Caesar helps celebrate the Olympics
Published on August 21, 2008 by Freelance Contributors · 1 Comment08.08.08 saw the Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, and one Golden Retriever celebrated the opening in style at The Chinese Embassy.
Caesar, a Registered Assistance Dog, trained by Dogs for the Disabled, accompanied his partner Wendy Morrell from Broadstone, Dorset to the Chinese Embassy in London to attend a reception held to celebrate the opening of the games.
In doing so, Caesar became the first assistance dog ever to enter the Chinese Embassy in Portland Place, London . The pair were introduced to the Chinese Ambassador, Fu Ying (also an Olympic Torch Bearer in London) and mingled with dignitaries, sportsmen and women, diplomats and others who had all been especially invited.
After the event, Wendy said, “It was an honour to be invited to the Embassy to celebrate the opening of the games, and also in accompanying me, Caesar showed many who had not encountered assistance dogs before, the vital role these dogs play in the lives of many people with disabilities in our community”.
This wasn’t the first encounter with the Beijing Olympics for Wendy and Caesar! On April 6th the pair proudly carried the Olympic Torch across London Bridge as part of the Olympic Torch Relay. Caesar was the only animal to take part in the London leg, and in spite of the many distractions of the day behaved impeccably and was totally unphased by the experience.
The pair became involved in the Olympic Torch Relay when Wendy was selected as one of four winners in the national Samsung “Better Life Hero” competition. Her nomination stood out for not only the way in which she has rebuilt her life following an horrific sports accident in 1989 which left her with a serious brain injury, but also because of the tremendous amount of work she has done voluntarily to enhance the lives of countless disabled people by campaigning tirelessly for better access and inclusion.
Previously a teacher, an archer and a pilot, Wendy is now a member of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee at the Department for Transport in London and also the European Vice President of the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners.
“Being involved in the Torch Relay has really brought me full circle” said Wendy, who at the time of her accident had her sights firmly set on the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. “I was very surprised and flattered to have been nominated by a friend, Karen Ruddlesden, it has been like a dream come true, not only as we have taken part in the biggest sporting event on Earth, but also for the other tremendous experiences in meeting top sportsmen and women (the judging panel in the Better Life Hero competition was five times Gold Medallist Sir Steve Redgrave), and the opportunity to meet new people, learn more about Chinese culture and explain more about the work assistance dogs do.
“I was disappointed not to have been accompanied by Caesar when I visited China as a Samsung Olympic Torch Ambassador last month, and had to travel with a human assistant, but nonetheless was able to spread the word about disability access and inclusion, including details of life with an assistance dog as ones main carer”, Wendy added. Caesar meanwhile, enjoyed a well earned break, spending a holiday with his former Puppy Socialiser in Hampshire. (China is not a country covered by the Pet Passport Scheme).
“On the whole, I was impressed by the access I experienced in China, but there is still a long way to go. There are only a handful of Guide Dogs in China and until earlier this year people partnered with Guide Dogs were not allowed out alone. If our involvement in the Torch Relay has done anything, I hope it has highlighted the respect with which dogs are treated in our country and also that people with disabilities are by and large accorded respect and equality in our society”
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Tags: Animal Charities, assistance dogs
This says it all
Every two years a country gets a chance to host either the Summer Olympic Games or the winter Olympic Games. Countries compete strenuously for the chance to host the games and showcase their culture to the world. This year, the Summer Olympic Games are being held in Beijing, China. However, China does not want to highlight at least one piece of its culture, the eating of dog meat. The Chinese government has requested that restaurants around the Olympic venues remove dog meat from their menus during this year’s Summer Olympic Games season. Of, course a polite request from the Chinese government is not to be refused (just ask the people of Tibet), so if you were anticipating a goodmeal of dog meat, you may be disappointed. It will, presumably, be difficult for tourists to find dog meat on the menu of local restaurants if you are travelling to China.