February Is The Cruelest Month.....

The appeal in this weeks Northumberland Gazette.

They say a new year means a new start, but for our dogs and the team it is still very much the same routine. Every day in animal rescue is just like the next. Dogs need fed, cleaned and walked, whilst for some their lives need saved.

Everybody thinks of the post Christmas kick out period as being in January,  but from my experience it usually takes till February for the no longer wanted Christmas presents or the old timers that have been replaced, to hit the streets.

It is with this in mind, that we are working very hard to try and make sure we have time and space to save the lives of those that will be discarded. As always though, it is a difficult task.

At a time of year when resolutions and new starts are planned, maybe you could help us be ready?

There are so many voluntary roles within the charity that could provide you with a great deal of satisfaction, as well as helping the dogs that deserve all the love that they can get. Extra kennel cleaners, house keepers and dog walkers would all make a huge difference to the day to day lives of our dogs.

Obviously the charity has grown so much over the last eighteen months that the opportunities aren't just kennel based. We are still looking for a voluntary Fundraising Coordinator,  whilst our shop in Blyth is always on the look out for new volunteers to help with every aspect of running a successful store.

We are working very hard on some more exciting projects away from the kennels that will hopefully make a massive difference to the organisation and allow us to provide even better care for the dogs we have, whilst also allowing us to save the lives of others.

This year is a big one for SHAK. The plans and vision that we have already started on will make such a difference, but we cant do it all on our own.

Maybe some of the above matches your new years resolutions, maybe dog walking could fit in with your new fitness regime,  maybe you just want to give something back to man's best friend. All we ask is that you can give a minimum of one four hour shift per week and that you are committed and dedicated to helping our dogs.

If so, why not send your name, a telephone number and a brief outline of what you'd like to do to office@shak.org.uk

This could be the year that you become part of a team that really does save lives.

We Lost A True Legend At Christmas.....

Christmas is always a difficult time in rescue, despite the festivities we all enjoy, the dogs don't know any different and still require the same attention.  With the team we have,  we always get through it,  making sure that the dogs get what they are used to, if not more. This year though it has been even tougher.

On the Saturday in between Christmas and New Year we had to say goodbye to a dog that can be described as nothing else but a SHAK Legend.

Arriving as a stray in appalling condition, Ged had a huge metal chain attached to a leather collar that was engrained into his body. The strange thing was that the collar wasn't around his neck, it was somehow across his shoulder and behind his front leg like a sash. You can imagine the stress and discomfort he was in, and he let me know by showing severe fear aggression.  I knew it wasn't his fault, so after a few days it was clear I had to help him. Armed with extended wire cutters I fought against his resistance and cut the collar off. From that day on we never looked back.

This may all sound familiar to you, as such was the state he was in, the BBC show Inside Out featured him in a documentary about Staffys and dangerous dogs. Ged did a brilliant job standing for the dogs corner.

Of course, later on in his stay with us Ged moved into a kennel with our special little girl Eden, Lady later joined them. The 'aggressive' staffy suddenly had friends and one became three.

Earlier this year he fought against and survived a stomach torsion.  Nobody thought he'd make it because of his age. Then over the last few weeks he became a bit wobbly on his backend. We put it down to arthritis and he was given medication that seemed to help.

On Saturday morning he wasn't well at all. The back leg was beginning to swell and he couldn't put pressure on it. My heart sunk,  I have seem bone tumours display like this before and instantly rushed him to the vets.

Xrays confirmed my worst fears,  the tumour had ate into the bone causing it to fracture in two places. We discussed amputation but the chances of the cancer not already having spread due to the size of the tumour was less than 4% according to the vet. Ged had become so old and frail with his health I honestly didnt think it was fair to put him through anymore.  Plus it was doubtful whether he'd survive such major surgery after the last one.

I lost him whilst I held him in my arms. Something I never thought I'd be able to do when he arrived.  He has given us all so much pleasure but also so much inspiration. He showed me that despite being so badly treated, he could trust again. I'd like to think that being here showed what love and a home is all about.

For anyone who hasn't seen the Inside Out piece, here it is.