These are graphic cases of ABUSE that Akita Rescue faces on a regular basis:
 
 

Here's video from a large rescue operation (not by ARMAC). 200 dogs were rescued from a "rescue" that had collected and then abandoned them.

Lucy

by Lisa Gray

Watch Lucy's Slideshow (WMV file, 1.8 MB) - it shows her condition better than these photos!

Lucy smiles despite her condition

This is Lucy the day she came to ARMAC. By this time she had already been in the shelter (fed) for a month. Imagine what she must have looked like when they rescued her!

Still emaciated on the day she was rescued

Lucy later the same day, after a bath.

Her ears are badly damaged by flies

Her ears are hairless and missing the ends from fly strike. Her eyes are also weeping from infection.

Jodi and I traveled to Petersburg VA to pick up "Lucky Lucy". While Lucy had not been so lucky for the past 7-8 years of her life, her new "lease on life" has begun.

We took her straight from the shelter to Jodi's for a quick bath (Phew, did she stink!) and then directly to the vet. This poor girl is in really bad shape. She had whip worms, round worms, heartworms, giardia, an upper respiratory infection, an eye infection, kennel cough, severe diarrhea, and several open wounds, and was extremely emaciated. Despite all her health problems, she is as sweet as they come. Lucy’s course of treatment includes two types of antibiotics, dewormer, and medication for kennel cough. Hopefully she will survive the heartworm treatments.

There were five other Akitas at this shelter, all victims of a backyard breeder. Of the six, Lucy appeared to be in the worst shape. The oldest of the two males, daddy to two younger females, has a "not so nice" temperament and will be put down. The other male, Dancer, is very sweet, and we will be taking him into rescue soon. The two young females, about 1 year old, are both unsocialized, but otherwise very nice. We are taking them also. The momma of these two puppies has an unpredictable temperament and will most likely also be put down. Like Lucy, the other dogs were in poor condition and emaciated. They had been taken by Animal Control over a month before - imagine what they must have been like before being provided food and care for a month! We were told that one was near death when taken.

The three others we'll be taking all have kennel cough, severe diarrhea, and upper respiratory infections, and we expect they will have heartworm also.

Jodi and I have been asked to attend the court hearing for the bastard that did this to these Akitas. Unfortunately, Animal Control did not take any photographs when they took the dogs, or of the conditions they were living in. But we have photographed all the dogs and documented their conditions, focusing mostly on the worst case, Lucy.

I will be writing about Lucy's recovery on our website. Feel free to check back to read about her progress.

Please pray that Lucy survives her heartworm treatments and lives to see the happier life she deserves. Please pray that the guy who did this gets the maximum punishment allowed, and is never allowed to own another dog, ever.

Update: June 30, 2006
After 9 days, Lucy was getting worse. Her respiratory infection was raging, she stopped eating, and she had colored discharge from her nose. She was admitted as an emergency at the vet’s office today. After an X-ray of her chest was taken, the vet had bad news, Lucy had one of the worst cases of heartworms the doctor had ever seen. The good news was that blood work showed no kidney or liver damage. Lucy was given IV antibiotics and fluids overnight.

Update: July 1, 2006
When I arrived to pick up Lucy at the vet’s office, I could not believe this was the same dog. Her tail was wagging, she was visibly glad to see me, and whimpering as if to say, "let's go home!" That evening I had tears in my eyes as I saw little Lucy eat like I had never seen before. She was actually enjoying her food!

But the best was yet to come: as I sat with her folding clothes, the little rascal grabbed a sock from the laundry basket and began to play with it. Unbelievable, I thought! This is the same dog who, a little over 24 hours earlier, could barely lift her head to drink water, and here she is playing! Before the night was over, she was chewing on her bone, lapping up water, and loving life.

Update: July 2, 2006
Lucy is officially an Akita again today. She is showing signs of some dog aggression and would love to “get” my cats. She is trying to take me for walks and showing that Akita stubborn side. She barked a few times today in her crate; we had never heard her bark before. Our short "go out and do business" walks have turned into those those long walks with her searching for just the right spot to "do her business". I am overjoyed that she is recovering so well, and so quickly.

Update: July 5, 2006
Lucy had a follow up visit at the vet today. The vet could not believe how well Lucy is doing; she told me she had been on the verge of recommending euthanasia when she was initially admitted. Despite the fact that Lucy lost 4 ounces in weight, her kennel cough is gone, her stools are normal, her URI is clearing up nicely, her eye infection is gone and the wounds on her face are almost completely healed. It was decided to hold off on the rabies vaccination one more week, giving Lucy’s immune system some more time to get stronger. If she gains enough weight and continues to recover, we hope to begin her heartworm treatments in late August. When we got home, I gave Miss Lucy a nice warm bath. Her skin and coat are continuing to recover from years of neglect. I gently brushed her and cleaned her ears. That grayish face is actually a dark brown. In my eyes she looks like a beauty queen now. I can’t wait to see her when this dry and brittle coat turns soft and glossy. I think she will be stunning once she totally recovers.

Photo Update: July 18, 2006

Her face is starting to heal

She's put on weight, but still has a long ways to go

Update: July 22, 2006
Lucy's diarrhea has returned. Not sure if it is an allergic reaction to the Frontline I applied yesterday or just the giardia reoccurring. Nonetheless, I started her back on antibiotics. I also discovered a lump at the base of one of her nipples and a hot-spot on the back of her leg. Otherwise, she is still eating well and loves being around the family.

Update: July 25, 2006
Lucy was taken back to the vet this morning. She was limping yesterday afternoon. When I inspected her foot I discovered the entire bottom of her foot was raw, very red and infected. The vet checked her foot and believes Lucy either stepped on something that cut her foot or she was stung by a bug. She was put back on Clavamox for her foot, which will need to be soaked twice a day in warm water. The lump at the base of her nipple was also checked, appears to be a cyst of some sort, not really sure. We will watch it, as Lucy is not strong enough to survive surgery. It was also noted that she is having an allergic reaction, her belly is covered with red spots that clearly itch her. I was instructed to wash her bedding in detergent made for babies, like Dreft. Good news is her diarrhea is clearing up nicely. She now weights 62.4 pounds, gaining slowly but steadily.

Jodi's remarks: Lisa brought Lucy over after visiting the vet for her foot. I was amazed! She not only had a coat, but it was very glossy and soft. Her tail curled tightly. And she was still the same sweet girl I had originally met. She looks fabulous!!

Photo Update: July 26, 2006

Two months after being seized

You can see that although she still needs to gain a lot of weight, her coat is glossy and her tail double-curled.

Eartips are still missing

Her missing eartips will not be growing back.

Update: August 8, 2006
From Jodi: Lisa stopped by with Lucy today. I am still amazed at how far she has come. Her coat is getting thicker and is very shiny. You cannot see her backbone or ribs anymore. Her tail curls up tight and she is still so sweet. Such a transformation in so short a time! Shows what some good food and a lot of love will do!

Update: September 15, 2006
Lucy's progress is steady, but slow. She is slowly gaining weight, most recently she was 67 lbs. Her tail has filled-out and is full and bushy. Her coat increases in sheen, fullness and color daily. Lucy is a beautiful black/gray brindle with white markings. Her battle with mange continues, but we are slowly making progress as her doses of Ivomec increase. Lucy will receive her second and third heartworm treatments on September 19th and 20th.

It still amazes me how wonderful Lucy's temperment is, considering her lifelong neglect and lack of socialization. She is still somewhat distrusting of men, but progress is being made, but it is a slow process for her. Lucy walks like a real pro on leash, is fully housebroken, and loves to be around her foster family. She loves exploring the outdoors and has a very inqusitive nature. This sweet little Akita is full of life and is such a joy to have. I will have a very difficult time giving her up to a new family.

Update: December 11, 2006
Just prior to Thanksgiving, Lucy took a turn for the worse. Her demodectic mange returned with a vengeance: she became bloated, depressed, and barely able to walk. Clearly her immune system was under attack again, but by what? Sadly, Lucy had all the tell-tale signs of cancer. After another visit to the vet, and several x-rays, it was determined that nothing definitive could be diagnosed without opening Lucy up to take a look inside. Since Lucy needed to be spayed anyway, she went under the knife on Friday, December 1st. Our thinking was that if she had cancer, we would just let her go. If not, then they would continue with the spay. It saddened us all to think that after everything she had survived, we might now lose Lucy to cancer.

But the good news came Friday evening: no signs of cancer were found! However, Lucy's uterus was in the early stages of infection, and was literally falling apart. All her other organs, while indicating that Lucy was older than originally estimated, appeared in excellent shape. It's now one week later, and this old girl is doing better than ever. I do believe she has a guardian angle protecting her to have survived so much neglect and trauma in her life. Her walking has improved so much now that in a matter of a few more weeks she should be strong enough to climb stairs. She no longer collapses when walking. Much to my delight, she is prancing and sometimes even trots. Her spirits are upbeat, and her will to live is more evident then ever. She is truly living up to her name, "Lucky Lucy".

Jodi’s notation: Even knowing how resilient Akitas are, I was amazed when I saw Lucy a few days after her surgery. She was walking much better than I had ever seen her walk, and her spirits were high. I did not realize how much truth was in my words when I told our vet earlier on, "Don’t give up on her. Akitas will surprise you and come back from conditions that may kill other breeds. They are tough dogs." And Ms. Lucy is tough in the best way: a fighter who won’t give up, and a very nice girl on top of it.

The following generous people have made donations for Lucy:

In memory of Player (1994-2005), my beloved black & white boy who was a male version of Lucy. And for Snowman, who like Lucy had whipworms, heartworms, and open wounds, and was sadly underweight when I rescued him, and who now runs through the house with his squeaky pink octopus trailing from his mouth!
For Lucy, hope you are back to complete health soon. You deserve it.
Get better soon... Tammy and Tracy Brazil, Tramp and Rusty (our Akita boys)
In memory of Katie
Love to you Lucy and Friends - in memory of Kage



Prince


I received a call today from an elderly lady in Norfolk.  She had her daughter's Akita Prince, an intact male, 6ys of age. Her daughter and husband divorced, and both went their way parts unknown.  Prince was left with the granddaughter and her husband.  They brought him to grandma, my caller, three days ago.  This lady has heart problems, and had serious back surgery ( rods inserted) recently. 

Prince's choke was embedded in his neck from which he was bleeding fairly badly.  My caller asked a young man walking by to help her remove the choke chain.  He did with a pair of wire cutters...and through the whole process, this dog did not make a sound or do anything to harm them. 

She had him tied outside, he took refuge from rain and sun under her trailer.  She also
has two small dogs, a Chihuahua and a Pomeranian, neither of which did he harm or pay attention to.  She told me she is using a walker and just could not take care  of him.  She managed to feed and water him, but could not get him to the vet for his throat. All the things she told me led me to believe that this was a dog with an exceptionally good temperament. 

I called Rachel, my daughter's best friend who does rescue work in VA Beach to go and check on him and worse case, have him euthanized. Rachel kind of grew up with Tracy in this household...and it rubbed off.  She met him, and said he was so nice that she could not leave him or euthanize him.  She brought him home, took him to the vet..said it looks like someone tried to decapitate him, a wound 4-6" long, about 2" wide and 1" deep. 

He has been bathed and is now safe at Rachel's. This is what we got into rescue for. The lady who called is going to call animal control to report her granddaughter, as is Rachel. The downside is that he has heartworm, but is a viable candidate for treatment, which we will do...if ever a dog deserved a second chance, it is Prince.

Jodi Marcus
 

Prince Update - 8/30/01 from Foster Mom Rachel

His royal highness is doing very well.  After sampling the door frame and dry wall, he decided quite emphatically that he prefers prime rib.  As he heals more and more, he likes to play.  Anything
remotely shaped like a ball will do.  Even my ball of yarn!  His favorite toy though is Mr. Frog.  He dug this out of the doggy toy box, and has refused to give it up since then.  It is a green frog with a yellow tummy. He even likes to take it out side to potty.  So far, Mr. Frog has gone swimming in the water bowl and the toilet, hiked the vast plains of the front yard, and sleeps in Prince's bed, with Prince.

I am still feeding him up to 5 times a day, small sized meals.  He's blowing coat and it kills me to see just what bad shape his undercoat has been in.  It is very coarse, and brittle, not at all like the nice fluffy downy way it is supposed to be.  He is very food motivated and it comes in handy training him. 

It is very obvious that he spent his whole life on the end of a chain.  When I first brought him home
he had absolutely no leash manners at all.  This is something we have worked diligently on together. It is slow going, but he is learning.  He is by far one of the most affectionate akitas I have ever spent time with. He loves to spend time with the family.  Prince likes to take my arm and hand in his mouth; he doesn't always try to lead me somewhere, sometimes he just seems to need to sit there.  It's almost as if he is holding my hand.  I want to send a heartfelt thank you to all the people that have
been concerned about Prince.
 

Update - 9/20/01from Foster Mom Rachel

Prince is still blowing coat.  Giant gobs of fur.  Although he is very relaxed and laid back, he loves to play.  This week his favorite game is running after his pink bunny.  After he brings it back, he has to roll all over it, push it around with his nose and then bring it back for someone to throw again.  He loves to give kisses, and with his wet mouth, they are great big sloppy kisses!  But they are all welcome in this house! 

He had my husband and myself doubled over laughing a few nights ago.  He was happy and wagging his tail, or maybe I should say he was happy and his tail was wagging him.  He was wiggling so much, it seemed as if his body was folding sideways.  He is still way to thin despite eating 4 times a day.  This is so noticeable with his coat blowing.  Some patches only have guard hairs.  These cool evenings are great for him to go outside and play in.  He loves to run around the yard and chase, well, leaves, bugs, invisible air currents.  He has also traded in his bed for a nice little fold out love seat.  It matches his décor! 
 

Sadly, Prince went to Rainbow Bridge in July 2002 due to bloat.  His last year with his foster family was no doubt his happiest. 

7/9/01

And, if Prince's case is bad, Jack's is much, much worse ......
 
 

JACK


 

Jack on Day 7 of his Recovery


I have a GUARDIAN, Charlotte Cunningham of Blue Springs, MO

His name is Jack.  He is a 6 yo male that was almost dead last Wednesday (8/1), from a chain cutting into his  throat, could not eat , emaciated. Recovering nicely at Ironbridge Animal Hospital in the Richmond, VA area. Jack has a massive injury around his neck and throat from his owner leaving him like that for God knows how long.

There will be a court hearing on August 15, 2001 to decide his owner's fate in this matter. Hopefully, Jack will be released to Rescue so he can recover and not held as physical evidence for a criminal trial in September.

Jack's Story

After coming from a BYB who dumped the leftovers on a shelter, Jack spent his entire life, after not being a cute puppy any longer, outdoors, tied to a tree, using a shack for a dog house. His owner stated he is a nice dog.....never hurt the kids.

A man who was there to install/change cable tv saw Jack just curled in the corner, noticed how thin and lethargic he was and called it in. THANK GOD! So many do not "get involved". He had a previous chain embedding incident, as is obvious from old scar tissue. Not as bad as this was. 

He lived  the estimated last week in his 'owners' yard with the chain tangled in roots , leaving Jack only three feet of movement. Not that Jack had the strength to move much at the
end. He just curled up in the hole he had dug. He could not get into his 'shack'; he could not get to the water at the other end of his 8X10 'jail cell'; he could not get away from the hundreds of flies buzzing around him; he could not get away from the heat.... he tried to eat the leftovers someone had thrown onto the ground (no bowl), but his throat was so tight he
could not swallow solids.... the half cup of food w/mucus was right next to him. He was giving up. He only rose when the owner went into the pen, after being told if he could/would not take the dog to vet, that Jack would be taken now and he (the owner) would have to load dog onto truck. On the way to the truck, Jack took very slow and small steps. He stopped at an oil pan filled with some green slime that used to be water. He drank from it for 2 minutes w/o stopping. Jack's head hung so low. He was wobbly on his legs. At the truck, his  owner lifted the dog saying,"daddy loves you, you will be fine". Jack just curled up in the compartment...

At the vet's, he became very aggitated; he whined,barked, growled......we had to muzzle him. We had to use a pole to guide him. Once the first layer of imbedded collar was cut off along with the chain, the real culprits were visible == a twisted, rusted choke collar with a tow hook attached was deep in his throat area. The smell was horrific, blood ran  out... He was given an injection to get him calmed down. Surgery to remove, clean and stich up followed later that afternoon. His wound is approximately 16 inches long, 5 inches wide and 4 inches deep. The vet tech stopped counting the maggots that ate away at the flesh....

If Jack is lucky,  the judge will say on August 15th that this ?human?  is not fit to own an animal so he can go into a foster/rescue home. If not, Jack has to sit in the shelter until the
criminal trial on September 19. (SIC)

Jack is very quiet. He has only once lifted his tail  for a half wag; it just hangs down. He does not know any commands.  He wants to get out of the cage. He does not want to soil it. He let go finally after 48 hrs! He won't drink much. His urine is dark yellow; they do that when they cannot use the 'outdoors' and try to hold it in forever...

PLEASE PRAY FOR JACK
and for his release and recovery in a safe environment

August 15 Update

The court hearing was today.  Jack has been removed from the custody of his owner.
JACK IS FREE!!!! and will be coming to ARMAC as soon as he is released.
 

August 22 Update - by Foster Mom, Jodi Marcus

Jack had stitches and I called to see when they should be removed....hoping it may be a week or so, so he had a little time to get to know and trust us....no such luck.  NOW.  I made an appt with
the vet, had the vet in Richmond fax up whatever records they had, and warned my vet that, while he has been very nice here, we were not sure how he would react to having his stitches taken out. 

Poor Jack had no breakfast in case he had to be sedated or knocked out.  We set off for the vet.  We arrived, were checked in, and the tech asked if we wanted to go ahead and try to take out his stitches.  We figured sure, why not.  He was very good.  They put him on one of those elevator tables, raised it a little, I stood behind him so he could not slip off, Charlie held his head up, and snip, snip, snip, the stitches were gone.  She also did a heartworm test (waiting for the results now), and gave him a rabies shot.  No problem at all.  He behaved very well.  He weighs 77 lb.  His ribs still show somewhat...he is still VERY thin.  He has a nasty hacking cough...because of heartworm? or the injury...not sure, but my vet is leaning in the direction of him being heartworm positive. 

He is learning to sit, and now responds and usually comes over when we call his name. Initially, I was hesitant about giving him toys or bones...not knowing him well, and knowing how possessive some akitas can be. He carried a stick into the house from outside and let us take it with no problem.  We gave him one toy, then another and he now has a nylabone, rope bone, nylaball, and his own blanket.  When we come into the room, he grabs one of the toys and walks around wagging his tail.  I think he is starting to get used to being a house dog....The first day he marked all over the place (used lots of Simple  Solution), but has not had any incidents since.  He is listening better and getting to know the routine of the house....especially when it is his turn to be out.  We keep him on lead, (I have all those
kitties) but I think he will soon know who belongs here and has to be left alone.  The first night he barked incessantly.  The second intermittantly. The third, once or twice.  Last night...ahhhh, splendid silence..

For only having had him for 4 days, he has made major steps forward in getting to know and trust us, and fitting into the household routines.

August 27 Update - by Foster Mom, Jodi Marcus

Jack's First Bath........

Yesterday Puller came down for a visit and to do a house check with me.  She met Jack and checked him out and agrees that he is probably not more than 4 years old, maybe 3.  The owner gave so many stories, maybe he really doesn't know how old Jack is...I mean, he didn't "notice" the huge, gaping wound in his neck, why would he know his age?

Anyway, Jack's coat was pretty funky and stinky.  Last night, we bit the bullet and bathed him.  The first thing was to get him upstairs...he wasn't quite sure what they were, but caught on quickly. Then into the bathroom and Charlie closed the door, saying he would yell if he needed help. ( Charlie usually washes, I dry) Less than a minute later "HELP!".  Jack had no clue what that hand held shower thing was, and wanted no parts of it...he was trying to get out of the tub, or alternately to climb the wall.  We just let it run for a while, let him get used to the sound of it, and when he was calmer, started wetting him.  He has that akita coat...you know the one that just sheds water...sigh.  He was doing some passive resisting..wiggling, moving away from the water, jumped when we got to that tender area between his hind legs, but did okay for a first time wetting. We soaped him up, and he starting relaxing...Hey, this rubbing stuff feels pretty good, I'll give you an hour to stop.  Oh, but then the shower snake was back, spraying him with all that water.  He actually did pretty well on the rinse, shook on us once or twice, but was calmer this time around.   He got out of the tub and had a few good shakes, and then was rubbed with towels again, and ooooooo, that felt good! It was really apparent how thin he was when he was wet.  The ribs and hip bones don't protrude, but you can most
certainly seen and feel them !  And the shoulder blade when he was shaved...just skin over bone.  Whatever bad thing happens to his owner, it won't be bad enough.

He got treats when it was over, and now smells "fresh and clean".  I bet he feels a lot better, too.
 

August 31 Update - by Foster Mom, Jodi Marcus

Well, Jack is heartworm free !!!!  that is a minor miracle, but the fact that the cable man saw him, called animal control, and they got to him in time is one of those miracles, too. 

He is calmer now than he was.  If he heard me anywhere in the house talking, whether on the phone, or especially crooning to one of the animals, he would start barking.  Now that he has become ccustomed to our shedule, he knows he will be fed at at certain time, and he gets his "time out and about" after a certain dog, he feels a little more secure, and less needy.   He likes to take one of his toys in his mouth as he heads outside.  We used to have to take it from him, so it stayed indoors.  Now he "gives" it to us, and we are working on "drop it".

He is shedding...sigh...as is the rest of the household...right down to the guard hairs.  That just emphasizes how thin he STILL is.  I think if the choke chain didn't kill him, maybe starvation would have.   He gets three -four meals daily, still has some catching up to do.  When he saw the outdoor kitty outside the fence, he used to pace and bark, ignoring our "stop" commands.  Now he listens, and just watches...once again, not in a predatory manner, but we are not trusting him loose in the house with the kitties just yet.  Our kitties do not seem to be afraid of him...cautious, but not afraid, and that is a good sign.  If they hiss and fluff at a dog, there is a very good chance that the dog is cat
aggressive.  I guess they have learned to judge over the years as I have. He is dying to meet some of the other dogs.  We have not seen aggression toward them, he is very interested and his tail is going madly when he sees their heads above the dutch door.  Meeting them will come in time.  I don't think any of us are ready for that yet.  :-)

He is more responsive to us in listening to commands, he is eating very well (oh, duh), and seems to be settling quite nicely. He is meticulously clean..does not have accidents in the house and
will bark frantically if he has to go.  I can now differentiate between his "I want attention" barks and his "I have to go !" barks.  I want to get a little more weight on him before we neuter him...usually I have it
done as soon as possible, but he has gone through some major changes in his life...chained out all the time, the choke chains almost killing him, having surgery to remove them, staying in the shelter, transported to here with all the dogs, cats etc and all this in less than one month.  So, I will give him some space to recover and regain his balance, then have him neutered.  The Chesterfield Co. shelter was nice enough to give us until December to have it done, so I can give him that little extra time.

All in all, considering his past life and near death, I would say he is making a remarkable recovery and will be an excellent pet and companion for someone in the not-too-distant future.
 

September 20 Update - by Foster Mom, Jodi Marcus

Jack -- Week 2 of recovery

Week 3 of recovery

Jack is doing well.  He now plays the "swerve"game...where you stand in place and kind of skitter, he runs at you and swerves away, passing by you, then turns around and comes back to do it again.  He runs  from one side of the yard to the other.  He chases butterflies and bees (NO!).  He also does that Akita thing with water...where they submerse their lower jaw and "chomp" on the water...and likes to play in it with his front paws..very puppylike. 

It rained today and he also has that very Akita thing.."EWWWW, it's wet!  I don't want to go out there! Did his business and was ready to come rith back inside !! It is definitely getting to be time to neuter him, but I want to wait til after October 1.  That will be two months since he was knocked out to be
stitched..sufficient time to put him under again, I think. 

Now for the court news.  Today, Jack's owner was fined $1000.00 and given 8 months in jail. His acknowledgement of his culpability was interspersed with protestations of "love" for Jack and calling up God to witness that he would not harm a person or animal knowingly.  The Commonwealth's attorney demolished that with his witnesses, including the vet who initially treated Jack and said that it was the worst case he had seen in 28 years.  Jacks's choke chain was attached to a thick towing chain, part of which was also imbedded in his throat. With all the pix, and preparation, the owner was easily convicted.

Kudos to Birgit Michael, animal control officer, to the Commonwealth's Attorney (I am going to find out his name), to Judge Philip Daffron, to (and I am going to get his name, too and write a letter to his
supervisor) the "cable guy" who originally alerted animal control, and last but not least to the ladies of SOS (Save our Shelters) Court Watch, who sat all day in court waiting for Jack's case to come up, watching to see if justice was done.

November 22, 2002 Update - by Foster Mom, Jodi Marcus

Sorry to have taken so long with this update. Our computer crashed, my husband Charlie has been having health problems culminating in surgery and will have more surgery in a few weeks. I have had my hands full. 

Jack is doing very well. He has FINALLY gotten some flesh on his bones (he has been eating 6 cups of food, with nummies thrown in and gets treated every time he goes back in his room, and while we are training)...his coat lays flat in stead of sticking out where the bones protruded, and it just sparkles in the sun. His wound has completely healed and he appears to have no lingering tenderness or pain.He has developed some mucle tone in his thighs and chest, and he feels good enough to play. He will zoom around the yard,making fake charges at me, and turning away at the last minute, grabs his rope bone and will run shaking it, throws it in the air and chases after it to catch it. Now that he has some weight on him, he will be neutered in the next week or two. He sits for his food bowl and all his treats...and is learning to stay ...we started 5 seconds, and are up to 30 seconds in a stay. He gives kisses.

I did not realize how emaciated he was until seeing him now...and how sick/close to death he must have been to let the cable guy in his yard without so much as a twitch. He knows who all the neighborhood people are, and watches them as they walk by. But when the meter reader or a stranger comes onto our property, or pauses by the gate, Jack is at the gate sounding off and letting me know that someone unknown to him is there. He would never just let anyone walk in the yard unless we open the gate and let them in....

I figure he will be available for adoption by the end of January...to a home with no small kids, and someone experienced with large dominant breeds. 

November 2003 Photo Update

May, 2004 Update - by Foster Mom, Jodi Marcus

Jack, unfortunately, has snapped at several people, different age groups, different sexes. We feel he cannot be rehomed and will stay with his foster family until he dies. He does very well with our family, is good with our cats ..even the brave youngster who walks into his area and drinks from his water bowl. He's not quite sure what to do with this impudent little fuzzball, so he stands over her and barks while she ignores him and drinks her fill. He does not get along with the other Akitas, although his reactions to them has muted considerably. So, Jack gets his own special time spent with family members by himself, and on the rate occasions he can't he gets extremely upset..he loves his private time. He has become very attached to and affectionate with me, his foster mom. I can see in him glimpses of the dog he may have become under different circumstances, and it breaks my heart. He is dearly loved by us and we are happy to keep him as part of the family.

June 21, 2006 Update

Jack passed away today.

Please contact Jodi Marcus for more information.

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