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Fudge The Golden Retriever Teaches Autistic Boy To Talk - But Family May Be About To Lose Him

Six months ago, little Nathan Rowling who suffers from autism would barely speak more than a word and family shopping trips would quickly descend into ‘pandemonium’

Boy's best friend: Nathan and Fudge reading a book (Caters)
Boy's best friend: Nathan and Fudge reading a book (Caters)


Golden retriever Fudge has proved he really is a boy's best friend - by teaching autistic 10-year-old Nathan Rowling how to talk.

Six months ago, little Nathan, who suffers from autism, would barely speak more than a word and family shopping trips would quickly descend into ‘pandemonium’.



But since getting the dog, this little boy’s life has been transformed and the two are now inseparable.

The incredible pet has not only improved Nathan's speech, but has given him confidence and even the ability try new foods hee would have turned his nose up at before.

Mum Brenda, 47, said: ‘Nathan didn’t talk before we got Fudge.

'He would acknowledge us and the people he knew very well but wouldn’t speak to anyone he didn’t know and would rarely say more than the odd word.’

When they got the dog, Brenda said: ‘Nathan got very excited and began speaking to people and telling them he now had a dog. We couldn’t believe it.

But Brenda and husband Simon are now faced with a desperate battle to raise the £4,000 to train and look after their newest family member or he may be taken away.

Nathan and Fudge at the dinner table (Caters)
Nathan and Fudge at the dinner table (Caters)


The couple had been looking for a service dog for a long time, but had little luck until they heard about Service Dogs Europe, who provided Fudge when he was just a few months old last year.

However, Fudge costs £6,000 and is still in need of more training.

While Brenda and Simon stumped up the initial payment of £2,000, they don't know where they will get the rest of the cash.


With the deadline fast approaching, the worried parents fear of what losing Fudge could do to Nathan and are appealing to the public's help.

You can donate to help Nathan and his family keep Fudge by visiting their fundraising website.