Junior "EJ" and already he has started his assistance dog training in
earnest to become Endal's most worthy successor. 
At
twelve years old the veteran yellow Labrador Endal is now becoming a
pensioner and very soon preparing for a well earned retirement but not
before taking on the most important role of mentor and training a junior to
take over his job. "After every meal Endal will pass me up his food bowl"
said Allen "and very soon EJ will twig that is what dogs do and he will
follow Endal's lead and it is this learning by example which I dearly hope
will enable EJ to achieve without any pressure."
I
recently received an email from our dear friend Jo Coulson, once the
secretary for the Labrador club of great Britain, saying that Joy had
recently had a litter of Labradors of which three were yellow boys (Labrador
+ yellow + boy the search criteria). I quickly arranged to have a viewing
and Sandra my wife, puppy operations manager for canine partners did the
early assessment and EJ maxed out on the points ....scoring very highly. On
our very first visit to see the three dogs EJ was the one that settled down
right along side the wheelchair as if that was where he had chosen to be. I
had a real feeling of De za vue as this was just how Endal and I first met
and bonded. A period of reflexion, to consider all the effects of the
changes and impact of taking on a new puppy, took place and at eight weeks
old we adopted EJ Arizona (Joy named all the puppies after Royal naval
warships which is most appropriate as the dad is called Anchorman and Allen
had himself served in the Royal Navy for 20 years)
What
are Endal's view on the new arrival? Well after a few days of the obligatory
growling and barking by Endal thankfully young EJ quickly accepted his
junior role and position in the doggie hierarchy and once again a sense
calmness and order has descended on the Parton household. Endal now sports
two shadows the newer one quite small but always at his side!
In
conjunction with the assistance dog charity's Canine Partners move in to
Scotland, the fundraising programme is now in full swing to raise much
needed funds to create more partnerships in Scotland. The famous duo and
the veteran partnership of Allen Parton and Endal lent their support to
the proceedings. The Scottish Aero club held an air display at Perth
airfield where canine partners was the chosen charity to be the
beneficiaries of the profits from the day.