Tonka's Story
Tonka was a sweet happy puppy who spent his first 10 years in a loving home. Then his owner was transferred to Japan and left Tonka in the care of a college age friend who lives with multiple roommates and their dogs. The dogs began running the neighborhood and there were complaints. And then, as one of the neighbors put it "the Akita disappeared."
Apparently the Akita "disappeared" because he was taken to the Colorado mountains and left there. A 11 year old senior dog who had been raised as a beloved family house pet.
How do we know this? WELL, in July of this year when Tonka came off the mountain his rescuer placed flyers in the nearby towns, and a neighbor came forward and said "I know that dog and here's his story." But, of course the person who left Tonka on the mountain, who "lost" him, never came forward.
The person who brought Tonka off that mountain tells us "Met the roommate of the person who dumped the Akita (older male) and learned more about him. His name is Tonka, he is 11 years old. Had one owner for ten years who got transferred to Japan and couldn't take the dog so left him with a friend who I believe took him up the mountain and dumped him. He is pretty much over his depression now and has bonded with me and one of my volunteers who takes him out for a walk every evening. He at least smiles and wags his tail now. He will probably have to live out his life here unless a special home can be found that HE picks."
If you think you have the kind of home to make Tonka smile and be happy for the last few years of his life, please write to us. He is receiving good care now but is living in a boarding kennel and being walked, loved and played with by a volunteer. This gentle senior Akita boy deserves a happy ending, maybe you could give it to him?
ps -- I don't have the name or whereabouts of the American living in Japan that he belonged to, but perhaps if you have friends who live in work in Japan, maybe you could forward his story to them. I'd really like his jerk of an owner to know that he broke this old dog's heart and that his "family friend" is an idiot.
Tonka was saved and is currently being sheltered by Sundance Kennels of Palmer Lake, CO. Our heartfelt thanks to them for their commitment to the unwanted who have no voice of their own or choice in their future.
updated 9/12/09