| Akita Rescue of Maine
officially began October
1, 2001 after New England Akita Rescue Alliance disbanded. NEARA
disbanded
due to lack of foster homes and breeder support. They covered such a
large
area that many akitas were always in need. This made for alot of work
for
the amount of hands involved. We are sorry to have lost them as a group.
Because I have been
involved in akita rescue as a member of NEARA for the past 6 years I
decided to continue on in my home state. Answering phone calls I knew
there was a need here. I got my first akita in 1992, a male named Kuma.
I had not heard of akita rescue until after that point. Once I learned
about it I began helping educate others about the breed. I feel I
learned alot of things about the breed the hard way. Fortunatly I got a
pretty laid back akita which made things a tad easier. In 1999 I added
a second akita to the house, a female named Shimo. This time it was a
breeder friend that had a dog she wanted in a suitable home. Having a
toddler at the time a rescue akita was not in the cards for me. Shimo
has taught me alot about being the "alpha bitch" in the home. She also
never read the breed book so doesn't always act like an akita.
(Sometimes that is a good thing!) Sadly we lost Shimo unexpectedly to a
liver tumor at age 5. Kuma has also passed and was only a few days shy
of being 12 years old. Not bad for an akita with health issues! Now we
have a longcoat akita named Jack that I plan on getting into the
obedience ring with. We also have added a french bulldog into the mix
named Missy and she helps keep Jack in line.
I have done alot of
things in my life with my akitas. I lived in 3 different apartments,
(one that was on a street where it was illegal to walk dogs) I have
added a husband and then two children to the equation. Moved to a 2
bedroom mobile home. (Still here.) Added my second akita to the house
with 2 cats already in residence. Had our homeowners insurance canceled
because we had akitas and been diagnosed with asthma. Somehow I have
managed to keep my akitas. Fortunatly I have been both committed and
lucky. I know it can be tough to keep your dog and I hope this site
helps you find an akita or find a new home for one you need to place.
I work part time
for a chiropractor and am also a dog trainer in my area. (www.hometown.aol.com/caninehelp
) I am a mother of two and happily married. I previously worked at the
local humane society and at the local veterinary hospital.
Our Web Mistress is
Leanne Warner Parks who
designs websites and does Kuvasz and dog rescue of all kinds. (www.geocities.com/orionkuvasz/
) Without her we wouldn't be here to help you. If
you feel like browsing
check out her fabulous links page at her site.
|
