Feather is such a good girl

In your last Puppy Pen Pupdate, we told you that Feather really loves tickle-tums and belly-rubs. Do you think that's changed at all?

No, not really! And why should it? We all love tickle-tums and belly-rubs, and if Feather's been a good girl (which she has) then she deserves them all the more.

Here she is being a very good girl, waiting very patiently at the vets while she's weighed.

See how she's so attentive, waiting until she's given the cue 'off' to get off the platform? It's all part of what makes hearing dogs brilliant - they  are so very well trained, and they are absolutely 'tuned in' to the person they're with at all times. In turn, this is what will make Feather such an attentive, wonderful companion to a deaf person some day.

More brilliance coming up...

This is Feather simply taking it easy while some clothes shopping takes place. Hearing dogs, like all assistance dogs, have a priviledge position in that they can enter public places other dogs cannot, such as shops and restaurants. This is why they have to be impeccably behaved. Feather knows that there's no need to demand attention or run off to investigate things. If she just keeps herself to herself, she'll get a treat, a fuss and - who knows - maybe even another rub on the tum.

We call this 'settling', and Feather can do it pretty much anywhere.

Don't dogs look great in their 'I'm learning to be a hearing dog' burgundy coats? When Feather 'graduates' to become a fully accredited hearing dog, the coat will be a strong signal that the person she's with is deaf. This is another way in which hearing dogs change deaf people's lives: simply being aware of this 'invisible disability' can change people's attitudes completely, from being annoyed or frustrated, to being so friendly and accommodating.

More training! Here, Feather is learning about the high street, with some of her hearing pups in training.

Again, the idea is to introduce her to this gently, so that from now on, busy high streets with all the noise and activity will not scare her in the slightest. She's growing up to be a confident pup!

And what do you get for all your hard work Feather...?

That's right! A Puppy Star Award! Hurray!

It's not all work, work, work though. She can be a bit of a diva model too, during the photoshoots for our training updates.

The thing about being a black dog with a lot of fur is that it's sometimes difficult to capture the eyes. So, hopefully this photo will make up for that.

It also shows Feather quite simply having fun and loving life, which is really all we want our dogs to do. For them, life is a game, one in which they get fusses and cuddles, so it's all good!

Let's finish this pupdate with lovely close-up study of fabulous Feather - one in which, again, you actually can see her eyes.

And her, let's face it, very boopable nose!

She's such a lovely girl, and we all adore her. She's doing really well, and this is because of your generosity, your kindness in sponsoring her. So again, from all of us at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People... thank you.