Playbows.....

A Work Out With Hugo.....

King Of Kings.....

Speaking of dogs in homes, have a look at this picture of King. I honestly never thought I'd see the day I saw pictures like this. Thanks to Debs, Vince and the family, and King, big un I'm so proud of you.

Time For Home Benjy.....

It was a nice day for Benjy today, as he went into a "Forever Foster" home. I picked this little guy up as a stray, and it immediately struck me that he was such a character. Wrap a red bandana around his neck and I'm sure he could of walked of any kids TV show. It was love at first sight today, we're all really pleased for the wee guy. Enjoy Benjy.

Coffee Again On Sunday.....

Please don't forget that Derek is open again on Sunday, but now at the Fountainhead Car Park across the road from his house. Thanks in advance for your support.

Unwanted Dogs, Poem Called 'I Thought You Loved Me'

Written and spoken by my good friend Liesa Clark.

Oscar And Grace.....

As you can see these two are beginning to become quite friendly. Oscar is learning that two dogs can sniff the same piece of grass, and that girls are ok. The progress this dog has made in 8 days is truly remarkable, and he is gaining two legged admirers too, not just Grace and Roxy.

And Check Out His New Friend.....

And here is the big guy with one of his new foster pals. Remember this is a Greyhound that appears to have no love in its life, yet he still welcomes a cat into his life. Well done Bono.

Nothing Surprises Me.....

Nothing surprises me in this job anymore and when Bono turned up at The Rescue Place as a stray, I'm afraid that I just shook my head. There is nothing that can excuse sheer neglect like this, and although it is nowhere near the worst we've seen, seeing such a gorgeous dog like this is simply sickening. There is good news though, as Bono is now living in the comfortable home he deserves until he is fit enough to look for a "Forever Foster" home. Thanks Sheena and Roger for giving this beautiful boy a break.

Two New Fantastic Events.....

A couple of dates for your diary in October.

Come support us at Jollyes in West Denton as the store holds a Pets Health Awareness Day on 1st October. They have very kindly chosen SHAK to be the beneficary from all the fundraising that month, so thanks Tim, Tanja and all the team.

Also planned for October in the "Little Snorters/Beauty And The Pooch Walk (In Aid Of SHAK.) Happening on 23rd October, here is some words from event organiser Leah:

"By popular demand! A lot of you have been asking for doggy social events and because my Little Snorters Group is only for the smaller hairy bairns, Beauty and the Pooch and I thought we would make an event where all friendly socialised dogs could get together and make some new friends.

We are going to ask if you could make a £1 donation per dog which we will give to SHAK Dog Sanctuary and ask if Darren from Bark Life Photography will come along and get some lovely photos of your pooches roaming and playing in the gorgeous woodlands!

We will meet in the carpark at Plessy Woods at 11am (remember your change for parking) and then have a lovely stroll into the woods:-)

If it's good weather please feel free to bring some food and we can have an Autumn picnic!

*Please remember you are responsible for your dogs safety "

Thanks to both Leah and everyone connected to Beauty and the Pooch.

Both days sound fantastic. Please see all our other events at our events page.

Great North Run.....

Good Luck to everyone who is doing the Great North Run for us tomorrow. On behalf of all the SHAK dogs and the SHAK team, thank you for your support.

From Stray To Chic.....

Introducing little Shabby Chic (ask Vicki) an old Lurcher girl that I was lucky enough to pick up as a stray. Skin condition, claws missing and rotten teeth, it was obvious that Shabby had been kicked out and dumped by someone. Vicki fell in love with her immediately, although I have to admit thats not hard, and she's been with her ever since. Just shows one persons rubbish etc. Enjoy life in a home that loves you for a change little un, and thank you Vicki and Jude.

More From Geordie Paws.....

Thanks to Kate from Lendlease for sending me more photo's from the paint day that they nicknamed "Geordie Paw's" As you can see some of the gang were lucky to share the teams picnic, and yes that is a silver bag on Vicki's foot???

New Toy And Great News.....

Another arrival yesterday in such a busy day was a caravan that will be used to try and get dogs used to a "sitting room" environment. Kindly donated by our very own Derek, and transported by his good friend Arthur, thanks guys for giving us another asset and activity in these dogs lives.

Derek giving a caravan away means one thing only. This Sunday is his first in Fountainhead Car Park, Seaton Sluice. It also means he is now back to opening every Sunday! Derek has fought really hard to keep fundraising for this charity, would be fantastic if we could all get down and support him on his first day. In case you don't know, its the car park opposite his house on the sea front. Thanks everyone.

Thank You To The SHAK And Lendlease Teams.....

I
I'm always very proud of the SHAK team, but today they excelled themselves even further. Under pressure as we had a wonderful group of people coming to paint the kennels, they performed magnificently and still managed to clean and walk every dog twice. Thank you all, I'm so proud.

Thank you to to the team from Lendlease that travelled all the way from Manchester on a community day to paint our kennels. A great day was had, new friends made, a picnic and the dogs got spoilt rotten. Thanks to Paul Smith of PPG for donating all the paint, and a special thanks to Kate Perkins for arranging the whole thing.

I get really emotional when I think back to why this charity came about, and to think we now have support like I saw today, is simply amazing. Thank you all so much.

Thank You For Maggie And Charlie's Pad.....

Here's the team in the kennel they kindly funded as part of their community day. The arrival of which created another kennel to save a life. Here's Maggie and Charlie saying a special Thank You for providig their home.

Oscar, Doyle And The Beautiful Roxy.....

Oscar also met one of the BIG boys today, and enjoyed a climb up the hills with Doyle. Watching these two walk together was simply stunning.

The very first photograph is him making his first friend, the beautiful Roxy.

A Nice Welcome For A New Boy.....

(L-R Sam, Oscar, Grace.)

Oscar arrived with us in difficult circumstances, he left behind people that loved him dearly. Amongst his issues is the fact that Oscar doesn't know how to behave around other dogs. Here's Sam and Grace showing him the ropes. Big cheer for Sam too, who is doing so well at getting over his dislike of other dogs.

Gems Goes Home.....

As is always the case here, the sadness we endure is also met with happiness. Despite the sad memories of yesterday, there was good news as Gemini moved on into her "Forever Foster" home.

Picked up by myself as a stray, research found she had clearly been abandoned and left to fend for herself. She quickly found her way at The Rescue Place, and made a huge impression on members of the team with very little Staffordshire Bull Terrier experience.

Long term SHAK followers will remember the first ever Staffordshire we took in, Zeus. Well Zeus is now Gemini's brother or boyfriend which ever way you look at it, and from what I've seen over the last two weeks as they became friends, they are in for so much fun. Thanks Zeus, Gary and Angie, and best of luck Gems.

One Year On For Mama Bear.....

It's a year today since we lost the biggest (in every sense of the word) dog SHAK has ever had. Mama Bear passed away in her kennel 5 hours before she was due to go into a foster home, and two days before she was due for surgery to remove mammary tumours.

Having arrived from the Midlands where she'd been a stray, she quickly won over the hearts of everyone, we were all desperate to see her through to better times, but it just wasn't to be.

The photo's above weren't staged, she literally decided she wanted to sit on my knee. At over 60kg she took some getting off. Still what a hug.

Nobody that was lucky enough to meet you Bear will ever forget you. I just wish we'd got you sooner. I'll see you at Rainbow Bridge for another hug one day.

Shiver Me Timbers.....

First face painting photo from the Fun Night. Introducing Joan The FundRaising Pirate.....

King Of Kings Goes Home.....

There's a lot of work that goes on at The Rescue Place that isn't always put on here until the time is right. After a couple of weeks of working on a plan I'm delighted to say that yesterday King went into foster with Debs. The big guy was here through no fault of his own, but because of his size it has been difficult to get him someone prepared to give him a go. Debs loves her giant breeds, and with Skip now moving in with Sparky full time it seemed a perfect opportunity.

Its always good to see a dog go into a foster home, but there's also a tinge of sadness to see a long termer leave. You simply get used to them being there. I think as you can see from the photo above and the comment below, his life restarts now. Proud of you big un.

"This lovely dog is a total sweetheart. People who met him today thought he'd been my forever pet, not a foster of just 18 hours. He's a total gentleman, loves his cuddles and now like to sit on my knee, at 58kg thats not easy."

Great Weekend Despite The Weather.....

Another brilliant weekend fundraising was finished off with e great night at The Blue Bell Pub in Jesmond Vale to celebrate Claire, Chris, Ant and Kate completing their Coast to Coast bike ride. Thanks to the four of them for sticking in with the ride despite horrendous winds. It's reported that they had to ride "Barry Sheen Style" to stay on their bikes. Back at the pub,thanks to Nic and all his staff and customers for a great night, and the £300 that was raised. It really was fun, and I'm sure the photos of the face painting will emerge at some point.....

Earlier in the day, Joan, Elaine, Neve and Sheila also braved the conditions to run a SHAK stall at Paws In The Park. Another fantastic time was had, with over £120 coming our way.

The commitment of everyone involved this weekend has been amazing, especially the way that they have all battled on despite the weather conditions. Thanks to you all, and thanks to everyone who supported us at both events. We really need your support to enable us to save even more dogs. Thank you.

Please Support Us.....

PRIZES include : MOUNTAIN BIKE.....FAMILY PORTRAIT SHOOT with free canvas....MINI BUS & DRIVER for 1 night.....SPIRITS HAMPER.....LIFE COACHING SESSION.....RESTAURANT VOUCHERS and more!!

September Already.....

A quick reminder that as its the first weekend in September, Derek is open from 9-5 tomorrow. There has been a hold up in moving to the car park, so he will still be at 6 Marine View, Seaton Sluice in the morning.

As usual there will be a wide choice of drinks and scones available, and Derek will be delighted to take in any donations. Thanks in advance for your support.