Little Hunter, big world

Little Hunter is finding out about the big world!

To do this, he's being helped by Clare, his volunteer puppy socialiser. She's introducing him to life for his first year, as well as giving him basic training.

"I started socialising as it would combine my love of dogs with helping to create a life-changing partnership", says Clare. "The first four pups I looked after are all out working and it is wonderful to hear from some of the recipients how the dogs have helped them."

Our volunteers are absolutely essential to what we do, and it's a credit to Clare that today, four deaf people - and their friends and family - are being helped by dogs she socialised.

Hunter is Clare's sixth pup. She's also looking after another pup, called Casper, who is sponsored by a company, and is a little older. Here they are - best of friends!

Hunter came to live with Clare at eight weeks old. Cue some cute photos of him at eight weeks!

Since then, Clare and Hunter have come to know each other very well. "He loves meeting people and we get many visits from children and grandchildren", Clare tells us. "He plays nicely with other dogs. Our house backs on to woods so Hunter sees lots of wild life including deer and squirrels."

Here he is out on a nice, refreshing walk in the woods...

Clare continues: "He loves to walk out in the countryside, where he experiences horses and cows."

Here he is experiencing a cow...

More from Clare: "He has a real liking for blackberries and is quite happy with his head in the bush."

Here he is experiencing a bush!

Clare sums him up: "Hunter is a cheeky mischievous pup and very lovable."

We hope you agree! We're preparing his first full update and it will be with you in the new year. Until then, thank you for sponsoring Hunter!