John and Jazzy: a pawsitive Canberra Times Fun Run team.

John Barlow and his guide dog Jazzy will be taking part in the five kilometre walk. Photo: Jamila Toderas

Jazzy may look like a lovable labrador to some, but to John Barlow she is his eyes and his Ferrari.

Mr Barlow lost most of his sight to an inherited eye condition retinitis pigmentosa and was matched with his guide dog about two months ago.

Since then, they have become inseparable.

"Jazzy is my very first guide dog and before that, I was a long-term white cane user. She goes a lot quicker than a white cane," Mr Barlow said.

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" She's my Ferrari. We go walking because I'm very fit and like to do something very athletic every day and she's very fast. There's a bike path behind my house and we go up and down there like there's no tomorrow.

"They say a dog is a man's best friend. Well that's certainly very true. When she's out of her harness and she's fed or had time to play, she really does go back into being a little dog."

Mr Barlow, who works for Elders Real Estate in Belconnen, spoke warmly of the positive influence Jazzy has had on his life.

With freedom and independence that Jazzy has given him, Mr Barlow is planning to do his first fun run and will take part in theCanberra Times Fun Run, presented by Westpac, next Sunday.

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John and Jazzy: a pawsitive Canberra Times Fun Run team.