Shadows Leg Break Operation

Hi my name is Jim and I am raising funds to help us pay for Shadow’s Leg Break Operation. The story starts on the 23rd of December 2024 where myself and my wife Olivia and my twin boys, who are seven, left to go on their first overseas trip for Xmas. We were so lucky to have found a friend Simon to look after our 2 Dogs while we were away. Fast Forward to the 27th and we got the call all pet owners dread, one of our Dogs -Shadow went missing.

She was walking with my other dog Sasha , Shadow’s mum, with Simon and she got startled and bolted or got on the scent of a deer in Alice Holt Forest. It was dusk and after a couple of brief sightings nothing she was gone. 1 day turned into 2 with all of us at our wits end and me and my family stuck overseas until late on the 30th our return date. We had to make the most of things for our kids sake, which was so hard when there was no news from home about our beloved Shadow. The support at home was overwhelming there were literally dozens of people looking for her along with a broken Simon who was distraught with worry.

So late on Day 3 we return and I go straight out for hours but nothing. I chanced upon Lost Dog Recovery and the amazing Volunteers who help in cases of this nature, Sarah came to my aid on new years Day despite having had Radiotherapy a few days before. She drove miles to collect cameras and even more to meet me at Alice Holt to set up food stations and motion activated cameras in the hope of getting a sight of her. Foxes ! Foxes! Foxes! We have fed many since!

Day 5 turns into 6,7,8 nothing then suddenly on the Saturday 4th of January we get a lead that she is 13 miles away near Blackwater/ Hawley Woods! How has she got there!! I raced over in the snow late evening and not an inkling. Where is she?As you can imagine the emotions we are going through have flattened us all, we want our dog back or at least know something …So off we go I arrange sniffer dogs to try and track her, drones with thermal imaging on what is now day 10 of Shadows mystery adventure! With some hope generated by the tracker dogs we set up cameras and food again in hope of a sighting. Foxes! And nothing else! Another hope filled day shattered.

So on the 7th of January 2025 I have to go back to work from a Christmas holiday period which should have been filled with joy and great memories, happy new year? Not quite!

After my colleagues and Bosses being so supportive I suddenly get a call at 1350 from a good friend of mine Martyn who has had a call himself from someone in the Alice Holt Forest who is with a Forest worker called Ollie who was working deep in the woods. His dog was indicating something was not right in the woods, Ollie looked into it and Found my Shadow injured limping through the undergrowth !

I raced over to truly see if it was her and it was!

Emotion release!

what’s wrong with her?

She has lost lots of weight and obviously is hurt.

Thank you Ollie you are a hero !!!

Straight to the Vet!

normal weight 26kg

Actual Weight 21 kg

Wow 5kg lost!

Bloods good !

Now the Kicker ! Triple break of the front Right Leg Humerus , complicated break , worst case scenario Amputation.

Xrays sent to a couple of orthopaedic Veterinary surgeons, both say the same it’s doable with fixing with plates , but there are risks.

The double kicker no insurance !!

We need some help, we don't have the minimum £5-6000 but we must do it ! And we are doing it tomorrow.

somehow we will find the money and if you can help any excess funds raised

will go to the following amazing Charitable organisations:

Lost Dog Recovery UK South

Drone SAR for Lost Dogs

Lost Dog Tracking Network

Without these guys and the incredible and tireless support from our amazing friends and wider communities we would not have got Shadow back.

More importantly without the charitable organisations above many many dogs would have never been reunited with their owners, after even longer ordeals than we have gone through nor would future unfortunate pet owners be reunited without our support.

We all would be massively grateful for your support.