Farewell Big Keiser.....

Yesterday was another one of those sad days when it was time to say goodbye to one of the old SHAK "Forever Foster" boys. Keiser arrived with us with a huge reputation as nasty, but despite a more challenging character at times, deep down he was a sweetheart. Keiser found his foster home by lying down in the house where we used to rent kennels and simply refused to leave. That was Keiser, and for all his faults he really was a strong and brave boy. In the time we had him, he beat testicular cancer, a bowel problem and even had a toe removed. However, age and illness catches up with us all in the end, and Keiser seemed to deteriorate severely over the last 2 months or so.

He leaves behind a Mam and Dad who loved him, and a whole load of memories. Thanks for those big man, it was an absolute pleasure to have you as a SHAK dog. Run free now, no more pain. x

Brodie's New Look.....

Thank you to Andrea for giving Brodie a sleepover so he could go and get his official SHAK haircut. As you can see Brodie is clearly enjoying the sunshine with his new sleek haircut, so thank you to Serena at Woof Cutz.

Get Well Soon Derek.....

Due to an operation I'm afraid Derek won't be open this week. On behalf of everyone at SHAK (2 & 4 legged) and all our supporters, get well soon Derek.

Another Heartbreaker.....

I don't know how they do it, but I'm convinced that the dogs that are the most desperate find there way to me and then onto SHAK. Old Dusty is no exception. I picked this handsome old guy up as a stray, and having served his 7 days unclaimed he is now the latest dog in line to break my heart and the hearts of all the SHAK team. Dusty is clearly in a bad way, as the photos in the first Dusty post show. His ears are severely infected, so much so that he is deaf, whilst he has gum disease and rotten teeth too. He is covered in lumps and bumps, and clearing showing signs of neglect.

Today I took him to the vets, and she confirmed what I already suspected, Dusty is suffering from testicular cancer. Despite this he is such a happy bouncy boy, and whilst treatment has begun on his ears and teeth, it was felt that at his age full surgery and removal of the testicles may just be too much.

The strength dogs such as Dusty (ans Spirit and Mama Bear before him) show is unbelievable, and I am just pleased that SHAK is there to provide exactly what we say we will "Safe Homes And Kindness." At the moment that home is my own home, where he is curled up on the floor next to me as I type this. God bless you boy.

Dusty Smiling.....

More Of Old Dusty.....

More From The Sun Shoot.....

The Sun Photo Shoot.....

Here's a few photo's taken for the Scottish Sun article last week. I think the top photo is best described as me being a "gooseberry" with those four.

Sunny Weekend.....

It has beeen a gorgeous weekend weather wise, and as is usually the case there has been a lot going on at SHAK.

Thanks to the management and staff at Jollyes for making Joan, Angie and Sonia so welcome both on Saturday and Sunday, when we had another fantastic fundraising weekend. We had some amazing donations both in the form of food and cash, so thank you to everyone who resisted the back garden and came to support the girls. I hear there was appearances from quite a few older SHAK dogs so thanks to them too. It's great to see them doing so well.

Today at the kennels, Andrew and I were lucky enough to have some fun in the sun with Gema and Bouncer. As you can see, all four of us enjoyed it especially the kisses.

Fun In The Sun.....

Lionheart Radio Interview 07/04/11.....

For anyone who wants to know what SHAK is all about, or who missed this yesterday, heres my interview on Lionheart Radio. Thanks to John at Blyth Wildlife Rescue for doing the video.

More Horrendous Cruelty.....

Another sad story from the states, but rest assured its as bad in this country.....

http://www.examiner.com/dogs-in-national/braveheart-s-struggle-for-survival?CID=examiner_alerts_article

New SHAK Merchandise Photos.....

Thanks once again Kate Moore and Craig Averall for modelling and shooting the latest SHAK Merchandise photo shoot.

Sure you'll agree how good the pictures are, and the merchandise is just as good!

If you'd like to see more and maybes order your own SHAK gear please visit our online shop:

http://www.shakshop.co.uk/

WARNING Disturbing And Upseting Image.....

This has been brought to my attention on Facebook. All I know is the information below. I am numb at the thought of what this girl went through. Who really are the monsters on this planet:

PHOTO FROM http://www.peta.org/ (The Dog - Abuse - 06) "Big Girl" was found on the ground weighing less than the chain around her neck. She had clearly been starved—she was a pile of bones and had raw, mostly hairless skin with absolutely no body fat. A veterinarian later told us that Big Girl's stomach contained nothing but dirt, leaves, a piece of corn cob with two kernels on it, and a piece of dry, caked fecal matter. Big Girl had been left to suffer for so long that she had begun to decompose. Four different generations of maggots were eating away at her body. When we gently peeled her off the ground, she moaned. She could not see us or hear us, but we hope she knew that we were there to help her. We sent Big Girl off to heaven with kind words and a gentle lethal injection. We wished we could have ended her misery much, much sooner. .

Sparky Fills The Space.....

As is usually the case, as Harvey starts his new life with his new family, his place at SHAK is quickly taken by another dog in desperate need of time, space and love. Sparky is another stray I picked up, and he was so frightened that with any movement towards him he wet himself. Trying to get him into the car was in itself an adventure as he promptly hid under the Landrover and had no control on his bladder.

I got him in with the help of a whole jar of hot dogs, and he has no served his time to become a SHAK dog. Sparky is very young and very active, and has began to trust people again. We are currently trying to build up that trust before looking for a Forever Foster home.

Harvey Goes Home.....

This morning was one of those mornings that bring a little lump in the throat, as after a month of sleepovers and introductions Harvey went home with our very own SHAK Volunteer Geoff.

I picked Harvey up as a stray and he instantly made a big impression on me. He was so friendly, but was extremely thin under that thick fur coat, and had a very strong smell of urine. The night before I picked him up he had been seen chasing cars on a remote road, and I can only presume that maybes he had been dumped from a car.

Geoff has spent a lot of time getting to know Harvey, although the feeling is definately mutual, and I guess that Harvey is now really pleased Geoff picked him up from the vets for a sleepover after being neutered. Thanks Geoff for giving Harvey the home he deserves, and thank you Harvey for simply being you.

SHAK In The Sun (Kind Of).....

SHAK makes it into national (Scotland) newspaper The Sun.....

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/3507175/Battling-ex-Celtic-star-Mike-Galloway-has-found-love-at-last-at-a-DOG-sanctuary.html

A Bhoys Best Friend.....

There was a great article in this weeks Celtic View on former Celtic player and SHAK volunteer Mike Galloway. Below is the interview, thanks to the View and to Mike.

Former Celt Is Taking A New Lead.....

Still Miss You Gypsey.....

Today marks the first anniversary of us losing a very special SHAK girl. Gypsey died suddenly a year ago today, having eventually found a wonderful home at the Border Terrier in Marden with Paul and Lesley.

Gypsey spent over a year in kennels until she came to us, and she surprised us all by being such a lovable girl. Going for a pint just to be greeted by Gypsey at the door was always a pleasure, and I know there is still a lot of people that miss seeing her. Run free Gypsey, always in our thoughts and hearts.

New Month Means Coffee Time.....

A new month means one thing, Derek is open tomorrow. I know he'd be delighted to see you. 6 Marine View, Seaton Sluice between 9-5. Thanks for your Support.

Poor Poor Journalism.....

Hang on, so was this an Akita or German Shepherd??? More lazy journalism and prejudice reporting...... Funny its happening in the same country where there is outcry over Lennox:

A County Londonderry woman has been fined £500 after her dog mauled a council dog warden leaving him with wounds requiring 28 stitches.

The Japanese Akita dog inflicted bites to the foot, leg and forearm of warden Malachy Duddy.

Caroline Corr of Glenrandel Road, Eglinton, was convicted of being in charge of the dog.

Eighteen month-old Reben, bred from a German Shepherd, was on a lead at the time of the attack.

Mr Duddy described how the dog bit through his steel-toecapped shoe.

"The dog got me to the ground and bit my left arm and pulled part of my forearm skin off," he said.

"After the attack blood was dripping from my forearm."

Ms Corr was also ordered to pay costs of £206 when she contested the case brought against her under the Dogs Order by Derry City Council.

The warden had called at Miss Corr's home to remove the dog at her request as it had become too big for her to look after.




http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-12908803

Changing Rooms.....

At The Rescue Place we try and give the dogs as much socialisation, exercise and stimulation as possible. However, our indoor runs were getting slightly passed their best. Due the obvious lack of finances though it was impossible for us to update them.

Step forward Graham and Gordon Wilson of Glendale Engineering, and Craig Henderson and his pal Chris. Glendale kindly donated all the sheeting to give the runs much needed strength, whilst Craig and Chris gave up their own spare time to come and play football with Doyle and fit the panels. Thank you all so much.

Although he doesn't want thanked, THANK YOU to Mike Galloway who arranged all this, and in doing so has made the life of dogs at SHAK so much better.

On behalf of all those dogs, and the human element of SHAK thank you all so much.

The Fight For Lennox.....

I'm sure a lot of people will be familiar with Lennox's story. The dog seized by authourities in Belfast simply because of the way he looked. If ever there was a case that proved Breed Specific Legislation was wrong this is it. Yesterday was a sad day as prejudice overcame common sense. Keep the fight going.....

On 29th March 2011 family pet Lennox was ordered to die by lethal injection because of the way he looks. The powers that be decided it was humane to forcibly slow a dog's heart beat, watching him to struggle as he fights to keep breathing knowing all the while the lethal dose of anaesthetic will eventually kill him.

Across the world an army of individuals who still remember the meaning of the word "humanity" are fighting back.

Fighting for lennox. Fighting for all dogs held under Breed Specifc Legislation worldwide.

There will be no white flag above our door.

Patrick Update.....

http://www.ahscares.org/showarchive.asp?id=788

Pigeon Update.....

An update on this little fellow that made a few friends at SHAK over the weekend. Tonight he moved to a specialist rescue who know how to handle pigeons and all sorts of wildlife. Thanks to John at Blyth Wildlife Rescue for taking the smallest ever SHAK member, and please check out the work this wonderful group do at:

http://www.blythwildliferescue.co.uk/

It's coming to their busiest time of year, and still managed to squeeze our fella in, so any support or funding they can gain would be greatly appreciated.