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Guide dog family set for 'special' Mother's Day

PA Media Connie, a 13-and-a-half-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, alongside one of her yet-to-be-named 3.5-week-old great-grandpuppy, in the garden at her owner Linda Atkins' home in Stratford-upon-Avon.PA Media
Yellow labrador Connie retired from the Guide Dogs breeding programme in 2017

A former guide dog will mark Mother's Day with three other generations of her family after she became a great-grandmother.

Labrador retriever Connie was part of the breeding programme for the Guide Dogs charity and produced four litters before she retired from the scheme in 2017.

Several of her children have gone on to be guide dogs along with some of her grandchildren before, in February, her granddaughter Coco gave birth to eight puppies with her first litter.

Coco, her mum Sophie and two of the new puppies currently live with Connie and Linda Atkins in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire.

"Connie is truly the queen of the household," Ms Atkins said.

"She may be a little whiter in the face nowadays but she can still spring around the garden with the puppies,"

PA Media Connie, a 13-and-a-half-year-old yellow Labrador retriever (centre), with her daughter Sophie (left), granddaughter Coco (right) and alongside Coco's yet-to-be-named 3.5-week-old puppies, in the garden at her owner Linda Atkins' home in Stratford-upon-AvonPA Media
Connie will be with several of her offspring this Mother's Day

Ms Atkins is a breeding dog volunteer with the charity and has looked after Connie and her offspring since 2012.

"With four generations under one roof, this Mother's Day is going to be a very special one indeed," she added.

For the first eight weeks after they are born, guide dogs spend time with their mother, before most begin their training.

When they retire, their volunteer is able to officially adopt them.

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