MIKI
Beautiful Season

Like spring, rescue is the season of rebirth--a time for the world to awaken from the deep sleep of winter, a time for a rescued Akita to awaken from the deep sorrow of indifference.  Miki is a young female, who is getting a chance to begin life again…to blossom…to reach her potential in a world that cares.

Miki was a stray in southwest Indiana who, despite obvious neglect, quickly won the favor of the shelter staff.  A sweet, playful and energetic girl, the sheltered looked to rescue to help find Miki a forever home.  While she appears to be no more 18 months old and there is no evidence that she ever had pups, we think she might have been a “mill” dog.  When she first arrived in foster care, she acted as though she had to compete for food and water.  She also jumps up as if she had been constantly kept in a kennel.  However, it did not take long for her foster home to realize they had a very intelligent guest. 

“I have never seen a dog who tries to communicate has much as Miki.  You can actually see her think.  At first, I thought she was just barking, but after observing her, she is trying to communicate.  When she needs more water, she will bark once or twice to get your attention, and then walk to the water bowl.  If you wait, she thinks you’re not getting the message, so she will bark again and tap the bowl with her paw.  I thought it must have been a strange dream, but she did it a second time.  When one of the other dogs was in the yard and I had her on lead, she approached the gate and looked at the top of it from all angles, as though she was looking for the latch.  Maybe we have been fostering for too long.”

Now, intelligent does not mean easy, but neither does it mean difficult.  It does mean challenging and very rewarding.  Miki already crates on command, sits for her food and water bowls, and has decent leash manners.  She is food and praise motivated. However, if you are not diligent and consistent, she will take the opportunity to stretch that proverbial inch into a long mile.  Moreover, if you are not fair, she will not respond.  Miki has much to learn about the world around her but she is very responsive and eager to please. She loves to play and will fetch and toss toys, but is a little boisterous when playing so older children only. Based on her reaction to other critters, she would do best as the only flower in the garden.

While we would like to know the history behind all our orphans, we can only speculate and we will never know for sure—but Miki is not wasting anytime on the past, rather she has fully embraced the beautiful season of rebirth.  With the right person, her seasons will continue to grow.  If you would like to know more about Miki, please contact Deanna O’Brien at marsakita@sbcglobal.net or 773-594-9302.

Miki sends big keeter kisses to Izabella Czarnewicz for helping to sponsor her!

SAMURAI
The Japanese Warriors

The Samurai (or bushi) were the members of the military class.  Our Samurai is a warrior who is in the process of fighting his own personal battle--getting through Heartworm treatment and finding his health once again.  Samurai is a 3 to 4 year old male Akita who, although obviously neglected by his owners, is on the path to health and a better life.  Samurai and MARS are hoping there is a forever home at the end of the path on his journey to good heath.

When Samurai was evaluated in the shelter by MARS volunteers, their statement was "He has huge snow shoes for paws with long legs and big bone structure.  And he was a BIG BOY at one time!  Poor boy now has enough extra skin to make a second small dog.  It is like a size 4 person wearing a size 12 fur coat."

He was caked with mud so our volunteers gave him a bath that he loved.  Samurai is now engaged in his battle to regain his health, fill that skin with muscle, and become the wonderful valiant Akita that dwells within him.  If you would like to help this warrior and give him a forever home, please contact Deanna OBrien at marsakita@sbcglobal.net or 773-594-9302.

Samurai sends a grateful bow to the Serazin's in honor of Pam for Mother's Day!
Big Woo-woo's to Peter McCall for sponsoring Samurai!
Keeter kisses to Blaze & Judy Schenk for sponsoring Samurai in memory of Keizo.
Indigo Coleman is sponsoring Samurai in loving memoray of her old warrior, Chewy

ROCKY
Summa Cum 'Kita

Through an acquaintance, a MARS volunteer was given a Good Samaritan’s number (who will refer to as Peter) in the hope she might be to help him place an Akita that he found, or maybe the Akita found him—will let you be the judge.

"There was this dog" in the ravine/woods by Peter's house day after day. Peter found him on his porch in the morning and in the yard at night. He felt bad and started feeding him (nice guy). After a week or so, he started asking around the neighborhood about the dog (smart guy). No one knew whom he "belonged to" but others were also feeding him (very smart Akita).  Peter was unsure of what type of dog he was, maybe a Malamute mix (not a Northern Working breed guy, but a fast learner).  Regardless, he took him in. Then he took him to the Vet where he found out he was an Akita. The dog was examined, heartworm tested (negative), microchipped, neutered and had all of his shots done.”

Rocky is now temporarily residing with Peter and his other two dogs. Peter is a Professor of Geology at a University in Cleveland and has been trying to find "Rocky" a home (his students named him, funny students) .  Rocky has not attended elementary, middle or high school but he has had several graduate classes with Peter.  He is now thinking of jumping right into his PHD. Rocky's school experiences have been good as he gets to meet so many new people (Akita "rock" star). We think he was once someone’s pet as he loves car rides and he is doing well in the house.  Rocky currently weighs 75 pounds; his ideal weight is around 85-90 lbs.

When our volunteer visited with Rocky, he greeted her with enthusiasm.  He looked happy and healthy. He is smart, eager to please and very food motivated. He likes to play and will even play with balls. Most importantly Rocky is REALLY happy to be off the streets and if you. We are guessing him to be about 2-3 years old and if you would like to know more about our young PhD candidate please contact Deanna O’Brien at 773-594-9302 or marsakita@sbcglobal.net.

BURTON AND TAYLOR
Together Forever

Four years ago, Burton and Taylor were found abandoned in a wooded park near Chicago. Taylor had cut on the top of her head and Burton was standing guard. Unlike the infamous Hollywood couple, this pair has remained devoted to each other but once again find themselves in need of a home. With their adopters no longer able to care for them, MARS is looking for another loving home for these two wonderful and bonded Akitas.

Writing this profile is difficult, as Burton and Taylor were my first foster kids. They came into my life a few days after the sudden and unexpected death of our special boy. I had contacted MARS to thank them for their assistance and in appreciation, casually offered to help in the future. We said our good byes and I hung up the phone. The future came five minutes later when the phone rang--a foster family had an emergency and needed to travel out-of-state ASAP, was there any way we could foster two sweet Akitas named Burton and Taylor?

When you speak with MARS volunteers, you immediately sense their passion and dedication for the breed.  You also get a strong sense of teamwork and respect for each other. So, before we had time to think about what we were doing, we found ourselves driving to Chicago. Burton and Taylor jumped in the car and within minutes, we were heading back home. What we did not realize, as we sat in bumper-to-bumper traffic that late Friday afternoon, was were also beginning a journey that would profoundly change our lives.

Burton and Taylor were very sweet and gentle.  They rode nicely in the car and had wonderful manners.  Upon arriving home, they immediately set out to heal the shattered pieces of our hearts with sweet keeter kisses and fill the deafing silence of our empty home with joyous woos.  Burton's main desire in life was to be with people and Taylor loved to be loved.  Although it takes Burton a little longer to warm up to men, neither of them came with any issues or problems.  Today, they still are the same sweet Akitas we fostered four years ago.  In addition, their owners had a baby a few years after they adopted Burton and Taylor and both dogs have been wonderful with the now, two-year old toddler.

Burton and Taylor are approximately 7-8 years old and are residing in Chicago.  They are physically big Akitas, with even bigger hearts.  We know leaving their home is not going to be easy and just as they helped us heal, we and the entire MARS family will work to find them another home where compassion and love will mend their hearts.  If your heart and home have room for two very special Akitas please contact Deanna O’Brien at 773-594-9302 or marsakita@sbcglobal.net.

Kita kisses to the Smith Family for supporting Taylor & Burton in memory of Kallie!

HANA
Just remember in the winter, far beneath the bitter snow…
Lies the seed, that with the suns love in the spring becomes the rose

Hana means blossom or flower in Japanese and it is a very fitting name for a rescued Akita.  Tired, alone, often ill kept and abused, many abandoned Akitas have been crushed by life.  And just like a hidden flower, it can be difficult to imagine the beauty of body and spirit that is buried deep inside.  However, we welcome them with open arms as we have been privileged to experience many seasons of rebirth.  We know that with medical treatment, nutritious food, and most importantly, lots of love and understanding, they slowly begin to bloom both physically and emotionally.  Our latest little Hana is no exception.

Hana is a petite girl, who just turned two in November.  We were contacted by a rescue group in Minnesota when Hana’s family was preparing to “get rid of her” when they decided not to breed her.  Hana is a sensitive and sweet girl who is learning that nice people are wonderful sources of affection and belly rubs.  A bath washed away the dirt, and revealed a beauty with a lovely red coat and a white chest.  She is housebroken and working on basic doggie manners.  Hanna is food motivated and really, really loves cheese, it’s her favorite training reward.  She rides very well in the car and was a good girl for the Vet, even let them clip her nails. Hana is being fosterd in Wisconsin, where she is learning to play with toys and is becoming more and more relaxed with each passing day.

Having a consistent routine is really helping Hanna to blossom and like the rose that needs the suns love, Hana needs a forever family’s love to continue what rescue has begun.  If you would like more information on how you can help Hana blossom into a wonderful Akita, please contact Deanna O’Brien at marsakita@sbcglobal.net or 773-594-9302. 

Hanna is sending big hugs to Julie Ellis for being her sponsor!

TOMASHII

TORA

TOMASHII AND TORA
“Spirit” and “Tiger”

Sponsor Us

Sadly, we have been seeing younger and younger Akitas in need.  There are so many in Akitas in danger, rescuers are spending all of their spare time, and much more, trying to help as many as possible.  Unfortunately, this leaves very little time to delve in to the ever increasing “why’s” and “how could they’s” of abandonment.  Moreover, it is heartbreaking when, no matter the atrocity, you are no longer shocked by what you hear or see.  Please don’t think rescuers get numb; the plight of each new orphan still fills their hearts with sadness.  While the soulful look of those they could not help haunts them to find the answers to the “why’s” and “how could they’s”….

Tomashii and Tora are three-month-old brothers whose owner dumped them at a shelter in Detroit.  It was easy to see that at least one of them had a physical deformity.  While some may feel it is not our place to take on cases that require so much time and money, it is hard to turn away.  Maybe it’s because they are so young, maybe it’s because we need to at least find out if something can be done, maybe it’s because we find it hard to be like the person who brought them in to this world--the person that turned away.  So, we decided to give them a chance, to see if something could be done.  We decided not turn away.

An experienced foster family offered to take in the pups.  They named the dark brindle boy Tomashii (spirit) and call him Tommy.  The light pinto is Tora, (tiger) and they call him Tory.  Little did our foster parents realize that within a few days both boys would need all the power behind the meaning of their names.  Both had kennel cough and then became ill with the Parvovirus.  Tory had to be hospitalized at the Emergency Clinic and was discharged after a few days.  He then developed pneumonia and was readmitted to the hospital.  We think the spirit of the tiger stood guard over the boys as both are on the mend and quickly making up for lost time.  Throughout their ordeal, they have been good patients and impressing the medical staff that treated them.
 
One of the marvelous things about dogs, is they do not have a concept of “disability”  they simply adapt as best they can. They do not feel sorry for themselves.  Well, we do know of a few ‘keeters who can get pretty melodramatic when they try to manipulate their humans.  Tommy and Tory will see the orthopedic specialists at MSU.  There are no guarantees.  Maybe stepping in was not the most prudent thing to due, maybe we would have been better off using the time and money we will spend on Tommy and Tory, trying to answer the big questions.  Yes, we need to address the big issues, and we have huge medical bills, but there is tomorrow.  But, for the brief moment before the next plea for help, our hearts are smiling and we are so very glad we did not turn away—

“They both woo and I must say this morning was the cutest.  They both woo’d at me when I came down to greet them and Hachiko was in the other room.  She came running over and starting wooing at them too – so cute.  I don’t’ think she has ever heard another woo because Ben was not a woo’er. She was loving the fact that they knew her language.”

For more pictures of the boys click on the button below to view their video. For more information on Tommy or Tory please contact Deanna O'Brien at 773-594-9302 or marsakita@sbcglobal.net

UPDATE: "Can you believe we have had the boys for 7 weeks? Our journey together started out on difficult terms.  Saved on their last day, they came to us and quickly became very ill.  Torn from one another, each puppy faced their own set of challenges.  One triumph after another has led us to a place that is healthy, well adjusted and very happy.  The two puppies are not the same.  Both boys have blossomed. They are warriors that have fought to be saved, to find health, and now they are still fighting to find their forever homes. 

"These days they are so excited to see people.  They love to talk Akita and to sing their song(s).  They do not know of any disability they have – especially Tomashi.  He is the first to try to make himself bigger, or to climb on tall things. We are working on manners.  Both boys are responding well to potty training.  They have really taken to clicker training. Tora thinks if he touches the clicker that he makes it click!  We now wait patiently for food, and will not eat until told it’s ok.  We also have some of our basic manners down, like sit, down, and walking nicely on a leash. " -- Tommy and Tory's Foster Family

Tommy and Tory are sending lots of puppy kisses to Shanna Leeland!
Keeter woo-woos to Jody Tarwid, Teddy and Shayna for helping Tory and Tommy!

HEMI THE II
What Are the Odds?

When we received a call to help a young male near Cleveland, Ohio, one of our adopters who now volunteers for MARS, offered to evaluate our newest orphan.  He was pleasantly surprised to find a polite and well-mannered Akita.  When he asked the dog’s name, he was very surprised to learn it was Hemi—the same name as the boy he adopted from MARS two years ago!  He knew he had to find a way to help save this Hemi from the shelter. First, because this Akita was a very nice boy and second, because what were the chances that this owner would call MARS for help, would live in the town next to one of our volunteers, who just happened to have adopted a MARS orphan with the same name.

Hemi the II, who is three, is now staying in kennel outside Cleveland, OH while he waits for a foster home, or even better his forever home.  He is neutered, vaccinated and heartworm negative.  Hemi the II is as sweet as he is handsome.  A polite and responsive boy, he loves to be loved.  He has impressed all that have met him.  If you would like more information on Hemi the II please contact Deanna O’Brien at 773-594-9302 or marsakita@sbcglobal.net.

Hemi the II sends ketter kisses to Stefanie Reynolds for sponsoring him!

VIRGINIA
We Believe….

Within a few days, a shelter took in four abandoned Akitas. Never before has a volunteer had to evaluate so many unrelated Akitas.  Never before has one of us needed to walk out of shelter trying to pick between so many sweet and deserving Akitas.  While evaluating the newest female, our volunteer received the news that this girl was heartworm positive.  Without rescue, this sweet and gentle unnamed Akita would be euthanized on December 23.

Whether religious, spiritual, or even cynical, it is hard during the Holiday Season not to pause and care.  We believe every abandoned Akita is worth saving and we know we cannot help them all.  However, despite having no room and no resources for treatment, there are those orphans, that for reasons beyond our understanding, we simply cannot turn away.  Perhaps the spirits of all those in need join together and silently whisper “save this one”, perhaps it is the spirit of the season, or perhaps it is the words of our volunteer and our need to simply Believe……

"She was so sweet to everyone. Trotted right past all the dogs w/no issues and "wiggled" for attention.  They took her in back, shaved her belly looking for “spay scar”, and ran a heartworm test on her while I was there.  She allowed them to handle her with out a problem.  She seems very "dainty". It broke my heart to learn that her heartworm test came back positive.  One of the wardens was noticeably sad about the results and explained that if she is not claimed they will put her to sleep.  She is sooo sweet and took food gently and was very social and just loved to be petted."

Thanks to everyone who participated in our stocking-stuffer fundraiser, we raised the money for Virginia’s medical treatment.  Virginia is doing very well and recovering in her foster home near Detroit where she waits for rescue to whisper those magical words--Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and he has found your forever home.  For more information on Virginia, please contact Deanna O’Brien at 773-594-9302 or marsakita@sbcglobal.net 

Virginia sends a big thank-you to Linda, Pat and Hana Velasco for being her angels!

PHOENIX
MARS’s  Inspiration

"A mythical bird that never dies, the phoenix flies far ahead to the front, always scanning the landscape and distant space.  It represents our capacity for vision, for collecting sensory information about our environment and the events unfolding within it.  The phoenix, with it's great beauty, creates intense excitement and deathless inspiration "

The Feng Shui Handbook, feng shui Master Lam Kam Chuen

Our Phoenix was found walking the sidewalks of Chicago with no collar nor tags.  The shelter was full but the manager knew that this Akita was too special and sweet to be put down.  From the din of the shelter many voices rose to plead for her safety.  Although there was no space, we took her in to our arms while we looked for foster space.  While being vetted Phoenix developed what had started on the streets as bronchial pneumonia.  Through the care of many, our Phoenix rose above the illness and is on her way to a complete recovery.  Phoenix is a loving 2.5 to 3 year old girl who prefers to be the only pet.

If you would like to meet this special girl who has impressed and inspired so many, please contact Deanna O'Brien at marsakita@sbcglobal.net or 773-594-9302.

Big 'keeter woo-woos to Sinjin & Domino for sponsoring Phoenix!

LUIGI
“But not for long”

The Akita version of Mario and Luigi is not about rotund twins who are plumbers by trade, but rather it is the story of two young, neglected brothers who were dumped at a shelter in east-central Indiana by their owner.  Mario and Luigi were not fifty years old (even in dog years), no, they were only five months.  Like the video game characters they were almost identical in appearance, they just had slightly different coloring and sometimes the shelter staff would get them mixed up.  While waiting for foster spots in rescue, Mario was adopted and poor little Luigi was left behind in the shelter, but not for long.  When we sent out a plea for foster homes for a number of very young Akitas in need, one of our foster homes offered to take in another rescue.

When Luigi first arrived at his foster home, he was very scared and huddled at the back of his crate, but not for long.  His foster brother is Zen a former MARS’ orphan and a participant in the recent Rescue Parade.  While good food, fresh water and a warm home helped Luigi, what really got him “jumping” were the stories Zen told him about the Rescue Parade (that's Zen whispering to Luigi in the center picture). Zen tol him how everyone was so nice and so very proud of all the rescue dogs, how he got a beautiful ribbon and bag of treats, how he got to see Mary the volunteer who saved him, and best of all how his pictures and video are now on the Internet!  Little Luigi was a little overwhelmed by all of this, but he could clearly see the pride Zen took in being a rescue.  And, when Zen told him about his own tough start in life, Luigi began to believe in second chances. 

Thanks to his newfound confidence, Luigi is learning very quickly.  He still likes his crate but he no longer huddles in the back, and he now enjoys wearing his collar and going for walks.  He is also learning that food and water are not occasional things.  Most importantly, he is leaning to be a pup and what it feels like to be loved and respected.  Little Luigi is being fostered in Fort Wayne, IN, but not for long--we are certain this special boy we will be “jumping for joy” in his forever home, in the very near future.  For more information about Luigi, please contact Deanna O’Brien of MARS at marsakita.org or 773-594-9302.  Ciao!

Woowoos to Perfect Pet Food & Accessories in Fort Wayne, IN for sponsoring Luigi's visit with Santa Claus!

KIKU
She’s Grrrreat!”

As the last leaves of autumn were falling to the ground Kiku, which is Japanese for chrysanthemum, was roaming the streets near Battle Creek, MI.  In less than a month’s time, Kiku was the fourth Akita, yet to celebrate their first birthday and in desperate need of finding a place with rescue.  Our simple, but heartfelt plea for foster homes did not go unnoticed. 

Fortified with Akita playfulness and sweetness, Kiku is approximately 8-10 months old and well mannered for such a young girl.  She rode politely on her trip from the shelter to her foster home and she behaves nicely in her kennel.  Kiku is not food, toy or dog aggressive.  So far, she has been a quiet girl but does “Akita Talk” on occasion.  While she has become back yard buddies with the resident male dog, her response to cats has not been as friendly.  Kiku was very good at the Vet Clinic and was deemed to be in good health.  Everyone that meets her wants to take her home!

Hailing from Battle Creek home to Kellogg’s and Tony the Tiger we think anyone who meets Kiku will agree with us—she’s grrreat!  For more information on having Kiku give a wonderful start to your mornings, please contact Deanna O’Brien at marsakita@sbcglobal.net or 773-594-9302.

Big woo-woos to Lynn Bessant from Blacklick OH for sponsoring Kiku!

SOUNDER
Can You Hear Me Now?

Sounder is a two and a half year old boy who has spent most of his life tied up in the backyard.  He was fed, given water, and provided shelter from the elements.  Sounder was also neutered, vaccinated and on heartworm preventative.  His owner was not a bad person, he was doing the best he could, but did not realize Sounder needed more than the necessities-- he needed to be part of a family.  All dogs need and want human companionship, for an Akita, companionship is as essential as food and water.  When Sounder’s owner had a stroke and could no longer care for a 90-pound Akita he contacted rescue. 

Akitas are generally silent, with just an occasional woo-woo or two, but they speak volumes with their eyes and body language.  And, it was obvious to our evaluators that Sounder had been patiently waiting for someone to look in to his eyes and “hear” him. While a little shy, which is not unusual for a dog that has been isolated, it did not take long for Sounder to start reaching out and asking more and more questions about the world around him.

Sounder is currently being fostered in a kennel outside Columbus, OH where is doing remarkably well.  He will do best in a quiet family that is willing to continue to look into his eyes, hear his questions and be his full-time friends.  If an Akita is on your verizon, oops make that horizon, please sprint to your PC or telephone and contact Deanna O’Brien at marsakita@sbcglobal.net or 773-594-9302

Big woo-woos to Susan Cobe for helping to sponsor Sounder!

JAKE
MARS' Song-and-Dance Akita!

Jake was only seventh months old when the pipes in his family's home burst and they were forced to move. Unable to quickly find a place that would allow them to keep Jake, they were going to take him to shelter when a volunteer from MARS offered to evaluate him. Given all the upsets in his family, it is understandable that he is a little confused and unsure of what is expected of him. He is a little shy at first, but once he gets to know you he loves getting any attention you are willing to give him.

Jake was a champ at the clinic where he was also kenneled and it didn’t take long for the staff to become enamored with this boy. Jake is very food motivated and takes corrections easily. He is being fostered near Louisville, KY and has already begun basic training. With an experienced Akita owner Jake will transform into a wonderful and loving adult.

UPDATE: Under the tutelage of Miss Lynn, Jake has grown into a strapping young Akita who loves to cuddle and is learning to walk nicely on lead. He graduated from his puppy woo-wooing class, and from the picture, it looks like he is now enjoying his "dance" lessons! Jake is quickly becoming MARS ' Song-and-Dance Akita!

Woo-woos to Jill McCoy & Grace Anderson for sponsoring the Three Amigos!