Radio Show Is Back!

Radio Show is back tomorrow 9-11am! Listen on line at www.lionheartradio.com

New Food Drop Off Point.....

I am delighted to announce another new food drop off point. Welcome to the team Whitley Pet Supplies!

So the updated list is as follows:

Pets At a Home, Cramlington.

Taylor's Newsagents, Alnwick.

Moorview Vets, Backworth.

Sainsburys, Alnwick.

Co-op, Amble.

Pride Of Northumbria, Amble.
Whitley Bay Pet Supplies, Whitley Bay.

Thanks to Linda and all the other drop off points for your support. And of course to everyone who donates!

Race Night At The Blue Bell.....

If you have a spare few hours on Friday night why not pop down to The Blue Bell in Jesmond Vale for another SHAK Race night. Starting at 8pm and with a raffle, a good night is guaranteed by Nik and his team and customers. Thanks in advance for your support, and of course to everyone at the Blue Bell.

 

Can You Resist Those Eyes.....

Another Lurcher who you may recognise from coming to us in such a horrific state is Maisie. As you can see she looks wonderful now, and is such a sweetheart. We are looking for a home for Maisie where she is the only dog as other dogs just terrify her too much, and also no other pets due the working background we believe she came from. Given love, attention and security she will make someone a beautiful, loving friend. For more information contact foreverfoster@shak.org.uk

 

Christmas Is Coming.....

As Christmas is approaching (and anyone who knows me will tell you that I'm really not a Christmas person) I just thought I'd remind you of a few ideas for Christmas presents and to help us save the dogs on death row.....

SHAK Christmas Cards.....

Available Here.....

SHAK 2014 Calendars.....

Available Here.....

It's A Dogs Life.....

The book that tells why SHAK exists.

Available Here.....

 

The Return Of A True King.....

I'm also delighted to say you can add these photographs of King to the list below, as he has moved into his Forever Foster home. You may remember King came back to us with several health issues. After getting his medication right, he is looking a lot happier and fitter and whilst on a strict diet, he is enjoying pottering about so much he even came to a SHAK Fundraiser at the weekend. When we got him back we thought he had days to live. A few weeks on he has a new home and a new Mam and Dad. so proud of you big guy, thanks to Lesley and Geoff who have done so much for him, and thanks to his new family for giving him this chance of happiness.

Familiar Happy Faces.....

It's great to see some of the dogs we've put so much effort into looking so happy in their new homes. Thanks to everyone who has sent these in, seeing pictures like these make the work we do worth while, and gives us all a lift. Thank you.

Millie.

Otto.

Otto and Mam.

Otto and Dad.

 

Spike aka Wilf.

Spike As I Remember Him When He Stayed At Mine.

He Used To Be Bald!

 

Dee In Her Favourite Position.

 

 

In The Sun With Friends.....

It has been really nice with the winter sun to be able to spend some time with the dogs outside. I know we have to make the most of these days, and Hobo and Judy certainly did.

Judy.....

Hobo.....

 

Goodbye And Thank You!.....

Its a great shame that we have to say goodbye to a guy who has raised a lot of money for SHAK over the last few years, as Derek has somewhat reluctantly decided to retire. The guy has worked so hard to continue fund raising despite several health issues, but yesterday he decided he had to put his body first.

Derek has shown great commitment, courage and an unbelievable will to succeed, and he will be missed not only by us but by all the customers he had down at Seaton Sluice. Thanks for everything and thanks to Sandra too for making the best scones around. Good luck in your retirement!

Please note that Derek's house is no longer a drop off point for food or donations. Please let him enjoy his retirement in peace. See previous posts for alternative drop off arrangements.

 

New Food Drop Off Points.....

I'm delighted to add another couple of Food Drop Off Points to our list. Thank you and welcome on board to the Co-op in Amble and the Pride Of Northumbria Shop on Queen Street also in Amble.

Thanks to your generosity the immediate food crisis is over, but we still need to keep it coming to maintain the stock level we have now and with Christmas coming. So if you can spare a few tins or a bag of food, them here is a full break down of where you can take it:

Pets At a Home, Cramlington.

Taylor's Newsagents, Alnwick.

Moorview Vets, Backworth.

Sainsburys, Alnwick.

Co-op, Amble.

Pride Of Northumbria, Amble.

Thank you in advance for your wonderful support. 

Thank You ProFleece.....

Just wanted to say thank you to ProFleece in Ashington who have been very supportive of our work and helped kit our kennels out with brand new vet bed. As winter is looming this was a very welcome and pleasant surprise. Thank you.

And Two Start To Look.....

You'll remember the horrendous state Moss and Koby were in when they arrived, well as you can see the bald patches and red skin have been replaced with a shiny, furry coat and the protruding ribs are now nicely covered. All that's left for us to do now is find these two handsome boys a home. Ideally we would like to keep them together as they really are best friends, but I don't think it would be fair for us to hold one back for the other. If you are interested in giving them a home then please get in touch via email to foreverfoster@shak.org.uk

Moss

Koby

Two Find New Homes.....

I know things have been quiet on here of late, but with one thing and another I have just been so busy with the hands on stuff that I haven't even had time to sit at the computer! Anyway, to prove it all hasn't been in vain here's some good news that shows all the hard work the team has put in has been worthwhile.....

I'm delighted to say that Snoopy has found a new home, and as you can see from the photographs below, a new big sister. I know Sheena and Roger really miss him, and have done a wonderful job over the two spells of looking after him (a big thank you!) but it is great to see him happy and in his own home.

I am also delighted to say that Dee has a new home to call her own by the seaside. Dee is an amazing dog, and was a pleasure to look after even though she never really settled in kennels. It's great that she has this new start, we're all very proud of her.

 

No Radio Show Tomorrow.....

Due to unforeseen circumstances I have had to cancel the radio show again tomorrow. Please accept my apologies.

A Year For Miko.....My Heart Still Hurts.....

It's a year today since Miko was taken from me just as his life had finally begun. I miss him and think of him all the time. So many nights when I've been out with Smokey or Star, them just wondering around as I potter on, I've had a silent moment thinking of the first ever SHAK dog with serious behavioural issues to complete the journey.

Below is how this amazing boy came into my life. The state he was in:

And this is how I will always remember him. I wrote this the day he died, and still mean every word.....

Miko became unwell this morning, and at 6am I rushed him to the vets with a suspected stomach torsion. Surgery showed that as well twisting, the stomach had severely ruptured, to the point that it was unrepairable. I had to say goodbye to a dog that had become my best friend over the last couple of months.

Stomach torsions happen in "barrel chested" dogs, there have been several studies but none have come up with a definitive reason for why they happen. It's just life I suppose, but it's a horrible thing and as soon as I saw Miko I knew it was serious.

Miko's last weeks on this earth have been a pleasure for me, him and my other dogs. The turnaround in him from when he arrived 3 and a half years ago is nothing short of amazing, and will give me strength to keep going and give these dogs a chance.

People have already started to tell me "at least he was with you in a home at the end, he was lucky to have you" but I see it a totally different way. I was lucky to get to see the real Miko. The Miko that adored my daughter, the Miko that loved to play with the other dogs despite his poor frame, and the Miko that loved to gaze into the fire on a night time.

Miko was incredible and I am going to miss him so much. Maybes a bit like Dudley the bond we shared was close and instant, and the hole he has left behind in my life just as big.

 

SHAK Newsletter Coming Soon.....

Hopefully we will be able to deliver all the latest SHAK news straight into your inbox with the SHAK Email Newsletter. Containing some of the later stories, latest appeals and ways that you can help us continue to do our work, this monthly mail drop will keep you right upto date.

If you are interested in receiving your very own copy then please drop us an email to photos@shak.org.uk to register. Thank you.

Jam Jar Army Challenge.....Are You Up For It?

Your support in the Jam Jar Army Campaign has been fantastic, and it is because of such support that I am setting you all a challenge..... We have a target set by the Northumberland Gazette of £10,000 which we have until the end of March to reach.

As of yesterday our running total stood at.....£9373.41!

Therefore, I am setting you our wonderful supporters the challenge of reaching our £10,000 target by the end of the year. So we need to raise just over £600 by the end of December. WE NEED YOUR HELP.....

You can drop your filled Jam Jars off at Taylors Newsagents (Bondgate Within in Alnwick) the Northumberland Gazette Office, Lions Book Shop in Alnwick or at any of the SHAK Tombola events.

Thank you in anticipation of your support! Game on.....

Snoopy Looking Again.....

It's with regret that Snoopy came back this week too after some teething problems in his new home. Snoopy is approx. 12 weeks old, and learning so much so fast. If you would like to be considered in offering him a Forever Foster home, then please contact us via email foreverfoster@shak.org.uk

A Bright New Star.....

Another one of my SHAK fosters, and a dog that has come back from looking like she had no hope is little Star. You may recall how it took two months for me to be able to touch her other than put a lead on, and she had such horrific ear problems. Well I'm delighted to say that I can clean her ears every night now, followed by drops, and she is so much more happy. Here she is getting ready for bed on a night time.....

 

Sunrise Walk.....

We had a beautiful walk the other day, just as the sun was rising. Pictured right at the top is Lennox, whilst he is joined by other SHAK fosters Scour and Haden as well as my very own Oskar and Sky in the bottom picture.

Good News For Benson.....

I'm delighted to say that all of Benson's blood test have come back normal, so we can start looking into other avenues such as diet etc as to what is making him ill. Great news all round, and made last weeks marathon vet run so worth while.

 

Fraser Making Friends......

I introduced you to Fraser last week, well as you can see the progress has continued and he has made new friends. Melissa and David have done a fantastic job continuing his work whilst I've been on holiday, and it was a brilliant feeling to be met with a kiss on my first day back, even if he did knock me off my feet.

 

SHAK Christmas Fayre This Saturday.....

Be great if you could get down and have a great day in Lesbury. Thanks to Jill for arranging this.

SHAK On The Asda Website.....

Amazing what you stumble across on the internet..... Though why I was on the ASDA site defeats me!

"S.H.A.K came into store this charity looks after dogs and pups who for no fault of their own are without a home. They try to find new forever homes where possible. Some of the dogs have been found in appalling conditions but have been nursed back to health by this caring organisation. After all a dog is for life not just for Christmas."

The Green Room Asda.