First, Luke is autistic and what you humans call ‘non-verbal’. This means he doesn’t have words (or woofs for that matter ). But he’s fantastic at cuddles and I could tell straightaway we were going to get along. Right from day one, we just seemed to ‘get’ each other – and now we have an amazing bond.

I’m so grateful for the chance to be here, helping Luke to cope with a world that can be overwhelming and difficult for him. But I know that other children are still waiting for their special friend. Can I ask you to help them too?

Could you send a gift today to change the life of a child with autism and open up a whole new chapter for them and their family?

Life has improved a lot for Luke since I first arrived…

Luke doesn’t like crowded or noisy spaces. And in the past, he could get stressed and simply take off. It must have been so scary for his mum Debbie and dad Paul, knowing their son might suddenly run out into the road. I’m shaking just thinking about it.

Now, when I put on my special vest and Luke puts on his harness and we’re tethered together, he’s a lot more relaxed around other people.

I love to see how brave Luke is when I’m alongside him. He gets strength from me. And he gets it from you too, because it’s your kind heart and generous spirit that enables me to be here. I’m wagging my tail extra hard as a special thank you.

Every day, I see the value of the training you helped to give me. Sometimes I have to be firm with Luke and hold my ground. Like, if he wants to go one way, but we need to go in the opposite direction. Luke’s safety is my number one priority, so I have to put my paw down.

Of course, while I am always proud to put on my vest and get to work, I also have plenty of downtime. When Luke is at school, Debbie will often take me for a run in the woods. I love to explore and to swim in any streams I discover. And it keeps me fit.

I also get to hang out with Yarrow quite a bit. He’s the friendly golden labrador who wrote to you last Christmas? Our boys and their mums were introduced by Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind and now they get on like a kennel on fire. (Us dogs know when the humans in our lives are relaxed and happy; I feel that whenever we meet up).

The Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind community really is full of fantastic people – you included. Your generosity is the helping hand to my helping paws and I couldn’t be more grateful.

I’d also like you to know that Luke’s mum and dad are doing everything they can to say thank you and to widen the circle of love that you have invited them into. I’ve heard Debbie say: ‘I am forever grateful; if I can help them in any way, I will.’ And I know she means it.

She often takes me along to schools and other events to raise awareness of autism and Assistance Dogs. She raises money too and I know she loves meeting the staff and volunteers from Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind as well as other families.

Paul has also been fundraising. In fact, he raised almost €10,000 for our charity by completing an Ironman event. I love to see such dogged determination. It can’t be easy running all that way on just two legs… although he’s much better than me on a bicycle.

We really are in this together, so if you could help again today, that would be fantastic. Your gift of could help another keen dog to complete their training and another child with autism to ‘belong’ in the world in a whole new way.

It’s so good to know we’re making a difference – and it makes me feel proud. Proud of Luke - and proud of kind friends like you who make all this possible.

Thank you once again for all you do to bring love, connection, and transformation to children like Luke.

Paws down, it’s the best thing ever to know how much you care.

With wags and kisses,