EVER since Man Yue, a guide dog, came to Zhang Li’s life, Zhang’s mobility has been greatly improved whether it is going shopping, going to work or going out, Shenzhen Evening News reported yesterday, the International Guide Dog Day.

“My eyes can only perceive a little vague light, so I need other people’s help in many things. Since having Man Yue, I can arrange my schedule at my own pace and I don’t need to bother others anymore,” said Zhang, who is visually impaired.

“Niuniu, come here,” Zhang spoke softly, and Man Yue immediately came to her from the other end of the living room. Niuniu is Man Yue’s pet name.

Man Yue is a golden retriever with beautiful golden yellow fur. Seeing the chicken breast snack in Zhang’s hand, Man Yue rolled on the ground and let Zhang pet her belly.

While Man Yue is a “baby girl” at home, she will immediately get into gear as soon as she puts on the guide dog saddle.

From an ordinary dog to a certified professional guide dog, Man Yue received rigorous training and needed to pass 49 tests and remember at least 30 command words and five destinations before graduation.

Zhang told the News proudly that Man Yue completed the training in only one year, and was the first “excellent student” to graduate from the guide dog training among other dogs in the same period.

Every morning, sensing that Zhang has woken up, Man Yue will make a special sound at the end of the bed to remind Zhang of its location. If Zhang wants to go out, Man Yue will wait at the door in advance and get ready to leave at any time. Outdoors, Man Yue uses her huge body to pave the way for Zhang like a “bodyguard.”

As long as Zhang issues the “collect the package” instruction, Man Yue will accurately take Zhang to the package pick-up station. Over the past four years, Man Yue has taken Zhang to take the elevator and subway, collect packages and walk on the crowded streets, but it never deviated from the right route once.

Zhang and Man Yue have also traveled to other cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Kunming and Nanjing. For Zhang, Man Yue is her “shadow” and “eyes.” Every time Zhang travels, no matter near or far, they are always together.

“I feel at ease as long as I think of Man Yue by my side in a strange environment,” Zhang told the News.

Zhang said that the inclusiveness of a city is crucial for the visually impaired, and Shenzhen is very friendly to people with disabilities.

(Zhang Yu)