It's official - the Packham Pup is called Rascal

Rascal has experienced a health issue recently that means we have had to take the difficult decision to postpone his training. We did not take this decision lightly, and as we hope you’ll appreciate, the welfare of our puppies is always our top priority. The good news is that Micky, Rascal's brother, is now a replacement sponsor pup. He’s so like Rascal – energetic and full of life – and his volunteer puppy socialiser says “If Rascal wasn’t called Rascal, then Micky would be.” You can click here to follow Micky's journey...

It started life as The Packham Pup because we didn't know which one Chris Packham would pick!

Well, he's now chosen his puppy, and named it too... and it's called Rascal.

It turns out he couldn't have chosen a more appropriate name!

Of course, Chris couldn't have known this when Rascal was still nothing much more than an ultra-sound scan.

He also couldn't have known this when Rascal was a young puppy, because back then, Rascal would actually stay still for a second.

But it turns out Rascal really is Rascal by name and by nature! Cue picture of Rascal sticking his tongue out...

You see, Rascal just won't stop. He's always on the move. All you have to do is set him down...

... and he's off!

Rascal is choc-full of energy. He just runs everywhere, all the while with a look on his face that says "I'm really really really really really really really really really having fun here." 

Sometimes he crashes.

Very, very occasionally, he pauses for breath.

Then he's off again!

But when he does stop still for a second, and you get just the right angle, in just the right conditions, you see that Rascal may be a bit of a handful, but he's also absolutely beautiful.

It's the beginning of an amazing journey. Rascal is the new sponsor pup who will grow up to become an amazing hearing dog one day, with your help, and Chris Packham's help too. We're all so grateful for your support.