|
A Blog page to show all the work that goes on behind the scenes at SHAK.
A brief insight into how our dogs get here, and what they do when they get here…..
(Please note, all opinions and views on here are exactly that, OUR opinions and views only.)
|
|
Saturday and Sunday 5th & 6th December 2009…..
Another hectic weekend at SHAK, see’s fundraising and a new dog arrive, two dogs meet potential new owners (one for the second time) and of course all the cleaning, feeding and training that comes with every single day.
Thank you to the girls for such a fantastic weekend at Jollyes in Blyth. I was at the kennels all weekend, but there has been a lot of compliments on how well displayed the stall was as well as what great prizes there was, so THANK YOU all so much. As I said Friday, THANK YOU to Jollyes too for fitting us in at such short notice. The weekend has presented us with an unexpected boost in funds, and everyone at SHAK appreciates the effort that went into raising them. It wouldn’t be Sunday if I wasn’t also thanking Derek for his amazing fundraising down at Seaton Sluice. For anyone who is unfamiliar with what goes on at Fountainhead Bank on a Sunday, why not take your pooch for a walk down there next week and then pop into Derek’s for a cuppa, he’d be delighted to see you.
Here’s the girls first thing Saturday Morning.
As I said, the weekend also saw the arrival of Lewis, a German Shepherd cross who was destined to be destroyed last Monday. Yes, he has a few trust issues, but I believe we can turn this young lad around. He deserves that chance, rather than ending up in a skip somewhere. Thank you and well done to Peter for alerting me and transporting him, and thank you too Laura and Gloria for the final leg of the journey. I didn’t manage to get any photo’s of him on his walks today, but I will try tomorrow.
I would just like to say, that once again, we wouldn’t be in the position to help dogs like Lewis at such short and desperate notice, without the funds raised by people like they have done this weekend, or without the people who support such events. Yes, it’s the people at the kennels who save the lives of these dogs, but we couldn’t do it without your support. |
|
Monday 7th December 2009…..
The week starts of with a flurry, as we are asked to help a whole load of dogs facing being put to sleep including an emaciated Mastiff Cross that has been used for breeding. We don't have a single kennel at The Rescue Place (more to come on that in a minute) so had to turn the pleas away without be able to help. Its a such a horrible feeling, but at this time of the year it is a problem for every rescue, and a problem of mammoth proportions.
|
|
Wednesday 9th December 2009…..
The Christmas spirit is rushing through the rescue world at such force (I’m being sarcastic) as dog after dog seems to be being threatened with the vets needle. 2 German Shepherds, 2 Rottweilers and a Mastiff all in serious danger of losing their lives, and that was just my email inbox before 10.30 this morning!
We try and help all we can, but this time of year so many dogs lose their lives because there is not enough spaces, and people just keep kicking them out. I really do think it is the case that these people close their front doors and that’s it, problem solved. They don’t seem to realise the knock on effect the selfishness has down the line.
I’m not one to usually send out pleas, but because of the fact we are at capacity at The Rescue Place, we are rapidly going through our food supplies. I know I’ve probably left it late, but if anyone fancies having a collection at work for tins and dry food it would be greatly appreciated. If you are interested, please email me shak@shak.org.uk
Thank you.
Just so I don’t knock the Christmas spirit out of you completely, can I give a special mention to someone who saved £50 in a John Lewis sale whilst Christmas shopping. That lady decided she would put it towards Christmas after all, and sent a cheque to SHAK for the full amount of her saving. Now that is the sort of thing Christmas is about, THANK YOU Pam. x |
|
Friday 11th December 2009…..
Thought you might like to hear how Krysta is getting on, it sounds like she is doing well:
"Hello, Just a little update for you. Krysta is doing really well, loves her walks, and always comes back with a log bigger than her! She is eating well. Very friendly and playful with other dogs. Not a problem at all. The only sign of her being ill, is she gets very tired easily, but still wants to keep going bless her. A bloody gorgeous girl! Steve I’m not surprised she got to you, we all worship her, but she only has eyes for my brother, he adores her too. She is fab with other dogs, male or female. No signs of illness yet, we are all hoping that day never comes."
Unfortunately we have a very similar situation with Poppy the Labrador I mentioned earlier in the blog. Poppy has a vaginal tumour, but has been given the go ahead from the vet to live out the rest of her days. She has been in a foster home for a few days, but it looks as if she me of been an outside dog. We are now desperately looking for an understanding foster home who can help her through introducing her to a home environment, and provide her a “Forever Foster” home for the rest of her days. Please email shak@shak.org.uk if you are interested.
Another girl who has come to SHAK today is Grace the German Shepherd. Grace isn’t a year old until Christmas Eve, but has spent most of her time living in a shed. She was part of a breeding programme, and was to be used for breeding when she was old enough. From what we have been told she has had a very start bad to life, its hard to believe she is only 11 months old. Grace has been living with a family for two months but is so bewildered by the outside world they have had to give her up. After a run in with a small dog, there was talk of her being destroyed. That is where we stepped in. Having arrived today, she is clearly very stressed, very upset and basically doesn’t know what is going on. Despite this there is no aggression, and I can see the wonderful baby girl just waiting to come out. Of course I will keep you updated, and there will be pictures over the weekend.
|
|
Saturday 12th December 2009…..
Just a couple of photos as promised. Firstly Grace, who is so affectionate, but clearly so stressed it is really quite upsetting, Still, she’s so intelligent that I know we can get her through this.
And at long last, here’s Brodie the Springer we saved a couple of weeks ago. Brodie is another who is manic, and not suitable for a normal domestic home, he needs to be so active. He was about two and a half hours from being put to sleep, we have to get the right home this time. What a stunning boy though.
|
|
Friday 18th December 2009…..
Another busy week, I can’t believe it was last Saturday that I last posted on here. First the good news, as Daisy the little Lurcher puppy went on home trial on Sunday. She is such a sweetheart, and is doing well.
Bad news though too, as a change in circumstances leads to Sam coming back to us. He has progressed so much in a home, its such a shame, but there is nothing that can be done. He does struggle in kennels, so hopefully we can get him sorted quickly.
On the subject of re homing, we have a couple of “on going” pairings on the go, but other than those we are now CLOSED FOR RE HOMING UNTIL MID JANUARY. Quite simply I don’t think it is fair to put a dog in the situation of having to try and settle in a house with all the excitement that comes with Christmas. If anyone is interested in our dogs, then please get in touch January.
The break gives us a chance to fully concentrate on the dogs we have in our care. This week alone, Otto 2, Otto, King, George, Brodie and Daisy have all been in to get neutered. We also have appointments to have more done in the near future.
The weekend as well also sees the fund raising team running a Christmas Tombola at Pets at Home in Cramlington. Thank you to Pets at Home, but also thanks to the girls for putting something together at such short notice.
|
|
Monday 21st December 2009…..
Today is one of those days that leads to sleepless nights, so forgive me if it all sounds a bit gloomy just days before Christmas.
I dropped Poppy the Labrador with the big lump at the vets tonight, as I wanted to get her a full check over. We have decided to get her speyed tomorrow, whilst the vet can give her lump a full check over and diagnose whether it is in fact a tumour as we were originally told. I’m praying it is nothing sinister, but think that if we are going to get her into a home we need to know one way or the other.
As promised anyway, here she is. You just can’t help but fall in love with her. I am with holding pictures of her lump until we have an idea of what it is.
Whilst going to the vets, I took Lucas along to get checked over, as he has been a little down of late. Although he has gained weight, I’m not happy he has gained enough. Test show up a slight heart murmur, and blood has been taken for tests. We just need to sit and wait now, but I have to say he was superbly behaved in the vets.
Keiser (who is the German Shepherd we have in “Forever Foster”) is also at the vets tomorrow for blood tests. Having got passed one cancer scare earlier this year, he is certainly a fighter, thinking of you Big Guy.
Please remember all three in your prayers tonight.
To lighten things, can I just take this opportunity to thank everyone who has sent Christmas cards, food and donations. They all help us to give the dogs the best Christmas time we can.
|
|
Tuesday 22nd December 2009…..
THANK YOU to everyone who prayed for the three dogs I mentioned in yesterdays blog. First up, Keiser’s chest x rays didn't show anything, and although we are awaiting for the results of the blood tests, it is still a bit of good news.
Poppy was speyed today, and had her tumour removed. The vet also took chest x rays and again the results were clear. The lump has been sent away for analysis, but apparently it was as big inside as it was outside. The vet described it as the size of a “small grapefruit” and said it was so big it was pushing everything to one side, and could account for the issues she had with being house trained. Tonight she is recovering, and I am stepping up the search for a foster home for her. Specifically until she has recovered from the operation. If you could spare her a couple of weeks to recover please email shak@shak.org.uk
And finally, Lucas also had some good news today. Tonight he is resting with his new family, in a new home (thanks Sonia). It has all happened so fast, but I think it is exactly what he needs. He just doesn’t like kennel life, and that could be the cause of all his issues. Obviously we need to wait for his blood tests to come back as well, so another little prayer for him may also be useful.
In fact, please remember all three in your prayers, they still need you.
Saying its Christmas, the season of goodwill and being sentimental, I’ll leave you with some photos of where The Rescue Place is situated that I took this morning. I’m sure you can see how tranquil the place is, a beautiful place for all of our friends to find their feet and begin their lives again.
The Rescue Place, The Rescue Place 1, The Rescue Place 2.
It has been a massive year for SHAK and we have achieved some amazing things. The three dogs alone are prime examples, but for me the whole Scooby story sums up what this charity is about (I know another touch of sentiment, I promise I haven't been drinking!)
I took the following pictures of him today, and I’ll be honest as we cuddled in the snow afterwards we had “a moment” where we looked each other in the eye, after all we have been through together, the connection is so strong. I am so proud of this handsome boy, he justifies everything we do to save these dogs.
|
|
Saturday 26th December 2009…..
First of all, I’d like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and hope that Santa was good to you.
Its very much a case of business as usual at SHAK and The Rescue Place, despite the festivities. If I can just take this opportunity to thank everyone who gave up part of their Christmas Day to help me, and to try and make the day as special for the dogs as we could.
Christmas Eve saw a call from the vets regarding Lucas’s blood tests, and I’m afraid to say my worst fears were confirmed that there was something under lying that has clearly been effecting this gorgeous boy. Lucas is suffering from low levels of protein in his bloodstream. His kidneys appear to be working fine, but there could be several reasons for his condition. He is going to the vets on Tuesday for further tests, but at least now we can address the situation. In such a topsy turvy week, it is such a relief that he has spent Christmas with a family that love him dearly, and are determined to stand by him and do anything to help him. Thank you Gilly and Andy.
Poppy is recovering well from her operation, and has won over even more hearts. It is impossible not to fall in love with her, and I’m sure that now she doesn’t have the discomfort of her tumour, we should have her in a home soon.
Well, that’s Christmas over. Once again our supporters have done us so proud. Thank you to everyone, and also a special mention to Pets At Home (both their Charitable trust and the Cramlington branch) for their wonderful donations, both financial and in the form of tinned food.
Merry Christmas. |
|
Wednesday 30th December 2009…..
Well its coming to New Year, and I for one cannot wait for the “crazy season” to end. I don’t know if the general public really appreciate how much pressure and stress there is in Rescue at this time of year, and I still can’t believe how many people haven't learnt that no reputable rescue re homes at this time of year (apart from when the home of a life time crops up, but more on Lucas later) and still call up expecting to get a dog. Its not as if they haven't got the whole year to give a rescue dog a home, they only pick the most manic, unstable week of the year.
Rant over, as you can probably tell it has been quite a stressful time for me, as I am having to turn dogs away on a daily basis, but in saying that, I would really like to thank the newest additions to the SHAK team that have given up there valuable time over Christmas to help clean the kennels and give the dogs as much of a holiday as possible. Vikki, Andrea, Charlotte, Stu, Stu’s Dad and Nicola thank you so much, I hope you have enjoyed it and we’ll see more of you after in the New Year, and I know that the likes of Tess, Bones, Brodie, George and Alfie have already won a few hearts.
Speaking of dogs people can’t help to fall in love with, Poppy the Labrador was back at the vets tonight, and I’m pleased to say that the lump she had removed has turned out to be nothing but a fatty lump. She is already showing signs of being more comfortable and being toilet trained, as the vet has said the lump was pushing everything out of place, and thus effecting her bladder and everything else. I have kept these photos back, until I knew exactly what the lump was, but I must warn you it isn’t pleasant viewing:
Even more good news for Poppy, as she goes on a kind of Home Trial tonight. I’ll explain more if it works out, but lets just say Paul at A1 Kennels couldn’t bare to see her leave.
Poppy in front of the fire at home tonight.
Lucas is another one of our dogs that has fallen on his feet. He has gone to a brilliant home, that are so smitten with him. He is back at the vets tomorrow for more tests, but from what I hear he has regained that sparkle in his eye that he was never going to get whilst in kennels. Please pray for this lad, he has waited so long for a home just like this one, we will all do every thing we possibly can to get to the bottom of his problems.
The other dog that was at the vets before Christmas is doing well too I’m pleased to say. Keiser has gained a bit of weight and seems to be responding to the treatment he has been given by the vet, although there are still further tests to be carried out.
And little Daisy the Lurcher pup that found her way up to as when my wife picked her up as a stray is also doing well in her new home. Here she is with her boyfriend, and I have to say she looks one happy lady. What a beautiful couple, knock socks off Posh & Becks.
Well, all that’s left for me to do is thank everyone for all their help in 2009, and wish you all a Happy New Year. |
|
Thursday 31st December 2009…..
Just received this picture this morning, and felt it was something I needed to share with you as 2009 draws to a close. For everyone who follows our work on here, you’ll remember Krysta’s story. Pictures like this make it all worthwhile. HAPPY NEW YEAR |
