Raising Ulani: Seven Months of Love, Learning & Leaps Forward

Hello everyone,

I hope you’re well. Isn’t it wonderful to see the snowdrops and daffodils pushing through the soil at last? Spring is on its way, and our beautiful natural world is slowly waking up around us. The first blue tits have started visiting our nesting box, which always lifts my spirits when the days still feel a little dull and grey. My husband and I have also managed to spend some time in the garden, tidying and pruning — one of those quietly satisfying jobs that leaves everything feeling fresh and hopeful again.

In between all of this, I’ve been working steadily on a portrait commission. It’s been a challenging but hugely enjoyable piece, and I’ve been fitting in as many drawing sessions as I can while Ulani is snoozing in her bed. Winter light can make it harder to settle into creative work, but with an audiobook playing in the background and a peaceful pup beside me, I’ve found a lovely rhythm. It’s moments like these that remind me how lucky I am to combine my love of animals with my work as a pet portrait artist.

Seven Months Old Already

Ulani turns seven months old tomorrow, and the changes we’ve seen in her over the past few weeks have been remarkable. She’s noticeably calmer, more settled, and increasingly mature in her behaviour. While she’s still playful and wonderfully inquisitive, her confidence and focus are really starting to shine through — especially when we’re out walking or visiting public places. It feels easier to partner with her now, and she’s becoming more attentive and responsive to her training, which is incredibly rewarding to see.

February was packed with learning opportunities. We had an outing with Beccy, our Puppy Development Adviser, to a busy local retail park, followed later in the week by puppy class at the regional centre. The retail park was full of noise, movement, people, and temptation — a big challenge for any young pup. We navigated busy pavements, browsed shops, tackled stairs, rode lifts, and weaved through enticing aisles. Ulani was absolutely brilliant: calm, focused, and responsive despite all the excitement around her. She impressed us all.

Puppy class, however, is a very different story…

Puppy Class: Maximum Excitement

For Ulani, puppy class is quite possibly the best thing in the world. The moment we open the car boot in the Guide Dogs car park, she knows exactly where she is — and chaos promptly ensues! Her excitement completely takes over as she anticipates seeing her puppy friends, especially her brother, and enjoying lots of fun (and treats).

In class, we focus on calm walking, concentration, and ignoring distractions — all things Ulani finds particularly challenging in such a stimulating environment. Socialising with her class mates is her greatest weakness, and her enthusiasm sometimes gets the better of her. Thankfully, our wonderful trainers come armed with extra-special, high-value treats, which can work small miracles when attention begins to waver.

One particularly entertaining exercise involved asking the puppies to lie down while we walked around them, waving our arms and performing exaggerated YMCA dance moves. I’m very proud to report that Ulani stayed perfectly in position — photo evidence below!

First Bus Ride & Town Adventures

Building on Ulani’s confidence, Martin and I decided to take her into Solihull town centre for a proper adventure. Beccy had advised that Ulani was ready to start experiencing short bus journeys, so we introduced her carefully and positively.

After watching buses arrive and depart at the stop for several weeks, we finally boarded one. A very kind driver allowed us to practice getting on and off while the bus was empty, before letting us ride to the first stop. Ulani was alert and a little unsure of the movement at first, but she remained calm, curious, and brave throughout. It felt like a huge milestone — and the start of many future bus adventures.

A Big Step: First Stay Away From Home

Another important milestone came when Ulani stayed away from home for the first time. Puppy raisers are encouraged to allow their dogs to spend short periods with other volunteers, helping them build confidence and adaptability. So, we packed Ulani’s overnight bag, wrote a detailed handover note, and entrusted her to a lovely local family for two nights.

It wasn’t easy to leave her, but they were wonderful — experienced, kind, and clearly besotted with her within minutes. Martin and I enjoyed a short break, and we were delighted to hear that Ulani had settled beautifully, charmed everyone, and behaved impeccably. I did receive the cold shoulder for a couple of hours when we returned, but all was quickly forgiven!

Looking Back — And Ahead

As we reflect on the last five months, it’s astonishing how far Ulani has come. Those early weeks were undeniably tough — full of chewed belongings, sleepless nights, and constant supervision — but watching her develop into the calm, intelligent, and responsive young dog she is becoming makes every challenge worthwhile.

We have no doubt that Ulani has the potential to become an exceptional guide dog: a loyal companion, trusted partner, and life-changing presence for someone living with sight loss. It’s an honour and a privilege to play a small role in her journey.

If you’d like to learn more about volunteering as a Puppy Raiser, I wholeheartedly encourage you to visit the Guide Dogs website. It is one of the most rewarding experiences we’ve ever had — and one that continues to inspire both my life and my art every single day.

I hope you enjoy the wonderful month ahead and I'll be in touch soon.

Nicola x