Senna's forever family

Senna has been on quite a journey.

Since he was a cute, cuddly puppy, we’ve shown you how your kindness has helped him progress, through updates and Puppy Pen Pupdates.

However, after your last update, suddenly something seemed to change in him. He wasn’t happy – and that is contrary to everything we hold dear at Hearing Dogs.

So today, and for the rest of his lovely, loving life, Senna is going to live with Ron and Sue, who helped him take his first little puppy steps.

Senna is going to live happily ever after with his forever family.

A journey

Senna’s journey began with Volunteer Puppy Trainers and Senna enjoying Ron and Sue who adored him.

They’d trained many of our puppies over the years, so he was in the best possible hands.They taught him how to walk nicely on his lead, to settle, to return when called… all the foundations for a wonderfully well-behaved dog.

Then Senna moved on to live with Jennifer and her daughter Grace.

Senna settled well and over the course of a couple of months they introduced him to soundwork and gave him lots of care and affection too. They loved Senna, and he loved them right back, just as he had with Ron and Sue.

However unfortunately, despite all their best efforts, Senna wasn’t responding well to the more advanced training. Our volunteers and trainers keep a close eye on all our dogs so they can pick up on any potential problems quickly.

Jay, our Training Manager, explains: “Senna developed strange symptoms, such as otitis, a painful ear inflammation. No medications or diets seemed to help. “We wondered whether it was really a physical problem, because he seemed uncomfortable with change. His Dog Training Instructor Heather once described him as ‘a sensitive soul’, and noticed that he lacked confidence in unfamiliar places.

“So, we tried something new: we placed Senna back with Ron and Sue, to see what happened.”

Within a couple of weeks he was better. No special diets, no medication. He was settled, relaxed and, most importantly, happy. He was back to being, as Sue described him in your first update, ‘a happy, lively, affectionate little chap’.

Ron explains: “Senna settled back in with us very quickly. His ear problems have completely cleared. However, he is still upset around crowds, traffic and loud noises. That just won’t do for a hearing dog.

“We live near open fields and woodland, which he loves. Before the Coronavirus lockdown he had already made a lot of friends among the local dog community! He gets on really well with my own confidence and companion dog Amber, who helps me with high frequency sounds such as the timer and alarms. They enjoy the fun of jumping on top of us when the alarm clock goes off!”

Home again

Senna knew where he wanted to be: back with Ron and Sue. He didn’t like change. He didn’t like new experiences or places. It would have been extremely unfair of us to make him continue.

So, we’ve decided that the best thing for Senna is to continue living with them, looking after them as they look after him.

Back to Jay: “Senna brings Ron and Sue great comfort, especially during lockdown. They are incredibly thankful to have him. Their bond is lovely to see.”

A happy ending

Senna has found his forever family. His sweet, sensitive nature, which seems to have been what made change difficult for him, is exactly what Ron and Sue adore about him. He’s helping them both, particularly during lockdown.

We hope that you have learned how it takes a community of dedicated trainers and volunteers to raise a hearing dog. We hope also that you understand how Senna’s happiness is our number one priority. Almost all our dogs go on to help deaf people in some way, but very occasionally, a special character needs special treatment. It would have been wrong of us to ask of Senna what he simply could not give.

Instead, it’s a beautiful ending.

The video below shows Sue actually picking Senna up to take him back to his forever home...

During the Coronavirus pandemic, we have seen an unprecedented number of enquiries from deaf people who are feeling more isolated and vulnerable than ever. It would be wonderful if you could consider sponsoring another puppy. Whatever you decide, from all of us, thank you for your kindness in sponsoring Senna.