Busy Times And Sad Times.....

It has been a really hectic couple of weeks, and the general running of everything that is SHAK has meant I haven't had a great deal of time to update here. There is so much work goes into the day to day organising, so it was fantastic to see some positive results recently.

Sue McCabe of Muttamorphosis.

January the 21st of course brought a brilliant night at HQ with our very special guest Sue McCabe from Muttamorphosis, whilst the 28th of January saw a fantastic night with our good friend Leigh Smyth. Both nights were sell outs, and it was really interesting to see so many familiar faces, as well as so many new faces that quickly became new SHAK friends.

Leigh Smyth of Essentials For Equilibrium

I'd like to thank everyone who attended, and of course to Sue and Leigh for not only putting on two great nights, but for also such wonderful support in the work we do.

I'm delighted to say that I can also confirm two more dates for your diary, one of which involves us inviting another very good friend of ours to come and tell us about the work we do. On Tuesday the 15th of March at 7pm Emily Renton from Moorview Vets is coming to give a talk concentrating on 'Preventative Health Care & Canine First Aid.' So it's another great opportunity for you to come along and gain some really good information and tips, as well as coming along to support SHAK.

However, before Emily's visit we have another 'Join Our Team-An Opportunity To Learn More About Joining The SHAK Team.' The previous sessions have both been great successes, and we're hoping that the next one on Saturday the 12th of March at 10.30am will also be a great day to make new friends.

I'm afraid that during this spell it hasn't all been good news, and I'm really sad to say that SHAK lost a real old lady and such a special girl in Lottie on the 24th. Lottie was a little old stray when she arrived, and in Jules she found her perfect soul mate. She would often sneak away with Jule's credit card and purchase things on the SHAK Wishlist for her old friends, and she never forgot us. For that I will always be grateful. Run free little Lottie, and thank you to Jules for everything you did for her.

The 24th was already a day where another special girl was in my thoughts, as it was 3 years since I lost a real love of my life, Nina.

Nina was very much my dog at the kennels,there was a love there from the very first morning she was with us after she'd burst out of her kennel during the night. A love that is still there now, despite her being gone for so long.....

"Words can't describe how we're all feeling today, as we discovered the beautiful Nina had passed away in her sleep. She looked peaceful, but it shard to believe that she has gone. Nina was a brave girl, you'll remember she survived a massive pyometra in the summer, so if there was anything sinister happening she never let on.

Used and abused before coming to us, she was another Daddy's girl who would deliberately misbehave so I'd go and carry her home to her kennel. She helped so many dogs in her time with us, and shared kennels with George, Wilf and right to the end with Bobby. In fact in the 6 weeks or so she lived with him, Bobby was the happiest I've ever seen. Below are her playing with Jetta who was due to be destroyed for being dog aggressive.

We're all going to miss her, perhaps me more than most, and we'll all never forget her that's for sure. Nina had been badly abused, but allowed us into her life and with it came love and trust..... from both sides.

Here's how we will all remember an amazing dog, and an amazing friend."

There has been a few coming's and going's too, and whilst I'm not going list them all here, there's one little girl who has arrived and stole a whole load of hearts. Milly was booked into a vets locally to be destroyed. I think the picture below asks its own questions..... but being able to help her and save her life gives us a the strength to go on, and looking at the lives Lottie and Nina had because we're here makes all the hard work I mentioned earlier so worthwhile.....

A New Year, A New T Shirt.....

A new year and a brand new T Shirt to compliment the existing range of SHAK merchandise. Featuring the words.....

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

A quote that has been with the charity right the way through our 10 years.

Adult prices start from £15 and you can order yours direct from the supplier here:

https://www.tboom.co.uk/shak-he--is-your-friend

Thank you in advance for your support.

A Great Night Gone And A Great One To Come.....

We had a great night on Thursday at HQ with Sue McCabe from Muttamorphosis.  Everyone I have spoke to since has said how much they enjoyed themselves and that they learnt a lot. On a personal note it was great to not only gain valuable knowledge,  but also to know that I was doing some things right! A big thank you to Sue and her projectionist Sarah, and everyone who came and supported the event.

This Thursday it's the turn of Leigh Smyth from Essentials For Equilibrium giving her talk on 'An Introduction to Using Nature's Remedies With Your Animals' 

Applied Zoopharmacognosy in the spotlight!  We will look at how we can use this method for a range of conditions.

Having witnessed positive results to Leighs therapies as recently as her visit to the kennels this Friday,  it's sure to be a very informative and interesting evening.

As you can see from the video featuring Tia, the dogs certainly enjoy themselves and it was fantastic seeing her so calm.

Want to learn more? Come along on Thursday 6pm to 9pm. Doirs open at 5.45 and entry is a minimum donation of £3 on the door, and thanks to Leigh’s generosity every penny from it goes back to helping the dogs....

RSVP to shakclub@shak.org.uk to guarantee your place.

SHAK HQ. Greenwell Road, Alnwick NE66 1HB

A Very Sad Way To Start The Year.....

I've got a really sad update on a dog whose story went viral on Facebook and other social media. Found in woodland locally this boy was extremely weak, so weak he couldn't stand by himself, and as well as sores and abrasions on various parts of his body, he also had a serious injury to his front right leg. You can see so in the pictures below, in the way his leg is flat to the floor.

Once we were notified we had him rushed to our vets as an emergency and he immediately was given pain relief and put on intravenous  fluids. Nurses spent hours trying to make him comfortable, hand feeding him chicken and assisting him when he wanted to try and stand.

Things were going well, he was eating, but yesterday things took a dramatic turn for the worse. George as the nurses had decided to call him, stopped eating. I'd been in to see him on Wednesday and he was sleeping soundly, yesterday he was awake when I called but he just didn't seem to want to acknowledge I was there, just lay there with his back turned to me and lay motionless.

George didn't pick up as the day went on, and after several conversations with the vets, it was decided that the only way we could know for sure what was going on was to perform a CT scan. This of course wasn't a very cheap option, but given the goodwill of Northumberland Animal Welfare Team, Moorview Vets and some very generous donations from members of the public who had heard about George, it meant when he really needed it, we could give him the best.....

The scan proved worthwhile, and certainly justified the extra cost over X Rays, as sadly the images showed the real reason behind George not eating and probably was he was in such an emaciated state. His stomach was full of food from the day before, food that should of passed through his system by then, and further investigation showed a large tumour blocking the passage from his stomach into his intestines. It was basically starving him to death.

Even on a healthy dog of full weight and well being, an operation to remove a tumour in such a delicate place would be almost impossible. Given his horrendous condition, an anaesthetic would of been to much for George. All we could do was let him go with no more suffering.....

I'd like to thank everyone who has helped this little guy over the last few days of his life. The Warden who brought him to us, all the vets and nurses involved  in trying to help him, and of course the people who put hard earned funds into the pot that allowed us to give him the best treatment. The pain is all over for him now, but his gorgeous face will be remembered in the hearts of a lot of people who saw him.....

Two Boys We're Very Proud Of.....

I love this video of Benny (the smaller of the two) and Decker being off lead for the first time. Both these boys have had a really tough start to life, lack of socialisation and ability to interact politely could even of cost the two of them their lives. Saddest part is that they are both only 18 months old at the very latest.....

Still, looks like they've both made a new best pal to help them through. Really proud of them both!

 

Three Years On For Dusty.....

Time really does fly, and I can't believe that yesterday was the third anniversary of losing Dusty. None of my family will ever forget him, he really was perfect.....

"I guess when your down, you really are down, and after the sad news of losing Sky last Thursday, then the personal loss of my own little Staffy Brookes on Friday, today I lost the most perfect pet and happiest dog I've ever had the privilege to share my life with.

Dusty was perfect in every way to me. He had horrendous health problems when I picked him up as a stray, including rotten ears and testicular cancer, and he fought them all to be with us.

Neve was with me when I picked him up, she was only 4 at the time, and I think his finder could see the concern in my eyes when I saw the state he was in. "What will happen to him now?" She asked but before I could answer "he's coming to live with us" Neve said, and that's exactly what he did.

Dusty was a brave, brave boy. Everyone loved him, and today was the first day I didn't see his tail wag. He lived with me for almost two years, way more than I expected, but it seems like he was mine forever. I miss you so much, thanks for letting me share your life."

This Week's Northumberland Gazette.....

Gema Enjoying The Snow.....

Thought you might like to see  how much Gema enjoyed the snow today on her walk with Rachel and all our other dogs.....

Since coming home with us after being diagnosed with a bone tumour she has been incredible and seeing her like this will last with us all forever.

Little Red, Our Christmas Miracle.....

Little Red came to us as a stray just be great Christmas.  Weighing only 7kg and covered in his own urine, we feared the worst when we found a big lump on his underneath.

A trip to the vets turned out to be the best thing that had ever happened to him as one the receptionists fell in love with him and took him home!

The lump was nothing more than a hernia.....

Thank you to his new family for proving Christmas miracles do happen.....

We Still Remember These Two Special Ones.....

This weekend is the third anniversary of SHAK losing two little dogs with BIG personalities. Three years ago yesterday Serena had to say goodbye to little Sky and then just 24 hours my little girl Neve had to say goodbye to the little stray that she had taken is as her own, Brookes.

I know from speaking to Serena this week that she often thinks of Sky and has recently had a beautiful plaque made for the garden. Little Brookes left a big hole and a big impression on a little girl and all the family.....

"In a sad 12 hours SHAK had to say goodbye to two of its oldies and leave Serena and myself with broken hearts. Sky and Brookes were both gorgeous old Staffordshire Bull Terriers that I picked up as strays, both reduced me to tears when I collected them as they clearly had serious health issues. Sky was snapped up by Serena within hours of arriving, whilst Brookes..... well he never made it past my front door.

After 10 months with Serena, old age seemed to catch up with Sky and last night she was let go to a place better than this. Serena had nursed her so patiently and lovingly in that time, I know how hard she is finding her not being there.

Sky Looking Cool.

Brookes was such a character, my daughter loved him instantly and at the tender age of 6 adopted her first dog! He was also very brave, and eventually his battle with cancer took him from us this morning.

Brookes and his Mammy.

Both these dogs had been abandoned by the people who were supposed to love them, both have left this world with people absolutely heart broken. Their breed would of made it even more difficult to find them homes, and I am extremely grateful to Serena for helping Sky and to Neve for helping me hang onto an amazing little man. Brookes came to live with me within 24 hours of Miko's arrival. I have lost them both now, but I will never lose the memories of such amazing dogs. Run free brave girl and boy."

Two Nights To Look Forward To.....

As we head into our tenth year, 2016 sees exciting times. January sees SHAK HQ get
into full flow with two really exciting dates.....

21st of Jan at 7.30pm. A talk by Sue McCabe of Muttamorphosis on 'An Insight Into Problem
Behaviour'.....

Sue uses her wealth of experience to deliver a unique presentation, offering expert insight into common dog behavioural problems and dog psychology.  The presentation will conclude with a question and answer session in which you can ask Sue about dog issues you may be experiencing or have an interest in.

28th of Jan at 6pm until 9pm. A talk by Leigh Smyth on 'An Introduction to Using Nature's Remedies With Your Animals'

Applied Zoopharmacognosy in the spotlight!  We will look at how we can use this method for a range of conditions.

Entry to both nights is a minimum donation of £3 on the door, and thanks to Sue and Leigh’s
generosity every penny from it goes back to helping the dogs....

Both promise to be great nights, so RSVP to shakclub@shak.org.uk to guarantee your place.

Doors open 15 minutes before both events, so get down early to make sure you get a seat.

SHAK HQ. Greenwell Road, Alnwick NE66 1HB

See you there!

Oscar Having A Ball.....

Another boy having a great time, but unfortunately still with us, is Oscar. As you can see from these brilliant photos taken by Melissa, he's still up for a game with a ball.....

Moby Moves To Foster.....

And I'd also like to say thank you to Julie and the team at Done Roaming for helping Moby move into a foster home.  The rumours are he's quite settled.....

So Proud Of Tia.....

And another Akita we're very proud of is Tia, who looks so proud of the award she won at her dog training class. 

Well done Tia and your Mam. An amazing achievement that we're very proud of!

And Sammy Is Having A Ball....

Likewise, some great photographs of Sammy the Akita looking like he's having a great time too!

Thank you so much to Julie and the team at Friends of Akita for helping us with this boy.

Solo Not On Her Own Anymore.....

I said I would try and catch up with some of the good news that has been going, so here's a start.

It's great to see Solo looking so happy in her new family home. She was always an energetic girl in the kennels,  and its great to see that being channelled into doing what she does best..... having fun!

I'd like to thank her new family who fell in love with her at first sight. Seymour would be so proud!

A New Year And A New Opportunity For You.....

First of all I'd like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you for all of your support throughout 2015 and as we enter our tenth year thank you to everyone who has helped me get the charity this far.

Internet problems and totally unforgivable service from BT has meant that I haven't been able to update here as much as I would like to, but hopefully things are on the mend. A Christmas with next to no broadband..... how are you expected to cope???

I'd like to say I'll catch up and post all the things you have missed on here, but I'm afraid time stands still for no man, and the one thing I have learnt over the last 10 years is that there is always another wanting helping, there is always another needing so much time..... I will try though.....

2016 is a massive year for us, and not only because of the 10 year anniversary, but also because 2015 has been the hardest year I have known in rescue. How we survived it is down to some incredible hard work by some vitally important people, but the 'bags for life' that currently hang below my eyes are testament to how many sleepless nights and how difficult it really has been.

Anyway, it is a new year and we head into January, we have to remain positive and look forward. SHAK HQ takes off this month with so many exciting dates..... Starting this Saturday with YOUR CHANCE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BEING PART OF OUR TEAM.

For us to continue to be as successful as we are in turning around the lives of so many of the dogs we have put a lifelong commitment into, we need reliable HELP. Over the 10 years we have seen so many people come and go for whatever reason,  but in all of this there is only one group losing out, the dogs. For some a lack of resources from us has cost them the ultimate price..... their lives.

We are NOT looking for dog walkers, we are looking for committed individuals that are prepared to help in every aspect of the reality that is rescue..... kennel cleaning, washing dishes, fundraising, vets runs, temporary foster when an emergency comes in, and people who aren't afraid and want to learn how to help these dogs the SHAK way.....

I know I am asking a lot, but too much time has been taken up with no long term benefits of an individual that the dogs can count on. After all they are all that matters.....

So if you really are committed to the SHAK cause and are interested in learning more about what it takes to become a volunteer at SHAK, then why not pop down on Saturday morning to SHAK HQ and find out.....

SHAK HQ,  Greenwell Road, Alnwick NE66 1HB from 10.30am till 12.

2016 promises to be a decisive year for us as I said before. Without your support we wouldn't be here today.... Unless we get both reliable physical and financial help it is open to the gods to see if we will still be here tomorrow.

A Very Sad Christmas Kick Out?....

It didn't stop with Heidi on Monday, as John from my Out of Hours Stray Team got a call out just before his shift finished on Monday night. A Whippet type had been seen wondering around for days all over Christmas. He had a big lump on one of his back legs, unable to put pressure on it, and was having problems breathing. John took him home for the night, he wanted to keep him warm and to keep an eye on him.

Yesterday morning Animal Welfare collected him and took him to our vets, I had secured a place for him after his condition had been assessed. It was a place he didn't make it too.

The lump turned out to be a huge bone tumour, his lungs were riddled with secondary tumours, some of which were extremely large. On vets advice we didn't wake him up.....

Such a sad tale of a classic Christmas kick out perhaps? One thing for sure, it made me realise just how lucky Heidi had been, and how lucky we'd been to find her.

At least at John's house this little man found some compassion and love on his last night, thank you John.