Losing My Nemesis.....

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.

Chico Proves It Wasn't A Fluke.....

And just to prove yesterday wasn't a fluke, here's Chico with Star..... no muzzle. 

Barney's Easter Gift.....

And finally tonight here's big Barney looking even more handsome than ever in his new collar donated by some very special people.....

Chico Does The Full Circle.....

So after all the hard work of the last eight days, these were the pictures we were desperate to see. Little Chico (as we've called him and with the patch on just one side of his face) off lead with another dog, but this time without the muzzle.

It was amazing to see and Abbie was brilliant,  whilst the little guy deserves all the plaudits for being so receptive to his new circumstances.

As I've said last Monday he was due to be destroyed for being dog aggressive. Thanks to Star and Abbie, not only does he have a chance, but friends.....

I'm so proud of the work we've all done with Chico. Shows again just what can be achieved and why we are here.

Doyles Change Lives Appeal Goes Through The Roof.....

Doyle was delighted when I told him his Change Lives appeal for next month's medication had been an outstanding success.  Not only was the £200 target reached on line,  but cheques and bank transfers brought in another £55 making the grand total £255!

I can't thank you all enough for getting behind another Change Lives appeal and for helping us give Doyle the best treatment we can. He was in a scrapyard for 8 and a half years of his life, forced to work. Now although the years are catching up on him, he is happy living with Anja and playing football.  Those who have donated have made it possible for another month. Thank you!

Of course if you'd like to donate to help Doyle regularly you can set up a standing order. Please email shak@shak.org.uk for more info or print off the standing order form on this website.

Buster Works On His Belly!....

Whilst the work was being done Buster was out getting treats from Sarah! I love this action shot!

Newbie Makes Another Friend.....

Whilst Star and I have been enjoying a few days off in the sunshine with half term, Melissa and David have been continuing our work on our behalf. Well I say they have but really it was all the work of Abbie!

Abbie of course is the Staffy girl that came to us with a horrendous bite on one of her front legs as a stray. Here she is, not deterred nor is her opinion of other dogs tarnished from her past experience, having been adopted by Mel,  David and their little SHAK gang she had very little choice. Instead she loves to play and in turn has continued helping our little newbie get over his own fear of other dogs.

(We still need to name Newbie,  but in the meantime he is the one in the muzzle. )

Star In Her Time Off.....

It's not all work, work,  work for Star,  and I love these photos that I took as we enjoyed our walk tonight. It's incredible to think we only have her because she was booked in at a vets to lose her life. She has given so much back by helping so many other dogs, her story like so many is why me and the SHAK team continue the fight to give dogs like Star a chance. 

Coming On Well.....

Continuing on from the work Star and myself did with the new little Staffordshire Bull Terrier, yesterday was a big step as his problem is documented as dog aggression whilst on lead. Well, as you can see the three of us enjoyed a nice walk, and the only reaction we got was when Star took offence to a convoy of quad bikes out lambing! Still very early days for him, but already he's making friends and progress!

Another doing really well with the help of two of our best stooge dogs is little Daisy.  She's beginning to up her social skills and was great on this walk with Kai,Maisie, and also Misty and Rio.

Doyles Meds Appeal, 6 Days To Go And Just £55 Needed.....

We've had a great response to Doyle's Change Lives appeal and with just 6 days to go we raised a massive £145 with on line and cheque donations. Of course this money goes towards next months medication, and it would be great if we could have a little push over the finish line so that we have hit the £200 by the 8th.

If you've already donated thank you, however, if you haven't already seen it.....

After the success of the Change Lives £5,000 challenge, tonight see's another Change Lives Everyclick appeal. However this one is a smaller appeal, but as vitally important.....

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.

Old age is catching up with Doyle, and 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. Anal Furunculosis is a chronic, progressive inflammatory disease that results in ulceration and inflammation in the area surrounding the anus.

The 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.

Since being diagnosed people have been very generous, but having just paid for his next months tablets, it would be fantastic if we already had next months medication paid for.

So, we're asking if you can help us raise the £200 we need in the next 28 days until we have to buy more.....

You can donate towards Doyles medication via the link below, and thank you in advance.

http://www.everyclick.com/doylesmeds

And The Work Begins.....

Following on from my post this morning, it was a joy to work with the newbie today. Once again Star was on hand to help, and whilst yes he was muzzled, the little guy was great.

It's scary to think that both of these dogs had appointments to end their lives, and even more so when you see one helping another like this.....

A Little Guy Is Saved And Pastures New For Carlos.....

So I'm sitting watching my daughter enjoy a pool party at a swimming baths on Sunday when my phone goes.....

The black and white Staffordshire Bull Terrier pictured below is in desperate need of help and booked in for destruction the next day. His crime that will cost him his life..... aggression towards other dogs when on a lead. 

Space is non existent and due to his breed and issues nobody else is interested in helping him.

Our good friend Jane of Fall In Love With A Rescue is desperately trying to save him and comes up with a plan.....

Carlos came to us in horrendous condition.  Physically bald from mange, and fleas so big you could actually see them jumping on him like in a cartoon!

As you can see he is much better after time in our care, and it seemed a good opportunity for him to make the next move to getting his life on track. 

So thanks to Chris The Transporter the little Staffordshire Bull Terrier made his way north, still in the land of the living, and Carlos made the trip south to run with other Lurchers we've sent that way.

Carlos will be a big miss not just by myself but everyone at the kennels, but I think this story sums up everything this charity does. Save dogs when they need saving and no one else will help, whilst finding opportunities for them once they are back on the up.

I'm really looking forward to working with this little guy, and to think his life was saved at a pool party.....

What Do We Have.....

If we don't have Hope.....

Postcard From Layla (2!).....

Hello everyone,

I`ve been here 2 weeks today and it`s been a bit of a whirlwind – or perhaps, more correctly, I`ve been a bit of a whirlwind – not quite what they were expecting, I don`t think. The biggest problem is that this woman here doesn`t have much of a sense of humour; she failed to be amused by me belting upstairs to trampoline on her bed, doing rapid circuits round the garden through the flower beds and clearing the kitchen worktops of anything inadvertently left out (including removing a very large bite out of a freshly-baked cake). I managed that one really stealthily while she was still in the room!

She`s got me this collar that vibrates (remember I'm deaf after having my ear canals removed) so I can`t pretend I don`t know when she wants me. The idea is that it vibrates, I look at her and then I go and get a treat when I`ve done whatever she wants. I`ve decided to play along with that one because the treats are good and, anyway, it gives me something to do and I do so love to keep busy. I can even do it when we`re out on a walk so I get loads more treats than the other dogs – not that they can keep up with me anyway. Even the big Oscar, who thinks he`s in charge, is pretty much toast when I`ve run him round for a bit!  There`s talk of something called school to see if I can behave myself in a room full of dogs – bring it on – I don`t think she`ll be winning that one so easily.

Funny though, in spite of all the bossiness and stern looks, I heard her telling someone the other day that I`m incredibly intelligent, quick to learn and am now behaving perfectly around the house. Apparently, I`m the best fun dog she`s ever had and an adorable little gem who will be a massive gift to the person lucky enough to have me. Maybe she`s gradually coming round.......................

Thanks to everyone at Shak that looked after me and got me this chance - I`m having a ball.  Layla x

SHAK Wins The Green Tokens.....

I'd also like to say a big thank you to all the customers of Asda in Ashington who voted for us in the green token competition. 

Your support is really appreciated and because of it we now have another £200 to help us do our work.

Thank you all so much, and of course to Asda for their support.

Layla And Kennedy Enjoy A Run.....

Now she's officially a SHAK girl, Layla can start to make the new friends she's been desperate for since she arrived. She's so sociable and it was great seeing her run free with Kennedy yesterday.

Mind I think we're going to have to work on her fitness as our big boy had her worn out at the end!

Still to see these two having so much fun together, especially with them both being American Bulldogs, made me so proud of them, and with the world seemingly against them because of their breed moments like this are even more special. 

Layla Finally Becomes A SHAKETTE.....

This was the reaction I got from Layla this afternoon when I told her that she had finally become a fully fledged SHAK dog. It's a far cry from when she arrived with us.....

How Sorry Does She Look?

Emaciated.....

Covered In Sores.....

Layla came to us desperate for help. In a really precarious position, emaciated and covered with horrendous sores. TLC goes a long way, but you need to know the little bit extra that makes a turn around like this, and once again my team have really shown their expertise in getting Layla's life back on track. Now she is ours we will try to find an opportunity for her to make that next step, and get the love she deserves all for herself.

Legal reason's meant I couldn't say anything about Layla until today, and now the time has come I think now words will do her turnaround justice. So instead I'll leave you with a picture of me and her taken today, along with one I took when she arrived.....