Koda - --/--/---- - 15/04/2015
Koda was looking for a forever home via the Alaskan malamute UK rescue organisation and Catherine and Andy saw his picture and felt that they were able to offer him a loving home life and a family in which he could call his own. 
 
Koda was one of the first dogs to become a member of the Sled Dog Society of Wales, his new owners truly loved Koda and he was without doubt the Alpha male of their pack of rescue sled dogs.  He had a special bond with the little members of Andy and Catherine’s family and especially their granddaughter.  Koda really loved spending time with her, and pulling her in harness on their children’s dry land rig.  
 
He was larger than life, and had such a character that was endearing, and so many people on Facebook knew of Koda, and followed his Facebook page waiting for regular updates on how he was doing. 
 
On the morning of the 11th April 2015 when Andy woke up and went downstairs to greet Koda and their other dogs, but when he got downstairs he found Koda was in a bad way, he called upstairs for Catherine to come downstairs quickly, but before Andy could do anything to help Koda he just passed away in his arms.  It was certainly not something that Andy or Catherine were prepared for when they woke up that morning.  They decided to have and autopsy performed by their vet to get answers as to why this had happened to their beautiful boy.  As it turned out Koda had suffered from a spontaneous phemothorax that had caused his lungs to collapse without warning, and there was nothing in the world that could have prevented this from happening. 
 
When the news broke on Facebook about Koda this big, beautiful, lovable goofball, the out poring of shock and grief surprised his owners.  Koda was a wonderful, gentle giant with a zest for life and a love for everyone he met. He leaves a huge hole in the hearts of everyone, especially Catherine, Andy and their family.  They only had two years with him, but those years were special and were filled with happy memories.  Koda, Run free over Rainbow Bridge and wear your Silver Harness with Pride. 

Desna (Davz Destiny) 18/11/2009- 10/10/2016
Desna a beautiful gentle boy despite your brave hard fight, we have lost you.  We could no longer watch you suffer and took the hard decision to send you across the Rainbow Bridge, after you were diagnosed with internal bleeding, irregular heartbeat and acute kidney failure.
 
However your memories will live on in our hearts forever.  I remember when you arrived 7 years earlier, feeding you 3 times a day, while stopping your sister pinching your food, the day at the vets when your sister Shila was pregnant there was no way you were waiting in the car; in fact you broke the window and jumped right out.   I remember you helping kissing my face when I had come out of hospital after being very ill, you were so gentle and it was as if you knew I wasn’t strong enough for you to jump up on me.  I was pretty lucky to have you there to stop Shila jumping up on me too, as her excitement almost bowled me over.  How you loved the wind blowing in your face, and howled when the car stopped. I remember you sleeping in the tent you had your own bedroom and that was your sprawl out space. You dug up the garden pots and the flowers and the back garden with your partner in crime your sister Shila the day you ran around with my palm tree saplings in your mouth, that had just been planted and you had dug up, but this is the only bad memory I have of you. You couldn't help all the destructive stuff. It was you just having fun.
 
I call you my dog, but you were Dave’s dog too, as well as all the friends and strangers who said you were handsome, beautiful, caring and affectionate, even on times when you were blowing you’re coat and left your fur behind.  The Children who wanted to pet you, you were so patient.  We’ll never understand, why you had to leave us so young, but we are so thankful that we had such good times with you.  Thank you for being a great big brother to Shila, for not eating and chasing the cats when you were young.  Thank you for smiling brighter than any human ever has, for being such a wonderful boy and for the great rides you gave me in harness.  Thank you for lovingly nurturing us through the hard times.  You got to live the greatest life that any dog ever could, and I am grateful for that.  Run free over Rainbow Bridge wear your Silver Harness with Pride. 

Shila (Black Magic SnowPrincess) - 10/10/2009 - 09/01/2018
Shila despite your brave hard fight, we have lost you.  We could have never imagined, that jumping off such small wall, could have resulted in you eventually crossing the Rainbow bridge, you fought all the ways, but sadly, the disc in your back ruptured, and a resulting embolism and we could no longer watch you suffer and took the hard decision to send you across the Rainbow bridge.

You will be sorely missed, but we know that you are now with you brother Desna, who you adored and he will be happy to have you at his side again.  You left behind such happy memories; I remember how you slept on my chest as a pup and were the boss, even though Desna protested.  You became a mum, having 4 pups by C-section, as you were too posh to push and too lazy to clean them, but fair play you did feed them all.  You loved the muddy puddles, the muddier the better, even in a heat wave you’d find mud somewhere, you were a mud-bug!  You had a wonderful temperament, and you were very protective of your mum, although occasionally would go for a walk with others, but you were always pleased to see me on your return.  You especially loved meeting children; you would sit there and every now and then, give them a kiss on their cheeks.  You helped with the yellow dog project with the South Wales police and you did really well in the dog shows but you did hate working in harness until later in life, and then enjoyed a sedate plod, but you helped so many other dogs by teaching them to pull in harness a scooter and rig.  You did nothing too strenuous as you liked your little cat naps, but always kept an eye open on what was going on around you.

Even though you suffered from hypothyroidism, you didn’t let it stop you and took your daily medication without any fuss or bother.  You enjoyed most, but not all the dogs you met, especially the younger boys.  When you developed an open pyometra and nearly lost your life, and even though it took years to get your health back on track, you fought all the way and eventually, your health improved.  After we lost your brother Desna, we expanded the family just for you, as you needed the company, this is when the twins Ataneq and Tiquana arrived, and you were such a good foster mum, even though on times, they really tried your patience.  However, you always fairly put them in their place and taught them how to be good and occasionally very naughty.  You became your own pack, doing everything together, walking, camping, playing sleeping, but you were always the alpha of the pack, even though Tiquana tried to push her luck, you would always gently remind her differently.
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You will be missed by us all, but memories will always be in our hearts, it’s funny how Tiquana has watched you and waited and has now taken the alpha position, although she's picked up your habits, both good and bad, so although you are no longer with us, your spirit lives on in her.  Run free over Rainbow Bridge wear your Silver Harness with Pride. 

Kayla (Foster Dog)    --/--/2002 - 08/08/2016
Kayla was a stray found and taken to the pound, SHARE Rescue were contacted to see if we would be willing to help, as her time was running out and she was due to be put to sleep.  Her quest for a foster home seemed jinxed until Carol came forward allowing this baby girl to be saved.  She was 14 years old and needed extensive medical treatment to allow her to live pain out her life pain free.  Kayla had back leg problems which needed x-rays and was in dire need of dental treatment and she also had a urine infection, as well as blood in her stools.  Her ear was really badly infected.  Although none of that put Carol, her new foster mum, off helping Kayla.  Unfortunately, Kayla was only with Carol a short time, and unfortunately passed in Carol's arms in less than two weeks.  Although she was a member of the club for a brief moment in time, Kayla touched many hearts and will forever live on.  Run free over Rainbow Bridge and wear your Silver Harness with Pride.

Dante - --/--/---- - --/12/2017 
Dante was another rescue dog that a couple of members Kayleigh and Dave adopted.  They introduced him to their young family and he had a special bond with their children.  He was a very loving dog who through the club learnt to work in harness pulling a scooter.  He absolutely loved being with people and other dogs, and was super friendly.  He moved away up to North England with his owners and their family to a beach town where he had the opportunity to play on the sand and in the paddle in the sea.  Dante absolutely loved it there and made lots of new doggy friends.  Unfortunately his family only got to spend a couple of short years together before he passed away, but they were special years and wonderful memories  A wonderful loving and carefree boy that will be missed by his family.   Run free over Rainbow Bridge Dante, and wear your Silver Harness with Pride.

Jeffrey - --/06/2013 - 22/01/2018 
Jeffrey was 11 months old when his new mummy, Yvonne adopted him.  His previous owner used to keep him locked up in a tiny kitchen and regularly used to yell and beat him, this was not going to be his life as Yvonne saw him up for sale on an internet site and instantly fell in love with Jeffrey.  Yvonne drove up to meet Jeffrey, and the minute her eyes saw him and she saw that he looked so sad and unloved, there and then Yvonne decided to bring him straight home with her, and Jeffrey now had his new mum and a new loving home for life with her.
 
Jeffrey was the best dog ever, he was so gentle and kind, and instantly showed his new mum how loving he was.   Yvonne suffered from PTSD, and yet Jeffrey seemed to sense when his mum was feeling anxious and scared, he instantly knew that he had to stay close to her until his mum was feeling better.  Although Yvonne had good days and bad days with her health condition, Jeffery was there through everything and would cheer her up and bring a smile to her face. 
 
 Jeffery had a couple of teething blips when he came to live with his new mum, for instance the issue with the frozen chicken breasts!  They were in the kitchen sink in cold water defrosting, but Jeffrey thought that they would defrost better by the front door.  So he took them ever so carefully out of the sink where they were emerged in cold water and carried them to the front door, where he deposited them to greet his mum on her arrival back home.  When Yvonne arrived back home from shopping, and opened the front door, she was greeted by a very proud and smiling Jeffrey, and some rather wet slippery chicken breasts, untouched other than a couple of teeth marks where Jeffrey had carefully carried them.  As it turns out, Jeffrey didn’t like raw food, but thought that he was helping his mum as she forgot to take the chicken breast with her that morning, when she went out to the shops!

Yvonne found out by accident that Jeffrey's favourite toy was a simple tennis ball, where he wouldn't rip it to shreds like other dogs, but instead he would carry it around in his mouth and deposit it graciously at your feet, ready for you to throw it again and again.  He absolutely adored being groomed and would repeatedly paw his mum's hand whenever she went to put down his brush it was as if he was asking to brush him some more, he especially loved his tummy tickles and thought it was the bees knees when he received them.  Jeffrey felt a need to have his paw held constantly whenever he was in the living room watching the TV with his mum, it was as if he needed to have that bond that made him feel safe and secure.
 
Jeffrey really got on great with other dogs and he absolutely loved his walks where he had the chance to meet dogs and lots of people who all made a fuss of him.  He adored his walks in the woods near his home, where his mum as a treat at the end of his walk would let him jump in the river.  He loved water, and thought there was nothing better in life than splashing about making him and anyone who was close enough soaking wet.  He even had his own paddling pool in the back garden and during the summer would frolic in that, with the hose pipe splashing the water into his mouth, he would bite the water in glee.  He especially loved the back garden where he would proudly jump on the wall at the end of the garden and parade around like he was the king of the castle.  He found he could see other people and their gardens and was so proud if they gave him a wave or said hello!  He loved to reply with his special awoowoo, which was his way of saying hi!
 
At Christmas time Jeffrey was always very much included in the festivities, so much so that he had his own Christmas stocking filled with presents lovingly wrapped, he would open them with hilarity using his paws and teeth.  We wonder if it was the presents he liked best or the wrapping paper, but he simply enjoyed family life to the full.
 
Jeffrey would have been 5 in June 2018, but a very difficult decision was made as he was diagnosed with severe epilepsy.  On veterinary advice on the 22nd January 2018 Jeffrey passed over Rainbow Bridge.  Jeffrey although you are no longer with us, your spirit lives on in our hearts, and our memories.  Run free over Rainbow Bridge wear your Silver Harness with Pride. With all my Love.  Yvonne (Mum)

Taz - --/--/2015 - --/12/2019

Taz was a one year old when his new mummy Mandi.  His previous owner wanted Mandi to dog sit Taz for the weekend, but his owner didn’t come back to collect him!
 
To Mandi this was not how a loving dog owner should behave, so she decided to keep him with her, well he was safe and he got on well with her older husky Tia.  So Taz fitted in as part of her family and a younger brother to Tia. 
 
To say that Taz had some teething problems to start with would be true; he was very collar reactive and bit Mandi several times when she tried to put his collar on him.  However, Mandi was very patient and never scolded Taz for biting her, instead she decided to win Taz over with love and kindness.  Over the next few weeks/months Taz came around and was happy to have his collar put on and even enjoyed his baths and grooming sessions.  He loved playing with Tia, and meeting all the other sled dogs from the club, and especially liked giving “French kisses” to the owners of his friends, jumping up with glee whenever he saw someone to greet them with his own enthusiasm.

Taz still went though phases of biting Mandi with no warning, but yet still Mandi persevered with reward based training and Taz blossomed into a great sled dog, pulling the scooter with Mandi or her son Jay on it, he helped train his little puppy friends to work in harness and proved to be a fun loving dog.
 
A year later his original owner turned up unannounced.  She wanted to collect him, and expecting to take Taz home with her, despite never phoning once to ask after him.  However, because Taz was so reactive to this woman Mandi was convinced that Taz had been abused by her or a member her family, amd he remembered it and showed very forcibly that he didn’t want anything to do with her.  So many issues that Mandi had with Taz’s reactions’ came to light just with this one encounter.
 
The decision was made there and then to complete the adoption of Taz and keep him for life with Mandi and her family.  After all Taz was now one of the family and had claimed his place, the front room bay window, where he would lie there watching the world go by, and snuggled up next to Tia at night.  How could Mandi ever split this pair of bonded dogs up?
Over the next couple years Taz started to settle down and became a well rounded dog with the occasional bite on the hand, and always directed towards Mandi. 
 
As a dog groomer Mandi was used to dog bites as it came with the territory.  However, she took Taz to a couple of different dog trainers, behaviourists to get help with this issue.  Unfortunately no one was able to help Taz.  They all stated that this wasn’t something that could be fixed by training!  They each explained that because there was no warning, this wasn’t a simple case of a red zone dog re-training.  This was a medical issue!  At that point Mandi consulted her vet, who did all the normal blood tests, health checks etc with their results coming back as normal.  However, the vet did suspect that Taz had been abused at a very young age, as he was so sensitive with his neck and head; he suspected he had been hit around the head and neck area. 
 
The vet explained that as Taz was ageing, his brain was swelling more and more and the vet summarised that he was having little episodes of small brain bleeds causing him to lash out and bite with no warning or awareness of what he was doing.  Seconds later Taz was back to normal, it was like a veil had come down over him, he didn’t even know anything of the previous minute or so of what he’d done!
 
Even though this was happening more often, most of the time Taz was Taz, and he was happy go lucky boy with not a care in the world.  Mandi therefore decided that as long as Taz was only having these episodes on rare occasions and as long as it was only her that was getting bitten she would persevere, after all he was a beloved family member. 
 
Two weeks before Christmas 2018, Taz had another episode and this time it wasn’t Mandi that got bitten.  This time it was Jay!  Taz unbeknown to him had crossed the line; he had bitten a child, a child who was his best friend.  This was one time that his medical condition couldn’t be ignored.
 
Mandi and her family took the very difficult decision to ethanaise Taz on veterinary advice, December ----  2018 Taz passed over Rainbow Bridge.  
 
Taz although you are no longer with us, your spirit lives on in our hearts, and our memories.  Run free over Rainbow Bridge wear your Silver Harness with Pride. With all my Love.  Mandi (Mum)
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