Progress With Cooper.....

More progress with the dog I've called Cooper. This dog was so frightened when he came that his actual arrival was quite a military operation. Anyone who saw him will vouch for how distressed he was, yet nine days on we enjoyed a couple of walks today. Those same people will appreciate how brilliant it is to see him like this.

 

Can You Help bramble.....

I mentioned earlier in the week that it had been a horrendous time for dogs being abandoned and kicked out. There's more to follow, but here's the first to turn up, Bramble.

A lovely old guy who is emaciated and in a really poor way, we are looking for a foster home to help him recuperate whilst we assess his condition. If you are interested please contact foreverfoster@shak.org.uk

 

Special Time.....

Anyone who has been to the kennels in the last 7 days will know what a special moment this was.

What I Come Home Too.....

Just thought I'd share with you what I come home too..... Featuring my own dogs Oskar and Sky and my 8 SHAK Fosters:

Star, Ava, Lennox, Scout, Haden, Rohan, Dolly and Molly.

I guess this is what they call a "busmans holiday!"

I Love This One.....

 

Two Years For Chance.....

It has been a terrible time for dogs being kicked out, abandoned and dumped this week, hence I haven't had the time to get on here. However it didn't stop me remembering Chance, who died two years ago on Friday. Chance was such a sad tale, a big brave boy who battled on right to the end. He left behind a lot of memories and friends, and I know he is up there running all over like a puppy.

 

Four Years For Roman.....

It's Four years today since we lost a brave, brave soldier who taught us so much. Roman was like a corpse when he arrived with us, he left us leaving an amazing family who loved him dearly.

Roman was perhaps the first clinically ill dog we took in. He proved that despite illness their was good people out there who would offer a wonderful home. A lot of what we do now wouldn't of been possible with this courageous soul. I for one will never forget you Roman x......

TJ Update.....

TJ is a very social and affectionate boy who loves other dogs and people including children. He can be a bit clingy but this is due to the fact that he never had a place that was his forever home and is still afraid that he might be abandoned.

 

He is a dream to walk and seems friendly with all dogs including small fluffy ones. TJ is very affectionate; he gives lots of kisses (even to dogs) and often smiles (the sighthound way).

 

He is fully housetrained and will let you know when he needs to go out. He loves his food but is not food aggressive. He will do anything for a treat so it was really easy to teach him to give paw or sit. He is currently being crate trained which he does not really like as he would rather sleep and cuddle with people in their bed.

 

TJ loves to play and he uses his long legs to wrestle so he would love to live with another dog (whatever the size or breed) that is equally playful and won’t mind cuddling. He is not dominant and will follow and listen to the resident dog.

 

TJ has lovely long legs and has a very long stride. He is a jumper so high fence is a must. He can be a cry baby at times (I am working on it at the moment) but he also talks by making funny barking/howling sounds when he is happy or excited.

 

TJ would prefer for someone to be around most of the day as he really loves company. He is very clean and grooms himself after mealtimes-almost like a catJ Initially he did not know how to play with toys but now loves soft toys.

 

This gorgeous boy will make a very devoted companion which will not be afraid to show you how much he loves you every minute of the day.

 

Noah Sleep Over.....

Noah had a weekend sleepover that has developed into a little bit more. Although we are still looking for a Forever Foster home, Noah's pass out has been extended until that is found. Thanks to Jacquie, and here's her report!

The lovely Noah came home with me this weekend to see how he liked living in a house. Noah sat in the back of the car on an hour journey with no problem at all. He has settled into home life as if he was made for it. Noah has been clean and goes to the door to ask to be out. I have left him for around 2 hours in his crate as a test and he was fine.

All my visitors have been met by a wagging tail no barking or demands just curious and pleased to see them. On walks Noah can pull a bit but soon settles down. He was polite and quietly friendly with all other dogs big ones small ones and bouncy ones. He allowed people to pat him but was shy and not  at all demanding. For a sight hound he was fairly disinterested in small furry dogs and birds etc.

 He spends the day sleeping and following you! I have brushed Noah all over and he was fine in fact he loved it. Noah has eaten well but is not greedy. He likes a rawhide chewy but does not know what to do with toys.

Noah is not perfect.......well who is he gets very excited when he sees his leader and will try to put his paws on your shoulders but he quickly settled down. He can also reach the very back of benches easily you have been warned.

All in all he has settled like he has always lived here!

Haden Enjoys A Winters Night.....

Thought you might like to see a picture of Haden enjoying a lie down on a winters night. Snow is back up here, but there's nothing better than a. Rest after playing and chasing your sisters and brothers.

No Radio Show Tomorrow.....

It's with regret that I have to say due to unforeseeable circumstances there is no Radio Show tomorrow. My apologies, and I hope to be back on air next Thursday.

"It's A Dog's Life" Book Hits The Big Time.....

 

 

I received some great news today, as I received an order from Waterstones in Newcastle for my SHAK inspired book "It's A Dog's Life." As from tomorrow, you will be able to walk into the Newcastle store and see the book (and Benson on the cover) on a shelf and buy it! Remember a donation from every book sold comes to SHAK, so this really is a major achievement and step forward.

 

I am told the book will also be available on Waterstones on line too, but at the minute it is available to order on line at:

"It's A Dog's Life"..... SHAK Shop Link

Or also on Amazon with the link below:

"It's A Dog's Life"..... Amazon Link

Here are some reviews from people who have already purchased and read it!

"I managed to read it (through the tears!) and found it both difficult yet understandable considering the way people are today ! Stephen,s insight as to how they could feel is amazing. We all "think" we know what they are thinking but in the awful circumstances some of them live in - we usually think they are better off in the "pound"!

"Brilliant book, spent most of today crying, as found it very emotional. It made me think and is very powerful."

"The writing style of 'It's a Dogs Life' makes you believe that these lovely creatures have 'human-like' feelings and the sad story makes you feel angry that some of our fellow humans can be so cruel.....A nicely written book"
 

"Just finished reading 'Its a dogs life' ...... what can I say, I sobbed through most of it. It brought back a lot of memories of dogs that were let down by the awful pound system in this country. Well done! Not a comfortable topic to write about but you really did a great job. It should be read by anyone who is thinking of working with dogs."

Everyone Lost.....

A video I have put together to remind you of the importance of microchipping your dog, or at least having a tag on it. Highlighting the work we do with strays, the purpose of the video is to make people think.....

Blue Needs A New Home.....

A change in circumstances means the we are looking for another home for Blue. This gorgeous boy needs a home where he will have company and his home comforts. If you are interested in offering Blue that, then contact foreverfoster@shak.org.uk

A Year On I Still Miss You Dudley.....

It's a year today since I lost one of the most influential dogs I've ever been lucky enough to meet. Dudley was dumped in a field in the middle of nowhere, left to die as he couldn't stand. He wasn't ready to die though, and he battled through CDRM and Arthritis, and lived with me for 5 months. He enjoyed swimming twice a week and massages, and stuck to my side from the minute he saw me. Dudley taught me so much, he inspired me to go on when times were tough, and was everything you could ever dream of in a dog. Ironically he died 13 years to the  day that Shak walked into my life, and left as big a hole in my heart as the dog whose death started all of this.

 

It's A Dog's Life, The Radio Show.....

Please don't forget to tune into "It's A Dogs Life" The SHAK Radio Show on Thursday from 9am - 11am on Lionheart Radio 107.3 fm. Or listen live on line at www.lionheartradio.com.

Theres some great stories, a very sad Waggy Tail and some fantastic tunes lined up, so please tune in.

Any requests or if you have A Waggy Tail please email lionheartradio@shak.org.uk

The Sad State Of Molly And Dolly.....

Introducing our latest two neglect cases Molly and Dolly. Found as strays, the connection between these two is so great that you cannot even walk them with the leads in different hands, they pull to be together. Dolly (the long haired one) is the most neglected but also the most confident of the two. Molly will do everything Dolly does.

I think the pictures speak for themselves, but I am pleased to say that they are both  learning to trust me, and seem to be enjoying life here. Just adds to the question, how could anyone treat them like this.....