Change Lives

Change Lives

Thursday 25 May 2017

Wired For Hound.....

To say that since I started SHAK nearly 11 years ago my life has been a bit of a rollercoaster is such an understatement. So much sadness and loss, so many saved. On a personal note it has brought me my own radio show, TV appearances,  radio interviews and more. Stuff that always just seems surreal. Nothing, however tops the photo below.....

Sir Cliff Richard perusing the book "It's A Dogs Life" written by yours truly.....


Eden Makes The Front Page But Loses Her Best Friend.....


Looks like Eden has definitely become a celebrity up here after making both the front page and page 3 in this week's Northumberland Gazette!


There is also a double spread on the Mayors awards last week,  so I'm really sorry for the people who opened their newspaper this morning to be bombarded with my face!


It all comes a's a timely boost having had to day goodbye to my beautiful and brave girl Star on Sunday who battled cancer of the jaw so bravely, and became a big friend of Eden's.  She lived with me and my family for over 8 years, and maybe when I'm feeling stronger about it I can tell you her story. At the moment I'm kind of running of automatic.

Star was an incredible girl, the fact she has changed Eden's outlook on life means her legacy will live on, and for that I am very proud of them both.



You can read the full piece from today's Northumberland Gazette at:

/she-was-shut-down-to-human-interaction-1-8561563

(Facebook viewers will need to click on the post to see all the photographs.)

Sunday 21 May 2017

Eden And Her Friends.....

Thought you all might like to see a little more animated Eden, she likes it when her friends Sky, Star and Haden come around.....


Thursday 18 May 2017

Mayor's Civic Award 2016/2017.....

I was extremely proud last night to be awarded a Mayors Civic Award from Alnwick Mayor. I was awarded alongside people who do such incredible work,  it all felt a little surreal.....





Monday 15 May 2017

Eden Makes Two New Friends.....

I'm first to admit that I think I'd reached a little bit of a stalemate with Eden in terms of getting her up and about and moving from that corner.....

So I woke up this morning at just after 6 and decided I was going to try something different.  I was going to try and introduce her to some new doggy friends.....

Star and Haden are two of my fosters that have lived with me for years. You'll know the stories of both of them. Haden only has 3 legs and is epileptic,  Star has cancer of the mouth. She is so brave. Both are amazing.

Anyway, today I decided they were going to meet Eden. The way our isolation kennel is set up means there is the no man's land between the two gates.  My plan, to put my two in there.

When I opened this morning I found for some reason Eden had trashed her bed. I went in to clean her out, and for the first time EVER I saw her leave her corner..... straight over to the other dogs. Of course she then remembered where she was and ran back to her corner! So I let Haden and Star in.....

As you see she responded so much to their actions. Every time I approached the kennel door all 3 got up to greet me.  Such an incredible moment.






(Facebook viewers will need to click on the original post to see all the videos and photographs. )

Sunday 14 May 2017

A New Friend For Eden.....

Although we've reached a bit of a stalemate in getting Eden to trust us enough to come for a walk, it's great to see that she's making more friends, and at least Rich doesn't bore her with doing the rota!


Rocco And Bud.....

Had some great fun yesterday as we took two boys who are becoming good friends around the back for a run off lead for the first time yesterday.

Bud and Rocco were amazing, and it was great to see them playing together so well.

Rocco

Bud


You may remember that Bud was the stray tied to a lamp post with a horrific haematoma on his ear, his operation has been a huge success and we are still looking for a Forever Foster home for him. Rocco has a fee issues with the lead so therefore would need a specialiseductive home. If your interested in finding out more about either then please email foreverfoster@shak.org.UK

In the meantime I'll leave you with a video of how to get a ball off Rocco!.....

(Please note Facebook viewers will need to click on the post to see all photos and the video.)


Tuesday 9 May 2017

Can You Give Luna A Home.....

Luna is a 3 year old Akita,  she is quite petite, and she's absolutely adorable.

Luna is so affectionate,  loves cuddles,  and is a very well behaved girl.  She's dog friendly. Luna is definitely one in a million, and her quirky mannerisms give her such a distinctive character.

Homecheck and adoption fee applies- email sarahmcalpine2000@yahoo.co.uk


Saturday 6 May 2017

Hug Time With Eden.....

Another little thing that means such a huge step today..... I was able to have a proper cuddle with Eden. Yes I had to pick her up to move her away from the wall she so desperately clings too, but the twenty minutes we shared together was so special. You can see on the video she is still shaking, which shows just how damaged this little soul is, but I'd like to think she enjoyed just a little bit of the affection.....

(Facebook viewers will need to click on the post to see all photos and videos.)







Friday 5 May 2017

Little But So Significant.....

I made a little bit significant progress with Eden yesterday as I wanted her to have her new bed! She let me put the lead on again no problem, and I was then able to coax her into getting up and moving 3 or 4 steps to be able to place the bed where she lies. As soon as I took the lead off she quickly ran back to where she sits. Incredible for as far as we know that's the first time she's EVER walked on a lead.....


Wednesday 3 May 2017

Even Closer.....

After a couple of days off it was nice to get back in with Eden this morning, and whilst she didn't run over to the door wagging her tail excites to see me, she did lift her head and licked her lips, a calming signal and one that at least acknowledged I was back.

We quickly got reacquainted and I moved a little closer....



Next I got out the lead, and although she definitely didn't want to go anywhere she let me put it on.....



Whilst it's clear that Eden is still terrified, almost shut down to human interaction I'd say, it's great that she is allowing me to get this close in just 5 days. The mental state she was in when she arrived made me think to get this far would take weeks. She's an amazing girl.....

(Facebook viewers will need to click on the post to see all photos.)

Leave Us A Legacy.....

YOU CAN HELP SAVE LIVES BY LEAVING SHAK A LEGACY

For SHAK to survive and continue our good work, we require funds to cover our daily running costs and to safeguard SHAK’s future.  Fundraising is often a tough task so Legacies form one of the largest proportions of charitable income; without these funds it is a constant struggle for charities like us to carry on.   

Leaving a legacy to our charity helps towards not only the day to day running costs, food, clean bedding, veterinary care, but also their safety and development.  You don’t have to leave a large amount to make a difference.  It really does add up.  There are also tax advantages as giving to charity can reduce any liabilities for Inheritance Tax.  As every charity has its own dedicated charity number it must be used on all legal documents to ensure that your gift is going to end up at the right place.  Always consult your legal adviser for specialist advice before making your Will or legacy.

Abandoned, homeless and mistreated animals totally rely on the love and care of sanctuaries like us to look after them in their time of need.   The extraordinary work of our charity can only be done with adequate funding which, sadly, is often lacking.  Leaving a Will is a wonderful way of helping to carry on with this caring and much needed work.

Why it’s important to make a Will and to keep it updated
With an up to date Will you have peace of mind that the people and causes which matter to you have been looked after the way you choose.  It is the only way to make sure your wishes are followed the way you intend.

A Will makes it easier for your family and friends to take care of your estate and be sure they are acting on your wishes.  Without a Will the process can be difficult, stressful and time consuming. 

Write a Will to keep control.

There are difference types of Legacies:

Residuary
After you have provided for your loved ones, you can leave a share of what remains to the charity.  This is known as a ‘residuary gift’.

Pecuniary
This is when you leave an exact sum of money to the charity.  It’s known as a ‘pecuniary gift’.

Specific
You might choose to leave an item to the charity, such as a car or a piece of jewellery, which can then be sold to raise funds.

What if you have already made a Will?

If you have already made a Will it’s simple to make changes to it.  You can either add a supplement to your existing Will called a codicil, or if the changes are quite substantial it may be better to make a new Will.  Either way, we would always recommend that you consult a solicitor or legal advisor.  

SHAK (Safe Homes and Kindness) receives no government funding and depends entirely on the generosity of the public.

What we do

Celebrating our 10th anniversary on June 19th 2016 SHAK has come a long way since its founder Stephen Wylie uttered those fateful words ‘never again…’ after the shock death of his dog and best friend Shak.

The hundreds of dogs whose lives have been changed because of that loss is a testament to a dog that had a lasting imprint on everyone he met…

Today the registered charity has approximately seventy-five dogs in its care, offering sanctuary to the ones that really need it or a place to simply become a dog again for others.

Working only with destruction cases from vets, strays and dogs from our trusted charity partners, SHAK does not take in dogs from members of the public.  Likewise we are not a rehoming centre, although we do offer the opportunity for people to apply for our Forever Foster scheme.

We concentrate all of our time, energy and resources directly into the wellbeing of our dogs, enriching lives that others had written off….

Axel when he was found.....

Axel today.....


Thank you for caring Stephen Wylie Founder of SHAK

Registered Charity No: 1125159

SHAK HQ
Greenwell Road
Alnwick
Northumberland
NE66 1HB