Scout's new home

Scout has already made herself very much at home with her Volunteer Dog Trainer family!

For the first year of her life, she'll live with Michelle and her family. They are volunteers who will raise Scout and teach her how to be a well-behaved little puppy. We're delighted to tell you she's settled in already and is very happy. So is Michelle!

Here's the family showing Scout some photos of herself...

From left to right you have Michelle's daughter Izzy, then Scout, then son Max, and then husband Anthony. The amazing thing about that photo is you can actually see Scout's eyes for once! She looks very interested in whatever she's seeing, don't you think?

Of course, the pet dog is very much a family member too, and we're also very happy to tell you that Scout and Michelle's own 11-year-old Springer Spaniel Alfie fell in love at first, erm, lick!

Michelle tells all about Alfie and Scout: "He has been used to being an only dog in our household so I wasn’t sure how he would react to Scout. However, I need not have worried, he and Scout are good buddies and both benefit from the relationship in different ways. Scout is cheeky and playful and so makes Alfie play tug and ‘borrows’ his chews which makes him chase her. Alfie certainly has a new spring in his springy step since knowing Scout."

Here's Alfie looking more 'springy' in the garden with Scout...

"In return, Alfie is mature and confident with lots of experiences under his furry belt so when we are in the open fields meeting new dogs, Scout stays close to his side and takes a cue from him to know when to play and when to be respectful to other dogs. Alfie is used to going everywhere with us and travelling on different modes of transport so Scout was really confident to follow Alfie onto a bus and onto boats and copied his calm behaviour of lying down. Scout is very caring and likes to cuddle up to Alfie, washing his face and ears – Alfie seems very happy to be washed! It is a very nice friendship."

Here they are, friends together:

Well, OK, not quite together. That photo probably shouldn't work with the subjects so far down, but we really love it! Scout is very good at looking at the camera. She's a natural model! Here's one of them definitely in the same 'space':

As well as giving Scout basic training, It's Michelle's 'job' to introduce Scout to the world, by having new, positive experiences and learning to play nicely.

Michelle explains: "We are lucky to live in an area surrounded by countryside. We have daily walks in the fields, woodlands and wooded country paths. Scout loves to run fast in the open fields, playing with local four legged friends that may pass by. It’s in the woodlands that she is most alert - she seems to have a fascination for birds, any type of bird and she has helped me realise just how many birds we do have here in the UK! It can take us a while to get home..."

Here's Scout fascinated by birds...

... and, it would appear, horses! (Scout isn't really that big, it's just that the horses are far away.)

Back to Michelle: "I often think of Scout as a middle-aged dog in a puppy body, simply because she seems to know so much already and is a great thinker. She will sit on the lawn on a nice day and simply watch and listen to her surroundings, like she is storing information. She will do this for several minutes at a time. She will intently watch every creature as it goes about its business, quietly taking in every move and every sound it makes."

Who'd have thought we'd have a little philosopher on our hands? Here she is quietly contemplating life...

We know what you're thinking now: where's the cute shot of a puppy snoozing?

Here you go:

No Puppy Pen Pupdate is complete without one.

So, as you can see, Scout is having a wonderful time. She's made friends already and is very happy, safe and secure in her new home. Until the next time, thank you for sponsoring her!