Csaba Leskó and his wife have been raising Naspolya since she was a tiny puppy. The now five-month-old yellow Labrador is spending her puppyhood in Budapest’s 2nd District. The family’s dream is for her to become a guide dog.

“Naspolya is a spirited little girl and a joy to work with. She is curious and sometimes tests the boundaries of what she can get away with — which is exactly why we are doing our best to raise her in a way that preserves her boldness and openness,” said Csaba Leskó.

The little yellow girl learns a great deal from Proton, the family’s older dog, who missed out on guide dog training due to an elbow condition. Proton did, however, receive a thorough foundation during his puppy-raising year with Csaba’s family, and has grown into a well-mannered dog. The family decided to continue their puppy-raising journey — a role they find deeply fulfilling — and are putting every effort into ensuring that Naspolya, when fully grown, becomes a faithful companion to a visually impaired person. Csaba’s wife, Edit Soós, previously spoke about the beautiful yellow pup’s very first days, which you can watch here. Edit described Naspolya as an “easy puppy.”

A Walk in Mechwart Park

We met Csaba and Naspolya in the heart of Budapest’s 2nd District, at Mechwart Park. The square was in full bloom, with people making their way toward the Town Hall as the morning bustle was only just beginning — giving us the perfect opportunity to try out the sundial, with Csaba as the gnomon and Naspolya settling in at the number 11, right where her handler’s shadow fell. This was a way of expressing that a guide dog in training is like a shadow — never leaving its handler’s side.

The two are regulars at the park, particularly enjoying the paths leading toward the Town Hall building, which were just coming into leaf those very days. Passers-by — with and without dogs — often approach them, and Naspolya greets everyone warmly, showing curiosity and initiative in equal measure.

Off to Hűvösvölgy

“Naspolya had a wonderful time in Mechwart Park. Afterwards, we took the tram home to Hűvösvölgy, but before heading back we stopped to see the narrow-gauge railway and took a walk in the forest.”

Csaba and Naspolya love the fresh air, so every morning they head up to Hármashatár Hill along the Blue Trail route, all the way to the gliding airfield.

“Up there, people often come over to us — many of them already recognise the Baráthegyi logo on Naspolya’s collar, and they jokingly say: ‘Come here, let me pet you in exchange for your one percent.’ I hear it so often I think it’s become a catchphrase by now. The terms of endearment are just as plentiful — one of my favourites: ‘You’re so sweet and your coat is still so soft,’” Csaba said with a smile.

In his experience, having a dog in the 2nd District is wonderfully easy. Public transport is excellent and they often travel by tram. They walk in the forest every day, where the paths are well-maintained and kept tidy.

Our Dogs Helped Heal a Childhood Trauma

“I never would have thought that becoming a puppy raiser would help me so much personally. I was originally afraid of dogs — I was bitten as a child — but ever since my wife and I took the plunge into puppy raising a good few years ago, I’ve become so much more confident around them. We can even give advice on raising and obedience training to other dog owners. We’ve learned so much from the foundation’s staff.”

We wish Naspolya a wonderful puppyhood, and many more beautiful days like these for her puppy raisers.

This year we celebrate our 20th anniversary. Over the past two decades, we have placed more than 200 guide dogs free of charge.

Please Support Their Training with 1% of Your Personal Income Tax!

Tax number for 1% donation: 18449149–1–05

Baráthegyi Guide Dog and Service Dog School Foundation