Let's enjoy a bit of downtime with Lily

Lily is a lovely, affectionate, cuddly dog...

... just to... 

... relaaaaaaax with.

Those ears are wonderfully soft and silky, and it's a real stress-buster just to spend some time stroking and curling them between your fingers.

Our deaf partners tell us the same. Deaf people can sometimes feel lonely, cut off from the world around them, and this can make them feel anxious. A cute canine companion, happy just to spend downtime with you - with fluffy ears that feel nice between the fingers - can make a real difference to the day.

In fact, Lily loves downtime pretty much anywhere, any time, with anyone!

Why even wait for people to be on the sofa when you can have a snuggle in the kitchen?

In fact, why even wait for people to get out of bed?

Lily is being trained to help her future deaf partner to wake up. Deaf people often have difficulty with this, because the alarm clock simply isn't loud enough - not even when set to vibrate and put under the pillow.

So, Lily will be taught that, when the alarm clock goes, she's to wake up her deaf partner. For smaller dogs like Lily, we teach them actually to jump on the bed. That usually does the trick! Then the deaf person is woken up by a happy dog looking forward to spending a fab day together. What a way to start the day.

For bigger dogs, leaping on the bed could do someone an injury! So larger dogs are taught to pull the covers off the bed with their teeth. Again, does the trick.

Back to Lily, and if you're very lucky, you also get an affectionate peck on the cheek (or the ear).

As well as playing a large part in downtime, Lily's ears are starting to take on a life of their own.

They even fan themselves out appealingly when she's not lying down.

How could you resist?

The answer is, of course, not to resist. Just go with it, because Lily is loving and lovely, and if she wants to be affectionate and cute, just let her! In fact, more than that, give her a cuddle back. You know you want to.

As you can see, Lily is having a wonderful time. This is because of your generosity, your kindness in supporting her. So, once more, from all of us at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People - thank you for sponsoring Lily!