Kaitaia man David Senior and his new guide dog Wade have spent the last couple of weeks getting to know each other, under the expert watch of guide dog instructor Melissa Andrews and the pair are quickly developing into a very good team.
Man and dog went for their second 'solo' walk around the streets of Kaitaia last week, Melissa leaving them just south of the Commerce Street/Empire Street intersection and heading for Te Ahu, where she watched over their crossing of Matthews' Avenue.
That was a difficult location, David said, especially for a new dog as there was little information that it could glean from its surroundings to determine precisely where they were and where they should cross.
Wade was a quick learner though, he added, and a little more "chilled" than his predecessor Prince, now very happy in retirement in Auckland where Melissa said he had reverted to behaving like a puppy.
Melissa had a couple of weeks with David and Wade, watching as they began forming the bond that plays a vital role in the working relationship between man and dog, and as David's new set of eyes learned the routes his master takes most often around the town.
