Two aspects of Nigel have become immediately apparent.

1. He loves physical contact. His preference seems to be caressing under his chin, but this is closely followed by the top of his head; any neck area, shoulders and along his spine. The only area which he does not invite is his tummy area. He has no problem with a tummy rub, but does not roll over and invite such.

He also gives as readily as he receives. He has met a few people for the first time (who were clearly dog lovers), and had no reservations about reaching up to lick their faces! In our case, he so readily also licks hands and pretty much anything else within reach of his gentle tongue.

2. When we are sitting down and he wants to chill out, it is invariably on the floor at our feet. There does appear to be a strategy here in that he will place his head on (or up against) one of our feet. Any slight movement on our part triggers an alert on his part.

This could be simply him making sure that wherever we go, he has the chance to decide what he wants to do, but I rather suspect that this is trained into him. It would seem very important that a guide dog be always in contact with its owner and, while we know that Nigel was deemed to need a “Career Change”, I have to wonder whether that constant contact was in fact trained into him. Regardless, it is a positive boon because we always know where he is. (Memories of the opposite personality …. “Have you seen Ray lately? Did you leave any food on the counter in the kitchen?”).

“You think these front legs are long? You should see my back ones!”