My name is Marty Kirchner. I live in Lake Havasu City, Arizona with my wife Ann and our two Akitas. Sake is a red male and Jilly a white female. Sake is an aloof and friendly boy. He is never going to be a protector and hates riding in the car but is the sweetest dog you could hope to meet. Jilly is a street-wise girl who we rescued from the pound. She is a bit insecure, protective of her food and her Mom, but also very sweet.
Training Sake was a breeze as he is motivated by food. Say the “C word” and Sake went into his Cookie Dance. He learned all the basic commands and responded well. We never could get him to use the doggie door (Akita stubborn) but it didn’t matter. Sake has a love-hate relationship with Jilly. Most of the love coming from Sake and the hate… Well let’s just say Jilly tolerates the big goofy boy. Sake’s health began to deteriorate in November of 2005 and in April, just short of his 14th birthday, Sake did his Cookie Dance one last time and we knew it was time to end Sake’s pain. Surprisingly enough, it was Jilly who seemed to be having the hardest time adjusting to life without Sake. We had decided to be a one Akita family after Sake passed, a decision written in sand and we were soon surfing Akita Rescue sites for a companion for Jilly.
We found Bear, a 15-month old red Akita on the TARA site. His colorful bio, written so eloquently by Sandy, told us he was a fellow we wanted to meet. We made an inquiry to TARA and Diane sent us an application. Diane was a bit apprehensive to send Bear out of state and wanted to be sure our desire to adopt was sincere. Initially we were a bit put out by the extensive questions, but after meeting Diane, Sandy and Jarrett and seeing their commitment to Akita Rescue we completely understood.
Choosing rescue as a venue for pet adoption requires patience and understanding. People who take on the job of animal rescue are dedicated and noble folks who always have the best interests of the animal at heart. They are unsung heroes who put the animal first and foremost.
We spoke to Sandy, Bear’s foster mom, on the phone for over two hours. By the end of the conversation we were in love with Bear & Sandy and wanted to adopt them both! The next step was a home visit by a woman pinch hitting from a local Great Dane rescue that went well. The last and most important hurdle was introducing Jilly to Bear.
Ann, Jilly & I traveled to San Francisco to spend a few days with Bear. It was apparent after two days that Jilly was going to tolerate Bear and he was going to respond well to her corrections. Thrilled with the outcome, a date was set to complete the adoption.
Two weeks later I returned to San Francisco. Diane and Sandy brought Bear to my hotel, along with a trunk full of toys, food, supplements and Bear’s bed. We spent the evening together, signed the adoption contract and Sandy provided me with Bear’s microchip and medical records. Diane and Sandy were a wealth of information about Akitas and recommended a book to purchase. Bear and I walked Diane and Sandy to their car at the end of the evening and as we returned to the hotel, Bear never looked back. It was an assurance to us all that we made the right choice.
 
It has been a month since Bear joined our family. There is a love-hate relationship between Bear and Jilly that mirrors that of Sake and Jilly. Life for bear is all about play but he knows when to mind his manners. We spend early mornings at the dog park where he loves to run and soak in the pool. His best friend is Rufus, a 2-year old Basset hound. Bear accompanies me to the office most days where he also has many friends. He entertains them with his vocalizations and by chasing his tail for attention. Ann, Jilly, Bear and I walk in the evenings enjoying the Arizona sunsets. Bear searches for an opportunity to chase a rabbit or some form of desert wildlife. I doubt that Bear will ever be a great protector. He is a sweet, gentle giant who loves to travel in the car. He is not motivated by food but loves praise and attention. He knows his commands and is the second sweetest dog you could ever hope to meet. We love Bear and thank Diane, Sandy and Jarrett for giving us this opportunity.
With utmost respect,
Ann, Marty & Jilly Kirchner
   
The Journey Continues
By Marty Kirchner - 7/19/09
It has been some time since Bear joined us. He is a welcomed addition to our family and a constant source of entertainment. To say Bear is the “Ambassador of the Breed” would be a stretch. He is more like the “Anti Akita” still whining for attention and missing the aloof Akita gene. A sweet boy who loves travel and adventure none-the-less. Last year Bear and I conducted a home visit in Southern California and met Chris who adopted Rita, aka Tora. It was a great time for us both and an honor to help find Tora her “Forever Home.” Bear saw the ocean for the first time. He loved running on the sand and enjoyed the salt air but was not enamored by the oceans undertow.
A lot of change has transpired in the Kirchner family since Bear joined us. The company that I work for transferred me from Lake Havasu City to Phoenix in January of 2008 and than again to Casa Grande in August of the same year. Bear has been a trooper through it all, embracing the change and relying on Jilly to guide him through. Bear still accompanies me to work and we spend early mornings at the neighborhood dog park. Bear is the center of attention as he establishes relationships with new friends.
The years have been catching up to Jilly. Arthritis has prevented those long walks and her hearing has completely failed. Jilly has always been her Mom’s girl. As Ann tells it, “I found her at the Palm Springs Pound. She was this beautiful white girl with the sweetest face framing a pink nose. The attendant brought her out of the run; she walked up to me, peed on my foot and has never left my side.”
Jilly has taught Bear a lot about the pecking order of the family. He has responded well to her direction, exercising caution not to cross the invisible line that results in dealing with Jilly’s wrath. Their relationship has transitioned from one of discipline and respect to that of love. Bear became the gentleman that Jilly requires and she the mother that Bear so needed. Bear has a problem trusting Jilly as he wakes to find her standing over him gently licking his ears or removing the sleep from his eyes. It’s a funny scenario, Bear jumping to his feet expecting a stern correction for some unknown violation as she exposes her sweet side. Jilly tries to play with the “big goof” but she is unsteady on her feet and the play is short lived. Bear knows that Jilly’s health is failing and he spends his nights sleeping close to her in the yard where she finds the thick grass a comfortable mattress for her tired bones.
By now you probably know where this story is going. Jilly has always been a stubborn cantankerous gal. She always felt her number one job was to please us. Sake gave us a clear sign when he no longer did his “Cookie Dance” but it is equally clear that Jilly is not going to give us a sign. She is a fighter and will deal with the pain asking for nothing but love in return. The decision became ours alone and on July 1st Jilly crossed that Rainbow Bridge where she is free of pain and running free with her old pal Sake. Ann & I mourn our loss. Jilly was a great find who blessed us with many fond memories. She was our nervous girl, constantly licking us to show her love. She has been Ann’s protector, exercising that role on more than one occasion, calming only on Ann’s command of “Jilly, Be Sweet.”
Bear misses Jilly. We are keeping him close to us and pay extra attention to him, providing as many distractions as possible. He is enjoying the extra car trips and the adventures to Petsmart for treats and toys but he knows all is not right in his world. We have been in contact with Sandy & Diane and will soon journey once again to the Bay Area to find a new addition to the Kirchner family.
We will keep you posted.
Ann, Marty & Bear Kirchner
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