Please contact Jodi Marcus (jodi@akitarescue.org), (703) 730-0844 for more information about this pet.
I’m Mr. Handsome! The name suits me, don’t you think?
My foster mom is going to help me tell my story since my paw does not work well with a pen or keyboard. She doesn’t know the whole story; I keep trying to tell her, but she doesn’t always understand what I am saying…humans can be so dense sometimes!!! But we get along pretty well despite the language barrier. So here is my story (all typos and other errors are not my fault and can be attributed to my foster mom.)
I am told I was born in a “puppy mill” and followed the usual path to a home: puppy mill to distribution center to pet shop where I was bought. (Mom says probably at some ridiculously outrageous price…HA! no price is too high for me!!) I can’t tell you about my early life…that dog/human language barrier again, but I lived with a military family in Ft Huachuca, Az. My last vet visit there was in December of 2004. What happened to me between then and July 23, 2008, when I landed in the Prince William shelter will remain unknown, other than my registered owner is an Army captain assigned to Quantico Marine Base.
July 23, 2008 was a very hot day. I had been running loose and was really tired, hot, and thirsty. I went into this huge building, looking for some shade and hopefully some water. I found a really nice gentleman who gave me water and let me hang out in his air conditioned office. He said he would love to take me home but already had a houseful of dogs and could not take another one in, especially one as big as me. (Not only am I a good sized guy ...yes, size matters... but did I mention I am also quite good looking?) He called animal control and they sent someone out to pick me up. This person seemed quite nice, so I went with him happily. We arrived at the animal shelter. Talk about a scary place!!! Whoa! The people were great, but I know bad things can happen there. I was given a “temperament test” which I passed. I didn’t even know I was being tested!! But it did not help me get out of there. There was a minor incident with a small dog (no one was hurt), but it took me off the “adoption list”Â. They said that “rescue” people had called and were monitoring me and my progress, so the shelter called them to let them know they were needed. Someone was going to rescue me??!! YES!! A man and a woman met me in a small room. All I wanted to do was get outside, go potty and beat feet away from there. They talked to the shelter people and we FINALLY went outside. They opened a door to a van and I hopped right into the crate sitting inside. We arrived at a house which, from the sound, was full of other dogs. I went in and the dogs were all Akitas! COOL!! I had a whole room to myself. Now I could relax and uh oh, my sore paw made itself known again. It had been sore for quite a while… before I entered the big building where the nice man gave me water and a break from the heat. I kind of ignored it while I was in the shelter. I had more important things to think about, like getting out of there. I tried ignoring it for about a week, but it kept getting worse. I limped occasionally, and then started holding it up. My foster mom, who let me know right away that I could not get away with anything (jeeze, she is really up on all my Akita tricks), and my foster dad took me to the vet to get a rabies shot and have my foot checked out. They held me while the vet poked and tried to examine it very closely, but it HURT!!! I kept pulling it away. Finally the vet decided to put me on antibiotics and said when I was knocked out to be “tutored” ( huh?) in two weeks, she would examine my foot thoroughly. The day arrived and my foster mom took me in, held me, and the next thing I know, I am waking up with my paw all bandaged, feeling a little woozy and SORE, not just in my paw if you know what I mean. I went home. Every time I went out, they put a little plastic baggie on my foot to keep the bandage clean… you have no idea how annoying that was, but I bore it with great equanimity. After a few days, mom held me while Dad removed my bandage. My toe was gone!! But so was most of the pain. The vet had told mom the bone in my toe was in little pieces, literally pulverized, as if someone had slammed a hammer down on it. She said it could be the result of an injury or it could be decomposition as a result of cancer or bone infection. The biopsy results came back saying it was a traumatic injury with secondary infection. Mom says she would love to know how it came about and I would love to tell her, but that language barrier is sometimes insurmountable. I may be missing a toe but it most certainly has not thrown me off my stride (get it?) and I am much happier now that the pain is gone. Mom says it is amazing that I passed the temp test and behaved as well as I did while I was in what had to be tremendous pain!! ( Of course, I am AKITA. !!)
Meanwhile, when I was taken from the shelter, the people there told my new mom I had a chip. (What, another beside the one on my shoulder?) The animal control officers said they traced the owner to Quantico Marine Base, and got a phone number, called and left a message but never received a return call from my owner. Well, my foster mom is stubborn and relentless enough to be an Akita herself. She called and got the info off the chip, contacted the vet listed to find out my medical info and tried both numbers listed for my owners, but they were disconnected. She also found out my name was King, a name which I hated and to which I would NOT answer. She tried several other names and I just ignored her. But then she called me “handsome” and my head whipped around. Yes! We were finally communicating. That is how I became Mr. Handsome. (Sooo appropriate!!!! Just look at my picture. ) She and my foster dad put out some feelers and actually managed to have my listed owner, the army captain, call. He claimed he gave me away a long time ago. She told him I was heading for death row (REALLY ??!! Wow I am lucky!!!)), and asked for the new owner’s information, explaining how irresponsible it is to just let a dog loose or not look for a missing dog who may have escaped She did press him a bit about the new owner; her main concern being that the second owner was deployed and that the person who was supposed to be caring for me had gotten careless or tired of the responsibility and just let me go, or not bothered looking for me if I had run away. If it turned out that my owner was deployed, rescue would hold onto me until he or she came home. But with no cooperation from my first owner, it became a dead end and I was put up for adoption.
Let me tell you a little more about me. I love walks, know how to sit and down, ride well in a crate in a car, LOVE my Kuronda bed, like to talk, especially right after I get up in the morning or when my foster parents return home. I have not exhibited any aggression toward the other dogs living here, but have not had formal introductions with any of them. We have met through chain link and I play bowed to Annie, but she just ignored me!! Me, the best looking guy here!!! She must be blind !!! My foster mom says I am VERY predatory toward cats, small dogs or anything else small and furry that makes quick moves. She also says no kids. My birthday is November 17, 2001...that makes me a Scorpio, ladies, a real lover man in the prime of my life. My foster mom says I have to go to someone who has lots of experience with very dominant dogs. Hey! I’m an Akita and a Scorpio, what do you want …Casper Milquetoast? So, if you can be firm and hold the line and are looking for a wonderful companion, come see about me!!!
I am Mr. Handsome and I approve this story.
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Akita Rescue Mid-Atlantic Coast, Inc. (ARMAC), founded in 1984, is one of the oldest Akita rescues in the United States. ARMAC is run solely by volunteers and all funding comes from private donations for the general public. ARMAC fulfills a wide variety of Akita needs in the greater Washington DC area. It educates and offers support to Akita owners, not only those who adopt from ARMAC, but all Akita owners regardless of where they got their Akita. But most importantly, ARMAC saves the lives of Akitas that would otherwise be euthanized in area shelters. All of ARMAC's fostered Akitas are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, micro chipped, tattooed and temperament evaluated prior to adoption. Potential adopters are screened carefully and thoroughly to ensure there is a perfect match between family and Akita. ARMAC's assistance doesn't stop at adoption. ARMAC offers support to its adoptive families throughout the lifetime of their Akita. ARMAC's goal is to avoid Akitas ever being given-up in the first place by educating the public about the breed, its history, and the many challenges that Akita ownership brings with it.
* ARMAC normally will not place an Akita into a home that is more than 5 hours driving distance from the DC metro area. * Prior experience with a large dominant breed is preferred, but not required. * ARMAC normally will not place an Akita into a home with children under the age of 12 unless we are positive that the Akita adores children. * A securely fenced yard or kennel run is preferred, but many adopted orphans have been excellent apartment dwellers. * If you rent your home, ARMAC will require a copy of your lease to ensure that it allows for large dogs. * Personal references are required and will be contacted. * A vet reference is required if currently own pets or have owned pets in the past, please contact your vet and give them permission to speak with one of the ARMAC representatives. * Please make sure you answer all questions on the adoption application, incomplete applications will not be processed. * A home visit is required, all family members must be present. * It is mandatory that all prospective adopters read our Information Package prior to adoption. * The application process can take anywhere from one week to six weeks depending upon reference checks, etc. * Adoption fee is required.
We Serve the Following Cities, Towns, and/or Counties...
Washington DC Metro Area, Virginia, Maryland, southeastern Pennsylvania, eastern West Virginia
