Winnie's train journey

During lockdowns and social distancing, it wasn't easy for Winnie to practice being on public transport. However, she's made up for lost time!

It started by familiarising her with just being on the platform. Even before getting on the train, there's plenty going on which, if not introduced properly, could scare anyone, whether dog or human.

So, watch this...

See that? Didn't bat an eyelid.

This is because she's been brought up to be a confident, calm girl. For Winnie, new experiences aren't a problem, at all. In fact, she's happy wherever she goes - and this means she'll be happy with her future deaf partner too.

On the train now, and she just eases herself into the swing of things.

She has remarkable focus. Look at how her attention is on the person she's with. Her eventual deaf partner will have plenty of time to gaze into those lovely deep brown eyes. She'll also draw plenty of admiring looks and who knows, might even spark a conversation or two, thereby helping her deaf partner to connect more with the world around them.

Now on the underground, and we have noisy, smelly escalators. Again, because of her upbringing, her temperament, and the way she's very gently introduced to these places, it really is fine. She's so special.

In fact, she enjoyed it so much that next time, she brought a friend along for the ride!

Look at that lovey delicate line along her nose. She's had that since she was a tiny puppy, and it marked her out as a pretty girl who would make a deaf person very proud one day.

So, as you can see, she's become a super, sleek, glossy Labrador, immensely capable and confident. She's completely grown up. Or has she...?

At the end of the day, all the best dogs are still puppies at heart! 

That's what we want - for them to retain some of their puppy charm, to want to play and have fun with their humans. That's how Winnie will help her deaf partner, by being cool, calm and collected when she's at 'work', but a soft, playful puppy during downtimes.

We think she's a wonderful dog, and we hope you think so too. This is because you have supported her all through her training journey. One day she'll change a deaf person's life. Right now however, thank you once again for sponsoring Winnie. You're pawsome!