Thank you to the Rolland family for giving Charm the best Valentine's gift ever! We know you are just going to love her!!

Acquired: 1-21-11

Adopted: 2-13-11

Charm's Story:

Charm was approximately 4 years old, microchipped, and housebroken. She was very skinny, weighing only 67 lbs, and had just been spayed. Charm was transfered to us after we were contacted by the staff of Norfolk Animal Care Center. They had all just fallen in LOVE with this sweet girl (that's why we had named her "Charm"), and wanted to make sure that she went to the best possible home. She was surrendered to their facility after being picked up for the third time as a stray. The family decided they didn't want her anymore and surrendered her to the shelter. According to them she lived outside because she was not housebroken and they didn't have the time; she needs to go to a home that can provider her with "plenty of love and affaction."

She is great with kids, cats, and dogs of all ages/sizes. She is trustworthy when left home alone and has already gained almost 5 lbs in the little over a week we've had her!

Thanks to Susan and Joe Allesi for adopting this sweet boy! We just know he's going to make you laugh and bring some much needed joy into your lives!!

Buddy's story:

Acquired: 12-11-10

Adopted: 4-5-11

Buddy was just under 2 years old, neutered, microchipped, fully crate trained, and housebroken. Buddy's owner was forced to surrender him when the owner had to go to the hospital and have BOTH his legs amputated due to diabetes. Buddy went to a kill shelter in South Carolina and was saved due to a combined rescue effort, thanks especially to MARS and Don't Bully My Breed. He is now safe in Virginia Beach with us as of Dec 11, 2010!! Buddy is very friendly with people and other dogs, but can be a bit intense with cats and small dogs, so he would be best to go to a home without them. He is happy to be out of the shelter and is ready for his forever home!

We are happy to report that Samurai is a foster FAILURE! Thanks to Melanie and Greg for adopting this sweet boy and giving him a new lease on life!

Samurai's story:

Acquired: 3-27-11

Adopted: 4-22-11

Samurai was a 3.5 year old neutered male Akita who was about 85 lbs, microchipped, up to date on shots, housebroken, and a big love. He knows many commands and tricks, including "roll over" and "wave hi." Samurai could only go to a home with kids age 12 and up who understand how to properly behave around a dog Samurai's size. Toddlers and small kids have behaviors that make Samurai want to correct them so he was not be not be placed in a home with children under the age of 12. He has lived with cats in the past and would do well in a home with the right female dog.

Karma has been adopted by Max and Brooke Voloskova here in Virginia Beach, VA!

We are so happy - this girl could not have gone to a better family AND we still get to see her regularly! Win win!

Karma's story:

Acquired: 2-17-11

Adopted: 5-27-11

Karma was surrendered to the SPCA when her owners fell on hard times. This sweet girl was approximately two years old, spayed, microchipped, UTD on vaccines, and housebroken. She is VERY loving and playful, and SO happy to be out of the shelter! She did very well in the house with the other dogs and the cats, and shows no sign of resource guarding with food or toys. Also, SHE SNORES! :)

May 24, 2011 - October 14, 2011

At the age of four and a half months, Panda

(pictured here at 10 weeks) contracted Leptospirosis and lost her life to the resulting kidney failure.

Rest in peace sweet Panda, you always will be in our hearts. Our thoughts are with Monique Renee Scott and her family.

***

Panda was adopted by a wonderful family from Baltimore, MD. She will be growing up with their young son and they hope that those two will tire each other out!

Panda's story:

Acquired: 6-1-11

Adopted: 8-6-11

Part of a litter that was found as their mother was giving birth on the side of the road in North Carolina, Panda and her five siblings have been in rescue since they born. Panda is VERY friendly and extremely social with people, other dogs, and cats. We are still working on house training, but she comes fully vaccinated, microchipped, and with a lifetime of support through rescue.

Kamakaze has been adopted to Romaine and Tina, and his new canine sister Kasha, of Chesapeake, VA. They have been to see him often since we received the litter when they were a week old, and we just KNOW that he is in a great home!

Kamakaze's story:

Acquired: 6-1-11

Adopted: 8-6-11

Part of a litter that was found as their mother was giving birth on the side of the road in North Carolina, Kamakaze and his five siblings have been in rescue since they born. Kamakaze is VERY friendly and extremely social with people, other dogs, and cats. He was injured at only one week of age, and as a result of two sets of stitches and subsequent staples, he has a scar on his side where the hair has grown back black instead of red. We are still working on house training, but he comes fully vaccinated, microchipped, and with a lifetime of support through rescue.

We are happy to report that Ken is a foster failure! Thanks to Aileen Fukunaga for giving this sweet boy a wonderful forever home!

Ken's story:

Acquired: 5-11-11

Adopted: 8-29-11

Ken was a 7 year old male who was purchased here in the US but has spent his whole life in Japan. His family was evacuated because of the disasters in Japan, and, while they went back, he is being fostered here in Virginia Beach. He is a very sweet boy who could use a little bit of training and a home that can handle all 100+ lbs of him! He has grown up with children and is great with them. He underwent

treatment for heartworms and is now competely healthy!

Our big boy Miso has gotten his forever home! Thanks so much to Jake and Cassie - we know that he is going to a loving place!

Miso's story:

Acquired: 6-1-11

Adopted: 9-9-11

Part of a litter that was found as their mother was giving birth on the side of the road in North Carolina, Miso and his five siblings have been in rescue since they born. Miso is VERY friendly and extremely social with people, other dogs, and cats. We are still working on house training, but he comes fully vaccinated, microchipped, neutered, and with a lifetime of support through rescue.

Saki has found her forever home! Thanks so much to The Simmons family!

Saki's story:

Acquired: 6-1-11

Adopted: 9-20-11

Saki was found abandoned and giving birth in a sand pit in North Carolina. She gave birth to seven puppies but one was run over by a dump truck. She and the puppies were staying under an abandoned house and one of the little girls got stuck in an empty peanut butter jar at only a few days old. A concerened citizen found them, got the girl out of the jar, and kept them safe until they were taken on by Rakki-Inu!

The puppies are Akita mixed (we don't know with what), and WONDERFUL! There are 2 males and 4 females. The are 80% house trained, VERY social with people, dogs, and even cats, and they know their names! They would make wonderful additions to the right family - won't you consider one?!

Saki is roughly 2 years old, heartworm and Lyme negative, and is on her way to good health. She had hair loss due to her previous flea infestation, ticks, intestinal parasites, and malnourishment, and was emaciated and starved for affection. She has since re-grown her coat and is putting on weight, but is still working on that Akita "fluff." It does not seem that she has ever lived indoors, but she is learning quickly. We are still working on house training and basic training, and she does need to be crated when left alone or overnight to avoid accidents/destruction. She is VERY social with people, other dogs, and even cats. She would LOVE a home with the right male dog and a family that can provide her with all the love and attention that she missed out on earlier in her life.

Sashimi has gone to her forever home with a wonderful new family! So bittersweet when they grow up and leave us!!

Sashimi's story:

Acquired: 6-1-11

Adopted: 9-24-11

Part of a litter that was found as their mother was giving birth on the side of the road in North Carolina, Sashimi and her five siblings have been in rescue since they born. Sashimi is VERY friendly and extremely social with people, other dogs, and cats. We are still working on house training, but she comes fully vaccinated, microchipped, spayed, and with a lifetime of support through rescue.

Sakura has found her forever home with the Mindar Family! We just know she's going to have the best life!

Sakura's story:

Acquired: 6-1-11

Adopted: 9-25-11

Part of a litter that was found as their mother was giving birth on the side of the road in North Carolina, Sakura and her five siblings have been in rescue since they born. Sakura almost lost her life at a few days old when she crawled into an empty peanut butter jar and got stuck! Thankfully the rescuers got there just in time and were able to get mom and the litter out from under the abandoned house and save little 'Kura from the jar! Sakura is VERY friendly and extremely social with people, other dogs, and cats. We are still working on house training, but she comes fully vaccinated, microchipped, spayed, and with a lifetime of support through rescue.

Pizazz has been adopted!! After only four weeks in rescue, this sweet, sweet girl has found her forever home with the Owens Family!

Acquired: 9-8-11

Adopted: 10-5-11

Pizazz's story:

Pizazz was a petite 3 year old female Akita. Pizazz came to us after bouncing around on Craigslist, having two homes in less than three weeks, and almost ending up in the shelter for chasing the cats in her last home.

She came with no medical history, a mild case of kennel cough, and almost lost her life due to a false positive on her heartworm test. One veterinary clinic told us that she was severly HW pos and was recommending immediate euthanasia. Thankfully we asked for a second opinion from our friends at Pet Care Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Fox discussed treatment options with us, but, on a hunch re-tested her and found her to be heartworm NEGATIVE!!

She is a VERY sweet and friendly girl. Great with people and other dogs, but should probably not go to a home with cats as she is a little too intense with them. This wonderful girl is tired of bouncing around and SO ready for her forever home!

Ivan has been adopted by a wonderful family who has been adopting rescued Akitas for 15 years and have 38 acres for Ivan to play in!!! WTG Ivan!

Ivan's story:

Acquired: 10-3-11

Adopted: 11-25-11

Ivan is young male who has been socialized since he was a puppy. He comes to us after his family fell on hard times and were no longer able to care for him. He was born and bred in Alaska, is SUPER sweet, and does very well at doggy day care and with the cats in his foster home. He has never met a stranger when it comes to people. Fully vaccinated, neutered, microchipped, and trained, this boy would love a home with the right female dog and would be a great addition to any family!

After being in rescue since she was a week old (7 months!) Ahi has finally found her forever home!

Ahi's story:

Acquired: 6-1-11

Adopted: 12-18-11

Part of a litter that was found as their mother was giving birth on the side of the road in North Carolina, Ahi and her five siblings have been in rescue since they born. Ahi is VERY friendly and extremely social with people, other dogs, and cats. We are still working on house training, but she comes fully vaccinated, spayed, microchipped, and with a lifetime of support through rescue.

Chi has been adopted by the wonderful Martinez family! Have a happy life Chi, we miss you and hope to see you again soon, but just for a visit! ;)

Chi's story:

Acquired: 10-29-11

Adopted: 12-30-11

Chi (pronounced "Ch-ee") is a 10-month-old female, spayed, Akita who comes to us from Lenoir County SPCA in Kinston, NC. She was surrendered to Kinston Animal Control by her owner when they called Animal Control to come get her because they said that they could not take care of her after hurricane Irene, and that she "IS NOT LEASH TRAINED," though we've had no problems with that. She spent 6 weeks at the Lenoir County SPCA and time was getting short!

Now she is happily living in a foster home and is very friendly and social with both people and other dogs. She would be very happy in a home with the right male dog to romp with.

Chi is current on all her vaccines, microchipped, housetrained, and looking for her forever home.