Please contact Jodi Marcus (jodi@akitarescue.org), (703) 730-0844 for more information about this pet.
Could this dog be your Romeo?
Romeo, 4-5 yr old neutered male, brindle pinto, self masked with white blaze, located in Virginia. Romeo and his female companion were found by local animal control tied to a pick up truck, no food, water or shelter. A notice was left for his owner, who did not respond within the alloted time. His female companion was placed. Romeo's owner came to the shelter and was once again given a deadline to pay for the fees incurred by the shelter in boarding his dogs. Once again, he did not respond in time. The shelter was desperate for all the staff had fallen in love with this sweet Akita and did not want to see him put down. Another rescue group contacted us about him, temperament tested him, took him out and offered to foster until we had space available. He passed his temp test with flying colors. When walked up and down in front of the other barking dogs in the shelter, he ignored them. He was stopped near the run of an aggressive dog. He looked at the dog, sat and looked at the handler as if to say 'What is his problem?' No food or toy aggression exhibited in his temp test. He is described as a 'Lab in an Akita suit.' He is settling into his foster home, and recovering from his neutering. He is kept outdoors in a 40' x 40' run, but really wants to be a housedog. He is crate trained and housebroken..will not potty in his run but always waits until he is let out to do his business. He is learning to walk on a leash and appears to be a smart boy. In his foster home, he likes to sniff and greet the other dogs in nearby runs as he walks by. 8-24-09 update. Romeo was described as being 'clumsy' or possibly having a congential neurologic problem by his initial foster home. Romeo was placed in a home with the understanding if his problem was actually worse than that, he would come back to rescue. In the weeks in his home, it was discovered that he did well with their indoor and outdoor kitties..wanted to play with them, did well with a visiting dog, did not bother the resident horses. Unfortunately he continued to have problems and upon being seen by an orthopedic doctor was diagnosed with a lumbar/saccral back problem. Early treatment has been anti-inflammatory drugs as well as other natural remedies, along with leash walking and rest. He actually seemed to do worse after his exam, but there has been some improvement in the last 5-6 days. He has shown no aggression to the resident akitas when they stop to sniff and say hello while he is in his crate. This is one of the nicest Akitas I have met in 25 years of rescue. If you would like to foster or adopt this sweet boy, please contact Jodi Marcus jodi@akitarescue.org , 703-730-0844
This pix were taken at the shelter. Check in a few days for some updated pix.
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
