"Today is the day that Sebastian and Debbie from Guide Dogs For The Blind, come down and introduce the dog to Jan and myself, just to see how we fit together - the dogs name is Dalton." Dog loving Jan has been excited about the new arrival although is slightly apprehensive as she's always held John's hand when they go out together.

"It's really interesting because lots of different things go through your mind, like when we go out we always hold hands, so will we be able to do that as much?" John's very quick to put Jan's mind at ease "Of course you will as I hold your left hand and the dog has to be on my left-hand side". Jan also finds that she's desperate to welcome Dalton the puppy, but at the same time knows the importance of the bonding between Dalton and John.

"It's going to be interesting to see how having a dog will change the dynamics of our relationship, because Jan and me have spent the last 4 years together, working together most of that time as well as getting on extremely well and now we've this third person/dog in the relationship.

"The difference from when I was by myself years ago, younger and not in a permanent relationship or anything, meant that me and the dog were very much part of a unit. But with me and Jan now, it's very much on a par with getting married."

John now realises what having a dog means to him "I've got a feeling about the sort of relationship that I'm going to have with the dog which I find hard to put into words.

I really don't want children and I've decided I'm going to opt out of that process, but the thing about having a dog and having a trained dog, is that it's maybe the closest I'm going to get to having that sort of relationship - where I've got a lot of control but I've also got to be kind and considerate to this dog, because he's sensitive, and he's not going to find it easy sometimes in new and tough environments, and he'll need a lot of love."