Handsome Kai

It's Kai time again!

Kai is growing up into a fine figure of a Labrador. He's so glossy, healthy and handsome, everyone comments on him. There's something about black Labs wearing the burgundy 'I'm learning to be a hearing dog' coat that is such a striking combination.

Kai recently moved on to new volunteers, but not before Sharon and Peter had made sure they'd shared some more fantastic photos of their time with him.

They took him to Greys Court, a fabulous Tudor country house and gardens in the southern Chiltern Hills near Henley-on-Thames. It's a great place to take an inquisitive dog who wants to learn more about world. This is not least because Kai was fussed over by all the garden staff, who all said he was such a well-behaved dog!

This is an important aspect of being a hearing dog. They help with the practicalities of recognising sounds, but as importantly they encourage people to engage with their partners. A happy waggly tail can trigger the start of many conversations with curious, interested, friendly people that otherwise deaf people just might not have.

Kai also continued to enjoy the company of the venerable Hudson, his special Lab pal. They've been best friends since Kai was a little puppy, as you can see if you browse through the rest of Kai's updates.

Here they are having a good old chew on a tasty treat. Labs being Labs, the rest of the world is completely ignored when they have something to gnaw on!

Notice how glossy Kai's coat is in that photo. It shows how healthy he is. He's clearly been given just the right amount of exercise and treats, and one day, when he helps a deaf person to rediscover their confidence and reconnect with their community, they'll feel so proud with such a handsome chap by their side.

Sharon and Peter also sent through a series of photos of Kai looking curiously at them, in the courtyard at our Southern Training Centre called The Grange. So, we thought we'd put them together into a sequence!

We said that, even though he's growing up he's still a puppy at heart. No photos show this better than Kai with his latest toy, called 'Mr Croissant'.

And finally, here's the last photo Sharon and Peter took of Kai. It's a lovely shot and definitely one to remember him by.

He looks so content, intelligent... and did we mention, handsome?

Thank you so much for sponsoring Kai!