A ‘CELEBRITY’ Coventry guide dog who changed his doting owner’s life has hung up his harness.
Guide dog Carlo has celebrated his retirement at special party – complete with dog-friendly cake – after nine years with owner Charles Bloch.
Ten-year-old Carlo officially qualified as a working guide dog with Charles in January 2016.
With support and guidance from sight loss charity Guide Dogs, Charles decided that Carlo was ready to retire.
To celebrate the occasion, Carlo was thrown a retirement party at The Belgrade Theatre in Coventry, where Charles works.
The party included a dog-friendly retirement cake, presents and a card full of well wishes for Carlo, who is a Labrador cross Golden Retriever.
Charles’ sight conditions are hereditary, and he has had sight loss since birth.
He said: “I have Aniridia, so I haven’t got an iris in either eye, as well Nystagmus, Glaucoma and Cataracts. I am registered as blind but have some useful vision.
“Because it is a hidden disability, you wouldn’t know I have problems with my sight. People are always very shocked when I tell them.”
Charles’ eyesight deteriorated just before he started studying Marketing at De Montfort University in Leicester.
He said: “I spent the first year really struggling to get around. I didn’t have the best friend network, and I became a hermit, staying in my room, not leaving unless I needed to go to lectures or the shops.
“In my second year, I moved into a studio flat on my own and I became even more isolated.”
After speaking to a friend who had a guide dog, Charles decided to apply and was soon partnered with his first guide dog, Carlo.
He continued: “My life completely changed, and I became the cool guy on campus with a dog. The amount of people that would stop me and ask questions… I don’t think I was the celebrity really – Carlo was.
“I started becoming more outgoing. I joined a student radio station and got my own slot talking about disability.”
Charles said he felt ‘all the puzzle pieces came together’ when he walked on stage with Carlo to collect his degree.
When he thinks back on all the wonderful years he has had with Carlo, there is one moment that stands out.
“It was the moment I walked on stage with him to collect my degree at the end of my university years,” he said.
“At that point, I felt all the puzzle pieces came together. I realised that no matter what challenges I would face, I could handle them with Carlo by my side.”
Since leaving university, Carlo has supported Charles throughout his career: “He’s made an impression everywhere we’ve worked.
“At the Belgrade, I started work as a Customer Relationship Supervisor, and Carlo was a regular at the Box Office.
“The patrons would love to come and see him, and he would greet them with his waggy tail.”
Charles and Carlo also became part of the Guide Dogs Coventry fundraising group, supporting at different events throughout the city.
Charles lost his Mum and his partner in 2020, and he says having Carlo was a big support through this difficult time.
He explains: “He has been with me through highs, lows, and he’s always managed to get me through the day by always putting the biggest smile on my face.
“If I do have another guide dog, they will have a huge harness to fill. I’ve never met another dog that matches him in charisma, confidence and love.”
He says it is the small things that Carlo helps with which make a big difference.
“For example, when we travelled through busy locations, like the high street or train stations together, he would come into his own, strutting his stuff and pushing his way through the crowds with his nose. Those are the sorts of moments where he has made such a difference to me.”
Charles says Carlo is also known for his cheekiness; on one occasion, he helped himself to a bone in a supermarket and carried it around the store. Charles didn’t notice and was none the wiser until a member of staff stopped him to let him know.
As Charles works full-time and lives alone, he plans for Carlo to move to live with one of his close friends, so that Carlo continues to get the care and attention he rightfully deserves in retirement.
Carlo’s dog-friendly retirement cake went down a treat.
Charles said: “Because he has done so much for me over the years, I want to make sure he has the best retirement possible, which will still include me, as I’ll be seeing him regularly.”
Messages in Carlo’s retirement card included: “Woof Woof – to my favourite sandwich stealer… it has been a pleasure working with you. Happy Retirement – you deserve it.”
“Carlo! You’ve made my days so much brighter. You’re the bestest model and social media star to ever exist and I’ll be lost without you.”
And from Charles: “You are my left-hand man, and it will be strange not having you around. Go and enjoy all the afternoon naps and new adventures that you want and deserve. It’s not goodbye forever, it’s see you soon!”
Charles is also fund-raising for the Guide Dogs charity to mark Carlo’s retirement. Visit www.justgiving.com/page/charlesandcarlo to donate.
