Lenny Making Friends.....

As you can see big Lenny the Rottweiler who arrived a few weeks ago is making friends. You may remember he was muzzled but had got it off en route so it hung like a medal around his neck. Once I got it off he looked so much more relaxed, and in David he has a new best mate!

Essential Oils.....

We had a great day with our good friend Leigh from Essentials For Equilibrium on Friday, after she kindly donated her time and oils to some of our dogs. We have already seen what a worthwhile and enjoyable session working with oils can be for our dogs, and one in particular. However on Friday it was the turn of some of our other dogs to have fun in the sun, and the reaction from them was all so different, as was their self selection of oils!

As you can see from the photo's below Sally certainly had a good time.....

"I'm Not Sure About This....."

"Ah Go On Then......"

"I Like It!!!!!"

I know I speak on behalf of Rachel and Alison too, as well as the dogs, when I say a big thank you to Leigh for giving up her time as well as expertise, it was definately time well spent.

If you'd like to find out more about Leigh's work please check out:

Essentials For Equilibrium

The Second Date.....

Carrying on from their first date on Friday, Freya and Nelson enjoyed another walk yesterday in the sunshine.

As you can see it went well,  and they really do look comfortable around each other..... even when trying to look the sweetest for treats!

As Promised.....

As promised,  here is the other Lurcher that arrived as a stray. Still very much a baby,  we will hopefully find him another rescue place once he has served his 7 days.....

Breedism?....

It was also really nice to see Nelson and Freya go out together for the first time.

A Staffordshire Bull Terrier and an American Bulldog,  two breeds that have absolutely been destroyed by human beings, yet two dogs who are absolute sweethearts.

With racism and religious bigotry all over the news, is there such a global problem as breedism?

Two Gorgeous Staffies!....

It really was great to spend some time with a Misty and Rio today, mother and son that deserve so much more.

If you'd like to know more about either of them then please contact: foreverfoster@shak.org.uk

My Favourite Chair.....

After a hard day at work,  what do you like to come home too? Your favourite chair perhaps?....

Not if Star lives with you.....

Bandit's Football Training.....

After the photograph a couple of weeks ago, it's clear to see that Bandit's football ability has definatley improved!

We're still looking for a Forever Foster home to help this little man on his way in life.  If you are interested in finding out more then please contact : foreverfoster@shak.org.uk

And Another Arrives.....

So another week and another stray Lurcher (well 2 to be honest, but more on the male later.) Again this little girl looks like she has had a hard time and is absolutely terrified.....

Milo Settling In.....

Thought you'd like to see little Milo settling in his new home with our very own Ebony. This little guy has come on leaps and bounds from being terrified.....

The First But Never Forgotten.....

It's 6 years to the day today, since SHAK lost their first ever dog. Having set up the charity in the wake of me losing my own dog, the pain of doing all you could but that simply wasn't enough, was very raw then, and it still really hurts now.

Bruno was a brave big boy, who didn't let us know he was suffering till we couldn't help him. We've lost a lot since of course, but I'll never forget Bruno.....

Bruno came to us all the way from Southampton, looking for a new start due to no fault of his own. He had a history of a poorly stomach, but that was put down to a food allergy, and we tried to combat it with various specialist diets, although it turned out to be something a lot worse. On February 17th 2009 we had to give up the fight, and let him move on to a better place. Bruno gave us so many ups and downs in the time we had him. He was such a loving, yet grumpy big guy. I for one don’t regret trying to help him, and right to the end, he was a gentleman and a calming influence on the other dogs. Below is brief description of his illness, written by former volunteer Sharon Ness who was with him right to the end. Run free Bruno, God bless you.

“His blood tests showed a significantly low level of protein which the vets say was obvious given his emaciated state. The scan showed nothing and they felt an x ray would yield no valuable information as they could feel the whole of his intestines when examining him. Several of the vets reviewed him, his results and his history during the time they had cared for him. The consensus of opinion was that it was inflammatory bowel disease as debilitating as cancer, if not that then a diffuse lymphoma causing multiple small tumours throughout the bowel. Definite diagnosis would have required surgery to take biopsies but this was something that they felt was too much for him to cope with in his very poor state of health. Basically his immune system was attacking his own gut and causing an absorption problem and profuse diarrhoea. It would be untreatable and progressively worsening. The vets felt that they could not offer any interventions and the best thing for Bruno was to be put to sleep. The whole illness would have occurred regardless of where he was living and was not contributed to by "kennel stress". Bruno very quietly and peacefully was put to sleep 4pm this afternoon while I cradled his head and told him to go off and have a great run after some rabbits.......run free at Rainbow Bridge little man xxxxxx”

Ruby And Sapphire Stay Together.....

Pictures like this really make it all worthwhile, especially on a day when another two Lurchers arrive (one in a terrible state) desperate for help. Ruby and Sapphire needed a new home due to circumstances changing. Sisters and only one year old, we really hoped they would stay together.....

Thank you to our good friend Jane for making it happen.

Little Maddie.....

Been spending a lot of time with this little lady lately, and despite her size I think it's fair to say she's a BIG character. Maddie is a typical Terrier, after being left to fend for herself in an  abandoned flat, she has certainly learnt to look after herself.

Still despite that,  she's great fun.....

Update On Heidi.....

I'm delighted to say that I collected Heidi from the vets yesterday after her operation and took her straight to her new foster home. As you can see from the picture below it was major surgery, and one that desperately needs nursed.

Step forward Gavin and Susie,  who have offered a Heidi a place on their home and family and as you can see even the cats have taken to her. 

Heidi is a dog very close to my heart having lived in the kennels at my home for nearly 5 months. Giving her up when she needed help the most was hard,  but I know she's in a better environment.  I'd like to say a big thank you to Gavin and Susie for giving her this opportunity. Two very special people who have got another very special dog.....

Memories Of Two Very Special Boys.....

Yesterday was the anniversaries of two very special SHAK boys that were taken from us far to early, Sonny and Vinnie. Both are often in our thoughts, and I know that not a day goes by without Melissa thinking of little Vinnie.

2 years on for Sonny and a year on for the little man. We all miss you.....

"They say memories are golden

well maybe that is true.

I never wanted memories,

I only wanted you.

A million times I needed you,

a million times I cried.

If love alone could have saved you

you never would have died.

In life I loved you dearly,

In death I love you still.

In my heart you hold a place

no one could ever fill.

If tears could build a stairway

and heartache make a lane,

I'd walk the path to heaven

and bring you back again.

Our family chain is broken,

and nothing seems the same.

But as God calls us one by one,

the chain will link again."

Run free lil man, love you handsome 

Vinny with his best pal Jack.

And a very proud Mam.

And with his big sister.

The very handsome Sonny.

Such Sad News For Heidi.....

Some sad news today, as Heidi has been into the vets to have an operation. You will remember Heidi came to us with a lump underneath, she also had a dramatic turn for the worst when she was felled by Vestibular Disease. This in turn put off any thoughts of surgery as we needed to make sure she was fully recovered from that first.I'm pleased to say she has stayed with us in the kennels at home where she made a full recovery.

The lump though didn't go away, and in the last ten days or so has grown. A trip to the vets last Wednesday confirmed my worst fears of mammary tumours and she was booked in today for a CT scan then potentially surgery.

The CT scan showed what I was dreading, several secondary tumours in her chest, but having been at the vets over night before her operation, Heidi had won hearts and shown how 'alive' she still is, this in mind they still wanted to operate. The large external tumour clearly is painful, and although removing it won't get rid of the cancer with it already spreading, it will make life more comfortable for however long she may have left with us. That's what we've decided to do.

Words can't described how low I feel right now for her. Heidi is such a sweetheart and has learnt to trust and love all over again. She has even started giving me kisses every time I bend down which is a far cry from the dog that was so nearly put to sleep before arriving with us as a freebie in another transport run. However, there is a positive. Fearing the worst I managed to source her a foster home to recover in after her operation, and I'm delighted to say despite today's developments, they still want to be there for her. Very special people for what is indeed a very special girl.....

And Here's Nigel.....

And continuing on from Ana, here's another of our boys, Nigel (brindle) that Jane and her team helped to find his new family.....

 

Little Cheech Looking Forward.....

Little Cheech has taken a long time to settle with us.  Another young Staffordshire Bull Terrier that nobody wanted.  He's wanted here though, and I love this picture I took of him on our walk today. I'd like to think he's looking ahead now, not over his shoulder.....

When Barney Met Sally.....

One thing I love about what we do is teaching old dogs new tricks.  Barney had always struggled with the company of other dogs, but having spent time with Cooper and Layla recently he really enjoyed a walk in the sun with Sally on Saturday.

 

It is all so new for him, but he defiantly enjoyed the company of a lady, even if he was a little shy at first.....

Look At Her Now.....

You'll remember Ana when she first arrived with us in one hell of a state, well the bottom picture is her today in her home. An amazing turn around and once again shows our link up with other charities works.

Thanks to Jane for helping her get this far after we'd saved her.

The Latest Stray.....

The latest stray, words cannot do this one justice.  Found in a graveyard.....