Thanks to your generosity, be it from online orders / donations / fundraising etc, we have been able to cover costs of over £1,200 this month for 4 of our retired Police dogs.
These 4 members of the 'PawsUp' pack have been suffering from a wide range of ailments, including injuries to joints, seizures, ongoing medical care following major surgery and the general issues that unfortunately go paw in paw with becoming a senior 4 legged member of the family...

From all of them (and us of course !) ..

THANK YOU

This year’s party will be held at the Ramside Hall Hotel

This year’s theme is Casino Royal ! Slightly earlier than usual, we have dropped the Christmas theme to try the party on a Saturday night after feedback from the last few years.

Entertainment this year is provided by Musique and includes special guest appearance by International saxophonist Lady V Sax.

The evening will be hosted by Capital FM’s Martin Lowes with support from the ‘usual suspects’ and their special blend of tomfoolery.

Bob our mascot will of course be in attendance and we hope it will also be the official return of the little mascots & guests on the evening will be the first to have the chance to get their hands on them!

The evening will follow closely our recent format of a drinks reception, meal and then the entertainment, games, auction will begin.

We hope you’ll join us for another fantastic night of fun & fundraising for PawsUp

Tickets are available from the PawsUp shop now. A number of rooms are available at a discount booking through the hotel, when you mention you are attending the function.

Now in its fourth year the annual PawsUp Christmas Party will be held again at the fabulous 4* Ramside Hall Hotel. The Black Tie event will have:

​Free drinks reception, 2 course meal, live band: International Party Doctors, spot prizes, raffle, auction and more! - All to raise funds for PawsUp Retired Police Dog Benevolent Fund.

Made exclusively for PawsUp by The Edinburgh Bow tie company these silk ties are perfect if you are attending the PawsUp Christmas Party, we've decided to make them pre tied - imagine trying to line up the knot and the logo each time!!! matching pocket square available as well.

The 2018 PawsUp calendar is being printed as we speak !!

A huge thanks goes to Durham City's 'Best Bar None' initiative for their generosity in sponsoring the production costs for another year !!

We are only producing 1,000, so to avoid missing out you can pre - order yours now, by visiting the shop page or click on the Buy it now! button.

We anticipate that they will be ready for delivery around the beginning of November (so plenty of time before Christmas, and let's be honest, you don't need them til next year anyway !)

Please be patient with delivery times, as all admin is conducted by only a couple of serving handlers in their time off, and it is likely this year, that orders will be dispatched only once or twice per week.

We have produced them in the same format as last year, A3 size with fabulous images of some of our dogs from the joint Cleveland, Durham & North Yorkshire Dog Support Unit..

They're still tremendous value at only £5 (+ P&P) and as ever, all proceeds go directly to the PawsUp Retired Police Dog's Benevolent Fund.

​Thank you

We are currently looking for a forever home for 'Hero' -  one of our retiring German Shepherd / General Purpose Police Dogs. 

More information is listed below, but firstly, please note the following :

All interested parties please submit your interest via the Re-Homing request form found on this site (or click below)

http://www.pawsup.org.uk/re-homing-register-form.html

Any interested parties will be fully vetted (by Police means).
We will conduct a house visit to ensure suitable living conditions. 
You must be sure that you are able to commit fully to the responsibilities and lawful requirements of dog ownership.
We WILL NOT re-home for purposes of security / guard dog work or breeding. 
The dog will be neutered at our expense. 
Hero will benefit from all available assistance linked to PawsUp (Durham Retired Police Dogs Benevolent Fund).

​

Information supplied by his current handler -

​Hero will be 5 years old in October this year. He is a very affectionate dog who loves to be brushed and cuddled. 
He can be quite vocal around other dogs initially but is generally very sociable once introduced, however he does not like cats !
He has never been around young children, so his reaction to this scenario is unknown. 
Hero is very clean / house trained and despite being used to an outdoor kennel environment, he has also had lots of access to his handler's home, so will not be overwhelmed if he has to live indoors. 
He is not huge, but despite his size he is a powerful dog but responds well to strong commands.
Ideally suited to a home that already has a dog or dogs that are not too dominant, or to previously experienced dog owners. 

More pictures of Hero and further  information can be found by clicking on his picture above.  

Our mascot 'Bob' has become an integral part of the charity and is hugely popular, with literally hundreds already finding new homes and going on their own adventures. 
We have a dedicated 'Where's Bob' gallery on the website, so that his new owners can share their photographs of him on his travels.

At this year's BikeWise event on Sunday 24th July 2016, one of our supporters (and Roads Policing Unit officer) PC Mike 'Spike' Fisher decided to run a competition whereby anyone who bought a Bob mascot on the day was invited to send their photographs to us during the following week, and the owner of the best picture won a special day to meet some of our very own Police Interceptors / Police Dogs / have a ride in an marked Interceptor car / and spend some time finding out more about what we do and try some of our equipment. 

Well ...... we were amazed at the response ! 
Hundreds of photographs were submitted and it was obvious that a lot of thought and effort had been applied. 
It was quickly apparent that to choose just one winner wouldn't have been fair, so we held another event for about 10 families as runners up. 

Some photographs are shown below. 

A great time was had by all and we couldn't believe that people had even travelled all the way from Surrey to join us for the day !!

Thank you once again to everyone that got involved, not only to all of you that took time to enter, but to all the officers, friends and family that made this a special day for the kids (and their adults !)

A final special mention must go to our overall winners - Noah, his brother Henry (pictured in hospital) and their parents Anna and James.

​ From all of us - we wish Henry a speedy recovery and good health for the future. 

Firstly - a HUGE thank you to everyone who has purchased the PawsUp mascot 'Bob'. 
Your generosity will go towards ensuring a more comfortable life for our retired Police Dogs, as all proceeds go directly to their benevolent fund. 
For those that weren't aware, PawsUp forms part of Durham Agency Against Crime, which is a registered charity directly involved with Durham Constabulary. 

The idea of Bob was 'born' soon after the inception of the fund in the summer of 2013, and he has proved to be a big hit with young and old alike ever since. 

We are now the only outlet that supplies this particular soft toy and have him specifically made for us alone .. hence the bespoke ear tag that comes with him. 

A little bit of history : Bob was named in honour of actor Eric Richard - a close family friend of one of our founders - who is more famously known as Sgt Bob Cryer from ITV's 'The Bill'. 
Coincidentally, and especially for those that bought a Bob at this year's BikeWise, Eric was guest of honour at the first ever BikeWise event which was founded by another Bob ... a great friend and supporter - Bob Brown !

Right .. The Rules Of Bob :
If you visit the 'Where's Bob' album in the 'Galleries' section on this site, you will see some fabulous photographs of Bob on his travels both in the UK and all over the world, and images of him doing something interesting , funny or just a bit different !
That's the kind of thing we're after  .. Don't be shy or afraid to ask peoples permission.. experience has shown that most are understanding when you explain why you've got a camera and a stuffed dog under your arm !
Try and get Bob to be obvious in the picture but ensure that the the surroundings / location /  object of interest he's with is clearly visible too, so all can see why or where the picture was taken. 

Use your imagination but - PLEASE DO NOT DO ANYTHING THAT WOULD PUT YOU IN DANGER !!

We are currently running a competition for the best 'Where's Bob' photograph, with a fantastic prize of the opportunity to have a special ride out in one of our Interceptors cars !!
A special thanks must go to our very own Roads Policing Unit star of Channel 5's Police Interceptors - 'Spike' Fisher who came up with the idea at last weekends BikeWise event. 

Entries can either be emailed to us here via durhampolicek9@gmail.com or sent via Twitter to Bob's newly opened account  @PawsUpBob 

All entries must be submitted by midnight on Saturday 30th July 2016 and the winner will be chosen soon after. 

Please note that all admin relating to PawsUp is coordinated by serving Dog Handlers in their own time, so unfortunately this can sometimes lead to delays in replies and postage of items.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, especially for those that have ordered their 'Bob's' online and don't receive them in time for the end of this competition. 

But don't worry too much ... we're sure to run a similar competition soon !


And finally .... keep an eye out for Big Bob ....
​
​ we have a sneaky suspicion you might start seeing a lot more of him soon ..... 

Kind Regards

The PawsUp Team 

On Friday 24th June 2016 the pupils of St Hild's Primary School, Durham held a fundraising event all in aid of 'PawsUp' !! Activities included a dress down day, cake stalls, sales of PawsUp merchandise and games which resulted in the children raising an incredible £379.50 !! 
This was a fantastic achievement by all involved and a special thanks must also go to Durham PCSO Claire Kerr (Jet & Ben) who assisted on the day.
Unfortunately, due to operational commitments, no Dog Support Unit officers were able to attend on the day, so today (Monday 4th July) PC Squire, along with PD 'Lottie' attended the school for a special assembly to say a BIG Thank You to everyone involved, and present the children with a certificate of appreciation along with their very own 'Bob' mascot. 
We look forward to receiving some pictures of Bob on his adventures ...
Once again, a HUGE THANK YOU to all the children and staff for their efforts. 

Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are sorry to announce that this year’s ‘DogWise’ event will not be taking place.
 
However the Durham Dog Support Unit and ‘PawsUp’ (Durham Retired Police Dog’s Benevolent Fund) will as ever be attending and supporting the annual ‘BikeWise’ event on Sunday 24th July 2016, at Police Headquarters, Aykley Heads, Durham, DH1 5TT. (10am - 5pm)
 
We have supported this hugely popular event, that attracts many thousands of visitors, since it’s inception, and have become a very popular and integral part of the day’s attractions.
 
Due to the  loss of our standalone ‘DogWise’ event (for this year only !) we are hoping to provide a bit more than usual on 24th July by way of more demonstrations and a few extra supporters / companies assisting us with their own displays and merchandise stalls.
 
As usual, there will be plenty of the Dog Support Unit's handlers and dogs to meet and chat with. 

This is a terrific day out for the whole family, and for more information please click on the link below, which will take you to the BikeWise website –

BikeWise - www.bikewise.org.uk/

We look forward to seeing you on the day. 

​The PawsUp team.

Welcome to our newest member of the team.. 16 month old Pointer x Springer Spaniel 'Lottie'. 
Newly qualified in Drugs, Weapons and Currency detection. 
​

For more information and a chance to see Lottie in action, please click on the image above.

Enter the raffle for a chance to win a framed & signed print depicting the title image of this years Channel 5 'Police Interceptors' programme, and featuring some of the officers from the CDSOU that participated in the show. 

We've even managed to get the Police helicopter crew and both Durham and Cleveland Chief Constables to sign it !

This raffle is for 1 of 2 prints in existence, the second will be kept at Durham Constabulary's new HQ. Each print has been signed individually by the officers making each image unique. No copies will be available for sale. This high quality image is 36"x18" & mounted in the frame it's 42"x 25" (approx)


rawcut have kindly allowed the reproduction of the picture which has been printed, framed and donated by our good friends at  'Durham City Studios' Claypath, Durham City. 

NB *** Each £1 entry will be transferred to a raffle ticket & drawn against others purchased in person.

Due to the impracticalities of shipping this is open only to UK residents (unless YOU want to pay for international P&P if you win)

All proceeds from this raffle will be received by PawsUp.

Prize draw to take place in mid December & remember to add your telephone contact details to the purchase form - use the 'special instructions to seller' option.

If practical, the winner will be invited to collect their prize in person and get the chance to meet some of the officers (and dogs !) who feature in the programme. 

GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY!!

Wooden frame with perspex front.
​Size - 33'' x 24'' approx
​This is a used item and the perspex does show some wear and tear marks, but could easily be replaced. 

This outstanding drawing has been donated by a very talented, young local artist and student - Michael Wall.
It shows our serving dogs - 'Bella' (German Shepherd / general purpose dog) and 'Lenny' (Springer Spaniel / Explosives detection dog)
This is the one and only original picture.
Mounted and framed.
​Size -  22'' x 18'' approx

​The Lee Westwood Filly course at Close House was originally built as a nine hole course in 1964 by Newcastle University for the use of staff and students and was extended to 18 holes in the early eighties. The mansions house and golf course were bought from the university in 2004 by Graham Wylie, founder of Sage and TSG and Has since seen substantial investment, to make Close House the premier location in the North East not only for golf but also for conferences and fine dining.
The 18 hole course is situated in the grounds of the Close House Estate, providing stunning views of the River Tyne Valley. The Parkland Layout was re-designed and re-opened in 2007. It now has 18 USGA specification greens, is 6000yds in length and a par 70 from the medal tees. The undulating greens provide a real test for your putting skills, but accuracy off the tee is paramount for good scoring. Having already held PGA professional events the course has proved challenging to golfers of all abilities.

visit ​closehouse.com for more information about the course.
This prize has been kindly donated by MILL VOLVO
Valid until September 2016
​Contact details will be provided to the winning bidder. 

Valid for Saturday 23rd January 2016.
Sunderland v's Bournemouth. 
Seats for 2 in an executive box with meal and drinks provided. 
​Contact details will be provided to the winning bidder. 

WYNYARD GOLF CLUB
​Wynyard Golf Club is one of the UK's top golf destinations and a luxury venue for wedding receptions, civil wedding ceremonies, business conferences, social events and dining.
Set on the exclusive Wynyard Estate near Teesside, Hartlepool and County Durham, Wynyard Golf Club attracts keen golfers who enjoy an excellent test of skill playing the championship Wellington Course. Immaculate course conditions, all year round play, a classic golf course design and superior standards of service, hospitality and professionalism make Wynyard Golf Club one of the North's most popular golf, wedding, business and hospitality venues.

Contact details will be provided to the winning bidder.
Visit - Wynyard Golf Club for more information about the course.
​Valid until - December 2016

Dogs In HOT Cars

During the warmer months it can be fun to take your dog with you on trips but do you know how quickly a car can heat up? They can go from warm to deadly in minutes. Do you know what to do if you see a dog distressed in a hot car? 


The video below is from the Dogs Trust

The RSPCA & Dogs Trust have information pages which can help you learn more about the danger signs to look for & how to deal with heatstroke.

Durham Constabulary's BikeWise event will be held this year at the new Aykley Heads Police HQ.

The Dog Support Unit has been invited to do a display again so you can come along & see the working dogs in action.

There will be a PawsUp stand where you can come and meet some of the team to find out more about the fund, how it can help retired dogs, how YOU can possibly re-home a police dog & of course purchase PawsUp merchandise!

To find out more about BikeWise you can visit the website BikeWise.org.uk - The event listing for this year is also here:

http://www.bikewise2015.blogspot.co.uk

Naturally(!) we have a BikeWise photo gallery where you can see photos of our displays from over the years - click on the link below.

PawsUpGalleries-BikeWise

Hope we see you all there!

Nero now has his own page in the pre-paws up section of our website & it can be viewed by clicking here.

Mr Arthur Anderson & his Granddaughter attended the public open day of our new Police HQ at Aykley Heads. There is a photo album for the day which can be viewed via the Galleries page.

Archie the springer spaniel has become a blood hound. 
Stressed out by his job as a sniffer dog with the force, the four-year-old retired from active service earlier this year to live with new owners on Tyneside. 
Now fully recovered and back on top form Archie is officially registered as a canine blood donor.
After he was given a clean bill of health, his owners responded to an advert in his vet’s surgery appealing for voluntary donors. 
In the finest traditions of Durham Constabulary Archie agreed to put his best paw forward.


Archie is shown in the picture being handed over to his new owners - John and Denise Parker, in March this year. 
John and Denise are involved with 'Husky Rescue' and regularly attend our DogWise events. This year they brought Archie with them, and it was great to see him back to full health and clearly enjoying his retirement. 

Mike was born in York and joined the Metropolitan Police in 1988.

He became one of the youngest in service officers to be given his own 'patch', and served on the Divisional Crime Squad, Murder Squad and TSG (Riot Police). He transferred to North Yorkshire Police in 1997 as he missed the countryside.. and fly fishing !

He became a rural beat officer, and eventually, a wildlife officer.

In 2005 he starred in the BBC's 'Country Cops' and was inspired to write about his adventures in the North Yorks force. Mike left the Police in 2007 to become a professional author, and his first book ''Now Then Lad'' smashed the Daily Mail's book club record, following it's serialisation in the newspaper.

Four other best selling books have followed.. ''You're coming with me lad'', ''Not on my patch lad'', ''Just the job'', and recently released ''Up beat down dale''.

Mike's books were picked as the Radio 4 'Book of the week'.

Mike served nearly twenty years in the Police, during which he became one of the highest commended officers. Following the UK riots in 2011 he has become a key spokesman on current policing issues in the UK, giving extensive interviews on on national UK radio and television, and giving extensive interviews on 'all things policing' for the BBC, ITV and SKY news. He is also an excellent after dinner speaker.

Mike has just finished his latest works ''Pannett's Yorkshire'', a photographic book due to be released in hard back on October 1st this year. Future works will include his childhood memoirs and his Metropolitan policing time.

He has recently assisted various government agencies acting as a 'consultant' and is currently working with SEPURA Ltd looking at innovative ideas and efficiency within critical communications for policing.

Mike lives with his wife Ann, who is still a serving Police officer, and their three children, in a small village in the shadow of the North Yorkshire moors. (And ''Henry''.. Mike's springer spaniel, and one of the stars of his books !)

To find out more about Mike (after you've finished looking at our site!) checkout:

mikepannett.co.uk

or on Twitte
@mikepannett

Details of how and where to donate your gifts can be found on Tony's FaceBook page (link above)

Or- 

Please drop off your Easter eggs / toys / donation (voluntary) at any of your local Police stations, including HQ reception at Aykley Heads or with us at the Dog Support Unit. 
Make sure all items are clearly marked for the 'Dog Support Unit (DSU) Easter Event' so that we can collect them easily at various times throughout the next couple of weeks. 

If possible, please drop us a quick email at durhampolicek9@gmail.com to tell us where you have left your gifts.

Many Thanks in advance, and here's looking forward to brightening up Easter weekend for some poorly kids.
 

IT'S BACK ... !!  For it's 3rd year, DogWise returns to Houghall College Campus on Sunday 17th May. 10am - 4pm. 
Come down and enjoy the fun, with lots to do and see. Loads of trade stalls, dog related displays and more .. (including the  Durham Police Handlers making fools of themselves again !)
Dogs welcome - under control and on a lead please.
This event gets bigger and better every year, so bring the kids and have a fantastic family day out...

More details to follow soon ...