OK here's the latest update for the Scooby fan club:

It was my turn to walk Scooby again today so after a quick hello and a couple of treats through the kennel door so he could see who it was, it was straight out for his walk - I think he was looking for his 'favourite' Stephen, but seemed happy enough that it was me again.  He took me along his normal route showing me where he normally stops for his sightseeing over the river.  Whenever we stopped along the way, we had another minute or 2 with the brush, which is gradually improving his coat.  I had brought a special treat for Scooby today - some pieces of sausage which he took from me so gently.  He doesn't show any signs of nervousness at all when he's out - a cyclist passed us on the path so we just moved over to the side to let him pass with no reaction from Scooby.  On the way back up to the farm, Scooby decided it was time for a run (he must have heard about me doing the Great North Run for him and his friends this year so wanted to give me some extra training!).  Then it was back to his kennel for another treat or 2 and a big drink.

It's difficult to explain, but you get such a good feeling when you walk him - maybe it's imagining what he thinks about how everything has changed for him - or is that just me being silly because dogs don't think like that.  Whatever it is, I enjoyed today -

see you same time again tomorrow Scooby - can't wait!

Stephen C how do we know dogs don't think like that, I am sure Scooby knows the change of how he's being treated and is now enjoying being alive, instead of the ill treatment he suffered.

It`s about time he had a woman to walk with Tanja ,these boys have too much of their own way.

It`s amasing, hard to believe it`s the same dog......

...that was meant to be a joke about dogs "living in the moment" as everyone's favourite expert tells us. The change in Scooby has been so remarkable over such a short time - he must know that his life has changed so much and just looks so happy now.

Yes I know it was a joke, the same as everyones favourite little Mexican with the blinding white teeth, I could give you a list of dogs with an excellent memory, my rescued JRT who I have had 12 months but for 'some reason' is petrified of newspapers and my friends rescued Dobie who has bite scars up his hind legs and is fine with other dogs but absolutley hates my Rotties, so much so my friend has to keep him on the lead when I walk with her and my Rottie, another friend who has a rescued Norfolk terrier who hates bald men, but is ok when her partner wears a hat, I could go on, I believe dogs do remember and do not live in the day, I have had Heidi (my Rottie) coming up to three months and she still cowers and flinches as if she's expecting a battering, Im hoping she will. as time goes by realise I am not going to hit her, but I suspect she won't forget her past but she will learn to trust me. And the same goes for Scooby, he is starting to realise that life aint that bad after all and he can start to relax and enjoy himself and behave like a dog should, but I bet you if you tied him up and approached him with a screwdriver, all those bad memories would come flooding back.  Good luck to you Scooby and thanks to everyone at Shak. x

Just a little update on the big guy. He is doing so well, been handled by a few more of the SHAK team, and after yet another nice calm walk and brush he had another first.

Because he people are beginning to feel more confident handling him, I'm trying to get him out and about more. Tonight he had a spell in one of the runs, where he had a little chat with Sam through the fence. We just have to get him used to other people handling him other than myself, then he can go out in the run during the day.

Was nice to meet  Scooby on Saturday  after hearing & reading so much about  him .
He is  turning into a gentle giant  & so well behaved .Of course all credit to the  TLC  he has received from the 2 Stephens .Well Done  X

Tonight is possibly one of the best since SHAK began. For those of you that have been following Scooby's story, you will remember the two bites and 4 1/2 hours it took me to get in the jeep the day that this big guy came into my life. Well, today after work I decided it was time he encountered a car again. I wasn't going to stress him, so I just opened he passenger door to see his reaction..... and he just jumped straight in.

Not wanting to miss an opportunity, I quickly jumped into the drivers seat and whisked him off to the seaside. He was a little worried in the car, but his eyes lit up as soon as we arrived. Coming from the midlands, Scooby obviously hasn't seen the seaside before. He couldn't stop sniffing, and I'll never forget the look of shock on his face as the seaweed he was sniffing got covered by an incoming wave.

I even gave him a little run off lead as no one was around, and he showed his mischevious side as he realised he was free and gave me that "I'm away" look and trotted..... back to the car.

On the way back he was so much more relaxed in the car, and sat upright with his head out of the window.

I honestly don't think it was till I got home that I realised what an amazing thing had just happened.....

see i know he had a mischevious side lol i cant believe it u have complete trust and love togethre see now all you have to do is take him on holiday with you now lol im sure he would love it lol .

FANTASTIC JOB BUDDY

From being neglected, abused and abandoned, taken to a pound and now running free on a beach with someone who obviously cares for you, what more can a doggie want, really happy for you Scooby.

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