My first holiday Hudson takes a break
My name is Hudson Giles, a two-year-old, 37 kg, black, male Labrador. I was trained as a guide-dog at the Guide-Dog centre in Johannesburg by Ejay and lived with my wonderful puppy walker Morag from the age of seven weeks to one year. In February I met my new partner Robin, who has Retinitis Pigmentosa and cannot see much any more, so I look after him and guide him when he goes out. In October I went on my first holiday to The Fairways timeshare at Drakensberg Gardens in the Southern Berg. This is only a two-hour sleep from my home in Pietermaritzburg. Before booking the accommodation, Robin’s wife Felicity phoned the Gooderson Group in Durban explaining the situation and asking if I could go along with them on holiday (normally dogs are not allowed at the resort). They were given permission so the booking was made.

The security guard atthe gate had been advised that I would be coming and, on arrival at the resort, I was welcomed by everyone. When we reached the chalet I was so excited to be in a new place that I ran round the building. On the first morning we were sitting in the verandah having breakfast when I saw two men with steel poles in their hands dragging a fearesome looking thing on wheels. I rushed outside barking, giving the two golfers a fright and tried to frighten off the fearesome object, not realising that it was a golf bag, as I had never seen one before. Later that day I was introduced to another golf bag so that I would not worry about it next time. On Monday night there was a function in the hotel bar to meet the resort staff. I was introduced to everybody who made a big fuss of me and I gave Helen Gooderson, the timeshare manager, a big kiss. From then on I was made to feel very special wherever I went and when I was not doing my job guiding Robin, I met lots of other people who just wanted to talk to me and be my friend.

Robin and Felicity like the resort as there are over four kilometers of tarred road where it is safe to walk. On these roads I came across something new – potholes filled with muddy water. I managed to get around these keeping my feet dry but nearly always managed to walk Robin through them! After many reprimands I learnt to take both of us around them. The one road takes you up between the golf course and the river to Garden Castle Parks Board office. The river had many lovely pools I could swim in, and to show Robin how cold the water was I would get out and shake myself dry all over him!

I saw noisy ducks and peacocks for the first time and, coming back from Garden Castle, there were baboons not too far from the road, so I had a few good looks at them to remind myself not to get too close to something like that.
My holiday was aondersful and I would recommend this resort to anyone who has a guide dog like me. I had plenty of new experiences and hope that we can go back to this resort again next year.