A Very Proud Moment.....

Just a short while ago we were asked to help two dogs who were literally hours away from being destroyed in pounds. I went and got them, and the dogs you know as Bren and Topaz began to tell their own stories.....

Yesterday Rich and I took them out together and they did so well. Seeing them help each other in their quests to regain trust was amazing.  I'm so pround of those two and this photograph!

Another Amazing Boy.....

And there has been a lot of interest in our boy Blade. He's doing really well, and I already adore him. Thank you to everyone who has donated towards his recovery.....

Bren Making Friends.....

Our Boy Bren is really coming on as you can see at play time with the two Stars and Bruce.....

I think the stress other dogs caused Bruce in kennels makes this video even more special. Four incredible dogs I'm very proud of.....

 (Viewers on Facebook will need to click on the post title to view video on www.shak.org.uk)

Thanks Blade.....

What do they say about not working with kids or animal?? Today I tried to get a photo with Blade..... here's the end result!

His skin is already showing signs of drying up, and he's showing signs of being a typical German Shepherd!

Topaz Fan Club.....

Just thought you might like to see Topaz making even more new friends..... welcome to this girls fan club Melissa and David!

(Facebook viewers visit www.shak.org.uk for more pics)

How You Can Help Blade.....

I'd like to thank everyone who has shown us support in our bid to help Blade get his life back on track.....

People are asking how they can help him and although I hate to say it, it's the usual answer..... by sending us some money.

The plan for Blade is to get his skin sorted first.  That process started on Monday with a normal bath, just to try and get the grease and dead fleas and dirt out of his coat. As the antibiotics start to kick in the skin infections should start to clear meaning we then have to repair the damage they have done.  For that Blade will need medicated baths with expensive shampoos from the vets. That is the beginning of where your money is needed.

After that and when the vet gives him a full health check,  the next step will be hydrotherapy to help with his CDRM and weak backend. This again can be another very expensive form of exercise,  and he may even need to go twice a week for the rest of his life.....

So you can see by us taking Blade and thus saving his life, we have committed ourselves to a potentially huge expense, and as I said that is how you can help.

We have a savings account that has been put to one side especially for when Blade needs it. You can help by sending a cheque made payable to SHAK  to:

SHAK HQ.
Greenwell Road,
Alnwick
NE66 1HB

Or via PayPal to shak@shak.org.uk

Please mark all donations 'For Blade'

Blade is so worth this chance. Thank you in advance for your support.

Blade Arrives In A Horrific State.....

I still have so much news to share with you, but one story that I just have to bring to everyone's attention is the arrival of Blade last weekend. We see so many dogs in terrible states, so many in fact that a lot of the time we are numb to the horrors that face us. However with this noble guy I think everyone has been touched, saddened and disgusted.....

I have to be careful about the information that I give on here, but I can confirm that this dog has come from a home environment, is 11 years old and was signed over by the owner who wanted him destroyed. I think a big well done is needed for the Animal Welfare Officer at Northumberland County Council who did all she could, including a vets examination and paying for medication, to give this handsome boy a chance.

He has arrived with a serious skin infection, flea allergy, open wounds where a collar has been rubbing, ear infections and the probable start of CDRM (a degenerative condition affecting his back legs.)

Below are some photo's of his condition on arrival. For those viewing this on facebook you will need to click on the title post to view all images and a video on www.shak.org.uk

Despite having suffered such horrific neglect and clearly being in discomfort, Blade has been fantastic and is clearly revelling in having attention. In fact its almost as if he has never had any attention before.

It was very clear that after treating him for fleas and parasites that the start of this week was bath time! Once again he was an absolute star, and instantly looked so much happier without the tats. Although his skin was so flaky and scabby I had to be careful when brushing as he began to bleed.

Blade came to us when he really needed us. His life depended on it. We have started the process of trying to put right was has taken years to cause..... If you'd like to help towards Blades road back to some sort of good health then please donate via PayPal to shak@shak.org.uk

Beginning To Understand Trust.....

As you can see we are making progress with Topaz everyday. She is still very frightened, but I can see in her eyes she's beginning to understand trust.

Making Progress.....

Just a quick update to show you the progress Topaz has made in the first 48 hours with us. These pictures were taken today and show her no longer on a 'rigid' lead but a normal one.....

First up me and her, then her with the true apple of her eye..... David.

(People looking on facebook will need to click on the post title to view all the pictures on www.shak.or. uk)

Crazy Times And A Beautiful Girl Arrives.....

The last 9 days or so have perhaps been the most hectic I have ever known in the ten years I have been doing this. The amount of dogs I have been approached to help within that period is now in double figures, but with so limited funds and space it has been impossible to take them all. I've been approached from all over the country and even outside the UK with Eire and Romania on the list..... I think we have somehow managed to find alternatives for the ones we haven't been able to take.

Coupled with some frantic trips to the vets and major surgeries (of which I'll bring you upto speed on at a later date) it's fair to say both my sanity and the SHAK van have run up some miles.

Some of which were to help Topaz..... a young female Rottweiler that was booked into be destroyed at a pound last Friday for showing signs of fear aggression after arriving as a stray.  I was approached by the Animal Welfare Officer at NE Lincs Council who was desperate to find somebody to give her a chance.  Nationwide ,including the breed specific rescues, his search had been fruitless until he called SHAK....

The photo below was taken minutes after we arrived back yesterday.  I am using the rigid lead for my safety only, but already you can see she is a beautiful and intelligent girl. It really is upsetting to think she was just hours away from losing her life before it had even begun.....

Another Random 48's Challenge..... Help, Help, Help.....

The very first Random 48's was a brilliant success and for the second one I thought I'd ask for something that would cost you nothing but your time…..

We desperately need reliable, committed people that are willing to go the extra mile to help our dogs. Understanding that it's not all about happy endings and homes, but that being a volunteer at SHAK means you see the real nitty gritty of rescue work accepting your heart will break as much as it will fill with love.

So for the next 48 hours your challenge is to think whether you could give up at least 6 hours a week to help us in one of the very important roles below:

Voluntary Canine Welfare Assistant…..

Hands on voluntary work in all aspects of kennel life. From cleaning the kennels to walking the dogs. Helping us work with their issues and giving them the chance to rebuild their life. We need a commitment of at least 6 hours per week, although that can be split into two 3 hour sessions. Perhaps more importantly, we need some regularity to your contribution so we can work shifts with other volunteers and spread the help equally amongst all 7 days. Your own transport is essantial given our rural location outside Alnwick.

Voluntary Fundraiser…..

We also desperately need people to come on board with fresh and new fundraising experience.  We are looking for people who can run events and activities themselves, but also work as part of the existing fundraising team with the existing fundraising programme.

So….. that's what we need. Do you think you have what it takes to become a vital part of the team???  If so email shakclub@shak.org.uk within the next 48 hours for an application form.

Buster And Barney Enjoy A Treat.....

I just love these videos of Buster and Barney taking a treat! Thanks to Sarah for sending me them.....

(If your viewingthis on Facebook you will need to click the post title to see the video on www.shak.org.uk)

First Random 48's A Huge Success.....

I'd like to thank everybody that got behind the first ever Random 48 appeal! The support really has exceeded all expectations!

I asked people to donate a £1 over a 48 hour period to pay towards our vets bill..... I'm delighted to say that the closing figure was £127!!!

This is just the start of all sorts of new activities for SHAK so please keep an eye on here to see what's happening, but in the meantime thank you all so much again.

500 Target Smashed And A Fantastic Prize.....

I promised you a big announcement today as we aimed to get 500 likes on the official Facebook page that was launched last Monday night. Well after smashing that target with 583 like in the first 7 days, here it is.....

SHAK The Sanctuary has teamed up with The Beresford Arms in Whalton to offer one of our first targeted 500 Facebook supporters a complimentary stay for 1 night including breakfast in their B&B.

The Beresford Arms is a dog friendly country pub and B&B in the picturesque village of Whalton 6 miles outside of Morpeth and is a keen supporter of SHAK.

Having smashed that target, I have chosen at random one of our first 583 Facebook supporters by selecting the 88th person from the bottom of the list…..

I'm delighted to say that our winner is..... Margaret Benzies

Please contact the Beresford Arms via email or telephone on 01670 775273 or theberesfordarms@ebleisure.co.uk to arrange your booking.

I'd like to thank everyone who has supported us on Facebook so far, and especially Chris and Henry from the Beresford Arms for such a generous and fantastic prize!!!

For more details on our sponsor, please visit www.theberesfordarms.co.uk or like them on Facebook: 'Beresford Arms, Whalton'

Like their page for the chance to win a complimentary two course meal for two, this will be chosen at a later date.

And Another Two Amazing Pals.....

Another two amazing dogs who keep proving the doubters wrong are Donnie and Tia. Both have had difficult pasts, and both are certainly not the easiest dog to handle, but I think anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting these two will know exactly how special this photo is.....

Donnie left and Tia Right.

Bren Making Friends.....

I know I keep posting updates about Bren on here, but it's simply because every day we learn something new about him, and he amazes me even more.

He has now developed an instinct to play, and on a walk it's an amazing feeling interacting so closely with him. Today that play progressed into a cuddle that somehow turned into a carry.....

It was because of such closeness that I decided to push him a little bit further. At the moment when he sees a dog he reacts with such excitement but also confusion. Regular readers and supporters should know whats coming next..... time off lead with Star..... (If your viewing this on facebook you will need to click on the title of the post to view the video at www.shak.org.uk)

Two sensational dogs, who prove that you should always believe in the impossible.

Entering The Last 12 Hours.....

I have to say I am absolutely blown away at the response to the new Random 48's which I launched on Sunday morning. Thank you everyone who has donated, and everyone who has gotten behind the very short but important appeal.

With just over 12 hours of the 48 to go the total currently stands at £94..... it would be great if we could get it to £100!

So if you'd like to donate £1 towards our vets bill and help us get that magical 3 digits then please donate via PayPal to shak@shak.org.uk

https://www.paypal.com/uk/signin

SHAK Random 48's. Your First Challenge.....

I'd like to thank everyone  who has supported the 'Make Your Plastic Fiver One To Remember ' campaign, and obviously if your still to receive your first 'new ' five pound note please think about donating it to us!

However, such a simple idea has been so effective and the money we have received from it really has made a difference to the lives of our dogs.

These dogs have nothing else but us and the success of this appeal made me think of how we could run something else to make sure our dogs get the best…..

So this morning  I'm delighted to announce the launch of SHAK Random 48's. A simple idea that does exactly as the name suggests.…. Appeals that last for 48 hours and are for random things we really need.

I wanted the first appeal to be both easy and special and the subject of it seemed so obvious when I thought about it……

Moorview Vets have been brilliant over the last 9 years or so, and yesterday was a perfect example. They come to The Rescue Place twice a year, a perk for which they DO NOT CHARGE US,  to look at all of our dogs and  make sure even the most difficult of our family can have health checks. Emily Renton has been so supportive since she got the job of looking after us, and is so understanding when it comes to the needs of SHAK and our dogs. For that I will always be so grateful.

So for the the first Random 48 appeal here's your challenge……

For the next 48 hours it would be gratefully appreciated if YOU COULD DONATE JUST £1 VIA PAYPAL THAT WE WILL INSTANTLY PAY OFF OUR VETS BILL. Easy as that….. you paypal £1 to shak@shak.org.uk to show your appreciation to Moorview Vets for their amazing support and understanding of our cause, we pay it straight off our bill.

https://www.paypal.com/uk/signin

Thank you in advance for your support. Not only for helping us and thanking Moorview but also for getting behind SHAK Random 48's.