After losing our last family dog during lockdown, my bruised heart was finally ready to love again. That’s when I saw the Instagram post from the South African Guide Dogs Association.

“Looking to volunteer puppy raisers! We cover food and vet bills, all the pups need is your love and patience so that they can grow and change the life of someone in need. Apply here!“

I applied immediately and underwent a rigorous interview. That was how Rico, the handsome yellow lab, bounded his way into our home and our hearts.

Guide dogs spend their first year and a half with a primary puppy raiser, while undergoing basic training and socialisation. That means being taken out to as many public places as possible. They wear an adorable blue vest with an “L” plate on it.

I, too, learned a lot about caring for a guide dog. For one thing, guide dog puppies are not allowed on furniture or beds because they may be matched with someone who likes their personal space.

There’s a joke that the human hours invested in raising a guide dog are almost equivalent to the cost of a BMW.

Being a weeknight puppy raiser is the perfect fit for me. We need to make sure Rico is rested and cared for. We drop him off and pick him up from school, and give him the “occasional” doggy treat. (A lot more than occasional at our house, but sssshhh, don’t let his trainers know.)

The most important part of our relationship is cuddle time. Rico has soft velvety ears that make even the worst day better. The weight of his head on my feet, or his whole body up against mine as we watch TV together on the floor, fills me with happy, gooey hormones.

I can feel his adoration deep in my bones. The feeling is completely mutual. But Rico also comes with his challenges. This gorgeous specimen of a lab sheds a pile of fur the size of a Yorkie every four hours. It’s like living with a permanently exploding dandelion.

He is trying to break his counter-surfing habit, which recently saw an entire bunch of bananas disappear into his gut, skin and all. He believes he is starving to death at 4.30 am, waking me with wet nose boops to make sure I understand the seriousness of the situation. For Rico, only an early breakfast can prevent the end of the world.

Outdoors at night, he gets spooked by weird noises and bugs, just like I do. He yelps and rushes back to the safety of indoors. We’re a pair of scaredy cats.

But as soon as I throw a ball for him, his inner Retriever comes out in full force. He cannot contain his happiness. Indoors, the power of his wiggle-butt and his tail of joy has cost us mugs and glasses that we were foolish enough to leave unattended on the coffee table.

Rico is a special dog with a working heart. His skills will soon give someone more autonomy and freedom. Their interdependent bond will mark the start of a transformative journey.

I can’t wait to see Rico thrive and become the best guide dog he can be. I hope to help him do that, in even the smallest way, by taking care of him and building his confidence.

Rico-the-Pickle, my gorgeous boy, the day is drawing nearer. I’ll have to let you move on to the next stage of your working journey.

Even though it will be bittersweet, I’ve come to love you enough to let you go, and guide your way into your chosen person’s heart and soul, just as you have guided your way into mine.

To find out more about raising and fostering guide dogs for the South African Guide Dogs Association, please visit https://guidedog.org.za/puppy-raising-and-dog-fostering.