One moody evening last summer, Robert Hampson and his aging guide dog Spokane took their last working walk together.
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Thunder rolled and lightning flared to the north of them.
The blind young man and the stocky black Labrador, made the 12-block round trip to Yonge Street, a trek they’d walked countless times in a decade of partnership. Lately, the pace had grown glacial.
“It started during the pandemic,” says Robert, 32. “Spokane got bored just doing loops around the neighbourhood, and he started to slow down. He wanted to be with me and catch all the excitement, but he just couldn’t keep up the pace.
“I usually left with extra time to spare – and we’d always get there. But I knew what was coming.”
The guide dog school in California finally called. Robert and Spokane took their last working walk.
“Shopper’s Drug Mart,” said Robert, and Spokane led him there.
Robert bought ear buds for his flight the next day to San Francisco.
The rain held off until they got home.
“He was slower than ever. I think he sensed it. In a good way. We had a nice, quiet walk.
“I tried to soak up the feeling of his rhythm, and that sensation of having him beside me. I just wanted to remember our last good walk.”
Then Robert slipped the weathered harness off Spokane, ruffled his dog’s grizzled head, and said thanks.
The next day, Robert left for California alone, with just his white cane, no Spokane tucked at his feet as usual, to meet his new guide dog.
Which brings us to Kelly, a fresh-faced yellow Lab, barely two and full of beans.
“It was instant excitement and a lot of bounciness. You could feel the love and affection in that tail wag. Love at first sight, 100%,” says Robert. “The main thing is, she loves to work. As soon as the harness is on and we’re outside, she’s happy. And fast. I mean FAST. I’m almost at a light jog.”
Good thing Kelly’s a mover. Regular Toronto Sun readers may remember me writing about Robert over the years. He was a longtime leader on Variety Village’s legendary swim team, the Flames.
On our front page in 2008, Robert, with his white cane, and I braved the steep, woodsy path from Variety Village (with its hundreds of members with disabilities) to the nearest bus stop. The TTC quickly relented and the Village got a stop of its own.
My 2021 book, Small Miracles – the Inspiring Kids of Variety, included a photo of Robert and Spokane in the graduation ceremony at St. Lawrence College in Kingston, and told of his charity, Pop Tabs for Wheelchairs. It has cashed in millions of tabs for 20 wheelchairs and similar mobility aids.
Robert works at the CNIB store on Bayview Avenue and travels to trade shows, but keeps regular contact with the Village. He’s in the Toronto Blind Curling League – helpers tap the ice to guide players – and belongs to a tandem bicycle club.
“I’m on the back seat, of course.”
“I think about Variety Village every day,” Robert says. “It set me up for everything I’m doing now. It gave me the mentorship and experience to beat the odds, to find a job, and it gave me a community, friends and a meaning in life.”
Meantime, Spokane, who turns 13 in March, has settled into happy retirement at Robert’s family home near Yonge and Lawrence.
“But I think he misses our travels to places like Variety Village,” says Robert. “Sometimes when I go to put Kelly’s harness on, Spokane sticks his head in first and I almost head out with the wrong dog.”
As soon as he got Kelly, Robert had to turn in Spokane’s harness and sign his retirement papers. Now, the old dog welcomes Robert home from work and maybe barks bossily at Kelly when her harness comes off. Then, they both follow him up the stairs.
HOW TO HELP
Robert Hampson is a shining example of a Variety Villager. You can help the iconic Scarborough centre for kids with disabilities produce others like him. Join the honour roll like these recent kind souls. Donate direct at www.sunchristmasfund.ca.
Juanita Simpson, York, $300
Ingrid Rowe, Scarborough, $25
Elaine Benzing, Toronto, $300
James and Sandra Russell, Scarborough, $100
Anonymous, $100, in honour of Paul Rimstead and Bill Player
Debra Thuet, Toronto, $200, in honour of Maddy
Christina Blizzard, Toronto, $100
Margaret McAulay, Port Hope, $100
Anonymous, $500
Anonymous, $50
John G. Mitchell, Etobicoke, $30
Cheryl A. Oreilly, Brampton, $100
Ron Lindemann, Scarborough, $50
Valerie Martin , Toronto, $125
Steven Fitzgerald, Pickering, $50, in honour of Randy Homer
Steven Fitzgerald, Pickering, $50, in honour of Doug Fitzgerald
Steven Fitzgerald, Pickering, $50, in honour of Joe Fitzgerald
Jeannette Warren, Scarborough, $100
Peter FitzPatrick, Ajax, $50
Shirley Illingworth, Ajax, $135
Gina Dufty, Toronto, $50
Marilyn Wall, Toronto, $50
Robert Annis, Oakville, $100
Brandon Pilch, Etobicoke, $5
Gary Audrain, Georgina, $100
Denton and Marjorie Gilmour, Toronto, $100
Renate Gittens, Mississauga, $100
David Evans, Toronto, $50
Leslie Palkovits, Thornhill, $100
Wayne Roberts, Toronto, $50
TOTAL $3,220
TOTAL TO DATE $55,710