SHAK Beer Draws?....

For this charity to continue to grow we need to come up with fresh new ideas to keep the funding coming in to allow us to do our work. Taking into account my history of running football teams in the past I have one idea that may help, but to do it we need your support. 

Calling all landlords, pub regulars and SHAK Supporters. Could you run a beer raffle in your pub or your local? Could you sell raffle tickets with a case of beer the prize and the funds coming to the dogs?

Food for thought? Contact me at shak@shak.org.uk for further info.....

Fantastic Response.....

Thanks to all the kind people who have donated to our food appeal. The response has been brilliant as always, but we still need more. If you can spare a little, please drop some food off at one of the following:

We have drop off points at the following:

Taylors Newsagents, Bondgate Within, Alnwick
Pets At Home, Cramlington
Moorview Vets, Backworth
Derek On A Sundayat Seaton Sluice
Sainsbury's, Alnwick

Or you can also buy directly on line at our Amazon Wish List:

SHAK Amazon Wish List.....

I have said it before that I will starve before the dogs go with out, but we really need your help here..... Thanks in advance for your support.

Still Blue.....

We are still looking for a new Forever Foster home for Blue. Due to a change of circumstances his present family cannot give them what they think he deserves. Can you? Contact foreverfoster@shak.org.uk

 

My Fosters.....

Here's a few of my SHAK Foster dogs enjoying the weekend. These dogs were all written off by people, and somehow ended up arriving with us. This lot ended up sharing my life and my home. It's great seeing them have fun, and I'm extremely proud of them all.

Haden the Three Legged Lurcher.

Lennox, Star, Rohan and my own Oskar enjoying a game with Neve and Grace.

It's a tough job for Haden and Ava.

Hobo, Rohan,Lennox, Dolly, Molly, Haden, Ava, Scout, Star and Sky and Oskar.

 

Amazing.....

Anyone who has been to SHAK over the last 4 years will know just how amazing this email and these photos are. Lola was with us way longer than she should of been, and was so close to going home so many times. I cannot explain how much this means to us all:

"Hi I'm Lola's new mum Christine.

She's a fab dog settling in to our routine very well, She's so loving and fun. Everything she sees seems new to her but it's all taken in her stride. She's loving her walks but not to keen on waves at the beach. We are enjoying her so much it's like she's been here for ever. Enjoy the photos, one is fun time and other is her on her sofa (the only one she's allowed on watching dad on the computer).

Christine."

 

Dolly's Makeover.....

Took this photo tonight of Dolly enjoying the evening sun in my garden. You'll remember when she arrived with Molly she was emmaciated and covered in sores and bald patches. Both her and Molly had serious damage and infections to their tails and I'm happy to say that they have both healed superbly. These two girls have come a long way, and continue to progress. They make me very proud. They will be looking for a Forever Foster home TOGETHER soon.

 

Annie Adds Sunshine To Bobby's Day.....

It was lovely to see Bobby having some fun with Annie the other day, as he has been so lonely since Nina died.

Bobby has come a long way recently, and a lot of that was the work of Nina, she was such a super dog. Annie made him smile, and in turn made all of us smile too.
 

Found You Rohan.....

I wondered where one of my shadows had disappeared too this afternoon with the sun out!

Desperate For Food.....

It's reached that point again where I have to come cap in hand and ask for your help. We are in desperate need for both dry and tinned dog food. As the amount of neglected dogs in this area doesn't seem to be giving up, we really need your help to continue us to be able to help the ones that need it the most.

We have drop off points at the following:

Taylors Newsagents, Bondgate Within, Alnwick
Pets At Home, Cramlington
Moorview Vets, Backworth
Derek On A Sundayat Seaton Sluice
Sainsbury's, Alnwick

Or you can also buy directly on line at our Amazon Wish List:

SHAK Amazon Wish List.....

I have said it before that I will starve before the dogs go with out, but we really need your help here..... Thanks in advance for your support.

Exciting News Just In.....

Just received an order from the Agency for the Legal Deposit Libraries for copies of It's A Dog's Life to be sent to Oxford and Cambridge Universities and the National Libraries of Wales and Scotland. And just had contact from a national Sunday newspaper wanting to run the story..... Guess it really is real.....

 

The Sad State Of Pepper And Toni.....

The start of this year has been the worst I've ever know for abuse, neglect and sheer cruelty. The pictures of the two newest SHAK dogs below simply prove my point. Especially when added to all the others we've had to take in already in the first 4 months of the year.

Pepper and Toni were picked up as strays, clearly related in someway, I would think that they have been together all their lives. Pepper is blind in one eye, whilst the two of them are severely underweight, suffering from skin conditions and have extremely long claws. They are currently under assessment as we treat their ailments and nurse them back to full health, but they are such happy go lucky dogs that it makes the way they've been neglected even tougher to take.

Pepper

Toni

 

It's A Dog's Life Goes Global.....

Thanks to Chris and Susan for sending these, made me laugh!

Shameless plug, but please don't forget you can order your copy of my book from the SHAK Shop:

It's A Dog's Life.....

"And so it all began.
A bit of bother going through emigration, not having a pet passport didn't
help matters but hey, we're on our way."

"Them drinks is taking a while to come, I got a thirst on in with all this
heat."

"Who is wearing the brightest colours today, the bull or that human man
chappie.

I'm just a doggie..........get me out of here!"

"This book is being read all over the world and some very famous people have
taken an interest!"

"Them feet sure do stink a bit!"

"Time for some of them drinkies what the humans enjoy so much."

"Nice to have a rest in my favourite chair during my hols."

"Think me gona have a swim with them humans!"

 

 

Can You Help Hobo Recover?.....

We are urgently looking for a foster home to help Hobo recover from a serious injury. Dumped by the side of the road with his back left leg shattered, Harry Hobo as the vets called him, was in a desperate state. Thanks to some compassion from Northumberland County Council Animal Welfare Team, the vets at Alnorthumbria (where he was taken too) and ourselves, Hobo's life was saved. His recovery has been remarkable and he is such a lovely dog. He loves company and is like a big brother to Molly and Dolly. All he needs now is a warm comfy rug to continue his recovery.

We think that Hobo has come from a working background so he needs a home with nothing else furry, although he does love the company of other dogs. If you'd like to be considered then please contact foreverfoster@shak.org.uk

I've attached a copy of his x-ray so you can see what a bad break it was, and also to make you think..... how could anyone dump him at the side of the road when he was in such pain?

 

Looking For Annie.....

We recently had 3 gorgeous German Shepherd girls arrive after being abandonned in a garden. I am delighted to say that Ellie and Senga have now both found great homes, leaving Annie looking for her new start.

Annie is a wonderful dog, loves to play and loves other canine company. She has already in the she's been alone helped young Ted and Bobby. Her energy makes a mockery of her 7 years, and anyone lucky enough to have Annie in their lives will be very lucky indeed. If you are interested in offering Annie a home please contact foreverfoster@shak.org.uk

 

Last Chance To Enter.....

Thanks to everyone who has entered the Photo Competition. There's still time to enter, here's some entries so far:

Bobby

George

Harvey and Emily

Pippa

Poppy, Peppa, Penny and Chloe

Wilmie

Bobby

Our very own Woody



Do you have the prettiest pooch, the most handsome hound or just the cutest canine in north Northumberland? Well, now’s your chance to prove it.

To boost this year’s Jam Jar Army campaign, the Gazette and charity SHAK are teaming up for a My Best Friend photo competition for the area’s dogs.

And Alnwick photographer Andy Craig, based in the town’s Fenkle Street, will be helping to judge the contest by selecting the final shortlist as well as offering the top prize.

The victorious dog will win a free pet-portrait session with Andy, which usually costs at least £50, and he has also donated some other prizes for some of our other favourites. All we are asking is that you send us a photo of your four-legged friend whether it be funny, cute or simply running free.

The photos will be shown on SHAK’s website – shaksafehomesandkindness.blogspot.co.uk – and a selection will also be featured in the Gazette.

Andy will then use his expert eye to pick a final shortlist before we open up the competition to the public vote to decide the champion.

All you have to do to enter is send a cheque payable to SHAK and photograph with the entry form to us here at the Gazette or email your entries along with a PayPal payment to photos@shak.org.uk

Entry costs a minimum suggested donation of £2, but feel free to donate more; remember every penny goes towards the upkeep of all of the dogs that SHAK cares for at its kennels based at a farmhouse north of Alnwick.

The competition closes on Thursday, May 9, so all entries must be in by then. After that, we will publish the final shortlist for the public vote.

We want businesses, organisations, families and individuals all to hold collections as we aim to match or surpass the last two Army campaigns.

Get in touch with us – on 01665 602234 or ben.ocon nell@jpress.co.uk – if you want to get involved or have any ideas for fund-raising.

We have some jam jars to collect at the Northumberland Gazette office. And now, new stickers to decorate jars and posters with the SHAK logo are available, so look out for them. We also have some to give out at the Gazette office.
Full jars can be dropped off at the Gazette office on Bondgate Without, Taylor’s newsagents or the Lions’ bookshop, both on Bondgate Within.

Jam Jar Army Photo Competition.