Any date with Denny would have been impossible until I had graduated. I call him Denny, since to give him his real name would sound just a little pretentious. Oh, okay, he’s called Lord Denzel de Lisle of Beauclair. If ever you met him you would not know he came from such aristocracy. Oh, he has breeding … his manners are impeccable and he’s a true gentleman in all respects ... but what I'm trying to say is that he doesn’t put on airs. He’s just as natural and as sweet-natured as can be.
He was every bit the gentleman that Chris was. Chris was my teacher, my mentor, my guiding light. He was married with two children and was a real family man. He introduced me to his wife, Melanie, who promised me that after I had worked hard and graduated she would set me up with a suitable partner. Chris and Melanie were arch matchmakers.
I think it’s fair to say that I wasn’t a natural, but Chris worked diligently with me. He had the patience of a saint. I was a belligerent pupil …bad-tempered through sheer frustration. I desperately wanted to complete this course, but impatience was setting me back. Chris begged me to be kinder on myself; re-doubling his efforts to show me how to adapt to new challenges as he introduced them.
He’d often invite me home to have dinner with his wonderful family and tease me about the wonderful date Melanie had lined up for me. I begged her for more information, but she just kept saying I should wait and see.
***
Two days after my graduation came that long talked of first date. I was introduced to Denny. He had been in Melanie’s classes and he, too, had graduated with flying colours. Chris and Melanie thought Denny and I would make a perfect couple.
Denny and I worked on a short post-graduate course together, getting to know each other really well. Denny seemed to anticipate my every need, and I just knew his needs too. We really gelled. And then we were suddenly free of the classroom. Melanie accompanied us on our first real date outside … but Denny and I didn’t really need her chaperoning us. We were made for each other.
We’ve been living together now for two years and I’m mad about my housemate. I love him with all my heart. But then, I loved him from the first moment we ever met; right after he put his wet nose against my cheek and licked away a tear. I’d just been told he was a top breed Labrador and that if we got on, he was mine for life.
Chris taught me how to read Braille and how to cope with everyday life, and Melanie taught Denny how to be a blind dog … but Denny taught me that my life wouldn’t have been complete without him.