A blind author has released an excerpt from her audio book told through the eyes of four-legged companion Uska but read by legendary broadcaster Nicholas Parsons.
Joanne Roberts, 48, of Armthorpe Drive, Little Sutton, put a canine spin on her adventures with guide dog in Confessions of a Guide Dog with a three minute clip now available on our website. Just click on the video above.
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Written from Uska’s perspective, Joanne released the audio version of the original ‘lick and tell’ memoirs in commemoration of her trusty guide’s lifetime of work.
And the sad day has now come when Uska has finally retired to become a family pet as Joanne waits to be matched up to a new guide dog.
Joanne said: “Yes, it’s finally happened, Uska has handed back his harness. He’s retired after nine plus years hard guiding. In a dog’s life that’s like 60 years, as long as the Queen’s been The Queen. Heavens, I miss him by my side, but at least he’s still in our home as our totally treasured pet.
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“While I wait for a new guide dog I’m realising just how much I relied on the old boy and to say I feel like I’ve lost a lifeline is putting it mildly. I can’t go anywhere on my own and wish more than ever that every blind person who needs a guide dog, could have one.”
Joanne went blind at 34 due to type 1 diabetes diagnosed at 14. Before losing her sight, Joanne, who is married to Dave and originally hails from County Durham, enjoyed an international marketing career working out of offices in London, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia.
She wants to show her appreciation to Chronicle readers for their support and to take the opportunity to thank the taxis, shops, bars and restaurants in Chester and Ellesmere Port, who’ve ‘welcomed’ her and Uska through their doors over the years.
Uska the dog found his voice in Nicholas Parsons, best known as chairman of the world’s longest-running radio panel show, Just a Minute. And 10% of proceeds from the audio book will be donated to Guide Dogs UK so more visually impaired people can benefit from the support of a guide dog.
Asked why he got involved in the project, Nicholas himself said: “Guide dogs are the most exceptional animals and unique in the canine world. They give the visually impaired an independence and mobility which would otherwise be denied to them.”
Confessions of a Guide Dog is available to download at Audible.co.uk priced £5.49.
