Scout: Never-before-seen footage

Right now, as we're sure you appreciate, times are not easy.

It's especially not easy getting fresh new photos of our sponsor puppies. So, we put out a call to our volunteers, and the Scout photos came flooding through!

We thought we'd seen it all before with Scout but - as is often the case with Scout, who never fails to amaze - we uncovered some absolute gems.

For example, did you see her in her first puppy class? How about after she'd had her first trim? Or a video of her visiting a shop with Michelle (Scout's Volunteer Puppy Trainer) and her daughter Izzy?

Well, thanks to our volunteers, you can now! Read on...!

First up, the first puppy class. The lovely photo below was taken by a friend of Lorraine, Scout's Puppy Training Instructor. She is actually a professional photographer, and as you can see, runs Naughty Dog Photography. We're very grateful to her for giving us permission to use this fab photo.

The first lesson went really well, and Scout looked very relaxed and happy afterwards...

Now, how about a trim? Hmmmm...?

As you can see, Scout did start to get a bit shaggy at one point. All our dogs must have their puppy fluff trimmed off at some point. Some of the particularly fluffy ones look half the size afterwards! Others even change colour and don't look the same at all. With others, we finally get to see what their eyes look like.

Scout was never really that much of a fluffball, but the time did come when she had to face being trimmed. Our trainers are incredibly gentle when they do this, and in fact you might like to see how they trimmed another sponsor puppy, called Arya. She really enjoyed it! She was one of the puppies that were completely transformed afterwards.

So, what do you think? Did Scout look better, worse, or about the same...?

We think it's a definite improvement. Much cleaner lines. She looks very dignified in that shot!

Finally, let's see some photos and videos showing how brilliant Scout is out and about.

It starts with some fabulous heelwork down the road.

'Heelwork' is the name we give to how our dogs walk on their leads. OK, so it looks like Scout actually stopped for a bit of a breather above, but the main thing is, the lead is nice and relaxed, and Izzy (Michelle's daughter) is also being very patient with her. Scout has learned that she doesn't have to pull and tug, mainly because she trusts the person she's with not to do so either.

Notice also how they're in a busy shopping street. Even without cars, these can be busy places, potentially intimidating for little puppies. Not Scout however. She takes it in her stride.

So, on to the shop...

... and wouldn't you know it, it's a pet shop!

Will Scout manage to resist all the goodies around her?

Of course she will! She knows that she doesn't have to pester for treats. If she's a good girl, she'll get a reward - a fuss, a pat, maybe a cuddle or a treat. 

Scout's come such a long way, and even now, Michelle and her family are looking after her, making sure she continues along her training journey towards helping a deaf person leave loneliness behind. Scout is such an entertaining little character and, as you can see above, is great wherever she is, whether it be puppy class or checkout till.

Thank you for sponsoring her!