Could you give a Guide Dog puppy a new home? The charity's Cymru branch in Wales are looking for volunteer 'puppy raisers' to teach them good behaviour during the first year of their life.
If you want to raise a puppy that will one day be a trusted guide dog partner, then will have to be with your puppy for most of the day and take them to varied environments — such as busy shops, train stations and supermarkets. You'll also need a securely fenced garden, so that your pup remains safely within its confines.
Posting on Facebook, Guide Dogs Cymru wrote: "A host of adorable guide dog puppies are heading our way, and we need new volunteers to take care of them. They help get the puppy accustomed to a home environment, noise and the bustle of towns, and prepare for the working life ahead by going on trains and buses, and into shops."
As well as an abundance of love for puppies, you'll need to have plenty of patience, be enthusiastic, and be dedicated to the mission of the charity.
Mel Wharmby, Guide Dogs' puppy development supervisor, said: "We're looking for enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers like Sandra who live within 10 miles of the M4 corridor. We need people who can care for the pups full time because, at the end of the day, if we don't have puppy raisers we don't have guide dogs.
"Puppy raising is challenging and it's a real commitment to take a puppy in to your home but, with the support of Guide Dogs staff, our volunteers find it extremely rewarding and worthwhile."
To find out more about becoming a puppy raiser, visit guidedogs.org.uk/volunteering or call 0800 781 1444.
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12 dog winter coats to keep your pups cosy
Keep your pup snug and secure with this thick quilted dog jacket from H&M. Perfect for a winter's walk, it has quilted seams, a stand-up collar with an open front, and a belt with a hook and loop fastening at the back.
Designed to resist whatever the weather throws at you, this waterproof dog coat is ideal for older pups with joint problems or less fur and has a particularly warm inner lining.
Keeping warm and snug just got a whole lot easier thanks to this gorgeous waxed coat from Joules. In olive green, it has a tweed lining and beautiful bee prints.
In a gorgeous white, this pocket-detail faux shearling dog jacket has been designed to add an extra layer of warmth during those cold winter days. It has two small holes for their legs, as well as a zipped pocket on the back.
This thermal dog coat is excellent for winter walks, thanks to its self-heating technology.
"Our reflective technology lining, combined with a hollow fibre core maximises the dog coats thermal properties," say petslovescruffs.com. "The thermal dog coat has a fleece collar and chest pad to provide greater comfort, improved fitment and allow unrestricted movement."
A warm pet coat is great to ward off the chill during winter. Not sure which one to pick up? We love this technical dog parka, which has been specially developed for short-haired dogs and dogs without an undercoat.
In olive green, this luxurious Barbour coat is ideal for dogs who like the finer things in life.
On the hunt for a warm knit jumper? To keep your furry friend extra cosy, why not pick up this Barbour jumper. Boasting a unique design with a roll neck for elite comfort, it's perfect for them to wear on a Christmas Day walk.
READ MORE: The Barbour Christmas advert 2021 stars Paddington Bear and his heart-warming family
Made from super-soft fleece fabric, this blue fluffy coat has teddy bear ears attached to keep your dog warm and cosy. It also has a stretch jersey fabric, making it easy to pull on and off.
William Morris fans will love this adorable reversible dog coat in the brand's classic print. With a water-resistant, waxed cotton outer fabric, it also helps to keep rain off.
OVER GLAM Medium faux leather sleeveless dog jacket
This sleeveless dog jacket looks so cosy! It has small holes for their legs and black poppers to keep them cosy.
In vibrant blue, this microfibre dog coat is light and absorbent to offer protection from getting cold. It has a click fastener on the back and openings for legs and tail.
Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
