WASHINGTON AKITA RESCUE NETWORK

Please scroll down to read "How Could You?" How important are the pets in YOUR life?

This Page is dedicated to the memory of Amiya, the Everett Akita that was euthanized before we could help her. Akita Lovers across Washington and the Pacific Northwest are networking to help prevent any more adoptable Akitas from being put to sleep unnecessarily. Please check this page often as we will update it frequently. Listed below are Akitas currently at Pacific Northwest animal shelters. When you are looking for a wonderful companion, please consider one of these dogs.

Amiya was euthanized about 5 days after she was listed on Petfinder by the Everett City Shelter. They considered her dog aggressive because the well-meaning person who had taken her in had not understood Akitas. As soon as she was listed on Petfinder, Melissa visited her. She visited her several times, taking her outside, brushing her and giving her the attention she deserved. This sweet, affectionate girl should not have died. We know we cannot save all the Akitas that end up in shelters, but we are all guilty of letting this one slip through the cracks when there was no reason. We all had good intentions but we did not act fast enough. Melissa did what she could, but she could not do it alone. Akita people, whether they are breeders or just lovers of the breed, need to help. Do you have a spare kennel? Can you contact a shelter and leave your number to be contacted before an adoptable Akita is put to sleep? We all need to network to save these dogs. We all need to keep our eyes and ears open. We will keep Amiya on our site as a memorial to her and a reminder to all of us. Godspeed over the Rainbow Bridge, sweet girl.

If you want to help, please contact WAG.

washingtonakitagroup@earthlink.net

Noah

Seattle Humane Society

Adopted December 2011

Haru

Humane Society of SW Washington-Vancouver WA

Adopted December 2011

Suki

Humane Society for Thurston County (Olympia WA)

Adopted July 2011

Priest

SCRAPS

Reclaimed by his family - June 2011

Mimi

SCRAPS

Adopted June 2011

Susie

Pasado Safe Haven

Adopted March 2011

Lexi

Ponderay Animal Shelter

Adopted March 2011

Jasmine

Spokane Humane Society

Adopted January 2011

Miko

Pixie Project-Portland OR

adopted January 2011

Damon

Humane Society of Southwest Washington - Vancouver WA

Adopted December 2010

Kodiak

WARN Volunteer Placement

December 2010

Sheba

Pinehaven ID Animal Shelter

Adopted December 2010

Dakota

Humane Society-Long Beach WA

Adopted November 2010

Dozer

Adopted November 2010

Owner Giveup

Kira

Adopted November 2010

Kitsap Humane Society

Spindle

Adopted November 2010

Kitsap Humane Society

Cheana

Siberian Husky Rescue-Sandpoint ID

Adopted July 2010

Emmie

Canyon County Animal Shelter

Rex

Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County

Adopted July 2010

Whoopi

Kitsap Humane Society

Adopted July 2010

Kita

Everett Animal Shelter

Adopted July 2010

Akira

Whatcom Humane Society

Adopted July 2010

Sauchi

Oregon Humane Society

Adopted July 2010

Tess

Humane Society for Southwest Washington

Adopted June 2010

Chan

Spokane Humane Society

Adopted June 2010

Akita Mom and pups

SCRAPS

Adopted June 2010

Akira

Kitsap Humane Society

Adopted June 2010

Kira

Seattle Animal Shelter

Adopted June 2010

Nikki

Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County

Adopted June 2010

Ernie and Carson

Canyon County Animal Shelter - Caldwell ID

Adopted April 2010

Young Female

Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County

Adopted April 2010

Kudy

Multnomah Animal Shelter

Adopted April 2010

Gerta

Camano Island Animal Control

Adopted April 2010

Theeny

Wenatchee Valley Humane Society

Adopted April 2010

Kenan

Adopted January 2010

Spokanimal - Spokane WA

Toshi

Everett WA Animal Shelter

Adopted 7/9/2009

Bedo

PAWS Lynnwood WA

Adopted 7/10/2009

Haru

Multnomah County Animal Shelter

Adopted 3/30/2009

Oreo

Meridian ID Animal Shelter

Adopted 03/12/2009

Keiko

Seattle Humane Society

Adopted 02/05/2009

Yoshi

Whitman County Humane Society

Adopted 02/14/2009

Murphy

Willamette Humane Society

Adopted 02/02/2009

Wind

Humane Society of Southwestern Washington

Adopted 12/20/2008

Alexi and Mariah

Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County

Adopted 12/18/2008

Foxy Lady

Oregon Outback Humane

added 1/17/08

UPDATE January 17, 2008

Update 12/14/08

Foxy STILL needs a home. Does anyone out there have room for this sweet girl?

Well I've been in my foster home for quite some time. I am living with 8 other dogs, 6 are my foster family's and the other 2 are also searching for the right place. I get along fine with them. I like to play (when I feel like it) and hike and just hang out. I guess the first foster home just had dogs that bugged me! These guys have each other to bug when I have had enough. The hikes are great and I have not been real stiff after them at all.... we even went 6 miles the other day. Even though I am old in years, I still have enough "puppy" in me to be entertaining and do like to play with the other dogs once in a while. The kittens still like to play with my tail. When they try and steal my food I give them a little growl, but have never tried to hurt one of them. No food aggression to speak of. They generally just play with my tail and walk under my bely. I walk right by the chickens, cows, horses and mules. In fact, I am the only dog the mules leave alone. They must know how special I am. I get along good with older children too. According to my foster day, my name should be "Cutsie." My personality will definitely steal your heart. Don't pass up a chance to share some time with a true "Lady", Foxy Lady. You will be glad you had me in your life!

********

Yes I am a Foxy lady. I am a senior dog, about 9 years old, that was found as a stray. Although they cannot tell for sure, it appears I have been spayed as I do not have any signs of ever having a litter. I am a nice older gal who would be best off in a home by myself as I do get a bit snippy when other dogs are bugging me. Somewhat alpha, I may also be OK with a calm, non aggressive dog. I like kids and listen well. The youngsters had me on walks at the adoption this past weekend and I behaved myself for them. I like attention and am looking for a nice place to retire. please contact Martina at 541-943-3368. Their website is http://oregonoutbackhumane.org

Dragon

Washougel WA Humane Society

added 11/03/08

Update 12/1/08 - Dragon was adopted!

Bodine

LifeSavers Pet Rescue - Polson MT

Added 5/5/08

Update 12/14/08

Bodine has been adopted!!

Hailey

Spokanimal C.A.R.E.

Spokane WA

Adopted!

Tiny

Spokanimal C.A.R.E.

Adopted!

Rosie

Spokane Humane Society

Adopted!

Kuma

Oregon Outback Humane Society

Adopted!

Teika

11th Hour Rescue Northwest

Issaquah WA

Added 8/19/2007

ADOPTED!

Samantha

Rimrock Humane Society

Roundup MT

ADOPTED!

SHASTA

Second Chance Animal Adoption

Bonners Ferry ID

Adopted!

MEL

Adopted!

5/5/07

Humane Society of Skagit Valley

Burlington WA

ROCKY

Adopted!

5/5/07

Bonneville Humane Society

Idaho Falls ID

BRAD and ANGELINA

Humane Society of the Palouse

Moscow ID

UPDATE! 4/17/07

Adopted and together in their new forever home!!

NO NAME - ID A385206

Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County

Added 3/1/07

Euthanized 3/5/07

Failed Food Aggression test in a shelter environment

ASIA

Klamath Humane Society

Klamath Falls OR

Update 4/17/07

ASIA has been adopted! Hope this forever home works for her!

Brigit-ADOPTED!

updated 2/23/07

SSP-Preferred Animal Care

Bellingham WA

Buck- ADOPTED!!!!

Wasatch Humane Society

Salt Lake City UT

HARLEY

UPDATE! 4/17/07

Harley has been adopted!

Kiko-ADOPTED!

SpokAnimal C.A.R.E

Spokane WA

Bonsai - ADOPTED!

SpokAnimal C.A.R.E.

Spokane WA

Blue - ADOPTED! This sweet girl has found her forever home!

Panhandle Animal Shelter

Sandpoint ID

Buster-ADOPTED!

Colville Pet Refuge

Colville WA

Lila ADOPTED!!!!!

Northeast Veterinary Hospital /Seattle Animal Control

Seattle WA

Shammy

ADOPTED!

Marilyn - ADOPTED!!!

from Clallam County Humane Society

UPDATE - KOVU ADOPTED from Missoula Humane Society!!!!



Humane Society of Cowlitz County

Longview WA

Elwood ADOPTED!

ADOPTED!!!

Missoula Animal Control

Nikoda ADOPTED!

How Could You?
By Jim Willis
6-7-6

When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" - but then you'd relent and roll me over for a bellyrub.

My housetraining took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed, listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs," you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.

She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" - still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love."

As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them, especially their touch - because your touch was now so infrequent - and I would have defended them with my life if need be.

I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams. Together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway. There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being your dog to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.

Now you have a new career opportunity in another city and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family.

I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog or cat, even one with "papers."

You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a goodbye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too.

After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you - that you had changed your mind - that this was all a bad dream...or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited.

I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table, rubbed my ears and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood.

She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself - a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place.

With my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not meant for her. It was you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever.

May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

http://www.indybay.org/news/2006/06/1827219.php