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Handsome Hector is Hearing Dog of the Month
Lisa and Hector.
Hector, from Kent, has been named hearing dog of the month by the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People charity.

“Hector is not only my ears but my life” says Lisa Brown from East Malling in Kent. She lost her hearing due to otosclerosis, a condition which affects the bones in the middle ear, and she also suffers the same symptoms as having Meniere’s Disease. 36 year old Lisa was partnered with donated black Labrador Hector in 2007. She says “The moment I met Hector at The Grange it was love at first sight; a young bundle of black Lab fun, just as he has been ever since.”

I am so lucky and so very grateful to have him in my life. Hector has pulled me from the depths of despair. I do have a very special quality of life that I didn’t have before.
Hector, who is now four years old, was trained by the national charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People to alert his deaf owner to household sounds like the alarm clock, doorbell and telephone. When he hears the sound he nudges Lisa, and takes her to the source of the sound. For emergency sounds like the smoke alarm, he is trained to lie down on the floor so Lisa knows there is danger.

Lisa says “Hector loves doing his sounds (it could be his favourite fishy treats have something to do with it!) and his favourite sound is the doorbell. It’s not just about the sounds though, it’s more than that, I love my dog. I struggle to go out, I don’t like to go into busy places or do any of the things that most people can do, but after three years of not going to a supermarket, I went to one with Hector. He showed me that it would be ok because he is with me. We now have a routine cuddle before we go into a big shop. He sits there all smart and proud in his Hearing Dogs uniform and I bend down and cuddle him and say "Please look after Mummy" and he always looks me straight in the eyes. He has the biggest brown eyes that make my heart melt, and I just know I’m going to be fine.”

Hector the black labrador. 
In April 2008, Hector and Lisa went on their biggest adventure yet, when they travelled to London to watch her sister Esther run the London Marathon to raise money for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. The sponsorship money she raised paid for the training of another hearing dog, who is now helping another deaf person. Esther is in training to run the marathon again this April to try and help Hearing Dogs even more.

Lisa says “Hector and I have a very special bond, he is more than just my ears, he is my best friend. We learn, laugh, cry and play together. I am so lucky and so very grateful to have him in my life. Hector has pulled me from the depths of despair. I do have a very special quality of life that I didn’t have before. When Hector came into my life it was like someone had opened the curtains and the sun had shone in on me. With Hector by my side, I know that I am able to start learning to live again. It’s a long hard road, but it’s a journey I want to take, and with my faithful friend by my side there would be no better travelling companion.”

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.