Ace - Dumped for being Old

ACE was surrendered to a high-intake shelter on June 15.  A Good Sam in the parking lot caught the family and dog on video. His family tells the person “His back legs don't work so good anymore and he's He's 14, soo...."

(sigh).  “Soo…” yeah…here we are again...scrambling (at the busiest time of year) to help a handsome, majestic and very worthy 14 year old Akita whose loyalty to his family was repaid by him being surrendered to a high intake shelter for being old. Who cares if he can't run? who cares if he can't bounce around? He can walk, right?  It didn't matter ...they turned him in, and of course, the family took their rusted chain with them.

Ace is OUT of the shelter and at Harbor Animal Hospital for exam/evaluation. We are incredibly to Cathy and Alan Sugai (who are presently fostering the senior pair, Mr. Bud and Dakota) for rearranging their day (and care of their own 3 dogs and our two seniors) to head over to the Carson shelter and get Ace and take him to our vet. Ace will spend the night at Dr. Kaufman's and they will also get him a bath and such. He moves to his Foster home tomorrow. When regular people like Val and Kim DeBolt answer our call for Fosters/End of Life Homes and are willing to step up and endure a little bit of inconvenience to make a difference in an old Akita's life, we have to do our part and set them up with all the things they need to be able to care for Ace properly. We made an investment yesterday of more than $700 (kennel, bed, bedding, food, collar, supplements, etc.) and of course, will have veterinary expenses for him. The kennel is set up and more deliveries are being made today. Your donation helps offset those expenses and cover those costs as well as his veterinary care and RX.

The medical staff at the shelter examined him several times and took radiographs. Ace has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia and spondylosis. There is nothing that anyone can do for him except to manage his pain and give him some time, good food, a thick bed, and some short walks to get the muscle tone back up. We have no magic wand for an old dog but we can give him love and make him comfortable. With no boarding available right now (thanks to the 4th of July) we purchased a kennel and set up his foster family with  everything they need to give Ace the daily care that he needs: a 5’ x 10’ kennel with floor grip on the ground; a thick orthopedic bed; bedding/towels/sheets, a car full of high quality food; collar/tag/slip lead, etc. and our private veterinarian will examine him and immediately get him some pain management. We have no idea how bad he really is but we are committed to doing the very best we can for him and for as long as possible.



Akita Angels helps save the lives of Akitas and other large-breed, dominant and/or high risk dogs by providing unlimited, no cost support in the areas of Education, Intervention, Advocacy, and Rescue. Akita Angels Inc. is a non-profit California corporation and an IRS-approved, 501c3 charitable animal welfare organization. Voluntary donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable under law.