Onward and upward for Nutmeg

As we told you in your last full update, Nutmeg has moved on! He's now learning to recognise important sounds, which we call 'soundwork'. It's a big step, but he's a big character (as well as being a big dog!) and he's taken it all in his big stride.

He's now living with a local volunteer called Emma, which is where most of his training is done too. "He has integrated so well in the family," says Emma. "He's a joy to have around."

Sounds like our Nutmeg! And he's looking every inch the proud puppy below.

His previous puppy socialising volunteer, called Wendy, loved bringing him up. She explains what it's like reaching the end of her time with Nutmeg before handing him over to the next trainer: "The weekend before Nutmeg was due to leave me, we did ‘the farewell tour’, which involved visiting all the friends and family that we’ve spent lots of time with so that they can all say goodbye – I’m not sure Nutmeg realised what was going on but he loved the cuddles and treats! The night before, I packed up his things, and then we had a lovely off-lead walk the next morning."

So far so good, except... "Nutmeg decided to roll in fox poo just as we were about to go back to the car, his parting gift to me! He had a quick bath at home and then left quite happily with Jessie, his new trainer."

Here's another photo of him looking every inch a proud puppy, but this time measured horizontally:

Back to Wendy: "Surprisingly I didn’t cry, I really thought I would because I was very attached to Nutmeg, but I think knowing that he was going that day to a family to complete his next phase of training and that he’s going on to change someone’s life made it a little easier to pass him on – I know he’s going to do an amazing job and that his very lucky recipient will fall hopelessly in love with him."

We agree. He's a really lovely dog and it mustn't have been easy to hand him over! Look at that face!

Back to Emma now: "Nutmeg loves running through the long grass in the park and loved all the spring flowers."

Cue another cute shot of Nutmeg loving the spring flowers:

What else have they been up to together? "He has had trips to town which went very well and is fantastic at the National Trust coffee shop patiently waiting. My daughter had a birthday, and he loved playing with all the wrapping paper. He continues to love having the family around him all the time, and especially loves a cuddle. He enjoys our regular dog walks, and he does like to find a nice tree to relax under."

By the looks of it, he also enjoys a nice grooming session...!

And that's our Nutmeg. Here he is one more time... Bye Nutmeg!

He's such a lovely dog, and he's doing so very well, and this is because you have sponsored his training. From all of us at Hearing Dogs, until next time - thank you for your support.