Django - Adopted!
Our boy Django (jang'-o) and his companion were living in the yard of an elderly woman. They had a litter of 5 pups. Unfortunately the gate was left open and the pups made their way to the street and sadly, all of them died. A concerned neighbor contacted Animal Control. It was determined the elderly woman was incapable of safely caring for the dogs, so they were taken to the shelter.
Months passed while these two languished in the shelter. No one expressed interest in them, even though both were very loving. The shelter was calling them Akita mixes. Well, a picture is worth a thousand words, as they say. In their pictures they looked as if they could be part Akita but it was difficult to know for sure. And more important than their breed mix, was the fact that they were suddenly facing euthanasia due to lack of space. Even though we didn’t have foster space or extra funds, we decided to take them regardless of how much Akita they had in them. Saving them was more important.
Two dedicated individuals with hearts of gold, wanted desperately to help these two ever since they learned of their plight. They offered to drive the 8 hour round trip, starting out at 5 am. Wasting no time at all, they brought this pair back and a sigh of relief was expressed by all, as they were finally out of harm’s way.
We were quite surprised to see that in person, the female really had no strong Akita traits but appeared to be more of a cattle dog, chow mix, though Django appears to have more Akita features. Django’s companion will be placed where she will have a much better opportunity to be adopted by those seeking a dog with her strong breed traits.
Django is estimated to be about 2 years old. We don’t know what breed he is mixed with, but we can tell you that he IS mixed with pure sugar! He gives a whole new meaning to the word "SWEETNESS". If you looked in the dictionary under SWEETNESS, you'd see his picture!! He is one of the most loving, giving and affectionate dogs that has come into our program. Like a child whose father is reading a bedtime story to, Django will gaze up at you with big amber eyes and lay his ears back in absolute bliss, listening intently and hanging on your every word, as you speak lovingly to him.
For a boy whose entire existence consisted of his backyard, he is amazingly willing and courageous about experiencing new things…mostly because he wants nothing more than to please you and be with you.
Django is 80 lbs. of pure gentleness. He rises up on his hind feet silently and ever so gently, to give you a loving hug, encircling you with his paws. He also fondly offers you his paw, waving it in the air to emphasize his affection. He’s never invasive or demanding but at the same time will give his entire soul to anyone willing to stroke him on the head or say kind loving words to him. He will bond very quickly and strongly.
Some time in his past, he suffered an injury to his left rear hock, as is evident by a long, mysterious scar. After x-raying the leg, thankfully our vets saw no broken bones, but feel there was an old ligament type injury that was never cared for. As a result there is scar tissue and arthritis surrounding that ankle. He’s currently on a joint supplement and may require some pain meds on going, or it’s possible acupuncture treatments may reduce the need for pain meds. He walks on it, but occasionally will hold the foot up if asked to walk too fast or too far.
He will need exercise, however won’t require long or vigorous walks. A short stroll for some fresh air, or trip to the corner coffee shop would be appreciated. He’ll need a home that can tend to this condition, and monitor this as he gets older. A small price to pay, to receive so much more in return.
This impediment doesn’t hinder his appreciation for life, and he is playful and excited when it comes time for a walk or to be doing whatever it is you’re doing! He has no regrets and holds no grudges about his past. He’s a young boy that has his entire life ahead of him. He epitomizes what dogs do best…he lives in the moment and doesn’t dwell on the past.
Give this boy a chance to not only live in this moment, but give him hope that he’ll have a wonderful future as well. I guarantee you will be rewarded handsomely.
Django, is ready to explore a whole new world outside the backyard that WAS his entire world. If you would like to share your life with someone who won't judge you, or care if you're having a bad hair day, care if you have morning breath and couldn't give a rip about the kind of car you drive and just wants to love you, consider giving Django a forever home!
For more information about Django, please email Diane at: adopt1 @ sbcglobal.net (remove spaces).
To download our application, please click here: Adoption Application
(By using this listing, the adopting party releases TARA and its representatives from any and all liability arising out of or in any way connected with the adoption of the pet listed)
Shaka - Adopted!
Meet Shaka!
Shaka is a Hawaiian gesture that has many meanings, including the more loosely known “hang loose” translation. However to the native Hawaiians, it also symbolizes the personification of leading a Hawaiian lifestyle of aloha (love).
Shaka is new to our program, so we are still learning about him. However what we know so far is that whoever gave him up…well it’s their loss and our gain.
Shaka seems to leave behind him a path of aloha spirit everywhere he goes. He loves everyone he has come into contact with in the short time he’s been with us, and draws the admiration of everyone who meets him, young and old alike. Very much like a young pup still, he has a sense of humor and reckless abandon, at the same time he’s loving and affectionate. He has a very generous and giving heart, and will bond extremely quickly and very tightly with his new guardian. He wants nothing out of life except to give and receive affection and share his larger-than-life aloha spirit with that special someone.
One of his favorite things to do is roll in the grass on his back, kicking all four feet in the air exposing his belly to you. Hint, hint….a tummy rub would be nice! While you rub his tummy, he looks up at you upside down on his back, with soft brown eyes that seem to say, “don’t ever let this moment end”.
Shaka is a gorgeous red brindle who is approx. 1 1/2 - 2 years old. Originally the shelter thought he was older, but upon reexamination, it is evident he is much younger. He is quite underweight and will need to put on about another 15 lbs. Once he fills out and grows into his head and paws, he will be an impressive, and stunning boy. He’s very strong, but walks beautifully with a gentle leader. He’s a smart boy that only needs to be shown something once. His one fault is that in his excitement to see you, he jumps up, which we are working on. Once he’s leashed up and ready to hit the road, he gets his groove on and just goes with the flow. After some quality exercise, he is calm and will happily lie by your feet, relishing in the nearness of you. He can be somewhat sensitive to a raised voice, but not overly so, however a gentle hand and consistency will reward you tenfold.
He knows how to sit and shake hands, but will need to go to a basic obedience class with his new person, so he can complete his repertoire. He will love the challenge of being able to use his intellect, which we feel he hasn’t been challenged to do. He’s just waiting for the chance to show what he’s got!
He rides fabulously in the car and enjoys any adventure that lies ahead.
He’s been tested with a female Siberian mix, and they played very nicely together. He would probably be ok with the right female companion of the canine persuasion, if proper introductions are done.
We don’t know if he is housetrained so he may require a lesson or two and the use of a doggy door would be helpful.
From what we can gather at this point, we think Shaka’s ideal home would be with someone who is active, likes the outdoors, and has a somewhat flexible schedule.
As we get to know him better, we’ll update this page. Please check back, for more information.
For more information about our adoption process, fees, procedures, and for our application, please click here: adoption application.
If you have questions about Shaka, please email Diane at: adopt1 @ sbcglobal. net (remove spaces).
(By using this listing, the adopting party releases TARA and its representatives from any and all liability arising out of or in any way connected with the adoption of the pet listed)
Tsuki - Adopted!
Tsuki is 2 1/2 mos. old now and is coming along well with her training and socialization. She also gets more adorable as the months go by!
She learns very quickly and remains intelligent, loving, willful and determined, however she's learning to accept and abide by the rules set in her foster home. Thankfully her foster mom knows what is involved in providing the firm structure she needs and the importance of consistency, especially at this age and the juvenile phase which is just on the horizon. Tsuki is still however a very dominant, alpha female and always will be. Given the proper environment and an experienced guardian, she'll continue down the path she is now, and will keep blossoming into a well balanced Akita.
We will only place her in a home that has EXTENSIVE experience with the Akita breed. She is not the dog for the first time Akita owner, nor is she the dog for someone who is accustomed to the easy going, soft tempered Akita. This girl requires someone who has vast knowledge and hands on experience with Akitas. We want to provideTsuki and her new adopter, with the best possible chance for success.
If you feel you can provide this type of regimen and are capable of continuing to build upon the foundation we've started, please contact us at: info@tikihutakitarescue.com
Please click here for our application: adoption application
(By using this listing, the adopting party releases TARA and its representatives from any and all liability arising out of or in any way connected with the adoption of the pet listed)
Nutmeg - Adopted!
Meet Nutmeg, aka Meg!
Meg is an approximately 1 to 2 year old Chow/Cattledog mix who’s former life was filled with neglect and drama in the Bakersfield area. Nutmeg and her son were confined in a backyard together intact, which resulted in a litter of puppies. The elderly owner repeatedly left the gate open resulting in the dogs getting out, and would wait for animal control to round them up and bring them home. The final time resulted in the entire litter of puppies escaping and being hit by cars. With no survivors of the litter in combination with repeated warnings to the owner, animal control finally took action and confiscated Nutmeg and her son for their own safety.
As suitable homes were far and few in the area, the dogs were in danger of being euthanized due to lack of space and time with the number of dogs in the area shelters. TARA agreed to act as middleman and spay/neuter the pair before transferring them to another shelter that had agreed to take them in. Upon meeting these two and seeing the condition they were in, we couldn’t just spay and neuter them without treating their other ailments also. Meg had deeply embedded back dew claws and a severe urinary tract infection which had to be extremely painful, but showed only happiness and affection for the love and attention she was receiving.
Meg loves to ride in the car and join you in whatever you do. She's engaging, loyal, independent, feisty, and has a passion for the adventure. Though she's a short, powerful little girl that can jump right up into the back of an SUV with little effort, she can also be quiet, mellow and cuddly. So well behaved while riding in a car, you’d think she was an experienced world traveler! By lookin at her big brown eyes and perpetual smile, you'd never know she came from a neglectful home. She shows few emotional scars, optimistically looking forward rather than living in the past.
Meg prefers to keep her kennel area clean, and we think she may be housebroken as she waits for long periods of time to relieve herself until she is let out of the kennel. Although kept with other dogs in her prior home, Meg will not be placed in a home with other dogs as she deserves quality time in a quality home to make up for her rough start in life.
If you are interested in knowing more about Nutmeg, please email Sandy at: tikihutdog@yahoo.com
Please click here for our application: adoption application
(By using this listing, the adopting party releases TARA and its representatives from any and all liability arising out of or in any way connected with the adoption of the pet listed)
Chika - Adopted!
Chika may think she is an Akita, but she is actually a five-year old, Jack Russell Terrier that was lost and found her way to the TikiHut. We were able to eventually find out where she originally was living, but sadly, her past owners did not want to take her back home.
While Chika was being held at the animal shelter, she passed her evaluations and got along with the few dogs she was able to meet there. She has expressed some interest in kitties and we are now working on her training and doggie manners, continuing to socialize her with other dogs and evaluate her temperament while she stays at her foster home.
Strangely, Chika does not always exhibit the high energy, "no off switch" behavior and activity like most Jack Russell Terriers and walks calmly on lead. Once she gets to know you well, she becomes a total lap dog that enjoys being held and cuddled by you! However, it is important that she goes to a new home that has secure fencing or someone present most of the time as Jack Russell Terriers are known to dig large holes, climb fences and escape from their homes if left unattended and without anything to keep them occupied.
Prior to adopting (or even considering adopting) a Jack Russell Terrier, please read the information on these two webpages to see if they would be an suitable breed for your personal lifestyle and home environment:
- www.russellrescue.com/baddog.php4
- www.therealjackrussell.com/breed/index.php
Please check back for updates as we get to know Chika better. Thanks!
For more information about Chika and if you are able to give her a new home, please send email to pochacco778 (at) yahoo. com.
Please also visit our adoption information page for detailed information on the adoption process. Thanks!
Click here for adoption application (just substitute "Jack Russell Terrier" when you come across items in the application pertaining to "Akitas")
Chika Update - August 2009
Chika can be a quiet, calm dog, but we have been keeping her active to help keep her busy and out of mischief. She gets walked (which she loves) about one to three times a day (almost a mile for each walk), gets play time in the yard (sometimes with another dog where they chase one another) and she can play fetch with a tennis ball for hours if you can keep up with her. Chika also likes to chase the stream of water while you're watering the yard! She is still very much a Jack Russell Terrier, so she needs to be kept active and engaged.
Chika appears to have a strong prey drive for cats, birds, squirrels and other small animals. We have found that she can be also very territorial of her property and sometimes aggressive on lead when being walked if she encounters dominant, aggressive dogs. We believe Chika was not socialized with other dogs properly when she was younger so she misinterprets their communications or perceives them as prey targets. She is not a dog you can just take to an off leash dog park for exercise.
Being a Jack Russell Terrier, she also has a very strong and sometimes aggressive personality, so she will have conflicts with dogs of similar temperament or that appear to challenge her, even if they outweigh her by a 100 pounds. She is currently sharing her foster home with three other larger dogs, so it may be possible for her to share her new home with another dog with some time and training, but she would definitely enjoy being the only dog.
She loves people (and children) very much and goes to even new people that she meets and tries to climb into your lap. She does not like being left alone or having you out of sight all the time, so it would be good if she was in home with someone present most of the time or gone only for short periods of time. She is most content when being held in your lap or going on a walk with you.
Click here to view a short video of Chika in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcUiORHF40c if the video is not viewable below.
(By using this listing, the adopting party releases TARA and its representatives from any and all liability arising out of or in any way connected with the adoption of the pet listed)
