Dusty has found his forever home with the Wilson family!

Acquired: 10-29-13

Adopted: 1-31-14

Dusty's story:

Dusty is a 5 year old neutered male. He is up to date on vaccines, microchipped, heartworm negative, house trained, crate trained, and leash trained.

Dusty was owner surrendered to Virginia Beach Animal Control because he "did not get along with step son." He is so mild mannered that the staff were actually using him to help train new officers! The staff at VB AC just loved him and begged us to save him. This sweet boy is very affectionate and likes to talk to you when he's excited. He would be happy as an only dog or with the right large, calm female.

Dusty is RIAR's 100th foster!

Damsel has gotten a wonderful home with the Berry family and her new Labrador Retriever brother, Griffin!

Acquired 10-11-13

Adopted: 2-16-14

Damsel's story:

Damsel (no longer in distress), the mom, is approximately a year old. She is up to date on vaccines, microchipped, heart worm negative, house trained, crate trained, and leash trained. This SWEET girl was surrendered to a shelter in South Carolina where she had her litter of puppies on Septemeber 11, 2013.

Hope has found her forever home!

Acquired: 10-11-13

Adopted: 3-14-14

Hope's story:

Hope is one of Damsel's puppies. Born Sept 11, 2013 in a shelter in South Carolina, Hope is still awaiting her forever home in rescue. Her mom is pure Akita, and we have NO idea who the father(s) is/are! Hope is house trained, crate trained, leash trained, neutered, up to date on vaccines, heartworm negative, and microchipped.

Hope is very well socialized and would prefer a home with another dog to play with!

Chip has found his forever home!

Acquired: 10-11-13

Adopted: 3-14-14

Chip's story:

Chip is one of Damsel's puppies. Born Sept 11, 2013 in a shelter in South Carolina, Chip is still awaiting his forever home in rescue. His mom is pure Akita, and we have NO idea who the father(s) is/are! Chip is house trained, crate trained, leash trained, neutered, up to date on vaccines, heartworm negative, and microchipped.

Chip is very well socialized and would prefer a home with another dog to play with!

What a Cinderella story! Peaches came to us covered in mange and is now fully healed and found her forever home!

Acquired: 8-4-13

Adopted: 3-20-14

Peaches' story:

Peaches was born roughly December of 2012, and is an Akita mixed puppy (we think). She is up to date on vaccines, microchipped, spayed, house trained, crate trained, and leash trained.

Peaches was surrendered to us by a family who could not get control of her skin infection; Peaches was an outdoor puppy. She is very very sweet and just wants to be loved. This little girl is about 1/3 the size of an Akita, but people like miniature things right? She was diagnosed with demodectic (non-contagious) mange and has been treated for it. She would love a home with a male dog to play with, has lived with cats, and would do well with kids over 8 years of age.

Wonderful Emi has found a wonderful forever home!

Acquired: 12-14-13

Adopted: 3-20-14

Emi's story:

Emi is less than a year old (born 5-2013, we think), female, spayed, fully vaccinated, microchipped, heartworm negative, house trained, and crate trained.

Emi was actually found by Virginia German Shepherd Rescue when they were out looking for one of their dogs who escaped in the Bay View area of Norfolk, VA. She was found soaking in the rain with nothing but a rusty choke chain. All the hair had been rubbed away, she was very skinny, and had talons for nails; we assume she had been chained out somewhere. The other rescue held her for 14 days, filing reports with local animal control and shelter, and even placing an ad on Craigslist, but no one came forward to claim her. She has now been transferred into our care.

Emi is very dog social; she LOVES doggy daycare! She is a high energy young girl who is learning how to be an indoor dog. We are still working on the leash training! She would be happiest in a home with another large dog to play with!

Ginger has found her forever home with a wonderful family and their male Husky/Akita mix!:)

Acquired: 11-2-12

Adopted: 3-22-14

Ginger's story:

Ginger is a "Huskita" (Husky/Akita) approximately 5 years old, spayed, up to date on vaccines, microchipped, house trained, crate trained, and leash trained.

Ginger was surrendered to the shelter in Lincolnton, NC because her owners did not want the puppies! Ginger was very, very pregnant at the time and gave birth to her litter of 7 IN THE SHELTER on October 26, 2012. She and her babies were saved and all the pups are long since happily adopted. Ginger was adopted and sadly returned to rescue because the family no longer had the time for her and felt she deserved better than endless hours in a crate while they were at work.

She is very social! She loves people, dogs, children, and even cats!

Our crazy Sasha Bear has found her forever home with a new Akita brother, Axel, and the Landry family!

Acquired: 12-14-13

Adopted: 3-31-14

Sasha Bear's story:

Sasha is a 3 year old female (born 1-15-11), spayed, fully vaccinated, heartworm negative, house trained, crated trained, and leash trained.

Sasha comes to us from the Virginia Beach SPCA where she was left by a family who could not longer care for her. She was scheduled to be euthanized because she was "dog aggressive" and has separation anxiety. She has taken to her other foster dogs with no problem and would probably actually prefer a home with the right large male dog to play with. She is shy with people and will need to be crated when left home alone because she does have separation anxiety. Once she warms up to you, she is an absolute LOVE who wants to be where ever the people are!

Grayson has found his forever home!

Acquired: 10-11-13

Adopted: 4-6-14

Grayson's story:

Grayson is one of Damsel's puppies. Born Sept 11, 2013 in a shelter in South Carolina, Grayson is still awaiting his forever home in rescue. His mom is pure Akita, and we have NO idea who the father(s) is/are! Grayson is house trained, crate trained, leash trained, neutered, up to date on vaccines, heartworm negative, and microchipped.

Grayson is very well socialized and would prefer a home with another dog to play with!

Handsome Phantom has finally found his forever home!

Acquired: 7-19-13

Adopted: 4-6-14

Phantom's story:

Phantom is a young male, born approximately October 2012, neutered, heartworm negative, up to date on vaccines, house trained, crate trained, and leash trained.

Phantom was found running stray in Memphis, TN, and we gave him his name because of the half mask (Phantom of the Opera). Thanks to Debi Wright Berry and Blue Moon Akita Rescue for being so instrumental in getting him to safety!! Phantom has not met a person he does not love and this big boy wants to share his affections!! He is great with small children! He would do best in an only pet home, with a 6' wooden privacy fenced yard to run in, and preferably and Akita-savvy family!

Our Maki finally found her forever home with the Keith family and her new Akita brother, Griffin!

Acquired: 11-18-12

Adopted: 5-10-14

Maki's story:

UPDATE! March 2014 - Maki is now heartworm negative!!!

Maki, born approx Nov 2008 (6 years) , is spayed, up to date on vaccines, microchipped, crate trained, leash trained, and house trained.

Maki, formerly Princess, was surrendered pregnant to rescue by an owner/backyard breeder who just no longer wanted her. Maki is with us now and gave birth to her litter of ten pups on Dec. 9, 2012. Maki has been spayed, had her tumors removed, and been treated for her ehrlichia, but is still undergoing the slow-kill treatment for her heartworms. Sadly she was adopted and returned because the adopter felt she no longer had time for Maki.

She is VERY sweet and would do well in a home with the right male. She LOVES to go jogging on leash and to just be wherever the people are! She adores children and is perfectly content to go play at doggy daycare.

Hope has found her forever home with Tim, Amy, and the White family!

Acquired: 10-11-13

Adopted: 5-25-14

Ms. Hope was previously adopted and sadly came back to us after her adoptive mom had a stroke and could no longer care for her!! She was only back in rescue a few short days when this happy family scooped up this perfect pup!

Hope is one of Damsel's puppies. Born Sept 11, 2013 in a shelter in South Carolina, Hope is still awaiting her forever home in rescue. Her mom is pure Akita, and we have NO idea who the father(s) is/are! Hope is house trained, crate trained, leash trained, neutered, up to date on vaccines, heartworm negative, and microchipped.

Hope is very well socialized and would prefer a home with another dog to play with!

Our gorgeous Jodee has finally found her forever home, and it was so worth the long wait!

Acquired: 9-14-13

Adopted: 5-31-14

Jodee's story:

Jodee is a young (born Sept 2012 we think) female, spayed Akita. She is up to date on vaccines, microchipped, heartworm negative, crate trained, house trained, and we are working on leash training.

She was found running stray in Bedford Co, VA, so nothing is known of her past. She is a doll with people and we are working on socializing her with other dogs. She would be happiest in a home as an only pet and with kids 12 or older.

Sweet Kuma went in and out in a flash! Mike knew she was a gem when he met her and snapped her up!

Acquired: 6-6-14

Adopted : 6-21-14

Kuma's story:

Kuma is a young female (born 3-29-13), spayed Akita. She is current on her vaccines, microchipped, house trained, crate trained, leash trained, and good with cats, kids, and other dogs!

Kuma comes to us from a family who could no longer care for her. She has regularly gone to doggy daycare, and is very social with people and other animals. This girl is a true gem!

Amazing Hemi has a home with RIAR alum Peaches (now Mya)! Yay Hemi and the Donovan family!!

Acquired: 5-24-14

Adopted: 6-28-14

Hemi's story:

Hemi is less than a year old (born approximately August 2013), neutered, fully vaccinated, microchipped, and heartworm negative.

Hemi comes to us after a collaborative effort between several volunteers in Tennessee, JoAnn Dimon of Big East Akita Rescue, and us and finally made it all the way to us from Jackson, TN with a short stop in boarding in NJ. He's a well traveled little guy.  His front legs are deformed, but that doesn't stop him at all! He is very social with people and other dogs

Fiyero has found an amazing forever home!

Acquired: 4-16-14

Adopted: 6-29-14

Fiyero's story:

Fiyero (pronounced "fee-arrow") is just under 5 years (born Oct 09, 2009), neutered, fully vaccinated, microchipped, heartworm negative, house trained, crate trained, and leash trained.

Fiyero, named after a prince from "Wicked," came from a pet store and belonged to a family where he was a pampered pup; he received good medical care, was socialized with people and other dogs at a boarding facility where he was a favorite client, and his human mom would feed him ice cream and peanut butter from a spoon. Fast forward a few years, and his human mom passed away. His human dad now found himself a single father with a daughter and a full time job. Fiyero, a reminder of his lost wife, became more than he could care for.

This sweet boy loves people and children, and is good with other dogs. He would do well in a home with a female dog or as an only dog.

After waiting in rescue for sooooo long, Pugsley has finally found his forever home with a wonderful family and his new canine sister!

Acquired: 10-11-13

Adopted: 7-9-14

Pugsley's story:

Pugsley is one of Damsel's puppies. Born Sept 11, 2013 in a shelter in South Carolina, Pugsley is still awaiting his forever home in rescue. His mom is pure Akita, and we have NO idea who the father(s) is/are! Pugsley is house trained, crate trained, leash trained, neutered, up to date on vaccines, heartworm negative, and microchipped.

Pugsley is very well socialized and would prefer a home with another dog to play with.

Here is our handsome Gatti with his new family and canine sister Noelle!

Acquired: 7-6-14

Adopted: 8-3-14

Gatti's story:

Gatti is young, neutered male (born 9-24-11). He is up to date on vaccines, heartworm negative, house trained and crate trained. We are working on his leash manners.

Gatti and Majii were surrendered to rescue after their family went through a divorce and could no longer care for them. He has lived with children, cats, small dogs, and other Akitas. He is best friends with Majii, but we feel he could bond with another female if the right girl comes along.  He is young with energy, so we feel like he will need a home with another large dog to play with!

Bannin has finally found his forever home!!! Thank you to the Tolentino family for opening their hearts and home to this amazing boy!

Acquired: 12-16-13

Adopted: 8-24-14

Bannin's story:

Bannin is an approximately 6 year old male, neutered Akita. He is up to date on his vaccines, microchipped, heartworm negative, house trained, and leash trained. He prefers not to be crated.

Bannin came to us after his second home could no longer care for him. This sweet, sweet male is dog friendly (goes to doggy daycare), has previously lived with small animals and cats, would do well in a home with children 10 or older, and would be equally happy to live with a female dog or as an only dog.

After almost 2 YEARS in rescue, Jade has FINALLY found her forever home! Thank you to the amazing Hagley family for adopting another one of our furbabies! Here is Jade with her new family and Akita brother, and fellow RIAR alum, Ivan.

Acquired: 10-25-12

Adopted: 9-6-14

Jade's story:

Jade was picked up running stray in Tarboro, NC. She is approximately 2.5 - 3 years old (we are guessing she was born in April of 2011) , spayed, microchipped, heartworm negative, up to date on vaccines, crate trained, and leash trained.

She is very shy with people, but gains all her confidence back when she is with other dogs!! She would do best in a home with a family that will treat her like the confident dog she can be, and she will need a brother dog to help guide her in life!

Trix is the first of her litter to find their forever home! Congrats to Trix and the Mauro family!

Trix's story:

Acquired: 9-1-14

Adopted: 9-25-14

Trix is part of a litter of four puppies (2 boys, and 2 girls) taken in from the Philadelphia Animal Control.

Born approximately June 11, 2014, these pups are all very social and would love a home with another dog to play with. They are all spayed/neutered, fully vaccinated , microchipped, heartworm negative, and on flea and heartworm prevention.

Baby Benjamin, has just joined the DeRaffele family from New Rochelle, NY

Benjamin's story:

Acquired: 9-1-14

Adopted: 9-27-14

Benjamin is part of a litter of four puppies (2 boys, and 2 girls) taken in from the Philadelphia Animal Control.

Born approximately June 11, 2014, these pups are all very social and would love a home with another dog to play with. They are all spayed/neutered, fully vaccinated , microchipped, heartworm negative, and on flea and heartworm prevention.

Thumper has joined RIAR alum Hope (now Paige) and the White family!

Thumper's story:

Acquired: 9-1-14

Adopted: 9-27-14

Thumper is part of a litter of four puppies (2 boys, and 2 girls) taken in from the Philadelphia Animal Control.

Born approximately June 11, 2014, these pups are all very social and would love a home with another dog to play with. They are all spayed/neutered, fully vaccinated , microchipped, heartworm negative, and on flea and heartworm prevention.

The amazing Moon (aka Blind Dog Moon) has found and equally amazing forever home! Yay!

Acquired: 9-22-13

Adopted: 10-5-14

Moon is a 7 year old male, neutered, blind Akita. He is neutered, up to date on vaccines, microchipped, house trained, crate trained, and leash trained.

Moon comes to us after his owner passed away. With no known relatives or anyone to care for him, we were contacted by the hospice provider to see if there was any help that could be provided. He is a super sweet boy who spent the last 5 years taking care of his buddy and now he needs someone to take care of him.

Moon has been diagnosed with VKH and is considered blind.

Our Hemi has found a wonderful new forever home!!

Acquired: 5-24-14

Adopted: 10-18-14

Hemi's story:

Hemi is less than a year old (born approximately August 2013), neutered, fully vaccinated, microchipped, and heartworm negative.

Hemi comes to us after a collaborative effort between several volunteers in Tennessee, JoAnn Dimon of Big East Akita Rescue, and us and finally made it all the way to us from Jackson, TN with a short stop in boarding in NJ. He's a well traveled little guy. :)

River is officially a foster failure with the Wheatley-Clark family! We are so happy for River!

Acquired: 8-4-12

Adopted: 11-2-14

River's story:

River and her daughter, Zoe, were seized from a property in Winchester, VA in late July 2012, after concerned neighbors called local animal control upon sighting River running loose and emaciated.:

" FOUR DOGS SEIZED FROM LOCAL HOME

July 20, 2012

By REBECCA LAYNE

The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER — Four dogs have been seized from a northern Frederick County residence because of poor living conditions.

According to a county search warrant filed Thursday, Frederick County Animal Control Officer J.J. Yost was recently dispatched for an Akita running at large in the area of the 1100 block of Green Spring Road, and to check on the welfare of animals at the residence of Tammy Wilkins in the same area.

Upon arrival at the residence, Yost noticed an abundance of trash on the property, which included food, diapers, toys and feces. She also smelled urine on the ground of the property and on the two porches of the house, according to the search warrant.

Yost then noticed an Akita running around on the property and a camper shell in the driveway that had a pit bull inside. The pit bull had no food or water, and there were feces and urine on the floor, she said.

When Yost peered through the glass doors of the residence, she allegedly noticed another Akita inside, along with moldy food, insects crawling on the counter and trash and trash bags scattered throughout the living room area.

“I could not visibly see any adequate food or water for the animal inside the home,” she wrote in the warrant.

The deputy then heard two other dogs barking inside, and saw two pit bulls hang their head out a window of the house.

She could not hear the running of the air conditioners that were attached to the house and did not see any visible food or water for the two dogs, according to the warrant.

She attempted to make contact with the homeowners, but the warrant does not say if she was successful. Yost eventually seized an Akita, two adult pit bulls and a pit bull puppy from the residence.

The two phone numbers listed for Wilkins were out of service on Thursday.

No charges have yet been filed."

This was the second time this pair had ended up in the shelter together; they had just been adopted in April 2012. They were in the shelter previously after repeatedly escaping their previous owner's yard. He finally stopped coming to reclaim them.

This sweet girl is approximately 6 years old, spayed, up to date on vaccines, microchipped, and house trained. She was placed in a home in Feb 2013, but has sadly been returned to rescue.

She would be happiest in a home with the right male, large dog. No cats, small dogs, or other small animals!!

Gatti has been scooped up by the Brown family!!!

Acquired: 7-6-14

Adopted: 11-11-14

Gatti's story:

Gatti is young, neutered male (born 9-24-11). He is up to date on vaccines, heartworm negative, house trained and crate trained. We are working on his leash manners.

Gatti and Majii were surrendered to rescue after their family went through a divorce and could no longer care for them. He has lived with children, cats, small dogs, and other Akitas. He is best friends with Majii, but we feel he could bond with another female if the right girl comes along.  He is young with energy, so we feel like he will need a home with another large dog to play with!

Duke has found an amazing forever home with one of the wonderful ladies of Midway Vet who originally took care of him when he was found with broken legs! Talk about fate!

Acquired: 6-29-14

Adopted: 12-21-14

Duke's story:

Duke is a 6 year old, male Akita. He is neutered, up to date on vaccines, microchipped, heartworm negative, house trained, crate trained, and leash trained.

This gentle giant was found a couple years ago in Chesapeake, VA after having been hit by a car and breaking both front legs! He was taken to Midway Vet Clinic where he was all patched up and adopted out to a family with two kids. Fast forward a couple years and the family can no longer care for this gentle giant.

Duke has lived with kids and is non-reactive to dogs. He is a big (118 lbs!) teddy bear who would love a home with the right female or as an only dog!

Little Jessica, the last of our rabbit litter, has finally found her forever home with RIAR alum Pugsley and the Seamans family!! Now they have a mixed Akita matched set!

Jessica's story:

Acquired: 9-1-14

Adopted: 12-30-14

Jessica is part of a litter of four puppies (2 boys, and 2 girls) taken in from the Philadelphia Animal Control.

Born approximately June 11, 2014, these pups are all very social and would love a home with another dog to play with. They are all spayed/neutered, fully vaccinated , microchipped, heartworm negative, flea and heartworm prevention, house trained, crate trained, and leash trained.