Introducing Cooper.....

Cooper came to us in a hell of a state, a big powerful dog that was showing the worst kind of behavioural issue..... fear. I took these photo's the other day, and I'm sureanyone who witnessed the big man's arrival will realise just how special they are.

It's Still Not Too Late To Enter.....

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.

Here's some of the entries so far including our own Billy:

Storm.

Harley Dog.

Mouse.

Winston.

Billy.

Tilly.

Roobee.

 

A Home For Lexi.....

I'm delighted to say that Lexi has found a new home with a sea view! Lexi was struggling to adapt to kennel life after being abandoned, but she quickly learnt to trust, and its great to see her looking like this. Proud of you big girl.

 

Update On Teddy.....

From his temporary foster Dad:

Teddy is a male GSD X Rottweiler aged around 9 months. He has a lovely and loving temperament and is friendly and playful with dogs and great with people he knows but can be nervous around strangers to begin with. He is neutered and house trained and loves his home comforts. He is a lively young lad who is proving very keen and quick to learn and already  omes when called.

 

We are looking for a home with experienced owners who will continue his training and socialisation. He will need someone around to provide regular exercise, time and patience whilst he gets to understand the big world around him.  Teddy is showing great potential to become a very special dog indeed and now needs to find the right person/people to help him on his journey.

If you are interested in offering him the home he needs, please email us on  foreverfoster@shak.org.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Two Lurcher Boys Desperately Looking.....

An update from Anna, TJ's Foster Mum:

"We are urgently looking for a home for TJ. TJ is a lovely healthy Lurcher boy who gets along with all dogs. He loves people and is very affectionate and can live with children.

Unlike many ex working Lurchers TJ has no prey drive and is great off the lead. He is very obedient and fully house trained. He is a big boy but walks beautifully on the lead and is very easy to handle.

TJ does not need a lot of exercise. He likes nothing better than cuddling and watching telly with you or even (if allowed) sleep in your bed. TJ has some abandonment issues and hates being left alone. We are looking for someone who is perhaps retired; works from home or could take this him to work every day. He loves the car and patiently waits for you to come back. 

TJ is just a lovely dog and really deserves a home to call his own."

We are also still looking for a new home for Blue. A change of circumstances in his current home means that this handsome boy is looking for a new beginning again. A really friendly dog, Blue also needs a home that means he won't be on his own too much.

If you are interested in offering either of these boys a home then please contact foreverfoster@shak.org.uk

Could You Help One Of The Three Amigos?....

We are now beginning to sift through the backlog of the most horrendous time for "kick outs" that I have known in rescue. I have literally called in every favour, promise and been downright pushy to fit dogs in, and of course the hard work only begins now.

We are desperately looking for Forever Foster homes for a few of the dogs (I will update on here as soon as I get the chance) but firstly can you help any of these 3, all desperate in their own way.

TJ, Teddy and Lola.

TJ.....

Is currently in a foster home and is so lovable, however he doesn't like being left on his own. As you can see he loves playing with other dogs and has so much energy.

Teddy.....

Is a young Rottweiler cross German Shepherd who is so very young and has just gone into a temporary foster home after I picked him up as a stray. Everything in life is new to him, but he is a quick learner, and has a definite attraction to other dogs.

Lola.....

Once again let down through no fault of her own, Lola is still looking for a home to call hers. She loves playing with the boys, deserves that chance so much.

If you can offer any of these 3 dogs a Forever Foster home then please get in touch via email foreverfoster@shak.org.uk

 

How Much Is That Doggy In The Window.....

Nestling nicely at Waterstones in Newcastle.....

Don't forget you can order your copy direct here:

http://www.shakshop.co.uk/It27s_A_Dogs_Life/p168627_8371008.aspx

I Love This.....

Diesel has been with us since December, he's settled in wonderfully, he gets on great with our other two dogs! He's a complete tart and will bed hop depending on whose still in bed!

He definitely likes his creature comforts - preferring the warm and cosy house to the dark, wet, cold, miserable garden! On the rare occasion the sun has been out he likes nothing more than haring round the garden chasing a tennis ball, then it's back in the house for the cuddles he loves so much, he doesn't mind who does the cuddling - a familiar face or a brand new friend, but its imperative that his belly gets rubbed!

Everyone that's met him thinks he's fabulous, though he's a very quiet boy, he hasn't murmured a sound since he's been here!

All in all we are thrilled that Diesel found us - we couldn't imagine life without him now!

 

Jam Jar Army Photo Competition.....

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.

Suki Showing Why We Go On.....

I love this picture of Suki showing that all the hard work we put in pays off.

Two Amazing Boys Find Homes.....

I'm delighted to say that two of the new SHAK Boys have found new homes, especially with SHAK volunteers Alison and Janet and Paul.

Alison has very kindly taken Bramble (now called Ronnie) into her home and the love these two share has to be seen to be believed. I say that, but too be honest its seeing our very own Lexi and Ronnie together that is the biggest love story.

There was also love at first sight when Janet and Paul say Jez (now called Olly) and again their existing dog has taken a shine to a very special SHAK boy. Thanks to Sheena and Roger for fostering Olly and putting him on this road to recovery.

Proud of you both boys.


Ronnie ( formerly Bramble.)

Olly (formerly Jez.)

 

The Stick Contest.....

We had fun tonight as on our walk Rohan and Lennox (2 of my SHAK Foster's) decided to play tug of war with Nima. I love the way that Star (another of my SHAK Foster's) is refereeing!

Poor Little Jez.....

As I said it has been quite simply an awful time of late. Today I collected a dog from the vets who's had been dumped with one of his hind legs completely snapped in two (more on him later) but last week we also had Little Jez turn up. Jez (sorry Sheena I can't bring myself to call him Jeremy) is suffering from what the vets believe is a serious flea allergy. Skin scrapes have found no evidence of either Sarcoptic or Demodectic Mites, and his medication appears to be helping with his itching and scratching.

 

 

A BIG THANK YOU to Sheena who has once again came to our rescue and offered Jez a temporary foster space, and as you can see from the picture below he is being spoilt rotten, stretching out after a bath.

 

Why We Do It.....

And following on from the previous post, here's some more reasons why we do it:

Tia

Tia enjoying her new home

Roxy

Woody who won the Best In Show, 1st in the Best Treat Catcher and can 3rd out of 60 in the Most Handsome Dog at a recent dog show. We're all very proud.

 

Some Recent Success Stories.....

There has been some tough times of late, but I'm pleased to say that despite that we have still been able to see some of our dogs move on into Forever Foster homes. The sad thing is that have spaces have quickly been filled by some really desperate cases, in fact some of the most serious cases of neglect and abandonment we have ever had have been in the last few weeks. However, here are some of the recent success stories:

Nanuk

Tia

Noah

Martha