Look At Harley Now!....

Posting about dogs once they have left us isn't some thing I normally do, but I really do think I can make an exception with these photographs.

You will all remember how frightened Harley was when we saved him from being destroyed. So scared that even someone entering his kennel was enough to make him mess himself. We did a lot of hard work and used up a lot of patience and finally made him ready for the next move.....

Our good friends at a partnered rescue offered him a chance to look for a new home,  they really did come up trumps!

Last night I got these before and after photos and I cannot pit into words how proud I am of the work we did but more importantly Harley (now known as Angus.)

I'd like to thank everyone who was involved in getting him to this point and also his brilliant new family that love him so much.

Simply Amazing.....

Clay has been getting a little better every day, coming out easier and beginning to relax more. He has more trust in females,  but this video if him with Amy shows just how far he has come.....

Amazing Work from everyone who has been involved with him.....

Coming Soon.....

Something very exciting is coming to a high street near you soon.....

Marley Has A Girlfriend.....

I thought you might like to see just how far Marley has come in a few months, by showing you his reaction to meeting Sasha for the first time.....

The second video is how he was the day he arrived.....

Fun In The Sun.....

Rachel and I enjoyed a really nice walk tonight as the sun set on a beautiful day. We had great company, and it was lovely to see such big stories as Indi and Phoenix enjoy each other's company, until Henry photo bombed the photo shoot!....

SHAK Retail A Step Closer?....

We've hopefully made some major progress over the last couple of days in our search for retail premises in Northumberland. It's one of those tasks that is on going, but hopefully we should be able to announce some good news next week.

As always we can only work on these projects with your help, so of you have spare time and would be interested in volunteering in a SHAK High Street shop then please get in touch via email: retail@shak.org.uk

Thank you.

Clay and Sky.....

I forgot these were taken on Tuesday, as Clay (as we've decided to call him) was enjoying making friends with Sky.

I especially like the second one where Sky distracts me so Clay can pinch the hot dogs from my pocket.....

Lost For Words.....

After making so much progress with our new boy yesterday, today I thought I would try and take things a step further.....

Simply Amazing.....

These dogs never cease to amaze me and what a walk I have just enjoyed with our new boy after Brad suggested we brought Sky along. I don't want to spoil it but to get so close to him in his kennel in just 48 hours was a sensational feeling.....

I am so proud of these two boys, simply amazing! 

Another Two Arrive And Avoid Being Destroyed.....

Whenever I get a call from out good friend Jennie down at K9 Search in  Birmingham I know she has a serious problem.....

This time a big Bull breed had been found chained to a bus shelter and was showing severe signs of fear aggression. Thanks to the great people at Animal House Rescue they somehow managed to get the dog safe before he was taken to the local pound to serve his 7 days. Within 2 hours of arriving his fear had lead to him failing the assessment and he was destined to be destroyed.....

That was when the phone call to me happened. Once the seven days we're completed Lynn and Carys stayed tried to their word and went back to get him before setting off on a road trip north.

It appears put new friend seems a lot more comfortable around woman, but even saying that Carys did an amazing job being able to get him on a lead. Now it was over to us.....

Yesterday was the first day I needed to get him out. He was so stressed and frightened. His kennel was in a horrific state and he was trying everything he could to keep me away. He would not let me get anywhere near him with a lead and his stress levels were rising dramatically. The only safe way was to use the rigid lead.

He hated that too, in fact having seen him arrive on a lead, the difference with the rigid one was quite upsetting to see. I just needed to get him outside.....

Once outside I tried my luck again, I really didn't want him to associate what should be fun with the stress the rigid lead was causing him.....

He really is an amazing dog. I can see that in his eyes already. All we need to do now is make him realise we are not about to hurt him.

Ironically at the same time the dog wardens called me about a Yorkshire Terrier that was due to be destroyed in the local pound after several weeks because only one person could get near him. Of course I said we would help, and it really was a surreal moment getting him put on the lead for the first time so soon compared to the big boy that had just arrived.

Toby hates getting the lead on, he will jump and lunge and snap at you whilst doing so, so much smaller than the rest of our other dogs but his teeth are still as sharp!

Once out though he loves life and we just need to help him work through his issues.

Quite upsetting to see such a big dog so emotionally scared but equally as upsetting to see such a small dog so close to losing  his life. I'm pleased we were able to save them......

SHAK Retail Coming Soon. Can YOU Help?....

This charity has grown beyond my wildest dreams since I formed it in such sad circumstances in 2006. The battle to continue is always on going and with what I consider to be the best team we've ever had, we really do need to build on our success.

Developing a retail side of SHAK seems the obvious way to increase income and given my working background before this crazy adventure with dogs!

We are currently looking at and in talks about retail outlets all across Northumberland and hopefully will have some very exciting news soon.

In the meantime we are trying to address the next and most obvious issue..... staffing new premises! So if you would like to express an interest in helping out at a SHAK Shop of some sort in the future then please get in touch via email to retail@shak.org.uk.

All positions will be completely voluntary to begin with and will include store managers, assistants and anyone interested in the actual running and development of such sites. Whilst retail experience would be a great help, it is not essential.

Maybe if you cannot help with the hands on with the dogs this would provide you with a great opportunity to help us and become part of the SHAK Team?

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and please email retail@shak.org.uk to express any interest.

Thanks.

Milo Meets Rex And Bren.....

Having learnt so much about Milo from working so closely with him the last week or so, it's quite clear that a lot of his issues stem from an excitement that he has no idea how to manage. He is desperate to play but has no concept or understanding of how to go about it. Step up two of our most playful boys in Red and Bren.....

Holly 'Hot Tub'.....

After her escapades in the paddling pool, Holly 'Hot tub' has taken keeping cool just a little too far.....

Sunbathing With Indi.....

I get a lot of people asking about Indi, to the extent I've been stopped by strangers recently in the supermarket and the pub to ask how she is doing. The truth is she's doing great without any major developments. We've got our morning and nightime routines settled and she enjoys her walks with the other dogs.

She's had a couple of sleep overs in the house but that is still a big black hole to her, so we just do little and often. Still she has taken everything in her stride and has never once rejected anything we've tried to do together.

This morning on a day off we were able just to relax and catch a few of the warm sun rays together.....

Day Two Of Work For Milo.....

So it looks like the groundwork Keiser put in with Milo at the weekend has paid off, as our boy really had fun this morning meeting Axel and Topaz.

His behaviour has improved all week as we've constantly walked him with other dogs, but this walk was the first time Milo had met these two or been walked with one person. Notice too, No muzzle this time. I am so proud of all three of them.....

Sunny Day.....

We all had a great day today in sensational conditions, as you can see. So proud of the dogs and the team.....