Tanjiro, our Hero

It doesn’t matter how long a rescuer has been rescuing animals, sometimes, just when you feel like you’ve seen it all, something happens. Tuesday, 9/12/23, was one of those days.

The story began like so many - Our rescue coordinator with a Southern California animal shelter reached out to us regarding an intact, male, SENIOR Akita named “Tanjiro” that had come in. He had been picked up by an Animal Control Officer with the neighboring County as a “stray” on the street in a neighboring high-desert community. The first thing shelter staff noticed was that for a large-framed Akita, Tanjiro was very thin (89lbs) and non-weight bearing on his forelegs. He would take a few steps towards the staff member at the front of the kennel, and then sit or lie down.

He was examined by medical staff then sent out to a private veterinary hospital for x-rays and was examined. No one could have guessed - just by looking at him - that he was having so much trouble standing or walking was because both of his forelegs were fractured. As the exam progressed, he didn’t appear to have any obvious external or internal injuries, such as abrasions/cuts, or glaring medical issues so his being hit by a car was ruled out as the cause for such a painful and serious break on not one but both forelegs. By all appearances, his injuries appear to have been intentionally inflicted.

A public shelter – ANY public shelter - and especially a high intake one - is no place for a dog like this and in this condition. Unfortunately, most shelters do not have the resources of mending dogs who have been severely injured and abused - there is no time, no money, no staff, no SPACE to care for a severely injured dog.

But our Rescue Coordinator at this shelter still tried for THIS dog - there was something in her voice that said NO MORE – this dog needed, no, deserved rescue! Knowing that like everyone else, we are full to overflowing, she called and she tried. After an honest conversation about his condition and what he needed; what we had available in terms of resources – time and space – etc., together, we made a plan. Because of that something in her voice, that something in the gentle tail wag of a dog with two broken legs and chewed-up ears, the softness and trust in his eyes – we knew we had to find a way. The video showing him trying to stand, then walk the few feet to reach the staff member for comfort and possibly show gratitude sparked anger and a deep desire to right this wrong that was done to him.

Through tears at this poor dog’s suffering and anger at the injustice, Akita Angels formally committed to rescuing Tanjiro and rushed to get everything in place. We were careful to weigh everything out and consider what we had available to us in terms of resources, and then consider his advanced age, his present (known) condition, unknown condition, his prognosis and most important if he had the ability to heal and then live a quiet life without pain – or with manageable pain - for the rest of his life.

The next morning (Thursday, 9/14) Tanjiro left the shelter and arrived at Bear Valley Animal Hospital. That afternoon, he was sedated using general anesthesia and then underwent an extensive procedure to mend, splint and cast his forelegs, and undergo routine neuter.

Today, Friday 9/15/23, Tanjiro is doing well and the staff LOVES him! He will spend at least the next 7 days at the veterinary hospital in medical boarding so he can have the observation and care he needs.

We don’t know what the future holds for Tanjiro but in a time of extreme scarcity of resources we know that this sweet, grateful, gentle giant deserved this chance.

Please help us help Tanjiro by making a donation. Akita Angels is a Non-Profit Public Charity under IRC (Internal Revenue Code) Section 501(c)(3). We rely on voluntary donations to help fulfill our mission. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed under law.

If you would like to make a donation in another manner, please visit our website or contact us.

Thank you for your love of Akitas and support of Tanjiro. Together we are making a Difference.

About Us: Akita Angels is dedicated to helping save the lives of Akitas and other large, dominant-breed dogs through Education, Intervention, Advocacy, and Rescue. Akita Angels is a Non-Profit Public Charity under IRC (Internal Revenue Code) Section 501(c)(3). We rely on voluntary donations to help fulfill our mission. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed under law. Always consult your tax advisor for more information and to determine the deductibility of your contribution).