And Another Big Character Arrives With An Even Bigger Story.....

Whilst everything has been in such turmoil the last week or so there has been so much else going on. One arrival that I hinted at before all the sad news is Axel.....

Found as a stray and weighing just 21kg's I think it's fair to say he was in a horrendous way. Days at the vets on a drip followed, before he moved onto our good friends at The Animal House Rescue. Below are photo's of how he was found, and their original post when he was found.....

(Please note Facebook viewers will need to click the post title and view on www.shak.org.uk to see all the pictures.)

"This poor baby was found in this state barely able to walk in West Bromwich yesterday. As you can see he is extremely emaciated. This boy wouldn't have survived the pound so once again all the stops were pulled out by the super team - K9 Search UK, Chris (from the Sandwell Dog Wardens), and of course ourselves Team TAH.

Once in our care he was rushed straight to our vets (YourVets, Wythall) where he was weighed - urgh - 21kg, this dog should weigh around 38-42kg and his body score currently is 1.5 out of 5. On the way to the vets Lin was desperately trying to keep him warm as he was so cold. The van was turned in to a sauna with the heaters blowing full and even with that his temperature only registered 36c when ideally it should be 38.3 degrees c - 39.2 degrees c

He was so badly dehydrated that the vets couldn't get a vein in either of his front legs so had to use the back leg for the intravenous drip and they have been pushing fluids all night. He has no muscle tone and couldn't even climb into the van. He also has a horrible skin infection probably due to untreated demadex.

This baby will be staying in the emergency 24hour vets at Coventry (YourVets again) till Monday at the earliest on a drip. He is on antibiotics and tiny meals every 2 hours and has been Advocated.

This boy is fighting with everything he has and we will be right there fighting with him and for him.

Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he is going to need all the help he can get. It is going to be a long road ahead." The Animal House Rescue.

A long road indeed, and a road that has lead all the way to us. Axel made great progress whilst with Lynn and her team, and I'd like to say a big THANK YOU for being there for him when he needed it the most. They saved his life, and as you can see he quickly started to look better.....

He even had his own spot on the local news.....

https://www.facebook.com/charlottehjcross/videos/10102368092657128/

Everything looked to be going well, but then, well I let The Animal House tell the story.....

"Some times in rescue we have to make really hard decisions but what is always best for the animals long term health and happiness and also safety.

Today we had to make that decision for Axel. Don't worry Axel is going to have the best life ever - but for us we are heartbroken. For a while Axel has started feeling better, he has shown quite a few guarding traits and although we have kept on top of him, with the amount of animals in the rescue particularly cats, it has shown us that Axel needs a lot of help - more than we are able to give him, - yes we realise our limitations. We could have said we would keep him here but Axel deserved so much more than that.

We wouldn't have let him go just anywhere and so Axel begins another part of his rehabilitation and onwards to a happy life. Lin has gone today and driven 8 hours round trip to get him to SHAK. This place is amazing, Steve Wylie and his team take in dogs that no-one else would consider, mostly with behavioural issues, and work with them to modify their behaviour and get them to the best they can be. If they can't get them to a place where that are happy to let them go to long term fosters, then they stay with SHAK for life.

Axel needs to work his mind as well as his body and we think he would love (and be brilliant at) agility (eventually when he has built up his muscles). With the best will in the world we can't do this for him and run the rescue. Axel is a full on full time boy. If we didn't do this we would have let this beautiful boy down. Be assured we will be getting regular updates and pictures. We will continue to support Axel also. The money raised for him by you will go towards his continued treatment and his castration as soon as the vets think it's ok and then his vaccinations. This is one beautiful boy we will NEVER forget."

So that's how he came to us, and he's arrived at just the right time after everything that has gone on. Axel was muzzle trained when he arrived, and for both our safety and his we're continuing to use one until trust is fully built up. It's important he doesn't feel threatened in any, but he's so intelligent I'm sure that trust will come soon. As you can see he is already making friends.....

So we have another big character with a big story to tell..... Thanks again to The Animal House for all you have done for him.

(If you'd like to donate to help us continue our work you can do via PayPal to shak@shak.org.uk or by sending a cheque payable to SHAK. SHAK HQ. Greenwell Road, Alnwick, NE66 1HB)

Another Huge Loss.....

I've given myself 24 hours to compose myself but as I come to write this now I still feel pretty numb. Especially after just looking at the last post on here. Numb and raw at the same time.

With such a sad start to last week I tried to show something positive by posting how well Blade was looking. Little did I know that photo would be taken on my last walk with him.

Blade wasn't himself Wednesday so I took him to the vets on Thursday. Ha had become very lethargic and didn't want his food. Not him at all, and after the shock of Donnie and Buster I knew he had to see a vet. Moorview of course were brilliant and squeezed him in. Both scans and x rays couldn't pin point what was making him so ill, and after 3 days of intravenous fluids and anitbiotics his temperature was still extremely high. I was called down by the vet yesterday afternoon as they wanted me to see just how weak he had become. His already wobbly back end was now completely unable to support him, and the vets were still baffled as to what was going on.....

That hour spent with him is so precious now. He knew who I was and a visit from Paul too cheered him up. We cuddled in his kennel he looked so frail I didn't want to let him go.

After speaking to the Vio and Frankie (the vet & nurse who I have to say were amazing) at great lengths it was obvious we had two choices.... let him go there and then or risk sedation or anaesthetic for a CT scan to try and find out what was doing this to our boy. Paul was a big help in helping me decide and we agreed we weren't giving up on Blade without answers. We left him waiting for a CT scan.....

The scan provided us with answers alright, and unfortunately answers we couldn't correct. Blade's liver was huge, as was his kidneys. The CT images showed marks all over both organs that could of been anything from cysts to tumours. To try and work out what each one was would mean testing each one at a great expense. It would also take time. Something we clearly didn't have. We decided to give him another 24 hours and prayed for an improvement, any improvement

At about 7 o'clock last night I got the phone call I'd been dreading. Blade had deteriorated rapidly and his breathing was described as 'gasping.' I dropped everything and rushed to be with him. I arrived to find his head cradled into Frankie's lap, a position I took over, and could see when he opened his mouth to breath that jaundice had began. Clearly his liver was beyond repair. He was dying there in front of me. I knew what we had to do, and Blade left us nuzzling into me so peacefully and calm after the desperate attempts to breath.

Blade had clearly had an awful time before he came to us, his sheer condition told us that. Yet he was such a gentleman and such a big character it feels like he was with us a lot longer than the short time he was. I loved him dearly, as did everyone who worked with him, he is going to be such a big miss. I will never forget the noises he made or the way he would mouth you when he got excited, but perhaps the most important thing is I will never forget how happy he was when he was with us. To of been able to make him that happy is something I will forever be grateful for.

So that's 3 amazing big boys lost in just 6 days. I started this by saying I feel numb and raw, I know others do too. Our hearts have been ripped into tiny pieces this week, but we have some wonderful memories that in time will help piece them back together.....

(I have deliberately not put any 'before' pictures on this post as I want you to remember Blade as the handsome and wonderfully happy boy he was with us.)

No More 'Panda Eyes'....

In an effort to try and lift the big black clouds that seem to be ganging over us right now, I thought I'd show you the progress made by our old guy Blade.  The picture below was taken yesterday when he was helping me deal with things.  You can see he no longer has eyes like a panda! Further down are reminders of how he looked when he arrived.....

(Facebook users will need to go to www.shak.org.ukto see all the pictures.)

Thanks to everyone who has contributed towards his recovery, you can see the benefits in this photo I hope. If you'd like to donate towards helping him even more you can do by PayPal to shak@shak.org.uk or by sending a cheque made payable to SHAK to SHAK HQ. Greenwell Road, Alnwick NE66 1HB

How I Will Always Remember Him.....

I'd just like to say thank you to everyone who has messaged about both Buster and Donnie.

Lying here in front of the fire thinking about the two boys and looking through my phone at pictures..... I came across this.... Just how I want to remember Donnie.....

We Lose Another Amazing Gent.....

I spoke on Sunday in the post about losing Buster that I'd had another dog down at the vets on Friday in a pretty bad way. I didn't know just 48 hours later I'd be telling you the story.

On Friday I rushed Donnie down to the vets as he was very lethargic and trying to be sick without bringing anything up. Having had so much experience of German Shepherds and spleen tumours I wasn't prepared to take any chances. 

Scans, X Rays and then more scans confirmed that there was a serious problem as the wall of his stomach was grossly enlarged as was his spleen. The indications were that there was a tumour of some sort. 

Donnie was a fierce character, although I got to see the beautiful side of an amazing dog,  and although the stomach wall look too far gone for surgery his unwillingness to cooperate with strangers meant hospitalisation was impossible.

I have to say that Donnie was incredible and put up with such intrusive examinations without needing to be sedated. He trusted me.

He came back with me overnight and then to the kennels on Saturday. Once I managed to get some medication into him he perked up, and I remember him watching me closely as I dealt with Buster.

Yesterday afternoon he took another turn for the worst. I rushed him back down to the vets as it looked to me that his stomach was beginning to swell. I didn't know if it was an internal bleed or the beginning of a stomach torsion either could of been caused by the tumour. He was also trying to be sick again.  

On arrival  he was seen straight away, but after another thorough examination unsedated it appeared that the swelling had gone down. We headed home to my house again with medication to help the sickness. 

Last night we enjoyed our walk despite the bitter cold rain, and he settled to sleep. This morning I found he had slipped away from me….

Speaking to the vet today they confirmed my fears from yesterday that maybe he had suffered a bleed and that at some point during the night he had suffered another bigger one. He looked peacful this morning.

Donnie arrived with a huge reputation that he certainly lived upto. Even muzzled the day he arrived he was jumping and lunging braying the plastic off my shoulder. It took me days before I could get near him, but thankfully he was a lot more comfortable around Melissa, and I think she deserves a  lot of credit for being the one he felt he could trust first. I think I can honestly say hand on heart that he is the only German Shepherd to have me a little fearful, such was this huge bravado he displayed. He wanted to bite me is there is no two ways about it.

As time went on though we bonded and enjoyed so much play time together. He trusted me and I trusted him with me, although he was always going to be a one man dog. I started using him as a stooge dog, such was his calmness and confidence around other dogs.

I am going to miss him terribly. We had a routine, and we had each other. Now that will live on in my heart and memories.

Ironically the start of our 'Not Dead Yet' campaign has departed from us, leaving behind a legacy and having taught us so much. 

'Love Replaces Fear' is a phrase I use quite alot with this charity. In Donnie's case it is certainly true, but this time it was my fear that was overcome…..

(Facebook viewers will need to view on www.shak.org.uk to see all the pictures.)

Farewell Big Buster.....

This weekend has been a real roller coaster emotionally that began with a trip to the vets with a dog that I really didn't think was going to make it, that started early afternoon and rolled on it the night..... he did make it, and there will be more on that story another day.

This morning when I got the message to contact the kennels urgently I feared the worst..... the shock I got was maybes even worse. Melissa and David had walked into find that Buster had passed away peacefully in his sleep. Head on his makeshift pillow like it always had been.

Buster had been with us a long, long time. In fact it felt like he'd been there forever, I think we all just felt he always would be there.....

Having come in as a stray I don't have an exact date of birth, but my maths would put him at about 12 or 13. Quite an achievement for such a big boy. I guess the fact he loved his boomer ball so much had kept him young, and watching such a big lad move so nimbly is something none of us will ever forget.

He instantly won Sarah's heart when she started volunteering and they enjoyed some good trips out. Buster exceeding all expectations on his adventures, behaving impeccably, and leaving her with some wonderful memories.

But everyone loved Buster. He was just that kind of dog. Huge in frame and in heart, and despite a couple of misdemeanours, we all stuck by him. I remember he used to always tip his water bowl over and carry it around his soaking wet kennel with such pride. Much to the annoyance of whoever had just finished cleaning him. Then after trying everything we finally sorted it..... his bowl fitted in an old tyre. Problem solved.

I think we're all going to miss Buster so much. He was a big character and a face you grew to expect to see every day. Not seeing him there in the morning is going to hurt. We, of course, will go on, but life at The Rescue Place will never be the same without him there.

I'd like to say a quick thank you to Melissa and David who completed a days work professionally despite the shock and pain they were feeling. These guys really do care for the dogs, and today was a very difficult one..... they carried on when they needed too.

Run free Buster, go chase that ball. We all miss you.....

Thank You And A Real Shocker Hoping To Arrive.....

Apologise for the silence on here, no other reason than spending so much time trying to deal with some horrific cases of abuse and  neglect, some of which I can't talk for legal reasons.

However, I'd just like to thank everyone for all the fantastic support we have received recently. Christmas has crept around again,  and the generosity of people never ceases to amaze me.

We're fighting a losing battle though, myself and my team accepted that a long time ago. Today I spent the afternoon in negotiations with another rescue to help a German Shepherd that was in perhaps the worst physical condition I have ever seen this breed in. Sheer neglect, the photo's from when he was found will shock..... weighing just 21kgs.

I will tell you his story once he lands, but in the meantime he is perfect example of why we need your support financially and physically more than ever.....

Stephen (Founder of SHAK)

A Very Proud Moment.....

Just a short while ago we were asked to help two dogs who were literally hours away from being destroyed in pounds. I went and got them, and the dogs you know as Bren and Topaz began to tell their own stories.....

Yesterday Rich and I took them out together and they did so well. Seeing them help each other in their quests to regain trust was amazing.  I'm so pround of those two and this photograph!

Another Amazing Boy.....

And there has been a lot of interest in our boy Blade. He's doing really well, and I already adore him. Thank you to everyone who has donated towards his recovery.....

Bren Making Friends.....

Our Boy Bren is really coming on as you can see at play time with the two Stars and Bruce.....

I think the stress other dogs caused Bruce in kennels makes this video even more special. Four incredible dogs I'm very proud of.....

 (Viewers on Facebook will need to click on the post title to view video on www.shak.org.uk)

Thanks Blade.....

What do they say about not working with kids or animal?? Today I tried to get a photo with Blade..... here's the end result!

His skin is already showing signs of drying up, and he's showing signs of being a typical German Shepherd!

Topaz Fan Club.....

Just thought you might like to see Topaz making even more new friends..... welcome to this girls fan club Melissa and David!

(Facebook viewers visit www.shak.org.uk for more pics)

How You Can Help Blade.....

I'd like to thank everyone who has shown us support in our bid to help Blade get his life back on track.....

People are asking how they can help him and although I hate to say it, it's the usual answer..... by sending us some money.

The plan for Blade is to get his skin sorted first.  That process started on Monday with a normal bath, just to try and get the grease and dead fleas and dirt out of his coat. As the antibiotics start to kick in the skin infections should start to clear meaning we then have to repair the damage they have done.  For that Blade will need medicated baths with expensive shampoos from the vets. That is the beginning of where your money is needed.

After that and when the vet gives him a full health check,  the next step will be hydrotherapy to help with his CDRM and weak backend. This again can be another very expensive form of exercise,  and he may even need to go twice a week for the rest of his life.....

So you can see by us taking Blade and thus saving his life, we have committed ourselves to a potentially huge expense, and as I said that is how you can help.

We have a savings account that has been put to one side especially for when Blade needs it. You can help by sending a cheque made payable to SHAK  to:

SHAK HQ.
Greenwell Road,
Alnwick
NE66 1HB

Or via PayPal to shak@shak.org.uk

Please mark all donations 'For Blade'

Blade is so worth this chance. Thank you in advance for your support.

Blade Arrives In A Horrific State.....

I still have so much news to share with you, but one story that I just have to bring to everyone's attention is the arrival of Blade last weekend. We see so many dogs in terrible states, so many in fact that a lot of the time we are numb to the horrors that face us. However with this noble guy I think everyone has been touched, saddened and disgusted.....

I have to be careful about the information that I give on here, but I can confirm that this dog has come from a home environment, is 11 years old and was signed over by the owner who wanted him destroyed. I think a big well done is needed for the Animal Welfare Officer at Northumberland County Council who did all she could, including a vets examination and paying for medication, to give this handsome boy a chance.

He has arrived with a serious skin infection, flea allergy, open wounds where a collar has been rubbing, ear infections and the probable start of CDRM (a degenerative condition affecting his back legs.)

Below are some photo's of his condition on arrival. For those viewing this on facebook you will need to click on the title post to view all images and a video on www.shak.org.uk

Despite having suffered such horrific neglect and clearly being in discomfort, Blade has been fantastic and is clearly revelling in having attention. In fact its almost as if he has never had any attention before.

It was very clear that after treating him for fleas and parasites that the start of this week was bath time! Once again he was an absolute star, and instantly looked so much happier without the tats. Although his skin was so flaky and scabby I had to be careful when brushing as he began to bleed.

Blade came to us when he really needed us. His life depended on it. We have started the process of trying to put right was has taken years to cause..... If you'd like to help towards Blades road back to some sort of good health then please donate via PayPal to shak@shak.org.uk

Beginning To Understand Trust.....

As you can see we are making progress with Topaz everyday. She is still very frightened, but I can see in her eyes she's beginning to understand trust.

Making Progress.....

Just a quick update to show you the progress Topaz has made in the first 48 hours with us. These pictures were taken today and show her no longer on a 'rigid' lead but a normal one.....

First up me and her, then her with the true apple of her eye..... David.

(People looking on facebook will need to click on the post title to view all the pictures on www.shak.or. uk)

Crazy Times And A Beautiful Girl Arrives.....

The last 9 days or so have perhaps been the most hectic I have ever known in the ten years I have been doing this. The amount of dogs I have been approached to help within that period is now in double figures, but with so limited funds and space it has been impossible to take them all. I've been approached from all over the country and even outside the UK with Eire and Romania on the list..... I think we have somehow managed to find alternatives for the ones we haven't been able to take.

Coupled with some frantic trips to the vets and major surgeries (of which I'll bring you upto speed on at a later date) it's fair to say both my sanity and the SHAK van have run up some miles.

Some of which were to help Topaz..... a young female Rottweiler that was booked into be destroyed at a pound last Friday for showing signs of fear aggression after arriving as a stray.  I was approached by the Animal Welfare Officer at NE Lincs Council who was desperate to find somebody to give her a chance.  Nationwide ,including the breed specific rescues, his search had been fruitless until he called SHAK....

The photo below was taken minutes after we arrived back yesterday.  I am using the rigid lead for my safety only, but already you can see she is a beautiful and intelligent girl. It really is upsetting to think she was just hours away from losing her life before it had even begun.....

Another Random 48's Challenge..... Help, Help, Help.....

The very first Random 48's was a brilliant success and for the second one I thought I'd ask for something that would cost you nothing but your time…..

We desperately need reliable, committed people that are willing to go the extra mile to help our dogs. Understanding that it's not all about happy endings and homes, but that being a volunteer at SHAK means you see the real nitty gritty of rescue work accepting your heart will break as much as it will fill with love.

So for the next 48 hours your challenge is to think whether you could give up at least 6 hours a week to help us in one of the very important roles below:

Voluntary Canine Welfare Assistant…..

Hands on voluntary work in all aspects of kennel life. From cleaning the kennels to walking the dogs. Helping us work with their issues and giving them the chance to rebuild their life. We need a commitment of at least 6 hours per week, although that can be split into two 3 hour sessions. Perhaps more importantly, we need some regularity to your contribution so we can work shifts with other volunteers and spread the help equally amongst all 7 days. Your own transport is essantial given our rural location outside Alnwick.

Voluntary Fundraiser…..

We also desperately need people to come on board with fresh and new fundraising experience.  We are looking for people who can run events and activities themselves, but also work as part of the existing fundraising team with the existing fundraising programme.

So….. that's what we need. Do you think you have what it takes to become a vital part of the team???  If so email shakclub@shak.org.uk within the next 48 hours for an application form.

Buster And Barney Enjoy A Treat.....

I just love these videos of Buster and Barney taking a treat! Thanks to Sarah for sending me them.....

(If your viewingthis on Facebook you will need to click the post title to see the video on www.shak.org.uk)