Chapter 1: My Beginning — Born for a Purpose
Hi there! My name’s Lila — though when I was very small, the humans called me “Little Yellow Girl.” I was born at the South African Guide-Dogs Association’s breeding centre, along with five brothers who snored louder than any puppy should.
They told us right from the start that we were born for something special. “You’re all part of the GDA family,” one of the kind voices said, “and one day, you’ll help change someone’s life.”
I didn’t really know what that meant at first. My world was just milk, warmth, and my brothers’ paws in my face. But I did know this — every person who came to see us looked at us with hope. It felt like being part of something important, even before I knew what “important” meant.
When I was about eight weeks old, I went home with my puppy raiser family. They were called the Van der Merwes, and they had two human kids who smelled like peanut butter and sunshine. They called me Lila, and that’s the name that stuck.
Chapter 2: Life with My Puppy Raisers
Living with my puppy raisers was like being part of a big, noisy, loving pack. Every day started with breakfast — crunchy Bob Martin kibble, my absolute favourite — and then a walk to learn about the world.
We went everywhere: shopping malls, parks, noisy streets, and even cafés. The Puppy Raising Supervisor said I needed to get used to all sorts of sights and sounds — cars, bicycles, people laughing, music playing — because one day, my job would depend on staying calm through it all.
We had weekly puppy classes where all my puppy friends met up with our raisers. We learned “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and the most mysterious command of all: “leave it.” (Still working on that one.)
My raiser mom would say, “Good girl, Lila — you’re going to make someone’s world brighter one day.” I wagged, even though I didn’t really know what that meant. I just loved the sound of her voice when she said it.
Chapter 3: The Big Move — Going to School
When I turned about 16 months old, something big happened. My raiser mom hugged me tighter than usual that morning. She told me I was going to “formal training” — guide dog school!
I was excited, but when I saw her eyes shining with tears, my tail slowed down a little. I didn’t understand why she was sad — I thought school sounded fun.
Luckily, it wasn’t goodbye forever. My puppy raiser family still got to see me on weekends. During the week, I stayed with my evening homer, a lovely lady who lived close to the training centre. She’d drop me off in the morning and pick me up in the afternoon — just like human kids going to school!
Chapter 4: My Training Days
The training centre was like a puppy university. There were trainers everywhere — kind, patient people who knew exactly how to help us learn. I got my very own trainer, named Nandi. She smelled like treats and happiness, and she believed in me, even when I tripped over my own paws.
Each day started at 8 a.m. sharp. Breakfast, then class time. Nandi trained me twice a day, using the happiest voice and the yummiest snacks. “Good girl, Lila!” was my favourite sentence in the world.
We learned things that seemed funny at first:
- Walking in a straight line (even when pigeons are right there!).
- Stopping at the edge of pavements.
- Finding landmarks like traffic light poles.
- Veering gently around obstacles.
- And one very complicated thing called “the escalator.”
Sometimes I got it wrong. I’d stop too early, or too late, or forget to avoid a signpost. But Nandi never got cross. She’d crouch down, stroke my head, and say, “It’s okay, Lila — we’ll try again.”
By the end of that first month, I could walk through Sandton City without blinking at the noise. That’s when I started to realise — this wasn’t just “training.” It was becoming.
Chapter 5: Lessons, Laughs & Growing Up
Not every day was perfect. Once, during training, I spotted a pigeon strutting across the path like it owned the place. I froze. Nandi said “Forward,” but my nose had other plans. I lunged, the pigeon flew, and poor Nandi almost went flying.
We both stood there. She sighed, then burst out laughing. “You’re still a baby, hey?”
I wagged so hard my whole body shook. Because even when I messed up, she never stopped believing in me.
As months passed, I learned to focus — to really listen. That’s when I started meeting other handlers too, to see if I could work with different voices and walking styles. It was strange at first, but it helped me grow confident and adaptable.
Every night with my evening homer, I’d curl up dreaming about my person. Who would they be? Would they like to walk fast? Would they talk to me a lot? I hoped so.
🕶️ Chapter 6: Shades Day and Seeing Beyond Sight
One day in October, something special happened at the centre. Everyone was wearing sunglasses! Trainers, staff, even some of the pups got to try them on (just for photos, of course).
They called it Shades Day, part of Eye Care Awareness Month. Every year on the 17th of October, people all over South Africa wear sunglasses to celebrate sight — and to support the SA Guide-Dogs Association.
Humans could buy cute Shades Day stickers for R20 at Petworld stores or online, with all proceeds going to help dogs like me get the training we need.
I heard one of the trainers say, “Each sticker helps another pup find her purpose.”
That made my tail wag so hard I nearly knocked over a bucket.
Chapter 7: The Day I Met My Human
Then came the day I’ll never forget.
Nandi told me we were going to meet someone special. A teenage boy named Josh. He couldn’t see, but when he smiled, it felt like the sun came out.
He knelt down, reached out, and gently touched my head. “Hi, Lila,” he said softly.
I leaned into him, and that was it. Something just clicked.
Over the next few weeks, we trained together day and night — walking through busy streets, learning curbs, finding doors and crossings. Josh was shy at first, but he trusted me. Step by step, we became a team.
The day we walked outside alone for the first time, Nandi’s eyes shone just like my raiser mom’s had. “You’re ready,” she said.
Chapter 8: Graduation Day
Graduation was beautiful — music, laughter, happy tears. My puppy raiser family came to see me walk with Josh. When our names were called, the room erupted in applause.
My raiser mom hugged Josh’s mom. “Take care of her,” she whispered.
Josh grinned. “She’s already taking care of me.”
I wagged so hard my tail could’ve powered a fan. Because I finally understood — this was what all the lessons, walks, and treats were for.
Epilogue: Looking Back, Looking Forward
Now, as I curl up at Josh’s feet while he studies, I sometimes think about those early days — the kibble, the cuddles, the pigeons, the mistakes. It all led here.
They say guide dogs usually work until around ten years old. After that, we get to retire and just be pets — sometimes with our raisers, sometimes with our people. But right now, I’m just beginning.
Josh says I’ve changed his world. What he doesn’t know is — he’s changed mine too.
I started as someone’s little pup,
but I’ll finish as someone’s freedom.
What I Learned as a Guide Dog in Training
- Walk in a straight line and avoid obstacles
- Stop at up and down kerbs
- Locate landmarks like poles and doors
- Navigate crowds and traffic safely
- Use escalators and stairs confidently
- Stay calm and focused, no matter the distractions
Guide, Service, and Autism Support Dogs — What’s the Difference?
| Type | Trained To | Ideal Personality |
| Guide Dog | Assist people with visual impairments, navigate environments safely | Focused, confident, eager to learn |
| Service Dog | Support people with mobility challenges, retrieve items, open doors | Energetic, responsive, strong retrieving instinct |
| Autism Support Dog | Provide calm, comfort, and safety for children with autism | Gentle, affectionate, steady temperament |
Did You Know?
- SA Guide-Dogs Association’s work is entirely funded by public donations and sponsorships.
- Training each dog costs hundreds of thousands of rand over two years.
- Puppy raisers are volunteers who give 12–16 months of care and love.
- Retired dogs are always rehomed in safe, loving families — often back with their raisers.
🕶️ Support Shades Day — October 17!
Join the fun of Shades Day during Eye Care Awareness Month this October. Wear your sunglasses in support, buy your Shades Day sticker for R20 at Petworld stores or online, and help train more guide dogs like Lila. Read here for more about the Walk in My Paws event at Petworld.
Every sticker, every wag, every small act — helps someone see the world in a new way.
About this story:
All the details in this story — from puppy raising to guide dog training and graduation — are based on true processes described on the SAGDB website: guidedog.org.za.
This story also celebrates Eye Care Awareness Month (October) and Shades Day (17 October), when South Africans wear sunglasses and buy Shades Day stickers for R20 to support guide dog training. Stickers are available at Petworld stores nationwide and online at petworld.co.za — with every cent going toward training more life-changing pups like Lila.
Because every wag, every walk, and every sticker helps someone see the world in a new way. 🐾
