New Name And A New Start When She Needs It The Most.....

It seems even more fitting after the new that I have just broke to you about Gema that I follow up on the story of little Pippa from last week. I promised you there was a fantastic twist.....

Frankie who was the vet nurse that looked after Pippa when she was in for the blood tests and scans last week fell head over heels for her. It was love at first sight, and just a couple of hours after I'd picked her up from the vets I received an email from Frankie offering her a home!

It really is a dream come true, and along with her new start and home, Pippa also got a new name.....Korra.

Korra is having a fantastic time, and is already getting out to see the world with her new brother and best friend Rook! As you can see from the pictures below she is loving every minute of this opportunity, and a life we didn't know whether she'd get.....

Of course there is a serious part in all this and we know that Lymphoma is a horrible, aggressive cancer. Now we have secured her a home we have upped her medication to include a drug called Cyclophosphamide and of course that means a greater financial outlay. All in all Korra's medication will cost around £100 per month, that's where we are asking for your help.....

Can you afford to give a little bit extra to help Korra? If so you can donate via PayPal to shak@shak.org.uk or you can send a cheque made payable to SHAK to SHAK, Greenwell Road, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1HB.

Frankie and Kris have also set up a page on Instagram @korrasadventures so you can follow her progress.

I am extremely grateful to them both for giving Korra this chance. Having just gone through so much with Gema I think they are wonderful for loving her knowing their hearts will break. Very special people and a very special dog.....

Farewell To An Amazing Girl.....

Sunday was another hard day as me and Rachel had to make the decision to say goodbye to a dog that has left a huge imprint on our hearts and memories. Six months to the day from coming home with us after being diagnosed with a bone tumour, Gema lost her fight against such a horrendous disease. She had been so brave and fought so hard to hang onto the home she'd waited years for.....

Gema had been a SHAK dog for so long and made so many friends over the years, but it wasn't until she came home that we really got to see the 'real' Gema..... one that was perfect in every way. I know it sounds stupid to say with us having so many other dogs here, but the house really isn't the same without her.

Gema had a lasting influence on so many people, turning so many hearts and minds from 'devil dog' to 'perfect dog'. She was a brilliant ambassador for the Rottweiler breed, and one I am so proud to of had in my life.

Six months was too short a time, but all I wanted was for her to see the summer. She loved being out in the sunshine so much..... On Sunday the weather was glorious. We're all going to miss you so much Gems.

Why I'm So Proud.....

I'm very proud of everything myself and my team have achieved, and I think the following story really does emphasise the work we do.....

Thursday at around 15.30pm I receive a text about a dog on the south coast of England that is booked in to be destroyed at 18.00pm. She has got herself in trouble with people and dogs.....

A bit of juggling about with a very well trusted charity partner means we can agree to say her.....

Her transporter picks her up on Friday morning from her foster home. She shows sign of severe fear aggression.....

She arrives at ours at around 14.30pm, just under 24 hours from us first being alerted, and almost the whole length of the country travelled. By now she is showing signs of serious fear aggression. I have to use a 'rigid lead' to get her out of the car.....

Then.....

48 Hours Later.....

David is the first to do the unthinkable.....

Get her out on a normal lead!

Then just 24 hours later, and  just over 4 days since I received that first text, this happens.....

It just shows what can be achieved. It shows how special the work we do really is.....

So Here We Are In June..... 10 Years On.....

Today we move into a very special month for SHAK, a month that commemorates the 10th anniversary of me losing my best friend Shak, and the 19th marks the day my life changed forever.....

I'm sure there will be more memories shared over the next few weeks and some very emotional posts, however today I wanted to share some photographs of some of the dogs I have now that I took at the weekend..... SHAK dogs I'm very proud of......

Lennox and Star.

Lennox Surveying His Land.

Donnie Simply Loving Life.

Donnie.

Don't Forget This Sunday.....

We are very proud to of once again been selected as a beneficiary of the world record holding Great North Dog Walk on Sunday the 5th June 2016.

This event is annual and measurable and the last dog walk was the 25th staging. It was held on Sunday 7th June 2015 with 26,423 dogs represented by 185 breeds, starting on The Leas, South Shields, England, United Kingdom, SatNav NE33 2JH. The 3 mile (4.8km) walk follows a coastal route along the cliffs with magnificent sea views. There are four different routes of varying lengths to cater for everyone within the community and over varying surfaces like grass, gravel and concrete. This therefore allows for baby buggies, wheelchairs, the young, the elderly, disabled and also older dogs to support this world record attempt. The event is Internationally recognised and holds the WORLD RECORD as the largest dog walk ever held (22,742 dogs).

So if you'd like to do the walk for us, email joanaustin@shak.org.uk to register and get your entry number and sponsor form. Please note all completed sponsor forms and cheques must be sent to SHAK. Greenwell Road, Alnwick NE66 1HB.

We really are proud to be associated with such a fantastic event, but really need your support with it..... thank you in advance.

Pippa Update.....

Thank you for everyone's kind words and support for little Pippa, she's taking everything in her stride.

I'm delighted to say that it looks like she'll be going to her new home on Monday in a twist to the story that I'll tell at another date!

In the meantime I am pulling together all her vets bills and medication costs before launching an appeal to help her for the rest of her life.....

She really is a wonderful little dog and we will do all we can to support her through this.

One Word..... Why?

Today has left one word hanging in my head..... why?

Pippa was left abandoned when her owner escaped from domestic violence.  Just 4 years old she is a sweetheart, a gorgeous Labrador Staffy cross,  her breeding has gone against us finding her a place. That and the atrocious state of saturation the rescue world finds itself in.

Just yesterday Melissa and David noticed something was quite right with Pip. Her abdomen just didn't look right, and it felt hard to the touch. My first fear was a pyo (a mass infection of the womb) life threatening but operable. I made a vets appointment and took her there first thing this morning. I felt a lump just below her neck as she cuddled into me as we travelled, but when I felt one the same on the other side I presumed it was normal.  How wrong could I of been.

Cat the vet was brilliant and straight away picked up it was worse than I had anticipated.  The lumps I felt were lymph nodes, and as Cat showed me them swollen all over Pippa's body my heart began to sink.

This afternoon blood tests and scans revealed Pippa is suffering from a very aggressive form of  lymphoma. Cancer of the lymph glands. There is not a lot we can do other than treat her with steroids with other medication once we determine her future,  and try and to give her the best we can.

The sad thing is she is so bouncy and happy if Mel and David hadn't noticed her abdominal swelling we would of never known until it was too late. I lost Shak to lymphoma and know exactly what the shock of not expecting it is like.....

I am working on a potential home for Pippa as I write this, more to come on that another time, but at the moment the next 48 hours or so are critical for us to see where she will be that will I turn effect the medication she receives.

So so sad and unfair. I don't think any of us can believe it......

Boys With Balls In The Sun.....

Had to share these pictures of Jenson and Dino enjoying the sunshine at the weekend with Sarah..... put a smile on my face too!

Jenson

Dino

A Night Of Rock n Roll and Races.....

I'd like to bring to your attention another great night planned at The Northern Football Club in Gosforth on May 27th. Billed as a Race/Rock n Roll night, its bound to be a night not to be missed!

Ample parking space and £3 entry on the door, the fun begins with the first race is at around 7.30.

With a raffle aswell to help raise funds for ourselves, we really need your support to help make this a night to remember!

So mark it in your diaries now..... Race/Rock n Roll night, The Northern Football Club, Gosforth, NE3 2DT on May 27th from 7.30.

 

The 2016 Great North Dog Walk.....

We are very proud to of once again been selected as a beneficiary of the world record holding Great North Dog Walk on Sunday the 5th June 2016.

This event is annual and measurable and the last dog walk was the 25th staging. It was held on Sunday 7th June 2015 with 26,423 dogs represented by 185 breeds, starting on The Leas, South Shields, England, United Kingdom, SatNav NE33 2JH. The 3 mile (4.8km) walk follows a coastal route along the cliffs with magnificent sea views. There are four different routes of varying lengths to cater for everyone within the community and over varying surfaces like grass, gravel and concrete. This therefore allows for baby buggies, wheelchairs, the young, the elderly, disabled and also older dogs to support this world record attempt. The event is Internationally recognised and holds the WORLD RECORD as the largest dog walk ever held (22,742 dogs).

So if you'd like to do the walk for us, email joanaustin@shak.org.uk to register and get your entry number and sponsor form. Please note all completed sponsor forms and cheques must be sent to SHAK. Greenwell Road, Alnwick NE66 1HB.

We really are proud to be associated with such a fantastic event, but really need your support with it..... thank you in advance.

Maddie and Bronson Take Time Out.....

I'd just like to thank Jill and Eleanor for giving two of our dogs a welcome break from the kennels recently.

First up Maddie had a sleep over at Jill's where she really enjoyed herself,  then just last week Bronson had a trip to the seaside with Eleanor and as you can see had a ball too.....

These little trips away are great for the dogs but also help us see them in a different environment, which hopefully helps us find a better place for them. 

'Caring For Your Dog Through The Ages' Presentation At HQ.....

Just a reminder that we welcome Hannah Walker from Moorview Vets at HQ this Thursday for her presentation on 'Caring For Your Dog Through The Ages.'

It promises to be a really informative night, covering all aspects of looking after your senior friend. Doors open at 7.15 for a 7.30 start, usual minimum of £3 donation entry fee.

Look forward to seeing you there. Please RSVP shakclub@shak.org.uk to guarantee your place.

The Launch Of The SHAK Club Sponsorship Scheme.....

SHAK CLUB SPONSORSHIP - OUR DOGS NEED YOU.....

The start of 2016 has been the toughest year yet in the 10 years that SHAK has been operating. Tough in every aspect, but two in particular have had a serious effect on our work.

 The volume of stray and unwanted pets in the UK seems to be at a record high, with rescues saturated everywhere, and at every level. The rehoming centres are full, the breed specific rescues are full, and the specialist rescues like ourselves are above and beyond capacity. Like us, many I’m sure have endless lists of lost and unwanted souls just waiting for a space. We receive requests every day, but with our resources always stretched to almost breaking point, we’ve had to say no to so many.....

The reason for SHAK existing is to help the dogs that really need it the most. To provide sanctuary and a safe haven for those dogs that have nowhere else, to give them somewhere to work through their issues, to give them somewhere to call home..... even if that means for the rest of their lives.
With over 70 dogs now in our care, we are struggling to save more. We have to protect the ones that we have, but by saying no we are consigning many others to death. In today’s world that is the stark reality.

On average at any kennels you’d expect to pay at least £5 per day to keep a rescue dog safe. That equates to £35 per week, or £140 per month for every single dog we have. Even in our most quiet spells we operate with at least 50 dogs in our care at one time. That’s 50 x £140 which comes to an enormous £7,000 per month.

YOU CAN HELP.....  Saving the lives of these dogs is paramount to us, we have to continue to be able to provide them with somewhere safe to go. If you were to donate just £5 a week a dog would be guaranteed a bed and food for a day. If 6 other people did likewise then that would be a kennel secured for a dog for a week. It soon adds up, that £5 per week, every week, would mean a dog would be looked after for a whole month for just £20 or £260 would look after that dog for the full year!

So we are asking you to help us continue our work, asking for your help us to safeguard these dogs that have already suffered so much. If you can afford to donate £20 per month or if your business can afford a one off sponsorship donation of £260 for a full years support, it would mean so much not only to us, but to the dogs themselves.

Please print off the standing order form below and send it to your bank. If you are a business we can show our gratitude by adding you to our list of sponsors on our SHAK Club Sponsorship page on our website. Your name and logo will also be added to all the SHAK Club correspondence and be displayed on the walls of our head office in Alnwick for everyone that attends our regular talks and seminars to see. Whilst providing you with recognition of your support and generosity, such promotion will also act as a small token to show our appreciation.

Thank you for taking the time to read through this post. Working together you really can help us make a difference to the lives of the dogs that have been let down so badly by humans already. We are their only chance, and their only hope. By helping us you really can be the deciding factor between life and death.....

SHAK. Greenwell Road, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1HB.

Registered Charity Number:1125159

The Difference In Moby.....

You may remember a little while ago I released a series of prints, SHAK dogs captured in a moment in time with some special words alongside them.....

Moby was one of the dogs featured, and the words I wrote for him seem even more poignant now.....

The picture below I received last night, Moby in a new environment, and settled in a new home!

You can buy Moby's print and the rest of the set at :  http://www.shakshop.co.uk/The_Bars_That_Bind/p168627_14623427.aspx

It's Not Too Late To Book Your Place.....

I believe there are still a few places left on the course at HQ tomorrow. It's not too late to book your spot or you can pay on the door.....

Infection Management With Natures Remedies.....14th April 6pm.....Course Fee £25

Helping animals to manage infection with natures remedies. We know that nature is full of potential remedies for a whole host of ailments, and many essential oils and herbs can be useful in preventing, managing and sometimes destroying infection caused by fungi, bacteria and viruses. In this 3 hour intensive course we will look at how animals can use a range of remedies to help in managing a range of infectious conditions. The method we will specifically be looking at is Applied Zoopharmacognosy, so you will learn much about this behavioural science in using nature’s remedies, as well as the specific remedies which can be so useful here.

You will be given a pack of potential remedies to take away and use at home with your own animals too.

This course has been designed and will be presented by a qualified Zoopharmacognosist who also happens to be a Registered Nurse.

If you wish to gain further information AND TO BOOK YOUR PLACE please email Leigh Smyth on leigh@animalhealthefe.com/ see her web site www.animalhealthefe.com

http://www.animalhealthefe.com/store/products/master-class-in-infection-management-for-animals/

Doors open from 5.45pm tomorrow at SHAK HQ Greenwell Road, Alnwick NE66 1HB

A Year On For Lewis.....

I can't believe that today marks a year since we had to say goodbye to a dog that really summed up what SHAK is about, and from a personal level a dog that really did test me. His story is below, you can read it for yourself and join the dots, but one thing is for sure..... I will never ever forget him.....

A really sad time today as we had to say goodbye to a dog that was such a big part of this charity and our day to day life. Despite being full of life and playing with his boomer ball yesterday, cancer won it's fight against the very brave Lewis this morning.

Lewis was an enigma, a one off and also my nemesis.  The only dog whose trust I never completely gained, but then his past was so bad that he didn't trust anyone. We worked around that though, and whilst my body carries some scars as a reminder of his fear, I'd like to think that by the end we had a mutual respect.

This morning was very difficult, days like today are never easy, and with Lewis's history it made it even more so. But I have to say my team where incredible despite their hearts being visibly ripped in two. Nobody panicked, nobody lost the plot, everybody stayed focused on what we needed to do for the best for Lewis.  For that both me and him will be eternally grateful.

Lewis as I have said left permanent reminders on my body that now serve like tattoos regarding someone that was close and lost. That's how I like to think of them anyway. In reality they are marks from a dog that was so badly damaged by humans he shut himself off to everyone apart from his cuddly toys and his boomer ball. He warmed to us over the years, and I'd like to think that he trusted us even if just a little by the end. One thing is we didn't give up on him and take the easy option..... that is something I am very proud of.

I remember the first time that I suffered at the hands of his fear, as I drove myself to casualty a Biffy Clyro song came on  the cd. The words were perfect for that moment..... perfect for what had just happened and how our relationship now was.....

"You say "I love you, boy"

I know you lie

I trust you all the same

I don't know why

'Cause when my back is turned

My bruises shine

Our broken fairytale

So hard to hide

I still believe it's you and me 'til the end of time

When we collide we come together

If we don't we'll always be apart

I'll take a bruise; I know you're worth it

When you hit me hit me hard."

All the bruises were certainly worth it, and I guess today was the end of time. And we were together.

I will miss you Lewis.  We will all miss you. I hope now you know how much we loved you.

Thank You And Welcome?....

I'd just like to say a big thank you to Andrea from the Northumberland Animal Welfare Team for providing a brilliant service at our Free Microchipping event yesterday. It was great to see so many dogs at HQ, and no matter how big or small she took everyone in her stride!

I'd like to thank everyone too for all their kind donations that came along,  some people didn't even have a dog with them to microchip but tool the time to drop off food, bedding and toys.

Thank you all so much.

Now it's time to focus on tomorrow's event.....

The 'Interested In Fostering' open day runs along the same format as the previous 'Join Our Team' days have, but this time the morning will focus on another very important way you can help our dogs without being involved at the kennels.

We are looking to build a network of foster carers that range from taking a dog home for a short period of time so we can assess if he or she is ready to make the next move, to providing a caring environment for a dog to recover after surgery, illness or emaciation, to a longer term commitment until they find a new Forever Foster home.

It is important that the environment is right for each individual dog, so I think its very important to point out that we will not place dogs with children or cats and small furries unless we have prior history that they have lived with them before.

You really could make a difference to one of our dogs, by helping them take the next step.....

So if your are interested why not come for a 'no strings attached' talk on the 2nd of April at 10.30am at our base in Greenwell Road, Alnwick NE66 1HB. Please RSVP shakclub@shak.org.uk