WALKIES

WALKIES are a part of daily life for all guide dog owners – and
this one is no exception. Andy Muxlow, of Cwmaman, is so
delighted with new guide dog Ernie that he has vowed to walk a
total of 200 miles with him during March to raise money for
Guide Dogs Cymru.
Accompanying them on their daily walks is Andy’s partner Simone
Parker-McManmon, who has set up a JustGiving page to make
donating easier.

Andy, who’s 50 and originally from Droitwich, has been blind all
his life due to nystagmus, myopia and cataracts. He was a live-in
pupil at Bridgend School for the Blind from the ages of four to 16
where he enjoyed helping the caretaker to wind up the clock in
the tower.

Ernie, a labrador retriever, is Andy’s fourth guide dog. Andy said:
“He’s a much-loved pet as well as my eyes. I’m very grateful to
Guide Dogs for the support and help they provide, and I want to
give something back.

“I was in my early 20s when I had my first dog Wills, a Labrador
who lived till he was 16 and a half. They are good fun dogs. It’s a
pleasure to go for a free run with Ernie. We take him to the
Country Park and he starts whining with excitement. We walk
around the pool and I can hear him diving in. Afterwards he
jumps straight back in the boot. He’s very obedient.”
Andy is a keen golfer who played for the England and Wales Blind
Golf Association, and he is looking forward to resuming the sport.
“I just want to go and play one or two times a month and build
friendships,” he said.

Andy is also a fan of local radio and can be heard ringing in to the
Wynne Evans Show on BBC Radio Wales. “We have a good laugh
and he wants to know how we are getting on with the walk,” said
Andy. “We’ve done 100 miles already and raised £240, including
some anonymous donations.”

To contribute, please visit:- https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andy-simone-ernie?fbclid=IwAR0BXNJBEFNxT2GNa__Kx2vd-
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