Big East Akita Inc

Hi everyone! I'm Tommie and this is my first Whisker Walk. While I always hear my Mommy and Daddy talking about how important helping our friends at Big East Akita Rescue is, this year I put my paw down and told them it was important to me too! You see, without BEAR (and Zac's Mission), I have no idea what might have happened to me and my brother River, as well as the rest of our siblings, our biological Mom and some of our other family members?

It's so scary to think about, but luckily, we never had to worry because my brother and the rest of my littermates were saved before we were even born! Can you believe that? We all got amazing homes thanks to BEAR and none of us ever had to think about some of the terrible and sad things that other Akitas that aren't as lucky as us have had to go through.

Now I want to help BEAR to continue to help all the dogs that they possibly can. It takes great dedication, which they obviously have, lots of hard work, which they always do, but it also takes a lot of money to help keep us Akitas safe, healthy and happy, which is why I'm trying to help to raise funds for my friends that helped me and have helped so many others through the years.

And why is it so important for me to join in the Whisker Walk this year of all years? Well, you see, sadly in September, I lost my brother River. I literally spent every second of every day with him. I was very lost and sad when he first left us. I wandered around and cried and did not understand why he never came home? I tried really hard to comfort my Mom and Dad because they were really, really sad too. But a little time has passed now, and while we never stop missing River, it's gotten a little easier. We talk about him every single day, and the three of us smile more than cry now, cherishing the time we had with him. Now as a way to honor River's memory, we are hoping that some of our friends can contribute to this great cause that is so near and dear to our hearts.

I really want to help as many Akitas as possible so that they can know the love and security that River and I have had. With the help of all of the Whisker Walkers like me, BEAR can continue to fight the good fight and help Akitas in need.

Thanks for reading my story. If you are able to make a donation, please know that we appreciate it so very much and thank you for helping to remember River in this special way!

Love and hugs to all of you!

Tommie Girl

Hi my name is Indy and Storm is my big brother!

This is my third Whisker Walk to raise money for the Big East Akita Rescue (BEAR). Storm has been a Whisker Walker his whole life and he’s really old. He carried on the tradition that his mom Muzzy started and now he says it’s my turn to take over for him while he takes a back seat. Two years ago, at my first Whisker Walk, I was just a little puppy and didn’t know much. But last year there were no excuses, they made me work. I had to do a lot of walking with Storm to get in shape ahead of time and pose for pictures. On the day of the WW, I had to be on my best behavior, take a walk with lots of other akitas and do tricks. A really nice lady said I did a really good job and gave me CGC, CGCA and Trick Dog titles! Mom, Dad and Storm said they were really proud of me. There were lots of other nice people there with their Akitas and after we went on the Whisker Walk we had a nice cook out. Mom said we all together raised a lot of money to help the akitas at the Big East Akita Rescue. I’m really happy about that because they really need it badly. These akitas do not have mom and dads like I do to take care of them. The Big East Akita Rescue is the best. They save akitas every day, but they need our help. The stories these poor dogs have are all so sad. Hearing them is really heart-breaking. Some have very sad endings but some have happy endings. Storm told me we can help make more happy endings if we donate to BEAR and get a bunch of other people to do the same thing so they can save and find homes for more akitas and have more happy endings.

I’m willing to do whatever I can to help. Won’t you help me too and make a donation?

Hi, I’m Aria. Eddie and I are walking this year to support the good people of (B.E.A.R) Big East Akita Rescue. We walk this year in remembrance of Bobby, a B.E.A.R. rescue who passed away last year. He was the victim of abuse and unfortunately succumbed to injuries he sustained in his past life. Bobby spent his final years as a member of our pack at Casa Kirchner. Bob was an amazing guy. Even though he was neglected and abused he still had a lot of love to give.

Eddie & I are proud to carry on the tradition that began with Bear & Carly followed by the infamous Raymond Charles. Your support of Team A & E will help feed, house, transport and fund the medical needs of Akitas in need. Our goal is a modest $1000. Any support you can give will help us achieve that goal.

Nikki‘s Ninjas, Yukiko and Makoto, can now be found at the Rainbow Bridge and have passed the Whisker Walking baton to a new team member. Luther has some big paws to fill, but I assure you, he will follow in the footsteps of those who came before him and do right by their Whisker Walking legacy. Luther is determined to do everything in his power to meet his fundraising goal and raise money for the Orphans at Big East Akita Rescue.

Luther is a carefree youngster who is just learning important lesson’s in life and having a lot of fun doing so. While it’s important to live life to the fullest and enjoy every minute, it is also imperative that he learn humility and recognize that not all Akita’s are lucky enough to find themselves in a forever home surrounded by love and stability.

Those who possess the ability, owe it to less fortunate Akitas to do what we can to provide financial support to those hero’s in the trenches taking care of the special rescues everyday. BEAR requires financial backing to survive and thrive and your donations can help to do that.

So, thank you for finding us in this little corner of the world and supporting us while we make every little step we take, a worthwhile one. ​​

​Hi all! It’s time for another Whisker Walk and I’m so excited! My Mom, Kathy, and I have been doing this Whisker Walk thing since I was a puppy and we really believe in it. You see, there are unfortunate Akitas who end up without a home due to no fault of their own. Lucky for them, there is a group of fine people called Big East Akita Rescue (B.E.A.R.) and they work their magic all across the country to help Akitas get a chance at a wonderful life in a home with their very own family, medical care if needed and regular meals! Most of us take these things for granted but these rescued souls feel so lucky to have them, and we are thrilled because we think this is what all good dogs deserve!

Please join Team Hondo by contributing to our fundraiser to support this worthy cause!

It’s been a long year for our crew with the loss of our beloved Butter and the shocking, and devastating, loss of sweet baby Russell. But, we move on and get stronger, and happily added our new boy Roland to the pack.

And what a pack we have - Pride, the elder statesman and our Rock and steadying force. Lily the wild one who has calmed down some but gives Roland a run for his money. And lastly, our ball of fur and menace Roland. He’s still a puppy but already bigger than his older brother and sister.

BEAR has had a lot of good successes with dogs who many would turn away from. Please consider supporting us and our effort to help BEAR to continue their excellent work.

Hey everyone! My dad adopted me from an accidental litter when I was a wee 13 weeks old. I’ve had allergies all my life and as I grew up I developed Hypothyroidism and Sebaceous Adenitis. My dad has always been there to help me on my journey and take care of all my needs.

As I started feeling better we decided to have fun and get involved in performance sports. My favorite part is getting treats when we learn and practice in school but going to trials with my favorite person is fun too.

The sad part is that not all my Akita friends are so lucky, some dumped on roads, in the woods, and kill shelters, by terrible people who don’t care if they die. The nice people at BEAR and all their friends go out of their way to help them for which I’m so grateful. Would you please be able to help them with the expense of their care? Even a small donation helps and I’d be forever grateful to you.

Love, Sarge Wheeler BN RE FDC SWA SCE SBE CGCA CGCU TKN ATT VAX

Hi! My name is Dex-ter, pronounced with an ex-ter! Me and my three siblings had a hard start in life. As babies, we were severely neglected by a backyard breeder in Texas. Luckily, some nice people stepped in and Big East Akita Rescue rescued us.

My mom adopted me from BEAR on June 05, 2024, when I was just a little squirt. But I turned 1 in March 2025, so I'm a big boy now! My mom says I might look like a big boy but that I still do a lot of silly baby stuff like sit on the top of the couch back cushions while I play with my toys. No matter what mom says I know I'm a big boy because I already went on a round trip from NJ to Arizona in an RV! I even saw snow for the first time in Tennessee!

For fun I like to squeak my toys as loud and for as long as I can. I also LOVE to sing! Mom let's me listen to different music to see what I like. So far, my favorite song is The Humpty Dance. That's where the, "Pronounced with an ex-ter," in my name came from in case you didn't catch the reference.

Mom always tells me she's thankful that B.E.A.R. rescued me. She said that I get to be in Whisker Walk this year to help raise funds so BEAR can keep saving Akitas like me.

Please sponsor Dexter as he walks in honor of Shots, another BEAR rescue, who was part of our family for 12 years before crossing the Rainbow Bridge. Without BEAR, Shots', Dexter's, and countless other Akitas might never have been given a chance to be loved like they deserve.

Hey y’all! My name is Moose. I have been doing the Whisker Walk for so long that I’ve lost count but I think about 8 years. It’s kind of hard to count toes when they are as hairy as mine! Anyway, I am here to support Big East Akita Rescue who saved me through Zac’s Mission.

When I was a puppy and dreaming of puppy things and the fun that was to come in my life, I was devastated when my “breeder” sold me to a puppy mill! Yes, a puppy mill! You and I both know that anybody who does that cannot call themselves a “breeder” when they are actually a “greeder”! She was a bad person. I lived 2 horrible years there being mistreated and forced to breed. Luckily, this mill was forced to close due to violations and I found myself up for auction. I had been shaved since my long coat was matted and dirty and there were so many people bidding including other puppy mill owners who wanted to keep me a slave. But that was not my destiny because an angel named Sherry Lockrem was there too and she kept bidding and bidding and saved my life.

I stayed in boarding a couple weeks and two nice humans came to see me and they brought their Akita girl, Kodi, to meet me. I guess they really liked me because I went home with them a couple weeks later. I loved my new home. I could run around a large yard and chase squirrels and I even had my own big, soft chair to climb into and sleep if I wanted. I have the best of everything – lots of food, plenty of room, vet care, but most of all, a loving family who showers me with kisses every day.

So, on behalf of all the Akitas that are abandoned, neglected, or still stuck in puppy mills, please help me reach my goal for the Whisker Walk so that more can be saved and find great homes! As the saying goes “Rescuing a dog will not change the world, but it will change the dog’s world”, it sure changed mine. Thank you in advance for any donation or share of my link. Wiggles and licks to you all! Love, Moose.

Team Milan reporting in for Whisker Walk duty! This is my third year walking solo after losing my big brother Orien, but I luckily still have my two human puppies helping me out as they keep growing bigger! I clearly listen better than the two human puppies I get to play with ALL day, but I think I can get them to shape up before the Whisker Walk, even though the littlest one still isn’t the most coordinated. We all try our best for our favorite Akita rescue!

Would you help us reach our goal this year, not only for the many Akitas at Big East Akita Rescue, but also for my Mom’s original Whisker Walker Orien, so we can keep his name living on for all the Whisker Walks to come? We couldn’t do it without you!

XOXO

Milan and her human puppies Jace & Riley

In Memory of Therapy Dog Keeva, 2015 (adopted)-2023.

This is Toshi’s very first Whisker Walk! Toshi is also adopted from Big East Akita Rescue (like Keeva!). Toshi, a long coat Japanese Akita Inu, was rescued after the shutdown of a large puppy mill operation. Even though area rescues were full, BEAR did not give up on the dozens of dogs that needed help. Today, Toshi is in training to become a certified therapy dog like her “brother,” Tomo.

Tomo is a 2 year old American Akita that works with Animal Assisted Therapy Services MA and visits schools, colleges, nursing homes, alcohol rehab facilities, prisons, and more within Massachusetts. Toshi, a supercharged and extremely fluffy puppy, already shows excitement for meeting new people and is picking up on new tricks and commands quickly. We think she will be a wonderful therapy dog and also serve as an educational tool to teach others about the Akita Inu breed and the dangers of puppy mills and animal hoarding.

We are forever indebted to BEAR for Keeva; the Whisker Walk is important to us so we can raise funds so they can continue their mission of rescuing dogs like Toshi and provide care for other akitas in need!