The Change In Luna.....

You will remember Luna that came to us suffering terribly from mange not that long ago.....

Well, here she is earlier this week, and as you can see from the other pictures she has made some friends too. How anyone can let a dog get in the state Luna was on arrival is something that I will never understand, and unfortunately it seems to be that Lurchers suffer more than others.

I think these photos though show what amazing dogs they are, and what fun they can be. If you'd like to know more about how you could offer a Lurcher a Forever Foster home then please contact us via email foreverfoster@shak.org.uk

(L-R) Luna, Ebony, Koby and moss.

Game On!

Luna and Ebony

Ebony, who herself came to us emaciated.

He May be Gone, But Oskar's Legacy Lives On.....

After such a sad weekend it was back to work today, and as they say, life goes on. It was really weird at German Shepherd Club today, as three dogs Oskar helped so much went out together for the first time without him. They did him proud though, and whilst he was missed so much, it was great to see the dogs he's helped look so relaxed together.

The hole in my life is still there, and will always remain, but this photo helps ease some of the pain.

Three dogs Oskar helped so much. Kai, Star and Doyle.

Farewell To The Constant In My Life.....

Its with great sadness this morning that I have to tell you that our big brave boy Oskar lost his fight against cancer late yesterday afternoon. Having been diagnosed with a hemangiosarcoma (a very nasty tumour on the spleen) just before Christmas resulting in the removal of his spleen, we were gutted to find secondary tumours 11 days ago. To explain what a ruthless and aggressive cancer this is, please follow the link below:

What Is A Hemangiosarcoma.....

Despite never being a SHAK dog, Oskar was the dog the who made me realise I needed dogs in my life after Shak died, he helped so many in so many ways. From sharing his home with so many, even just the over night stays, to walking and teaching others how to socialise, Oskar was responsible for some of the best work we've done.Like Harvey before him, he was a great teacher, and one who we all will miss dearly.

Oskar (centre) showing Kai the ropes.

Oskar (second from the right) with Doyle, Star, Laser and Murphy.

Oskar (centre) leading the way with Melissa walking 5 dogs together for the first time.

With his big mate Doyle.

Personally I do not think myself or my family can believe he's gone. As I wrote the post about Shak and Dudley yesterday I was nursing him, knowing that the clock was ticking down and that he wasn't getting any better. I knew this was coming, but I just didn't want him to go.

My daughter Neve used to call him "Boss of the Dogs" and you know I think that he truly was. That quickly earned him the nickname "Boss Dog" and watching him roam nobly around the countryside off lead where we live, you couldn't disagree.

My heart was in pieces when Shak died, Oskar glued them all back together as one the very first time I saw him. We now need to show the same bravery he has done and try and stick them all back together ourselves this time. Right now it feels like walking on water would be easier.....

I'll leave you with some pictures of how I like to remember him, taken just last Wednesday.....

Oskar..... The Constant in my life.

A Date That I Can Never Forget.....

Yesterday was a day that I don't know whether I try to forget or remember. Good memories or sad ones, the 7th March is always in my mind.

On the 7th in 1999 I met a young shaggy German Shepherd who changed my life forever. I called him Shak. There are other days that I will tell his stories, you have probably heard them all before anyway, but I never forget how important the visit to the local pound was that day all the years ago. The way my life would change, and the hundreds of dogs lives that would be saved because of it.

Shak Wylie. The little man whose loss made me start all this.

It's almost ironic I guess that as well as finding a best friend on the 7th of March, I also lost one two years ago too. I think everyone will remember Dudley, and certainly anyone whoever met him will remember the courage, bravery and determination he showed as he battled against CDRM, Arthritis and other illnesses. That dog taught me so much, showed me so much love through a difficult personal time, and proved that despite everything that was against him he was still entitled to a life, not discarded in a field in the middle of nowhere like rubbish like he was before he came here.

Both of these dogs meant so much to me, and still do. I think about them and draw motivation and hope from them every single day. But above all, I miss them. 

A New "Change Lives" Appeal. Doyle Desperately Needs Your Help.....

The very first appeal for Laser's operation was an outstanding success, with the £450 target reached within an astonishing 10 days! Once again your support was unbelievable.

Today sees the launch of the next "Change Lives" appeal, and this one is slightly different.....

Everybody who has heard of SHAK knows of Doyle. The ex scrapyard dog that came up with north with his brother Bodie in a horrific state and just hours away from being shot. Today Doyle is one of the first SHAK dog a new team member meets, such is the transformation in the biggest German Shepherd I've ever known.

This was the oil soaked and emaciated Doyle that arrived with us.

This week Doyle spent a couple of days at the vets as we were concerned that he was having difficulty going to the toilet. Our worst fears have been confirmed as examination and tests reveal he is suffering from a horrendous condition called "Anal Furunculosis." The condition is one that I haven't personally come across before, but is quite well know to German Shepherds. Below is a link to tell you exactly what the condition is, but basically Anal Furunculosis is a chronic, progressive inflammatory disease that results in ulceration and inflammation in the area surrounding the anus.

What Is Anal Furunculosis?....

As the website above says, this condition can be treated medically, surgery is a very last resort, but the drugs are extremely expensive. This is where we need your support once again.....

It has been estimated by the vets that the cost of the drugs a dog of Doyle's size would need is £195.38 per month! We desperately want to give him the best treatment possible, but the sad fact of the matter is we do not have a spare £200 per month. Can you help?

HOW YOU CAN HELP US AND CHANGE DOYLE'S LIFE.....

Could you spare a little each month and afford to set up a Standing Order? If so please print off the form below and send it to your bank. Make the reference "Doyle."

There are several ways you can donate.....

Send a cheque (payable to SHAK) to Wildwood Cottage, 3a Stead Lane, Bedlington NE22 5LT.

Make a donation via PayPal to the email address shak@shak.org.uk (marking all donations the Doyle Appeal)

Call Moorview Vets directly on 0191 256 6990 (please tell them it is for Doyle from SHAK)

Hand in your donation to the SHAK stall at one of the events on the Events Page.

This is a life long commitment. We owe it to Doyle to make him as comfortable as we can for the rest of his life. This medication can do that. Doyle has been neglected by mankind too much in the past. YOUR HELP CAN REALLY HELP US CHANGE HIS LIFE.....

Oskar And Doyle Go To The Seaside.....

On my day off yesterday I was treated to a day with two very brave and inspiring dogs. After picking Doyle up from the vets (more in the post above) myself and Oskar showed him where the seaside was. My reward for taking them..... they took me to the pub and bought me a pint. I think the pictures show the fun that was had!

Doyle and Oskar.

"The bar is this way....."

"Who's round is it anyway?"

"Ah. Mines a Guiness."

A New Page..... "Finally, Just A Thought....."

Have a look at our new page "Finally, Just A Thought....." Just a bit of fun, and a chance to see our dogs enjoying life. Who knows what they are thinking.....

A Weekend Away, But Not How We Wanted For Henry......

It has been a very tough week for Henry after I had to rush him to the vets on Saturday night as he was having difficulties with his breathing. To cut a long story short, x rays and then a CT scan showed a mass which turned out to be fluid in one of his lungs. Henry has always been a very "nasal" dog since he arrived, earning him the nickname "The Predator", but now it seems that there was slightly more too it.

Maybe a persistent chest infection had lead to the Pneumonia that he suffered from at the weekend, but the extensive course of varied antibiotics that he is now on should help solve both problems.

Henry was amazing during his time at the vets, winning a lot of friends and also showing us how quickly a once shut down and terrified big do can accept change and a new environment. We need to nurse him back to health, and get him fully recovered, and then work on a structured plan to introduce him to the outside world. They say every cloud has a silver lining, this weekend at the vets has shown us a lot about Henry.

Layla Update.....

From her foster Mum:

"Layla is getting on  brilliantly! We changed her diet to Arden grange, rice & chicken as she was showing signs of hotspots. They have cleared. She gets glucosamine daily and this has helped with a limp she has in her front leg.

 Her personality has been slow coming through. However she is so laid back and easy going. In this picture she's closely watching one of our cats as they seem to fascinate her :-) she has took everything in her stride.

Makes you even more angrier that she was just discarded, as she's not a bit of trouble!"

The Very Impressive Woody.....

I thought you might like to see how handsome one of our old flea ridden, red skinned and scabby Lurchers has turned out. Regular followers on here will know Woody has a great home, but I think these photos show just how amazing he is.....

Little Hamish Needed Saving!....

I keep saying that the start 2014 is the worst year that I've ever known for dogs being in need. This case proves my point. This is Hamish, booked into be destroyed at 7 MONTHS old for behavioural problems. We saved him, and he is now with our good friends Alexa's Animals after a short stay with us.

If you are interested in potentially giving him a home then please contact Alexa on: 01665 676677 or via email  alexas_dog_rescue@hotmail.com