Thirteen years ago today (at 7.15pm to be precise) I lost a friend that had changed my life forever. My constant companion, everything I had known for the seven and a half years of being with him was gone. I was completely broken.
Since losing Shak I have been able to be involved in changing the life of so many other dogs, a figure that I would expect tops the 1,000 mark. There has been joy, pain and so much heartache along the way, but not a day goes by without me thinking of the dog that was so amazing that I formed this charity in his honor.
The organisation has grown beyond my wildest dreams, we have been able to do so much good, I would like to think that Shak is sitting wherever he is and looking down proud.
Fast forward thirteen years and things are as high pressured as ever.
The building work at the kennels is coming on quickly, with some incredible generosity and hard work of very kind people. Once completed, the change in the day to day care routine of our dogs will once again move onto a new level.
The retail side is doing extremely well, again thanks to some sensational hard work and dedication. The support for our venture onto the high street has blown us away, with both sales and donations being well above what we expected.
Unfortunately though, with so many dogs needing our help though we still need more. In fact we need a whole load more to be able to continue what grew out of complete heartbreak.
Yesterday a dog arrived that may yet turn out to be one of our most difficult rescues ever. We are already overstretched but we were all the dog had. It is so frightened and matted nobody has even gotten close enough to see what sex it is.
So sad and so much hard work, but I know me and my team will get it there. We have to…..
My heart has been broken many more times in these last thirteen years. It doesn't get any easier, in fact if anything I gets more difficult. Knowing the pain is coming and how much it hurts makes it sting even more.
We need to go on, not only for Shak's memory, but also to be able to help dogs like yesterdays arrival. If we can't so many lives will be lost.
Please donate if you can. There are several ways to do so and each one is greatly appreciated.
Paypal:
https://www.paypal.me/shaksanctuary
Popping into our shop:
SHAK
12 Bowes Street,
Blyth
Northumberland
NE24 1BD
Or by sending a cheque made payable to SHAK to:
SHAK HQ
Greenwell Road,
Alnwick
NE66 1HB
Your support has helped get us this far, new support can take us even further.
Thank you.
Stephen Wylie
