I think these photos from today show how far Rocco has come in the few weeks he's been with us. We have all worked so hard giving him that chance, but it is him himself who had made this happen.
Melissa, David and I are so proud of this boy and the results our patience and faith in him have produced. It's a far cry from the dog that arrived on the video below.....
Since finding mobility again with his set of wheels Doyle seems to have found a new zest for getting up and about. I said earlier that we would do everything we could to help our big boy and make sure he was happy.
Yesterday we tried something new, and it seemed to work. We tried Doyle in a rear support harness meaning that he can still walk himself but we support him by taking the weight of his back end. Hard work for us all, but I think Doyle's face shows just how much he enjoyed his new found independence.....
It's 5 years today since I lost a dog that I was only lucky enough to have for ten days, but has had a lasting impression on the lives of so many other dogs. Of course I have now lost Oskar too but the effect that Spirit had on his life and of so many others, an effect that lives on today in dogs like Kai and Maisie that Oskar helped, will never leave me.....
I first saw Spirit on a website where a rescue were trying to secure dogs rescue places. He was very skinny and appeared to be holding his back leg up on the photos, I was delighted to hear when I enquired that he’d found a place and would be moving on any day soon. The next day I got a phone call to say that his placement had fallen through and could I take him. Of course I couldn’t say no.
When Spirit arrived he was painfully thin and there was obviously something seriously wrong with his back leg. I decided to take him to the vets and decided that he could stay at mine over night before returning to the kennels. The vet discovered he was suffering from severe hip dysplasia and was going to need surgery on both hips. A plan was hatched, the vet kindly donated his time to keep the operation as cheap as possible, and Derek even came up with a Spirits For Spirit raffle to help raise the funds to pay. But the most amazing thing was still to come. My GSD Oskar was at that time dog aggressive, so for his sleep over I decided to sleep on the sitting room floor with Spirit to keep them separate, forgetting Oskar can open doors. The next morning I was woken by the sound of the sitting room door opening, then the shock sank in, my eyes burst open to see Oskar and Spirit kissing before Spirit toddled out after him. I couldn’t believe what I’d seen. They were best friends after that, and for the next week they went everywhere together. Spirit was happy, and Oskar loved the male company.
Then the shock hit. A routine x ray to see the damage to the hips showed that Spirit was suffering from something more sinister than Hip D. That back leg was riddled with bone tumours. I had to go with the vets advice and do what was best for Spirit, I never saw Spirit again.
The ten days he was with me, Spirit changed things forever. All the male dogs that live and have had the chance to live in my home have him to thank, as has Oskar for getting him through a difficult spell in his life. That dog wasso brave, he would have been in so much pain, a true true spirit.
The hardest part of running this charity isn't the dogs, but managing the people side. The work we do is so specialised that you have to be a really special person to help on ALL levels.
It's not just at the kennels that we need a reliable, dedicated and highly skilled team, but also behind the scenes we need need just as special an individual to help out with all the aspects of the team that keeps the whole thing in existence..... The fund raising team.
Joan and her team do an amazing job sourcing, arranging and then manning all the official events throughout the year. Without them there wouldn't be a SHAK.
On Saturday two VOLUNTARY positions within this team became available, people move on that's life, but it has left us very short of 'hands on deck' when it comes to the events that we already have booked. Events that we must fulfil, and will fulfil.
So..... Here's another great opportunity for somebody (or preferably somebodies) to join our team. Here's what we need......
-Someone who can give up time slots of at least 3 hours per day on a Saturday or Sunday, at least TWICE per month.
-Someone who is flexible and can fit the time around when they are needed the most to make sure that the whole event is covered.
-Someone who has their own transport and can turn out all over Northumberland.
-Someone who is dedicated to saving the dogs that really do have no where else to go, and can work as a vital part of a team. Whilst at first you will be helping with existing events, we would love to have someone who can work alongside the head of fundraising and look to take responsibility in taking on their own projects.
So if you have all of the above and would like to express an interest in this VOLUNTARY role then please email fundraising@shak.org.uk
(Please note due to time constraints not all enquiries may receive replies.)
ALSO WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR.....
I guess we've become a victim of our own success, and whilst the charity has grown beyond my wildest dreams, it has also become more and more difficult to manage. We are punching well above our weight for such a small charity and running on such a restricted budget.
We would love to have another member of full time staff on board to help with every aspect of the day to day routine and the dogs needs, and to help with the dogs with the severe health and behaviour issues, but unfortunately we just don't have the funding to do so.
However, as they say "as one door closes another opens" and a VOLUNTARY position may provide us with the help we need. So, I am appealing for somebody to join our team that can designate at least 6 hours a day for a minimum of 2 days every week, has their own transport and wants to learn and experience the joys that arise working with dogs that have had such a tough time.
I think it's important to point out that this is not an advert for voluntary dog walkers, nor will we be starting to take on volunteers on a regular basis. It is a chance for someone to become a valued member of our team, to learn all aspects of rescue (including cleaning kennels) and has the time to prioritise two days of their week to help the dogs that nobody else wants. Believe me when I say seeing the rewards of giving your time well out ways the actual time you give.
So if you have two days a week to volunteer for at least 6 hours on each, have your own transport and would love hands on experience of getting to really know man's best friend, then drop me an email at foreverfoster@shak.org.uk
(Please note due to time constraints not all enquiries may receive replies.)
I thought it was time to give Freya a little bit more to think about, and decided to test her out with Star, Laser and Bandit. Well, see for yourself how it went.....
Freya is a gorgeous girl who is stuck with us simply because of her breed. If you are interested in offering her a Forever Foster home then email foreverfoster@shak.org.uk
I have real mixed emotions posting these updates on Doyle, sadness that he is so poorly but also happiness that we are getting to make his time with us fun. There is also a lot of pride in what we are doing for him and not giving up on him.....
Yesterday David and I were very lucky to spend some time with him doing what he loves..... Playing Ball!
A video of Max who arrived in a very difficult situation last week. Clearly terrified, he is beginning to come round, and shows what can be achieved in a couple of days.....
A new promo film to show what SHAK is all about. There are some disturbing images on there, but that's real life and what we have to attend to every day.....
We decided to call the American Bulldog that arrived a couple of weeks ago Dino, and I have to say we are all very proud of him. After making such huge progress, yesterday was a big day for him as he went out on a walk for the first time with two other American Bulldogs that live together, Kennedy and Layla.....
Kennedy, Layla and Dino.
As you can see he had a great time and really enjoyed the company..... a far cry from the dog that arrived with us.....
You'll also hopefully remember his first step into the outdoor world with us the very next day.....
You will remember that Freya has been staying at home with us for a little while as she recovers from a skin problem and being speyed. As you can see she is looking very well, having fun and making new friends.....
And just for your amusement, and like all good films, here's the out take! (Literally)
We would love to see Freya find her Forever Foster home from here rather than her having to face the hustle and bustle back at The Rescue Place. If you would like more information then please email foreverfoster@shak.org.uk
Thank you to everyone for their best wishes and words of support for Doyle and everything we are trying to do to help him. We are all aware that this is the last roll of the dice, and only time will tell how long those dice continue to roll.
In the meantime I cannot sum up in words the joy on his face when he sees his wheels or how great it is to see him sniffing the air and grass and really feeling like he has freedom.....
I guess we've become a victim of our own success, and whilst the charity has grown beyond my wildest dreams, it has also become more and more difficult to manage. We are punching well above our weight for such a small charity and running on such a restricted budget.
We would love to have another member of full time staff on board to help with every aspect of the day to day routine and the dogs needs, and to help with the dogs with the severe health and behaviour issues, but unfortunately we just don't have the funding to do so.
However, as they say "as one door closes another opens" and a VOLUNTARY position may provide us with the help we need. So, I am appealing for somebody to join our team that can designate at least 6 hours a day for a minimum of 2 days every week, has their own transport and wants to learn and experience the joys that arise working with dogs that have had such a tough time.
I think it's important to point out that this is not an advert for voluntary dog walkers, nor will we be starting to take on volunteers on a regular basis. It is a chance for someone to become a valued member of our team, to learn all aspects of rescue (including cleaning kennels) and has the time to prioritise two days of their week to help the dogs that nobody else wants. Believe me when I say seeing the rewards of giving your time well out ways the actual time you give.
So if you have two days a week to volunteer for at least 6 hours on each, have your own transport and would love hands on experience of getting to really know man's best friend, then drop me an email at foreverfoster@shak.org.uk
(Please note due to time constraints not all enquiries may receive replies.)
I am very proud of what we did yesterday, although its also very sad to see Doyle needing to use his wheels. A big old ex scrapyard dog like him being so dependent on help.
Still it gives him quality to his life and allows the back end to move as quickly as the front end and the brain still does. He is so brave and has so much fight that he will not give in to CDRM, but when it comes to Doyle so do we.....
