Harley First Update.....

We've seen some amazing progress from Harley over the weekend, progress that makes us all very proud.

Rich and Brad stepped up on my days off as it's vital that Harley doesn't just get used to one person. Both did exceptionally well, with Rich pulling out the master stroke..... Chicken!

Then yesterday I decided to get a little bit closer before handing over to Amy to see how he was with a female.....

A Perfect Storm.....

With all the attention around Harley's arrival last week, Storms entrance seemed to almost go unheralded.  However, I've been keeping a special eye on her as we settle Harley in, and it was great to get to spend some quality time with her yesterday after the book signing.

A big girl who arrives with a bit of a reputation, she had found herself passed around from pillar to post through no fault of her own, before the council brought her to us.

She is so intelligent and I can't help but question whether a Malamute should end up in this environment and expect to cope. The fact of the matter is she had nowhere else to go and really needed us or faced being destroyed.

I think the fun we both had in these photos show that would have simply been a crime. You may tell I have a real sweet spot for her already.

Great Success.....

Is like to thank everyone who supported the fund raising double header on Saturday at both HQ and Alnwick market, both a great success.

Thank you too to all the people involved arranging and then helping at both events.

A big thank you too to young Keira and Ruby who raised a very impressive £68 at a car boot sale, armed with their brilliant home made SHAK posters.

Great work girls, we're all very proud!

A Sorry Sight Called Harley Arrives.....

I was approached on Monday by an officer from Nortumberland Council to see if we'd take a Dogue de Bordeaux in that was facing the threat of being euthanised by his owner. I won't go into too many details because of the fact we do have some history on this dog, but of course I said yes.

Harley arrives yesterday in quite simply horrific and mental condition. He is clearly under weight and his claws are so long that he sometimes actually trips over them when he walks. However it is the mental state of this dog that has me really concerned.

On his arrival he was frightened but managable, he walked into his kennel on a lead and we even had a little cuddle. Yesterday afternoon though I saw how damaged he was. As soon as I moved my hand to put the lead around his neck he started barking and growling. Fear that I can totally understand. However as I raised my hand slightly higher to make a bigger loop and hopefully cause him less stress, he was so frightened that he soiled himself as he cowered. I got him out eventually with some gentle coaxing and we went for a walk. As you'll see in the video, even the sound of sheep blows his mind, I think you'll be beginning to draw the same conclusions I am.....

Today he was still frightened and a little more difficult to get on the lead, but we got there. We went for another walk and..... Well I'll let you see for yourself how he coped with the outside world.....

His reaction to traffic really shocked me and Rich, and although we didn't unfortunately it on camera, the first time I touched him he wet himself.

As I said I really don't think I can comment on his history or explain his behaviour, but seeing him like this makes me only presume he's had a tough time physically and mentally.....

Duke Shines At The Seaside.....

Duke arrived with us a stray last year, frightened and grumbly. It was one of our Out of Hours team that picked him up and although it was never confirmed there was mention of somebody who owned a dog committing suicide in the area he was found. We will never know if Duke was connected, but he was wearing a harness with a tag on it when he was found. It simply said Duke, no address or contact number.....

Fast forward a bit and Duke still continues to mumble at times and I think it's fair to say he's kept himself to himself since he arrived.

A couple of weeks ago he had a little health scare and I was kindly given the task of getting him to the vets. Grumbling as I muzzled him, I thought I was going to be in for a real adventure. However like so many other times, Duke was the exact opposite and seeing him getting a hug from the vet nurse was just great to see.

So when Brad and Amy offered to take another dog home for a couple of nights, I had an idea.....

Amy takes the story further.....

After Dukes experience at the Vet we knew we had to give him a chance to find out the real Duke in a home environment. We were definitely apprehensive about taking him for a few nights holiday but he soon made sure that wasn’t the case and left us at ease.

Duke was an absolute pleasure to have with us, a completely different dog from the Duke we knew from the kennels. Craving attention, enjoying our company and numerous bum scratches! Duke is pretty stubborn and likes to do things on his terms (typical male) however with the right approach and time given to Duke he’s happy to try things your way.

Seeing Duke in a different light is absolutely lovely yet sad at the same time as kennel life just isn’t for him yet he’s still here living at SHAK. Duke needs someone to give him a chance and I’m determined to help find someone for him. There’s someone for everyone and you could help give Duke that chance he has so longed for..

So we are now all determined to find this gorgeous boy a home. We will never know if the story he potentially was a part of is true, but if it is it is the least he deserves.

If you'd like more information on how you can help Duke then please email foreverfoster@shak.org.uk 

Amazing Progress From Marley.....

Just thought I'd share with you a little snippet of Marley on his walk in the sunshine. I've also added the video of the day he arrived.....

Amazing Progress in just over a month, we are all so proud of him!

A Date For Your Diary.....

A really good day planned at HQ.....

Two Lives Saved.....

It's almost ironic after releasing the statement earlier in the week that we have spent the majority of our time saving the lives of two dogs that just shows how important it is that we are there when needed.

Both of these cases were facing destruction, not a threat or an attempt to try and convince us to take them. Both of these dogs had a date to meet their maker confirmed. If either had lost their lives it would have been an absolute crime.

We have a reputation for taking big, aggressive dogs and we certainly have our fair share of large breeds with issues, but I think that the fact these two were so close to being murdered will shock you.....

Nelly (as we've called her) was in a local pound. Describe as so aggressive that she wouldn't let anyone get her out of her kennel.....

This photo was taken less than 24 hours after we saved her. Does it look like she should have lost her life?

Then just a couple of days later I received a call from a local vets as a Collie/Terrier cross was there to be destroyed having bitten his owner. He is 15....

Both of these dogs will be fine with us now and the search is already under way to find them both a rescue place with one of our trusted partners. We were there when they really needed us, they were so close to being gone..... That is why we have the policy we have.

A Statement From SHAK.....

One of the drawbacks of gaining followers through Facebook, the press and other forms of media is the demand for our expertise is growing beyond a level that is manageable or even acceptable. We are a victim of our own success and with constantly running with around 70 dogs in our care, being such a small charity we are always stretched beyond our limit.

Therefore I think it is important for me to explain exactly where we get our dogs from and who we will deal with. For the past 12 years we have dealt very closely with vets taking destruction cases, local councils taking strays and a few recognised partnered charities that we have built up strong relationships with. Today this is still the case.

As I mentioned space and resources are very short resulting us being unable to take dogs from members of the public and due to time we are ubable to deal with the publuc in any way. Likewise we are not looking to extend our pool of partnered charities or organisations, so can not take dogs from groups we have never worked with before.

It is not out of ignorance, but due to concentrating our time on our own dogs that no unsolicited emails, phonecalls or Facebook messages will be returned.

Thank you for understanding and for all of your support.

Mays Dogs Monthly Magazine.....

Just received my copy of Dogs Monthly magazine.....

You'll need to buy a copy to read the full piece 😉