On A Brighter Note.....

Boris moved into his Forever Foster Home today! Good luck handsome, it was a pleasure looking after you.

In Memory Of My Spirit.....

The rest of this week has been hard, thank you to everyone for all your kind words and wishes. I still can't believe that Spirit has gone. I feel so cheated that something so good was taken away from me and him so quickly,when he finally had everything in the world to look forward too.

Still life goes on, and after speaking to Derek it has been decided that a raffle that was arranged for Sunday to raise funds for his operation should go ahead in his memory. Tickets are £2 each and limited to 100, and it is winner takes all. The full hamper of goodies is displayed above, tickets available at Derek's on Sunday at Seaton Sluice.

Another wonderful gesture came from our friend Lisa Clark who brought us the wonderful Gunnar and Nina. As a singer/songwriter, she was so moved by Spirit's story that she wrote a song about him called "True Spirit." It will be available to watch (she has made a video with his photographs) on here soon, but in the meantime you can watch it on our Facebook page here:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=729153364#!/video/video.php?v=1520892978510&ref=mf

I really do miss him.....

Brave, Brave Boy.....

I just felt so proud of this boy when I walked him, now I know what he was going through and the pain he was suffering makes me even prouder.....

Run Free Spirit, Like In Your Dreams.....

Today is one of those days that you wish never came about. I had to say goodbye to a really special dog, who over the last 9 days has changed my life.

X Rays showed Spirit to have a huge bone tumour on his hind leg, that had spread up to his lungs. Nothing the vets could do or prescribe could ease his pain, his leg was simply disintegrating and now that cancer had hit his lungs, he was fighting a losing battle. We will never know how long my brave boy had been fighting, but I do know he was a wonderful dog, the true family pet, and over the last 9 days it has been an honour to have him in my home.

It was on the vets advice that I had to say goodbye to a dog I felt I had known all his life. I've been crying most of the afternoon, but this really isn't a sad ending. I'm proud SHAK was around to give this boy this chance, I'm proud he went from nothing to a home despite being so ill, and I'm so proud to of had the chance to call him mine. From the fate that faced him ten days ago, then that is a happy ending.

I watched him again as he slept last night, and in his dreams he was running..... fast. I'll never know what he was chasing, but I do know he looked happy.

So run free big man, I miss you already, and you leave behind not only a Dad that loves you, a Mam that was falling too, but a little girl and two other dogs that adored their new brother. We will never forget you x

True Spirit.....

I have to be honest and say that Spirit has kind of moved in with me whilst he goes through all his medical issues. The kennels just didn't seem the right place for him. Last night I was watching him sleep by my bed, and he was dreaming. All four legs were galloping along, I know wherever his sleep had taken him he was pain free.

Tomorrow see's the start of a long path, he is at the vets for x rays of his whole body. Once we know the full extent of what we're dealing with we can then go about putting things right. I probably won't sleep again tonight, but for a different reason. Please say a prayer for him.

The Duke Finally Learns How To Play.....

This is Duke finally working out what a ball is for. He was skinny, stressed and on guard when he arrived, and it was so sad to see that he didn't have a clue what to do with toys.

He has blossomed into the big handsome dog he was meant to be.

Good To See A Smile Again.....

After a horrible week two of my pals put a smile on my sister's face today. Storm and Roxy took Karen for a little run around the back, and Roxy even showed her that she did know what a ball was for, after Karen had been teaching her for the last two weeks. It was great to see all three of them so happy.

It's A Hard Life Being A SHAK Fundraiser.....

Little Ruby after a while day selling raffle tickets. What a little star.

God Bless You Little Black Cat.....

I was driving back from Blyth this morning, and as I passed Asda I saw some ladies by the side of the road with a cat that had clearly been knocked over. I stopped and rushed over, but the poor little soul had moved on from this cruel world. Now I know accidents happen, but when talking to the woman who risked life and limb to pick the cat off the road as cars just sped by nearly hitting him again, she describe how he had been staggering all over just trying to get to the other side. Nobody stopped, the person who hit him didn't stop, why would you do that??? Hit an animal and then carry on. Is its life too much of an inconvenience to your Saturday rush?

I did what I thought was best, and too him to a vets (thank you St Clairs) so he could at least be saved rotting by the side of the road or being torn to bits by foxes. God bless little bless cat.

Good Day At Burgham.....

Just wanted to thank Karen, Andrea, Lynn and Ruby for what sounds a great day at Burgham Horse Show. They seemed to have a great day, and kick started the "Fighting Spirit Fund" in aid of our handsome boy Spirit. Thank you girls from him and me.

The Week Gone By.....

It's been another crazy week, with lots going on both at the kennels and away from the "hands on" work. The new merchandise has been well received and thank you to everyone who has bought the new style Hoodie, the Windcheater and even the new "Saving Dogs On Death Row" T Shirt that was only launched yesterday!

At the kennels themselves, progress has been made on several fronts. This week was the first week that Faith ventured out into the inside runs instead of little walks on her own. In the past this has all been to much of an ordeal for her, but she now has two calm old men looking after her in Scooby and Spirit.

There has also been a big development for another of our more mature German Shepherds, as Boris (like Spirit) also had a sleep over. Over the past four or five weeks or so we have been working towards Boris moving into his new "Forever Foster" home. His new owners have been very patient and worked really hard to make it as easy a transistion as possible. Last night was the final step, and as you can see from the picture above, it worked well. Boris is going to his new home next week.

SHAK At Burgham Horse Show.....

On Saturday. Thank you to the event organisers for the invite, and thank you to Karen, Andrea, Charlotte and little Ruby for pulling together a stall at such short notice. The local news has just been on, and it seems a massive event. Should be a great day out for all the family, so why not pop down and support the girls too.

A Big Night For Spirit.....

After his visit to see the vets yesterday, Spirit had a sleep over at my house before returning to the kennels this afternoon.

He was a perfect gent, no accidents, and curled up and slept with me in the sitting room. This morning he met my two, Oskar and Sky, and all three ventured down to the garden. It was great to see him playing, and despite his condition he was still trying to keep up with Sky the Greyhound.

I'll be honest and say I was sad taking him back, but at least he had some time away to live a normal life. It's a big day on Tuesday now, then we just have to take things and sort him from there. Proud of you though Spirit.

Boys Will Be Boys.....

New Friends.....

Update On Spirit.....

The big handsome boy had his visit to the vets tonight for a general check over and to more specifically his rear end. Its a bit of mixed news, and Spirit has a long road ahead of him. An appointment has been made made for next Tuesday, when Spirit will have xrays on both his chest and back end. The chest xray is a precaution to make sure that there is nothing sinister that is causing him being so under weight, the xray on his back end is to try and confirm the vets opinion that it is severe hip dysplasia.

One good point is that at least it isn't CDRM for which there is no cure, however if Jonathon's fears are confirmed then Spirit will need at least one if not both hips replaced.

This is where we need your help. The operation will cost thousands per hip (although Moorview have offered us a fantastic discount more to follow when we get a quote)Please help us ease this beautiful big boys suffering by donating towards the cost of his medical bills and operation.

Please send a cheque (payable to SHAK) to:

SHAK
Wildwood Cottage.
3a Stead Lane
Bedlington
Northumberland
NE22 5LT

Or donate via PayPal:

shak@shak.org.uk

At this very moment in time, Spirit is curled up by my feet fast asleep. Tomorrow he has to go back to kennels, we as a species owe it to him to ease his pain. We really need your help.....

Poundies T Shirts Available At Last.....

At long last the "Poundies Never Say Die" T Shirts are available here:

http://www.shakshop.co.uk/-Poundies+-+Never+Say+Die/p168627_863308.aspx

A great T Shirt for every 80's kid that remembers the Goonies.....

Saving Dogs On Death Row T Shirt.....

A brand new design that says it all really..... available to order at the SHAK Shop here:

http://www.shakshop.co.uk/Saving+Dogs+On+Death+Row+T+Shirt/p168627_1378189.aspx

Sad Times.....

The last 24 hours have been tough, as Karen (my sister and SHAK volunteer) had to say goodbye to her best friend, soul mate and rock over the last few months, Dax. Seeing someone so close go through suffering like this makes me hate the idiots who give up on their dogs even more. Maybe if they felt the pain of losing someone so special, then they'd think again.

Run free gorgeous girl, Shak, Poppy, Badger and Roxy are all waiting for you at the bridge. Your leaving some broken hearts down here.

Happy Birthday Long John.....

Happy Birthday Derek, from all the dogs at SHAK x

A Very Brave And Special Boy Arrives At SHAK.....

Having been alerted to this beautiful boy on Friday, and learning how desperate his situation was, I'm pleased to say that Spirit (new start, new name) became a SHAK dog today. Thanks to Jennie at K9 Search and Sid and Sheila for bringing him all the way up here, together we have saved his life.

Spirit is in a horrendous state. He is skin and bone, and has no muscle tone on his back end what so ever. His right side is noticeably worse than his left, and he tends to hold that leg up at every opportunity rather than stand on it. I have seen a dog like this once before, our wonderful friend Roman, and I can't stop thinking that he too may have CDRM(There is a link to a definition of the disease at the end of this post.)However, I am not a vet its just a feeling I have, and we will have to wait till Spirit pays a visit to one next week.

He is very alert in himself, and still likes to have a run as you can see, which is where it comes down to us to be a "rescue" in the true meaning of the word. The next step is a vet visit, and then try and find him a suitable place to see out his days however long or short that may be.

I know already that he is going to break my heart.....

http://www.provet.co.uk/health/diseases/cdrm.htm

Handsome Boy.....

Poor Soul.....

A Big Thank You To Two Special Young Girls.....

I would just like to thank two special young girls who held a table top sale for SHAK today. Rebecca and Casey worked hard all day, and raised a fantastic £133! Thank you both so much for all your hard work from all the SHAK Dogs and the SHAK Team.

Urgent Appeal For Found Dog.....

I have been approached to try and help find the owner of this dog that was picked up in the Bedlington Station area of Northumberland last Sunday 11th July. A young collie lurcher, he is currently with his finder, but she cannot keep him for ever. I met the young guy today, and he is lovely. Recovering from a flea allergy, the local authorities have been informed. If you know who is missing him, or even interested in offering him a home if his owners don't come forward please contact strays@therescueplace.com

It's Nearly Sunday!!!!!.....

Don't forget you can help all the dogs you have seen on this blog by simply popping into Derek's on the sea front at Seaton Sluice for a coffee, tea or soup tomorrow. Just look for the black flags!

New Boy Safe And On His Way To SHAK.....

As Kumi moves onto pastures new, a new lost and desperate soul is close to moving in. I can now confirm that the old German Shepherd I mention yesterday, left the pound today and is travelling to The Rescue Place early tomorrow morning. He sounds like he is in a really bad way, you can see from these pictures how thin he is, and the lack of muscle on his back end is a serious concern. Updates and new photos tomorrow.

Wow, This Really Is Krysta.....

It's always nice to hear how some of our old friends are doing, especially when they are doing as well as Krysta. Remember she was only given a couple of months to live last year due to masses in her lungs. Look at her enjoying the sunshine. She is an inspiration to all of us that even if things don't look good, if you give the dog a chance they can enjoy the time they have. So proud of you "Little Luggsy."

Good Luck Kumi.....

Kumi the Akita girl we helped out last week moved onto her home today. She was about to be abandoned in her home, but thanks to the local dog wardens and Friends Of Akita she had a new home waiting for her in Wales. Problem was she needed somewhere to go whilst transport was arranged. That is where we stepped in, and in the week she stayed with us I have to say she stole my heart.

Good Luck Kumi, it was a pleasure to look after you, enjoy your new home life.

Forever Foster Home Still Needed For Isaac.....

Isaac recently returned to us after nearly 18 months in a home, through no fault of his own. We are now looking for a “Forever Foster” home for this old guy to spend his retirement days.

If you feel you can offer him this please leave a message on 07931 702345 stating clearly that you are interested in Isaac or email shak@shak.org.uk

(Normal SHAK foster terms apply, and please note that potential fosterers will need to make several visits after a home check to get to know Isaac. He is in the Alnwick area.)