Goodbye To A Very Brave Girl.....

We had more very sad news on Friday as the SHAK family lost a gorgeous girl who'd battled so long against illness. Lexi had fought epilepsy for some time, but more recently had been diagnosed with Cushing's Disease too. Never one to give up, Lexi battled on and continued to love her life.

Friday morning it was found that Lexi had passed away in her sleep, very fitting as she was in her favourite spot. She's left behind a family who all loved her dearly (2 & 4 legged) and one who never gave up on her despite huge vets bills and medication costs. Our thoughts are with them, but with so many fantastic memories of holidays and pubs, beaches and pubs, I'd like to thank them for giving her so much.....

Coming Soon.....

Just finished working on the official 2017 SHAK Calendar. Your copy will be available very soon.....

Haden Enjoying The Sun.....

I love this picture of Haden enjoying the sunshine last night. He's such a brave boy. Not only coping with the disability of 3 legs but also managing with epilepsy.....

There Is a Light.....

Just going through my phone to post the picture of Nancy below,  I stumbled across this picture that I took last winter, and words from one of my favourite ever songs just seemed to fit.

It's not even a week since we lost Laser, but not having him here hurts.  The van isn't the same without him in it, my day isn't the same without him in it.....

It's Been a Tough Couple Of Weeks.....

Looks like all the upheaval of the last few weeks have finally caught up with little Nancy.....

We are still desperately trying to find her a Forever home and a bed she can officially call her own. If yoyr interested in knowing more please contact foreverfoster@shak.org.uk 

One Hell Of A Week.....

Thank you to everyone who has passed on messages of condolences for the two magnificent boys we have lost this week. I sit here tonight with the very first SHAK dog I ever took home, Star, recovering from an operation to her jaw to remove a low grade cancerous tumour it just brings home how special our time with these wonderful individuals is. The house is very empty without Laser, he had his own room, and it just doesn't feel the same.

I picked Star up as a stray years ago. Left to die in the garden of a deserted house, weighing 12kg's, she has a whole different story to tell a different time. Tonight we're just pleased to have her home.

Little Silky Star who tonight is recovering from having a cancerous tumour removed from her jaw.

Speaking of girls coming home, I have to say that Nancy has been an absolute superstar in her first week with us. As you can see from the photographs, she has had a ball just finding her feet and making new friends.

Little Nancy with the two Stars!

I'm delighted to say we have more than covered her vets bill thanks to your generosity, and the extra has all been paid off our horrendous vets bill. Thank you.

All that's left now is to find her a permanent home..... You can come and meet her at Warkworth Show tomorrow or for more information email foreverfoster@shak.org.uk

It has been one hell of a week, with so many highs and lows. On a personal level I really appreciate your support.

Two Brave Boys Who Came Together And Left Together.....

It has been a really tearful 24 hours, as we've had to say goodbye to two very very brave boys.

Laser and Murphy arrived together years ago having been used by their previous owner as 'deterrants.' I received the phone call when they were facing the vets needle, and even though their arrival was 24 hours after the scrapyard twins Bodie and Doyle, I knew we were the only ones who could help them.

(L-R Laser, Murphy, Butch and Kane)

When they arrived they were a real handful. Laser did the barking, Murphy sorted out the trouble afterwards. A real double act, and I always had this thing in my mind of George and Lenny, the characters from 'Of Mice and Men.' If you've read the book you will know what I mean.....

Over the years they mellowed, and turned into two sweet boys who loved going out with various other dogs, and were one of the first pairs any new volunteers met. Such was their change in behaviour.

Old age began to catch them up, especially Laser, and when he need an operation to cure chronic arthritis in one of his hips he came home to me and my family to recuperate. He never left us.....

The handsome Murphy with his Roman nose.

Murphy had to wait longer for his chance, but at the turn of this year a wonderful opportunity arose with Lesley and he packed his bags to travel south and begin his new life in the big wide world. He did us all proud.

Laser enjoying the sunset.

Living with Laser for two and a half years was a privilege, and as CDRM joined the arthritis his health deteriorated. He continued to have a real zest for life though, and despite his disability came to work with me every day. In fact to be honest he went pretty much everywhere with me and his new soul mate Star. He loved the kids, and loved keeping an eye on things. He loved his life.

After losing him this morning Rachel told me that I'd been his carer, looking after him like I would a grandad. That's probably a really good way to describe our relationship, and now he isn't here I'm left with a huge hole.....

The craziest thing is that Murphy too lost his fight against old age just yesterday. Hundreds of miles apart, but reunited in a better place within 24 hours. Two very special boys back together running free. As Lesley put it "It would make you believe in stuff we don't understand" very fitting for two brave soldiers who made us believe in the unbelievable.

Enjoying Her New Start.....

I thought I'd give you a little update on Nancy..... She was picked up from the vets, very kindly, by some very special SHAK friends on Friday morning. Despite having two mammary tumours removed and being speyed she was still in fine singing fettle and sang all the way to the kennels to meet me.

After a hard days graft, from the team as Nancy had spent most of the day taking a well earned rest in my van, it was decided a quick beer was in order at the Shoulder Of Mutton on the way home. Seemed only right that the lady of the moment should pop in and I have to say that the management, staff and customers really took her to their hearts.....

Me and my new little pal.

And a new friend.....

And two more!

Tonight after another hard day resting up Nancy once more came home with me. She has settled so well, has been absolutely sensational with the other dogs, and I have to say that they too have been amazing in accepting Nancy into their home. Obviously we are still looking for a full time home for this wonderful little girl. The one thing I have noticed about her is her need to be settled, too much change clearly makes her life stressful.

If you'd like to enquire to find out more about Nancy then please email foreverfoster@shak.org.uk

I'd like to say too, a very BIG THANK YOU to our special friends (you know who you are) who picked Nancy up from the vets on Friday and also handed me an envelope containing £250 towards her vets bill. Coupled with what we already had paid off, it means that the total raised so far is £340..... her bill was £390. Such amazing generosity and huge burden lifted! Thank you so much.

If you'd like to contribute to the outstanding balance then you can do by PayPal to shak@shak.org.uk or by sending a cheque made payable to SHAK to SHAK HQ. Greenwell Road, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1HB.

In the meantime I'll leave you with a picture of how Nancy is spending her first Saturday night lump free..... on my favourite chair!

Nancy Has Had Her Operation.....

Some great news tonight..... Nancy has had her operation with both the huge tumour and a smaller one removed. The good news is that her chest X Rays have come back as all clear so hopefully whatever the lumps were hasn't spread.

She's resting at the vets tonight as her operation wasn't till late this afternoon, but once she is fully recovered I'm sure she will feel so much better.

We still have the hard part of finding her a home now, and of course we have her surgery to pay for. If you'd like to help with either you can by the following ways.....

Email foreverfoster@shak.org.uk for any home enquiries.....

You can donate by sending a cheque (made payable to SHAK) to SHAK HQ. Greenwell Road, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1HB or via PayPal to shak@shak.org.uk

Starts Here For Nancy.....

We have a very welcome guest at home tonight, as little Nancy has come to stay before going to the vets in the morning for chest X Rays and..... well whatever comes after that.

We have no idea what they will find, and what evil is hidden within that huge tumour, but starting with her sleepover tonight her new start begins here.

Regardless of the findings tomorrow this sweet girl will need a foster home URGENTLY. If you would like to give Nancy somewhere to go to recover or to see out her days then please email foreverfoster@shak.org.uk for an application form.

I'd like to thank everyone who has donated towards her vets fee's too. We do not know how much her total bill will be until we know the extent of her illness, but £90 has been raised already.

You can donate by sending a cheque (made payable to SHAK) to SHAK HQ. Greenwell Road, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1HB or via PayPal to shak@shak.org.uk

In the meantime I'll leave you with some of Nancy's memories from tonight.....

Nancy and her new pal Star......

Nancy and her new pal on her nose..... McFly!

An old man with a very pretty girl!

Throw It Away.....

Continuing on with the new range of merchandise that really does hit home as to what SHAK is as a charity..... 'Throw It Away' takes inspiration from so many of our dogs that have been discarded like rubbish and written off by people when they need them the most.

Displayed through the faces of Gema and Haden, hopefully this design will make you think about what these dogs go through before finding us.....

Buy yours at:

https://shak.teemill.co.uk/

Another FREE MICROCHIPPING Event.....

We're delighted to announce our partnership with the Animal Welfare Team means we have another FREE MICROCHIPPING event at SHAK HQ next Thursday 11th August 12.30 - 3pm.

Everybody is welcome, and the day is also another great opportunity to drop off any donations you may have and also to learn more about the work we do.

Remember you're dog HAS to be microchipped now..... it's the law.

SHAK HQ. Greenwell Road, Alnwick, NE66 1HB. (Down near the castle and next door to George Skipper's Photography shop. 

Nancy Arrives In A Sorry State.....

Just taking a break from a very busy SHAK Boutique to tell you about a special little girl that came to us last week, as she epitomises everything that this charity is about.....

Nancy (as we've called her) arrived as a stray carrying this extra weight. The position of the growth indicates a mammary tumour, and you can't help but presume that is why she was dumped?

Having now served her seven days, the next step is to take a trip down to the vets (who have already seen these photos and confirmed our suspicions) for chest x rays to see if anything has spread to her lungs. We can then decide where we go from there.....

Nancy is such a happy little dog. She has no idea what lies ahead for her, but then that's whats so amazing about the dogs we get with conditions like this..... their zest for life is truly inspirational.

If you would like to donate towards the cost of Nancy's vets treatment then you can do by PayPal (shak@shak.org.uk) or by sending a cheque made payable to SHAK to SHAK HQ. Greenwell Road, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1HB.

Thank You.

Nearly Time.....

Just hours away from the launch of the first SHAK Boutique.....

There's been a lot of work gone into the setting up of this event,  and there's some fantastic bargains to be had.

Open from 9-5 tomorrow,  Friday and Saturday. Be great to see you there!

SHAK Boutique..... Greenwell Road, Alnwick NE66 1HB.