Guide dog Gilbert draws the ladies

BEST PALS: Tony Mosen and golden Labrador Gilbert have been together for over a decade. PHOTO/JOHN STONE

Tony Mosen was originally talked into getting a guide dog because his mates told him it would attract the ladies.

Enter Gilbert, an oversized and energetic golden Labrador who has now been with Mr Mosen, 27, from Whangarei, for over a decade.

Yesterday and today is the Red Puppy Appeal, the yearly fundraiser by the Blind Foundation for training guide dogs.

Mr Mosen got Gilbert when he was just about to leave high school, as his eyesight started to deteriorate.

"Me and my mates were talking about it during school one day and they said it was quite a good way to pull some chicks," he said.

While Gilbert was too much for most of the people wanting guide dogs at that time - many were elderly - the pair hit it off immediately.

"Gilbert was perfect for me because he had lots of energy and he didn't mind if we did a different thing each day," Mr Mosen said.

While he initially thought it would help with the ladies, and often it did, not all were impressed by the pair's close relationship.

"I had a lot of girlfriends at the time who hated Gilbert because he got all the attention," Mr Mosen said.

He studied audio engineering at polytech and lived in central Auckland.

"Since the music scene is at night I wouldn't have been able to go to as many concerts as I did," he said. "It was a bonus that he loved music too."

Mr Mosen, who then had a 30cm long mohawk, was likely quite recognisable walking the streets of Auckland with Gilbert. He has a condition called Peter's Anomaly which means he is not entirely blind, though it is likely he will be eventually.

As he got older his vision slowly worsened, particularly at night. He can still make out colours but not detail.

While 11-year-old Gilbert is about the age a guide dog would retire, he is not slowing down yet.

Mr Mosen, his son and wife moved to Northland last year and live on a lifestyle block on Parua Bay.

When Gilbert does eventually retire Mr Mosen does not plan to get another guide dog because he would rather it go toward someone who needs one more.

There are about 230 working guide dogs in New Zealand and the waiting list for one is about 12 months.

Blind Foundation director of supporter marketing and fundraising, Alison Wheatley, said the cost of breeding and training the dogs was entirely met by public donations.