Devastated though he was, he also remembers that the only ray of hope in his life back then was in the form of a canine.

And it all began in 2011 when his wife, Kaye Wong, gave him a DVD about guide dogs. At the time, Chan was terrified of dogs. This was understandable, since he had been bitten by a rabies-infected dog years before.

However, the story about the guide dogs piqued his interest, particularly since it was about a man, who like him, was not fond of canines – until one particular dog changed his life.

So, he began enquiring about how to get a guide dog for himself. Then a chance meeting with a blind woman from China led him to a guide dog training school in Nanjing.

“In 2012, I went there with my wife, and I was very happy. So, I agreed to come back in two years because that’s how long it will take to train a guide dog,” the 59-year-old told FMT.

He added that while he was at the school, an instructor observed his mobility and character so he could choose a dog with the right temperament for him.

‘The odd couple’

In 2014, Chan received a call that his dog was ready for duty. So, he and his wife hopped on the next flight to Nanjing.

“For my wife, it was love at first sight. She told me that he stood up and started wagging his tail as soon as he saw us,” Chan shared.

They were told the Labrador was slightly over two years old.

His wife named the dog “Lashawn”, which means “the glory of God” in French. But unlike his wife who was immediately smitten, Chan took some time warming up to the dog.

“We were the odd couple as I was very uncomfortable with him. Guide dogs are very smart, and they can sense a human’s discomfort. They also work on trust, and if a person can’t trust his guide dog, the canine can’t perform.”

Chan was required to spend four weeks at the school to train with Lashawn. “After two weeks, I was still unable to trust him. The instructor told me that if I carried on that way, I would go home without Lashawn.”

So, he knew he had to start trusting his dog. And then came the final test where the duo had to navigate a busy wet market in Nanjing.

“Lashawn was very focused on bringing me out safely although there were a lot of people,” he added. Thankfully, the duo passed and made their way home to Malaysia.

A man and his best friend

So, what was living with Lashawn like? “He was a mischievous guide dog with lots of tricks! For example, if I left my sandwich on the table, I would come back to find it gone!”

At times, the pooch also led his human on longer routes – for a cheeky reason! “There were sights that he wanted to see, such as birds.”

One of his favourite activities, Chan revealed, was his monthly grooming sessions. “He looked forward to playing with the other dogs at the groomer,” he said with a laugh.

Alas, Lashawn also discovered – painfully – that not all animals were as friendly as him. “Once, he approached a cat, who unfortunately scratched him. Since then, according to my wife, he hid whenever he spotted one.

“Guide dogs also help the blind in their interaction [with others]. Before, when I used to wait for my wife outside the washroom as she shopped, nobody would speak to me. But after I had Lashawn, some people would approach me as they wanted to touch him.”

However, there were limitations to the places Chan could enter with Lashawn. In fact, the duo spent a considerable amount of time tirelessly fighting for necessary amendments to be made to the Disabilities Act so that guide dogs and their owners can have access to travel anywhere in Malaysia.

In 2018, Lashawn was recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records as the “first guide dog for the blind.”

Sadly, in May 2020, Lashawn contracted a bacterial infection. “My wife realised that he did not have an appetite and was weak. At the veterinary clinic, we were told that if he can make it through the night, he will survive.”

Sadly, Lashawn succumbed to the illness and passed away. He was eight years old.

“Lashawn taught me about patience and love, which is important because blind people are very isolated. He became a very close companion.

“There was just this connection with him. I always thought that such a connection – where you completely trust another being – could only happen between humans. So, it’s a surprise for me that I could have it with a dog. I miss him a lot.”