When a rescue takes in a dog, we never know what lies ahead. Our experiences teach us what to look for, what behavior needs to be worked on. Our experiences tell us what we need to do medically. Our hearts hold out hope, while our minds dream of what might be possible. However, we never know what the future holds for an orphan, or even for us. Despite all our planning, rescue is often a gamble—sometimes the outcome is learned way too soon, sometimes it is learned over a lifetime…..
STRYKER
AKA Super Sized Sammy
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Earlier this year, with the help of a breeder, other rescues, and our dedicated volunteers we were able to take Stryker into our fold. A big boy, he was originally named Super Sized Sammy. He was in Georgia and it took us a bit of time to get him moved north but he finally was on his way to Cleveland. Sammy didn’t seem like a Sammy and he didn’t respond to the name. Our volunteer, who was caring for him on his layover outside Columbus, started calling him Stryker and he responded. Was it the name or was it the fact that he sensed her passion and unconditional love? No matter, Stryker was starting to perk up, he even let out a few woos and gave a few wags. Then the unthinkable happened, Stryker bloated—quickly and severely. Within minutes his stomach twisted and despite attempts to get immediate care, there was little that could be done. In the arms of our volunteer, we let him cross to the Rainbow Bridge. So many people got involved, so many people tried, so many people went out of their way but this time the outcome was learned way too soon. Though his time with us was short, Stryker’s memory will remain in our hearts while his spirit will compel us to try again.
NORIKI
CGC, TT, CD & Delta Society Therapy Dog
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A few days before Mother’s Day, we received a donation for our Spring Fling Auction. It came from a lady in California and her special boy Noriki. They were making the donation in honor of her other Akitas, and Noriki’s best buddies, who had crossed to the Rainbow Bridge. We always encourage donors to include their critters in the pictures we post on eBay, and Noriki graciously complied. Turns out he was also rescued and his story touched our hearts. In 1997, Noriki was found on the railroad tracks, his body covered by chemical burns. His foster family quickly become his forever family. With their love his body healed and he went on to earn his CGC, TT, and CD. Noriki even became a certified Delta Therapy Dog. Wonderful achievements for a boy found on the railroad tracks and a foster Mom willing to take a gamble.
During this week, while our auction is taking place, we have been putting a different picture on our website each day. Today was Noriki’s day. We emailed him and his Mom telling them to take a peek at the website—did they recognize the handsome fella on our homepage? Yes, Mom did recognize the picture, but sadly Noriki crossed to the Rainbow Bridge shortly after the picture was taken, the day after Mother’s Day. Not the news we were expecting. The tears fell and our hearts sank. As we mourned his loss it struck us that his rescue outcome lasted a lifetime. A lifetime that proved what a lost soul abandoned on the railroad tracks can achieve with a family willing to open their hearts and home, a family willing to gamble on the future.
As Stryker’s and Noriki’s stories prove, rescue outcomes can last a few weeks, a lifetime and everything in between, but they are inevitable. What is important is what we do to make that time matter—whether you are a breeder, owner, or admirer seek out and support your local Akita rescue. No matter the outcome, you will bring meaning into the lives of abandoned Akitas—it’s the least we can do.
